Digital Commons Network^™

Enhanced Cuckoo Search-Based Optimization For Single Distributed Generation Placement And Sizing In Radial Distribution Systems, Samson Oladayo Ayanlade, Abdulrasaq Jimoh, Richard Oladayo Olarewaju, Ignatius Kema Okakwu, Israel O. Adejumobi, Joseph B. Samson, Oluwadare A. Adebisi, Oluwadare O. Akinrogunde

Al-Bahir

This paper presents an Enhanced Cuckoo Search Algorithm (ECSA) to optimally place and size Distributed Generation (DG) in radial distribution systems to minimize real power loss within operating constraints. The proposed ECSA has exponentially decaying adaptive Lévy flights, constraint-aware solution repair with dynamic penalty coefficients, and diversity-directed stochastic replacement to enhance search robustness and convergence speed. It was tested with 30 independent runs on the IEEE 33-bus, IEEE 69-bus, and a practical Nigerian 32-bus distribution network. The simulations show that the ECSA lowers the active power loss of the IEEE 33-bus system from 201.58 kW to 102.75 kW (49.03%), and …

Voltage-Mode Driver With Sar-Based Termination Calibration, Moustafa M. Elsayed, Abeer T. Khalil, Sameh A. Ibrahim, Mohy Eldin A. Abo-Elsoud

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This paper introduces a DAC-based four-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM-4) driver capable of operating at data rates up to 80 Gb/s in 65-nm CMOS technology. A replica-based termination calibration loop is proposed to preserve driver linearity across process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. The proposed driver achieves a relative level mismatch (RLM) of 99.3%. In addition, the transmitter demonstrates a vertical eye opening of 134.8 mV and a horizontal eye opening of 0.44 UI under worst-case conditions.

Science Challenges And Solutions To Support Implementation Of The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, Claire L. Szostek, Angus Atkinson, Victor Martinez-Vicente, Ana M. Queirós, Peter I. Miller, Kerry L. Howell, Rebecca C. Millington, Susan Kay, Matthew Faith, Karen Tait, Elizabeth Talbot, Andrew Rees, Chris Lyal, Jeff Ardron, Matthew Frost

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement provides a new opportunity to consolidate and achieve global marine environmental goals. Here we focus on how science and technology will support its implementation. We provide an overview of existing scientific knowledge and methods that are scalable to Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). Reviewing data gaps, challenges and opportunities, we outline solutions and a roadmap focused on enhancing resources and capacity.

Chemical Synthesis For Mesoporous Silica (Mcm-41) And Evaluating Its Efficiency In Removal Of Heavy Metals Ions, Israa M. Faliyh, Wahran M. Saod

Baghdad Science Journal

The pollution of water sources due to harmful chemicals, especially heavy metal ions such as Ni⁺⁺ and Co⁺⁺, remains a global challenge. To address this issue, various studies have focused on developing new treatment methods. Nanotechnology provides innovative techniques for efficiently removing heavy metals and other pollutants from water and wastewater. It is crucial to eliminate these hazardous heavy metals to protect both human health and the environment. Mesoporous silica (MCM-41) is a type of silica nanoparticles with pores ranging from 2 to 50 nm in diameter, and a total diameter below 1 μm. It is gaining …

Comparing The Levels Of Some Biochemical Markers In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With And Without Depression, Shnst Ibrahim Mohamed Ali, Israa Ghassan Zainal

Baghdad Science Journal

One of the most common comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis is depression, which is an independent mood disorder. This study aims to examine the blood levels of some biochemical markers in rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without depression compared to healthy group. This study included three groups: rheumatoid arthritis patients with depression, rheumatoid arthritis patients without depression, and a healthy group. The results showed that patients groups had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher activity of acetylcholine esterase and ceruloplasmine, carbonyl, ischemic modified albumin (IMA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α ), Haptoglobin, and Cupper, and significantly (P ≤ 0.05) …

Knockdown Of Tyrosine Kinase Receptor Fgfr1 Via Azd4547 Suppresses Breast Cancer Proliferation, Migration, And Invasion In Brca1 Mutant Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (Ascs) Via Il-6 And Tnf-Α Modulation, Nahid Sabah Aldin Saber, Zahraa Ali Mohammed

