bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treespilation: Architecture- and State-Optimised Fermion-to-Qubit Mappings
Authors: Miller Aaron , Glos Adam , Zimborás Zoltán
Published: May 2024

Quantum computers hold great promise for efficiently simulating Fermionic systems, benefiting fields like quantum chemistry and materials science.
To achieve this, algorithms typically begin by choosing a Fermion-to-qubit mapping to encode the Fermionic problem in the qubits of a quantum computer.
In this work, we introduce "treespilation," a technique for efficiently mapping Fermionic systems using a large family of favourable tree-based mappings previously introduced by some of the authors.
We use this technique to minimise the number of CNOT gates required to simulate chemical groundstates found numerically using the ADAPT-VQE algorithm.
We observe significant reductions, up to 74%, in CNOT counts on full connectivity and for limited qubit connectivity-type devices such as IBM Eagle and Google Sycamore, we observe similar reductions in CNOT counts.
In many instances, the reductions achieved on these limited connectivity devices even surpass the initial full connectivity CNOT count.
Timing of water use and phosphorus exploitation strategies are promising key traits of Sorghum to maintain biomass and yield production under resource limitations
Authors: Loftus Sara , Schneider Eva M. , Sauer Anna M. , Erugoti Lalitha K. , Murugesan Tharanya , Rötter Reimund P. , Kholová Jana , Ahmed Mutez A. , Dippold Michaela A.
Published: May 2024

Aims
Limited access to nutrients and water is leading to yield losses in smallholder farming systems in semi-arid regions. Therefore, crop rotations including legumes as well as utilizing drought-tolerant sorghum varieties might be a strategy to improve access to scarce resources.
Methods
Two early and five late maturing sorghum genotypes were tested to identify stress adaptation traits to water and phosphorus limitations in combination with or without 15N labelled legume pre-crops on a phenotyping platform.
Results
Lower soil P content significantly delayed the time of flowering of all genotypes compared to higher P content, however organic residues could reduce this effect. 15N recovery in sorghum biomass proved the use of pre-crop root residue N in all treatments, although there was only a beneficial pre-crop effect on sorghum biomass and yield under sufficient water supply. Mycorrhizal infection was relevant for plant nutrition at anthesis under low P and showed a positive correlation with 15N recovery and root P content. Drought had the major impact on yield. Early maturing genotypes, with the highest reduction in shoot biomass and adapted transpiration prior flowering, could maintain yield production.
Conclusions
A promising trait combination for nutrient-poor soils in semi-arid areas with high drought risk, seemed to be early-maturing varieties with a high root to shoot ratio, rapid AMF establishment and low transpration (normalized to leaf area Tn) – in this study realized in the early maturing genotype Grinkan. Such genotypes save water prior flowering and reduce their post flowering water stress in combination to their P uptake withstanding low soil availability.
Nutritional quality and diversity in Ghana's School Feeding Programme: A semi-quantitative exploration through caterer interviews in the Greater Accra Region
Authors: Liguori Julia , Amevinya Gideon Senyo , Holdsworth Michelle , Savy Mathilde , Laar Amos
Published: May 2024

Background
The Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) provides public primary school pupils a free daily meal. Each meal is expected to follow set menus to provide 30% of recommended dietary allowance for children (6-12y). This study assesses the nutritional quality and diversity of GSFP meals planned at the district level and provided at the school level, and engages school caterers to identify ways to enhance meal quality.
Methods
A multistage sampling approach was used to select 129 schools implementing the GSFP in six districts of the Greater Accra Region. School caterers were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. District level school menus were collected from the GSFP secretariat. Nutirional quality was evaluated based on nutrient profiling methods: energy density (low < 125kcal/100g; medium 125-225kcal/100g; high > 225kcal/100g) and nutrient density (low < 5%; medium 5–10%; high > 10%). Meal diversity was assessed by a simple count of food groups using a list of 5 groups: cereals, pulses/nuts/seeds, vegetables, fruits, animal-source food. Caterers’ views on programme facilitators and barriers were also explored.
Results
Planned school menus included 14–20 weekly options, composed of eight minimally processed traditional dishes. All meals, except white rice, had a high nutrient density/100g. Energy density was varied (low, n = 2; medium, n = 2; high, n = 4). Meals included only 2 or 3 food groups, mainly starchy staples, pulses/nuts/seeds, and sometimes vegetables. Fruit was never reported. About half of caterers reported deviating from the planned menus: 11.7% served alternative meals, with some including animal-sourced food (17%) and 39.4% repeated meals during the week, often based on starchy staples, influencing overall nutritional quality. Most caterers reported food item cost and lack of food purchase guidelines as barriers to providing school meals, while food safety training and guidelines for food preparation were facilitators.
Conclusions
While school meals are composed of minimally processed, nutrient dense, local foods, none met minimum food group recommendations, a goal that should be prioritised. Caterer compliance to planned menus varied greatly, reflecting recent food price inflation. Upwardly adjusting the current meal allocation of 1.2 cedis (0.22USD) per child per day) could enhance access to more affordable and nutritious foods in school meals.
Effects of drought stress on the physiology, photosynthesis, and anatomical structure of container and bareroot plants of two Camellia oleifera cultivars
Authors: Shu Han-Yu , Liu Yan-Yao , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Tan Xiao-Feng , Li Ze
Published: May 2024

