Changes In System Research Articles

ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ КОНТЕКСТНО-ЧУТЛИВОГО АЛГОРИТМУ МОНІТОРИНГУ КІБЕРБЕЗПЕКИ НА ОСНОВІ РЕКУРЕНТНИХ НЕЙРОННИХ МЕРЕЖ

The most common problems faced by modern information and communication systems (ICS) in the context of combating cyber threats were examined in the paper. The importance of ensuring the reliable operation of ICS, and protecting their users' private data from unauthorized interception or destruction was emphasized. The main principles of effective protection of ICS systems against possible interference in their work were defined. The classification of cyber threats and their impact on the functioning of information systems was presented. Features of the use of modern information technologies were determined, such as machine learning (ML), and recurrent neural networks (RNN) for increasing the effectiveness of detecting and preventing such threats, speeding up the process of calculating large volumes of information about various aspects of the work of information and communication systems. The parameters of the analysis of ICS behavior, which indicate the presence of problems in cyber security, were studied. The features and advantages of deploying RNN in ICS were analyzed, which makes it possible to simplify the tasks of cyber defense. A modified context-sensitive algorithm for cyber security monitoring (CCM-RNN) was proposed, which is based on RNN and allows taking into account the dynamics of system changes in the established context, for example, the type or volume of traffic from users, etc. The method of selecting the most effective parameters and properties of ICS for detecting cyber threats was improved. The results of the study of the effectiveness of the use of the modified CCM-RNN algorithm demonstrated its broad capabilities for fast and accurate detection of anomalies in the operation of ICs that may threaten their cyber security. By changing the number of properties of the CCM-RNN algorithm, which correspond to the characteristics of various aspects of the IC, it is possible to achieve the maximum accuracy of cyber threat detection. The modified algorithm also allows for the reduction of the duration of calculations during analysis. Based on the research results, a conclusion was made about the feasibility of using the proposed modified CCM-RNN algorithm for the ability to detect cyber security threats in ICS by flexibly adjusting the number and type of learning parameters of neural networks. In this way, the accuracy and duration of calculations were optimized, as well as the peculiarities and contexts of information and communication systems were taken into account.

Evaluating student performance assessment methods in Objective Structured Clinical Exam: perspectives and comparisons.

This study aims to evaluate how student performance and perspectives changed when the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) assessment system was changed from a composite score to discipline-specific grading at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. The retrospective study population consisted of all students (n=349) who completed three OSCEs (OSCE 1, 2, and 3) as part of the predoctoral program during the years 2014-2023. Data on the students' OSCE scores were obtained from the Office of Dental Education, and data on students' race/ethnicity and gender were obtained from their admissions data. The likelihood of a student failing the OSCE after the assessment system change significantly increased with an adjusted odds ratio of 20.12. After the change, the number of failed subjects per student decreased with an adjusted mean ratio of 0.48. Students perceived the OSCE as being less useful after the change. Independent of the grading change, OSCEs 1 and 2 were seen as more useful compared to OSCE 3, which is administered in the last year of the Doctor of Dental Medicine program. The discipline-specific nature of the new assessment system helps focus on specific areas of remediation, rather than blanket remediation used previously, in order to isolate the actual areas of deficiency and to focus remediation efforts so that students can align their learning needs appropriately.Therefore, although the actual number of fails identified increased for the course, the assessment change has allowed for more directed, actionable information to be gained from the OSCE to prepare students to work toward competency standards.

Linking Upwelling Dynamics and Subsurface Nutrients to Projected Productivity Changes in the California Current System

AbstractGiven the importance of coastal upwelling systems to ocean productivity, fisheries, and biogeochemical cycles, their response to climate change is of great interest. However, there is no consensus on future productivity changes in these systems, which may be controlled by multiple drivers including wind‐driven and geostrophic transport, stratification, and source water properties. Here we use an ensemble of regional ocean projections and recently developed upwelling indices for the California Current System to disentangle these sometimes‐competing influences. Some changes are consistent among models (e.g., decreased mixed layer depth), while for others there is a lack of agreement even on the direction of future change (e.g., nitrate concentration in upwelled waters). Despite models' diverging projections of productivity changes, they agree that those changes are predominantly driven by subsurface nitrate concentrations, not by upwelling strength. Our results highlight the need for more attention to processes governing subsurface nutrient changes, not just upwelling strength.

