Constructive Approach Research Articles

Exosomes-based dual drug-loaded nanocarrier for targeted and multiple proliferative vitreoretinopathy therapy.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a common cause of vision loss after retinal reattachment surgery and ocular trauma. The key pathogenic mechanisms of PVR development include the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs) activated by the growth factors and cytokines after surgery. Although some drugs have been tried in PVR treatments as basic investigations, the limited efficacy remains an obstacle, which may be due to the single pharmacological action and lack of targeting. Herein, the anti-proliferative Daunorubicin and anti-inflammatory Dexamethasone were co-loaded in the RPEs-derived exosomes (Exos), obtaining an Exos-based dual drug-loaded nanocarrier (Exos@D-D), and used for multiple PVR therapy. Owing to the advantages of homologous Exos and the dual drug loading, Exos@D-D showed good RPEs targeting as well as improved uptake efficiency, and could inhibit the proliferation, migration, as well as EMT of RPEs effectively. The animal studies have also demonstrated that Exos@D-D effectively inhibits the production of proliferative membranes and prevents the further development of inflammation, shows significant therapeutic effects on PVR and good biocompatibility. Such Exos-based dual drug-loaded nanocarrier investigation not only provides a promising approach for multifunctional exosome drug delivery systems construction, but also has great potential in PVR clinical therapy application.

Enhancing Student Learning Experiences Through Integrated Constructivist Pedagogical Models

This study investigates the use of constructive pedagogy models to effectively engage students and enhance their learning experiences in college courses. Meaningful Online Learning attributes was used to redesign a face-to-face course in Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. The contemporary landscape of higher education is marked by a dynamic shift towards optimizing pedagogical approaches to meet diverse learning needs and preferences and to effectively engage students and enhance their learning experiences. Within this context, this research delves into the exploration of constructive pedagogy models as a means to actively engage students and elevate their learning experiences in the realm of college courses. A mixed-method approach was employed to conduct an exploratory case study, which involved the use of various instruments and sources such as a pre-course survey, a focus group discussion, and an analysis of the course based on the Meaningful Online Learning framework. This study lies in providing guidelines for faculty to redesign their courses using constructive approaches, particularly emphasizing the MOL attributes and to improve the quality of their courses. The results unveiled a positive correlation between the incorporation of Meaningful Online Learning attributes into the course redesign and the improvement of students' learning experiences. Furthermore, students exhibited the acquisition of novel skills and knowledge through the adaptation of assignments and learning activities associated with the course. Educators in higher education have to enhance their courses based on the MOL principles to effectively engage students in learning process and to design active and constructive courses that contribute to enhance students’ learning success. The researcher recommends applying this approach and the obtained design principles to other courses for refinement purposes. Additionally, they suggest conducting a comparative study between a class with traditional pedagogy and a class with constructivist pedagogy. Implication of the finding of this study showed that it is important to design engaging learning experiences to gain students the required skill to compete globally and contribute effectively to their communities. That is, students are playing crucial roles in society’s development especially in sustainable development. Further investigation is needed to refine and enhance the obtained principles and to share best practices of designing meaningful learning using innovative pedagogy models.

Context Factors in Clause-Type Disambiguation: Old High German ibu- Clauses in the Syntagma

In the history of studies in German syntax, clauses have typically been described based on their most salient internal features on various structural levels. Constructional approaches, however, prioritise a holistic and often usage-based view of grammatical structures, in which the distribution of a construction is also information necessary for its correct usage and interpretation. The present study of Old High German syntax adopts this viewpoint and considers distributional regularities of conditional and complement clauses introduced with ibu, comparable to present-day English if and French si. Such clause types have many internal formal features in common, so that they appear to be formally ambiguous. Curiously, they rarely pose interpretation problems. Here, it is argued that part of the knowledge language users have of clausal constructions details their use in a syntagmatic context. This is demonstrated with corpus data showing that clause order, matrix verb semantics and the presence of resumptive adverbs are relevant for the interpretation of clauses. This is supported with evidence that pragmatic effects furthermore play a role in the disambiguation of these clause types and shines light upon methodological and theoretical problems.

