bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secure and Decentralized Data Cooperatives via Reputation Systems and Blockchain
Authors:   , Salau Abiola
Published: January 2025

This dissertation focuses on a novel area of secure data management referred to as data cooperatives. A data cooperative solution promises its users better protection and control of their personal data as compared to the traditional way of their handling by the data collectors (such as governments, big data companies, and others). However, despite the many interesting benefits that the data cooperative approach tends to provide its users, it suffers from a few challenges hindering its development, adoption, and widespread use among data providers and consumers. To address these issues, we have divided this dissertation into two parts. In the first part, we identify the existing challenges and propose and implement a decentralized architecture built atop a blockchain system. Our solution leverages the inherent decentralized, tamper-resistant, and security properties of the blockchain. The implementation of our system was carried out on an existing blockchain test network, Ropsten, and our results show that blockchain is an efficient and scalable platform for the development of a decentralized data cooperative solution. In the second part of this work, we further addressed the existing challenges and the limitations of the implementation from the first part of our work. In particular, we addressed inclusivity---a core component of establishing trust in our system---by implementing a multi-tier reputation-based selection lottery that gives a 'fair' chance to newly-joined members of the data cooperative, as compared to existing approaches where newly-joined members are ignored until they build their reputation or stake to an acceptable level in the system. We also developed a mathematical model using an infinitely repeated game-theoretic approach that ensures that malicious members in the system are swiftly eliminated while honest-behaving members are incentivized, resulting in a system where the majority of the members are more interested in their long-term payoff and play according to the system's protocol rather than being selfish or malicious for short-term gain and getting eliminated from the system. Finally, we present the security analysis of our system, showing potential threats and vulnerabilities that can be exploited by an adversary, and we suggest defense mechanisms for the identified security threats.
Change AGENT Project Part 1: Training Staff to Make Responsive Decisions Based on Goals and Rationales and Evaluating the Effects on the Manding Progress of Children with Autism
Authors:   , Dotson Anna M.
Published: January 2025

When autism interventionists within behavioral intervention programs continually assess the child's behavior and context and adjust their teaching behaviors accordingly, the child can quickly progress towards their goals. While evaluations of flexible behavior-change techniques implemented by experienced clinicians are present in the literature, systematic evaluations of staff training procedures to train interventionists in responsive decision making are lacking. In the current study, flexible training procedures were utilized to not only teach direct-line staff to make decisions based on the learner's behavior, but also to understand and articulate the variables they were responding to. During in vivo training sessions, trainers tailored their use of instructions, modeling, practice, feedback, narration modeling and shaping, and decision-making guidance to the dynamic needs of the staff and child. The effects of the treatment package, which consisted of an in-service training and in vivo training sessions, were measured by observing staff teach vocal manding, which was chosen based on the importance of the skill for the child and because it afforded many opportunities for the staff to learn to make decisions about how to occasion and shape responses. The three children with autism who participated in the study made progress in terms of increasing their frequency of independent mands and producing more topographically complex responses. The three staff also improved in their narration of the child's behavioral goals, the decisions they made to reach those goals, and their rationales, which may have served as a mediator in their ability to respond to the child's behavior across varied conditions.
Factors Influencing User Experience and Consumer Behavioral Intention to Use Visual Analytics Technology
Authors:   , Lewis Paulette Benika
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study was to assess visual analytics technology acceptance and user experience among in vitro fertilization (IVF) consumers. The research aimed to show how visual analytics tools and technologies can be applied in the consumer space to enhance how users interpret healthcare success rate data. This exploratory user evaluation study utilized a quantitative dominant, mixed-methods approach with a convergent parallel design based on the data-validation variant. Survey data were collected from consumers who were currently seeking information about IVF treatment in the United States. The study findings indicated that the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) constructs of performance expectancy and hedonic motivation influenced consumer behavioral intention to use visual analytics technology, while effort expectancy did not. Further, the findings from the user experience and qualitative analyses indicated that there is strong support for consumer adoption of visual analytics technology for personal healthcare decision-making. These findings may help in the design and development of modern, interactive visualization tools that could be used to visualize public or private healthcare data for analysis by consumers. Stakeholders, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and medical practitioners, may use the findings to develop improved interactive tools for consumer analysis of large, multi-dimensional data sets.
Alterations in the Expression of Proteins Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Observed in the Liver of the C57Bl/6 Wild-Type Male Mouse in Response to Exposure of Mixed Vehicle Emissions and/or High Fat Diet Consumption
Authors:   , Schneider Leah Jayne
Published: January 2025

Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated a correlation between the manifestation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and ambient air pollution levels, which is exacerbated by the presence of other risk factors, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, and hypertension. We investigated the hypothesis that exposure to a mixture of gasoline and diesel engine emissions (MVE) coupled with the concurrent consumption of a high-fat (HF) diet promotes the development of a NAFLD phenotype within the liver. Three-month-old male C57Bl/6 mice were placed on either a low fat or HF diet and exposed via whole-body inhalation to either filtered (FA) air or MVE (30 µg PM/m3 gasoline engine emissions + 70 µg PM/m3 diesel engine emissions) 6 hr/day for 30 days. Histology revealed mild microvesicular steatosis and hepatocyte hypertrophy in response to MVE exposure alone, compared to FA controls, yielding a classification of "borderline NASH" under the criteria of the modified NAFLD active score (NAS) system. As anticipated, animals on a HF diet exhibited moderate steatosis; however, we also observed inflammatory infiltrates, hepatocyte hypertrophy, and increased lipid accumulation, with the combined effect of HF diet and MVE exposure. Immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR of the liver revealed the presence of lipid peroxidation, altered expression of inflammatory markers, induction of hepatic stellate cell activation biomarkers, and conversion to pyroptosis in response to MVE exposure and/or consumption of a HF diet. Our results indicate that inhalation exposure to traffic-generated air pollution initiates hepatocyte injury within the liver, exacerbates lipid accumulation and hepatocyte injury induced by the consumption of a HF diet, and alters molecular pathways associated with inflammation, fibrogenesis, and cell death, thereby contributing to the progression of NAFLD-related pathologies.
Intelligent ECG Acquisition and Processing System for Improved Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) Prediction
Authors:   , Kota Venkata Deepa
Published: January 2025

The survival rate for a suddent cardiac arrest (SCA) is incredibly low, with less than one in ten surviving; most SCAs occur outside of a hospital setting. There is a need to develop an effective and efficient system that can sense, communicate and remediate potential SCA situations on a near real-time basis. This research presents a novel Zeolite-PDMS-based optically unobtrusive flexible dry electrodes for biosignal acquisition from various subjects while at rest and in motion. Two zeolite crystals (4A and 13X) are used to fabricate the electrodes. Three different sizes and two different filler concentrations are compared to identify the better performing electrode suited for electrocardiogram (ECG) data acquisition. A low-power, low-noise amplifier with chopper modulation is designed and implemented using the standard 180nm CMOS process. A commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) based wireless system is designed for transmitting ECG signals. Further, this dissertation provides a framework for Machine Learning Classification algorithms on large, open-source Arrhythmia and SCA datasets. Supervised models with features as the input data and deep learning models with raw ECG as input are compared using different methods. The machine learning tool classifies the datasets within a few minutes, saving time and effort for the physicians. The experimental results show promising progress towards advancing the development of a wireless ECG recording system combined with efficient machine learning models that can positively impact SCA outcomes.
Development and Thermo-Mechanical Testing of Low Hysteresis Shape Memory Alloy for Satellite Actuators
Authors:   , Montagnoli Andre Luiz
Published: January 2025

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) have gained much attention as a powerful source of actuation due to their improved performance, reduced size, and reduced complexity between components as well as having a high work output density. Their primary mechanism of actuation relies on a non-diffusional cyclic phase transformation from martensite to austenite, where the amount of thermal energy needed per cycle is directly associated with the hysteresis width between the austenite final and martensite final temperatures. Consequently, a narrower gap between those two temperature ranges requires a much lower energy demand to produce the actuation needed. Previous studies have indicated that the hysteresis width is linked to a strong coherence between the austenite/martensite interface. It has been shown that elemental additions to NiTi-based SMAs can further improve this coherency. Another huge challenge facing this unique technology is linked with its thermo-mechanical stability. Binary NiTi SMAs often exhibit significant transformation temperature shifts after each thermo-mechanical cycle, which can contribute to a shorter lifespan. The primary goal of this project is to identify and develop thermo-mechanically stable, low hysteresis shape memory alloys (LHSMAs) for actuator applications. To accomplish this goal, elemental additions of Cu, Co, Hf, and Pd were incorporated into NiTi-based SMAs and the results were compared in respect to their hysteresis width and thermo-mechanical stability through differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and compressive thermo-mechanical testing. Two quaternary SMAs containing small additions of Cu and Pd were shown to exhibit promising results with respect to hysteresis width and good thermo-mechanical stability.
A Comparative Study of ESL Student Attitudes Towards Computer Assisted Learning
Authors:   , Davis Taylor R.
Published: January 2025

Secondary English as a Second Language (ESL) students commonly face obstacles that put them at greater risk for learning gaps in computer assisted learning (CAL). These obstacles include but are not limited to computer attitudes, computer self-efficacy, digital empathy, and connectivity gaps. Student attitudes towards computers as learning devices play an important role in reducing learning loss. This study intended to identify the underlying causes of ESL learning gaps in CAL by studying students' attitudes toward computers as learning tools. The study used a mixed method approach by collecting self-reported data from the Computer Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ) to compare ESL students verse native English-speaking students' computer attitudes. Three hundred sixty-nine secondary students successfully completed the CAQ for the purpose of this study. Of the eight subscales, four produced statistically significant findings. These include Computer Enjoyment (J), Empathy (E), Computer Anxiety (CA), and School Enjoyment (SC). Demographic factors were also analyzed which found that female ESL students have higher levels of empathy compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, 9th grade students reported better study habits and an increased perception of computer importance. Each of the subscale findings along with demographic factors, and qualitative results showed that ESL students are at a significant disadvantage when comparing computer attitudes to native English-speaking students.
Nanofluidic Membrane Based on Covalent Organic Framework: Design Strategies and Applications
Authors:   , Zhu Changjia
Published: January 2025

