bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated photonics modular arithmetic processor
Authors: Wu Jian , Wu Yuepeng , Guo Hongxiang , Zhang Bowen , Qiu Jifang , Yang Zhisheng
Published: August 2023

Integrated photonics computing has emerged as a promising approach to overcome the limitations of electronic processors in the post-Moore era, capitalizing on the superiority of photonic systems. However, present integrated photonics computing systems face challenges in achieving high-precision calculations, consequently limiting their potential applications, and their heavy reliance on analog-to-digital (AD) and digital-to-analog (DA) conversion interfaces undermines their performance. Here we propose an innovative photonic computing architecture featuring scalable calculation precision and a novel photonic conversion interface. By leveraging Residue Number System (RNS) theory, the high-precision calculation is decomposed into multiple low-precision modular arithmetic operations executed through optical phase manipulation. Those operations directly interact with the digital system via our proposed optical digital-to-phase converter (ODPC) and phase-to-digital converter (OPDC). Through experimental demonstrations, we showcase a calculation precision of 9 bits and verify the feasibility of the ODPC/OPDC photonic interface. This approach paves the path towards liberating photonic computing from the constraints imposed by limited precision and AD/DA converters.
Cellular Automata Model for Smart Urban Growth Management
Authors: Sharma Shashikant Nishant , Dehalwar Kavita , Singh Jagdish
Published: August 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Fatal Dermatological Squeal Following Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) Administration: A Catastrophic Hypersensitivity Case Report
Authors:   AISHA SIDDIQUI MD (FCPS 2 MEDICINE), MBBS FARINA FATIMA SIDDIQUI , GUL MUHAMMAD HAMZA , MBBS YUGAM RAJESHKUMAR OZA , JAYAPRAKASH MIRUTHU VARSHINI
Published: August 2023

The use of depot progesterone as a contraceptive every three months by a considerable number of women has raised concerns regarding the potential for hormones and chemicals to trigger fatal immune responses resulting in skin reactions. The focus of our case report is a 25-year-old woman who suffered a fatal dermatological condition after using depot contraceptive. It is noteworthy that this specific condition has not been documented in medical literature before.
Integrative Thematic Textbooks for Elementary School Students and the Impact
Authors:   The Education Science Department, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Kentingan, Jl. Ir Sutami No. 36, Kec. Jebres, Kota Surakarta, Central Java 57126, Indonesia, - Suwardi , Akhyar Muhammad ,   Mechanical Engineering Department, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Kentingan, Jl. Ir Sutami No. 36, Kec. Jebres, Kota Surakarta, Central Java 57126, Indonesia, - Siswandari ,   Accounting Education Department, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Kentingan, Jl. Ir Sutami No. 36, Kec. Jebres, Kota Surakarta, Central Java 57126, Indonesia, - Asrowi ,   Guidance and Counseling Education Department, Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Kentingan, Jl. Ir Sutami No. 36, Kec. Jebres, Kota Surakarta, Central Java 57126, Indonesia
Published: August 2023

This research aims at examining the development of the integrative thematic textbooks for the elementary school students and the impact of the textbooks towards their learning. This research was designed using Research and Development (R&D) using AwARDIE model which was developed from the ADDIE model. Research participants involved experts, teachers and students. Data was collected through interviews, document analysis, questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion methods. To analyse the data, some statistical formulas were used, such as: Levene, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, t-test and Omega Squared. The findings show that the integrative thematic textbooks have high validity based on the experts and practitioners’ judgements. In addition, the textbooks developed are proven to be effective to improve the students’ learning.
Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Literacy Index of ESL Teachers: Expectation vs. Reality of Department of Education (DepEd) Computerisation Programme in Pedagogy
Authors:   Sorsogon State University, Magsaysay St., Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, Philippines, Estremera Michael
Published: August 2023

The present paper investigated the information communication and technology (ICT) literacy index of English as second language (ESL) teachers utilising descriptive-quantitative method of research. This was undertaken by assessing the skills along the areas of ICT integration in pedagogy. Data shows that ESL teachers have moderate to high index along the areas of ICT literacy. Majority are categorised under advanced or merely moderate user of ICT in their pedagogical practice. These areas are along basic skills, software applications, production and data management. Be that as it may, the ESL participants need further upskilling on hardware management and information management. Taking into consideration these results imply that, there are gray areas which need to be unraveled by the department along the computerisation program to realize the purposes of execution. The researcher concludes that ESL teachers possess varying ICT literacy indexes. Given these data, there is a need to give due attention to the concerns of teachers along ICT literacy aspect to achieve optimum efficacy of the Department of Education (DepEd) computerisation programme. Teachers need to be upskilled on the digitalisation of classrooms.
Psychometric Properties of the Quality of Undergraduate Learning Experiences in Malaysian Universities
Authors:   School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok Kedah, Malaysia, Awang-Hashim Rosna , Yusof Norhafezah ,   School of Multimedia Technology and Communication, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok Kedah, Malaysia, Suppiah Shanmugam S. Kanageswari ,   School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok Kedah, Malaysia, Kaur Amrita ,   School of Psychology, Wenzhou-Kean University, Ouhai District, 88 Daxue Rd, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China, Benlahcene Abderrahim ,   School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia, 06010 Sintok Kedah, Malaysia
Published: August 2023

