bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquisitions to Enter New Markets
Authors: Shapiro Carl
Published: February 2025

How should antitrust enforcers treat acquisitions by successful firms to enter new markets? Should a major pharmaceutical company with an extensive sales and distribution network be permitted to acquire a popular drug that does not compete against any of the drugs it already owns? Throughout American economic history, expansion by successful firms into new markets has played a vital role in promoting competition and spurring economic growth. However, acquisitions to enter new markets also can harm competition by enabling monopolists to enlarge their empires. The 2023 Merger Guidelines break new ground by announcing that the US antitrust agencies will challenge mergers and acquisitions that “could enable the merged firm to extend a dominant position from one market into a related market,” but they say very little about how such acquisitions will be evaluated. This article explains how antitrust enforcers can use economic evidence and theory to distinguish between acquisitions to enter new markets that are harmful and those that are beneficial.
Tax Privacy
Authors: Slemrod Joel
Published: February 2025

Implementing an equitable and efficient tax system requires that the government have access to certain information about taxpayers. If the demand for privacy implies limiting government’s access to relevant information, it constrains the extent to which a tax system can achieve these goals. In this way, demand for limiting government access to information imposes social costs. This article discusses the aspects of privacy that matter, including leaks, and explores certain countries’ public disclosure of taxpayer information. It then discusses what is known about, and the difficulties of ascertaining, how taxpayers value tax privacy, whether offering choices to taxpayers about information revelation can ease the tension between privacy and otherwise optimal tax policy, and uses the wealth tax as an example of the policy tradeoffs that arise.
The genome sequence of the Twenty-plume Moth, Alucita hexadactyla Linnaeus, 1758
Authors: Crowley Liam M. , Holland Peter W. H. , Lees David C. , Mitchell Caroline Eve ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisiiton Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: February 2025

We present a genome assembly from a specimen of Alucita hexadactyla (Twenty-plume Moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Alucitidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 878.53 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.74%) is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.32 kilobases in length.
Using virtual-reality technologies to assess egocentric and allocentric spatial representations in working memory
Authors: Saveleva Olga A. , Menshikova Galina Ya. , Velichkovsky Boris B. , Bugriy Grigory S.
Published: February 2025

Subject of study. This paper proposes a method for assessing the accuracy of egocentric and allocentric spatial representations, which are used for describing the surrounding space in optical systems. The accuracy of these spatial representations is influenced by various factors, including personal, emotional, cognitive, and environmental elements. Aim of study. The aim of this study was to develop and test a method for assessing the accuracy of egocentric and allocentric spatial representations in working memory. Method. The study employs immersive CAVE virtual-reality technologies. Main results. The findings reveal that, in working memory, the spatial representation of information is task-dependent and influenced by the human factor. Practical significance. The operator’s representation of visual information may be used as the foundation for the coordinated functioning of visual and spatial cognitive systems, which encode the metric, depth, and topological parameters of object localization in space. The variability of the obtained data serves as a practical basis for controlling stress responses of various levels under virtual-reality conditions, depending on the complexity of the cognitive task being solved and individual characteristics, such as cognitive style, personality traits, and the development of spatial abilities. The results can be applied in robotics, healthcare, and related fields and can aid in improving procedures used for differential diagnosing, testing, and correcting spatial disorders.
Ochrana lidských práv osob se zdravotním postižením
Authors: Vysokajová Margerita
Published: February 2025

The disabled represent the world’s largest “minority” which includes more than 500 million people. From the point of view of the causes of disability, there is a clear distinction between industrial or developed countries, where degenerative changes connected with old age rank among the top causes, and the so-called third world countries, where the main reasons for disability are disease, malnutrition and armed conflicts. The approach of the society towards disabled people must be based on the principle of equal opportunities, and it must enable them to equally exercise their human rights. All countries that have ratified the International treaty on economic, social and cultural rights have thus accepted an obligation to exercise rights formulated in it without any discrimination. As far as the right to work and to satisfactory working conditions are concerned, disabled people are not discriminated against by legal rules in an overwhelming majority of signatory countries, and their effort to join the open labour market is supported. In reality, however, the legal rules are not always consistently observed, and so in many cases the aims of the legislation are not fully achieved. In order to maintain the present level of employment of the disabled, or to increase it, measures have been taken with the aim to either economically stimulate the employers or to prescribe mandatory rates of handicapped employees. Or, and in the most frequent case, economic and administrative factors work together. In fact, in all signatory countries the respective legal rules provide for more intensive protection of disabled people in employment. These provisions of so-called positive discrimination appear mainly in the creation of employment (making a labour contract) and its termination on the part of employer. Particular attention is also paid to the implementation of the right to education of the handicapped. In most countries, integrated education with the non-disabled coevals is preferred, only where it is in the interest of the handicapped, special types of schools are considered. Social integration of the disabled is closely connected with the principle of equal opportunities, and it means, among other things, the creation of all conditions (including legislative) for ensuring equal opportunity for every individual from his/her birth. If s/he is disadvantaged in some respect, s/he should be provided with help to minimize the handicap. If the handicap is of such a kind that assistance will be needed indefinitely, there must be a guarantee of indefinite help. Varying alternatives of help should exist, and the disabled person or his/her family should be able to choose from them, as well as the possibility of adjusting certain programmes to the specific needs of people and their compatibility. The standard of a society can be assessed according to the care it provides to its weakest and most vulnerable members. The approach to the disabled, and the achieved results, can serve as the criteria of the standard.
Crystal structure of (4-ethoxybenzyl)triphenylphosphonium bromide ethanol solvate, C29H32BrO2P
Authors: Chen Shuyan , Nan Xiangbin , Yang Haoqi , Xue Yiheng , Jiang Hui
Published: February 2025

