bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symbiotic can replace zinc bacitracin in diets for layer-type chicks
Authors: Silva D. A. , Rabello C. B. V. , Santos M. J. B. , Nascimento J. C. S. , Ribeiro A. G. , Soares E. S. R. , Manso H. E. C. C. C. , Souza L. F. A. , Medeiros-Ventura W. R. L. , Silva Junior R. V. , Andrade M. F.
Published: February 2024

Context Antibiotics are being prohibited as additives in poultry diets. Therefore, poultry farmers have been searching for other alternatives, such as symbiotics, to include in broilers and laying hens diets. In contrast, symbiotics have not been tested in laying-type chicks, especially symbiotics composed of three groups of bacteria, yeast and two prebiotics. Aim This study examined the effects of replacing zinc bacitracin with symbiotic supplementation on the performance variables, haematology and blood biochemistry variables, and the weight of the immune and digestive systems in layer-type chicks. Methods A total of 1040 female layer-type chicks from 1 to 5 weeks of age were evaluated in a completely randomised design, four treatments and 10 replicates of 26 birds. The treatments consisted of two basal diets (one composed of corn and soybean meal [control diet] and another similar to the first diet, except with the addition of meat and bone meal [MBM]), and two diets based on MBM: one with 0.05% zinc bacitracin (ZnBc) and another with 0.1% symbiotic. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by orthogonal contrasts. Key results MBM provided higher mean bodyweight, weight gain and creatinine levels, but lower liver weight, caecum length and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels than in the birds fed the control diet. From 1 to 14 days, ZnBc provided greater bodyweight and weight gain than MBM. From 1 to 28 and 1 to 35 days, ZnBc resulted in higher bodyweight and weight gain, but lower feed intake and feed conversion ratio than birds fed the MBM diet. ZnBc decreased alkaline phosphatase, and increased creatinine levels and gamma-glutamyl transferase. From 1 to 14 and 1 to 21 days, 0.1% symbiotic provided a better feed conversion ratio than in the birds fed the ZnBc diet. The 0.1% symbiotic supplementation resulted in lower liver and fabricius bursa weights, higher mean alkaline phosphatase, and lower globulin, gamma-glutamyl transferase and aspartate transferase levels than ZnBc. Conclusion The symbiotic is effective for female layer type-chicks, fulfilling the purpose of replacing ZnBc. Implications Symbiotics used in chicks’ diets from the first day of life can replace antibiotics to maintain physiological homeostasis and protect them from possible stress situations.
The sole relative marker
Authors: Huang Xinjunrong , Tsai Cheng-Yu Edwin
Published: February 2024

The exclusive expression weiyi ‘sole/only’ in Mandarin can appear preverbally in a relative
clause (e.g., wo weiyi xihuan de shu ‘the sole book I like’) but not in other types of clauses (e.g., *Wo
weiyi xihuan shu, intended: ‘I only like books’). This paper first justifies the claim that weiyi
may not only function as an adjectival modifier but also appear preverbally inside a relative clause, and then demonstrates how
weiyi is related to definiteness and takes scope out of a relative clause. It is proposed that preverbal
weiyi is part of a DP which undergoes overt A’-movement in the process of relativization. The syntactic
structure and semantic composition of a matching analysis are offered to show how a uniform account can be given across adjectival
and relative weiyi. A major implication of this paper is that Mandarin does not possess a relative pronoun but
allows a DP-internal focus expression to mark syntactic movement in relativization. A comparison between relative constructions
involving weiyi and English all-clefts is also discussed.
OpenPFC: an open-source framework for high performance 3D phase field crystal simulations
Authors: Pinomaa Tatu , Aho Jukka , Suviranta Jaarli , Jreidini Paul , Provatas Nikolas , Laukkanen Anssi
Published: February 2024

We present OpenPFC (https://github.com/VTT-ProperTune/OpenPFC), a state-of-the-art phase field crystal (PFC) simulation platform designed to be scalable for massive high-performance computation environments. OpenPFC can efficiently handle large-scale simulations, as demonstrated by our strong and weak scaling analyses up to an 81923 grid on 65 536 cores. Our results indicate that meaningful PFC simulations can be conducted on grids of size 20483 or even 40963, provided there is a sufficient number of cores and ample disk storage available. In addition, we introduce an efficient implementation of moving boundary conditions that eliminates the need for copying field values between MPI processes or adding an advection term to the evolution equations. This scheme enhances the computational efficiency in simulating large scale processes such as long directional solidification. To showcase the robustness of OpenPFC, we apply it to simulations of rapid solidification in the regime of metal additive manufacturing using a recently developed quantitative solid-liquid-vapor PFC model, parametrized for pure tungsten (body-centered cubic) and aluminum (face-centered cubic).
Application of rigorous interface boundary conditions in mesoscale plasticity simulations
Authors: Yu Jinxin , Ngan Alfonso H W , Srolovitz David J , Han Jian
Published: February 2024

