bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
K4DD Mpox Health Evidence Summary No 4
Authors: Mujuru Sithandiwe
Published: October 2024

Bi-weekly Mpox Health Evidence Summaries aim to signpost FCDO and others to the latest relevant evidence on Mpox.
Second Order Duality Involving Second Order Cone Arcwise Connected Functions and Their Generalizations in Vector Optimization Problem over Cones
Authors: Chaudhary Mamta , Sharma Vani
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we introduce second order cone arcwise connected function and its generalizations. Further we study the interrelations among these functions also. Mond Weir type second order dual is formulated and duality results are proved using these functions.
Some Properties of Dominant Local Metric Dimension
Authors: Umilasari Reni , Susilowati Liliek , Slamin  , Osaye AFadekemi Janet , Saifudin Ilham
Published: October 2024

Let $G$ be a connected graph with vertex set $V$. Let $W_l$ be an ordered subset defined by $W_l=\{w_1,w_2,\dots,w_n\}\subseteq V(G)$. Then $W_l$ is said to be a dominant local resolving set of $G$ if $W_l$ is a local resolving set as well as a dominating set of $G$. A dominant local resolving set of $G$ with minimum cardinality is called the dominant local basis of $G$. The cardinality of the dominant local basis of $G$ is called the dominant local metric dimension of $G$ and is denoted by $Ddim_l(G)$. We characterize the dominant local metric dimension for any graph $G$ and for some commonly known graphs in terms of their domination number to get some properties of dominant local metric dimension.
ARRANGING REGULATORY POLICIES TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH, INVESTMENT, INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 4.0, SOCIETY 5.0, AND THE GLOBAL ECONOMY WITH OMNIBUS LAW
Authors: Simanjuntak Ronald TA , Panjaitan Marojahan JS , Saragih Bintan R.
Published: October 2024

Arranging regulatory policies to support economic growth, investment, the Industrial Revolution 4.0, Society 5.0, and the global economy using the omnibus law turned out to be problematic. Among the people, there are pros and cons because it is not following the Indonesian legal system, which follows the "civil law" tradition. It is necessary to research the pros and cons of this research. The purpose of this research is to analyze the effectiveness of the omnibus law policy in managing regulations to support economic growth, investment, Industrial Revolution 4.0, Society 5.0, and the global economy. The research method used is normative legal research with a literature study approach. This study concludes that implementing the omnibus law policy in managing regulations to support economic growth, investment, the Industrial Revolution 4.0, Society 5.0, and the global economy is very effective and efficient because the formation is cheaper, faster, and avoids various political conflicts. Law policies formed using the omnibus law method are part of the national legal system. Therefore, the omnibus law policy in managing regulations must refer to the provisions and principles regulated in Law Number 12 of 2011 on the Establishment of Legislation as amended by Law Number 15 of 2019 and Law Number 13 of 2022 and its implementing regulations, Presidential Regulation Number 87 of 2014 and Number 76 of 2021, as well as general and universal principles, the principles and concepts of customary law or, in some instances, the principles and concepts of Islamic law. Everything is elaborated in a direction based on the omnibus law method so that the law developed based on the omnibus law method can create happiness for the Indonesian people, as mandated in the fourth paragraph of the opening of the 1945 Constitution.
Review of: Don't put us away: Memories of a man with learning difficulties
Authors: Bright Colin
Published: October 2024

Book review of SU led book
La crítica de Montaigne a la política maquiavélica
Authors: Zuckert Catherine
Published: October 2024

La crítica de Montaigne a la política maquiavélica no ha recibido la atención que merece, ya que no identifica explícitamente el objetivo de su crítica en muchos de los comentarios dispersos a lo largo de sus Ensayos, que abarcan mil páginas. En este artículo recopilo esos comentarios dispersos para demostrar que, a diferencia de la mayoría de los críticos de su tiempo y posteriores, Montaigne no critica la educación que Maquiavelo ofrece a los líderes políticos, principalmente por ser inmoral e irreligiosa. Montaigne sostiene que los líderes que siguen el consejo de Maquiavelo de mentir constantemente, entender la política esencialmente como una forma de lucha y buscar la gloria destruyendo las instituciones y leyes establecidas para fundar ‘nuevos modos y órdenes’ no están en condiciones de lograr ni sus objetivos políticos ni sus metas privadas e individuales.
Corrupción, Estado y la clase capitalista global. Apuntes para un cambio de perspectiva
Authors: Navarro Ruiz Clara
Published: October 2024

