bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing Gamified Learning Management Systems to Increase Student Engagement in Online Learning Environments
Authors:   Department of Educational Technology, Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia. He is also with the Department of Educational Technology, Universitas Veteran Bangun Nusantara, Indonesia, Subiyantoro Singgih , Degeng I Nyoman Sudana , Kuswandi Dedi , Ulfa Saida
Published: February 2024

Online learning has become a trend in today’s digital age. Accessibility, flexibility, a wide variety of learning resources, collaboration and communication, and the use of technology and innovation are reasons for the increasing popularity of online learning. However, student engagement is often low and requires innovative solutions to increase it. This study aims to develop and analyze the effectiveness of gamified Learning Management Systems (LMS) in increasing student engagement in online learning. The research method used is the ADDIE model, which consists of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The subjects of this study were students of one of the private universities in Indonesia who attended online lectures during the pandemic. Data collected using questionnaires, observation sheets, and interview guidelines were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that gamified Learning Management Systems (LMS) was able to increase student engagement in online learning. However, technical limitations and inadequate institutional support were barriers to implementing gamified LMSs. In conclusion, developing gamified LMS can be an effective alternative strategy to increase student engagement in online learning and positively influence their academic performance. Overall, this research contributes to the development of gamified LMS in Indonesia and provides insight into the effectiveness of gamification strategies in increasing student engagement in the online learning environment.
Computer Self-efficacy on Using Learning Management System: From the Lens of Undergraduate Students
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof DR HAMKA, Indonesia, Umam Khoerul
Published: February 2024

The development of technological shapes to support learning process both online and offline becoming more diverse to achieve the learning quality with ease, flexible and effective. Learning Management Systems (LMS) are examples of Internet-based technology that are commonly employed in developed countries. However, the number university using LMS as media learning support in developing countries such as Indonesia are limited Many factors both support and hinder the practical usage of LMS. As a result, the goal of the study was to assess the factors influencing the successful usage of LMS at the university using the Delone McLean model approach (D&M). This model was modified, and a broad factor called Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE) was introduced, which was tested using a questionnaire on 311 undergraduate students. Six hypotheses were tested, four of which were supported and two were rejected. Based on these findings, it concluded that this study had helped to modify the D&M model, which can improve the ability of students’ services in online learning and encourage students’ self-efficacy gradually.
Information Technologies in Restaurants in the City of Lima: Analysis of Strategic Variables
Authors:   Universidad de Lima, Lima, Perú, Quiroz-Flores Carlos Chirinos-Cuadros Martin Collao-Diaz Jose
Published: February 2024

This research was carried out with the purpose of conducting a prospective study to analyze the implementation of Information Technologies in restaurants in Lima. For this purpose, a search of various academic articles and journalistic articles was carried out to collect information to help structure the project and compose the problem, theoretical framework, and contextual framework. Then, for the identification of the variables to be analyzed, the first method that was implemented was to carry out a documentary review of the articles and classification in Variables of the restaurant subsector and variables related to information technologies; to complement the extracted variables, interviews were conducted with experts in the gastronomic sector who helped to validate the variables and made a recommendation of new ones that they considered important and could be taken into consideration for analysis; so they finally proceeded to rate them according to the level of dependence and influence of one against the others by means of a confrontation matrix. Finally, the MicMac software was used, where the weighted rating of each variable was entered, and the result was those key variables that have a high level of dependence and influence on the others and characterize the implementation of IT in restaurants.
Time Series and Machine Learning Hybrid Models for Food Condiment Demand Forecasting: A Case Study in Thailand
Authors:   Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand, Phumchusri Naragain
Published: February 2024

Food industry is one of the most important industries in Thailand. The case-study company is a condiment manufacturer that needs to efficiently manage and plan for their business. One of the most important issues is demand forecasting. The company should precisely forecast their product demands, which will be used for operation planning. This study proposes forecasting models for both short-term and long-term planning for the company’s main condiment products. The proposed models are time series, machine learning and hybrid forecasting models which will be compared with pure time series and machine learning methods. Unlike previous work, this study proposes an innovative hybrid model, i.e., Holt- Winters exponential smoothing and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving average hybrid with Artificial neural network, which has never been considered previously. The accuracy is measured by mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) where the results are also compared to the method currently used in the company. The results show hybrid forecasting model provides the lowest overall error for both short-term and long-term forecast. The most accurate model from this paper can provide MAPE of 2.07% from short-term forecast and MAPE of 2.20% for long-term forecast (6 months in advance). When comparing with the company’s existing MAPE of 20.05%, the proposed model can increase forecast accuracy effectively.
Enhancing Security via Speaker Recognition
Authors:   Department of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan, Khan Affaf
Published: February 2024

