Set Of Information Research Articles

Diversification of freshwater crabs on the sky islands in the Hengduan Mountains Region, China

The numerous naturally-fragmented sky islands (SIs) in the Hengduan Mountains Region (HMR) of southwestern China constitute discontinuous landscapes where montane habitats are isolated by dry-hot valleys which have fostered exceptional species diversification and endemicity. However, studies documenting the crucial role of SI on the speciation dynamics of native freshwater organisms are scarce. Here we used a novel set of comprehensive genetic markers (24 nuclear DNA sequences and complete mitogenomes), morphological characters, and biogeographical information to reveal the evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms of a group of small-bodied montane potamids in the genus Tenuipotamon. Our results provide a robustly supported phylogeny, and suggest that the vicariance events of these montane crabs correlate well with the emergence of SIs due to the uplift of the HMR during the Late Oligocene. Furthermore, ancestrally, mountain ridges provided corridors for the dispersal of these montane crabs that led to the colonization of moist montane-specific habitats, aided by past climatic conditions that were the crucial determinants of their evolutionary history. The present results illustrated that the mechanisms isolating SIs are reinforced by the harsh-dry isolating climatic features of dry-hot valleys separating SIs and continue to affect local diversification. This offers insights into the causes of the high biodiversity and endemism shown by the freshwater crabs of the HMR-SIs in southwestern China.

A digital tool based on code indicators to assess the seismic behaviour of existing masonry structures: Application to Croatian residential buildings

This paper proposes a methodology to define code-based indicators of the seismic behaviour of existing masonry structures. Given the geometrical information about the structure under investigation, the proposed method performs real-time structural checks according to the EN 1998–1 – “General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings”. Then, modal analysis is performed to assess the structure's dynamic behaviour under investigation and to assist the user in defining retrofit measures. In this study, 103 masonry buildings located in Zagreb are analysed, accounting for the cross-sectional area of load-bearing walls, geometric requirements for shear walls, regularity of plan configuration and its symmetry, torsional effects induced by the distance of the centres of mass and stiffnesses, and modal analysis. The workflow is implemented into the environment offered by Rhino3D and Grasshopper, which allows for the parametric handle of a large set of information through object-oriented scripts, and it can be valuable for both pre-earthquake and post-earthquake assessments of masonry buildings.

Impact of Different Oil Extraction Techniques on the Physicochemical Properties of Adansonia digitata Seed.

The seeds of baobab were found to have both industrial and domestic uses due to their essential oil qualities for topical medication. However, the seeds found in this study area in Ghana are underutilised and sometimes thrown away after being taken off the pulp. The present study is aimed at examining the impact of the two predominant techniques used for oil extraction from nonoily seeds, namely, mechanical extraction and Soxhlet (n-hexane) extraction, on both the oil yield and physicochemical properties of crude oil derived from baobab seeds. The study looked at the iodine value, peroxide value, acid value, colour, density, and other variables. Refractometers, chroma meters, and titration techniques were used for the determination of specific properties using standard methods. The Soxhlet method of oil extraction was superior in terms of maximum oil recovery, recording a value of 27.75%, in contrast to the mechanical method, which yielded a significantly lower recovery rate of 5.422%. The peroxide and iodine values were found to be 15.09 and 11.89 mEq/g and 85.89 and 88.45 g/100 g for the mechanical and Soxhlet extraction methods, respectively. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed between the two oil extraction methods in some of the properties measured. The study discussed the impact of these oil properties on the application of both food and nonfood products. Finally, the study has provided an essential set of data and information to enable product initiators in the cosmetic, food, and other industries to make informed decisions regarding the utilisation of baobab oil as a constituent in the formulation of products.

Effects of common interest groups on rural women and youth livelihood: A qualitative study from Central Ethiopia.

