bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Code-switching in EFL Classroom Settings: A Review from Teachers’ and Students’ Outlook
Authors: Fauzi Iwan
Published: November 2024

The use of code-switching in English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) classrooms has considerably occupied serious discussions. Most language researchers consider whether to use only the target language exclusively or to use it alongside the first language in foreign language classrooms. This paper reviews 15 empirical studies investigating code-switching in different EFL classroom settings and cultures regarding English as a second and foreign languages. There are three main things that this paper wants to seek for the answer from those studies viewed from teachers’ and students’ outlooks; those are the perception, the function, and the strategy to generate learning success from code-switching. The results show that code-switching provides the chance for the lower proficiency level of English learners to feel secure in expressing what they want to speak, but not for those who belong to high proficiency level ones. Besides, code-switching tends to function as classroom management, but the over-functioning of code-switching in the EFL classroom can only hinder learners from receiving comprehensible input of English. Of all, the most important highlight from this paper is that the more the mother tongue is used the worse the success of learning English.
An Ethnography Case Study on Reading Habit of One Selected EFL Learner
Authors: Arrasyid Farouk Imam , Williyan Aldha , Putri Aprilia Riyana , Muzakki Muhammad Alie
Published: November 2024

This ethnographic case study delves into the intricate reading habits of a fifth-semester EFL learner, exploring the multifaceted dynamics of her engagement with both fiction and non-fiction literature. The research unfolds the pivotal role of early exposure to reading, fostered by parental encouragement, in shaping a lifelong commitment to literary pursuits. The participant's diverse reading practices, encompassing print and e-books, reflect a nuanced approach to language acquisition and vocabulary enrichment. The study reveals a positive correlation between extensive reading habits and academic performance, particularly in TOEFL reading comprehension and overall language proficiency. The participant's transition from composing stories in Indonesian to writing in English, coupled with the abandonment of subtitles while engaging with English media, underscores the transformative impact of sustained reading habits on language skills. This research not only enhances the understanding of individual reading behaviors but also emphasizes broader implications for language development, academic success, and the cultivation of writing skills.  Further research should investigate the unique impacts of different genres on language acquisition, the influence of digital platforms on reading behaviors, and how reading intersects with socioeconomic and cultural factors. A longitudinal study tracking individuals from infancy to adulthood might uncover the long-term impacts of early literacy. Further investigation is required to explore the impact of personalized reading programs in EFL courses on language proficiency and academic performance. Further research in this field can potentially enhance EFL teaching and overall progress.
“I Can Know More Vocabularies and Their Meanings”: EFL Students’ Perceptions on the Impact of English Translation of Islamic Verses on Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition in English Lessons about Nature
Authors: Saiful Jepri Ali
Published: November 2024

There is a paucity of knowledge on the use of Islamic holy references in English on learners’ Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition (IVA). This study aimed to investigate English students’ perceptions regarding the use of English translations of Islamic verses related to nature on students’ IVA. The study involved 77 senior high school students, consisting of 48 females and 29 males, from three schools in Surabaya and Pemalang, Indonesia. A case study design was employed, incorporating quantitative and qualitative data. Closed and open-ended questionnaires were the instruments, and the data were analyzed through descriptive methods and content analysis. The integrated findings showed that students viewed the potential effectiveness of English verses from the Qur’an and Sunnah in developing their understanding of IVA, Islam, and nature. Moreover, they expressed satisfaction with this approach to learning. In conclusion, students perceive that English verses from Islamic references offer significant benefits for their IVA.
Designing Communicative Competence-Based English as a Foreign Language Curriculum Development in Integrated Islamic Elementary Schools
Authors: Amalia Taranindya Zulhi , Susanti Rini Dwi
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the implementation and design of English language curriculum development based on communicative competence in integrated Islamic primary schools. The data was taken from interviews, observation, and documentation techniques. The findings indicated that other parties, including the Olympic and competition procurement institutions, were involved in the development of the English language curriculum. English language teachers construct lesson plans under the supervision of the principal, guaranteeing fair execution. The Language Festival is a new design for developing communicative competence at the elementary school level through mentoring subject teachers as well as support from the school and parents.  It is designed to demonstrate the richness and diversity of language and instruct and enlighten individuals interested in languages and cultures about the languages spoken worldwide. This kind of external institution involvement is important to increase students' enthusiasm in primary school. The challenges include adapting face-to-face and remote curriculums, internet networks, and school manual content. They are solved by maintaining qualifying time allotments, partnering with language experts, leveraging asynchronous media, updating handbooks, and training for teachers.
Novel Index for Structural Demolition Efficiency
Authors: Adel Mohamed , Eraky Atef , Samir Rania , Salama Abdallah
Published: November 2024