In this era of globalization, networking, and the bulk of the information they demand reliable identity verification is quintessential. An efficient means to do this is using biometrics as a method of identification. The current biometric method, voice biometrics, may be an inexpensive and precise confirmation technology widely utilized in recent decades. Voiceprint, human biological characteristics, possess unique physiognomic features for every individual who is difficult to counterfeit, imitate, and replace. As a non-contact identification technology, the users are accepting Voice Recognition Technology and extensively deployed in authentication and assisting systems. The procedure of recognizing or refusing the individuality claim of a user is established on the individual’s exclusive information present in the speech wave shape. Recently it received expanding interest in the past two decades, as an accessible, comprehensible way of substituting (supplementing) basic password-type matching.
Thermal performance of cocoa pod cook stove
Authors: PUTU SUSASTRIAWAN Anak Agung , PURWANTO Yuli , SIDHARTA Bambang Wahyu , SIOLIMBONA Noval
Published: February 2024

Indonesia produces approximately 550.000 ton/year of cocoa pod waste from chocolate indus-try. The waste has a good potential to be used as a biomass feedstock of a cook stove. How-ever, thermal performance of the conventional cook stove is low when using a high moisture content feedstock, such as a cocoa pod waste. In addition, conventional cook stove generates high pollutant when high moisture content feedstock is used. In other to encounter the prob-lems, the present work develops gasifier based cocoa pod cook stove and investigates thermal performance of the stove at various equivalence ratios. The data collection is performed by varying equivalence ratio at 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6. Temperature of the stove, flame image, flame temperature, and water temperature are collected and used to analyze the thermal perfor-mance (i.e. useful heat and thermal efficiency) of the stove. The results reveal that a waste of cocoa pod can be used as a feedstock of gasifier based cook stove. Maximum useful heat of 1337.6 kJ and maximum thermal efficiency of 3.5% are obtained at optimum equivalence ratio of 0.5. To improve performance of the stove, the cocoa pod waste should be sun dried to reduce its moisture content and the porous burner may be applied as a burner of the gasifier based cook stove in the future work.
Choledocholithiasis secondary to a remnant gallbladder post cholecystectomy more than 20 years ago
Authors: Sellars James N. , Green Ryan , Mouline Omar
Published: February 2024

Remnant gallbladders have been described following incomplete and sub-total cholecystectomy (TC) and have the potential to harbour gallstones and even produce new calculi over time. We present a case of choledocholithiasis in a patient with a remnant gallbladder following a presumed incomplete cholecystectomy more than 20 years prior.
Perforated mucinous diverticulitis of the appendix: a case report
Authors: Basa Matthew L. , Riddell Andrew
Published: February 2024

Acute right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain typically raises the suspicion of appendicitis and must be ruled out, as the treatment is primarily surgical. Other differentials, many of which are medically treated, ought to also be considered. Right sided diverticulitis, although uncommon, often mimics appendicitis due to its inflammatory nature and its location of pain. A 37-year-old woman with a history of recurrent right-sided diverticulitis presented with rapidly escalating RLQ pain. While appendicitis was a prime suspect, additional imaging was refused due to radiation concerns, hence clinical judgement had to be aptly applied. Facing diagnostic ambiguity, Hickam's dictum (seeking the most probable cause) pointed towards appendicitis, while Ockham's razor (favouring the simplest explanation) supported recurrent right sided diverticulitis. This uncertainty necessitated a definitive approach, weighing up the risks and benefits of medical vs surgical treatment for an unconfirmed pathology. To resolve the uncertainty, a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. Contrary to expectations, it revealed a perforated diverticulum of the appendix with a mucinous tip and free-floating mucin, making both leading differentials, that is, right sided diverticulitis and appendicitis, correct. We explore the diagnostic reasoning used in the case, including the anticipated management strategies and outcomes, if other differentials were encountered. This case aims to support clinicians in pursuing further investigations, or need be, a diagnostic laparoscopy, in order to prioritise patient safety, if clinical concern is present.
Assessment of awareness, attitude, knowledge and willingness for eye donation in undergraduate medical students
Authors: Sirisha Ramavath , C S Ranjitha , Babu G Suresh , S K Meghana , Anusha  , Saumya
Published: February 2024

To assess awareness, attitude, knowledge, and willingness towards eye donation in medical students.

This is a questionnaire based cross sectional survey on 750 undergraduate medical students at a tertiary eye care hospital. Each student was given questionnaire to assess the awareness, attitude knowledge and willingness towards eye donation. And the responses were analyzed.

Out of 750, 22% were 1 year, 21% were 2 year, 26% were 3 year, 20% final year and rest were interns. About 60% students were aware about the time of enucleation, and 40% were willing for pledging for eye donation.

