bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Driving Conditions for Miniaturization of Micro Flow Control Valves Using Particle Excitation
Authors: Hirooka Daisuke ,   Editorial Office, Furushiro Naomichi , Yamaguchi Tomomi
Published: February 2025

In this study, we introduce research aimed at developing a compact particle-excitation flow control valve that enables continuous control of air flow rate. We have been developing a compact control valve with continuous flow control for application to soft actuators. The control valve that we are developing uses particles as a valve plug, which does not require a valve plug positioning function and allows the control valve to be miniaturized. Furthermore, by controlling the movements of the particles on the orifice, the control flow rate can be made finer and the response can be improved. On the other hand, the past driving principle used the resonant mode of an oscillator utilizing a piezoelectric element (PZT) to control the motion of the particles. In this vibration mode, the size of the oscillator limits the miniaturization. Therefore, we propose a drive method that uses simple plate deflection vibration mode. This drive method eliminates the need for a large oscillator, and thus reduces the size of the control valve. To confirm the feasibility of the proposed drive method, we fabricated a prototype and evaluated its characteristics during flow control.
Realization of MDOF Soft Actuator Capable of Bending in Arbitrary Directions
Authors: Tsuji Taiki ,   Editorial Office, Sasaki Daisuke , Kadowaki Jun , Yase Hayato , Harada Kaisei
Published: February 2025

In recent years, soft machine systems that employ soft actuators with high affinity and safety toward humans have attracted attention. The soft actuators developed thus far include those that can extend or bend by only supplying compressed air, or those that switch their motions by modifying their structures. However, the type of motion is limited and structural modifications are required to switch between different movements. In this study, we developed a soft actuator with multiple degrees of freedom that allowed switching between extension and bending without structural changes. This actuator comprised a structure in which flexible linear brakes (FLBs), which are negative-pressure-driven linear braking mechanisms, were arranged alongside a bellows-structured silicone rubber tube (bellows tube). The bellows tube extended when compressed air was supplied. When engaged, the FLBs provided fiber reinforcement against the bellows tube and bent the actuator. Thus, the actuator switched between extension and bending by engaging or disengaging the FLBs without structural changes. In this paper, we describe the structure of the actuator and the mechanical model used to arbitrarily change its bending direction using braking mechanisms.
Experimental Verification of Fermentation Acceleration Effect by Peristaltic Pump —Facilitation of Fermentation of Lactic Acid Bacteria by Fibrous and Porous Fermentation Substrates—
Authors: Enomoto Yuki ,   Editorial Office, Uchino Masataka , Nomura Kaho , Nakamura Taro
Published: February 2025

This study presents a novel method of fermentation promotion using a peristaltic pump for large-scale fermentation. This pump physically crushes, mixes, and diffuses fermentation substrates to mimic fermentation in the human gut. The proposed device effectively mixes fermentation substrates according to their properties and promotes fermentation. Preliminary studies were conducted on fermentation experiments using this device with fibrous and porous substrates.
Relative Posture Estimation of Multiple Linked Omni-Directional Mobile Robots Using Only Wheel Encoders and Passive Movements
Authors: Sakata Ryoma ,   Editorial Office, Takemoto Jumpei , Tsubouchi Takashi
Published: February 2025

This study addressed the problem of estimating the relative postures of two robots constrained by materials. The constrained robots were passively guided by human operators, and the relative postures were estimated using only encoder information from the wheels of each robot. This method relies solely on the encoder information and does not utilize additional sensors for relative posture estimation. A significant advantage of this method is cost-effectiveness and reduced maintenance requirements, as the robots do not need to be equipped with multiple types of sensors. The motivation for this research was to enable multiple omni-directional mobile robots to collaboratively transport long objects in confined spaces, such as those found at construction sites. Experimental results demonstrate that the relative distance between two robots can be estimated with an error of approximately 2%, and the relative posture with an error of approximately 2°. These results represent a notable improvement in the measurement accuracy compared to those obtained previously by the authors.
Sargassum Bed Survey Using AUV with a Disturbance Observer for Tidal Currents Estimation
Authors: Miyakawa Ryo ,   Editorial Office, Yamada Seiji , Sugimoto Kenji , Ishii Kazuo , Nishida Yuya
Published: February 2025

The vast ocean, which accounts for 70% of the Earth’s surface area, contains abundant minerals, energy, and biological resources, and surveys have been conducted in various ocean areas in recent years. It is extremely difficult for humans to conduct direct underwater surveys. Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) are expected to serve as platforms for surveying marine resources widely distributed throughout the vast ocean. However, owing to disturbances such as tidal currents, AUVs are unable to control there position well, making waypoint tracking difficult and preventing the observation of targeted observation points. In this research, to improve the robustness of AUVs in a tidal environment, we design a disturbance observer that estimates tidal currents as disturbances, and estimate tidal currents based on the results of actual diving surveys in actual sea areas using AUVs.
Development of an Electro-Hydrostatic Actuator CADUCEUS and an Actuator-Equipped Rotary Mechanism
Authors: Mak Kwanwai ,   Editorial Office, Osuka Koichi
Published: February 2025

