bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STUDY OF THE PROGRAMMABLE ISOKINETIC SAMPLER EFFICIENCY FOR OF ECOLOGICAL DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEMS OF HEAT ENGINES AND BOILER PLANTS
Authors: Polyvianchuk A. , Gritsuk I. , Pohorletskyi D. , Polyvianchuk N. , Efimov О
Published: September 2023

The work is devoted to the solution of the actual scientific and practical task of creating a universal sampling device for systems of environmental diagnostics of heat engines and boiler plants of various purposes. Ensuring the isokinetic mode of sampling from the exhaust pipe (EP) of the engine is a more difficult task than carrying out a similar sampling process in the chimney of the boiler plant, since the exhaust gases of the engines are characterized by fluctuations of static pressures in the HT with an amplitude of up to ±500 Pa, which must be taken into account in the operation of the sampling equipment. In the course of research, based on the analysis of global and domestic experience in the production and use of equipment for environmental certification of internal combustion engines and boiler houses, a programmable isokinetic sampler (ICT) was created, which allows you to take a proportional part of the gas sample from the full flow of exhaust gases in the EP of the power plant with accuracy ±3%. Motorless and motorized test stands have been developed for modeling and research of gas-dynamic processes in the exhaust systems of engines and boiler plants, which provide the possibility of varying the parameters of gas flows - mass flow rate, speed, temperature, static pressure, velocity pressure in the ranges: 15 - 55 g/s; 5...30 m/s, 20...180 °С, 0...2.5 kPa, 10 - 550 Pa, respectively. On the basis of the created test stands, empirical dependences were established to determine the static pressure differences between the ICP and EP pipelines, in which the isokinetic mode of sampling is ensured, from the dynamic pressure of the gas flow in the EP. With the help of these dependencies, SMART control of the programmable ICP is carried out. An experimental development of the programmable ICP was carried out as part of the MT-1 minitunnel during environmental tests of the 1СН12/14 diesel engine in separate modes and according to the ESC cycle established by the UNECE Regulations R-49. The research results confirmed the compliance of the created sampling device with regulatory requirements for its design and the accuracy of determining the sampling coefficient.
ESTIMATION OF THE THERMALLY STRESSED STATE OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE PISTONS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE CREEP THRESHOLD OF THEIR SIDE SURFACE
Authors: Marchenko A. P. , Linkov O. U. , Pylyov V. V. , Lykov S. V.
Published: September 2023

When creating new engine designs, they are subject to ever more stringent requirements for specific power and reliability indicators while ensuring a combination of other performance indicators. The use of new design solutions or the transition to a different piston material can significantly increase the possible level of engine power. This requires a mandatory analysis of the thermal stress state of the structure. It is this analysis that can show whether one or another competing solution will be effective. This study shows the possible effectiveness of certain constructive measures. The diesel piston 4ChN12/14 was taken as the object of the research. Power levels corresponded to 20-30 kW/l. The analysis of the temperature and heat-stress states of the piston in two designs and for two materials - AL25 and AK4 alloys was carried out. The level of thermal stresses of the structure is set in an elastic setting. The obtained data allow to analyze the condition of the pistons and draw conclusions based on the concept of guaranteed reliability. In the analysis, we used the creep limits of materials that we previously determined. The analysis of the temperature state in the zone of the edge of the combustion chamber of the piston and in the zone of the groove for the first piston ring, where the reliability falling of the piston design is possible, has been analyzed. The creep threshold of materials by the side surface of the piston is estimated. The facts of the appearance of rubbing on pistons in the initial period of their loads are explained on the basis of exceeding the creep threshold of an unhardened material. It is shown that the creep threshold of the non-hardened piston material can be exceeded when, according to the criteria of the temperature state of the combustion chamber edge and the zone of the first compression ring, the design is operable. Based on the results of the analysis, conclusions were drawn about the performance of piston structures during power increasing using two options for oil cooling of the piston and during the transition from aluminum alloy AL25 to alloy AK4.
Ekonomi Ta’awun: Rekonstruksi Filosofi Ekonomi KH Ahmad Dahlan
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo, Kusuma Kumara Adji
Published: September 2023

"Ekonomi Ta'awun: Rekonstruksi Filosofi Ekonomi KH Ahmad Dahlan" is a book that attempts to reconstruct the economic philosophy of KH Ahmad Dahlan, the founder of Muhammadiyah, one of the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia. Although KH Ahmad Dahlan did not articulate his ideas about the economy in written concepts, his movements were based on the teachings of the Al-Quran and Al-Hadith, which he dialectized with the empirical conditions of society at his time. This book argues that KH Ahmad Dahlan's footsteps were "shrouded" in the spirit of colonialism, but also showed resistance to economic colonialism, which resulted in the development of a unique form of Islamic economics called Ta'awun Economy
Buku Ajar BK Online (Tampilan Menu Pada Aplikasi Mobile Counseling Online)
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo, Fahyuni Eni Fariyatul , Taurusta Cindy
Published: September 2023

