bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a Sustainable Solar-Residence Architecture Like a Home Unit without Energy Consumption from the Power Grid
Authors: Antonio Fernanda , Terezinha de Andrade Oliveira Claudia , Pires Fabio , Edgar Morales Udaeta Miguel
Published: June 2022

The objective of this work is to identify the premises and strategies for the design of a zero-energy solar house and propose the systematization of its process. The focus of the application is on the single-family residential typology. The method consists of analyzing the whole process from the initial phase of the architecture project to the use of automation systems, aiming at the best use of solar energy in terms of sustainable development and high energy efficiency. Each phase of the process has significant importance in the performance of the residential unit, however, the influence that one phase has over another plays a fundamental role in the final result. The process of systematization encompasses all these phases, starting from the demands for energy in a solar house and introducing strategies to meet these demands. The prototype of the zero-energy solar house is used as an example of the application of this process for the development of a parametric solar house. The results show a strong positive correlation of linear dependence between the assumptions and strategies used in the architecture of the house and the solar system, allowing a conclusion of the dependence relation on sustainability, thermal comfort, visual and energy efficiency.
Approach to the Difficult Airway in Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Elena Buenrostro Espinosa Maria , Rivero Borrell Samantha , Francisco Piña Rubio Jorge , Fernanda Ochoa Cortez Maria , Hernandez Uvence Lesle , Marlene Montes Sandoval Liz
Published: June 2022

The laryngeal cancer is the second most frequent neoplasm of the upper aerodigestive tract. In these patients, the incidence of difficult airway is very high, and sometimes the anatomy can be modified because of the previous treatments like radiotherapy, making difficult intubation and difficult mask ventilation. To prevent an emergency, it is a priority to make an approach plan, appropriate preoperative assessment, have the necessary tools, and work together with the surgical team.
Physiochemical Properties of Essential Oils and Applications
Authors: Kumar Yadav Sunil
Published: June 2022

Essential oils have received increasing interest due to the high potential of their novel properties, i.e. antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. Essential oils are obtained from various parts of aromatic cultures, i.e. roots, leaves, seeds, bark, fruits, flowers, stems, etc. by various oil production methods, i.e. field distillation unit (FDU), steam distillation, water and steam distillation & several advanced (supercritical fluid extraction). Therefore, it is necessary to understand the characterization of the essential oils. This study reports on the method of determination of physiochemical properties with the test parameters, i.e. odor, color, optical rotation, solubility, refractive index, specific gravity, acid value, ester value, and ester value after acetylation. There is also discussion about instruments such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry due to one of the best tools for identifying and quantifying the constituents of essential oils as its simplicity, rapidity, accuracy, and efficiency.
Fundamental Principles to Address Green Chemistry and Green Engineering for Sustainable Future
Authors: Farhana Nikhat , Gulzar Ahmed Mohammed , Asif Iqbal Mohammed , Naval Aggarwal Natasha , Biju Prajitha , Somayaji Ashwini , Rahamanulla Abdul , Gretta D’Souza Nishmitha , Makuttan Sudhina , Taj Tahreen , Khan Abdullah , Sayeed Roshan
Published: June 2022

The background of green chemistry represents the dramatic module of a new millennium, the substantiable chemical process steam for evaluation in designing phase to incorporate the principles of GC (Green Chemistry) in 1990s. there has been a tremendous success in developing a new product and process which are more compatible with biological, zoological and botanical perspective to illuminate the sustainability goal, this chapter represents the simplified way to lookout different approach adopted in GC-research, the methodology enhance the chemical process economics, concomitant which deduct the environmental burden. This review merely focusing on eco-friendly protocol which replace the traditional method of synthesis followed in chemistry to synthesize lifesaving drugs, with prevention outgoing waste from industries. GC and chemical engineering or green engineering (GE) should produce eco-friendly chemical process for drug design which likely to be spread rapidly in next few decades. This chapter explains in-depth and compact with detailed glimpse of environment friendly-protocol and principle bridging continent and scientific discipline to create new solution.
Low-Cost Simple Compact and Portable Ground-Penetrating Radar Prototype for Detecting Improvised Explosion Devices
Authors: Raha Krishnendu , Prasan Ray Kamla
Published: June 2022

This chapter presents the design and fabrication of a low-cost continuous-wave ground-penetrating radar for detecting improvised explosive devices buried in the soil for use of security forces. It is low cost and simple because it uses a single frequency (920 MHz) and is designed only for the detection of the buried target. The work presented includes designing of transmitter system module, receiver system module, antennas, power module, graphical user interface module, and making a prototype that is compact and portable. The chapter explains the concept and illustrates a method to enhance isolation between antennas, which is a very important parameter for the effective functioning of ground-penetrating radar. The presented method of enhancing isolation by cavity-backing a rectangular microstrip antenna and keeping them separated at an optimum gap yielded high isolation of 52.6 dB. The prototype radar, using the enhanced isolation antennas, demonstrates the capability to detect up to the depth of 65 cm for a circular steel target of radius 12.5 cm buried in loose semi-dry pebbled soil. The prototype radar is sensitive enough to detect a plastic box, a small bunch of wire, a book (paper) buried in soil and a wooden slab and a steel scale buried in a sandpit.
Incorporation of Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Powder in Nitrite-Free Meat Emulsion Systems with Olive Oil: Effects on Color Stability
Authors: Frangopoulos Theofilos
Published: June 2022

