bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating a novel clinical reasoning tool for physical therapy students: A pilot study
Authors: Kargela Mallory A. , Woodhouse Linda J. , Durning Steven J. , Jensen Gail M.
Published: November 2024

Background

This paper explores the use of the Anticipate‐Plan‐Pause Clinical Reasoning (APP CR) Tool to enhance clinical reasoning (CR) in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students. Current pedagogical methods often inadequately integrate CR abilities in a manner that is both engaging and effective.

Approach

Drawing on several theoretical frameworks, the APP CR Tool was integrated into an interactive module for DPT students, aiming to improve CR abilities while reducing cognitive load and stress during high‐stakes simulations. A randomised controlled trial was conducted with nine DPT students, divided into a control group (n = 5) and an intervention group (n = 4). Both groups used an interactive module with case‐based scenarios, but only the intervention group used the APP CR Tool.

Evaluation

Improvements in CR abilities and reduced stress and cognitive load were observed in both groups. However, statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the groups. Despite this, a trend toward greater improvements in CR abilities was noted in the intervention group (p = 0.084). Further research is needed to validate these findings and refine the tool.

Implications

The APP CR Tool shows potential for enhancing CR in DPT students, although its current application may require refinement to achieve statistically significant results. Educators should consider iterative improvements to the tool and its curriculum integration to better support CR development.
OsbHLH6, a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor, confers arsenic tolerance and root‐to‐shoot translocation in rice
Authors: Huang Menghan , Liu Yang , Bian Qianwen , Zhao Wenjing , Zhao Juan , Liu Qingpo
Published: November 2024

Arsenic (As) is extremely toxic to plants, posing a serious concern for food safety. Identification of genes responsive to As is significative for figuring out this issue. Here, we identified a bHLH transcription factor OsbHLH6 that was involved in mediating the processes of As tolerance, uptake, and root‐to‐shoot translocation in rice. The expression of OsbHLH6 gene was strongly induced after 3 and 48 h of arsenite [As(III)] treatment. The OsbHLH6‐overexpressed transgenic rice (OE‐OsbHLH6) was sensitive to, while the knockout mutant of OsbHLH6 gene (Osbhlh6) was tolerant to As(III) stress by affecting the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and non‐protein thiols (NPT), etc. Knockout of OsbHLH6 gene increased significantly the As concentration in roots, but decreased extensively As accumulation in shoots, compared to that in OE‐OsbHLH6 and WT plants. The transcripts of phytochelatins (PCs) synthetase encoding genes OsPCS1 and OsPCS2, as well as As(III) transporter encoding genes OsLsi1 and OsABCC1 were greatly abundant in Osbhlh6 mutants than in OE‐OsbHLH6 and WT plants under As(III) stress. In contrast, the expression of OsLsi2 gene was extensively suppressed by As(III) in Osbhlh6 mutants. OsbHLH6 acted as a transcriptional activator to bind directly to the promoter and regulate the expression of OsPrx2 gene that encodes a peroxidase precursor. Moreover, overexpression of OsbHLH6 gene resulted in significant change of expression of amounts of abiotic stress‐related genes, which might partially contribute to the As sensitivity of OE‐OsbHLH6 plants. These findings may broaden our understanding of the molecular mechanism of OsbHLH6‐mediated As response in rice and provide novel useful genes for rice As stress‐resistant breeding.
Ontology-Guided Data Sharing and Federated Quality Control With Differential Privacy in Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Yhdego Tsegai O. , Wang Hui , Chi Hongmei , Yu Zhibin
Published: November 2024

The scarcity of measured data for defect identification often challenges the development and certification of additive manufacturing processes. Knowledge transfer and sharing have become emerging solutions to small-data challenges in quality control to improve machine learning with limited data, but this strategy raises concerns regarding privacy protection. Existing zero-shot learning and federated learning methods are insufficient to represent, select, and mask data to share and control privacy loss quantification. This study integrates differential privacy in cybersecurity with federated learning to investigate sharing strategies of manufacturing defect ontology. The method first proposes using multilevel attributes masked by noise in defect ontology as the sharing data structure to characterize manufacturing defects. Information leaks due to sharing ontology branches and data are estimated by epsilon differential privacy (DP). Under federated learning, the proposed method optimizes sharing defect ontology and image data strategies to improve zero-shot defect classification given privacy budget limits. The proposed framework includes (1) developing a sharing strategy based on multilevel attributes in defect ontology with controllable privacy leaks, (2) optimizing joint decisions in differential privacy, zero-shot defect classification, and federated learning, and (3) developing a two-stage algorithm to solve the joint optimization, combining stochastic gradient descent search for classification models and an evolutionary algorithm for exploring data-sharing strategies. A case study on zero-shot learning of additive manufacturing defects demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method in data-sharing strategies, such as ontology sharing, defect classification, and cloud information use.
Scale Cooling—A Novel Fractal Cooling Structure for Turbine Vanes
Authors: Chi Zhongran , Wang Longfei
Published: November 2024

