bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BovineTalk: Machine Learning for Vocalization Analysis of Dairy Cattle under Negative Affective States
Authors: Gavojdian Dinu , Lazebnik Teddy , Mincu Madalina , Oren Ariel , Nicolae Ioana , Zamansky Anna
Published: August 2023

There is a critical need to develop and validate non-invasive animal-based indicators of affective states in livestock species, in order to integrate them into on-farm assessment protocols, potentially via the use of precision livestock farming (PLF) tools. One such promising approach is the use of vocal indicators. The acoustic structure of vocalizations and their functions were extensively studied in important livestock species, such as pigs, horses, poultry and goats, yet cattle remain understudied in this context to date. Cows were shown to produce two types vocalizations: low-frequency calls (LF), produced with the mouth closed, or partially closed, for close distance contacts and open mouth emitted high-frequency calls (HF), produced for long distance communication, with the latter considered to be largely associated with negative affective states. Moreover, cattle vocalizations were shown to contain information on individuality across a wide range of contexts, both negative and positive. Nowadays, dairy cows are facing a series of negative challenges and stressors in a typical production cycle, making vocalizations during negative affective states of special interest for research. One contribution of this study is providing the largest to date pre-processed (clean from noises) dataset of lactating adult multiparous dairy cows during negative affective states induced by visual isolation challenges. Here we present two computational frameworks - deep learning based and explainable machine learning based, to classify high and low-frequency cattle calls, and individual cow voice recognition. Our models in these two frameworks reached 87.2% and 89.4% accuracy for LF and HF classification, with 68.9% and 72.5% accuracy rates for the cow individual identification, respectively.
Normal mode analysis in multi-coupled non-Hermitian optical nanocavities
Authors: Park Kyong-Tae , Kim Kyoung-Ho , Min Byung-Ju , No You-Shin
Published: August 2023

Coupled optical cavities are an attractive on-chip optical platform for realizing quantum mechanical concepts in electrodynamics and further developing non-Hermitian photonics. In such systems, an intercavity interaction is often considered as a key parameter to understand the system’s behaviors but its estimation/calculation is typically limited for some simplified systems owing to extended complexities. For example, multi-coupled photonic crystal (PhC) nanocavities exhibiting strong resonances with a large free spectral range can serve as an excellent test-bed to study non-Hermitian optical properties when spatially non-uniform gain is introduced. However, the detailed quantitative analysis such as spectral tracing of cavity normal modes is often limited in commercially available numerical tools because of the required massive computation resources. Herein, we report on a concept of spatial overlap integrals (SOIs) between the eigenmodes in non-coupled PhC nanocavities and utilize them to obtain the intercavity interactions in passively coupled PhC nanocavity systems. With the help of coupling strength factors calculated from SOIs, we were able to fully exploit the coupled mode theory (CMT) and readily trace the detailed spectral behaviors of normal modes in various multi-coupled PhC nanocavities. Full-wave numerical simulation results verified the proposed method, revealing that the characteristics of original eigenmodes from non-coupled PhC nanocavities can act as key building blocks for analyzing the normal modes of multi-coupled PhC nanocavities. We further applied this SOI method to various multi-coupled PhC nanocavities with non-symmetric optical gain/loss distributions and successfully observed the unusual spectral evolution of normal modes and the correspondingly occurring unique non-Hermitian behaviors.
Economic Freedom, Economic Growth, Renewable Energy Consumption and the Load Capacity Factor: Evidence from OECD Countries with Panel Quantile Regression Analysis
Authors: İMAMOĞLU İlyas Kays , Özdemir Dilek
Published: August 2023

In recent years, countries' efforts to increase their economic freedom have raised the question of how freedom will affect the environment. Therefore, in this study, the relationship between economic freedom, economic growth, renewable energy consumption, and load capacity factor (LCF) in OECD countries is analyzed by panel quantile regression analysis with annual data sets for 1996-2018. According to the findings obtained from quantile regression analysis, the LCC hypothesis is valid in OECD countries. Renewable energy consumption positively affects LCF, but this effect is less in high quantiles than in low quantiles. Moreover, economic freedom's effect on LCF is positive and significant in all quantiles. However, there are substantial differences in the coefficients by percentiles, and the impact of economic freedom is less in countries with low LCF than in countries with high LCF. These findings suggest that a higher level of economic freedom will increase the load capacity factor and contribute to improving environmental quality.
Identification of pre-determined steroids in commercially available dietary and traditional supplement products in South Africa
Authors: Gabriels Gary , Lambert Michael , Smith Peter , Wiesner Lubbe
Published: August 2023