Background
Oil-tea tree (Camellia oleifera Abel) is an important high-quality edible oil tree species in China and is also a pioneer afforestation tree species in hilly red soil areas in southern China. It can grow and bear fruit on relatively barren mountains. Although C. oleifera has strong adaptability, long-term drought still affects its normal growth and even causes plant death, which has a serious impact on the afforestation industry.
Results
Under drought stress, the leaf edge of the C. oleifera curled, and the leaf yellowed, drooped, and even withered and died. Moreover, the accumulation of catalase (CAT), soluble sugar (SS) and abscisic acid (ABA) gradually increased, and the CAT activity and SS content increased more in the bareroot-stage seedlings than in the container-stage seedlings. We observed that, compared with the CK treatment, the drought treatment (10 DAT) significantly reduced the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (E), maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and actual photochemical and quantum efficiency (FPSII). The Pn in the ‘HS-CS’, ‘HS-BS’, ‘HJ-CS’ and ‘HJ-BS’ treatments decreased by 126.68%, 112.33%, 126.08% and 117.22%. We also found that the drought resistance of bareroot-stage plants was greater than that of container-stage plants. After rewatering under drought stress, multiple indices of C. oleifera were greater than normal, and physiological characteristics and anatomical structure were positively related to compensation or overcompensation. At the same time, we also found that the recovery ability of C. oleifera ‘Huashuo’ was greater than ' C. oleifera ‘Huajin’.
Conclusion
The results showed that drought led to yellowing and shrinkage of C. oleifera leaves, reduces photosynthetic efficiency, and ultimately affected the normal growth of C. oleifera materials. In order to prevent this situation, C. oleiferashould reduce drought stress or timely rehydration to maintain the stability of leaf structure, morphology and function. In addition, we found that the drought resistance of bareroot seedlings was greater than that of container seedlings, and the recovery ability of C. oleifera ‘Huashuo’ was stronger than that of C. oleifera ‘Huajin’.
Optimized routing algorithm with AlexNet-ShuffleNet for plant leaf disease and infectious classification in IoT
Authors: Shah Nasim , Gupta Ashutosh , Kumar Arun , Chouhan D S
Published: May 2024

In agriculture, utilizing images to detect plant leaf diseases is a vital area in precision farming. Typically, trained professionals physically inspect plant tissues to identify disease range. Nowadays, AI has made foremost paces in detecting and classifying plant diseases. Moreover, Internet of Things (IoT) has several applications, containing Agricultural-IoT (AIoT), which is considered to elevate agricultural yields. This paper intends to develop an approach in IoT for plant disease classification. Initially, simulation of IoT is done and the IoT nodes route sensed plant leaf images by proposed Serial Exponential Golf Optimization Algorithm (SEGOA), which is established by modifying Golf Optimization Algorithm (GOA) using Exponential Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) to the destination, where plant leaf disease detection is executed. To extract the RoI, CNN is used to discover diseased part in plant leaf. Then, plant leaves is classified as healthy and diseased subclasses by employing AlexNet-ShuffleNet. Moreover, the disease types is classified more into fungal/bacterial/viral infection using the AlexNet-ShuffleNet. Performance of adopted work is assessed by utilizing the metrics, such as energy, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Overall outcome of AlexNet-ShuffleNet give a promising result, such as accuracy of 94.6%, sensitivity of 98.7% and specificity of 94%.
Investigation of Spanwise Behavior of a Turbulent Boundary Layer affected by a Micro-Cavity Array
Authors: Severino Gianni F. , Silvestri Anton , Cazzolato Benjamin S. , Arjomandi Maziar
Published: May 2024

A micro-cavity array is a micro-perforated plate with strategically placed cavities designed to target and attenuate sweep events present within a turbulent boundary layer. This paper aims to investigate the spanwise behavior of a turbulent boundary layer exposed to micro-perforations by examining the effects a large array (spanning the full width of a flat plate channel) may have on the boundary layer across a locus of spanwise and downstream locations. Air velocity data was obtained experimentally using single-component hot-wire anemometry on a single micro-cavity array geometry. Two distinct free-stream velocities flows were investigated: U∞=12.1 and 19.1 m/s for cases where the array was installed, and one for a canonical flat plate environment. Sixteen locations were investigated downstream of the array, four spanwise and four streamwise, with data between configurations taken at identical locations for the purpose of comparison. The large array has been shown to modify streamwise turbulence intensity and sweep event intensities across almost all locations and Reθ investigated. Across the spanwise direction, there is no evidence to suggest that the micro-cavity array imposes any significant changes in flow characteristics to the boundary layer. Through analysis of the pre-multiplied energy spectra, it was observed that changes in streamwise turbulent kinetic energy stemmed from the near-wall region of the boundary and travel with some lag to the outer region.
Continuum and Discrete Analytical Methods for Vibration and Buckling Eigenvalues Shape Sensitivities
Authors: Gagliardi Giuseppe Maurizio , Kulkarni Mandar D. , Marulo Francesco
Published: May 2024