Additive manufacturing technology provides the possibility of more efficient turbine cooling structures. In this work, a novel structure for turbine air-cooled vane based on fractal structure, named scale cooling structure, was proposed. Fractal channel arrays are arranged on the leading edge, pressure side, and suction side of the novel vane. The design of the fractal channel units takes into account the internal cooling effect, film cooling effect, manufacturing accessibility of the channels, and adaptability to non-uniform thermal loads. The initiated cooling structure allows for the use of larger wall thickness to improve strength. A parameterized design and automated mesh generation technique based on in-house code was developed for the vanes installed with a scale cooling structure. And typical turbine vanes with impingement-film cooling structure and scale cooling structure were evaluated by both infrared (IR) measurement and conjugate heat transfer (CHT) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Experimental studies have shown that the local overall cooling effectiveness at the leading edge of the scale cooling structure vane is obviously improved compared to the prototype design with impingement-film structure. The consistency between the IR measurements and the CHT CFD results is favorable. It is found that the improvement in cooling performance of scale cooling structure is mainly due to the improvement of film cooling. Its internal cooling relies on enhanced heat transfer at the branching positions of fractal channels. The scale cooling structure is more sensitive to insufficient coolant supply pressure. It is suggested that the entire pressure difference between the cooling air and the mainstream shall be utilized by the scale cooling structure, which can provide sufficient backflow margin while enhancing internal cooling.
An experimental approach for comparing the influence of cello string type on bowed attack response
Authors: Lampis Alessio , Mayer Alexander , Chatziioannou Vasileios
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the influence of string properties on bowed string attack playability. To assess the attack playability of different string types, a variety of bow forces and bow accelerations were chosen to excite the strings and measure the transient response under different bowing control parameters. The experimentally obtained playability maps of transient duration as function of bow force and acceleration (Guettler diagram) were obtained with a robotic bowing machine, from four different types of cello G2 strings. Results indicate variations in playability across string types, suggesting that string properties impact attack duration.
A trade-off between investment in molecular defense repertoires and growth in plants
Authors: Giolai Michael , Laine Anna-Liisa
Published: November 2024

Given the negative fitness effects that pathogens impose on their hosts, the benefits of resistance should be universal. However, there is marked variation across plant species in the number of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors, which form a cornerstone of defense. The growth–defense trade-off hypothesis predicts costs associated with defense investment to generate variation in these traits. Our analysis comparing features of the intracellular immune-receptor repertoires with trait data of 187 species shows that in wild plants, the size of the molecular defense repertoire correlates negatively with growth. By contrast, we do not find evidence for a growth–defense trade-off in agricultural plants. Our cross-species approach highlights the central role of defense investment in shaping ecological trait variation and its sensitivity to domestication.
Bringing music back to our children: Greater exposure to music can benefit language learning in infants
Authors: Zhao T. Christina
Published: November 2024

Greater exposure to music can benefit language learning in infants
Untangling bias: Racial and phenotypic bias in neuroimaging methods must be addressed
Authors: Kwasa Jasmine
Published: November 2024

Racial and phenotypic bias in neuroimaging methods must be addressed
In Science Journals
Authors: Walia Ankit , Charneski Catherine , Yeston Jake S. , Szuromi Phil , Smith Jesse , Hurtley Stella M , Lopez Bianca , Maroso Mattia , VanHook Annalisa M. , Jiang Di , Stern Peter , Ross Sarah H. , Ash Caroline , Lavine Marc S. , Ray L. Bryan , Olingy Claire
Published: November 2024

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
In Other Journals
Authors: Simonti Corinne , Kelly Priscilla N. , Suleymanov Yury , Ray L. Bryan , Ash Caroline , Smith Keith T. , Szuromi Phil
Published: November 2024

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Effort to sequence all complex life ramps up
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: November 2024

Still looking for funds, Earth BioGenome Project has compiled 3000 eukaryotic genomes
India looks to ancient DNA to track migrations
Authors: Chandrashekhar Vaishnavi
Published: November 2024

Findings from analyses of human bones could be politically sensitive
JWST’s keen eye reveals the smallest possible stars
Authors: Mann Adam
Published: November 2024

Claimed discovery of bizarre pairs of Jupiter-size brown dwarfs spurs debate
Building permits—control of type IV pilus assembly by PilB and its cofactors
Authors: Roberge Nathan A. , Burrows Lori L.
Published: November 2024

