bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clipping spline: interactive, dynamic 4D volume clipping and analysis based on thin plate spline
Authors: Faubert Andre C. , Wang Shang
Published: December 2024

Methods for seeing inside volumetric images are increasingly important with the rapid advancements in 3D and 4D (3D + time) biomedical imaging techniques. Here, we report a novel volume clipping method and its open-source implementation which enables unprecedented 4D visualization and analysis of embryonic mouse heart development with data from optical coherence tomography (OCT). Clipping a volume to extract information inside has long been a vital approach in biomedical image analysis; however, it is challenging to make a dynamic non-planar cutaway view that is simultaneously smooth, adjustable, efficient to compute, easy to control, and interactive in real time. We addressed this challenge by applying the thin plate spline (TPS) to create a new way of volume clipping, called the clipping spline. Specifically, the clipping spline produces a cutaway view by generating a binary mask based on the unique TPS surface that intersects with a set of 3D control points while having minimal curvature. We implemented this method in an open-source platform where the clipping spline can be interactively controlled for real-time, adjustable, and dynamic cutaway views into a volume. We also developed an algorithm that automatically connects and interpolates different sets of control points over time, providing 4D volume clipping. In addition to characterizing the clipping spline, we demonstrate its application by revealing a series of never-before-seen dynamics and processes of embryonic mouse heart development based on OCT data. We also show a TPS-based method for tracking the embryonic myocardium with control points over two timescales (heartbeat and development). Our results indicate that the clipping spline promises to be broadly used in volumetric biomedical image visualization and analysis, especially by the OCT community.
Photonics-assisted analog windowing and matched filtering
Authors: Weng Jichen , Liu Weiwei , Liu Mengwei , Li Dongyu , Chen Hong , Zeng Siyue , Zhang Jin , Wang Yalan , Liu Xiaotong , Wang Anle , Xie Wenchong
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we propose an integrated method for windowing and matched filtering in the analog domain based on microwave photonic technology, which utilizes dispersion regulation of optical waveguide to achieve the windowing processing of broadband signals in the optical domain and the surface acoustic wave filter (SAWF) to achieve the following matched filtering processing in the radio frequency (RF) domain, thus realizing their integration processing in the analog domain. The proposed method is validated by simulation and experiment, in which the integrated processing of matched filtering and windowing in the analog domain for a linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal with a bandwidth of 1 GHz is carried out and the peak to sidelobe ratio (PSLR) of the output signal is −19.55 dB and the mainlobe width (MLW) broadens to 0.16 ns with the maximum achievable dispersion value. The proposed method can significantly reduce the pressure of signal processing at the back-end of the radar system and improve the response speed of the broadband radar system in detecting the targets.
Visible-near infrared broadband photodetector enabled by a photolithography-defined plasmonic disk array
Authors: Dong Huafeng , Yin Qianxi , Wu Ziqiao , Ye Yufan , Li Rongxi , Meng Ziming , Xue Jiancai
Published: December 2024

2D-material-based photodetectors enhanced by plasmonic nanostructures can support responsivity/detectivity several orders higher than commercial photodetectors, drawing extensive attention as promising candidates for the next-generation photodetectors. However, to boost the nanostructure-enhanced 2D photodetectors into real-world applications, crucial challenges lie in the design of broadband enhancing nanostructures and their scalable and position-controllable fabrication. Here, based on a broadband resonant plasmonic disk array fabricated by a scalable and position-controllable technique (direct writing photolithography), we present a visible-near infrared (405–1310 nm) 2D WS2 photodetector, whose detectivity is up to 3.9×1014 Jones, a value exceeding that of the previous plasmon-enhanced 2D photodetectors. The broadened spectral response range and the high detectivity originate from the hot electron injection, optical absorption enhancement, and strain effect supported by the plasmonic array. Furthermore, the designed plasmonic 2D photodetector supports self-powered photodetection, indicating promising potential in energy-free and portable optoelectronic systems. Our results demonstrate an effective method to construct high-performance broadband photodetectors, which can facilitate the development of 2D photodetectors in commercial applications.
Silicon-integrated scandium-doped aluminum nitride electro-optic modulator
Authors: Xu Tianqi , Liu Yushuai , Pu Yuanmao , Yang Yongxiang , Zhong Qize , Zhao Xingyan , Qiu Yang , Dong Yuan , Wu Tao , Zheng Shaonan , Hu Ting
Published: December 2024