The interactions between dislocations and interface/grain boundaries, including dislocation absorption, transmission, and reflection, have garnered significant attention from the research community for their impact on the mechanical properties of materials. However, the traditional approaches used to simulate grain boundaries lack physical fidelity and are often incompatible across different simulation methods. We review a new mesoscale interface boundary condition based on Burgers vector conservation and kinetic dislocation reaction processes. The main focus of the paper is to demonstrate how to unify this boundary condition with different plasticity simulation approaches such as the crystal plasticity finite element (CPFEM), continuum dislocation dynamics (CDD), and discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) methods. In DDD and CDD, plasticity is simulated based on dislocation activity; in the former, dislocations are described as discrete lines while in the latter in terms of dislocation density. CPFEM simulates plasticity in terms of slip on each slip system, without explicit treatment of dislocations; it is suitable for larger scale simulations. To validate our interface boundary condition, we implemented simulations using both the CPFEM method and a two-dimensional CDD model. Our results show that our compact and physically realistic interface boundary condition can be easily integrated into multiscale simulation methods and yield novel results consistent with experimental observations.
Low-cost optical home-lab experiments
Authors: Magalhães Tiago E C , Ribeiro Tânia M
Published: February 2024

Low-cost experiments have the advantage of being affordable to schools, universities, and families. In the particular case of optics, these experiments can be important to help students understand the properties of light and optical phenomena. In this article, we demonstrate optical experiments to be carried out at home by students learning remotely. These experiments were designed and performed at the 16th Summer School in Physics, which is a five-day activity for high school students organized by the University of Porto. This activity was organized remotely, with all lectures and activities being performed through video conferencing. The materials needed for the proposed experiments were sent by post to students before the beginning of school. The students were able to build optical experiments from scratch, perform measurements, analyse data and present their findings on the last day of the school in a public session dedicated to online presentations.
Centre of mass of standard weights: another experiment with Lego and Tracker
Authors: Purata-Sifuentes Omar-Jair , Echegoyén-Naranjo Carlos-Augusto , Vargas-Torres Carlos
Published: February 2024

Determine the centre of mass (CM) of standard weights is needed when two weights with different heights are compared. However, reproducing related experiments is difficult for high school or higher education institutions with non-expensive instrumentation or low budgets to construct specialised devices. This work addresses that problem in a two-way approach: dynamic video-based analysis and making a low-cost static device with Lego bricks. Published scientific papers support both methods. The experimental results of the video-based procedure were used to fit a polynomial regression model to find the CM location. On the other hand, the Lego device approach gives the ubication of the CM directly. Both methods were compared against geometric formulae publicly available to locate the CM of standard weights. The whole three stages project could be used in a senior high school or undergraduate physics course to teach about the comparison and compatibility of methods in experimental physics.
The impact of AI in physics education: a comprehensive review from GCSE to university levels
Authors: Yeadon Will , Hardy Tom
Published: February 2024

With the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), its potential implications for higher education have become a focal point of interest. This study delves into the capabilities of AI in physics education and offers actionable AI policy recommendations. Using openAI’s flagship gpt-3.5-turbo large language model (LLM), we assessed its ability to answer 1337 physics exam questions spanning general certificate of secondary education (GCSE), A-Level, and introductory university curricula. We employed various AI prompting techniques: Zero Shot, in context learning, and confirmatory checking, which merges chain of thought reasoning with reflection. The proficiency of gpt-3.5-turbo varied across academic levels: it scored an average of 83.4% on GCSE, 63.8% on A-Level, and 37.4% on university-level questions, with an overall average of 59.9% using the most effective prompting technique. In a separate test, the LLM’s accuracy on 5000 mathematical operations was found to be 45.2%. When evaluated as a marking tool, the LLM’s concordance with human markers averaged at 50.8%, with notable inaccuracies in marking straightforward questions, like multiple-choice. Given these results, our recommendations underscore caution: while current LLMs can consistently perform well on physics questions at earlier educational stages, their efficacy diminishes with advanced content and complex calculations. LLM outputs often showcase novel methods not in the syllabus, excessive verbosity, and miscalculations in basic arithmetic. This suggests that at university, there’s no substantial threat from LLMs for non-invigilated physics questions. However, given the LLMs’ considerable proficiency in writing physics essays and coding abilities, non-invigilated examinations of these skills in physics are highly vulnerable to automated completion by LLMs. This vulnerability also extends to pysics questions pitched at lower academic levels. It is thus recommended that educators be transparent about LLM capabilities with their students, while emphasizing caution against overreliance on their output due to its tendency to sound plausible but be incorrect.
Low-cost experiments for teaching eletrostatics in Brazilian high school
Authors: Juliatto Henrique M , Martins Matheus A , Kusman Matheus , Yokaichiya Fabiano , Franco Margareth K K D
Published: February 2024