Many bacteria produce type IV pili (T4P), surfaced-exposed protein filaments that enable cells to interact with their environment and transition from planktonic to surface-adapted states. T4P are dynamic, undergoing rapid cycles of filament extension and retraction facilitated by a complex protein nanomachine powered by cytoplasmic motor ATPases. Dedicated assembly motors drive the extension of the pilus fiber into the extracellular space, but like any machine, this process is tightly organized. These motors are coordinated by various ligands and binding partners, which control or optimize their functional associations with T4P machinery before cells commit to the crucial first step of building a pilus. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms that regulate T4P extension motor function. We discuss secondary messenger-dependent transcriptional or post-translational regulation acting both directly on the motor and through protein effectors. We also discuss the recent discoveries of naturally occurring extension inhibitors as well as alternative mechanisms of pilus assembly and motor-dependent signaling pathways. Given that T4P are important virulence factors for many bacterial pathogens, studying these motor regulatory systems will provide new insights into T4P-dependent physiology and efficient strategies to disable them.
The herpes simplex virus alkaline nuclease is required to maintain replication fork progression
Authors: Mullon Patrick J. , Maldonado-Luevano Emiliano , Mehta Kavi P. M. , Mohni Kareem N.
Published: November 2024

Herpes simplex virus is a large double-strand DNA virus that replicates in the nucleus of the host cell and interacts with host DNA replication and repair proteins. The viral 5′ to 3′ alkaline nuclease, UL12, is required for production of DNA that can be packaged into infectious virus. The UL12-deleted virus, AN-1, exhibits near wild-type levels of viral DNA replication, but the DNA cannot be packaged into capsids, suggesting it is structurally aberrant. To better understand the DNA replication defect observed in AN-1, we utilized isolation of proteins on nascent DNA (iPOND), a powerful tool to study all the proteins at a DNA replication fork. Combining iPOND with stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) allows for a quantitative assessment of protein abundance when comparing wild type to mutant replication forks. We performed five replicates of iPOND-SILAC comparing AN-1 to the wild-type virus, KOS. We observed 60 proteins that were significantly lost from AN-1 forks out of over 1,000 quantified proteins. These proteins largely represent host DNA replication proteins including MCM2-7, RFC1-5, MSH2/6, MRN, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. These observations are reminiscent of how these proteins behave at stalled human replication forks. We also observed similar protein changes when we stalled KOS forks with hydroxyurea. Additionally, we observed a decrease in the rate of AN-1 replication fork progression at the single-molecule level. These data indicate that UL12 is required for DNA replication fork progression and that forks stall in the absence of UL12.

IMPORTANCE

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a near-ubiquitous pathogen within the global population, causing a lifelong latent infection with sporadic reactivation throughout the life of the host. Within at-risk and immunocompromised communities, HSV-1 infection can cause serious morbidities including herpes keratitis and encephalitis. With the possibility of herpesviruses to evade established antiviral therapies and there being no approved HSV-1 vaccine, there comes a need to investigate potential targets for intervention against infection and subsequent disease. UL12 is the viral 5'–3' exonuclease, which is required for the production of infectious progeny. In this study, we show that in the absence of UL12, viral replication fork progression is abrogated. These data point to UL12 as an attractive target for intervention, which could lead to better clinical outcomes of HSV-1-associated disease in the future.
A novel α-mangostin derivative synergistic to antibiotics against MRSA with unique mechanisms
Authors: Ge Rile , Zhao Haiyan , Tang Qun , Chandarajoti Kasemsiri , Bai Han , Wang Xiaoyang , Zhang Keyu , Ye Wenchong , Han Xiangan , Wang Chunmei , Zhou Wen
Published: November 2024

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) remains a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, often linked to complicated treatments, increased mortality risk, and significant cost burdens. Several antibacterial agents have been developed to address MRSA resistance. In this study, potential agents to combat MRSA resistance were explored, with the antibacterial activity of synthesized α-mangostin (α-MG) derivatives being evaluated alongside investigations into their cellular mechanisms against MRSA2. α-MG-4, featuring an allyl group at C3 of the lead compound α-MG, restored the sensitivity of MRSA2 to penicillin, enrofloxacin, and gentamicin, while also demonstrating improved safety profiles. Although α-MG-4 alone was ineffective against MRSA2, it exhibited an optimal synergistic ratio
in vitro
when combined with these antibiotics. This significant synergistic antibacterial effect was further confirmed
in vivo
using a mouse skin abscess model. Additionally, the synergistic mechanisms revealed that α-MG-4 was associated with changes in membrane permeability and inhibition of the
MepA
and
NorA
genes, which encode the efflux pumps of MRSA2. α-MG-4 also inhibited PBP2a expression, potentially by occupying a crucial binding site in a dose-dependent manner.

IMPORTANCE

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA)’s resistance to multiple antibiotics poses significant health and safety concerns. A novel α-mangostin (α-MG) derivative, α-MG-4, was first identified as a xanthone-based PBP2a inhibitor that reverses MRSA2 resistance to penicillin. The synergistic antibacterial effects of α-MG-4 were linked to increased cell membrane permeability and the inhibition of genes involved in efflux pump function.
Mediating role of resilience on burnout to well-being for hospital nursing staff in Northeast China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Xiujie , Tian Wei , Tang Xu , Jia Lihong , Meng Xin , Shi Tieying , Zhao Jin
Published: November 2024

Objectives

The well-being of nursing staff is closely related to nursing performance and patient safety. It has attracted much attention from nursing managers and researchers. However, the most important influencing factors and their relationships are not fully understood. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors influencing the well-being of nurses and find out the mediating role of resilience of from burnout to well-being of hospital nursing staff.

