Scientific Community Research Articles

Learning and Distributed Expertise in Community‐Based Science

ABSTRACTIn the face of growing social‐ecological challenges, multiple forms of expertise must be brought to bear in environmental problem‐solving. As such, community‐based science has been touted as a potential way to “democratize” scientific knowledge production, allowing for multiple sources of expertise to be harnessed and for learning across stakeholders to occur in new ways. The extent to which this occurs, however, is mediated by a variety of factors. Focusing on the context of a dam removal and river restoration initiative in the Western United States, we leverage community science literacy as a conceptual lens to critically interrogate if and how multiple forms of expertise are taken up through community‐based science toward the goal of watershed revitalization. Based on an analysis of empirical evidence collected from interviews, ethnographic observations, and project artifacts, we found that local residents in the watershed demonstrated robust forms of situated local knowledge that they often leveraged toward the work of science. This occurred through processes of coordination work, which were mediated by opportunities for individuals to shift between roles, the contributions of brokers and boundary spanners, and issues of power, status, and rank. While individuals demonstrated and shared their nuanced local knowledge, dominant science still structured if, when, and how this was taken up in the project. Ultimately, we suggest that leveling hierarchies in community‐based science—and affording broader publics greater epistemic agency in shaping the work of science—is key to fostering social‐ecological transformation through science learning in informal settings.

An assessment of large language models for OpenMP-based code parallelization: a user perspective

Large language models have sparked a lot of attention in the research community in recent days, especially with the introduction of practical tools such as ChatGPT and Github Copilot. Their ability to solve complex programming tasks was also shown in several studies and commercial solutions increasing the interest in using them for software development in different fields. High performance computing is one of such fields, where parallel programming techniques have been extensively used to utilize raw computing power available in contemporary multicore and manycore processors. In this paper, we perform an evaluation of the ChatGPT and Github Copilot tools for OpenMP-based code parallelization using a proposed methodology. We used nine different benchmark applications which represent typical parallel programming workloads and compared their OpenMP-based parallel solutions produced manually and using ChatGPT and Github Copilot in terms of obtained speedup, applied optimizations, and quality of the solution. ChatGPT 3.5 and Github Copilot installed with Visual Studio Code 1.88 were used. We concluded that both tools can produce correct parallel code in most cases. However, performance-wise, ChatGPT can match manually produced and optimized parallel code only in simpler cases, as it lacks a deeper understanding of the code and the context. The results are much better with Github Copilot, where much less effort is needed to obtain correct and performant parallel solution.

An OpenStreetMap derived building classification dataset for the United States

Building classification is crucial for population estimation, traffic planning, urban planning, and emergency response applications. Although essential, such data is often not readily available. To alleviate this problem, this work presents a comprehensive dataset by providing residential/non-residential building classification covering the entire United States. We developed a dataset of building types based on building footprints and the available OpenStreetMap information. The dataset is validated using authoritative ground truth data for select counties in the U.S., which shows a high precision for non-residential building classification and a high recall for residential buildings. In addition to the building classifications, this dataset includes detailed information on the OpenStreetMap data used in the classification process. A major result of this work is the resulting dataset of classifying 67,705,475 buildings. We hope that this data is of value to the scientific community, including urban and transportation planners.

Antiviral efficacy of heparan sulfate and enoxaparin sodium against SARS‐CoV‐2

AbstractAs the world transitions from the acute phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, the scientific community continues to explore various therapeutic avenues to control its spread and mitigate its ongoing effects. Among the promising candidates are heparan sulfate (HS) and enoxaparin (EX), which have emerged as potential virus inhibitors. HS, a type of glycosaminoglycan, plays a prominent role in the attachment of the virus to host cells. At the same time, EX, a low‐molecular‐weight heparin, is being investigated for its ability to disrupt the interaction between the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 and the ACE2 receptor in human cells. Understanding the mechanisms through which these substances operate could lay the foundation for new strategies in the ongoing management of COVID‐19. This study aimed to examine the details of SARS‐CoV‐2's entry mechanisms and the role of HS in this process. Furthermore, it examines EX's mechanism of action, highlighting how it potentially inhibits SARS‐CoV‐2. The interactions between HS and the virus, alongside in‐vitro and in‐silico inhibition studies with HS and EX, are critically analyzed to assess their antiviral efficacy. Additionally, the antiviral activity of sulfated polysaccharides and the potential therapeutic applications of these findings are discussed.