Nanofluidic is an emerging field of applying fluid properties in nanochannels or nanostructures. The nanoporous channel with a pore size of less than 100 nm will strongly affect the motion of the fluid. Meanwhile, the pore environment, such as hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, charge density, and host-guest recognition would be crucial for the transportation of molecules and ions in the pore. This thesis is focused on the synthesis, characterization of nanofluidic membranes and their applications to reverse electrodialysis. Chapter 1 focuses on the importance and objective of this work. Chapter 2 gives an overview of nanofluidic and classical nanofluidic structure–covalent organic frameworks (COFs). In Chapter 3, a series of COFs membranes with different surface charge densities were designed by employing a multivariate (MTV) strategy. A volcano-like relationship between the surface charge density and output power density was observed when the membranes were applied for osmotic energy harvesting. Chapter 4 integrates the temperature gradient to the covalent organic frameworks nanofluidic system to further explain the thermophoretic mobility of ions. The recorded osmotic energy production density was obtained while ion concentration polarization was alleviated with increasing hydrodynamic convection effects. In Chapter 5, a coupled photon-electron-ion transport behavior across ionic covalent organic framework membranes with chromophoric porphyrin struts was demonstrated. Photoexcitation-induced ion transmission was developed by converting external light into electric signals. Chapter 6 includes the summary of this thesis.
Including Special Education Teachers in High Functioning Professional Learning Communities: Implications for School Leaders
Authors:   , Wilshire John Mark
Published: January 2025

Public education in America became a target of reform since the passage of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Some reforms come from court cases, some from presidents wanting to enact change, and others from political events from as far away as Russia. Yet, one concept remains the same: the improvement of educators is needed for supporting student growth and achievement. Getting both special education and general education teachers together to work collaboratively is critical to the growth of teachers and students. A gap in education research exists in the area of including special education teachers in high functioning profession learning communities (PLCs). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact that special education teachers have on students and other teachers when special education teachers are included in content-area PLCs. Using a mixed method case study design, quantitative data from an electronic survey and qualitative data from face-to-face interviews and PLC documents were collected and analyzed to answer two research questions. The survey findings revealed that the studied district operates high functioning PLC teams. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews and PLC document analysis showed that special education teachers were included on a regular basis in PLCs in three of the four campuses. Three themes emerged from the study: (a) a teacher's function in a PLC is tied to the teacher's role, (b) teamwork, and (c) integration. Integration is the inclusion of special education teachers in PLCs. The findings may present school leaders with action steps to improve the inclusion of special education teachers in PLCs and implement staff development about how PLC teams should function.
An Uncivil Student and an Antagonistic Professor Walk into a Classroom: How Instructor Behavior During Class Conflict Impacts Learning
Authors:   , Carey Caitlyn Nicole
Published: January 2025

Exceptional classroom management (CM) for face-to-face and online classes is vital to instructor success, and importantly, directly impacts students' ability to learn. Classroom conflict may disrupt an instructor's CM and can occur when a student is uncivil (e.g., sidetracks from lecture) or when an instructor misbehaves (e.g., antagonizes students). A small but meaningful line of work suggests that uncivil students and misbehaving teachers negatively impact the learning environment. However, no work has examined how the interaction between an uncivil student and misbehaving teacher impacts learning. As such, the purpose of the current study is to empirically investigate how teacher responses to student incivility impact cognitive learning in an online learning environment. The project evaluated approximately 252 undergraduate students via an online study. Participants watched a video of an online class in which the professor responds to an uncivil student in one of three different ways: antagonistically, positively, or neutrally. Participants then took a cognitive learning quiz based on the lecture and answered questions about their perception of the instructor, uncivil student, and the learning environment. Results of the one-way ANOVA suggest that how an instructor responded to student incivility did not significantly impact cognitive learning. Secondary analyses also indicated that participant perceptions of the instructor, uncivil student, and learning environment did not significantly relate to cognitive learning. Results of the current study evidence both convergence and divergence with prior work, highlighting the importance of continued experimental investigation of the impact instructor reactions to student incivilities has on learning.
Machine Learning Methods for Data Quality Aspects in Edge Computing Platforms
Authors:   , Mitra Alakananda
Published: January 2025