Design

A descriptive, multicentre cross-sectional study design.

Settings

111 hospitals in Northeast China were randomly selected by the random cluster sampling method.

Participants

An online survey was administered to 11 827 nurses in December 2021, who engaged in clinical, nursing or management work and volunteered to participate.

Outcomes measures

The sociodemographic characteristics, general well-being schedule, Maslach burnout inventory and Connor–Davidson resilience scale were used to assess all participants.

Results

There are 15 variables entered into the regression equation, which can jointly predict 57.80% of the variance. There were a number of well-being-related factors identified. The individual factors include age, educational level, exercise, smoke, drinking, general health status, chronic disease, burnout and resilience. The organisational factors include psychological group, participating in psychological group activities, leadership training or communication training, working years, monthly income and night shifts. The results showed that the structural equation model of partial mediating effect of resilience was established. And the partial mediating effect accounted for 16.91% (−0.083/0.488) of the total effect.

Conclusions

There were a number of well-being-related factors identified, including individual and organisational factors, which provide directions for targeted support and interventions of nurses. It could improve the resilience of hospital nursing staff, reduce burnout and enhance well-being.
Association of advance care planning with hospital use and costs at the end of life: a population-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Scott Ian , Reymond Liz , Sansome Xanthe , Carter Hannah
Published: November 2024

Objective

To investigate associations between the availability and timing of digitally available advance care planning (ACP) documents and hospital use and costs during the last 6 months of life.

Design

Retrospective population-based cohort study using data linkage.

Setting

11 public hospitals in Queensland, Australia.

Participants

5586 decedents with ACP documents were directly matched 1:2 to 11 172 control decedents based on age category, sex, location, year of death and principal diagnosis code for the last-known hospital admission.

Exposure

ACP discussions with documents uploaded to a widely accessible statewide digital platform. Directly matched subgroup analyses investigated differences between decedents with ACP documents available at three different times prior to death: ≥6 months, between 1 and 6 months, and <1 month.

Main outcomes and measures

Emergency department (ED) presentations, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and in-hospital deaths, expressed as adjusted OR (aOR). Secondary outcomes were hospital bed-days and costs.

Results

ACP decedents with documents uploaded ≥6 months prior to death, compared with controls, had fewer ED presentations (aOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.00), hospitalisations (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.92), ICU admissions (aOR 0.23, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.48), and in-hospital deaths (aOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.63), and lower adjusted mean hospital costs per person over the last 6 months of life ($A2290 less (95% CI −$4116 to −$463)). Conversely, decedents with ACP documents uploaded less than 6 months prior to death showed higher rates of ED presentations and hospital admissions and greater hospital costs relative to controls.

Conclusion

The association between digitally available ACP documents and health service use and cost differed based on the timing of ACP upload, with documents available ≥6 months prior to death being associated with less hospital use and costs.
Assessment of muscle strength in elderly as a screening method for sarcopenia in primary care: a scoping review
Authors: Du Rietz Matilda , Beischer Susanne
Published: November 2024

Objectives

To identify and map the available evidence for whether a test of handgrip strength (HGS) and/or the chair stand test (CST) have been used as screening tools for the detection of sarcopenia in elderly individuals within primary care settings.

Design

This study was designed as a scoping review, in accordance with the methodological framework for scoping reviews, developed by Arksey and O’Malley, and using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews.

Data sources

A literature search was conducted to identify relevant articles listed in PubMed and Scopus databases up to 16 October 2023.

Eligibility criteria

Studies including individuals aged ≥60 years who had undergone assessments of HGS and/or the CST in primary care settings were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Following the article selection process, based on predetermined criteria for inclusion and exclusion, the selected articles were analysed regarding population demographics, the setting in which the research was conducted, the study design, used diagnostic tools and reported results.

Results

The search yielded 282 unique articles, of which 7 were included in the final analysis. All seven included articles had a cross-sectional study design, whereof one also had a longitudinal 3-year follow-up. The number of participants ranged from 75 to 719. Three of the articles used the diagnostic criteria presented by European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), two used the criteria by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019, one used the EWGSOP2 criteria and one applied both the EWGSOP and EWGSOP2 criteria to their data. All the articles used HGS to assess muscle strength. CST was not used for this purpose in any of the articles, although it was used to estimate physical performance or as part of the short physical performance battery. The prevalence of sarcopenia in the included articles was 12.0%–20.7%, while the prevalence of possible sarcopenia was 69.9%–73.3% and that of probable sarcopenia was 25.5%–94%.

