bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photographic survey of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in southern Algeria with the first record of the sky-blue Cupid, Chilades eleusis (Demaison, 1888) for the country
Authors:   Department of Agronomy, SNV-TU Faculty, Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi University, 34030, El Anasser – Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria, Boulaouad Belkacem Aimene , Harzallah Bachir ,   Algerian Wildlife Watchers Association, Algiers, Algeria, Missoum Mohamed ,   Algerian Wildlife Watchers Association, Algiers, Algeria, Ayyach Khaled ,   Algerian Wildlife Watchers Association, Algiers, Algeria, Verovnik Rudi ,   University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Published: August 2024

During field surveys in recent years in the southernmost part of Algeria in Tamanrasset Province, a photographic account of the butterfly fauna was made. Fifteen species were recorded at four locations. Among these, the sky-blue Cupid, Chilades eleusis was recorded for the first time from the country and the north-western part of Africa. The species utilizes small acacia trees (Vachellia spp.) as larval host plants and is possibly resident in the studied region. This record extends its known range from sub-Saharan Africa, and apart from its presence along the Nile River in Egypt, represents the only known occurrence of the species in the Sahara realm. More targeted surveys of butterflies in the studied region would be highly recommended.
An extraordinary jewel beetle species (Perotis unicolor (Olivier, 1790)) from Northeastern Algeria: re-discovery of this species in North Africa after more than half a century
Authors:   Department of Biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, Mohamed Cherif Massaadia University of Souk Ahras, P.O. 1553, Annaba Road, Souk Ahras, 41000, Algeria, Menaa Mohcen
Published: August 2024

Jewel beetles (Buprestidae), also known as metallic wood-boring beetles, predominantly inhabit forest environments. Several taxa within this family hold heritage status in both broadleaf and conifer forests. The larvae of most species undergo development within the inner, living part of tree bark, while some species can behave as opportunistic pests, causing considerable damage to weakened host trees. Notably, in Algeria, Lamprodila festiva on Barbary thuja (Tetraclinis articulata), and Agrilus biguttatus on oak trees were recognized as significant pests. Given the potential impact of climate change on forest jewel beetles, there were two key concerns: i) many of these species prefer warmer climates, making them thermophilic, and shifts in temperature patterns can affect their distribution and abundance, ii) following severe droughts, forest declines and diebacks may occur, offering an opportunity for these beetles to exploit weakened trees. In the context of this study, a Buprestidae (Coleoptera) species was re-discovered in the northeastern region of Algeria within holm oak (Quercus ilex) shrub lands, Perotis unicolor (Olivier, 1790). This is an important finding as it has not been reported in the fauna of North Africa for more than half a century.
First record of Leucochloridium perturbatum Pojmanska, 1969 (Trematoda: Leucochloridiidae) parasitic in amber snail Succinea putris (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gastropoda: Succineidae) from Serbia
Authors:   Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, Vujić Mihailo , Gojšina Vukašin ,   Institute of Zoology, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we provide the first data on the occurrence of the trematode Leucochloridium perturbatum Pojmanska, 1969 in Serbia. This is also the first record of the genus Leucochloridium Carus, 1835 from the country. Trematodes were found pulsating in the tentacles of the amber snail Succinea putris (Linnaeus, 1758). Collected broodsacks are described, and short notes about the habitat where specimen was found are given.
Stalking a non-native species on social media: Updating the distribution of Paysandisia archon (Burmeister, 1879) in Croatia through citizen science
Authors:   Faculty of Science, Department of Ecosystem Biology, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice 37005, Czech Republic, Koren Toni ,   Association Hyla, Lipovac I 7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Published: August 2024

In Europe, the palm borer moth, Paysandisia archon (Burmeister, 1879) is a non-native species which was introduced in the early 2000s. Since then, the moth has rapidly spread across the Mediterranean parts of Europe and started causing damage to both native and non-native palm trees. The first record for Croatia dates to 2011 when the moth was recorded in Split and Zadar. Since then, the spread of the species has not been documented in the scientific literature but being an unusual and invasive species, its expansions was reported across a wide array of internet sources, including social media. To comprehensively understand the current distribution of P. archon in Croatia, we systematically compiled data from citizen science platforms, social media, websites, and both published and personal observations. Our findings reveal a total of 112 records spanning most of the Mediterranean parts of Croatia, indicating a rapid and expansive distribution of the species. The caterpillars of this species develop within palms causing them to rot and eventually dry which causes economic and aesthetic losses. Severe economic damage in the horticultural sectors has been previously reported in countries like France and Italy, while in the western Mediterranean, it poses a conservation threat to native palm populations. Further monitoring and damage assessments should be carried out to understand to the full the impact of this non-native species in Croatia.
PERCEPÇÃO DA COMUNIDADE DE PSICOLOGIA SOBRE O ATENDIMENTO TERAPÊUTICO DE PACIENTES SURDOS
Authors: Felix Andréa Gomes de Souza , Baeck Heidi Elizabeth
Published: August 2024

