bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter- and intra-observer reliability and agreement of O2Pulse inflection during cardiopulmonary exercise testing: A comparison of subjective and novel objective methodology
Authors: Nickolay Thomas , McGregor Gordon , Powell Richard , Begg Brian , Birkett Stefan , Nichols Simon , Ennis Stuart , Banerjee Prithwish , Shave Rob , Metcalfe James , Hoye Angela , Ingle Lee
Published: March 2024

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the ‘gold standard’ method for evaluating functional capacity, with oxygen pulse (O2Pulse) inflections serving as a potential indicator of myocardial ischaemia. However, the reliability and agreement of identifying these inflections have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to assess the inter- and intra-observer reliability and agreement of a subjective quantification method for identifying O2Pulse inflections during CPET, and to propose a more robust and objective novel algorithm as an alternative methodology. A retrospective analysis was conducted using baseline data from the HIIT or MISS UK trial. The O2Pulse curves were visually inspected by two independent examiners, and compared against an objective algorithm. Fleiss’ Kappa was used to determine the reliability of agreement between the three groups of observations. The results showed almost perfect agreement between the algorithm and both examiners, with a Fleiss’ Kappa statistic of 0.89. The algorithm also demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC) when compared to both examiners (0.92–0.98). However, a significant level (P ≤0.05) of systematic bias was observed in Bland-Altman analysis for comparisons involving the novice examiner. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for the reliability of both subjective and novel objective methods for identifying inflections in O2Pulse during CPET. These findings suggest that further research into the clinical significance of O2Pulse inflections is warranted, and that the adoption of a novel objective means of quantification may be preferable to ensure equality of outcome for patients.
COVID-19 and flu vaccination in Romania, post pandemic lessons in healthcare workers and general population
Authors: Malița Mădălina Adriana , Manolescu Loredana Sabina Cornelia , Perieanu Viorel Ștefan , Babiuc Iuliana , Marcov Elena Cristina , Ionescu Camelia , Beuran Irina Adriana , Prasacu Irina , Perieanu Mădălina Violeta , Voinescu Ioana , Radu Mihaela Corina , Burlibasa Liliana , Dumitrescu Anca Irina , Burlibasa Mihai
Published: March 2024

Background

Influenza and corona viruses generate vaccine preventable diseases and have pandemic potential, frequently dramatic. A co-infection with these viruses, may be a new worldwide threat, researchers name it flurona. The aim of our study is to assess flu and COVID-19 Romanian vaccination for 2022–2023 season and the factor associated with higher odds to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods

An analytical cross-sectional observational survey was conducted in the general population; a self-administered questionnaire was used.

Results

1056 responders were analyzed, mean age 32.08 ±13.36 years (limits:18–76), majority, 880 (83.33%), from urban areas, 608 (57.58%), high school graduated, 400 (37.88%) parents. More than half of the responders were healthcare workers, 582 (55.11%), also considered study population. In the study group, 796 (73.37%) responders consider flurona vaccination useful; and 872 (82.57%) responders consider that no sanctions are needed for not flurona vaccinating. In the 2022–2023 season, 162 (15.34%) responders vaccinated against the flu and 300 (28.41%) against COVID-19. The factor associated with higher odds to receive flu and COVID-19 vaccine was the habit of flu vaccination: for flu (OR = 58.43; 95% CI: (34.95–97.67)) and for COVID-19 (OR = 1.67; 95% CI: (1.21–2.31)). Other factors such as having university degree (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: (1.08–1.98)) and being a healthcare worker, (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: (1.07–1.87)) were influencing factors only for adult COVID-19 vaccination in the 2022–2023 season. In the parents’ group, in 2022–2023 season, only 48 (12%) vaccinated their children against the flu and 68 (17%) against COVID-19, mostly parents that vaccinated themselves, p<0.001. In the 2022–2023 season, there were only 82 (7.65%) responders vaccinated against both diseases. Logistic regression analysis showed that no factor analyzed influenced the flurona vaccinated parent’s decision to vaccinate their children for flu and for COVID-19.

Conclusions

In the season 2022–2023, in Romania, the vaccination against flu and COVOD-19 is low, in adults and children as well. More efforts must be done to increase flurona vaccination, public health educational programs are strongly needed. Children, that are at greater risk when co-infecting with these viruses, must be vaccinated, school vaccination programs should be considered.
Life tables in entomology: A discussion on tables’ parameters and the importance of raw data
Authors: Rossini Luca , Contarini Mario , Speranza Stefano , Mermer Serhan , Walton Vaughn , Francis Frédéric , Garone Emanuele
Published: March 2024

