bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical Management of Dyslipidemia for Secondary Stroke Prevention: Narrative Review
Authors: Chang Yoonkyung , Eom Soojeong , Kim Minjeong , Song Tae-Jin
Published: April 2023

Dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for stroke, following hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, and is an important risk factor for the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease, including stroke. Recent guidelines recommend considering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapies, such as statins (preferably), ezetimibe, or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of stroke, adhering to the “lower is better” approach. In this review, we examined the evidence supporting lipid-lowering medications like statins, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary stroke prevention and dyslipidemia management in different stroke subtypes. Stroke guidelines advocate for administering the maximum tolerable dose of statins as the primary treatment and as soon as possible despite the potential for new-onset diabetes mellitus and possible muscle and liver toxicity due to their demonstrated benefits in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and mortality reduction. When statin use is insufficient for LDL lowering, ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors are recommended as complementary therapies. It is essential to establish lipid-lowering therapy goals based on the stroke subtype and the presence of comorbidities.
Recent Advancement of Medical Patch for Transdermal Drug Delivery
Authors: Wong Won Fen , Ang Kuan Ping , Sethi Gautam , Looi Chung Yeng
Published: April 2023

Transdermal patches are a non-invasive method of drug administration. It is an adhesive patch designed to deliver a specific dose of medication through the skin and into the bloodstream throughout the body. Transdermal drug delivery has several advantages over other routes of administration, for instance, it is less invasive, patient-friendly, and has the ability to bypass first-pass metabolism and the destructive acidic environment of the stomach that occurs upon the oral ingestion of drugs. For decades, transdermal patches have attracted attention and were used to deliver drugs such as nicotine, fentanyl, nitroglycerin, and clonidine to treat various diseases or conditions. Recently, this method is also being explored as a means of delivering biologics in various applications. Here, we review the existing literatures on the design and usage of medical patches in transdermal drug delivery, with a focus on the recent advances in innovation and technology that led to the emergence of smart, dissolvable/biodegradable, and high-loading/release, as well as 3D-printed patches.
Evaluation of the Influence Exerted by Increased Silicon Contents on the Leaching Behavior of NMC-Based Black Mass
Authors: Gerold Eva , Lerchbammer Reinhard , Antrekowitsch Helmut
Published: April 2023

The further development of lithium-ion batteries leads to an improvement in power densities as well as safety and thus requires an optimization of the materials used. For this purpose, among other approaches, the anode materials are doped with silicon oxide or metallic silicon is used as the anode. However, silicon is a semimetal and is known to lead to the formation of jelly-like fluids in hydrometallurgical processes under certain conditions. This publication evaluates which parameters are responsible for this viscosity change in the leaching solutions during the recycling of lithium-ion batteries and examines the corresponding reaction mechanism behind this phenomenon. Furthermore, the leaching efficiency for the valuable metals nickel, cobalt, lithium and manganese is evaluated and the influence of different silicon contents in the solution is investigated. It could be shown that, especially the simultaneous presence of H2SO4, H2O2 and Si or SiO2, lead to a significant viscosity increase due to the formation of metasilicic acid and, accordingly, the leaching efficiencies of the valuable metals are negatively influenced.
Measurement Techniques for Three-Dimensional Metrology of High Aspect Ratio Internal Features—A Review
Authors: Hovell Tom , Petzing Jon , Guo Wen , Gill Connor , Justham Laura , Lohse Niels , Kinnell Peter
Published: April 2023

Non-destructive measurements of high aspect ratio microscale features, especially those with internal geometries such as micro-holes, remain a challenging metrology problem that is increasing in difficulty due to the increasing requirement for more complexity and higher tolerances in such structures. Additionally, there is a growing use of functional surface texturing for improving characteristics such as heat transfer and wettability. As a result, measurement techniques capable of providing dimensional form and surface finish for these features are of intense interest. This review explores the state-of-the-art inspection methodologies compatible with high-aspect-ratio structures and their suitability for extracting three-dimensional surface data based on identified high-aspect ratio structure types. Here, the abilities, limitations, challenges, and future requirements for the practical implementation and acceptance of these measurement techniques are presented.
Chitosan Nanoparticles as Seed Priming Agents to Alleviate Salinity Stress in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Seedlings
Authors: Soni Akanksha T. , Rookes James E. , Arya Sagar S.
Published: April 2023