Scandium-doped aluminum nitride (AlScN) with an asymmetric hexagonal wurtzite structure exhibits enhanced second-order nonlinear and piezoelectric properties compared to aluminum nitride (AlN), while maintaining a relatively large bandgap. It provides a promising platform for photonic circuits and facilitates the seamless integration of passive and active functional devices. Here, we present the design, fabrication, and characterization of Al0.904Sc0.096N electro-optic (EO) micro-ring modulators, introducing active functionalities to the chip-scale AlScN platform. These waveguide-integrated EO modulators utilize sputtered Al0.904Sc0.096N thin films as the light-guiding medium, with the entire fabrication process being compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. We extract the in-device effective EO coefficient of 2.86 pm/V at 12 GHz. The devices show a minimum half-wave voltage-length product of 3.12 V·cm at a modulation frequency of 14 GHz, and achieve a 3-dB modulation bandwidth of approximately 22 GHz. Our work provides a promising modulation scheme for cost-effective silicon-integrated photonics systems.
A fact based analysis of decision trees for improving reliability in cloud computing
Authors: Asim Shahid Muhammad , Alam Muhammad Mansoor , Mohd Su’ud Mazliham
Published: December 2024

The popularity of cloud computing (CC) has increased significantly in recent years due to its cost-effectiveness and simplified resource allocation. Owing to the exponential rise of cloud computing in the past decade, many corporations and businesses have moved to the cloud to ensure accessibility, scalability, and transparency. The proposed research involves comparing the accuracy and fault prediction of five machine learning algorithms: AdaBoostM1, Bagging, Decision Tree (J48), Deep Learning (Dl4jMLP), and Naive Bayes Tree (NB Tree). The results from secondary data analysis indicate that the Central Processing Unit CPU-Mem Multi classifier has the highest accuracy percentage and the least amount of fault prediction. This holds for the Decision Tree (J48) classifier with an accuracy rate of 89.71% for 80/20, 90.28% for 70/30, and 92.82% for 10-fold cross-validation. Additionally, the Hard Disk Drive HDD-Mono classifier has an accuracy rate of 90.35% for 80/20, 92.35% for 70/30, and 90.49% for 10-fold cross-validation. The AdaBoostM1 classifier was found to have the highest accuracy percentage and the least amount of fault prediction for the HDD Multi classifier with an accuracy rate of 93.63% for 80/20, 90.09% for 70/30, and 88.92% for 10-fold cross-validation. Finally, the CPU-Mem Mono classifier has an accuracy rate of 77.87% for 80/20, 77.01% for 70/30, and 77.06% for 10-fold cross-validation. Based on the primary data results, the Naive Bayes Tree (NB Tree) classifier is found to have the highest accuracy rate with less fault prediction of 97.05% for 80/20, 96.09% for 70/30, and 96.78% for 10 folds cross-validation. However, the algorithm complexity is not good, taking 1.01 seconds. On the other hand, the Decision Tree (J48) has the second-highest accuracy rate of 96.78%, 95.95%, and 96.78% for 80/20, 70/30, and 10-fold cross-validation, respectively. J48 also has less fault prediction but with a good algorithm complexity of 0.11 seconds. The difference in accuracy and less fault prediction between NB Tree and J48 is only 0.9%, but the difference in time complexity is 9 seconds. Based on the results, we have decided to make modifications to the Decision Tree (J48) algorithm. This method has been proposed as it offers the highest accuracy and less fault prediction errors, with 97.05% accuracy for the 80/20 split, 96.42% for the 70/30 split, and 97.07% for the 10-fold cross-validation.
Effect of post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia on stroke recurrence and functional outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Jia , Wang Jie
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and dementia may have a significant impact on stroke recurrence and long-term functional outcomes of patients.

Aim

To investigate the potential link between PSCI and dementia, and stroke recurrence, mortality, and poor functional outcomes of stroke survivors.

Methods

A systematic search across Medline, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases was done for studies that evaluated the association of PSCI and dementia with long-term stroke outcomes. The results were expressed as pooled hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic and the Chi-square test. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the sample size, geographical location, follow-up, and type of dementia/cognitive impairment. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS).

Results

The meta-analysis included thirteen studies. Of them, ten studies (n = 4036) reported a significant association between PSCI and stroke recurrence, with a pooled HR of 1.33 (95% CI: 1.14–1.55, I2 = 84.6%). Subgroup analysis revealed a statistically significant association between PSCI and stroke recurrence across various subrgoups. Four studies (n = 1944) demonstrated that patients with PSCI had a higher risk of poor functional outcome, with a pooled HR of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.16–2.05, I2 = 80.0%). However, the multivariate analysis did not detect a significant association between PSCI and stroke mortality, with a pooled HR of 1.50 (95% CI: 0.94–2.40, I2 = 45.9%).