Background
An age-old fable can be traced as far back to third century BC that shows ‘sport supplements’ being used by athletes of that era, who made use of ‘substances’, with the aim to improve performance. In more recent times, subsequent to the reunification of Germany, ground-breaking findings were found when acquiring a number of highly classified scientific documents and reports. These documents revealed the systematic state-sponsored programmes of doping of athletes. Specifically linked to anabolic androgenic steroids being a controlled substance globally in several countries. Amidst this ‘control’, steroids are generally readily available for non-medicinal purposes, including for body-image use. Further, in modern day sport and wellness practice, dietary supplements have become of common use and widespread, for competitive and recreational athletes of all ages. This has contributed to modern manufacturing innovation having supplements products that potentially may include illicit substance(s). These often ‘designer steroids’ may be manufactured specifically, to circumvent sport anti-doping laboratory tests, in human sport, and therefore supplied in a clandestine fashion.
Aim
The research study investigated the industry associated with commercially available dietary and traditional supplements. In particular the research assessed the content of these products for prohibited substances, with reference specifically to pre-determined steroids, that may not necessarily be declared on the product label.
Methods
A total of 138 dietary supplements products formed part of the assessment. The products were laboratory analysed for 16 pre-determined steroids, using Tandem Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry.
Results
The frequency of positive tested samples for the respective steroids assessed in the overall cohort ranged from 24–86%, for South African produced dietary supplements 15–89%, and for imported products, bought in South Africa, 12–90%.
Conclusion
The findings of the steroid positive tested samples provide evidence for implementing an improved system for regulating, monitoring, and enforcing the quality control of dietary supplements.
Respiratory-gated Proton Beam Therapy for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma without Fiducial Markers
Authors: Okubo Akihito , Matsumoto Sae , Tamamura Hiroyasu , Sato Yoshitaka , Asahi Satoko , Tatebe Hitoshi , Yamamoto Kazutaka , Matsushita Keiichiro , Sasaki Makoto , Maeda Yoshikazu , Tameshige Yuji , Sunagozaka Hajime , Aoyagi Hiroyuki , Takamatsu Shigeyuki , Satoshi Kobayashi , Satoshi Shibata
Published: August 2023

Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a challenging primary liver cancer with a poor prognosis, especially in unresectable cases. Traditional palliative irradiation is limited in reducing liver doses. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of respiratory-gated proton beam therapy without fiducial markers for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods Between October 2011 and February 2022, 24 patients (median [range] age, 71 [41–88] years) were evaluated at our institution. Twelve patients were pathologically diagnosed with ICC. All patients underwent respiratory-gated proton beam therapy at a dose of 48–83.6 (relative biological effectiveness) in 20–38 fractions with four-dimensional computed tomography planning. The median follow-up period was 18.5 (range, 2.0–74.0) months. The median tumor size was 41 (range, 10–125) mm. Twenty-one patients were classified as having Child–Pugh class A, and three patients were classified as having Child–Pugh class B. Local progression was defined as any growth of the irradiated tumor.Results The median survival time was 28 months for all patients. The Kaplan–Meier estimates of the 2-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and local tumor control rates were 51%, 26%, and 73%, respectively. Local tumor control rates were non-inferior to those reported in previous studies using fiducial markers. One patient had grade 4 pleural effusion; however, whether this was an adverse event due to the proton beam therapy was unclear.Conclusions Respiratory-gated proton beam therapy without fiducial markers is an effective and less invasive treatment option for ICC, showing potential for improved local control and tolerable adverse effects.
Study on the weathering characteristics and mechanism of the Banyueshan Giant Buddha in Ziyang City
Authors: Fang Han , Zhu Shuyun , Ren Kefa
Published: August 2023