Malaysian higher educational institutions are bracing to compete at the international level with the institutions that produce evidence of quality teaching and learning and positive students’ experiences. In this matter, students’ engagement in learning activities has been heralded as a quality indicator of the higher educational institutions’ performance as well as undergraduate students’ learning. However, there is a need to examine the level of undergraduate learning engagement based on the principles of good educational practices and a need to provide empirical evidence of the extent to which higher educational institutions in Malaysia support undergraduates’ learning and growth. For this purpose, the current study proposes a framework for quality teaching and learning in Malaysia by developing a measurement instrument to measure the quality of undergraduates’ learning experiences (QULEX) in Malaysian higher education. The current study evaluated the reliability and factor structure of the QULEX using a sample of 1,892 Malaysian undergraduate students. QULEX consists of 12 factors with 47 items to measure the quality of undergraduates’ learning experiences. The factor structure of the QULEX was examined by employing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The findings showed that items loadings, composite reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the variables provide robust empirical evidence to support the implementation of QULEX in the Malaysian academic context. The findings from this study will inform policymakers and practitioners upon student feedback concerning the variables that will derive teaching and learning excellence.
The Impact of Image-Driven Stimuli on Malaysian Young Learners’ Receptive and Productive Vocabulary
Authors:   School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Ai Lin Debbita Tan , Bee Choo Lee ,   School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Ganapathy Malini ,   School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Adi Kasuma Shaidatul Akma ,   School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Published: August 2023

In Malaysia’s present scenario, competency in English is not a surety despite it being part of the curriculum from the very start of primary education. In view of the importance of lexical knowledge in language development and the hypothesised superiority of pictorial stimuli, the present study tested the effectiveness of an image-driven intervention for receptive and productive vocabulary knowledge development among Malaysian Year 1 students. A quasi-experimental design was utilised, involving Experimental and Control groups (totalling 159 participants). Three tiers of testing were administered – pre-testing, post-testing to measure for recall, and delayed post-testing for retention. The Experimental group experienced five imagedriven sessions designed for lexical development (one session per week, 30 minutes per session). The Control group was not accorded the same treatment. Approximately 90% of the participants belonged to the B40 (Bottom 40%) group – the group with the lowest income level in Malaysia. Despite the lack of statistical significance, our findings on the whole show development with respect to the participants’ lexical knowledge after experiencing the image-driven intervention, with raw scores clearly indicating receptive and productive vocabulary improvement at both the recall and retention stages. The study’s findings extend the current knowledge base, especially within the Malaysian domain which suffers from an unfortunate lack of similar studies focusing on lower primary learners. Also, the results appear promising (with only five treatment sessions) and pave the way for more research concerning the effectiveness of the intervention among young ESL/EFL learners.
Remote Learning Satisfaction during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of a Private Higher Education Institution in Malaysia
Authors:   Department of Finance, Faculty of Business and Finance, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat 31900, Kampar, Perak Malaysia, Chooi Yi Wei , Sheau Wen Ong ,   Department of Media and Communication, School of Humanities and Social S iences, Xi'an Jiatong-Liverpool University, Suzhou China, Fong Wei Diong ,   Department of Public Relations, Faculty of Arts and Social Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat 31900, Kampar, Perak Malaysia, Yeok Meng Ngeow ,   Department of General Studies, Faculty of Creative Industries, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Jalan Sungai Long, Bandar Sungai Long, 43200 Kajang, Selangor Malaysia, Kah Pin Chen ,   Independent Researcher, Malaysia
Published: August 2023

Since 2020, the abrupt change of pedagogy in education amid the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in various challenges to both instructors and students. Higher education institutions (HEIs) shut down to contain the spread of the virus and shifted to online learning environments. Due to uncertainties, instructors and students were unprepared to cope with the future. Accordingly, instructors and students had to embrace new technologies quickly. This study examines how students perceived remote learning and their level of satisfaction. The data collected were from a Malaysian private HEI that involved 2,097 undergraduate students quantitatively, modeled on Ramsden’s (1991) Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ). The findings revealed the effects of six factors, i.e., instructors’ performance, students’ educational goals, the remote learning platform, study workload, online assessment, and learning support with a positive relationship on the overall satisfaction of remote learning. Policymakers, university administrators, and instructors could benefit from this study because it has demonstrated that several factors shape students’ satisfaction and affect their learning effectiveness in a remote learning environment.
Optimization Effect on Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) Using Dimrit Raisin Extract and Their Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: ÖZKAN Sinan , KABAK Burcu , KENDÜZLER Erdal
Published: August 2023