The study was conducted to examine the implications of the Common Interest Group (CIG) scheme for rural livelihood change in the selected areas of the Wara-Jarso woreda, Central Ethiopia. The study focuses on the activities of the CIGs, their effectiveness, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, along with the changes in the livelihood status of CIG members. Four CIGs that fits into the aim of the study were purposively selected from the CIGs operating in the woreda. Among a qualitative research approach, a case study was employed. The data were collected from January 1, 2021 to February 28, 2021. Primary data were gathered using Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. A thorough desk review of official documents and other secondary sources was made as an auxiliary method to capture sets of relevant information. The data organization was performed by the MAXQDA 2020 qualitative data analysis package program. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, relational analysis, and content analysis methods. It was found that the CIGs have encouraged strong social capital among members and becomes an important alternative financial source. It was also found that the CIGs operation has encountered problems related to lack of entrepreneurial education and skill training, monitoring and evaluation, workplace, coordination among stakeholders, inadequate and improper financial use, and non-existence of market linkage. Their strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities were also indicated. For successful rural women and youth livelihood change through the CIGs scheme, the study recommends access to entrepreneurial skill training, coordination among relevant stakeholders, strong monitoring and evaluation, access to market linkage and workplace, and adequate funding.

Analysis of the properties of the topological Index using (analysis tools)

Graph G has two sets of information: the vertices, V(G), and the edges, E(G). The definitions for the Connectivity, Geometric Arithmetic, Atomic Bond, and Sum Connectivity Indices of G:
 
 were deg(u), deg(v) are a degree of vertices. Dendrimers are synthetic, man-made molecules that are composed of monomers organized in a branching structure. in this article, we calculate Connectivity, Geometric Arithmetic, Atom Bond Connectivity, and Sum Connectivity Index for the PAMAM, POPAM, and HACN1J dendrimers.

Spatio-temporal assessment of hotspots and seasonally adjusted environmental risk factors of malaria prevalence

While the changing bio-climate may impact regional malaria transmission, results may be conflicting. We, therefore, examined spatiotemporal hotspots and risk factors for malaria prevalence. Land surface temperature (LST), elevation (GDEM), and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) were obtained from the USGS portal. Mean air temperature and monthly mean rainfall amount were acquired from WorldClim, whereas stream density and distance from streams were computed from stream networks acquired from Diva GIS. Also, malaria cases were obtained from the DHIMS-2. We used the Getis-Ord G* statistic for hotspot analysis, while the seasonal bio-climatic impacts were analyzed using GWR. The spatial cluster of malaria prevalence has increased with time (Z = 1.853; p = 0.06 in 2012 to Z = 8.921; p < 0.001 in 2021). In the wet season, elevation (β = 0.176; se = 0.0057), rainfall (β = 0.022; se = 0.0083), EVI (β = 0.451; se = 0.0095), and streams density (β = 0.002; se = 0.0057) were positively associated with malaria. LST (β = −0.224; se = 0.008), distance from streams (β = −0.169; se = 0.007), and mean temperature (β = −0.006; se = 0.0071) were inversely related. For the dry season, elevation (β = −0.204; se = 0.0078), EVI (β = −0.331; se = 0.0068), rainfall (β = −0.121; se = 0.0059), mean temperature (β = −0.561; se = 0.0083), distance from the stream (β = −0.374; se = 0.0045), and LST (β = −0.472; se = 0.039) were inversely related to malaria. Our study provides two sets of information; malaria hotspots and seasonally adjusted environmental risk factors. These findings may be useful for policing.

Modern interpretation of the category “prognostic competence” in the interdisciplinary dimension

