bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing Digital Twin with IoT and AI in Warehouse to Support Optimization and Safety in Engineer-to-Order Manufacturing Process for Prefabricated Building Products
Authors: Pracucci Alessandro
Published: June 2024

Engineer-to-order manufacturing, characterized by highly customized products and complex workflows, presents unique challenges for warehouse management and operational efficiency. This paper explores the potential of a digital twin as a transformative solution for engineer-to-order environments in manufacturing companies realizing prefabricated building components. The paper outlines a methodology encompassing users’ requirement and the design to support development of a digital twin that integrates Internet of Things devices, Building Information Modeling, and Artificial Intelligence capabilities. It delves into the specific challenges of outdoor warehouse optimization and worker safety within the context of engineer-to-order manufacturing, and how the digital twin aims to address these issues through data collection, analysis, and visualization. The research is conducted through an in-depth analysis of the warehouse of Focchi S.p.A., a leading manufacturer of high-tech prefabricated building envelopes. Focchi's production processes and stakeholder interactions are investigated, and the paper identifies key user groups and their multiple requirements for the warehouse improvement. It also examines the potential of the digital twin to streamline communication, improve decision-making, and enhance safety protocols. While preliminary testing results are not yet available, the paper concludes by underlining the significant opportunities offered by a BIM, IoT, and AI-powered Digital Twin for engineer-to-order manufacturers. The research, developed within the IRIS project serves as a promising model for integrating digital technologies into complex warehouse environments, paving the way for increased efficiency, safety, and ultimately, a competitive edge in the market of manufacturing companies working in construction industry.
Prognostic Value of Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Nakao Takehiro , Harano Kenichi , Wakabayashi Masashi , Taki Tetsuro , Watanabe Reiko , Tanabe Hiroshi , Mukohara Toru
Published: June 2024

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) have become the focus of antitumor immunity. However, the prognostic significance of TLSs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated with primary debulking surgery (PDS) or interval debulking surgery (IDS) remains unelucidated. This retrospective study examined the prognostic value of TLSs in tumor tissues obtained during PDS and IDS. Pathological specimens were collected from patients with EOC who underwent PDS or IDS between 2017 and 2020 at the National Cancer Center Hospital East. The correlation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte frequency, TLS presence, and PD-L1 expression with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and the correlation between TLS and PD-L1 expression were analyzed. Overall, 25 specimens (15 from PDS and 10 from IDS) were analyzed. The presence of TLS was associated with a significantly longer OS in patients who underwent PDS but not in patients who underwent IDS. No correlation was identified between TLS and PFS in patients with PDS or with IDS. However, TLS was positively correlated with PD-L1 positivity. The prognostic impact of TLS, specifically in pre-chemotherapy specimens, and a positive correlation between TLS and PD-L1 indicate the potential of TLS as a meaningful biomarker for understanding antitumor immunity and developing immunotherapy for EOC.
Usefulness of Perioperative Nutritional Therapy with the Glutamine/Arginine/Calcium β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Product in Esophageal Cancer Surgery: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Okamoto Koichi , Takamura Hiroyuki , Nagayama Taigo , Sannomiya Yuta , Hashimoto Akifumi , Nishiki Hisashi , Kaida Daisuke , Miyata Takashi , Tsuji Toshikatsu , Fujita Hideto , Kinami Shinichi , Ninomiya Itasu , Inaki Noriyuki
Published: June 2024

A useful perioperative nutritional therapy for highly invasive esophageal cancer surgical cases needs to be developed. We clarified the usefulness of amino acid-enriched nutritional therapy using glutamine (Gln)/arginine (Arg)/calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) products on the short-term postoperative outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Altogether, 114 patients (Gln/Arg/HMB group) received perioperative nutritional therapy with Gln/Arg/HMB products, and we retrospectively investigated the change in nutritional parameters including skeletal muscle mass, occurrence of postoperative complications, and short-term postoperative outcomes in this group. The results were compared between the Gln/Arg/HMB and control groups (79 patients not receiving the Gln/Arg/HMB products). The incidence of all postoperative complications, sputum expectoration disorder, and pleural effusion of grade ≥III was significantly lower in the Gln/Arg/HMB group (62.0% vs. 38.6%, p = 0.001; 44.3% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.020; 27.8% vs. 13.2%, p = 0.011, respectively). The psoas muscle area and postoperative body weight was significantly higher at 1 month and 1 year after surgery in the Gln/Arg/HMB group than in the control group (93.5% vs. 99.9%, p < 0.001; 92.0% vs. 95.4%, p = 0.006). Perioperative amino acid-enriched nutritional therapy may improve the short-term postoperative outcomes, nutritional status, and skeletal muscle mass of esophageal cancer surgical patients.
Fish Kills Related to Harmful Algal Bloom Events in Southeast Asia
Authors: San Diego-McGlone Maria Lourdes , Yñiguez Aletta T. , Benico Garry , Lum Wai Mun , Hii Kieng Soon , Leong Sandric Chee Yew , Leaw Chui Pin , Iwataki Mitsunori , Lim Po Teen
Published: June 2024

