bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of RECAT-EU and ICAO wake turbulence category on the Point Merge System
Authors: Demirel S.
Published: March 2023

This study presents a mathematical model that schedules arrival aircraft regarding RECAT-EU that is new categorisation for applying separation minima and analyses its effect on the performance of the Point Merge System (PMS) at Sabiha Gökcen International Airport (LTFJ). There are two main scenarios: one of them uses RECAT-EU and the other employs the ICAO wake turbulence category. Both scenarios have ten different test problems to examine the mathematical model. The model applies RECAT-EU wake turbulence categories and compares the outcome with the ICAO wake turbulence categories. The model aims to minimise flight duration on the sequencing leg and ground delay in the departure queue using the RECAT-EU and ICAO wake turbulence categories individually. The results were analysed to reveal the PMS performance using the two different approaches to turbulence categories. Statistical analysis was also carried out to compare the means of the two groups in the model.
Evaluation of score parameters for severity assessment of surgery and liver cirrhosis in rats
Authors: Krueger Johanne C , Habigt Moriz A , Helmedag Marius J , Uhlig Moritz , Moss Michaela , Bleich André , Tolba René H , Rossaint Rolf , Hein Marc , Mechelinck Mare
Published: March 2023

Severity assessment in animals is an ongoing field of research. In particular, the question of objectifiable and meaningful parameters of score-sheets, as well as their best combination, arise. This retrospective analysis investigates the suitability of a score-sheet for assessing severity and seeks to optimise it for predicting survival in 89 male Sprague Dawley rats (Rattus norvegicus), during an experiment evaluating the influence of liver cirrhosis by bile duct ligation (BDL) on vascular healing. The following five parameters were compared for their predictive power: (i) overall score; (ii) relative weight loss; (iii) general condition score; (iv) spontaneous behaviour score; and (v) the observer’s assessment whether pain might be present. Suitable cut-off values of these individual parameters and the combination of multiple parameters were investigated. A total of ten rats (11.2%; 10/89) died or had to be sacrificed at an early stage due to pre-defined humane endpoints. Neither the overall score nor any individual parameter yielded satisfactory results for predicting survival. Using retrospectively calculated cut-off values and combining the overall score with the observer’s assessment of whether the animal required analgesia (dipyrone) for pain relief resulted in an improved prediction of survival on the second post-operative day. This study demonstrates that combining score parameters was more suitable than using single ones and that experienced human judgement of animals can be useful in addition to objective parameters in the assessment of severity. By optimising the score-sheet and better understanding the burden of the model on rats, this study contributes to animal welfare.
Embedding community-engaged research principles in implementation science: The implementation science center for cancer control equity
Authors: Kruse Gina R. , Lee Rebekka M. , Aschbrenner Kelly A. , Daly James G. , Dargon-Hart Susan , Davies Madeline E. , Gundersen Daniel A. , Pelton-Cairns Leslie , Winickoff Jonathan P. , Taveras Elsie , Emmons Karen M. ,   The ISCCCE Consortium
Published: March 2023

Gaps in the implementation of effective interventions impact nearly all cancer prevention and control strategies in the US including Massachusetts. To close these implementation gaps, evidence-based interventions must be rapidly and equitably implemented in settings serving racially, ethnically, socioeconomically, and geographically diverse populations. This paper provides a brief overview of The Implementation Science Center for Cancer Control Equity (ISCCCE) and describes how we have operationalized our commitment to a robust community-engaged center that aims to close these gaps. We describe how ISCCCE is organized and how the principles of community-engaged research are embedded across the center. Principles of community engagement have been operationalized across all components of ISCCCE. We have intentionally integrated these principles throughout all structures and processes and have developed evaluation strategies to assess whether the quality of our partnerships reflects the principles. ISCCCE is a comprehensive community-engaged infrastructure for studying efficient, pragmatic, and equity-focused implementation and adaptation strategies for cancer prevention in historically and currently disadvantaged communities with built-in methods to evaluate the quality of community engagement. This engaged research center is designed to maximize the impact and relevance of implementation research on cancer control in community health centers.
Roberto Clemente on the Black/Brown Color Line
Authors: DARDA JOSEPH
Published: March 2023

When Afro-Puerto Rican outfielder Roberto Clemente debuted with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, baseball writers identified him as another in a long line of Black stars remaking the game. When he died at the end of 1972, they remembered him as something else: a great Latin athlete. Clemente had traveled from Black to brown. Most historians trace the emergence of a panethnic Latinx identity to a post-civil rights convergence of social movements, federal agencies, and ethnic media organizations. But baseball had, by then, already introduced millions of fans to the concept of three mutually exclusive racial categories: Black, white, and brown. The national pastime led a shift from the Black/white binary of integration to the Black/brown binary of an uncritical multiculturalism that served, above all, the interests of white capital and management.
A new measure of inaccuracy for record statistics based on extropy
Authors: Hashempour Majid , Mohammadi Morteza
Published: March 2023