Conclusions

The study showed that PSCI was associated with 33% increased stroke recurrence and 68% higher rate of poor functional outcome. Our findings underscore the adverse impact of PSCI on stroke recurrence and functional outcomes, emphasizing the importance of early detection and targeted interventions to mitigate the cognitive impairment burden in stroke survivors.
Diagnostic performance of DCE-MRI radiomics in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Dong Fei , Li Jie , Wang Junbo , Yang Xiaohui
Published: December 2024

Radiomics offers a novel strategy for the differential diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and prediction of treatment responses in breast cancer. Studies have explored radiomic signatures from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) and sentinel lymph node metastasis (SLNM), but the diagnostic accuracy varies widely. To evaluate this performance, we conducted a meta-analysis performing a comprehensive literature search across databases including PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and the Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM) until March 31, 2024. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Twenty-four eligible studies encompassing 5588 breast cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis yielded a pooled sensitivity of 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77–0.84), specificity of 0.85 (95%CI: 0.81–0.87), PLR of 5.24 (95%CI: 4.32–6.34), NLR of 0.23 (95%CI: 0.19–0.27), DOR of 23.16 (95%CI: 17.20–31.19), and AUC of 0.90 (95%CI: 0.87–0.92), indicating good diagnostic performance. Significant heterogeneity was observed in analyses of sensitivity (I2 = 74.64%) and specificity (I2 = 83.18%). Spearman’s correlation coefficient suggested no significant threshold effect (P = 0.538). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses identified several potential heterogeneity sources, including data source, integration of clinical factors and peritumor features, MRI equipment, magnetic field strength, lesion segmentation, and modeling methods. In conclusion, DCE-MRI radiomic models exhibit good diagnostic performance in predicting ALNM and SLNM in breast cancer. This non-invasive and effective tool holds potential for the preoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients.
The association of thyroid stimulating hormone and body fat in adults
Authors: Sun Qin , He Yixuan , Yang Liang
Published: December 2024

Background

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) has been proven to be closely associated with metabolic abnormalities, including obesity. The objective of this investigation was to scrutinize the intricate association between TSH concentration and obesity, within the adult population. The study focused on a comprehensive examination of the relationship, delving into specific adiposity parameters such as total percent fat (TPF), android percent fat (APF), and gynoid percent fat (GPF).

Methods

This study included 809 participants aged 20 and above with normal TSH values from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012. Multivariable linear regression models examined the associations of TSH concentration with TPF, APF, and GPF. Subgroup analyses, stratified by sex, were performed using multivariable linear regression. Fitted smoothing curves and generalized additive models addressed non-linear relationships between TSH and TPF, APF, and GPF.

Results

In fully adjusted models, a significant positive association was observed between TPF and TSH (β = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.00–0.02, p<0.05), while no such association was evident in APF and GPF. Upon sex stratification, females exhibited significant positive correlations between TSH and TPF, APF, and GPF (all p < 0.001), contrasting with males where no such correlations were found. Notably, a non-linear association was identified in males, specifically a U-shaped curve (inflection point: 32.6%) for TSH and APF.

Conclusion

The study unveiled a statistically significant positive association between TSH and TPF in adults. Upon sex stratification, similar statistically significant relationships were observed between TSH and adiposity (TPF, APF, GPF) in females, while males exhibited a U-shaped non-linear relationship between TSH and APF.
Social determinants of the mental health of pregnant women in Nepal: Stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Sah Lalita Kumari , Hatzidimitriadou Eleni , Wier Jacqueline , Sah Rajeeb Kumar
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Women during pregnancy are at a greater risk of experiencing poor mental health, which is one of the major global public health issues, and more so in many developing countries like Nepal, but limited evidence of research on this topic is evident. In this paper, we are focused on exploring the social determinants of the mental health of pregnant women in Nepal from the stakeholder perspectives.

Methods

This paper utilises eight stakeholder perspectives collected through open-ended in-depth interviews. All the interviews were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

Results

This paper presents three major findings: Inadequate social support, Limited availability and accessibility of maternal health services, and Restricted socioeconomic and cultural context. The inadequate social support from family/relatives, neighbours, community and national policies such as maternity leave, alongside the absence of NGOs/INGOs support, put women at risk of poor mental health. In addition to the inadequate support, limited availability and accessibility of maternal health services potentially cause immense distress among pregnant women. Furthermore, in the context of a patriarchal society, the impact of socioeconomic and cultural context on pregnant women’s mental health is also presented as a major determinant of poor mental health among pregnant women.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, we conclude that pregnant women are at risk of poor mental health experiences in Nepal and recommend that promoting mental health among pregnant women needs a multifaceted approach that should be considered in all the policies and practices involved in promoting the mental health of pregnant women.
Ruscus aculeatus extract promotes RNase 7 expression through ERK activation following inhibition of late-phase autophagy in primary human keratinocytes
Authors: Ono Shigeyuki , Kawasaki Akiko , Tamura Kotaro , Minegishi Yoshihiko , Mori Takuya , Ota Noriyasu
Published: December 2024