The demolition process is just as important as the construction process when the building's life span comes to an end, or if there are construction or soil issues. Although there are various traditional and non-traditional demolition methods used to demolish different structures in various scenarios, there are no criteria or indicators to evaluate the efficiency of demolition methods or scenarios. Thus, an indicator is defined in this research to determine whether the demolition scenario is the optimal one. The use of this indicator provides the selection of appropriate values for parameters that control the demolition process, such as delay time, the columns to be blown up, and the collapse mechanism. The proposed indicator relies on the maximum distance of debris, which is crucial for determining the safe zone during the demolition process. To pronounce the benefit of using this indicator, it is calculated for a real-case explosive demolition radio mast with a height of 220 m and for a tall building consisting of 15 floors by using extreme loading for structures software (ELS) that uses the Applied Element Method (AEM). The delay time parameter is studied in this research to show its effect on demolition efficiency. It is found that a suggested demolition scenario for the mast tower is better than the real demolition by thirteen times, and for the multi-story building demolition, it is found that the optimum value of delay time is 0.3 sec.
Artificial Intelligence for Body Composition Assessment Focusing on Sarcopenia
Authors: Onishi Sachiyo , Kuwahara Takamichi , Tajika Masahiro , Tanaka Tsutomu , Yamada Keisaku , Shimizu Masahito , Niwa Yasumasa , Yamaguchi Rui
Published: November 2024

Background
This study aimed to address the limitations of conventional methods for measuring skeletal muscle mass for sarcopenia diagnosis by introducing an artificial intelligence (AI) system for direct Computed Tomography (CT) analysis. The primary focus was on enhancing simplicity, reproducibility, and convenience, and assessing the accuracy and speed of AI compared with conventional methods.
Methods
A cohort of 3096 cases undergoing CT imaging up to the third lumbar (L3) level between 2011 and 2021 were included. Random division into preprocessing and sarcopenia cohorts was performed, with further random splits into training and validation cohorts for BMI_AI and Body_AI creation. Sarcopenia_AI utilizes the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI), which is calculated as (total skeletal muscle area at L3)2 / (height). The SMI was conventionally measured twice, with the first as the AI label reference and the second for comparison. Agreement and diagnostic change rates were calculated. Three groups were randomly assigned and 10 images before and after L3 were collected for each case. AI models for body region detection (Deeplabv3) and sarcopenia diagnosis (EfficientNetV2-XL) were trained on a supercomputer, and their abilities and speed per image were evaluated.
Results
The conventional method showed a low agreement rate (κ coefficient) of 0.478 for the test cohort and 0.236 for the validation cohort, with diagnostic changes in 43% of cases. Conversely, the AI consistently produced identical results after two measurements. The AI demonstrated robust body region detection ability (intersection over Union (IoU) = 0.93), accurately detecting only the body region in all images. The AI for sarcopenia diagnosis exhibited high accuracy, with a sensitivity of 82.3%, specificity of 98.1%, and a positive predictive value of 89.5%.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the reproducibility of the conventional method for sarcopenia diagnosis was low. The developed sarcopenia diagnostic AI, with its high positive predictive value and convenient diagnostic capabilities, is a promising alternative for addressing the shortcomings of conventional approaches.
Silver and titanium oxides coated on g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of mixture of Brilliant green-Congo red dyes and ciprofloxacin antibiotic under visible light irradiation
Authors: Prabakaran E. , Pillay K.
Published: November 2024

Silver and titanium oxides coated on a graphitic carbon nitride (Ag2O/TiO2/g-C3N4) nanocomposite was created by single-step thermal polymerization. The Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) methods, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), photoluminescence (PL), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were within the numerous techniques used to characterize this nanocomposite. Both the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum and the Tau plot indicated that the Ag2O/TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite had a lower electron-hole pair recombination rate and lower band gap energy. The Ag2O and TiO2 coating development on g-C3N4 was verified by TEM. The Ag2O/TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite was used in the photocatalytic degradation of a combination of the dyes namely Brilliant green (BG)-Congo red (CR) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic under visible light irradiation. According to the research, under visible light irradiation, the Ag2O/TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite photocatalytic activity simultaneously degraded a mixture of BG-CR dyes, with BG (93%) and CR (85%) degrading percentages in 70 minutes and CIP (82%) degrading in 120 minutes. Superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were primarily responsible for the degradation of BG and CR dyes under visible light irradiation, whereas holes and hydroxyl radicals were investigated as important oxidative species in the photocatalytic degradation of CIP utilizing Ag2O/TiO2/g-C3N4 nanocomposite.
Effect of Mig/mag Welding Energy on the Generation of Ultraviolet Radiation (Uva) in A36 Metal Structures, According to Occupational Hygiene Standards
Authors: Pontes Luis Felipe Furtado , Martins Waldemir dos Passos , de Meneses Valter Alves , Ferreira Rafael Pereira , Leal Valdemar Silva
Published: November 2024