Gradient-based optimization techniques need precise and efficient sensitivities. Numerical sensitivity methods such as finite differences are easy to implement but imprecise and computationally inefficient. In contrast, analytical sensitivity methods, such as the discrete and continuum ones are highly accurate and efficient. Continuum Sensitivity Analysis (CSA) is an analytical method used to calculate derivatives of shape or value parameters. While CSA has been successfully applied in static analysis and dynamic problems in the time domain, this work presents an extension of the approach to eigenvalue sensitivities for the first time. However, CSA revealed limitations, prompting the exploration of an alternative approach based on discrete analytical differentiation. This method is employed for the first time in shape sensitivities. The derivatives of the stiffness and mass matrices required by the method are calculated analytically, resulting in high accuracy and computational efficiency. In addition, an element-agnostic approach has been developed leveraging primary analysis matrices to calculate their derivative. This characteristic, along with the nonintrusivity, makes the method employable with standard commercial software. Both approaches have been applied and validated in a wide range of scenarios, involving vibration and buckling problems.
Granulometric and Geochemical Distribution of Arsenic in a Mining Environmental Liability in a Semi-arid Area
Authors: Sánchez Francisco Javier Mora , Gómez-Álvarez Agustín , Encinas-Romero Martín , Valenzuela-García Jesús , Jara-Marini Martín , Encinas-Soto Kareen , Villalba-Atondo Arturo , Dórame-Carreño Guadalupe
Published: May 2024

The present study refers to the "El Lavadero" tailings deposit, considered a mining environmental liability (MEL), located near San Felipe de Jesús town, Sonora, in northwest Mexico; the objective was to determine the total arsenic (As) content, its granulometric and geochemical distribution, and its mobilization capacity and bioavailability. The results in the oxidized and unoxidized tailings indicated low pH (potential of hydrogen) values (2.4–5.7) and elevated concentrations of total arsenic (8235–36,004 mg kg− 1), which predominated in the finer granulometric fractions (< 0.05 mm). Arsenic also prevails in agricultural soil's finest fraction (> 2 mm). The above may represent adverse environmental effects because these particles can be transported and suspended in water media. Regarding the effluent sediments, arsenic prevails in the coarsest fraction (> 2 mm). A significant percentage of As (5–40%) was observed in the tailings (oxidized and unoxidized) distributed in the non-residual geochemical fraction (fraction I + fraction II + fraction III) (1106–7675 mg kg-1), indicating a potential for mobilization and bioavailability. Depending on the environmental conditions (redox potential (Eh) and pH), As can redissolve and present high mobility in abiotic media, potentially having a final impact on the environment and possible effects on human health. Based on the above, it is essential to rehabilitate the "El Lavadero" MEL to avoid a more significant environmental impact. Additionally, the quality of the water from the supply sources surrounding the "El Lavadero" MEL is recommended to be periodically monitored.
Deep neural network-enabled Multifunctional switchable terahertz metamaterial devices
Authors: Li Jing , Cai Rui , Chen Huanyang , Ma BinYi , Wu Qiannan , Li Mengwei
Published: May 2024

Under the support of deep neural networks (DNN), a multifunctional switchable terahertz metamaterial (THz MMs) device is designed and optimized. This device not only achieves ideal ultra-wideband (UWB) absorption in the THz frequency range but enables dual-functional polarization transformation over UWB. When vanadium dioxide (VO2) is in the metallic state, the device as a UWB absorber with an absorption rate exceeding 90% in the 2.43 ~ 10 THz range, with a relative bandwidth (RBW) of 145.2%, and its wideband absorption performance is insensitive to polarization. When VO2 is in the insulating state, the device can switch to a polarization converter, achieving conversions from linear to cross polarization and from linear to circular polarization in the ranges of 4.58 ~ 10 THz and 4.16 ~ 4.43 THz, respectively. Within the 4.58 ~ 10 THz range, the polarization conversion ratio approaches 100% with an RBW of 74.3%, the polarization rotation angle is near 90°. Within the 4.16 ~ 4.43 THz range, the RBW is 6.29% and the ellipticity ratio approaches 1, Moreover, the effects of incident angle and polarization angle on the operational characteristics are studied. This THz MMs due to its advantages of wide angle, broad bandwidth, and high efficiency, provides valuable references for the research of new multifunctional THz devices.
The genome of a giant clam zooxanthella (Cladocopium infistulum) offers few clues to adaptation as an extracellular symbiont with high thermotolerance
Authors: González-Pech Raúl A. , Shepherd Jihanne , Fuller Zachary L. , LaJeunesse Todd C. , Parkinson John Everett
Published: May 2024

