Scientific Research Research Articles

Approaching the general quantification of functional information

Information is everywhere, especially in the digital, artificial intelligence, and big data worlds we live in. In fact, information has always played a pivotal role; however, that role is, as the years of history accumulate, becoming even more significant. It is, therefore, a pursuit of scientific inquiry to quantify the functionality and semantics of information—this is also the goal of the article one reads. We have constructively and critically reviewed state-of-the-art approaches, presented challenges, and suggested a new approach that deals with the issues of information quantification. The developed approach represents a method for general quantification of functional information, including the total functional information of a system and the semantics revealed by functionality. Such a general method can potentially have significance far beyond the shores of information quantification, especially considering the importance of information in computer and information science, quantum physics, and chemistry. We have also made first steps of placing functional information in a computational complexity framework, which will potentially foster algorithmics around it, especially in terms of optimality or degeneracy, and possibly even in terms of work around classes of computational complexity.

Ascertaining the Educational Efficacy of using Free Open-source Software Research Artificial Intelligence Tools: A Formulative Study at CPGS-AS, CAU(I), Umiam, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya

One of the most significant challenges students currently face is the task of writing and publishing research papers. This process requires a systematic and distinctive approach, including comprehensive analysis, critical interpretation, and the ability to synthesize research on a specific topic. In the current academic and professional landscape, proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential prerequisite for students to excel in this domain. Although artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly important in academic research, there remains a paucity of studies exploring its application and impact. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the awareness and ascertain the efficacy of using Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) AI tools in academic research among M.Sc. (Ag.) students at CPGS-AS, CAU (I), Umiam, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya. The study adopted a formative research design to achieve its objectives. Convenient sampling procedure was carried out in order to select 62 respondents. The scientific inquiry revealed that the majority of respondent (67.74%) were aware of Software Ownership; while 75.80% were knowledgeable about the features of FOSS, particularly its freedom to use FOSS AI tools. Additionally, more than half of the respondents (67.2%) reported learning about FOSS AI tools through social media and the internet. However, majority of respondents (79.03%) demonstrated low awareness of the use of FOSS AI tools in academic research. A statistically significant difference was found in the respondents' scores before and after the intervention of FOSS AI tools in academic research, indicating a marked improvement in efficacy among the students.

Building Beyond Earth: Creating a Scientific Facility on the Moon

The Earth’s resources are now being further complicated to an engineer by climate change and population growth. As such, the quest for alternative habitats is more than ever before necessary. In this paper, we discuss the plausibility of a sustainable human habitat on the Moon with special reference to Moon Village Project for a collaborative effort toward lunar colonization. We go on to describe, in detail, the enormous challenges that would be met in erecting a structure on the Moon with respect to the highly laminar environmental situation, the scarcity of resources, as well as the plight of energy generation during prolonged lunar darkness. In the spirit of an answer to that problem, we suggest designing a scientific Moon campus with artificial intelligence help, which must present an entire underground structure for optimized space utilization and energy preservation. Our proposition includes advanced life support systems and possible ways to do certain types of scientific research such as lunar geology, space medicine, and astrobiology. Through the utilization of local resources together with cutting-edge technology, this investigation is geared to finally identifying a blueprint for sustainable lunar habitation and helping achieve the grander aspiration of human expansion beyond Earth.

The mediating and moderating effect of food addiction in the relationship between body image and loneliness.

Loneliness, as one of the most profound and universal emotional challenges faced by modern individuals, has become a focal point of scientific research. Particularly, negative body image and abnormal eating behaviors stand out as critical factors that contribute to loneliness. The complex and multidimensional effects of these factors on loneliness gain significance due to their impact on individuals' mental health and social connections. The purpose of this study is to examine the mediating and moderating roles of food addiction in the relationship between body image and loneliness. The sample of the study consisted of 345 individuals aged between 18 and 40, 229 of whom (66.4%) were female. Data were collected using the short -form UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Body Image Scale, and the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale. Hayes' Model 4 was used to test the mediating role, while Hayes' Model 1 was used to examine the moderating role. The findings of the study indicate that positive body image negatively predicts both loneliness and food addiction. Moreover, after controlling for gender, age, and income level, food addiction was found to act as a mediator in the relationship between body image and loneliness. Additionally, food addiction demonstrated a moderating effect on this relationship. In other words, negative body image can increase food addiction, which, in turn, amplifies feelings of loneliness. Conversely, reducing food addiction may alleviate feelings of loneliness by improving negative body image. These results contribute to a better understanding of the psychological effects of food addiction and the dynamic relationship between body image and loneliness.