This paper describes the simple and environmentally friendly production of AgNPs using Dimrit raisin, grown in Burdur, extract. To optimize the synthesis of AgNPs, a number of variables, including extract concentration, silver solution concentration, synthesis time, and synthesis temperature, were investigated. AgNPs were obtained after 173 h at 1% extract concentration and 10-1 M silver concentration. The structure of the synthesised AgNPs was investigated by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). TEM analysis showed that the majority of the AgNPs had a spherical shape, and the average particle size was 30 nm. Antimicrobial activity was seen against Staphylococcus aureus ATTC43300, Enterococcus faecalis ATTC29212, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Gram-negative Salmonella enterocolitis, E. coli 0157:H7 ATTC 43895, and Escherichia coli ATTC 35150.
Fabrication and Electrical Characterization of Cu1-xCrxO/n-Si Diodes by Sol Gel Spin Coating Method
Authors: TOPRAK Şeyhmus , RÜZGAR Şerif
Published: August 2023

Undoped and Cr-doped CuO thin films were deposited on n-Si substrates by sol gel spin coating method. These electrical properties of copper oxide-based heterojunction structures were examined as a function of Cr doping concentrations. The results show that a change in Cr concentration significantly affects the electrical properties of Ag/Cu1-xCrxO/n-Si diodes. The all diodes exhibit rectification behavior, as shown by their dark 𝐼−𝑉 characteristics. The crucial junction parameters such as series resistance (R𝑆), rectification ratio (𝑅𝑅), ideality factor (𝑛) and barrier height (Φ𝐵) were calculated by using 𝐼−𝑉 data. The calculated values for the ideality factor (n), which offered details about the performance of the diodes, range from 2.16 to 2.78. The highest 𝑅𝑅 value was obtained from Cu0.5Cr0.5O/n-Si diode. In addition, the capacitance-voltage (𝐶−𝑉) characteristics of the diodes were measured in the frequency range of 10 kHz and 1 MHz. The 𝐶−2−𝑉 graphs were employed to calculate the values of 𝑁𝑣, 𝐸𝑓, 𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥, and Φ𝐵 (𝐶−𝑉). The results show that the electrical properties of Ag/Cu1-xCrxO/n-Si diodes can be controlled by various chromium doping concentration.
Removal of crystal Violet From Aqueous Solutions by A Newly Developed Adsorbent: İsotherm, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics
Authors: KÜÇÜK İlhan , GÖZCÜ Merve
Published: August 2023

Aim of this study, adsorption potential of modified and natural materials is investigated. The adsorbent used is watermelon peel (WP) derived from agricultural wastes to remove crystal violet (CV). The modified and raw adsorbent was characterized by Elemental analysis, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The studied parameters are temperature, initial metal concentration, and contact time. The most suitable kinetic (R2=0.99) and isotherm (R2=0.99) models were determined as Pseudo-second-order and Langmuir, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) according to Langmuir is 236.9 mg/g at 30°C. Thermodynamic analysis revealed spontaneous and endothermic adsorption of CV on modified watermelon peels. These results demonstrate that crystal violet can be removed from agricultural wastes using a low-cost adsorbent.
Hospital wastewater treatment coupling electrochemical coagulation and activated sludge process
Authors: Shivaprasad Kempanapura Shivashankar , Mahesh Shivaswamy , Sahana Mahesh
Published: August 2023

Dual treatment of raw hospital wastewater (RHWW) is investigated by coupling electrochemical coagulation (ECC) with the activated sludge process (ASP) to achieve the goal of partial mineralization and reclaim quality water. The quality parameters of focus were chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, total alkalinity, and fecal coliform. The initial ECC process with short hydraulic retention time (HRT) could remove 75–82% of the insoluble constituents in <60 min, while the HRT for ASP was >7–8 h. The combined ECC + ASP hybrid treatment process showed effective removal of COD, color, TDS, and fecal coliform by 98.5, 99.6, 83.1, and 97.9%, respectively, from its initial values of 4,000, 2,200, 77, and 2,400 MPN/100 mL, respectively. By coupling ECC and ASP, both the insoluble and soluble pollutants/contaminants in the RHWW were removed effectively. The ECC–ASP dual treatment offers a small energy and spatial footprint for mineralizing RHWW.
Application of modified enhanced differential evolution algorithms for reservoir operation during floods: a case study
Authors: Sinha Lalitesh , Narulkar Sandeep M.
Published: August 2023

Operating a reservoir during flooding is a complex problem in which optimum decision-making is a difficult task. The present study demonstrates a solution for the operation of flooding problem in a multiple-purpose reservoir. A reservoir on River Narmada in central India is chosen as the case study. The multiple objective problems comprised maximization of hydropower releases, minimizing spills, and achieving stipulated target storage at the end of the operation period. The chosen optimization models are the Differential Evaluation Algorithm (DEA) and its variants: the Enhanced Differential Evolution Algorithm (EDEA) and the Modified Enhanced Differential Evaluation Algorithm (MEDEA). The EDEA model is modified in the present study to MEDEA. The results of all three models applied to the same case study are compared on convergence to an optimal solution. All three algorithms were tested on two of the popular benchmark functions that are Ackley and Sphere. The results of both applications demonstrated that MEDEA proved to be the best in terms of converging to the optimal solution, exhibiting better stability, and quality of final results. The outcomes of this study also provided an effective way to optimize large scale multi-purpose and multi-reservoir flood control operation problems.
Seasonal dynamics and diversity of cyanobacteria in a eutrophied Urban River in Brazil
Authors: Mânica Alana Natalí , de Lima Isaac Ricardo
Published: August 2023