Majority of students are aware and had good knowledge but need more motivation to pledge for eye donation. Medical students with good knowledge and attitude can help spread awareness in the community regarding the same.
Contaminación y pérdida de biodiversidad por actividades mineras y agropecuarias: estado del arte
Authors: Paredes-Vilca Oscar Junior , Jiménez Diaz Luis , Dávila García José , Apaza Cruz Jorge
Published: February 2024

The services provided from biodiversity and ecosystems are endangered by the various activities carried out by human. Among them, mining and agricultural activities have contributed to the loss of biodiversity and deterioration of ecosystems, however the damage generated by mining is overshadowed by the economic benefits it brings. Thus, the objective of this study was to compile scientific literature that helps to determine the way in which these activities harm biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as the negative effects that they trigger between them. To do this, original and review articles from the Web of science, Scopus and Scielo databases were used. The findings show that there is contamination with heavy metals, a product of mining and the use of agrochemicals by agricultural activity. However, there are negative externalities generated in a unidirectional manner, with agricultural production being subject to the damage caused by mining.
Nanosized two- and three-component Ru-based cathode catalysts
Authors:   Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of A. N. Frumkina of RAS, Bogdanovskaya V. A. , Tarasevich M. R. ,   Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of A. N. Frumkina of RAS, Sister V. G. ,   Moscow State University of Engineering Ecology, Yamchuk A. I. ,   Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of A. N. Frumkina of RAS, Logacheva N. M. ,   Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of A. N. Frumkina of RAS, Beketaeva L. A. ,   Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of A. N. Frumkina of RAS, Rybalka K. V. ,   Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry of A. N. Frumkina of RAS
Published: February 2024

Methods of synthesis were developed; nanosize two- and three-component Ru-based cathode catalysts RuM/C and RuMSe/C (М – Ni, Co, Fe, V) supported on carbon XC-72 were synthesized and analyzed. The effect of different precursors, metal ratio, synthesis conditions, and nature of the Fe-group metal on the catalytic system activity in the oxygen reduction reaction is studied. The studies were performed using the method of the rotating disk electrode (RDE) in 0.5M H2SO4 and at the temperature of 60°C. It is shown that catalysts form the following series according to their activity in the oxygen reduction reaction: RuCoSe/C>RuCo/C>RuFe/C>RuNi/C>RuV/C. Structural analysis of the RuCoSe/C catalyst demonstrated sufficiently homogeneous distribution of the metal phase particles across the support surface with an average particle size from 3 to 6 nm.
The electrodeposited Ni–P alloys as the hydrogen evolution reaction catalysts
Authors:   Voronezh State University, Dolgikh O. V. , Kravtsova Y. G. ,   Voronezh State University, Sotskaya N. V. ,   Voronezh State University, Sapronova L. V. ,   Voronezh State University, Vvedenskii A. V. ,   Voronezh State University
Published: February 2024

This paper is devoted to the investigation of main peculiarities of hydrogen evolution reaction on the electrodeposited Ni-P alloys in deaerated 0.05M H2SO4 solution. It was established that polarization decreases and the rate of HER increases significantly with rising of phosphorus content from 0 to 12.6 wt.%. The experimental data were interpreted from the point of structure and real surface area of the deposited coatings as well as reaction mechanism. It was shown that only coatings with low phosphorus content (up to 6%) are appeared to be catalitically active toward to HER. Acceleration of the reaction by the alloys enriched with non-metallic component is caused only by considerable surface growth.
Advantages and Challenges of CRISPR-Cas9 Applications in Animal Modeling: A Concise Review CRISPR-Cas9 Applications in Animal Modeling
Authors: Abdolmajid Ghasemian , Ensieh Nournia , Ghasem Nikfar , Maryam Kohansal , Mohammad Ghorbani , Afsaneh Salahi , Mojtaba Memariani
Published: February 2024

CRISPR is an extraordinarily powerful technique regulating any target gene across the genome with promising therapy intentions. CRISPR-Cas9 is a convenient tool for gene manipulation. Notwithstanding this, the broad consequence of human gene editing, particularly germinal genes, cannot be predicted. Firstly, once edited, the genes would be part of the human population for successive generations and may be impossible to remove from humanity; secondly, success is not guaranteed; thirdly, the fidelity of editing, as it could affect unrelated genes or unspecified segments of DNA; and last but not least, its influence on gene interaction, network, and signaling pathways could be difficult to be predicted. CRISPR-Cas9 mostly includes precise genome editing, rapidity and cost-effectiveness, creation of disease models, study of gene function, applications in gene therapy and translation research and wide diversity for species. The technique also ignited the moral and ethical concerns of scientific community.  Ethics and safety approval for gene modification in human cells is required by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH does not currently fund studies of CRISPR in human embryos and opposes the CRISPR utilization in germline cells because these alterations would be permanent and heritable. The technology has promised with the most profound implications for cancer therapy. Recent advances in CRISPR-based technology is redefining how cancer is studied and potentially improves anti-cancer therapies. One way to improve the technology is to use machine-learning approaches to comprehending CRISPR errors and predicting more specific edits and repairing outcomes.
Algorytmizacja przestrzeni internetowej
Authors: Szews Przemysław
Published: February 2024