C29H32BrO2P, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.52420(10) Å, b = 13.5027(5) Å, c = 23.3580(4) Å, β = 95.359(1)°, V = 2676.75(11) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt
(F) = 0.0386, wRref
(F
2) = 0.1039, T = 298(2) K.
Crystal structure of (2-methylbenzyl)triphenylphosphonium chloride ethanol solvate, C28H30ClOP
Authors: Ma Chaohong , Dong Xianwu , Jiang Jinke , Jiang Hui
Published: February 2025

C28H30ClOP, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.0999(1) Å, b = 14.7077(2) Å, c = 18.5420(3) Å, β = 95.281(1)°, V = 2471.10(6) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0450, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1261, T = 293 K.
Averaging principle for RBDSDEs with Poisson jumps
Authors: Ndiaye Djibril , Sagna Yaya
Published: February 2025

This paper is devoted to presenting an averaging principle for reflected backward doubly stochastic differential equations with jumps (RBDSDEP in short), in which the obstacle process is right continuous with left limits. Under suitable Lipschitz conditions, it is shown that the solutions of RBDSDEP can be approximated by solutions to averaged stochastic systems in the mean-square sense and probability.
THE EVALUATION OF THE COAL TRANSPORTATION GOVERNANCE POLICIES IN JAMBI PROVINCE
Authors: Alva Beriansyah  , Arfa'i  , Hatta Abdi Muhammad
Published: February 2025

This research is aimed at evaluating the policies issued by the Jambi Provincial Government in order to organize coal transportation. Since 2012, the Jambi Provincial Government has issued a series of policies aimed at regulating coal transportation so that its negative impacts, particularly related to congestion and road damage, can be overcome. Using William N. Dunn's policy evaluation concept which consists of six indicators, namely: effectiveness, efficiency, alignment, adequacy, responsiveness and accuracy. This research uses a combined qualitative and quantitative approach by interviewing the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jambi Province, the Directorate of Traffic and Traffic of the Jambi Regional Police, the community and public policy observers as data sources. Data were analyzed using qualitative data analysis consisting of data reduction, data presentation, data analysis and conclusions. The research results reveal that there are three indicators that are of particular note to the Jambi Provincial Government regarding the handling of coal transportation in Jambi. First, the Jambi Provincial Government's policies have not been effective in overcoming the negative problem of coal transportation because long traffic jams and road damage often occur. Second, with the limited authority it has, the Jambi Provincial Government is quite efficient in overcoming coal transportation problems through a series of policies from 2012-2022. Third, the Jambi Provincial Government's policies are not appropriate to overcome the problem, because what is needed is the construction of a special coal road or using the Batanghari River.
SACRALIZATION OF PANCASILA: IDEOLOGY AND REPRESSION IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PANCASILA IDEOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (BPIP) AND GUIDELINES FOR THE APPRECIATION AND PRACTICE OF PANCASILA (P4)
Authors: Mustapa Hasan , Zulkarnaen Nanang , Feny Yuniarti Putri
Published: February 2025

Pancasila's role has become an unavoidable topic of dispute. For intellectuals, Pancasila should be an open ideology. The authorities frequently make Pancasila a closed doctrine. Ideology becomes closed when it is officially implemented by the state and interpreted unilaterally to assess incompatibility with societal interpretations. This qualitative study compares New Order government policies to the Guidelines for the Appreciation and Practice of Pancasila (P4) project run by the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP). Various journal papers were collected, evaluated, and seen through the lens of ideology and repression. According to the research findings, when Pancasila was institutionalized, such as during the New Order period, it was frequently employed as a beating stick for parties that disagreed with the government's political goals. This potential can also be observed in BPIP during Joko Widodo's tenure, if executed strictly. Pancasila is founded on the principle of openness, which was echoed by the Founding Fathers. Often told behind closed doors using a frozen sacralization procedure.
Nowcasting Hotel Room Occupancy Rate using Google Trends Index and Online Traveler Reviews Given Lag Effect with Machine Learning (Case Research: East Kalimantan Province)
Authors: Rahmawati Adelina , Nurmawati Erna , Sugiyarto Teguh
Published: February 2025