Surface water bodies are vulnerable to cyanobacteria overgrowth, primarily owing to nutrient enrichment, rising temperatures, and recurrent droughts. Regular cyanobacteria monitoring in water systems is crucial to prevent and manage health risks associated with toxin exposure. Surface water samples were collected from the Jundiai River in São Paulo State, Brazil for 3 years (2018–2022) to study the seasonal changes and species diversity of cyanobacteria. The study also aimed to understand the relationship between cyanobacteria abundance, climate, water quality, and hydrological parameters. Data analyses revealed a pattern of significantly elevated cyanobacterial cell counts during the dry season (DS), accompanied by an increase in the cyanobacterial species. The identified species poses a threat to water safety owing to the potential production of toxins, as well as causing unpleasant taste and odor. The DS is marked by higher nutrient concentrations and lower water flow. Phosphorus levels remain high, allowing cyanobacteria to grow without being limited by nutrients. In future scenarios, the primary concern for the Jundiai River is not temperature rise but droughts that create a stable environment for cyanobacteria proliferation. This research provides valuable data for river water users and contributes to a broader understanding of the global cyanobacterial dispersion.
Valorization of palm oil mill effluent via enhanced oil recovery as an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production
Authors: Tang Yee Mun , Tan Kok Tat , Wong Lai Peng
Published: August 2023

Residual oil from palm oil mill effluent (POME) can be valorized into value-added products like biofuel. However, the complex structure in POME limits the full recovery of intracellular lipids. To address this challenge, low-frequency ultrasonication was used as a pre-treatment prior to oil recovery to improve the yield by liberating the entrapped oil via the cell disruption technique. This study focused on optimizing the ultrasound conditions (i.e., ultrasonication amplitude, ultrasonication duration, and probe immersion depth) to maximize the improvement of oil recovery yield using response surface methodology. The optimized conditions were 30.074% ultrasonication amplitude, 0.167 min ultrasonication duration, and 2 cm probe immersion depth. This resulted in an additional 42.50% improvement in oil recovery yield over non-ultrasonicated POME, which is in close agreement with the model prediction. Additionally, a cost–benefit analysis was incorporated to determine the feasibility of ultrasonication for enhancing oil recovery. The study also explored the synthesis of biodiesel from POME-recovered oil and characterized the fuel attributes according to American Society for Testing and Materials- and European Standards-prescribed procedures. The attributes of biodiesel produced from POME-recovered oil are comparable to those of palm-based biodiesel in Malaysia, demonstrating its potential as an alternative source for biodiesel production.
La violencia y la sororidad en el contexto andino de “Sangre coagulada”, de Mónica Ojeda
Authors: Herrera Mendoza Camila Alexandra , Villanueva Fernández Natalia Michelle , Zapata Herencia Kathia Alejandra
Published: August 2023

La presente investigación se enfoca en el desarrollo del tema de la violencia dirigida hacia el género femenino y en la sororidad que se desenvuelve en el contexto andino plasmado en el cuento “Sangre coagulada” del libro Las voladoras (2020), de Mónica Ojeda. La atención se focaliza especialmente en el personaje de la “abuela” desde una perspectiva gótica andina, debido a que se presenta como una figura violentada y marginada socialmente que, al mismo tiempo, representa la sororidad que contrarresta la violencia contra la mujer. Debido a su trabajo como abortera, su nieta y ella son señaladas por los habitantes del pueblo como sujetos abyectos, porque trasgreden el orden social y moral del pueblo. Esto la convierte en una “bruja” de la comunidad. Por ello, para fundamentar el tema de estudio sobre la violencia contra la mujer y la sororidad, se emplearán los aportes teóricos de bell hooks, Walter Benjamin y Judith Butler, entre otros. Luego, se realiza el análisis, que está dividido en dos secciones: la violencia en los personajes femeninos y la sororidad frente a la violencia contra la mujer. Finalmente, se exponen las conclusiones obtenidas.
Lo fantástico y lo maravilloso en cuatro cuentos de Abraham Valdelomar
Authors: Vega Mendieta Nehemías
Published: August 2023

El presente texto busca analizar la narrativa fantástica de Abraham Valdelomar, autor que a pesar de ser considerado como uno de los fundadores del cuento peruano moderno todavía no ha sido plenamente estudiado y la mayoría de trabajos sobre su obra repite tópicos y clasificaciones comunes de sus cuentos. Muchos de los críticos que han tratado la obra de Valdelomar se han centrado en los llamados cuentos criollos y poco se han dedicado al estudio de sus cuentos fantásticos y maravillosos. Nuestro artículo se centrará en el análisis de cuatro cuentos, en los cuales trataremos de diferenciar lo fantástico y lo maravilloso. Los cuentos escogidos son “Finis desolatrix veritae”, “El Hipocampo de oro”, “Hebaristo, el sauce que murió de amor” y “El beso de Evans”.
The Targeted Therapies for Osteosarcoma via Six Major Pathways
Authors: Wang Shuxing , Ren Quanlei , Li Guoqing , Zhao Xiaoxuan , Zhao Xing , Zhang Zhen
Published: August 2023