An actuator for achieving the same force in both directions, and a mechanism for supporting rotary motion with the actuator are proposed. By fabricating models and performing tests, the action of the actuator mechanism, and its application on an excavator was demonstrated. Simulations on the arm-moving task performed on a conventional excavator and an excavator with the actuator mechanism show an efficiency improvement with the use of the proposed actuator mechanism, particularly when the arm is driven at low speed.
Assessing the impact of building footprint dataset choice for health programme planning: a case study of indoor residual spraying (IRS) in Zambia
Authors: Chamberlain Heather R. , Pollard Derek , Winters Anna , Renn Silvia , Borkovska Olena , Musuka Chisenga Abel , Membele Garikai , Lazar Attila N. , Tatem Andrew J.
Published: February 2025

Background
The increasing availability globally of building footprint datasets has brought new opportunities to support a geographic approach to health programme planning. This is particularly acute in settings with high disease burdens but limited geospatial data available to support targeted planning. The comparability of building footprint datasets has recently started to be explored, but the impact of utilising a particular dataset in analyses to support decision making for health programme planning has not been studied. Here, we quantify the impact of utilising four different building footprint datasets in analyses to support health programme planning, with an example of malaria vector control initiatives in Zambia.
Methods
Using the example of planning indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaigns in Zambia, we identify priority locations for deployment of this intervention based on criteria related to the area, proximity and counts of building footprints per settlement. We apply the same criteria to four different building footprint datasets and quantify the count and geographic variability in the priority settlements that are identified.
Results
We show that nationally the count of potential priority settlements for IRS varies by over 230% with different building footprint datasets, considering a minimum threshold of 25 sprayable buildings per settlement. Differences are most pronounced for rural settlements, indicating that the choice of dataset may bias the selection to include or exclude settlements, and consequently population groups, in some areas.
Conclusions
The results of this study show that the choice of building footprint dataset can have a considerable impact on the potential settlements identified for IRS, in terms of (i) their location and count, and (ii) the count of building footprints within priority settlements. The choice of dataset potentially has substantial implications for campaign planning, implementation and coverage assessment. Given the magnitude of the differences observed, further work should more broadly assess the sensitivity of health programme planning metrics to different building footprint datasets, and across a range of geographic contexts and health campaign types.
Effects of Prior Biopsies on Complications of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Transrectal Ultrasonography Fusion Prostate Biopsy: An Analytic Cross- Sectional Analysis of Prospectively Recorded Data
Authors: Dizdaroglu Caglar , Erbin Akif , Erdal Feyzi Sinan , Caglar Ufuk , Esmeray Abdullah , Gunay Nazim Furkan , Gelmis Mucahit , Meric Arda , Sarilar Omer
Published: February 2025

Objective
Insufficient data exists about the examination of the impact of previous biopsies on complications in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (Mp-MRI) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) fusion biopsies. We aimed to compare the complications of Mp-MRI / TRUS fusion transrectal prostate biopsy in patients who have not undergone a prostate biopsy before and in patients whose prior biopsy or biopsies.
Methods
The study consisted of a retrospective review of prospectively recorded data. The cohort of patients (n = 780) was categorized into three groups: group 1 (biopsy naive patients, n = 390), group-2a (consisting of patients who underwent a single biopsy, n = 278), and group-2b (consisting of patients who underwent at least two biopsies, n = 112). The demographic data of the patients, comorbidities, prostate-specific antigen results, Mp-MRI characteristics, biopsy data, and complications were compared between the groups.
Results
There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of metabolic syndrome, anticoagulant use, urinary infection history in the last 3 months, and antibiotic use in the last 3 months. While there was no difference between the groups in terms of post-procedural complication rates, peri-procedural complications (urethrorrhagia and rectal bleeding) were significantly higher in group 2b than in the other two groups.
Conclusion
When considering the Mp-MRI / TRUS fusion prostate biopsy for patients with a history of two or more previous biopsies, it is important to consider the risk of bleeding and take proper precautions for this specific group of patients. Alternatively, a transperineal biopsy may be considered.
GWAS meta-analysis of Axial spondyloarthritis and Behçet's disease identifies CXCR6 as a novel MHC-I-opathy gene
Authors: Saeed Mohammad
Published: February 2025

