bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of butter quality parameters available on the Czech market with the use of FT NIR technology
Authors:   Department of Food Technology, Mendel Univerzity in Brno, Zemědělská 1, 613 00 Brno-Černá pole, Czech Republic, Dvořák Lukáš
Published: August 2023

NIR spectroscopy offers very wide opportunities in the food quality control. This method allows measuring of the samples with minimal usage of chemicals. We used the NIR spectroscopy for the quality control of butters available on the Czech market. Creating a methodology to measure the butter, build calibration models for the fat content and dry matter and verify their functionality. We used 26 samples of butters, of which 13 came from the Czech production and 13 came from abroad. Using reference and instrumental methods were determined the contents of fat, dry matter and acid number. Samples were measured using a FT NIR Antaris spectroscope in reflectance mode on the integrating sphere. The results demonstrated that FT NIR could divide the measured samples of butters into two classes according to their origin. Statistical progressing of the results did not confirm conclusive differences in the amount of the measured components between Czech and foreign butters. Functionality of the calibration models for the fat content and dry matter was demonstrated, while the calibration model for the assessment of the acid number was unreliable.
Temporal patterns of geminate stops in Hungarian 7-year-old children and young adults
Authors: Neuberger Tilda
Published: August 2023

The mastery of accurate timing control depends on physiological factors and cognitive skills, which take many years for children to develop. The acquisition of consonant length has been investigated mainly in infants’ early production, and in children's perception in light of their phonological awareness. The present study aims to gather empirical evidence about geminate production in the later stage of language development, to gain a better understanding of the acquisition of phonological contrasts. The acoustic correlates of length distinction were analysed in Hungarian-speaking 7-year-old children's and adults’ spontaneous speech. Results confirmed that length categories were better distinguished by closure duration in adults than in children. VOT was unaffected by gemination and produced in an adult-like way at the age of seven. Secondary acoustic cues of the length contrast associated with the relational timing of vowels and consonants showed adult-child differences, which provide information about refining timing skills and emerging phonetic/phonological abilities.
On the abundance and distribution of organisms in fragmented riverscapes: Insights From Studies On Different Species And Spatiotemporal Scales
Authors:   ,   Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Tamario Carl
Published: August 2023

Dams in rivers modify the habitats and hinder dispersal and migration. Since moving around is an essential part of most organisms’ life histories, this represents a new regime for life in freshwater. This thesis addresses several issues that are either directly or indirectly related to fragmentation and aims to contribute to our understanding of living and coping in fragmented riverscapes. It contains studies conducted on different study species and several spatial, temporal, and ecological scales. I first show that individuals in spawning migrating populations of cyprinid fish are phenotypically sorted along the length of a river with culverts. Results support the spatial sorting hypothesis, and are consistent between species, between sexes, and among individuals within sex; smaller and slimmer fish migrate further. I next show that eel ladders, which are passage solutions at dams aimed at increasing the distribution of European eel, did not remove the negative barrier effect of the dam. Next, I show that the spatial configuration of distinct rapid-flowing habitats has significant impacts on the well-being of brown trout populations. Subpopulations in larger and closer located habitats were significantly denser and more stable, likely because of lower extinction rates and higher immigration rates. I further evaluated the effects of dams on spatial synchrony in populations of trout, Eurasian minnow, and northern pike; dams contributed to demographic isolation by decreasing synchrony in the two former species, but the effects of population synchrony on global population viability were weak. Lastly, I show how the distribution and demography of the threatened freshwater pearl mussel is influenced by environmental heterogeneity and viability of host fish populations. Mussel populations residing in colder regions, and in locations with more viable host fish populations, had retained recruitment to a higher degree. The long-lived mussels exemplify how stress in aquatic environments can accumulate and manifest over time. This thesis emphasizes in different ways that the spatial context in which individuals, populations and species move, distribute, and interact matters. Each study has important conservation implications regarding its study species, study system, or for the environmental aspect under scrutiny.
Risk Management and Collaborative Innovation: Intervention of Communication Intensity
Authors: Mannes Silvana , Beuren Ilse Maria
Published: August 2023

This study investigates the influence of risk management on collaborative innovation and the intervention of communication intensity in agricultural cooperatives. A survey was conducted with managers of Brazilian agricultural cooperatives listed in the Organization of Cooperatives of Brazil. The structural equation modeling technique was applied to a sample of 103 valid answers. The results show that risk management positively influences collaborative innovation and communication intensity, and that communication intensity positively influences collaborative innovation. Furthermore, a mediating effect of communication intensity was observed in the relationship between risk management and collaborative innovation. Theoretical implications arise from the observation of the intervention of communication intensity in this relationship, mainly by providing insights to expand research in this direction. Practical implications also arise from observing the intervention of communication intensity in this relationship, such as alerts to the managers of these organizations about the relevance of aligning communication and risk management to the purpose of collaborative innovation.
IMPROVEMENT OF PERFORMANCE OF HEAT RECOVERY UNITS BY USING MAGNETIC NANOFLUID
Authors: Çakır Mutlu Tarık
Published: August 2023