Many public schools in Brazil do not have the financial resources to obtain certain equipment for teaching physics. Considering that the Brazilian National Common Curricular Base, a normative document that defines the organic and progressive set of essential learning that all students must develop, determines that the curriculum for teaching electromagnetism for high school encompass electrostatics. It is very important that schools offer laboratory conditions. For this reason, it was proposed to design simple and low-cost construction equipment, so that teachers from the basic education network can build them for their schools, thus improving the quality of teaching for their students. This study aims to gather equipment and experiments, such as electroscope, electrophorus, Leyden jar and Van de Graaf generator, which can be used in the classroom for didactic purposes in physics teaching. The main focus of this work is the construction of equipment for the implementation of a laboratory for the study of electrostatics, which addresses physical concepts seen by high school students of the basic network in Brazil.
A mixed Fourier-variational approach to solve differential or integro-differential wave equations for magnetised plasmas
Authors: Eester Dirk Van , Lerche E A
Published: February 2024

The All ORders Spectral Algorithm (AORSA) wave equation solver by Jaeger (Jaeger et al 2001 Phys. Plasmas
8 1573) solves the integro-differential wave equation relevant for the radio frequency (RF) domain and for fusion-relevant conditions in tokamaks or stellarators, retaining all finite Larmor radius corrections by substituting the continuous Fourier integrals by a sum over a discrete set of modes. Its strength is also its weakness: the simplicity of the method results in significant computational effort, a full matrix needing to be inverted to solve the associated linear system. Based on the notion that modes are gradually more independent if their eigenvalues differ, the present paper proposes a straightforward numerical method to partly alleviate this need, allowing to substitute the full system matrix by a banded one. The adopted method can be applied to a wide variety of equations. A few 1D examples—of relevance for solving the wave equation in the RF domain of frequencies—are provided: the tunneling equation is used to illustrate the potential of the method, and the all-FLR wave equation (retaining all Finite Larmor Radius corrections in the dielectric response) adopted by Jaeger is solved comparing the solutions found to those based on simpler models (a cold plasma and a ‘tepid plasma’ - i.e. a kinetic model truncated at zero order in Larmor radius—description).
Gyrokinetic simulation of pedestal degradation correlated with enhanced magnetic turbulence in a DIII-D ELMy H-mode discharge
Authors: Jian X , Chen J , Holland C , Chan V S , Zhang X R , Yu G , Yan Z
Published: February 2024

Gyrokinetic simulation of a dedicated pedestal density ramping-up discharge on DIII-D can reproduce the enhancement of magnetic turbulence in the pedestal, which is identified to be caused by micro-tearing modes (MTMs). An increase of MTM amplitude results in higher electron thermal diffusivity, consistent with experimentally observed lower electron temperature gradient and degraded pedestal height. Gyrokinetic simulation identifies the major cause of MTM enhancement to be the increase of collisionality, which has a significant impact on the MTM intensity and is beyond the description of any (quasi-)linear theory.
A scheme to fix multiple solutions in amplitude analyses*
Authors: Gao 高 Yuanning 原宁 , Rong 荣 Tianze 天泽 , Yang 杨 Zhenwei 振伟 , Zhang 张 Chenjia 辰佳 , Zhang 张 Yanxi 艳席
Published: February 2024

Decays of unstable heavy particles usually involve the coherent sum of several amplitudes, like in a multiple slit experiment. Dedicated amplitude analysis techniques have been widely used to resolve these amplitudes for better understanding of the underlying dynamics. In special cases where two spin-1/2 particles and two (pseudo-) scalar particles are present in the process, multiple equivalent solutions are found owing to intrinsic symmetries in the summed probability density function. In this study, the problem of multiple solutions is discussed, and a scheme to overcome this problem is proposed by fixing some free parameters. Toys are generated to validate the strategy. A new approach to align the helicities of initial- and final-state particles in different decay chains is also introduced.
Examining urban development trends and characteristics: future of public transportation in greater bandung
Authors: Suharjo I P , Leksono A A R , Aththaariq M F , Adnan U A , Evangelista  , Priadi G D
Published: February 2024

This article investigates the urban development trends and characteristics of Greater Bandung, Indonesia, with the goal of projecting the future urban landscape and proposing government actions. The study analyzes the existing situation of urban development in the region by utilizing government regulations, statutes, and planning documents, including designs. The findings provide a complete knowledge of how Greater Bandung’s urban landscape is anticipated to grow and highlight significant areas that require attention. The analysis identifies significant inadequacies in transportation infrastructure and underlines the need for government intervention to remedy these deficiencies by reviewing existing policies and plans. Transportation modelling was employed to give validation and sense in numerical sense of travel volumes in the roads of Bandung, helping to form a concise recommendation. The article will be useful for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders interested in the future development of Public Transportation in Greater Bandung. These recommendations encompass transit hubs and corridors suggestions to accommodate future growth of the city and its surrounding areas. The result of the study analysis shows that the development of the Greater Bandung Area can be done by prioritizing 7 (seven) main points of interest which are translated into 9 (nine) nodes. These nodes can be connected into 2 (two) main corridors as the backbone and 21 feeder corridors.
Counterflow riding behavior of motorcyclists: The role of moral obligation and variables in The Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: Sirait J N , Santoso G A
Published: February 2024