Conclusion

None of the included articles aimed to study a test of HGS and/or the CST as screening tools for the detection of sarcopenia. However, four of the articles diagnosed possible or probable sarcopenia by using a test of HGS and/or the CST among elderly patients in a primary care setting. There is a need for more research to elucidate whether a test of HGS and/or the CST might be used for screening of sarcopenia in primary care.
Age, sex and sexual orientation effects in the Safetxt trial: secondary data analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Berendes Sima , Palmer Melissa J , Hickson Ford Colin Ian , Bradley Ellen , McCarthy Ona L , Carpenter James R , Free Caroline
Published: November 2024

Background

Increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and antimicrobial resistance among young people underscore the urgent need for preventative interventions. Interventions should be evidence-based and tailored to the unique risks and needs associated with varying age, sex and sexual orientation. We used data from the Safetxt trial to explore whether young people’s age, sex and sexual orientation influence (1) their risk of STI reinfection and condom use and (2) the effect of the Safetxt intervention on STI reinfection and condom use.

Methods

We conducted exploratory secondary analyses of data from the Safetxt trial that evaluated a theory-based digital sexual health intervention tailored according to sex and sexual orientation. We recruited 6248 young people with STIs from 92 UK sexual health clinics and assessed outcomes after 1 year, including the cumulative incidence of STI reinfection and condom use at last sex. We used adjusted logistic regression and margins plots to visualise effect modification.

Results

There were differences in STI reinfection and condom use by age, sex and sexuality. Age was associated with STI reinfection (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.94) with evidence for interaction between age and sexuality (p<0.001). Our findings suggest that the risk of STI reinfection decreases with age among young heterosexuals but increases among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM). Overall, MSM had the highest likelihood of reinfection (OR 3.53, 95% CI 2.66 to 4.68) despite being more likely to use condoms (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.91).

Among MSM, age modified the intervention effect on condom use at 1 year with highest benefits among participants aged 16–18, moderate to minor benefits among those aged 18–21 and no effect among participants aged 22–24 years.

Conclusions

Future digital health interventions tailored for diverse sexuality groups need to target young people early enough to have an impact on sexual behaviour. Specific novel interventions are needed for older MSM.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN64390461.
Steering, bipartite, and genuine tripartite entanglement in five-mode hybrid cavity electro-optomechanical systems
Authors: Yu Ping , Zhang Jian-Song , Zhong Wen-Xue , Cheng Guang-Ling
Published: November 2024

We propose a scheme to generate one-way steering, bipartite, and genuine tripartite entanglement in a five-mode hybrid cavity electro-optomechanical system consisted of an optical cavity, a mechanical resonator, and three microwave cavity modes with the help of a squeezed vacuum field. The optical cavity is pumped by a squeezed vacuum field. The mechanical resonator is formed by a freely vibrating silicon nitride membrane, which is a part of a capacitor in an inductor–capacitor circuit forming three microwave resonators. We find that there is robust entanglement and one-way steering between the optical cavity mode and microwave cavity modes in the presence of the squeezed vacuum field. Particularly, there is steady-state genuine tripartite entanglement between three microwave cavity modes, which is robust against thermal fluctuations. Our scheme could be useful for various quantum tasks based on hybrid electro-optomechanical systems fabricated on chips.
Modeling and understanding the impact of COVID-19 containment policies on mobile service consumption in French cities
Authors: Zanella André Felipe , Rubrichi Stefania , Smoreda Zbigniew , Fiore Marco
Published: November 2024

Amid recent studies that have been exploring the wide impact that COVID-19 containment policies have had across sectors and industries, we investigate how mobility restrictions enacted in French cities during the later stages of the pandemic have affected the usage of smartphones and mobile applications. Leveraging a large-scale dataset of over 14 billion records, we unveil and quantify the substantial incidence of the different measures enforced in urban France to combat the COVID-19 epidemic on mobile service consumption. We present a simple but effective spatial linear model that can relate changes occurring at fine-grained spatial zoning in both global and per-service traffic to a limited set of socioeconomic indicators. Our model unveils some of the mechanisms that drove the significant evolution of mobile data traffic demands during the pandemic. It allows observing how the demand for mobile services has been affected by COVID-19 in very different ways across urban areas characterized by diverse population density, income levels and leisure area presence. It also discloses that usages of individual smartphone applications have been impacted in highly heterogeneous ways by the pandemic, even more so when considering the composite impacts of different transitions between periods characterized by diverse restrictions. Our results can aid governments in understanding how their measures were received across the space and different portions of population, and network operators to comprehend changes in usage due to extraordinary events, which can be used to optimize service provisioning.
Analysis of Alumni Information Using Machine Learning-Based Online Centralized Alumni Network Model
Authors: Jiang Liyu
Published: November 2024