Nanoparticle-based seed priming has opened new avenues in crop science due to their plant growth promoting potential. Similarly, biopolymers such as chitosan (CS) are widely studied as seed priming agents due to the biodegradable and biocompatible nature, ability to enhance germination percentage and overall seedling health. Therefore, priming with chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) is a promising tool to enhance overall plant health. Here, we studied the effect of nanopriming with CNPs or CS (50 µg/mL) on morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters of rice seedlings, grown in salinity stress conditions NaCl (0–250 mM). CNPs were synthesized using an ionic gelation method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (50–100 nm), zeta potential analyser (Particle size distribution–373.5 ± 3.7 nm; polydispersity index- > 0.4; zeta potential–45.3 ± 2.5 mV) and profilometry (300–1500 nm hydrodynamic height). Morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of rice seedlings grown from seeds primed with either CNPs or CS showed a positive effect on germination, seedling vigour, biochemical and antioxidant responses. Seeds primed with CNPs and CS demonstrated significantly higher germination potential and seedling vigour compared to control hydro-primed seeds when grown under increasing NaCl concentrations. These outcomes highlight that CNPs and CS can be used as potential seed priming agents to alleviate salinity stress in rice seedlings. However, further studies are warranted to understand the effect of CNPs and CS seed priming on the overall growth and development of rice plants as well as rice yield.
REBT Integration in Public and Private Outpatient Settings during COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives from Indonesia
Authors: Surilena  , Wolter Alegra , Vincentius Michael , Teresa Adela
Published: April 2023

This quasi-experimental study aimed to investigate how rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) works in Indonesian outpatient settings, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated depression, anxiety, and sleep among 60 Atma Jaya Hospital patients (public and private) using several assessment tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PSQI). The majority of participants were under 40 (53.3%), female (58.3%), married (56.6%), and working formally (65%), with either high school or diploma/bachelor’s level education (86.6%). After six REBT therapy sessions, significant improvements were evident in anxiety, depression, and sleep quality scores (p < 0.001). Participants showed improvements in anxiety and depression during the third and sixth sessions; and in sleep quality during the sixth session. These findings suggest that REBT-based interventions are effective in public and private outpatient settings, highlighting the importance of psychotherapy and cross-division collaboration in the Indonesian healthcare system.
Driver Drowsiness Detection: A Machine Learning Approach on Skin Conductance
Authors: Amidei Andrea , Spinsante Susanna , Iadarola Grazia , Benatti Simone , Tramarin Federico , Pavan Paolo , Rovati Luigi
Published: April 2023

The majority of car accidents worldwide are caused by drowsy drivers. Therefore, it is important to be able to detect when a driver is starting to feel drowsy in order to warn them before a serious accident occurs. Sometimes, drivers are not aware of their own drowsiness, but changes in their body signals can indicate that they are getting tired. Previous studies have used large and intrusive sensor systems that can be worn by the driver or placed in the vehicle to collect information about the driver’s physical status from a variety of signals that are either physiological or vehicle-related. This study focuses on the use of a single wrist device that is comfortable for the driver to wear and appropriate signal processing to detect drowsiness by analyzing only the physiological skin conductance (SC) signal. To determine whether the driver is drowsy, the study tests three ensemble algorithms and finds that the Boosting algorithm is the most effective in detecting drowsiness with an accuracy of 89.4%. The results of this study show that it is possible to identify when a driver is drowsy using only signals from the skin on the wrist, and this encourages further research to develop a real-time warning system for early detection of drowsiness.
Overcoming Challenges Associated with Developing Industrial Prognostics and Health Management Solutions
Authors: Toothman Maxwell , Braun Birgit , Bury Scott J. , Moyne James , Tilbury Dawn M. , Ye Yixin , Barton Kira
Published: April 2023

The development of prognostics and health management solutions in the manufacturing industry has lagged behind academic advances due to a number of practical challenges. This work proposes a framework for the initial development of industrial PHM solutions that is based on the system development life cycle commonly used for software-based applications. Methodologies for completing the planning and design stages, which are critical for industrial solutions, are presented. Two challenges that are inherent to health modeling in manufacturing environments, data quality and modeling systems that experience trend-based degradation, are then identified and methods to overcome them are proposed. Additionally included is a case study documenting the development of an industrial PHM solution for a hyper compressor at a manufacturing facility operated by The Dow Chemical Company. This case study demonstrates the value of the proposed development process and provides guidelines for utilizing it in other applications.
Cross-Modality Person Re-Identification via Local Paired Graph Attention Network
Authors: Zhou Jianglin , Dong Qing , Zhang Zhong , Liu Shuang , Durrani Tariq S.
Published: April 2023

Cross-modality person re-identification (ReID) aims at searching a pedestrian image of RGB modality from infrared (IR) pedestrian images and vice versa. Recently, some approaches have constructed a graph to learn the relevance of pedestrian images of distinct modalities to narrow the gap between IR modality and RGB modality, but they omit the correlation between IR image and RGB image pairs. In this paper, we propose a novel graph model called Local Paired Graph Attention Network (LPGAT). It uses the paired local features of pedestrian images from different modalities to build the nodes of the graph. For accurate propagation of information among the nodes of the graph, we propose a contextual attention coefficient that leverages distance information to regulate the process of updating the nodes of the graph. Furthermore, we put forward Cross-Center Contrastive Learning (C3L) to constrain how far local features are from their heterogeneous centers, which is beneficial for learning the completed distance metric. We conduct experiments on the RegDB and SYSU-MM01 datasets to validate the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Enhancing 360 Video Streaming through Salient Content in Head-Mounted Displays
Authors: Nguyen Anh , Yan Zhisheng
Published: April 2023

