bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solar photovoltaic wood racking mechanical design for trellis-based agrivoltaics
Authors: Jamil Uzair , Vandewetering Nicholas , Pearce Joshua M.
Published: December 2023

Using a trellis to plant vegetables and fruits can double or triple the yield per acre as well as reduce diseases/pests, ease harvesting and make cleaner produce. Cultivars such as cucumbers, grapes, kiwi, melons, peas, passion fruit, pole beans, pumpkins, strawberries, squash, and tomatoes are all grown with trellises. Many of these cultivars showed increased yield with partial shading with semi-transparent solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. To further increase the efficiency of trellis-based growing systems, this study investigates novel low-cost, open-source, sustainable, wood-based PV racking designs for agrivoltaic applications. Design calculations are made to ensure these racks exceed Canadian building code standards, which with snow loads surpass those of most of the world. A complete bill of materials, fabrication instructions, and proof-of-concept prototypes are provided for three system topographies (sloped, T-shaped and inverse Y) along with economic analysis. In addition, to being cost competitive, the designs can act as trellis supports and be used for irrigation/fertigation purposes. The results indicate that these racking structures have enormous promise both agriculturally and energetically. If employed on only grape farms inside Canada, 10 GW of PV potential is made available, which is more than twice the total current installed PV in Canada.
System dynamics modeling for cancer prevention and control: A systematic review
Authors: Kenzie Erin S. , Seater Mellodie , Wakeland Wayne , Coronado Gloria D. , Davis Melinda M.
Published: December 2023

Cancer prevention and control requires consideration of complex interactions between multilevel factors. System dynamics modeling, which consists of diagramming and simulation approaches for understanding and managing such complexity, is being increasingly applied to cancer prevention and control, but the breadth, characteristics, and quality of these studies is not known. We searched PubMed, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, and eight peer-reviewed journals to identify cancer-related studies that used system dynamics modeling. A dual review process was used to determine eligibility. Included studies were assessed using quality criteria adapted from prior literature and mapped onto the cancer control continuum. Characteristics of studies and models were abstracted and qualitatively synthesized. 32 studies met our inclusion criteria. A mix of simulation and diagramming approaches were used to address diverse topics, including chemotherapy treatments (16%), interventions to reduce tobacco or e-cigarettes use (16%), and cancer risk from environmental contamination (13%). Models spanned all focus areas of the cancer control continuum, with treatment (44%), prevention (34%), and detection (31%) being the most common. The quality assessment of studies was low, particularly for simulation approaches. Diagramming-only studies more often used participatory approaches. Involvement of participants, description of model development processes, and proper calibration and validation of models showed the greatest room for improvement. System dynamics modeling can illustrate complex interactions and help identify potential interventions across the cancer control continuum. Prior efforts have been hampered by a lack of rigor and transparency regarding model development and testing. Supportive infrastructure for increasing awareness, accessibility, and further development of best practices of system dynamics for multidisciplinary cancer research is needed.
Cleavage of periostin by MMP9 protects mice from kidney cystic disease
Authors: Djaziri Nabila , Burel Cindy , Abbad Lilia , Bakey Zeineb , Piedagnel Rémi , Lelongt Brigitte
Published: December 2023

The matrix metalloproteinase MMP9 influences cellular morphology and function, and plays important roles in organogenesis and disease. It exerts both protective and deleterious effects in renal pathology, depending upon its specific substrates. To explore new functions for MMP9 in kidney cysts formation and disease progression, we generated a mouse model by breeding juvenile cystic kidney (jck) mice with MMP9 deficient mice. Specifically, we provide evidence that MMP9 is overexpressed in cystic tissue where its enzymatic activity is increased 7-fold. MMP9 deficiency in cystic kidney worsen cystic kidney diseases by decreasing renal function, favoring cyst expansion and fibrosis. In addition, we find that periostin is a new critical substrate for MMP9 and in its absence periostin accumulates in cystic lining cells. As periostin promotes renal cyst growth and interstitial fibrosis in polycystic kidney diseases, we propose that the control of periostin by MMP9 and its associated intracellular signaling pathways including integrins, integrin-linked kinase and focal adhesion kinase confers to MMP9 a protective effect on the severity of the disease.
Estimating emergency department crowding with stochastic population models
Authors: Parnass Gil , Levtzion-Korach Osnat , Peres Renana , Assaf Michael
Published: December 2023