The sandstones of the Banyueshan Giant Buddha in Ziyang has been suffered different degrees of weathering damage under the influence of external geological environment factors. Through field investigation and laboratory test, the weathering damage types and weathering mechanism of sandstones were defined and analyzed. The research shows that the main weathering damage types of sandstones include exfoliation, soiling, chapping, hollowing and encrustation. The lithotype of the sandstones is confirmed to be yellowish-gray medium-fine grained lithic feldspar sandstone by microscopy. Through XRF chemical composition analysis and field investigation, it was found that SO3 and CaO contents in the surface weathered samples increased significantly. Conventional XRD results show that clay minerals and calcite increased in weathered sandstone samples compared with unweathered core samples. Due to the high detection limit of XRD, soluble salt could not be detected in the samples. The sedimentation-separation can achieve the enrichment of trace soluble salts in the samples. XRD results after sedimentation-separation show that the weathered samples contain soluble salts such as gypsum, thenardite, etc, but little soluble salts are detected in the unweathered core samples. In addition, the soluble salt ion test further proves that the surface weathered samples are rich in soluble salts, indicating that the existence of soluble salts has an important effect on the weathering damage of sandstones. Based on the theoretical analysis of the crystallization process and pressure of soluble salts, combined with the above experimental results, it is believed that the water absorption, dehydration and crystallization of soluble salts and the accompanying volume expansion and contraction are the internal reasons for the weathering damage of the Banyueshan Giant Buddha in Ziyang.
SOGA: Toward Developing and Application of an Intelligent Structured Chimera Grid Assembling Library for Moving Objectives
Authors: Li Li , Junsheng WU , Yihua LIANG
Published: August 2023

There are many demands to establish the capability to simulate problems with moving objectives, e.g., safety evaluation of multi-bodies separation, maneuver flight simulation, landing process simulation, and so on. The Chimera grid approach is an efficient and flexible way to solve these problems. Based on authors' previous work on the static automatic Chimera grid approach, this paper presents an intelligent structured Chimera grid approach for problems with moving objectives. The idea is to introduce a thought on the modular and application programming interface (API) based software development strategy into the procedure to develop a scalable and reusable software library, SOGA, for Chimera grid applications based on multi-block structured grids. The full name of SOGA is read as Structured-grid based Overset Gridding Assembler, which consists of several type of APIs that include definition of basic grid properties, grid registration, preprocessing for hole-mapping and alternating digital tree (ADT) construction, connectivity establishing, and I/O management. The algorithms hiding behind for 'hole cutting' automatically and intelligently include a modified hole-mapping method through inverse marked method and vector ray method for hole profiling, an alternating digital tree (ADT) based method for grid assembly, and a modified cut-paste algorithm for overlap optimization. To demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the procedure, the approach has been implemented and coupled into the CFL3D solver, which is a well-known industry-oriented CFD software and published by NASA in recent years as an open source code, and doesn’t have Chimera grid capability for moving objectives. Several test cases both including static and dynamic with moving objectives are selected to validate the algorithms and the procedures, and some details numerical results are shown to compare with experiments and public literatures. From the results, one can conclude that the present approach is feasible and effective both for static and dynamic Chimera grid applications.
Automated Continuous Deployment of Software Projects with Jenkins through DevOps-based Hybrid Model
Authors: Narang Poonam , Mittal Pooja , Narang Vritti
Published: August 2023

Software development and delivery have changed from conventional deployment and agile methods to the continuous culture of DevOps. DevOps, the current craze in the software development process, has benefited the software industry by increasing not just software production but also software quality. But because there are no standards for evaluating and improvising DevOps application in the software sectors, the implementation and assessment of DevOps practices are difficult. Consequently, a hybrid model approach is required to help software developers implement DevOps. The goal of this research work is to execute the DevOps-based hybrid model that has already been recommended utilizing suggested tool chains that include the project management environment and plugins for Jenkins, Ansible, GitLab, Nagios and Selenium under DevOps automation tools. This implementation goal will be achieved by the use of a java project with an online visual front-end. The obstacles and advantages of implementing Jenkins will also be covered in this paper along with the success of the DevOps-based model implementation in software organisations. As part of future or additional research, investigation on the effects of taking into account different automation technologies and models can also be done.
Non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of xanthine from edible oral arms of jellyfish Catostylus Perezi (Ranson 1945) using CuO nanostructures derived from sugar molasses
Authors: Waryani Baradi , Tahira Aneela , Akhtar Saeed , Bibi Asma , Bhatti Muhammad Ali , Siddiqui Areesha , Mahar Ihsan Ali , Parveen Mehnaz , Dawi Elmuez , Shah Aqeel Ahmed , Tonezzer Matteo , Nafady Ayman , Aboelmaare Amal , Ibupoto Zafar Hussain
Published: August 2023