In this research, three aspects of data quality with regard to artifical intelligence (AI) have been investigated: detection of misleading fake data, especially deepfakes, data scarcity, and data insufficiency, especially how much training data is required for an AI application. Different application domains where the selected aspects pose issues have been chosen. To address the issues of data privacy, security, and regulation, these solutions are targeted for edge devices. In Chapter 3, two solutions have been proposed that aim to preempt such misleading deepfake videos and images on social media. These solutions are deployable at edge devices. In Chapter 4, a deepfake resilient digital ID system has been described. Another data quality aspect, data scarcity, has been addressed in Chapter 5. One of such agricultural problems is estimating crop damage due to natural disasters. Data insufficiency is another aspect of data quality. The amount of data required to achieve acceptable accuracy in a machine learning (ML) model has been studied in Chapter 6. As the data scarcity problem is studied in the agriculture domain, a similar scenario—plant disease detection and damage estimation—has been chosen for this verification. This research aims to provide ML or deep learning (DL)-based methods to solve several data quality-related issues in different application domains and achieve high accuracy. We hope that this work will contribute to research on the application of machine learning techniques in domains where data quality is a barrier to success.
Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Make Better Parents? A Qualitative Exploration of Parents' Experiences during an Historic Period
Authors:   , Xiao He
Published: January 2025

Predicated on the literature, parenting practices are subject to change following high-impact events. This understandably applies to the COVID-19 pandemic, a calamity of sheer magnitude. Despite the presence of maladaptive parenting behaviors in the pandemic, upsides (e.g., compassionate parenting practices, strengthened child-parent bond) did transpire as well. The present study is focused on whether and how parental betterment occurred and unfolded during the pandemic. The explicit research goal is to elucidate what positive parental responses and changes were and what drove those responses and changes. The study employed the phenomenological study to make a fine-grained inquiry into the researched phenomenon. Fourteen parents of varying demographic characteristics constituted the sample. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted over Zoom for data collection. Thematic analysis was performed to code the data. I eventually constructed four themes: (1) targeted parental responses and changes, (2) refined parenting skills and practices, (3) heightened understanding of children and parenting, and (4) unsettled parenting styles. Each theme reflects a critical facet of the parenting experiences during the pandemic. In the discussion, effort is invested in parsing out what could elevate the quality of parental responses and what may contribute to the positive parental changes, as well as in pointing out implications for parents, community stakeholders, and family science scholars. It is of centrality to validate and invigorate parents to hold onto the gains from the COVID-19 pandemic to face the growing precarity in today's economic and sociopolitical milieus.
Counselors' Experiences: Training and Use of Standardized Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Tests in Play Therapy Practice
Authors:   , Iliff Tamara
Published: January 2025

Assessment is a core component of the counseling identity. While previous literature has explored child clinicians' attitudes and use of standardized assessment instruments, less is known about the assessment practices of counselors providing play therapy to young children. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the subjective experiences of counselors who regularly use standardized social, emotional, and behavioral tests in their play therapy practice. Eleven professional counselors in the United States who regularly used standardized tests in play therapy participated in this study. The primary researcher utilized a transcendental phenomenological approach within a social, constructivist paradigm, along with an adapted phenomenological data analysis method. Six major themes were identified: professional development journey, use of standardized tests to enhance play therapy process, considerations for implementation in play therapy, counselor theoretical orientation and standardized tests, challenges in using standardized tests in play therapy, and advocacy and social justice issues. Implications for counselor education, clinical practice, and social justice advocacy are provided, along with recommendations for future research.
Adaptation and Validation of the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale for Use with Musicians
Authors:   , Zuhdi Nabeel
Published: January 2025

Identity is a powerful concept that influences behavior and health. For over thirty years, researchers in sport psychology have been using the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) as a research instrument providing insights into the relationships between athletic identity and health variables. While musician identity is recognized as an important factor to be investigated in relation to occupational health, there are no known robust instruments like the AIMS in music psychology research. The current study aimed to adapt and validate the athletic identity measurement scale for use with musicians. The AIMS history includes episodes of modifications for performance enhancement of the instrument that resulted in five different models. The validation process includes evaluating the psychometrical properties across all five models. The sample included student musicians and non-student musicians (N = 1040). The traditional confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation method were used. The exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and robust weighted least squares (WLS) was utilized to explore a new method of estimation that was known to resolve issues consistent with the CFA and ML method. The goodness-of-fit indices of CFA and ESEM were compared. The results showed that the MIMS is a reliable and valid instrument for use with musicians. The factor structure and the goodness-of fit-indices were discussed across all the models of MIMS.
Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating an Online Instructional Program to Teach Students to Evaluate Systemic Social Issues Using a Matrix Analysis
Authors:   , Smith Michaela M.
Published: January 2025