Puji syukur kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, sehingga Buku Ajar Layanan BK Online (Tampilan Menu Pada Aplikasi Mobile Counseling Online)” dapat terselesaikan dengan baik. Penulis mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua pihak yang telah memberikan bahan-bahan tulisan baik langsung maupun tidak langsung. Penulis juga mengucapkan terima kasih khususnya kepada: 1. Dr. Hidayatullah, M.Si pemangku pimpinan tertinggi yaitu Rektor Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo yang telah memberikan dan memfasilitasi dalam penulisan Buku Ajar Layanan BK Online ini. 2. LP3iK Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo yang telah memfasilitasi dan mengkoordinasi dalam penulisan cerpen ini. 3. Dr. Istikomah, M.Ag. sebagai Dekan Fakultas Agama Islam, Universitas Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo yang telah memberikan dukungan untuk mengikuti penulisan Buku Ajar Layanan BK Online ini
Republikánská antropologie jako komunita praxe: Mezi politickou ideologií Kuomintangu a formováním národa pomocí etnografického výzkumu v jihozápadní Číně
Authors: Karlach Jan
Published: September 2023

Článek analyzuje práci první generace čínských antropologů, kteří koloniální vědu v návaznosti na činnost intelektuálů z období konce císařství indigenizovali prostřednictvím kontaktů s evropskými a americkými kolegy, na pozadí historického, politického a ideologického kontextu období vlády Čínské republiky (1911–1949). Z analýzy vyplývá, že ačkoliv byli čínskou historiografií ex post vyprofilováni jako členové dvou soupeřících škol, antropologové tvořili vědomostní komunitu praxe orientovanou na terénní výzkum, ve které společně otevírali diskurzivní prostor nejen pro konfrontaci s nepřítelem za 2. sino-japonské války, ale i pro kritické nazíraní na rasově-asimilační národnostní politiku vládnoucího Kuomintangu. V debatách se vzájemně konfrontovali se svými odlišnými přístupy, které produkovaly různá pojetí identity jednotného čínského národa, jehož zformování bylo jejich společným cílem. Z východisek republikánské antropologie čerpá inspiraci i současná čínská národnostní politika.
Duplex RTqPCRs for detection and relative quantification of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC)
Authors: Carcereny Albert , Garcia-Pedemonte David , Bosch Albert , Pintó Rosa M , Guix Susana
Published: September 2023

During the evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, new variants of the virus have emerged and spread worldwide. The increased transmissibility and proclivity of some of these variants to cause more serious disease threatens public health responses against the virus, and they are classified as variants of concern (Variants of Concern, VOCs). While Next-Generation-Sequencing (NGS) is the gold standard to identify VOC, it cannot always be rapidly implemented in some settings to provide information as an early warning tool. Duplex quantitative real time RTqPCR assays offer a sensitive and easy-to-use tool to detect, discriminate, and estimate relative proportions of SARS-CoV-2 variants containing VOC-specific signature mutations from variants lacking it, using allelic discrimination probes. We developed eight multiplexed RTqPCR assays that can detect Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2), Omicron (B.1.1.529), Omicron BA.1 (B.1.1.529.1), Omicron BA.2 (B.1.1.529.2) and Omicron BA.2.86 (B.1.1.529.2.86) VOCs by targeting 21765_21770DelTACATG, 22281_22289DelCTTTACTTG, 28262_28263InsAACA, 22029_22034DelAGTTCA, 28362_28370DelGAGAACGCA, 22121InsGAGCCAGAA, 21633_21641DelTACCCCCTG and ins21610ATGCCGCTGTTTdeletions/insertions in their genomes, respectively. Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron BA.1, Omicron BA.2 and Omicron BA.2.86 markers are mapped to the S gene (residues 69/70, 241/243, 157/158, 214, 25/27 and 16 respectively), Gamma insertion is located between the end of ORF8 and the beginning of N gene, and Omicron (B.1.1.529) deletion is mapped to the N gene (residues 31/33). The duplex RTqPCR assay targeting 21765-21770DelTACATG mutation affecting residues HV69/70 has been previously used to estimate the relative proportion of Alpha VOC (Carcereny et al., 2021), and is also suitable to estimate the proportions of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. All duplex RTqPCR assays targeting signature mutations of VOCs may be used as a complementary tool to NGS for rapid variant tracking and surveillance in wastewater-based epidemiology.
A protocol for a systematic review on motivation assessments in ABI patients: a survey of available tools
Authors: Rodarie Béatrice , Ribault Shams , Mateo Sébastien , Chabanat Eric , Havé Laurence , Luauté Jacques , Jacquin-Courtois Sophie , Reilly Karen T.
Published: September 2023