In many areas of the world, including Europe and Asia, edible oral arms of jellyfish Catostylus perezi are considered as highly promising sources of protein. Therefore, rapid and economical methods are needed to monitor for toxicants such as Xanthine present in its meat. With the aid of highly electrocatalytic CuO nanostructures prepared with sugar molasses, a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for measuring xanthine was developed in this study. CuO nanostructures were studied for their catalytic performance and charge transfer rate due to sugar molasses' influence on their surface morphology, crystalline and optical properties. A total of two samples were made with molasses in volumes of 1 mL and 2 mL. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy have been used to examine the morphological, structural, and physical-chemical properties of CuO nanostructures produced by low-temperature aqueous chemical growth. Sugar molasses significantly influenced the surface, crystallinity, electrical properties, and electrocatalytic properties of CuO nanostructures, allowing the fabrication of an electrode that is efficient for non-enzymatic detection of xanthine in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. Measurements of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used to estimate the dynamic linear range in the range of 0.0001 to 0.01 mM with a limit of detection of 0.00001 mM. Several important sensor parameters, including selectivity, stability, and reproducibility, were also examined. It was inferred that sample 1's electrode performance was improved because of its large number of active sites, favorable morphology, tunable optical band gap, fast charge transfer rate at the interface, and small average crystallite size. Tests with cyclic voltammetry were conducted under real-life conditions to detect xanthine in jellyfish meat. In this way, sugar molasses supports CuO to provide enhanced electrocatalytic properties, offering a promising approach for developing new functional nanomaterials that are used in biomedical applications, foods, and energy storage.
Facile Incorporation of Optical Sensitizers into Nitrocellulose Aerogels for Improved Laser Ignition and Combustion
Authors: Yan Juchao , Zhang Xin , Baghi Roya , Weeks Brandon L. , Hope-Weeks Louisa
Published: August 2023

We demonstrate a straightforward and effective method to achieve uniform infiltration of optical sensitizers into nitrocellulose aerogels using a sol-gel method followed by supercritical carbon dioxide drying. The optical sensitizers employed in this study include gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) capped with self-assembled monolayers of hydroxyl and/or carboxylic functional groups (i.e., OH-AuNPs and COOH-AuNPs) as well as carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNTs). The resulting robust, monolithic aerogels were characterized in detail by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), specific surface area measurements, differential scanning colorimetry (DSC), and laser initiation and combustion. Although the composite aerogels exhibited similar surface areas, morphologies, and microstructures as pure nitrocellulose aerogels, they exhibited increased sensitivity to laser stimuli and demonstrated improved combustion properties compared to pure nitrocellulose aerogels. We attribute these enhanced performances to the possible increase in photothermal conversion and thermal conductivity facilitated by the incorporation of optical sensitizers within the aerogels. This study offers valuable insights into the design and development of advanced nitrocellulose-based energetic materials, potentially leading to advancements in laser initiation and combustion technologies.
RETRACTED: Existence results for system of generalized hybrid pantograph equations of sequential type
Authors: Benmehidi Hammou , Houas Mohamed , Dahmani Zoubir
Published: August 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Simple behavioral model of a recording device using a second-order non-linear recursive filter
Authors:   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR), Nazarov Maxim A. , Semyonov Edward V. ,   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
Published: August 2023

A method to analyze the non-linear-inertial properties of devices for recording (analog-to-digital conversion) of signals is considered. The method includes a building of a model of a digitizing device in the form of a nonlinear recursive filter of a limited order (second or third). Two or four non-linear functions in such a model are proposed to be considered as characteristics of the non- linearity of the device. The influence of these characteristics on different parts of the transient response of the device is indicated. For the selected example (digital oscilloscope), it is shown that the nonlinearity of the oscilloscope quantizing unit itself has an unsystematic character, but is small against the background of relatively smooth distortions in the analog path of the oscilloscope.
Computational and experimental method for measuring the frequency dependence of phase velocities of in-phase and antiphase waves in coupled lines with unbalanced electromagnetic coupling
Authors:   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR), Loschilov Anton G. , Trinh Thanh T. ,   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR), Malyutin Nickolay D. ,   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR), Malyutin George A. ,   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
Published: August 2023