Fish kills in Southeast Asia are frequently associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) and cause significant ecological and economic impacts. This paper serves as a review of fish kill events with focus on those related to HABs within the region. It examines the causative algal species, known mechanisms of fish mortality, and socio-economic consequences. Fish kills have been reported across multiple countries within Southeast Asia, with notable hotspots in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The common harmful microalgal species span a diverse group including dinoflagellates (Karenia spp., Karlodinium spp., Margalefidinium polykrikoides, Noctiluca scintillans), raphidophytes (Chattonella spp.), diatoms (Skeletonema spp. and Chaetoceros spp.), and cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium spp.). These microalgae lead to fish kills through mechanisms such as hypoxia, physical gill damage, and ichthyotoxin production. Freshwater fish kills linked to HABs have also been documented for the Philippines, but there is no or limited information for the region. Our review highlights the widespread and recurring nature of fish kills, their impact on fisheries and aquaculture, and challenges in managing and mitigating their effects. There are efforts at enhancing management and mitigation using clay and early-warning systems. However, it is essential to further improve monitoring efforts, the development and deployment of early-warning systems, and viable and holistic mitigation strategies to protect the region’s aquatic resources and dependent communities, especially as aquaculture and coastal development are increasing concurrent with a changing climate that can exacerbate the risks of fish kills and HABs in Southeast Asia.
Entropy and Energy for Non-Mechanical Work at the Bose-Einstein Transition of a Harmonically Trapped Gas Using an Empirical Global-Variable Method
Authors: Miotti Marcos , Martins Edmur Braga , Hemmerling Michał , Dubessy Romain , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador
Published: June 2024

Quantum thermal engines are receiving much attention in recent years, due to their potential applications.~For a candidate group, harmonically trapped gases under Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC), we see little investigation on the energy transference around that transition.~Therefore, we present an empirical study with rubidium-87 gas samples in a magnetic harmonic trap.~We developed an empirical Equation of State model to fit to our experimental dataset, expressing the pressure parameter ($\mathcal{P}$) in terms of temperature ($T$) and six technical coeffcients ($\{a_i\}_{0,\dots,4}$, $T_\mathrm{th}$), functions of volume parameter ($\mathcal{V}$) and number of atoms ($N$).~For weakly interacting gases, the internal energy is $U\cong3\mathcal{P}\mathcal{V}$, thus we determine the entropy with $U = TS - \mathcal{P}\mathcal{V}$ for fixed $N$.~As expected, we show that the entropy at the BEC transition ($S_c$) is constant for varying $\mathcal{V}$.~Being isentropic makes BEC transition an energy source for non-mechanical work.~Hence, we observed that the enthalpy at the BEC transition $H_c = E_c + \mathcal{P}_c\mathcal{V} = T_cS_c$, at fixed values of $\mathcal{V}$ and varying $N$, grows fairly linearly with $N$.~We fitted $H_c=\eta{N}-H_c^0$ to that data, being $\eta$ the specific enthalpy of BEC transformation and $H_c^0$ an intrinsic enthalpic loss.~We deem this study to be a step closer to practical quantum-based engines.
Morel–Lavallée Lesion Treated with Single-Use Portable Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ota Koshi , Shimazu Kazuaki , Ota Kanna , Takasu Akira
Published: June 2024

Background: A Morel–Lavallée lesion (MLL) is a traumatic, internal closed degloving injury that results from shearing of subcutaneous tissue away from underlying fascia, usually associated with high-velocity trauma. Case presentation: A 52-year-old man was transported to hospital for further follow-up of a superficial femoral artery injury. Examination on admission showed bruising seen around the left thigh. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the left thigh revealed hematoma with extravasation from a branch of the left superficial femoral artery, but no apparent aneurysms or femoral fractures. The patient was treated with compression bandages and discharged on hospital day 6. He left hospital able to walk unaided. He subsequently complained of left thigh pain with swelling and visited the hospital several times. He was treated at another outpatient clinic and was diagnosed with MLL. Single-use disposable portable negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) was applied for about 2 months, achieving a stable wound site. Conclusion: We encountered a case of MLL successfully treated with single-use portable NPWT. This report presents the case of a patient with isolated MLL without fracture in the left thigh, in which the diagnosis was missed on initial admission. Finally, the patient received minor interventions including drainage along with tissue debridement and portable NPWT. We reviewed the relevant literature and summarize the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment strategies for MLL. Emergency physicians require an increased understanding of MLL to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
La Realidad Aumentada como recurso para el desarrollo de habilidades sociales en alumnado con TEA. Una revisión sistemática
Authors: Guerrero Valverde Empar , Cebrián Cifuentes Sara , Suárez Rodríguez Jesús
Published: June 2024

El trastorno de espectro autista (TEA) es un conjunto de alteraciones a nivel del neurodesarrollo caracterizado, principalmente, por dificultades en la interacción social y la comunicación. Las políticas de inclusión han favorecido el acceso de niños con TEA a las escuelas ordinarias y además el uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en las aulas, ha supuesto cambios importantes en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, especialmente en lo que respecta a estos niños. Con el fin de conocer, si, el uso de la RA con estos niños fomenta el desarrollo de habilidades sociales y habilidades básicas para la vida, en este artículo se ha llevado a cabo una revisión sistemática de diferentes investigaciones siguiendo las pautas PRISMA. Atendiendo a los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se han seleccionado 20 artículos, publicados del 2012 al 2022. Los resultados muestran que el uso de aplicaciones con RA con niños con trastorno de espectro autista favorece la motivación, la interacción con los demás, el desarrollo de algunas habilidades sociales y la adquisición de algunas competencias básicas de la vida diaria. Para su uso se utilizan aplicaciones diversas, así como dispositivos que van desde la tableta digital hasta gafas inteligentes.
Uso de tecnología y la implementación del Blended Learning en la Enseñanza de Inglés
Authors: Luis Ovalles Yuliana Maria , Lopez Perez Maria Magdalena
Published: June 2024