The replacement of nitrites and starch from Trigonella seed powder in the percentage of myoglobin and metamyoglobin as well as in the color factors (L*, a*, b*) in meat emulsions with olive oil was evaluated. The meat emulsions were prepared on the basis of complete replacement of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and starch with Trigonella seed powder, where the fat was removed by the Soxhlet method. Thus, two samples emerged, namely, the first sample that was the control and contained 3% starch and sodium nitrite (Starch + NaNO2) in the amount of 150 ppm and the second sample containing Trigonella at 3% (Dtfg) where the fat was removed by the Soxhlet method. The Dtfg sample had a higher percentage of oxymyoglobin (P < 0.05) throughout the maintenance period and lower percentages of metamyoglobin (P < 0.05) up to the fifth day of maintenance compared to the Starch + NaNO2 sample. The factors L* (brightness) and a* (red color) decreased more strongly in the Starch + NaNO2 sample compared to the Starch + NaNO2 sample.
New Approaches to Innovation Management in the Context of Digital Transformation
Authors: Mingaleva Zhanna , Postnikov Vladimir
Published: June 2022

The previous decade is rightfully called the era of digital transformation. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of global trends on innovation activity, as well as to identify new factors influencing innovation models. A conceptual approach to the analysis of the evolution of innovation models based on the transformation of information and communication technologies for innovation based on the bibliographic analysis and integration of existing concepts and theories of innovation, digitalization and sustainable development is created. With the help of the factor method, the analysis of the main innovation models is carried out and a promising innovation model is determined. It is found out that digital technologies are the technological basis of the modern model of the innovation ecosystem. The result of the research is the author’s classification of modern factors of innovation activity that determine the directions and types of implemented innovations, as well as the role of innovation in society. The peculiarity of the study is that it has a conceptual nature, does not use the collection of empirical data, but is based on the integration of previously developed concepts and theories.
Surgical Correction of Ametropia with AddOn™ Intraocular Lens in Post-Penetrating Keratoplasty Pseudophakia
Authors: Dekaris Iva , Gabrić Ivan , Gabrić Doria
Published: June 2022

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery in ophthalmology. The aim of cataract surgery is to restore vision in eyes in which the natural lens became opacified mostly due to the aging of the lens, or the presence of other ocular diseases, which promote earlier cataract formation. During cataract surgery, artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the lens capsule and the value of the IOL is planned before surgery based on the preoperative IOL calculation. However, in the significant number of patients, cataract surgery may end up with a postoperative refractive error in which case patients have to wear glasses to reach the full vision for both distance and near correction (if monofocal IOL is used during cataract surgery!). Modern cataract surgery becomes more and more a refractive procedure as well, especially when multifocal and/or toric IOLs are implanted. However, in some specific cases where such IOLs are not applicable, high postoperative refractive error after cataract surgery can significantly influence the quality of the obtained vision. One such example is cataract surgery after penetrating keratoplasty. In this chapter, results of a novel approach of post-PK ametropia correction, namely implantation of sulcus placed AddOn IOLs (also called a piggyback lens) will be presented.
An Algorithm for Default Detection of Wind Turbine Generators
Authors: P. Desai Jigneshkumar
Published: June 2022

The protection of the wind turbine generator (WTG) required discrimination between internal and parallel WTG faults. Furthermore, it must discriminate the fault of its feeder line and parallel feeder line. This chapter describes the protection of wind turbine generators based on fault current and voltage analysis, which can identify the instantaneous operation, delay operation, or immune operation. A proposed Algorithm based digital relay is presented to provide all the different fault detection in a single unit suitable for internal and external fault protection of wind turbine generator. The main challenge to this scheme is that fault resistance may wrongly operate the scheme in some rare conditions. The phase angle of negative sequence current components determines the type of fault. The algorithm used negative sequence current and voltage to positive sequence current and voltage ratio, which is less than the set value in case of external fault. The fault seniors have been explained using simulation results on the wind turbine generator system modeled in a software environment.
Perspective Chapter: The Importance of Supporting Creativity Development as the Main Skill of the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Simkova Iryna , Tuliakova Kateryna , Serheieva Oksana , Pastushenko Oksana
Published: June 2022