Changes in Astroglial Water Flow in the Pre-amyloid Phase of the STZ Model of AD Dementia.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease that is typically sporadic and has a high social and economic cost. We utilized the intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (STZ), an established preclinical model for sporadic AD, to investigate hippocampal astroglial changes during the first 4 weeks post-STZ, a period during which amyloid deposition has yet to occur. Astroglial proteins aquaporin 4 (AQP-4) and connexin-43 (Cx-43) were evaluated, as well as claudins, which are tight junction (TJ) proteins in brain barriers, to try to identify changes in the glymphatic system and brain barrier during the pre-amyloid phase. Glial commitment, glucose hypometabolism and cognitive impairment were characterized during this phase. Astroglial involvement was confirmed by an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); concurrent proteolysis was also observed, possibly mediated by calpain. Levels of AQP-4 and Cx-43 were elevated in the fourth week post-STZ, possibly accelerating the clearance of extracellular proteins, since these proteins actively participate in the glymphatic system. Moreover, although we did not see a functional disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) at this time, claudin 5 (present in the TJ of the BBB) and claudin 2 (present in the TJ of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier) were reduced. Taken together, data support a role for astrocytes in STZ brain damage, and suggest that astroglial dysfunction accompanies or precedes neuronal damage in AD.

Evaluation of Blood Transfusion Request form: The Experience in a Tertiary Health Facility in Jos, Nigeria

Background: There is a thin line between a safe blood transfusion and transfusion-related fatality hence the need to be diligent in every aspect of the blood transfusion process. Appropriate and complete documentation on a blood transfusion request form is one of the most important preanalytic activities serving as a communication tool between the clinician and the blood transfusion laboratory personnel. Aims: To evaluate compliance with appropriate and complete documentation of information on our blood transfusion request forms for a reliable preanalytic process towards an efficient blood transfusion service. Study Design: It is a retrospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Blood Bank of the Jos University Teaching Hospital between January to December 2023. Methodology: Six thousand, three hundred and sixty (6360) blood transfusion request forms from the Jos University Teaching Hospital Blood bank were evaluated for complete or incomplete documentation retrospectively and results were presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: There was 100% compliance in filling in the patients' surnames and other names as well as the laboratory number and blood groups of the patients while only 4779 (75.14%) filled in the patients' ages with 1416(22.26%) using the prefix of adult(ad) while 165(2.59%) fail to document the patients' age. There were 2829 (44.48%) males with 3522 (55.38%) females while no sex was indicated in 9 of the reviewed forms. Obstetrics history has the least cumulated documented response of 0.38% while a significant 1008 (15.85%) did not indicate either blood grouping or blood grouping with cross-match request. Conclusion: Appropriate and complete documentation of information on blood transfusion request forms is a problem among clinicians and will require continuous education on its importance, periodic auditing, provision of electronic data system and attitudinal change for a better blood transfusion compatibility service.

Inclusion explored through student voices within the framework of formal teacher-student conversations

ABSTRACT A great deal of research has addressed the field of inclusive education. However, yet we know little about the phenomenon of inclusion explored though student voices. This qualitative study draws on data from a research-practice partnership in Norway, where the parties together developed a framework for the school’s formal teacher–student conversations to find out more about the students’ experiences of inclusion. As a result of inductive analysis of the voices of three students, we discovered a tension between each student’s current childlike lifeworld and a school system emphasising conformity and future academic achievement. Analysis revealed that there were several barriers to students expressing themselves during the conversations. Despite this, the students asserted their own capability and agency, guiding the subject of those conversations towards their own desires and needs. The findings suggests that teachers ought to be given the opportunity to increase their competency in what should be an ongoing process of listening to and acting upon student voices in inclusive education, potentially going so far as to become agents for change in the school system.