Predicting where users will look inside head-mounted displays (HMDs) and fetching only the relevant content is an effective approach for streaming bulky 360 videos over bandwidth-constrained networks. Despite previous efforts, anticipating users’ fast and sudden head movements is still difficult because there is a lack of clear understanding of the unique visual attention in 360 videos that dictates the users’ head movement in HMDs. This in turn reduces the effectiveness of streaming systems and degrades the users’ Quality of Experience. To address this issue, we propose to extract salient cues unique in the 360 video content to capture the attentive behavior of HMD users. Empowered by the newly discovered saliency features, we devise a head-movement prediction algorithm to accurately predict users’ head orientations in the near future. A 360 video streaming framework that takes full advantage of the head movement predictor is proposed to enhance the quality of delivered 360 videos. Practical trace-driven results show that the proposed saliency-based 360 video streaming system reduces the stall duration by 65% and the stall count by 46%, while saving 31% more bandwidth than state-of-the-art approaches.
Review on Sensor Array-Based Analytical Technologies for Quality Control of Food and Beverages
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Castro Mickael , Feller Jean-François
Published: April 2023

Food quality control is an important area to address, as it directly impacts the health of the whole population. To evaluate the food authenticity and quality, the organoleptic feature of the food aroma is very important, such that the composition of volatile organic compounds (VOC) is unique in each aroma, providing a basis to predict the food quality. Different types of analytical approaches have been used to assess the VOC biomarkers and other parameters in the food. The conventional approaches are based on targeted analyses using chromatography and spectroscopies coupled with chemometrics, which are highly sensitive, selective, and accurate to predict food authenticity, ageing, and geographical origin. However, these methods require passive sampling, are expensive, time-consuming, and lack real-time measurements. Alternately, gas sensor-based devices, such as the electronic nose (e-nose), bring a potential solution for the existing limitations of conventional methods, offering a real-time and cheaper point-of-care analysis of food quality assessment. Currently, research advancement in this field involves mainly metal oxide semiconductor-based chemiresistive gas sensors, which are highly sensitive, partially selective, have a short response time, and utilize diverse pattern recognition methods for the classification and identification of biomarkers. Further research interests are emerging in the use of organic nanomaterials in e-noses, which are cheaper and operable at room temperature.
Automated Measurement of Geometric Features in Curvilinear Structures Exploiting Steger’s Algorithm
Authors: Giulietti Nicola , Chiariotti Paolo , Revel Gian Marco
Published: April 2023

Accurately assessing the geometric features of curvilinear structures on images is of paramount importance in many vision-based measurement systems targeting technological fields such as quality control, defect analysis, biomedical, aerial, and satellite imaging. This paper aims at laying the basis for the development of fully automated vision-based measurement systems targeting the measurement of elements that can be treated as curvilinear structures in the resulting image, such as cracks in concrete elements. In particular, the goal is to overcome the limitation of exploiting the well-known Steger’s ridge detection algorithm in these applications because of the manual identification of the input parameters characterizing the algorithm, which are preventing its extensive use in the measurement field. This paper proposes an approach to make the selection phase of these input parameters fully automated. The metrological performance of the proposed approach is discussed. The method is demonstrated on both synthesized and experimental data.
Intelligent Eye-Controlled Electric Wheelchair Based on Estimating Visual Intentions Using One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Network and Long Short-Term Memory
Authors: Higa Sho , Yamada Koji , Kamisato Shihoko
Published: April 2023

When an electric wheelchair is operated using gaze motion, eye movements such as checking the environment and observing objects are also incorrectly recognized as input operations. This phenomenon is called the “Midas touch problem”, and classifying visual intentions is extremely important. In this paper, we develop a deep learning model that estimates the user’s visual intention in real time and an electric wheelchair control system that combines intention estimation and the gaze dwell time method. The proposed model consists of a 1DCNN-LSTM that estimates visual intention from feature vectors of 10 variables, such as eye movement, head movement, and distance to the fixation point. The evaluation experiments classifying four types of visual intentions show that the proposed model has the highest accuracy compared to other models. In addition, the results of the driving experiments of the electric wheelchair implementing the proposed model show that the user’s efforts to operate the wheelchair are reduced and that the operability of the wheelchair is improved compared to the traditional method. From these results, we concluded that visual intentions could be more accurately estimated by learning time series patterns from eye and head movement data.
DIdM-EIoTD: Distributed Identity Management for Edge Internet of Things (IoT) Devices
Authors: Sadique Kazi Masum , Rahmani Rahim , Johannesson Paul
Published: April 2023

