bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Project management based on the methods of probability theory and simulation modeling
Authors: Prykhodchenko O. Yu , Ostrianyn S. O
Published: February 2025

Methods. The results are obtained by applying the following methods: analysis and synthesis – in identifying potential processes in project management in which the apparatus of probability theory and simulation modeling can be applied; grouping – in distributing the methods of probabil – ty theory and simulation analysis according to the theories of project management. Results. The possibilities of applying probability theory and simulation modeling methods at different stages of project management are determined. The differences between the functional capabilities of probability theory when used in project management, depending on the cascade or Agile approaches, are demonstrated. The positive effect of including probabilistic analysis is determined, which allows better taking into account the multifactorial nature and variability of conditions that determine the success of project implementation. It is established that simulation and probabilistic approaches make management more flexible and effective, reduce the risks of project failure, ensure the achievement of goals in conditions of uncertainty, and optimize management decisions, since they are based on the deep analysis of processes. Novelty. The article presents an organized system of approaches to the use of probability theory and simulation modeling methods in project management, which involves the use of adaptive tools and approaches to make informed and effective decisions in today's dynamic environment. Practical value. There are proposed approaches to the use of probability theory and simulation modeling to determine the critical path of the project, the economic efficiency of the project, the speed of task completion, and the risks of return on investment.
Improving Students’ Learning Outcomes in Learning English by Using Interactive Multimedia
Authors: Putri Anisa Hersa , Frimasary Amelia Eka , Yunita Wisma
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Technology can change the paradigm of teacher-centered to be student-centered. One of the advantages of the technology is in utilizing multimedia. Multimedia is one type of media that can be used as the solution to improve the student motivation and participation in learning process. This classroom action research aims to improve English learning outcomes of students in SMA Negeri 2 Kota Bengkulu by using interactive multimedia. The research sample is students of class X IPS A consisting of 36 students. Samples were taken by purposive. The stages of the research consisted of Planning, Implementation, Observation and Reflection. The result showed that before being treated, there was 41.6 % students who had grades above the minimum criteria. Then, students’ learning outcomes increased to 58.3 % in the first cycle, and 83.3 % in the second cycle. It can be concluded that interactive multimedia can improve learning outcome of the students.
Penerapan Problem Based Learning untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar IPA Siswa Kelas VB SD Negeri 09 Kota Bengkulu
Authors: Agustin Neli , Sari Deyenti Permata , Muktadir Abdul
Published: February 2025

Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar IPA serta aktivitas siswa dengan menerapkan model Problem Based Learning. Subyek penelitian adalah siswa kelas V SD Negeri 09 Kota Bengkulu yang berjumlah 27 siswa. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian Tindakan kelas yang terdiri dari tiga siklus. Setiap siklus terdiri dari 4 tahapan yaitu (1) perencanaan, (2) pelaksanaan, (3) evaluasi, dan (4) refleksi. Instrumen penelitian berupa lembar observasi dan tes hasil belajar. Analisis data menggunakan  analisis  deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya peningkatan dalam hasil belajar dan aktivitas siswa pada setiap siklusnya. Pada siklus I ketuntasan hasil belajar mencapai 59,2% dan aktivitas siswa dengan rata-rata 14,5 dikategorikan cukup aktif. Sedangkan pada siklus II ketuntasan hasil belajar mencapai 81,4% dan aktivitas siswa dengan rata-rata 19 dikategorikan aktif.
Ocular Inflammation with Use of Oral Bisphosphonates
Authors: Jeong Jee Hyun , Kang Kyung Tae , Kim Yu Cheol
Published: February 2025

Purpose: To report a case of ocular inflammation after bisphosphonate use in a patient with osteoporosis.Case summary: A 54-year-old female presented to our clinic with eye pain and conjunctival and episcleral vessel injection in both eyes for 1 month. The patient was diagnosed with osteoporosis by the Department of Endocrinology 7 weeks ago and prescribed risedronate, a bisphosphonate. After using risedronate for 3 weeks, the patient developed generalized body pain, eye pain, and conjunctival injection. Slit lamp examination demonstrated conjunctival injection, whereas fundus examination did not reveal any cells in the anterior chamber or any other abnormal findings. Subsequently, risedronate was discontinued, which relieved the pain. At the 2-month follow-up visit in the outpatient department, the patient was asymptomatic, and there was no conjunctival injection.Conclusions: Bisphosphonates can lead to ocular adverse effects, which should be considered in patients with osteoporosis presenting with nonspecific ocular inflammation.
Changes in Clinical Features of Epiblepharon before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Seong Hyun Je , Lee Ga Hyun
Published: February 2025