Design of adaptive-PID-Smith control in the two-mixing tank series

ABSTRACT A control strategy must be developed to maintain the product composition of the two- or more-mixed-flow reactor series. In this research, a two-mixing tank series (TMTS) was utilized in the laboratory to approach the two-mixed flow reactors’ problems. Both tanks are designed to overflow so that the volume remains constant. The salt solution was directly fed to Tank 1, while the water was charged to both tanks as the mixing progressed. The output of Tank-1 flowed to Tank-2 through a rather long pipe, resulting in dead time in Tank-2. The Smith predictor was applied to overcome dead time. The PRC (process reaction curve) method was used to tune the PID (proportional-integral-derivative) parameters of Tank-1 and Tank-2. The novel composition controls, adaptive-PID (APID) and modified metaheuristic adaptive-PID (MMAPID), have been proposed and compared with conventional PID. The mathematical models were rigorously examined through XCOS simulations. The processing system is considered sensitive to changes in input disturbances since the process time constants of both tanks were quite low. The dead time of 0.5 minutes was found in Tank 2. The PID parameters produced by PRC experiments resulted in stable responses to changes in the disturbance system. As shown in the dynamic simulation study, both novel APID and MMAPID give almost the same results; their responses are faster than the conventional PID. Based on the integral absolute error (IAE) results, APID with scheduling PID parameters produced the smallest IAE and outperformed the conventional PID. The results of the study highlight APID and MMAPID potential in PID control applications for composition control in a TMTS. The combined APID-Smith and MMAPID-Smith were able to overcome the dead time well. This study creates opportunities for engineers and professionals to use cutting-edge control technologies, improving automation and chemical process industries.

Gold core@CeO2 halfshell Janus nanocomposites catalyze targeted sulfate radical for periodontitis therapy

The sulfate radical (SO4•-), known for its high reactivity and long lifespan, has emerged as a potent antimicrobial agent. Its exceptional energy allows for the disruption of vital structures and metabolic pathways in bacteria that are usually inaccessible to common radicals. Despite its promising potential, the efficient generation of this radical, particularly through methods involving enzymes and photocatalysis, remains a substantial challenge. Here, we capitalized on the peroxidase (POD)-mimicking activity and photocatalytic properties of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanozymes, integrating these properties with the enhanced concept of plasma gold nanorod (GNR) to develop a half-encapsulated core@shell GNRs@CeO2 Janus heterostructure impregnated with persulfate. Under near-infrared irradiation, the GNRs generate hot electrons, thereby boosting the CeO2's enzyme-like activity and initiating a potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) storm. This distinct nanoarchitecture facilitates functional specialization, wherein the heterostructure and efficient light absorption ensured continuous hot electron flow, not only enhancing the POD-like activity of CeO2 for the production of SO4•- effectively, but also contributing a significant photothermal effect, disrupting periodontal plaque biofilm and effectively eradicating pathogens. Furthermore, the local temperature elevation synergistically enhances the POD-like activity of CeO2. Transcriptomics analysis, as well as animal experiments of the periodontitis model, have revealed that pathogens undergo genetic information destruction, metabolic disorders, and pathogenicity changes in the powerful ROS system, and profound therapeutic outcomes in vivo, including anti-inflammation and bone preservation. This study demonstrated that energy transfer to augment nanozyme activity, specifically targeting ROS generation, constitutes a significant advancement in antibacterial treatment.

Persistent and implications of Changing Livelihood in Hill Setting of Nepal: A Qualitative Inquiry of Vyas-10 of Tanahun

Nepal has witnessed rapid change in political and socioeconomic dimensions in the last three decades. Migration and remittance are key factors for the changing livelihoods and it implies various forms of Hill settings in Nepal. The aim of the study is to identify the persistence and implications of livelihood changes in the Hill setting of Nepal from the emic perspective. As per the requirement of the study, 30 in-depth interviews were conducted Dumsi village of Vyas-10 of Tanahun district. The study identified that remittance is the key driver of the livelihood change in the Hill setting. The changing livelihood of the village people also changes the gender roles, the age structure of the working age population, change in the caste-based occupation and structural change of the caste-based system and the diversification of the income sources. Agriculture was seen as the main occupation three decades ago, it is a secondary source of livelihood in the villages due to migration and remittances.