Baghdad Science Journal

Breast cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease that poses significant challenges in identifying novel therapeutic strategies and new therapeutic targets. Recent research has identified adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) role in the progression of small tumors. Mutations in Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) are known to play a crucial role in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. BRCA1 mutations have been associated with increased risks of breast and ovarian cancer. Moreover, studies have shown that Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 (FGFR1) is involved in initiation of many cancers, including breast cancer. In the present study, we aim to investigate the role …

Studying The Level Of Amyloid-A And Fibrinogen-Like Protein 1 And Other Biomarkers In The Sera Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Of Iraqi Patients, Aya Waleed Aziz, Bushra Faris Hasan

Baghdad Science Journal

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) isa common chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis causing pain and inflammation and can result in joint destruction, its risk factors involve a family history of disease, obesity, smoking as well as viral infections. In this study, serum amyloid A and fibrinogen-like protein 1 were evaluated in 80 patients and 40 healthy controls (both men and women). Measurement of SAA, FGL1, RF, CRP, and MPO were performed using ELISA kits, the colorimetric method has been employed for estimating lipid profile, and Westergren method has used to measure ESR. The results indicated that levels of SAA, FGL1, MPO, …

Determination Of Trace Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) In Dosage Forms And Redbull Samples Using Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Technique Coupled With Spectrophotometry, Sally Ghanem Ahmed, Wijdan Shakir Khayoon

Baghdad Science Journal

This paper introduced a sensitive determination method measurement spectrophotometric coupled with dispersive liquid-liquid micro extraction based on charge transfer complex formation between pyridoxine hydrochloride and chloranil using alkaline buffer (pH = 10.5). After that, the extraction of charge transfer complex was conducted by injection a mixture of chloroform and acetone solvents followed by spectrophotometric measurement of tiny organic droplets at λ = 535 nm. The important parameters affecting the formation of the complex and efficiency of DLLME such as concentration of chloranil, volume and pH of buffer solution, reaction time and the optimum conditions of DLLME has been studied and …

First Record Of Keratitis Caused By Valkampfia In Iraq, Turkan K. Karyagdi

Baghdad Science Journal

Acanthamoeba is the most well-known causes amoebic keratitis. However, other free-living amoebas (FLA), such as Valkampfia, can also causes of keratitis. Twenty-two samples were collected from cases suspected of amoebic keratitis in Kirkuk Hospital to investigate the presence of Acanthamoeba . Cultivation process was carried out directly on non-nutrient agar (NNA) medium supported with killed Escherichia coli bacteria. Inverted and light microscope were used at 40X magnification to diagnose cultures growth .Only two samples showed positive growth on NNA medium. However, no any presence of Acanthamoeba was observed as were expected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which ampilified by …

Protective Effect Of Boswellia Carterii And Gum Arabic (Senegalia Senegal) On Induced Arthritic In Male Rats, Basma Ali Jasim, Alia Hussein Ali

Baghdad Science Journal

The study aims to use natural substances like Senegalia senegal and Boswellia carterii to treat rheumatoid arthritis, a painful disease affecting joints and making movement difficult, , The two plants were used to treat the symptoms of induced arthritis in male rats by using the complete freund's adjuvant method. A group of thirty adult male rats was used in this study, divided into six groups, with five rats for each group. The 1st group was the negative control (without arthritis induced and without treatment); the 2nd group is the positive control group (with arthritis induced and without any treatment); the …

Enacting Tension: A Phenomenological, Art-Based Study Of Nicu Siblings’ Lived Experience Through Engagement With Dramatic Reality, Rebecca A. Versaci

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

A Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization reorganizes family life, yet siblings’ perspectives are rarely centered in NICU research. This phenomenological, art-based dissertation explores NICU siblings’ lived experience as revealed through the roles they created during engagement in dramatic reality. Eight child siblings of NICU patients participated in a storymaking and improvisational role-play intervention. Transcripts, participant artwork, and stories were examined through thematic analysis, and dramaturgical coding. Three central tensions organized children’s dramatic worlds: It’s Hard to be Together and It’s Hard to be Apart, I Want to be Free, but I am Trapped; I Want to Help …

The Development Of Poker As A Sport In Japan: Intersections With Culture, Law And Public Administration, And Community, Masatoshi Minowa

Japanese Society and Culture

This study examines the emergence of poker as a competitive mind sport in Japan, a country where strict anti-gambling laws (Penal Code Article 185) prohibit cash wagering. Drawing on secondary materials—including newspaper and magazine reports, and online media—as well as primary data from Poker Guild Corporation and interviews with the Kamiichi Town Planning Division, the research applies established theoretical frameworks (Getz & Page’s event tourism, Putnam’s social capital, Reith’s techno-economic systems) to analyze the distinctive evolution of Japanese poker culture. Findings reveal that tournament‐focused venue operations and the innovative Poker Web Coin system have fostered a nationwide network of skill‐based …