Purpose: This study compares the clinical features of children who underwent Hotz’s operation for epiblepharon before and after the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on body mass index (BMI).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the randomized charts of 976 children diagnosed with epiblepharon who underwent Hotz’s operation in our hospital from March 2016 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent surgery from March 2016 to December 2019 (before the pandemic, group 1) and those who had it from August 2020 to December 2022 (after the pandemic, group 2). Patients were further categorized into age groups (0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, and 12-14 years) for comparison of clinical features.Results: Groups 1 and 2 included 714 and 262 patients, respectively. In group 2, BMI was significantly higher in the 6-8 and 9-11 groups and skin fold height was also higher.Conclusions: In regard to clinical features, BMI was greater after the COVID-19 pandemic in children aged 6–11 years, and skin fold height was higher across all age groups. These changes are likely due to lifestyle modifications associated with the pandemic.
Comparison of Higher-order Aberrations Outcomes between Sutured Scleral Fixation and Modified Yamane Sutureless Scleral Fixation
Authors: Han Dong Jin , Seong Myung Jun , Lee Jong Min , Lee Jong Hyun , Lee Do Hyung , Song Min Kyung , Choi Hun JIn
Published: February 2025

Purpose: We investigated the changes in ocular higher-order aberrations (HOAs) between sutured scleral fixation and modified Yamane sutureless scleral fixation.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients (20 eyes) who underwent sutured scleral fixation and 22 patients (22 eyes) who underwent modified Yamane sutureless scleral fixation. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and HOAs were measured preoperatively, and at 3 months postoperatively, and the two groups were compared.Results: BCVA was significantly improved in both sutured scleral fixation and modified Yamane sutureless scleral fixation (p = 0.038, 0.015, respectively). The internal optic HOAs decreased significantly after scleral fixation both in both groups (p = 0.012, 0.033, respectively). Postoperative internal optic HOAs were significantly higher in modified Yamane sutureless scleral fixation group than in sutured scleral fixation group. (p = 0.034) Postoperative third-order aberrations, coma-like aberrations were significantly higher in modified Yamane sutureless scleral fixation group than in sutured scleral fixation group. (p = 0.032, 0.038, respectively)Conclusions: Sutured scleral fixation showed more effectively decreased internal optics HOAs. IOL tilt and decentrations correlated with internal HOAs and thus should be avoided particularly in modified Yamane sutureless scleral fixation.
The Ethics of Humanoid Robots
Authors:   , Friedman Cindy
Published: February 2025

Robots have seamlessly been integrated into various facets of our lives, becoming an essential part of our society. However, this widespread acceptance of robotic technology becomes concerning with the rise of humanoid robots. This is because the distinct human-likeness of humanoid robots raises ethical concerns that go beyond those associated with non-humanoid robots. The human-like form and ability of humanoid robots to mimic our behaviour make it natural for us to relate to them as if they are human, far more so than with any other type of robotic technology. This means that there are ethical implications that are unique to humanoid robots. We, therefore, should not be so quick to integrate them into society, before thoroughly engaging with the ethical concerns that they bring to the surface. As such, this thesis is a collection of papers that, in different ways, engage with the ethics of relating to humanoid robots as if they are human. This thesis broadly engages with the following questions: how does relating to humanoid robots as if they are human impact our interactions with them? How does relating to humanoid robots as if they are human impact us? And, taken together, how can these questions help us think about the benefits and risks of this technology, such that we can make responsible decisions about their creation and deployment?
Exploring the role of health consciousness and environmental awareness in purchase intentions for green-packaged organic foods: an extended TPB model
Authors: Li Youyou , Shan Baoshun
Published: February 2025

Background

With the increasing rise of green consumption concepts, consumers are becoming more concerned with the health and environmental attributes of products. However, research on purchase intentions for green-packaged organic foods remains relatively limited, particularly regarding the specific impact of health consciousness and environmental awareness. There is a clear gap in the literature addressing these factors.

Method

Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study constructs a relationship model between health consciousness, environmental awareness, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and purchase intentions for green-packaged organic foods. A total of 372 valid survey samples were collected, and data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 28.0 software to validate the theoretical model and research hypotheses.

Results

Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis reveals that all hypotheses are significantly supported, and the model demonstrates good fit. Mediation effect analysis further reveals the impact of health consciousness and environmental awareness on purchase intentions, indicating that they influence consumer intentions indirectly through attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control.

Conclusion

Health consciousness and environmental awareness not only significantly affect consumers’ purchase intentions for green-packaged organic foods through direct paths but also have important indirect effects through attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This study provides a new perspective for the theoretical development of green consumer behavior and offers valuable practical insights for businesses and policymakers in promoting green consumption and sustainable products.
Risk stratification in neuroblastoma patients through machine learning in the multicenter PRIMAGE cohort
Authors: Lozano-Montoya Jose , Jimenez-Pastor Ana , Fuster-Matanzo Almudena , Weiss Glen J. , Cerda-Alberich Leonor , Veiga-Canuto Diana , Martínez-de-Las-Heras Blanca , Cañete-Nieto Adela , Taschner-Mandl Sabine , Hero Barbara , Simon Thorsten , Ladenstein Ruth , Marti-Bonmati Luis , Alberich-Bayarri Angel
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Neuroblastoma, the most prevalent solid cancer in children, presents significant biological and clinical heterogeneity. This inherent heterogeneity underscores the need for more precise prognostic markers at the time of diagnosis to enhance patient stratification, allowing for more personalized treatment strategies. In response, this investigation developed a machine learning model using clinical, molecular, and magnetic resonance (MR) radiomics features at diagnosis to predict patient’s overall survival (OS) and improve their risk stratification.