Persuasive status of Еnglish news texts: constructional approach

Persuasive status of Еnglish news texts: constructional approach

Lateral Displacement Behavior of IBS Precast Concrete Elements Reinforced with Dual System

Throughout history, the construction industry has been a significant contributor to construction waste, presenting an ongoing challenge in efficiently managing this waste to mitigate environmental pollution. The Industrialized Building System (IBS) stands out as a construction approach that utilizes prefabricated components made from various waste materials, implemented with machinery and formwork, leading to minimal waste production. The potential failure of IBS blockwork columns under lateral loads is a significant concern, and the deformation of these columns is crucial in assessing overall structural performance against lateral forces. This study focuses on examining the deformation and flexibility of components in IBS blockwork columns when subjected to lateral loads. Using Finite Element Modeling (FEM), a 1:5 scale prototype model of the dual-reinforced system IBS Block Work Column is analyzed. The IBS Block Work Column, comprising four prefabricated components assembled in the form of a crucifix plan to enhance lateral stability, is subjected to FEM analysis and experimental investigations. The study aims to explore the impact of four different shapes of reinforcement on deformation resistance. The findings suggest that employing a dual-reinforced system in the IBS Block Work Column enhances its resistance to lateral loads compared to a column with conventional reinforcement. Moreover, the assembled IBS Block Work Column exhibits greater stiffness than a single prefabricated component when subjected to lateral loads. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-01-020 Full Text: PDF

Compressed Tensor Completion: Approach for UAVAided 3D Radio Map Construction

Compressed Tensor Completion: Approach for UAVAided 3D Radio Map Construction

Dearomative hydroamination of heteroarenes catalyzed by the phenolate photocatalyst.

Dearomative functionalization of heteroarenes offers an attractive and sustainable approach for the rapid construction of complex 3D heterocyclic scaffolds from planar structures. Despite progress in this field, dearomative amination of heteroarenes via a radical anion intermediate remains a challenge. Here, we report a photoredox-catalyzed dearomative hydroamination of heteroarenes with hydrazodiformates under mild and transition-metal-free reaction conditions. Various benzofurans and benzothiophenes can efficiently participate in this transformation. A series of mechanistic experiments revealed that heteroaryl radical anions are the crucial intermediates, generated through photo-induced electron transfer between the excited phenolate photocatalyst and heteroarenes.

Analysis of two overlapping fragmentation approaches in density matrix construction: GMBE-DM vs. ADMA.

In this study, we conduct a comparative analysis of two density matrix construction methods: the generalized many-body expansion for building density matrices (GMBE-DM) based on the set-theoretical principle of inclusion/exclusion and the adjustable density matrix assembler (ADMA) based on the Mulliken-Mezey ansatz. We apply these methods to various noncovalent clusters, including water clusters, ion-water clusters, and ion-pair clusters, using both small 6-31G(d) and large def2-TZVPPD basis sets. Our findings reveal that the GMBE-DM method, particularly when combined with the purification scheme and truncation at the one-body level [GMBE(1)-DM-P], exhibits superior performance across all test systems and basis sets. In contrast, all ADMA set of methods show reasonable results only with small and compact basis sets. For example, GMBE(1)-DM-P outperforms the best ADMA method by at least 4 and 16 times with small and large basis sets, respectively, in the case of (H2O)N=6-55. This highlights the significance of the basis set choice for ADMA, which is even more critical than the fragmentation scheme, such as the size of subsystems, while GMBE-DM consistently produces accurate results irrespective of the chosen basis set. Consequently, the efficient and robust GMBE(1)-DM-P approach is recommended as a fragmentation method for generating accurate absolute and relative energies across different binding patterns and basis sets for noncovalent clusters.

What does a Heart Beat for? A Heterogeneous Approach for Human Digital Twin Construction

As healthcare applications of Artificial Intelligence are growing more and more, the necessity of building universal and transparent models in healthcare is of a paramount importance. Defining approaches able to combine the flexibility of data-driven and the explainability of model-based methods is still an open and promising challenge. This paper proposes an approach to combine mathematical modelling, based on Ordinary Differential Equations, Machine Learning and Fluid Stochastic Petri Nets. By adopting the proposed method and tools, a user could understand the effects of drugs and other treatments on a patient in an interpretable manner. The paper also presents a preliminary application of the approach on the human heartbeat.

The UK and the EEC Budget Issue (1979-80)

The literature dedicated to the relationships between the UK government led by Margaret Thatcher and the EEC has often underlined the harsh and uncompromising attitude adopted by the Prime Minister towards the Community, with particular reference to the budget issue. This work aims at demonstrating how the UK government was able to positively negotiate with the EEC over a vast amount of arguments, including the budget, during the first year of Thatcher’s premiership. The constructive and positive approach adopted by the UK towards the EEC was particularly promoted by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office chief Peter Carrington.