Waste heat recovery units are systems that are widely used in the preheating of clean air, which is needed in industrial and waste heat facilities, without contact with polluted air, especially during the pandemic period. In this study, it is aimed to increase the operating temperature range by improving the performance of a heat exchanger consisting of a heat pipe bundle and an integrated heat recovery unit. The originality of the work is in the use of NiFe2O4/water, ZnFe2O4/water, and CoFe2O4/water nanofluids as the working fluid in the heat pipes and the improvement rates in the heat recovery unit's thermal performance were determined compared to pure water, which is the basic fluid. The turbulence of the flows in the channel prevented the establishment of a linear relationship between the Reynolds number and the thermal improvement in performance. However, by using nanofluids instead of pure water, thermal performance improvement was achieved for all Reynolds numbers. According to the results obtained it is seen that higher performances are obtained in the case of using nanofluids compared to pure water. The average performance values are 14%, 18%, 19%, and 20% for water, NiFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, and CoFe2O4 nanofluids, respectively, according to the Re number on the cold fluid side, while the average performance improvement rates of NiFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, and CoFe2O4 nanofluids compared to the base fluid (pure water) are 29%, 38%, and 44%, respectively. When the Re number in the hot air flow channel is taken into account, it is seen that the average performance values are 13%, 19%, 20%, and 22% in the same order, while the improvement rates are 48%, 57%, and 72%. Therefore, according to the average performance and improvement values, the CoFe2O4 nanofluid was found to be a more suitable fluid than the others.
Assessing the implementation of a nursing home-based physical and mental training: Utilizing the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Cahyanto Erindra Budi , Subijanto Achmad Arman , Kristiyanto Agus , Sumardiyono
Published: August 2023

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the implementation of a Spirit program, which consists of physical and mental training for older adults who can perform independent activities as nursing home residents. Methods: In July 2022, the researchers interviewed seven older adults who had attended the Spirit program and two caregivers at a nursing home in Surakarta, Indonesia. The researchers applied the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework during interviews. We measured participant engagement with the Spirit program, effectiveness to assess perceived benefits, adoption to gauge nursing homes’ willingness to adopt the Spirit program, implementation to evaluate consistent execution, and maintenance to assess future program sustainability. Results: Older adults who could carry out independent activities participated in the Spirit program. The Spirit program adds new activities that they can perform, which have various benefits, including increased happiness, stamina, and sleep quality. The participants expressed receiving instructions regarding the Spirit program from caregivers without any pressure to participate, with instructors guiding the exercises and regular schedule management. Older adults move well; however, some experience obstacles while performing balance exercises. None of the participants experienced injuries while participating in the program. The continuity of a program can be supported by the availability of tools that are easily accessible to older adults. Conclusion: The program improved the quality of life of older adults who can move independently as nursing home residents.
Development of an Internet of things-based treatment adherence program among older adults with mild cognitive impairment using Intervention Mapping: A developmental study
Authors: Shin Jinhee , Cho Eunhee , Kim Gwang Suk , Kim Heejung , Ye Byoung Seok , Park Chang-Gi
Published: August 2023

Purpose: Dementia and altered cognitive function are highly prevalent among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI); hence, prevention is necessary before it develops into dementia. Treatment adherence—medication adherence and physical activity—is essential to prevent and delay dementia; however, comprehensive interventions to promote it in this population are lacking. This study aimed to develop a program for treatment adherence utilizing an Internet of things (IoT) device. Methods: The six-step mapping protocol was used to develop the IoT-based treatment adherence intervention (ITAI). The intervention was based on literature review, expert opinions, and input from older adults with MCI. Results: In Step 1, needs assessment was conducted to gain insights into health problems and their underlying determinants. In Steps 2 and 3, performance objectives were identified for behavior change and selected theoretical and evidence-based methods were linked to the intervention outcomes. In Step 4, the ITAI was designed with components and materials consistent with the identified change goals and methods, and specific intervention components developed. In Step 5, implementation plans and solutions to barriers to its application were identified. In Step 6, the plan to evaluate intervention effectiveness was outlined. Conclusion: The intervention mapping provided a systematic procedure for developing an ITAI for older adults with MCI and preparing a randomized controlled trial. Utilizing intervention mapping is useful as ITAI systematically processes treatment adherence for MCI using the IoT and is acceptable and valid. ITAI is expected to increase medication adherence and physical activity in older adults with MCI.
Healthy aging of frail older adults in the community: A hybrid concept analysis
Authors: Seo Ji Su , Ryu A-Hyun , Song Rhayun
Published: August 2023