Objective: Axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) and Behçet's disease (BD) have clinical and HLA locus overlap and have been grouped under MHC-I-opathy. This study aimed to identify overlapping loci between AxSpA and BD to help elucidate MHC-I-opathy pathogenesis.
Methods: Association clustering methods, such as OASIS, reduce the multiple-testing burden and are more powerful than single variant analysis for identifying modest genetic effects. Two large publically available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of AxSpA (921 cases, 907 controls) and BD (1215 cases and 1278 healthy controls) from Turkiÿe, were subjected to OASIS meta-analyses to identify common non-HLA loci. Statistics used to identify significant loci included the novel OASIS locus index (OLI). Expression analysis was performed using GEO datasets, GSE181364 for AxSpA and GSE209567 for BD. STRING network analysis was performed.
Results: GWAS for both diseases had the highest significance at the HLA-I locus. Of the 234 independent modestly significant non-HLA loci, there were 15 loci common to both AxSpA and BD. These included known MHC-I-opathy loci, 1p31.3 for IL23R (P= 5.37x10-6, OLI=52.7) and 13q14.11 for LACC1 (P=7.41x10-6, OLI=65.3). A novel locus identified in this study is 3p21.31 containing CXCR6 (P=2.46x10-5, OLI=25.8). The locus 3p22.3 had the highest overall OLI (81.3) and the most significant SNP at this locus (rs2291897; P=1.82x10-5), is an intronic variant in the gene FBXL2. However, this association was specific for BD only.
Conclusion: Several loci containing pathologically relevant genes for MHC-I-opathy were identified here, using a cluster-based approach in AxSpA and BD GWAS, with CXCR6 being a novel target.
Experiences and brief literature review of a rare infection: Candida lusitaniae osteomyelitis
Authors: Atıcı Serkan
Published: February 2025

Background
Osteoarticular infections caused by Candida, especially the lusitaniae subspecies, are extremely rare in an immunocompetent host. The optimal management of Candida osteomyelitis treatment is not clearly defined but most guidelines advise prolonged antifungal therapy in addition to surgery.
Case presentation:
In this report, we aimed to present our experience with Candida lusitaniae osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient in light of a brief literature review. To the best of our knowledge, it is the third report of C. lusitaniae osteomyelitis in the English literature.
Conclusions
We want to highlight rare osteomyelitis agents like C. lusitaniae and the importance of careful microbiological identification. We also observed that antifungal treatment with fluconazole and surgical debridement were effective in accordance with the treatment recommendations in the literature and as in the other cases.
Localized mass transport channels for electro-upgrade of dilute CO2 toward high-yield C2+ products
Authors: Chen Zhongwei , Ren Bohua , Zhang Xiaowen , Yang Leixin , Wen Guobin , Dong Silong , Xiong Haoyang , Liu Yinyi , Duan Xiaoman , Tan Lichao , Wang Xin
Published: February 2025

Electrocatalytic upgrade of CO2 offers a promising approach for the recycling of global CO2 emissions, facilitating the achievement of carbon neutrality. Nevertheless, the purification of CO2 is costly and direct utilization of practical dilute CO2 is urgently important yet rather difficult. The main challenge for continuous electrocatalysis of dilute CO2 is to balance the reaction kinetics and mass transport of CO2 to the catalytic sites, which is hindered by the large mass transport resistance. Herein, we propose coordinating the local environment and active catalyst by constructing covalent organic frameworks (COF) on single-atomic In-doped Cu2O (In1@Cu2O) for a high tolerance of CO2 inlet concentrations (15–100%). The optimized amounts of COF functionalized by the trifluoromethyl group act as the local CO2/CO diffusion channels via steric confinement effects and C∙∙∙F electronic effects. Besides, the formation of key intermediates for C2+ products is greatly facilitated by the promoted COOH adsorption. Hence, a total current of 81.7 A is realized in a 4×100 cm2 electrolyzer stack with over 770 mmol/h C2+ products at an inlet of dilute CO2. Such new electrode architecture sheds light on the high-yield electrochemical conversion using dilute CO2 at the potential industrial scale for practical applications.
Polymyxin B Hemoadsorption efficiently removes Gram-Negative-derived Quorum Sensing molecules responsible for acute kidney tubular epithelial cell injury
Authors: Medica Davide , Mirabella Lucia , Cotoia Antonella , Medana Claudio , Bello Federica Dal , Orlandi Viviana , Padovano Francesco P. , Quercia Alessandro D. , Marengo Marita , Prenna Stefania , Fanelli Vito , Ronco Claudio , Cinnella Gilda , Cantaluppi Vincenzo
Published: February 2025

Background.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main driver of sepsis-associated Acute Kidney Injury (SA-AKI) in Gram-Negative infections and its removal by Polymyxin-B Hemoadsorption (PMX-HA) has been evaluated in clinical trials. Quorum Sensing (QS), diffusible signal molecules used by Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative bacteria for intercellular communication, can interact with eukaryotic cells. Study aims were to evaluate: 1) presence of QS molecules in blood and urine of septic patients and their clinical significance; 2) biological effects of QS on human tubular epithelial cells (TEC); 3) role of PMX-HA in reducing QS blood levels and consequently TEC injury.
Methods.
Thirty-one patients with endotoxemic shock treated by PMX-HA were enrolled. LC-MS was used to detect QS molecules in blood and urine and their concentrations were correlated with clinical data. The effects of QS on TEC in presence or absence of LPS were assessed by studying cytotoxicity (XTT), apoptosis (TUNEL), stress/injury biomarkers (TIMP-2, IGFBP-7, NGAL), ROS generation, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell polarity (TEER, ZO-1/megalin expression).
Results.
We found different QS molecules belonging to Acyl homoserine lactones (C4- and 3-oxo-C12-AHL) and Hydroxyquinolones (C7 HQ) in blood and urine of septic patients: C4-AHL was the most abundant QS family member. A correlation between QS concentrations and endotoxin activity, inflammatory biomarkers and organ dysfunction parameters (PaO2/FiO2, serum creatinine) was observed. PMX-HA decreased QS molecules in biofluids: these results were confirmed by ex-vivo hemoadsorption using a PMX-B-loaded minicartridge. In vitro studies on TEC showed that C4-AHL QS induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, up-regulation of stress and damage biomarkers, ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction. C4-AHL QS also induced earlier functional alterations of TEC such as loss of polarity and down-regulation of ZO-1 and megalin. The detrimental effects of C4-AHL QS on TEC were enhanced by the presence of LPS. The specificity of C4-AHL QS-induced TEC damage was confirmed by using supernatants derived from isogenic mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa not able to produce this molecule.
Conclusions.
The results of the present study suggested that PMX-HA could remove from blood QS molecules able to synergize with LPS in the triggering of functional alterations and apoptosis of TEC, key pathogenic mechanisms of SA-AKI.
Brazilians’attitude towards personal debt: an approach to developing and validating a measurement scale
Authors: Silva Emmanuel Marques , Moreira Rafael de Lacerda , Bortolon Patricia Maria
Published: February 2025