Life tables are one of the most common tools to describe the biology of insect species and their response to environmental conditions. Although the benefits of life tables are beyond question, we raise some doubts about the completeness of the information reported in life tables. To substantiate these doubts, we consider a case study (Corcyra cephalonica) for which the raw dataset is available. The data suggest that the Gaussian approximation of the development times which is implied by the average and standard error usually reported in life tables does not describe reliably the actual distribution of the data which can be misleading and hide interesting biological aspects. Furthermore, it can be risky when life table data are used to build models to predict the demographic changes of the population. The present study highlights this aspect by comparing the impulse response generated by the raw data and by its Gaussian approximation based on the mean and the standard error. The conclusions of this paper highlight: i) the importance of adding more information to life tables and, ii) the role of raw data to ensure the completeness of this kind of studies. Given the importance of raw data, we also point out the need for further developments of a standard in the community for sharing and analysing data of life tables experiments.
Effects of extruded flaxseed and Salmate® inclusion in the diet on milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and degradation, and kinetic flow of digesta and fluid in lactating dairy cows in the subtropics
Authors: Al-Saiady Mohammed , Al-Shaheen Tarek , El-Waziry Ahmed , Mohammed Abd El-Nasser Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Background and Aim: Dietary supplements play pivotal roles in promoting productive and reproductive performance in ruminant animals. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of extruded flaxseed and Salmate® (Ballard Group, Inc, OH, USA) inclusion in diets on milk yield and composition, ruminal degradation and fermentation, and flow of fluids and digesta in lactating cattle.

Materials and Methods: Six rumen-fistulated Holstein lactating cows were distributed to a 6 × 6 design of Latin square (L.S.). The groups were assorted into a control group fed a basal control diet and two treated groups fed diets containing extruded flaxseed (7.0%) or Salmate® (25 g/head/day). The basal control, extruded flaxseed, and Salmate® diets were formulated as isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Each L.S. period of the group comprised 21 days, including 10 days for adaptation to the diet and 11 days for data sampling and recording.

Results: Feed intake did not differ among the control, extruded flaxseed, and Salmate® groups. Milk yield (kg) and protein and fat composition (%) were improved on feeding the extruded flaxseed diet compared with the Salmate® and control diets. Extruded flaxseed or Salmate® diet had no effect on the values of ruminal pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acids except isobutyrate, which decreased in the Salmate® group. Degradable efficiency and ruminal digestibility were significantly decreased with the inclusion of extruded flaxseed and/or Salmate® in the diets. The extruded flaxseed and Salmate® groups had a greater digesta passage rate than the control group. The extruded flaxseed and control groups had a greater liquid passage rate than the Salmate® group.

Conclusion: The inclusion of extruded flaxseed in the diet improved (p < 0.05) milk yield, milk composition, and milk Omega-6: Omega-3 ratio with no changes in ruminal fermentation, notable negative effects on degradable efficiency and ruminal digestibility.

Keywords: degradability, flaxseed, passage rate, Salmate® ruminal fermentation.
Analyzing the models of consumer acceptance of technology from the perspective of preparedness for autonomous vehicles
Authors: Ujházi Tamás , Lukovics Miklós , Majó-Petri Zoltán , Prónay Szabolcs
Published: March 2024

In our study, we review the framework of questionnaire research methods suitable for analyzing the consumer acceptance of vehicle industry innovations, more specifically, of autonomous vehicles. Our aim is to identify the most widely used research models and examine which variables affect consumer acceptance of self-driving technologies to the greatest extent. The various modified versions of the TAM and UTAUT models are the most commonly used models to address the topic in the literature. Both models are characterized by the attempt to predict a consumer’s behavioral intention based on the specificities of a technology. Due to the difficulties of prior testing of self-driving technologies, it is worth reviewing these methods from the aspect of how suitable they are for capturing the consumer acceptance of this technology and through what adaptation measures. We do not aim to question the validity of researching the topic by questionnaire surveys, but we find it important to emphasize the significance of cautious adaptation. In the present paper, we intend to provide a methodological basis for future research related to autonomous technology by revising the TAM and UTAUT methods.
The changing role of China in global value chains
Authors: Balla Soma
Published: March 2024

The implementation of China's "reform and opening-up" policy paved the way for leveraging the country's comparative advantage in labor costs and its abundant pool of low-skilled workers to attract foreign investments and transform the country from isolation to become an integral part of the global economy. China gradually deepened its embeddedness in global value chains (GVCs) and ultimately emerged as the leading trading partner to most of the developed countries, however a shift in global sentiment and a fundamentally wavered belief in trade liberalization – initially triggered by the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, subsequently amplified by geopolitical tensions, protectionist policies, national security concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic – set back the pace of globalization and specifically raised concerns about the inherent risks associated with the significant reliance on China – as well as on the geographically spread production networks in general – when it comes to global production. The aim of the paper is to examine how the aforementioned events of the past decade and the lately arising call for increased resilience affected China's role and weight in global production, as well as to identify trends in the dynamics of the country's GVC participation through the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.
Difficulties and advantages of internationalization in the Hungarian SME sector
Authors: Reicher Regina , Simon Daniel
Published: March 2024