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a term that covers several aetiologies, including stroke and traumatic brain injury. Patients with ABI can experience a range of symptoms, both physical and cognitive, that can limit their quality of life and participation. Specialised rehabilitation centres can help patients improve their capacities and develop compensatory strategies that enable them to more fully participate in social and family roles and to have a higher quality of life. The rehabilitation process is, however, long and challenging, and success requires active participation of the patient and collaboration between the patient and the rehabilitation team. One essential element of this active participation is the patient’s motivation to improve and to engage in rehabilitation. Even though it is essential in the rehabilitation process, motivation is often measured subjectively. The aim of this review is to survey the tools that have been used to measure motivation in the context of rehabilitation.
Following the PRISMA guidelines, we will conduct a systematic review including four databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar. Selected studies will include all types of studies related to motivation and rehabilitation (e.g., randomized, non-randomized controlled trials, case reports …). Studies involving children and elderly people will be excluded as well as articles regarding traumatic brain injury in the context of sport concussion without subsequent rehabilitation. The data will be classified according to patient population, rehabilitation context, and tools used to assess motivation. We will summarise these data and make recommendations for clinicians and researchers regarding which tools to use in which contexts. We will also identify potential future needs in terms of tool development and/or cross-cultural validation of existing tools.
Multiplex CRISPR screening to identify E3 ligase substrates
Authors: Timms Richard T , Mena Elijah L , Elledge Stephen J
Published: September 2023

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the primary route through which the cell achieves selective protein degradation. Specificity is thought to be primarily achieved via the E3 ubiquitin ligases, but for many E3s their substrates remain largely unknown. Thus, we have developed a multiplex CRISPR screening platform to assign E3 ligases to their cognate substrates at scale. This approach combines GPS expression screens with loss-of-function CRISPR screening to simultaneously identify the E3 ligases responsible for the instability of hundreds of GFP-tagged substrates in a single experiment. This approach is compatible with both full-length protein substrates and peptide substrates fused to GFP, can accommodate starting pool of substrates of varying stabilities, and, when combined with saturation mutagenesis, can assign E3 ligases to their cognate degron motifs. In total, a typical multiplex screen can be completed in a few months.
How Will Climate-Induced Migration Affect the Future Distribution of Population in the US?
Authors: Carbone Jared , Jiang Leiwen , O'Neill Brian , Chen Yuzhou , Zoraghein Hamidreza
Published: September 2023

Climate change is a potentially important driver of migration within the US but its impact on future population distribution remains under-explored. We project the impact of climate change over the 21st century on state-level population by integrating a detailed demographic model with a model of migration responses to changes in temperature and their consequences for regional economic conditions. We find that climate change is unlikely to fundamentally alter the large-scale distribution of people across the US, but it could have important consequences for some states. End-of-century population in states projected to experience either large, direct climate impacts or large inflows of climate migrants is altered by 10-30% relative to comparable projections where this influence is omitted. The dominant pattern of climate-induced migration is from the South to the Northeast and West with the pattern driven by the relative change in climate experienced across locations, distance, and the changes in regional economic conditions wrought by migration itself. The follow-on effects of migration on natural growth also influence state population change. Climate scenarios which produce the greatest degree of warming do not unambiguously produce the largest changes in population, because widespread warming results in relatively few safe havens, rendering migration an ineffective form of adaptation to climate change.
Evaluating and Improving Classical and Design Code's Bearing Capacity Methods based on Finite Element and Regression Analysis: A focus on Depth Factors
Authors: Pantelidis Lysandros
Published: September 2023

Since Terzaghi introduced his bearing capacity equation with the three N-factors in 1943, numerous bearing capacity methods have been proposed in the literature. However, the methods proposed by Terzaghi (T), Meyerhof (M), Hansen (H) and Vesic (V) are the most widely adopted. Also, while various design codes show a preference for Vesic’s N-factors, there is no consensus on depth factors. In this paper, the aforementioned four classical methods, as well as the methods included in EN1997-1:2004, prEN1997-3:2023 (draft standard), API, AASHTO, Geotechnical Engineering Office, IS6483:1981 and FHWA-SA-02-054 design standards are compared against finite elements. The focus is on the effectiveness of depth factors, which essentially account for errors associated with analytical modeling, that is, with the N-factors. The analysis reveals that for the case of effective stress analysis with ψ=φ (indicating soils adhering to the associated flow rule), IS6483:1981 provides the more satisfactory predictions (IS6483:1981 combines Vesic’s N-factors with Meyerhof’s depth factors). For the case of total stress analysis, Meyerhof’s method is superior to the other methods. Also for the case of effective stress analysis but for the ψ=0 case (indicating soils adhering to the non-associated flow rule), the AASHTO (and FHWA as well) approach is preferable; AASHTO uses Hansen’s d_q factor, while d_c=d_γ=1. Based on the aforementioned lack of consensus and on the fact that the rigidity of footings is an additional factor influencing bearing capacity, the author conducted extensive finite element analysis to identify suitable depth factors. The analysis clearly shows that, a single depth factor of the form (κ+λ∙D_f⁄B) can effectively replace the set of depth factors associated with the three bearing capacity equation terms, increasing accuracy, and simplifying the whole procedure. Based on the finite element analysis results and regression analysis, κ and λ values are proposed for both effective and total stress analysis, ψ=φ and 0, as well as for rigid and flexible footings for the four classical methods (T, M, H and V). Finally, the analysis also reveals that a strong relationship exists between the bearing capacity of rigid footings and the respective one of flexible footings. This is q_(u,Flexible)≈0.93q_(u,Rigid) for either effective stress analysis with ψ=φ or total stress analysis and q_(u,Flexible)≈q_(u,Rigid) for effective stress analysis with ψ=0.
Review on goat mastitis and associated bacterial zoonoses in raw milk from Mastitis infected dairy goat
Authors: Bedruddin Mohammed
Published: September 2023