This study uses Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to construct a reliable and valid instrument to measure individuals' attitudes toward debt. This process resulted in the development of the Debt Attitude Scale – DASBR, aimed at analyzing the propensity for debt in the context of emerging economies, such as Brazil. The methodology followed a rigorous process to substantiate the construct, develop the measurement items, and validate the scale. The EFA results allowed the items to be identified and allocated into four dimensions, which were then called Savings Behavior, [Lack of] Self-Control, Influence of Societal Morality, and Time Preference. The CFA results showed that statistical indices, such as chi-square, chi-square/degrees of freedom ratio, CFI, TLI, SRMR, and RMSEA, reached values ​​considered acceptable in the literature. The Composite Reliability (CR) and Average Variance Extracted (AVE) coefficients used to assess convergent validity indicate that the DASBR can be considered acceptable for measuring the propensity to personal debt, since it presented adequate model adjustment indices, where most of the dimensions analyzed met the convergent validity and reliability criteria.
High eccentricities and rapid spins in neutron star binaries
Authors:   , Papenfort Ludwig Jens
Published: February 2025

This dissertation presents a comprehensive numerical investigation of the matter dynamics, gravitational wave emission, nucleosynthetic yields, and potential electromagnetic afterglow properties of numerous extreme neutron star binary mergers, incorporating varying equations of state as well as orbital and stellar properties. In particular, the thesis explores the potential of post-merger observational signatures associated with gravitational wave events to reveal the pre-merger properties of such systems.
In addition to the study of highly eccentric binary orbits and their impact on the merger dynamics of binary neutron stars as well as on the post-merger properties, a large part of this thesis focuses on the effects of rapidly spinning neutron star binary companions. In particular, the intriguing case of GW190814 is examined, where the secondary object is proposed to be a rapidly spinning neutron star that may have collapsed to a black hole before merger, yielding new estimates for the spin of the secondary object and providing a strict lower bound on the maximum mass of non-rotating neutron stars.
To facilitate further research in this area, an open-source spectral elliptic solver infrastructure will be established, capable of constructing binary black holes, binary neutron stars, and mixed binaries under a wide range of stellar and binary parameters.
The effect of high stellar spins on mass ejection in binary neutron star mergers is then investigated, showing that high spins aligned with the orbital angular momentum can potentially suppress the dynamical component of the ejected mass.
In high-mass binary neutron star mergers, further investigation reveals that rapid dynamical mass ejection resulting from the spin-up of the primary star during the merger may serve to distinguish neutron stars from black holes.
In addition, a close examination of high-mass, high-spin binary neutron star mergers shows that these can significantly affect remnant lifetimes, ejecta dynamics, remnant disk masses, and kilonova properties, potentially helping to distinguish between low- and high-spin priors in the detection of gravitational waves from such events.
The thesis culminates with a comprehensive analysis of the configurations that are equivalent under the range of possible stellar parameters of a high-spin prior gravitational wave event at a fixed chirp mass, thus providing a deeper understanding of the potential post-merger observables for binary neutron star mergers and underscoring the significant impact of varying stellar parameters on these observables.
Dificuldades e conquistas dos servidores da área de educação no Brasil e em Portugal
Authors: Ferreira Josiane , Guida Ana Soares , Sampaio José Adercio Leite
Published: February 2025