Resumen:
Este estudio se centra en el uso de la tecnología y cómo impacta en la implementación del Blended Learning. Se analiza el efecto del Blended Learning en el aprendizaje del inglés, comparando diferentes modalidades de enseñanza. Se examina la relación entre el Blended Learning y el uso de la tecnología, así como los aspectos emocionales y la motivación de los estudiantes. Los hallazgos muestran que no existen diferencias significativas en la autoeficacia computacional entre el Blended Learning y la modalidad virtual, aunque la distribución de las puntuaciones varía entre los grupos. Asimismo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC) entre el Blended Learning y la modalidad virtual. Como conclusión, se determina que se requiere una combinación de factores pedagógicos y tecnológicos para lograr un mayor impacto en el aprendizaje. El estudio resalta la importancia de diseñar entornos de aprendizaje adecuados para maximizar el impacto de estas modalidades. En resumen, el Blended Learning puede mejorar la motivación y la emoción de los estudiantes de inglés en la educación superior, lo que puede tener un efecto positivo en su rendimiento académico y su disposición para seguir aprendiendo el idioma.
Optimizing encrypted search in the cloud using autoencoder-based query approximation
Authors: Mohamed Mahmoud , Alosman Khaled
Published: June 2024

يتيح البحث المشفر الاستعلام الخاص عبر البيانات السرية. ومع ذلك، فإن التشفير يأتي بتكلفة باهظة للكفاءة. يوفر هذا البحث تحليلاً موسعاً لاستخدام تقريب الاستعلام القائم على الترميز الذاتي لتحسين سرعة ودقة البحث المشفر في السحابة. من خلال التجارب الشاملة على مجموعات البيانات الحقيقية، نقدم رؤى جديدة في تحسين النموذج واستراتيجيات التدريب والمبادلات الناشئة عن النشر. توجه نتائجنا تحسين الصلة والكفاءة والأمان. نقترح إطار عمل يقوم بتدريب مرمز ذاتي على مجموعة البيانات لترميز السجلات في تمثيل مكثف. وقت البحث، يتم تحويل استعلامات المستخدمين إلى نفس الفضاء الكامن حيث يتم حساب التشابه تحت التشفير، مما يتجنب فك التشفير المكلف. تحلل منهجيتنا بدقة كيف تؤثر العوامل المعمارية وتقنيات التدريب ومجموعات البيانات ومخططات التشفير على الأداء من الطرف إلى الطرف الآخر والقابلية للتوسع على البنية التحتية للسحابة. نحدد أفضل الممارسات التي تعظم الدقة والسرعة مع الحفاظ على الخصوصية. يتم إجراء تحليل مقارن شامل مع طرق بديلة مثل TF-IDF و LSI و BM25 على الفهارس المشفرة. يؤسس عملنا تقريب الاستعلام القائم على الترميز الذاتي كحل عملي جاهز للنشر على نطاق واسع في السحابة.
The Significance of Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9, Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Calcium and Zinc as Biomarkers in Sera of Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Ahmed Nadir Fenik , Abdullah Ali Zeyan
Published: June 2024

سرطان القولون والمستقيم هو اضطراب يبدأ حصريا في القولون والمستقيم وينجم عن تكاثر الشاذ للخلايا الظهارية الغدية في القولون. من المعلوم أن مستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-9 والمستضد السرطانى المضغى والكالسيوم والزنك يلعبون دورا هاما فى امراض ورم القولون والمستقيم. الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو التحقيق في مستويات مصل لمستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-9 و المستضد السرطاني المضغي والكالسيوم والزنك فى مرضى سرطان القولون والمستقيم. في هذه الدراسة تم البحث عن الأهمية الحيوية لمستضد  الكربوهيدرات 19-9  ومستضد السرطاني المضغي والكالسيوم والزنك في تطور السرطان من خلال مقارنة مستويات مصل مرضى المصابين بسرطان القولون والمستقيم مع مجموعة الاصحاء في مستشفى ناناكالي في اربيل. تم فحص مستويات  مستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-9 و مستضد المصل السرطاني المضغي و الكالسيوم والزنك في 50 مريضا مصابا بسرطان القو لون والمستقيم و 50 من مجموعة الاصحاء. تم العثور على علاقة أيجابية كبیرة بين المستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-9  ومستضد السرطانى المضغي.( P<0.0165, r= 0.37230)   و ارتباط سلبي غير معنوي بين المستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-9  مع الكالسيوم (P=0.77, r= -0.0471) والزنك .(P=0.6334r= -0.07676) وفقا لهذه الدراسة ، هناك علاقة مباشرة بين سرطان القولون والمستقيم ومستويات مصل الدم لكل من مستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-9 ، مستضد السرطانى المضغي ، الكالسيوم والزنك. و تظهر النتائج بشكل ملحوظ القيمة العالية لمصل المستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-  9 (p<0.0001) و مستضد السرطانى المضغي  P<0.0001)) و انخفاض كبير في قيم كل من الكالسيوم 0.0011) ( والزنك (0.0046) في مرضى سرطان القولون والمستقيم عند مقارنتها بمجموعة الاصحاء. النتائج التي توصلنا اليها تظهر ان زيادة مستويات المستضد الكربوهيدرات 19-9 ومستضد السرطاني المضغي  و انخفاض مستويات الكالسيوم والزنك يمكن ان التسبب في ظهورسرطان القولون والمستقيم وتطوره.
Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on hepcidin/ferroportin axis and VDR expression in HFHF-fed rats
Authors: Mosaad Saad Abd-Elgwaad Hager , Adel Abd El-Hamid Barakat Heba , Hassan Abdel Aziz Sharaf Eman , Gamal El-Rahmany Nourhan
Published: June 2024