Motorcycles are one of the most popular modes of transportation in Indonesia because of their various benefits. However, these benefits are followed by increased traffic violations, one of which is counterflow riding behavior. This study aimed to examine the more consistent relationship among variables relating to The Theory of Planned Behavior, namely attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, as well as the variable of moral obligation with counterflow riding behavior. A correlational study was conducted on 151 motorcyclists aged 18 – 64, domiciled in Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi), with active driver’s licenses, and have done counterflow riding behavior. The results showed that attitude and moral obligation significantly correlated to counterflow riding behavior. Among the two variables, moral obligation is more consistently correlated with counterflow riding behavior than attitude. These findings imply that serious and consistent efforts are needed from law enforcement officials to educate and promote sanctions in curbing the counterflow riding behavior of motorcyclists.
Identification of crash-prone segment on Cipularang toll road
Authors: Nabila S , Kusumawati A , Weningtyas W
Published: February 2024

Traffic safety is an important issue in the field of transportation. Toll roads are one of the infrastructures that are prone to crashes, because on toll roads drivers can drive their vehicles at high speeds so there is a high risk of having an crash, as happens every year on Cipularang Toll Road. This research will determine the crash-prone segments on Cipularang Toll Road section using the network screening method. Crash and traffic data for the last five years (2018-2022) were obtained from PT Jasa Marga Purbaleunyi. Identification of crash-prone segments carried out using ten performance indicators contained in HSM (2010), namely average crash frequency, crash rate, critical rate, Equivalent Property Damage Only average crash frequency, relative severity index, excess predicted average crash frequency using method of moment, Level of Service of Safety, excess predicted average crash frequency using SPF, probability of specific crash type exceeding threshold proportion, and expected average crash frequency with Empirical Bayes adjustment. The analysis results show that the five segments with the highest priority for treatment are KM 91-92, KM 92-93, and KM 86-87 (Jakarta-bound direction), KM 120-121 and KM 101-102 (Bandung-bound direction).
A review of accident data for traffic safety studies in Indonesia
Authors: Kusumastutie N S , Patria B. , Kusrohmaniah S. , Hastjarjo T D
Published: February 2024

Accident data is a crucial indicator of traffic safety. This study investigates the use of accident data in traffic safety studies in Indonesia. The analysis was conducted on studies that met the eligibility criteria, which included using traffic accident data in Indonesia and articles published in Indonesian and English language journals or proceedings. The search was conducted on four databases: Garuda, Neliti, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The final selection resulted in 50 articles. The data analysis indicates the need for improvement in the number of studies, the utilization of data elements in investigations, supplement data, and data analysis techniques. In addition to providing recommendations to optimize the use of traffic accident data in future studies, this study also emphasizes the importance of improving the accuracy of traffic accident data.
Road safety improving in blackspot of Mount Bromo tourist road access, East Java
Authors: Sulistyono S , Fikria L , Maliq T M , Hasanuddin A , Ishak S Z
Published: February 2024

Mount Bromo in East Java is one of Indonesia’s priority tourist attractions. Safe, secure, orderly, and smooth traffic access is needed to support tourism. Safe roads can be an essential part of realizing this. This study aims to prioritize handling blackspots to discover safe roads. The research was conducted on three access roads to Mount Bromo from Probolinggo: Jalan Raya Sukapura, Jalan Raya Bromo, and Jalan Raya Lumbang. Analysis of the probability value of accidents, the impact value of the severity of accident victims, and the risk value of accidents are used to determine handling priorities. The results of the analysis obtained priority handling for Blackspot 1 by increasing the width of the road shoulder, Blackspot 2 by providing a crossing integrated with APILL, Blackspot 3 by completing street lighting and increasing lane width, Blackspot 4 by completing street lighting, and Blackspot 5 by increasing lane width. Prioritizing the handling of accident-prone locations in the road and environmental aspects can be done by reviewing the risk value of accidents for each road sub-component. A safe road will be realized at the Blackspot location.
Experience in calibrating the VISSIM microscopic simulation model for an unsignalized intersection in Pekanbaru, Indonesia
Authors: Muttaqin M Z , Feswiger N , Zaini A K , Kumalasari C
Published: February 2024