Background
Cladocopium infistulum (Symbiodiniaceae) is a dinoflagellate specialized to live in symbiosis with western Pacific giant clams (Tridacnidae). Unlike coral-associated symbionts, which reside within the host cells, C. infistulum inhabits the extracellular spaces of the clam’s digestive diverticula. It is phylogenetically basal to a large species complex of stress-tolerant Cladocopium, many of which are associated with important reef-building corals in the genus Porites. This close phylogenetic relationship may explain why C. infistulum exhibits high thermotolerance relative to other tridacnid symbionts. Moreover, past analyses of microsatellite loci indicated that Cladocopium underwent whole-genome duplication prior to the adaptive radiations that led to its present diversity.
Results
A draft genome assembly of C. infistulum was produced using long- and short-read sequences to explore the genomic basis for adaptations underlying thermotolerance and extracellular symbiosis among dinoflagellates and to look for evidence of genome duplication. Comparison to three other Cladocopium genomes revealed no obvious over-representation of gene groups or families whose functions would be important for maintaining C. infistulum’s unique physiological and ecological properties. Preliminary analyses support the existence of partial or whole-genome duplication among Cladocopium, but additional high-quality genomes are required to substantiate these findings.
Conclusion
Although this investigation of Cladocopium infistulumrevealed no patterns diagnostic of heat tolerance or extracellular symbiosis in terms of overrepresentation of gene functions or genes under selection, it provided a valuable genomic resource for comparative analyses. It also indicates that ecological divergence among dinoflagellate species is partially governed by mechanisms other than gene content. Thus, additional high-quality, multiomic data are needed to explore the molecular basis of key phenotypes among symbiotic microalgae.
Bacillus coagulans TCI803 Confers Gastroesophageal Protection against Helicobacter pylori-Evoked Gastric Oxidative Stress and Acid-Induced Lower Esophageal Sphincter Inflammation
Authors: Cheng Yu-Hsuan , Li Hung-Keng , Chang Kai-Hsian , Lin Yung-Kai , Lin Yung-Hsiang , Chiang Chi-Fu , Yang Jyh-Chin , Chien Chiang-Ting
Published: May 2024

Probiotic Bacillus coagulans TCI803 (BC) may have impact on gastrointestinal protection. This study was designed to investigate the effects of BC on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) induced gastric inflammation in mice and acid-induced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) dysfunction in rat. We determined the oxidative stress/apoptosis/autophagy signaling pathway in H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation and HCl-evoked LES inflammation. H. pylori increased leukocyte infiltration mediated inflammation and gastric cytokines array, 3NT/4HNE-mediated oxidative stress and Bax/Caspase 3-mediated apoptosis, but decreased Beclin-1/LC3-II-mediated autophagy in the mice gastric mucosa. BC treatment decreased inflammation, cytokines release, oxidative stress and apoptosis and reversed autophagy in H. pylori infected gastric mucosa. Esophageal infusion of saline evoked an increase of LES pressure and efferent vagus nerve activity during the emptying phase, however, esophageal infusion of HCl dysregulated LES motility by a decrease in threshold pressure, intercontraction interval and an increase in efferent vagus nerve activity. BC treatment significantly recovered the level of threshold pressure, intercontraction interval and depressed the enhanced efferent vagus nerve activity. In vitro LES wire myography data displayed that HCl treated LES significantly decreased the contractile response to acetylcholine. BC treatment significantly restored the contractile response to acetylcholine in LES wire myography. LES after HCl stimulation significantly increased leukocyte infiltration-mediated inflammation, whereas BC treatment effectively reduced the leukocyte infiltration-mediated inflammation in the HCl treated LES. In summary, we suggest that BC via anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation confers gastroesophageal protection against H. pylori involved oxidative stress/inflammation/apoptosis/autophagy signaling in mice with gastric inflammation and HCl induced LES dysregulation and inflammation.
Application of Hybrid GWO-BSA Technique for Resolving Multi-Objective Optimal Power Flow Problem by Incorporating Unified Power Flow Controller
Authors: J Lakshmi priya , S.T Jaya Christa
Published: May 2024

The optimal power flow (OPF) is an illustrious and a substantial approach for the reliable and cost-effective working of a power system. It is a multifaceted nonlinear problem that evaluates the ideal settings of generator capacity, bus voltage, and transformer tap setting. In this study, the objectives such as minimization of fuel cost, minimization of power losses, reduction of voltage variation and augmentation of voltage stability have been solved by considering six double objective scenarios and four triple objective scenarios. The above mentioned objectives have been solved by using hybridized Grey Wolf Optimization and Backtracking Search optimization Algorithm (GWO-BSA) and by incorporating Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC). In the multi-objective OPF problem, the Optimum Compromise Solution (OCS) is estimated by means of fuzzy set theory. For demonstrating the enactment of the hybrid GWO-BSA, simulations are performed using MATLAB on standard IEEE 30-bus and 57-bus test systems. Moreover, the comparisons have been made between the hybrid GWO-BSA and other recognized algorithms for showing the greater efficacy and robustness of the GWO-BSA against others. The comparisons divulge that the GWO-BSA offers optimal, viable, global outcomes to the OPF problems with good convergence rate.
La Voluntad, un enlace entre el sumo bien y las inclinaciones
Authors: Monsalve Villegas Victor Hugo
Published: May 2024

En el presente artículo se indaga el concepto de Voluntad kantiano, con el fin de dar respuesta a la pregunta ¿cómo se relaciona objetivamente el sumo bien y las inclinaciones? Para dicho propósito, se parte desde las concepciones conceptuales de la moral en Kant argumentadas en sus obras, más precisamente desde su segunda Crítica. De acuerdo con Kant, la Voluntad es el querer obedecer a las leyes de la razón, es decir, a las leyes morales, sin interferencia alguna de las patologías sensitivas. Para tratar de hallar la posibilidad objetiva entre la razón y la inclinación, se sostiene, a partir de segundas lecturas en intérpretes de Kant, como por ejemplo Schnnewind, la postura optimista de que el hombre se haya en plena facultad desiderativa para subsumir sus acciones a los dictámenes de la razón. El título de este artículo permite visualizar cómo la Voluntad sirve de enlace entre los principios de la razón y la objetividad empírica de las acciones. El concepto de Voluntad en Kant permite esclarecer las capacidades racionales con las que ha sido dotada la naturaleza humana, lo que sería tanto como decir que, sí es posible, una vez que se ha reflexionado de manera crítica sobre la estructura formal de la moral en Kant, llegar a obtener actos en el plano empírico fundamentados desde la razón y no desde la inclinación patológica.
The impact of reconciliation quality in strategic alliances on financial innovation: The case of Moroccan institutions
Authors: El Hammoumi Ahmed , Seghyar Nabil , Berdi Abdelaziz
Published: May 2024