Sob a argumentação de que a acessibilidade à psicoterapia por meio de intérprete ocasiona inevitável quebra de privacidade  e causa grandes prejuízos para o paciente surdo, autores apontam a necessidade da proficiência em Libras dos terapeutas. O objetivo da presente pesquisa foi investigar o conhecimento sobre o sujeito surdo e a disponibilidade dos psicólogos em  investir na formação em Libras. Os achados mostram que há um significativo contingente de psicólogos dispostos a atender  pacientes surdos, tornando justificável investimentos públicos em ações inclusivas e apontam para o fato de que qualquer  proposta de ampliação da rede de atendimento psicoterapêutico para a população surda demanda o enfretamento, com a  mesma prioridade, de duas frentes: o fomento à proficiência em Libras para psicólogos; e a promoção de ações que gerem empatia da comunidade de psicologia com o sujeito surdo.
Produção pecuária e desafios ambientais: agricultura familiar no Vale do Taquari, RS
Authors: Barden Júlia Elisabete , Sinelar Fernanda Cristina W. , Cyrne Carlos Cândido da Silva , Rempel Claudete
Published: August 2024

A região do Vale do Taquari (VT) apresenta uma condição semelhante ao Rio Grande do Sul (RS) em relação ao desenvolvimento econômico alcançado, sendo este considerado um Estado com um “bom padrão” quando comparado às demais regiões do país. Apesar de padrões semelhantes, a trajetória seguida pela região por vezes acompanhou a do Estado, em outros momentos foi mais acelerada e, ainda, em alguns não seguiu a tendência. Historicamente, a produção primária tem uma importância significativa para a economia regional e geralmente está organizada em sistema integrado com a indústria de alimentos. Neste sentido, o trabalho analisa a evolução histórica da produção pecuária que sustenta a matriz produtiva no Vale do Taquari, RS, desenvolvida em especial pela agricultura familiar, e os desafios ambientais decorrentes da atividade. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como quantitativa e foi realizada com base em dados secundários, provenientes dos Censos Agropecuários divulgados pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Os resultados da pesquisa apresentam que, muito embora tenha ocorrido um aumento importante na atividade pecuária, a dinâmica intrarregional e a evolução por espécie produtiva ocorreram de forma diferente: se, por um lado, no caso dos bovinos, a evolução foi equilibrada entre os municípios, por outro lado, no caso das aves, suínos e da produção leiteira, alguns municípios reduziram sua participação, enquanto em outros houve um incremento significativo da atividade. Contudo, a intensificação das atividades em determinados municípios, também têm imposto desafios ambientais.
Gotong Royong with Doctor Soetomo to Build Gedung Nasional Indonesia and Nationality Awareness 1924”1938
Authors: Samidi Samidi
Published: August 2024

This article examines the need for national building infrastructure as a means of struggle for the Indonesische Studieclub. Citizen participation, thus, is needed to realize Gedung Nasional Indonesia (GNI) independently since at that time the Dutch East Indies were experiencing an economic recession. Consequently, this decision was seen as a paradox. This article, hence, was focussed on reasons for building a national building during the economic crisis period, funding strategies, as well as the spirit of indigenous people who wanted to be resurrected. In other words, this article aims to explain the synergistic practices of inclusive institutions and indigenous people as well as the efforts of the Indonesische Studieclub to fight for the interests of indigenous peoples. To pursue the aim of this article, historical method was used. Newspaper reports published in the 1920s and 1930s then were used as primary data. The results showed Dr. Soetomo as a leader with the experience and ability to integrate different political and ideological currents could gain the sympathy of the indigenous people indicated with the success of leading the Indonesische Studieclub and Persatuan Bangsa Indonesia (the United Nations of Indonesia) as inclusive institutions. Furthermore, Dr. Soetomo and his organization were able to mobilize citizen participation through gotong royong tradition (Mutual Cooperation) to build a national building in Surabaya. Their spirit of togetherness even was able to create a useful national building as a centre for the struggle of indigenous peoples to strengthen national awareness. In short, gotong royong as social capital could be optimized as a means of fighting for building national awareness.
Systematic Review of Trends in Dark Tourism Research
Authors: Siti Hamidah  , Hakim Imam Nur
Published: August 2024

Dark tourism, encapsulating themes of death, crime, violence, and suffering within a tourism framework, has sparked controversy and ethical concerns. Nevertheless, it remains a compelling subject of research. This study employs the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol to provide a systematic overview of the trends in dark tourism research disseminated across reputable Scopus scientific journals over the last decade. The findings present a comprehensive snapshot of the evolving landscape of dark tourism research, identifying key variables that signify the expansive realms open for exploration within this domain.
When Theatre Becomes Digital: A Theoretical Implication on Theatre Study Development in Indonesia
Authors: Meilinda Meilinda , Puspa Ratih
Published: August 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic wrought havoc across various facets of human life, inducing transformative disruptions, notably in the domain of theatre. The traditional paradigm of live indoor performances, characterized by the dynamic interactions among actors, was rendered unsafe. In response, the digital space emerged as a viable alternative, not only in Indonesia but globally. This paradigm shift necessitates and begets new theories intrinsic to theatre in the digital realm. This article traces the historical trajectory and the ensuing transformations in digital theatre, offering insights into the anticipated outcomes of these changes within the realm of theatre and performance studies. The evolution of theatre in the digital space challenges established boundaries, rules, and theories, fundamentally altering conceptions related to actor relationships, the juxtaposition of physical and digital bodies, delineations between stage and backstage, considerations of identity, ideology, and the very essence of this nascent digital domain.
Directive Function in a Tourism Discourse: A Corpus-Based Analysis
Authors: Suhaimi  , Taufik Afdal
Published: August 2024