Environments such as shopping malls, airports, or hospital emergency-departments often experience crowding, with many people simultaneously requesting service. Crowding highly fluctuates, with sudden overcrowding "spikes". Past research has either focused on average behavior, used context-specific models with a large number of parameters, or machine-learning models that are hard to interpret. Here we show that a stochastic population model, previously applied to a broad range of natural phenomena, can aptly describe hospital emergency-department crowding. We test the model using data from five-year minute-by-minute emergency-department records. The model provides reliable forecasting of the crowding distribution. Overcrowding is highly sensitive to the patient arrival-flux and length-of-stay: a 10% increase in arrivals triples the probability of overcrowding events. Expediting patient exit-rate to shorten the typical length-of-stay by just 20 minutes (8.5%) cuts the probability of severe overcrowding events by 50%. Such forecasting is critical in prevention and mitigation of breakdown events. Our results demonstrate that despite its high volatility, crowding follows a dynamic behavior common to many systems in nature.
Chronic kidney disease prediction using boosting techniques based on clinical parameters
Authors: Ganie Shahid Mohammad , Dutta Pramanik Pijush Kanti , Mallik Saurav , Zhao Zhongming
Published: December 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major global health crisis, causing millions of yearly deaths. Predicting the possibility of a person being affected by the disease will allow timely diagnosis and precautionary measures leading to preventive strategies for health. Machine learning techniques have been popularly applied in various disease diagnoses and predictions. Ensemble learning approaches have become useful for predicting many complex diseases. In this paper, we utilise the boosting method, one of the popular ensemble learnings, to achieve a higher prediction accuracy for CKD. Five boosting algorithms are employed: XGBoost, CatBoost, LightGBM, AdaBoost, and gradient boosting. We experimented with the CKD data set from the UCI machine learning repository. Various preprocessing steps are employed to achieve better prediction performance, along with suitable hyperparameter tuning and feature selection. We assessed the degree of importance of each feature in the dataset leading to CKD. The performance of each model was evaluated with accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, Area under the curve-receiving operator characteristic (AUC-ROC), and runtime. AdaBoost was found to have the overall best performance among the five algorithms, scoring the highest in almost all the performance measures. It attained 100% and 98.47% accuracy for training and testing sets. This model also exhibited better precision, recall, and AUC-ROC curve performance.
Applying the reference values of real-ear-to-coupler-difference for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Taiwan: Cautions and considerations
Authors: Lin Chun-Yi , Chang Yi-ping , Ma Ying-Chuan Julie
Published: December 2023

Measurement of real-ear-to-coupler differentials (RECDs) is a critical part of the hearing aid (HA) verification process. This study examines the validity of reference RECD values preset by the HA analyzer, Audioscan RM500, for deaf-and-hard-of-hearing (DHH) children in Taiwan. RECD measurements were performed on 658 ears of DHH children. A linear mixed model was used to analyze the reference and measured RECD values. The findings revealed slight disparities between normative RECD values from North America and those observed in Taiwanese DHH children. While generally small (less than 5 dB), these differences imply potential challenges in achieving optimal HA fitting in specific scenarios. Therefore, we recommend individualized RECD/REM measurements for cases of poor auditory performance, certain frequency ranges, or notable variations in ear canal volume. From a clinical perspective, while broadly applicable, the use of North American RECD normative data in Taiwan requires cautious consideration of potential minor variations. This study contributes to current knowledge by affirming the use of a Western RECD database for Taiwanese DHH children. However, we underscore the ongoing importance of individualized HA fitting strategies, particularly for cases with stagnant intervention progress. While built-in RECD reference values can offer preliminary fitting guidance, especially in busy clinical settings, our study sheds light on the circumstances where caution is essential. Audiologists can efficiently allocate their time and effort by focusing on personalized RECD measurements for cases exhibiting suboptimal intervention outcomes, thereby effectively optimizing HA gain settings.
A medium-chain fatty acid analogue prevents hepatosteatosis and decreases inflammatory lipid metabolites in a murine model of parenteral nutrition-induced hepatosteatosis
Authors: Cho Bennet S. , Fligor Scott C. , Fell Gillian L. , Secor Jordan D. , Tsikis Savas T. , Pan Amy , Yu Lumeng J. , Ko Victoria H. , Dao Duy T. , Anez-Bustillos Lorenzo , Hirsch Thomas I. , Lund Jenny , Rustan Arild C. , Fraser David A. , Gura Kathleen M. , Puder Mark
Published: December 2023

Background

Parenteral (intravenous) nutrition is lifesaving for patients with intestinal failure, but long-term use of parenteral nutrition often leads to liver disease. SEFA-6179 is a synthetic medium-chain fatty acid analogue designed to target multiple fatty acid receptors regulating metabolic and inflammatory pathways. We hypothesized that SEFA-6179 would prevent hepatosteatosis and lipotoxicity in a murine model of parenteral nutrition-induced hepatosteatosis.

Methods

Two in vivo experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, six-week-old male mice were provided an ad lib fat-free high carbohydrate diet (HCD) for 19 days with orogastric gavage of either fish oil, medium-chain triglycerides, or SEFA-6179 at a low (0.3mmol/kg) or high dose (0.6mmol/kg). In the second experiment, six-week-old mice were provided an ad lib fat-free high carbohydrate diet for 19 days with every other day tail vein injection of saline, soybean oil lipid emulsion, or fish oil lipid emulsion. Mice then received every other day orogastric gavage of medium-chain triglyceride vehicle or SEFA-6179 (0.6mmol/kg). Hepatosteatosis was assessed by a blinded pathologist using an established rodent steatosis score. Hepatic lipid metabolites were assessed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Effects of SEFA-6179 on fatty acid oxidation, lipogenesis, and fatty acid uptake in human liver cells were assessed in vitro.

Results

In the first experiment, mice receiving the HCD with either saline or medium-chain triglyceride treatment developed macrovesicular steatosis, while mice receiving fish oil or SEFA-6179 retained normal liver histology. In the second experiment, mice receiving a high carbohydrate diet with intravenous saline or soybean oil lipid emulsion, along with medium chain triglyceride vehicle treatment, developed macrovescular steatosis. Treatment with SEFA-6179 prevented steatosis. In each experiment, SEFA-6179 treatment decreased arachidonic acid metabolites as well as key molecules (diacylglycerol, ceramides) involved in lipotoxicity. SEFA-6179 increased both β- and complete fatty oxidation in human liver cells, while having no impact on lipogenesis or fatty acid uptake.