This chapter calls into question the ways of creativity development as the main skill of the twenty-first century. Attention is paid to the analysis of key notions and concepts of creativity. This chapter discusses how to enhance creative thinking skills during training in higher institutions. The study presents the results gained from the literature overview. The examples of assignments aimed at creative thinking skills development during training are given. The paper investigates approaches to the construction of tasks to develop creative thinking and criteria for creativity assessment. An analysis has allowed highlighting the positive experience of different experts researched creativity, which can be implemented in future training in Ukrainian higher educational institutions. The findings of this study support the idea that heuristic tasks, creative projects, mind maps, and case study are significant assignments in the enhancement of creativity development that can be supported in the educational process and everyday life.
Spatial Statistics in Vector-Borne Diseases
Authors: Solís-Navarro Manuel , Guadalupe Guzmán-Aquino Susana , Guzmán-Martínez María , García-Machorro Jazmín
Published: June 2022

Vector-borne diseases are those caused by the bite of an infected arthropod, such as the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can infect humans with dengue or Zika. Spatial statistics is an interesting tool that is currently implemented to predict and analyze the behavior of biological systems or natural phenomena. In this chapter, fundamental characteristics of spatial statistics are presented and its application in epidemiology is exemplified by presenting a study on the prediction of the dispersion of dengue disease in Chiapas, Mexico. A total of 573 confirmed dengue cases (CDCs) were studied over the period of January–August 2019. As part of the spatial modeling, the existence of spatial correlation in CDCs was verified with the Moran index (MI) and subsequently the spatial correlation structure was identified with the mean squarer normalized error (MSNE) criterion. A Generalized Linear Spatial Model (GLSM) was used to model the CDCs. CDCs were found to be spatially correlated, and this can be explained by a Matérn covariance function. Finally, the explanatory variables were maximum environmental temperature, altitude, average monthly rainfall, and patient age. The prediction model shows the importance of considering these variables for the prevention of future CDCs in vulnerable areas of Chiapas.
The Basics of Structural Equations in Medicine and Health Sciences
Authors: Reyes-Carreto Ramón , Godinez-Jaimes Flaviano , Guzmán-Martínez María
Published: June 2022

Structural Equation Models (SEM) are very useful and, with a wide range of practical applications in many fields of science, in medicine and health sciences, have increased interest in their usefulness. This chapter is divided into three sections. The first includes concepts, notation, and theoretical aspects of SEM, such as path diagrams, measurement model, confirmatory factor analysis, structural regression, and identification model. In addition, it includes some simple examples applied to health sciences. The second section deals with the estimation and evaluation of the model. On the first topic, the methods of Maximum Likelihood (ML), Generalized Least Squares, Unweighted Least Squares, and ML with robust standard errors are addressed, as well as alternative methods to the problem of violations of the multivariate normality assumption. On the second topic, some goodness of fit statistics of the estimated model are defined, such as the chi-square statistic, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation, Tucker-Lewis Index, Comparative Fit Index, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual, and Goodness of Fit Index. The last section deals with SEM example and its implementation using the lavaan library of R software.
Malnutrition and Sarcopenia
Authors: Shimizu Muneshige , Sakuma Kunihiro
Published: June 2022

Malnutrition caused by aging or disease can be defined as a state resulting from the lack of intake or uptake of nutrition, which leads to a change in body composition and the consequent impairment of physical and mental functions. Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and performance. In this chapter, we (a) summarize the relationship between malnutrition and sarcopenia in various subjects, (b) review nutritional epidemiological evidence related to the prevention of sarcopenia, and (c) show evidence for the efficacy of nutrient supplementation in attenuating muscle atrophy in several patients. Malnutrition is closely related to severe sarcopenia, especially in older hospitalized adults, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), those undergoing hemodialysis, and those with cancer. Healthy diets (i.e., those ensuring a sufficient intake of beneficial foods, such as vegetables, fish, nuts, fruits, low-fat foods, and whole-grain products) are useful in preventing sarcopenia. The Mediterranean diet is a particularly healthy diet, but other diets, such as the healthy Nordic diet and traditional Asian diet, also help attenuate sarcopenia in older adults. Proteins, vitamins, minerals, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are important nutrients for patients with CKD, those on hemodialysis, and those with cancer.
Perspective Chapter: Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 – A Global Scenario
Authors: Kunal Kishor , Choudhary Priyanka , Kumar Jiwesh , Prakash Ravi , Singh Anita , Kanchan Kirti
Published: June 2022

COVID-19 outbreak reminds us of nationwide lockdowns, home-confinement, overburdened hospitals, country wide curfews, violent and chaotic health-facilities and domestic scenario and gradual but steady rise of stigmatizing factors like fear of isolation, racism, discrimination and marginalization cumulatively intensifying the unavoidable stress, fear, anxiety, depression, poor life quality, substance abuse resulting in enhanced mortality risk particularly among the health-compromised population. With objectives to analyze the psychosocial impact of COVID19 and to delineate the process of impact, by looking into its pathophysiology a literature review was carried on. Various impacts and adaptations were found. With a proper mapping algorithm, their responses can be understood. Different states of individual showed different responses to the same stress creating a gamut of responses which led to different socio-economic, socio-political, professional and psychosocial impact. Identification of stress, mapping of response and a better preparedness from experience can all help us in preventing and controlling it next time.
The Influence of Exhaust Gas Recirculation on Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine Using Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Oil Blends and Conventional Diesel
Authors: Maroa Semakula , L. Inambao Freddie
Published: June 2022