We introduce a new measure of inaccuracy based on extropy between distributions of the nth upper (lower) record value and parent random variable and discuss some properties of it. A characterization problem for the proposed extropy inaccuracy measure has been studied. It is also shown that the defined measure of inaccuracy is invariant under scale but not under location transformation. We characterize certain specific lifetime distribution functions. Nonparametric estimators based on the empirical and kernel methods for the proposed measures are also obtained. The performance of estimators is also discussed using a real dataset.
Phase transitions in biased opinion dynamics with 2-choices rule
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Arpan
Published: March 2023

We consider a model of binary opinion dynamics where one opinion is inherently “superior” than the other, and social agents exhibit a “bias” toward the superior alternative. Specifically, it is assumed that an agent updates its choice to the superior alternative with probability α > 0 irrespective of its current opinion and opinions of other agents. With probability $1-\alpha$, it adopts majority opinion among two randomly sampled neighbors and itself. We are interested in the time it takes for the network to converge to a consensus on the superior alternative. In a complete graph of size n, we show that irrespective of the initial configuration of the network, the average time to reach consensus scales as $\Theta(n\,\log n)$ when the bias parameter α is sufficiently high, that is, $\alpha \gt \alpha_c$ where αc is a threshold parameter that is uniquely characterized. When the bias is low, that is, when $\alpha \in (0,\alpha_c]$, we show that the same rate of convergence can only be achieved if the initial proportion of agents with the superior opinion is above certain threshold $p_c(\alpha)$. If this is not the case, then we show that the network takes $\Omega(\exp(\Theta(n)))$ time on average to reach consensus.
We Should Be Talking about the Capitalocene
Authors: Arons Wendy
Published: March 2023

The term “Anthropocene” is obfuscatory, and as an analytic framework it has a serious blind spot: the conflicts stemming from the uneven distribution of the costs and benefits of the “Age of Man,” which are the very eco-conflicts on which artists in our field should focus. We should be talking about the “Capitalocene,” a term that locates climate change within the history of capitalism and colonialism, and suggests stories that deserve time on our stages.
Dis-Anthropocentric Performance
Authors: Chaudhuri Una ,   with members of Climate Lens
Published: March 2023

How might performance contribute to a reversal of the social values and political systems that have produced climate chaos, plunging countless species into crisis and catastrophe? What recognitions would such a reversal require? What misrecognitions must it defeat?
No Longer a Laughing Matter
Authors: Amaefula Rowland Chukwuemeka
Published: March 2023

Maraji, a Nigerian humorist, performatively questions the lingering dominance of men in comedy as she brings humor to the everyday lives of Nigerians. Her work on social media draws audience attention to women’s role in society, shaping the future of comedic presentations in the African digital space.
State of broker–dealer leverage and the transmission of monetary policy
Authors: Ahmed M. Iqbal , Cassou Steven P. , Kishan Ruby P.
Published: March 2023

This paper investigates how responses of US macroeconomic activities to monetary policy shocks depend on the state of broker–dealer leverage. The analysis makes use of leverage data to create an indicator series that distinguishes above and below-trend leverage states for the economy which is then integrated into switching econometric models. Using state-dependent local projection methods, we find that during the below-trend leverage state, monetary policy affects the economy in a traditional fashion. However, during the above-trend leverage state, expansionary monetary policy is problematic for stimulating the economy. Additionally, during the above-trend leverage state, we find that a policy rate cut raises counterparty risks in financial markets, which in part accounts for the weaker effectiveness of the monetary policy. These findings are robust to several alternative modeling specifications and suggest that monetary policy authorities should monitor the leverage cycle when determining their policy stance on macroeconomic stability.
The “Commitment Trap” Revisited: Experimental Evidence on Ambiguous Nuclear Threats
Authors: Smetana Michal , Vranka Marek , Rosendorf Ondrej
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we provide an empirical test for the theoretical claim that ambiguous nuclear threats create a “commitment trap” for American leaders: when deterrence fails, supposedly they are more likely to order the use of nuclear weapons to avoid domestic audience costs for backing down. We designed an original survey experiment and fielded it to a sample of 1,000 U.S. citizens. We found no evidence of a commitment trap when ambiguous nuclear threats are made. Unlike explicit threats, ambiguous ones did not generate domestic disapproval when the leader backed down; the decision to employ nuclear weapons led to more public backlash for the leader than being caught bluffing; and the threats did not influence public preference for nuclear use across our scenarios. Our findings contribute to the scholarly literature on nuclear crisis bargaining and policy debates over the future of US declaratory policy.
Environmental and Hydrogeochemical Controls of Spicular Geyserite in Opaline Hot Spring Deposits
Authors: Munoz‐Saez C. , Gong J. , Perez‐Fodich A. , van Zuilen M. A.
Published: March 2023