Advances in Physics and Chemistry of Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Janus Monolayers: Properties, Applications, and Future Prospects

AbstractJanus transition metal dichalcogenides (JTMDs) have garnered significant interest from the scientific community owing to their remarkable physical and chemical features. The existence of intrinsic dipoles makes them different from conventional transition metal dichalcogenides. These properties are useful in various potential applications, including energy storage, energy generation, and other electronic devices. The JTMDs are considered a hot topic in two dimensional (2D) materials research, making it necessary to understand their fundamental properties and potential use in various applications. This review covers the fundamental difference between Janus and conventional transition metal dichalcogenide‐based 2D materials. This discussion encompasses the characteristics of monolayer, bilayer, and multilayer materials, focusing on their structural stability, electronics properties, optical properties, piezoelectricity, and Rashba effects. The impact of external stimuli such as strain and electric field toward engineering the ground state properties of monolayer JTMDs is discussed. Additionally, various potential applications of Janus monolayers, including gas sensors, catalysis, electrochemical energy storage, thermoelectric, solar cells, and field effect transistors, are highlighted, emphasizing enhancing their performance. Finally, the prospects of Janus 2D materials for next‐generation electronic devices are highlighted.

Human Genome Editing: Managing Technological Risks through Legal Means

Objective: to determine theoretical approaches to the legal regulation of reprogenetic editing, taking into account the risk-oriented approach and the practice of regulation of such breakthrough technologies in different jurisdictions; to outline further regulatory and managerial steps to be taken for the technology development.Methods: general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, classification, system and functional approaches; specific scientific methods: formal-legal, comparative-legal, and historical-legal.Results: the research shows the possible approaches to the regulation of genetic editing for reproductive purposes. The considered variants are evaluated from the viewpoint of risk-oriented approach; conditions and peculiarities of various regulatory mechanisms’ application are determined; the current Russian regulation in this sphere is assessed. The analysis allows concluding that the prohibition or significant restriction of the developing technology of reprogenetic editing has no irrefutable grounds. Moreover, it may lead to the results opposite to those declared by its proponents. In this regard, it is necessary to develop the discussion in a constructive and iterative way and involve all stakeholders in it, including the scientific community.

Halloysite Nanotube-Based Delivery of Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Derivatives for Prostate and Bladder Cancer Treatment

Background/Objectives: The development of therapies targeting unregulated Src signaling through selective kinase inhibition using small-molecule inhibitors presents a significant challenge for the scientific community. Among these inhibitors, pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine heterocycles have emerged as potent agents; however, their clinical application is hindered by low solubility in water. To overcome this limitation, some carrier systems, such as halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), can be used. Methods: Herein, we report the development of HNT-based nanomaterials as carriers for pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine molecules. To achieve this objective, the clay was modified by two different approaches: supramolecular loading into the HNT lumen and covalent grafting onto the HNT external surface. The resulting nanomaterials were extensively characterized, and their morphology was imaged by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). In addition, the kinetic release of the molecules supramolecularly loaded into the HNTs was also evaluated. QSAR studies were conducted to elucidate the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of these inhibitors, and structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) was performed to analyze their binding poses in protein kinases implicated in cancer. Results: The characterization methods demonstrate successful encapsulation of the drugs and the release properties under physiological conditions. Furthermore, QSAR studies and SBVS provide valuable insights into the physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and binding properties of these inhibitors, reinforcing their potential efficacy. Conclusions: The cytotoxicity of these halloysite-based nanomaterials, and of pure molecules for comparison, was tested on RT112, UMUC3, and PC3 cancer cell lines, demonstrating their potential as effective agents for prostate and bladder cancer treatment.