A computational and experimental method for measuring the frequency dependence of the phase velocities of in-phase and antiphase waves in coupled strip transmission lines is described. The method is based on the experimental determination of the resonant frequencies of a section in which the first strip is current-carrying, is switched on between the input and output, and the second strip connected to the current-carrying strip is under a floating potential. With non-homogeneous dielectric filling, periodically repeated resonances are observed in the section. In parallel with experimental measurements, the frequency characteristics are calculated according to approximately defined primary parameters. At each of the resonant frequencies, the value of the calculated resonant frequency is reduced to the value of an experimentally determined frequency by varying the primary parameters. Then, according to the found primary parameters, the frequency dependences of the phase velocities of in-phase and in-phase waves in a complex form are determined. The method has been successfully applied to connected strip lines in the frequency range up to 8 GHz
Cognitive model for assessing the security of information systems for various purposes
Authors:   South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI) named after M.I. Platov, Baranov Vladimir V. , Shelupanov Aleksandr A. ,   Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR)
Published: August 2023

The paper substantiates the relevance of the development of a cognitive model for assessing the security of information systems for various purposes, designed to support decisionmaking by officials of information security management bodies, analyzes scientific papers and research in this area, formulates requirements for the functional capabilities of the model, investigates and identifies the most appropriate modeling tools, develops integrated ontological and neuro-Bayesian models typical clusters of information systems, tactics and techniques for the implementation of UBI through the vulnerabilities of objects of various levels of the ISO/OSI model, protective and attacking influences, allowing to identify such objects of influence, their current vulnerabilities and scenarios for the implementation of information security threats, to calculate the joint probability distribution of information security events of various genesis, as well as to simulate the process of operational management of information security.
A Morphometric Approach to Bozkurt (Kastamonu-Türkiye) Flood
Authors: AVCİ Vedat , ÜNSAL Ömer
Published: July 2023

This study aims to analyze the flood disaster that occurred in Kastamonu-Bozkurt in 2021 through the morphometric parameters of the basin. In the study, the Basin of Ezine Stream, which is the flood experienced most effectively, was analyzed together with the neighboring basins. Bozkurt flood is one of the most destructive floods in the history of Türkiye. As a result of the floods that occurred in Kastamonu and neighboring provinces on 10th - 12th August 2021, 82 people lost their lives. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the study area was created with a cell size of 10*10 m using topography maps, and the boundaries of the basins to be analyzed with the ArcGIS-Archydro Module were determined. 30 indices were applied to these basins within the scope of shape (geometric), areal and relief morphometric features of the basins. The relationship between morphometric parameters was determined with the Pearson correlation coefficient. When the analysis results are evaluated for the Basin of Ezine Stream, it is the basin with the largest area, and the largest value of basin relief, relative relief and ruggedness. As a result, erosional activities and the risk of flood are high. When all basins are evaluated in general, it has been revealed that the shape of basins are more elongated, and the features of relief morphometry facilitate the formation of floods. Basin relief, relative relief, dissection degree, slope values, and average slope values are high for all basins; and both the amount of water added to the overland flow and the speed of the overland flow increased. This situation also increased the amount of material carried during the flood. Constructions built close to the stream bed increased the effect of the flood. Depending on the global climate change, the study area corresponds to the area where the change in daily maximum precipitation varies between 5-10%. Therefore, floods are likely to continue. For this reason, it is recommended to consider geometric, areal and relief morphometric features of the basins along with the climatic features of the basins while taking the necessary precautions. According to CORINE land cover data, urban areas in the Ezine Stream Basin increased by over 100% between 1990 and 2018, which is also affected by disastrous floods and overflows. Conservation and strengthening of natural vegetation in the study area will reduce the damage level of floods and overflows.
Yeşil Çatı Drenaj Levhasının Geçirimliliğe Etkisi
Authors: SERTYEŞİLIŞIK Pelin , UYGUNOĞLU Tayfun
Published: July 2023