The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm aims to enhance human society and living standards with the vast deployment of smart and autonomous devices, which requires seamless collaboration. The number of connected devices increases daily, introducing identity management requirements for edge IoT devices. Due to IoT devices’ heterogeneity and resource-constrained configuration, traditional identity management systems are not feasible. As a result, identity management for IoT devices is still an open issue. Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and blockchain-based security solutions are becoming popular in different application domains. This paper presents a novel DLT-based distributed identity management architecture for edge IoT devices. The model can be adapted with any IoT solution for secure and trustworthy communication between devices. We have comprehensively reviewed popular consensus mechanisms used in DLT implementations and their connection to IoT research, specifically identity management for Edge IoT devices. Our proposed location-based identity management model is generic, distributed, and decentralized. The proposed model is verified using the Scyther formal verification tool for security performance measurement. SPIN model checker is employed for different state verification of our proposed model. The open-source simulation tool FobSim is used for fog and edge/user layer DTL deployment performance analysis. The results and discussion section represents how our proposed decentralized identity management solution should enhance user data privacy and secure and trustworthy communication in IoT.
Effects of Law Enforcement Load Carriage Systems on Muscle Activity and Coordination during Walking: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Martin Joel , Sax van der Weyden Megan , Fyock-Martin Marcie
Published: April 2023

Law enforcement officers (LEOs) commonly wear a duty belt (DB) or tactical vest (TV) and from prior findings, these forms of load carriage (LC) likely alter muscular activity. However, studies on the effects of LEO LC on muscular activity and coordination are limited in the current literature. The present study examined the effects of LEO load carriage on muscular activity and coordination. Twenty-four volunteers participated in the study (male = 13, age = 24.5 ± 6.0 years). Surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors were placed on the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, multifidus, and lower rectus abdominus. Participants completed treadmill walking for two load carriage conditions (duty belt and tactical vest) and a control condition. Mean activity, sample entropy and Pearson correlation coefficients were computed for each muscle pair during the trials. The duty belt and tactical vest resulted in an increase in muscle activity in several muscles; however, no differences between the duty belt and tactical vest were found. Consistently across the conditions, the largest correlations were observed between the left and right multifidus (r = 0.33–0.68) and rectus abdominus muscles (0.34–0.55). There were statistically small effects (p < 0.05, η2 = 0.031 to 0.076) of the LC on intermuscular coordination. No effect (p > 0.05) of the LC on sample entropy was found for any muscle. The findings indicate that LEO LC causes small differences in muscular activity and coordination during walking. Future research should incorporate heavier loads and longer durations.
Influence of the Filtration Velocity on the Local Oil Distribution of Oleophilic Coalescence Filter Media
Authors: Straube Christian , Meyer Jörg , Dittler Achim
Published: April 2023

Fibrous nonwoven coalescence filters are commonly utilized in gas-cleaning processes to separate liquid droplets from a gas stream, e.g., oil mists. These filters are mainly composed of micro glass fibers and in some cases, small amounts of synthetic fibers. The shape of the deposited oil on filter fibers of the filter media depends on several factors, including the oil saturation, wettability, roughness, diameter of the fibers and fiber arrangement. The oil deposits can take the form of, e.g., axially symmetric barrel-shaped droplets or larger structures, such as oil sails between adjacent fibers. Understanding the initial state of the coalescence filtration process and the impact of the deposited oil structures on the separation efficiency requires characterizing these structures. X-ray microtomography (µ-CT) and artificial intelligence tools for segmentation can be utilized to visualize, identify and analyze deposited oil structures in the micrometer region. To quantify and compare oil structures formed at three distinct filtration velocities (10, 25 and 40 cm s−1) commonly utilized in industrial applications and one defined oil saturation of oleophilic coalescence filter media, applying X-ray microtomography is the main emphasis of this work. The results indicate that there is no significant influence of the filtration velocity on the local saturation (determined via µ-CT), the number- and volume-based fractions of the identified deposited oil structures on or between adjacent fibers as well as the droplet concentrations and distributions of deposited oil droplets. It is assumed that the structure of the deposited oil formed by coalescence in the filter medium is dominated by the wetting properties of the fibers (surface tension and surface energy) and the saturation, independent of the filtration velocity.
Separation, Characterization and Mammal Pancreatic Lipase Inhibitory Potential of Cucumber Flower Flavonoids
Authors: Olennikov Daniil N.
Published: April 2023

Edible flowers are a new “old” trend in modern gastronomy and healthy nutrition aimed at increasing food attractiveness and improving the consumption of beneficial phytocompounds that have valuable properties. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., Cucurbitaceae family) is a well-known agricultural product; it is an important crop that is commonly used across the globe. Despite sufficient knowledge of nutrients and secondary metabolites in cucumber fruits, the use of cucumber flowers for food purposes is still understudied. In this study, the total flavonoid fraction of cucumber flowers was isolated and purified after liquid–liquid and solid-phase extraction and polyamide and Amberlite XAD-2 separation followed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detection (HPLC–PDA–ESI–tQ–MS/MS), resulting in the detection of 47 compounds. Identified flavonoids included luteolin, apigenin, and chrysoeriol-based flavones such as C-, O-, and C,O-glycosides, most of which were detected for the first time in C. sativus. Flower extracts from ten cucumber cultivars were quantified, and isoorientin, isoorientin-4′-O-glucoside, and cucumerins B and D were predominant. The use of in vitro assay potential to inhibit mammalian pancreatic lipases was demonstrated for the C. sativus extracts. The dominant compounds were studied separately, and luteolin derivatives were determined to be responsible for the bioactivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on cucumber flowers that has shown their wide potential for use as a beneficial dietary supplement.
Comparative Study of E-Nose, GC-MS, and GC-IMS to Distinguish Star Anise Essential Oil Extracted Using Different Extraction Methods
Authors: Chai Xianghua , Huang Xiaowan , Zhang Tong , Wu Kegang , Duan Xuejuan , Yu Hongpeng , Liu Xiaoli
Published: April 2023