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy and has a high tendency of local invasion. Although a lot of studies have focused on chemotherapy and combination chemotherapy regimens in recent years, still, there is no particularly perfect regimen for the treatment of relapsed or metastatic OS, and the prognosis is still relatively poor. As a new therapeutic method, targeted therapy provides a new scheme for patients with osteosarcoma and has a wide application prospect. This article reviews the latest progress of targeted therapy for osteosarcoma, and summarizes the research on the corresponding targets of osteosarcoma through six major pathways. These studies can pave the way for new treatments for osteosarcoma patients who need them.
Semiconductor Nanostructures and Synthesis Techniques
Authors: Kavita  , Rani Pooja
Published: August 2023

Semiconductor nanostructures show different properties compared to their
bulk counterparts due to quantum confinement effects and enhanced surface-to-volume
ratio with the reduction in particle size on nanoscale dimensions. This chapter
introduces the nanomaterials, especially semiconductor nanostructures of various
morphologies, quantum nanostructures (quantum dots, quantum wires and quantum
wells) along with conventional 3D nanostructures. The present time is the introductory
era of nanoscience and nanotechnology; synthesis of highly monodisperse
nanostructures for device applications is a challenge for researchers and technocrats.
This chapter discusses at length fascinatingly the bottom-up and top-down synthesis
approaches along with the commonly used nanomaterial synthesis techniques, such as
mechanical milling, lithography, electrospinning, template synthesis, chemical
precipitation, sol-gel method, hydrothermal/solvothermal method, laser ablation, and
other vapour processing methods.
Titania Nanoparticles: Electronic, Surface and Morphological Modifications for Photocatalytic Removal of Pesticides and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Authors: Singh Grover Inderpreet , Sharma Rajeev
Published: August 2023

Tailoring the electronic, surface and morphological properties alter the
catalytic properties of the material(s), specifically at the nanoscale. In the past years, a
plethora of research has been reported to find sustainable and eco-friendly catalysts for
environmental pollution remediation. In this direction, titania nanoparticles have been
intensively explored to check their potential for photocatalytic removal of various
pollutants. In the current scenario, where the growing population needs to feed on an
everyday basis, abundant pesticides indiscriminately are being used to increase crop
yield, thus causing environmental pollution and ecological imbalance. In order to
remove these environmental pollutants along with the polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are formed by incomplete combustion of crop residue or any
other organic matter have been studied, and the results reported for these two
categories of pollutants are summarized in this chapter.
Nanostructures for Cosmetics and Medicine
Authors: Baby  , Gupta Saurabh
Published: August 2023

The application of various nanoparticles and nanotechnology in cosmetics
and pharmaceuticals is an interesting area of research and development. The use of
nanotechnology has also emerged as an important tool for gene manipulations,
diagnosis of several diseases along with improvement in treatment efficacy. This
chapter has emphasized the use of nano-materials in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
globally with associated legislation in different countries. More than 100 different
products have been listed and discussed with their uses in different fields along with
associated concerns. 
Studi Kinerja Mesin Nutcracker pada Pabrik Kelapa Sawit PTPN VWXYZ
Authors:   Universitas Andalas, Lubis Muhammad Iqbal Abdi , Andasuryani Andasuryani ,   Universitas Andalas, Hasibuan Halimatus Syahdia ,   Universitas Andalas
Published: August 2023

Produk turunan kelapa sawit yang harus dijaga selain CPO (crude palm oil) ialah KPO (kernel palm oil). Minyak kernel (KPO) yang baik tergantung dari hasil pengolahan biji sawit pada stasiun pengolahan biji, tepatnya pada stasiun pemecah biji oleh mesin nutcracker. Penelitian ini telah mengkaji kinerja 4 mesin nutcracker pada pabrik kelapa sawit PTPN VWXYZ sebanyak 3 ulangan per mesin nutcracker (200 g bahan untuk tiap ulangan) dengan tiga perlakuan kadar air (berdasarkan waktu pengambilan data di hari yang sama). Beberapa parameter yang dihitung adalah nilai persentase nilai biji utuh, biji pecah tidak sempurna, kernel pecah, dan efisiensi mesin nutcracker. Adapun tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengkaji tingkat efisiensi dari mesin nutcracker, sehingga akan dihasilkan kernel dengan kualitas yang baik dan apabila terjadi ketidak sesuaian dengan standar pabrik maka akan dapat dilakukan segera maintenance. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan diperoleh nilai efisiensi mesin nutcracker sebesar 94% dan nilai kernel pecah pada rentang nilai 0.117-0.593%. Nilai kernel pecah sebagai inti dari pengolahan pada stasiun pengolahan biji di PTPN VWXYZ masih sesuai dengan parameter SNI 01-0002-1987 (maksimal 15%) dan standar pabrik (maksimal 12%). Artinya mesin yang bekerja pada saat pengamatan masih layak untuk beroperasi. Selanjutnya, tetap perlu dilakukan routine maintenance untuk menjaga kualitas pemecahan biji oleh nutcracker agar senantiasa sesuai dengan standar dan menjaga efisiensi kerja mesin tetap di atas 90%.
Pengaruh Suhu Pemanasan dan Konsentrasi terhadap Karakteristik Kimia dan Fungsional pada Modifikasi Pregelatinisasi MOCAF
Authors:   Universitas Jember, Shahira Silvia Faradjdilara , Subagio Achmad ,   Universitas Jember, Diniyah Nurud ,   Universitas Jember
Published: August 2023