La corrupción es una preocupación central de las sociedades contemporáneas. En el presente trabajo abordamos su manifestación en el caso de las empresas transnacionales y mostramos que los instrumentos de análisis de los que disponen sus críticos no son adecuados para captar la correlación de fuerzas presente en el capitalismo globalizado. Las observaciones de la teoría jurídica de carácter crítico (Cutler, Estévez Araújo) se usan para poner de relieve la complejidad de constructos como el Estado nación y sus presupuestos. Se concluye que todo diagnóstico crítico del capitalismo globalizado debe operar con nociones adecuadas a su realidad (Robinson).
Capacidad institucional
Authors: García-Vegas Ricardo
Published: October 2024

En el artículo se desarrolla el concepto de capacidad institucional integrando los aportes de la Ciencia Política y de la Administración. Se examina el contexto que motiva la revisión de este concepto, considerando los cambios sociales y los fenómenos políticos surgidos desde la década del 2000, así como los avances científico-tecnológicos. Tras un exhaustivo análisis de la literatura, se describe la evolución del concepto y se propone una definición general de capacidad institucional, adaptable a las características de cada organización pública, destacando los diversos enfoques utilizados en torno a este tema. Un aspecto fundamental del artículo es el desarrollo de los componentes de la capacidad institucional y la presentación de conceptos clave para facilitar su análisis de acuerdo con tres niveles: la persona, la organización y el entorno. Cada nivel se desarrolla operativamente y se complementa con el análisis de las siguientes capacidades transversales: coordinación, cooperación y comunicación.
Total Plate Count Analysis and Food-Contaminating Bacterial Identification of Smoked Tatihu (Thunnus albacares) Sold in Several Traditional Markets in Ambon, Indonesia
Authors: Evangelista Risalia Haurissa  , Melda Yunita  , Sulfiana Sulfiana
Published: October 2024

Highlights:1. This research provides important information regarding the food safety of smoked tatihu (yellowfin tuna) sold in several traditional markets in Ambon, Indonesia.2. We find that smoked tatihu fish samples examined at 2 of 3 traditional markets in Ambon city are unsafe for consumption according to the Indonesian National Standard due to bacterial contamination.3. The findings indicate that smoked fish can be contaminated by Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus sciuri, Rothia kristinae, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.
 
Abstract
The large marine area and abundant fish resources of Maluku Province, Indonesia, are in contrast to the poor hygiene of its traditional markets, which can cause microbial contamination and taint processed products, such as smoked tatihu (yellowfin tuna). In Ambon city, Maluku, Indonesia, no research had been conducted concerning total plate count analysis and food-contaminating bacterial identification that could guarantee the microbiological safety of smoked tatihu. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of smoked tatihu according to Indonesian National Standards (INS 2725:2013) and to identify any presence of food-contaminating bacteria. This research was a quantitative descriptive study with a true experimental laboratory approach. The samples used were smoked tatihu collected from three traditional markets in Ambon, Indonesia. The spread plate method was used in the isolation process, while the total plate count analysis was performed to estimate the quantity of colonies on each petri dish. Bacterial identification was carried out macroscopically and microscopically. The microscopic identification involved Gram staining to determine the shape and color of the bacteria. Additionally, the bioMérieux VITEK 2 Compact system was utilized for biochemical identification to ascertain the species of bacteria present. The results revealed that the colony counts in smoked tatihu from the Mardika market and Hative Kecil market were 1.1 x 104 CFU/g and 8.2 x 106 CFU/g, respectively. However, smoked tatihu from the Batu Meja market had an excessive number of colonies that were difficult to quantify. The contaminating bacteria were identified as Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus sciuri, Rothia kristinae, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. In conclusion, smoked tatihu fish from the Mardika market are considered safe for consumption as the microbiological parameters do not exceed the Indonesian National Standards, whereas those obtained from the Hative Kecil and Batu Meja markets are unsafe for consumption due to the excessive presence of food-contaminating bacteria.
Prediction of embodied GHG emissions of building materials in Shanghai
Authors: Long Yuqiong , Cui Hang , Lu Zhenjie , Huang Beijia , Wang Xiangjin , Dou Yi
Published: October 2024

The construction sector stands as a fundamental component of urban development, providing indispensable spaces and infrastructure critical to societal demands. However, the consumption of considerable building materials engenders a significant environmental footprint, mainly from the exploitation, manufacturing, and processing. Characterizing the dynamic changes in a city’s future building development and material demand is crucial for achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. As an international metropolis, Shanghai faces challenges, including limited land and resources, high population density, and rapid building renewal rates. Understanding building renewal patterns and developing potential urban mineral resources will help alleviate resource shortages, achieve sustainable use of building materials, and meet carbon reduction goals. Taking Shanghai as a case study, this research applies material flow analysis alongside the carbon emission factor method to forecast the consumption of building materials and the associated embodied carbon emissions within the city. The study meticulously quantifies the evolving patterns of building material consumption and embodied carbon emissions from 2023 to 2060. The results indicate that Shanghai's civil building stock area will undergo incremental growth, attaining a pinnacle in 2030 before embarking downward. In contrast, the scope of new construction and demolition within the urban fabric will follow an ascending trend throughout the same period. Regarding material consumption, gravel, cement, and bricks are identified as the predominant components, accounting for 58%, 18%, and 15% of the total material inflow, respectively. Embodied carbon emissions from Shanghai’s civil buildings are anticipated to rise steadily, mirroring the pattern of material consumption. Notably, emissions from residential buildings are expected to experience a slight decline from 2023 to 2028, ultimately reaching 5.43 Million metric tons (Mt) in 2060. The insights garnered from this research are instrumental in deepening the comprehension of urban development dynamics and the intricacies of resource management.
Recent advances in multifaceted applications of MOF-based hydrogels
Authors: He Rui , He Jiajun , Shen Jie , Fu Huide , Zhang Yabin , Wang Ben
Published: October 2024