Steel structures made of A36 steel have a great impact on the industrial sector due to their applicability in structures and components, from beams to columns and support bases. The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the arc welding process can be influenced by various factors. In order to determine the influence that the welding energy on metal structures can have on the increase of ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, this study conducted experiments with MIG/MAG welding under the conditions of three shielding gases: 100%CO2, 100% Ar, and the mixture Ar + 25%CO2, and measured the radiation emitted 86 cm from the source in the welder's breathing zone. The effective irradiance values obtained were compared with those of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The values found were in the range of 317 - 1226 μW/cm², which are higher than the ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation levels allowed by the ACGIH. UVA levels were significantly affected by the inert gases used. The effective irradiance showed variations with welding energy, with greater proportional influences for the 100%CO2 gas compared to the other gases in the study.
Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia in European and Indian subcontinent descendent newborns: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Simões João Ferreira , Simão Margarida , Rocha Paula , Ferreira Sara , Perry Rosário , Amaral Diana , Costa Beatriz , Coelho Mário
Published: November 2024

Purpose
Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia is more common in Asian-descendent populations but differences in disease severity are poorly reported. Our study aimed to compare neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia severity between European and Indian subcontinent descendent newborns.
Methods
We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study including newborns admitted with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (January 2016 to December 2021). Patients were followed during admission, comparing those with European ancestry (control group) and Indian subcontinent ancestry (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal) (study group). Primary outcome was severe hyperbilirubinemia (TSB > 25 mg/dL, phototherapy > 6 hours or need for exchange transfusion [ET]) and secondary was TSB levels. Adjusted analysis for potential confounding factors was performed using binary logistic regression models.
Results
Of 110 newborns included, 27 (24.5%) had Indian subcontinent ancestry. Occurrence of TSB > 25 mg/dL was significantly higher in the study group (22.2% vs 4.8%, p = 0.006), while no differences were noted in exposure to phototherapy > 6 hours and ET therapy. Logistic regression models for confounding factors adjustment showed Indian subcontinent ancestry as an independent risk factor for TSB > 25 mg/dL (OR 7.49, CI 95% [1.23–45.50]). The study group revealed also higher absolute values of TSB both at admission (22.0 mg/dL vs 19.6 mg/dL, p = 0.013) and discharge (13.6 mg/dL vs 11.4 mg/dL, p = 0.005).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that newborns with Indian subcontinent ancestry might show higher risk for development of severe hyperbilirubinemia compared to European ancestry newborns. Implementing earlier treatment thresholds in this subset of patients may help prevent severe hyperbilirubinemia.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Preventive Practices Towards Soil-Transmitted Helminthiases Among Teachers in Schools Implementing the Home-Grown School Feeding Program in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Obi Daniel Chukwuemeka , Nwazulu Blessing Hafizetu , Udeh Susan Chioma
Published: November 2024

Background
Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs) pose a significant health burden in low- and middle-income countries, particularly affecting school-aged children. Teachers play a crucial role in STH control efforts, but their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding STH prevention remain understudied. This research aimed to assess the KAP of primary school teachers involved in the Home-Grown School Feeding Program (HGSFP) in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria.
Methods
A cross-sectional study involving 108 primary school teachers from nine randomly selected schools in Enugu Metropolis was conducted from September 2023 to January 2024. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sociodemographic characteristics and KAP scores. Chi-square tests were employed to examine associations between teachers' characteristics and their KAP levels. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of good knowledge, attitudes, and practices, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. All analyses were conducted via SPSS version 22.
Results
The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 24.9/30, 26.9/30, and 29.5/39, respectively. The study revealed high levels of knowledge (69.4% good) and positive attitudes (77.8% good) towards STH among teachers, contrasting with lower levels of good preventive practices (27.8%). Age was significantly associated with both knowledge and practices, with younger teachers (25–34 years) demonstrating better knowledge (94.1% vs 56.4%, p = 0.018) and practices (52.9% vs 30.8%, p = 0.015) than older colleagues (≥ 45 years). Years of teaching experience significantly influenced attitudes, with teachers having 11–20 years of experience showing the most favourable attitudes (95.8% good, p = 0.030). Good knowledge was a significant predictor of both positive attitudes (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.01–6.94) and good practices (OR: 7.72, 95% CI: 5.66–35.9).
Conclusions
This study highlights a critical gap between teachers' knowledge and attitudes and their preventive practices regarding STH. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, particularly for older and more experienced teachers, to bridge this gap and improve STH prevention in schools. Comprehensive educational programs and practical skills development are recommended to increase STH control efforts in the region.
Ultra Low Loss Dual Microchannel Incorporated SPR Based PCF Sensor for Malaria Diagnosis
Authors: S Praveena , K Senthilnathan
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we present a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based photonic crystal fiber (PCF) sensor for diagnosing deadly malaria. The proposed structure adapts an external sensing scheme that enables the malaria parasite-infected blood sample to be detected easily. We have incorporated dual microchannel in our model to obtain high sensitivity by orienting the plasmonic layer closer to the core region. The flat surface of the microchannel is coated with a silver plasmonic metal and an overlayer of 2D material is coated onto the plasmonic layer. We compare the sensitivity obtained from the 2D MoS2 and graphene layer coating onto the silver layer. We find that MoS2 provides better sensitivity than the uncoated or graphene-coated models. Further, the number of layers of MoS2 has been optimized to be 5 layers of thickness 3.25 nm. After the set of parameters optimization, the proposed sensor exhibits the maximum sensitivities of 7758 nm/RIU, 9210 nm/RIU, and 12,428 nm/RIU, with the maximum spectral resolution of 1.29× 10− 5, 1.09× 10− 5, 8.04× 10− 6 RIU for the schizont, trophozoite, and ring phases, respectively. Besides, we also compute the amplitude sensitivities and they are 354.57, 387.71, and 339.34 RIU− 1 with the maximum amplitude resolution of 8.2× 10− 6,4.9× 10− 6, and 2.06× 10− 6 for the schizont, trophozoite, and ring phases, respectively. Further, we also investigate the other important characteristics of the proposed sensor such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), full-width half maximum (FWHM) of the peak, and figure of merit (FOM). In addition to the high sensitivity, the proposed structure also exhibits ultra-low loss for detection. Hence, it can be driven using a low-power source through which the experimental implementation is simplified. Thus, the numerical results corroborate that the proposed sensor is better than existing ones in terms of good sensing performance, cost-effective fabrication, and ultra-low power consumption.
Cryptotanshinone Alleviates Ischemic Retinopathy by Targeting Mitochondrial DNA- STING-NF-κB Axis-Mediated Microglia Activation
Authors: Qiu Wanlu , Zheng Zhihua , Wang Jiaojiao , Cai Youran , Zou Jiami , Yang Pinglian , Ye Weile , Jin Mei , Huang Ziqing , Zhang Dongmei , Zhou Qing , Liu Zhiping
Published: November 2024