Aplikasi MOCAF dalam industri pangan memiliki kelemahan yaitu adanya sebagian pati alami yang tidak termodifikasi sehingga gel yang terbentuk terlalu keras dan kurang stabil. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh suhu pemanasan dan konsentrasi tepung terhadap karakteristik kimia dan fungsional MOCAF termodifikasi pregelatinisasi. Metode pregelatinisasi parsial dilakukan dengan membuat suspensi tepung serta pemanasan menggunakan waterbath selama 20 menit. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) dua faktor yaitu faktor A konsentrasi tepung (30, 40, dan 50%), faktor B suhu pemanasan (80, 90, dan 100°C) dan setiap perlakuan dilakukan pengulangan dua kali. Hasil penelitian kadar air berkisar 10.11-11.76%; kadar abu 0.72-1.44%; kadar pati 66.45- 89.70%; kadar amilosa 27.56-36.76%; kadar amilopektin 37.88-52.94%; Water Holding Capacity (WHC) 122.18-177.35%; Oil Holding Capacity (OHC) 122.07-167.05%; swelling power 11.82-14.36 (g/g); kelarutan 9.29-14.39 (g/g); dan sineresis 0.38-0.56%. MOCAF pregelatinisasi parsial perlakuan konsentrasi dan suhu pemanasan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap seluruh karakteristik kimia maupun fungsional sehingga MOCAF termodifikasi pregelatinisasi dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai alternatif tepung dalam industri pangan yang lebih luas. Kombinasi perlakuan penambahan konsentrasi MOCAF 50% dengan suhu pemanasan 90 °C memberikan nilai terbaik dengan karakteristik kadar air 11.55%; kadar abu 1.28%; kadar pati 86.88%; kadar amilosa 34.94%; kadar amilopektin 52.03%; WHC 168.09%; OHC 161.86%; swelling power 14.36%; kelarutan 10.44% dan sineresis 0.53%.
Advancing Fauna Conservation through Machine Learning-Based Spectrogram Recognition: A Study on Object Detection using YOLOv5
Authors:   Balai Pelatihan Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan Pekanbaru, Husain Badrul Huda , Osawa Takahiro ,   Yamaguchi University
Published: August 2023

The protection and monitoring of fauna species are essential for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems. Traditional methods of fauna conservation and habitat monitoring rely heavily on manual observation and data collection, which can be time-consuming, and labor-intensive. In recent years, the application of machine learning techniques, such as object detection, has shown great potential in automating the identification of fauna species. In this study, we propose an approach to advancing fauna conservation through the utilization of machine learning-based spectrogram recognition. Specifically, we employ an object detection algorithm, YOLOv5, to detect and classify fauna species from spectrogram images obtained from acoustic recordings. The spectrograms provide a visual representation of audio signals, capturing distinct patterns and characteristics unique to different fauna species. Through extensive experimentation and evaluation, our approach achieved promising results, demonstrating a precision of 0.95, recall of 0.98, F1 score of 0.91, and mean Average Precision (mAP) of 0.934. These performance metrics indicate a high level of accuracy and reliability in fauna species detection. By automating the identification process, our approach provides a scalable solution for monitoring fauna populations over large geographical areas and enables the collection of comprehensive data, facilitating better decision-making and targeted conservation strategies.
The media campaign against denunciations as a tool of nationalist mobilisation in Finland, 1899–1917
Authors: Suodenjoki Sami
Published: August 2023

This article examines the role of the print media in a campaign against political denunciations in the Grand Duchy of Finland from 1899 to 1917. It explores how the public condemnation of denunciations and denouncers evolved into a means for Finnish nationalist activists to raise national awareness and mobilise citizens against the integration policies of the Russian government. The source material includes Finnish newspapers and magazines, analysed through qualitative and computational methods, and a corpus of letters between citizens and the Governor-General. The article shows that the increase in the media coverage of denunciations was linked to the imperial integration policies, and that newspapers across party lines framed the denunciations as a national threat. The anti-denunciation campaign culminated during the revolutions of 1905 and 1917, when the nationalist news media published extensive name lists of denouncers based on findings from the confiscated papers of the imperial authorities. Overall, the article suggests that the media campaign against denunciations effectively suppressed the practice of denunciation in Finland, even if it also fostered an atmosphere of ubiquitous surveillance and may have inspired some individuals to become denouncers.
Windscreens as sites of competing Turkish nationalisms: Kemalists vs. Islamists
Authors: Akan Aysun
Published: August 2023

