Browse Articles

Advanced microgrid optimization using price-elastic demand response and greedy rat swarm optimization for economic and environmental efficiency

How does live streaming affect tourists’ intention — a psychology theory perspective

Examining the affordable connectivity program and telehealth use: a pilot survey of the affordable connectivity program, telehealth, video and audio visits in a racially diverse, lower-income population

Abstract The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) aimed to narrow the digital divide by providing discounted internet services for millions of low-income households during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined associations between enrollment in the ACP and Telehealth visits in a racially diverse low-income population. Data were obtained via a cross-sectional survey of 213 respondents. Three multivariable regression models examined associations between ACP and three dependent variables, separately: (i) Used telehealth in the past 12 months, (ii) Had 1 or more video visits/consults in the past 12 months, and (iii) Had 1 or more telephone visits/consults in the past 12 months. 41% of survey respondents identified as non-Hispanic Black individuals, 33% as non-Hispanic White individuals, and 22% as Hispanic individuals. 69% reported a pre-tax annual household income of less than $35,000. Only 2 of 10 respondents had heard of ACP and were enrolled, while approximately 4 in 10 had never heard of it. Respondent knowledge/enrollment in the ACP was not significantly associated with telehealth, video consult, or telephone usage. Other demographic characteristics including race, income, educational attainment, and biological sex were significantly associated with telehealth, video, and telephone consults. We observed no association between ACP and telehealth use. While this finding is concerning, it offers an opportunity to reflect on potential reasons for ACP adoption gaps, such as digital literacy, device availability, and potential misconceptions about telehealth services.

A reproducible representation of healthy tibiofemoral kinematics during stair descent using REFRAME – part I: REFRAME foundations and validation

Dynamic relationships between environment-related technologies, agricultural value added, transport infrastructure and environmental emissions in the five most populous countries

Biostimulants with glycine betaine or kelp extract alleviate heat stress in red raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Low interface state density and large capacitive memory window using RF sputtered NiO nanoparticles decorated MgZnO thin film

Abstract NiO nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized using glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique over MgZnO thin film was used to design a novel memory device. The NiO NPs with average diameter ~ 9.5 nm was uniformly distributed over the MgZnO thin film surface. The MgZnO thin film/NiO NPs memory device when measured for the C-V hysteresis characteristics at varying sweep voltage demonstrated a charge trapping and de-trapping mechanism. Moreover, the device exhibited low interface states density (Dit) (1.45 × 1010 eV− 1 cm− 2) at 1 MHz and large capacitive memory of  ~ 6 V at ± 7 V. The large memory window was attributed to the better interface quality between MgZnO thin film and NiO NPs. Additionally, the device also exhibited good endurance over 1000 programme/erase cycles and longer time charge retention up to 2 × 104 s. The improved performance of device and more charge accumulation capacity was primarily due to the large effective area and quantum confinement effect owing to NiO NPs. Further, on performing a resistive switching analysis, the device could show a good on-off ratio (RHRS/RLRS) of 1.24 × 102. Therefore, the proposed device structure can be a good option for future memory applications.

Airborne Escherichia coli bacteria biosynthesize lipids in response to aerosolization stress

Suppression of Aedes aegypti may not affect sympatric Aedes albopictus populations: findings from two years of entomological surveillance in Singapore

Non-thermal plasma as promising anti-cancer therapy against bladder cancer by inducing DNA damage and cell cycle arrest

Short-term effects of brief stair climbing interruptions on postprandial hyperglycemia during prolonged sitting: a randomized cross-over trial

Abstract Prolonged sitting can negatively impact postprandial glucose levels and cognitive function. While short bouts of stair climbing are thought to mitigate these risks, the findings remain inconclusive. The present study aimed to explore the effects of stair climbing bouts on postprandial glucose and cognitive functions during prolonged sitting. Twenty-eight sedentary young adults (aged 20–30 years) underwent two intervention visits after standardised lunch for two hours: (1) STAIR: the participants climbed two flight of stairs for two minutes every 30 min; (2) SIT: the participants continued to sit. Blood glucose was measured using capillary finger prick method while attention function was measured using computer-based cognitive tests at baseline, end of 1st hour and 2nd hour. Significant interaction (F2, 54 = 15.96, p < 0.001) was observed for conditions and time. During STAIR visit, significant changes in postprandial glucose at 1st hour (β = − 2.6 mmol/dl, p < 0.001) and 2nd hour (β = 3.0 mmol/dl, p < 0.001). No significant difference in the attention functions with time and conditions was observed. Stair climbing interruptions may serve as a feasible and effective countermeasure to high glycaemic variability or excursions that occur during prolonged sitting after postprandial hyperglycaemia.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence analysis revealed double matrilineal components in Indian Ghoongroo pigs