Pathological retinal angiogenesis is a major cause of vision impairment and blindness. The development of pathological angiogenesis in ischemic retinopathy is linked to oxidative stress and dysregulated inflammatory response, in which microglia play a vital role. Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a bioactive compound found in Salvia miltiorrhiza, demonstrates protective characteristics such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, it might influence abnormal retinal angiogenesis, the pathophysiological mechanisms of which are yet not well known. Overactivation of the stimulator of interferon genes (STING), a DNA-sensing adaptor protein, in microglia is a critical mechanism in ischemic retinopathy. Here, we showed that CTS treatment substantially reduced microglial activation and pathological retinal angiogenesis in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). The integration of network pharmacology, bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing analyses, and verifying experiments revealed a strong association between the suppression of the STING pathway in microglia and the protective effect of CTS on ischemic retinopathy. Mechanistically, firstly, CTS suppressed the release of cytosolic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a causative factor for STING activation, by suppressing mitochondrial ROS-induced mitochondrial damage. Secondly, CTS inhibited STING’s translocation from the ER to the Golgi and subsequent activation of the downstream TBK1-NF-κB pathway by binding to its Ser162 site. Finally, CTS accelerated lysosome-mediated STING protein degradation by improving lysosomal function. Intriguingly, the inhibitory effects of CTS on microglial activation and retinal neovascularization were eliminated by STING activation. Furthermore, CTS treatment did not provide further protection in Sting deficient (Sting−/−) OIR mice. Collectively, our study indicated that CTS, a natural inhibitor of STING, alleviated ischemic retinopathy by inhibiting the mtDNA-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway via multifaceted mechanisms in microglia.
Insulator defect detection algorithm based on adaptive feature fusion and lightweight YOLOv5s
Authors: He Zhendong , Wang Yiming , Zou Yunxuan , Liu Jie , Zheng Anping
Published: November 2024

In power line inspections, detecting insulator defects is critical due to the potential breakdown and damage resulting from long-term exposure to the natural environment. However, challenges persist in practical detection processes, such as scarce insulator defect images, difficulty detecting minor defects, and high memory consumption of deep learning models. We propose an insulator defect detection algorithm based on adaptive feature fusion and the lightweight YOLOv5s model to address these issues. First, we enhance the existing dataset by employing techniques like flipping, random pixel manipulation, noise addition, and contrast/brightness adjustments to increase the diversity of training samples. Next, we integrate the adaptive feature fusion (ASFF) module to enable the network to learn relationships between different feature maps, enhancing semantic information and improving the network's ability to detect minor defects. Finally, we replace the backbone of YOLOv5s with the lightweight convolutional neural network EfficientNet, making the network more efficient and enabling it to focus more on target features. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in insulator defect detection. The model achieves an accuracy rate of 96.4%, a recall rate of 96.1%, and an mAP of 97.6%, effectively enhancing network performance.
Ten minutes of oropharyngeal exercise improves the apnoea‒hypopnoea index values in patients with mild-to-moderate sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Nagano Tatsuya , Hashimoto Masashi , Izumi Shintaro , Hata Yoshinori , Tsuji Miyako , Morota Kazuko , Hata Ayumi , Kobayashi Keiichi
Published: November 2024