Genetic evidence for the liver-brain axis: lipid metabolism and neurodegenerative disease risk

BackgroundThe liver‒brain axis is critical in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), with lipid metabolism influencing neuroinflammation and microglial function. A systematic investigation of the genetic relationship between lipid metabolism abnormalities and ND, namely, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is lacking. To assess potential causal links between ND and six lipid parameters, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was used.MethodsLarge-scale European ancestry GWAS data for lipid parameters and ND (AD, ALS, PD, and MS) were used. Genetic variants demonstrating significant correlations (P < 5 × 10−8) with lipid metabolism parameters were identified and employed as instrumental variables (IVs) after proper validation. The research incorporated UK Biobank genomic data to examine associations between genetic variants and lipid metabolism parameters. The analysis included primary MR, sensitivity analyses, and multivariable MR, which considered potential mediators.ResultsMR via the inverse-variance weighted method revealed causal effects of cholesterol (CHOL, OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.18, P = 4.23 × 10⁻3) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC, OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.17, P = 3.28 × 10⁻3) on the risk of ALS, which were validated across multiple methods. Potential correlations were observed between ApoB and ALS and inversely correlated with AD, whereas no significant associations were found for PD or MS. CHOL and LDLC associations with ALS demonstrated no significant heterogeneity or pleiotropy, supporting their reliability.ConclusionsHigher CHOL and LDLC levels were associated with increased ALS risk, suggesting a potential causal link, and supporting the liver‒brain axis hypothesis in ND. Current genetic evidence does not support a significant role for lipid metabolism in PD and MS etiology, suggesting the relationship between lipid metabolism and other NDs may be more complex and warrants further investigation.

Revisiting gambling research contributors’ use and views of open science principles and practices: a brief report

Revisiting gambling research contributors’ use and views of open science principles and practices: a brief report

Review of selected methods for estimating risk from occupational exposure to carcinogenic substances

Assessing the expected level of cancer risk associated with occupational exposure to chemical substances is extremely important, as it forms the basis for the proper and safe organization of work in a company. It allows the translation of scientific research findings into legal regulations, enabling the implementation of appropriate preventive measures and optimizing the protection of workers' health. This article discusses various methods for estimating the risk associated with the occurrence of cancer due to exposure to carcinogenic substances in workplaces. An analysis, summary, and synthesis of the literature were conducted, based on which 7 methods for estimating cancer risk were selected. These methods utilize descriptors (features or variables used to describe data), numerical modeling techniques measured during observations, and approaches based on artificial intelligence. The decision to select these specific methods was driven by their representativeness of different approaches to risk assessment, allowing for a comprehensive analysis and comparison of their strengths and weaknesses. The analysis revealed that there is no universal best method for risk estimation, and the choice largely depends on the data available from experimental animal studies. Key factors include the species and number of animals used in the experiment giving statistical power, the route of administration, the duration of the experiment, the incidence of spontaneous tumors, and the appropriate selection of tumors that might occur in humans. There is a need for continuous improvement and harmonization of risk assessment methods and the incorporation of the latest scientific research to effectively manage health risks associated with exposure to carcinogenic substances in the workplace. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2025;76(1).

Unpacking the ‘explorer’ narrative and its impacts on African palaeoanthropology

The concepts of explorer, expedition, and the combination of the two into the myth of the explorer have been integral parts of Western mentality for more than 200 years. Here we briefly outline the colonial origins of these ideas, and use this crystallised understanding of the explorer myth to consider how African palaeoanthropology in the 20th century and up to the present continues to carry many of these biased, outdated overtones – some more overtly than others. We examine how Raymond Dart and the discovery of the Taung Child were situated and storied within this explorer narrative. We also expand on how these outdated concepts persist in determining which scientific approaches and outcomes are valued and which are not, which in turn has perpetuated extractive approaches to palaeoanthropology and the marginalisation of Indigenous scientists. This is especially notable in fieldwork practices which, to this day, embody the explorer myth’s deeply problematic colonial ideals of Western, masculine moral and cultural superiority. By understanding the mindset behind the discovery and reporting of Dart’s work on the Taung Child, we can better understand why it still holds such sway in palaeoanthropology today, and propose important practical and cultural disciplinary changes that will allow us to move beyond these colonial and masculine ideas in a manner that creates a more equitable future for all scholars.