This research aimed to determine the effects of an online training program on the accurate articulation of the concepts and elements needed to conduct a matrix analysis, the accuracy with which participants embedded these elements in a matrix analysis diagram, and the qualitative value of those elements. The development of the online training program was completed through a series of recursive steps. First, four literature searches regarding the matrix analysis, its foundational concepts, and underlying theoretical frameworks; systems analysis; culturo-behavior science; behavior analytic approaches to education; wicked and super wicked problems; and behavioral community psychology were conducted. Second, a tentative list of definitions for each element that collectively forms a matrix analysis was formed used to complete a component-composite analysis for each of the elements, and to determine the component skills individuals would need to develop to complete a matrix analysis and corresponding diagram. The component-composite analysis served as the basis for the general outline of the training program and the structure for the development of the training program presentations, activities, and assessments using Google Classroom. The online training program was piloted with 17 individuals enrolled in a graduate level course on behavioral systems analysis. Following the pilot of the online training program, a coding system was developed to assess the accuracy of responses to questions on the underlying concepts and the collective elements included in the matrix analysis on pre-training and post-module assessments, the accuracy and quality of the matrix analysis diagram elements in three matrix diagrams (pre-training, post-training, and generalization). The results for the pre-training and post-module assessments showed that participants provided more correct answers on the post-module assessments than on the pre-training assessment. The results for the accuracy measurement for the three matrix diagrams show stability in the key actors and sectors and behaviors and practices, but variability in performance across the remaining matrix elements. Lastly, the results for the specificity and level(s) of influence measurements for the three matrix diagrams show stable responding across most of the matrix elements.
Influence of Externally Applied Magnetic Field on the Mechanical Behavior of Paramagnetic Materials
Authors:   , Reeder Jessica Phoebe
Published: January 2025

Current ways to alter the microstructure of materials are usually through heat treatments, alloying, and other physical metallurgical methods. Recent efforts in the 21st century are focused on altering the microstructure of a material without physical contact which can be achieved through exposure to a magnetic field (MF). The motivation of this research is to study the quantum effects by subjecting solid-state metals to exposure of MFs. Many of the popular metals currently used in industry are paramagnetic. The ability to alter the microstructure and thus properties of these paramagnetic materials through a magnetic field would open new avenues to the field of research, including, potentially, a pollution-free, non-contact route. The effects of a magnetic field on the mechanical properties of paramagnetic materials were observed through compression testing of the pure paramagnetic material samples induced in a magnetic field. XRD and PPMS were used to relate flow stress to dislocation density and magnetic property of the samples when exposed to the presence of a static magnetic field. The effects of a magnetic field relative to alloyed paramagnetic materials were observed through the same procedure as pure paramagnetic elements. For this purpose, -Ti alloys were chosen as literature suggests a phase transition from  phase to  phase when tested in the presence of a magnetic field. The results indicate that the MF affected the dislocation density and yield stress of the different systems.
Lyme neuroborreliosis as initial expression of Lyme disease in an elderly patient
Authors: Mata Emidio , Lage Garcia Bárbara , Pereira André , Rego Joana , Santos Flávia , Fernandes Carlos , Cotter Jorge
Published: January 2025

Background: Lyme disease (LD) is a multisystemic infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by Ixodes ticks, affecting the skin, nervous system, heart and joints. Neuroborreliosis (LNB), a nervous system manifestation of LD, occurs in 10–15% of cases and may present with neurological symptoms at varying stages. Case description: We present the case of an 84-year-old man, admitted to the emergency department following a seizure, with fever and oropharyngeal erythema. After the administration of penicillin for presumed tonsillitis, a generalised skin rash developed and spontaneously resolved after 4 hours. Within 24 hours, two well-defined round erythematous lesions were observed on the neck and shoulder. Due to new onset of confusion and lethargy a lumbar puncture was performed, revealing polymorphonuclear pleocytosis, elevated protein levels and normal glucose. An empirical ceftriaxone course was started for suspected neuroborreliosis. Neuroborreliosis was diagnosed based on the clinical presentation of fever and neurological changes, with supporting cutaneous manifestations and compatible Borrelia burgdorferi serology. The initial rash was interpreted as a Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction, and the two skin lesions were classified as erythema migrans. After completing treatment, the patient made a full recovery. Conclusion: This case underscores the diagnostic complexity of LNB as an initial manifestation of LD, particularly in elderly patients. Early neurological symptoms, often preceding classic cutaneous signs, may lead to diagnostic delays. This highlights the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion for LD, given the limitations of serological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing. Prompt recognition and intervention are essential to prevent progression and ensure favourable outcomes.
Surface plasmon resonance sensor based on a dual-hole optical fiber for temperature and refractive index detection
Authors: Cao Shichen , Tang Yi , Bao Shengchen , Chen Ming , Cheng Yu , Deng Shijie , Liu Houquan , Teng Chuanxin , Yang Hongyan , Deng Hongchang , Yuan Libo
Published: January 2025