Operators of financial institutions in developing economies have a significant impact on economic activity by funding innovative initiatives. However, the lack of existing documentation to demonstrate the empirical relationships between financial innovation and the quality of the partnership relationship between these institutions represents a major gap in strategic and international management.This paper presents an empirical study aimed at uncovering the results of the quality of financial institutions’ relationships regarding innovation within strategic alliances.Using a qualitative research model, the study explores the positive influence of the quality of the relationship on financial innovation within Moroccan financial institutions engaged in strategic alliances. Four research hypotheses were tested using regression analysis on a sample of 34 strategic alliances formed by Moroccan financial institutions during the reference periods of 2018–2022.The empirical results show that the quality of reconciliation relationships among Moroccan financial institutions has significantly contributed to their financial innovation. It is particularly crucial to combine two essential characteristics: mutual trust and partner commitment. On the other hand, mechanisms of mutual exchange and communication do not significantly affect financial innovation. The study underscores the importance of promoting high-quality ties within strategic alliances to foster financial innovation in Moroccan financial institutions. This emphasizes the significance of trust and mutual commitment between partners in promoting innovation in the financial sector.
Credit channel of monetary policy transmission: Evidence from India
Authors: Mohanti Debaditya , Banerjee Souvik
Published: May 2024

The present study explores the effectiveness of the credit channel of monetary policy transmission in India from the perspective of magnitude, timing, and composition puzzles. To validate, further investigation of the effectiveness of the balance sheet channel and bank lending channel using the corporate cash flows and interest rate spreads, respectively, has been done. The study employs the structural vector autoregression model using the long-time quarterly series sample period from June 1998 to June 2022. The findings show that the anomalies concerning magnitude, timing, and composition effect do not exhibit a strong presence in the Indian context. The analysis of the weighted average call money rate and coverage ratio suggests a weak presence of the balance sheet channel in India with a weak negative correlation of 0.2943 (p < 0.05). The overall behavior of spread analysis also shows a weak presence of the bank lending channel in India. Although some presence of the bank lending channel is seen on banks’ managed liability side, the effect of external finance premium is not reflected in the lending rates with a correlation of 0.0577 (p > 0.05) between prime lending rate spread and weighted average call money rate spread. From the evidence, the study concludes the weak presence of the credit channel in India. Therefore, the monetary authorities might have to rely on other channels or may devise other unconventional mechanisms like Operation Twist and Long-Term Repo Operations observed during the COVID-19 pandemic to steer the real economy.
Evaluation of the safety and the reliability of day case mini-PCNL in treatment of renal stones 1 to 2 cm
Authors: Mostafa D. , El-zayat T. M. , Omer M. A. , Salem M. S.
Published: May 2024

Introduction. The capacity to execute mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) as a day case procedure in the treatment on renal stones measuring between one and two centimetres is being assessed in this study. Mini-PCNL has been employed more and more in the treatment on renal stones with favourable results in terms on stone clearance and low morbidities.Aim. To find a reliable replacement for E.S.W.L. and R.I.R.S in treating small renal stones that is safe, efficient, and reliable with the shortest post-operative stay period.Materials and methods. Seventy patients underwent surgery for kidney stones that ranged in size from 1 to 2 cm and had densities greater than 1000 H.U. They were split into two groups: group B received mini-PCNL and group A received regular PCNL. Both procedures were carried out while the patients was in the prone position. In group A, we fragmented the material with an electrohydraulic lithotripter and removed the resulting fragments using forceps. In contrast, group B employed a 30 w Quanta Holmium laser in dusting mode (0.5 j and 15 Hz) with 550 um laser fibre and relied on our exit plan for the double-J stent implantation, which avoided the necessity for a nephrostomy tube.Results. Operation duration was significantly longer in mini-PCNL group (p < 0.001). Intraoperative extravasation and its severity were non-significantly less frequent in mini-PCNL group (p > 0.05). All patients operated with mini-PCNL underwent double j stent, while the other group included only two patients who necessitated double J insertion insertion, and the remaining 33 patients depended on the insertion on a nephrostomy tube together with a ureteric catheter.Conclusion: Mini-PCNL is a dependable day case method that is safe for treating tiny kidney stones. Larger sample size studies could be required to confirm mini-PCNL as a day case technique.
El Oficio de Sabio en la era digital: Reflexiones sobre el legado educativo de Tomás de Aquino
Authors: Aparicio-Gómez Oscar-Yecid , Aparicio-Gómez William-Oswaldo
Published: May 2024