A pesquisa aborda a precarização e desvalorização do trabalho docente nas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) Federais e nas escolas públicas de educação básica no Brasil e Portugal, com foco nos protestos que surgiram da insatisfação dos servidores da educação. O estudo analisa como a falta de condições mínimas de trabalho, como baixos salários, sobrecarga, burocracia excessiva e escassez de recursos, impacta a saúde mental dos educadores e compromete a qualidade do ensino. O objetivo principal é demonstrar as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos docentes e como essas condições afetam a motivação e o desempenho profissional. A metodologia utilizada é a pesquisa bibliográfica, baseada em artigos, relatórios e estudos sobre o tema, oferecendo um diagnóstico da precarização do magistério e reforçando a necessidade urgente de políticas públicas que valorizem os educadores e melhorem suas condições de trabalho. Após as pesquisas, constatou-se que tanto no Brasil quanto em Portugal há muitos desafios a serem enfrentados. A superação desses obstáculos só será possível por meio de mobilizações e lutas, uma vez que nem mesmo governos historicamente alinhados à defesa dos direitos dos trabalhadores têm demonstrado disposição para negociar de forma eficaz a valorização profissional. Conclui-se que a união e a resistência dos servidores são essenciais para garantir uma educação de qualidade em ambos os países, forçando os governos a implementarem políticas públicas que reconheçam e valorizem os profissionais da educação, já que esse reconhecimento dificilmente ocorrerá de forma espontânea.
Modal and optimization analysis of a 12-degree-of-freedom engine mount system considering engine elasticity
Authors: Wu Mingzhong , Lin Zhihong , Su Liji
Published: February 2025

The multi-degree-of-freedom engine mount system presents a coupling issue that significantly impacting its vibration isolation performance. Although the optimization theories for decoupling 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) and 12-degree-of-freedom (12-DOF) engine mount systems are relatively well-developed, previous studies have predominantly focused on engine response and often overlook the impact of car body vibrations. To address this gap, this article conducts an in-depth investigation into how the elasticity of the car body affects the vibration isolation performance of the engine mount system. Initially, the dynamics of the engine mount system are modeled with 6 degrees of freedom, incorporating an elastic base with 9 and 12 degrees of freedom, respectively. The study then analyzes how body elasticity influences the natural frequencies and modal shapes of the engine mount system. Subsequently, the sensitivity of the engine mount system is assessed using Isight analysis to evaluate the three directional stiffnesses of the mount. Finally, the decoupling optimization of the 12-degree-of-freedom engine mount system is performed using the NLPQL (Sequential Quadratic Programming) method. The findings indicate that: (1) considering the car body’s influence directly affects the natural characteristics and decoupling efficiency of the engine mount system; (2) body elasticity in the Z-direction has the greatest impact on the system’s vertical natural frequency; and (3) the NLPQL method effectively enhances the decoupling rate of the engine mount system.
Dynamic behaviors and double-frequency synchronization analysis of a dynamic vibration absorption system driven by three co-rotating exciters
Authors: Fang Pan , Zhu Weiming , Hou Yongjun , Xiao Dong
Published: February 2025

The recovery efficiency of drilling fluid is directly affected by working performance of the vibration screen. Therefore, a newly dynamic vibration absorption system driven by different excitation frequencies is designed through double-frequency synchronization theory to improve the mechanical performance of screening equipment. Firstly, the differential equations of motion of vibration system are deduced by Lagrange method. Then, the theoretical conditions of the system implementing double-frequency synchronization are obtained based on asymptotic method, and stability criterion of the synchronization is revealed according to Routh-Hurwitz criterion. Subsequently, the effects of structure parameters on vibration isolation ability, synchronous state, and stability of synchronization are numerically discussed. Finally, the feasibility of the theoretical method and the obtained results is further verified by simulation and experiment. It is found that the vibration isolation and synchronization performance of the system is influenced by the motor parameters and system structure. The system has the best vibration isolation ability when ωm0= 157 rad/s, which is considered as the best operating frequency of the present vibration system. Meanwhile, when the mass ratio κ between the high-frequency co-rotating rotor and the low-frequency co-rotating rotor is smaller, the absolute value of the stability coefficient Si is larger, and the stability phase difference is smaller, and the system is more stable. The present work can provide theoretical direction for the design of new screening equipment.
GKASA–DDPM: a novel flood forecasting model based on Graph Kolmogorov–Arnold Attention and spatio-temporal attention under smoothing DDPM
Authors: Chen Chang , Zhang Dawei , Qi Xin , Wang Zhongxiang , Xiang Liyun
Published: February 2025

Flood forecasting plays an important role in water resources management and flood prevention, leading to enormous research interests. Given the considerable data amount and computational complexity, many scholars have considered this problem from the perspective of time-series forecasting and made substantial contributions in a data-driven manner. Based on this, a novel method is proposed to handle flood forecasting in this study, which is a modified denoising diffusion probabilistic model (DDPM). In addition, a novel attention mechanism, Graph Kolmogorov–Arnold Attention (GKAT) is designed. Since the Kolmogorov–Arnold Network (KAN) utilizes tunable activation functions, it increases the interpretability of complex hydrological models. Meanwhile, spatio-temporal attention (SA) is also adopted, considering the time-variant characteristic of the time-series data. Therefore, this method is termed GKASA–DDPM. Furthermore, Savitzky-Golay smoothing mechanism is deployed in the post-processing procedure to adjust the predicted results according to practical observation. Multiple experiments are executed to exhibit the superior performance of the proposed method, involving seven models and observed hydrological data collected from Xiaoqing River basin above Huangtaiqiao Hydrological Station. Comprehensive results show that GKASA–DDPM achieves the highest prediction accuracy under all experimental conditions, over 0.9 when evaluated by Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE).
The benefit of performance indicators in efficiency assessment using data envelopment analysis
Authors: Gidion Dickson K.
Published: February 2025