Устойчивость и безопасность зеленых финансов с позиции многоагентных игр

Green finance increases the innovation potential of green transformation, helps to address climate change, the environmental crisis and energy security. It is important for green finance to achieve sustainable and balanced development, which will increase the security of both finance itself and many processes in the real economy that depend on it. The purpose of this study was to develop approaches to the ontological design of green finance and multi-agent modeling of the behavior of green finance actors, considering their sustainable and safe interaction. To achieve this goal it was necessary to clarify the conceptual apparatus of green finance and related areas; to characterize the "work" of the multi-agent model in the analysis of the behavior of the main green finance actors and to trace the prospects for their impact on the stability and security of the financial market; and finally, based on ontology construction and agent-based approach to nonlinear interactions in the green financial process, to determine the mechanism of building chains of the main market participants. The methodological basis of the study consists of general scientific research methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, logic), as well as evolutionary dynamics and agent-based approach to the analysis of financial markets. A comparative analysis of the works of various authors and the interpretation of theoretical provisions in related areas of knowledge about finance, as well as the analysis of their sustainable and safe development were carried out. As a result of the study, the authors identified the main approaches to the design of financial ontology and multi-agent modeling of financial interactions in the direction of determining their sustainable and safe development. The proposed model establishes that the criterion of the effectiveness of the applied strategy is the satisfaction with the state of financial impact on the economy, environment, and social sphere. Maintaining this state, along with saving the amount of resources used, is done through optimization. The chosen approach corresponds to the concept of sustainable development and safe functioning of the systems under consideration.

Is online learning effective for practice-based tourism courses? A constructive learning approach

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to 1) measure the effectiveness of online learning in practise-based tourism courses, 2) identify the factors that influence the effectiveness of online learning and 3) propose strategies to encourage tourism students to adopt constructive learning in online learning environments. Methodology/Design/Approach – A qualitative methodology was used to analyse data from students participating in an online course entitled “Field Study in Tourism”. Students were surveyed after completing the teaching semester and asked to give their opinions and comments on the effectiveness of online learning. A total of 32 students gave their opinions on the effectiveness of online learning. The authors used applications for online communication during online learning, such as Google Classroom, Zoom and WhatsApp. Findings – The results show that students have very different assessments of the effectiveness of online learning, with most students stating that online learning is less effective for practiseorientated tourism courses. For most students, learning is very efficient when it is applied directly in practise after learning the theory. They should be able to analyse what is happening in the field through direct observation. The students mentioned various factors (e.g. internet access, economic aspects, family support and the environment) that influence the success of online learning. Originality of the research – The findings are in line with constructivist theory, which assumes that a combination of factors relating to learners, environmental factors and teachers are responsible for achieving the goals of constructivist learning. The paper extends our knowledge of constructivist (online) learning by discussing both TLE (teacher, learner, environment) and institution-based models that need to be developed in order to effectively apply and utilise the educational benefits of constructivist learning theory and make online learning appropriate for practise-based tourism courses

On the construction of families of optimal recovery methods for linear operators

The paper proposes an approach for construction of families of optimal methods for the recovery of linear operators from inaccurately given information. The proposed method of construction is then applied to recover derivatives from inaccurately specified other derivatives in the multidimensional case and to recover solutions of the heat equation from inaccurately specified temperature distributions at some time instants.

Analysis of Russia's policy in the Middle East in 2000-2023 in the works of foreign researchers.

The article is devoted to the scientific consideration of foreign researchers' views on the issues and prospects of military-political, trade-economic and socio-cultural relations of the Russian Federation with the countries of the Middle East during the presidency of V.V. Putin and D.A. Medvedev from 2000 to 2023. The paper aims to identify the main points of view of foreign researchers on the issues and prospects of military-political, trade, economic, social and cultural relations of the Russian Federation with the Middle East countries during the presidency of V.V. Putin and D.A. Medvedev in 2000-2023. The purpose of the work is to highlight the main points of view on Russia's Middle East policy and identify the key areas of interest among foreign researchers. The object of the study is to examine the geopolitical significance of the region and the ways in which this significance is reflected in the studies of foreign scholars. The subject is the views of foreign researchers on Russia's policy in the Middle East. The article analyzes the differences and similarities in the interpretations of the effectiveness and consequences of Russia's actions in the region. The study is based on the principles of objectivity, systematicity and consistency. The main conclusions of the paper are that foreign researchers have different attitudes towards Russia's policy in the Middle East. Some see this policy as a constructive approach to developing relations with all countries in the region, while others point to Russia's desire to strengthen its influence and interests in certain countries and, at the same time, Russia's attempt to upset the already fragile balance of power in the region, which is considered one of the most tense and unstable in the world.

A comprehensive analysis of the problems in sustainable construction and mitigation strategies

The challenges arising due to the construction industry in balancing the development along with ecological concerns are being focussed upon in this paper. The detailed analysis of the materials that are being brought to use as a sustainable material in the constructions sectors is being focussed upon. Since the late 20th century, there have been significant developments in the building industry. Since the population is rising and the need for housing is increasing, all available resources must be employed to satisfy the demand as it stands. This will have a significant long-term effect on the situation since the resources at hand are insufficient to meet the demand. There are many data and trends about sustainable construction approaches that is being developed by the researchers across the world that form the basis of this review study. The work found that associated industries should be encouraged to take part in the seminars, workshops, and other training programs that are organized at various events in order to deepen and improve their comprehension of the concept of sustainable development. The comparison drawn-out in between the conventional and a smart building concludes the benefits of using sustainable methods in the construction industry.