El legado educativo de Tomás de Aquino se basa en la armonía entre la razón y la fe, la formación integral de los individuos, y la importancia de la razón en la adquisición de conocimiento y la toma de decisiones éticas. Estos principios continúan siendo relevantes en la educación en la era digital, donde la tecnología ha transformado la forma en que aprendemos y enseñamos. La educación en línea ha democratizado el acceso al conocimiento y ha permitido la personalización del aprendizaje, lo cual se alinea con la formación integral promovida por Aquino. La ética desempeña un papel crucial en la educación digital, y Tomás de Aquino proporciona un marco ético sólido para abordar cuestiones relacionadas con la tecnología y la toma de decisiones éticas en línea. Los educadores en línea tienen la responsabilidad de promover virtudes morales y fomentar un comportamiento ético en línea entre los estudiantes, siguiendo el ejemplo de Aquino. El maestro, según Tomás de Aquino, actúa como un guía en el proceso de aprendizaje, estimulando el pensamiento crítico y proporcionando apoyo y retroalimentación; en la educación en línea, el maestro conserva este papel esencial, adaptando su enfoque a los entornos digitales y utilizando herramientas digitales para facilitar la enseñanza y la retroalimentación. El legado educativo de Tomás de Aquino sigue siendo relevante en la era digital, donde la educación se ha transformado pero la búsqueda de la verdad, la formación de virtudes y el desarrollo integral del individuo siguen siendo fundamentales.
Active suspension LQR control based on modified differential evolutionary algorithm optimization
Authors: Zou Junyi , Zuo Xinkai
Published: May 2024

The selection of weight matrices Q and R in the LQR control strategy for active suspension is susceptible to subjective interference. To address this issue, a modified differential evolutionary algorithm is proposed to optimize the active suspension LQR controller, ensuring that the weighting coefficients are set to their optimal values. The differential evolutionary algorithm exhibits drawbacks in terms of its slow convergence rate and the significant impact of algorithm parameter settings on the obtained results. An modified differential evolutionary algorithm that is adaptive to the two candidate mutation strategies and adaptively adjusts the scaling factor and crossover rate is proposed so as to better improve the ability of jumping out of the local optimum and global search. The algorithm's functionality is verified by constructing a 1/4 suspension model in the Simulink software platform and implementing a modified differential evolution algorithm program written in C++ language using MATLAB. The program iterates through Simulink inputs to obtain the optimal fitness value for three suspension comfort indices. By comparing the results with those obtained from passive suspension and traditional LQR control of active suspension, optimizing the LQR control of active suspension based on the modified differential evolution algorithm can effectively reduce vehicle vibration amplitude while considering overall suspension performance enhancement, thereby significantly improving ride comfort and handling stability.
Three Diterpene Lactones from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f) Nees In vitro, In
silico Assessment of the Anticancer and Novel Liposomal Encapsulation Efficiency
Authors: Thi Thanh Tran Le , Diep Trinh Thi , To Uyen Nguyen Thi , Minh An Tran Nguyen , Tan Le Van
Published: May 2024

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Three compounds from Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f) Nees leaf were isolated
and identified using 1H, 13C, 2D-NMR, and HR-MS techniques for the first time.
Compound 3,19-Di-O-acetylandrographolide (3,19-DAA) or (4) is produced by acetylating
compound (2). Compounds (2) and (4) have been investigated for their cytotoxic effects on
three human cancer cell lines (SK-LU-1, Hela, and HepG2) using the MTT method. Compound
(4) demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against all three cancer cell lines, with
IC50 values ranging from 8.38 to 10.15 μM. This represents an increase in cytotoxicity of
2.67 to 3.12-fold compared to compound (2). One way to deal with the problem of low
water solubility is by encapsulating (4) into liposomes using a thin-film hydration technique.
The optimal conditions for maximizing encapsulation efficiency involve molar ratios
of phosphatidylcholine, 3,19-DAA, and cholesterol at 4:1:1. Encapsulating compound (4) within nanoscale
liposomes increases its water solubility compared to the free form of compound (4). Pose 324 of compound (4)
demonstrated the best conformation among 500 docking conformations when docked to enzyme 1T8I in a
in silico docking study. The free Gibbs energy and inhibition constant were determined to be -7.09 Kcal/mol
and 6.32 μM, respectively. These values help elucidate the strong interaction between compound (4) and the
enzyme in the ligand interaction model. The molecular dynamics simulation using Desmond software in the
Linux environment was conducted for a duration of 0 to 100 nanoseconds on the complex formed by pose 324
and 1T8I. The results showed effective interactions within the complex, with stability observed from 0 to 60
nanoseconds. Throughout the simulation, specific amino acids such as Ala 499 (involved in 90% of the simulation
time with hydrogen bonding via a water bridge) and Thr 501 (involved in 50% of the simulation time with
one hydrogen bond via a water bridge) were found to play significant roles. The majority of torsion bondings
are C-O bondings in the acetyl group of compound (4), with torsion energy values of 13.47 Kcal/mol. Carbon
atom C-29 at position 324 exhibits the highest fluctuation.
Unveiling FDA-approved Drugs and Formulations in the Management of Bladder Cancer: A Review
Authors: Bansal Keshav , Chaudhary Neeraj , Bhati Hemant , Singh Vanshita
Published: May 2024