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently garnered attention due to their intriguing physiochemical properties; however, their instability and unsatisfactory processability have limited them from achieving a wide range of applications. Therefore, structural new MOFs and MOF-based hydrogels have been developed to address associated drawbacks (such as inherent brittleness and instability in the crystalline state). The development of MOF-based hydrogels has been the focus of some recent attempts. Compared to the original MOFs, they have several better properties (such as improved mechanical strengths). This review will provide the latest overviews of current research developments on MOF-based hydrogels. We primarily focus on the classification of these hydrogels and their associated synergistic effects. We also emphasize microscale composite design, macroscale performance, and extended applications in catalysis, water treatment and biomedicine. Further, we anticipate that this review will be valuable for individuals seeking insights into the applications of MOFs-based hydrogels.
Driving Efficiency and Risk Management in Finance through AI and RPA
Authors: Zhan Xiaoan , Ling Zhipeng , Xu Zeqiu , Guo Lingfeng , Zhuang Shikai
Published: October 2024

This article examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotic process automation (RPA) in financial accounting and management, underscoring their role in driving the digital transformation of corporate finance. It discusses the shortcomings of traditional financial processes and highlights the potential of AI and RPA technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. The paper also explores the limitations of RPA, such as its challenges in processing unstructured data and handling complex decision-making scenarios. Looking forward, it considers the future trends in AI and RPA, emphasizing the benefits of cloud technology in scaling automated systems and addressing associated challenges.
The Principle of Self-Organization in Multicellular Organisms—Fuzzy Regulation of Differentiation and Dedifferentiation
Authors: Cao Zheming , Ding Weidong
Published: October 2024

The gene sets of the two cells produced by each division of the fertilized egg are different, and these differences gradually accumulate. When the similarity between a certain cell and a certain type of cell is below a threshold, the differentiation ability in that direction is lost. When all cells can only have one developmental direction, the expression of zygotic genes is turned on. When a stem cell differentiates, it first divides into two cells. One of two cells, similar to the next level cell, becomes the next level cell, while the other, similar to the mother cell, continues to become the other stem cell. When a cell undergoes dedifferentiation, it expresses a group of genes. When the gene set is similar to the upper level stem cell, the cell undergoes dedifferentiation and becomes the upper level stem cell.
The Differential Enrichment Law of Tight Sandstone Gas in the 8th Member of Shihezi Formation in the North and South of Ordos Basin
Authors: YUAN WANG HAO , Gong Zhang Jin , Shu Yong Zi
Published: October 2024

The tight sandstone gas of the Upper Paleozoic in the Ordos Basin has become a key field for increasing reserves and production of natural gas in the basin. As a high-quality tight sandstone gas reservoir, the 8th member of the Shihezi Formation only has good gas production in the south of the basin. For this reason, the types of natural gas source rocks in the north and south of the Upper Paleozoic were summarized, and the main types of gas source rocks in the north and south were clarified. The sedimentary facies of the 8th member of the Shihezi Formation and the Shanxi Formation were analyzed. The results show that the main gas-producing source rock in the northern part of the basin is coal rock, and the main gas-producing source rock in the southern part of the basin is dark mudstone. The Permian Shanxi Formation in the northern part of the basin mainly develops the delta front, which provides good conditions for the development of coal and rock. Compared with the northern Shanxi Formation, the Permian Shanxi Formation in the southern Ordos Basin mainly develops marine facies and marine-continental transitional facies, and the coal seam is not created. Therefore, the natural gas produced by the coal of the Shanxi Formation can easily migrate to the good reservoir in the 8th member of the box, which is also the reason for the difference in the enrichment of tight sandstone gas in the north and south of the Ordos Basin.
SpecCA:A Parallel Crawling Approach based on Thread Level Speculation
Authors: Li Yuxiang , Su Yaning
Published: October 2024