Nüfusun kentlerde artması konutların, yolların ve sanayi gibi yapıların artmasına ve bu da geçirimli alanların geçirimsiz yüzeylerle kaplanmasına sebep olabilmektedir. Ancak, yağmur suyu yönetimi için geçirimli alanlara ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Sürdürülebilir yağmur suyu yöntemlerinden biri olan yeşil çatı sistemi bu soruna bir çözüm olabilecek potansiyelde olup dünyada da pek çok örneği bulunmaktadır. Günümüzün en önemli sorunlarından biri olan, kentlerde görülen ani sel felaketleri ve kanalizasyon taşkınları yeşil çatı sisteminin kullanılması ile azaltılabilir. Yağmur suyunun yeşil çatı sistemleri ile depolanıp verimli kullanımı potansiyeli olması sebebiyle, bu çalışmada yağmurdan kaynaklı oluşan yüzey akışlarına yeşil çatı sisteminin etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla, ekstansif bir yeşil çatının alt tabakasını drenajlı bir sistem oluşturularak çıkış debisine olan etkisi incelenmiştir. Model olarak oluşturulmuş bir yeşil çatı düzeneğinde yağış-akış olayları, %3, 6, 9 ve 12 yüzey eğimleri dikkate alınarak ve su akış sensörü kullanılarak ölçülmüştür. Elde edilen veriler sonucunda yüzeye drenaj levhası serilmesi durumunda boş yüzeye göre tüm eğimlerde suyun akışını eğime bağlı olarak %68-81 oranlarında çıkış süresini gecikmiştir. Ayrıca, alt tabakada yeşil çatı drenaj levhası kullanımıyla yüzey geçirimlilik katsayısının yaklaşık 0.5-0.7 arasında değiştiği görülmüştür, boş yüzeye göre daha düşük değerler almıştır. Sonuç olarak, yeşil çatı sistemlerinde drenaj levhasının serilmesi kentlerde yağış şiddetinin azaltılmasında etkili olabileceği görülmüştür. Yeşil çatı sistemlerinde kabarcıklı levha kullanılması durumunda farklı eğimler için yağış-akış hesaplamalarında kullanılacak C katsayısı için bir aralık ortaya konmuştur. Bu çalışmanın çıktıları iklim değişikliği sebebiyle artan yağmur şiddetinin kentlerde oluşabilecek sel felaketlerini yönetmek ve oluşabilecek maddi ve manevi hasarı azaltmak için kullanılabilir.
İklim Değişikliği Etkisinde Kıyı Kentlerin Sürdürülebilirliğinde Mersin Örneği
Authors: ZENGİN Nihal , YAMAÇLI Ruşen
Published: July 2023

Tarihsel süreç içerisinde birbirinden farklı kültür ve uygarlıklara ev sahipliği yapan, canlı ve dinamik bir yapıya sahip olan kentlerin birçok faktörün etkisinde kalarak farklı özelliklerde şekillendiği görülmektedir. Topografya, su ve demir yolları, tarihsel ve toplumsal değerler kentin şekillenmesinde önemli faktörler olarak gösterilmektedir. Genel olarak deniz ve göl kıyılarında kıyı boyunca kurulan kıyı kentler, sunduğu imkanlar neticesinde göç almış ve artan nüfusun gereksinimlerini ve taleplerini karşılamak amacıyla yeni mekanlar üretilmiştir. Buna bağlı olarak bina stoku hızla artmış ve kent formları değişmiştir. Nüfusun, üretimin ve tüketimin fazla olduğu kıyı kentler, son yıllarda etkisinin daha fazla hissedildiği küresel ısınma ve beraberinde getirdiği iklim değişikliğinden doğrudan etkilenmektedir. Bu araştırma makalesinde alan çalışması olarak seçilen Mersin kentinin ve kentin bileşenlerinin küresel ısınma ve iklim değişikliği ile uyum ve mücadelede mevcut ve gelecekteki performansının arttırılması amaçlanmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, ulusal ve uluslararası literatür derinlemesine analiz edilerek, dünya çapında kıyıda konumlanan kentlerin iklim değişikliği ile uyum ve mücadele nasıl bir yol izledikleri detaylı olarak incelenmiştir. Makalenin sonucunda kıyıda konumlanan Mersin kenti özelinde, kıyı kentlerde dirençli ve sürdürülebilir yerleşmeler oluşturma yolunda bir altlık olarak kullanılması için iklim değişikliği ile uyum ve mücadelede yapılması gerekenler sıralanmıştır.
Van İlinin Doğa Kaynaklı Afet Çeşitliliğinin Fine-Kinney Risk Değerlendirme Metodu (FK-RDM) ile Ortaya Konulması
Authors: MATPAY Bülent , MUTLU Sacit
Published: July 2023