Siliceous spicules are micro‐laminated geyserite deposits, or micro‐stromatolites, found around high temperature hot‐springs and geysers, associated with intermittent splashes of water. Understanding conditions of formation of these structures will give insights of critical parameters involved in prebiotic environments and early life. We provide a new data set around two geysers from the El Tatio hydrothermal field, Atacama Desert, Chile, a modern analogue for habitable environments on early Earth and Mars. Small spicules (<5 mm diameter) dominate in the near vent areas, whereas larger spicules (>5 mm diameter) form complex columnar structures in the distal vent (>0.3 m distance from the vent). Hydrodynamics, eruption periodicity, and environmental conditions modulate the temperature and cooling patterns around vents. During geyser eruptions, the temperature of water reaching the ground decreases with the distance from the vent. Cooling is stronger during the evenings, due to strong winds and cold air temperature. Rapid water cooling drives supersaturation of amorphous silica, and therefore precipitation rates increase significantly with distance from the vent. Cooling also controls changes in the bacterial communities, from thin filaments <1 μm diameter predominating closer to the vent, to 1–2 μm diameter filaments in the distal vent. Changes in the silica precipitation rate and biota may control the growth of spicules and the transition to columns. Estimated precipitation rates of silica provide a first approximation of the longevity of these structures and the timing for the formation of internal laminations. Microlamination will form in year time‐scales closer to the vent, and weeks farther from the vent.
Frequencies of Multivariate Air Masses Drive Tree Growth
Authors: Lee Cameron C. , Dannenberg Matthew P.
Published: March 2023

Midlatitude surface meteorological conditions are embedded within—and affected by—synoptic‐scale systems, including the movement and persistence of air masses (AMs). Changes in AM frequencies (number of daily occurrences) over the past several decades could have large effects on ecosystems: each organism is exposed to the synergistic effects of the entire suite of atmospheric variables acting upon it—an inherently multivariate environment—which is best captured using AMs. Utilizing a global‐scale AM classification system and a large network of tree‐ring chronologies, we investigate how variation in AM frequency impacts tree growth at over 900 locations. We find that AM frequencies are well‐correlated with tree growth, especially in the 12‐month period from July in the year prior to growth through June in the year of growth. The most impactful AMs are Dry‐Warm and Humid‐Cool AMs, which exhibit average correlations of ρ = −0.4 and ρ = +0.4 with tree growth, respectively, for certain tree species, with correlations at some sites exceeding ρ =  ±0.8 in some seasons. Compared to empirical models based solely on temperature and precipitation, modeling using only AM frequencies proved superior at nearly 60% of the sites and for over 80% of the well‐sampled (n ≥ 10) species. These results should provide a foundation for using AMs to improve forecasts of tree growth, tree stress and wildfire potential. Long‐term reconstructions of AM frequencies back several centuries may also be feasible using tree‐ring data, which will help contextualize and temporally extend multivariate perspectives of climate change that utilize such air masses.
Ferroptosis, pyroptosis and necroptosis in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Zheng Yongxin , Huang Yongbo , Xu Yonghao , Sang Ling , Liu Xiaoqing , Li Yimin
Published: March 2023

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an acute and uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation caused by various insults. Cell death is a critical mechanism in the pathogenesis of ARDS. Ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death defined as iron-mediated lipid peroxidation, has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of ARDS. Additionally, pyroptosis and necroptosis are also involved in the pathophysiological process of ARDS. The crosstalk among ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis is getting increasing attention. Therefore, this review will mainly summarize the molecular mechanisms and central pathophysiological role of ferroptosis in ARDS. We will also discuss our understanding of pyroptosis and necroptosis as they pertain to the pathogenesis of ARDS. Furthermore, we also describe the pathological processes that engage crosstalk among ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. We consider that individual pathways of ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis are highly interconnected and can compensate for one another to promote cell death.
Experimental study on the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG)-induced atrial fibrillation on renal water and sodium metabolism
Authors: Li Shuyu , Pei Heng , Huang Yaomeng , Liu Da , Yang Liqun , Zhang Qi , Wang Zhijun
Published: March 2023

To construct an animal model of atrial fibrillation and observe the effect of acute atrial fibrillation on renal water and sodium metabolism in mice. A total of 20 C57 mice were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n = 10/group): control group (CON) and atrial fibrillation group (AF). The mice model of atrial fibrillation was induced by chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) in combination with transesophageal atrial spacing. The urine of the two groups of mice was collected, and then we calculate the urine volume and urine sodium content. The expression of TGF-β and type III collagen in the atrial myocardium of the two groups was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western Blot. The levels of CRP and IL-6 in blood were observed by ELISA, and the NF-κB, TGF-β, collagen type III, AQP2, AQP3, AQP4, ENaC-β, ENaC-γ, SGK1 and NKCC proteins in the kidneys of the two groups of mice was observed by Western Blot. Compared with CON, the expression of TGF-β and type III collagen in the atrial myocardium of the mice in AF were increased, the levels of CRP and IL-6 in the blood in AF were increased, and the renal NF-κB, TGF-β, type III collagen AQP2, AQP3, ENaC-β, ENaC-γ, SGK1 and NKCC protein expression in AF were up-regulated. The level of urine volume and urine sodium content in AF were significantly reduced. In the acute attack of atrial fibrillation, the formation of renal inflammatory response and fibrosis is activated, and the renal water and sodium metabolism is hindered, which is related to the up-regulated of the expressions of renal NKCC, ENaC and AQPs.
Predicting wildfire ignition induced by dynamic conductor swaying under strong winds
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Bocchini Paolo
Published: March 2023