Enhancing of the partnership capacity of local communities: Scientific and practical approaches

Enhancing of the partnership capacity of local communities: Scientific and practical approaches

Decision-Making by the Defense Party in Ukrainian Criminal Justice: Balancing Needs and Capabilities

Objective: The purpose of the article is to highlight the features of the decision-making process by the defense party in Ukrainian criminal proceedings and to identify the main needs and capabilities of the subjects involved. Theoretical Framework: This study is based on contemporary scholarly perspectives in the fields of criminal law and procedure, forensic science, and legal psychology, the provisions of current legislation and statistical data. Method: To explore decision-making process by the defense party, this study will use a range of general and specialized scientific research methods including systemic analysis, formal-legal, comparative, generalization, and modeling. Results and Discussion: The authors argue that defense decisions in criminal proceedings are non-law-applying and significantly differ from the decisions of the prosecution or the court. The study demonstrates that defense decisions are structurally composed of the intended goal, the informational foundation, and the available alternative courses of action. The decision-makers on behalf of the defense include the defendant, the defense attorney, and the legal representative, each of whom possesses their own set of procedural needs and capabilities. It is emphasized that the most effective decisions are those made by the defendant in collaboration with defense attorney. Contributions: The significance of the research results lies in their potential to serve as a foundation for developing practice-oriented recommendations on optimizing defense strategy against criminal charges, and formulating recommendations to overcome unlawful resistance to pre-trial investigations and court proceedings by the defense side.

Modeling and scientific analysis of pediatric medication evaluation based on MDM-DEA-Malmquist model: construction of health management in pediatrics in developing countries

BackgroundThe developing countries represented by China have huge population potential and child population. However, due to economic and social development constraints, pediatrics need help regarding resources and technology. The level of pediatric medical care remains inadequate.MethodsThis article constructs an MDM matrix framework for the pediatric medical nursing level. Combining the lean model theory, the key indicators of children's medical care are analyzed. Thus, it helps medical institutions scientifically evaluate and guide pediatric nursing. Based on the linkage extension of the MDM model and the DEA-Malmquist model, an evaluation system was established to reflect the current situation of pediatric drug use in China. The study used provincial indicator data on pediatric medication in China from 2015 to 2021.ResultsWe found that indicators such as physician literacy, health records, child status, and parental awareness were the most important under different medication cycles and goals. The importance of pre-administration evaluation was as high as 53.5%, and the importance of post-administration evaluation was only 13.7%. The efficacy of pediatric medication in developed provinces was significantly optimized. The input–output structure of pediatric medication in superior provinces was consistent with the feedback sequence of the MDM matrix.ConclusionsThis indicates that the evaluation results of the MDM matrix have guiding significance for optimizing pediatric medication efficacy. This paper aims to help developing countries establish an optimized pediatric medication evaluation system and improve the pediatric healthcare environment.

Can the new model of shared property rights promote better corporate financial performance in China?

Scientific research and technological innovation are driving modern economies; however, a new form of property rights is required to compensate knowledge workers for their contributions. In 1994, the Science and Technology Bureau of Shenzhen, China implemented a policy to encourage scientists and engineers to develop innovative technologies that would provide them a share of the profits earned from their innovations. This created a new “shared property rights” system. China’s shared property model is so new that the conditions under which it can improve enterprise profits remain unclear. To answer this question, we obtained data from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research database for 904 Chinese enterprises that had implemented shared property rights for the first time between 2009 and 2021 and used a propensity score matching method and econometric models to evaluate their performance. The results indicated that shared property incentives improved corporate financial performance and that benefits increased gradually over time. The new approach showed a stronger positive effect than restricted stock options during the study period. The strength of the incentive was greater for core technical staff than for senior executives, suggesting that scientists, engineers, and computer programmers should be the targets of a shared property rights incentive program. To take full advantage of the new shared property rights institution, enterprise managers should set the implementation period at a reasonable length (5 to 10 years, based on our study results). Enterprises can also test two or more simultaneous approaches that account for the specific needs of each category of workers, based on a careful examination of their current situation and expected or desired future situations.