Çalışma alanı Türkiye’nin doğusunda bulunan Van ilini kapsamaktadır. Türkiye’de risk değerlendirme metodu (RDM) kullanılarak yapılmış çalışma sınırlı sayıdadır. Daha önce araştırmacılarca Bitlis için uygulanan RDM, Van ili için ilk kez uygulanmıştır. Bitlis’e benzer coğrafi koşullara ve afet çeşitliliğine sahip olan Van’da gerçekleştirilen çalışmayla bir eksikliğin giderilmesi hedeflenmiştir. Van ilini yersel, meteorolojik, endüstriyel, sosyal vb. afet bakımından riskli kılan birçok parametre vardır. İlin neotektoniği, jeolojisi, jeomorfolojisi ve iklimsel özellikleri bu parametreler arasındadır. Çalışmada çığ, heyelan, kaya düşmesi, su baskını afetleri kullanılarak zamansal ve mekânsal analizler yapılarak risk sınıflandırmaları ortaya konulmuştur. Başta iş sağlığı ve güvenliği çalışmalarında olmak üzere birçok disiplinde Fine-Kinney RDM kullanılmıştır. Sahada afet çeşitliliği bakımından ‘‘Kabul edilebilir risk’’ özelliğine sahip noktalar olduğu gibi ‘‘çok yüksek riskli’’ ve ‘‘yüksek riskli’’ alanlarda tespit edilmiştir. Van’ın güneybatı ve kuzeybatı kesimlerinin fazla eğimli topoğrafik yapısı ve meteorolojik koşulları nedeniyle heyelan, çığ, kaya düşmesi bakımından ‘‘çok yüksek risk’’ ve ‘‘yüksek risk’’ taşıdığı hesaplanmıştır. Morfolojik olarak eğimin azaldığı yamaçlar, akarsuyun ana koluna bağlanan yan kol ağızlarında ve vadi tabanlarına doğru su baskınlarının ‘‘yüksek risk’’ taşıdığı hesaplanmıştır. Nihai olarak Van’da dört farklı afet türünün risk derecelendirilmesi yapılarak yüksek riskli bölgeler belirlenmiştir. Bu yüzden proaktif bakış açısıyla risk değerlendirme sonuçlarının dikkate alınması önerilmektedir. Bu sayede can ve mal kayıplarının önüne geçileceği açıktır.
Gendered Racial Stereotype Endorsement:
Authors: Burnett Marketa , Cooper Shauna , Butler-Barnes Sheretta T. , McCoy Whitney N.
Published: July 2023

Recent indicators continue to highlight the underrepresentation of Black girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), from advanced course enrollment and degree attainment to employment. In this paper, we consider the role of stereotypes as an underlying motivational mechanism that shapes Black girls’ STEM identity and persistence. This theoretical review seeks to provide a conceptual foundation for research on gendered racial stereotype endorsement among Black girls and the differential ways girls may incorporate this knowledge as they navigate STEM learning environments. We define gendered racial stereotypes as widely held beliefs and depictions of Black girls (as a collective group) and their lived experience as perceived by broader society. Despite their awareness of stereotypes, Black girls frequently develop strategies to aid in their persistence. Although they may occasionally endorse these stereotypes, Black girls also use their understanding of stereotypes as a motivator to actively resist and disrupt deficit narratives. By utilizing process-oriented and culturally-informed approaches, we extend the current understanding of Black girls’ stereotype development. Additionally, we provide practical recommendations for research, policy, and educational praxis to aid in the continued positive development of Black girls’ identity in STEM learning environments.
Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant activities of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. extract
Authors: AFROKH Moha , BOUMHARA Kamal , CHATOUİ Khalid , TAHROUCH Saida , HATİMİ Abdelhakim , HARHAR Hicham , TABYAOUİ Mohamed
Published: July 2023