The article highlights the problem of forming the prognostic competence of a modern teacher as an integral element of his/her professional competence. The generalization of the study results fixed in scientific literature on the initiated problem made it possible to specify the concept “prediction” (a scientifically substantiated statement about the possible states of the object or alternative ways and terms of their implementation; the result of prognostic activity, anticipatory knowledge, hypothesis, a set of information obtained as a result of the use of human abilities to anticipation, prediction based on intuition and scientific understanding of patterns which are applied to events and phenomena both in the past, present and future time). It was established that the prognostic competence of the teacher is a synthetic, multi-determined personal and professional construct that determines the teacher's ability to coordinate the goal and result of professional and pedagogical activities (pedagogical forecast); to determine the directions of pedagogical activity according to the proposed hypotheses; to enrich the palette of professional functions with pedagogical predicting. It has been proven that the prognostic competence allows the teacher to construct individual educational trajectories of students and predict likely changes in the field of education using the potential of pedagogical prognostication; reflects the teacher's own desire for professional self-determination and personal development of others by means of didactics. The structure of the prognostic competence of a modern teacher is described in the unity of cognitive-informational, intellectual-mental, instrumental-technological and worldview-related professional components. The cognitive-informational component of the prognostic competence provides a theoretical “foundation” that reflects the systematicity, orderliness, and complexity of education seekers’ knowledge regarding the methodology of prognostication, the phasing of prognostic activity, the vectors of pedagogical predicting (forecasting) within the system of professional and pedagogical activities. The intellectual-mental component of the prognostic competence of a Mathematics teacher reflects his/her innate cognitive intentions, the level, rhythm and pace of assimilation of information, ability-related opportunities in the use of higher-order cognitions, mental activity, flexibility of thinking and its variability. The instrumental and technological component of the teacher's prognostic competence records the practical possibilities of the teacher to implement the cognitive-informational profile of pedagogical prognostication in the educational space. It reflects a complex of skills that ensure the effective implementation of the elements of pedagogical forecasting in the system of professional and pedagogical activities. The worldview-related professional component of the teacher’s prognostic competence expresses the teacher’s stable professional position regarding the use of the potential of pedagogical prognostication in the system of specific pedagogical activity. It reflects innate pedagogical abilities that allow a teacher to correctly and creatively use the skills of pedagogical forecasting to build students’ individual educational trajectories at an intuitive level.

Diverging pathways: the effects of initial legal status on immigrant socioeconomic and residential outcomes in France

Abstract Drawing on a unique, large-sample survey from France, Trajectories and Origins (TeO), this article provides an empirical assessment of the effects of migrants’ initial legal status on socioeconomic attainment focusing on three outcomes: household income, neighbourhood disadvantage, and concentration in immigrant neighbourhoods. Legal status effects are identified using a twofold strategy. First, our data comprise an exceptionally rich set of information on premigratory characteristics, which allows us to disentangle the effect of initial legal status from migratory selection processes. Furthermore, we implement an instrumental variable design to correct for the endogeneity of initial legal status. Findings show that some of the initial legal status effect is due to selection, whether measured by observable premigratory characteristics or other unobservable variables. Nonetheless, we also find robust evidence that refugees durably face socioeconomic disadvantage in terms of income and are more likely to live in immigrant-dense neighbourhoods. We discuss how these findings contribute both empirically and theoretically to the literature on the civic stratification of migrants’ pathways: first, by highlighting that we should disentangle the long-term civic stratification mechanisms from sorting into legal status categories, and second, by stressing that the theory should be more specific about which legal status categories are decisive in creating hierarchies between migrants.

A nationwide analysis of salvage surgery for laryngeal cancer in the elderly.

We aim to describe outcomes of elderly patients undergoing salvage surgery for laryngeal cancer and to characterize the interplay of age with various other factors in this growing population. Using the National Cancer Database, we identified cases of salvage laryngectomy in patients who failed chemoradiation. An age cutoff of 70 years was used to separate subjects into two groups. Various factors were compared. Of the 825 patients included, 166 (20.1%) were elderly. Elderly patients had worse overall survival (p = 0.001), higher 30-day and 90-day mortality (p = 0.006, p < 0.001), and a longer length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.015). LOS over 1 week was associated with worse survival (p = 0.032). Elderly patients had worse overall perioperative survival than their younger counterparts. LOS and 30-day readmissions were associated with higher risk of mortality in this group. We provide a contemporary set of relevant information for head and neck cancer providers to consider in this growing population.

Synchronous Muscle Synergy Evaluation of Jaw Muscle Activities during Chewing at Different Speeds, a Preliminary Study.