يعد إستهداف محور الهيبسيدين- فيروبورتن هو الآلية الرئيسية المشاركة في الصحه الايضيه. تهدف هذه الدراسه إلي دراسة العلاقه المتشابكه بين حالة فيتامين د وتوازن الحديد في متلازمة التمثيل الغذائي الناجم عن إتباع نظام غذائي عالي الدهون وعالي الفركتوز في الجرذان .كانت المجموعات التجريبيه علي النحو التالي G1 التحكم السلبي ، G2التحكم الموجب ، G3 و G4(نظام غذائي متوازن ومدعم بفيتامين د 12و24 ميكروجرام / كجم من وزن الجسم علي التوالي مرتين في الاسبوع ). G5 و G6(نظام غذائي عالي الدهون و عالي الفركتوزلومدعم بفيتامين د 12و24 ميكروجرام / كجم من وزن الجسم علي التوالي مرتين في الاسبوع). تم تقييم العديد من العوامل البيوكيميائيه والجزيئيه والنسيجيه في السيرم وانسجة الكبد . أظهرت النتائج أن تناول فيتامين د عدل بشكل كبير توازن الحديد المضطرب الناتج عن النظام الغذائي العالي في الدهون والفركتوز من خلال تنظيم محور الهيبسيدين-الفيروبروتين مما يؤدي إلي تحسن كبير في مستوي الحديد في السيرم ، كما أن تناول فيتامين د يعزز حالة مضادات الاكسده عن طريق تقليل نشاط مستوى الMDA وزيادة نشاط HO-1 في السيرم بالإضافه إلي تنظيم التعبير الجيني لNrf2 . كما أنه يخفف من إرتفاع المؤشرات الحيويه الإلتهابيه  في السيرم و مستوي الresistin بينما يزيد بشكل ملحوظ من مستوي الadiponectin في السيرم ، علاوة علي ذلك ، تم تنظيم التعبير الجيني لمستقبلات فيتامين د في أنسجة الكبد وزيادة نسبة فيتامين د في السيرم بشكل ملحوظ مما أدي إلي تحسين مقاومة الانسولين وتقليل نسبة الدهون في السيرم . تظهر النتائج المجهريه وجود إرتشاح دهني بينما بعد تناول فيتامين د حدث تحسن في أنسجة الكبد .
Adaptive Lossy Color Image Compression System Based on Hybrid Algorithm
Authors: Khammas Husam Khalid , Türkben Ayça Kurnaz
Published: June 2024

مع التطور الحاصل في العصر الرقمي، أصبحت تقنيات الوسائط المتعددة منتشرة، حيث يتوقع المستخدمون محتوى صوتي ومرئي وصوري عالي الجودة عبر مختلف المنصات والأجهزة الرقمية. ونتيجة لذلك، زاد حجم البيانات الناتجة عن برامج الوسائط المتعددة هذه بشكل كبير. بالإضافة الى ذلك، أدى النمو الهائل في استخدام الوسائط المتعددة الى زيادة في عدد الصور التي يتم استخدامها وإنشاؤها، مما خلق تحديات من حيث الحاجة الى زيادة في سعة التخزين وتحسين سرعة نقل البيانات. ومن أجل مواجهة هذه التحديات، برز ضغط الصور كحل بالغ في الأهمية. حيث يعمل ضغط الصور من خلال تقليل حجم الصورة دون المساس بشكل كبير الى جودتها. ومع التقدم التكنلوجي الحاصل بشكل كبير، ستصبح الحاجة الى المزيد من تقنيات ضغط الصور أمر في بالغ الأهمية. تقدم هذه الورقة البحثية نظام ضياع هجين لضغط الصور بأستخدام أربع تقنيات ضغط مهجنة وهي  تقطيع مستوى البت، وتحويل المويجه المتقطع (DWT)، وتحويل جيب التمام المتقطع (DCT)، والتشفير الحسابي. ولذلك لتنفيذ هذه الطريقة المقترحة في هذا البحث، تم إجراء ثلاث تجارب باستخدام صور ذات أبعاد حجمية مختلفة وهي (256*256) و (512*512) و (1024*1024) وأربعة من معاملات التكميم المختلفة. ومن أجل قياس كفاءة النظام المقترح تم استخدام ثلاثة مقاييس مختلفة وهي: نسبة ذروة الاشارة الى نسبة الضوضاء (PSNR)، ومؤشر التشابه الهيكلي (SSIM)، ونسبة الضغط (CR). وقد أظهرت النتائج إن النظام المقترح نجح في رفع نسبة ضغط الصور الى مستوى أعلى عند مقارنته بتقنية JPEG القياسية حيث وصلت نسبة الضغط CR عند استخدام JPEG   إلى 35%، بينما قدم النظام المقترح نسبة ضغط أعلى قد وصلت الى 62% مع الحفاظ على مستوى مرضي من جودة الصورة.
Predicting Maternal Outcomes Using Tree-based Methods in Machine Learning
Authors: Nwokoro Chukwudi Obinna , Uzoka Faith-Michael , Inyang Udoinyang G. , Eyoh Imo J. , Duke Onyeabochukwu Augustine , Nwokoro Kelechi Cynthia. , K Joseph U.
Published: June 2024