Restricting Academic Dishonesty At A Japanese University, Joel Weinberg

Japanese Society and Culture

This research explores three approaches to handling academic dishonesty: punitive, preventive, and positive. First, the history of cheating and the punitive approach is briefly discussed. Next, research results of a preventive approach that was used at a Japanese university are given. During this research, three surveys were conducted to gauge students’ opinions about cheating, to account for the methods, and to measure the prevalence of cheating on post-reading quizzes. The survey results show that at least eleven types of cheating on post-reading quizzes were used and that non-cheating students were concerned about this issue. As a result of the surveys, …

Healthcare Decision-Making In An Ageing Society: Legal, Policy, And Ethical Challenges In Japan, Yukio Sakurai

Japanese Society and Culture

This paper examines the evolving landscape of healthcare decision-making in Japan’s rapidly ageing society, with a focus on the legal, policy, and ethical challenges it entails. It analyzes the limitations of the adult guardianship system, the risks associated with family-dependent decision-making, and the underutilization of advance care planning (ACP). The study further considers how demographic shifts, advances in medical technology, and socio-legal inertia affect end-of-life care, particularly for individuals with diminished capacity. A central theme is the inherent ethical dilemma in balancing individual autonomy with Japan's cultural context, where explicit self-assertion can be challenging, especially for older adults. Cultural dimensions …

Institutional Transitions In The Employment Of Foreign Workers In Japan’S Agriculture And Food Manufacturing: From Technical Intern Training To Employment For Skill Development And Specified Skilled Worker In Comparison With The Uk, Tomoyuki Kuwaharada

Japanese Society and Culture

This paper investigates the institutional transition in Japan’s acceptance of foreign workers in the agriculture and food manufacturing sectors, focusing on the restructuring of entry-stage training schemes and their linkage to skill-based employment. In particular, it traces the shift from the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) to the Employment for Skill Development (ESD) Programme as the primary entry route, and examines how these institutional changes are embedded within the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) framework.

Drawing upon official statistics from 2012 to 2024 and sector-specific case studies, the analysis demonstrates that the introduction of the SSW status in 2019 marked a …

Supervisor Behaviors And Perceived Organizational Impact Of Telework: A Work Disruption Perspective, Tsuyoshi Ohira, Masaki Hosomi

Japanese Society and Culture

As telework (e.g., working from home) has become widespread, understanding its organizational impact from managers’ perspectives and identifying supervisor behaviors that influence this impact are critical. Drawing on work disruption theory, we examined the relationships between four supervisor behaviors in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) management competencies—respectful and responsible (RR), managing and communicating work (MCW), reasoning and managing difficult situations (RDS), and managing the individual within the team (MIT)—and the perceived organizational impact of telework. We also tested whether telework rate and intensity moderated these relationships. Survey data were collected from 239 supervisors at two time points. Results showed …

Freedom Of Expression And The Right To Protection Against Defamation: Cf. Handling Of The Libel Of The Criminal Law And The Libel Of The Civil Law, Masumi Shizawa

Japanese Society and Culture

This study reviews natures of the Constitution, Civil Code, and Criminal Code of Japan in terms of the right to protection against defamation, and explores the foundations thereof. The point of it is to clarify the nature of the right to protection against defamation as indicated in the Constitution. 　The right to protection against defamation, along with the right to privacy, has long been recognized as a personal right. While the right to privacy relates to the private domain, the right to protection against defamation relates to one’s social reputation. The Constitution of Japan does not clearly stipulate the right …

March 20, 2026 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Rapid Resolution Of Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms Following Initiation Of A Glp-1 Receptor Agonist, Joseph E. Capito, Kate Gelman

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are widely used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity, with growing evidence of their anti-inflammatory effects. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman with obesity, T2DM, and biopsy-confirmed plaque psoriasis who developed joint pain and stiffness consistent with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Her symptoms persisted despite appropriate trials of topical corticosteroids, calcipotriene, and oral apremilast. She also declined methotrexate due to concerns about side effects. Imaging of her hands revealed distal interphalangeal joint space narrowing, marginal erosions, and periosteal reaction, supporting the diagnosis of PsA. The patient was …