Conclusions

SEFA-6179 treatment prevented hepatosteatosis and decreased toxic lipid metabolites in a murine model of parenteral nutrition-induced hepatosteatosis. An increase in both β- and complete hepatic fatty acid oxidation may underlie the reduction in steatosis.
Construction of a 5-gene prognostic signature based on oxidative stress related genes for predicting prognosis in osteosarcoma
Authors: Hong Xiaofang , Fu Ribin
Published: December 2023

Background

The understanding of the complex biological scenario of osteosarcoma will open the way to identifying new strategies for its treatment. Oxidative stress is a cancer-related biological scenario. At present, it is not clear the oxidative stress genes in affecting the prognosis and progression of osteosarcoma, the underlying mechanism as well as their impact on the classification of osteosarcoma subtypes.

Methods

We selected samples and sequencing data from TARGET data set and GSE21257 data set, and downloaded oxidative stress related-genes (OSRGs) from MsigDB. Univariate Cox analysis of OSRG was conducted using TARGET data, and the prognostic OSRG was screened to conduct unsupervised clustering analysis to identify the molecular subtypes of osteosarcoma. Through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis and COX regression analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between subgroups, a risk assessment system for osteosarcoma was developed.

Results

45 prognosis-related OSRGs genes were acquired, and two molecular subtypes of osteosarcoma were clustered. C2 cluster displayed prolonged overall survival (OS) accompanied with high degree of immune infiltration and enriched immune pathways. While cell cycle related pathways were enriched in C2 cluster. Based on DEGs between subgroups and Lasso analysis, 5 hub genes (ZYX, GJA5, GAL, GRAMD1B, and CKMT2) were screened to establish a robust prognostic risk model independent of clinicopathological features. High-risk group had more patients with cancer metastasis and death as well as C1 subtype with poor prognosis. Low-risk group exhibited favorable OS and high immune infiltration status. Additionally, the risk assessment system was optimized by building decision tree and nomogram.

Conclusions

This study defined two molecular subtypes of osteosarcoma with different prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment status based on the expression of OSRGs, and provided a new risk assessment system for the prognosis of osteosarcoma.
How could mouthwashes affect the color stability and translucency of various types of monolithic zirconia? An in-vitro study
Authors: Giti Rashin , Jebal Reza
Published: December 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the color stability and translucency of various types of monolithic zirconia after immersion in chlorhexidine and Listerine mouthwashes.

Materials and methods

This experimental study was performed on 36 disk-shaped specimens fabricated from low-translucent, high-translucent, and multilayered monolithic zirconia (n = 12 per group). Each group was equally divided and immersed in either 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) or Listerine mouthwash for 2 min daily over 7 days. Changes in color (ΔE) and the translucency parameter (ΔTP) were evaluated and compared. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Chlorhexidine caused a significantly lower ΔE and a significantly higher ΔTP in multilayered zirconia compared to the low-translucency (ΔE: P = 0.0027, ΔTP: P<0.001) and the high-translucency zirconia group (ΔE: P<0.001, ΔTP: P = 0.022). Listerine caused a significantly higher ΔE in the high-translucency zirconia group compared to the multilayered zirconia group (P = 0.0165). It also resulted in a significantly higher mean ΔTP in the multilayered zirconia group compared to the low-translucency (P = 0.0003) and high-translucency zirconia groups (P = 0.019).

Conclusions

In both mouthwashes, multilayered monolithic zirconia exhibited the highest color stability among the tested materials; albeit with the most pronounced changes in translucency. Meanwhile, high-translucency monolithic zirconia was more prone to discoloration when exposed to both mouthwashes.
The Herpes Simplex Virus pUL16 and pUL21 Proteins Prevent Capsids from Docking at Nuclear Pore Complexes
Authors: Thomas Ethan C. M. , Finnen Renée L. , Mewburn Jeffrey D. , Archer Stephen L. , Banfield Bruce W.
Published: December 2023

After entry into cells, herpes simplex virus (HSV) nucleocapsids dock at nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) through which viral genomes are released into the nucleoplasm where viral gene expression, genome replication, and early steps in virion assembly take place. After their assembly, nucleocapsids are translocated to the cytoplasm for final virion maturation. Nascent cytoplasmic nucleocapsids are prevented from binding to NPCs and delivering their genomes to the nucleus from which they emerged, but how this is accomplished is not understood. Here we report that HSV pUL16 and pUL21 deletion mutants accumulate empty capsids at the cytoplasmic face of NPCs late in infection. Additionally, prior expression of pUL16 and pUL21 prevented incoming nucleocapsids from docking at NPCs, delivering their genomes to the nucleus and initiating viral gene expression. Both pUL16 and pUL21 localized to the nuclear envelope, placing them in an appropriate location to interfere with nucleocapsid/NPC interactions.
Post-fiction affect after the Spanish crisis in La plaga/The Plague (Ballús 2013) and Estado de malestar/State of Distress (Ruido 2019)
Authors: Gozalo-Salellas Ignasi
Published: December 2023