Through an experimental study, this work focused on finding the influence of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on waste plastic pyrolysis oils (WPPOs) with diesel as a base comparison fuel. The results show the amount of carbon monoxide emissions seemed to decrease at low engine loads up to intermediate loads of (50%), thereafter continued to increase significantly but marginally. Among fuels tested, blend WPPOB100 reported the highest BSFC, at 0% EGR flow rate. The value was 0.4751g/kW.hr. compared with 0.7235 g/kW.hr. at 30% EGR flow rate. Increased blend ratio had a direct decrease in brake power linearly. At 30% engine load, CD, WPPOB10, WPPOB20, WPPOB30 and WPPOB40 recorded values of 2.125 kW, 2.15 kW, 2.05 kW, 1.98 kW, 1.86 kW and 1.75 kW, respectively. Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) at 30% EGR flow rate, blend WPPOB10 had the highest reduction in temperature compared with the any other WPPO blends at 320°C. Increased blend ratio and EGR percentage flow rate increased smoke emissions within the test fuels blends. At 15% EGR flow rate, the following data were recorded: 7.53%, 7.1%, 6.72%, 6.25%, 6.0% and 5.4% for CD, WWPO10, WPPO20, WPPO30, WPPO40 and WPPO100, respectively.
Vector Control Strategies
Authors: Gómez-Vargas Wilber , Esteban Zapata-Úsuga Giovani
Published: June 2022

Vector-borne diseases, mainly dengue and malaria, are serious public health problems in the world; for the control of Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes, there are several strategies such as biological, genetic, chemical, physical, and cultural. For the application of these control strategies, it is important to take into account the integrated vector management promoted by the World Health Organisation, taking into account the local context. This chapter shows the most important recent advances in vector control methods. The efforts of researchers in the development and evaluation of these and new control methods, the political will of governments, funding from the business sector, and community participation are essential to the success of these strategies.
Renal Replacement Therapies in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Godbout Dominic , Lachance Philippe , Côté Jean-Maxime
Published: June 2022

Renal replacement therapies (RRT) are commonly used in critically ill patients to achieve solute clearance, maintain acid-base status, and remove fluid excess. The last two decades have seen the emergence of large randomized control trials bringing new evidence regarding how RRT should now be managed in the ICU. RRT is considered a vital supportive care and needs to be adequately prescribed and delivered. This chapter first summarizes the basic principles and characteristics of the three major RTT modalities: intermittent hemodialysis (IHD), prolonged intermittent RRT (PIRRT), and continuous RRT (CRRT). Then, the large body of literature regarding indications for initiation (early vs late), choice of modality (intermittent vs continuous and diffusion vs convection), dosing (intensive vs less-intensive), and anticoagulation alternatives is reviewed to guide clinical decision-making. Recent evidence in the optimal timing of discontinuing RRT is reported. Finally, troubleshooting scenarios frequently seen in clinics and requiring an adapted RRT prescription are also discussed.
Predicting Risk of Emerging Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Goins Megan , Lovell Katie , Keel Greyson , Cook Julia , Lust Robert
Published: June 2022

Smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance and family history all are well established general risk factors broadly associated with injury in the cardiovascular system. Similarly, echocardiography, electrocardiography, MRI, PET scans and circulating biomarkers like cardiac Troponin (cTn) provide indications that injury has occurred. Traditionally, cardiovascular injury has been attributed to conditions that exacerbate the potential for ischemia, either by producing excessive metabolic/work demands or by impairing the perfusion necessary to support the metabolic/work demands. This review summarizes additional factors that are underappreciated in contributing to the risk of injury, such as iatrogenic injury secondary to treatment for other conditions, infection, environmental exposures, and autoimmune processes.
Diet and Nutrition and Their Relationship with Early Childhood Dental Caries
Authors: Gonçalves Ferreira Luanna , de Campos Chaves Lamarque Giuliana , Wanderley Garcia Paula-Silva Francisco
Published: June 2022

Early consumption of foods containing sugar is increasing and one of the consequences of this exposure is caries in early childhood, that is, in children under 6 years of age. Early consumption results in the child’s taste and food choice throughout life, maintaining cariogenic dietary patterns. It is important to emphasize that most eating behaviors occur due to family influence. Therefore, an approach in dental prenatal care and consultations until the first year of age, allows the establishment of eating habits and oral hygiene, as well as guidelines and instructions for the adoption of certain measures that contribute to the health of pregnant women and babies. Based on the present study, we conclude the importance of establishing the relationship between the dentist and the pregnant woman, since early educational actions act directly on health in the gestational period and the child’s growth. The early consumption of sugar is correlated with the occurrence of caries in early childhood due to family habits. Therefore, it becomes relevant instructions that help in maintaining healthy nutritional habits and correct oral hygiene practices, since focusing on educational actions increases the chances of healthy gestational and infant development.
Analysis of the Systematic Correlations Between the Influential Factors in Effective Teaching from the Perspective of the Faculty Members of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences Based on the Graph Theory (2019)
Authors: Jafari Mostafa , Nadri Farshad , Shahsavari Soodeh , Jafari Mahsa
Published: June 2022