Purpose: The presence of a two-month lag in Hotel Room Occupancy Rate (TPK) data necessitates an alternative method to accommodate adjustments in the economic circumstances of the tourism industry. In this context, TPK is connected to the influx of tourists, making the data a valuable resource for assessing the tourism potential of a particular area. The information can be used to make informed decisions when considering investments in the local tourism industry. Therefore, this research aimed to formulate predictions for future trends using now-forecasting. The variables of Google Trends Index (IGT) and online traveler reviews considered were obtained from big data.
Methods: This research used machine learning methods with Random Forest, LSTM, and CNN-BiLSTM-Attention models in determining the best model. Meanwhile, the datasets were acquired from diverse secondary data sources. Hotel Occupancy Rooms Rate was derived from BPS-Statistics Indonesia, while additional data were collected through web scraping from online travel agency websites such as Tripadvisor.com, IGT with keywords “IKN”, “hotel”, and “banjir”. For the sentiment variable from online reviews, lag effects of one, two, and three months were analyzed to determine the correlation with TPK. The highest correlation was selected for inclusion in the prediction model across all machine learning methods.
Result: The results showed that the use of IGT and online traveler reviews increased the precision of forecasting models. The best model of hotel TPK nowcasting was Random Forest Regression with the lowest MAPE value and accuracy of 5.37% and 94.63%, respectively.
Novelty: The proposed method showed great potential in improving the prediction of hotel TPK by leveraging new technology and extensive data sources. The correlation with TPK decreases with an increasing time lag of sentiment. Therefore, the sentiment of reviews in the current month has the highest correlation with TPK, compared to the previous one, two, or three months.
Behavioral Intention and Adoption of Clinical Informatics Tools: A Study in Regional Public Municipality Clinics
Authors: Mdunge Eric Njabulo , Ezeji Ijeoma Noella , Evans Neil
Published: February 2025

Purpose: The healthcare sector is vital for addressing public health emergencies and improving overall health outcomes. This paper aims to explore the factors that influence the adoption of clinical informatics by healthcare professionals in public clinics within a KwaZulu Natal municipality in South Africa. The paper adopted the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to understand determinants of behavioral intention to use, and actual usage of these clinical informatics tools by the sampled healthcare professionals.
Methods: The paper adopted a mixed-methods approach to answer the research questions, both primary quantitative and secondary qualitative data was collected and analysed. Surveys and interviews were conducted with 67 sampled healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, administrative staff and 10 managers to obtain the primary quantitative data and secondary qualitative data respectively. SPSS was used to analyse the quantitative data and thematic content analysis was used to analyse for the qualitative data.
Result: Results indicate that the constructs of UTAUT positively influence healthcare workers’ intention to use and use of clinical informatics tools, these include in the order of their influence, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. While clinical informatics tools are available and frequently used by healthcare workers, significant challenges are mentioned to impede their effective adoption. These challenges include insufficient hardware, lack of awareness and training about ICT applications, and limited access to data network infrastructure such as Wi-Fi hotspots and routers.
Novelty: The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive analysis of both the behavioral and infrastructural factors affecting the adoption of clinical informatics in a specific municipal context. Conducted in a municipality that serves both rural and urban communities, this study provides practical recommendations to overcome identified adoption barriers. The findings contribute to developing strategies for the adoption and provision of clinical informatics tools to improve healthcare delivery in South Africa.
A Performance Comparison of Data Balancing Model to Improve Credit Risk Prediction in P2P Lending
Authors: Pertiwi Dwika Ananda Agustina , Ahmad Kamilah , Unjung Jumanto , Muslim Much Aziz
Published: February 2025