Article Title “Exploring the Impact of ChatGPT on Scientific Research: Assessing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats”

Article Title “Exploring the Impact of ChatGPT on Scientific Research: Assessing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats”

Participation in modeling social-ecological systems across scales in agriculture and forestry

Participatory approaches have gained recognition in scientific research, particularly in modeling human-environmental interactions and social-ecological systems (SES). Despite this achievement, a lack of in-depth understanding prevails to which degree, and at which scales and levels, participation takes place during the modeling cycle. Furthermore, information on the linkages between the level of the participating stakeholders and the modeling level of agents and environmental processes remains scarce. To shed light on this research gap, we conducted a systematic review including 79 relevant studies focusing on social-ecological systems within agricultural or forestry domains. Results reveal that participation was mostly carried out at lower spatial levels (local and regional) while stakeholders commonly originated from one spatial level, mainly the study area. Agent behavior was mainly simulated at a single spatial level. The number of studies modeling multi- and cross-scale levels or integrating participation was small. In rare cross-level modeling cases, local-level agents were predominately simulated as an aggregate at higher levels. We found that stakeholders most commonly participated in model parameterization and calibration, but rarely in model results communication. Participation was also relatively strong in model design, development and validation. This can be explained by the need of scientists for model input or to improve the transparency of the modeling process. To address these gaps in future studies, we recommend to model agents operating at their “real-world” level, while capturing interactions between agents across different scales, rather than (dis)aggregate agent behaviors to a single level. Furthermore, participation should go beyond fulfilling the mere scientific requirement of model development, and should be used to enhance the applicability and relevance of SES models.

The Value of MRI and Radiomics for the Diagnostic Evaluation of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is a vision-threatening autoimmune disease that involves the extraocular muscles (EOMs) and periorbital fat. Typical signs of TAO include eyelid recession, proptosis, diplopia, and decreased visual acuity. As a self-limited disease, there is major bipolarity in clinical outcomes in TAO population. The early diagnosis and prediction of these refractory and relapsed patients is essential. Unfortunately, commonly used tools such as CAS/NOSPECTS, are based on clinical symptoms and signs alone, have significant limitations. Some imaging techniques or examinations, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can be very effective in assisting TAO assessment, from exhaustive whiteboard notes to optimized patient outcomes. Being one of the most commonly used and accurate objective examinations for TAO assessment, MRI boosts no ionizing radiation, high soft tissue contrast, better reflection of tissue water content, and the ability to quantify multiple parameters. In addition, novel MR sequences are becoming increasingly more familiar in TAO and other areas of clinical and scientific research. Moreover, radiomics, a method involving the extraction of a large number of features from medical images through algorithms, is a more recent approach used in the analysis and characterization of TAO data. Thus, this review aims to summarize and compare the value of routine and novel functional MRI sequences and radiomics prediction models in the diagnosis and evaluation of TAO.

UTE MRI technical developments and applications in osteoporosis: a review

Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease that affects more than 10 million people in the USA and leads to over two million fractures every year. The disease results in serious long-term disability and death in a large number of patients. Bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is the current standard in assessing fracture risk; however, the majority of fractures cannot be explained by BMD alone. Bone is a composite material of mineral, organic matrix, and water. While bone mineral provides stiffness and strength, collagen provides ductility and the ability to absorb energy before fracturing, and water provides viscoelasticity and poroelasticity. These bone components are arranged in a complex hierarchical structure. Both material composition and physical structure contribute to the unique strength of bone. The contribution of mineral to bone’s mechanical properties has dominated scientific thinking for decades, partly because collagen and water are inaccessible using X-ray based techniques. Accurate evaluation of bone requires information about its components (mineral, collagen, water) and structure (cortical porosity, trabecular microstructure), which are all important in maintaining the mechanical integrity of bone. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely used to diagnose soft tissue diseases, but bone is “invisible” with clinical MRI due to its short transverse relaxation time. This review article discusses using ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences to evaluate bone composition and structure. Both morphological and quantitative UTE MRI techniques are introduced. Their applications in osteoporosis are also briefly discussed. These UTE-MRI advancements hold great potential for improving the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases by providing a more comprehensive assessment of bone quantity and quality.