Background: University professors largely influence achieving established educational goals. Effective teaching plays a pivotal role in enhancing learning and motivation. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the systematic correlations between the influential factors in effective teaching from the perspective of faculty members based on the graph theory. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 65 faculty members who were employed in the health and nutrition schools of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2019. The participants were selected via convenience sampling, and data were collected using a questionnaire (demographic and effectiveness teaching). Data analysis was performed based on the graph theory in MATLAB software. Results: Mastery of the subject, providing new and updated content, simplicity and fluency, and the clear transfer of contents were the main influential factors in effective teaching. In addition, mastery of the subject and student evaluation in each session (midterm and end-of-term evaluation) with coordinates of “2.1 and 2.1” and “0.14 and -0.14” were identified as first and last priorities, respectively. Conclusions: According to the results, the most significant influential factor in effective learning was the mastery of the curriculum by the teacher. Therefore, it is recommended that workshops be conducted on effective teaching in universities.
Heart Function and Ventricular Recovery After Percutaneous Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect in Children: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Amoozgar Hamid , Abdollahi Ashkan , Edraki Mohammadreza , Mehdizadegan Nima , Mohammadi Hamid , Ajami Gholam Hossein , Naghshzan Amir , Abdollahi Mozhan
Published: June 2022

Background: Perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart defect. There is a trend for percutaneous VSD closure. However, little evidence is available for the effect of this method on ventricular remodeling. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of percutaneous closure of perimembranous VSD on cardiac function and ventricular recovery. Methods: A total of 46 pediatric patients (32 males vs. 14 females) who underwent transcatheter closure of perimembranous VSD from 2010 to 2020 were randomly included in the study. Data regarding the demographic profile, angiographic records, and follow-up echocardiography were extracted from their files and recorded in questionnaire templates. The echocardiographic parameters were recorded and compared with published Z-scores for the corresponding age groups. Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 15.76 ± 12.20 months. In M-mode echocardiography, 84.6% had interventricular septum diastolic diameter Z-score ≥ 2; 23.8% had interventricular septum systolic diameter Z-score ≥ 2; 38.5% had left ventricular internal diameter in diastole Z-score ≥ 2; 34.6% had left ventricular internal diameter in systole Z-score ≥ 2; and 65.4% had left ventricular posterior wall in diastole Z-score ≥ 2. In the evaluation of Doppler and tissue Doppler, 36.4% of the patients had a Z-score ≥ 2 for E/Ea of tricuspid. Also, VSD size had a positive correlation with interventricular septal diameter in systole Z-score (P = 0.015, r = 0.537). Conclusions: In the midterm follow-up after percutaneous perimembranous VSD closure, left ventricular dilation and hypertrophy persisted in a significant number of patients. However, early closure of the VSD, especially in patients with lower weight could affect ventricular hemodynamics and remodeling.
Sparse genetically defined neurons refine the canonical role of periaqueductal gray columnar organization
Authors: La-Vu Mimi Q , Sethi Ekayana , Maesta-Pereira Sandra , Schuette Peter J , Tobias Brooke C , Reis Fernando MCV , Wang Weisheng , Torossian Anita , Bishop Amy , Leonard Saskia J , Lin Lilly , Cahill Catherine M , Adhikari Avishek
Published: June 2022

During threat exposure, survival depends on defensive reactions. Prior works linked large glutamatergic populations in the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) to defensive freezing and flight, and established that the overarching functional organization axis of the PAG is along anatomically-defined columns. Accordingly, broad activation of the dorsolateral column induces flight, while activation of the lateral or ventrolateral (l and vl) columns induces freezing. However, the PAG contains diverse cell types that vary in neurochemistry. How these cell types contribute to defense remains unknown, indicating that targeting sparse, genetically-defined populations may reveal how the PAG generates diverse behaviors. Though prior works showed that broad excitation of the lPAG or vlPAG causes freezing, we found in mice that activation of lateral and ventrolateral PAG (l/vlPAG) cholecystokinin-expressing (CCK) cells selectively caused flight to safer regions within an environment. Furthermore, inhibition of l/vlPAG-CCK cells reduced predator avoidance without altering other defensive behaviors like freezing. Lastly, l/vlPAG-CCK activity decreased when approaching threat and increased during movement to safer locations. These results suggest CCK cells drive threat avoidance states, which are epochs during which mice increase distance from threat and perform evasive escape. Conversely, l/vlPAG pan-neuronal activation promoted freezing, and these cells were activated near threat. Thus, CCK l/vlPAG cells have opposing function and neural activation motifs compared to the broader local ensemble defined solely by columnar boundaries. In addition to the anatomical columnar architecture of the PAG, the molecular identity of PAG cells may confer an additional axis of functional organization, revealing unexplored functional heterogeneity.
Alone, in the dark: The extraordinary neuroethology of the solitary blind mole rat
Authors: Kashash Yael , Smarsh Grace , Zilkha Noga , Yovel Yossi , Kimchi Tali
Published: June 2022