Purpose: The problem of imbalanced datasets often affects the performance of classification models for prediction, one of which is credit risk prediction in P2P lending. To overcome this problem, several data balancing models have been applied in the existing literature. However, existing research only evaluates performance based on classification model performance. Thus, in addition to measuring the performance of classification models, this study involves the contribution of the performance of data balancing models including Random Oversampling (ROS), Random Undersampling (RUS), and Synthetic Minority Oversampling (SMOTE).
Methods: This research uses the Lending Club dataset with an imbalanced ratio (IR) of 4.098, and 2 classifiers such as LightGBM and XGBoost, as well as 10 cross-validation to assess the performance of the data balancing model including Random Oversampling (ROS), Random Undersampling (RUS), and Synthetic Minority Oversampling (SMOTE). Then the model is evaluated using the metrics of accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score.
Result: The research results show that SMOTE has superior performance as a data balancing model in P2P lending, with an accuracy of the LightGBM+SMOTE model of 92.56% and the XGBoost+SMOTE model of 92.32%, where this performance is better than other models.
Novelty: This research concludes that SMOTE as a data balancing model to improve credit risk prediction in P2P lending has superior performance. Apart from that, in this case, we find that the larger the data size used as a model training sample, the superior performance obtained by the classification model in predicting credit risk in P2P lending.
Research in Commotion: Measuring AI Research and Development through Conference Call Transcripts
Authors: Soto Paul E.
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces a novel measure of firm-level Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research & Development—the AIR Index—derived from the semantic similarity between earnings conference call transcripts and leading AI research papers. The AIR Index varies widely across industries, with sustained strength in computer and electronic manufacturing, and accelerating growth in computing infrastructure and educational services seen after the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022. I find that the AIR Index is associated with an immediate increase in Tobin’s Q and can help explain the cross-section of cumulative absolute returns following the conference call, suggestive of investors valuing substantive AI discussions in the near-term. A sharp rise in the AIR Index leads to persistent increases in year-over-year capex growth, lasting about a year before tapering off, indicative of the life cycle of AI-induced capital deepening. However, I find no significant effects of AI R&D on productivity or employment. Using industry level survey data from Census, I find that recent growth in the AIR Index correlates with broader AI adoption trends. The positive association of the AIR Index with capex and valuation holds across previous time periods, suggesting that Generative AI may be the latest form of an ongoing technical innovation process, albeit at an accelerated pace.
Africa’s greenhouse gas emissions exceeding its sink capacity
Authors: Ernst Yolandi
Published: February 2025

Rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Africa is a cause for concern. With a growing population and its associated requirements for energy, food and socio-economic development, climate change impacts will further exacerbate the current trend. A recent greenhouse gas budget for Africa synthesised the most current and comprehensive modelling and observational data available for the period 2010-2019 (Ernst et al. 2024), showing that the continent has likely become a net carbon source to the atmosphere. In this Research brief, the key findings of the GHG budget for Africa is highlighted.
Fish Biodiversity at Haor Wetland of Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Sabikun Nahar , Hashibur Rahman Md. , Md Saiful Islam , Ashraful Alam Mohammad , Saymuna Tarin Lupa , Mst Niloy Jaman , Md Lipon Mia , Al Amin , Nazia Naheen Nisheeth
Published: February 2025

Wetland environments in Bangladesh, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, beel, baor, and haor, are critical for the feeding, spawning, breeding, and nursing of at least 253 fish species, as well as a variety of freshwater fish and prawns. In addition, they support a number of rural people and provide habitat for a multitude of migrating birds. Bangladesh’s wetlands are classified as freshwater wetlands, saltwater wetlands, and artificial wetlands, with haors belonging to the freshwater wetlands group. Haor is a marshy wetland area that looks like a bowl or saucer. It is inundated for seven to eight months during the wet season, similar to a massive inland sea, and then divides into beels during the dry season. Apart from giving migratory fish and bird species breeding, nursing, and feeding habitats, it boasts around 154 native fish species from 35 families and 12 orders. The biodiversity of fish in haor wetlands has been experiencing a decline due to factors such as overexploitation, environmental degradation, and the persistent challenges posed by climate change. To effectively manage the haor wetland ecosystem, it is strongly recommended that an ecosystem-based co-management approach be adopted. This should involve the active participation of the local community, the establishment of sustainable fishing practices, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods for deprived harvesters who are heavily reliant on these resources. This review paper proposes a simple and practical approach to studying the haor wetlands, the current state of fish biodiversity in the various haor ecosystems of Bangladesh, and related challenges.
Simulation of Fluid Flow through Composite Materials
Authors: Varela Hiram , González María
Published: February 2025

Composite materials, which find many applications in cutting-edge technologies, are made up of two or more components with dissimilar properties. Consequently, knowing the overall, apparent set of physical parameters can be challenging. The classical approach is to resort to lab experimentation and empirical models, which can be expensive and time-consuming. We propose a semi-analytical tool to find the apparent permeability of filters through an adaptive finite element method (AFEM). The AFEM obtains an approximation of the fluid flow, and from it, we can derive the apparent permeability. We compared our simulations with experimental data, showing good agreement.
Pengaruh Kombinasi Pupuk NPK dan Batubara terhadap Ketersediaan Fosfor pada Lahan Pasang Surut
Authors: Hidayat Rahman , Razie Fakhrur , . Ratna
Published: February 2025