Methods

PRIMAGE database, including 513 patients (discovery cohort), was used for model training, validation, and testing. Additional 22 patients from different hospitals served as an external independent cohort. Primary tumor segmentation on T2-weighted MR images was semi-automatically edited by an experienced radiologist. From this area, 107 radiomics features were extracted. For the development of the prediction model, radiomics features were harmonized following the nested ComBat methodology and nested cross-validation approach was employed to determine the optimal preprocessing and model configuration.

Results

The discovery cohort yielded a 78.8 ± 4.9 and 77.7 ± 6.1 of C index and time-dependent area under de curve (AUC), respectively, over the test set, with a random survival forest exhibiting the best performance. In the independent cohort, a C-index of 93.4 and a time-dependent AUC of 95.4 were achieved. Interpretability analysis identified lesion heterogeneity, size, and molecular variables as crucial factors in OS prediction. The model stratified neuroblastoma patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories, demonstrating a superior stratification compared to standard-of-care classification system in both cohorts.

Discussion

Our results suggested that radiomics features improve current risk stratification systems in patients with neuroblastoma.
Study on the Effects of High-Voltage Discharge Plasma Drying on the Volatile Organic Compounds and Texture Characteristics of Oat Grass
Authors: Zhang Mingjie , Song Zhiqing , Li Bufan , Qin Chunxu , Ding Changjiang , Liu Liqiang
Published: February 2025

Oat grass is a high-quality forage with exceptional nutritional value and quality. Freshly harvested oat grass requires rapid drying to extend its shelf life. Currently, the primary methods for drying oat grass are natural air drying (AD) and hot air drying (HAD). However, prolonged drying times or elevated temperatures can lead to a degradation in hay quality. To address this issue, in this study, we employed a novel non-thermal drying technology—high-voltage discharge plasma drying (HVDPD)—to dry oat grass. The HVDPD device adopted a multi-needle plate electrode system, with a high-voltage power output of 50 Hz AC and a voltage set to 35 kV. The distance between the needle tip and the plate was set to 10 cm, while the spacing between the needles was adjusted only to three gradients of 2 cm, 8 cm, and 12 cm. To investigate the effects of HVDPD, HAD, and AD on the volatile compounds and textural characteristics of oat grass, in this study, we employed gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for qualitative and quantitative analyses of the primary volatile components in oat hay. The texture characteristics were determined using texture profile analysis (TPA) and shear testing. A total of 103 volatile substances were detected in oat grass. We categorized them into the following: 28 types of alkanes, 17 types of alkenes, 8 types of esters, 11 types of ketones, 13 types of aldehydes, 20 types of alcohols, and 6 other classes of compounds. We found that the HVDPD group demonstrated significant advantages in enhancing the volatile flavor and palatability of oat grass. The results of the textural properties showed that the structure of oat grass treated with HVDPD was significantly softer, with the 2 cm needle-spacing group exhibiting superior quality and palatability. Overall, this research demonstrates the significant advantages of HVDPD for drying oat grass, providing an important reference for its application in the field of drying technology.
Selection of a Complex of Informative Features for Assessing the Internal Characteristics of Eggs for Consumption
Authors: Kolev Toncho , Georgieva-Nikolova Mariya , Kazakova Miglena , Bonchev Danail , Lukanov Hristo , Zlatev Zlatin
Published: February 2025

This paper concerns the methods and algorithms developed for tracking changes in the internal characteristics of eggs during storage that emphasize rapid and simple classification and satisfactory regression accuracy, considering technological requirements. A thorough analysis was carried out for 53 characteristics of yolk, thick albumen, and thin albumen, followed by feature selection using the most informative features. Among others, three feature selection methods (FSRNCA, SFCPP, and RReliefF) gave comparably good results and allowed for the identification of the most important features. The results show that with features selected from data across three different manufacturers of hen eggs, more features gave positive cross-validation results and normal distribution checks in each storage stage. This infers that yolk characteristics are more stable and predictable than albumen characteristics. The study also identifies that the numbers and informativeness of selected features of yolk and albumen for hen eggs exceed those for quail eggs, including for cross-validation. Quail eggs give very varied results depending on the producer. Over 60% of the selected albumen features for manufacturers M1 and M2 showed strong performance in both normal distribution checks and cross-validation at different storage stages, while for producer M3, only 17% of features met these criteria. Among the yolk features selected for producers M2 and M3, more than half showed positive outcomes from normal distribution to cross-validation. For producer M1, only 4% of the yolk features passed these criteria at all storage stages. These results highlight the feature stability and predictability variation across different types of eggs and their manufacturers.
Verification of the Utility of the Standardized Melissa officinalis Extract to Control Gut Contractility in Sheep—Ex Vivo Study
Authors: Posłuszny Martyna A. , Chłopecka-Słomińska Magdalena , Cherer Sorphon Suor , Cisse Sekhou , Benarbia Mohammed el Amine , Mendel Marta
Published: February 2025