Goat milk has medicinal value for children and contributes much more for the wellbeing of human baby. Goat milk provides more nutritional value than dairy cow’s milk. Despite the large number of goats and their contributions to the livelihood of the farmers, goat productivity is low due to prevalence of different diseases. One of the major diseases that affect the dairy goats is mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, caused by over 150 different contagious or environmental micro‑organisms. Mastitis in goats constitutes an enormous animal health problem. In addition to causing health problems, inflammation of the mammary glands can also cause poor quality of milk. Milk produced by goats with mastitis presents a serious risk in terms of public health as it can be linked to milk-borne diseases for humans. Raw milk from Mastitis infected goat is usually colonized by a variety of many zoonotic pathogens such as enterohaemorragic Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, Brucella melitensis, Mycobacterium bovis. These pathogens in milk have been linked to mastitis milk. These zoonotic organisms may lead to health problems in the human population such as tuberculosis (TB), brucellosis, haemorrhagic enteritis, salmonellosis and food poisoning. Transmission of pathogens from animals to humans can occur via consumption of milk, especially when these products are consumed raw.
Is ChatGPT Humanly Irrational?
Authors: Ma Ding , Zhang Tongda , Saunders Michael
Published: September 2023

We delve into the fascinating crossroads of artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive science, spotlighting the OpenAI advanced language model, ChatGPT. Renowned for generating human-like text, ChatGPT has been widely used in various applications. However, its ability to replicate human cognitive processes, particularly decision-making behavior, remains largely unexplored and untapped. We evaluate ChatGPT's decision-making patterns and show that they strikingly mirror those of human subjects, even patterns traditionally termed ''irrational'' under standard economic theory. This finding challenges the prevailing assumption that AI systems operate solely on rational computations. It suggests that, despite its algorithmic nature, ChatGPT can reflect human cognitive biases when simulating human roles, thus adding a new dimension to our understanding of AI behaviour. Our result places AI models like ChatGPT in a broader context of cognitive science, indicating their potential to mimic not just human language but also human cognitive processes. From a broader perspective, our findings underscore the capacity of AI in behavioral research and stimulate a necessary dialogue on AI design, transparency, and ethical implications. Our study bridges human and machine intelligence, highlighting the potential of AI to enhance our understanding of decision-making processes in artificial agents.
Identification of the CONSTANS-like Family in Cymbidium sinense, and their Functional Characterization
Authors: Lu Youfa , Li Tengji , Zhao Xiaolan , Wang Mingjun , Huang Jiexian , Huang Ziqin , Silva Jaime A. Teixeira , Duan Jun , Si Can , Zhang Jianxia
Published: September 2023

Background
Cymbidium sinense is an orchid that is typically used as a potted plant, given its high-grade ornamental characteristics, and is most frequently distributed in China and SE Asia. The inability to strictly regulate flowering in this economically important potted and cut-flower orchid is a bottleneck that limits its industrial development. Studies on C. sinense flowering time genes would help to elucidate the mechanism regulating flowering. There are very few studies on the genetic regulation of flowering pathways in C. sinense. Photoperiod significantly affects the flowering of C. sinense, but it was unknown how the CO gene family is involved in regulating flowering.
Results
In this study, eight CONSTANS-like genes were identified and cloned. They were divided into three groups based on a phylogenetic analysis. Five representative CsCOL genes (CsCOL3/4/6/8/9) were selected from the three groups to perform expression characterization and functional study. CsCOL3/4/6/8/9 are nucleus-localized proteins, and all five CsCOL genes were expressed in all organs, mainly in leaves followed by sepals. The expression levels of CsCOL3/4 (group I) were higher in all organs than the other CsCOL genes. Developmental stage specific expression revealed that the expression of CsCOL3/4/9 peaked at the initial flowering stage. In contrast, the transcript level of CsCOL6/8 was highest at the pedicel development stage. Photoperiodic experiments demonstrated that the transcripts of the five CsCOL genes exhibited distinct diurnal rhythms. Under LD conditions, the overexpression of CsCOL3/4 promoted early flowering, and CsCOL6 had little effect on flowering time, whereas CsCOL8 delayed flowering of Arabidopsis thaliana. However, under SD conditions, overexpression of CsCOL4/6/8 promoted early flowering and the rosette leaves growth, and CsCOL3 induced flower bud formation in transgenic Arabidopsis.
Conclusion
The phylogenetic analysis, temporal and spatial expression patterns, photoperiodic rhythms and functional study indicate that CsCOL family members in C. sinense were involved in growth, development and flowering regulation through different photoperiodic pathway. The results will be useful for future research on mechanisms pertaining to photoperiod-dependent flowering, and will also facilitate genetic engineering-based research that uses Cymbidium flowering time genes
Identification of Strong Motion Record Baseline Drift Based on Bayesian Optimized Transformer Network
Authors: Zhou Baofeng , Yin Yue , Wang Maofa , Zhang Runjie , Zhang Yue , Guo Wenheng
Published: September 2023