Purpose: Although a stream of ‘healthy aging’ has been created, there is no consensus on defining healthy aging perceived by frail older adults. This study was conducted to investigate the concept of healthy aging perceived by frail older adults. Methods: The hybrid model consisted of three phases. In the theoretical phase, defining characteristics of healthy aging among frail older adults were identified through a literature review. A total of 1,166 articles were screened, and 32 relative articles were included. During the field phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine frail older adults who met the frailty criteria, and the data were analyzed through content analysis. In the final phase, based on the analysis of the literature review and qualitative interviews, a final definition of healthy aging in frail older adults was extracted. Results: The concept of healthy aging perceived by frail older adults was found in cognitive, behavioral, psychological, social and independent domains. For the frail older adults, healthy aging refers to the ability to maintain one’s own health through self-management, accept aging and natural death with a positive outlook, and be independent without relying on others. Conclusion: In frail older adults, healthy aging consists of a number of multidimensional domains and 10 attributes, including maintaining health, accepting the process of aging, being positive, and being independent. Using this final definition, health promotion strategies could be developed to achieve the optimal goal. To provide effective interventions to frail older adults, further research is needed to develop a reliable and valid assessment scale.
The role of nurses in shared decision-making about caring for older adults with chronic disease: A qualitative descriptive study
Authors: Park Myonghwa , Kim Jinju , Jung Jihye , Thao Doan Thi Thu
Published: August 2023

Purpose: The objective of this study is to explore nurses’ perception of their roles in shared decision-making about caring for older adults with chronic disease. Methods: This study was a qualitative descriptive study. Ten nurses participated in the focus group interviews. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to explore nurses’ roles in shared decision-making about care for older adults with chronic disease. Results: The shared decision-making experiences about caring for older adults with chronic disease of nurses yielded four main themes and ten categories including ‘facilitating involvement in decision-making’, ‘providing information for decision-making’, ‘respecting patient values and preferences’, ‘evaluating the outcome of decision-making’. Conclusion: This study explored the roles of nurses in shared decision-making about caring of older adults with chronic disease. Nurses can enhance the shared decision-making process by identifying the decision needs and by facilitating decision-making.
Modeling acute visceral pain in adult zebrafish v1
Authors: Costa Fabiano
Published: August 2023

This protocol describes a reliable procedure for assessing acute pain responses in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) based on the abdominal writhing-like phenotype following a single intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid. The method is an inexpensive, fast, and easy-to-use protocol for measuring pain-like responses in adult zebrafish. The protocol involves five steps: analyses of baseline behavior, drug injection, post-injection recordings of behavior, euthanasia, and data analyses/interpretation. Intraperitoneal injection of 2.5–5.0% acetic acid elicits a robust pain-like behavior by changing zebrafish body curvature, which can be easily quantified using freely available imaging software. This response is sensitive to pharmacological manipulations, as morphine prevents altered body curvature, while naloxone blocks these effects. Pretreatment with diclofenac sodium (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used as an analgesic) also prevents writhing-like behavior. Demonstrating high predictive and face validity, this unbiased protocol can be performed over the course of ~2 days, enabling a reliable assessment of acute pain-like responses in zebrafish, thus fostering in-depth analyses of complex pain-related mechanisms and anti-pain drug discovery.
Confirmation of necessity and applicability of using various methods of interpretation of results of gas chromatographic analysis of power transformers
Authors:   PJSC “Mosenergo” (Moscow), Okhlopkov A.V. , Bitney V.D. ,   PJSC “Mosenergo” (Moscow)
Published: August 2023