Background: Modern societies and policymakers increasingly emphasize the advancement of organic farming practices and the preservation of rural culture. Sheep farming faces several challenges, including environmental impacts, antibiotic usage, and public concerns regarding animal welfare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Melissa officinalis extract and its principal phenolic acids on the motility of the sheep jejunum and colon, with the goal of assessing their potential as health-promoting feed additives, particularly in animals with dysmotilities. Methods: The trials were performed on isolated jejunum and colon preparations collected from sheep undergoing routine slaughter. The effect of extracts from Melissa Officinalis and three major phenolic acids (rosmarinic, chlorogenic, and lithospermic) was evaluated to identify their ability to modify the spontaneous and pharmacologically-induced contractility of circular and longitudinal smooth muscle. Results: Regarding spontaneous contractions: Melissa officinalis extract, rosmarinic acid, and lithospermic acid caused a significant decrease in spontaneous contractility in the jejunum and colon, while chlorogenic acid exhibited myocontractile effects except for colon circular preparations where the effect was myorelaxant as in the other acids. In the case of ACh-induced contractions, all acids and the Melissa officinalis extract caused mostly a significant decrease in the magnitude of acetylcholine-induced contractions in both longitudinal and circular smooth muscle strips of the colon and jejunum. Conclusions: The findings suggest a predominantly myorelaxant effect of the Melissa officinalis extract and its major phenolic acids on the smooth muscle of the sheep jejunum and colon. These results underscore the potential application of the Melissa officinalis extract as a feed additive to modulate intestinal motility and address challenges in livestock production.
Acquired Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics and Resistance Genes: From Past to Future
Authors: Galgano Michela , Pellegrini Francesco , Catalano Elisabetta , Capozzi Loredana , Del Sambro Laura , Sposato Alessio , Lucente Maria Stella , Vasinioti Violetta Iris , Catella Cristiana , Odigie Amienwanlen Eugene , Tempesta Maria , Pratelli Annamaria , Capozza Paolo
Published: February 2025

The discovery, commercialization, and regular administration of antimicrobial agents have revolutionized the therapeutic paradigm, making it possible to treat previously untreatable and fatal infections. However, the excessive use of antibiotics has led to develop resistance soon after their use in clinical practice, to the point of becoming a global emergency. The mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics are manifold, including mechanisms of destruction or inactivation, target site modification, or active efflux, and represent the main examples of evolutionary adaptation for the survival of bacterial species. The acquirement of new resistance mechanisms is a consequence of the great genetic plasticity of bacteria, which triggers specific responses that result in mutational adaptation, acquisition of genetic material, or alteration of gene expression, virtually producing resistance to all currently available antibiotics. Understanding resistance processes is critical to the development of new antimicrobial agents to counteract drug-resistant microorganisms. In this review, both the mechanisms of action of antibiotic resistance (AMR) and the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) mainly found in clinical and environmental bacteria will be reviewed. Furthermore, the evolutionary background of multidrug-resistant bacteria will be examined, and some promising elements to control or reduce the emergence and spread of AMR will be proposed.
Antimicrobial Activity of the Peptide C14R Against Ab Initio Growing and Preformed Biofilms of Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candidozyma auris
Authors: Walter Jan-Christoph , Kissmann Ann-Kathrin , Gruber Daniel , Alpízar-Pedraza Daniel , Martell-Huguet Ernesto M. , Preising Nico , Rodriguez-Alfonso Armando , Ständker Ludger , Kleber Christoph , Knoll Wolfgang , Stenger Steffen , Firacative Carolina , Rosenau Frank
Published: February 2025

Biofilms are the predominant lifeforms of microorganisms, contributing to over 80% of infections, including those caused by Candida species like C. albicans, C. parapsilosis and Candidozyma auris. These species form biofilms on medical devices, making infections challenging to treat, especially with the rise in drug-resistant strains. Candida infections, particularly hospital-acquired ones, are a significant health threat due to their resistance to antifungals and the risk of developing systemic infections (i.e., sepsis). We have previously shown that C14R reduces the viability of C. albicans and C. auris, but not of C. parapsilosis. Here, we show that C14R not only inhibits viability by pore formation, shown in a resazurin reduction assay, and in a C. parapsilosis and fluorescence-based permeabilization assay, but it also halts biofilm maturation and significantly reduces the biomass of preformed biofilms by over 70%. These findings suggest C14R could be an effective option for treating severe fungal infections, offering a potential new treatment approach for biofilm-related diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand its biofilm dispersal potential and to optimize its use for future applications as an antifungal in clinical settings.
Molecular Insights into the Interaction of Cathepsin D and Iron in Chronic Wound Healing: Exploring Therapeutic Potential and Mechanisms
Authors: Rodríguez-Moreno María , Legaz Isabel
Published: February 2025