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are crucial for protecting human skin from infection. Therefore, the expression levels of beneficial AMPs such as ribonuclease 7 (RNase 7) must be appropriately regulated in healthy human skin. However, there is limited understanding regarding the regulating AMP expression, especially when using applications directly to healthy human skin. Here, we investigated the effects of the extract of Ruscus aculeatus (RAE), a medicinal plant native to Mediterranean Europe and Africa that is known to have a high safety level, on AMP expression in primary human keratinocytes. Treatment with RAE induced RNase 7 expression, which was suppressed by an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor. The autophagic flux assay and the immunofluorescence analysis of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-Ⅱ and p62 showed that RAE inhibited late-phase autophagy. Moreover, both the inhibition of early-phase autophagy by EX-527, an inhibitor of silent information regulator of transcription 1 (SIRT1) and its enhancement by resveratrol, an activator of SIRT1 inhibited RNase 7 and ERK expression, indicating that autophagosome accumulation is necessary for RAE-induced RNase 7 expression. Additionally, spilacleoside was identified as the active component in RAE. These findings suggest that RAE promotes RNase 7 expression via ERK activation following inhibition of late-phase autophagy in primary human keratinocytes and that this mechanism is a novel method of regulation of AMP expression.
Targeting n-myristoyltransferases promotes a pan-Mammarenavirus inhibition through the degradation of the Z matrix protein
Authors: Carnec Xavier , Borges-Cardoso Virginie , Reynard Stéphanie , Kowalski Heinrich , Gaillard Jean-Charles , Mateo Mathieu , Armengaud Jean , Baize Sylvain
Published: December 2024

Several Old World and New World Mammarenavirus are responsible for hemorrhagic fever in humans. These enveloped viruses have a bi-segmented ambisense RNA genome that encodes four proteins. All Mammarenavirus identified to date share a common dependency on myristoylation: the addition of the C14 myristic acid on the N-terminal G2 residue on two of their proteins. The myristoylation of the Z matrix protein is required for viral particle budding, while the myristoylation of the signal peptide to the envelope glycoproteins is important for the entry mechanism. Using Mopeia virus as a model, we characterized the interaction of the Z matrix protein with the N-Myristoyltransferases (NMT) 1 and 2, the two enzymes responsible for myristoylation in mammals. While both enzymes were capable to interact with Z, we showed that only NMT1 was important for the production of viral progeny, the endogenous expression of NMT2 being insufficient to make up for NMT1 in its absence. Using the high affinity inhibitors of NMTs, IMP1088 and DDD85646, we demonstrated a strong, dose dependent and specific inhibition at the nanomolar range for all Mammarenavirus tested, including the highly pathogenic Lassa, Machupo, Junin and Lujo viruses. Mechanistically, IMP1088 and DDD85646 blocked the interaction between Z and both NMTs, preventing myristoylation and further viral particle formation, egress and spread. Unexpectedly, we found that the matrix protein devoid of myristate, despite being fully translated, did not accumulate as the other viral proteins in infected cells but was instead degraded in a proteasome- and autophagy-independent manner. These molecules represent a new broad-spectrum class of inhibitors against Mammarenavirus.
Social Comparison Orientation and Social Media Use by Brazilian Accounting Students
Authors: Meurer Alison Martins , Costa Flaviano
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Social Comparison Orientation is a psychological and behavioral predisposition that is rooted in individuals' uncertainties about their own abilities and opinions. The frequent and inappropriate use of social networks, in addition to enabling social comparison, may lead to the maximization of this behavior, which is sometimes harmful to the individual. This research sought to identify how accounting students’ social comparison orientation changes according to the characteristics of social media use.
Methodology: The responses were collected from an online survey of accounting students. 502 valid responses were obtained and to verify and compare social comparison orientation based on the characteristics of social media use, the statistical tests multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, and MANOVA were used.
Results or Discussion: MANOVA pointed out significant differences in the clusters of following celebrities and influencers on social media to compare abilities and opinions and in the number of friends to compare opinions.
Conclusion: The engagement with posts from influencers and celebrities related to the facets of Social Comparison Orientation (SCO) may stem from the profile of accounting professionals described in the literature, who tend to be introverted and may seek for socially accepted patterns of behavior through social media. Therefore, understanding how the characteristics of social media usage affect social comparison behavior can be valuable for promoting a more conscious use of these digital tools.
Caracterización del proceso de arribo, consolidación y retracción de las empresas argentinas en el control de las tierras y de la producción de granos en Uruguay
Authors: Arbeletche Pedro , Guibert Martine
Published: December 2024

A comienzos del siglo XXI, Uruguay conoció el arribo de productores extranjeros, en buena parte oriundos de Argentina, con una capacidad relevante de inversión financiera y de innovación organizacional que les permitieron acceder y controlar la tierra y la producción de granos. Su forma y sus estrategias de organización de la actividad provocaron cambios profundos en el agro uruguayo que se perciben aún, a pesar de su retracción a partir de mediados de la década 2010. El enfoque es inductivo con el objetivo de caracterizar el modelo productivo introducido por las empresas argentinas de gran escala y las repercusiones para el agro uruguayo. El artículo sintetiza una investigación de largo plazo, con la revisión de las entrevistas realizadas durante 25 años y de los trabajos publicados, y de la literatura existente.
Organización comunitaria para crear vínculos recíprocos entre universidad y comunidad: diálogos entre Estados Unidos y Chile
Authors: Ávila Maria , Gutiérrez Pereira Marcela , Flores Matías G.
Published: December 2024