Traffic activity is unique and occurs throughout the region. All moving traffic movements cause a build up of vehicles when there are conflicts between vehicles and result in congestion, one of which is in the intersection area located on Jalan SM Amin, Pekanbaru. Traffic modelling can assist traffic management through accurate simulation results with field conditions based on driving behavior value VISSIM is a simulation tool used to simulate dynamic traffic flow conditions. The research has aim to modelling and calibrating driver behavior value based on traffic flow conditions at unsignalised intersections in Pekanbaru. This research uses simulation modelling with VISSIM as the modeler and GEH and MAPE as validation tools to choose which right model. Simulation process will used calibration process based on driving behavior value for the right model by trial and error method.. The result showed that simulation model based on default parameter of driving Behavior cannot represent for real traffic. Then changes in the combination of Driving Behaviour values affect the accuracy of model conditions with field conditions. The accuracy is measured using the reference volume of vehicles exiting the unsignalled intersection. Therefore, this research could be can assist in smoothing traffic flow model in Pekanbaru which more easily by using live traffic flow simulation that can be utilized for traffic intersection management scenarios.
Travel pattern analysis and freight trip generation modeling of textile commodities. Case study: Thamrin City Shopping Center, Jakarta
Authors: Khaerani Halisa , Nahry  , Kusuma Andyka
Published: February 2024

One of the sectors supporting the country’s economic development is the commercial sector. With the increasing population, the demand for consumer goods will increase, impacting trip generation. Thus, it is necessary to conduct a study to predict the trip generation of freight transport in shopping centers, especially in DKI Jakarta, with textile stores as trip generators. This research aims to determine the travel pattern of freight transport and freight trip generation models produced and attracted at the Thamrin City shopping center and to analyze the factors influencing freight trip generation. The research was conducted using a quantitative research method with a cross-sectional. Data collection used a questionnaire given to 105 merchants. Data analysis used linear regression methods with the number of freight trip production and attraction as the dependent variable. The independent variables used are the number of employees and gross floor area. The study results show that the delivery of goods using expedition services is sent to the distribution center before being sent to the destination. While shipping goods using private vehicles, sent directly to the destination location. The gross floor area significantly influences the trips generation. Transportation planners can use this research to estimate the number of trip generation in shopping center areas in the future.
T-UFF (Tracker stuff): application development for warehouse tracking
Authors: Baskara Wahyu Padma , Eucharisto Thomas More Elang , Utari Ni Kadek Rania , Soimun Ahmad , Sasue Riz Rifai Oktavianus
Published: February 2024

Era Society 5.0, requires the logistics agents to adapt and follow technology development to create supply chain efficiency. One of the ways is to apply the IoT to warehousing activities, creating a system design Warehouse Tracking app that works to increase order picking time efficiency. This system design application method is using the System Development Live Cycle (SDLC) and follows Object-oriented programming (OOP). This final result study is a system design application based on the IoT and QR codes for operating order-tracking goods in a warehouse. With this Tracker Stuff (T-UFF) app, the time it takes for order picking will be decreased so that it can create activity-efficient logistics for the company.
Evaluation Of The Implementation Of Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) In The Sunda Strait
Authors: Priadi A A , Ivan R , Darsani  , Anindhyta C
Published: February 2024

The sea traffic separation chart or what is commonly called the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is generally used to assist international shipping navigation and is also part of a country’s maritime zone as mandated in UNCLOS 1982. In this case, Indonesia has implemented TSS in the Sunda Strait and in the Lombok Strait on 1 July 2020. The Directorate General of Sea Transportation, the Ministry of Transportation is the leading agency responsible for enforcement of the scheme through the Directorate of Navigation and the Directorate has established the Merak Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system in the Province of Banten to monitor the Sunda Strait and VTS Benoa in the Province of Bali to monitor the Lombok Strait. Since the implementation of the TSS in the Sunda Strait until now, it turns out that there are still many ships that do not comply with the traffic procedures in the TSS as regulated in such a way. The research suggestion that violations in addition to administrative sanctions for those ships who commit violations, also implement a violation reporting system application to speed up the process of reports from VTS Operators to related officials.
Assessment of road pavement conditions using Surface Distress Index (SDI) and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) methods
Authors: Hermawati Putu , Putri N P A S
Published: February 2024

Road pavement is an important element in transportation infrastructure that affects the comfort and safety of road users. It is important to carry out regular assessments of the condition of the road pavement. This study aims to evaluate the condition of the road pavement using the Surface Distress Index (SDI) and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) methods. It is collecting field data regarding the condition of the road pavement, including the type and extent of existing damage. This data is then analyzed using the formula that has been determined in the SDI and PCI methods. In the research that has been done, the average SDI value for flexible pavement for Jalan Gunung Agung is 18 (Good) and the average PCI value is 63.8 (Good). The technical measures that can be applied to the flexible pavement of Jalan Gunung Agung are P2 (Asphalt), P4 (Filling cracks), P5 (Filling holes), and P6 (Gravelling).
Sustainable aviation fuel development: case study in Indonesia
Authors: Nugroho D A , Sitompul M R , Widadi N
Published: February 2024