This article examines post-fiction affect in filmic landscapes produced in Spain over the last decade, focusing on La plaga/The Plague (Ballús 2013) and Estado de malestar/State of Distress (Ruido 2019). It suggests post-fiction affect as an innovative type of audio-visual discourse that confronts neo-liberal logic following the global financial crash of 2007–08 and the ensuing crisis years in Spain (2008–14). What characterizes these documentary-inspired works is that they do not intend to represent reality but rather intervene in it. Going beyond Steven Shaviro’s work on affect in cinema, this text examines the specific post-cinematic paradigms at the turn of the twenty-first century and renewed forms of sensibility through emergent technologies and political affect.
Supporting the capacities and knowledge of smallholder farmers in Kenya for sustainable agricultural futures: a Citizen Science pilot project
Authors: Davies Matthew , Haklay Muki , Kiprutto Timothy , Laws Megan , Lewis Jerome , Lunn-Rockliffe Samuel , McGlade Jaqueline , Moreu Marcos , Yano Andrew , Kipkore Wilson
Published: December 2023

Sub-Saharan Africa is often presented as the continent most vulnerable to climatic change with major repercussions for food systems. Coupled with high rates of population growth, continued food insecurity and malnutrition, thus the need to enhance food production across the continent is seen as a major global imperative. We argue here, however, that current models of agricultural development in Eastern Africa frequently marginalise critical smallholder knowledge from the process of future agricultural design due to a lack of a methodological tools for engagement. This paper addresses this by outlining a potential means to capture and share locally produced agronomic information on a large scale. We report on a ‘Citizen Science’ pilot study that worked with smallholder farmers in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Western Kenya, to co-design a mobile application using the well-developed Sapelli platform that easily allows farmers to identify, record and geolocate cropping patterns and challenges at multiple stages in the agricultural calendar using their own understanding. The pilot project demonstrated the technical and epistemological benefits of co-design, the abilities of smallholder farmers to co-design and use smartphone applications, and the potential for such technology to produce and share valuable agricultural and ecological knowledge in real time. Proof-of-concept data illustrates opportunities to spatially and temporally track and respond to challenges related to climate, crop disease and pests. Such work expounds how smallholder farmers are a source of largely untapped ecological and agronomic expert knowledge that can, and should, be harnessed to address issues of future agricultural resilience and food system sustainability.
Emma Barrandéguy, destructora de mitos
Authors: Breganni Roberto A.
Published: December 2023

Este artículo propone una aproximación a los modos de lectura de las disidencias en la novela Habitaciones de Emma Barrandéguy, relato en el que la memoria ordena el nacimiento y la ramificación de una búsqueda erótica, construida por alguien que se piensa en un lugar de subordinación pero que, desde allí, ejerce estratégicamente la crítica a aquello que la subordina. Publicada en 2002 aunque escrita en la década de 1950 —mucho antes de que se teorizara sobre las disidencias sexuales— la novela aborda reflexiones sobre la libertad y la sexualidad, construyendo una ficción testimonial de transgresión y de oposición, lo que le valió que la crítica la inscriba en la tradición literaria argentina como una de las primeras novelas queer. Desde este marco, planteamos consideraciones que permiten construir algunos interrogantes que se inscriben en los debates sobre tradiciones y rupturas, relaciones entre textualidad y sexualidad y entre cuerpo y escritura.
Pensar la autonomía femenina en el contexto de las políticas públicas locales. El caso de la Municipalidad de Santa Fe (2011-2019)
Authors: Molina Adriana
Published: December 2023

Los gobiernos locales han ganado relevancia en las últimas décadas. Nuevas demandas han aparecido y los municipios han tenido que dar respuesta a una sociedad que cada vez necesita más. En este sentido, dentro de esas nuevas demandas, las cuestiones de género han ganado terreno. 

El presente trabajo busca dar cuenta de las maneras en que desde la gestión pública se generaron acciones para dar respuesta a situaciones concretas pensadas desde una perspectiva de derechos humanos, pero sobre todo desde una perspectiva de género; teniendo como eje de análisis el concepto de autonomía feminista.

Ante ello, el objetivo del presente artículo será analizar el concepto de autonomía feminista en las políticas públicas con perspectiva de género llevadas adelante por la Municipalidad de Santa Fe en el período comprendido entre 2011 y 2019.
Del árbol sagrado a la “ceguera de las plantas”
Authors: Drivet Leandro
Published: December 2023

La deforestación se ha convertido en una invariante en el modo de producción/destrucción dominante. Esto constituye un problema mayúsculo. Pese a que las medidas orientadas a ponerle límite están aumentando, aún son insuficientes para detener el patrón destructivo que obedece a una clara racionalidad económica. En este trabajo interrogamos algunas de las razones de la tolerancia ante este aspecto del ecocidio. Sin desconocer el cinismo crematístico de las élites, postulamos que el desinterés mayoritario que posibilita la destrucción de la biodiversidad tiene fundamentos profundos en la ignorancia y en los prejuicios erróneos. De aquí que conjeturemos que una transformación del vínculo destructivo de nuestra cultura con la naturaleza  requiere de una revisión de los sentidos de largo plazo que le dieron forma. En particular aquí, nos interesa proponer una reflexión de carácter filosófico enfocada en la patología llamada “ceguera vegetal”: nuestra incapacidad para advertir la presencia y la relevancia de la vida vegetal. Para ilustrar el pasaje del estatuto sagrado al estatuto profano de las plantas, proponemos una interpretación laica de dos mitos que evocan la presencia de árboles sagrados. Luego, conectamos este saber con el análisis crítico de la indiferencia cómplice ante el destino sacrificial de los vegetales en la modernidad. Para finalizar, nos preguntamos si el Derecho participa del sesgo denunciado y, bajo el paradigma de la justicia ecológica, sugerimos invertir esfuerzos interdisciplinarios dirigidos a remediar la ceguera de las plantas junto a sus catastróficas consecuencias.
Las caminatas eco-sonoras
Authors: Espinosa Susana
Published: December 2023