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Urological cancers are one of the most prevalent malignancies around the globe. Specifically,
bladder cancer severely threatens the health of humans because of its heterogeneous
and aggressive nature. Extensive studies have been conducted for many years in order to address
the limitations associated with the treatment of solid tumors with selective substances. This article
aims to provide a summary of the therapeutic drugs that have received FDA approval or are
presently in the testing phase for use in the prevention or treatment of bladder cancer. In this
review, FDA-approved drugs for bladder cancer treatment have been listed along with their dose
protocols, current status, pharmacokinetics, action mechanisms, and marketed products. The
article also emphasizes the novel preparations of these drugs that are presently under clinical
trials or are in the approval stage. Thus, this review will serve as a single point of reference for
scientists involved in the formulation development of these drugs.
Quercetin's Neuroprotective Role: Activating Nrf2 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Hatami Farbod , Farkhondeh Tahereh , Mohaqeq Alia , Valizadeh Niloufar , Aschner Michael , Alemzadeh Effat , Samarghandian Saeed
Published: May 2024

With the global elderly population projected to double by 2050, there is an increasing
need to address the risk factors associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This article focuses on
exploring the potential neuroprotective effects of quercetin mediated through the Nrf2 signaling
pathway. Quercetin, a flavonoid pigment known for its antioxidant properties, can directly interact
with Keap1, leading to the dissociation of Nrf2 from the Keap1-Nrf2 complex. Consequently, Nrf2
is released and translocates to the nucleus, initiating the transcription of antioxidant enzymes,
such as heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P) H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, and glutathione S-transferase.
The exploration of quercetin as an Nrf2 activator holds significant therapeutic implications for neurodegenerative
disorders. Human studies demonstrate the efficacy of quercetin in neurodegenerative
diseases, while animal studies highlight the protective effects of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Additionally, Nrf2 regulates proinflammatory cytokines. This study aims to investigate the potential
neuroprotective effects of quercetin mediated through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. By targeting
oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and improving mitochondrial function, quercetin shows
promise as a candidate for preventing or slowing the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice towards Rabies in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Elshnoudy Iman Abdelhady , Eldamaty Abdallah , Aboelfetoh Ehsan , Elhosseny Nirmeen , El Khonezy Zeynep , Mahjoub Reem , Elkady Reem , Abd-Elsalam Sherief , Bakhait Aya
Published: May 2024

Background:

Rabies is a fatal infectious viral disease that affects all warm-blooded mammals, including humans. Rabid dogs are commonly found in Egypt.

Aims:

By assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards Rabies in Gharbia Gover-norate, Egypt, this KAP study aimed to improve knowledge of the populations dealing with in-fected wounds and rabid animals. It also aimed to generate baseline data that would be a reference for evaluating community awareness and aid in developing and administering appropriate rabies prevention strategies.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study that was carried out from June 2020 to October 2022 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of six different towns and villages from the El Gharbia government, Egypt, regarding rabies. A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect the data from 326 participants by convenient sampling. The data were ana-lyzed by SPSS statistical software version 21 using descriptive analysis and the Chi-square test.

Results:

Most of the respondents (73.6%) had heard about rabies mainly from mixed sources
(formal and informal sources). The bite was considered to be the only mode of transmission of
rabies by 49.4% of respondents, and only 10.7% and 14.4% of respondents answered that it could
be transmitted by scratching and saliva contact, respectively. Nearly half of the participants
(52.1%) believed that biting and sudden changes in behavior are the clinical signs and symptoms
of rabies in humans. Most of the participants (70.9 %) knew that rabies could be prevented by
vaccination, but (57.1%) of them did not know about the almost 100% fatal nature of rabies once
the clinical signs developed. Residency, educational status, and age were found to be significantly
associated with KAP of rabies (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

There is a need for educational campaigns and mass media programs in the El Ghar-bia government, Egypt to increase the awareness of the community about rabies.
Two-phase Hybrid Thermal Interface Alkali-treated E-Glass
Fiber/MWCNT/Graphene/Copper Oxide Nanocomposites for Electronic
Gadgets
Authors: Ramu Swaminathan , Senthilkumar Natarajan , Deepanraj Balakrishnan
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Two-phase hybrid mode thermal interface materials were created and
characterized for mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and wear behaviour. Therefore, the
ultimate goal of this current research was to use alkali-treated glass fibre and other allotropes to
produce high-performance two-phase thermal interface materials that can be patented for engineering
applications.

Method:

Three different polymer composites were prepared to contain 20 vol.% alkalies (NaOH)
treated e-glass fibre (E) and epoxy as a matrix with varying proportions of multi-walled carbon
nanotube (MWCNT), graphene (G), copper oxide (C). The one-phase material contained
epoxy+20%e-glass+1%MWCNT (EMGC1), the two-phase hybrid composite contained
epoxy+20%e-glass+1%MWCNT+1%graphene+1%CuO (EMGC2), and two-phase material contained
epoxy+20%e-glass+1%graphene+1%CuO (EMGC3). Vacuum bagging method was used for
fabricating the composites.

Result:

The higher thermal conductivity observed was 0.3466 W/mK for EMGC2, the alkalitreated
glass fibre/hybrid mode nanofillers epoxy matrix composite was mechanically tougher than
the other two composites (EMGC1 & EMGC3). Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the
fine filler dispersion and homogenous interaction with the glass fibre/epoxy resin composite of the
upper and lower zone, which also revealed the defective zone, fibre elongation, fibre/filler breakages,
and filler leached surfaces.