The promotion of tourism through guidebooks stands as a pivotal marketing strategy to entice visitors to their desired destinations. However, a considerable number of tourism books fall short due to inadequacies in adhering to the language of tourism (LoT) criteria. Among the essential functions within tourism discourse is the directive function, with a specific focus on imperative verbs. This study employs a corpus-based approach to identify and classify imperative verbs in the Three Sixty Guide Bali, according to their functions in the guidebook. The imperative verbs are categorized for various purposes, including food attractions, health services, sports activities, retreats, zoo visits, shows, and party recommendations. The analysis reveals approximately 94 verbs serving directive functions in the guidebook, imbued with persuasive nuances aimed at captivating readers and transforming them into potential customers. These findings offer valuable insights for tourism guidebook writers and website developers, facilitating the creation of persuasive and compelling guides that assure prospective tourists of the services, amenities, and experiences awaiting them.
Japanese Military Government Policy on Radio Broadcasting in Java
Authors: Budiarto Gema , Yuliati Dewi , Puguh Dhanang Respati
Published: August 2024

In World War II, radio was one of the effective communication media that could be used to spread news and propaganda. The Japanese military government in Java made efforts to control or censor radios owned by the public. Control and censorship efforts to prevent the public from listening to radio broadcast by the Allies. On the other hand, radio was also useful for Japan to spread propaganda in society. The purpose of this study is to examine the policy of the Japanese military government in controlling and utilizing radio as a propaganda media in Java during wartime. This study is a historical research, thus the method used in this study is the historical method. The primary data used were Asia Raya newspaper, Djawa Baroe magazine, and Kan Pō (the government news) published by the Japanese military government in Java in 1942-1945. The results of this study show that the Japanese military government paid great attention to radio broadcasting and was strict in controlling it, radio broadcasts from enemy countries (Allies) were strictly forbidden to be listened to by the public, even the Japanese military government will impose severe punishment on the people if anyone violates. However, the Japanese military government also employed radio as a media for disseminating propaganda such as radio speeches from Japanese military officials, government programs, news, and so on.
Utilizing microorganisms immobilized on carbon-based materials for environmental remediation: a mini review
Authors: Wang Lei , Cheng Dongle , Liu Xiaoqing , Ye Yuanyao
Published: August 2024

Carbon-based materials have attracted significant interest due to their porous structure and high specific surface area. The stability of carbon provides an optimal environment for microbial growth and activity. This paper presents a comprehensive review of microorganisms immobilized on carbon-based materials. Techniques used to immobilize microorganisms on various carbon-based materials are discussed initially. Subsequently, the review introduces the application of these immobilized microorganisms in the restoration of soil and water environments, including the treatment of organic pollutants, heavy metals, and ammonia nitrogen. Overall, this work enhances our understanding of the microbial pathways facilitated by carbon-based materials.
Lipid and Immunophenotypic Profiles in Hemodialysis Patients with Citrate vs. Acetate Dialysates
Authors: Rodríguez-Espinosa Diana , Cuadrado-Payán Elena , Morantes Laura , Gomez Miquel , Maduell Francisco , Broseta José Jesús
Published: August 2024

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, with dialysis-dependent CKD (DD-CKD) patients facing high mortality rates. Hypercholesterolemia is another crucial CV risk factor, typically managed with lipid-lowering therapy, though its efficacy in DD-CKD remains uncertain. Evidence shows mixed results regarding the benefits of statins in these patients. Citrate-based dialysates are known to reduce inflammatory biomarkers compared to acetate-based ones, potentially impacting lipid profiles and immune responses. This study aimed to determine the effects of citrate versus acetate dialysate on lipid profiles and immunophenotypes in DD-CKD patients. Methods: This unicentric, cross-over, prospective study included 21 hemodialysis patients (10 males, 11 females, average age 62.25 years). Each patient underwent 24 dialysis sessions (12 with each dialysate) and acted as their own control. Lipid profiles, immunological parameters, and nutritional and inflammatory markers were measured before the last session with each dialysate. Results: Compared to acetate dialysate (AD), citrate dialysate (CD) resulted in significantly higher LDL (75.71 vs. 67.05 mg/dL, p=0.042) and HDL (51.19 vs. 47.14 mg/dL, p=0.013), and lower TG (97.86 vs. 110.38 mg/dL, p=0.046). CD also led to higher NK cells (19.24 vs. 16.95%, p=0.035), higher complement C3 levels (115.14 vs. 107.81 mg/dL, p=0.009) and lower CD3+ CD8+ and CD16+56+ lymphocytes. Finally, total lymphocytes were lower with AD than with CD. We found no difference in predialysis nutritional nor inflammatory parameters (IL-6 and hs-CRP) except for ESR, which was higher when subjects used CD than AD. Conclusion: There are significant differences in lipid and immunophenotypic profiles that should increase the CV risk of patients who use CD. However, numerous studies have shown no differences, or even a benefit in mortality in certain HD subpopulations that use CD. Further studies are needed to understand if the observed changes may be counterbalanced by other mechanisms potentially provided by citrate (e.g., reducing vascular calcification).
Investigating the Performance of the Informer Model for Streamflow Forecasting
Authors: Tepetidis Nikos , Koutsoyiannis Demetris , Iliopoulou Theano , Dimitriadis Panayiotis
Published: August 2024