En este artículo se comparte un modelo de extensión universitaria basado en organización comunitaria creado en Estados Unidos. Este modelo considera cuatro prácticas fundamentales: reuniones uno–a–uno, formación de liderazgo colectivo, análisis de poder y reflexión crítica y rutinaria. A partir de los métodos de investigación narrativa y escritura colaborativa, se presenta un diálogo entre la creadora del modelo y dos profesionales de extensión universitaria en Chile en cuanto a similitudes y diferencias con prácticas y métodos de extensión en Chile. Los autores concluyen con sus reflexiones respecto de la importancia de diálogos a nivel internacional para formular estrategias que lleven a la continua mejoría del campo de extensión.
Ciencias Históricas y Vinculación con el medio: las historias locales poblacionales como ejercicio de extensión crítica desde la experiencia chilena
Authors: Fauré Polloni Daniel
Published: December 2024

El artículo analiza la potencialidad de trabajar proyectos de historia local, memoria y patrimonio con barrios populares a través del análisis de la experiencia chilena de construcción de historias locales poblacionales y la propuesta metodológica desarrollada, desde 2016, por el programa de vinculación con el medio "Memorias de Chuchunco" (Departamento de Historia, Universidad de Santiago de Chile).
Para ello, se analiza el surgimiento de las historias locales poblaciones en Santiago de Chile y los vínculos con las Organizaciones No Gubernamentales y las universidades desde la década de los 80 hasta nuestros días. Luego, se reflexiona sobre la potencialidad y los desafíos de trabajar la memoria histórica y la historia local en conjunto entre organizaciones poblacionales y las universidades públicas y, finalmente, se desarrollan lineamientos metodológicos participativos para implementar proyectos de vinculación con el medio o extensión crítica para el desarrollo de Historias Locales Poblacionales.
Redes digitais e a memória dos sábios indígenas
Authors: Fernandes de Carvalhaes Flávia , De Castro Leiliani , Kaseker Mônica Panis , Roberto do Amaral Wagner
Published: December 2024

Apresentamos um relato de experiência do projeto de extensão "Redes digitais e a memória dos sábios indígenas nas escolas estaduais indígenas do norte do Paraná", da Universidade Estadual de Londrina, que atuou em cinco comunidades da região Norte do Paraná, no Brasil, entre 2023 e 2024. Por meio de oficinas de memória, interculturalidade e comunicação audiovisual nas escolas Kaingang e Guarani, a proposta foi colaborar para a revitalização da transmissão oral de conhecimentos entre gerações. Trata-se da continuidade de um trabalho que se desenvolve desde 2013 para fortalecer a educação escolar indígena específica, intercultural, bilíngue e comunitária nessas comunidades.
Reseña de libro / Compartir las ciencias. Comunicación y apropiación de conocimientos en la extensión universitaria
Authors: Denaro Ana Clara
Published: December 2024

En el actual mundo globalizado, el conocimiento científico y tecnológico se constituye como pilar fundamental para el progreso y la soberanía de los países. En este contexto, la comunicación pública de la ciencia y la tecnología adquiere una relevancia indispensable. Compartir las ciencias, comunicación y apropiación de los conocimientos en la extensión universitaria se presenta como un compilado imprescindible que analiza el rol de la apropiación social de las ciencias en las prácticas de extensión universitaria, particularmente con el estudio de caso de la Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos. El libro subraya la importancia de restablecer y fortalecer vínculos entre la comunidad científica y la sociedad. En este sentido, la praxis de comunicar las ciencias y de realizar actividades de extensión desde un enfoque crítico, y desde una perspectiva política y cultural, contribuyen a la democratización del conocimiento y fomentan la construcción de una ciudadanía informada y crítica.
Biochemical Characterization of Mannanase from Newly Isolated Acinetobacter sp. KUB-ST1-1 and its Hydrolysate Containing Mannooligosaccharides: Potential as Applied Prebiotic for Pet Food
Authors: Sintuprapa Wilawan , Alaiphol Aonchuma , Nitisinprasert Sunee , Zhou Zhemin , Moonmangmee Somporn
Published: December 2024