Background: Chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, often fail to progress through healing due to persistent inflammation, infections, and extracellular matrix (ECM) imbalances. Cathepsin D, an aspartate protease active in acidic environments, plays a pivotal role in wound healing by mediating inflammatory responses, ECM remodeling, and macrophage phenotype transitions. Its dysregulation, however, can impair healing, highlighting the need for targeted modulation of its activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular interaction between Fe2+ and cathepsin D’s catalytic core and ionic zipper under physiological and acidic conditions to identify strategies to enhance tissue repair and accelerate the healing of chronic wounds. Methods: The molecular structure of active cathepsin D was obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and analyzed using UCSF Chimera. Molecular interactions between cathepsin D and ferrous ions (Fe2+) were studied, focusing on key residues (D33 and D231) and ionic zipper residues (E5, E180, and D187). Results: Our results showed that the active form of cathepsin D, a 96 kDa dimer, consisted of heterodimers with distinct amino acid chains, where residues D33 and D231 formed the active site, and E5, E180, and D187 constituted the ionic zipper. A functional pocket containing the conserved residues D33 and D231, essential for proteolytic activity, was identified. At physiological pH (~7.5), D33 exhibited the most potent interactions with Fe2+, with interaction energies of −7 × 1017 J at oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group (OD1) and α-carbon (CA) atoms, whereas D231 showed slightly lower energies of −6 × 1017 J at γ-carbon atom (CG) and CA atoms. At acidic pH (~4), E5 was the primary interacting residue, with the shortest distance to Fe2+ (2.69 Å), and showed stable interactions across several atoms, emphasizing its role in metal binding. Conclusions: pH conditions strongly influence the interaction of cathepsin D with Fe2. At physiological pH, residues D33 and D231 demonstrate robust and energetically efficient binding with Fe2+. At the same time, under acidic conditions, E5 emerges as the primary residue involved, potentially affecting the ionic zipper of cathepsin D. These insights provide a molecular foundation for targeting specific residues to modulate cathepsin D activity, presenting promising opportunities for therapeutic strategies aimed at improving chronic wound healing.
Modular Steel Buildings Based on Self-Locking-Unlockable Connections Seismic Performance Analysis
Authors: Liu Xingwang , Meng Qingkai , Xu Liwen , Liu Yang , Tian Xinpeng
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces a new self-locking-unlockable modular building with an inter-module connection, and its seismic performance is investigated. The new connection can realize fast connection and unlocking during construction through exceptional design. In this paper, taking the Tianjin Binhai Apartment project as the background, for the actual force situation of the new connection, considering the influence of corrugated steel plate stiffness, a simplified model of the connection is constructed by using multi-fold elastic connection, and the corrugated steel plate stiffness is simulated with equivalent support. In the MIDAS Gen 2021 software, the five-story and six-story structural models using traditional rigid connections and new connections were established, respectively, and reaction spectrum analysis was carried out. Meanwhile, seismic waves that comply with codes were selected for dynamic time course analysis. The results show that the stress ratios of all components of the new connection model and the traditional rigid model are less than 1. Among them, the maximum stress ratios of both floor beams are 0.745 and 0.725, respectively; the maximum stress ratios of the modular columns are 0.655 and 0.494, respectively; the stress ratios of the ceiling beams are all less than 0.5; and the two models show good strength and stiffness reserves, following the design principle of strong columns and weak beams and verifying the reliability of the new connection model. Meanwhile, it is found that the inter-story displacement angle of the six-story structure with the new connections is less than the normative value under the action of rare earthquakes, and the difference in top displacement is about 18% compared with that of the rigid structure, so it is suggested that the new connections can be applied within the height of six stories.
Investment Behaviour Towards Build-to-Rent in Australia
Authors: Tiwari Piyush , Tirumala Raghu Dharmapuri , Kavaarpuo Godwin , Swanzy-Impraim Samuel , Shukla Jyoti
Published: February 2025

There is growing recognition that build-to-rent (BTR), a novel institutional asset class, could improve rental affordability and housing choice in Australia. Despite favourable market conditions and increasing demand, Australia’s BTR sector remains underdeveloped compared to the US and UK. Although the asset class has attracted significant foreign institutional capital, there is little interest from domestic institutional funds. This contrasting investment behaviour between foreign and domestic funds has brought a new dimension to the debates on BTR in Australia. The study uses qualitative research design to examine institutional investor behaviour towards BTR in Australia. Interviews were conducted with experienced BTR investors across three countries—Australia, the US, and the UK—to understand the barriers and investment behaviour towards BTR. The study finds that the key barriers hindering BTR growth in Australia include unfavourable tax treatment, complex planning processes, and insufficient affordable housing incentives. Institutional investors’ decisions are influenced by firm characteristics, operational capabilities, and risk attitudes. Due to risk considerations, Australian superfunds prefer stabilised assets over new developments. Also, sustainability and ESG factors are increasingly important considerations in BTR investment decisions. The research highlights the need for a supportive regulatory environment, efficient property management, and innovative financing solutions to boost BTR investments. To accelerate BTR growth in Australia, policymakers should address tax disparities, streamline planning processes, and enhance affordable housing incentives. Developing BTR-responsive financial instruments could reduce financing costs and attract more institutional capital to the sector.
Personalization of Cancer Treatment: Exploring the Role of Chronotherapy in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy
Authors: Fey Rosalyn M. , Billo Avery , Clister Terri , Doan Khanh L. , Berry Elizabeth G. , Tibbitts Deanne C. , Kulkarni Rajan P.
Published: February 2025