During high wind events with dry weather conditions, electric power systems can be the cause of catastrophic wildfires. In particular, conductor-vegetation contact has been recognized as the major ignition cause of utility-related wildfires. There is a urgent need for accurate wildfire risk analysis in support of operational decision making, such as vegetation management or preventive power shutoffs. This work studies the ignition mechanism caused by transmission conductor swaying out to nearby vegetation and resulting in flashover. Specifically, the studied limit state is defined as the conductor encroaching into prescribed minimum vegetation clearance. The stochastic characteristics of the dynamic displacement response of a multi-span transmission line are derived through efficient spectral analysis in the frequency domain. The encroachment probability at a specified location is estimated by solving a classical first-excursion problem. These problems are often addressed using static-equivalent models. However, the results show that the contribution of random wind buffeting to the conductor dynamic displacement is appreciable under turbulent strong winds. Neglecting this random and dynamic component can lead to an erroneous estimation of the risk of ignition. The forecast duration of the strong wind event is an important parameter to determine the risk of ignition. In addition, the encroachment probability is found highly sensitive to vegetation clearance and wind intensity, which highlights the need of high resolution data for these quantities. The proposed methodology offers a potential avenue for accurate and efficient ignition probability prediction, which is an important step in wildfire risk analysis.
Image quality for visualization of cracks and fine endodontic structures using 10 CBCT devices with various scanning protocols and artefact conditions
Authors: Pinto Jáder Camilo , de Faria Vasconcelos Karla , Leite André Ferreira , Wanderley Victor Aquino , Pauwels Ruben , Oliveira Matheus L. , Jacobs Reinhilde , Tanomaru-Filho Mario
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate CBCT exposure protocols and CBCT devices in terms of image quality for the detection of cracks and fine endodontic structures using 3 conditions of metallic artifacts. An anthropomorphic phantom containing teeth with cracks, isthmus, narrow canal, and apical delta was scanned using ten CBCT devices. A reference industrial CT image was used to detect and measure all structures. Three conditions were created: (1) metal-free, (2) ‘endo’ and (3) ‘implant’ with metallic objects placed next to the teeth of interest. For each condition, three protocols were selected: medium field of view (FOV) standard resolution, small FOV standard and high resolution. The results showed that only small FOV high-resolution metal-free images from two devices (A and H) were appropriate to visualize cracks. For fine structure identification, the best result was observed for small FOV high resolution. However, the visualization significantly worsened in the presence of metallic artefacts. The ability of CBCT images for visualizing cracks is restricted to certain CBCT devices. Once metallic artefacts are present, crack detection becomes unlikely. Overall, small FOV high-resolution protocols may allow detection of fine endodontic structures as long as there are no high-dense objects in the region of interest.
Multitask computation through dynamics in recurrent spiking neural networks
Authors: Pugavko Mechislav M. , Maslennikov Oleg V. , Nekorkin Vladimir I.
Published: March 2023

In this work, inspired by cognitive neuroscience experiments, we propose recurrent spiking neural networks trained to perform multiple target tasks. These models are designed by considering neurocognitive activity as computational processes through dynamics. Trained by input–output examples, these spiking neural networks are reverse engineered to find the dynamic mechanisms that are fundamental to their performance. We show that considering multitasking and spiking within one system provides insightful ideas on the principles of neural computation.
Temporal evolution and differential patterns of cellular reconstitution after therapy for childhood cancers
Authors: Hofmann Gina , Zierk Jakob , Sobik Bettina , Wotschofsky Zofia , Sembill Stephanie , Krumbholz Manuela , Metzler Markus , Karow Axel
Published: March 2023

The cellular reconstitution after childhood cancer therapy is associated with the risk of infection and efficacy of revaccination. Many studies have described the reconstitution after stem cell transplantation (SCT). The recovery after cancer treatment in children who have not undergone SCT has mainly been investigated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), less for solid tumors. Here, we have examined the temporal evolution of total leukocyte, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts as surrogate parameters for the post-therapeutic immune recovery in a cohort of n = 52 patients with ALL in comparison to n = 58 patients with Hodgkin’s disease (HD) and n = 22 patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES). Patients with ALL showed an efficient increase in blood counts reaching the age-adjusted lower limits of normal between 4 and 5 months after the end of maintenance therapy. The two groups of patients with HD and ES exhibited a comparably delayed recovery of total leukocytes due to a protracted post-therapeutic lymphopenia which was most pronounced in patients with HD after irradiation. Overall, we observed a clearly more efficient resurgence of total lymphocyte counts in patients aged below 12 years compared to patients aged 12 to 18 years. Our results underline that the kinetics of cellular reconstitution after therapy for HD and ES differ significantly from ALL and depend on treatment regimens and modalities as well as on patient age. This suggests a need for disease, treatment, and age specific recommendations concerning the duration of infection prophylaxis and the timing of revaccination.
Optimization of amine functionalization of MCM-41 for its covalent decoration in nanofiltration membranes for purification of saline- and micropollutant-contaminated feeds
Authors: Waheed Abdul , Baig Umair , Jillani Shehzada Muhammad Sajid
Published: March 2023