Impact of Climate Change on the Farming Community of Bhaktapur District of Nepal

This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of climate change on the farming community in Bhaktapur, Nepal. The study considered rainfall, temperature, flood/drought, harvest and sowing time, and pest and disease incidence over 20 years as primary factors to be considered. A household survey of 120 houses was conducted following the set of questionnaires prepared. As a result, significant changes were observed in climatic aspects as well as biological aspects. The obtained result demonstrated that the precipitation observed drastic change as there was an incidence of erratic and heavy rainfall on summer days while the intensity and frequency of rainfall decreased during winter. These abnormalities certainly do not favor agriculture and farming. Similarly, the temperature of the study area has increased annually over the last two decades. The data suggests that the average annual temperature is increasing at the rate of 0.038°C per year. Moreover, the survey showed that the time of harvest and time of sowing seeds have been delayed respectively to the time a few decades back while the climatic aberrations have increased the incidence of pests and diseases. In a nutshell, the changes in climatic conditions have a drastic change in the farming system and thus the agricultural produce and productivity. The study highlights the significant impact of climate change on traditional farming practices in Bhaktapur, Nepal. It underscores how changes in rainfall patterns, temperature, and the incidence of extreme weather events like floods and droughts have disrupted agricultural activities such as planting and harvesting cycles. The research not only identifies challenges but also emphasizes the need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on farming communities. By linking research findings to policy recommendations and practical interventions, the study offers actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local stakeholders striving to build resilience in agricultural systems.

Adaptive governance of disaster preparedness? The case of regional networks in Finland

Adaptive governance (AG) has emerged as a theoretical alternative to traditional forms of governance, which often fail to address complexity and rapid changes in socioecological systems. Frequently recognized attributes of AG include learning and experimentation, collaboration and networks, polycentric institutions and multilevel governance at multiple appropriate scales, as well as reflexivity, flexibility and adaptive capacity. To provide more examples of the practical implementation of AG, we examine whether a Finnish regional preparedness network model could be an example of a tangible way to implement AG. According to our results, the regional networks embody many features of AG: they facilitate person- and organization-level networking and peer learning, and thus help their members to grasp the overall picture of preparedness and safety in the region, and reveal ambiguities concerning the division of responsibilities. The networks also support nestedness and polycentricity through cross-sector and multilevel cooperation. At the same time, the voluntary nature of the networks is perceived as problematic considering the overall preparedness of society. Notably, although networks often include non-state actors, citizens remain outside of them, which may reduce the effectiveness of a network.

Research On Target And Path Planning Of Regional Carbon Peaking And Carbon Neutrality

To achieve peak carbon neutrality is a broad and profound economic and social systemic change. At present, the economic and social development of our country has entered the stage of accelerating green and low-carbon high-quality development. In this paper, under no less than three scenarios, the regional dual carbon target is associated with the time node of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and is associated with the improvement of energy efficiency and the increase of the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption. In various scenarios, if the GDP in 2035 doubles over the base period and quadruples in 2060, the method of calculating carbon emissions is found. If the carbon absorption amount of ecological carbon sink in 2060 is 10% of the carbon emissions of the base period, the calculation method of carbon emissions at this time is found; To find the targets and paths that can determine the GDP, population, energy consumption, energy efficiency and non-fossil energy consumption in 2025, 2030, 2035, 2050 and 2060, and finally complete the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the four major projects.