Recent studies have shown the potential of Transformer-based neural networks in increasing prediction capacity. However, classical transformers present several problems such as computational time complexity and high memory requirements, which make Long Sequence Time-Series Forecasting (LSTF) challenging. The contribution to the prediction of time series of flood events using deep learning techniques is examined, with a particular focus on evaluating the performance of the Informer model (a particular implementation of transformer architecture), which attempts to address the previous issues. This study explores the predictive capabilities of the Informer model compared to statistical methods, stochastic models and traditional deep neural networks. The accuracy, efficiency as well as the limits of the approaches are demonstrated via numerical benchmarks relating to real river streamflow applications. Using daily flow data from the River Test in England as the main case study, we conduct a rigorous evaluation of the Informer efficacy in capturing the complex temporal dependencies inherent in flood time series. Among other things, the present work extends its analysis to encompass diverse time series datasets from various locations (>100) in the United Kingdom, providing insights into the generalizability of the Informer. The results highlight the significant superiority of the Informer model over established forecasting methods, especially regarding the LSTF problem. Furthermore, it is observed that the structure of time series, as expressed by climacogram, affects the performance of the Informer network.
Initial State in Quantum Cosmology and the Proper Mass of the Universe
Authors: Gorobey Natalia , Lukyanenko Alexander , Goltsev Alexander V.
Published: August 2024

In the Euclidean form of the theory of gravity, where there is no dedicated time parameter, a generalized canonical form of the principle of least action is proposed. On its basis, the quantum principle of least action is formulated, in which the “dynamics” of the universe in the Origin is described by the eigenvector of the action operator - the wave functional on the space of 4D Riemannian geometries and configurations of matter fields in some compact region of 4D space. The corresponding eigenvalue of the action operator determines the initial state for the world history of the universe outside this region, where the metric signature is Lorentzian and thus the time parameter exists. The boundary of the Origin region is determined by the condition that the rate of change of the determinant of the 3D metric tensor is zero on it. A modification of quantum theory is proposed that eliminates the uncertainty of the sign of the Hilbert-Einstein action in the Euclidean region of the Origin. On this basis, we formulate a minimum principle for the eigenvalue of the action operator, similar to the principle of minimum energy for the ground state in quantum mechanics. It has been suggested that in the initial state the universe contains a certain distribution of its own mass, which is not directly related to the fields of matter.
General New Geometrical Modelling for Composite Materials: Application for Knitted Composites
Authors: Kaddaha Mohamad Abbas , Younes Rafic , Lafon Pascal
Published: August 2024

This research paper introduces a novel analytical and geometrical modelling approach for calculating the stiffness matrix of knitted composites. Knitted composites have gained significant attention due to their unique mechanical properties and potential applications in various industries. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of knitted composites, encompassing different types, shapes, and categories. Furthermore, it explores various modelling techniques, including analytical, geometrical, and experimental models, to accurately predict the stiffness properties of knitted composites. A thorough literature review is conducted, and detailed explanations, case studies, and relevant citations are provided to support the claims made in this paper.
A Note on Oppermann's Conjecture
Authors: Vega Frank
Published: August 2024

A prime gap is the difference between consecutive prime numbers. The $n^{\text{th}}$ prime gap, denoted $g_{n}$, is calculated by subtracting the $n^{\text{th}}$ prime from the $(n+1)^{\text{th}}$ prime: $g_{n}=p_{n+1}-p_{n}$. Oppermann's conjecture is a prominent unsolved problem in pure mathematics concerning prime gaps. Despite verification for numerous primes, a general proof remains elusive. If true, the conjecture implies that prime gaps grow at a rate bounded by $g_{n}<{\sqrt {p_{n}}}$. This note presents a proof of Oppermann's conjecture using the Euler-Maclaurin formula on harmonic numbers. This proof simultaneously establishes Andrica's, Legendre's, and Brocard's conjectures.
Vibrio cholerae Gut Colonization of Zebrafish Larvae Induces Differential Behavior Responses
Authors: Cubillejo Isabella , Theis Kevin R , Panzer Jonathan , Luo Xixia , Banerjee Shreya , Thummel Ryan , Withey Jeffrey H
Published: August 2024