The method of analysis of gases dissolved in oil is one of the most informative methods of early detection of defects in power oil-filled transformers. Now, the decision on the state of the transformers is based on the method of interpretation of the results of the gas chromatographic (GC) according to the guideline document RD 153-34.0-46.302-00. At the same time, there are situations when this document does not provide accurate analysis results. Thus, it is proposed to use several methods of interpreting the results of the GC to obtain refined conclusions. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the need to use various methods of interpretation of the results of gas chromatographic analysis of the oil of power transformers. The following methods for dissolved gas analysis have been reviewed: Rogers Ratio Method, IEC 60599 Standard Method, Doernenburg Ratio Method, Duval Triangle Method, ETRA method, as well as the guideline document RD 153-34.0-46.302-00 method adopted in the Russian Federation. These methods are implemented in various power companies of the Russian Federation, such as PJSC “Rosseti MR”, PJSC “FGC UES” and PJSC “Mosenergo”. The article reveals the need to consider the totality of all available methods and techniques based on RD 153-34.0-46.302-00 and development of training samples. The scientific novelty and significance of the conducted research lies in the confirmation of the need to use a set of methods for interpreting the results of the GC. An algorithm for the complex application of the methods described in the article for interpreting the results of the GC and training samples has been formed. The obtained results allow us to consider the possibility to develop software for the complex application of the methods of interpretation of the results of the GC described in the article and the formation of training samples based on the developed algorithm.
Development of controller for electromechanical position sensor
Authors:   LLC R&D Company “Rubicon – Innovation” (Smolensk), Polyuschenkov I.S.
Published: August 2023

Electromechanical position sensors, including sine-cosine rotary transformers, compared to sensors based on other physical principles, have greater reliability, a simple design and resistance to difficult operating conditions. This makes them attractive for use in various motion control systems that require measurement of the position of the actuator axis. However, the use of such sensors requires special hardware and software devices – controllers that ensure their operation. This article is devoted to the development of such a controller, which generates, captures, and processes signals of the sine-cosine rotary transformer. When developing the controller of the sine-cosine rotary transformer, methods of system analysis of electrical, electromagnetic and information processes and means of their implementation, methods of software development, as well as methods of experimental research were applied. A description of the controller of a sine-cosine rotary transformer in phase mode is given, taking into account the hardware and computing resources of the microcontroller which implements it. At the same time, physical processes are correlated with information processes associated with the generation, capture and procession of signals. The reasons for the decrease in the position measurement accuracy are revealed. Various technical solutions have been applied to take into account and eliminate them. Among them are the coordination of physical and information processes, taking into account the execution time of calculations by the microcontroller, analysis of the correctness of the position measurement results and their smoothing according to moving average method. The controller software has been developed, which can serve as a typical element for microprocessor-based control systems. Experimental results are obtained, illustrating the achievement of the development result. Application of various technical solutions has made it possible to ensure the accuracy of position measurement up to a tenth of a degree with a high intensity of information updating. As a result of the study, a detailed and comprehensive solution of the developing a controller for a sine-cosine rotating transformer problem is given, which is the scientific and practical value of the materials presented in the article. The results obtained can be applied in various motion control systems and serve as the basis for the development of controllers for various electromechanical position sensors.
Synthesis of robust control system for transportation of long-length material based on Gramian method
Authors:   Ivanovo State Power Engineering University, Abbyasov A.M. , Tararykin S.V. ,   Ivanovo State Power Engineering University
Published: August 2023

Material transportation control systems are part of many automated technological complexes for continuous production in various industries. For the coordinated operation of the aggregated machines, it is required to ensure a given quality of control of the tension of material transportation under conditions of initial uncertainty and possible variations in the internal parameters of the ACS, primarily the inertia of rotation of the measuring roller and changes in the geometry of the deformation zone of the material, i.e., it is required to provide a significant increase in robust properties. A method for the synthesis of robust control systems with dynamic (polynomial) input-output regulators is proposed. It is based on an iterative approach, at each step of which the singular numbers of gramians of controllability and/or observability are purposefully changed, a preregulator is formed. It transforms the structure of the computational model of the object in the direction of increasing controllability and/or observability. The authors have proposed a method for the synthesis of a robust control system for the transportation of long-length material based on the Gramian method. The use of an improved model of the object makes it possible to form a basic polynomial input-output controller capable of providing and maintaining the desired quality and performance indicators within the specified limits of changing the parameters of the object and the controller, including when reducing the corrective pre-regulator. The results obtained allow us to demonstrate the high efficiency of a Gramian method for the synthesis of control systems with low sensitivity to variations in both the parameters of the control object and the controller own parameters.
Energy efficient capacitor DC-DC converter for autonomous power supply system
Authors:   Novosibirsk State Technical University, Zotov L.G. , Bolshakov I.M. ,   Novosibirsk State Technical University
Published: August 2023