The role of emotional marketing in enhancing strategic customer behavior through financial knowledge: An analytical study of a sample of shopping malls in Iraq

The research aims to diagnose the logical relationships between emotional marketing and its role in enhancing strategic customer behavior through financial knowledge to reach results in the dynamic environment of shopping malls. The paper was designed in light of adopting the descriptive analytical approach to variables and collecting data and information through the questionnaire tool distributed to the shopping malls of the research sample. Using statistical analysis programs to reach the results, the study sample reached (25) shopping malls in the local environment of the country. The results showed that there is a threat in the local environment in which these malls operate through the entry of foreign investment projects in this field, which led to an increase in supply and competition in terms of quality, prices and delivery services to gain customers. The studied malls had to develop a strategy on how to attract and retain customers by using emotional marketing practices and relying on financial knowledge to influence strategic customer behavior, as the current and future customer has become rapidly changing in tastes, needs, desires and transformation through technological development and the world has become a small village that can be viewed at any time and in short periods of time. The research also concluded that the threat of new investment through the establishment of new malls as new investment projects affects supply and demand in the environment in which these studied malls operate. The research also concluded that there is a correlation and influence relationship between the research variables of the studied malls, which includes a package of results that benefit the research community. The paper aims to bridge the knowledge gap between the variables of the paper in the dynamic environment by using emotional marketing as a competitive tool in influencing strategic customer behavior through financial knowledge to gain and maintain the current customer and gain the potential customer.

Bibliometric Analysis of Publications on the Synthesis of Graphene and Reduced Graphene Oxide in the Scopus Research Platform

Objective: Conduct a bibliometric analysis of articles on the synthesis of graphene and graphene oxide, as well as their applications, from the documents in the last fourteen years. Method: The bibliometric analysis used data from the Scopus database to visualize the main keywords, countries, and journals, addressing the theme of graphene synthesis and its applications over the past 14 years, from 2010 to 2024. Results and Discussion: Using the Bibliometrix software combined with R programming, 1,485 documents published in English were analyzed, which includes articles in review and in their final version. The results demonstrated that despite being a widely explored theme in the scientific community, there is still a growing global relevance. Research Implications: The analysis provided significant data on the development and key trends in academic research. The study revealed a great interest in obtaining reduced graphene oxide and its application in solar cells, as well as the efficiency they produce. Originality/Value: The study aimed to contribute to academic research by demonstrating and analyzing the main trends in graphene synthesis and its applications. Demonstrating its relevance in recent years and the growth in applications in photovoltaic systems.

Role of Surfactants on Electrocatalytic Activity of Co/Al Layered Double Hydroxides For Hydrogen and Oxygen Generation

AbstractLayered double hydroxides (LDHs) have recently attracted much attention in the scientific community as a prominent catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) because they are economical, extremely stable, and highly active. Literature on LDH alone and their hybrids for catalyzing water oxidation are readily available, but LDH catalyzing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is meager. Here, we synthesized Co/Al‐based LDH systems that efficiently perform as bifunctional electrocatalysts for both HER and OER. Exfoliation of this layered material via anion intercalation into a few layers further enhanced its activity. In this work, we reported the synthesis of Co/Al LDHs via coprecipitation followed by hydrothermal method and different surfactant‐functionalized LDHs (with anionic surfactant: SDS, cationic surfactant: CTAB, and nonionic surfactant: PEG 4000). SDS‐modified LDH (s LDH) showed notable stability and competent results in hydrogen evolution in addition to oxygen evolution. The exfoliation of s LDH caused enhancement in the high specific surface area about 6.8 times compared to pristine LDH, as evident from BET data. The onset potential for HER as obtained from the polarization curve for s LDH is −0.41 V versus RHE, with Tafel slope of 67.4 mV/dec. Similarly, OER onset potential and corresponding Tafel slope are 1.53 V versus RHE at 10 mA/cm2 and 90.2 mV/dec, respectively.