Background
Previously reported oropharyngeal exercises are long and difficult to perform. Therefore, we created a 10-minute daily oropharyngeal exercise program and conducted a study to confirm its effectiveness.
Methods
Twenty-five participants whose apnoea‒hypopnoea index (AHI) values were greater than 5 were enrolled. All of the participants performed 10 minutes of exercise per day for 12 weeks and were evaluated for AHI values, tongue pressure, lip closure pressure, snoring, and Mallampati scores before and after the exercise.
Results
Twenty-two participants (88% of all participants) completed the oropharyngeal exercise. Another patient was unable to attend the last evaluation session due to illness. The AHI value improved significantly from an average of 20.9 times/hour to 16.9 times/hour in patients with a pre-exercise AHI of 5 to 30 (P = 0.0317). The AHI improvement group included younger participants than did the AHI deterioration group (P = 0.0498). Although the tongue pressures in the AHI improvement group did not improve significantly (P = 0.354), the lip closure pressures tended to increase from a mean of 18.8 N to 20.7 N with oropharyngeal exercises (P = 0.0677).
Conclusion
This novel oropharyngeal exercise may be appropriate for younger SAS patients with an AHI less than 30.
MRI findings for the pretreatment diagnosis of small Meckel’s cave tumors: Comparison of meningiomas and schwannomas
Authors: Tu Yuan-Yu , Wu Hsin-Wei , Hsueh Fu-Sheng , Tai Wei-An , Yu Kai-Wei , Wu Chia-Hung , Lin Te-Ming , Yang Tsung-Han , Chen Shu-Ting , Chang Feng-Chi
Published: November 2024

Background
Both meningiomas and schwannomas are the most common Meckel's cave (MC) tumors in terms of distinct imaging features. When they are small, they may present with similar imaging characteristics that make their diagnosis difficult. The aim of this study was to diagnose small meningiomas and schwannomas of the MC on the basis of their clinical and MRI findings.
Methods
The clinical data of 33 patients who were diagnosed with small MC tumors (SMCTs) (17 schwannomas, 16 meningiomas) between August 2002 and August 2023 were retrospectively evaluated. SMCTs were defined as MC tumors that were less than 3 cm in size. We analyzed their clinical and MRI findings, including demographic features, lesion morphologies and changes in adjacent structures.
Results
The rate of subtotal resection of meningiomas less than 3 cm in size was significantly lower than that of schwannomas less than 3 cm in size (43.8% vs. 100%, p = 0.032). The MRI features of meningiomas and schwannomas were as follows: 1) a prominent dura tail sign (8/16 [50%] vs. 0/17 [0%], p < 0.001); 2) few cystic components (0/16 [0%] vs. 9/17 [52.94%], p < 0.001); 3) lower minimum ADC (ADCmin) values (820.575 ± 302.545 [86.1–1144.4] vs. 1372.424 ± 561.337 [355.7–2616.6], p < 0.001); and 4) minimal ipsilateral masticatory muscle atrophy (-6.71% ± 22.43% [-85.71%~13.79%] vs. 11.24% ± 11.98% [-14%~38%], p < 0.001). Very small MC tumors (VSMCTs) were ≤ 2 cm in size, and the subgroup analysis of very small meningiomas and schwannomas revealed no differences in terms of ipsilateral masticatory muscle atrophy (p = 0.078), prominence of the dural tail (p = 0.236), or the presence of cystic components (p = 0. 364). However, the ADCmin values were significantly lower for very small meningiomas than for very small schwannomas (p = 0.009).
Conclusion
Meningiomas less than 3 cm in size can be differentiated from schwannomas of the same size on the basis of MRI features indicative of significant masticatory muscle atrophy such as a prominent dural tail appearance and the presence of cystic components. The ADC and DWI parameters provided additional critical insights, particularly for VSMCTs, thus facilitating preoperative diagnoses.
Combining Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Principal Differences between Osteopenia, Osteoporosis and Healthy Controls
Authors: Tan Bing , Cheng Yan , Li Junfeng , Zheng Yuhao , Xiao Cong , Guo Haoning , Wang Bing , Ouyang Jianyuan , Wang Wenmin , Wang Jisheng
Published: November 2024

Backgound: Osteopenia (ON) and osteoporosis (OP) are highly prevalent among postmenopausal women and poses a challenge for early diagnosis. Therefore, identifying reliable biomarkers for early prediction using metabolomics is critically important. Methods: Initially, non-targeted metabolomics was utilized to identify plasma metabolites in healthy controls (HC), ON, and OP groups, aiming to find differential metabolites among these groups. Subsequently, key metabolites were validated through targeted metabolomics in an external cohort. Results: Initially, the non-targeted metabolomic analysis revealed an increase in differential metabolites with the progression of the disease, showing abnormalities in lipid and organic acid metabolism in ON and OP patients. Several substances were found to correlate positively or negatively with bone mineral density (BMD), for example, N-undecanoylglycine, sphingomyelins, and phosphatidylinositols exhibited positive correlations with BMD, while acetic acid, phenylalanine, taurine, inosine, and pyruvic acid showed negative correlations with BMD. Subsequently, targeted validation of 37 amino acids and their metabolites revealed six amino acids related to ON and OP. Conclusion: Significant metabolomic features were identified between HC and patients with ON/OP, with multiple metabolites correlating positively or negatively with BMD. Integrating both targeted and non-targeted metabolomic results suggests that lipid, organic acid, and amino acid metabolism may represent important metabolomic characteristics of patients with OP, offering new insights into the development of metabolomic applications in OP.
Effect of welding heat input on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of welded joints of 1000MPa steel for hydropower engineering
Authors: Bu Qiuju , Wang Fan , Gao Xiuhua , Feng Guoqing , Chang Zhiyong , Chen Xincheng
Published: November 2024