Performance indicators (PIs) are important parameters in the management of water services. Regulators have developed empirical analysis utilising PIs to rank an urban water utility (UWU) in a competitive scenario. Empirical analyses employ assumptions that, on the other hand, contribute to the chances of favouritism. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a non-parametric approach used in assessing the efficiency of a decision-making unit. However, the DEA benchmarking technique makes many UWUs efficient, limiting regulators to discern who is the best performer because even a weakly performing UWU identified in empirical analysis can be efficient. This study presents a consistency analysis of the conventional DEA and DEA for ratios through the DEA approach in a network form that benchmarks a UWU in a competitive scenario using absolute and ratio information. The assessment indicates that DEA for ratios contributes to the management of UWUs. When DEA for ratios is applied in UWU efficiency assessment, the results of efficient and inefficient UWUs can be used to compare their indicators achievements and develop relevant policies to improve operations. Thus, a weak-performing UWU can adopt management incentives used by the efficient UWU and enhance performance in the next assessment period.
A contribuição do conhecimento linguístico explícito para o aperfeiçoamento do uso da vírgula de alunos do 9º ano do ensino fundamental
Authors:   , Freire Maria Luciene Maia
Published: February 2025

Nesta pesquisa, examino como o ensino do conhecimento linguístico explícito explorado numa
perspectiva funcionalista pode melhorar a competência de alunos do Ensino Fundamental em
empregar sinais de pontuação na produção de seus textos escritos. Embora falantes nativos de
uma língua possuam conhecimento tácito sobre as regras de estruturação da gramática de sua
língua, hipotetizo que, para o domínio eficiente da escrita, o que inclui o sistema de pontuação,
é necessário tornar explícitos esses conhecimentos. Nesse sentido, adoto a gramática sistêmico-
funcional como base teórica em particular, por ser uma descrição de sistemas linguísticos que
se pauta em situações de uso e que defende que a língua está em constante interação com o
meio em que ocorre. O fundamento teórico sobre a gramática sistêmico-funcional de minha
pesquisa centra-se em Halliday (1994, 2004), apoiando-me também em outros autores, como
Neves (1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2018) e Fuzer e Cabral (2014). Além disso, também me
aproprio de descrições normativas, como as de Bechara (2009) e Cunha e Cintra (2006), já que
ainda são próximas da realidade da escola. Para discutir sobre o conhecimento linguístico
explícito, me amparo, entre outros, em Duarte (2008) e Mendes (2014). Para atingir o objetivo
desta pesquisa, realizou-se uma intervenção em uma sala de aula do 9º ano do ensino
fundamental de uma escola pública no munícipio de Alto Santo (CE). A verificação da eficácia
da intervenção ocorre por meio da aplicação de testes diagnósticos (pré e pós). É, portanto, uma
intervenção pedagógica, com tratamento qualitativo e quantitativo. No que tange aos resultados,
eles são expressos pelo aumento considerável do uso convencional da vírgula para isolar
orações coordenadas assindéticas, na redução do uso não convencional por presença,
principalmente entre verbo e seu complemento, e por menos ausência de vírgula para isolar o
adjunto adverbial antecipado. Notou-se também o aumento da presença da vírgula na
intercalação do adjunto adverbial, assim como houve progressos na identificação de termos
como o sujeito, núcleo do predicado, complementos e adjuntos. Essa identificação torna visíveis
fronteiras sintáticas importantes no uso da vírgula. Não houve avanços no uso da vírgula para
marcar orações subordinadas adverbiais antepostas. Quanto às contribuições no que se refere
ao alcance desta pesquisa, acredito numa influência positiva que se possa levar à prática
pedagógica, minha e de meus colegas, permitindo que nossos alunos acedam a uma
aprendizagem mais reflexiva e, ao mesmo tempo, construtora de sentidos, por meio de um
maior empoderamento linguístico
Toward a New Conceptual Framework for Digital Mental Health Technologies: Scoping Review
Authors: Hopkin Gareth , Coole Holly , Edelmann Francesca , Ayiku Lynda , Branson Richard , Campbell Paul , Cooper Sophie , Salmon Mark
Published: February 2025

Background

Digital mental health technologies (DMHTs) are becoming more widely available and are seen as having the potential to improve the quality of mental health care. However, conversations around the potential impact of DMHTs can be impacted by a lack of focus on the types of technologies that are available. Several frameworks that could apply to DMHTs are available, but they have not been developed with comprehensive methods and have limitations.

Objective

To address limitations with current frameworks, we aimed to identify existing literature on the categorization of DMHTs, to explore challenges with categorizing DMHTs for specific purposes, and to develop a new conceptual framework.

Methods

We used an iterative approach to develop the framework. First, we completed a rapid review of the literature to identify studies that provided domains that could be used to categorize DMHTs. Second, findings from this review and associated issues were discussed by an expert working group, including professionals from a wide range of relevant settings. Third, we synthesized findings to develop a new conceptual framework.