El arte sonoro de la actualidad supera problemáticas epistémicas que devienen de la música acústica, así como de la electroacústica, la música ecológica y la audiovisual. La hibridez y transversalidad de los lenguajes artísticos integrados, así como la fusión entre ciencia, arte y tecnología, desafían al receptor a ampliar su escucha y sensibilizar su percepción hacia todos los sonidos, sean ellos musicales o del medioambiente natural, industrial o social.
Así es que surge la Ecología Acústica como nueva ciencia que estudia la relación de los seres vivos con su medioambiente sónico y se ocupa de la preservación y defensa de ello, por lo que postula un concepto de validez ecológica: el sonido del entorno es un bien que sirve al sujeto que lo recibe.
Para valorar y experimentar estas concepciones, desde el campo de la educación, diversos investigadores proponen la realización de Caminatas Eco–sonoras como un camino creativo y rico para educar al oído y contribuir a la construcción de un nuevo paisaje sonoro que supere la contaminación acústica que sufre la sociedad actual, especialmente en los ámbitos urbanos. 
Se realizan en forma grupal con un guía orientador que organiza los tiempos pre–fijados para cada etapa de escucha silenciosa, luego se construyen espacios de reflexión de los sonidos escuchados para analizar sus tipomorfologías características y por último se proponen actividades de intervención sonora a través de la realización de «obras» musicales con los elementos encontrados en el medio ambiente natural. 
Entre sus principales objetivos se destacan el concientizar acerca del ruido nocivo para la salud auditiva; el aprender a escuchar con atención y no solo a oír; el integrar todo tipo de sonido en cualquier producción musical; el abrazar la cultura del silencio y del habla a media voz como forma de convivencia sana entre los hombres.
A NEW CLOTHOID APPROXIMATION METHOD FOR INTERACTIVE ROAD DESIGN
Authors: Karpov D. A. , Smirnov S. S. , Struchenkov V. I.
Published: December 2023

The article considers the problem of approximating a plane curve given by a sequence of points by a clothoid. This problem arises when designing a plan for a railway or highway route, both in new construction and in reconstruction. Instead of manually assigning the parameters of the clothoid, which ensures a smooth transition from a straight line to a circular curve or between circular curves of different radii, the task of approximation is posed: that is, the best approximation of the original curve by a piece of clothoid. The purpose of the article: To present a new method for solving this problem, in which the approximation quality criterion (objective function) is a simple or weighted sum of squared deviations of given points from the desired clothoid, subject to curvature restrictions. The independent variables are the parameters that determine the position of the clothoid. The problem is solved in two stages. At the first stage, an initial approximation is constructed, that is, the permissible values of the clothoid parameters are determined using the evolvent method, and at the second stage, these parameters are optimized using nonlinear programming. Formulas are given for calculating the derivatives of the objective function, despite the absence of an analytical expression for this function in terms of the desired parameters of the clothoid. The small dimension of the problem makes it possible to implement and use gradient optimization methods in the interactive design mode. A numerical example is given. The clothoid approximation algorithm can be used not only in the interactive design of road routes, but also in other tasks.
Expert System for Detection of Diseases in Layers Using Forward Chaining and Certainty Factor Methods
Authors: Febrianto Kevin , Udayanti Erika Devi , Indriyono Bonifacius Vicky , Mahmud Wildan , Zahari Iqlima
Published: December 2023

Inaccuracies in the process of diagnosing a type of disease result in errors in handling so that it will pose a risk of death. Accurate diagnostic process results require a high level of confidence so that the results are truly convincing. Current technological developments are making more and more mindsets for the development of information technology in the field of computerization born. One of them is an expert system. This expert system is often used to analyze disease in laying hens. The deficiency in previous research is that there is no degree of confidence so what happens is that the diagnosis often only uses the value of the expert. The role of the system user is only to select the available symptoms without giving the weighted value of the selected symptoms. This study aims to build an expert system capable of detecting symptoms in laying hens by assigning a degree of confidence to each symptom. The system is built with a combination of forward chaining techniques with a certainty factor, the weight value is based on a combination of the weight of symptoms from users and experts to anticipate conditions that are not ideal. Several stages in the research include data collection, knowledge base modeling, implementation into applications and testing. The conclusion that can be drawn from the trial results is that the system can show a maximum validity value of up to 100% when compared to manual calculations.
Replacement of dietary carbohydrate with protein increases fat mass and reduces hepatic triglyceride synthesis and content in female obese Zucker rats
Authors: Dawson M. Alan , Hennigar Stephen R. , Shankaran Mahalakshmi , Kelley Alyssa M. , Anderson Bradley J. , Nyangau Edna , Field Tyler J. , Evans William J. , Hellerstein Marc K. , McClung James P. , Pasiakos Stefan M. , Berryman Claire E.
Published: December 2023