Cholera is a diarrheal disease prevalent in populations without access to clean water. Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which colonizes the upper small intestine in humans once ingested. A growing number of studies suggests the gut microbiome composition modulates animal behavior. Zebrafish are an established cholera model that can maintain a complex, mature gut microbiome during infection. Larval zebrafish, which have immature gut microbiomes, provide the advantage of high-throughput analyses for established behavioral models. We identified the effects of V. cholerae O1 El Tor C6706 colonization at 5 days post-fertilization (dpf) on larval zebrafish behavior by tracking startle responses at 10 dpf. We also characterized the larval gut microbiome using 16S rRNA sequencing. V. cholerae-infected or uninfected control groups were exposed to either an alternating light/dark stimuli or a single-tap stimulus, and average distance and velocity were tracked. While there was no significant difference in the light/dark trial, we report a significant decrease in distance moved for C6706-colonized larvae during the single-tap trial. This suggests that early V. cholerae colonization of the larval gut microbiome has a dampening effect on sensorimotor function, supporting the idea of a link between the gut microbiome and behavior.
Modeling A Western Lifestyle in Mice: A Novel Approach to Eradicating Aerobic Spore-Forming Bacteria from the Colonic Microbiome and Assessing Long Term Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Horwell Edward , Ferreira William , Hong Huynh , Bearn Philip , Cutting Simon
Published: August 2024

Introduction: The environmentally acquired aerobic spore-forming (EAS-Fs) bacteria that are ubiquitous in nature (e.g. soil) are transient colonisers of the mammalian gastro-intestinal tract. Without regular exposure, their numbers quickly diminish. These species of bacteria have been suggested to be essential to the normal functioning of metabolic and immunogenic health. The modern Western lifestyle restricts exposure to these EAS-Fs, possibly explaining part of the pathogenesis of many Western diseases. To date, the only animal studies that address specific microbiome modelling are based around germ-free animals. We have designed a new animal model that specifically restricts exposure to environmental sources of bacteria. Methodology: A new protocol, termed Super Clean, that involves housing mice in autoclaved individually ventilated cages (IVCs), with autoclaved food / water, and strict ascetic handling practice was first experimentally validated. The quantification of EAS-Fs was assessed by heat-treating faecal samples and measuring colony forming units (CFUs). This was then compared to mice in standard-conditions. Mice were housed in their respective groups from birth until 18 months. Stool samples were taken throughout the experiment to assess for abundance in transiently acquired environmental bacteria. Clinical, biochemical, histological, and gene expression markers were analysed for diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (the “diseases of the West”). Results: Our results show that stringent adherence to the Super Clean protocol produces a significantly decreased abundance of aerobic spore-forming Bacillota after 21 days. This microbiomic shift was correlated with significantly increased levels of obesity and impaired glucose metabolism. There was no evidence of colitis, liver disease or hypercholesterolaemia. Conclusion: This new murine model successfully isolates EAS-Fs, and has the potential utility for future research allowing for the investigation into the clinical impact living in relative hygienic conditions.
Current Advancements in Drone Technology for Medical Sample Transportation
Authors: Stierlin Noel Rouven , Risch Lorenz , Risch Martin
Published: August 2024

The integration of drone technology into healthcare logistics presents a significant opportunity to enhance the speed, reliability, and efficiency of medical sample transportation. This study inves-tigates the current advancements in drone technology, focusing on its application in the rapid and secure delivery of medical samples, particularly in urban and remote regions where traditional transportation methods often face challenges. Utilizing a combination of recent technological de-velopments such as AI-driven navigation systems, real-time monitoring, and secure payload management, the study examines how drones can mitigate logistical barriers like traffic conges-tion and geographical isolation. The research methodology includes a comprehensive review of recent case studies from various regions, illustrating the practical applications and benefits of drones in healthcare. The results demonstrate a substantial reduction in transportation time and costs, along with improved accessibility to healthcare services in underserved areas. The study concludes that, while challenges such as regulatory hurdles and privacy concerns remain, the on-going advancements in drone technology and supportive regulatory frameworks have the poten-tial to revolutionize medical logistics, ultimately improving patient outcomes and healthcare de-livery.
Surface Engineering of Ti6Al4V: Impact of Rhenium-Carbon Coatings with Molybdenum Anchors on Biocompatibility and Corrosion Behavior
Authors: Orozco-Hernández Giovany , Mosquera-Diaz Sara V. , Ramírez-Monroy Juliana V. , Aperador Willian , Corredor-Figueroa Adriana P. , Pineda-Triana Yaneth
Published: August 2024