The article tackles the problem of the existence of algorithms in selected services and the Internet websites. The interfacing of media is the starting point for this discourse, aimed at presenting the processes of automatisation in information distribution, the individualisation of messages, and profiling in websites. The threats resulting from dynamically developing enterprises aimed at providing the website user with artificial intelligence – in terms of both social networks and mobile applications – are explicated in detail. The examples presented in the article refer to Internet recommendation systems, e-mail applications, voice assistants, and mechanisms responsible for the functioning of social networks. Speculations on the algorithms omnipresent on the net lead us to reflect on how the journalist’s profession will be redefined in the future, since it seems that the role of the journalist will be to moderate discussion and select the themes to be discussed; it is quite likely, though, that the themes selected will be compiled by specialised software.
La defectuosa construcción del lawfare como mito en Brasil y Argentina: entre la pesadilla y el noble sueño de la neutralidad política en la justicia penal
Authors: Laise Luciano D.
Published: February 2024

La notoriedad que han adquirido los procesos penales contra personajes de la política hispanoparlante ha llevado a algunos a sostener que estamos ante un embate perverso contra líderes populares que se oponen a las agendas neoliberales del norte global. Frente a tal asunto, en este artículo pretendo reconstruir de manera sistemática la literatura especializada sobre el concepto de lawfare. Luego, esbozaré la naturaleza tanto mítica como falaciosa de muchas de las explicaciones e implicaciones sobre el llamado lawfare. A partir de esto se advertirán dos cuestiones relevantes: (i) el necesario respeto de las garantías procesales básicas para toda persona que resulta acusada de graves delitos de corrupción, y (ii) la inevitable dimensión política de la interpretación jurídica.
Evaluation of Desi Chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) Landraces for Heat Tolerance using Morpho-phenological Traits and Stress Tolerance Indices (STI)
Authors: Chetariya C.P. , Pithia M.S. , Delvadiya I.R. , Pheirim Reginah , Soharu Alka , Dubey Nidhi
Published: February 2024

Background: Chickpea is a globally important commercial crop and a key source of protein for vegetarian populations. Though chickpea was domesticated at least 3000 years ago, research into abiotic stress tolerance has been limited compared to cereals. Methods: An experiment was conducted with a set of seventy-one genotypes of Desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to isolate high temperature tolerant genotypes using randomized block design (RBD) under two different sowing conditions (normal and late/terminal heat stress) and two growing seasons (rabi-2017-18 and 2018-19) at the Pulses Research Station of Junagadh Agricultural University. The screening of heat tolerant genotypes was done based on nine morpho-phenological traits, stress tolerance indices and correlation amongst them. Result: The heat tolerant genotypes of chickpea had less percentage of reduction in numbers of pods, seed yield per plant and 100-seeds weight. Five genotypes viz., ICC 4958, ICC 14595, ICC 8318, GG 4 and ICCV 92944 were identified as highly heat tolerant on the basis of HSI and YSR. These tolerant genotypes and screening criteria’s can be of great importance to identify donor parents to develop new cultivars for the farmers growing chickpea in the heat prone regions.
The Occurrence, Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern and Multiple Drug Resistance Index Studies of E. coli from Fresh Meats in Marathwada Region of Maharashtra
Authors: Suryawanshi Rahul , Bhosale Ashok , Deshmukh Onkar , Jogdand Aishwarya , Shinde Onkar , Hatwar Niraj , Kamat Hrishikesh
Published: February 2024

Background: Foodborne diseases are a huge social burden in both developed and underdeveloped countries. Escherichia coli is a natural inhabitant of the human and warm-blooded animal digestive tracts. It is considered as an indicator organism for direct or indirect faecal contamination of raw meats. The presence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms in meat accounts for a public health risk. Methods: In current study, all 39 characterized E. coli isolates recovered on screening 405 fresh meat samples collected from different butcher shops in the Udgir city, Marathwada region of Maharashtra were also tested for Congo red dye binding assay and haemolysis assay. Antimicrobial resistance profiling of recovered isolates was carried out using the disc diffusion method. Result: Overall occurrence of E. coli in fresh meats was noted to the tune of 9.63% and the corresponding group wise occurrence in chicken and chevon samples were 12% and 7.32%, respectively. All E. coli tested positive in the Congo red dye binding assay and haemolysis assay, suggesting virulent nature of isolated organisms. On screening for antimicrobial resistance, these isolates were found resistant to mainly â-lactams (94.87%), lincosamides (84.62%), 4th Generation cephalosporins (82.05% each), DHFR Inhibitors (64.10%), glycopeptides (51.28%). The multidrug resistant isolates showed resistance to a minimum of 4 and maximum of 12 antibiotics with MAR index ranging from 0.27 to 0.8 and 9 resistance patterns.
An Innovative Histochemical Analysis of Aksaray Malaklý Dog Esophagus by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Authors: KULOĞLU Hatice YAREN , Tuncer Işık , İlgün Ramazan
Published: February 2024