On the social scale, the blind mole rat (BMR;Spalax ehrenbergi) is an extreme. It is exceedingly solitary, territorial, and aggressive. BMRs reside underground, in self-excavated tunnels that they rarely leave. They possess specialized sensory systems for social communication and navigation, which allow them to cope with the harsh environmental conditions underground. This review aims to present the blind mole rat as an ideal, novel neuroethological model for studying aggressive and solitary behaviors. We discuss the BMR’s unique behavioral phenotype, particularly in the context of ‘anti-social’ behaviors, and review the available literature regarding its specialized sensory adaptations to the social and physical habitat. To date, the neurobiology of the blind mole rat remains mostly unknown and holds a promising avenue for scientific discovery. Unraveling the neural basis of the BMR’s behavior, in comparison to that of social rodents, can shed important light on the underlying mechanisms of psychiatric disorders in humans, in which similar behaviors are displayed.
Kinship identification using age transformation and Siamese network
Authors: Abbas Arshad , Shoaib Muhammad
Published: June 2022

Facial images are used for kinship verification. Traditional convolutional neural networks and transfer learning-based approaches are presently used for kinship identification. The transfer-learning approach is useful in many fields. However, it does not perform well in the identification of humans’ kinship because transfer-learning models are trained on a different type of data that is significantly different as compared to human face image data, a technique which may be able for kinship identification by comparing images of parents and their children with transformed age instead of comparing their actual images is required. In this article, a technique for kinship identification using a Siamese neural network and age transformation algorithm is proposed. The results are satisfactory as an overall accuracy of 76.38% has been achieved. Further work can be carried out to improve the accuracy by improving the Life Span Age Transformation (LAT) algorithm for kinship identification using facial images.
Optimization of Quinoa Seed Powder for Preparation of Sugarfree Burfi by Response Surface Methodology (RSM)
Authors: Jaiswal Sonali , Shankar Priyanka
Published: June 2022

Burfi is Indian most famous milk sweet based on khoa. Quinoa is one of the world's most famous wellbeing food sources. It has gluten, high in protein and one of only a handful of exceptional plant food sources that contain each of the nine fundamental amino acids. Stevia also contains various therapeutic benefits like controls of diabetes, weight loss, regulate blood pressure, prevent cancer, lower cholesterol. This study was carried out to develop a value-added Burfi by replacement of khoa with quinoa flour as well as sugar with Stevia. The improvement of measure of quinoa and Stevia in burfi was finished by Response Surface Methodology strategy utilizing a product of plan master, rendition 8.0. The improvement was finished by focal composite rotatable plan (CCRD), in view of three variables Time, Ph, and Temperature. Design selected for optimization purpose was, for 2 independent variables at five levels of these 2 free factors were chosen based on research centre preliminaries. Level of Quinoa seed powder and stevia has been taken as the variables in planning the examinations and reactions were taken as different boundaries of tactile characteristics like surface, variety, flavour mouthfeel, generally speaking worthiness. There was a great variation observed in organoleptic properties of burfi due to variation in percentage of Quinoa and Stevia. Thirteen samples of burfi were prepared on the basis of CCRD design. Tangible assessment was directed utilizing a semi-prepared board comprising of 25 members, who were aware about the burfi flavour.
Effects of Time and Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) in the Dimension of the Gully Expansion and Soil Particles Loss at Ibeziako Erosion Site in Nsukka Urban, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Ayadiuno Romanus Udegbunam , Ndulue Dominic Chukwuka , Mozie Arinze Tagbo , Nwokolo Ifeoma Joy
Published: June 2022

Almost all parts of the world are threatened by one type of hazards such as soil erosion, flooding, landslide, earthquake, among others. Various types of soil erosion exist which include splash, sheet, rill and gully erosion. Gully erosion has been recognized as an important environmental threat in many parts of the world and remains the world’s biggest problem affecting the lives of man, plants and animals. Gully erosion occurs in various parts of Nigeria under geologic, climatic and soil conditions. The purpose of this study is to look at flood and soil erosion in Nsukka Urban and the erosive activities of the floods along its path ways. The study used both primary and secondary data comprising measurements, oral interviews, photographs, and satellite imageries. This study adopted a mixed method approach in data analysis and representation with ArcGIS version 10.4 software as the major analytical tool used, other calculations were either manually performed or were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2007.The results of the satellite imageries analyzed, were rendered in tables and maps. The soil particles removed from the identified gully site in the study area were calculated and projection of further annual soil loss established, pending when the erosion problem will be addressed. The management, control of flood and soil erosion required to reduce and mitigate against the adverse effect of the gullying were also proffered.
Diffusion Weighted (DW) MRI in Correlation with Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI for Characterization of Ovarian Masses
Authors: Radwan Doaa Abbas , Elshaarawy Fatma Anas , Gad Omnia Abd Elfattah , Elbarbary Aly Aly
Published: June 2022