The usage of fossil fuel in aviation contributes to 2% of CO2 emission globally. Though the industry keeps improving the efficiency of the aircraft, the increase in activity offset this improvement. The usage of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) may become a potential option in order to reduce emissions. SAF immediate compatibility and low emission become the main attraction for its usage. Indonesia in order to fulfill its NZE commitment is currently developing its own biofuel. This study’s objective is to obtain information on SAF or biofuel development in Indonesia by discussion with experts and stakeholders related to aviation and fuel development. By conducting this study it is known that the development of biofuel in Indonesia has successfully resulted in two products, J2.0 and J2.4, biofuel developed based on palm oil. Though these fuels have been certified domestically, their implementation still faces several issues, such as the sustainability aspect related to the CORSIA scheme, the production volume and availability, and potential price surge. Therefore through this study several recommendations are presented in the hope to accelerate the implementation. Although the direction of SAF development in Indonesia is through the usage of Palm oil as its main feedstock, Indonesia also has used cooking oil (UCO) and Sugarcane as potential feedstock to be explored. The development and implementation for these feedstock into SAF is necessary as a possible solution for reducing the greenhouse gas emission, therefore a support through financial, technological, and regulation means are necessary to be provided by all stakeholders.
Classification of stochastic processes based on deep learning
Authors: Al-Murisi Shamsan A , Tang Xiangong , Deng Weihua
Published: February 2024

Stochastic processes model the time evolution of fluctuation phenomena widely observed in physics, chemistry, biology, and even social science. Typical examples include the dynamics of molecular interactions, cellular signalling, animal feeding, disease transmission, financial market fluctuation, and climate change. We create three datasets based on the codes obtained from the published article; the first one is for 12 stochastic processes, the second one for the Markov and non-Markov processes, and the third one for the Gaussian and non-Gaussian processes. We do the stochastic process classification by employing a series of convolution neural networks (CNNs), i.e. VGG16, VGG19, AlexNet, and MobileNetV2, achieving the accuracy rates of ‘99%’, ‘98%’, ‘95%’, and ‘94%’ on the first dataset, respectively; in the second dataset, the test accuracy of VGG16 is ‘100%’, and for the rest of the models, it is ‘99%’; and in the third dataset, the test accuracy of all models is ‘100%’, except the VGG19, which is ‘99%’. According to the findings, CNNs have slightly higher accuracy than classic feature-based approaches in the majority of circumstances, but at the cost of much longer training periods.
Air pollution related adverse respiratory health outcomes in California’s San Joaquin Valley: evidence from 2016 linked emergency department and hospital records
Authors: Zarate-Gonzalez Gilda , Cisneros Ricardo , Gharibi Hamed , Brown Paul
Published: February 2024

The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) of California has been consistently identified as having one of the highest levels of air pollution in the US. Despite federal and state standards, the SJV has been in non-attainment status for daily PM2.5 concentrations, extreme non-attainment for 8 hr O3 levels, and attainment for NO2. An epidemiological time-stratified case-crossover design was used to estimate the relationship between exposure to NO2, O3, PM2.5 and adverse health outcomes in asthma and upper respiratory infections (URIs). This study compared pollutant exposure effects for each case during limited time intervals and adjusted for seasonality. Elevated concentrations of three criteria outdoor air pollutants are associated with increased asthma and URI-related ED visits and hospitalizations in the SJV for all ages. NO2 exposure increased the odds of having an ED visit by 2.4% in lag 1 (95% CI: 1.017, 1.031). Lags 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, and 14 were statistically significant. O3 modestly increased the odds of ED visits by 0.3% (95% CI:1.000, 1.006) after immediate exposure in the warm season. In the cold season, PM2.5 estimates were significant for all lags except for lags 4 and 12. The two-week lag increased the odds by 28% (95% CI:1.218, 1.345) for ED visits, and 16.5% (95% CI:1.009, 1.345) increased the odds of being hospitalized after cumulative exposure to PM2.5. Findings suggest that SJV residents experience adverse health effects due to elevated exposure to NO2 despite attainment of federal and state pollutant standards. This study provides new evidence about the effects of three criteria air pollutants and adverse health outcomes in the SJV region. The air quality regulatory and public health governing bodies should consider revisions to regional pollutant thresholds and local public health strategies to prevent adverse health outcomes during short and prolonged periods of air pollution exposure.
Exercise to socialize? Bidirectional relationships between physical activity and loneliness in middle-aged and older American adults
Authors: Surkalim D L , Clare P J , Eres R , Gebel K , Bauman A E , Ding D
Published: February 2024

Physical inactivity and loneliness are both associated with health risks and can affect each other through various social and behavioral mechanisms. However, current evidence on this relationship is equivocal and mostly based on cross-sectional data. This longitudinal study aimed to determine whether current levels of physical activity (moderate and vigorous intensity) and loneliness are associated with future respective states of themselves and each other. We used data from waves 6-14 (2002-2018) of the Health and Retirement Study (n = 20 134) in a mixed-effects and random-intercept cross-lagged panel model. Analysis showed that current loneliness and physical activity were associated with each future respective state. Additionally, weekly participation in moderate-intensity, but not vigorous-intensity, physical activity was associated with a lower likelihood of becoming lonely in the future (relative risk [RR] = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90-0.99). However, changes in physical activity were not associated with deviation from a person’s typical level of loneliness (for vigorous intensity, mean deviation [MD] = 0.00; 95% CI: −0.04 to 0.03; for moderate-intensity, MD = 0.01; 95% CI: −0.03 to 0.04). Loneliness was not associated with moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity in subsequent waves. This suggests that while lower physical activity levels can be associated with future loneliness, changing levels of physical activity has little impact on loneliness at the individual level.
No geographical differences in male mate choice in a widespread fish, Limia perugiae
Authors: Powell Chance , Schlupp Ingo
Published: February 2024