Spatial analysis and risk mapping of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a re-emerging tick-borne zoonosis that is caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV). The geographical distribution of the disease and factors that influence its occurrence are poorly known. We analysed historical records on its outbreaks in various countries across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to identify hotspots and determine socioecological and demographic factors associated with these outbreaks. We used data from historical outbreaks that were reported between 1981 and 2022 in various countries in SSA. To develop a common framework for merging the outbreak data and potential explanatory variables, we generated a common shapefile that combined Level 2 administrative units in all the countries. Several climatic, environmental, socioecological data were obtained from on-line GIS databases and extracted using the shapefile. The data were analysed using an approximate Bayesian hierarchical model using the R-INLA package. The outcome was a Boolean variable which indicated whether an administrative unit in the shapefile was affected in a given year or not. A neighborhood structure was also generated and used to account for spatial autocorrelation in the analysis. The final model that was obtained from the analysis was used to build a CCHF risk map. A total of 54 CCHF outbreaks were compiled across 414 districts in nine SSA countries. Factors that were positively associated with CCHF outbreaks included human population density, land area under grassland, bare soil cover and shrub cover. Conversely, high precipitation during wet months, elevated mean temperature and slope had negative effects. The risk map generated shows that CCHF occurrence risk is higher in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) of West Africa, the Sahelian region, Central Africa, and the Eastern and Southern Africa region. The analysis identified ecological and demographic factors that are associated with CCHF outbreaks in SSA. This finding suggests the need to improve surveillance for the disease especially in the grasslands where the human population is increasing.

A sustainable and green method for controlling acidic corrosion on mild steel using leaves of Araucaria heterophylla

Evolutionary analysis of the DHHCs in Saccharinae

Equity analysis of bus network balance from the perspective of spatial morphology and service capability

The microbial mechanism of maize residue decomposition under different temperature and moisture regimes in a Solonchak

Practical Implementation of Federated Learning for Detecting Backdoor Attacks in a Next-word Prediction Model

Exploring technology acceptance of flight simulation training devices and augmented reality in general aviation pilot training

An In Vitro Study of the Effects of Methotrexate Loaded Biocomposite Beads on MG63 Osteoblast Cells

Abstract This study aims to synthesize a new localized drug delivery system of bioglass, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cellulose (CNC), and sodium alginate (SA) beads as a carrier for methotrexate (MTX) drugs for the treatment of osteosarcoma. Methotrexate /Bioglass-loaded Polyvinyl/Cellulose/Sodium alginate biocomposite beads were prepared via the dropwise method with different concentrations of (65%SiO2-30%CaO- 5%P2O5) bioglass. Samples were named B0, S0, S1, S2, and S3, respectively. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) was used as a cross-linking agent. The obtained biocomposite beads were investigated by different techniques FTIR, XRD, SEM, etc. The bioactivity of MTX/BG-loaded PVA-CNC-SA biocomposite beads was tested by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The profile release of methotrexate was investigated with UV–vis spectroscopy for 30 days. A cytotoxicity study of the methotrexate was performed by a human osteosarcoma (MG-63) cell line. Results indicated that the formation of a hydroxyapatite layer on the bead’s surface confirmed its biological activity. Bioactivity was directly proportional to the BG content. All samples of B1, S0, S1, S2, and S3 exhibited significant maximum release up to 6 days and were controlled gradually. Cytotoxicity results of biocomposite beads showed that high cell death was detected on the MG-63 cells, with (IC-50 ± SD) of S3 (116.16 ± 1.57) compared with B1 (306.99 ± 2.72) and S1 (204.74 ± 4.55) due to the high release of MTX, which was confirmed by the results of the drug release profile. Results prove that the prepared biocomposite beads can be used as bioactive, drug delivery systems, and anticancer materials.