Bibliometric analysis on physical ergonomics: A visual mapping approach.

The concept of ergonomics in health services is attracting significant attention in the scientific community. There is a need for an integrated study presenting a summary of the published literature backed by detailed bibliometric characteristics. The aim of this study is to provide a summary of the published literature supported by detailed bibliometric properties. Within the scope of this study, a total of 3008 articles on ergonomics in the health field were reviewed and analyzed using a bibliometric method. It reveals the trends of the publications conducted between 1999-2023, and defines the common citation structure between the articles, bibliographic coupling, and keyword co-occurrences. This study presents a knowledge map of ergonomics studies conducted in the health field using a bibliometric analysis method. The research results provide comprehensive information to the relevant literature, and define global research focuses and future scopes. This serves as a guide for academics to understand developments in the field of ergonomics and health more easily and quickly.

Navigating the intersection of computer technology and IoT: Innovations, challenges, and strategies for privacy protection

Abstract. The integration of computer technology in the Internet of Things (IoT) has introduced new efficiencies, and conveniences in many sectors. However, this integration has also brought some serious challenges, and one of the most pressing ones is the need for more effective protection of privacy. This paper investigates some of the latest security developments in IoT industry, including encryption, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, it highlights the important challenges in IoT technology by providing an overview of data overload, regulatory and security issues in IoT devices. Besides, possible solutions to these problems are suggested in this paper. In addition, a detailed conclusion is made, which includes three future plans and some important recommendations to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers who are interested in achieving effective IoT security and privacy. The paper will have a positive impact on the research community, as it will highlight the growing need to invest in research and collaboration to improve the security of the IoT ecosystems.

A value-of-information-based optimal sensor placement design framework for cost-effective structural health monitoring (with application to miter gate monitoring)

Structural health monitoring (SHM) involves collecting information to assess the health of a structure, typically to guide risk-informed maintenance decision-making or predict limit state behavior throughout its lifespan. Although the value of information (VoI) obtained from an SHM system can facilitate improved decision-making, it is important to estimate its overall utility by considering the costs involved in designing, developing, installing, maintaining, and operating the system. A feasible SHM system provides greater expected returns resulting from data-informed lifecycle management decisions than the cost of the SHM system design, fabrication, deployment, operation, and maintenance. That is, since data acquisition is a precursor to data-informed decision-making, the design of an SHM system governs its feasibility. Such cost-benefit analyses are a current topic of research in the SHM community. One approach that has been proposed for these analyses is a preposterior decision analysis using the VoI metric. In this paper, we propose a sensor optimization framework that maximizes the VoI over the structure’s lifecycle, constrained by a pre-decided maintenance policy. We use two different VoI metrics: the traditional expected VoI and a gambling-theory-inspired normalized expected-savings-to-investmentrisk ratio. We introduce three time-normalized, unitless VoI metrics that are valuable for evaluating the performance of an SHM design over an extended period. Furthermore, we consider the effect of different risk profiles on the overall optimal sensor design, recognizing that the cost of decision-making depends on the utility and risk perception of the decision-maker. We conduct a detailed analysis on the marginal utility gain of gathered information as we add more sensors, observing the utility to diminish in line with the law of diminishing returns as the information content increases. This framework is applied to the design of an SHM system used for monitoring miter gates.

Unraveling the impact of host genetics and factors on the urinary microbiome in a young population.