Chatgpt Versus Uptodate In Preclinical Medical Education: Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency Cosine Similarity, Shankar S. Thiru, Nicholas E. Aksu, Matthew Chiang, Daniel O. Gallagher, Mary Furlong, Elizabeth R. Prevou, Akhil Jay Khanna

Rothman Institute Papers

BACKGROUND: Generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly used by medical students for self-directed learning. Although these models demonstrate linguistic fluency, their reliability as supplementary resources for preclinical education remains uncertain. In particular, comparisons with evidence-based references such as UpToDate are lacking.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the similarity between responses generated by ChatGPT (with GPT-4o mini) and those from UpToDate to preclinical medical education questions to assess ChatGPT's potential as an adjunctive learning tool.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional comparison study using 150 first-order questions derived from a preclinical question bank at a single allopathic institution under the …

Stimulation Of The Medial Septum Diagonal Band Of Broca Rescues Learning And Memory Deficits In Fmr1 Ko Mice, Mohamed Ouardouz, Amanda E Hernan, J. Matthew Mahoney, Rodney C Scott

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability and a leading monogenic cause of autism, arises from the loss of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (Fmr protein), leading to synaptic and cognitive dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate that the frequency-specific electrical stimulation of the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) can restore cognitive and synaptic impairments in Fmr1 knockout mice, a validated model of FXS. Thirty minutes of 35 Hz MSDB stimulation significantly improved subsequent recognition memory, sociability, spatial learning, and fear memory, with recognition memory enhancements persisting for up to 7 days after daily 30 min …

A Decade Revealed By Npo Financial Data In A Depopulating Region — Tottori Prefecture, Japan, 2014–2023, Yoshinori Shimosakai

Japanese Society and Culture

This paper examines the quantitative scale, field composition, and financial structure of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in rural regions experiencing population decline and aging at three levels—the nonprofit sector as a whole, policy fields, and individual organizations—and explores their adaptation and sustainability under demographic change. The empirical setting is certified NPO corporations located in Tottori Prefecture. Drawing on publicly available financial data for fiscal years 2014–2023, the study constructs ratio indicators and per-capita indicators and, in particular, depicts recent trends through a two-point comparison between FY2014 and FY2023 together with a description of year-by-year changes. The analysis shows that, although the …

The Impact Of Michi-No-Eki (Roadside Stations) On The Regional Economy: An Input–Output Analysis Of Minamiboso City In Chiba Prefecture, Ryusaku Matsuo, Takeru Aizawa, Gon Jan, Wei Yuanxin, Masaharu Uchiyama, Gento Tagami

Japanese Society and Culture

This study quantitatively examines the economic impact of Michi-no-Eki (Roadside Stations) in Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture, using an input–output analysis based on the Chiba Prefectural Interindustry Table. Eight Michi-no-Eki were evaluated in terms of direct, indirect, and induced effects, including employment creation. The results show that the total production-inducing effect generated by the stations amounts to ¥7.02 billion per year, and the employment-inducing effect reaches 108.7 persons annually, indicating that Michi-no-Eki function as a central engine of the local economy. Moreover, thematic diversity among stations—such as loquat, flowers, and seafood—enhances multiplier effects through inter-sectoral linkages. These findings demonstrate that Michi-no-Eki …

Employment Contracts, Working Time, And The Well-Being Of Schoolteachers In Japan, Haojun Gong, Shinpei Sano

Japanese Society and Culture

This paper quantitatively analyzes trends in the working hours of schoolteachers in Japan using Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) data from three survey waves. The analysis focuses on differences between fixed-term and permanent employment contracts and on school environment variables, and their relationships with working hours and teacher well-being. Teachers on permanent contracts tend, on average, to work longer hours than those on fixed-term contracts, largely because of greater time spent on administrative duties and extracurricular activities. School environmental characteristics and principal leadership show only weak statistical associations with total working hours. Subjective job satisfaction is lower, and workload …

A Consideration Of Food In A Diversity Society, Masayo Morofushi

Japanese Society and Culture

In recent years, the number of foreign visitors such as tourists and businesspeople, and the number of foreign residents such as workers and international students, have been steadily increasing in Japan. However, the decrease in the number of foreign residents in Japan is relatively small compared to the number of foreign visitors to Japan, due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding restaurants, Japan has experienced diversity, progress, and cross-cultural understanding; however, these changes have been stagnant due to a decrease in the number of foreign visitors to Japan during the pandemic. Many natural disasters have recently occurred, and …

Exploring The Definition Of Child Poverty : For Consideration Of Legal Policy, Kazuko Ikeya, Fumie Adachi, Kazutoshi Imade

Japanese Society and Culture

We explore the definition of child poverty for consideration of legal policy.