Background: The esophagus of the Aksaray Malaklı Dog, a local breed, was examined using macroanatomical, histological, histochemical and SEM methods. Methods: The study examined 8 adult Aksaray Malaklı dogs (4 males, 4 females) that died of various reasons and were brought to Aksaray University Veterinary Faculty Animal Hospital for necropsy. Macroanatomical examination of the esophagus revealed that the esophagus started from the pharynx and was divided into three parts: pars cervicalis, pars thoracalis and pars abdominalis and ended in the cardia of the gaster. It was observed that the esophageal glands seen in the submucosa were located along the entire length of the organ and consisted of many mucous-character corpus glandulae and very few serous-character-secreting corpus glandulae. Result: The glands’ secretion characteristics in the Aksaray Malaklı dog’s esophagus were determined using three different staining methods (AB pH: 2.5; AB pH: 1.0 and PAS). Gordon Sweeth’s (GS) staining method showed good staining of reticular fibers. A positive reaction was observed throughout the entire organ, except for the lamina epithelialis, the wall of blood vessels and muscle tissue. The 4 layers (mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and adventitia) histologically distinguished in the cross-section of Aksaray Malaklı dog esophagus were also distinguished in the scanning electron microscopy findings. Esophageal glands in the submucosa, muscle bundles in the muscularis layer and abundant blood vessels in the adventitia were also observed. The esophagus examined shows significant histological similarities with those of other mammals, making this species reliable as an experimental model for digestive testing and research.
Designing Gender-Specific Toilet and Urinal Needs Calculation Templates for Rural and Urban Schools: Lessons from the Republic of Benin
Authors: Kouévi Tèko Augustin , Okry Florent K. , Kpangon Hector , Kouévi Akouavi Chantal , Amoukpo Hermione , Hounkpatin Lubine , Attakin Edmond , Tossou Cocou Rigobert , Achigan-Dako Enoch , Kestemont Marie-Paule
Published: February 2024

Gender equity, quality education, and sanitation in rural and urban areas are widely considered development imperatives. Therefore, many developed countries have scientifically and technically developed norms for the calculation and the design of toilet and urinal needs of their students, which is not yet the case in most developing countries, including the Republic of Benin, that lack socio-culturally adapted gender-specific toilets and urinal needs calculation and design norms. This paper fills this scientific and gender-specific norms gap, by discussing the process and the results of the design of school toilet and urinal needs calculation templates and norms in the Republic of Benin. The study that led to this design took place between June 2013 and October 2015 and consisted mainly of observing and recording defecation and urination needs satisfaction in toilets and open spaces by 8,160 female and 13,263 male students of 13 schools purposively selected in four agroecological and sociocultural areas of Benin. The main data recorded related, among other data, to the start and end times of the use of the toilets and open spaces; the needs satisfied; the peak times and durations of breaks and of toilet needs satisfaction; the numbers of female and male students and non-students who use and who can potentially use the toilets and urinals. These raw data were processed to infer and calculate eight parameters used in each template. This process led to the design of eight area-, gender-, and disability-specific templates and norms in use since 2016, in the target areas. Further studies will assess and report on the performance of these templates and norms.
A szocializmus hosszú távú hatása a társadalmi kultúrára: Németország esete
Authors: Varga Márk
Published: February 2024

A Wall in the head elmélet szerint a keletnémet tartományok nyugati tartományokkal szembeni, mindmáig meglévő lemaradása részben az egykori NDK politikai-gazdasági rendszerének hosszú távú társadalmi hatására vezethető vissza. A kapcsolódó irodalom alapján a szocialista múlt negatívan hatott a keleti tartományok társadalmi tőkéjére, ez a magyarázata annak, hogy a lakosságból miért hiányzik a kapitalizmusban való sikerességhez szükséges tulajdonságok egy része. A tanulmány azzal egészíti ki a témában eddig végzett kutatásokat, hogy egy, a kapitalizmusban való boldoguláshoz fontos attitűd, a kontrollérzet vizsgálatára helyezi a hangsúlyt. A hipotézis szerint a 40 évnyi szocialista múlt következtében a keletnémet lakosság alacsonyabb kontrollérzettel rendelkezik, mint a nyugati, ami gyengíti körükben az egyéni teljesítményen alapuló boldogulás prioritását. A kontrollérzet vizsgálatához a tanulmány a német társadalom rendszeres, reprezentatív megkérdezésén alapuló Socio-Economic Panel (2022) adatbázisra támaszkodik. A probitmodell eredményei megerősítik, hogy az újraegyesítés után több évtizeddel még mindig kimutatható a szocializmus negatív hatása a kontrollérzetre.
Cardiac blood vessels and irreversible electroporation: findings from pulsed field ablation
Authors: Chinyere Ikeotunye Royal , Mori Shumpei , Hutchinson Mathew D.
Published: February 2024