Maternal health, with its global significance for maternal mortality rates, is a paramount concern. This study focuses on leveraging tree-based algorithms to aid healthcare providers in informed decision-making for expectant mothers. Analyzing 4,000 antenatal care records in Nigeria's Niger Delta area (2018–2022) identified 15 critical features using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to predict outcomes like stillbirth, full-term birth, preterm birth, miscarriage, placenta previa, and maternal mortality. Decision Tree (DT) prioritizes Hemoglobin Level (HL), Random Forest (RF) includes HL, Pulse Rate (PR), and Packed Cell Volume Level (PCVL). AdaBoost (ADA) emphasizes HL, Maternal Weight (MW), and Preeclampsia (PREE). Gradient Boosted Trees (GBT) consistently prioritizes HL, PREE, and MW, with Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) aligning with these features. A bar chart illustrates precision scores, with XGBoost leading at 0.95, GBT at 0.93, Random Forest at 0.92, AdaBoost at 0.91, and DT at 0.90. These findings offer valuable insights for healthcare professionals and researchers aiming to enhance maternal health outcomes. Future research avenues include exploring the synergy of tailored logistic regression models with gradient-boosted algorithms to enhance discrimination and calibration. Additionally, combining gradient-boosted trees algorithms with SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations) could provide deeper insights into feature importance and predictive performance improvements.
Evaluating Information Content Methods for Semantic Similarity based on Taxonomies
Authors: De Nicola Antonio , Formica Anna , Mele Ida , Taglino Francesco
Published: June 2024

This work presents a comparison of some of the most representative methods for computing the information content (IC) of a concept in a taxonomy. These methods can be extensional, i.e., they require external resources, or intensional, i.e., they rely only on the taxonomy. In this paper, we illustrate an experiment integrating each selected proposal into the SemSim^p method, which allows the assessment of the similarity between resource annotations, i.e., sets of concepts from a taxonomy. We then show how the adoption of the different IC approaches impacts the SemSim^p performances and, consequently, the similarity of annotated resources. In the experiment, we consider three indicators, one based on a statistical criterion, another based on the judgment of human experts, and the third one is their harmonic mean. While prior research suggests extensional approaches generally perform best, the results obtained in this work indicate that both extensional and intensional approaches can achieve optimal performance for semantic similarity calculation.
Environmental and Health Effects of Fossil-Fuel Generator Use in Computer-Village, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Akinnubi Tolulope Oyeneye , Ogba Patricia , Nwabueze Ndukaeze
Published: June 2024

The quest for development is one thing that has remained true about human nature throughout history, man will utilize resources as much as possible, natural and non-natural, physical and abstract, permanent and ephemeral, to the greatest extent feasible. In light of this, one type of resource, in particular, is fossil fuels, which are particularly important in the generation of energy (Babatunde et al., 2020). For decades, fossil fuels have provided energy to a wide range of human activities. Nigeria is a country rich in energy resources but has yet to fully use these vast energy resources with minimal environmental and climatic consequences (Vincent-Akpu, 2012). The study employed a mixed-methods convergent design, combining quantitative and qualitative data to enhance understanding of the research problem through questionnaire, interview as well as sampling of air quality and noise levels in Computer-Village, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using Microsoft Office Excel, Sonix's advanced automated translation engine and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Chi-square statistics, T-test at 95% confidence interval and a p-value of ≤ 0.05). It was established that there was a significant relationship between Generator Usage and its effect on health and environment. The study also revealed that the sampling of air quality shows the presence of noxious gases such as Carbon monoxide, Volatile Organic Compounds, Nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, and Particulate Matters as well as high noise levels which negatively impact the environment and also pose significant risk to human health. The level of knowledge and awareness of generator hazards was generally high among respondents in Computer-Village with the majority being knowledgeable of the effects of exposure on their health.
Bacterial Diversity in Fresh Milk from Commercial Dairy Farms in Xinjiang, China, Based on Metagenomic Sequencing Analysis
Authors: SUN Yingni , LUO Zhijie , ZHANG Hui , ZHOU Xia
Published: June 2024

Background
The nutritional value and microbial diversity of fresh milk are shaped by the cows' environment and biological processes, leading to varied microbial profiles that can influence milk quality, fermentation, spoilage, and health outcomes. Analysing the microbial composition of milk can provide insights into its nutritional value and potential effects on human health. To this end, we investigated microbial composition on fresh milk, gathered from seven large-scale dairy farms in the southern and northern regions of Xinjiang, using metagenomic sequencing technology.
Results
Our findings indicated that the main phyla were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, with abundances of 7.57–7.76%, 5.60–5.78%, and 2.26–2.29%, respectively. At the genus level, the genera with the highest relative abundances were Sporosarcina, Streptococcus, and Escherichia, with relative abundances of 2.51–2.58%, 2.23–2.27%, and 1.93–1.97% respectively. When exploring species richness, it was observed that the XN group had the most operational taxonomic units, while the DR group had the fewest. Additionally, there were significant differences in the community structure between the ND group and the other six groups. Further, alpha diversity analysis revealed no significant variation in Chao1 indices across the seven sample groups, highlighting a significant difference in the Shannon index for ND samples and no significant differences in Shannon indices between the CJ, JY, KT, DR, and TR samples. The top three relative abundances in the microbial metagenome KEGG functional library were biological systems, human diseases, and environmental information processing; additionally, within the carbohydrate-active enzyme database, the three most abundant categories were glycosyltransferases, glycoside hydrolases, and carbohydrate-binding modules.
Conclusions
By identifying the significant differences in the microbial prevalence between milk obtained from different regions, this study demonstrated the microbial spectrum characteristics of fresh milk from Southern and Northern Xinjiang, offering a theoretical foundation for enhancing the quality of fresh milk in the area.
Current status and influencing factors of nurses' cognition and attitudes towards clinical research ethical in China：A province-wide cross-sectional survey
Authors: Zhang Na , Cheng Qinqin , Lu Wen , Luo Tingwei , Zhang Zhiqiang , Jiang Sishan , Qin Hongwen , Zhu Lihui
Published: June 2024