This work presents the novel triamine-functionalized MCM-41 material and its utilization for the fabrication of nanofiltration membranes via crosslinking to the polyamide active layer for desalination and micropollutant removal.
Rational construction of porous marigold flower-like nickel molybdenum phosphates via ion exchange for high-performance long-lasting hybrid supercapacitors
Authors: Surya Kiran Ampasala , Ramulu Bhimanaboina , Junied Arbaz Shaik , Girija Shankar Edugulla , Nagaraju Manchi , Yu Jae Su
Published: March 2023

The assembled hybrid supercapacitor device using the urea-based nickel molybdenum phosphate nanopetals embedded microspheres electrode exhibits outstanding long-term cycling stability, demonstrating its practical applications.
A BODIPY-based probe for amyloid-β imaging in vivo
Authors: Zhu Mingguang , Zhang Guoyang , Hu Ziwei , Zhu Chaofeng , Chen Yixiang , James Tony D. , Ma Lijun , Wang Zhuo
Published: March 2023

Probe BocBDP with a binding unit suitable for penetrating the BBB and imaging Aβ in vivo.
The RuO2/NiRu heterogeneous interface optimizes the d-band center of the Ni–Ru catalyst for high-performance alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhou Yitian , Liu Yifan , Tang Hehua , Lin Bo-Lin
Published: March 2023

We report a Ni1Ru1/C catalyst with a downshifted d-band center due to the presence of the RuO2/NiRu heterogeneous interface, which appropriately weakens the too-strong adsorption of H* and thus improved the HER performance.
Influence of alkyl chain length on the photovoltaic properties of dithienopyran-based hole-transporting materials for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Caicedo-Reina Mauricio , Pérez-Escribano Manuel , Urieta-Mora Javier , García-Benito Inés , Calbo Joaquín , Ortiz Alejandro , Insuasty Braulio , Molina-Ontoria Agustín , Ortí Enrique , Martín Nazario
Published: March 2023

A tailored design of asymmetric hole-transporting materials (HTMs) is reported with the synthesis of a family of new HTMs based on the use of the 5H-dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]pyran (DTP) moiety endowed with donor p-methoxytriphenylamines.
Narrowband emission: organic thermally-activated delayed fluorescence materials and underlying mechanisms
Authors: Lv Chunyan , Wang Xiaoqing , Zhang Qing , Zhang Yujian
Published: March 2023

The underlying molecular-level insights into the structure–property relationship for narrowband emission, high photoluminescence efficiency and emission color tunability of organic MR-TADF emitters are organized both in the experiment and theory.
Visible-light-induced alkoxycarbonylation/cyclization of 1,7-enynes: synthesis of dihydropyranones containing all-carbon quaternary centers
Authors: Chen Jian-Qiang , Chen Qi , Chen Baofu , Wu Jie
Published: March 2023

A photoredox catalyzed radical-triggered tandem cyclization of 1,7-enynes with alkyloxalyl chlorides is developed, leading to dihydropyranones containing all-carbon quaternary centers through alkoxycarbonylation/dicyclization with 1,7-enynes.
Co-catalyzed arylation of aldehydes and aryltrimethylgermanes
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Zou Xiao , Zhang Ningqi , Liu Bo
Published: March 2023

A novel cobalt-catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of carbinol derivatives and benzil derivatives has been developed. In the presence of CoI2/tmphen as the catalyst, the corresponding arylated products were obtained in moderate to excellent yields under air atmosphere.
Two‐layer hybrid control scheme for distribution network integrated with photovoltaic sources based self‐tuning H‐infinity and fuzzy logic controller
Authors: Alghassab Mohammed A. , Nour Ahmed M. M. , Hatata Ahmed Y. , Sedhom Bishoy E.
Published: March 2023

Voltage violation is the main challenge in distribution networks (DN) with connected single‐phase distributed photovoltaic (PV) sources. The main concern of this paper is to suppress the overvoltage (OV), undervoltage, and voltage unbalance (VU) in DN to achieve the EN50160 standard. Two control levels are proposed; the first controller is an H‐infinity (H∞) controller for adjusting battery systems in distributed PV sources to alleviate VU. The second controller is a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for selecting the appropriate taps of the distribution transformer's on‐load tap changer (OLTC). Two challenges should be avoided; excessive batteries currents and extreme taps of OLTC. Therefore, the parameter of the H∞ controller is instantaneously adjusted by a FLC to determine the optimal batteries currents required. The OLTC controller operates in case of extremely either high OV or under‐voltage (UV) values. The simulation results verify the proposed control based on two power flow scenarios in DN. The first scenario represents power flow during the night when there are no PV generation powers with high loads consumption. On the contrary, the other scenario represents power flow during daylight in the presence of high PV powers with low loads’ power. The model of DN with controllers is implemented using MATLAB/script.