With globalization and the technological advancements of the 21st century, more and more organizations are utilizing the advantages of cross-border operations and global value chains. However, despite the fact that the SME sector forms the backbone of the Hungarian economy, the sector often faces difficulties of survival as smaller, only locally operating business are outperformed by large multinational companies flooding the market with more optimal, highly cost-effective supply chains. Research conducted within the Hungarian SME sector shows that internationalized small and medium sized businesses also outperform the only locally operating SMEs. Their performance and employment growth are, on average, higher, and they tend to be more resilient toward environmental difficulties as well. Despite the presumed advantages of internationalization, SMEs are facing critical challenges when it comes to cross-border activities. The aim of this study is to synthesize, on a comprehensive level, the available literature on the Hungarian SME sector and to provide a clear picture on the advantages and difficulties small and medium sized businesses are facing when it comes to foreign operations. The results of the synthetization provide a base for future research aiming to assist small and medium sized enterprises to improve their supply chains and to search for opportunities to easier access foreign markets.
Lyapunov‐Lasalle Based Dynamic Stabilization for Fixed Wing Drones
Authors: Sawma Jean , Ajami Alain , Maillot Thibault , El Maalouf Joseph
Published: March 2024

The market of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for civil applications is extensively growing. Indeed, these airplanes are nowadays widely used in applications such as data gathering, agriculture monitoring and rescue. The UAVs are required to track a fixed or moving object, thus tracking control algorithms that ensure the system stability and that have a quick time response are developed. This paper tackles the problem of supervising a fixed target using a ϐixed wing UAV flying at a constant altitude and a constant speed. For that purpose, three control algorithms are developed. In all of the algorithms, the UAV is expected to hover around the target in a circular trajectory. Moreover, the three approaches are based upon a Lyapunov‑LaSalle stabilization method. The first tracking algorithm ensures the UAV to circle around the target however the path that the UAV will follow in order to join this pattern is not studied. In the second and third approach, two different techniques that allow the UAV to intercept its final circular pattern in the quickest possible time and thus follow the tangent to the circular pattern are presented. Simulation results that show and compare the performances of the proposed methods are presented.
WiMAX Network Optimization Using Frame Period with Channel Allocation Techniques
Authors: Mubeen Ahmed Khan  , Awanit Kumar  , Kailash Chandra Bandhu
Published: March 2024

Internet connectivity in WiMAX networks, along with various applications, is increasing rapidly, so the connectivity of internet and data transfer speed are always challenge for effective data transmission in wireless networks. Several factors affect the performance of networks. One important factor is to choose a suitable frame period for effective data transmissions. The performance of different frame period with round-robin and strict priority are evaluated in this work. A frame period in round robin performs better than a strict priority in terms of throughput, but a strict priority performs better in terms of drop rates is observed. This paper also demonstrates that an effective frame period, when combined with a proper bandwidth allocation algorithm, yields better results. This work gives the analysis that round robin performs 83.8847% better while strict priority performs 86.0020% better than the earliest deadline first algorithms for 10 subscriber stations in terms of throughput. This work is helpful to researchers and industrialists for actual implementations in WiMAX networks.
Implementing Visual Assistant using YOLO and SSD for Visually-Impaired Persons
Authors: Litoriya Ratnesh , Chandra Bandhu Kailash , Gupta Sanket , Rajawat Ishika , Jagwani Hany , Yadav Chirayu
Published: March 2024

Artificial Intelligence has been touted as the next big thing that is capable of altering the current landscape of the technological domain. Through the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, pioneering work has been undertaken in the area of Visual and Object Detection. In this paper, we undertake the analysis of a Visual Assistant Application for Guiding Visually Impaired Individuals. With recent breakthroughs in computer vision and supervised learning models, the problem at hand has been reduced significantly to the point where new models are easier to build and implement than the already existing models. Different object detection models exist now that provide object tracking and detection with great accuracy. These techniques have been widely used in automating detection tasks in different areas. A few newly discovered detection approaches, such as the YOLO (You Only Look Once) and SSD (Single Shot Detector), have proved to be consistent and quite accurate at detecting objects in real-time. This paper attempts to utilize the combination of these state-of-the-art, real-time object detection techniques to develop a good base model. Paper also implements a 'Visual Assistant' for visually impaired people. The results obtained are improved and superior compared to existing algorithms.
Successful Suture-Free Repair of Left Ventricular Rupture Using the EVARREST Patch
Authors: Miller Paighton C. , Schulte Linda J. , Kotkar Kunal
Published: March 2024

Left ventricular free wall rupture is a lethal complication of myocardial infarction. Although emergent surgical repair is the treatment of choice, the method of repair remains highly individualized. This report presents a case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a patient with Turner syndrome that led to left ventricular free wall rupture and was successfully repaired on cardiopulmonary bypass using a suture-free technique with the EVARREST Fibrin Sealant Patch.
The impact of ESG principles on the company's profit
Authors: Prodanova Natalia , Tarasova Olga
Published: March 2024

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of including ESG factors in strategies that support sustainable development. The study seeks to determine the links between ESG performance in the environment, society, and corporate governance and profitability. An essential element uncovered in the article is the investigation into the causality of this connection. The paper focuses on refining the assessment of the aforementioned link. The article examines the impact of ESG investments, considering the increasing worldwide usage of responsible investment practices, sustainability initiatives, and safe production methods. They not only establish the theoretical foundation for their study but also illustrate the conclusions with concrete data sourced from the reports of the examined company. Theoretical analysis of scientific methods involving analysis, synthesis, and generalization of existing literature are utilized. Additionally, quantitative methods were utilized, which encompassed statistical analysis of data derived from the final and annual reports of PJSC Tatneft. The study results provide invaluable insights indicating that adhering to ESG principles directly influences a company's revenue, particularly for enterprises engaged in profitable yet environmentally hazardous activities.
Cyborg’s discourse in Lewis’s the Chronicles of Narnia:
Authors: Bayat Sanay , Shahabi Hassan , Bornaki Fatemeh
Published: March 2024