This paper presents a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor based on a dual-hole optical fiber, designed for the simultaneous measurement of refractive index (RI) and temperature. The sensor is fabricated by side-polishing the dual-hole fiber and coating gold and silver films in the left and right holes, respectively. Additionally, the right hole is filled with polydimethylsiloxane to enable dual-parameter detection. We analyzed the sensor’s performance using the finite element analysis software COMSOL, and the results indicate a peak sensitivity reaching 3000 nm/RIU across an RI interval of 1.34–1.38, along with a temperature sensitivity measured at −4.5nm/∘C within a range spanning from 0°C to 40°C. The proposed dual-hole fiber SPR sensor features a simple structure and demonstrates high sensitivity and effective dual-parameter sensing capabilities. This provides an efficient solution for the simultaneous monitoring of temperature and RI, making it suitable for in situ measurements in applications such as chemical reagent preparation.
The nuclear localization signal of CPSF6 governs post-nuclear import steps of HIV-1 infection
Authors: Rohlfes Nicholas , Radhakrishnan Rajalingam , Singh Parmit K. , Bedwell Gregory J. , Engelman Alan N. , Dharan Adarsh , Campbell Edward M.
Published: January 2025

The early stages of HIV-1 infection include the trafficking of the viral core into the nucleus of infected cells. However, much remains to be understood about how HIV-1 accomplishes nuclear import and the consequences of the import pathways utilized on nuclear events. The host factor cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 6 (CPSF6) assists HIV-1 nuclear localization and post-entry integration targeting. Here, we used a CPSF6 truncation mutant lacking a functional nuclear localization signal (NLS), CPSF6-358, and appended heterologous NLSs to rescue nuclear localization. We show that some, but not all, NLSs drive CPSF6-358 into the nucleus. Interestingly, we found that some nuclear localized CPSF6-NLS chimeras supported inefficient HIV-1 infection. We found that HIV-1 still enters the nucleus in these cell lines but fails to traffic to speckle-associated domains (SPADs). Additionally, we show that HIV-1 fails to efficiently integrate in these cell lines. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the NLS of CPSF6 facilitates steps of HIV-1 infection subsequent to nuclear import and additionally identify the ability of canonical NLS sequences to influence cargo localization in the nucleus following nuclear import.
Self-efficacy in instrumental practice with intonation assessment software: A multiple case study with novice violin and viola students
Authors: López-Calatayud Fernando , Tejada Jesús
Published: January 2025

Beliefs of self-efficacy are an important factor in musical learning, especially in instrumental learning with the help of specific software. As part of a far-reaching study that has sought to design, implement and evaluate a real-time instrumental intonation software (Plectrus), this research project aims to analyse the perceptions of four novice students (10–11 years old; three girls learning the viola and one boy learning the violin) about their self-efficacy during and after practising with such software and to find out whether there is any relationship between these perceptions and musical performance with Plectrus. For this purpose, a multiple case study was developed. The instruments and techniques used were three semi-structured interviews (two with each participant and one with a family member), the observation of recordings of practice sessions with the principal researcher and practice reports on the Plectrus. The results indicate that the participants’ self-efficacy beliefs are positive. The analysis of the two interviews shows changes in experience with the software, vicarious experiences (visualization and self-competition) and social influence (other people’s possible opinions of a student’s performance). Also, positive perceptions coincide with good marks in the software, which supports the theory that positive self-efficacy influences instrumental learning.
Filosofia Panecástica de Joseph Jacotot no império brasileiro:
Authors: LOPES DE ALBUQUERQUE SUZANA
Published: January 2025

O campo da alfabetização no Brasil atravessa eras buscando novidades metodológicas, como se aí residisse o mal ou a solução para os problemas envolvidos nessa área. A escrita deste artigo teve como origem a implementação da Política Nacional de Alfabetização – PNA (Brasil, 2019), enviesada pelo tecnicismo e apesenta a potente Filosofia Panecástica, criada por Joseph Jacotot (1770-1840), que ecoou no Brasil império. Este artigo tem como objetivo promover uma reflexão sobre a premissa da igualdade das inteligências contida nessa Filosofia, que subverte uma ordem explicadora de um professor conteudista e reprodutivista. A partir do diálogo com Rancière (2015), Raisky (2012), Freire (1974, 2000), Kohan (2019), Mortatti (2018), dentre outros, este escrito apresenta fontes históricas que evidenciam a circulação da Filosofia Panecástica no império brasileiro e a potência de seus debates no ensino da língua materna, utilizando como metodologia a análise dessas fontes históricas e o engendramento das discussões atuais referentes ao campo da alfabetização da PNA (Brasil, 2019) e de sua materialização governamental. A análise decorrente desses estudos documentais e de fontes históricas denotam a necessidade de uma prática pedagógica que atenda a formação do homem integral, a partir do estabelecimento de relações entre o texto e seu contexto.
Formação continuada de professores alfabetizadores: desafios, saberes e prática docente
Authors: Frigerio Juliana , Monteiro Behrend Danielle
Published: January 2025