Development of Gallium Nitride Coating via Aerosol Deposition

Abstract This study primarily demonstrates the feasibility of using aerosol deposition to produce thin GaN coatings through systematic investigation. To date, the roles of particle size and powder morphology in the consolidation of ceramic particles during aerosol deposition remain unclear. To enhance understanding of this process, two GaN powders, one coarse agglomerated and the other a fine monolithic powder, were deposited under various process conditions. The findings revealed that fine GaN powder is more effective in forming denser coating layers as compared to agglomerated GaN powder. Furthermore, the use of helium gas at higher pressures was observed to enhance coating formation in comparison with nitrogen gas. This study not only validates the potential of aerosol deposition for forming thin GaN coatings but also contributes to our understanding of the critical role that particle sizes play in the aerosol deposition process.

The Ethics of the "Right-to-Try" Movement in an Era of Regulatory Flux.

The Trickett Wendler, Frank Mongiello, Jordan McLinn, and Matthew Bellina Right to Try Act of 2017 signed on May 30, 2018 under President Trump has been championed by patient advocacy groups as a victory for individuals with life threatening illnesses willing to undergo experimental treatment. The act is not a novel idea, but rather a nuanced result of the previous attempts to challenge the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority on drug approval and distribution. Currently, right-to-try programs coexist with an already existing expanded access program run by the FDA. The difference is that right-to-try requests eliminate FDA guidance and authorization. The objectives of this study are to review prior historical challenges to the FDA and how they eventually influenced right-to-try movements, examine the law itself and its arguments written by advocates and critics, discuss how its implications fit into the current climate of regulatory flux, and propose the impacts it has on influencing patient care and the scientific process.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Artemisia and Salvia Genera in Cancer, Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Short Review of Clinical Evidence

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of metabolic disorders comprising dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, elevated blood pressure, and abdominal obesity, is a silent epidemic that may lead to outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Due to the increase in the prevalence of these pathologies, the search for better treatments and more efficient drugs is imperative. Species of Artemisia and Salvia genera are excellent examples of noteworthy sources of bioactive products with health applications, their therapeutic properties being well known both in popular medicine and in the scientific community. There are reports of plant extracts or compounds from species belonging to either of these genera, which were able to combat cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular pathologies. For instance, dihydroartemisinin (analog of artemisin extracted from Artemisia annua L.) can reduce tumor markers p53 and Ki-67 expression levels, leading to a reduction in tumor proliferation. Salvia officinalis L. has antihyperglycemic and lipid profile-improving effects since it decreases total cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Clinical trials using mixtures (dried powdered plants or extracts) of known medicinal plants are recurrent in published works, in contrast with the scarce clinical trial studies with isolated compounds. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. was by far the most targeted plant in the clinical trials analyzed here. Regarding clinical trials concerning Artemisia, there are more studies aiming to see its effect on diabetes, but the studies about cancer are more advanced. This review aims to give a critical summary of the most interesting and promising results from clinical trials. The abundance of studies with limited statistically significant clinical evidence hinders progress in clinical therapy. This situation demands far greater rigor from the scientific community, researchers, regulatory agencies, editors, and reviewers in conducting and publishing clinical studies.

The influence of academic management and lecturer-student relationship on achievement motivation among students in a Chinese university

China holds a unique position because it has consistently placed a high value on education, with higher education being considered the forefront of education. China's gross enrolment rate in higher education hit 51.6% in 2019, marking the country's entry into the popularization stage. In order to further investigate the influence of academic management (AM1) and lecturer-student relationship (LSR) on students' achievement motivation (AM2) within Chinese higher education that has entered the stage of popularization of higher education, the researcher chose the second-year students of Huanghe Jiaotong University, which is located in the central region of China, as the research object. The researcher used the positivist paradigm, the quantitative research design, and the survey method to carry out a further study through the 388 valid questionnaires that were returned. The study revealed a significant difference between students' AM2 and LSR. There is a significant correlation between AM1, LSR, and AM2, with LSR having a more significant influence on AM2. The results of the study provide empirical research data on how to develop LSR in modern times, and provide a basis for adopting reasonable and scientific ways and methods for AM1, as well as new requirements. These can help improve the quality of talent cultivation in Chinese universities and even foreign universities by encouraging students to pursue goals and achieve them.