Results

The rapid review identified 3603 unique results, and hand searching identified another 3 potentially relevant papers. Of these, 24 papers were eligible for inclusion, which provided 10 domains to categorize DMHTs. The expert working group proposed a broad framework and based on the findings of the review and group discussions, we developed a new conceptual framework with 8 domains that represent important characteristics of DMHTs. These 8 domains are population, setting, platform or system, purpose, type of approach, human interaction, human responsiveness, and functionality.

Conclusions

This conceptual framework provides a structure for various stakeholders to define the key characteristics of DMHTs. It has been developed with more comprehensive methods than previous attempts with similar aims. The framework can facilitate communication within the field and could undergo further iteration to ensure it is appropriate for specific purposes.
Requirements and value elicitation for a high-fidelity pelvic floor simulator for physiotherapists: A mixed-method study (Preprint)
Authors: Zekaria Yael , Tzemanaki Antonia , Rossiter Jonathan
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Physiotherapists lack training opportunities for repeated practice of pelvic examinations for the identification of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), leading to low confidence in the clinical setting. Although simulators exist and are a valuable supplement to the medical curriculum, none demonstrate pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function or dysfunction. To design effective simulators, an assessment of end-user requirements is essential.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to elicit physiotherapists’ needs and requirements for a high-fidelity pelvic floor muscle simulator and the associated use cases.

METHODS

This study followed a mixed-methods design by collecting qualitative and quantitative data from a web-based questionnaire. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and differences between demographic groups were calculated using two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov two-sided tests. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

66 physiotherapists completed the questionnaire. The most common suggested use cases of the simulator were for training and professional development (84.9%) and patient education (72.7%). Pelvic organ prolapse and muscle tone function and dysfunction were identified as the most useful PFDs for the simulator to demonstrate. Positional tracking and force sensing were considered important features and there was a preference for a generic over a pathology-specific or patient-specific simulator. Three themes emerged through the qualitative analysis: prioritizing patient care; representing the variability in anatomy and PFDs for simulator realism; and consideration of implementation, cost and accessibility of simulators.

CONCLUSIONS

There is value in PFM simulators for physiotherapists for multiple use cases. Design recommendations include using realistic materials, demonstrating PFM dynamics, modularity to vary the complexity for different end-users, offering a range of feedback modalities for position and pressure sensing, and ensuring accessibility and curriculum integration.
VR for Physician Wellbeing – Feasibility, subjective effectiveness and acceptance of short virtual reality relaxation breaks for immediate perceived stress reduction in emergency physicians: a pilot study (Preprint)
Authors: Birrenbach Tanja , Häni Seraina , Jegerlehner Sabrina , Schober Simon , Exadaktylos Aristomenis K. , Sauter Thomas C
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Emergency physicians face significant stress in their daily work, adversely affecting patient care and contributing to physician burnout.

OBJECTIVE

This pilot study explored the feasibility, immediate effects, and acceptance of virtual reality (VR) relaxation on perceived stress reduction among emergency physicians.

METHODS

The study was conducted at the Department of Emergency Medicine, Bern, Switzerland, in February 2023. Voluntary participants underwent a six- to eight-minute VR meditation program at their workplace. Subjective short-term stress reduction was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS) ranging from 0 ("not at all stressed") to 10 ("extremely stressed"). Feasibility, user acceptance, and technical aspects were evaluated using validated and self-constructed questionnaires.

RESULTS

Thirty-five emergency physicians completed 39 VR simulation sessions. Baseline stress levels (median NRS 4, IQR 2–6.5) were significantly reduced post-intervention (median NRS 2, IQR 1–4; P<.001), particularly among participants with high baseline stress levels. Reported side effects (simulator sickness) were minimal, median score of presence and immersion according to the questionnaire developed by Slater-Usoh-Steed was 4 (IQR 3-4) (scale 1-7, with 7 = full immersion). User satisfaction was high. Implementation challenges mainly included technical issues and time constraints due to high workload.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study suggests that brief relaxing VR sessions may help reduce short-term perceived stress levels in emergency physicians with minimal side effects and high user satisfaction. Future studies should address implementation challenges to optimize integration into clinical workflows.
Transesterificación de aceite de canola con Sr/CaO mediante el método Box-Behnken
Authors: Marín-Lugo David , Barrera-Gutiérrez Rodrigo , Vázquez-Rodríguez Gabriela Alejandra , Chávez-Esquivel Gerardo , Tavizón-Pozos Jesús Andrés
Published: February 2025