Research in earthquake engineering heavily relies on strong motion observation. The quality of strong motion records directly affects the reliability of earthquake disaster prevention, rapid reporting of seismic magnitude, earthquake early warning, and other areas. Currently, the quality assurance of strong motion records often relies on basic methods such as zero-line adjustment and high-pass filtering. However, these methods often fail to satisfactorily identify and handle abnormal waveforms present in strong motion records, and their efficiency is relatively low. In this paper, a Bayesian-optimized Transformer-based approach is proposed to improve the identification of baseline drift anomalies in strong motion records. By partitioning the strong motion record data from the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake in Taiwan, China, into two categories: high-quality records (with minimal baseline drift) and low-quality records (with significant baseline drift), we extracted data with distinct features and inputted them into the proposed model for training. Finally, the model was used to predict whether strong motion records exhibited baseline drift abnormalities. The experimental results show that after performing Bayesian optimization on the parameters of the Transformer model, this method achieves an accuracy of over 85% in baseline drift identification. It is capable of efficiently identifying a large volume of strong motion records with baseline drift within a short period of time. The model performs well in the task of classifying baseline drift in strong motion records and can be used for subsequent identification of abnormalities after baseline drift correction, enabling automation in handling baseline drift abnormal data.
A comparison of keratoconus progression following collagen cross-linkage using standard or personalised keratometry thresholds
Authors: Tuft Stephen , Li Ji-Peng , Maile Howard , Bunce Catey , Kandakji Lynn , Leucci Marcello , Allan Bruce , Pontikos Nikolas , Gore Daniel
Published: September 2023

Objective: To define how estimates of keratoconus progression following collagen cross-linking (CXL) vary according to the parameter used to identify changes in corneal shape.
Materials and Methods: We estimated progression following CXL in 1677 eyes. We compared standard definitions of keratoconus progression based on published thresholds for Kmax, front K2, or back K2, or progression of any two of these three parameters, with the option of an increased threshold for Kmax values ≥55D. We excluded corneal thickness from the main analysis as this reduces unpredictably after CXL. We repeated the analysis using novel adaptive estimates of progression for Kmax, front K2, or back K2, developed separately from 6463 paired readings from keratoconus eyes, with a variation of the Bland-Altman method to determine the 95% regression-based limits of agreement (LoA). We created Kaplan-Meier survival plots for both standard and adaptive thresholds. The primary outcome was keratoconus progression five years after a baseline visit 9-15 months following CXL.
Results: Rates of progression were 8% with a standard (≥1.5D) threshold for K2, or 6% with the static multi-parameter definition. With a ≥1D threshold for Kmax, the progression was significantly higher at 29%. With adaptive Kmax or K2 measurements the progression rates were similar (20%), but less than with the adaptive multi-parameter method (22%).
Conclusions: Estimates of progression of keratoconus progression following CXL vary widely according to the reference criteria. Using new adaptive thresholds to define the repeatability of keratometry (LoA) gives estimates for progression markedly higher than the standard multi-parameter method.
Research on the flexural behaviors of polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete beams with hybrid GFRP and steel bars
Authors: Wei Bingyan , He Xiongjun , Wu Weiwei , Wu Chao , He Jia
Published: September 2023

To study the flexural behaviors of glass fiber (GFRP) bars and steel bars hybrid reinforced polypropylene fiber concrete (Hybrid-PFRC) beams, one GFRP-PFRC beam, one Steel-PFRC beam, and five Hybrid-PFRC beams were designed and fabricated. The effects of the different area ratio (\({{{A_f}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{A_f}} {{A_s}}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {{A_s}}}\)) of GFRP to steel bars and polypropylene fiber (PP) volume fraction on the flexural behaviors of Hybrid-PFRC beams were investigated through experiments. The research results indicated that the Hybrid-PFRC beams’ load-deflection curves exhibited trilinear characteristics with specimen cracking and steel bars yielding as turning points. As \({{{A_f}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{A_f}} {{A_s}}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {{A_s}}}\) increased, the flexural bearing capacity of Hybrid-PFRC beams increased, the deflection decreased, the crack spacing and width decreased, and the ductility decreased. The addition of PP did not significantly improve the flexural bearing capacity and cracking moment of Hybrid-PFRC beams, but it greatly enhanced the ductility of the beam. Moreover, PP had good advantages in controlling crack propagation in the beam. The article also used the theoretical model to predict and analyze the flexural behaviors of Hybrid-PFRC beams. When predicting the maximum crack width of Hybrid-PFRC beams, it was recommended to have a bonding coefficient kb of 2.2.
Coping strategies used by patients with cervical cancer: An explorative qualitative study at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Ambikile Joel Seme , Msengi Emanueli Amosi , Chona Emmanuel Z. , Gosse Rashid A.
Published: September 2023