The main requirement for autonomous power supply systems is improved weight-size and energy parameters. A promising way to solve this problem is to use DC-DC converters based on resonant structures with switched capacitors. Improvement of energy indicators of the converter is achieved due to soft-switching mode of semiconductor elements providing reduction of dynamic power losses and increasing the level of the primary source. Improvement of weight-size parameters of the converter is provided due to the following: multi-cycle principle of the design providing a significant increase of frequency conversion up to several hundred kHz due to multiple reduction of installed capacity of semiconductor elements; high specific energy indicators of modern multilayer ceramic capacitors, more than two orders of magnitude higher than similar indicators of reactors and transformers; optimization of parameters of semiconductor and reactive elements, which also contributes to significant reduction of weight and volume of power supply systems. The authors have conducted the analysis of weight-size parameters of the step-up DC-DC converter and the value of its efficiency under the assumption of proportionality of weight and volume of reactive converter elements to the maximum accumulated energy and proportionality of weight and volume of semiconductor elements to their installed capacity. The authors have proposed and studied the circuit of multipolar DC-DC converter based on structures with switched capacitors, which has the space symmetry. The space symmetry provides a significant improvement of weight-size parameters due to two-fold reduction of the total installed capacity of semiconductor elements. The volume and energy indicators of the converter under study as a part of power supply system have been evaluated. A method to design a power circuit of a capacitor converter with improved energy and weight-size parameters as a part of an autonomous power supply system is proposed. The authors have established the most effective ways to improve the weight-size and energy indicators of DC voltage converters. The improvement of weight-size parameters is achieved due to a twofold reduction of the installed capacity of semiconductor elements and optimization of the parameters of reactive elements. Improvement of energy indicators is achieved due to increasing the input voltage level of the converter and soft switching of its semiconductor elements.
Notification of Participants of the General Meeting: Legal Significance and Consequences
Authors: Laptev V. A.
Published: August 2023

The Russian legislation contains provisions concerning the procedure for holding a general meeting of participants of a corporate organization that pay special attention to the procedure for notifying about the upcoming meeting. The paper examines the issue of notifying the participants of the civil law community about the meeting as a legally significant action affecting the legal qualification and consequences of the decisions taken by the corporation. The balance of interests of minority and majority participants is analyzed when they are notified, taking into account the agenda. The paper differentiates the cases of invalidation of decisions on disputed and void grounds when the procedure for notifying participants of the meeting is violated. The author proposes the ways of verifying the will of a corporate organization when making an appropriate decision, identifies cases of making corporate decisions necessary for the company, as well as the convalidation of decisions taken with a deviation from the established notification procedure. The paper defines legal approaches and constructions of proper notification taking into account the challenges of modernity, including the process of digital transformation of the economy and sanctions economic pressure on domestic business. Also, the paper examines approaches applied in jurisprudence that have developed over the past decade and identifies trends in the transformation of these approaches with due regard to the balance of interests of participants in corporate relations.
Judicial Discretion: The Concept and Essential Features
Authors: Aubakirova-Ter-Grigoryan N. M.
Published: August 2023

The modern Russian legal doctrine has not yet developed a unified approach to understanding judicial discretion. The content of this term seems to be very complex and ambiguous. The analysis of the legislation shows that the discretion of the law enforcement officer (investigator, prosecutor or person in charge of an inquiry) is possible when applying the norms of various branches of law. The importance of defining the most complete and precise concept of judicial discretion is dictated by the complexity of establishing its boundaries.The objectives of the study are to derive the definition of judicial discretion based on a critical assessment of doctrinal definitions and to identify its essential features. The results reflected in this paper show that a considerable number of authors understand judicial discretion in different ways; at the same time, the points of view of scholars still have common ground. The result of the study provides the author’s definition of judicial discretion and the allocation of its essential features.
On the Results of the Scientific and Practical Conference «Issues of Protecting the Rights of Citizens Using Digital Technologies in Criminal Proceedings»
Authors: Maslennikova L. N. , Sobenin A. A.
Published: August 2023