Gas metal arc welding experiments were carried out on 1000MPa hydropower steel with different welding heat inputs. The changing laws of microstructure, hardness, strength and toughness of welded joints of 1000MPa hydropower steel under different heat inputs were studied. The highest hardness of the experimental steel under different conditions was measured through the highest hardness experiment. The results show that with the increase of heat input and the preheating of the specimen at 100℃, the hardness of the heat affected zone decreases to some extent, and the width of the heat affected zone increases, which reduces the crack sensitivity. There are a large number of inclusions in the weld metal (WM), some of which are particles for heterogeneous nucleation of acicular ferrite (AF). With the increase of heat input, the AF of WM structure is coarse, the content of granular bainite (GB) increases, the proportion of high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs) in WM structure decreases gradually, and the kernel average misorientation (KAM) value decreases. Because of the high temperature, the microstructure in the coarse grain heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) is lath bainite (LB) and GB, and the recrystallization of GB in the fine grain heat-affected zone (FGHAZ) is beneficial to the refinement of the original austenite grains. The diffusion of alloying elements near the fusion zone (FZ) and the GB phase transformation of FGHAZ lead to the decrease of microhardness. The mechanical properties of welded joints all meet the requirements of 1000MPa steel for hydropower station.
Local Corner Smoothing Based on Deep Learning for CNC Machine Tools
Authors: Jiang Bai , Sun Rong , Li Ze-long , Xu Liang , Liao Huang , Teng Xiao-yan , Li Bing
Published: November 2024

Most of toolpaths for machining is composed of series of short linear segments (G01 command), which limits the feedrate and machining quality. To generate a smooth machining path, a new optimization strategy is proposed to optimize the toolpath at the curvature level. First, the three essential components of optimization are introduced, and the local corner smoothness is converted into an optimization problem. The optimization challenge is then resolved by an intelligent optimization algorithm. Considering the influence of population size and computational resources on intelligent optimization algorithms, a deep learning algorithm, the Double-ResNet Local Smoothing (DRLS) algorithm, is proposed to further improve optimization efficiency. The First-Double-Local Smoothing (FDLS) algorithm is used to optimize the positions of NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) control points, and the Second-Double-Local Smoothing (SDLS) algorithm is employed to optimize the NURBS weights to generate a smoother toolpath, thus allowing the cutting tool to pass through each local corner at a higher feedrate during the machining process. In order to ensure machining quality, geometric constraints, drive condition constraints, and contour error constraints are taken into account during the feedrate planning process. Finally, three simulations are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Optimal Stone Density for Ablation Lithotripsy with Vapor Tunnel Ho:YAG Pulse Modality
Authors: Rico Luis , Blas Leandro , Banda Lorena , Pizzarello Javier , Contreras Pablo
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Vapor-Tunnel™ (VT) consists of a very long pulse that uses the minimum peak power, causing the energy to pass through a previously created vapor channel or tunnel. There are studies that have shown acceptable ablation lithotripsy efficiency. Nevertheless, there are no in-vivo studies that have compared the VT performance according to the stone density. Methods: A retrospective study of 152 patients who underwent RIRS using VT Ho:YAG laser was performed. We divided the patients according to the stone density (Group 1: <1000UH vs. Group 2: >1000UH). We assessed the lithotripsy efficiency (mm3/JJ) and the laser energy consumption (JJ/mm3). The stone-free rate (SFR) was defined as the absence of stone fragments in a non-contrast abdominal computed tomography 4-weeks after the procedure. Results: 93 patients were included in Group 1 and 59 in Group 2. Body mass index was higher in Group 1 and the median stone volume was higher in Group 2 (846 vs. 672mm3, p = 0.03). Total energy used (11.9 vs. 24 kj, p < 0.001), the laser emission time (19 vs. 30 min, p < 0.001), and the total operative time (60 vs. 85 min, p < 0.001) were lower in the Group 1. SFR was higher in Group 1 (96.7% vs. 57.6%, p < 0.001) with a global SFR of 81.6%. The ablation lithotripsy efficiency was higher in Group 1 (0.053 mm3/JJ vs. 0.035 mm3/JJ, p < 0.001). Conclusions: VT Ho:YAG was associated with decreased laser time, operative time and laser energy consumption in Group 1 than Group 2. Similarly, VT Ho:YAG increased lithotripsy efficiency and the SFR compared to hard stones with the same laser settings and pulse modality.
A Palette of Water Inventories Assembled across Nascent TRAPPIST-1 Analog Planets
Authors: Chen Howard , Clement Matthew , Wang Le , Gu Jesse
Published: November 2024