Paper-based and word-based files are the primary ways alumni data are handled. These vast amounts of data become challenging due to the many graduates each year. It is difficult to hunt for data about previous graduates to learn about their present condition. Even though many institution-wide processes exist to ensure that alumni information handbooks are always up-to-date, maintaining private relationships with alumni is costly and time-consuming for current students. This paper presents a Machine Learning-Based Online Centralized Alumni Network (ML-OCAN) model to enhance the institutional community and the community of incoming students. The proposed method uses support vector machine (SVM) algorithm to let graduates post their information while facilitating student–alumni connections and viewing filtered events provided by both the alumni and the admin. The alumni individuals and their posting messages were classified using an SVM method. There is a way for current and former students to stay in touch with one another, as well as for current and future students and other school community members. The experimental results show that everyone from the university’s administration to its alumni and the general public may benefit.
Charged gravastar in f(R,Σ,T)-gravity
Authors: Bakry M. A. , Moatimid G. M. , Shafeek A. T.
Published: November 2024

This paper delves into the impact of electromagnetic fields on isotropic spherical charged gravastar (CGS) systems within the framework of [Formula: see text] gravity. The investigation focuses on singularity-free exact systems of relativistic spheres with a specific equation of state (EoS), employing a suitable choice of the effective field for different regions of the gravastar. The exterior region considers the Reissner–Nordström spacetime, while the interior charged manifold is matched at the junction interface. By utilizing graphical representations, the study examines various physical characteristics of the spherical gravastar system in the presence of an electromagnetic field. The findings reveal that the electric charge plays a significant role in shaping the optimal length, energy content, entropy, EoS parameter of the stellar system, and the energy conditions of our system. Additionally, the stability of the system is also investigated. Here are some of the results obtained. It is determined that both the matter density and pressure remain constant within the interior region of the CGS. The EoS is always negative. Also, the energy conditions are violated in our cosmological system.
Parallel Spatio-Temporal SlowFast Model for Behavior Detection in AI-Enhanced Classrooms: A Vision-Based Approach
Authors: Alalwan Nasser , Alblehai Fahad , Al-Bayatti Ali H. , AlHabshy AbdAllah A. , Abozeid Amr
Published: November 2024

Education is pivotal in shaping future generations, with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies revolutionizing conventional classroom approaches. Understanding student behavior is essential for improving teaching quality and learning outcomes. However, in large classrooms, monitoring each student becomes a challenge. Therefore, we propose an intelligent framework utilizing deep learning to create a vision-based classroom capable of autonomously analyzing student behavior and attention. Our approach, Parallel Spatio-Temporal SlowFast (PST-SlowFast), combines spatial and temporal attention mechanisms to enhance behavior detection accuracy. The key contributions of the PST-SlowFast model lie in its ability to handle spatial and temporal features in videos effectively, facilitated by integrating both spatial and temporal attention modules. By leveraging these attention mechanisms, the model captures relevant spatial and temporal features, enhancing performance in behavior detection tasks. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the PST-SlowFast model in recognizing behaviors such as reading, writing, and hand-raising. The PST-SlowFast model achieves an average mAP@50 of 88.8%, which is an improvement of 14% compared to state-of-the-art models such as YOLOv5x and YOLOv8x. These findings indicate the promise of the PST-SlowFast model for real-world applications in educational settings.
A DELAYED MALWARE PROPAGATION MODEL FOR CLOUD COMPUTING SECURITY
Authors: YU XIAODONG , ZHANG ZIZHEN
Published: November 2024

How to secure the virtual environment in the cloud computing is a crucial issue since the cloud computing has been providing various services in many areas in the globe. The main aim of this paper is to investigate a delayed malware propagation model for cloud computing security. Time delay due to time interval that the infected virtual machines need to reinstall system and time delay due to the temporary immunization period of the protected virtual machines are introduced into the model. First, sufficient conditions for local stability and existence of Hopf bifurcation are derived by choosing different combinations of the two time delays as bifurcating parameter. Second, global exponential stability of the model is explored with the aid of linear matrix inequalities method. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate that the obtained results and suggestions to ensure security of the cloud computing are given in the conclusion according to analyzing the dynamics of the proposed delayed malware propagation model for cloud computing security.
A Bionic Bipedal Balancing Control Based on Control Priority and Target Attitude Adjustments
Authors: Jingnong Chen , Xia Zhang , Jie Song , Yi Li , Shaojiang Dong
Published: November 2024