Problems faced in tidal swamp land include low soil pH, low nutrient content, and high levels of Al and Fe. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of the combination of NPK fertilizer and Futura coal fertilizer on the availability of P and to determine the relationship between the solubility of Al and Fe, pH and organic C on the availability of P in tidal swamp land. This research was carried out at the Chemistry Laboratory, Soil Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Lambung Mangkurat University from October-December 2023 using a single factor in Randomized Block Design with five treatments and three replications to obtain 15 experimental units. The combination of NPK and Futura increased the availability of P, organic-C, and soil pH and reduced the solubility of Al and Fe. A relationship was found between Al and soil pH, C-organic and Al, C-organic and soil pH, organic-C and soluble-Fe, soluble-Fe and soil pH.
Battle of Titans: Structural Shifts in MNCs Global Production
Authors: Yurevich M. , Fedyunina A. , Simachev Y.
Published: February 2025

Structural shifts occurring in the global economy are changing the nature and mode of international expansion for multinational corporations (MNCs) and their participation in global production. However, scholars and researchers still have few tools to analyze such shifts, and studies of MNC behavior are often limited by data on foreign direct investment flows, which often do not reflect MNC participation in host countries. We use data from the AAMNE OECD database and demonstrate that using statistics on MNC output allows for a deeper understanding of the structural shifts in MNC participation in global production. The results confirm existing observations that the use of data on FDI flows is insufficient to provide a comprehensive assessment of MNCs’ participation in modern global production. The application of MNC output data also provides another perspective on the spread of global value chains and confirms the standard observation that the most active formation of global chains in the last two decades has been in the automotive and computer and electronics industries. The estimates obtained show that the absence of offshoring growth in the case of Chinese MNCs does not necessarily imply limited participation in foreign markets. Moreover, the expansion of offshoring production in developed countries (such as Germany, France, the United States) does not always lead to the spread of global value chains in manufacturing industries. In future research, it would be important to use data on MNC participation in the output of both home and host economies to analyze ongoing structural shifts and assess the effectiveness of industrial policy instruments.
The changing role of surgery in the multidisciplinary management of tumors of the head and neck
Authors: Shah Jatin P.
Published: February 2025

Surgery has the longest history in the management of deformities, diseases and disorders in the head and neck region. The foundations for the specialty of head and neck surgery were laid by pioneering surgeons from various disciplines, including reconstructive surgery, laryngology, general surgery, endocrine surgery, oral surgery, and other allied specialties. In this review, we will discuss historical landmarks over the course of the past several centuries, followed by the evolution of surgical techniques from various surgical specialties in the past century that have defined head and neck surgery as a subspecialty and improved the safety and efficacy of surgery in the head and neck. Finally, this review will discuss the incorporation of various non-surgical disciplines in the development of modern-day multidisciplinary treatment programs for various tumors in the head and neck to improve cure rates, prolong disease-free survival, and offer better quality of life.
Therapeutic hypothermia reduces oxidative stress in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: ÖZALKAYA ELİF , Tüten Apdulhamid , Topcuoğlu Sevilay , Karatepe Hande Özgün , Karatekin Güner
Published: February 2025

Background: To evaluate the effect of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) on oxidative stress in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HİE).
Method: This study was designed as a prospective study. Sixteen term neonates diagnosed with HİE who were admitted for TH in a neonatal intensive care unit within one year were included in the study. The oxidative stress markers (Total Antioxidant Capacity ( TAC) and Total Oxidative Stress (TOS) in venous blood were measured before and after TH. Oxidative stress index(OSI) was calculated as the percent ratio of TOS to TAS.
Results: After TH, the TAC increased compared to before (p=0.001), while TOS (p=0.005) and OSI (p=0.001) decreased.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that therapeutic hypothermia applied to newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy reduces oxidative stress. Adjuvant treatments that reduce oxidative stress may enhance the effect of hypothermia.
Handling electric connections in 3D-printed electrodes and sensors. Part I. Understanding and improving tracks and contacts
Authors: Verlangieri Ivan , de Oliveira Thawan Gomes , Lopes Fernando Silva , Gutz Ivano Gebhardt Rolf , Angnes Lúcio , Lago Claudimir Lucio do
Published: February 2025