. The paper reports on the scientific and practical conference «Issues of Protecting the Rights of Citizens Using Digital Technologies in Criminal Proceedings», held on December 20, 2022 in a mixed format. The conference was organized by the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation and the Scientific and Educational Center for Human Rights of Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL). The conference was devoted to topical issues related to the protection of the rights of citizens by means of digital technologies, access to justice, the possibilities of digitalization to overcome restrictions in the work of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary, generalization of the experience of foreign states and the Russian Federation in ensuring the rights of participants in criminal proceedings. The conference brought together a wide range of scientists and representatives of the legislative, executive, judicial authorities involved in the protection of the rights of citizens in the criminal procedure.
Computational psychiatry approach to stigma subtyping in patients with mental disorders: explicit and implicit internalized stigma
Authors: Sorokin Mikhail Y. , Lutova Natalia B. , Bocharova Maria O. , Khobeysh Maria A. , Wied Viktor D.
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric stigma has potentially controversial effects on patients health-related behaviors. It appears that both stigmatization and motivation in psychiatric patients are heterogeneous and multi-dimensional, and that the relationship between stigma and treatment motivation may be more complex than previously believed.
AIM: To determine psychiatric stigma subtypes as they relate to treatment motivation among inpatients with various mental disorders.
METHODS: Sixy-three psychiatric inpatients were examined by the Treatment Motivation Assessment Questionnaire (TMAQ) and the Russian version of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI). K-Means cluster and dispersion analysis were conducted.
RESULTS: Cluster 3 (25 subjects) was the least stigmatized. Cluster 1 (18 subjects) showed an explicit stigma. Cluster 2 (20 subjects) showed an implicit stigma that took the form of the lowest treatment motivation compared to other clusters. Implicitly stigmatized patients, in contrast to explicitly stigmatized individuals, showed a decline in 3 out of 4 TMAQ factors (Mean dif.=1.051.67).
CONCLUSION: Cooperation with doctors, together with reliance on ones own knowledge and skills to cope with the disorder, might be the way to overcome an internalized stigma for patients with mental disorders.
Understanding Grit, Anxiety, and Their Influence on First-Year Undergraduate Honors College Success
Authors:   , Wisniewski Julia , Falletta Salvatore
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify the relationship between grit and anxiety within first-year honors college undergraduate students through student surveys, interviews, and archival data. Identifying this relationship may result in additional supportive honors programming in future years as well as add to the understanding of how to cultivate grit within the first-year experience. The researcher also hoped to identify how grit relates to both student engagement and academic performance, as well as coping strategies within the first-year experience. The research questions for this study were: (RQ1) What is the relationship between grit and trait anxiety in undergraduate first-year university honors students? (RQ2) How does trait anxiety show up in the experiences and coping strategies of first-year university honors students? (RQ3) How does grit and trait anxiety relate to student engagement and academic performance in first-year university honors students? The researcher's conceptual framework stems from three streams: anxiety and the first-year experience, grit, and Honors College. A 35-item survey was distributed to 300 first-year honors students; items included the Short Grit scale (Grit-S; Duckworth & Quinn, 2009), the t-anxiety portion of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger et al., 2015), and questions regarding student engagement. A total of 62 students completed the survey. Six of these students also answered five semi-structured interview questions relating to their first-year anxieties, challenges, supports, and coping mechanisms. Results showed no significant correlation between grit and anxiety. The study's honors students have a higher trait-anxiety score of 44.78 than the average for college students (39.35; see Spielberger et al., 2015). Anxieties within first-year students are typically broken down into four categories: academic, social, professional, and personal. These subthemes were identified within the semi-structured interviews; anxiety is found in all components of the student experience. Coping mechanisms within first-year honors students for anxiety rely heavily on external partnerships (e.g., peer networks, resource centers, staff, faculty). There was a significant positive relationship between grit and student engagement. No other significant relationships were found. Keywords: Anxiety, first-year students, honors college, grit
Virtual Learning and Special Education During COVID-19
Authors:   , Fernandez Robin  L. , Phillips Joy C.
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted every profession from healthcare to education. In the United States, businesses, and life as we know it came to a standstill. The most normal of things, like going to the movies or out to dinner, stopped. Mask mandates and social distancing became the new normal. Children were unable to attend school. Students learned from makeshift classrooms in their homes, only seeing their teachers through computer screens and their parents serving as learning facilitators. Following the government's permission to re-opening the school buildings during the 2021-2022 school year, many school districts made the decision to either remain fully virtual or provide a hybrid option to families. Having a student with a disability may have put more pressure on families while learning in a virtual setting. A deeper look into the human impact of the COVID-19 pandemic sheds light on the well-being of society and how we can move forward with helping students and families get back on track as they transition into school buildings. Improvements can also be made in how students with disabilities receive their services within a virtual setting and how families can be more involved in the process and what their children need the most to be successful learners of the world. Virtual learning can be a viable method of teaching for all students if it can be harnessed in a manner that involves the whole child. The purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to examine the impact of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic on families of students with disabilities. The primary research questions are 1) How do families of students with disabilities report that they were impacted by virtual learning during COVID-19? and 2) How do families report that services for their students with disabilities have been impacted by virtual learning during COVID-19? In addition, the researcher conducted interviews to gather stories from families to collect data on how virtual learning during the pandemic impacted families and students with disabilities in various areas of their life and education. The recommendations of parent training, related services training, and additional supports for virtual learning that resulted from this study serve as a means to explore not only how we can best serve our students with disabilities in the virtual setting but also tap into different learning modalities that can be beneficial for all students in the future.
The prognostic role of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio in advanced stage gastric cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a single center experience
Authors: KARABOYUN Kubilay , ŞEBER Erdoğan Selçuk
Published: August 2023

Objective: Several studies revealed that peripheral blood Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Monocyte/Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) were prognostic in various cancer types. However, there are no excessive information about the prognostic significance of NLR and MLR in patients with advanced gastric cancer. As a result, we examined whether NLR and/or MLR could be used as a prognostic marker to predict survival outcomes in patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy.