In this study, star anise (Illicium verum) essential oils (SAEOs) were extracted by hydrodistillation (HD), ethanol solvent extraction (ESE), supercritical CO2 (SCD) and subcritical extraction (SE) via electronic nose (E-nose), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and GC-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). GC-MS and GC-IMS were used to identify the volatile compounds, and GC-MS was also used to determine their concentrations. Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were used to visualise volatile compounds and differentiate samples. The results showed that anethole and limonene were the main volatile compounds in SAEOs extracted using the four methods and their components were similar, albeit in different proportions. In addition, the fingerprints of their volatile components were established via E-nose and GC-IMS analyses. In general, GC-MS, GC-IMS, and E-nose combined with PCA and LDA analysis could accurately distinguish SAEOs extracted using different extraction methods, and GC-IMS was identified as the most suitable method because of its accuracy and rapidity.
A Review of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Strategies for the Analyses of Metabolomics Induced by Microplastics
Authors: Wu Kuan-Lu , Liao Wan-Rou , Lin Wei-Chen , Chen Sung-Fang
Published: April 2023

Microplastics (MPs) (microscopic plastic particles) are defined as plastic fragments in the range of 1 to 5 mm. They are invisible and usually too small to be seen by humans but pollution by MPs has become an issue due to the rising use of plastic products. Pollution of microscopic plastics has gained international attention in recent years and has become an important issue in the field of environmental protection, food safety, and human health. Numerous studies have reported that MPs have the potential for causing detrimental effects in various species. The focus of this mini review was on LC-MS-based metabolomics research into this issue by targeted and untargeted approaches. We also summarized biomarkers for assessing toxicity in land and aquatic species that are induced by MPs with different sizes and shapes, type of monomer, and the dose. Based on previous research results, MPs have the potential for affecting energy metabolism and the immune system, chronic inflammation, and neurotransmitter disorders in a wide variety of species. These biomarkers discovered by metabolomics are consistent with other methods, showing the reliability of LC-MS-based metabolomics. Further research is highly anticipated to explore other toxicity effects that are induced by MPs.
Quantifying the Immediate Response of Soil to Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) Grubbing in Mediterranean Olive Orchards
Authors: Napoletano Pasquale , Barbarisi Costantina , Maselli Valeria , Rippa Daniela , Arena Carmen , Volpe Maria Grazia , Colombo Claudio , Fulgione Domenico , De Marco Anna
Published: April 2023

The goals of the current research were to assess the immediate impact of invasive wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) in olive orchards of southern Italy. Over a one-year study, in grubbed and ungrubbed areas, we measured the seasonal changes on the fast soil biological and chemical responses at depths of 0–15 cm and 15–40 cm, and several leaf and fruit characteristics. The impact factor, IFG, was used to quantify the effects of wild boar on individual soil parameters. Grubbing induced an increase in the soil moisture at both depths. Soil pH, organic matter, and C/N ratio were higher in grubbed soils at 0–15 cm and lower at 15–40 cm compared to ungrubbed soils. These trends were reflected in the higher microbial community biomass and the inhibition of fungal fraction in grubbed topsoil, while an opposite tendency at 15–40 cm was found. Microbial biomass had the highest IFG in topsoil (94%) and metabolic quotient (85%) at a 15–40 cm depth. Microbial stress condition and C loss were found in grubbed soil at both depths. Furthermore, these soils were also shown to be of lower quality than ungrubbed soils, especially at 0–15 cm (SQI = 0.40 vs. 0.50, respectively). A stronger negative impact of wild boar grubbing was observed in the Autumn/Winter and for fruit polyphenol content.
Sustainable Architecture in Developing Countries: Harvest Map of the Lusaka Territory, Zambia
Authors: De Gregorio Stefania , Di Domenico Giulia , De Berardinis Pierluigi
Published: April 2023