Background
Nurses' competence in clinical research is a key element in promoting high quality in the discipline of nursing, and the ethical aspects of research are of paramount importance. Therefore, nurses need to have a comprehensive understanding of the ethics associated with clinical research, which is an integral part of safeguarding the safety of subjects, ensuring the quality of nursing clinical research, and improving the ethical standardization of clinical research.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 304 nurses in a province of China between April 2023 and September 2023, utilizing convenience sampling. The survey questionnaire comprised two sections: a general information form and a questionnaire focusing on nurses' cognition and attitudes towards clinical research ethics. Data analysis encompassed descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression.
Results
A total of 320 questionnaires were distributed, of which 304 were valid, with an effective recovery rate of 95%. The total score of nurses' clinical research ethics cognition and attitude was (70.67 ± 7.28), which was at a medium level, with a good attitude score (91.17 ± 15.96) and a low cognition score (63.08 ± 12.30). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that degree, grade of hospital (I, II or III), technical title, number of clinical projects chaired in one year and whether or not they participated in training related to ethical knowledge were the five factors influencing the cognition of clinical research ethics (F = 9.341, P < 0.001, R2 = 18.0%); degree, grade of hospital (I, II or III), technical title, number of clinical research projects chaired in one year, whether the hospital has an ethics committee and whether to participate in training related to ethical knowledge were the six factors affecting ethical attitudes towards clinical research (F = 8.919, P < 0.001, R2 = 17.3%).
Conclusions
Nurses in a Chinese province scored low on the cognitive dimension of clinical research ethics, but their attitudes were at a relative high level, with many influencing factors. Degree, technical title, and grade of hospital, all affect cognitive and attitude scores. It is also worth noting that whether the hospital has an ethics committee affects the attitude scores, but has no effect on the cognitive scores.Nursing administrators and educators should consider providing effective and targeted strategies (e.g., ongoing training, scholarly seminars, and scholarly exchanges) to enhance nurses' knowledge and competence in clinical research ethics to protect subject rights as well as to ensure the quality of clinical research.
Physics-based prediction of moisture-capture properties of hydrogels
Authors: Diaz-Marin Carlos , Masetti Lorenzo , Roper Miles , Hector Kezia , Zhong Yang , Lu Zhengmao , Caylan Omer , Graeber Gustav , Grossman Jeffrey
Published: June 2024

Moisture-capturing materials can enable potentially game-changing energy-water technologies such as atmospheric water production, heat storage, and passive cooling. Hydrogel composites recently emerged as outstanding moisture-capturing materials due to their low cost, high affinity for humidity, and design versatility. Despite extensive efforts to experimentally explore the large design space of hydrogels for high-performance moisture capture, there is a critical knowledge gap on our understanding behind the moisture-capture properties of these materials. This missing understanding hinders the fast development of novel hydrogels, material performance enhancements, and device-level optimization. In this work, we combine synthesis and characterization of hydrogel-salt composites to develop and validate a theoretical description that bridges this knowledge gap. Starting from a thermodynamic description of hydrogel-salt composites, we develop models that accurately capture experimentally measured moisture uptakes and sorption enthalpies. We also develop mass transport models that precisely reproduce the dynamic absorption and desorption of moisture into hydrogel-salt composites. Altogether, these results demonstrate the main variables that dominate moisture-capturing properties, showing a negligible role of the polymer in the material performance. Our insights guide the synthesis of next-generation humidity-capturing hydrogels and enable their system-level optimization in ways previously unattainable for critical water-energy applications.
Wheat debranning: effects on mycotoxins, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity
Authors: Tibola Casiane Salete , Eichelberger Luiz , Fernandes José Mauricio Cunha , Simões Daiane , Fontes Milena Ramos Vaz , Rosa Elessandra da , Dias Alvaro Renato Guerra
Published: June 2024

The debranning process, at an industrial scale, was applied to grains of two wheat cultivars to determine its effect on Fusarium mycotoxins content and antioxidant activity. Grain samples from the BRS Marcante and BRS Reponte wheat cultivars, naturally contaminated by Fusarium, were used in the study. The dry wheat samples were processed on the polisher once or twice, and evaluated by hardness index, chemical composition, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) levels, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. In the BRS Marcante cultivar, the debranning process only slightly reduced the DON and ZON contents in whole-wheat flours compared with the previous cleaning treatment (no-debranned). In the BRS Reponte cultivar, the DON concentration decreased by 36% at a debranning ratio of 5%, obtained by polishing, compared with prior cleaning treatment (no-debranned). In addition, the polishing reduced the ZON level by 56% compared with the cleaned wheat. The debranning process did not reduce the antioxidant capacity. Therefore, debranning is a suitable technology to obtain safer and healthier food by minimizing the mycotoxin content and retaining antioxidant capacity.
Comparison of energy absorption in negative stiffness honeycombs made of Polyamide 11 and 12
Authors: Shafipour Mahdiyeh , Brooghani Seyed Yousef Ahmadi
Published: June 2024