The urinary microbiome, essential to human health, reveals its unique qualities in our study of 1,579 Chinese individuals. We identified distinctive microbial profiles, or "urotypes," and uncovered strong gender-related influences, particularly from sex hormones, on these microbial communities. Our research highlights significant genetic associations affecting specific urinary bacteria, indicating a deep interaction between our genetics and our microbiome. These insights not only enhance our understanding of the urinary microbiome's role in health and disease but also open new pathways for personalized medical strategies, making our findings crucial for future diagnostic and therapeutic innovations. This work underscores the intricate relationship between our body's biological processes and the microorganisms within, providing valuable knowledge for both scientific and medical communities.

Directions for the development of socially oriented taxation of income of Russians

Personal income tax (hereinafter referred to as PIT), in interaction with other instruments, can have a significant impact on the implementation of social goals aimed at improving the quality of life of Russians, reducing poverty, overcoming monetary inequality, and supporting low-income citizens, including families with children. The article is aimed at studying the theoretical and practical aspects of taxation of personal income regulated by Chapter 23 of the Russian Tax Code. It reveals the significant role of the PIT due to its revenue potential for the budget system of the Russian Federation and its regulatory impact on socio-economic processes in conditions of geopolitical tension, describes the current system of tax deductions, the need and directions for its improvement. The methodological basis of the study is founded on the analysis of scientific publications and open data of public authorities posted on their official websites. The analysis has been conducted using comparison methods, systemic logical and semantic analysis, synthesis of theoretical and practical material. The purpose of the study is to propose a gradual improvement of the mechanisms for providing standard and social tax deductions by increasing their sizes, introducing a subsistence minimum as a non-taxable income for all categories of payers, expanding the scope of application with consideration to the results of the ongoing socio-economic policy. The conclusions and generalisations of the study can be used when legislative and executive authorities and the scientific community develop proposals for improving the provisions of Chapter 23 of the Russian Tax Code, which will create a socially oriented domestic tax system.

“POLITICALLY MATURE AND EXPERIENCED ONE...”: SOME MODELS OF ROTATION OF THE FIRST SECRETARIES OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY REGIONAL COMMITTEE IN THE 2ND HALF OF THE 1940S TO THE 50S (based on the materials of the Upper Volga regions)

The article analyses the models of rotation of regional leadership in the Upper Volga regions at the end of Stalin’s period and in the beginning of Khrushchev’s one. The focus is on the 3 first secretaries of the Communist Party regional committee in the 1940–50s - Pavel Alfyorov, Vladimir Luk’yanov, Fyodor Titov, who at different times were Party leaders of Vladimir, Ivanovo, and Yaroslavl regions. Attention is paid to quantitative and institutional characteristics associated with personnel rotations of late Stalinism and Khrushchev Thaw. The methodological basis of the study was the principles of historicism and systematicity, the prosopographic method, a combination of analysis of archival documents and sources of personal origin. The theoretical basis of the article is based on the ideas of Yelena Zubkova, Aleksandr Konovalov, Aleksey Fyodorov, Oleg Khlevniuk, Yoram Gorlizki. The source base is represented by documents from the Russian State Archive of Contemporary History, materials from documentary publications and reference publications, and personal sources (memoirs, interviews). The article concludes, that the biographies of the first secretaries of the regional committees of the Upper Volga regions (Pavel Alfyorov, Vladimir Luk’yanov, Fyodor Titov) demonstrate 3 different models of rotation of regional leadership personnel of Stalin and Khrushchev periods, but do not exhaust the diversity of personnel movements in the post-war USSR. It is noted that the first rotation model “From region to region”, inherent in Vladimir Luk’yanov, can be considered typical of the group of successful Stalinist promoters of the late 1930s. It is emphasised that the second model “Region-centre-region”, inherent in Pavel Alfyorov, reflects a move across the regions with a short-term return to the central apparatus of an experienced but not quite successful Party functionary. It is stated that the third model “Second-First-Second”, inherent in Fyodor Titov, was more rare, characterised by alternating the position of first secretary of the regional committee in the regions of the Russian Soviet Republic and second secretary in the republican communist parties of the USSR. The significance for career growth in the 1940-50s is noted considering the positions of second secretary of the regional committee, chairman of the regional executive committee, inspector of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks, structures of the central apparatus. As the finishing point in the nomenclature career of Party functionaries of the 1950–60s, the Party Control Committee is indicated. The publication is an invitation to discussion for representatives of the scientific community regarding the typification and classification of regional Party leaders of the Soviet era.