The World Wide Web today is growing at a phenomenal rate. The crawling approach is of vital importance to leverage the efficiency of web crawling. The existing crawling algorithms on multicore platforms easily suffer from time consuming and can not support large data well. In order to exploit the potential parallelism and efficiency of crawling on Spark, based on the software thread level speculation, this paper proposes a Speculative parallel crawler approach (SpecCA) on Apache Spark. By analyzing the process of web crawler, the SpecCA firstly hires a function to divide the whole crawling process into several subprocesses which can be implemented independently and then spawns a number of threads to speculatively implement every subprocess in parallel. At last, the speculative results are merged to form the final outcome. Compared with the conventional parallel approach on multicore platform, SpecCA is very efficiency and leverages a high parallelism degree by adequately using the resources of the cluster. Experiments show that SpecCA could achieve a significant speedup improvement with compare to the traditional approach in average. Additionally, with the growing number of working nodes, the execution time decreases gradually while the speedup scales linearly. The results indicate that the efficiency of web crawling can be significantly enhanced by adopting this speculative parallel algorithm.
The Toxic Legacy of Nickel Production and Its Impact on Environmental Health
Authors: Levická Jana , Orliková Monika
Published: October 2024

The environmental paradigm emphasizes the importance of political-economic and socio-economic factors that can significantly affect environmental health. One of the above-mentioned factors in the EU's so-called Eastern bloc is also the issue of unresolved environmental burdens. Our case study sought answers to the questions: How and why was Niklová Huta (Nickel smelter) Sereď created? How is it possible that, despite the knowledge of nickel's harmfulness to the environment, production continued for so long? Why, even 30 years after the end of production, the solid leaching residue (lúženec) landfill was not disposed of? The main methods of data collection were a content analysis of secondary data, a self-constructed questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The research group for the quantitative part of the case study consisted of 354 respondents, of which 274 (77.40%) were women and 80 were men (22.60%). The data obtained by the questionnaire are presented through descriptive statistics. 12 informants participated in the quantitative research through semi-structured interviews, of which 9 were men and 3 were women. The interviews lasted between 30-45 minutes, were transcribed and we used qualitative thematic analysis to process them. The result of our case study is the creation of a conceptual model that captures the key points in the process of the formation of a toxic landfill and its persistence in the environment during the last 30 years.
Stereographic Projection of Bloch Sphere and Quantum Error Correction
Authors: Venkatesh Unnathi
Published: October 2024

The Bloch sphere is a powerful geometrical representation of qubit states, fundamental to understanding quantum information theory. This paper explores the stereographic projection of the Bloch sphere, focusing on its utility in addressing decoherence and quantum error correction, two major challenges in quantum computing. By mapping the complex quantum states onto a two-dimensional plane, the stereographic projection simplifies the visualization and manipulation of qubit transformations. We investigate how this projection aids in identifying and correcting errors that arise from decoherence---such as phase flips and bit flips---while maintaining the integrity of quantum states. Additionally, we investigate the influence of decoherence on qubits through this projection, demonstrating how error correction protocols can be optimized by mapping errors onto the complex plane. The analysis highlights the potential of stereographic projection in developing more robust strategies for mitigating decoherence, thereby advancing the overall performance of quantum systems.
Influence of Digital Games on the Short-Term Memory of University Students
Authors: Barata Nuno Cravo
Published: October 2024

Multiple recent studies, namely laboratory-based systematic review articles and applied or experimental research, have indicated the association, particularly in young or adult users, between results in measurements of short-term memory (STM) with the frequency and intensity of playing games using various forms of electronic support, globally known as digital games (DG). In this sense, we used an experimental study applied to the assessment of STM among university students, based on a comparative analysis between two groups, one of intensive users of digital games (IDG), and the other not (NIDG), statistically comparing the two results. The starting hypothesis holds that it is possible to statistically demonstrate that subjects who intensely use DG present, when tested in a laboratory context, higher results in STM tests. A self-assessment scale for the use of DG was used to define the experimental groups and, for data production, a subtest from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults measured for the Portuguese population, the digit span (or digit memory), experimentally adapted from a program produced using stimulus presentation software, SuperLab6. It was developed with 164 university students, with identical gender distribution, from a higher education institution. The results of the student t test indicated the presence of statistically significant differences between the groups. There are significant differences between the groups regarding STM according to the DOD. The potential applicability of the STM assessment program to different groups and objectives is concluded, particularly in an experimental context, and suggests its possible adoption as a Psychology tool in the areas of cognition.
Continuous and jumping stationary transitions of a two-speed multiphase medium from one state to another
Authors: Kroshilin Alexander Evgen`evich , Kroshilin Vladimir Evgen`evich
Published: October 2024