Negative stiffness honeycombs are energy absorbers that absorb energy by transitioning from one buckling mode to another and their snap-through behavior in cells. They have a fundamental property as an energy absorber; in this type of absorber, negative stiffness causes reversibility after impact. In this study, the effect of negative stiffness honeycomb material in increasing energy absorption is investigated experimentally and numerically. The quasi-static tests are performed on negative stiffness honeycombs made of polyamide 11 and 12. Then, the finite element (FE) model of the structure is simulated under quasi-static compression. The FE model requires the nonlinear elastic and viscoelastic properties of the materials used to make the honeycombs. For this purpose, tensile and stress relaxation tests are performed on standard specimens. The Prony series coefficients for two polyamide materials 11 and 12 are extracted and used in the FE model. Next, the energy absorption performance of negative stiffness honeycombs of polyamide 11 and 12 is compared experimentally and numerically. The comparison shows that the energy absorption per unit mass (SEA) for a negative stiffness honeycomb made of polyamide 11 is 1.7 times higher in the experimental data and 1.62 times higher in the FE result than the negative stiffness honeycomb made of Polyamide12. Other fundamental parameters of energy absorption also confirm the higher efficiency of negative stiffness honeycombs made of polyamide 11.
An experimental study to estimate the early postmortem interval based on the degradation of lncRNAs in rat brain tissue
Authors: Gao Haibo , Yang Siyu , Gao Jie , Zhang Siqi , Qin Li , Huang Meng , Wu Hua , Tang Qun
Published: June 2024

To study the degradation of lncRNAs in EPMI in rat brain tissue, this study provides a new direction for the estimation of EPMI. LncRNA high-throughput sequencing was performed on the brain tissues of hemorrhagic shock model rats at 0 h and 24 h, and the target lncRNAs were screened. Samples at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after death were collected, and miRNA-9 and miRNA-125b were used as reference genes. The relative expression levels of lncRNAs at each PMI were detected by RT–qPCR, and a functional model involving lncRNAs and EPMI was established. Samples were collected at 6, 9, 15, and 21 h after death for functional model verification. The expression of several lncRNAs decreased with the prolongation of EPMI, and the mathematical model established by several lncRNA indices exhibited good fit. The verification results of the multi-index joint function model are significantly better than those of the single-index function model, and the established model is more practical. There is a linear relationship between lncRNAs and EPMI, and the multi-index function model is significantly better than the single-index function model, which is important for EPMI inference in forensic pathology practice.
Assessing Radioactivity Levels in Agricultural Soil: A Comparative Study of Traditional vs. Modern Fertilization Techniques in Tunisian Oases
Authors: Tayar Sofiene , Tellili Borhan , Souga Chedly , Elmahroug Youssef
Published: June 2024

To establish a radiological national reference for agricultural soil across Tunisian oases and assess the risk to human health associated with date consumption, with a focus on comparing the impact of traditional and modern fertilization, radiological parameters and activity levels of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were determined for 27 oases. These oases were located in three southern Tunisian governorates. The activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured using a 3×3 inch NaI(Tl) scintillation detector, which were found to be 21.82 ± 1.0 , 26.51 ± 1.1 and 559.21 ± 23.0 respectively for traditional oases and 26.56 ± 1.2 , 24.45 ± 1.1 and 661.28 ± 26.3 respectively for modern oases. In addition, Ambient dose equivalent rate were measured using a multipurpose Hand-held radiation CsI(Tl) detector, which were found to be 0.075 µSv/h in traditional oases and 0.078 µSv/h in modern oases. The resulting radiological parameters and activity concentrations were then compared to results from neighboring countries and the average soil activity worldwide.
Flavonoid metabolism plays an important role in response to Pb stress in maize at seedling stage
Authors: Han Zanping , Zheng Yan , Zhang Xiaoxiang , Wang Bin , Guo Yiyang , Guan Zhongrong
Published: June 2024

Pb stress, a toxic abiotic stress, critically affects maize production and food security. Although some progress has been made in understanding the damage caused by Pb stress and plant response strategies, the regulatory mechanisms and resistance genes involved in the response to lead stress in crops are largely unknown. In this study, the response mechanism of maize to Pb stress, the expression of Pb tolerance genes, physiological and biochemical indexes, the transcriptome, and the metabolome under different concentrations of Pb stress were combined for comprehensive analysis. As a result, the antioxidant system was significantly inhibited under Pb stress, especially under relatively high Pb concentrations. Transcriptome analysis revealed 3559 co-DEGs under the four Pb concentration treatments, which were enriched mainly in the GO terms related to DNA-binding transcription factor activity, response to stress, response to reactive oxygen species, cell death, the plasma membrane and root epidermal cell differentiation. Metabolome analysis revealed 72 and 107 DEMs under T500 and T2000, respectively, and 36 co-DEMs. KEGG analysis of the DEMs and DEGs revealed a common metabolic pathway, namely, flavonoid biosynthesis. An association study between the flavonoid biosynthesis-related DEMs and DEGs revealed 20 genes associated with flavonoid-related metabolites, including 3 for genistin and 17 for calycosin. This study not only provides genetic resources for the genetic improvement of maize Pb tolerance but also enriches the theoretical basis of the maize Pb stress response.
Biomechanical behavior of lower limb joints based on Time-series k- means clustering Algorithm during Gait
Authors: Molavian Rozhin , Fatahi Ali , Khezri Davood
Published: June 2024