Background: Ovarian tumors; are the second most common gynecological tumor and in women are the fifth commonest tumor. Preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant tumors is essential to decide whether surgery is required, and which type of surgery is appropriate avoiding unnecessary surgery. In addition to conventional imaging, dynamic contrast and diffusion weighted images can aid in the separation of benign from malignant ovarian tumors. DWI is based on the notion that water molecules can freely diffuse in a low-cellular environment, but tissue hypercellularity restricts this. As a result, unlike most benign tumors, malignant ovarian tumors have restricted diffusion due to their hypercellular structure. DCE-MRI depends on contrast agent leaking from capillaries into extravascular extracellular space to allow for quantitative ovarian lesions characterisation.

Aim of the Work: To evaluate the role of diffusion- weighted MR imaging correlated to dynamic contrast enhanced MRI in characterization of ovarian masses.

Patients and Methods: thirty female patients were included in this study. Who referred to the radiology department by ovarian masses. All patients underwent detailed history taking, laboratory investigations, Pelvic ultrasound examination and MRI examination with DWI and DCE MRI. The correlation was done between MRI findings and the final pathological diagnosis.

Results: The sensitivity of conventional MRI was 72.73% while that of DWI was 100%. The specificity was lower for DWI (57,89%) compared to conventional MRI (73.68%), The mean ADC values for malignant lesions were (0.91 x 10-3 ± 0.25 SD mm2/s), while that for benign lesions were (1.68 x 10-3 ± 0.65 SD mm2/s), with cut off 1.2 x 10-3. Mature teratomas and endometriomas showed restricted diffusion with low ADC values (false positive).

Sensitivity of conventional MRI was 72.73% while that of DCE-MRI was 90.91%. The specificity was higher for DCE 100% compared to conventional MRI sequences 72.73%, as well as the accuracy which was 73.33% for conventional MRI while that of DCE was 96.67% and so addition of DCE to the MRI is expected to increase the specificity

and the accuracy of examination.

Conclusion: Adding DWI and DCE to conventional MRI signifies: utilising a completely non-invasive procedure with no exposure to radiation. It enhances the specificity of MRI, hence enhancing the radiologist's confidence in image interpretation, which will ultimately affect the prognosis and outcome of patients.
Recommender systems: Trends and frontiers
Authors: Jannach Dietmar , Pu Pearl , Ricci Francesco , Zanker Markus
Published: June 2022

Recommender systems (RSs), as used by Netflix, YouTube, or Amazon, are one of the most compelling success stories of AI. Enduring research activity in this area has led to a continuous improvement of recommendation techniques over the years, and today's RSs are indeed often capable to make astonishingly good suggestions. With countless papers being published on the topic each year, one might think the recommendation problem is almost solved. In reality, however, the large majority of published works focuses on algorithmic improvements and relies on data‐based evaluation procedures which may sometimes tell us little regarding the effects new algorithms will have in practice. This special issue contains a set of papers which address some of the open challenges and frontiers in RSs research: (i) building interactive and conversational solutions, (ii) understanding recommender systems as socio‐technical systems with longitudinal dynamics, (iii) avoiding abstraction traps, and (iv) finding better ways of assessing the impact and value of recommender systems without field tests.
Reconfigurable 4D Printing of Reprocessable and Mechanically Strong Polythiourethane Covalent Adaptable Networks
Authors: Cui Chenhui , An Le , Zhang Zhuolin , Ji Mengke , Chen Kun , Yang Yuxuan , Su Qi , Wang Fang , Cheng Yilong , Zhang Yanfeng
Published: June 2022