This essay aims to analyze The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis through Paul Virilio's theories of dromology. C. S. Lewis has used the relative notion of time in his stories to show that technological progressions change the classical beliefs in physics into modern physics which is based upon the shattered boundary of time and place. In the ensuing framework, he creates fantasy discourses that become the bedrock of the genre of fantasy. However, in this essay, the aim is to show Lewis transected his own time, and his works manifest the progression of science and the emergence of the new concept of time which is different from the classical notion. In this essay, the researcher shows that time is circular, not linear and the subjects can defy the traditional meaning of time and place.
Industrial management system in Russia:
Authors: Gapsalamov Almaz , Vasilev Vladimir , Bochkareva Tatyana
Published: March 2024

Currently, the world is in the phase of political and economic turbulence. In this connection, the Russian Federation finds itself in the grip of altered conditions. Particularly, it becomes obvious that the economic model of the country has to be changed. The methods of abstracting from the current situation and thoroughly analyzing the market reforms historically implemented in Russia allow us to conclude that those reforms solved short-term problems and focused only on certain areas of the economy. The study of the evolution and modernization of institutions and mechanisms of socialist industry management system will allow us to understand the reasons behind the growth and collapse of the Soviet economic machine. The methodology of the study is based on the analysis of systemic and cyclical nature of the development of social, political and, importantly, economic institutions; the study is conducted according to the principles, methods and tools of scientific knowledge. Considering the results, it can be concluded that both the Soviet and Russian economic models had their strengths and weaknesses. The conducted sociological survey in combination with the analysis of scientific literature and statistical data allowed to form a rating of the advantages and disadvantages of different economic models.
Desain Kelembagaan Pengelolaan Mandiri Teluk Kiluan Provinsi Lampung
Authors: Guntur Muhammad , Juanda Bambang , Mulatsih Sri
Published: March 2024

Kawasan Teluk Kiluan sebagai kawasan konservasi juga ditetapkan sebagai kawasan pariwisata Provinsi Lampung. Hadirnya Undang-Undang (UU) Nomor 23 Tahun 2014 yang menghapus kewenangan pengelolaan pesisir oleh Kabupaten/Kota berdampak terjadinya perubahan kelembagaan pengelolaan wilayah pesisir. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menyusun desain kelembagaan pengelolaan wilayah pesisir Teluk Kiluan, yang mengarah kepada pengelolaan secara mandiri sebagai kawasan pariwisata oleh desa. Metode yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif, dengan instrumen pengumpulan data melalui observasi, wawancara, dan studi literatur. Kewenangan pengelolaan pesisir Teluk Kiluan dilakukan oleh pemerintah Provinsi Lampung dan dapat ditugasperbantuan langsung kepada pemerintah desa. Desain kelembagaan disusun berdasarkan tugas dan peran dari setiap sektor terkait, dengan koordinator pengelola yang berasal dari Dinas Kelautan dan Perikanan Provinsi Lampung. Unit Pelaksana Teknis (UPT) dibentuk sebagai pelaksana kebijakan, yang telah disusun untuk dapat dilaksanakan dalam pengelolaan pesisir. Dalam hal ini terbagi atas tiga UPT di Provinsi Lampung. Pengelolaan Teluk Kiluan direkomendasikan untuk dikelola secara mandiri oleh Pekon (Desa) Kiluan Negeri di bawah pelaksana teknis UPT Regional Dua. Pengelolaan Teluk Kiluan sebagai kawasan pariwisata oleh Pekon Kiluan Negeri dilaksanakan Badan Usaha Milik Desa (BUMDes) dengan tetap memperhatikan peran partisipasi masyarakat, keterkaitan antar wilayah dan pengelolaan yang berkelanjutan.
Elastisitas Kesempatan Kerja Menurut Kabupaten/Kota dan Menurut Sektor di Provinsi Aceh Tahun 2012-2017
Authors: Satriawan Dodi
Published: March 2024