The main contribution of this paper can be summarized as follows:

1. Proposing a two‐layer control scheme to mitigate the over/under voltage and voltage imbalance and avoid excessive both batteries’ currents and OLTC tapping steps.

2. Designing a self‐tuning H∞ controller using FLC for dynamic adjusting of the controller weighted parameters.

3. Mitigating the voltage violations using the primary control level by optimizing the batteries’ currents.

4. Performing a secondary control level based OLTC optimal tapping selection for voltage regulation in the extreme over and under voltage events.2
Application of industrial enzymes in the traditional technology of alcohol from cooked sticky rice in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam
Authors: Ho Tuan Anh , Pham Quang Tu , Vu Van Hanh , Dinh Thi Hien
Published: March 2023

Based on the traditional technology of alcohol from cooked sticky rice in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam, the experiments were conducted by the way to kept the technological process as well as the proportion of ingredients. The quantity of the sticky rice for every experiments was 10 kg. The obtained results showed that the addition of 0.05% enzyme SEBflo-TL compared to the dry matter of sticky rice leads to an increase of the absolute anhydrous alcohol by 10%. Combined application of 0.05% enzyme SEBflo-TL and 0.08% SEBrew-GL for hydrolysing starch and β -glucan, the amount of obtained anhydrous alcohol is 4.6 liters compared to 4.0 liters in the sample control without enzyme application, yield increased by 15% and could provide significant economic benefits to wine producer. In other hand, after the first distillation, the fractional distillation reduced concentration of metanol, acetaldehyde and improved volatile compounds of producted alcohol. The finished alcohol met the Vietnam National technical regulation for alcoholic beverages and are unlikely to cause toxicity to consumers.
Investigation of probiotic properties of Lactobacillus helveticus 2/20 isolated from rose blossom of Rosa damascena Mill.
Authors: Denkova-Kostova Rositsa , Goranov Bogdan , Tomova Teodora , Yanakieva Velichka , Blazheva Denica , Denkova Zapryana , Kostov Georgi
Published: March 2023

A Lactobacillus strain was isolated from rose blossom of Rosa damascena Mill. and it was identified as belonging to the species Lactobacillus helveticus by the application of physiological-biochemical (API 50 CHL) and molecular-genetic methods (sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene). The presence of a number of probiotic properties of L. helveticus 2/20 was investigated. The strain exhibited high antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms that cause food toxicoinfections and intoxications. L. helveticus 2/20 survived in the simulated conditions of the gastrointestinal tract – pH = 2 and pepsin, pH = 4.5 and pancreatin and pH = 8 and pancreatin, as well as in the presence of up to 0.3% bile salts, retaining a significant concentration of viable cells. It has been shown that L. helveticus 2/20 cells begin multiplying after removing the extreme conditions. The strain allowed bioreactor cultivation and freeze-drying of the obtained concentrates, with the concentration of active cells in the lyophilic preparations exceeding 1012 cfu/g. The kinetic parameters of the batch cultivation process in a bioreactor with stirring and the maximum growth rate were determined, revealing the possibilities for scaling up of the fermentation process from laboratory to industrial conditions, as well as its management. After further research on the probiotic properties of L. helveticus 2/20, it can be included in the composition of probiotics and functional foods.
Growth kinetics of probiotic lactobacilli strains cultivated in a laboratory bioreactor with stirring
Authors: Goranov Bogdan , Denkova-Kostova Rositsa , Denkova Zapryana , Kostov Georgi
Published: March 2023

Batch cultivation in a laboratory bioreactor with stirring of the lactobacilli strains with probiotic properties Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. casei G17 and Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus G16 isolated from pink blossom of Rosa damascena Mill was conducted. The changes in the concentration of viable cells were monitored. The growth kinetics was modeled applying the classic and modified logistic curve model and the maximum specific growth rate (μm) of the studied strains was determined. The classical model of the logistic curve showed higher μm for Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. casei G17 - 0.133 h-1, compared to Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus G16 - 0.120 h-1, while the modified logistic curve model predicted comparable maximum growth rates of 0.105 h-1 and 0.101 h-1 for Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. casei G17 and Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus G16, respectively. Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. casei G17 was characterized by a shorter induction period (τa = 0.72 h) and a higher adaptation rate constant (k0 – 0.390 h-1) compared to Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus G16 (τa=1.66 h; k0=0.110 h-1). The established kinetic parameters show that Lacticaseibacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus G16 needs the addition of growth factors in the fermentation medium that will help to optimize its composition for scaling up the fermentation process.
Einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.) and nectarine flour mixture - antioxidant activity, microbiological and sorption characteristics
Authors: Vasileva Adelina , Durakova Albena , Georgiev Kliment , Kalaydzhiev Hristo , Dimitrova-Dicheva Milena , Goranova Zhivka
Published: March 2023