Este estudo refere-se a uma pesquisa qualitativa desenvolvida no âmbito do Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso-TCC da Especialização em Alfabetização, que partiu da indagação: como a formação continuada de professores alfabetizadores contribui com a prática profissional docente? O objetivo geral foi investigar o processo de formação continuada de professores alfabetizadores, a partir dos objetivos específicos: perceber a importância da formação continuada de professores alfabetizadores; analisar os desafios enfrentados durante essa formação; explorar os saberes construídos e identificar políticas de formação continuada para professores alfabetizadores. Respaldamos os estudos em Tardif (2004), Freire (2007), Imbernón (2010), Ferreiro (2011), Soares (2013), Cruz e Martiniak (2016) e nas políticas públicas da educação. A pesquisa bibliográfica analisou artigos obtidos na base da Revista Brasileira de Alfabetização-RBA e na Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Educação-ANPED. A pesquisa reafirmou a importância das políticas educacionais no incentivo e na efetivação da formação continuada de professores alfabetizadores, apontou que os desafios compreendem desde a falta de debate sobre questões contemporâneas nas escolas até a ausência de diálogo efetivo com as políticas educacionais, revelou um impacto significativo na prática dos professores alfabetizadores e mostrou que as experiências docentes são componente fundamental.
القواعد الأصولية المؤثِّرة في معنى اللمس في قوله تعالى: ﴿أَوْ لامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ﴾
Authors: Hamadameen Othman k.
Published: January 2025

إن مسألة اللمس في نقض الوضوء مسئلة خلافية بين الأصوليين وكذا الفقهاء، ولهم فيها ثلاثة أقوال، القول الأول: إن مجرد اللمس ينقض الوضوء، والقول الثاني: إن اللمس لا ينقض الوضوء بحالٍ وإن كان بشهوة، والقول الثالث: إن اللمس ينقض الوضوء إذا كان بشهوة، وأساس اختلافهم راجع إلى اختلاف أهل اللغة في معنى اللمس، فإنهم يطلقون اللمس على اللمس باليد مرة وعلى الجماع أخرى، وكما يعود سبب الاختلاف إلى تفاوتهم في فهم هذا النص في آية الوضوءِ، على أن الذين ذهبوا إِلى أنّ المقصود باللَّمس هو اللَّمسُ بِاليد حقيقةً، فمِنهم مَنْ رَآهُ من باب العام المراد به الْعَامُّ فلم يَشْتَرِطِ اللَّذَّةَ فِيهِ، ومنهم مَنْ رَآهُ من باب العامِّ المراد به الخاصُ فاشْتَرَط فيه اللَّذَّةَ، وكذلك اختلافهم في منهج الاستدلال في آية اللمس، من الاختلاف في المبادئ والقواعد الأصولية المتعلقة بها، ممّا ينشأ منه الاختلاف في الحكم. تناول هذا البحث اعتماداً على المنهج الوصفي والتّحليليّ هذه المسألة بالعرض والاستدلال والمناقشة، ومن ثم بيان الراجح على حسب قوة الدليل وصحة التعليل بالنظر إلى مناهج الأصوليين، فتوصّل إلى أنّ كلّ طائفة من أصحاب هذه الأقوال مستندهم قواعد أصولية، وأدلة قوية، بحيث لو أَخَذ بها وَحْدها أيُّ باحثٍ ونَظَر فيها بِدِقّةٍ لحكم بمقتضاها وقنع بها إلاّ أنّي رأيت اختيار القول الثالث الذي، هو: إن اللمس ينقض الوضوء إذا كان بشهوة، وإلا فلا؛ لأنه وَسطٌ بين الطرفيْن بحيث يتضمّنهما من جهة الجمع بين الأدلة، والجمع بين مقتضى القواعد الأصولية في فهم الخطاب، وإن اعتُبر فيه الاحتياط، فالقول الذي يرى أن مجرد اللمس ينقض الوضوء، كان في أبلغ الاحتياط في هذه المسألة.
Polymorphisms of Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase in ADHD Children
Authors: Kopečková Marta , Paclt I. , Goetz P.
Published: January 2025

ADHD is a multifactorial disorder clinically characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. The occurrence of this disorder varies between 3 and 6% of the child population, with boys predominating over girls at a ratio of 3 : 1 or more. Dysfunction or imbalance between the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems of neurotransmitters can play a key role in the ADHD pathophysiology. Alteration of the dopamine/noradrenaline levels can result in hyperactivity. DBH is an enzyme responsible for the conversion of dopamine into noradrenaline. The DBH protein is released in response to stimulation. DBH activity, derived largely from sympathetic nerves, can be measured in human plasma. Patients with ADHD showed decreased activities of DBH in serum and urine. Low DBH levels correlate indirectly with the seriousness of the hyperkinetic syndrome in children (Galvin et al., 1995, 1997). In the DBH gene, the G444A, G910T, C1603T, C1912T, C-1021T, 5’-ins/del and TaqI polymorphisms occur frequently and may affect the function of gene products or modify gene expression and thus influence the progression of ADHD. This article reviews the DBH itself and polymorphisms in the DBH gene that influence the DBH activity in the serum and the CSF level of DBH. All those are evaluated in connection with ADHD.
Depletion of Treg Cells Augments the Therapeutic Effect of Cancer Vaccines
Authors: Bubeník Jan
Published: January 2025