Provinsi Aceh merupakan bagian dari program pembangunan nasional, namun masalah serius yang menjadi perhatian oleh pemerintah adalah kesempatan kerja dan pengangguran dimana tingginya angka pengangguran dikarenakan keterbatasan lapangan kerja. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis elastisitas kesempatan kerja di Provinsi Aceh selama periode 2012-2017. Perhitungan elastisitas kesempatan kerja diperoleh dari perbandingan persentase pertumbuhan tenaga kerja dengan persentase pertumbuhan ekonomi (PDRB). Penelitian ini menggunakan teknik analisis kuantitatif. Data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder yaitu pertumbuhan tenaga kerja dan pertumbuhan ekonomi (PDRB) Provinsi Aceh dari tahun 2012-2017. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa selama periode 2012-2017 elastisitas kesempatan kerja di Provinsi Aceh lebih banyak masuk kategori elastis, kecuali pada tahun 2012 dan 2017 tergolong kategori inelastis. Walaupun dominan masuk kategori elastis, namun selama periode tersebut pertumbuhan kesempatan kerja pada kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Aceh cenderung belum stabil. Faktor pertumbuhan ekonomi masih belum konsisten untuk menjadi salah satu pemicu peningkatan kesempatan kerja secara lebih stabil di banyak kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Aceh. Jika dilihat berdasarkan sektor, jumlah kesempatan kerja yang ideal banyak terdapat di sektor primer (lapangan usaha pertanian, perkebunan, kehutanan, perburuan, dan perikanan; dan lapangan usaha pertambangan dan penggalian).
Artur Jazdon, „W bezpiecznym żyjesz kraju”. Polskie książki, prasa i biblioteki Poznania lat Wielkiej Wojny, Poznań: Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2023, s. 444. ISBN 978-83-7768-356-9
Authors: Kucharska Alina
Published: March 2024

Artur Jazdon, „W bezpiecznym żyjesz kraju”. Polskie książki, prasa i biblioteki Poznania lat Wielkiej Wojny, Poznań: Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2023, s. 444. ISBN 978-83-7768-356-9
Przestrzeń komunikacyjna współczesnej biblioteki: studia i szkice z teorii i praktyki, red. Anita Has-Tokarz, Lublin: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej 2022, ss. 186. ISBN 978-83-227-9634-4
Authors: Sadowska Agnieszka
Published: March 2024

Przestrzeń komunikacyjna współczesnej biblioteki: studia i szkice z teorii i praktyki, red. Anita Has-Tokarz, Lublin: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej 2022, ss. 186. ISBN 978-83-227-9634-4
Structural EEG signal analysis for sleep apnea classification
Authors: Kocak Onur , Ficici Cansel , Firat Hikmet , Telatar Ziya
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Diagnosing the sleep apnea can be critical in preventing the person having sleep disorder from unhealthy results. The aim of this study is to obtain a sleep apnea scoring approach by comparing parametric and non-parametric power spectral density (PSD) estimation methods from EEG signals recorded from different brain regions (C4–M1 and O2–M1) for transient signal analysis of sleep apnea patients.

Methods

Power Spectral Density (PSD) methods (Burg, Yule–Walker, periodogram, Welch and multi-taper) are examined for the detection of apnea transition states including pre-apnea, intra-apnea and post-apnea together with statistical methods.

Results

In the experimental studies, EEG recordings available in the database were analyzed with PSD methods. Results showed that there are statistically significant differences between parametric and non-parametric methods applied for PSD analysis of apnea transition states in delta, theta, alpha and beta bands. Moreover, it was also revealed that PSD of EEG signals obtained from C4–M1 and O2–M1 channels were also found statistically different as proved by classification using the K-nearest neighbour (KNN) method.

Conclusions

It was concluded that not only applying different PSD methods, but also EEG signals from different brain regions provided different statistical results in terms of apnea transition states as obtained from KNN classification.
The impact of physiological variations on personalized reference intervals and decision limits: an in-depth analysis
Authors: Coskun Abdurrahman , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: March 2024

The interpretation of laboratory data is a comparative procedure. Physicians typically need reference values to compare patients’ laboratory data for clinical decisions. Therefore, establishing reliable reference data is essential for accurate diagnosis and patient monitoring. Human metabolism is a dynamic process. Various types of systematic and random fluctuations in the concentration/activity of biomolecules are observed in response to internal and external factors. In the human body, several biomolecules are under the influence of physiological rhythms and are therefore subject to ultradian, circadian and infradian fluctuations. In addition, most biomolecules are also characterized by random biological variations, which are referred to as biological fluctuations between subjects and within subjects/individuals. In routine practice, reference intervals based on population data are used, which by nature are not designed to capture physiological rhythms and random biological variations. To ensure safe and appropriate interpretation of patient laboratory data, reference intervals should be personalized and estimated using individual data in accordance with systematic and random variations. In this opinion paper, we outline (i) the main variations that contribute to the generation of personalized reference intervals (prRIs), (ii) the theoretical background of prRIs and (iii) propose new methods on how to harmonize prRIs with the systematic and random variations observed in metabolic activity, based on individuals’ demography.
China’s Crackdown on Crypto Mining from a Climate Perspective: Unified Efforts from Administrative Authorities and the Judiciary
Authors: Cheng Kwan Yiu
Published: March 2024

This article presents an examination of the unified efforts by China’s central authorities and the judiciary in the crackdown on crypto mining within the country. It discusses the environmental ramifications of crypto mining and traces its development in China, highlighting the resource-intensive nature of the process. Crypto mining risks China’s national objectives of promoting high-quality economic and social development, as well as industrial optimisation, energy conservation and emissions reduction. The central government’s commitment to climate goals and ecological civilisation, coupled with the perceived minimal economic benefits and substantial environmental damage caused by crypto mining, led to the issuance of the Notice on Rectifying Mining Activities of Virtual Currencies in September 2021. This article discusses the implications of the Notice and how it has been implemented at both national and local levels by the administrative authorities. With reference to typical cases, it examines how the judiciary in delivering judgments has kept in line with the spirit of the Notice by analysing mining-related civil disputes as they arise in courts and reflects on the interplay of legal and administrative measures in shaping a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to emerging technologies in China and beyond.
Representation zeta function of a family of maximal class groups: Non-exceptional primes
Authors: Ezzat Shannon
Published: March 2024