Previous studies have demonstrated both energy restriction (ER) and higher protein (HP), lower carbohydrate (LC) diets downregulate hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Little is known about the independent and combined impact of ER and HP/LC diets on tissue‐specific lipid kinetics in leptin receptor‐deficient, obese rodents. This study investigated the effects of ER and dietary macronutrient content on body composition; hepatic, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and visceral AT (VAT) lipid metabolic flux (2H2O‐labeling); and blood and liver measures of cardiometabolic health in six‐week‐old female obese Zucker rats (Leprfa+/fa+). Animals were randomized to a 10‐week feeding intervention: ad libitum (AL)‐HC/LP (76% carbohydrate/15% protein), AL‐HP/LC (35% protein/56% carbohydrate), ER‐HC/LP, or ER‐HP/LC. ER groups consumed 60% of the feed consumed by AL. AL gained more fat mass than ER (P‐energy = 0.012) and HP/LC gained more fat mass than HC/LP (P‐diet = 0.025). Hepatic triglyceride (TG) concentrations (P‐interaction = 0.0091) and absolute hepatic TG synthesis (P‐interaction = 0.012) were lower in ER‐HP/LC versus ER‐HC/LP. ER had increased hepatic, SAT, and VAT de novo cholesterol fractional synthesis, absolute hepatic cholesterol synthesis, and serum cholesterol (P‐energy≤0.0035). A HP/LC diet, independent of energy intake, led to greater gains in fat mass. A HP/LC diet, in the context of ER, led to reductions in absolute hepatic TG synthesis and TG content. However, ER worsened cholesterol metabolism. Increased adipose tissue TG retention with the HP/LC diet may reflect improved lipid storage capacity and be beneficial in this genetic model of obesity.
Thrombopoietin levels in sepsis and septic shock – a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Chang , Görlich Dennis , Lowell Clifford A. , Italiano Joseph E. , Rossaint Jan , Bender Markus , Zarbock Alexander , Margraf Andreas
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition implicating an inadequate activation of the immune system. Platelets act as modulators and contributors to immune processes. Indeed, altered platelet turnover, thrombotic events, and changes in thrombopoietin levels in systemic inflammation have been reported, but thrombopoietin-levels in sepsis and septic-shock have not yet been systematically evaluated. We therefore performed a meta-analysis of thrombopoietin (TPO)-levels in patients with sepsis.

Methods

Two independent reviewers screened records and full-text articles for inclusion. Scientific databases were searched for studies examining thrombopoietin levels in adult sepsis and septic-shock patients until August 1st 2022.

Results

Of 95 items screened, six studies met the inclusion criteria, including 598 subjects. Both sepsis and severe sepsis were associated with increased levels of thrombopoietin (sepsis vs. control: standardized mean difference 3.06, 95 % CI 1.35–4.77; Z=3.50, p=0.0005) (sepsis vs. severe sepsis: standardized mean difference −1.67, 95 % CI −2.46 to −0.88; Z=4.14, p<0.0001). TPO-levels did not show significant differences between severe sepsis and septic shock patients but differed between sepsis and inflammation-associated non-septic controls. Overall, high heterogeneity and low sample size could be noted.

Conclusions

Concluding, increased levels of thrombopoietin appear to be present both in sepsis and severe sepsis with high heterogeneity but thrombopoietin does not allow to differentiate between severe sepsis and septic-shock. TPO may potentially serve to differentiate sepsis from non-septic trauma and/or tissue damage related (systemic) inflammation. Usage of different assays and high heterogeneity demand standardization of methods and further large multicenter trials.
Is Religious Belief a Kind of Belief?
Authors: Crane Tim
Published: December 2023

This paper discusses the familiar question of whether expressions of faith or conviction offered by religious believers really express their beliefs, in the standard sense of ‘belief’ used in philosophy and psychology. Some hold that these expressions do not express genuine beliefs because they do not meet the standards of rationality, coherence and integration which govern beliefs. So they must serve some other function. But this picture of ‘genuine belief’ is inadequate, for reasons independent of the phenomenon of religion. Once we get a better picture of belief, we can see that religious beliefs conform to this picture, and that typical expressions of faith really are expressions of belief in the proper sense.
Changes in pain, daily occupations, lifestyle, and health following an occupational therapy lifestyle intervention: a secondary analysis from a feasibility study in patients with chronic high-impact pain
Authors: Nielsen Svetlana Solgaard , Skou Søren T. , Larsen Anette Enemark , Polianskis Romanas , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Østergaard Anne Skov , Kjær-Staal Petersen Kristian , Vægter Henrik Bjarke , Søndergaard Jens , Christensen Jeanette Reffstrup
Published: December 2023

Objectives

This study explored changes in pain-related parameters, occupational function, occupational balance, lifestyle factors, and self-perceived health status in adults with chronic high-impact pain participating in an occupational therapy lifestyle intervention.

Methods

This one-group longitudinal feasibility study was performed in three continuous feasibility rounds. The occupational therapists-led intervention targeted meaningful occupations, regular physical activity, and a healthy diet. The intervention contained individual and group sessions and was added to the standard multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment. Outpatients (n=40, 85 % females, 46.6 ± 10.9 years old) participated in the study between April 2019 and December 2021. The analysis includes data for 31 participants.