The β-mannanase enzyme derived from isolated Acinetobacter sp. KUB-ST1-1 was studied for its potential for mannooligosaccharide production. Extracellular mannanase from Acinetobacter sp. KUB-ST1-1, cultured in nutrient broth with 0.5% (w/v) locust bean gum, was purified using ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography, and cation exchange chromatography. The enzyme, with a molecular weight of 57 kDa, had high activity in a 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.0 and was stable from pH 4.0 to 7.0. It had high-temperature stability at 40 °C and 50 °C for up to 18 h. This enzyme was highly active toward konjac and galactomannan, especially with locust bean gum and copra meal. The hydrolysis products consisted mainly of the 2 and 3 units of mannooligosaccharide. The mannooligosaccharide exhibited prebiotic properties by promoting increased growth of some beneficial lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, the defatted copra meal hydrolysate had considerable resistance to pepsin, trypsin, and bile salts under simulated gastrointestinal conditions for dogs. These characteristics highlighted the enzyme's excellent properties and suggested its potential as a promising candidate for applications in the food and bio-industries, particularly in pet food production.
The Influence of Self-Regulation on Early Childhood Education Teachers' Readiness for Curriculum Change in Indonesia
Authors: Putri Nilamsari Kusumawati , Pranoto Yuli Kurniawati Sugiyo , Nuzulia Siti
Published: December 2024

The challenges of implementing new curricula, such as insufficient infrastructure, high parental expectations, and varying levels of teacher quality, have left many early childhood education (PAUD) teachers unprepared for curriculum changes. Teachers often face difficulties adapting to new instructional materials, revising learning plans, updating teaching processes, and aligning assessments with curriculum requirements. Curriculum transitions are a global phenomenon, posing challenges for educators in various contexts. This study explores the influence of self-regulation on PAUD teachers' readiness for curriculum change in Indonesia. Using a quantitative approach with simple linear regression analysis, data were collected from 113 teachers selected through quota sampling based on calculations using the G*Power software (α = 0.05, power = 0.95, effect size f = 0.15). Validated instruments assessed self-regulation and readiness for curriculum change, ensuring cultural and linguistic relevance. Results from SPSS analysis demonstrated a significant positive relationship (p = 0.001, CI: 1.031–1.934) between self-regulation and readiness for curriculum change. Teachers with higher self-regulation exhibited greater adaptability and competence in meeting the demands of curriculum updates. This study highlights the pivotal role of self-regulation in enhancing teacher readiness, enabling educators to address challenges, develop new skills, and align their practices with curriculum requirements. The findings underscore the need for professional development programs to foster self-regulation and institutional support to facilitate smooth transitions during curriculum reforms. Future research should adopt longitudinal designs to explore the dynamic processes of teacher readiness over time and across diverse educational settings.
Cultivating Patriotism in Early Childhood Education: The "Angkasa Berbudaya" Program at Angkasa Adisutjipto Kindergarten
Authors: Izdihar Syifa Cahyani  , Pamungkas Joko
Published: December 2024

Fostering patriotism in early childhood is a critical challenge in an era of globalisation, where traditional values risk being overshadowed by modern influences. This study investigates the cultivation of patriotism in early childhood through the "Angkasa Berbudaya" program at Angkasa Adisutjipto Kindergarten in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation involving 20 students, five educators, and the school principal. The program integrates local culture, science, and technology to foster national identity while introducing global perspectives. Arts-based approaches, including traditional dance, angklung music, and marching bands, instil cultural appreciation, self-discipline, and creativity. Additionally, patriotism is embedded through national ceremonies, storytelling, and wearing traditional attire, promoting values like love for the homeland, discipline, and cooperation. Findings indicate that the program supports cognitive, social, and emotional development, contributing to a well-rounded education that balances tradition and modernity. However, challenges include inadequate facilities, limited parental involvement, and the absence of systematic evaluations to assess the program's long-term impact. Recommendations include improving resources, enhancing parental engagement, and incorporating broader multicultural perspectives to strengthen the program's effectiveness. This study underscores the significant role of culturally integrated education in fostering patriotism and social cohesion, offering a replicable model for early childhood education. By blending local heritage with global insights, the program prepares children to value diversity while maintaining a strong sense of national identity. Future research should focus on longitudinal impacts and scalable strategies for integrating patriotism into early education curricula.
Catasetum × vilhenense (Orchidaceae: Catasetinae), a new natural hybrid from the Amazon forest
Authors: Krahl Dayse R. P. , Sena de Oliveira Miguel , Schmal Philippe , Krahl Amauri H. , Chiron Guy , Da Silva João B. F. , De C. Cantuária Patrick
Published: December 2024

This study describes a new natural hybrid of Catasetum, C. × vilhenense, from the State of Rondônia (Brazil) found in ombrophilous forests near the Roosevelt River. The hybrid shows intermediate morphological features between its parental species, C. ariquemense and C. multifidum, with specific differences in floral morphology and inflorescence structure. We provide detailed data on its habitat, ecology, and geographic distribution, and a photographic plate of the hybrid. Given its restricted range, limited to a single locality with an area of occupancy (AOO) of less than 10 km², C. × vilhenense may be Critically Endangered (CR) due to habitat loss and fragmentation. An identification key is also proposed for the species and natural hybrids of Catasetum with symmetrical and parallel antennae in the state of Rondônia, contributing to the understanding and classification of this genus in the Amazon forest.
Polish Expatriates in Harbin
Authors: Gao Longbin
Published: December 2024

