Computer Engineering
ISSN: 10003428
Volume 14, Issue 9, 2025
Research Articles
Investigating Bioadhesion Indicators of Vaginal Gels Formulated with Resveratrol and Hyaluronic Acid
Pages: 1–7
Abstract
Citation
Aim. The purpose of the work is to determine the bioadhesion indices of vaginal gel with resveratrol and hyaluronic acid, as well as the choice of the type and content of mucoadhesives in the composition. Materials and methods. As research objects samples of gels with different mucoadhesives in the composition were used. Among used mucoadhesives were: sodium alginate (FMC BioPolimer AS, Norway), methyl cellulose (Shin Etsu, Germany), Methocel – methyl cellulose with hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences, USA), OraRez® W-100L16 – vinyl methyl ether and maleic anhydride copolymer (BOAI, China). As a comparison drug, vaginal gel “Gynodec” (Yuriya-Pharm) was used. During the study, the rate of gel distribution, the degree of deformation under the influence of mechanical forces, the degree of the gel fixation on the surface of the mucosa and the adhesion ability of the samples have been determined. Results. The study has determined that sample No. 2 with sodium alginate has the highest distribution rate, which was 1.56 cm/min. The study of the fixation of samples on the surface of the model of the mucous was performed by the method of flow. The results have showed that the sample with sodium alginate has the closest value to the reference drug. The adhesive ability of samples with different sodium alginate contents was determined. The tensimetric study has found that at a concentration of 0.5 %, the force required to separate the surface is 6158 Pa. Conclusions. On the basis of the complex of physico-chemical studies, bioadhesion indicators of vaginal gel with resveratrol, depending on the type and concentration of mucoadhesives have been determined. According to the distribution parameters on the surface of the genital mucosa model, it has been found that the best properties compared with other types of mucoadhesives has a sample containing sodium alginate. The study by means of a strain gauge has found that the addition of sodium alginate at a concentration of 0.5 % would provide a satisfactory adhesive ability of the vaginal gel.
Anastasia Petrova, Natalia Kuznetsova, Sofia Fedorova. "Investigating Bioadhesion Indicators of Vaginal Gels Formulated with Resveratrol and Hyaluronic Acid." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 1–7, 2025.
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Integrating Team Contracts in Interdisciplinary Project- Based Learning
Pages: 8–16
Abstract
Citation
The paper discusses the use of team contracts as a reflexive tool in the framework of a 9-month interdisciplinary program run across 3 institutions – the China Hardware Innovation Camp (CHIC). The program has the particularity of having teams composed of engineering students (3), design students (2) and business students (1) affiliated with one of the 3 institutions and working together to develop a connected device. Given the limited number of students participating in the program each year (10-12 engineers and 10-12 non-engineers), emphasis is put on a qualitative assessment of the learning outcomes. This takes the form of several reflective notes due throughout the program covering teamwork, project management and intercultural management. The paper focuses on the dimension of teamwork. It presents the underlying pedagogical scenario and the protocol related to the use of team contracts as a reflexive tool. It compares the proposed template with the contracts drawn up by 4 teams and analyses the evolution of the contracts during the program. It discusses the reflexive notes of students within a team and across/within teams and disciplines. Finally, it compares the evaluation by the students with the use of team contracts in another setting. 1 PROGRAMME OVERVIEW 1.1 Brief description of the programme The CHIC program proposes to go “from idea to functional prototype in 30 working days”. Teams receive a blank sheet of A3 paper at the beginning of the program and have 3 semesters to conceive, develop and prototype an IoT device. The high-level learning outcomes of the program have been divided into: – Disciplinary: define functional requirements of a connected device, apply a structured approach to product development and realize a functional prototype; – Transversal: communicate effectively with professionals from other disciplines, write a scientific or technical report, identify the different roles that are involved in well-functioning teams and assume different roles, including leadership roles, apply fast prototyping techniques and technologies, pitch a product in front of different audiences, communicate effectively across different languages and cultures. Computer Engineering ISSN: 10003428 Volume 14 | Issue 9 | Year 2025 https://journalofcomputerengineering.com/ © 2025 Computer Engineering. All Rights Reserved. Page 8 The nature of the program implies that students are exposed to various management issues, including project management, teamwork and meeting management. In short, the program is project-based, interdisciplinary, inter-institutional and student-driven. It can be assimilated to new product development project-based programs [1]. As such it builds on a growing trend of product development programs in multi-disciplinary settings [2]. 