Compact multiplanet systems such as TRAPPIST-1 are attractive candidates for planet detection and follow-up atmospheric characterization efforts. By examining the evolution and fates of the neighboring worlds, these systems offer exciting opportunities for comparative exoplanetology. From a planetary habitability standpoint, it is still unclear whether such planets can accrete large quantities of volatiles, grow to sufficent mass, and maintain robust atmospheres and hydrospheres. Previous work predicting the possible water contents in M-dwarf planetary systems used either population synthesis or atmospheric-interior evolution models, but excluded the combined importance of different impact histories and impact ablation of light species. Here, we account for the simultaneous effects of impact delivery, impact erosion, and mantle-atmosphere exchange during secular collision events that are crucial in setting the mass and composition of the growing parent body. Specifically, we use a suite of N-body accretion integrations and a volatile growth model to calculate the accretion timeseries of all seven TRAPPIST-1 planets and their respective gaseous reservoirs. In contrast to previous work that neglected planetesimal impacts, we find much lower surface water inventories for the outer planets (planet e, f, g, h analogs) for both relatively volatile-depleted materials (i.e., down to $10^{-3}-0.1\%$ water mass fraction) and volatile-enriched (i.e., up to 5\%). Interestingly, we find that not all inner planets (planet b, c, d analogs) would remain dry, as around 30\% accretion histories give rise to inner planets with at least 1-10\% of Earth's total oceanic water budget.
More generally, our multi-stage modeling framework for tracking volatile accretion can be used to inform exoplanet interior models and to set the initial compositions of exoplanet atmosphere models. Our results, in conjunction with near-term observations of TRAPPIST-1 planets, may be able to help decipher the makeup and formation histories of their supposed planetary building blocks.
The study of inorganic absorber layers in perovskite solar cells: The influence of CdTe and CIGS incorporation
Authors: Santos Isaac Montoya de Los , Piedrahita Maykel Courel , Oliva Víctor Iván Moreno , Reyes Efraín Dueñas , Cruz Evelyn Díaz , Martínez Miguel Ojeda , Pérez Laura M. , Laroze David
Published: November 2024

The perovskite solar cell has been the subject of intense breakdown lately because of its exceptional efficiency. Nevertheless, they confront a significant challenge due to the absorber layer's (perovskite) sensitivity to oxygen and water, which can cause rapid material degradation and adversely affect the solar cell's performance. The commonly used organic hole transport layer (HTL), Spiro-OMeTAD, tends to degrade over time, exacerbating the issue. To address this challenge, two-stage research was conducted. Initially, the CH3NH3PbI3 thin film was experimentally prepared, and XRD analysis confirmed the material's satisfactory crystalline phase (tetragonal), with a crystal size of 73.9 nm. An energy band gap of 1.55 eV was obtained experimentally, demonstrating good correspondence with the literature. Then, perovskites with different crystal structures (cubic, tetragonal, and orthorhombic) were calculated by DFT. These calculations obtained energy band gaps with values of 1.5 eV for the cubic, 1.7 eV for the tetragonal, and 3.9 eV for the orthorhombic. Subsequently, a numerical simulation study using SCAPS was carried out to validate the theoretical performance of an experimental solar cell with Spiro-OMeTAD as the HTL. Also, a simulation without HTL was performed to highlight its importance. Finally, comparative studies were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using CdTe and CIGS as inorganic absorbing layers to replace Spiro-OMeTAD. The study found that the CIGS absorbent layer outperformed Spiro-OMeTAD and CdTe, achieving an efficiency of 15.67%. Additionally, a CIGS absorbent layer optimization study was conducted, returning various output parameter values, including an efficiency of 28.32%. This study recommends implementing a CIGS absorbent layer as HTL to replace Spiro-OMeTAD due to its superior performance and inorganic nature. This research represents a significant advancement in developing stable and efficient perovskite solar cells.
Human Moderation Behavior in the Use of Natural Resources and the Environment: Systematic Review
Authors: Salas-Zapata Walter , Mejía-Durango Diana
Published: November 2024