At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, with the construction and opening of the Chinese Eastern Railway (CER), a significant number of Polish expatriates from Russian Poland arrived in Harbin. At its peak, their number exceeded 7,000. The proportion of Poles among the railway’s designers, suppliers, and engineers was notably high. After arriving in Harbin, the Polish community gradually engaged in various social activities, such as building churches, establishing consulates, forming expatriate associations, publishing periodicals, and setting up schools and charitable organizations. These activities left a profound historical imprint on Harbin. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Polish expatriates gradually left Harbin to return to Poland or migrate to other countries. The Polish “Harbinian” have become a “blood” bond in the relationship between China and Poland, playing an irreplaceable role. A deep exploration of the historical and cultural resources of Polish expatriates in Harbin and active promotion of research on this subject can enhance the study of Harbin’s expatriate history and culture, while also positively advancing the development of China–Poland relations in the new era.
Impact of meta-memory techniques in generating effective differential diagnoses in a pediatric core clerkship
Authors: Tiamiyu Khadijah , Pahwa Amit , Gates Megan , Bertram Amanda , Murphy Emily
Published: December 2024

Objectives

We primarily assessed differences in differential diagnosis (DDx) efficacy of initial and refined top diagnoses (tDDx) and “can’t miss” DDx (CMDx) between 3 MMTs (Constellations, Mental CT, and VINDICATES).

Methods

Pediatric clerkship students participated in two 1-h case-based sessions. The case was presented in three aliquots. Students were randomly assigned to MMT groups. Assigned MMTs were used to generate the initial tDDx and CMDx following aliquot 1. tDDx and CMDx were refined following both aliquots 2 and 3. Group DDx responses and student affective data were collected via survey. DDx efficacy was defined using pooled faculty responses and scoring was done by consensus.

Results

There was no significant difference in scores between MMT groups, except the second iteration of CMDx in Case A (Constellations 50 % [interquartile range, IQR, 50–100], Mental CT 50 % [50−100], VINDICATES 0 % [0-50], p=0.02). Students’ self-reported confidence in generating (p<0.001) and refining (p<0.001) their DDx significantly increased after the curriculum.

Conclusions

Although prior studies identified a differential effect of MMTs on DDx generation, we did not observe a difference in initial or refined DDx efficacy between MMTs.
Effect of ball milling on bulk MoS2 and the development of Al–MoS2 nanocomposites by powder metallurgy route
Authors: Sahoo Nityananda , Ghosh Arka , Sahoo Kalpana , Rajoriya Anuj , Das Bappa , Shrivastava Pankaj , Alam Syed Nasimul
Published: December 2024

The present study provides an in-depth investigation of the exfoliation of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) using high-energy ball milling and the subsequent development of aluminum‒molybdenum disulfide (Al–MoS2) nanocomposites via a powder metallurgy (PM) route. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the commercially available bulk MoS2 did not develop new phases after intense ball milling for up to 30 h. The effects of ball milling on the thermal stability and morphological changes in MoS2 powder have also been reported. The milling action caused a shift in the band gap of MoS2, from 1.2 to 1.44 eV due to quantum confinement phenomena confirmed by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. The impacts of ball milling on the specific surface area and mean pore diameter of MoS2 were determined by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis technique. Additionally, the investigation through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy verifies the presence of functional groups, such as hydroxyl (O–H), alkane (C–H), and ether (C–O), on the MoS2 surface. The milling resulted in a significant reduction in particle size from an initial mean size of 1.2 µm–480 nm. Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs of the exfoliated MoS2 revealed a thin, cracked, and flake-like morphology. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the high-energy ball milling resulted in few-layered MoS2 nanoplatelets after 30 h of ball milling. Subsequently, the investigation extended its focus to the development of Al–MoS2 nanocomposites using the PM route, incorporating MoS2 into the Al matrix at different weight percentages (1, 2, 3, and 5 wt.%). Al-5 wt.% MoS2 nanocomposite showed the highest relative density of 93.09 %, the maximum hardness of 743.6 MPa, and the best wear performance among all the Al–MoS2 nanocomposites. The hardness of Al-5 wt.% MoS2 nanocomposite was 109.11 % higher than that of the pure Al sample developed similarly. A maximum compressive strength (σ
max) of 494.67 MPa was observed in Al-5 wt.% MoS2 nanocomposite, which was 1.84 times the value of σ
max obtained from sintered pure Al sample.
How I learned to stop worrying and love the explosion of information [Journal of Southeast Asian Linguistics Society]
Authors: Alves Mark
Published: December 2024