1.2 Motivation of the use of team contracts Whereas the program tends to be highly appreciated by the students, they often point out the challenges related to working in interdisciplinary teams. As put forward recently by one participant: “I was told it would be difficult but I never imagined it would be that hard”. Such issues with cross-boundary collaboration are not surprising. Edmondson and Harley show that teaming across knowledge boundaries can be difficult in practice, and innovation is not always realized [3]. Heikkinen and Isomöttönen show that learning experiences are not fixed, as team spirit and student attitude play an important role in how students react to challenging situations arising from
Elena Vasquez, Maria Rodriguez. "Integrating Team Contracts in Interdisciplinary Project- Based Learning." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 8–16, 2025.
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Computational Methods for Fractional Calculus: A Critical Analysis of Best Practices
Pages: 17–41
Abstract
Citation
: The solution of fractional-order differential problems requires in the majority of cases the use of some computational approach. In general, the numerical treatment of fractional differential equations is much more difficult than in the integer-order case, and very often non-specialist researchers are unaware of the specific difficulties. As a consequence, numerical methods are often applied in an incorrect way or unreliable methods are devised and proposed in the literature. In this paper we try to identify some common pitfalls in the use of numerical methods in fractional calculus, to explain their nature and to list some good practices that should be followed in order to obtain correct results.
Elena Vasquez, Julian R. Lee, and Sofia N. Patel. "Computational Methods for Fractional Calculus: A Critical Analysis of Best Practices." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 17–41, 2025.
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Exploring Service Provision in Blended Learning Environments: A Project-Based Analysis
Pages: 42–51
Abstract
Citation
During the course of computer graphics and web design at the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy for first-grade students, we performed the selection and analysis of services for the project activity organisation. The research was carried out for students of engineering specialities in the blended learning setting. The purpose of the research was to solve the problem of increasing project work organisation effectiveness. Students got a collection of services (cloud, online and offline) for each stage of the project. The respondents analysed these services advantages and disadvantages, performed a research on additional resources for work on the tasks. Besides, we analysed the services for the project management that fit for creating a website layout. Students can easily use the current criteria to selecting services for their education and professional tasks solution. These tools provide the possibility of group interaction. The accessibility of software (free distribution), the flexibility of interface, cross-platform, multilingualism and integration with other services for most of the proposed tools are key advantages. During the study, students used a collection of services and tools to work at different project stages. Each student, respectively, tested the services and provided a review of their usage. After that, we made a comparative analysis of the student and expert reviews for the appropriate services. Students can use the created list of tools while working on real projects and during the learning experiment. It is also important that these services are well adapted for blended learning setting.
Anastasiia P. Mykolaichuk, Oleksandr R. Kuznetsov. "Exploring Service Provision in Blended Learning Environments: A Project-Based Analysis." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 42–51, 2025.
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On ω-Stable Planes and Their Algebraic Representations
Pages: 52–75
Abstract
Citation
Abstract not available.
Alessandro Bianchi, Giulia Costa. "On ω-Stable Planes and Their Algebraic Representations." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 52–75, 2025.
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Commutative Unital Rings in Differentiation Arithmetic: A Formalized Theory for Computational Derivatives.