Survey of the actual situation in local governments and private organizations concerning child poverty.

① Some parents don’t know how to prioritize their spending, and there are cases where parents don’t provide for their children.

② This cannot be addressed only with financial investment.

It is inappropriate to define child poverty only by low household income. It should also be

defined as whether children are being provided for through their development.

From Cart To Kitchen Workshop, Madison Craig, Joshua Kim, Grace Manalac, Divya Thomas, Abby Zerby, Cameron Zirkel

Public Health Science Capstones

From Cart to Kitchen is a hands-on workshop designed to support families experiencing housing transitions in the San Jose area in building healthier eating habits. In partnership with Family Supportive Housing, the program focuses on strengthening food literacy, helping participants feel more confident in choosing nutritious meals on a budget.

The workshop includes short, easy-to-follow videos and interactive activities that cover topics like reading food labels, understanding basic nutrition, and grocery shopping with limited resources. Participants also receive a user-friendly pamphlet with tips on meal planning, shopping smart, and incorporating seasonal produce.

Delivered in an in-person setting, From Cart to …

Joint Optical And Infrared Observations Of Nitrogen And Oxygen Reveal The Dust-Obscured Gas In Haro 3, Yuguang Chen, Tucker Jones, Ryan L. Sanders, Dario Fadda, Jessica Sutter, Robert Minchin, Nikolaus Z. Prusinski, Sunny Rhoades, G. C. Keerthi Vasan, Charles C. Steidel, Erin Huntzinger, Paige Kelly, Danielle A. Berg, Fabio Bresolin, Rodrigo Herrera-Camus, Ryan J. Rickards Vaught, Guido Roberts-Borsani, Peter Senchyna, Justin S. Spilker, Daniel P. Stark, Benjamin Weiner, D. Christopher Martin, Mateusz Matuszewski, Rosalie C. Mcgurk, James D. Neill

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Accurate chemical compositions of star-forming regions provide a critical diagnostic tool for characterizing the star formation history and gas flows that regulate galaxy formation. However, the abundance discrepancy factor (ADF) between measurements derived from the “direct” optical electron temperature (T_e ) method and those from recombination lines (RLs) introduces a ∼0.2 dex systematic uncertainty in the oxygen abundance. The degree of uncertainty for other elements is unknown. We conduct a comprehensive analysis of O⁺⁺ and N⁺ ion abundances using optical and far-infrared (far-IR) spectra of a star-forming region within the nearby dwarf galaxy Haro 3, which exhibits …

Bodies At Risk When Choice Is A Privilege: Women’S Reproductive Healthcare Accessibility And Health Outcomes Since The Dobbs (2022) Ruling, Dallas Bonnet

Undergraduate Theses

Existing literature has well-documented the disproportionate effects of abortion restrictions upon socioeconomically disadvantaged women and women of color. This thesis builds on that work by exploring the relationship between state-level abortion restrictions and women’s self-reported health, as well as state-level infant mortality rates and maternal mortality rates. This project breaks these relationships down into three separate studies: Study 1 investigates the effect that abortion restrictions have on women’s self perceptions of health. Study 2 assesses the impact of abortion restrictions on infant mortality rates. Study 3 inspects the impact of abortion restrictions on maternal mortality rates. The primary independent variable …

Hands Free Policy Brief, Ryan E. Spohn, Justin Nix, Sadaf Hashimi, Travis Carter, Seth Goldsmith, Nikolas Hahn

Reports

Owning a motor vehicle and a smartphone are modern conveniences that most Nebraskans were accustomed to by 2024. 1 The combination has, however, proven to be a modern challenge for roadway safety. Traffic crashes stemming from cellphone distractions have increased steadily since 2016, and traffic fatalities have fared no better since 2019. 2 Cellphone laws restricting the use of cellular devices while operating a motor vehicle may offer some relief. Although most states, including Nebraska, have text-messaging bans, others have begun instituting additional legislative mandates prohibiting cellphones while driving—often termed a hands-free policy (HFP). The purpose of this policy brief …