In the era of precision medicine, mounting evidence suggests that the time of therapy administration, or chronotherapy, has a great impact on treatment outcomes. Chronotherapy involves planning treatment timing by considering circadian rhythms, which are 24 h oscillations in behavior and physiology driven by synchronized molecular clocks throughout the body. The value of chronotherapy in cancer treatment is currently under investigation, notably in the effects of treatment timing on efficacy and side effects. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is a promising cancer treatment. However, many patients still experience disease progression or need to stop the therapy early due to side effects. There is accumulating evidence that the time of day at which ICI therapy is administered can have a substantial effect on ICI efficacy. Thus, it is important to investigate the intersections of circadian rhythms, chronotherapy, and ICI efficacy. In this review, we provide a brief overview of circadian rhythms in the context of immunity and cancer. Additionally, we outline current applications of chronotherapy for cancer treatment. We synthesize the 29 studies conducted to date that examine the impact of time-of-day administration on the efficacy of ICI therapy, its associated side effects, and sex differences in both efficacy and side effects. We also discuss potential mechanisms underlying these observed results. Finally, we highlight the challenges in this area and future directions for research, including the potential for a chronotherapeutic personalized medicine approach that tailors the time of ICI administration to individual patients’ circadian rhythms.
The Accuracy of the Step Point Vegetation Sampling Method for Herbaceous Layer Monitoring in South African Savannas
Authors: Biko’o Armand A. , Myburgh Willem J. , Reilly Brian K.
Published: February 2025

Robust monitoring techniques, capable of showing change in the savanna when change has occurred, are a prerequisite for better managing this ecosystem. The Step Point Method is a well-established technique in South African range surveys (Short and Morris 2016). However, it is often considered inaccurate in describing vegetation dynamics in the savanna herbaceous layer due primarily to issues with sample sizes and cover estimates, its inability to capture the spatial heterogeneity and patchy distribution typical of these ecosystems, sensitivity to observer bias, reliance on relative values and poor inclusion of sparse or less common species. This study aimed to test the effectiveness and accuracy of the Step Point Method for monitoring the herbaceous layer of savanna by comparison to absolute densities of plants. The results show that the Step Point Method only recorded 41–50% of species richness. It overestimated the relative species richness of grasses by 17.4% while underestimating that of forbs by 13.8% on average. The relative abundance of grasses was overestimated by 32.4%, while that of forbs was underestimated on average by 28.4%. Dominance was overestimated by 115.5% on average, and species diversity was underestimated by 15%. Considering these shortcomings, the Step Point Method should be used with extreme caution in studies focusing on monitoring temporal and spatial changes in veld condition and for biodiversity management.
A Rare Case of Primary Cutaneous Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Authors: Katsarelas Ioannis , Kotarela Afroditi , Bobos Mattheos , Panagiotou Alexandra , Dimasis Periklis
Published: February 2025

Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma (PCACC) isa rare skin malignancy first reported in the 1970s with limited number of cases found in the literature. These neoplasms are typically identified in middle-to-older-age individuals and are mostly located in the scalp and neck region but can identified throughout the body. We describe the case of a 67-year-old male patient that presented to our department with a slow-growing nodule in the left gluteal region that turned out to be a PCACC and analyze the differential diagnosis, radiology, histopathological findings and successful treatment with a wide local excision. Current literature on the subject is also presented and discussed.
Strengthening Education Through Equitable and Inclusive Evidence-Based Teaching Practices: A Scoping Review
Authors: Miller Emily K. , Franco-Jenkins Ximena , Duncan Juniper Theodora , Reynolds Reddi Alicia , Ward Caryn
Published: February 2025

This scoping review provides clarity on the landscape of evidence-based and High-Leverage Practices that have been shown to be effective with students with disabilities and have the potential to meet the needs of marginalized students across lines of difference. Of 672 articles screened, 85 met eligibility criteria, including 46 studies, 11 systematic reviews, and 28 conceptual papers. Among included articles, instruction practices were the most frequently reported High-Leverage Practice category (89.4%), followed by social, emotional, and behavioral practices (37.6%), and assessment practices (25.8%). A wide variety of specific evidence-based practices were identified in the literature. Marginalized student identities represented included English language learners, students with disabilities, neurodivergent students, racially or ethnically marginalized students, students with health disabilities, and students with behavioral or emotional difficulties. Future research should consider further examining the effectiveness of different practices to inform data-driven decision-making to improve educational outcomes for marginalized students.
Grid Current Distortion Suppression Based on Harmonic Voltage Feedforward for Grid-Forming Inverters
Authors: Liu Baojin , Yu Bing , Zheng Feng
Published: February 2025