We use a constructive method to obtain all but finitely many 𝑝-local representation zeta functions of a family of finitely generated nilpotent groups

M
n

M_{n}

with maximal nilpotency class.
For representation dimensions coprime to all primes

p
<
n

p<n

, we construct all irreducible representations of

M
n

M_{n}

by defining a standard form for the matrices of these representations.
Tattoos as multimodal semiotic assemblages
Authors: Banda Felix , Roux Shanleigh Dannica , Peck Amiena
Published: March 2024

Drawing on interviews with, and images from, a selection of female participants, we develop the notion of semiotic assemblages to examine tattoos as mobile semiotic material for embodied meaning-making, with multi-located trajectories linking the tattooed bodies to different spatial networks. In turn, we draw on the social semiotic approach to multimodality by looking at assemblages of tattoos as vibrant material, pregnant with thing-power which, while re-making the bodies of individual tattoo owners, simultaneously shapes and semiotically remediates physical and affective (e.g. emotional and memorial) objects and feelings. We illustrate how corporeal materials and activities, and the incorporeal conceptual, perceptual and affective senses and feelings are remediated across boundaries of language, geography, semiotic modes, media, and chains of mediation to make meaning. We end with a suggestion that multimodal analysis of semiotic assemblages needs to take a multiscalar approach to account for mobilities, movements and flow, and the continuities and disconnections in forms and meanings the dynamics of the connectedness produce across different scales.
Durability prediction of geopolymer mortar reinforced with nanoparticles and PVA fiber using particle swarm optimized BP neural network
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Zhang Peng , Yuan Weisuo , Hu Shaowei
Published: March 2024

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers and nanoparticles were incorporated to enhance the durability of geopolymer mortar (GM) with metakaolin (MK) and fly ash (FA). The dosage of nano-SiO2 (NS) was 0–2.5% and that of PVA fiber was 0–1.2%. The durability of GM includes resistance to chloride ion penetration, freeze–thaw cycles, and sulfate erosion. Compared with the single BP neural network (BPNN) model, a particle swarm optimized BPNN (PSO-BPNN) model was utilized to predict the resistance to chloride ion penetration, freeze–thaw cycles, and sulfate erosion of GMs with different dosages of nanoparticles and PVA fibers. In the model, the dosage of NS, PVA fiber, FA, and MK were used as input layers, and the durability parameters of electric flux, mass loss, and compressive strength loss of GMs were used as output layers. The result exhibits that the root mean square errors (RMSEs) of BPNN for resistance to chloride ion penetration, freeze–thaw cycles, and sulfate erosion of GM mixed with nanoparticles and PVA fibers are 145.39, 6.43, and 2.19, whereas RMSEs obtained from PSO-BPNN are 76.33, 2.87, and 1.03, respectively. The NN optimized by particle swarm algorithm has better prediction accuracy. The PSO-BPNN can be utilized for estimating durability of GM reinforced by NS and PVA fiber, which can provide a guide for the proportion design of GM with PVA fiber and NS as well as for the engineering practice in the future.
Evolution of shock waves in dusty nonideal gas flow with magnetic field
Authors: Shweta  , Pradeep  , Srivastava Shobhit Kumar , Singh Lal Pratap
Published: March 2024

This paper deals with the study of propagation of shock waves in 2-D steady supersonic magnetogasdynamics flow of nonideal dusty gas using wavefront analysis method. We derived the transport equation, which determines the condition for the shock formation. Our aim is to analyze the effect of interaction of dust particles with magnetic field in nonideal gas on the evolution of shock formation and to examine how the flow patterns of the disturbance vary with respect to the variations in the physical parameters of the medium. It is found that the presence of magnetic field plays an essential role in the wave propagation phenomena. The nature of the solution with respect to the Mach number is analyzed, and it is examined how the shock formation distance changes with an increase or decrease in the value of Mach number. Also, the combined effect of nonidealness, magnetic field, and dust particles on the shock formation distance is elucidated and examined how the formation of shocks is affected by the increase in the value of corresponding physical parameters.
Implicações do Methodenstreit para além da economia política:
Authors: Coelho de Souza Almeida Ian
Published: March 2024

Esse artigo busca apresentar como a disputa de métodos entre Menger e Schmoller no fim do século XIX pode ter influenciado aspectos das ciências sociais para além da economia política. Tendo como foco a sociologia, que nesse mesmo período iniciava seu caminho para o que se consolidaria como sociologia moderna, trazemos aspectos das obras desses autores, e de outros que compõe o contexto dessa disputa, para esclarecer suas perspectivas com relação às ciências sociais como um todo e para demonstrar como a superação do método histórico (especialmente o radical de Schmoller) foi ponto importante para o surgimento da sociologia moderna.
KARPUZ ÇEKİRDEĞİ UNU İKAMELİ BESLEYİCİ BİSKÜVİ ÜRETİMİ
Authors: Köten Mehmet
Published: March 2024