Method: We retrospectively analyzed 119 patients with gastric cancer receiving chemotherapy. We evaluated the relationship between potential prognostic factors and overall survival (OS) times using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression survival modelling.

Results: The median overall survival of the patients was 6.9 (2.1-41.6) months. In univariate analysis, NLR (p< 0.001), ECOG performance status (p< 0.001), presence of liver metastases (p< 0.001) and presence of peritoneal metastases (p< 0.001) were found to be associated with survival. The multivariate survival model showed the high NLR (HR=1.59, 95% CI 1.6-2.40, p= 0.026), the patients with ECOG performance score 2-3 (HR=2.91, 95% CI 1.60-5.27, p
Comparison of efficacy of Ketorolac %0.4 and Dexamethasone %0.1 in inflamed Pterygium and Pinguecula
Authors: ÇAKMAK Kaan , KORKMAZ Safak , YILMAZ Funda
Published: August 2023

Objective: This study investigated the effect of the ketorolac %0.4 and dexamethasone %0.1 on suppressing symptoms in inflamed pterygium and pinguecula.

Methods: 50 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, each consisting of 25 patients. Ketorolac %0.4 eye drops were dropped in group 1, and dexamethasone %0.1 eye drops were started in group 2. Groups were compared 3,7,14,30,45. days in terms of total signs and symptoms.

Results: After 14 days of drug administration group 1, scores were reduced %85 for total signs (2.52+1.16, p=0.001), %86 for total symptoms (4.10+2.61, p=0.001) and total scores showed a significant reduction of %86 (6.62+2.91, p=0.001) for the score. After 14 days of drug administration in group 2, scores were reduced %85 for total signs (2.70+1.46, p=0.001), %86 for total symptoms (4.25+2.36, p=0.001), and total scores showed a significant reduction of %86 (7.10+2.99, p=0.001) for the score. The scores for each sign and symptom decreased during the study. However, the statistical evaluation of each sign and symptom was similar in groups 1 and 2. There was no difference between groups 1 and 2 for total signs, total symptoms, and total score on days 3,7 and 14. No significant difference was found between groups 1 and 2 for total signs, total symptoms, and total score on days 14,30 and 45 (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Current study revealed that topical ketorolac %0.4 solutions are as effective as dexamethasone in treating inflammatory pterygium and pinguecula. We suggest that it can be used alone to treat this disease. We need more studies to support our work.
Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal mucosa: a rare case report
Authors: GÜRSOY KUZULUK Didar , UYSAL Süleyman , SOYLU ÖZLER Gül
Published: August 2023

Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma is the most commonly seen adenocarcinoma of the sinonasal region following adenoid cystic carcinoma. They are aggressive tumors that are generally diagnosed in the advanced stage. Histopathological subtype is an important prognostic indicator. In this report, we have presented a case we diagnosed as intestinal-type adenocarcinoma with right nasal cavity localization.
A case of acalculous cholecystitis or Brucella-induced acute cholecystitis?
Authors: URKMEZ Fatma Yekta , ŞAHİNOĞLU Mustafa Serhat , ALKAN Sevil
Published: August 2023

Brucella spp. is a microorganism that can cause febrile, systemic infection, especially in endemic areas. Although it causes a multisystemic involvement and creates various clinical symptoms, osteoarticular symptoms are the most common. However, Brucella spp. is known to be a great mimic and can cause rare, atypical presentations. In this case report, we aimed to present a 67-year-old Turkish female patient diagnosed with stony cholecystitis due to Brucella spp. Although rare, brucellosis can be encountered as a cause of acute cholecyst. Although there are changes in the epidemiology of brucellosis, it is useful to keep in mind brucellosis in the differential diagnosis of many diseases, in endemic areas, especially in rural areas.
Prevalence of primary central nervous system tumors in Iran: a retrospective study
Authors: Amini Harandi Ali , Zarifi Elham , Shahmohammadi Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2023