Analysis of pre-post changes assessed after each feasibility round were performed for the outcomes: pain intensity, pain sensitivity and pain modulation (pressure pain threshold and tolerance, temporal summation of pain and conditioned pain modulation), pain self-efficacy, pain catastrophizing, motor and process skills, occupational balance, daily wake-time movement, daily walking steps, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and self-perceived health status.

Results

Improvements in motor skills (assessment of motor and process skills score=0.20 (1.37; 1.57), 95 % CI 0.01; 0.38) and temporal summation of pain (−1.19 (2.86; −1.67), 95 % CI −2.16; −0.22), but a decrease in pain tolerance (−7.110 (54.42; 47.32), 95 % CI −13.99; −0.22) were observed. Correlation analysis suggested moderate-to-very strong statistically significant relationships in several outcomes related to pain, health, pain coping, occupational balance, occupational functioning, body anthropometrics, and pain sensitivity.

Conclusions

This study suggested that the lifestyle intervention would benefit motor skills while effects on other outcomes were unclear in adults with chronic pain. To confirm the findings, a randomized trial evaluating effectiveness is needed.

Ethical committee number: SJ-307

Reg. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03903900
Failure is in the eye of the beholder: a response to Price & Jaffe
Authors: Swenson Edward
Published: December 2023

Price and Jaffe (2023) develop a compelling argument that archaeologists have under-theorised the role of failure in past human societies. The authors contend that we must adopt a flexible approach to failure and recognise that power asymmetries, distributed agency and the temporalities of outcomes all play a critical, if variable, role in the success or breakdown of a technology, cultural practice, or institution.
Sources of early Islamic silver: lead isotope analysis of dirhams
Authors: Merkel Stephen W. , Oravisjärvi Jani , Kershaw Jane
Published: December 2023

The expansion of the early Islamic state (c. AD 700–900) was underpinned by the minting of silver coins (dirhams) on an enormous scale. While the wider effects of this coinage have been studied extensively, the sources of silver have attracted less attention and research has relied on literary texts pointing to mines in Arabia and Central Asia. Here, the authors use lead isotope and trace element analyses of more than 100 precisely dated silver coins to provide a geochemical perspective on Islamic silver. The results identify multiple new sources, stretching from Morocco to the Tien Shen, and indicate an Abbasid-period mining boom. These source locations have implications for contemporary geopolitics including on the Islamic-Byzantine frontier.
The Effects of a 90-km Outdoor Cycling Ride on Performance Outcomes Derived From Ramp-Incremental and 3-Minute All-Out Tests
Authors: Bitel Michael , Keir Daniel A. , Grossman Kevin , Barnes Mikaela , Murias Juan M. , Belfry Glen R.
Published: December 2023

Bitel, M, Keir, DA, Grossman, K, Barnes, M, Murias, JM, and Belfry, GR. The effects of a 90-km outdoor cycling ride on performance outcomes derived from ramp-incremental and 3-minute all-out tests. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2023—The purpose of this study was to determine whether laboratory-derived exercise intensity and performance demarcations are altered after prolonged outdoor cycling. Male recreational cyclists (n = 10; RIDE) performed an exhaustive ramp-incremental test (RAMP) and a 3-minute all-out test (3MT) on a cycle ergometer before and after a 90-km cycling ride. RAMP-derived maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), gas exchange threshold (GET), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and associated power output (PO), as well as 3MT-derived critical power (CP) and work performed above CP, were compared before and after ∼3 hours of outdoor cycling. Six active men served as “no-exercise” healthy controls (CON), who, instead, rested for 3 hours between repeated RAMP and 3MT tests. During the 90-km ride, the duration within the moderate-intensity, heavy-intensity, and severe-intensity domains was 59 ± 24%, 40 ± 24%, and 1 ± 1%, respectively. Compared with pre-90 km, post-RAMP exhibited reductions in (a) V̇O2max (4.04 ± 0.48 vs. 3.80 ± 0.38 L·min−1; p = 0.026) and associated PO (392 ± 30 W vs. 357 ± 26 W; p = 0.002); (b) the V̇O2 and PO at RCP (3.49 ± 0.46 vs. 3.34 ± 0.43 L·min−1; p = 0.040 and 312 ± 40 W vs. 292 ± 24 W; p = 0.023); and (c) the PO (214 ± 32 W vs. 198 ± 25 W; p = 0.027), but not the V̇O2 at GET (2.52 ± 0.44 vs. 2.44 ± 0.38 L·min−1; p = 0.388). Pre-90 km vs. post-90 km 3MT variables showed reduced W′ (9.8 ± 3.4 vs. 6.8 ± 2.6 kJ; p = 0.002) and unchanged CP (304 ± 26 W and 297 ± 34 W; p = 0.275). In the CON group, there were no differences in V̇O2max, GET, RCP, W′, CP, or associated power outputs (p > 0.05) pre-to-post 3 hours of rest. The preservation of critical power demonstrates that longer-duration maximal efforts may be sustained after long-duration cycle. However, shorter sprints and higher-intensity efforts eliciting V̇O2max will exhibit decreased PO after 3 hours of a predominantly moderate-intensity cycle.
Comparison between Four-Probe and Two-Probe Electrical Resistivity Measurement to Monitor the Curing and Piezoresistivity Behavior of Smart Cement Paste Modified with Waste Steel Slag and Green Nano-magnetite
Authors: Piro Nzar Shakr , Mohammed Ahmed Salih , Jalil Parwin Jalal , Hamad Samir M.
Published: December 2023