The clinical use of irreversible electroporation in invasive cardiac laboratories, termed pulsed field ablation (PFA), is gaining early enthusiasm among electrophysiologists for the management of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmogenic substrates. Though electroporation is regularly employed in other branches of science and medicine, concerns regarding the acute and permanent vascular effects of PFA remain. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the preclinical and adult clinical data published to date on PFA’s effects on pulmonary veins and coronary arteries. These data will be contrasted with the incidences of iatrogenic pulmonary vein stenosis and coronary artery injury secondary to thermal cardiac ablation modalities, namely radiofrequency energy, laser energy, and liquid nitrogen-based cryoablation.
Bayesian Feature Extraction for Two-Part Latent Variable Model with Polytomous Manifestations
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhang Yi-Hui , Xia And Yemao
Published: February 2024

Semi-continuous data are very common in the social science and economics. In this paper, a Bayesian variable selection procedure is developed to assess the influence of exogenous factors including observed and unobserved on the semi-continuous data. Our formulation is based on the two-part latent variable model with polytomous response. We consider two schemes for the penalties of regression coefficients and factor loadings: the Bayesian spike and slab bimodal prior and the Bayesian lasso prior. Within the Bayesian framework, we implement Markov Chains Monte Carlo sampling method to conduct posterior inference. To facilitate posterior sampling, we recast the logistic model in part one as the norm-like mixture model. Gibbs sampler is designed to draw observations from the posterior. Our empirical results show that with suitable hyper-parameters, the spike and slab bimodal method slightly outperforms the Bayesian lasso in the current analysis. Finally, a real example related to the China household finance survey is analyzed to illustrate the application of the methodology.. .
Power from the Sun: Its Future (Revisited)
Authors: Peters Anthony , Fthenakis Vasilis
Published: February 2024

Technological advancements must keep pace with earth’s rising demand for energy, while minimizing the carbon footprint on earth. One such option is using space based solar (SBS) radio frequency (RF) microwave power beaming. This innovative and novel technology is currently being explored to address terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) intermittency and provide a method to transmit power to other spacecraft in various orbits. This modality of power generation and distribution presents a new way to power terrestrial off-grid applications and earth orbiting spacecraft. In 1968, Dr. Peter Glaser published "Power from the Sun: Its Future", which serves as the foundation of this paper to revitalize scientific interest and efforts in this topic. This paper will primarily focus on the reliance of SBS initiatives on reusable launch vehicles (RLV) to place SBS spacecraft in a designated orbit, as well as the technological, economic, and operational challenges associated with power beaming to earth and other spacecraft. This includes a discussion of the variables from the operational environment that contribute or accelerate spacecraft end of life.
La integración de la realidad migratoria en traductores e intérpretes en formación con la empatía como hilo conductor
Authors: Belenguer Cortés Luz
Published: February 2024

Resumen: El lenguaje, la traducción y la interpretación son cruciales para garantizar la integración de las personas migrantes en nuestra sociedad. La migración es una realidad que exige atención, y más aún, cuando hablamos de refugiados o personas en situación de vulnerabilidad, ya que la comunicación facilita su integración en el país de acogida. Es por ello que sería lógico que los estudiantes de traducción e interpretación no solo necesitasen comprender esta realidad, sino también exponerse a ella para aprender y descubrir nuevas oportunidades laborales, lo que requerirá habilidades mucho más allá de las descritas en las guías docentes. En este artículo se reflexiona sobre la utilización del aprendizaje servicio y el enfoque de la empatía en la formación de estudiantes de Traducción e Interpretación en la Universitat Jaume I (UJI) en colaboración con Cruz Roja. Se pretende que los estudiantes comprendan esta realidad, empaticen con ella y sean capaces de crear unidades didácticas y listas de vocabulario en francés y español basadas en las necesidades lingüísticas más inmediatas de los inmigrantes. La iniciativa PROyecto MIGrante (a la que en adelante llamaremos MIGPRO) está diseñada para potenciar habilidades de Traducción e Interpretación, a través del fomento de la empatía, valor fundamental en el siglo XXI (Belenguer Cortés 2022), pero también habilidades esenciales para los profesionales, como la autonomía, la toma de decisiones y la mejora de las lenguas de trabajo de los estudiantes (en este caso, nos referimos al francés y al español). Del mismo modo, también se han realizado encuestas para determinar si el pasado migrante de los estudiantes afecta a la creación de materiales didácticos, así como a los resultados de sus creaciones.
Palabras clave: Traducción. Interpretación. Migración. Aprendizaje-servicio. Didáctica del francés.
Influence of Lithology on the Characteristics of Wave Propagation and Dynamic Response in Rocky Slope Sites Subject to Blasting Load Via the Discrete Element Method
Authors: Song Danqing , Quan Xuerui , chen Zhuo , Xu Dakai , Liu Chun , Liu Xiaoli , Wang Enzhi
Published: February 2024

