Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
R. A. Earnshaw
Summary: Where do new ideas come from and how are they generated? Which ideas are immediately useful and which are more visionary? The progress of computing and digital media serves as a case study. The importance of interdisciplinary collaborations for the future is proposed and evaluated in the context of technology and the arts.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Victoria Matres, Juan Jose Fernandez, Maria Lopez, Luis Peiro, Antonio Jose Madrid, Nuria Rebolledo, Julio Torres, Javier Sanchez
Summary: The durability of reinforced concrete structures is affected by corrosion of carbon steel reinforcement. Therefore, it is important to find alternative solutions, such as stainless steel rebars, to ensure durability. Stainless steel rebars are recommended for structures with a long lifespan in aggressive environments and where repair and rehabilitation are complicated. This article discusses the material properties of stainless steel and how they are considered in the latest draft of Eurocode 2.
STRUCTURAL CONCRETE
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jin Chen, Chun-Li Hu, Fang Kong, Jiang-Gao Mao
Summary: SHG causes frequency doubling of light and requires noncentrosymmetry. By assembling polar units in an additive fashion, outstanding SHG performance can be achieved in NCS crystals.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Kun Dai, Jaime Garcia, Karen Olave-Encina
Summary: The emergence of new technology is revolutionizing traditional teaching and learning methods, with virtual worlds paving the way for new educational frontiers. While previous studies have explored the use of virtual worlds in education, limited research has examined the transition process that educators undergo when adopting virtual world-based online tools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative exploratory study examined the teaching experiences of 18 Chilean lecturers using a three-dimensional computer-mediated environment, Second Life. The findings suggest that transitioning from traditional to virtual teaching is a complex process that reshapes educators' identities and approaches to instruction, resulting in a sense of in-betweenness with multiple digital competencies.
ETR&D-EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paul Boisseaux, Peter Hopkinson, David Santillo, Charlene Smith, Alysia Garmulewicz, Zoe Powell, Tamara Galloway
Summary: Bioplastics derived from organic materials have been suggested as sustainable solutions for plastic waste. The ecotoxicity of second and third generation bioplastics towards freshwater zooplankton Daphnia magna was investigated. The bioplastics showed environmental safety based on acute and chronic toxicity tests, with enhanced biological traits and improved immune function at lower concentrations. However, end-of-life management is advised to prevent harmful effects at higher concentrations in the receiving environment.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Umar Farooq, Ihsan Rabbi, Sajida Akbar, Kashif Zia, Waheed Ur Rehman
Summary: Virtual worlds, especially suited for education, offer a platform for immersive classroom experiences. This paper analyzes the use of a reconstructed cultural heritage site for learning through discourse and quantitative analysis. The findings reveal that virtual worlds attract user attention with their realism, friendliness, advanced navigation, and social nature. Overall, learning in virtual worlds is faster compared to traditional methods.
MULTIMEDIA TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Caroline Mann, Joanna Wegner, Hans-Guenter Weess, Petra Staubach
Summary: This pilot study aimed to investigate the sleep pattern of patients with hives, particularly those medicated with high-dose second-generation antihistamines. The results showed that increasing the dosage of antihistamines can improve sleep quality, reduce daytime sleepiness, and improve hives symptoms and quality of life.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sara Bello, Iana Salim, Gumersindo Feijoo, Maria Teresa Moreira
Summary: This study evaluates the environmental impacts of first- and second-generation biorefineries, with findings showing that first-generation systems are burdened by the use of fertilizers, while second-generation systems require intensive processing steps for delignification, involving chemicals and/or energy. The early-stage LCA of bio-based building blocks enables the identification of environmental burdens influencing the overall environmental profile of a biorefinery.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Umar Farooq, Muneeba Shereen, Kashif Zia, Ihsan Rabbi
Summary: Virtual worlds require complex methods to handle player movement and reallocation for improved performance and experience. This paper introduces a method that utilizes parallel algorithms and chunk partitioning to improve resource utilization and reduce time needed for reallocation. The results demonstrate significant reduction in time required for the reallocation process.
MULTIMEDIA TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Talia A. Moonsamy, Mohsen Mandegari, Somayeh Farzad, Johann F. Gorgens
Summary: This study examines the economic feasibility of integrated molasses and lignocellulosic bioethanol production. The results show that integrating first-generation and second-generation sugars can significantly reduce the production cost of ethanol, and the selection of optimal process conditions and high sugar utilization also play a crucial role in the economic performance.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
W. Timothy Garvey
Summary: By treating obesity as a chronic disease and focusing on preventing and treating complications, the effectiveness of weight loss therapy can be enhanced for better health outcomes and reduced mortality. The advent of second-generation medications allows obesity to be managed similar to other chronic diseases, enabling a treat-to-target approach for effective treatment and prevention of specific complications.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
J. Timothy Balint, Rafael Bidarra
Summary: This article presents a novel approach for the procedural generation of narrative worlds, which involves generating a narrative world mold for a given story and using it to create multiple possible narrative worlds. The narrative world mold integrates spatio-temporal descriptions of locations, object semantics, and domain knowledge to guide the generation process. The approach is evaluated through experiments that demonstrate its expressive power and ability to steer the generation of narrative worlds.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON GAMES
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Sohail Mumtaz, Eun-Ha Choi
Summary: This article discusses the efficiency issues of a vircator and the impact of forming multiple virtual cathodes. The study found that the formation of multiple virtual cathodes can enhance the electric field strength and potentially achieve high efficiency in vircator.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Malgorzata K. Nowakowska, Xiudong Lei, Mackenzie R. Wehner, Paul G. Corn, Sharon H. Giordano, Kevin T. Nead
Summary: This retrospective cohort study found that patients with prostate cancer who received second-generation antiandrogens had a significantly higher risk of depression compared with those who received traditional hormone therapy or no hormone therapy at all. The risk was especially elevated among those with metastatic disease.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Dragana Nikolic, Jennifer Whyte
Summary: The article discusses the future of virtual reality in the built environment, proposing it as a discipline-agnostic platform to address challenges in the building sectors. Through various steps, the article emphasizes the importance of VR technology in a sustainable world and points out directions for research and practice.