Behavior, like most other traits, can have a spatial component, and variability of behavior at the population level is predicted. In this article, we explore male mate choice at this level. Male mate choice, while maybe not as common as female choice, is expected to evolve when males respond to significant variation in female quality and, for example, prefer females with higher fecundity. In fishes, higher fecundity is associated with larger body size, an easily measured trait. In this study, we investigated the presence of male mate choice for larger females in a widespread species of livebearing fish, Limia perugiae, while comparing preferences between populations. We hypothesized that environmental variation, for example, in the form of salinity, might result in population differences. Using dichotomous choice tests, we analyzed behavioral data for 80 individuals from 7 distinct populations from Hispaniola. We found that L. perugiae males significantly preferred large females, but there was no significant statistical variation between populations.
Utilizing the scale-invariant feature transform algorithm to align distance matrices facilitates systematic protein structure comparison
Authors: Guo Zhengyang , Wang Yang , Ou Guangshuo
Published: February 2024

Motivation

Protein structure comparison is pivotal for deriving homological relationships, elucidating protein functions, and understanding evolutionary developments. The burgeoning field of in-silico protein structure prediction now yields billions of models with near-experimental accuracy, necessitating sophisticated tools for discerning structural similarities among proteins, particularly when sequence similarity is limited.

Results

In this article, we have developed the align distance matrix with scale (ADAMS) pipeline, which synergizes the distance matrix alignment method with the scale-invariant feature transform algorithm, streamlining protein structure comparison on a proteomic scale. Utilizing a computer vision-centric strategy for contrasting disparate distance matrices, ADAMS adeptly alleviates challenges associated with proteins characterized by a high degree of structural flexibility. Our findings indicate that ADAMS achieves a level of performance and accuracy on par with Foldseek, while maintaining similar speed. Crucially, ADAMS overcomes certain limitations of Foldseek in handling structurally flexible proteins, establishing it as an efficacious tool for in-depth protein structure analysis with heightened accuracy.

Availability

ADAMS can be download and used as a python package from Python Package Index (PyPI): adams · PyPI. Source code and other materials are available from young55775/ADAMS-developing (github.com). An online server is available: Bseek Search Server (cryonet.ai)
Terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae causing extensive dermatophytosis in a returning traveller, London, UK
Authors: Abdolrasouli Alireza , Borman Andrew M , Johnson Elizabeth M , Hay Roderick J , Arias Mauricio
Published: February 2024

Severe and antifungal-resistant dermatophyte infections are a growing global public health concern. Trichophyton indotineae, a novel dermatophyte species, has caused an epidemic of severe, difficult-to-treat and recalcitrant dermatophytoses in India and South Asia, where it is now common. We present a case of terbinafine-resistant T. indotineae in London, UK, causing extensive dermatophytosis associated with recent travel to Latin America, outside the previously reported risk area.
Comparison of the clinical efficacy of topical tretinoin 0.05% cream and tacrolimus 0.1% ointment plus iontophoresis in the management of palmoplantar psoriasis
Authors: Bubna Aditya Kumar
Published: February 2024

Background

Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP) is a localized variant of psoriasis that may be resistant to topical therapy, owing to the poor penetrability of topical agents at this anatomical site. Modalities that enhance localized cutaneous delivery of drugs could help to solve this problem. Iontophoresis is one such procedure that augments transdermal drug delivery, thus enabling better and expeditious therapeutic outcomes.

Objective

To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of iontophoresis with tretinoin 0.05% cream and tacrolimus 0.1% ointment in treating patients with PPP.

Methods

Sixty patients with PPP (28 males and 32 females, age range 8–76 years) were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two groups comprising 30 patients each. One group (12 males and 18 females) received iontophoresis with tretinoin 0.05% cream; the other (16 males and 14 females) received iontophoresis treatment with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment. Both groups received treatment weekly from baseline until 4 weeks and then fortnightly at weeks 6 and 8. Clinical images were taken at each visit and improvement of psoriasis was evaluated using the erythema, scaling, induration and fissuring (ESIF) score. The percentage reduction in ESIF score was also assessed on completion of treatment and the grade of improvement noted for each patient.

Results

Twenty-seven patients in the iontophoresis with tretinoin 0.05% cream group and 29 in the iontophoresis treatment with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment group completed the study. The mean (SD) ESIF score in the former decreased significantly from 8.7 (2) at baseline to 3.2 (1.7) at the study endpoint (P < 0.001). Similarly, in the latter group, there was a substantial reduction in mean (SD) ESIF score from 8.2 (1.9) at baseline to 3.3 (1.1) at the study end (P < 0.001). No significant adverse effects were encountered in either treatment arm.