Titanium alloys, notably Ti6Al4V, are frequently employed in biomedical applications due to their high mechanical strength and biocompatibility. But improving their surface qualities like biocompatibility and resistance to corrosion remains a crucial topic of study. This study investigates the effects of rhenium-carbon coatings deposited on Ti6Al4V substrates using magnetron sputtering technique with a molybdenum anchoring layer. Despite successful formation of rhenium carbides, elemental rhenium, and rhenium oxides confirmed by EDS and XRD analysis, the coatings exhibited poor adhesion, resulting in significant delamination as observed in SEM images. Corrosion resistance tests revealed that the coatings adversely affected the Ti6Al4V substrate, as indicated by increased corrosion current densities and more negative corrosion potentials in potentiodynamic polarization tests. Biocompatibility assessments using PK15 cells showed a notable reduction in cell viability and metabolic activity, particularly with coatings of higher surface roughness. These findings underscore the need for improved surface preparation and coating processes to enhance adhesion and biocompatibility of rhenium-carbon coatings on Ti6Al4V substrates. Future research should focus on optimizing coating adhesion, investigating cytotoxicity mechanisms related to surface roughness, and expanding biocompatibility evaluations to various cell types and biological environments.
Anxiety among Medical Students Regarding Generative Artificial Intelligence Models: A Pilot Descriptive Study
Authors: Sallam Malik , Al-Mahzoum Kholoud , Almutairi Yousef , Alaqeel Omar , Abu-Salami Anan , Almutairi Zaid , Alsarraf Alhur Najem , Barakat Muna
Published: August 2024

Despite the potential benefits of generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI), concerns about its psy-chological impact on medical students, especially with regard to job displacement, are apparent. This pilot study, conducted in Jordan during July–August 2024, aimed to examine the specific fears, anxieties, mistrust, and ethical concerns medical students could harbor towards genAI. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 164 medical students studying in Jordan across various academic years, employing a structured self-administered questionnaire with an internally consistent FAME scale—representing Fear, Anxiety, Mistrust, and Ethics and comprising 12 items, with three items for each construct. The results indicated variable levels of anxiety towards genAI among the participating medical students: 34.1% reported no anxiety about genAI role in their future careers (n = 56), while 41.5% were slightly anxious (n = 61), 22.0% somewhat anxious (n = 36), and 2.4% extremely anxious (n = 4). Among the FAME constructs, Mistrust was the most agreed upon (mean: 12.35±2.78), followed by Ethics construct (mean: 10.86±2.90), Fear (mean: 9.49±3.53), and Anxiety (mean: 8.91±3.68). Sex, academic level, and Grade Point Average (GPA) did not significantly affect the students’ perceptions of genAI. However, there was a notable direct association between the students’ general anxiety about genAI and elevated scores in the Fear, Anxiety, and Ethics constructs of the FAME scale. Prior exposure to genAI and its previous use did not significantly modify the scores of the FAME scale. These findings highlighted the critical need for refined educational strategies to address the integration of genAI in medical training. The results demonstrated a pervasive anxiety, fear, mistrust, and ethical concerns among medical students regarding the deployment of genAI in healthcare, indicating the necessity for curriculum modifi-cations that focus specifically on these areas. Interventions should be tailored to increase genAI familiarity and competency, which would alleviate apprehension and equip future physicians to engage with this inevitable technology effectively. The study also highlighted the importance of incorporating ethical discussions into medical courses to address mistrust and concerns about the human-centered aspects of genAI. Conclusively, the study calls for a proactive evolution of medical education to prepare students for AI-driven healthcare practices shortly to ensure that physicians are well-prepared, confident, and ethically informed in their professional interactions with genAI technologies.
GW0742 Attenuates Behavioral Abnormalities and Gene Expression Changes of Microglial and Astroglial Proteins in Rat Brain in a Lithium-Pilocarpine Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Zubareva Olga E. , Kharisova Adeliya R. , Roginskaya Anna I. , Kovalenko Anna A. , Zakharova Maria V. , Schwarz Alexander Pavlovich , Sinyak Denis S. , Zaitsev Aleksey V.
Published: August 2024