In Turkey, the dominant political ideology is nationalism, but there are different variants competing for influence. Kemalism, the philosophy that laid the foundations for modern Turkey, advocated for a top-down modernization and secularisation of society, but also crucially involved creating a modern western-style nation state. The decades of the 1920s and 1930s saw the establishment of Kemalism as the official state ideology.
Until the late 1990s, Kemalism remained as the state ideology, despite being challenged by a wide range of political tendencies. The greatest and most serious threat has come from political Islam, which rejects key tenets of the Kemalist ideology, namely western modernization and secularism. Conflict between Kemalists and Islamists on the national level has simmered since the 1970s, but a defining moment occurred in 2002 with the electoral victory of the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi, AKP). Over a period of 20 years in power, the AKP has eliminated much of the Kemalist improvements to Turkey's state institutions, society and culture. The result of the AKP’s Islamic nationalist policies has been increased political polarisation and friction in Turkish politics and society.
This political polarisation led to an unusual practice in everyday politics; supporters on both sides manifest their respective ideologies via stickers with political messages displayed on the rear windscreens of cars as a challenge to the opposing ideology. Based on the findings of interviews conducted with owners of cars displaying these messages, this study aims to analyse the meaning of this practice in relation to everyday nationalism, and its implications for Turkish politics at large.
Salvia ayecarrenoi (Lamiaceae), una nueva especie con estambres exsertos de Guerrero, México
Authors: Martínez-Gordillo Martha J. , De Santiago Gómez Jesús Ricardo , Fragoso-Martínez Itzi
Published: August 2023

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Durante una excursión a Atoyac de Álvarez, una región poco explorada de Guerrero, se recolectaron especímenes de Salvia con características poco comunes en taxones mexicanos. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir e ilustrar a Salvia ayecarrenoi y discutir sus afinidades morfológicas.
Métodos: Se emplearon claves de identificación para determinar los ejemplares colectados a nivel de sección. Se comparó morfológicamente con los taxones de la sección Siphonantha usando bibliografía disponible, colecciones de herbarios y bases de datos. El estado de conservación de la nueva especie se determinó con base en los criterios de la IUCN.
Resultados clave: Salvia ayecarrenoi es una especie endémica de Guerrero, con una combinación única de caracteres: inflorescencias hasta de 46 cm de largo, flores de color violeta, tubo ventricoso, estambres exsertos y curvados. Esta última característica es común en especies sudamericanas, pero rara en taxones mexicanos. Por lo tanto, su morfología está cercana a la sección Siphonantha, un grupo de cinco taxones de los Andes septentrionales. La nueva especie comparte algunas características morfológicas con Salvia sigchosica. Sin embargo, difiere de ella principalmente por la ausencia de guías de néctar, el tubo de la corola ventricoso, el labio inferior de la corola cuculado y la rama estigmática superior bien desarrollada y más larga que la rama inferior. De acuerdo con los criterios de la IUCN, la nueva especie está en Peligro Crítico (CR B1a).
Conclusiones: Con Salvia ayecarrenoi, el número de especies mexicanas de Salvia subgénero Calosphace aumenta a 311. Las afinidades morfológicas de la nueva especie la ubican en una sección sudamericana. Sin embargo, otras secciones con distribución disyunta han resultado no monofiléticas. Por ello, es necesario reevaluar la clasificación infragenérica del grupo y los caracteres morfológicos usados para circunscribir secciones, con el objetivo de obtener agrupaciones más naturales.
Cyber Hygiene Practices from The Lens of Professional Youth in Malaysia
Authors: Fikry Amily , Hamzah Muhammad Iskandar , Hussein Zuhal , Saputra Didin Hadi
Published: August 2023

Researchers have recognized cyber hygiene as an essential factor in reducing cybersecurity breaches. Factors affecting cyber hygiene practices are cyber hygiene knowledge and demographic factors. Inconclusive research has been found to be concerned with the extent of expertise and demographic factors that may affect cyber hygiene practices. This current pilot study aims to diagnose the effect of knowledge and demographic factors on cyber hygiene practices among professional youth in Malaysia. Forty-one usable questionnaires were further analyzed. The result showed no significant differences between demographic factors and cyber hygiene practices; and no significant relationship between knowledge and cyber hygiene practices among professional youth in Malaysia.
Removing workers’ compensation costs from the National Compensation Survey
Authors: Gittleman Maury , Lettau Michael , Phipps Gregory
Published: August 2023