Immune responses are controlled by both positive (upregulatory) and negative (downregulatory) signals. T cells generating the upregulatory signals, T helper (TH) cells, were intensively studied in a variety of experimental systems and their crucial role for immune surveillance can be demonstrated during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV utilizes for its entry into human organisms surface receptors on TH cells. The cytopathogenic and other effects of HIV lead to the TH cell depletion, breakdown of immune responses, including breakdown of the resistance to various pathogens and some neoplasms. Therefore, the infection of the AIDS patients with pathogens that are harmless for HIV-uninfected individuals may be lethal for the patients.
Reduction of elevated Gli3 does not alter the progression of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Russell Lauren G. , Kolatsi‐Joannou Maria , Wilson Laura , Chandler Jennifer C. , Tejedor Nuria Perretta , Stagg Georgie , Price Karen L. , Rowan Christopher J. , Crompton Tessa , Rosenblum Norman D. , Winyard Paul J. D. , Long David A.
Published: January 2025

Polycystic kidney diseases (PKD) are genetic disorders which disrupt kidney architecture and function. Autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD) is a rare form of PKD, caused by mutations in PKHD1, and clinically more severe than the more common autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD). Prior studies have implicated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in ADPKD, with increased levels of Hh components in experimental ADPKD and reduced cystogenesis following pharmacological Hh inhibition. In contrast, the role of the Hh pathway in ARPKD is poorly understood. We hypothesized that Hh pathway activity would be elevated during ARPKD pathogenesis, and its modulation may slow disease progression. We utilized Cpk mice which phenocopy ARPKD and generated a PKHD1‐mutant spheroid model in human collecting ducts. Significantly elevated levels of the Hh transcriptional effector Gli3 were found in Cpk mice, a finding replicated in PKHD1‐mutant spheroids. In Cpk mice, total GLI3 and GLI3 repressor protein levels were also increased. Reduction of increased Gli3 levels via heterozygous genetic deletion in Cpk mice did not affect cyst formation. Additionally, lowering GLI3 transcripts to wildtype levels did not influence PKHD1‐mutant spheroid size. Collectively, these data suggest attenuation of elevated Gli3 does not modulate murine and human models of ARPKD.
Effects of Parental Encouragement on Their Child’s Academic Performance and Poverty Alleviation
Authors: Nakamura Yui
Published: January 2025

Parental encouragement improves a child’s academic performance, which reflects the individual accumulation of human capital and can prevent the child from becoming poor in the future. We provide a model to clarify the mechanism by which parental encouragement influences the child’s efforts by considering parental time preference, wages, and background. We find that parents who have a child with low innate ability, high wages, strong time preference, and were given little encouragement from their parents in the past hesitate to encourage their child and tend to give them assistance for survival. We also imply that the influence of parental encouragement to children’s academic performance is strong in early grades rather than in late grades. Moreover, we indicate that educational institutes such as schools and local governments can reduce parents’ time preference and provide information about opportunities that stimulate children's efforts at schools. These actions urge the parents who hesitated to encourage their children to begin to encourage them. Furthermore, these actions increase the effectiveness of parental encouragement and realize the child's efforts at school, which results in improving their wages in the labor market in the future.
РЕАЛІЗАЦІЯ ПРИНЦИПУ СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ СПРАВЕДЛИВОСТІ У СУДОВОМУ ПРОЦЕСІ
Authors: НІКОЛЕНКО Людмила
Published: January 2025

Зазначено, що принцип соціальної справедливості є осереддям системи принципів права, на підставі якого вирішуються будь­які справи у суді, як у разі виникнення протиріч у застосуванні інших принципів права, так і у разі виникнення колізій або прогалин у застосуванні законодавства. Розглянуто особливості реалізації принципу справедливості залежно від виду судового процесу. Підкреслено, що реалі­ зація принципу соціальної справедливості здійснюється на всіх стадіях судового процесу, але актуалізується саме на стадіях судового розгляду та ухвалення рішення, визначення покарання. Принцип соціальної справедливості відіграє визначну роль як для правотворчої, так і для правозастосовної діяльності, використовується як стандарт здійснення правосуддя та гарантія захисту прав і законних інтересів фізичних та юридичних осіб.
ЗАХИСТ ІНТЕРЕСІВ ДЕРЖАВИ В ГОСПОДАРСЬКОМУ СУДІ ПРОКУРОРОМ: ПРАВОВІ ОСНОВИ ТА ПРОБЛЕМИ ПРАВОЗАСТОСУВАННЯ
Authors: КРАВЧУК Андрій
Published: January 2025

У статті викладено результати комплексного аналізу нормативно-правових актів України, які регулюють порядок реалізації органами прокуратури представницької функції із захисту інтересів держави в господарському судочинстві, акцентуєтьсяувага на новелах законодавства в цій сфері. Визначено проблеми правозастосування у сфері представництва прокурором інтересів держави в суді та досліджено відповідну судову практику Верховного Суду. На підставі результатів дослідженнявизначено проблемні питання нормативного регулювання захисту прокурором інтересів держави в господарському суді, запропоновано шляхи їх вирішення та напрями вдосконалення законодавства.