To achieve rapid balance recovery of humanoid robots under external shocks, a bionic bipedal balance control approach based on control priority and target attitude adjustment was developed. In order to successfully restore equilibrium, the system first automatically modifies the control priority based on the impact magnitude and stability margin. This means that when the center of mass approaches the support border, it receives a higher attitude control priority. Second, the discriminating mechanism for the shock confrontation and balance recovery stages was designed, and the target attitude of the robot’s centroid of mass was modified appropriately for each stage. The optimum three-dimensional force at the foot end was then obtained by combining MPC’s state prediction in the future time domain with a quadratic programming solution, allowing the robot to quickly restore its equilibrium after being disturbed by the external environment. External force striking test were conducted on flat and irregular ground while the robot was standing bipedally. The results suggest that the proposed strategy can improve the robot’s ability to withstand stronger external shocks and swiftly recover balance following external hits.
Parallel Communication Obliviousness: One Round and Beyond
Authors: Tao Yufei , Wang Ru , Deng Shiyuan
Published: November 2024

This paper studies communication-oblivious algorithms under the massively parallel computation (MPC) model. The communication patterns of these algorithms follow a distribution dependent only on the definition of the underlying problem, the problem size N, and the number p of machines, but not on the specific input elements. Our objective is to understand when obliviousness necessitates --- or does not necessitate --- heavier communication compared to the traditional MPC model that does not enforce such a requirement.

The first part of our investigation focuses on single-round algorithms. We prove that skew-free hashing, a fundamental problem solvable with load Õ(N/p) (with high probability or w.h.p.\ for short) under the traditional model, demands a load of nearly Ω(N) under communication obliviousness. Intriguingly, we show that hashing can still be applied in an oblivious manner to process any natural join in one round with a load complexity matching that of the best traditional MPC algorithm. The second part of our investigation studies compilation methods that convert a traditional MPC algorithm A into a communication-oblivious counterpart. Given an A that operates within l = poly(p) rounds and entails a load at most L = Ω(p log p) w.h.p., we can produce w.h.p.\ a communication-oblivious version running in 2l rounds with a load at most (1 + δ) L, where δ < 0 can be an arbitrarily small constant. Additionally, we establish hardness results indicating that the theoretical guarantees of our compilation can no longer be significantly improved.
Polynomial Time Convergence of the Iterative Evaluation of Datalogo Programs
Authors: Im Sungjin , Moseley Benjamin , Ngo Hung Q. , Pruhs Kirk
Published: November 2024

Datalog
o
is an extension of Datalog that allows for aggregation and recursion over an arbitrary commutative semiring. Like Datalog, Datalogo programs can be evaluated via the natural iterative algorithm until a fixed point is reached. However unlike Datalog, the natural iterative evaluation of some Datalogo programs over some semirings may not converge. It is known that the commutative semirings for which the iterative evaluation of Datalogo programs is guaranteed to converge are exactly those semirings that are stable. Previously, the best known upper bound on the number of iterations until convergence over p-stable semirings is ∑i=1 ^n (p+2)
i
= Θ(p
n
) steps, where n is (essentially) the output size. We establish that, in fact, the natural iterative evaluation of a Datalogo program over a p-stable semiring converges within a polynomial number of iterations. In particular our upper bound is O(σ p n
2
( n
2
lg Λ + lg σ)) where σ is the number of elements in the semiring present in either the input databases or the Datalogo program, and λ is the maximum number of terms in any product in the Datalogo program.
Revisiting Weighted Information Extraction: A Simpler and Faster Algorithm for Ranked Enumeration
Authors: Gawrychowski Paweł , Manea Florin , Schmid Markus L.
Published: November 2024

Information extraction from textual data, where the query is represented by a finite transducer and the task is to enumerate all results without repetition, and its extension to the weighted case, where each output element has a weight and the output elements are to be enumerated sorted by their weights, are important and well studied problems in database theory. On the one hand, the first framework already covers the well-known case of regular document spanners, while the latter setting covers several practically relevant tasks that cannot be described in the unweighted setting.

It is known that in the unweighted case this problem can be solved with linear time preprocessing O(|D|) and output-linear delay O(|s|) in data complexity, where D is the input data and s is the current output element. For the weighted case, Bourhis, Grez, Jachiet, and Riveros [ICDT 2021] recently designed an algorithm with linear time preprocessing, but the delay of O(|s| · log|D|) depends on the size of the data.

We first show how to leverage the existing results on enumerating shortest paths to obtain a simple alternative algorithm with linear preprocessing and a delay of O(|s
i
| + min\ log i, log|D| ) for the i
th
output element s
i
(in data complexity); thus, substantially improving the previous algorithm. Next, we develop a technically involved rounding technique that allows us to devise an algorithm with linear time preprocessing and output-linear delay O(|s|) with high probability. To this end, we combine tools from algebra, high-dimensional geometry, and linear programming.
Fast Analysis of Humic Acid in Mud and Water Samples
Authors: Stefan-van Staden Raluca Ioana , Sandu Dorneanu Andreea Elena , Negut Catalina Cioates , Stanciu Gabriela
Published: November 2024