A Methodological Framework for Assessing the Agroecological Performance of Farms in Portugal: Integrating TAPE and ACT Approaches

Agroecology integrates science, social movements, and agricultural practices, playing a central role in the sustainability of food systems. It addresses agroecosystems and food systems holistically; however, defining whether a farm is agroecological remains a challenge. This article proposes a methodology to measure farms’ agroecological performance, adapted to the family farming context in Portugal. The aim of the developed methodology is to compare the agroecological performance of family farms (conventional and non-conventional), providing information about anchors for agroecological transition and supporting public policies. A literature review identified existing farm evaluation methodologies, with Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation (TAPE) and Agroecology Criteria Tool (ACT) scoring highest in an assessment process. Questions from both were integrated into a questionnaire for family farmers. This field work provided critical insights towards the methodologies: (1) territorial adaptability; (2) transition constraints’ origin; and (3) use of non-academic language. The results were incorporated into the developed methodology, which combines the TAPE indicator matrix and Gliessman’s five levels of food system change, the latter of which provides the framework for the ACT. This study made it possible to identify the most relevant aspects for characterizing family farmers/farms and the importance of how the evaluation criteria/indicators are ordered by element/theme, as it alters the values of each farm’s agroecological performance.

Understanding and supporting change in health systems using the strategic action fields framework: the availability and origin of sources of authority

ABSTRACT Policy-driven change in public service systems is difficult to implement. We focus upon ‘sources of authority’, which figure within the Strategic Action Fields Framework (SAFF) as resources mobilized by socially skilled actors to catalyse and sustain change. Drawing on qualitative case studies evaluating a large-scale policy-driven change in the English NHS, the Vanguard New Care Models programme, we (1) expand the definitions of ‘sources of authority’ and (2) argue that ‘sources of authority’ vary across two intersecting dimensions. This expands the utility of the SAFF beyond understanding and evaluating policy impact, and offers practical opportunities for achieving change.

Exploring public voice on social media: Twitter Users' views on the circular economy

AbstractThis paper aims to explore all the ideas and topics associated with the discussion about the circular economy on social media sites. All tweets mentioning the CE were collected and subjected to latent Dirichlet allocation topic modelling to identify discussion themes manual validation refined topic coherence. Findings offer novel empirical insights into how the CE is currently framed in public discourse. Dominant themes emphasise strategic communication and technical CE activities rather than inclusive participation. Gaps were also identified, such as limited discussion of CE's social role and broader activities beyond recycling. By quantitatively examining large‐scale online discussions, this research makes an original contribution to establishing the neglected social dimension of CE transitions. The findings carry essential theoretical implications for refining CE conceptualisations better to integrate socio‐cultural factors critical for just, systemic change. Practically, the study equips decision‐makers with data‐driven guidance on developing more participatory communication approaches and policies promoting the CE. This study transitions research and advances the scholarship of the circular economy by using a mixed‐methods approach to analyse a crucial but little‐studied stakeholder perspective.

The Proprietary Consequences of Customary Marriages: Challenges in the New Regime(s)?

The law governing marriage in South Africa is in transition. There are currently two proposals to reform the proprietary consequences of marriages in South Africa, namely a Marriage Bill [B43-2023], and a South African Law Reform Commission Discussion Paper to review aspects of matrimonial property law. This article assesses the effectiveness of the proposed reform in addressing the current regulatory challenges related to the proprietary consequences of customary marriages. It argues that the piecemeal jurisprudential development of the law has not been effectively reconciled, and this must be addressed in any future reform. However, the Marriage Bill proposed by the Department of Home Affairs is not an answer. The Bill ignores customary notions of property and creates several conceptual difficulties such as potentially leaving customary law marriages without a matrimonial proprietary regime. The South African Law Reform's Discussion Paper, which reviews aspects of matrimonial property law, holds great promise because it proposes a change in the default matrimonial proprietary system and the exclusion of family property from the marital estate. The proposals must be reconciled and informed by living customary law practices to deliver the much-anticipated law reform.