Background
Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged settings, including Tanzania. Being informed about a cervical cancer diagnosis is very stressful and triggers negative reactions in an individual. Various coping mechanisms may be employed to adapt to this condition, which may be adaptive or maladaptive and vary by race, socioeconomic status, and sociocultural group. Little is known about coping strategies employed by cervical cancer patients in Tanzania.
Methods
Using a purposeful sampling technique, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted at the Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam to explore coping strategies used by cervical cancer patients between December 2022 and January 2023. The thematic analysis method was used to analyse data.
Findings:
The major themes that emerged included problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, social support, religious coping, and escapism.
Conclusions
Patients with cervical cancer used various coping strategies to live with the disease. Although most of the coping strategies used were adaptive, some were maladaptive, implying the need for continued assessment to enhance adaptive coping.
Effects of SP-2509 and OG-L002 on lipophagy using target or off-target molecules in glycolysis-suppressed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Aoki Shigeki , Zhang Zhiheng , Aoki Haruna , Umezawa Keitaro , Kranrod Joshua , Miyazaki Natsumi , Oshima Taichi , Hirao Takuya , Miura Yuri , Seubert John , Ito Kousei
Published: September 2023

Although increased aerobic glycolysis is common in cancers, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells can survive glycolysis suppression. We aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets in glycolysis-suppressed PDAC cells. By screening anticancer metabolic compounds, we identified SP-2509, a selective lysine-specific demethylase (LSD) 1 inhibitor. SP-2509 lowered the viability of three distinct human PDAC cell lines (PANC-1, PK-1, and KLM-1 cells) under glycolysis suppression. The effects of three other LSD1 inhibitors (OG-L002, iadademstat, and T-3775440) on PDAC cell viability were investigated; OG-L002, but not iadademstat or T-3775440, lowered PDAC cell viability under glycolysis suppression, similar to SP-2509. However, knockdown of LSD1/LSD2 failed to lower the viability of PDAC cells subjected to glycolysis suppression. SP-2509 and OG-L002 lowered PDAC cell viability even when given to cells which already been depleted of LSD-1, subjected to glycolysis suppression. Proteomic analyses implied that glucose-starvation causes PDAC cells to switch to mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. We observed that fatty acid metabolism is important for the survival of PDAC cells following the suppression of glycolysis. SP-2509 and OG-L002 promoted lipid droplet accumulation in PDAC cells under glycolysis suppression by inhibiting lipophagy. This indicates the significant potential of SP-2509 and OG-L002 to impair oncogenic cell proliferation through regulation of lipophagic fluxes. SP-2509 showed anti-tumor effects of PDAC in 2-DG-treated mice with lipid droplet accumulation and alteration of the tumor microenvironment. Hence, there is potentially new therapeutic strategies for PDAC in the presence of dual inhibition of glycolysis and fatty acids metabolism.
Evidence that deliberate marine cloud brightening can be more effective than previously thought
Authors: Chen Ying , Haywood Jim , Wang Yu , Malavelle Florent , Jordan George , Peace Amy , Partridge Daniel , Cho Nayeong , Oreopoulos Lazaros , Platnick Steven , Grosvenor Daniel , Field Paul , Allan Richard , Lohmann Ulrike
Published: September 2023

With global warming currently standing at approximately + 1.2 oC, climate change is a pressing global issue. Marine cloud brightening (MCB) proposes injecting aerosols into marine clouds to enhance their reflectivity and thereby planetary albedo. However, because it is unclear how aerosols influence clouds, especially cloud cover, both climate projections and the effectiveness of MCB remain uncertain. Here, we use volcanic eruptions to quantify the aerosol fingerprint on tropical marine clouds. We observe a large enhancement in reflected sunlight, mainly due to an aerosol-induced increase in cloud cover. This observational evidence of a strong aerosol impact suggests that the Earth’s climate is highly sensitive to external forcing mechanisms, but also that mitigation of global warming via MCB is more plausible than current climate models suggest. Our results suggest that the best efficacy for MCB practice is to seed clouds in humid and stable meteorological conditions.
Microbial community structural characteristics and associated relationships with environmental factors in different ecological habitats
Authors: Yang Songnan , Zhou Huiping , Pang Zhongzheng , Wang Yiqun , Chao Jianying
Published: September 2023

Aquatic ecological habitats are widely distributed and essential for the development of microorganisms, yet little is known about the community structures of prokaryotes and eukaryotes of periphytic biofilms under different habitats. The microbial community thus among five distinct ecological habitats were investigated in winter from 14 periphytic biofilms samples using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes sequencing, the relationships between microbial community and environmental factors were illustrated simultaneously. The results revealed that several dominant microorganisms within periphytic biofilms were Proteobacteria (42.56%), Bacteroidota (21.57%), Cyanobacteria (9.22%) and Verrucomicrobiota (9.18%) in prokaryotes, similar to the planktonic compositions. Whereas Bacillariophyta (29.64%), Chlorophyta (19.38%), Annelida (12.77%) and Ciliophora (9.17%) in eukaryotes were dominated. The prokaryotic biodiversity in natural periphyton was obviously higher than their corresponding water columns. Several specific genera such as Flavobacterium (20.67%), Luteolibacter (11.35%), Surirella, Gomphonema (9.44%) and Nais (7.81%) were enriched in the periphytic biofilms. Besides, the structural equation model indicated that TP, \({\text{N}\text{O}}_{3}^{-}-\text{N}\) and pH significantly affected the biomass. Further, pH, TP and TN significantly influenced microbial genera which mainly belonging to Proteobacteria and Chlorophyta phyla through network analysis and random forest analysis. Meanwhile, the network analysis potentially revealed higher stability and interconnection between prokaryotes and eukaryotes in periphytic biofilms. Microbial functional predictions types were not significantly differently distributed within varied habitats. These findings highlighted that microbial communities exhibited spatial ecological variations due to the joint influence of environmental variables. This study provided useful information for understanding the variations in prokaryotes and eukaryotes of periphytic biofilms among different ecological habitats.
Solar Power Plant Location Selection Problem by using ELECTRE-III Method in Pythagorean Neutrosophic Programming Approach (A case study on Green Energy in India)
Authors: Saini Rajesh Kumar , Ahirwar Ashik Ahirwar , Smarandache F.
Published: September 2023