A model of two-velocity multiphase medium with equal phase pressures was investigated. Two pulse equations were used where interphase force has a stabilizing term depending on flow parameters gradient. Phases were assumed incompressible. It was shown that this asssumption does not have any impact on the main conclusions while the model is significantly simplified. One does not need any energy equations because the movement does not depend on phase temperatures. Two differential equations describing relative phase movement were derived. Each of the two differential equations describing relative phase movement leads to its own wave velocity. For a steady-state stable transition when the mixture parameters do not change with time in some coordinate system (a steady-state or automodel flow) wave velocity must be equal for all the differential equations. This gives a condition for calculation of the stabilizing term. We defined conditions for continuous transition from one state to another as well as conditions when this transition can be only discontinuous. Analytical solutions helped us to find stabilizing term for interphase friction force (the only posssible in the corresponding class).
Feasibility of e-encyclopedia plantae results of postnatal plant inventory of the malay tribe
Authors: Rosanti Melsinta , Panjaitan Ruqiah Ganda Putri , Wahyuni Eko Sri , Wardhani Hilda Aqua Kusuma
Published: October 2024

Learning media can help clarify the meaning of the message to be conveyed so that learning objectives can be achieved. Learning media can be presented in non-print or electronic form and can be developed from the results of research such as an inventory of medicinal plants. This research aims to determine the feasibility of e-encyclopedia media as a result of postnatal medicinal plant inventory of the Malay tribe of Bentunai Village. This research uses the R&D (Reseach & Development) research method, but it is only carried out until the design revision stage. The media feasibility test was carried out by validation by five validators and analyzed using Aiken V validity and ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient) reliability. The aspects assessed are content, writing, convenience and appearance. The results of the e-encyclopedia validator analysis showed that the Aiken validity value in the content aspect in the very high category, the writing aspect in the very high category, the convenience aspect in the very high category and the appearance aspect was in the very high category. The average validity of these four aspects is in the very high category. The results of the ICC reliability analysis show a reliability and agreement between validators is at a good criteria index. So, it can be concluded that the e-encyclopedia developed as a result of the inventory of postnatal medicinal plants from the Malay tribe of Bentunai Village is suitable for use as a learning medium.
Emotional literacy and problem-solving skills with pbl model and hpc strategy: Circulatory system concept
Authors: Leasa Marleny , Pelamonia Johanes
Published: October 2024

Emotional literacy as a new 21st-century literacy is one-factor influencing student learning success. This study aims to analyze the differences in emotional literacy and problem-solving skills in Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model learning with Homogeinity psycho cognition (HPC) Strategy and PBL. This study included quasi-experiment research with a pretest-postest nonequivalent control group design. The research sample was 75 fifth-grade students taken randomly from several elementary schools in the Nusaniwe Sub-District based on the placement test. The research instruments were an emotional literacy questionnaire and a problem-solving skills test instrument consisting of 20 statement items and 8 problem items related to the human circulatory system. Data analysis used the Mann-Whitney U Test and one-way ANCOVA. The results showed no difference in emotional literacy between the treatment group (PBL with HPC strategy) and the control group (PBL). The ANCOVA test results concluded that students' problem-solving skills in the PBL model with the HPC strategy were superior to those in the PBL model. This finding helps develop appropriate and strategic science-biology learning in elementary schools.
Empowering minds: An e-book blending contextual teaching learning with plant tissue exploration to boost argumentation and cognitive skills
Authors: Damayanti Alfiya , Kuswandi Paramita. C.
Published: October 2024

This research was motivated by obstacles in implementing biology learning which resulted in the lack of training in argumentation skills and low cognitive learning outcomes. The current teaching materials does not yet support these skills optimally. The aim of this research is to develop an e-book blending contextual teaching learning that is feasible, practical and effective to boost high school student’s argumentation and cognitive skills. A research and development method was used using the ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation) development model. The subjects of this research were 34 high school students in Sleman, Yogyakarta in limited trials and 62 students in field trials. The type of research used in the field test was quasi-experimental with a pretest-post-test control group design. Class XI MIPA 1 was used as the control class and class XII MIPA 2 as the experimental class. Data collection instruments used included product assessment questionnaires by experts, biology teachers and students, argumentation skills and cognitive learning outcomes test instruments. Data analysis used the paired sample t-test, independent sample t-test and n-gain score test. The research results show that e-books is suitable for use in learning according to material experts and media experts, e-books is practical for use in learning according to teacher and student assessments, and e-books is effective for improving students' argumentation skills and learning outcomes. The conclusion in this research is that e-books blending contextual teaching and learning are feasible, practical and effective to use to boost students' argumentation and cognitive skills.
Application of the asicc learning model in human physiological system to improve students' critical thinking and creative thinking skills
Authors: Setiani Dila Elpin , Purwoko Budi , Sulistiyowati Tutut Indah , Primandiri Poppy Rahmatika , Santoso Agus Muji
Published: October 2024