The current paper presents the initial scientific research on a new enriched flour mixture with nectarine powder, comprising physicochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, microbiological load, and sorption characteristics data. A mixture of 70% Einkorn flour and 30% fruit powder of Bulgarian origin as a functional food supplement was blended. The presence of bioactive components was proved by the in vitro analysis of antioxidant activity through DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods. The microbiological indicators, the total count of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, yeasts and molds, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., coagulase-positive staphylococci and coliforms, were within the permissible norms and no presence of pathogenic microorganisms, were detected in the flour mixture. Adsorption and desorption processes were studied at 10, 25 and 40°C and aw = 0.112-0.868 following static gravimetric methods. The obtained S-shaped equilibrium sorption isotherms confirm the constant trend that with increasing equilibrium moisture content, the temperature decreases in conditions of constant water activity. Based on the obtained sorption capacity data, a calculation of the monolayer moisture content was made using the linearization of the BET model. One of the modified three-parametric models of Oswin, Halsey, Henderson, and Chung-Pfost was selected as a suitable model for describing all sorption isotherms.
Lung Cancer Survival in Sri Lanka
Authors: Alagiyawanna Lanka , Wijesekera Sidath , Peiris Vimukthini , Rupasinghe Tiromi , Chathuranga Damitha , Balawardena Jayantha , Gunasekera Dehan , Jeyakumaran Nadarajah , Skandarajah Thurairajah , Joseph Nuradh
Published: March 2023

Introduction Lung cancer is the second commonest cancer among males in Sri Lanka. Real-world survival data are scarce, and we conducted a retrospective survival analysis among patients treated for lung cancer.

Methods All patients with primary lung cancer treated at three selected units during 2015–2016 were included in the study. Data on clinicopathological and treatment delivered were extracted from clinic records. Overall survival was considered the primary end-point.

Results The study population comprised 349 patients. The median age was 61 years and majority of patients (74%) were males. Adenocarcinoma (56%) was the commonest histological subtype, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (26%), whereas 6% of patients had small cell lung cancer. Only 10% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer were treated with curative intent, whereas 67% presented with systemic metastases. The median overall survival was 12 months in patients treated with curative intent and there was no significant difference between radical surgery and radiotherapy. The median overall survival was 3 months in those treated palliatively. On multivariate analysis, female gender and first-line treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors was associated with superior survival.

Conclusion More than 90% of lung cancer patients in Sri Lanka are treated with palliative intent. Further work is needed to identify patient and care pathway barriers to ensure diagnosis at an earlier stage.
A Questionnaire Survey of Current Practice in the Management of Internal Mammary Lymph Nodes in Breast Cancer
Authors: Rao Smitha S. , Nair Nita S. , Wadasadawala Tabassum , Mokal Smruti , Pathak Rima , Sarin Rajiv , Parmar Vani , Joshi Shalaka , Badwe Rajendra A.
Published: March 2023

Background Radiotherapy (RT) is an important modality in the management of breast cancers (BC). Large randomized trials have suggested that prophylactic regional nodal irradiation inclusive of internal mammary lymph nodes (IMLN) reduces BC-related mortality. However, the adoption of IMLN-RT has been variable due to relative benefits and toxicity concerns.

Methods A survey was emailed to radiation oncologists (ROs) across the country wherein they were asked about their practice regarding IMLN-RT in BC.

Results We received 128 responses, which included radiation oncologists across both private institutions (PIs) and government institutions (GIs). Fifty-six (43.8%) routinely offer prophylactic(p) IMLN-RT and an additional 15 (11.71%) suggested they would have offered it in the absence of logistic constraints. Almost all, 121 (94.5%) radiate the IMLN in case of radiologically positive lymph nodes (LNs).

Fifty-six ROs (43.8%) offered prophylactic IMLN-RT in node-negative disease. Among those who did not offer IMLN-RT, most (84.72%) felt the clinical evidence was equivocal. Of the 56 who offered pIMLN-RT, 34/56 (60.71%) offered to locally advanced tumors, 20/56 (35.71%) offered to all inner and central tumors (ICQT), 29/56 (51.78%) to > 4 axillary LN-positive and 9/56 (16.07%) to any axillary LN-positive. The majority, i.e., 36/56 (64.28%) radiated upper three intercostal spaces, 9 (16.07%) radiated upper five intercostal spaces, and 6 (10.9%) decided based on tumor location, while 5 (9%) irradiated one space below the involved space.

Overall, simulation-based planning was undertaken in 99% of PIs as opposed to 89% of GIs (p = 0.03). The majority of ROs, i.e., 92 (72.4%) preferred IMRT to IMLN-RT.

In addition, the surgical approach to IMLN was practiced by surgeons at 18 (14%) centers, of which 13 (72.22%) operated the IMLN when radiologically evident. The IMLN dissection was preferentially performed for second and third intercostal spaces as suggested in 10 (55.55%) responses, while 8 (44.44%) performed thoracoscopic dissection of the IMLN chain. The distribution of prophylactic, definitive IMLN-RT, and IMLN dissection did not differ significantly between GI and PI (p = NS).