A grid-forming converter (GFM) controls power output by adjusting the phase angle and amplitude of its output voltage, providing voltage and frequency support to the power system and effectively enhancing system stability. However, it has limitations in current control, influencing the current only indirectly through voltage regulation, which results in weaker control over current waveform quality. In the context of a large number of renewable energy generation units being connected to the grid, harmonics in the grid voltage can lead to excessively high harmonic content in the grid current, exceeding standard limits and causing oscillations. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a control strategy of harmonic voltage feedforward compensation to suppress grid current distortion. The proposed control strategy extracts harmonic voltages from the output port of the GFM converter through a harmonic extraction module, processes them via a feedforward factor, and introduces the resulting signals into the converter’s control loop as feedforward compensation terms. This allows the converter’s output voltage to compensate for the harmonic components in the grid, achieving the improvement of grid current and reducing the total harmonic distortion (THD) value. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy is verified by simulation results.
Attitudes and Behaviors of the Public Toward over the Counter (OTC) Medications in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alharthi Mohammed S. , Alsulami Fahad T. , Fathelrahman Ahmed Ibrahim , Alqarni Majed A. , Alorfi Nasser M. , Alzahrani Mohammed S.
Published: February 2025

Background: Over the counter (OTC) medications are readily accessible to the public and can be obtained without a prescription for self-care. Ensuring their safe and effective use is essential to safeguarding the well-being of the region’s diverse population. This research explores public attitudes and behaviors toward OTC medications in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia in order to inform and advance public health initiatives. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire was used to survey 200 respondents. The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The demographic–OTC medication purchase relationship was examined using the chi-square test. Results: Among the 200 participants, 79.5% were aware of potential drug interactions, and 74% supported stricter regulations on OTC sales. However, only 29.5% believed OTC medications are generally safe without a doctor’s prescription. Notably, 15.5% reported exceeding recommended dosages, and 66% admitted sharing medications. Participants commonly relied on healthcare professionals for advice (64.6%). Despite moderate knowledge, many exhibited risky behaviors, highlighting gaps in consumer awareness and safety practices. Conclusions: It is critical to determine the degree of public knowledge in this field in order to identify gaps in consumer awareness of OTC medications and specific areas that may demand targeted educational programs in Saudi Arabia. Information on potential side effects and circumstances that exclude the use of over the counter medications must also be examined. Attitudes towards symptom management and a tendency for self-medication may influence the use of OTC as an alternative to seeking medical advice.
Modified pix2pixHD for Enhancing Spatial Resolution of Image for Conversion from SAR Images to Optical Images in Application of Landslide Area Detection
Authors: Arai Kohei
Published: February 2025

A method for the conversion of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) images to optical images can be useful for disaster area detection for the following two reasons: (1) it is easier to detect disaster areas with optical images rather than with SAR images; (2) disasters may occur at night and in rainy and cloudy conditions (SAR images can be acquired in daytime and nighttime as well as all weather conditions). Therefore, it becomes easier to detect disaster areas with optical images converted from SAR images. Using GANs (Generative Adversarial Networks), it is possible to convert SAR images to optical images. In particular, pix2pix and pix2pixHD are used for this purpose. The author proposed spatial resolution-maintained pix2pixHD previously. In this paper, a new method of modifying pix2pixHD with a spatial attention mechanism and an edge enhancement mechanism with a Canny filter in the loss function is proposed, and the proposed method is compared to the pix2pixHD with a spatial attention mechanism and pix2pixHD as well as pix2pix. All of these four methods are compared in terms of the spatial resolution (frequency components) of converted optical images. By experiment, the superiority of the modified pix2pixHD with spatial attention and edge enhancement mechanisms is confirmed for disaster area detection (landslide area detection).
Molecular and Neuroimaging Profile Associated with the Recurrence of Different Types of Strokes: Contribution from Real-World Data
Authors: Oblitas Crhistian-Mario , Sampedro-Viana Ana , Fernández-Rodicio Sabela , Rodríguez-Yáñez Manuel , López-Dequidt Iria , Gonzalez-Quintela Arturo , Mosqueira Antonio J. , Porto-Álvarez Jacobo , Martínez Fernández Javier , González-Simón Inmaculada , Bazarra-Barreiros Marcos , Abengoza-Bello María Teresa , Ortega-Espina Sara , Ouro Alberto , Campos Francisco , Sobrino Tomás , Castillo José , Alonso-Alonso María Luz , Hervella Pablo , Iglesias-Rey Ramón
Published: February 2025