Critical thinking and creative thinking skills are needed to improve the quality and competitive human resources. Therefore, the application of appropriate learning models is expected to stimulate students' critical thinking and creative thinking skills. This research aims to improve critical thinking and creative thinking skill scores using the ASICC learning model. This type of research is classroom action research which is carried out in 2 cycles, with 3 meetings in each cycle. Data on students' critical thinking and creative thinking skills were collected using essay tests on science learning materials. Data analysis was carried out by comparing the N-gain scores in cycle 1 and cycle 2 for students' critical thinking and creative thinking skills. The results of the research revealed that there was an increase that occurred in cycle 2, namely 5.6% in the aspects of moderate critical thinking skills and high creative thinking, as well as in the aspects of critical thinking skills and high creative thinking by 5.6%. Meanwhile, in the previous cycle, these two aspects did not have a high category. Another result found from this research is that students who have low critical thinking skills do not necessarily have low creative thinking skills. This is because students who have low critical thinking skills may have moderate creative thinking skills or vice versa. Thus, the application of the ASICC learning model is effective in improving the scores of critical thinking skills and creative thinking skills of students at Junior High School 5 Kertosono.
Using the ibsr technique as a psychological intervention to alleviate student stress in biology learning: Impacts on motivation, knowledge construction, and cognitive anxiety
Authors: Saputri Nova Vivi Clara , Rahmat Adi , Hamdiyati Yanti
Published: October 2024

Learning difficulties are a common issue faced by students, with stress being a significant contributing factor.  One psychological treatment that has been shown to effectively reduce stress is Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR). The objective of this study is to integrate IBSR into a discovery learning strategy in Biology in the classroom, with the aim of increasing students' learning motivation and knowledge construction while reducing their learning difficulties and cognitive anxiety. This is quasi-experimental research that used a post-test non-equivalent control group design. The study involved 72 11th-grade science students from two different classes at one of the public high schools in Bandung City. One class, consisting of 36 students, received IBSR treatment, while the other class, also consisting of 36 students, did not. Both classes used a discovery learning framework for teaching. Data on motivation, learning difficulties, and cognitive anxiety were collected using a rating scale questionnaire with eight scales. Students' ability to construct knowledge was measured using the German Cognitive Load (GCL) instrument in the form of a written test with indicators taken from Mayer's cognitive taxonomy (2002) in the realm of understanding. The study found that incorporating IBSR techniques into learning strategies for the immune system material can reduce student stress and improve learning performance, motivation, and knowledge construction (GCL), while also decreasing learning difficulties and cognitive anxiety.
Geotechnical investigation of Mare Island Naval Cemetery
Authors: Walshire Lucas , Vroman Ethan , Breland Benjamin
Published: October 2024

The Mare Island Naval Cemetery is located just outside of Vallejo, California. This historic naval cemetery was inspected in November 2022, and signs of slope instability were identified. Two follow-up inspections were conducted by geotechnical engineers and geologists from the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center. A preliminary site investigation showed that desiccation cracking was present and that seepage at the toe of the cemetery slope could contribute to long-term stability issues. Historic vegetation had also recently been cleared, exposing the soils and headstones. If left unaddressed, these factors could lead to slope instability at the site. Increased monitoring, regular surveys, seepage remediation, and reestablishment of vegetation are recommended to prevent future instabilities.
Assessment of Clinical Outcomes and Pain Management of Single-Level Lumbar Laminectomy Between Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic, Tubular, and Open Approaches
Authors: Ezeonu Samuel , Vollano Nicholas , Capasso Alyssa , Rodriguez-Rivera Juan , Maglaras Constance , Raman Tina , Kim Yong H. , Fischer Charla R.
Published: October 2024

Objective: While minimally invasive surgical procedures have been shown to reduce postoperative pain and recovery time compared to an open surgical approach, few studies have also compared pain management, particularly involving the use of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE). Methods: Patients who underwent single-level laminectomy through a UBE, open, or tubular technique were chart-reviewed for up to 90 days for perioperative outcomes, including opioid and nonopioid utilization. The chi-square test and analysis of variance were used to analyze differences in characteristics and outcomes between groups. The post hoc Tukey test and multinomial regression were conducted when significance was found in initial tests.Results: In total, 184 patients were included in the study (110 open, 44 tubular, 30 UBE). The UBE patients were the oldest. Post hoc analysis showed that UBE and tubular patients had significantly lower blood loss than the open group (p<0.05). Moreover, UBE surgery was associated with significantly longer operative times than both tubular and open surgery (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in complications, 90-day readmissions, or return to the operating room. Postdischarge, patients in the open and tubular groups had higher rates of acetaminophen and cyclobenzaprine prescriptions, respectively, than the UBE group (p<0.05). Postoperative opioid use at 2 weeks significantly differed among groups. When controlling for age and preoperative opioid use, multivariate regression revealed that patients who underwent decompression by UBE had lower odds of postdischarge opioid use at 2 weeks than the open group (53.20% vs. 21.70%; odds ratio [OR], 0.267; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–0.79; p=0.017) and the tubular group (50.0% vs. 21.70%; OR, 0.268; 95% CI, 0.08–0.91; p=0.038). No statistically significant between-group differences were observed for ongoing opioid use at the 6-week and 3-month time points.Conclusions: Patients who underwent UBE had significantly lower odds of postdischarge narcotic use at 2-week follow-up than those undergoing the open and tubular approaches.
Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy With Bone Drill-Assisted Foraminoplasty in Recurrent Disc Herniation
Authors: Choi Kyung-Chul , Shim Hyeong-Ki
Published: October 2024

Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) is effective and feasible for recurrent disc herniation, and can reduce surgery-related complications and the operation time. After lumbar discectomy, the disc height significantly decreases, and disc degeneration and facet arthropathy might progress. These changes can make it difficult to achieve transforaminal endoscopic access to the epidural space, increasing the likelihood of exiting nerve injury. Endoscopic foraminoplasty facilitates the engagement of the working cannula via the intervertebral foramen, allowing cannula access near the herniated disc for the successful performance of TELD. We present a successful case of TELD using bone drill-assisted foraminoplasty for recurrent disc herniation to demonstrate this technique. This foraminoplasty technique is relatively safe and time-efficient, significantly aiding the TELD procedure.
Secondhand smoke induced CED among Dokra artisans of Bankura district, West Bengal, India
Authors: Mahanty Subhajit , Bhuin Abhijit , Sinha Nirmalya Kumar , Namata Bakul , Karmakar Ajoy , Chakrabortty Keshab , Samanta Sudisha , Mallick Supriti , Sow Rohan , Majumder Mousumi , Majumder Surajit
Published: October 2024

Malnutrition is a critical global public health issue that especially affects vulnerable communities. In India, traditional artisans such as Dokra artisans in the Bankura district of West Bengal are disproportionately impacted. This is the first ever study, conducted to assess the effect of secondhand smoking on the nutritional status especially chronic energy deficiency (CED) among Dokra artisans across diverse age groups. Demographic and socioeconomic data were rigorously collected, while anthropometric parameters were calculated using established formulas. A sample of 106 artisans was assessed for various anthropometric and socioeconomic parameters. The results indicated that artisans exposed to secondhand smoke had an alarming CED prevalence of 55% compared to 10.8% in those unexposed (OR = 10.022; 95% CI: 3.477–28.888). Binary logistic regression analysis further established a strong link between secondhand smoke exposure and CED (Wald = 18.209; p < 0.001) and gender (Wald = 10.121; p < 0.01), with a statistically significant overall model (χ² = 24.135; p < 0.01). Additionally, 45% of participants exposed to secondhand smoke were undernourished compared to 17.4% unexposed (OR = 3.886; 95% CI: 1.554–9.718). This research highlights critical health disparities and underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of secondhand smoke and improve the nutritional status of these artisans. Furthermore, the study identifies the economic challenges faced by the artisans, emphasizing the importance of educational and income-generating programs to promote better health outcomes and socioeconomic resilience.
Impact of moderate soil drought on the dynamics and distribution of low molecular weight protectors in Triticum aestivum and Triticum spelta
Authors: Romanenko Кateryna O. , Babenko Lidia M. , Smirnov Oleksandr E. , Kosakivska Iryna V.
Published: October 2024

Osmotic regulation, which involves low molecular weight protectors like amino acids and phenolic compounds, is one mechanism by which agricultural crops adapt to drought. We investigated the impact of moderate soil drought on the dynamics and distribution of free amino acids, phenols, and flavonoids in 18-day-old drought-resistant plants of Triticum aestivum L. cv. 'Podolyanka' and ecologically versatile Triticum spelta L. cv. 'Frankencorn'. Moderate soil drought resulted in a 20% increase in the total free amino acid content in spelt wheat shoots, while winter wheat exhibited minimal changes. Spelt wheat shoots showed significant increases in arginine, proline, phenylalanine, cysteine, and valine, whereas winter wheat exhibited substantial increases only in phenylalanine and tyrosine. Winter wheat shoots experienced notable decreases in arginine and glutamic acid, while methionine content in spelt wheat shoots decreased. Moderate soil drought induced an increase in the accumulation of total phenols and flavonoids. Spelt wheat roots showed a substantial increase in total phenols (53%), while winter wheat exhibited a significant increase (49%) in total phenols in shoots. Total flavonoid content increased in spelt wheat shoots and roots by 17%, and 38%, respectively, under moderate soil drought, whereas in winter wheat the increase was 70% in shootsand 10% in roots. Our findings on amino acid content suggest different sensitivities of cultivars to drought stress. The moderate increase in total phenolic compounds in spelt wheat shoots underscores the sensitivity of young T. spelta cv. 'Frankenkorn' plants to water deficit, contrasting with the more drought-resistant properties observed in T. aestivum cv. 'Podolyanka'.
AI-based state extension and augmentation for nonlinear dynamical first principles models
Authors: Kessels Bas M. , Moosath Adarsh Subrahamanian , Fey Rob H.B. , de Wouw Nathan van
Published: October 2024