India dropped its target of generating 500 GW of renewable energy capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Its responsibilities to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC], and reducing carbon radiations by one billion tonnes by the end of the decade at the COP26 conference, held in Glasgow in November 2022.Researchers are continually searching for inexhaustible and reasonable energy sources. Solar energy is one of the greenest sources of energy and is also one of the cleanest. The most important factor in using solar energy is the location of the solar power plant. The main objective of this study is to find the best location for a new solar power plant in a specific region called Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh in India. Here we offer an extension of ELECTRE III method as two-phase Pythagorean neutrosophic elimination and choice translating reality (PN-ELECTRE-III) method to adapt with fuzzy, ambiguous, unsure, and indeterminate criteria. The Pythagorean neutrosophic numbers [PNNs] used by the group decision support system of PN-ELECTRE III to measure performance of the alternatives. The options are entirely outclassed in the subsequent stage in view of the past stage's evaluations of them. By defining PNNwe describe the technique of indifference threshold, preference threshold and veto threshold functions, which provide a more stable basis to drop outranking relations. By calculating the concordance credibility, discordance credibility and net credibility degrees of each alternative, the ranking module of the PN-ELECTRE III approach is made simpler. In order to confirm the applicability of the strategy suggested in this paper, the location selection problem for solar plants is finally solved.
Enhancing the anticancer activity of attenuated Listeria monocytogenes by cell wall functionalization with “clickable” doxorubicin
Authors: Poliseno Laura , Lepori Irene , Roncetti Marta , Vitiello Marianna , Barresi Elisabetta , Tentori Paolo , Baldanzi Caterina , Evangelista Monica , Signore Giovanni , Tedeschi Lorena , Gravekamp Claudia , Cardarelli Francesco , Taliani Sabrina , Settimo Federico Da , Siegrist M. Sloan
Published: September 2023

Among bacteria used as anticancer vaccines, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lmat) stands out because it spreads from one infected cancer cell to the next, induces a strong adaptive immune response, and is suitable for repeated injection cycles. Here we use click chemistry to functionalize the Lmat cell wall and turn the bacterium into an “intelligent carrier” of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. Doxorubicin-loaded Lmat retains most of its biological properties and has enhanced cytotoxicity against melanoma cells compared to the control fluorophore-functionalized bacteria. Our results provide the first demonstration of a two-in-one therapeutic approach that in principle combines immunotherapy with chemotherapy through the covalent loading of Lmat cell wall with the drug of interest.
Green Synthesis of Ag nanoparticle supported on graphene oxide for efficient nitrite sensing in a water sample
Authors: Ezzat Nourhan , Hefnawy Mahmoud A. , Medany Shymaa S. , El-Sherief Rabab M. , Fadlallah Sahar A.
Published: September 2023

Water is essential for conserving biodiversity, ecology, and human health, but because of population growth and declining clean water supplies, wastewater must be treated to meet demand. Nitrite is one of the contaminants in wastewater that is well-known. It is crucial to identify nitrite since it can be fatal to humans in excessive doses. Utilizing a straightforward and effective electrochemical sensor, nitrite in actual water samples may be determined electrochemically. The sensor is created by coating the surface of a GC electrode with a thin layer of graphene oxide (GO), followed by a coating of silver nanoparticles. The modified electrode reached a linear detection range of 1-400 µM. thus, the activity of the electrode was investigated at different pH values ranging from 4 to 10 to cover acidic to highly basic environments. However, the electrode recorded limit of detection (LOD) is equal to 0.084, 0.090, and 0.055 µM for pH 4, 7, and 10, respectively. Additionally, the electrode activity was utilized in tap water and wastewater that the LOD reported as 0.16 and 0.157 µM for tape water and wastewater, respectively.
Multi-plane denoising diffusion-based dimensionality expansion for 2D-to-3D reconstruction of microstructures with harmonized sampling
Authors: Yun Gunjin , Lee Kang-Hyun
Published: September 2023