The role of astro- and microglial cells in the pathogenesis of epilepsy is currently under active in-vestigation. It is proposed that the activity of these cells may be regulated by agonists of peroxi-some proliferator-activated nuclear receptors (PPARs). The objective of this study was to investi-gate the effects of the PPAR β/δ agonist GW0742 (Fitorine) on the behavior and gene expression of astro- and microglial proteins involved in the regulation of epileptogenesis in rat brain in a lithi-um-pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). A seven-day administration of GW0742 at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day has been shown to suppress TLE-related behavioral hyperactivity in the Open Field test and to attenuate the TLE-induced increase in gene expression and protein levels of astro- and microglial activation markers Gfap and Aif1 in the dorsal hippocampus and temporal cortex. Furthermore, GW0742 reversed the TLE-related increase in Lcn2 gene expression (a marker of the A1 phenotype of astrocytes) in the temporal cortex, the increase in the ratio of Nos2/Arg1 gene expression (markers of the M1/M2 phenotypes of microglia), and the decrease in Arg1 gene ex-pression in the dorsal hippocampus. The results suggest that GW0742 may mitigate behavioral and biochemical abnormalities in a lithium-pilocarpine model of TLE.
Dementia Rehabilitation Training for General Practitioners and Practice Nurses: Does It Make a Difference?
Authors: Lee Den-Ching A. , Russell Grant , Haines Terry P. , Hill Keith D. , O'Connor Claire M.C. , Layton Natasha , Swaffer Kate , Long Marita , Devanny Catherine , Callisaya Michele L.
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: Rehabilitation helps reduce disability in dementia. The Australian National Dementia Action Plan identifies a gap in clear treatment pathways post-diagnosis, affecting the quality of life for those with dementia. This study assessed the impact of a one-day dementia training course and follow-up on GPs' and practice nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and confidence regarding dementia rehabilitation.
Methods: The training, led by two experienced GPs and an academic physiotherapist, covered dementia diagnosis, allied health roles, care planning, and referrals. The follow-up involved applying the learnt material and completing a reflective task. Three longitudinal surveys (Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale - DKAS, General Practitioners’ Attitudes and Confidence towards Dementia Survey - GPACS-D, and Dementia Rehabilitation Scale) and Likert-scale statements were conducted pre-course, post-course, and at 4-month follow-up, alongside a focus group. Descriptive and regression analyses were applied to survey data, and content analysis was used for focus group data.
Results: Seventeen participants (14 GPs, 3 nurses) completed the pre-post course survey, with eight (6 GPs, 2 nurses) participating in follow-up and focus group discussions. Post-course, DKAS scores increased by 12.1%, GPACS-D by 10.1%, and the dementia rehabilitation scale by 9.4%. Likert-scale statements improved by 8-79%. At the four-month follow-up, there was a slight, non-significant decline in most measures. Focus groups highlighted the training’s impacts, useful components, barriers, and suggestions for improvement.
Conclusion: Training GPs and practice nurses in dementia rehabilitation enhances knowledge, awareness, and confidence. Ongoing efforts are needed to sustain benefits and address referral barriers for better access to dementia rehabilitation services.
Geothermal Resilience to Energy Production Issues
Authors: Young Christopher
Published: August 2024

The modern era has numerous issues associated with power generation, especially with old fashioned combustion power plants. Since fossil fuels are primarily responsible for the emission of greenhouse gasses, there is a desperate need for adaptation and sustainability. Looking at those challenges, geothermal energy which civilization had a long time ago becomes the desirable solution. This paper aims at establishing the feasibility of geothermal power plants in meeting the challenges of energy intensity and environmental conservation. This study also illustrates that the categories of geothermal energy systems which include the dry steam, flash steam and the binary cycle power plants are capable of achieving high capacity factors, initiating feasibility studies, and have relatively low impacts on the environment. While it is likely to cost more in the initial stages of construction, geothermal power plants provide more long-term cost benefits and significantly fewer toxic emissions relative to the fossil fuel plants. Switching to geothermal energy not only means that the world will have new sources of energy in the near future but also that it will be clean and environmentally friendly. Through incremental steps, geothermal power plants may well open the door to a full energy source infrastructure for subsequent generations.
The Role of New Research Parameters of the BC 6800 Plus Analyzer in the Differential Diagnosis of Lymphoid Neoplasms
Authors: Sacchetti S. , Ferrante Daniela , Giacomini L. , Zanotti V. , Bellia M. , Patriarca A. , Gaidano G. , Dianzani U. , Rolla R.
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: The latest WHO classification underscores the importance of the complete blood count (CBC) and cell morphology assessment in diagnosing lymphoid neoplasms. This study evaluated the diagnostic role of Research Use Only (RUO) parameters from the BC-6800 Plus Mindray analyzer in differentiating cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and other lymphoproliferative disorders. Methods: CBCs were performed on 90 patients (66% male, median age 67 years) with pathological blood counts (ALL, n=14; CLL, n=47; other lymphoproliferative disorders, n=29) at Novara’s University Hospital. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression assessed the association of basic (WBC, Hb, RDW, NE#, LY#, MO#, PLT) and research cell parameters (NLR, NMR, LMR, NeuX, NeuY, NeuZ, LymX, LymY, LymZ, MonX, MonY, MonZ). Results: In multivariable analysis, Hb (p=0.02), NeuY (p=0.04), and MonY (p=0.01) independently predicted CLL versus ALL, correctly classifying 93.4% of cases (AUC 0.91, 95% CI 0.81-1.0). MO# (p=0.003), LymY (p<0.0001), and MonY (p=0.004) were independent predictors of CLL versus other lymphoproliferative disorders, classifying 77.6% of cases (AUC 0.86, 95% CI 0.78-0.95). NeuZ (p=0.01) and NeuY (p=0.04) independently predicted ALL versus other lymphoproliferative disorders, classifying 93% of cases (AUC 0.98, 95% CI 0.95-1.0). Conclusions: The use of RUO parameters offers valuable, cost-effective support in the early diagnosis of ALL, CLL, and other lymphoproliferative disorders.
Muscle Property Optimization Based on Motion Intentionality for Motor Skill Augmentation
Authors: Suzuki Hinako , Ayusawa Ko , Murai Akihiko
Published: August 2024