Development of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for Rapid Damage Runway Repair (RADARR) Time Planning at Military Airbases

The military airbase plays a crucial role in national defense, particularly in air defense. One of the most critical facilities at a military airbase for supporting air operations is the runway that serves as the area where fighter aircraft take off and land; hence. If such an event occurs, the Air Force’s capability, specifically the ability of fighter aircraft to take off and land, would be compromised, disrupting air operations. Therefore, the rapid damage runway repair (RADARR) method, aligned with the rigid pavement construction approach, is essential. The foundation of the construction implementation involves creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) as a reference for RADARR operation planning. This study aims to develop a WBS as the basis for RADARR operation time planning. The research method employed is a mixed-method approach with descriptive analysis. The variables under investigation include work packages, construction methods, work activities, and the duration of operations. This study comprises expert judgment, pilot surveys, respondent surveys, and focus group discussion (FGD) followed by the development of RADARR WBS, measure the operational time of RADARR through respondent surveys. These findings serve as a valuable reference for executing RADARR construction work within the military context.

Case Study on Advanced Hoisting, Positioning, and Control Techniques for Non-Standard Pier Construction in the Quanli-Dongfeng Viaduct Project

This study, reliant on practical projects, conducts an in-depth analysis of key technologies amid the construction of prefabricated viaducts. The primary focus is on the integrated hoisting, positioning, and control techniques for the bridge abutments and pier columns, culminating in a proposal of an innovative integrated and prefabricated construction approach. This approach optimizes the construction process and methods by factoring in the structural characteristics of different types of pier columns and addressing construction challenges. Simultaneously, it underscores the significance of material selection, prefabricated component design, and innovative construction techniques. The study also explores on-site management and quality control strategies to ensure the efficiency and safety of the construction process. The research indicates that this approach significantly improves construction efficiency, reduces safety risks, and solidly guarantees structural quality. These findings offer crucial theoretical and practical guidance for advancing the industrialization, modularization, and innovative development of construction techniques in bridge construction. They contribute to the continual optimization of technical innovation and engineering practices in the field of bridge construction.

Synergistic antimicrobial nanofiber membranes based on metal incorporated silica nanoparticles as advanced antimicrobial layers.

In this post-new-normal era, the public prioritizes preventive measures over curing, which is a constructive approach to staying healthy. In this study, an innovative antimicrobial membrane material has been developed, showcasing the promising potential for various applications. The metal-doped silica nanoparticles (Ag, Cu, and Co) were incorporated into a cellulose acetate (CA) polymer-based nanofiber membrane using the electrospinning technique. The metal nanoparticles were doped into a silanol network of silica nanoparticles. The fabricated membranes underwent detailed characterization using a wide range of techniques including PXRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM, TEM, TGA, and tensile testing. These analyses provided compelling evidence confirming the successful incorporation of metal-doped silica nanoparticles (Ag, Cu, and Co) into cellulose-based nanofibers. The band gap energies of the fabricated CA mats lie below 3.00 eV, confirming that they are visible light active. The trimetallic silica nanohybrid exhibited the lowest band gap energy of 2.84 eV, proving the self-sterilizing ability of the CA mats. The DPPH assay further confirmed the best radical scavenging activity by the trimetallic silica nanohybrid incorporated nanofiber mat (91.77 ± 0.88%). The antimicrobial activity was assessed by using the bacterial ATCC strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal strains; quality control samples of Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum gypsium, and Aspergillus niger, as well as the ATCC strain of Candida albicans. The trimetallic silica nanohybrid-incorporated CA membranes demonstrated the most significant inhibition zones. The reported findings substantiate the self-sterilizing mat's viability, affordability, efficacy against a broad spectrum of microbial strains, cost-effectiveness, and biodegradability. Furthermore, the mat serves as a dual-purpose physical and biological barrier against microbes, affirming its potential impact.

Mapping pedestrian spaces

This article introduces a counter-mapping strategy to visualize Malmö from a pedestrian perspective. It highlights the uneven distribution and fragmentation of current pedestrian spaces and aim to support a constructive approach to networks of slow roads. We are particularly concerned with processes to improve the mapping of pedestrian spaces and how maps might support constructive dialogues.

A Multitree Genetic Programming-Based Feature Construction Approach to Crop Classification Using Hyperspectral Images

A Multitree Genetic Programming-Based Feature Construction Approach to Crop Classification Using Hyperspectral Images