This article focuses on workers’ compensation (WC), one of 18 employer-provided benefits for which information is collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) under the National Compensation Survey (NCS) program. The response rate for this legally required benefit is quite low both in absolute terms and relative to that for the other NCS benefits. The NCS is hindered in its ability to raise the response rate for workers’ compensation, given that such an effort could potentially lead to lower response rates for other benefits, which make up a larger share of total compensation. Other proposals to improve the quality of the collected data or to find alternative sources of data have limitations as well. As a result, BLS has decided that the best path forward is to work with the Office of Management and Budget to remove WC data from the NCS. This article explores the impact that a cessation of collection of workers’ compensation would have on NCS products.
Real-World Evidence of a Hospital-Linked Digital Health App for the Control of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus in South Korea: Nationwide Multicenter Study (Preprint)
Authors: Park Sangil , Woo Ho Geol , Kim Soeun , Kim Sunyoung , Lim Hyunjung , Yon Dong Keon , Rhee Sang Youl
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Digital health care apps have been widely used for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, providing promising prospects for enhanced health care delivery, increased patient engagement, and improved self-management. However, the impact of integrating these apps within hospital systems for managing such conditions still lacks conclusive evidence.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the real-world effectiveness of using hospital-linked digital health care apps in lowering blood pressure (BP) and blood glucose levels in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Nationwide multicenter data on demographic characteristics and the use of a digital health care app from 233 hospitals were collected for participants aged 20 to 80 years in South Korea between August 2021 and June 2022. We divided the participants into 2 groups: 1 group consisted of individuals who exclusively used the digital health app (control) and the other group used the hospital-linked digital health app. All the patients participated in a 12-week digital health care intervention. We conducted a comparative analysis to assess the real-world effectiveness of the hospital-linked digital health app. The primary outcome was the differences in the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, and postprandial glucose (PPG) level between baseline and 12 weeks.

RESULTS

A total of 1029 participants were analyzed for the FBG level, 527 participants were analyzed for the PPG level, and 2029 participants for the SBP and DBP were enrolled. After 12 weeks, a hospital-linked digital health app was found to reduce SBP (−5.4 mm Hg, 95% CI −7.0 to −3.9) and DBP (−2.4 mm Hg, 95% CI −3.4 to −1.4) in participants without hypertension and FBG level in all participants (those without diabetes, −4.4 mg/dL, 95% CI −7.9 to −1.0 and those with diabetes, −3.2 mg/dL, 95% CI −5.4 to −1.0); however, there was no statistically significant difference compared to the control group (using only digital health app). Specifically, participants with diabetes using a hospital-linked digital health app demonstrated a significant decrease in PPG after 12 weeks (−10.9 mg/dL, 95% CI −31.1 to −5.3) compared to those using only a digital health app (P=.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital-linked digital interventions have greatly improved glucose control for diabetes compared with using digital health technology only. These hospital-linked digital health apps have the potential to offer consumers and health care professionals cost-effective support in decreasing glucose levels when used in conjunction with self-monitoring.
Impact of Remote Patient Monitoring Platform on Patients With Moderate to Severe Persistent Asthma: Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Reid Denzil , Mehta Jyotsna , Anis Karim , Mehta Shail
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases, with an ever-growing health care burden. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has gained increasing importance in the respiratory care area with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this pilot study, we introduced a novel platform that remotely monitors patients with chronic respiratory illnesses using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to reduce hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to understand patient and physician engagement with a new virtual care solution (KevaTalk app and Keva365 platform) and the value, for both patients and providers, of using an RPM tool. We assessed real-world use of the platform from both physician and patient perspectives and the impact of devices on engagement and monitoring.

METHODS

Participants with a history of moderate to severe persistent asthma, seen by a pulmonologist at a hospital, were included in this study. The inclusion criteria involved being aged ≥18 years and having access to an Android or iOS mobile device with internet. We provided patient questionnaires to assess the app’s usefulness and evaluate its features. We monitored remote spirometry and oximetry data, app check-ins, alerts, and escalations during this study’s time window. Data were reviewed daily and predetermined criteria were set to escalate for physician review based on the patient’s symptoms and objective data.

RESULTS

Overall, 25 patients were included in this pilot. The mean age was 57 (SD 10.7) years and a majority (n=23, 92%) were female. A baseline questionnaire, which was used to rate the app, indicated that the ease of check-in and ease of modification to the patient’s asthma plan were the 2 highest rated features. In total, 2066 check-ins (1550 green, 506 yellow, and 10 red check-ins) and 1155 spirometry sessions were recorded during this 3-month period. Further, 64% (14/22) and 91% (20/22) of patients were found to have peak flows in their red and yellow zones at least once, respectively. During the course of this study, 484 alerts were recorded and evaluated by the team, of which 37.2% (n=180) required an escalation to the physician; this included a transfer to a medical facility, change in respiratory medication, or further education.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study, we demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a novel RPM platform in patients with asthma. Our platform showed high patient engagement and satisfaction and provided physicians with real-time subjective data to evaluate patients remotely that aids in clinical decision-making. The escalations prevented patients from having an exacerbation or flare up, which led to the prevention of an emergency department visit. Continuous monitoring of chronic disease has benefits over episodic monitoring. It allows for improved quality of life, better outcomes, and huge health care savings.