Conclusion:

Finally, it was concluded that the hybrid mode two-phased structure EMGC2 epoxy
matrix composite replicated the maximum thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, and wear
properties of the other two specimens.
Patient Satisfaction in the Primary Care System of Cyprus: A Pilot Study
Authors: Stylianou Neophytos , Samoutis Andreas , Samoutis George
Published: May 2024

Background

Patient satisfaction serves as a widely acknowledged metric for assessing the quality of care. Understanding the perspectives of care recipients through patient satisfaction is crucial, as it can function as a valuable tool for quality improvement. The assessment of patient satisfaction becomes particularly imperative following significant healthcare reforms.

Methods

This study represents the first attempt to delineate the level of patient satisfaction with the newly introduced Primary Care system in Cyprus. Employing an internationally validated tool for evaluating general practice care, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted within one of the largest group practices in Cyprus Primary Care. An online questionnaire was dispatched to all registered email addresses within the group practice, totaling 5,000 emails. Patient satisfaction was measured based on the percentage of respondents reporting their level of satisfaction on a 5-point Likert scale for the questionnaire items.

Results

The overall satisfaction percentage emerged at 80.51% (SD 32.36). Notably, the majority of questions received excellent ratings. The aspect rated the least satisfactory was the waiting experience in the waiting room, with a mean (SD) of 4.05 (1.08). Conversely, the highest-rated item pertained to safeguarding the records and confidentiality of the patients, with a mean (SD) of 4.65 (0.70).

Conclusion

This survey, the first of its kind since the inception of the new NHS, conducted in one of the largest primary care centers, indicates remarkably high satisfaction rates comparable to those of other developed EU NHSs. However, to achieve a comprehensive national understanding of patient satisfaction and further support quality improvement initiatives, a larger study encompassing more GP practices is warranted. Such an expanded study would not only supplement ongoing quality improvement interventions but also contribute to fostering patient empowerment in the healthcare system.
Microwave Thermal Treatment for the Recovery of Re in Copper and Molybdenum Concentrates
Authors: Bazan Vanesa , Maratta Ariel , Villafañe Gastón , Pacheco Pablo , Brandaleze Elena
Published: May 2024

Background:

Rhenium [Re] is obtained as a by-product during the extraction of copper and molybdenum ores. In current extractive metallurgy, Re extraction involves a heat treatment that causes Re losses by volatilization and release of toxic gases into the environment.

Objective:

This research proposes a novel microwave heat treatment [MWHT] to enhance Re ex-traction avoiding Re losses and toxic gas release into the environment.

Methods:

A novel MWHT and traditional thermal processes used in mining were applied to Cu-Mo concentrates. The elemental composition analysis of the concentrate was performed by atomic spec-trometry. The crystalline phase was identified by X-ray diffraction. Particle structure observations were performed with an optical microscopy [OM] and scanning electron microscopy [SEM] with a Field Emission, including semiquantitative analysis [EDS]. Thermal behavior and non-isothermal reduction processes were studied using Thermogravimetry Differential Thermal Analysis [TG-DTA].

Results:

Re, S and As release decreased 5% during MWHT, compared to 34% of traditional meth-ods. Molybdenite [MoS2] and Chalcopyrite [CuFeS2] were the crystalline phases in the ore after MWHT. Rhenium was found as an oxide [ReO3] and metallic Re. Samples under MWHT showed structural transformations in the mineral particles, with minimal mass losses and high Re and Mo concentrations. The structural transformation of the ore involved microcracks formation.

Conclusion:

The MWHT induces a combination of particle degradation mechanisms and lower temperature requirements that prevent Re losses. Lower gas emissions turn this technology into an environmentally friendly one. Crystalline transformation of the Re-chalcopyrite phase enhances Re release during leaching, the next step after MWHT in the hydrometallurgical extraction.
Design and Analysis of Microstrip Patch Antenna for Space and Wireless Communication
Authors: Sharma Vishali , Yadav Mukh Raj , Kamath H.Ravishankar
Published: May 2024

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the design of microstrip
patch antennae since communication and connectivity are two very important aspects of mankind.
For ages, antennas have been highly demanded transducers in communication technology.
With the development of the technologies in today’s era, wireless systems are becoming more
compact, thereby reducing the size of the antenna. As space research is taking huge leaps, even
private companies like Space X and ambitious projects from ISRO and NASA have been introduced.
Space research motivates researchers to carry out more studies about space bodies that
produce radio waves. Detection of the position and velocity of bodies using radar provides
emerging research into this domain, which is called radio location. Therefore, multiband antennas
are explored to obtain multiple operating frequencies. The reduced size, low profile, and
lightweight microstrip antennas have become integral to wireless communication systems, and
the increasing growth of wireless systems requires a miniaturized antenna. Thus, this paper discusses
the basic configuration of MPA (Microstrip Patch Antenna), its feeding techniques, and
different shapes in CST (Computer-simulated technology) microwave studio, dielectrics, and
substrate materials. The paper also provides an overview of wireless applications, such as radar
systems, satellite communication, and military applications. Also, there is a description of how to
design a microstrip antenna in MATLAB.