Nonlinear dynamics models derived using First Principles (FPs) often suffer from limited accuracy in relation to the complex physical systems they represent. Therefore, model updating may be employed to improve the accuracy of the FP model. In this work, an AI-based updating methodology is proposed where an existing FP model is extended by introducing new states (to capture, e.g., unmodeled modes or parasitic degrees of freedom) using a subspace encoder, and capture their governing equations of motion using a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). Additionally, the retained FP equations of motion are augmented by additional RNNs to capture unmodeled dynamics (e.g. nonlinearities) or improper parameter values. Simultaneously training all neural networks such that an output prediction error-based loss is minimized yields an Extension and Augmentation-based (EA) model that significantly decreases the prediction error with respect to the FP model. This methodology is applied on two use cases, one of which uses measurements performed on an industrial wire bonder. These use cases demonstrate that, also when changes are made to the FP parameters, excitation signals, and controllers, the EA model still shows significant improvement in prediction capability over the FP model. This shows that by using the FP model as a basis for model updating, the extrapolation capabilities of the resulting model are improved. Furthermore, the EA model updating method is compared with a similar, yet fully black-box, subspace-encoder network method. The EA model is shown to outperform such purely data-based models in terms of accuracy, training efficiency, and extrapolation capabilities. Finally, in contrast to the (purely data-based) subspace-encoder network method, the EA model updating method enables updating of unstable open-loop systems by embedding stabilizing controllers in the FP model.
Physiochemical, radiative transitions and thermoluminescence characterizations of nano Ce-doped monoclinic barium titanate
Authors: Mostafa Manar , Kinawy Mohamed , Bassioni Ghada , El-Faramawy Nabil
Published: October 2024

This article reports the preparation, analytical, and thermoluminescence (TL) characterization of BaTi5O11 doped with different concentrations of Ce. The Sol-gel technique was used to synthesize the doped nanocrystals. The prepared samples were examined by XRD, EDX, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, SEM, and TEM techniques to determine their analytical features. The samples with 0.7% Ce doping showed the highest TL sensitivity for ionizing radiation among the samples prepared with different concentrations. The glow curves analysis showed that there were seven peaks that overlapped with each other with thermal activation energies: 0.93, 1.08, 1.16, 1.23, 1.29, 1.35, and 1.38 eV. The dose-response linearity and reusability measurements displayed that 0.7% Ce-doped BaTi5O11 can be used in monitoring high doses radiation applications.
A universal and versatile THz field manipulation mechanism by a Pancharatnam-Berry phase-based dislocation scheme at NIR.
Authors: Xu Shixiang , Lin Qinggang , Fneg Fu , Zeng Xuanke , Cai Yi , He Wenzhao , Wang Congying , Wu Kaipeng , Lu Xiaowei , Zhong Hongmei , Li Jingzhen , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: October 2024

The lack of terahertz (THz) components and strong THz diffraction limit greatly THz wavefront-phase manipulation. This paper introduces a universal and versatile THz wavefront-phase manipulation mechanism through a double Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase-based dislocation scheme at near-infrared (NIR) region, avoiding the need of THz components while mitigating effectively the adverse effect of THz diffraction. The mechanism bases on an innovative NIR light-field manipulation mechanism enabling independent controls of two wavefront-phases by two-dimensional (2D) dislocations of two phase-plates with conjugated phase functions. Independence is ensured as long as the partial derivatives of the target phase pair with respect to the spatial variables are equal—a condition satisfied by numerous important phase pairs, such as logarithmic-axicon versus vortex phases (for Bessel and vortex beams) and one-dimensional (1D) versus 2D cubic phases (for 1D and 2D Airy beams). Notably, for only one target wavefront, it is applicable to any kinds of phases. To realize the NIR manipulation, a novel dislocation scheme is further designed with two PB plates as the conjugated phase-plates, which not only enables the NIR manipulation but also produces a pair of collinear pulses with conjugated modulated phases and orthogonal polarizations. By using the pulse pair as the pumps, the dislocation scheme can transfer the wavefront-phase manipulation from NIR to THz region by type-II difference frequency generation. Finally, a proof-of-principle experiment successfully presents the flexible realization of this dislocation scheme for multiple wavefront-phase manipulation at NIR and exhibits its ability to dynamically generate and control THz vortex, Bessel, and vortex-Bessel fields with adjustable topological charge and “diffraction-free” propagation distances. This work offers a flexibly way for universal and versatile manipulation, especially where direct phase manipulation is practically restricted, especially in THz region.