Objective: This study aimed to investigate potential specific molecular and neuroimaging biomarkers for stroke subtype recurrence to improve secondary stroke prevention. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a prospective stroke biobank. The main endpoint was to evaluate the association between different biomarkers and the recurrence of stroke subtypes. Serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) were analyzed as inflammation biomarkers; N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and microalbuminuria were used as atrial/endothelial dysfunction biomarkers, while leukoaraiosis (LA) and soluble TNF-like inducers of apoptosis (sTWEAK) were used as biomarkers for blood–brain barrier dysfunction. Demographic and clinical variables were also included. Results: A total of 5038 stroke patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 4.9 years (±3.3). Stroke recurrences were observed in 18.4% of patients (927 individuals). The main results found were as follows: LA was independently associated with lacunar stroke recurrence (adjusted OR 9.50; 95% CI: 3.12–28.93). NT-pro-BNP levels higher than >1000 pg/mL were independently associated with cardioembolic stroke recurrence (adjusted OR 1.80; 95% CI: 1.23–2.61). Persistently elevated TNF-a levels (>24 pg/mL) after stroke recurrence showed an adjusted OR of 21.26 (95% CI: 12.42–37.59) for atherothrombotic subtype, whereas persistently high sTWEAK levels (>7000 pg/mL) after a second hemorrhagic stroke showed an adjusted OR of 4.81 (95% CI: 2.86–8.07) for hemorrhagic subtype. Conclusions: The presence of LA and high levels of NT-pro-BNP, TNF-a, and sTWEAK were associated with an increased risk for lacunar, cardioembolic, atherothrombotic, and hemorrhagic stroke recurrences, respectively.
Actual Truck Arrival Prediction at a Container Terminal with the Truck Appointment System Based on the Long Short-Term Memory and Transformer Model
Authors: Ma Mengzhi , Li Xianglong , Fan Houming , Qin Li , Wei Liming
Published: February 2025

The implementation of the truck appointment system (TAS) in various ports shows that it can effectively reduce congestion and enhance resource utilization. However, uncertain factors such as traffic and weather conditions usually prevent the external trucks from arriving at the port on time according to the appointed period for container pickup and delivery operations. Comprehensively considering the significant factors associated with truck appointment no-shows, this paper proposes a deep learning model that integrates the long short-term memory (LSTM) network with the transformer architecture based on the cascade structure, namely the LSTM-Transformer model, for actual truck arrival predictions at the container terminal using TAS. The LSTM-Transformer model combines the advantages of LSTM in processing time dependencies and the high efficiency of the transformer in parsing complex data contexts, innovatively addressing the limitations of traditional models when faced with complex data. The experiments executed on two datasets from a container terminal in Tianjin Port, China, demonstrate superior performance for the LSTM-Transformer model over various popular machine learning models such as random forest, XGBoost, LSTM, transformer, and GRU-Transformer. The root mean square error (RMSE) values for the LSTM-Transformer model on two datasets are 0.0352 and 0.0379, and the average improvements are 23.40% and 18.43%, respectively. The results of sensitivity analysis show that possessing advanced knowledge of truck appointments, weather, traffic, and truck no-shows will improve the accuracy of model predictions. Accurate forecasting of actual truck arrivals with the LSTM-Transformer model can significantly enhance the efficiency of container terminal operational planning.
Effects of Irrigation Water Amount and Humic Acid on β-Glucan Synthesis in Post-Anthesis Grains of Naked Oats
Authors: Sun Chunxiang , Wang Qi , Sun Wen , Wu Junying , Gao Shihua , Liu Yandi , Zhao Baoping
Published: February 2025

Naked oats offer substantial nutritional and health benefits, primarily due to their main dietary fiber component, soluble β-(1,3)(1,4)-D-glucan (β-glucan). In a pool experiment, humic acid (HA) was applied once during both the booting and anthesis stages at varying irrigation amounts (60 mm, 120 mm, and 180 mm) to assess changes in β-glucan content in grains post-anthesis. Results indicated that at 5 days post-anthesis (DPA), the β-glucan content (3.14% W/W) in grains increased by 16%with the application of HA, compared to the control treatment of spraying an equal volume of water (p < 0.01). The β-glucan content (4.13%, 4.51%) at 15 and 25 DPA reflects increases of 9% and 5% compared to the control. Overall, the application of HA enhanced the β-glucan content in grains, with levels gradually increasing at 5, 15, and 25 DPA; however, the amplitude of the increase gradually declined over time. The β-glucan content in grains at 5 and 15 DPA, along with glucose content in panicles at 20 DPA, directly influenced the β-glucan content in grains at 25 DPA. At 10 DPA, the distribution of sucrose in the leaves and panicles influences the soluble sugar content, subsequently regulating the β-glucan content in the grains at 15 DPA. Specifically, the sucrose content in the leaves exerts a positive regulatory effect, whereas in the panicles exerts a negative regulatory effect.