Voltammetric and amperometric sensors typically consist of three sections: an electroactive surface, an electrode substrate, and connection tracks or wires to a potentiostat or other electronic circuit. While the electrical resistance of metal-to-metal connectors can usually be disregarded in such sensors due to their low contact resistance, this is not the case when semiconductor materials, conductive polymers, or composites are involved. This study focuses on the electrical behavior of 3D-printed conductive polymer tracks and connections to metals, aiming to improve and understand their limitations. Carbon black PLA (CB-PLA) was chosen for its favorable electrical properties. Results show that the printed tracks exhibit higher resistivity (17 Ω·cm) than the raw filament (6 Ω·cm). The electrical contact resistance (ECR) found between nickel-plated metals and CB-PLA was considerably high, in the order of 102 to 103 Ω. The metal-polymer contact promoted solely by pressuring the parts (e.g., with alligator clips) proved to be unstable and, as such, a potential source of noise. Welded metalpolymer contact (WMPC) was developed using induction heating to improve and secure metal-polymer interfaces. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the high resistivity of the tracks and connections created by 3D printing actually has no implication on the electrochemical behavior of the sensor, other than the Ohmic drop in these sections that must be considered to ensure the proper functioning of sensors involving current flow. The findings indicate that while 3D-printed conductive polymer sensors show promise for widespread use, careful consideration of ECR and thermal effects is crucial for reliable performance.
Trends and Implications of Metabolic Syndrome in Korea, 2007-2022: A Nationwide Study
Authors: Kim Yaelim , Choi Yeonghun , Lee Kyu-Na , Sang Hyunji , Han Kyungdo , Kim Sunyoung , Rhee Sang Youl
Published: February 2025

Background
This study analyzed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Korean adults aged 19 and older over the past 15 years.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2007 to 2022 was conducted. The study included 87,397 subjects. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) III and the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KOSSO) criteria.
Results
MetS prevalence increased from 22.8% in 2007 to 28.6% in 2022 but showed sex differences, with males increasing (24.5–36.8%) and females decreasing (20.6–19.5%). Among the components of MetS, hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity showed the most significant increases (1.51-fold and 1.29-fold, respectively). While hyperglycemia increased in all age groups, abdominal obesity increased most in males aged 30–39 (1.98-fold) and 19–29 (1.81-fold). Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was the only component that decreased (0.62-fold) and was more prevalent among females. In the sub-analysis of those aged 65 and older, MetS increased in both males and females but was more prevalent in females. Individuals with MetS had higher rates of current smoking, heavy drinking, physical inactivity, and carbohydrate consumption.
Conclusions
The prevalence of MetS is gradually increasing in Korea, and hyperglycemia and abdominal obesity are rapidly increasing, especially in younger males. Although the prevalence of MetS in females is decreasing due to changes in the social environment, continuous efforts are needed for postmenopausal females. Targeted health policies and interventions should be established.
Association between visceral fat indices and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Aydogdu Nesibe , Karakeci Emel Sabaz
Published: February 2025

Aim: To examines the relationship between visceral fat indices (Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Lipid Accumulation Product (LAP), and Atherogenic Plasma Index (AIP)) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
Method: We conducted a retrospective screening of patients who had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at our hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. Among these patients, those who scored 12 or higher on the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale, along with a positive electromyography evaluation for neuropathy, were classified as Group 1. In contrast, patients with a negative electromyography evaluation were classified as Group 2. We then compared the visceral fat indices between these two groups.
Results: Our data shows that patients who developed DPN, indicated by a positive electromyography, had statistically significant higher values for body mass index, AIP, VAI and LAP compared to those without DPN, marked by a negative electromyography.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that monitoring visceral fat, in addition to traditional glycemic control, may help in the early detection and risk assessment of DPN in patients with T2DM. However, larger prospective studies are needed to validate these results and to gain a deeper understanding of the complex relationship among lipid metabolism, visceral fat, and DPN.
Dynamic Evaluation of Air Pollution in Ahvaz: Source Apportionment, SWOT-AHP Analysis, and Innovative Control Strategies
Authors: Jahedi Faezeh , Fard Neamatollah Jaafarzadeh Haghighi , Lahijanzadeh Ahmadreza , Khaksar Elham , Kaabi Helena , Rostami Soqra , shenavar Bamshad , Karimi Sirous
Published: February 2025