Given the inherent essence of gait, there is potential to analyze and categorize this data using artificial intelligence. Aim of this study Investigate the mechanical properties of lower limb articulations while walking through the application of artificial intelligence methodologies.
Twenty-eight young individuals were part of a study. They completed a task walking 10 meters on a path. The task was done twice, once at their own speed and once at 100 beats per minute. Data points were categorized using a machine learning technique called time-series k-means clustering. The movements of hip, knee, and ankle joints were compared across different clusters. Statistical analysis was used to find any differences among the groups. Results of the study shows that angular velocity and joint moment influence subject distribution in clusters. Cluster 3 with the smallest population has the highest mechanical power. Mechanical power of ankle and hip joints affects clustering pattern. Second group has few participants with random power allocation among joints. Knee joint is the primary determinant in clustering process. Hip joint has a minor role in power generation and absorption at preferred speed. Knee and ankle joints are crucial in clustering outcomes in all scenarios.
The findings indicate notable disparities between the production and absorption stages of walking in situations involving preferred and constant speeds, with the exception of the hip joint.
Ricci Curvature and the Stream of Thought
Authors: Nachshon Yinon , Cohen Haim , Naim Paz M. , Saucan Emil , Maril Anat
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates the dynamics of semantic associations by exploring the interplay between continuity and direction, in a geometric semantic space. While acknowledging the role of continuity in guiding associations, our work introduces the notion of Direction as a crucial factor influencing transitions. Conceptually, we define the stream of associations as movement along a sequence of objects, with attention amplifying dissimilarity and progressing in the direction of maximal resolution. The direction of maximal resolution is conceptualized as the most "stretched" direction, representing the focal point of our study.
Methodologically, we propose a unique version of discrete Ricci curvature to measure the direction of maximal resolution, adapting traditional curvature concepts to a hypergraph framework. Empirically, our investigation involves a categorical fluency task where participants name animals, constructing a hypergraph for transition analysis. We evaluate two hypotheses: the relationship between edge "stretchiness" and transition probability, and the enhanced explanatory power of considering Similarity + Direction over similarity alone. Our model challenges the standard view by proposing that the stream of thought moves in the direction of maximal resolution. We introduce the novel idea of Ricci curvature of a hypernetwork to quantify resolution and demonstrate its application in the context of semantic space.
Chia derived peptides affecting bacterial membrane and DNA: Insights from Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli studies Names and e-mail addresses for all authors
Authors: Madrazo Anaí León , Owen Patricia Quintana , Mendoza Gerardo Pérez , Campos Maira Rubi Segura
Published: June 2024

The rising concern over microbial resistance and the potential impact on human health of conventional antimicrobial agents commonly utilized in food preservation has led to the research of plant antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their mechanisms of action. Therefore, study investigated the antimicrobial mechanisms of peptides YACLKVK, KLKKNL, KLLKKYL, and KLLKI, derived from a chia seed peptide fraction, against Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Escherichia coli (EC). The analysis incorporated fluorometric assays and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine membrane permeabilization and bacterial cell morphological changes. The peptides disrupt bacterial membranes, as shown by a propidium iodide (PI) uptake of 72.34 ± 1.87% in SA, calcein release of 98.27 ± 0.93%, and N-Phenyl-1-naphthylamine (NPN) uptake of 84.35 ± 3.03%, in EC. At concentrations above 5 mg/mL, an increased effect on membrane permeabilization was observed. SEM results indicated marked morphological alterations, thus supporting fluorometric findings of cell membrane damage. Furthermore, changes in electrophoretic mobility of EC DNA indicated peptide-DNA interactions, suggesting a supplementary antimicrobial effect through intracellular target engagement beyond membrane disruption. These results highlighted the peptides as promising novel antimicrobial agents with the capability to disrupt bacterial cell membranes and potentially target DNA. The need for further exploration of the peptides' intracellular actions and comprehensive antimicrobial mechanisms is emphasized.
Graph Reduction Techniques for Instance Selection: Comparative and Empirical Study
Authors: Rustamov Zahiriddin , Zaki Nazar , Rustamov Jaloliddin , Zaitouny Ayham , Damseh Rafat
Published: June 2024

Background: The surge in data generation has led to a paradigm shift towards big data, where the belief that “more data equals better performance” is challenged by limitations in processing capabilities and time. In this evolving landscape of machine learning and artificial intelligence, instance selection (IS) has become a crucial technique for data reduction that does not compromise the quality of machine learning models. Traditional IS methods, while efficient, often struggle with the complexity and size of large datasets encountered in data mining.
Objective: This study aims to review and evaluate graph reduction techniques, grounded in graph theory, as a novel approach for instance selection. The objective is to leverage the inherent structures of data represented as graphs to enhance the effectiveness of instance selection.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of 35 graph reduction techniques across 29 diverse classification datasets. These techniques were assessed based on various metrics, including accuracy, F1 score, reduction rate, and computational times. The study spans a wide array of techniques and compares their performance to provide a thorough understanding of their suitability for different data sizes and types.
Results: The evaluation revealed significant potential in graph reduction methods, particularly in maintaining data integrity while achieving substantial reductions. The performance metrics indicate that these techniques can be highly effective, offering substantial improvements in various aspects of instance selection.
Conclusion: This research contributes to the theoretical framework of graph-based instance selection and provides practical guidelines for applying these techniques in real-world scenarios. Our findings suggest that graph reduction methods are promising for preserving data quality and enhancing the efficiency of data processing in large and complex datasets.
From Fear to Love: Dissecting Political Trust in China
Authors: Su Yu-Sung , Liu Yu , Zhu Meng
Published: June 2024

The remarkably high level of political trust observed in Chinese surveys has ignited enduring debates regarding whether fear has inflated these numbers. The opposing sides share one assumption: fear and trust are inherently contradictory. Our study proposes an alternative view. Grounded in cognitive dissonance theory, which holds that induced compliance can lead to sincere attitude change, we argue that fear has in fact increased political trust in China. We take Xi's sweeping anti-corruption campaign as a quasi-natural experiment to test this theory. Using 2002-2021 survey data and employing a Difference-in-Differences model, we take the campaign as treatment and regime insiders as the treated group, finding that political trust among regime insiders increased faster than among outsiders during the campaign. This finding withstands various robustness checks. Our study not only addresses the fear-love conundrum in China studies but also uncovers a general mechanism of legitimacy production in deeply authoritarian states.