Bu çalışmada, karpuz çekirdeği ununun bisküvi üretiminde kullanım olanağı araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla un haline getirilmiş karpuz çekirdekleri, bisküvi formülasyonuna 6 farklı oranda (% 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 ve 50) buğday unu ile ikame edilerek bisküvi üretiminde kullanılmıştır. Bisküvi formülasyonuna karpuz çekirdeği unu ikamesi ile bisküvi örneklerinin kül, protein, yağ, toplam besinsel lif, toplam fenolik madde, antioksidan ve fitik asit içeriklerinin arttığı tespit edilmiştir. %50 karpuz çekirdeği unu ikameli örneklerde toplam besinsel lif, toplam fenolik madde, antioksidan ve fitik asit içerikleri sırasıyla %18.58, 76.83 mg/kg, %25.42 ve 3.09 mg/g şeklinde bulunmuştur. Karpuz çekirdeği unu ikamesi ile bisküvilerin L*, b* ve a* renk değerleri ile tekstür özelliklerinden sertlik ve kırılganlık değerlerinin azaldığı belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, karpuz çekirdeği unu ikameli bisküvi örneklerinde kalınlık değerlerinin azaldığı, çap değerinin ve yayılma oranının arttığı bulunmuştur. Duyusal analiz sonucunda; genel kabul edilebilirlik bakımından en fazla beğeniyi %10 karpuz çekirdeği unu ikameli örneğin aldığı görülmüştür.
Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis
Authors:   Autor(en)
Published: March 2024

Abstract_dt.
Mechanism of Internal Sizing with Alkyl Ketene Dimers: The Role of Vapour Deposition
Authors:   Paprican and Department of Chemical Engineering Pulp and Paper Research Centre, McGill University, Yu Laipu , Garnier Gil ,   Paprican and Department of Chemical Engineering Pulp and Paper Research Centre, McGill University
Published: March 2024

The role played by AKD vapours during internal sizing was investigated using commercial AKD waxes and model surfaces. The model surfaces consist of cellulose and cellulose acetate films deposited on smooth glass slides. These cellulosic films were exposed to AKD vapours at temperatures ranging from 80 degrees C to 175 degrees C for different periods of time. The extent of sizing was followed by measuring the advancing contact angle of water over the treated surfaces. A simple model, considering both physisorption and chemical reaction, was developed and validated with experimental data. The energy of activation of 61 .4 kJ/mole was derived from the Arrhenius plot . From a series of indirect techniques, it is concluded that the establishment of a covalent bond between cellulose and AID is essential in order to introduce permanent hydrophobicity to cellulosic surfaces. The effect of “sizing promoters” on the reaction rate was also examined. Both NaHC03 and cationic PEI failed to catalyze sizing between cellulose and AKD vapours. The mechanism proposed and the model will shed new light on the phenomena of AKD sizing treatment and sizing migration.
Adsorption of Cationic Starch onto Peroxide Bleached TMP
Authors:   Abo Akademi University Laboratory of Paper Chemistry, Bobacka V. , Násman J. ,   Abo Akademi University Laboratory of Paper Chemistry, Kreutzman N. ,   Abo Akademi University Laboratory of Paper Chemistry, Eklund D. ,   Abo Akademi University Laboratory of Paper Chemistry
Published: March 2024

An investigation concerning the interactions between cationic starch and peroxide bleached thermomechanical pulp (TMP) has been carried out. The influence of electrolytes, pH, temperature, a fixing agent and charge density of the starch is discussed. The adsorption of cationic starch onto dispersed and dissolved wood substances and unwashed fibres was reduced by an increase in NaCl concentration. The adsorption onto washed fibres, however, showed a maximum with increasing NaCl concentration. The adsorption onto dispersed and dissolved substances and unwashed fibres increased and reached a plateau level as function of increasing pH. Onto washed fibres, the adsorption was reduced as pH was increased from 5 to 8. An increase in temperature affected only the adsorption onto washed fibres. A fixing agent retained the dispersed and dissolved wood substances more effectively than the ordinary cationic starch but the amount of adsorbed cationic starch remained unaffected by the presence of the fixing agent. Cationic starch of medium charge density (degree of substitution, D.S ., : 0.035) aggregated turbid substances more effectively than cationic starches of low charge density (D.S . 0.015) and of high charge density (D.S . 0.05).
New Information on the Role of Cofactor in PEO-type Retention Aid Systems
Authors:   McMaster Centre for Pulp and Paper Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Gibbs Andrea , Yang Zhuo ,   McMaster Centre for Pulp and Paper Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Xiao Huining ,   McMaster Centre for Pulp and Paper Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Pelton Robert ,   McMaster Centre for Pulp and Paper Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University
Published: March 2024