Understanding motion intentionality is important to augment motor skills. This can be explained by the anatomical structure and innate immune mechanisms of humans. This study aimed to analyze human motion using musculoskeletal information and estimate motion intentionality, motion direction, and muscle properties. The calculation method for the easy-to-move musculoskeletal direction in the task space was reversed to calculate the optimal muscle properties and matching rate for the motion direction. The analysis results of each walking and feint motion showed that the muscles were trained toward reduced muscular effort and improved skills for each motion. In addition, the results of the optimization of the matching rate and muscle properties indicate that the optimized muscle properties can express the motion better than the reference values, and the average matching rate increases by 2.41×10-1, particularly for a feint motion. Therefore, skill acquisition and augmentation were achieved.
Animated Character Tool for Improved Communication with Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Yuasa Masahide
Published: August 2024

Owing to the increase in the population of elderly people, the number of people suffering from mild cognitive impairment is increasing in several countries. Furthermore, family members of people with mild cognitive impairment, such as reduced function of memory, reasoning, and decision-making, undergo severe stress owing to difficulties in communicating with them. There are, however, few existing technologies to support learning this type of communication to reduce this stress. This study proposes a tool wherein an animated character resembles the behavior of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment in different scenarios to teach how to communicate with them. Fundamental experiments were conducted to confirm the validity of the proposal tool, and results showed that the tool successfully helped users learn how to communicate with elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. Furthermore, we demonstrated the advantages of using an animated character to depict the behavior of people with mild cognitive impairment. We believe the proposed tool enables the imagination of difficult situations and the understanding of communication with the elderly.
Robust PI Control for Lower Limb Exoskeleton Robot Based on the Moth Flame Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Yu Lie , Zhang Cong , Ding Lei
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this paper is to apply an intelligent algorithm to conduct the torque tracking control for lower limb exoskeleton robot driven by an electro-hydraulic servo system (EHSS). The dynamics of EHSS actuating the robot are mathematically modeled with two degrees of freedom joints, and the torque control strategy is made to realize the minimization of human-machine forces. The PI controller is selected to implement this strategy, and the selection of PI gains is important for system control. Therefore, the ameliorative moth flame optimization (AMFO) algorithm is chosen to optimize the PI gains. The main idea of moth flame optimization is to mimic the evolution of a moth’s lateral positioning mechanism over time. The AMFO algorithm is capable of achieving enhanced better global and local search capabilities by adding the inertia weights to the position update formula. Moreover, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) and whale optimization algorithm (WOA) are selected to obtain comparative results. The results indicate that, when compared to the WOA-PI and PSO-PI controllers, the AMFO-PI controller gains the least amount in terms of rise time, overshoot, steady error, mean absolute error, and root mean square error.
Pedestrian’s Avoidance Behavior Characteristics Against Autonomous Personal Mobility Vehicles for Smooth Avoidance
Authors: Harada Ryunosuke , Yoshitake Hiroshi , Shino Motoki
Published: August 2024

Autonomous personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), such as electric wheelchairs, are meant to drive through pedestrian spaces. Cooperative pedestrian avoidance by PMVs is necessary in these spaces to maintain smooth traffic. Previous studies suggested that PMVs can avoid pedestrians on a shorter path without compromising each other’s acceptability. This avoidance can be realized by understanding how pedestrians react to the behavior of PMVs and considering those characteristics in the autonomous navigation of PMVs. In this study, the characteristics of pedestrian’s avoidance behavior were investigated. Experiments were conducted to understand the influence of the parameters of the PMV’s avoidance behavior on pedestrians. Results showed that the angular velocity of the PMV during avoidance affects the pedestrian’s avoidance width and tolerance against the PMV’s behavior. These results suggest that it is possible to avoid pedestrians in smaller avoidance spaces by controlling the angular velocity of the PMV and maintaining smooth traffic.
Motion Planning for Dynamic Three-Dimensional Manipulation for Unknown Flexible Linear Object
Authors: Tabata Kenta , Miyagusuku Renato , Seki Hiroaki
Published: August 2024

Generally, deformable objects have large and nonlinear deformations. Because of these characteristics, recognition and estimation of their movement are difficult. Many studies have been conducted aimed at manipulating deformable objects at will. However, they have been focused on situations wherein a rope’s properties are already known from prior experiments. In our previous work, we proposed a motion planning algorithm to manipulate unknown ropes using a robot arm. Our approach considered three steps: motion generation, manipulation, and parameter estimation. By repeating these three steps, a parameterized flexible linear object model that can express the actual rope movements was estimated, and manipulation was realized. However, our previous work was limited to 2D space manipulation. In this paper, we extend our previously proposed method to address casting manipulation in a 3D space. Casting manipulation involves targeting the flexible linear object tips at the desired object. While our previous studies focused solely on two-dimensional manipulation, this work examines the applicability of the same approach in 3D space. Moreover, 3D manipulation using an unknown flexible linear object has never been reported for dynamic manipulation with flexible linear objects. In this work, we show that our proposed method can be used for 3D manipulation.