Background: Air pollution significantly impacts global health, contributing to approximately 3.7 million premature deaths annually. Ahvaz, as one of the most polluted cities in the world, experiences severe air pollution due to urbanization, industrial expansion, and transportation. This study aims to identify pollution sources, evaluate their impact through a hybrid SWOT-AHP analysis, and propose innovative air quality management strategies based on global best practices.
Methods: A combination of emission inventory analysis, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, and a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach was applied to assess key pollution sources. SWOT analysis was integrated with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize effective interventions for air quality improvement. Comparative analysis was conducted with cities such as Beijing, New Delhi, and Los Angeles to benchmark pollution control measures.
Results: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) were identified as the most emitted pollutants in central Ahvaz, reaching 392 tons annually. Other major pollutants included carbon monoxide (CO) (89 tons/year), suspended particles (87 tons/year), and hydrocarbons (34 tons/year). The Ramin Power Plant accounted for 54% of SO2 emissions, while oil industries contributed to 82% of total pollutants. The hybrid SWOT-AHP analysis ranked "Implementing an advanced air pollution monitoring system and smart traffic management" as the most effective strategy. Benchmarking with other global cities revealed that implementing low-emission zones and transitioning to cleaner fuels significantly reduced air pollution levels. The AHP analysis prioritized strategies as Smart Monitoring System (46.7%) - The most effective approach, emphasizing real-time pollution tracking and traffic optimization. next Clean Fuel Transition (27.7%) - Reducing emissions by shifting industries and vehicles to low-emission fuels. Low-Emission Zones (16.0%) - Establishing restricted zones to control vehicular pollution.and Urban Green Infrastructure (9.5%) - Expanding green spaces to enhance air quality.
Conclusion: Strategic investments in pollution control technologies, combined with policy interventions such as emissions-based congestion pricing and green infrastructure expansion, are crucial for mitigating pollution in Ahvaz. The SWOT-AHP framework provided a structured approach to prioritizing actionable environmental management strategies based on feasibility and effectiveness.
EEG Channel Selection Based on Time–Frequency Hellinger Distance
Authors: Lee Seungjun
Published: February 2025

This paper presents a novel method for EEG channel selection based on the Hellinger Distance (HD) computed over time–frequency representations (TFRs). Here, we first convert raw EEG into the time–frequency domain using Short-Time Fourier Transform (STFT) and Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT). Leveraging Hellinger Distance, we then identify and remove outlier epochs via a z-score threshold, and rank and select the most discriminative channels by measuring how well each channel’s TFR distributions separate different classes.
Our empirical evaluation uses the BCI Competition IVa dataset to compare the proposed HD-based approach (HD-CSP) against multiple variants of the Common Spatial Pattern algorithm, including standard CSP, L1 Norm CSP, SCSP, FBCSP, and E-CSP. Results indicate that HD-CSP consistently outperforms competing methods in all tested configurations, achieving notably high classification accuracy even when the number of channels is severely restricted. In particular, HD-CSP reaches around 70\% accuracy with only three channels, while other approaches suffer significant performance drops. As the number of channels increases, HD-CSP maintains its superior accuracy, exceeding 80% in some configurations.
Overall, the proposed method is superior on performance gains and ability to adapt to diverse channel configurations suggest broad applicability, especially in resource-constrained EEG settings where efficiency and accuracy are both priorities.
Microstructure simulation to predict the influence of particle properties on permeability of porous media
Authors: Gleiß Marco , Wendling Paul , Curtis Jennifer Sinclair , Nirschl Hermann
Published: February 2025

This work investigates the influence of particle shape and particle roughness on the flow behavior of porous structures using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The developed framework includes the generation of particle packings with LIGGGHTS using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) and the subsequent analysis of the pore space in terms of porosity and specific surface area. CFD is then applied to analyze the flow through the pore space at a Reynolds number of Re=1. In the post-processing, the permeability of the porous structure is derived and a significant influence of the particle shape and roughness on the permeability and porosity can be seen. In the end, a comparative analysis of simulations and analytical models based on Ergun and Carman-Kozeny is conducted. The study reveals that the Carman-Kozeny approach exhibits a remarkable capacity to replicate the influence of particle shape and roughness, while the Ergun approach demonstrates a more limited suitability for describing the influence of shape and roughness.
A Cognitive-Based Intervention for Enhancing Pragmatic and Inferential Reading Processing for HFASD Young Adults: A Study Proposal
Authors: Yusuf Nermin
Published: February 2025

While individuals with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD) often demonstrate adequate decoding skills, they frequently encounter difficulties with pragmatics, inferencing skills, and reading comprehension, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. This two-phase study investigates a comprehensive skill set of pragmatic and inferential processing and underlying mechanisms in reading for young adults with HFASD, and develops a tailored cognitive intervention to address identified challenges. Phase one will explore these difficulties by collecting both offline and online data. Offline data will be gathered using a purposefully developed Pragmatic and Inferential Reading Assessment (PIRA), while online data will be collected via eye-tracking to examine real-time reading processes. Additionally, HFASD will complete assessments of Theory of Mind (ToM), Working Memory (WM), Central Coherence (CC), and Inhibitory Control (IC) to investigate the cognitive mechanisms underlying pragmatic and inferential reading comprehension; HFASD performance will be compared to another group of individuals with sub-autistic traits (IWS-AT) to offer insight into the relationship between symptom severity and the identified challenges. Based on the findings of phase one, phase two will involve the development and implementation of a cognitive-based language intervention incorporating computerized gamified activities. The intervention's effectiveness on pragmatic and inferential reading skills for HFASD compared to IWS-AT and controls will be evaluated to assess both within-group and between-group changes. It is speculated that the developed cognitive-based intervention will have the potential to enhance pragmatic and inferential reading processing, offering substantial benefits to educational and therapeutic practices.
Rainfall variability and trends in western Amhara: implication for sustainable water management and agricultural productivity
Authors: Asaye Tilahun Sewagegn , Amare Zerihun Yohannes , Geremew Belayneh Birku , Abebe Mekonen Getachew
Published: February 2025