Rationality is one of the fundamental assumptions of economics. Under this assumption, there would not be reasons to assume that individuals will moderate the use of a natural resource or an ecosystem when access to them is free, so that the outcome is their depletion or deterioration. However, the economic literature also reports that people make decisions influenced by criteria that deviate from this assumption, although there are few references to the temperance or moderation in the use of nature or the environment. This systematic review describes the individual processes that lead people to moderate their use of nature or the environment when there are no access restrictions. We find thirteen studies on moderation behavior, where participants could use the environment or natural resources without restrictions. The results indicate that people may adopt moderation behavior under considerations other than utility maximization. Individuals may moderate the use of nature, or the environment driven by feelings of responsibility, ecological attitude, frugality, and self-efficacy, but also influenced by reference points such as goals, the actions of others, the state of the resource or ecosystem, and future consequences of their own actions. However, the relationship between this behavior and actual changes in consumption, resource status, or availability has been poorly studied.
JEL Classification Q01 Q20 Q57
Clinical and genomic profiling of a patient with a de novo ring chromosome 18: A case report highlighting autoimmune and neurological implications
Authors: Montanari Annalaura , Caforio Paola , Paparella Annalisa , Casieri Paola , Nuzzi Maria Cristina , Antonucci Maria Fatima , Catacchio Claudia Rita , Tampoia Marilina , Gentile Mattia , Bucci Roberta , Cecinati Valerio , Cellamare Angelo , Antonacci Francesca
Published: November 2024

Ring chromosome 18 (r(18)) is a rare chromosomal abnormality characterized by the circular rearrangement of chromosome 18, which presents significant challenges in genotype-phenotype correlations due to the variability in deletions across the 18p and 18q arms. We report the case of a pediatric patient with a de novo ring chromosome 18, diagnosed through karyotype and confirmed by high-resolution SNP array analysis. The patient exhibited pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) in the 18p11.32p11.22 and 18q23 regions, involving 36 and 10 OMIM genes, respectively. Clinically, the patient presented with hypothyroidism secondary to autoimmune thyroiditis, autoimmune hepatitis type II, and genetic predisposition to celiac disease and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) along with evident dysmorphic features. The 18q microdeletion encompasses the MBP gene, involved in the development and functionality of the nervous system, as supported by hypotonia and gliosis shown by the MRI. This case highlights the complex interplay between genetic imbalances on chromosome 18 and autoimmune phenotypes, emphasizing the need for ongoing research to elucidate underlying mechanisms and optimize clinical management for individuals with r(18).
Assessment of Occupational Hazards in midwifery setting and Factors Related to the Midwives' Quality of Work-Life: Multicenter Study in IRAN
Authors: Sharifi Nasibe , Fathnezhad-Kazemi Azita , Rezaei Nazanin , Yaralizadeh Masoumeh , PourMohammad Zahra
Published: November 2024

Background
Midwifery is one of the key professions in maintaining community health and is important in providing maternal and child healthcare. As a high-risk profession, it involves numerous occupational hazards and challenges that can affect the quality of work life. This study investigated the occupational hazards and factors related to midwives' quality of work life.
Method
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in Iran, involving midwives working in hospitals (teaching and non-teaching) and health centers. Sampling was done in multiple stages in two large cities, Tabriz and Ahvaz. All midwifery staff meeting the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Data were collected using a questionnaire, and the analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.
Results
Finally, the information of 580 participants was analyzed. The mean (± SD) age was 39.21 (± 9.09), with 83% of participants holding a bachelor's degree in midwifery, and the majority were hospital employees. The mean (± SD) occupational hazard score was 3.76 (± 0.87), with ergonomic and biological hazards having the highest mean scores, 4.22 and 4.10, respectively, making them the most significant occupational hazards. Preliminary results showed that the mean scores for job stress, job satisfaction, and quality of work life were 232.35 (high), 41.09 (moderate), and 95.34, respectively. In the regression model, job satisfaction, age, and work experience were significantly associated with quality of work life, with job satisfaction having the strongest influence (β = 0.376, P < 0.0013). As job satisfaction increased, the quality of work life also improved. However, work experience had a negative impact, indicating that as work experience increased, quality of work life decreased (β=-0.296, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Regular assessment of working conditions and the quality of work life is essential, and special attention should be paid to reducing occupational hazards. Given the high levels of job stress and dissatisfaction, there is a need for planning and policy-making to provide psychological support to manage stress, increase professional support, optimize the work environment, and manage physical demands.
Improving Social Media Sentiment Analysis with Swarm Intelligence Feature Selection and Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Singh Parminder , Dhyani Saurabh
Published: November 2024

In the rapidly evolving digital age, sentiment analysis is crucial for understanding consumer behavior on social media platforms. Advanced sentiment analysis techniques integrate swarm based feature selection strategy with deep learning approaches, enhancing emotion classification accuracy and contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: Infrastructure Innovation. In order to evaluate social media postings and movie reviews, the suggested ensemble model integrates advance strategy of feature selection with deep neural network architecture, making use of swarm-based feature selection and Long-Short Term memory Network (LSTM). Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) greatly increases the accuracy of emotion prediction by using it for feature selection. Rigorous evaluations validate the hybrid model, demonstrating significant improvements over traditional methods and achieving an impressive accuracy of 93.5%. This highlights its robustness in handling data challenges like sarcasm and ambiguity. The implementation advances sentiment analysis, offering comprehensive solutions that support economic and industrial growth, making it a valuable tool for modern data-driven decision-making.