Dada la necesidad de nuevos materiales catalíticos para la transesterificación de aceites para la generación de biodiesel, el objetivo de este trabajo fue optimizar esta reacción usando catalizadores de Sr/CaO obtenidos a partir de cascarón de huevo mediante el estudio del efecto de la cantidad de estroncio, temperatura de calcinación y el método Box-Behnken. Se prepararon catalizadores de Sr/CaO con 3, 6 y 9 %p/p de Sr por calcinación a 500, 650 y 800 °C usando el método de impregnación húmeda de Sr(NO3)2 disuelto en metanol. Se encontró que, al aumentar la cantidad de Sr y la temperatura de calcinación de todas las series, también lo hace el rendimiento de biodiesel. Esto se debe a que con alta concentración de Sr y temperatura de calcinación se generan más sitios activos superficiales. Asimismo, se observó que se formarían especies SrCO3 las cuales limitarían el rendimiento del catalizador. Considerando los resultados, el catalizador con 9 %p/p de Sr calcinado a 800 °C fue el más activo y usado en la optimización. Para esto se utilizó el método Box-Behnken tomando como factores la relación molar metanol/aceite, la temperatura y el tiempo usando 8 %p/p de catalizador respecto al aceite. Se encontró que el rendimiento óptimo fue del 90.81% con una relación metanol/aceite = 10, 68.58 °C por 2 h.
Factores para considerar en el diseño y síntesis de nanopartículas poliméricas para la entrega dirigida de moléculas anticancerígenas
Authors: Juárez Moreno Karla Oyuqui , Herrera-Ordóñez Jorge
Published: February 2025

Para que una molécula anticancerígena pueda ingresar a una célula tumoral y cumplir su función de manera efectiva, es esencial que supere las barreras físicas y fisiológicas impuestas por el cuerpo humano. Estas barreras deben ser consideradas, y traducidas en características fisicoquímicas específicas que la molécula debe poseer para garantizar una entrega exitosa. Una de las estrategias para mejorar la entrega de fármacos es mediante el uso de nanomateriales, los cuales sirven como transportadores para la entrega dirigida de fármacos y moléculas bioactivas. En este trabajo se revisan aspectos biológicos de relevancia para el tema que nos ocupa y cómo sintonizar/modular las propiedades fisicoquímicas del material para superar dichas barreras, permitiendo determinar el tamaño de partícula, su naturaleza química y funcionalización para direccionar la entrega del fármaco de manera más específica a las células neoplásicas. Este trabajo se enfoca en la utilización de la polimerización en emulsión como método de síntesis de nano-acarreadores, haciendo énfasis en el control del promedio y distribución de tamaño de la partícula. En cuanto a la funcionalización química, se resalta el método de funcionalización física desarrollado en nuestro grupo, dando origen a una patente.
Características de los tipos de apicultores en Chihuahua, México
Authors: Borja Bravo Mercedes , Sánchez Toledano Blanca Isabel , Vélez Izquierdo Alejandra , Pérez Ruiz Elizabeth , Arellano Arciniega Sergio
Published: February 2025

La apicultura es una actividad de importancia socioeconómica y ecológica, por la generación de ingresos y empleos familiares, así como los beneficios a la agricultura y el medio ambiente. El objetivo fue tipificar y caracterizar a los tipos de apicultores del estado de Chihuahua, México. Se aplicó una encuesta a 60 apicultores de doce municipios del estado durante los meses de noviembre de 2021 a mayo de 2022. Para estratificar a los productores se utilizó: análisis factorial por componentes principales (ACP), análisis de conglomerados (AC) jerárquicos y de K-medias y análisis discriminante (AD). El Análisis de Clúster identificó tres grupos de apicultores, al primero se le denominó como apicultores pequeños conformado por el 47 % del total de la muestra; el segundo grupo se identificó como apicultores medianos y estuvo integrado por el 42 % de la muestra y, el último grupo se designó como apicultores grandes y se formó por el 11 % de los encuestados. La principal diferencia entre los tipos de apicultores fue dada por las variables que determinaron la capacidad productiva de las unidades apícolas, como fue el número de apiarios y colmenas que poseían los productores; no se encontraron diferencias estadísticas significativas en el manejo técnico, pero los valores de los índices de manejo básico, especializado, genético y nutrición fueron mayores a los de otras regiones productoras. La tipificación propuesta debe ser considerada para el diseño de estrategias y acciones que fortalezcan e impulsen la apicultura en Chihuahua.
Lenders’ Demand for Consolidating Financial Statements from Parent Borrowers
Authors: Krupa Nicholas R. , Tucker Jennifer Wu , Zakota Mark , Zhou Ying
Published: February 2025

For financial reporting, a parent corporation is required to provide consolidated financial statements, treating the parent and its majority-owned subsidiaries as one reporting entity. Loan contracts, however, are signed by legal entities. We investigate when lenders explicitly require a parent borrower to periodically provide consolidating financial statements—disaggregated information with the parent’s information in the first column and the consolidated information in the last column—during the term of a loan. We find that 28.1 percent of the loan contracts include this covenant. The covenant is more likely when borrower-lender information asymmetry is higher; the loan is secured by collaterals or subsidiary pledges or guaranteed by subsidiaries; the borrower has heterogeneous subsidiaries or is smaller; or the loan has a revolving line of credit, fewer lenders, or a longer duration. Our findings suggest that lenders use contracting features to address the loss of information in the consolidated financial reporting model.

Data Availability: All data are available from identified public sources.

JEL Classifications: M2; M4; G3.