To investigate the dynamic response and attenuation law of rock slope sites subjected to blasting, three lithological numerical models, including slate (hard rock), tuff (relatively soft rock), and shale (soft rock), are established by using MatDEM. By analyzing the wave field, velocity, and acceleration response of the models and their Fourier spectrum, combined with stress and energy analysis, their dynamic response characteristics are investigated. The results show that blasting waves propagate from near field to far field in a circular arc, and the attenuation effect of waves in soft rock is less than that in hard rock. The influence of lithology on the dynamic response of the ground surface and bedrock is different. Blasting waves mainly affect the dynamic response in the near-field area of the blasting source. In addition, the dynamic amplification effect of slopes is as follows: hard rock > relatively soft rock > soft rock. The slope surface has an elevation attenuation effect. A dynamic amplification effect appears in the slope interior within the relative elevation (0.75, 1.0). The Fourier spectrum has an obvious predominant frequency, and that of the slope crest and interior is less than that of the slope surface. Moreover, the total energy generated by the rocky sites gradually changes into kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, elastic potential energy, and heat. Energy-based analysis shows that the attenuation effect of blasting waves in hard rock is larger than that in soft rock overall. This work can provide a reference for revealing the blasting vibration effect of rock sites.
Study on the Influence Mechanism of Multi-dimensional Ultrasonic Vibration on Laser Cladding
Authors: Han Xing , Jia Shuangliang , Li Chang
Published: February 2024

Laser cladding is an emerging surface modification technology, and the cladding layer often suffers from defects such as cracks, inclusions and porosity. For solving this problem, the introduction of ultrasonic vibration can effectively reduce the cladding layer tissue defects. In this study, numerical simulation was used to investigate the transient law of different ultrasonic loading methods on the molten pool during laser cladding process. The study found that the introduction of ultrasonic vibration changed the flow rate of the molten metal and affected the Marangoni convection, which in turn changed the flow rate variation pattern inside the melt pool to some extent. Compared to single-dimensional ultrasonic vibration, multi-dimensional ultrasonic vibration exhibits a more significant effect on the molten pool, capable of increasing molten pool velocity and enhancing molten pool fluidity. Experimental results indicate that due to the combined influence of ultrasound effects from different dimensions, multi-dimensional ultrasonic vibration yields a superior refinement effect on the clad layer's microstructure.
Investigation of levels of gaseous pollutants and noise with their probable health effect on employees of alcoholic and beverages bottling industries of Chandigarh city, India
Authors: Dhada Indramani , - Vishal , Waziri Sadiq Abdullahi
Published: February 2024

A wide array of emission sources commonly generates air pollutants in industrial settings and consists of a complex mixture of inorganic and organic constituents, which encompass volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In most cases, employees and workers spend at least eight hours a day in any industry and are exposed to pollutants, including noise present/generated inside the industry, which affects their work efficiency and health. The objective of this research is to investigate the potential health risks of employees associated with the presence of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), Ozone (O3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), ethanol, and noise in bottling industries located in Chandigarh city in India. Although the average concentration of pollutants was found to be within the permissible range, the noise level (77±3dB) was found to be slightly above the standard. The health risk analysis employed both deterministic and probabilistic models revealed that with over 50% frequency, the ethanol concentration exceeded the threshold limit set by OSHA, and the coefficient of correlation +0.92 between TVOC and ethanol implies a major component of VOCs to be ethanol. The overall health risk is observed to be 1.21, and for individual pollutants, it is in the range of 0.16 to 0.92, which is not significant, but it needs to be observed for strict compliance. It is evident that if the present trend of pollutant levels continues within the study area, it might cause a health threat in the near future. The concentration of pollutants, inhalation rate, and body weight are the prime factors affecting health (28-29%) followed by exposure time (10%) and exposure frequency (5%). The difference in probable health risk in both approaches was 0.63-1.5%, which signifies both models can be used individually for effective estimation of health risk.
The quantised current steps due to the synchronisation of microwaves with the Bloch oscillations in small Josephson junctions
Authors: Antonov Vladimir , Shaikhaidarov Rais , Kim Kyung Ho , Dunstan Jacob , Antonov Ilya , Golubev Dmitry , Astafiev Oleg
Published: February 2024