Human mastication is a complex and rhythmic biomechanical process regulated by the central nervous system (CNS). Muscle synergies are a group of motor primitives that the CNS may combine to simplify motor control in human movement. This study aimed to apply the non-negative matrix factorization approach to examine the coordination of the masticatory muscles on both sides during chewing. Ten healthy individuals were asked to chew gum at different speeds while their muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography of the right and left masseter and temporalis muscles. Regardless of the chewing speed, two main muscle synergies explained most of the muscle activity variation, accounting for over 98% of the changes in muscle patterns (variance accounted for >98%). The first synergy contained the chewing side masseter muscle information, and the second synergy provided information on bilateral temporalis muscles during the jaw closing. Furthermore, there was robust consistency and high degrees of similarity among the sets of muscle synergy information across different rate conditions and participants. These novel findings in healthy participants supported the hypothesis that all participants in various chewing speed conditions apply the same motor control strategies for chewing. Furthermore, these outcomes can be utilized to design rehabilitation approaches such as biofeedback therapy for mastication disorders.

Molecular Characterization of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Genotypes in Respect to Seed Oil Using Microsatellite Markers

Twenty-four genotypes selected from different agroclimatic zones of Jharkhand (India) were assessed for seed oil content that varied from 21.86% to 41.86% with 14 genotypes recording above average 32.11 % for the trait which indicates towards efficiency of selection processes. Several genotypes in ‘Central and Western Plateau’ agroclimatic zone of Jharkhand displayed a good potential for high oil content. The employed 23 polymorphic microsatellite loci exhibited three to twenty one alleles per locus with an average of 12 while total 270 alleles were detected. Two primer set PpSSR21 and PpSSR27 showed 100% polymorphism among the genotypes. The high oil yielding plant K19 showed different band pattern with the locus PpSSR04. From the Nei’s analysis it was found that maximum diversity exists between the full sib genotypes K10 and K2. Thus, the genotypes (K2 and K10) which are more diverse could be used further in improvement programme. Overall, the genotypes included in the study showed a correlation with their geographical origins such that genotypes from the same region tend to have higher genetic similarity as compared to those from different regions. However, in UPGMA based Nei’s analysis, some genotypes were found not to be grouped based on geographical origins possibly due to the exchange of germplasm over time between farmers across the regions. Both molecular and oil content (biochemical) markers appeared useful in analyzing the extent of genetic diversity in P. pinnata. The result of these analyses will help to better understand the genetic diversity and relationship among populations constituting a set of useful background information that can be used as a basis for future breeding strategy and improvement of the species.

Ratio-Type Estimator for Estimating the Neutrosophic Population Mean in Simple Random Sampling under Intuitionistic Fuzzy Cost Function

Survey sampling has a wide range of applications in biomedical, meteorological, stock exchange, marketing, and agricultural research based on data collected through sample surveys or experimentation. The collected set of information may have a fuzzy nature, be indeterminate, and be summarized by a fuzzy number rather than a crisp value. The neutrosophic statistics, a generalization of fuzzy statistics and classical statistics, deals with the data that have some degree of indeterminacy, imprecision, and fuzziness. In this article, we introduce a fuzzy decision-making approach for deciding a sample size under a fuzzy measurement cost modeled by an intuitionistic fuzzy cost function. Our research introduces neutrosophic ratio-type estimators for estimating the population mean of the neutrosophic study variable YN∈[YL,YU] utilizing all the indeterminate values of the neutrosophic auxiliary variable XN∈[XL,XU] rather than only the extreme values XL and XU. Three simulation studies are carried out to explain the proposed methods of parameter estimation, sample size determination, and efficiency comparison. The results reveal that the proposed neutrosophic class of estimators produces more accurate and precise estimates of the neutrosophic population mean than the existing neutrosophic estimators in simple random sampling, which is the ultimate goal of inferential statistics.

Natural-Language-Driven Multimodal Representation Learning for Audio-Visual Scene-Aware Dialog System.