This study aims to examine the compressive strength, electrical resistivity, and piezoresistivity characteristics of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with a constant water-to-cement ratio (w/c) of 0.38. The optimal value of steel slag (SS) was determined to be 5 % based on the compressive strength of six different mixes of cement paste modified with various SS from 0 % to 30 % weight of cement. Additionally, the investigation will include modified cement samples containing 1 % green synthesized material and commercially available nano-magnetite (NM). Because iron is the primary component of SS and NM, the electrical resistivity, which is the primary criterion for structural health monitoring of cementitious material, can be increased by adding SS and NM. Hence, a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the resistivity of cement paste throughout the early curing period up to 28 days using an alternative current (AC) and embedding wires into the specimen, employing both the two-probe (2P) and four-probe (4P) methodologies. The findings suggest that the 4P method is a more precise approach for determining electrical resistivity than the 2P method, as the wire probe is not considered in the 4P method. Hence, it is imperative to compute the correlation between the 2P and 4P methodologies in order to attain a precise resistivity measurement. The suggested model indicates that the expected 4P resistivity can be measured with high precision, a high coefficient of determination (R2) of .97, and a low root mean square error (RMSE) of 7.33 Ω·m, based on the 2P result. The piezoresistivity results demonstrated that the cement paste modified with green synthesis nano-magnetite (GSNM) had a higher electrical resistivity (ER) change, 10.85 % greater than cement paste only, 57 % higher than cement modified with SS, and 34.2 % higher than cement paste modified with commercial nano-magnetite (CNM) after 28 days of curing. In addition, the compressive strength of cement paste modified with GSNM was higher than that of cement paste, cement paste modified with SS, and cement paste modified with CNM by 15.96 %, 21 %, and 1.7 %, respectively, after 28 days of curing. A Vipulanandan p–q model was used to forecast the electrical resistivity of cement paste versus time at start hydration during 28 days of curing and the change of electrical resistivity versus compressive strength at 3, 7, and 28 days. The Vipulananda p–q model anticipated both electrical resistivity and piezoresistivity behavior well.
Effect of Thermal Cycling of Zr-1%Nb Fuel Rod Claddings on Hydride Reorientation
Authors: Riedkina Ganna P. , Krasnorutskyy Volodmyr S. , Grytsyna Viktor M. , Grudnitskii Vadym V.
Published: December 2023

There is a class of engineering products with a degree of reliability that must remain high not only throughout a long service life (for fuel assemblies of 4–6 years of operation in cores of nuclear reactors) but also in subsequently longer storage (50–100 years). Such products include spent nuclear fuel (SNF) rod claddings. A feature of the condition of SNF rod claddings is the presence of degradation factors accumulated during operation, including hydrogen. Phenomena associated with the presence of hydrogen in SNF rod claddings include the reorientation of hydrides and hydrogen embrittlement. This article presents the results of research into the hydride reorientation in unirradiated prehydrogenated (50–400 ppm) fuel rod dummies manufactured of Zr-1% Nb alloy and filled with helium under pressure (P293 = 3, 4, and 5 MPa) at room temperature. Tests were performed in modes that simulate SNF reloading with maximum heating to 410°C (VVER-440) and 450°C (VVER-1000), an exposure time of 8 h, as well as reloadings and accidents with thermal cycling up to seven times in modes 410, 450↔300°C and 410, 450↔180°C. The influence of testing modes was studied in relation to (i) the mechanical properties of fuel rod dummy claddings, (ii) the resistance of claddings to low-cycle fatigue, (iii) the creep resistance of claddings under pressure and by the stress-relaxation method of deformed samples in the longitudinal direction, and (iv) the morphology of hydrides by metallography. All tests were performed on a uniform panel of samples with numerous thermal conditions and are necessary to substantiate the safety at all stages of SNF handling.
Effect of Grain Dimensions on the Diametral Creep of Zr-2.5Nb Pressure Tubes
Authors: Bickel Grant A. , Shiman Oksana , Skippon Travis
Published: December 2023

The α grains in hot extruded Zr-2.5Nb pressure tubes are highly elongated in the extrusion direction (tens of microns in length), slightly elongated in the hoop direction (on the order of a few microns), and very thin in the direction of the tube wall (<1 μm). Because diametral creep may limit the operational life of pressure tubes in CANDU reactors, studies to understand the effect of these grain dimensions on creep have been ongoing. In this study, in-service diametral creep measurements from CANDU reactors are correlated with α grain dimensions after accounting for the differences in service conditions (operating time, neutron flux, and temperature). The studied pressure tubes cover a population of Zr-2.5Nb CANDU pressure tubes manufactured since 1974 up to 1995 and therefore include a range of manufacturing processes with a corresponding variation of microstructure properties. The α grain dimensions are measured from the images taken using scanning transmission electron microscopy. A key finding of this study is that the α grain aspect ratio, in the cross section perpendicular to the extrusion direction (with the major axis roughly aligned in the hoop direction and minor axis roughly aligned in the wall direction), is a dominant correlate to explain and predict diametral creep.