Acquiring reliable microstructure datasets is a pivotal step toward the systematic design of materials with the aid of integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) approaches. However, obtaining three-dimensional (3D) microstructure datasets is often challenging due to high experimental costs or technical limitations, while acquiring two-dimensional (2D) micrographs is comparatively easier. To deal with this issue, this study proposes a novel framework for 2D-to-3D reconstruction of microstructures called ‘Micro3Diff’ using diffusion-based generative models (DGMs). Specifically, this approach solely requires pre-trained DGMs for the generation of 2D samples, and dimensionality expansion (2D-to-3D) takes place only during the generation process (i.e., reverse diffusion process). The proposed framework incorporates a new concept referred to as ‘multi-plane denoising diffusion’, which transforms noisy samples (i.e., latent variables) from different planes into the data structure while maintaining spatial connectivity in 3D space. Furthermore, a harmonized sampling process is developed to address possible deviations from the reverse Markov chain of DGMs during the dimensionality expansion. Combined, we demonstrate the feasibility of Micro3Diff in reconstructing 3D samples with connected slices that maintain morphologically equivalence to the original 2D images. To validate the performance of Micro3Diff, various types of microstructures (synthetic and experimentally observed) are reconstructed, and the quality of the generated samples is assessed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The successful reconstruction outcomes inspire the potential utilization of Micro3Diff in upcoming ICME applications while achieving a breakthrough in comprehending and manipulating the latent space of DGMs
Prevalence of neonatal sepsis and associated factors among neonates admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit at Lira regional referral hospital, northern Uganda
Authors: Katugume Brendah , Muzungu JohnBaptist , Okello Nelson , Kigongo Eustes , Namutebi Deborah Andrinar
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:Sepsis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among neonates. Neonatal sepsis (NS) contributes to 44% of 5.4 million under-5 mortalities globally, and 12% of neonatal deaths in Uganda in 2020 were attributed to NS. Early risk factor identification and improved obstetric care are proven to reduce deaths due to NS, yet there is scanty literature for the Lango sub-region. We, therefore, determined the prevalence of NS, and identified the factors associated with NS in the Lango sub-region of northern Uganda.METHODS:A hospital-based, quantitative, cross-sectional study with a retrospective chart review was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Lira regional referral hospital (LRRH), in northern Uganda, among 194 records of neonates admitted to the NICU from September 2022 to February 2023. The participant records were selected by systematic sampling technique and a structured data extraction tool was used to collect data. Using SPSS version 25 data entry and analysis were done. The univariate analysis gave a general description of the data. Using logistic regression analysis associations were measured and the statistical significance was declared at a P value of 0.05 after multivariate analysis.RESULTS:Among a total of 194 neonates whose charts were reviewed, 80% of these had neonatal sepsis, giving a prevalence of 41.2%. Age in days of the neonate (AOR=4.212[1.627-10.903]) for neonates of 1-3days of age, sex where males (AOR=2.09[1.123-3.887]), an APGAR score of 1-4 at birth (AOR= 0.309, 95% CI: [0.115-0.831]) and weight at birth <2500g (AOR=2.543[1.381-4.683]) were significantly related to NS.CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:The prevalence of NS among neonates admitted to the NICU of LRRH was high at 41.2% and the neonates of 1-3 days of age, male sex, a birth weight of <2500g, and an Apgar score of 1-4 at birth were significantly related to NS. Therefore, Caregivers ensure safe newborn care, early infection detection, and prophylactic antibiotics during procedures, especially for neonates with low birth weight, and low Apgar score males during the first 3 days of life are recommended to reduce the risk of developing NS. Further research is to be conducted on the major causative agents and outcomes of NS.
Management of antithrombotic agents during emergency endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Yamaguchi Daisuke , Ishida Satoshi , Gondo Kasumi , Nomura Tadahiro , Jinnouchi Azuki , Asahi Ryosuke , Mizuta Yumi , Nagatsuma Goshi , Fukami Ryota , Kimura Shunichiro , Fujimoto Shun , Shimakura Akane , Jubashi Amane , Takeuchi Yuki , Ikeda Kei , Tanaka Yuichiro , Yoshioka Wataru , Hino Naoyuki , Morisaki Tomohito , Ario Keisuke , Tsunada Seiji
Published: September 2023

Background In this study, we compared the outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) during emergency endoscopy between patients taking and not taking antithrombotic agents to inform antithrombotic management. Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 389 patients who underwent emergency endoscopy for UGIB at Ureshino Medical Center from 2016 to 2021. The patients were categorized into Group A (taking antithrombotic agents) and Group NA (not taking antithrombotic agents). The clinical characteristics, types of antithrombotic agent, patient status on admission, and UGIB etiology were evaluated. Treatment outcomes and adverse events were assessed by propensity score matching (PSM). Results Group A was significantly older and had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The primary antithrombotic agent was low-dose aspirin, with multiple antithrombotics taken by 38 patients (29.0%). Peptic ulcers were the most common cause of UGIB in both groups. PSM generated 83 matched pairs. The success rate of endoscopic hemostasis was significantly higher in Group A than in Group NA (96.4% vs. 84.3%, P = 0.02). Soft coagulation as a hemostatic technique was significantly more frequently used in Group A than in Group NA (57.8% vs. 39.8%, P = 0.04). Despite promptly resuming antithrombotic agents post-hemostasis, there was no significant difference in the rebleeding rate or 30-day mortality. Conclusion This study demonstrated a higher endoscopic hemostasis success rate in patients undergoing antithrombotic therapy. No differences in rebleeding or 30-day mortality post-hemostasis were observed. Consequently, the prompt resumption of antithrombotic agents after emergency endoscopy for UGIB was acceptable.