With the development of multimedia systems in wireless environments, the rising need for artificial intelligence is to design a system that can properly communicate with humans with a comprehensive understanding of various types of information in a human-like manner. Therefore, this paper addresses an audio-visual scene-aware dialog system that can communicate with users about audio-visual scenes. It is essential to understand not only visual and textual information but also audio information in a comprehensive way. Despite the substantial progress in multimodal representation learning with language and visual modalities, there are still two caveats: ineffective use of auditory information and the lack of interpretability of the deep learning systems' reasoning. To address these issues, we propose a novel audio-visual scene-aware dialog system that utilizes a set of explicit information from each modality as a form of natural language, which can be fused into a language model in a natural way. It leverages a transformer-based decoder to generate a coherent and correct response based on multimodal knowledge in a multitask learning setting. In addition, we also address the way of interpreting the model with a response-driven temporal moment localization method to verify how the system generates the response. The system itself provides the user with the evidence referred to in the system response process as a form of the timestamp of the scene. We show the superiority of the proposed model in all quantitative and qualitative measurements compared to the baseline. In particular, the proposed model achieved robust performance even in environments using all three modalities, including audio. We also conducted extensive experiments to investigate the proposed model. In addition, we obtained state-of-the-art performance in the system response reasoning task.

Adapting physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models for machine learning applications

Both machine learning and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models are becoming essential components of the drug development process. Integrating the predictive capabilities of physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models within machine learning (ML) pipelines could offer significant benefits in improving the accuracy and scope of drug screening and evaluation procedures. Here, we describe the development and testing of a self-contained machine learning module capable of faithfully recapitulating summary pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters produced by a full PBPK model, given a set of input drug-specific and regimen-specific information. Because of its widespread use in characterizing the disposition of orally administered drugs, the PBPK model chosen to demonstrate the methodology was an open-source implementation of a state-of-the-art compartmental and transit model called OpenCAT. The model was tested for drug formulations spanning a large range of solubility and absorption characteristics, and was evaluated for concordance against predictions of OpenCAT and relevant experimental data. In general, the values predicted by the ML models were within 20% of those of the PBPK model across the range of drug and formulation properties. However, summary PK parameter predictions from both the ML model and full PBPK model were occasionally poor with respect to those derived from experiments, suggesting deficiencies in the underlying PBPK model.

Framework for the documentation of nature-based solutions for stormwater management

Abstract Nature-based solutions (NBSs) are widely implemented for stormwater management; as such they have become important assets that require proper asset management at different stages of their service life. Hence, there is a need for systematic documentation of the applied NBS in accordance with the principles of infrastructure asset management and in combination with a set of requirements in the newly adopted National Standard NS3456:2022 in Norway. A framework for the documentation of NBSs was developed based on a systematic literature study, the experience gained from operating NBS pilots, and the interaction with stakeholders in a research centre, Klima 2050. The framework proposed a set of specific information in the form of a data structure covering a set of categories that presents information gathered during the planning, design, operation, and maintenance phases of the NBS. Both technical and sociotechnical aspects were included in the data structure. The data structure can be tailor-made depending on the type of NBS applied. The data structure was applied in documenting the NBS pilots of the research centre to demonstrate the framework's ability to help ensure a smooth flow of information from the actors involved in the planning, constructing, and operating of the NBS.

Hospitalisations related to nervous-system diseases in Australia, 1998–2019: a secular trend analysis

ObjectiveThe burden of neurological disease-related disabilities and deaths is one of the most serious issues globally. We aimed to examine the hospitalisation profile related to nervous system diseases in Australia...

Volatility linkages and value gains from diversifying with Islamic assets

Islamic assets, assets compliant with ethical and religious norms as codified in Sharia law, broaden the investor base. Do such investments contribute to mean-variance efficiency, and if so, how? Using daily data on stock, bond, and money market indices from nine Islamic countries and 37 non-Islamic ones from May 2007 to June 2010, we show that adding Islamic assets to an existing portfolio of conventional (non-Islamic) assets can expand the mean-variance frontier and thereby create additional value through diversification. The “specialness” of Islamic assets comes from a smaller set of common information and a lower degree of cross-market hedging between Islamic and conventional markets. This reduces volatility linkages between Islamic and conventional assets relative to volatility linkages between two conventional assets. Including one Islamic asset lowers volatility linkages by up to 3.16 percentage points after controlling for country-level fixed effects and time-varying characteristics. Low volatility linkages are key to increasing diversification benefits that arise from improvements in the global mean-variance portfolio. Our research contributes to the international business literature by highlighting the potential benefits of bridging religious, ethical, and cultural differences to add new markets to an incomplete international market structure and in so doing increase diversification benefits.