Currently, climate change is one of the major challenges facing the global population. Rainfall variability and its unpredictable trends pose significant challenges to water resource management and agricultural productivity in western Amhara, Ethiopia. This study investigated the spatial distribution and temporal trends of rainfall using time-series rainfall data from the Enhancing National Climate Services (ENACTS) from 1991 to 2020. Rainfall variability was assessed using the coefficient of variation, precipitation concentration index (PCI), and standardized anomaly index (SAI). Mann-Kendall and Sen's slope estimator tests were also employed for rainfall trend analysis. The results show that high annual rainfall occurred during the Kiremt (wet) season, and high rainfall variability occurred during the Bega (dry) season in all rainfall grid points over the study area. SAI also witnessed the presence of inter-annual variability of rainfall with negative and positive anomalies in 46.7 and 53.3% of the reference years, respectively. Trend analysis results showed an overall non-significant increasing trend in the annual and seasonal rainfall (except Bega) during the study period. Hence, this study provides information about the spatial distribution of rainfall at different timescales, and it is crucial for water resource planners and design professionals in urban drainage, bridges, dams, and agricultural sectors.
CRAWLER-MOUNTED ROTARY COMBINE HARVESTER
Authors:   Priamursky State University Named after Sholom-Aleikhem, Kandelya M.V. , Kandelya N. M. ,   Government of the Jewish Autonomous Region, Zemlyak V. L. ,   Priamursky State University Named after Sholom-Aleikhem, Bumbar I. V. ,   Far Eastern State Agrarian University
Published: February 2025

The article considers the variant of the patented design of crawler-mounted rotary combine
harvester that contains motor set, grain header with reel, cutterbar and auger, rotary threshing and
separating device with tangential feed of grain mass, with conveying elevator for grain heap transportation, with charging device, straw shredder and self-offtaking device all mounted on the front
part of the threshing machine having fan-grid cleaning device, shuttle board, top and bottom sieves,
fan and grain board, elevator for transporting tailings, finish threshing device, grain hopper mounted
on the frame of the crawler truck under shuttle board, chaff packing device with a tray and funnel, on
the outer part of which there is a plastic bag, fixed to collect chaff and small straw impurities, mounted
on polystyrene tape fixed at one end to the rear part of the frame of the caterpillar truck, the free end
of which rests on the ground. Rotary threshing and separating device with tangential feed of grain
mass is mounted and rigidly fixed to the frame of the caterpillar truck at the front of it and in parallel
with the header cutterbar, and between the header and the rotary threshing-separating device there is
grain mass transporter with the feed rollers, besides there is a header-balancing mechanism of levers
and sets of springs set on the framework of the grain mass transporter. The charging device of the
conveying elevator used for grain heap transportation is made in the form of a distribution screw
installed inside the thresher over the shuttle board, while the distribution screw of the charging device
has a two-way spiral tape. Along the whole width of the funnel in parallel with each other there are
two rollers of the same diameter, with possibility of rotation towards each other with identical speed.
The agency of mathematics clubs as panacea for efficacious pedagogical praxis: A grade 3 case study
Authors: Hebe Headman , Hebe Gasenakeletso
Published: February 2025

Mathematics is, universally, considered the heartbeat of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) education. Accordingly, the learners must be equipped with strong mathematical proficiency very early in life. This behoves mathematics practitioners to use various impactful pedagogical strategies. The bigger action research from which this paper derives investigated, through the use of qualitative and quantitative approaches, the potential of mathematics clubs as a strategy to improve learner performance in early childhood education (ECE).  Since there is already a published report on the bigger study, this paper focuses only on teasing out the factors that enabled the success of the maths clubs which participated in this study. The current study is essential because the literature reviewed underscores a paucity of research that focuses on factors enabling the efficacy of maths clubs. This  qualitative study relied on interviews with participant-teachers and observations by the field researcher. Vygotsky’s sociocultural framework and the Appreciative Inquiry model underpinned and guided the study. The findings of this study indicate the following as efficacy-enablers in maths clubs:  play-based pedagogy, code-switching, the use of real-life scenarios in pedagogy, learner independence in problem-solving, participant collaboration and small classroom sizes. The study advocates for more research on factors enabling effectiveness in maths clubs and challenges policy decision-makers to transform everyday classroom settings to model mathematics clubs scenarios.