In Zambia, Western materials, techniques, and technologies, a symbol of emancipation, are replacing the local building culture, which is relegated to the poor sections of society, with a negative impact from an environmental, social, and economic point of view. Designing and building sustainable architecture in developing countries is a particularly complex task mainly because of the absence of scientifically codified information about vernacular architecture and available resources. The starting point for designing and building sustainable architecture is to know the territory and its resources. The research outlines the harvest map of sustainable resources in Lusaka’s geographic surroundings, created through site surveys and analysis of international databases. The method for creating a harvest map follows well-defined steps involving knowledge of climate, intangible resources, and material resources as described below. Knowledge of the climate is intended to enable a critical reading of the area’s resources; it is functional to understand the logic of traditional architecture and consequently to identify fields of innovation in it. Intangible resources are related to the building culture and techniques and technologies of vernacular architecture of the territory; material resources, on the other hand, are related to traditionally used materials, raw materials not yet exploited, but potentially usable and waste materials. The vernacular architecture of the Lusaka territory is based on low-tech systems and natural materials (mainly raw earth, plant fibers, wood, and bamboo). There are also tree species in the territory that, for their quantity and performance, could be used in the construction field, as well as waste materials from common use or from the agricultural supply chain. Starting from this harvest map, every designer has the knowledge of the area from which to use already known building systems related to the resources of the area or innovate them while respecting local culture and resources.
A New Ant Species of Strumigenys Smith, 1860 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest
Authors: Chaul Júlio Cezar Mário
Published: April 2023

Strumigenys is one of the largest genera of ants, and one of the few which has received relatively recent global taxonomic treatment at the species level. Despite this, many new species continue to be found in most biogeographic regions. Strumigenys flavianae sp. nov. is described based on material collected in Viçosa, in the state of Minas Gerais, among secondary growth remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Three workers of this new taxon are known, and the lack of additional specimens in the main ant collections harboring Atlantic Forest ants indicates its rarity. Strumigenys flavianae can be differentiated from all Neotropical Strumigenys for its overall slenderness, flagellate and wire-like pilosity, extremely long head, large and medially notched subpetiolar spongiform tissue and a mostly reticulate pleura. The new species is distinct from all other species found in the Atlantic Forest. It has similarities to some Amazonian species in the hyphata-group (S. cincinnata and S. hyphata) and the probatrix-group (S. doryceps), while still having significant differences relative to both. Therefore, a new species group was created to account for the new species.
Performance Comparison of Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET Power Module Driving IPMSM or IM under WLTC
Authors: Umegami Hirokatsu , Harada Toshikazu , Nakahara Ken
Published: April 2023

The cumulative inverter losses and power consumption of a silicon insulated gate bipolar transistor (Si IGBT) and three types of silicon carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (SiC MOSFETs) were evaluated on an electric motor test bench under a worldwide harmonized light vehicles test cycle (WLTC). SiC MOSFETs showed higher performance than Si IGBT regardless of the motor type and test vehicles. In the case of driving an interior permanent magnet synchronous motor (IPMSM), the latest 4th generation SiC MOSFET (SiC-4G) in ROHM has the lowest inverter loss and energy consumption compared with the other generations. In the case of driving an induction motor (IM), on the other hand, the 2nd generation SiC MOSFET (SiC-2G) in ROHM has the best energy consumption despite the fact that the inverter losses of SiC-2G are slightly larger than the loss of SiC-4G. The latest or later generation power device does not necessarily contribute to better performance in a total system by simply replacing early power devices.
Modern concepts of managing the development of the production and economic system of an aircraft engine enterprise
Authors:   Coordinating Methodological Center for the Implementation of the Digital Economy, Perm Plant «Mashinostroitel», Тashkinov А. G. ,   Department of Economics and Management of Industrial Production, FSBEI HE Perm National Research Polytechnic University
Published: April 2023

In the article, the author discusses theoretical and methodological approaches of the concept of managing the development of the production and economic system of the enterprise. The key features of the formation and development of the concept of agile, lean, quick response manufacturing at the enterprise are listed. A comparison of the concepts of managing the development of the production and economic system of the enterprise is presented. The stages of the development of the concept of lean production of the Perm Plant «Mashinostroitel» are described.
Differences between leasing and a loan
Authors:   Banki.ru, Nizamova Nadezhda
Published: April 2023

It is possible to take a loan or draw up a leasing agreement to buy a car or equipment for the company. We analyze what leasing is, how it differs from a conventional loan, and what its advantages and disadvantages are.
How and why are video consultations used in urgent primary care settings in the UK? A focus group study
Authors: Payne Rebecca Elizabeth , Clarke Aileen
Published: April 2023

Background

Video consulting was widely rolled out across general practice at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the in-hours setting there has been a marked shift away from using the technology, but many urgent care clinicians continue to use video consulting. Little is known about the reasons behind this discrepancy.

Aim

To understand how and why video is used in urgent care settings.

Design & setting

Focus groups were held via Microsoft Teams with 11 GPs working in in- and out-of-hours settings across the UK.

Method

GPs were recruited through a convienience sampling strategy. Meetings were recorded, auto-transcribed, and checked for accuracy. A thematic analysis was performed.

Results

Urgent care GPs used video as an adjunct to the telephone in the initial assessment of patients and felt it helped direct patients to the right service first time. They were confident using video for a broad range of presenting conditions. They felt it created additional trust and rapport with patients and was useful for bringing third parties into the consultation. They felt that it allowed them to maximise resources and use shielded colleagues effectively. They emphasised the importance of one-to-one training and this was seen as vital for effective implementation within an organisation.