Pages: 76–100
Abstract
Citation
Differentiation arithmetic is a principal and accurate technique for the computational evaluation of derivatives of first and higher order. This article aims at recasting real differentiation arithmetic in a formalized theory of dyadic real differentiation numbers that provides a foundation for first and higher order automatic derivatives. After we set the stage by putting on a systematic basis certain fundamental notions of the algebra of differentiation numbers, we begin by setting up an axiomatic theory of real differentiation arithmetic, as a many-sorted extension of the theory of a continuously ordered field, and then establish the proofs for its consistency and categoricity. Next, we carefully construct the algebraic system of real differentiation arithmetic, deduce its fundamental properties, and prove that it constitutes a commutative unital ring. Furthermore, we describe briefly the extensionality of the system to an interval differentiation arithmetic and to an algebraically closed commutative ring of complex differentiation arithmetic. Finally, a word is said on machine realization of real differentiation arithmetic and its correctness, with an addendum on how to compute automatic derivatives of first and higher order.
Dr. Andreas Griewank. "Commutative Unital Rings in Differentiation Arithmetic: A Formalized Theory for Computational Derivatives.." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 76–100, 2025.
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Industrial-Driven Big Data as a Self-Service Paradigm for Industry 4.0
Pages: 101–104
Abstract
Citation
The convergence of Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud, and Big Data, creates new challenges and opportunities for data analytics. Human- and machine-created data is being aggregated continuously, transforming our economy and society. To face these challenges, companies call upon expert analysts and consultants to assist them. In this paper, we present I-BiDaaS, a European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation project that proposes a self-service solution for Big Data analytics. The solution will be transformative for companies that aim to extract knowledge from big data. It will empower their employees with the right knowledge, and give the true decision-makers the insights they need to make the right decisions. It will shift the power balance within an organization, increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve employee empowerment, and increase profitability. I-BiDaaS aims to empower users to easily utilize and interact with Big Data technologies, by designing, building, and demonstrating, a unified solution that significantly increases the speed of data analysis while coping with the rate of data asset growth, and facilitates cross-domain data- flow towards a thriving data-driven EU economy. Keywords Big Data, Batch Processing, Stream Processing
Evangelos Georgiou, Nikolaos Michos, Alexandros Papanikolaou, Dimitrios. "Industrial-Driven Big Data as a Self-Service Paradigm for Industry 4.0." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 101–104, 2025.
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Performance Evaluation of Pipelining Strategies in Conjugate Gradient Methods for Alya
Pages: 105–111
Abstract
Citation
Currently, one of the trending topics in High Performance Computing is related to exascale computing. Although the hardware is not yet available, the software community is working on developing and updating codes, which can efficiently use exascale architectures when they become available. Alya is one of the codes that are being developed towards exascale computing. It is part of the simulation packages of the Unified European Applications Benchmark Suite (UEABS) and Accelerators Benchmark Suite of PRACE and thus complies with the highest standards in HPC. Even though Alya has proven its scalability for up to hundreds of thousands of CPU-cores, there are some expensive routines that could affect its performance on exascale architectures. One of these routines is the conjugate gradient (CG) algorithm. CG is relevant because it is called at each time step in order to solve a linear system of equations. The bottleneck in CG is the large number of collective communications calls. In particular, the preconditioned CG (PCG) already implemented in Alya utilises two collective communications. In the present work, we developed and implemented a pipelined version of the PCG (PPCG) algorithm which allows us to half the number of collectives. Then, we took advantage of non-blocking MPI communications to reduce the waiting time during message exchange even further. The resulting implementation was analysed in detail by using Extrae/Paraver profiling tools. The PPCG implementation was tested by studying the flow around a 3D sphere. Several tests were performed using a different number of processes/workloads to attest the strong and weak scaling of the implemented algorithms. This work has been developed in the context of the preparatory access program of PRACE, simulations were run on the MareNostrum 4 (MN4) supercomputer at Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC).
Juan Luis García-Romero, Maria Rodriguez-Vidal, Lucas Moreno-Gómez, and Pablo. "Performance Evaluation of Pipelining Strategies in Conjugate Gradient Methods for Alya." Computer Engineering, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 105–111, 2025.
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