Which labour for the CE? An exploration of narratives on labour and circularity in Flanders

The circular economy (CE) and its impact on the labour market has received increasing attention in both academic and practitioner circles over the past decade. The CE aims to close material and energy loops through various transition pathways or strategies, which are often ranked in a waste hierarchy based on their contribution to the CE. Using discourse analysis, this paper examines how labour market actors in Flanders understand the role of labour in the transition to the CE. We find three distinct future-visions of labour in a CE, closely related to which circular strategies are imagined to become dominant. The findings show that specific storylines shape incremental change through engendering low-ranked strategies which do not require significant shifts in worker skills or policies. On the other hand, alternative discourses show that more radical changes require new or marginalised skills and more fundamental changes in policies and systems.

Runoff variability in the Truckee-Carson River basin from tree rings and a water balance model

Abstract Regional warming and associated changes in hydrologic systems pose challenges to water supply management in river basins of the western United States, and call for improved understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of runoff. We apply a network of total-width, subannual width and delta blue intensity tree-ring chronologies in combination with a monthly water balance model to identify droughts and their associated precipitation (P) and temperature (T) footprints in the Truckee-Carson River basin (TCRB). Stepwise regression gave reasonably accurate reconstructions, from 1688 to 1999, of seasonal P and T (e.g., R2 = 0.50 for May-Sept T). These were disaggregated to monthly values, which were then routed through a water balance model to generate “indirectly” reconstructed runoff. Reconstructed and observed annual runoff correlate highly (r = 0.80) from 1906 to 1999. The extended runoff record shows that 20th century droughts are unmatched in severity in a 300-year context. Our water balance modeling reconstruction advances the conventional regression-based dendrochronological methods as it allows for multiple hydrologic components (evapotranspiration, snowmelt, etc.) to be evaluated. We found that imposed warming (3 °C and 6 °C) generally exacerbated the runoff deficits in past droughts but that the impact could be lessened and sometimes even reversed in some years by compensating factors, including changes in snow regime. Our results underscore the value of combining multi-proxy tree-ring data with water balance modelling to place past hydrologic droughts in the context of climate change.

An analysis of seashell calcium carbonate dissolution caused by ocean acidification based on chemistry equilibrium

Ocean acidification is a serious marine ecosystem problem caused by the abundant human emission of CO2. It is now a prevalent cognition that the dissolution of CO2 tends to raise the concentration of H+ in the ocean and therefore make it more acidic. Anthropogenic CO2 emission exacerbates the situation. This will then lead to another obvious problem---the dissolution of calcium carbonate shells of certain ocean organisms. This article will present a brief dissolution model, which can provide an analysis of the acidification effects from two perspectives---both the forming and the dissolution of seashells. The model shows an exponential relationship between the dissolved Ca2+ concentration and the pH of seawater. It also presents the anticipation regarding a dissolution turning point in (approximately) 2090 under the RCP8.5 scenario. This turning point indicates an abrupt acceleration of calcium carbonate shells dissolution. The result depicts the drastic but possible change in the seawater solution system and gives a warning signal of a probable deadline for us to control the CO2 emission. Hopefully, it will attract more scholars to pay attention to this topic and figure out methodologies to avoid the possible tragedy.

Insulin therapy for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among older people is increasing every year. The main pathogenetic mechanisms of type 2 diabetes in elderly patients include disruption of the intestinal microbiota, cellular aging, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, immune and inflammatory processes. Short-chain fatty acids produced by the intestinal microbiota influence inflammatory processes in pancreatic β-cells. Cellular senescence causes the secretion of different cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and proteases, exacerbating the proinflammatory state and increasing insulin resistance of the tissues. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction decrease the ATP synthesis process and increase the formation of reactive oxygen species. Changes in the immune system in elderly patients contribute to autoimmune processes and systemic inflammation. Clinical features of diabetes mellitus in old age include asymptomatic progression, impaired recognition of hypoglycemia, impaired cognitive function, and muscle atrophy. The progressive decline in β-cells function in type 2 diabetes requires insulin therapy in many patients. Biphasic insulins allow to control both basal and postprandial glycemia, are easy to use and are indicated for patients who have difficulty counting amount of carbohydrates. However, it is worth remembering a balanced approach to prescribing and deintensifying therapy.