A new surface structural approach for modeling the charging behavior of kaolinite

The concentration of ions in equilibrium with soils and sediments is a function of various interconnected chemical reactions. The charging behavior of minerals provides a set of fundamental information required to model these interactions. Accordingly, in this study, the charging behavior of kaolinite was measured at three concentrations (0.004, 0.04 and 0.40 M) of three electrolytes (LiNO3, NaNO3 and KNO3) using potentiometric titration. The experimental data were described using the CD-MUSIC-G&T model in which ≡AlOH0.5−, ≡SiO− and ≡X− were defined as reactive functional groups on aluminol edge, silanol edge and basal planes, respectively. The charging behavior was a function of the type and concentration of the background electrolytes, but changes in the concentration more than changes in the type of electrolytes affected the surface charge. The thermodynamic equilibrium constants (logK) of the reactions of H+, Li+, Na+, K+ and NO3− with aluminol group were obtained as 9.50, 1.62, 1.37, 1.29 and 10.28 and with silanol group as 4.94, 1.58, 1.79, 2.03 and < −10, respectively. The logK of 4.94 shows that the interaction of H+ ion with the kaolinite ≡SiO− is much stronger than its interaction with the same group on the quartz. The capacitance of both inner and outer Stern layers was measured to be 1.94 F/m2, showing the strong interaction of electrolyte ions with the edge surface. In addition, the equilibrium constants of the reactions of Li+, Na+ and K+ with ≡X− group were obtained as −0.40, −0.02 and 0.32, respectively, which have the same order as reacted with the silanol group. At pH below pHPZC (i.e., <6.3 ± 0.2), increasing ionic strength reduced the surface charge of kaolinite; because increasing electrolyte concentration increased the negative charge on the silanol edge more than increasing the positive charge on the aluminol edge. In addition, it seems that the negative potential due to the isomorphic substitution in the polyhedrons near the edge of kaolinite poses an inward attractive force on the central cations of the edge polyhedrons, which in turn reduces the bonding capacity of ≡Al−OH0.5− and/or ≡Si−O−. Thereby, the adsorption energy of proton and cations on the edge surface may increase due to isomorphic substitution in adjacent polyhedrons.

Processing inflation news: A discussion of Binz, Ferracuti, and Joos (2023)

Binz, Ferracuti, and Joos (2023) examine whether better internal information systems can mitigate the association between inflation and investment. According to Real Business Cycle models, inflation should not impact real decisions like investment, yet empirically the two are positively related. Lucas (1972) theorizes that imperfect information can cause agents to rationally extrapolate from their local set of information to make conclusions about what is happening in aggregate. Motivated by this model, the authors argue that better internal information systems allow managers to disentangle firm-level real shocks from nominal shocks. My discussion evaluates the measurement of internal information quality and questions how distinct it is from external information quality. Next, I relate the findings to a growing literature that examines how individuals and firms form economic expectations. Finally, I consider whether and how these findings can inform policy.

Big Data technologies in criminal investigations: The frames of the members of Judiciary Police in Portugal

Big Data has been increasingly implemented in police departments. In the Judiciary Police in Portugal, although it is at an early stage of implementation, there are no studies on the topic. Based on 16 interviews with members of the Judiciary Police, their frames that portray Big Data’s benefits and harms in criminal investigations are explored. The benefits portrayed are related to its capabilities to help fight organized and transnational crimes, advance criminal investigations, and expand the availability of sets of information. The harms focus on the lack of regulatory documents, threats to human rights, and the probability of obtaining erroneous conclusions. A critical analysis of these frames may contribute to reflecting on their role to inform technology developments in policing settings, with implications for inequalities, and crime control.