4D printing has attracted tremendous interest because of its potential applications in smart devices, biomedical and tissue engineering. However, conventional shape memory polymers suffer from the single permanent shape and recovery direction, the flexibility of 4D printing is significantly limited. Besides, the cross‐linked networks of photocuring 3D‐printed objects cannot be reprocessed or repaired. To address these issues, the dynamic thiocarbamate bonds are introduced into the photocurable methacrylate to prepare reprocessable and self‐healable 4D printing polythiourethane (4DP‐PTU) with Young's modulus of 1.2 GPa and tensile strength of 61.9 MPa. The printed objects can be easily repaired by reprinting on the damaged surface. The shape memorized 4DP‐PTU features high shape fixity and shape recovery, and reconfigurable permanent shape brought by the solid‐state plasticity. A dual‐mode triggered alarm is obtained by the incorporation of carbon nanotubes to demonstrate the potential application in smart alarms for warning of laser exposure or fire case. Moreover, the surface wettability and cell adhesion performance of 4DP‐PTU with excellent biocompatibility can be facilely adjusted through the exchange reaction with sulfhydryl compounds. Accordingly, 4DP‐PTU may show vast potential applications in the field of robotics, smart alarm, bio‐implants and in solving the environmental challenges of 3D‐printed products.
A Sparse and Spike‐Timing‐Based Adaptive Photoencoder for Augmenting Machine Vision for Spiking Neural Networks
Authors: Subbulakshmi Radhakrishnan Shiva , Chakrabarti Shakya , Sen Dipanjan , Das Mayukh , Schranghamer Thomas F. , Sebastian Amritanand , Das Saptarshi
Published: June 2022

The representation of external stimuli in the form of action potentials or spikes constitutes the basis of energy efficient neural computation that emerging spiking neural networks (SNNs) aspire to imitate. With recent evidence suggesting that information in the brain is more often represented by explicit firing times of the neurons rather than mean firing rates, it is imperative to develop novel hardware that can accelerate sparse and spike‐timing‐based encoding. Here a medium‐scale integrated circuit composed of two cascaded three‐stage inverters and one XOR logic gate fabricated using a total of 21 memtransistors based on photosensitive 2D monolayer MoS2 for spike‐timing‐based encoding of visual information, is introduced. It is shown that different illumination intensities can be encoded into sparse spiking with time‐to‐first‐spike representing the illumination information, that is, higher intensities invoke earlier spikes and vice versa. In addition, non‐volatile and analog programmability in the photoencoder is exploited for adaptive photoencoding that allows expedited spiking under scotopic (low‐light) and deferred spiking under photopic (bright‐light) conditions, respectively. Finally, low energy expenditure of less than 1 µJ by the 2D‐memtransistor‐based photoencoder highlights the benefits of in‐sensor and bioinspired design that can be transformative for the acceleration of SNNs.
Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Investigation of a Sensing Functional Interface: DNA SAMs Hybridization
Authors: Pinto Giulia , Dante Silvia , Rotondi Silvia Maria Cristina , Canepa Paolo , Cavalleri Ornella , Canepa Maurizio
Published: June 2022

Here, a comprehensive study of a label‐free detection platform for the recognition of oligonucleotide sequences based on hybridization of thiol‐tethered DNA strands self‐assembled on flat gold films is presented. The study exploits in‐buffer spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) measurements, a noninvasive method sensitive to monolayer films, supported by surface mass density change measurements (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation, QCM‐D) obtained under comparable experimental conditions. SE and QCM‐D allow monitoring deposition of molecular precursors and DNA chain hybridization. Combining SE measurements with QCM‐D data paves the way for quantification of the assay through the possible calibration of SE data. Optical measurements also demonstrate the selectivity and recovery properties of the sensing platform. Broadband SE measurements are interpreted by means of an effective optical model. The model, complemented by information on film thickness (scanning probe nanolithography), and surface composition (monochromatic X‐ray Photoemission Spectroscopy, XPS), enables a clear spectral identification of UV DNA resonances and the formation of the thiolate interface with gold. Spectroscopic validation of the hybridization is complemented by employing labeled target strands. The influence of hybridization on UV resonances and optical thickness of the DNA film is discussed in the light of hypochromism, through comparison with QCM‐D data.
Secondary ligand engineering of nanoclusters: Effects on molecular structures, supramolecular aggregates, and optical properties
Authors: Wei Xiao , Lv Ying , Shen Honglei , Li Hao , Kang Xi , Yu Haizhu , Zhu Manzhou
Published: June 2022

Developing new templates to evaluate the ligand engineering effect in manipulating nanoclusters from both molecular and supramolecular aspects remains highly desired in cluster science because it allows for an in‐depth understanding of structure‐property correlations. We herein presented the secondary ligand (i.e., the phosphine ligand) engineering based on an Ag29 nanocluster template and its dual effects on intracluster structures and intercluster aggregates. The “dissociation‐combination equilibrium” of phosphine ligands on the nanocluster surface was controlled by tailoring the C–H⋯π interactions within the ligand shell, which led to the fabrication of a family of [Ag29(BDT)12(PR3)x]3– nanoclusters. On the molecular level, the dissociation of phosphine ligands contracted the nanocluster framework, while the overall configuration of [Ag29(BDT)12]3– was retained. On the supramolecular level, the complete dissociation of phosphine ligands yielded a bare nanocluster, which followed a chiral crystallization mode, and its crystals displayed high optical activity, derived from circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence characterizations. Overall, this work presents the peripheral ligand effects in directionally controlling intracluster configurations and intercluster aggregations, which hopefully benefit future design and preparation of new nanoclusters or cluster‐based nanomaterials with customized structures and performances.