Conclusion

Video consulting is useful in the urgent care setting as an adjunct to telephone consulting. It is particularly helpful in the initial triage of patients. One-to-one training is needed for effective implementation.
Demographic Policy in Russia: Performance Evaluation
Authors: Ageev A. I. , Zolotareva O. A.
Published: April 2023

One of the reasons for the heavy hindering of the socio-economic development of modern Russia – is a new protracted wave of depopulation. In this regard, it is relevant and practically significant to analyze basic problems in the strategic management of demographic development and impartially assess the effectiveness of the tasks solved in this area, primarily in the field of birth rate growth. The article focuses on reviewing the core regulatory document in the field of demography – the Concept of the Demographic Policy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025. A number of its imperfections admitted at the development stage are identified, and directions for improving the document are proposed. The article assesses the dynamics of several core target demographic indicators and attempts to identify problems and factors affecting the birth rate in the country. The correlations assessment confirmed the importance of social support measures and regional maternity capital for achieving the increase in the birth rate, which is essential for overcoming depopulation processes in society. A serious barrier to demographic development has been identified, caused by the widespread practice of postponing childbearing, which has demonstrated stability in the younger generation, regardless of the self-assessment of their standard of living. Against this background, the transformation of the fertility age model was determined – the modal age of mothers for fifteen years has shifted by more than five years. There is a positive confirmation of the connection between the intention of young people to marry and their desire to have a child, which seems essential for family well-being and forms the prerequisites for further demographic development, based on the calculated Pearson and Chuprov's mutual contingency coefficients.
Une attaque castillane contre le Labourd en 1419 : portée militaire et enjeux stratégiques d’une algarade frontalière
Authors: Vítores Casado Imanol , Bochaca Michel
Published: April 2023

Im august 1419 verwüstete ein kastillischer angriff die städte saint-Jean-de-Luz und Biarritz. als echo dieses Überfalls haben wir noch heute einige Chroniken, besonders von kastillischer seite, und in Bayonne drei Briefe der stadträte an den englischen König Heinrich V. Die wenigen Historiker, die sich für dieses Ereignis interessiert haben, stellten vor allem die Gleichzeitigkeit dieses Überfalls auf Labour mit dem Aufbruch einer kastillischen Flotte nach Schottland fest, letztere sollte dem französischen König neue Truppen bringen. Ein neuer Blick auf die Geschehnisse und neue Quellen zeigen jedoch, dass der Angriff vom Meer aus stattfand und eine beträchtliche Seemacht mobilisierte. So wird das ganze militärische Potential der kantabrischen Küste und seiner Region deutlich, die aus dem Krieg auf See beträchtliche Einkünfte bezog.
« Les enfants de la ville » : le consulat montpelliérain et ses nourrices à l’aube du XVIe siècle
Authors: Dominici Verdier Camille
Published: April 2023

A fines de la Edad media, el consulado de Montpellier desempeña un papel cada vez más importante en la política de beneficencia de la ciudad, prevaleciendo sobre la Iglesia. Para arrestar el crecimiento del número de niños abandonados y/ o huérfanos, la ciudad emplea hacia el final del siglo xIV mujeres para acogerlos y alimentarlos. A partir de las cuentas municipales en las que constan los recibos y los registro de lactancia de esas nodrizas, hemos podido estudiar su trabajo en los años entre 1500 y 1515. Hemos tratado de ver si había un cambio respecto a los siglos anteriores pero también de determinar el papel del consulado en esa política de beneficencia. Hemos intentado saber quiénes eran esas mujeres que criaban niños que no eran los suyos y, por fin, entender cuáles eran sus condiciones sociales y económicas.
Les dockers du port de Bayonne à travers les mouvements sociaux de la Belle Époque
Authors: Plat Emmanuel
Published: April 2023

C’est au cours des premières années du XXe siècle qu’une conscience ouvrière se diffuse sur les docks. Le port de Bayonne entre alors dans une phase industrielle qui modifie profondément le statut de l’ouvrier des quais. L’analyse des mouvements sociaux de cette période permet de mieux cerner le métier de docker et l’organisation de cette profession. À notre échelle, cela révèle les difficultés mais en même temps l’ambition de cette construction identitaire qui apparaît indissociable du contrôle syndical.
Sur un manuel suédois de français publié au XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Hammar Elisabet
Published: April 2023

Ici, périodiquement, des historiens du français langue étrangère analysent des extraits de documents pédagogiques de nature et d’époques diverses : manuels, dialogues, grammaires, dictionnaires, etc. Familiariser le plus grand nombre de lecteurs à ces matériaux, exemplifier les techniques d’interprétation, tel est ici notre double objectif.
Une lettre du XVIIIe siècle contre l’abus de la grammaire
Authors: Düwell Henning
Published: April 2023