Klein’s (Klein, Wolfgang. 1989. Schreiben oder Lesen, aber nicht beides, oder: Vorschlag zur Wiedereinführung der Keilschrift mittels Hammer und Meißel. Zeitschrift für Literaturwissenschaft und Linguistik 74. 116–119) concerns about and suggestions for dealing with the massive growth in research publishing in light of the human limits on the speed at which such quantities of information are amusing, thoughtful, and worth considering. However, whatever worry and frustration one might feel about the seemingly insurmountable amount of assembled data, information, and analyses – flowing without end – we must accept that it is a messy but essential part of scientific progress.
On close reading and slow writing [Multilingua]
Authors: Codó Eva , Jaspers Jürgen
Published: December 2024

In an academic world in the throes of the audit culture, there is mileage in proposals that call for a reduction of research output. But while such a reduction is defensible on principle, and, indeed, a crucial measure to go against excessive output requirements, we are not sure it guarantees superior scholarship. In this commentary, we will suggest that calls for academic degrowth overlook the room for manoeuvre academics already have or should explore more readily, and that a significant downsizing of research output is not without its own disadvantages: it reduces the space for scholarly dialogue that we believe is essential for thinking, and it diminishes the scope for attentive reading without which there is no high-quality writing. We will bring these considerations to bear in discussing our practice at the helm of Multilingua, indicating how we attempt to hammer and chisel our way through the publishing industry.
Sociolinguistics towards a culturalist turn: a sociolinguistic response to the challenges of mankind [Journal of Multicultural Discourses]
Authors: Shi-xu
Published: December 2024

The 50 years of the devotion of sociolinguistics under the International Journal of the Sociology of Language have brought us remarkable insights into language in relation to society. For the next half century, for the discipline to engage more effectively with the radically and fast changing human society, i. e. in answer to the provocative questions raised by Wolfgang Klein in Schreiben oder Lesen, aber nicht beides, oder: Vorschlag zur Wiedereinführung der Keilschrift mittels Hammer und Meißel, (1989. Zeitschrift für Literaturwissenschaft und Linguistik 74. 116–119 [repr. in this issue]) it may do well to take a culturalist turn, or its seminal sociocultural return, by studying language and society, or rather, language-in-society, as a system of culturally diversified and competing discourses with a view to neutralizing the human cultural chasm on the one hand and to enhancing human cultural harmony and prosperity on the other hand.
Can we escape the textocalypse? Academic publishing as community building [Language on the Move]
Authors: Piller Ingrid
Published: December 2024

Rapid developments in digital technologies have fundamentally changed writing practices leading to an explosion in the number of textual products. The result is a “textocalypse” – a deep crisis in knowledge production and dissemination. Instead of pushing back, academics fuel these degenerations because their careers have become subject to the capitalist imperative to produce and consume – measured in the form of research outputs and citation metrics. Against this background, this commentary argues for a reframing of academic publishing as community building and introduces Language on the Move, an alternative sociolinguistics portal that is both a publication platform and a research community. Motivated by a feminist ethics of care, we decenter the textual product and recenter the lived experience of researchers, particularly those writing from the margins.
Social Innovation Thriving on Hybridity? Lessons from a Street Paper Project for People Experiencing Homelessness in Germany
Authors: Bode Ingo
Published: December 2024

This article depicts the chemistry and trajectory of a street paper project involving people experiencing homelessness in Germany. More generally, it seeks to examine implications of hybrid approaches to prosocial organising which various initiatives throughout the Western world have adopted during the last decades to achieve social innovation in an entrepreneurial way. The analysis builds on an embedded case study and a distinctive conceptual framework which combines institutionalist and praxeologic perspectives on modern organisations. The focus lies on how, in the course of time, the project under study processes various institutional logics and how the latter become intermingled ‘in action’. It is shown that, with the enactment of references from different ‘social worlds’, hybrid prosocial organising can feed into a robust organisational model. However, the en route encounter of disparate logics has paradoxical implications and is prone to undermine the model’s effectiveness. With the enactment of hybridity, ‘first-order’ success in terms of organisational survival comes with severe limitations concerning the ambition of crossing institutional boundaries for meeting the project’s key mission. Ironically, dynamics in and around the organisation tend to stabilise a settlement which hybrid ‘prosocial organising’ seeks to tackle.
On the efficiency of trading intangible fixed assets in Major League Baseball
Authors: Pinheiro Ryan , Szymanski Stefan
Published: December 2024

This paper proposes novel approaches to measuring team productivity and evaluating trading efficiency in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1995 to 2021 through an application of portfolio theory. The performance of individual players is measured using a structural approach relating player outcomes to team runs developed by Lindsey (1963. An investigation of strategies in baseball. Oper. Res. 11: 477–501). Using a portfolio theory framework, we treat MLB teams as a portfolio of players (assets), each of which can be defined by an expected contribution of runs per game and the variance of this measure. It is found that both the expected value and variance have a positive impact on team runs scored. Given our definition of teams characterized by their expected values and variances, we evaluate trading efficiency between teams given their pre-trade expected values and variances and the acquired player’s pre-trade expected value and variance. We find that trade efficiency has improved over our timeframe, consistent with the growth in data-driven decision making used in MLB front offices.