The flocculation of three colloidal dispersions (precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), T’02 and a calcined clay) using a combination of polymeric flocculants and cofactors was investigated. The flocculants used were PEO (MW = 9×10′), CPAM (a cationic copolymer of acrylamide) and POLYPAM-CO-PEG (a non-ionic comb copolymer (MW = 5×100 consisting of a polyacrylamide backbone with – I mole % pendent PEG chains). The cofactors were based on polyvinyl phenol-co-sodium acrylate) and polyvinyl phenol-co-sodium styrene sulfonic acid). The amount of flocculation induced was dependent on the components present in each system. Cofactors containing sulfonic acid were more calcium ion tolerant than the cofactors containing carboxyl groups. These latter cofactors formed a precipitate when exposed to > 0.6 mM Ca”. Maximum flocculation of PCC was obtained by using POLYPAM-CO-PEG with a cofactor containing 23 mole % of sulfonated groups. TiO, was not flocculated when PEO was employed due to the adsorbed layer thickness of this flocculant being approximately equal to half the Debye screening length in 0.001 M NaCl. However, T’02 was flocculated by POLYPAM-CO-PEG and CPAM, the best flocculation being obtained when POLYPAM-CO-PEG was used with either a cofactor containing 19 mole % sulfonated groups, or a cofactor containing 14 mole % acrylic acid groups. Overall, the easiest colloid to flocculate was the calcined clay; maximum flocculation being obtained when PEO was combined with a cofactor containing 19 mole % sulfonated groups. In general, the flocculation was most sensitive to the charge of the cofactors. It is proposed that the hydrophobic character of the vinyl phenol based cofactor is important. Hydrophobic interaction may be a part of the cofactor interaction with PEO and subsequent complex adsorption on surfaces.
A Heuristic Model of Paper Rupture
Authors:   Paper Physics & Mechanics Team Weyerhaeuser Pulp, Paper, and Packaging R&D, Tacoma WA, Donner Benjamin C.
Published: March 2024

In-plane (Mode I) fracture of paper is tested at both cryogenic and standard temperatures . It is shown that newsprint tested at cryogenic temperatures is very nearly linear elastic but does not obey classical linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The discrepancy is traced to changes in the crack tip stress field due to the sheet’s fibrous structure. A new fracture model is proposed which integrates the Griffith energy method, Irwin’s correction for nonlinear material behavior, and a similar correction for the fibrous structure. The statistical distribution of mass and local fibre orientation (structural formation) are explicitly considered, and the model thereby links fracture and tensile strength of paper. This approach is consistent with Bazant’s theoretical treatment of quasi-brittle fracture. The separation of material nonlinearity and structural formation permits: 1. computing the Essential Work, linking the model to an established approach 2. estimating the fast fracture response that might occur in practice 3. normalizing strength for the paper machine dependent structural formation
A Short Adverse Experiences Measure Among Mothers of Young Children
Authors: Lê-Scherban Félice , Wang Anqi , Courts Kelly A. , Ettinger de Cuba Stephanie , Wade Roy , Chilton Mariana
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES

Screening for parental adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in pediatric settings can be burdensome because of the questionnaire’s length and sensitive nature. Rapid screening tools may help address these challenges. We evaluated a 2-item short ACE measure developed for adults in a cross-sectional sample of mothers of young children in an urban pediatric emergency department.

METHODS

From January 2011 to March 2020, we administered the ACE questionnaire in English or Spanish to 3999 biological mothers of children aged <4 years in a pediatric emergency department in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We assessed sensitivity and specificity of a shortened 2-item ACE measure defined as report of childhood emotional abuse and/or household substance use, using 4+ ACEs on the full questionnaire as the standard. We assessed convergent validity by comparing associations of the 2-item and standard measures with maternal, household, and child outcomes using adjusted log-binomial regression.

RESULTS

Mothers were racially and ethnically diverse (54% Latina, 35% Black non-Latina); 94% of children were publicly insured. Thirteen percent of mothers reported childhood emotional abuse and 16% childhood household substance use; 23% reported at least 1 of these and 6% both. Compared with 4+ ACEs on the full questionnaire, the 2-item measure had sensitivity 88% and specificity 90%. In adjusted models, high adversity was associated with poor maternal, household, and child outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A 2-item ACE measure assessing childhood emotional abuse and household substance use may be useful in pediatric settings to identify mothers who may have experienced significant child adversity and inform development, testing, or provision of comprehensive family supports.
Endocardial Pulsed Field Ablation and the Oesophagus: Are Atrio-oesophageal Fistulas Now History?
Authors: Nies Moritz , Watanabe Keita , Kawamura Iwanari , Koruth Jacob S
Published: March 2024

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a novel energy form for the catheter ablation of cardiac arrhythmias, which uses electrical fields to mediate myocardial death via irreversible electroporation and other modalities. It is believed to offer relative tissue specificity, lowering – or even eliminating – the risk of complications associated with thermal energy, such as atrio-oesophageal fistulas. The proposed superior safety profile compared to thermal ablation has contributed to the enthusiastic implementation of PFA into clinical practice and is supported by early preclinical and clinical data. However, data about the effects of PFA on the oesophagus remain limited. This organ’s susceptibility to PFA has important clinical ramifications and there are two highly relevant questions. First, is the oesophagus absolutely spared by PFA or is there susceptibility to injury at higher field strengths? Second, if oesophageal injury can occur, can atrio-oesophageal fistulas ensue? The aim of this article is to provide a literature review on the effects of PFA on the oesophagus and to address these questions based on the data described.