Conclusions

Iontophoresis using tretinoin and tacrolimus was found to be effective and safe for the treatment of PPP. Although iontophoresis with tretinoin showed slightly better results than with tacrolimus, these were not statistically significant.
Morphometric analysis of chronicity on kidney biopsy: a useful prognostic exercise
Authors: Asghar Muhammad S , Denic Aleksandar , Rule Andrew D
Published: February 2024

Chronic changes on kidney biopsy specimens include increasing amounts of arteriosclerosis, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, enlarged nephron size, and reduced nephron number. These chronic changes are difficult to accurately assess by visual inspection but are reasonably quantified using morphometry. This review describes the various patient populations that have undergone morphometric analysis of kidney biopsies. The common approaches to morphometric analysis are described. The chronic kidney disease outcomes associated with various chronic changes by morphometry are also summarized. Morphometry enriches the characterization of chronicity on a kidney biopsy and this can supplement the pathologist's diagnosis. Artificial intelligence image processing tools are needed to automate the annotations needed for practical morphometric analysis of kidney biopsy specimens in routine clinical care.
“Prince Charming with an Erection”: The Sensational Pleasures of the Bonkbuster
Authors: Burge Amy , McAlister Jodi , Ireland Charlotte
Published: February 2024

The bonkbuster—an explosively popular genre of women’s writing in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s—had an interesting resurgence in 2023. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claims to be a fan of bonkbuster author Jilly Cooper, whose novel Rivals (1988) is being adapted for television. But what is a bonkbuster? And how is it different from the genre with which it is most associated: the romance novel? In this article, the first to analyze the bonkbuster in detail, we focus on two concerns common to both forms—sex and relationships—and explore how bonkbusters revel in their own “badness.” We argue that the pleasures of a bonkbuster are rooted in their sensationalism and their ironic potential.
Periprocedural myocardial infarction and injury
Authors: Spagnolo Marco , Occhipinti Giovanni , Laudani Claudio , Greco Antonio , Capodanno Davide
Published: February 2024

Periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI) and injury, pertinent to both cardiac and non-cardiac procedures, have gained increasing recognition in clinical practice. Over time, diverse definitions for diagnosing PMI have been developed and validated among patient populations undergoing coronary revascularization. However, this variety in definitions presents considerable challenges in clinical settings and complicates both the design and interpretation of clinical trials. The necessity to accurately diagnose PMI has spurred significant interest in establishing universally accepted and prognostically meaningful thresholds for cardiac biomarkers elevation and supportive ancillary criteria. In fact, elevations in cardiac biomarkers in line with the 4th Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction, have been extensively confirmed to be associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular events. In the context of non-coronary cardiac procedures, such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, there is a growing acknowledgment of both the high incidence rates and the adverse impact of PMI on patient outcomes. Similarly, emerging research underscores the significance of PMI and injury in non-cardiac surgery, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and risk management strategies in this domain.
Peak atrial longitudinal strain and risk stratification in moderate and severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Springhetti Paolo , Tomaselli Michele , Benfari Giovanni , Milazzo Salvatore , Ciceri Luca , Penso Marco , Pilan Matteo , Clement Alexandra , Rota Alessandra , Del Sole Paolo Alberto , Nistri Stefano , Muraru Denisa , Ribichini Flavio , Badano Luigi
Published: February 2024

Aims

We sought to investigate the association of left atrial strain with the outcome in a large cohort of patients with at least moderate aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods and results

We analysed 467 patients (mean age 80.6 ± 8.2 years; 51% men) with at least moderate AS and sinus rhythm. The primary study endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure. After a median follow-up of 19.2 (inter-quartile range 12.5–24.4) months, 96 events occurred. Using the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value of peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) more strongly associated with outcome was <16% {area under the curve (AUC) 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63–0.78], P < 0.001}. The Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated a higher rate of events for patients with PALS < 16% (log-rank P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, PALS [adjusted HR (aHR) 0.95 (95% CI 0.91–0.99), P = 0.017] and age were the only variables independently associated with the combined endpoint. PALS provided incremental prognostic value over left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain, LV ejection fraction, and right ventricular function. Subgroup analysis revealed that impaired PALS was also independently associated with outcome in the subgroups of paucisymptomatic patients [aHR 0.98 (95% CI 0.97–0.98), P = 0.048], moderate AS [aHR 0.92, (95% CI 0.86–0.98), P = 0.016], and low-flow AS [aHR 0.90 (95% CI 0.83–0.98), P = 0.020].

Conclusion

In our patients with at least moderate AS, PALS was independently associated with outcome. In asymptomatic patients, PALS could be a potential marker of sub-clinical damage, leading to better risk stratification and, potentially, earlier treatment.