Dans la plupart des cas, les remarques théoriques du XVIIIe siècle sur l'enseignement et l’apprentissage du français trouvaient une place plus ou moins modeste dans les préfaces des manuels, grammaires ou bien recueils de lettres, etc., tandis que des monographies de cette époque consacrées à la théorie de l’enseignement sont plus rares. En voici une qui a paru à Göttingen en 1797 sous le titre de Lettre à Mademoiselle D.S. Sur l’abus des grammaires dans l’étude du français, et sur la meilleure méthode d’apprendre cette langue. L’ouvrage contient 44 pages.
Lexique. Méthode traditionnelle
Authors: Puren Christian
Published: April 2023

Lexique : mots. Dans l’histoire du français, langue étrangère ou seconde, comme en d’autres domaines, l’histoire des mots, de certains mots, constitue une orientation originale et suggestive.

Un mot apparaît, symbolise avec éclat la nouveauté, devient un enjeu, se banalise ou se prostitue, source de consensus douteux et de confusions certaines, disparaît, renaît parfois. Derrière ces variations et ces jeux, un passé est à redécouvrir. D’où, dans Documents, cette rubrique qui se voudrait roborative.

Elle est inaugurée avec brio par Christian Puren auteur d’une excellente Histoire des méthodologies de l’enseignement des langues dont il est rendu compte ici-même, pp. 23-24.
Moreau de Saint -Méry e l'istituzione della prima cattedra di lingua francese all'Università di Parma
Authors: Martini Caria Corradi
Published: April 2023

En nous fondant sur les documents trouvés dans les Archives de Parme et dans la Bibliothèque Palatina, nous avons reconstitué ici les démarches qui conduisirent à l'institution de la première chaire de langue française de l'Université de Parme (15 novembre 1803).

Le point de départ de cette étude est le décret fondateur du nouvel enseignement, décret inspiré par les stratégies expansionnistes de Napoléon, ainsi que d'ailleurs tout le programme de promotion culturelle que Moreau de Saint-Méry, administrateur des Etats de Parme, Plaisance et Guastalla (1801-1806), réalisa au nom de la République Française.

Après avoir pris en considération les aspects techniques de l'opération et avoir tracé une brève biographie d'Antonio Bertuccini, le professeur à qui la chaire fut confiée, nous avons examiné l'organisation du nouveau cours d'enseignement où Ton utilisait la Nuova Grammatica Italiana e Francese (construite sur le modèle du manuel de Goudar), que le même Bertuccini avait élaboré en 1803, à l'usage de la "jeunesse studieuse de l'Université de Parme", celle-là même à qui ses cours devaient s'adresser.

Après un rapide examen de cette grammaire, nous l'avons ensuite comparée avec la nouvelle édition de 1810, où apparaissent quelques modifications ou pour mieux dire, quelques ajustements, exclusivement déterminés à notre avis, par le changement du régime politique.
La didattica della lingua francese attraverso l'analisi del Bollettino di Filología Moderna (1894-1895 ; 1901-1909)
Authors: Rossignotti Giovanna
Published: April 2023

Contribution à l'histoire de la didactique du français en Italie.

L'analyse du Bollettino di Filología Moderna nous a permis de reconstruire à grands traits la genèse historique de la didactique de la langue française en Italie.

Publiée entre la fin du XIXe et le début du XXe siècle, cette revue témoigne de la "bataille" menée par un groupe limité mais pourtant résolu de professeurs pour améliorer l'enseignement linguistique dans l'école de l'époque.

Le bulletin, outil à la fois d'information et de revendication, documente ainsi les défaites et les victoires, les déceptions et les enthousiasmes qui, au cours des années considérées, ont animé tant d'esprits travaillant au même projet : la réforme institutionnelle et méthodologique du système d'enseignement des langues étrangères.
Que lisait-on dans les classes de français d’autrefois ? Les contenus culturels de quelques manuels pour l’enseignement du français publiés en Italie de 1846 à 1908
Authors: Pellandra Carla
Published: April 2023

J’ai déjà eu l’occasion de présenter dans l’un des derniers numéros de Documents le fonds Ferretti, cette bibliothèque d’un professeur de Reggio Emilia qui comprend quelques centaines d’ouvrages pour l’enseignement du français parus au cours de la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle et au début du XXe, ouvrages qui diffèrent assez sensiblement des manuels des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles autant pour le contenu que pour la forme. Aux belles impressions aérées, ornées de guirlandes, de fleurons gracieux, succèdent des éditions économiques sur mauvais papier, aux caractères petits et serrés, et le manuel tend à se démembrer. Jusqu’au début du XIXe siècle, on réunissait généralement en un seul volume la grammaire, un lexique, des dialogues, des modèles de lettres et un choix d’anecdotes et d’histoires drôles qui servaient aux débutants pour apprendre à lire. A partir des années 1830-40 on commence à publier séparément des «éléments de lecture», des «manuels de lecture» qui remplacent les textes faciles «pour les commençants » des anciens manuels ainsi que les lectures suivies.