A broad spectrum of pharmacological activity of mud is related to humic acid, creating a need for fast reliable methods for its assay in mud and water samples. This paper proposes an electroanalytical method for the determination of humic acid content using a stochastic sensor, a method that does not involve the extraction of active ingredients prior to the determination. The method has proven to be a very good choice for the analysis as no sample processing is needed, the sample matrix does not influence the analysis results, and reliable quantitative and qualitative analyses can be performed. High sensitivity (1.61 × 109 s−1g−1ml) and very low limit of determination (1 × 10−18 g ml−1) were recorded. Recoveries higher than 95.00% of humic acid, with percentages of RSD lower than 1.00 determined, when the stochastic sensor was used for the electroanalysis of humic acid in mud.
Enhancing CMP Performance of Micro-Structured Pad Patterns: CFD Simulations and Experimental Evaluations
Authors: Sadri Mofakham Atefeh , Kim Hyoungjae , Cho Hanchul , Lee Kangchun , Ahmadi Goodarz , Seo Jihoon
Published: November 2024

This study explored the impact of micropattern designs on slurry dynamics in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP), focusing on pressure distribution, slurry flow and streamlines, abrasive residence time, and drag force. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, we examined how different pad patterns, including circle, triangle, square, ellipse, and square-circle, affect slurry behavior. It was found that the elliptical patterns caused the largest pressure drops due to their shape and arrangement, thus affecting material removal rates. Velocity analyses revealed that mean residence times and slurry flow velocities vary for different patterns, impacting the effectiveness of material removal. The results for the square-circle pattern showed a balanced slurry interaction, optimizing MRR by ensuring uniform slurry distribution and minimizing recirculation. The simulated drag forces exerted by the slurry on the pad patterns were correlated with the oxide removal rates. Particle tracking further illustrated how pattern design affects abrasive particle distribution, which is crucial for uniform polishing. The study identified the square-circle pattern as the optimal pattern design for TEOS film removal, highlighting the importance of pad pattern geometry in enhancing CMP efficiency. The presented simulation study highlighted the significance of micropattern design in advancing semiconductor manufacturing, offering insights for future pad design innovations.
CCK-expressing neurons in the NTS are directly activated by CCK-sensitive C-type vagal afferents
Authors: Winzenried Eric T. , Neyens Drew M. , Calkins Rowan , Appleyard Suzanne M.
Published: November 2024

Nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) cholecystokinin (CCK) expressing neurons are directly activated by glutamate released from vagal afferents. They are downstream of primarily C-type CCK-sensitive afferents, with a small proportion also downstream of serotonin-sensitive afferents. These findings suggest that NTS-CCK neurons integrate signals from the gut about ingestion of fats and proteins as well as stretch of the stomach, which they then relay to other brain regions important for the control of food intake.
Marked hemoglobin mass expansion and plasma volume contraction in Sherpas acclimatizing to 5,400 m altitude
Authors: Roche Johanna , Baniya Santosh , Bhatta Suraj , Subedi Sachin , Gatterer Hannes , Rasmussen Peter , Hilty Matthias Peter , Sigg Anne-Aylin , Timalsina Santosh , Siebenmann Christoph
Published: November 2024

We measured the hematological response to ∼6 wk exposure to an altitude of 5,400 m in Sherpa highland natives and Nepalese lowlanders. While the increase in hemoglobin concentration at high altitudes tended to be smaller in Sherpas than in lowlanders, the two groups experienced a similar reduction in plasma volume and increase in hemoglobin mass. We conclude that the hematological response of Sherpas to high-altitude exposure does not fundamentally differ from that of lowlanders.
Assessing Social Capital Among Chinese Older Adults: Dimensions and Associative Factors
Authors: Li Yuekang , Morrow-Howell Nancy
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Recent research has identified social capital as an essential element of social context that influences the healthy aging experience. Since social capital is a resource that is context and culture relative, this study builds on and extends the existing literature on social capital among older adults by investigating different dimensions of social capital in later life and related individual and environmental characteristics in the Chinese context.

Materials & Methods: Using the China Family Panel Study (CFPS) 2016 wave, 8097 individuals aged 60 years and older were included in the sample. Factor analysis was used to explore the dimensions that comprise the social capital of Chinese older adults. Multiple indicators, multiple cause (MIMIC) structural equation models were used to identify influential individual and environmental characteristics.

Results: The findings of this study showed that as an interaction between the actor and the multiple levels of the social environment, the social capital of Chinese older adults derived from three levels of social environment—family, community, and macro society. Rural older adults had higher levels of social capital across all three levels. While demographic factors and functioning, including female, age, marital status, education, and functional limitations, had a significant relationship with family‐based social capital, having higher income and better self‐rated health were related to higher level of community‐ and society‐based social capital. Additionally, the physical community environment was a key determinant across all three levels of social capital.

Discussion and Conclusion: Findings from this study demonstrate the important roles of neighborhood environment in shaping older adults’ all levels of social capital. The findings also identified the unique role of family social capital and the need for policies and practices to reduce the vulnerability associated with a limited ability to adapt to the broader environment.