Attention-based hand pose estimation with voting and dual modalities

Hand pose estimation has recently emerged as a compelling topic in the robotic research community, because of its usefulness in learning from human demonstration or safe human–robot interaction. Although deep learning-based methods have been introduced for this task and have shown promise, it remains a challenging problem. To address this, we propose a novel end-to-end architecture for hand pose estimation using red-green-blue (RGB) and depth (D) data (RGB-D). Our approach processes the two data sources separately and utilizes a dense fusion network with an attention module to extract discriminative features. The features extracted include both spatial information and geometric constraints, which are fused to vote for the hand pose. We demonstrate that our voting mechanism in conjunction with the attention mechanism is particularly useful for solving the problem, especially when hands are heavily occluded by objects or are self-occluded. Our experimental results on benchmark datasets demonstrate that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art methods by a significant margin.

Report on the Second International Workshop on DataSystems Education (DataEd '23)

This report summarizes the outcomes of the second international workshop on Data Systems Education: Bridging Education Practice with Education Research (DataEd '23). The workshop was held in conjunction with the SIGMOD '23 conference in Seattle, USA on June 23, 2023. The aim of the workshop was to provide a dedicated venue for presenting and and discussing data management systems education experiences and research by bringing together the database and the computing education research communities to share findings, to crosspollinate perspectives and methods, and to shed light on opportunities for mutual progress in data systems education. The program featured two keynote talks, eight research paper presentations, and a discussion session. In this report, we present the workshop's main results, observations, and emerging research directions.

Testing of Shoreline Erosion Monitoring Methodologies for Heritage at Risk Sites: Pockoy Island, South Carolina, USA

Abstract We review shoreline monitoring methodologies used by members of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Archaeology, Geology, and Wildlife Biology teams from February 2021 to December 2022 on Pockoy Island in Charleston County, South Carolina, USA. Our project objectives were to better understand the driving forces behind the landward movement of the shoreline (transgression), to apply new understanding to the rate of shoreline erosion of the island that directly impacts the Pockoy Island Shell Ring Complex (38CH2533), and to establish best practice for future community science monitoring efforts. Each member of our team used a different shoreline monitoring methodology (a nested methodology approach). Multiple unoccupied aerial vehicle (UAV)-derived orthoimagery datasets, on-the-ground transect measurements, and Arrow Gold real-time kinematic (RTK) unit measurements have been collected monthly following significant storms or king (perigean) tide events. Moving forward, the erosion transect approach tested within this project will serve as the foundation for community science monitoring at heritage at-risk sites in South Carolina. In this article, we introduce initial efforts in establishing a community science monitoring program in South Carolina that will influence future research, land management, and policy, and we propose how our research might be adapted for other sites at risk.

Recovery of culturable Streptococcus pyogenes from swabs stored at different temperatures

AbstractImproving our understanding of superficial Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A) carriage and transmission necessitates robust sampling methods. Here, we compared the effect of storing swab samples in fridge (+4°C) and freezer (−20°C) conditions on the recovery of laboratory‐cultured S. pyogenes. Streptococcus pyogenes colony‐forming units progressively declined at +4°C, but not at −20°C, over 2 weeks. Results demonstrate that freezing is preferable over refrigeration for storage and transport of skin and throat swabs to ensure that culturing accurately reflects the true results of sampling. This is particularly important in remote community research and practice when immediate incubation is not possible or batch processing is most practical, increasing the elapsed time between collection and laboratory analysis. The study suggests that temperature negatively affects S. pyogenes viability and provides a method to further investigate the role of other environmental factors affecting S. pyogenes transmission.