Conclusion pIMLN-RT is still not the standard protocol in most centers citing equivocal evidence in the literature. Logistics, though different in GIs and PIs, did not impact the decision of pIMLN-RT. Further efforts would be required to standardize practice in IMLN across India.
Intracranial Hypertension following Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: A Case Study on the Multiple Compartment Syndrome
Authors: Pipolo Derek O. , Guevara Sara , Vasiljevic Lana , Pietrantonio Andres E. Di , Brennan Walter , Asmus Humberto , McCann-Molmenti Alexia , Cho Young Min , Shinozaki Koichiro , Hayashida Kei , Okuma Yu , Shoaib Muhammad , Becker Lance B. , Decker Mary E. , Worku Hermoon A. , Majdak Petra , Donzelli Grace , Patel Akash , Davoud Sherwin , Vaca-Zorrilla Andres , Beutler Sascha S. , Molmenti Ernesto P. , Miyara Santiago J.
Published: March 2023

In this case study, we describe a 25-year-old male who was admitted due to a severe traumatic brain injury, requiring invasive intracranial pressure monitoring. At 48 hours posttrauma, he developed intracranial hypertension refractory to medical treatment without tomographic changes in the brain. Subsequently, intra-abdominal hypertension and tomographic signs of abdominal surgical pathology were observed. An exploratory laparotomy was performed with an intraoperative diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia. After surgical intervention for the abdominal pathology, intracranial pressure was restored to physiological values with a favorable recovery of the patient. In this report, the relationship between intracranial pressure and intra-abdominal pressure is discussed, highlighting the delicate association between the brain, abdomen, and thorax. Measures should be taken to avoid increases in intra-abdominal pressure in neurocritical patients. When treating intracranial hypertension refractory to conventional measures, abdominal causes and multiple compartment syndrome must be considered. The cranial compartment has physiological interdependence with other body compartments, where one can be modified by variations from another, giving rise to the concept of multiple compartment syndrome. Understanding this relationship is fundamental for a comprehensive approach of the neurocritical patient. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a comatose patient post-traumatic brain injury, who developed medically unresponsive intracranial hypertension secondary to acute mesenteric ischemia, in which surgical resolution of intra-abdominal pathology resulted in intracranial pressure normalization and restitutio ad integrum of neurological status.
Surgical Site Infection in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Observations from A Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Rao Surlu Vidya , Simon Paul , Saldanha Elroy , Boloor Rekha , Jakribettu Ramakrishna Pai , Baliga Manjeshwar Shrinath
Published: March 2023

Background Surgical site infections (SSIs) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients can significantly affect the outcome of the surgery. Appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis is needed for prevention of SSI.

Aim To study the causative agents causing SSI among the HNC patients and their drug resistance pattern.

Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study. The antibiotic suspectibility pattern of the aerobic bacteria isolated from the wound infection in the patients underwent surgery for head and neck cancer, admitted from January 2015 to December 2016 were added in the study. The demographic details of patients, pathogens isolated, and their antimicrobial susceptibility were collected, entered into Microsoft Excel, and statistical analysis was done as per percentage of isolates and drug resistance.

Results A total of 130 culture-positive pus samples were included in the study. The majority of the samples were from males (71.5%), one-third of the patients belonged to the sixth decade of their life. Buccal mucosa and tongue were the common cancer in the head and neck region. The common gram-negative pathogens were Klebsiella sp. and Acinetobacter sp. and Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus sp. among the gram-positive bacteria. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolation rate was noted to be as high as 64.28%. High levels of resistance to aminopenicillins, third generation cephalosporins, co-trimoxazole and fluoroquinolones among the gram-negative pathogens. Anti-MRSA drugs such as vancomycin, linezolid, and teicoplanin resistance was not seen among S. aureus.

Conclusion The resistance pattern among the pathogens isolated from SSI in HNC patients is alarming. So, implementation of strict infection control practices to prevent SSI rather than treating them with high end antimicrobials is the best option.
Flexible and smart electronics for single-cell resolved brain–machine interfaces
Authors: Lee Ariel J. , Wang Wenbo , Liu Jia
Published: March 2023

Brain–machine interfaces (BMIs) offer the potential for the development of communication tools between the brain and external devices. The current BMI technologies for recording and modulation of electric signals from the brain have made significant contributions to areas such as neuroscience, disease diagnosis, and rehabilitation. Next-generation BMIs require long-term stable recording and modulation of electrical signals from statistically significant neuron populations with millisecond single-cell spatiotemporal resolution. However, there are challenges to achieving this stability due to the mechanical and geometrical mismatches between electronics and the brain tissue. In addition, the requirement to achieve cell-type-specific neuromodulation and transmit and process the ever-increasing volume of data on-the-fly necessitates the implementation of smart electronics. In this review, we first summarize the requirements, challenges, and current limitations of BMIs. We then highlight three major approaches to the fabrication of flexible electronics as implantable electronics, aimed at enabling long-term stable and gliosis-free BMIs. The progress of multifunctional electronics for multimodal recording and modulation of cell-type-specific components in the brain is also discussed. Furthermore, we discuss the integration of wireless and closed-loop modulation, and on-chip processing as smart electronic components for BMIs. Finally, we examine the remaining challenges in this field and the future perspectives for how flexible and smart electronics can address these problems and continue to advance the field of BMIs.