BackgroundTumors are the second-most common cause of death after cardiovascular diseases. Brain tumors are really different regarding location, symptoms and signs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of different primary brain tumors in Iran.
MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed the medical records of patients with primary brain tumor referred to university hospitals between January 2016 and January 2017. By examining the hospitalization records, clinical symptoms, pathological and imaging findings, data was collected on age, sex, hand dominance, type of tumor, and the involved hemisphere. A chi-square test of independence was used to analyze the relationship between hand dominance and tumor grade. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
ResultsIn total, 1113 patients with brain tumor with mean age of 41.89 ± 18.06 years, including 708 males (63.6%), were studied in Tehran, Iran. The most common brain tumors were glioblastoma with a frequency of 330 (29.6%) and astrocytoma 183 (16.4%). The rarest tumor types are ependymoblastoma with a frequency of 14 (1.3%). Overall, 551 (49.5%) patients had left hemisphere and 459 (41.2%) had right hemisphere involvement. There was no significant relationship between hand dominance and tumor grade (p>0.05).
ConclusionBrain tumors are more common in the fourth and fifth decades of life, and glioblastoma and astrocytoma tumors are the most common brain tumors. The sex distribution of these patients in the present study shows a higher prevalence in men. There was a significant relationship between the hand dominance in patients and contralateral hemisphere involvement.
Rare cutaneous verrucous carcinoma in the femoral region: a case report
Authors: Rohmah Restu Nur , Yamsun Muhammad , Syafiie Sri Hidayah Nurlela
Published: August 2023

BackgroundVerrucous carcinoma (VC) is a well-differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) characterized by slow growth and low metastatic potential. Cutaneous verrucous carcinoma (CVC) or papillomatosis cutis carcinoides is the term used for VC in other locations than the oral, anogenital, and plantar regions. This rare tumor has a contradictory “benign” histology, but markedly aggressive clinical behavior. We present this case as background knowledge to corroborate clinical course, diagnosis, histopathology, and treatment options for this infrequent disease.
Case DescriptionWe report a verrucous carcinoma on a 79-year-old man’s left thigh. Clinical examination showed a fungating mass with cauliflower-like appearance measuring 5x3x1 cm. Excisional biopsy revealed exo-endophytic proliferation of well-differentiated squamous epithelium invading the dermis with marked hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, acanthosis, papillomatosis, pushing margins, and minimal cellular atypia (T2N0M0). It was successfully treated by wide local excision, inguinal lymph node dissection, and adjuvant radiotherapy. Follow-up after 1 year showed good wound healing without any loss of function or recurrence.
ConclusionCutaneous verrucous carcinoma is a subtype of a low-grade SCC and is not an SCC with a verrucous presentation. Identification of the clinicopathological features is essential to distinguish CVC from its mimics and to make an early diagnosis. Although slow growth and confusing early-stage appearances can lead to delay in diagnosis or to misdiagnosis, this case has not raised many diagnosis problems regarding the cardinal manifestations of CVC. Regardless of any available therapeutic methods, surgical excision with safety margins is still a priority and CVC requires aggressive treatment.
Entanglemnt in nonlinear three-qubits Jaynes — Cummings
Authors: Bagrov Alexander R. , Bashkirov Eugene K.
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we investigated the dynamics of entanglement of pairs of qubits in a system of three identical qubits that interact non-resonantly with the selected mode of a microwave resonator without loss with the Kerr medium by means of single-photon transitions. We have found solutions to the quantum time Schrodinger equation for the total wave function of the system for the initial separable, biseparable and true entangled states of qubits and the Fock initial state of the resonator field. Based on these solutions, the criterion of entanglement of qubit pairs — negativity is calculated. The results of numerical simulation of the negativity of qubit pairs have shown that the presence of disorder and Kerr nonlinearity in the case of an initial non-entangled state of a pair of qubits can lead to a significant increase in the degree of their entanglement. In the case of an initial entangled state of a pair of qubits, the disorder and the Kerr medium can lead to a significant stabilization of the initial entanglement.
TRANSFORMATION OF OSCILLATIONS OF AN UNSTABLE SYSTEM IN AN ENERGY HARVESTER
Authors: Borzunov S. V.
Published: August 2023

In this work, a simple model of energy harvester transforming the energy of unstable mechanical vibrations into useful electric energy is proposed. The mechanical part of the system is presented in the form of an inverted pendulum. The electric part consists of a converter of mechanical energy based on a direct piezoelectric effect, and a payload. The dynamics of the system is considered in the linearized production, the areas of stability are determined, various dynamics modes in the parameter space are identified. It was established that the stabilizing pendulum of management based on the principles of feedback allows you to transfer the system into a stable mode of functioning. The optimal characteristics of the system that meets maximum power were found.