Synchronisation of the Bloch oscillations in a small Josephson junction (JJ) under the microwave radiation leading to the current quantisation at a current equal to Cooper-pair charge × frequency × integer has been proposed as the effect dual to the Shapiro steps. Experimental confirmation of this phenomenon was delayed for a long time until last year's breakthrough when the current quantisation was demonstrated in the superconducting nanowires. The compact high impedance environment of the nanowires played a key role in the experiment. Direct observation of the current quantization in the JJs would answer the fundamental question of the Bloch oscillations and open a more feasible road for the metrological application. Here we place JJs in the high impedance environment and demonstrate dual Shapiro steps for frequencies up to 24 GHz (I=7.7 nA). The current quantisation exists, however, only in a narrow range of JJ parameters, the critical current and capacitance. We carry out a systematic study to explain this by invoking the model of the JJ in presence of the thermal noise. The findings are important for the fundamental physics and application to quantum metrology.
Cabergoline as a Novel Strategy for Post-Pregnancy Breast Cancer Prevention in Mice and Human
Authors: García-Sancha* Natalia , Corchado-Cobos* Roberto , Blanco-Gómez* Adrián , Puértolas Oriol Cunillera , Marzo-Castillejo Mercè , Castillo-Lluva Sonia , Alonso-López Diego , Rivas Javier De Las , Pozo Julio , Orfao Alberto , Valero-Juan Luis , Patino-Alonso Carmen , Perera David , Venkitaraman Ashok R. , Mao Jian-Hua , Chang Hang , Mendiburu-Eliçabe Marina , González-García Patricia , Caleiras Eduardo , Peset Isabel , Cenador María Begoña García , García-Criado Francisco Javier , Pérez-Losada Jesús
Published: February 2024

Post-pregnancy breast cancer often carries a poor prognosis, posing a major clinical challenge. The increasing trend of later-life pregnancies exacerbates this risk, highlighting the need for effective chemoprevention strategies. Current options, limited to selective estrogen receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, or surgical procedures, offer limited efficacy and considerable side effects. Here, we report that cabergoline, a dopaminergic agonist, reduces the risk of breast cancer post-pregnancy in aBrca1/P53-deficient mouse model, with implications for human breast cancer prevention. We show that a single dose of cabergoline administered post-pregnancy significantly delayed the onset and reduced the incidence of breast cancer inBrca1/P53-deficient mice. Histological analysis revealed a notable acceleration in post-lactational involution over the short term, characterized by increased apoptosis and altered gene expression related to ion transport. Over the long term, histological changes in the mammary gland included a reduction in the ductal component, decreased epithelial proliferation, and a lower presence of recombinantBrca1/P53target cells, which are precursors of tumors. These changes serve as indicators of reduced breast cancer susceptibility. Additionally, RNA sequencing identified gene expression alterations associated with decreased proliferation and mammary gland branching. Our findings highlight a mechanism wherein cabergoline enhances the protective effect of pregnancy against breast cancer by potentiating postlactational involution. Notably, a retrospective cohort study in women demonstrated a markedly lower incidence of post-pregnancy breast cancer in those treated with cabergoline compared to a control group. Our work underscores the importance of enhancing postlactational involution as a strategy for breast cancer prevention, and identifies cabergoline as a promising, low-risk option in breast cancer chemoprevention. This strategy has the potential to revolutionize breast cancer prevention approaches, particularly for women at increased risk due to genetic factors or delayed childbirth, and has wider implications beyond hereditary breast cancer cases.(*) Equal contribution as first authors.
Co-designing strategies to improve advance care planning among people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with cancer: iCanCarePlan study protocol
Authors: Chauhan Ashfaq , Chitkara Upma , Walsan Ramya , Sansom-Daly Ursula M. , Manias Elizabeth , Seah Davinia , Dalli Angie , Challam Sheetal , El-Kabbout Nadine , Tieu Thit , Sarwar Mashreka , Faiz Misbah , Huang Nancy , Rocha Vitor , Pal Abhijit , Harrison Reema
Published: February 2024

Background Advance care planning (ACP) describes the process of supporting individuals at any age or stage of health to consider and share their personal values, life goals, and preferences regarding future health care. Engaging in ACP is associated with better-quality of care in which people receive care in lines with their wishes, values and preferences. Direct translations of ACP guides and resources do not attend to the considerable inter- and intra-ethnic variations in cultural and religious or spiritual beliefs that shape preferences among people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. ICanCarePlan is a three-year project that aims to determine the prevalence of ACP documentation among people from CALD backgrounds with cancer, identify resources available and their use to support ACP among CALD communities, identify barriers and facilitators of person-centred ACP, and to develop, through co-design with consumers and clinicians, approaches that enhance the process ACP for people from CALD backgrounds. Method A mixed-method sequential approach will be used comprising of four studies. Study one is retrospective medical record review of approximately 1500 medical records to establish the prevalence of ACP documentation among CALD patient records in cancer services. Study two is a document analysis synthesising the resources available in the Australian health system to support ACP. Study three is a qualitative study with healthcare staff and consumers to explore barriers and enablers of person-centred ACP. Evidence generated from studies one to three will inform the conduct of co-design with stakeholders to develop approaches to improve ACP processes among CALD communities. Language, technical and financial support for meaningful involvement with consumers from CALD backgrounds throughout this project is outlined. A plan for distress management is also made due to sensitive nature of the topic. The research project has also established a project steering group consisting of three consumer members who are from CALD backgrounds. Discussion The project will address a national priority issue for a growing population of CALD communities in Australia. The project will provide novel evidence of ACP among CALD communities and novel strategies developed with stakeholders to enhance uptake and experiences of ACP.