Within the framework of the valorization of the medicinal and aromatic plants of Morocco, we were interested during this study in the characterization and the phytochemical identification of some secondary metabolites present in Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of this species using four methods: DPPH free radical scavenging test, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, (ABTS) radical cation scavenging test, FRAP test measuring antioxidant power, and β bleaching-carotene. Mentha suaveolens is a species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, harvested in southern Morocco, and widely used in traditional medicine for its biological properties attributed mainly to phenolic compounds. Just as they protect plants, secondary metabolites also have a protective role in the human body and are therefore beneficial to our health. They are attributed, in particular, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. In this regard, characterization and identification tests of secondary metabolites revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, catechic tannins, and terpenes in this plant, whereas, the aerial parts of this species are devoid of coumarins, cyanogenic compounds, saponins and free quinones. The quantification of the phenolic compounds gave high contents, with contents of total phenols (54.75 ± 5.62) μg GAE/mg, total flavonoids (32.41 ± 0.41) μg QE/mg, and total condensed tannins (27 ± 1) μg CE/mg. In addition, the results obtained show that Mentha suaveolens extract has stronger antioxidant activity using the β-Carotene method with IC50 (0.24 ± 0.06) mg/mL against IC50 (0.021 ± 0.001) mg/mL for the standard antioxidant by the DPPH free radical scavenging test.
Isoliquiritin Ameliorates Ulcerative Colitis in Rats through Caspase
3/HMGB1/TLR4 Dependent Signaling Pathway
Authors: Miao Zhiwei , Gu Mingjia , Raza Faisal , Zafar Hajra , Huang Jianyi , Yang Yuhang , Sulaiman Muhammad , Yan Jing , Xu Yi
Published: August 2023

Background:

Isoliquiritin belongs to flavanol glycosides and has a strong antiinflammatory
activity. This study sought to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of isoliquiritin and
its underlying mechanism.

Methods:

The inflammatory (trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid-TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis (UC))
model was established to ascertain the effect of isoliquiritin on the caspase-3/HMGB1/TLR4 pathway
in rats. We also explored its protective effect on intestinal inflammation and its underlying mechanism
using the LPS-induced inflammation model of Caco-2 cells. Besides, Deseq2 was used to analyze UCassociated
protein levels.

Results:

Isoliquiritin treatment significantly attenuated shortened colon length (induced by TNBS),
disease activity index (DAI) score, and body weight loss in rats. A decrease in the levels of inflammatory
mediators (IL-1β, I IL-4, L-6, IL-10, PGE2, and TNF-α), coupled with malondialdehyde (MDA)
and superoxide dismutase (SOD), was observed in colon tissue and serum of rats after they have received
isoliquiritin. Results of techniques (like western blotting, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry,
and immunofluorescence-IF) demonstrated the potential of isoliquiritin to decrease expressions of
key genes in the TLR4 downstream pathways, viz., MyD88, IRAK1, TRAF6, NF-κB, p38, and JNK at
mRNA and protein levels as well as inhibit HMGB1 expression, which is the upstream ligand of
TLR4. Bioinformational analysis showed enteritis to be associated with a high expression of HMGB1,
TLR4, and caspase-3.

Conclusion:

Isoliquiritin could reduce intestinal inflammation and mucosal damage of TNBS-induced
colitis in rats with a certain anti-UC effect. Meanwhile, isoliquiritin treatment also inhibited the expression
of HMGB1, TLR4, and MyD88 in LPS-induced Caco-2 cells. These results indicated that
isoliquiritin could ameliorate UC through the caspase-3/HMGB1/TLR4-dependent signaling pathway.
Future Directions for Developing Non-dopaminergic Strategies for the
Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Wamelen Daniel J. van , Leta Valentina , Chaudhuri K. Ray , Jenner Peter
Published: August 2023

The symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been dominated by the use of
dopaminergic medication, but significant unmet need remains, much of which is related to non-motor
symptoms and the involvement of non-dopaminergic transmitter systems. As such, little has changed
in the past decades that has led to milestone advances in therapy and significantly improved treatment
paradigms and patient outcomes, particularly in relation to symptoms unresponsive to levodopa. This
review has looked at how pharmacological approaches to treatment are likely to develop in the near
and distant future and will focus on two areas: 1) novel non-dopaminergic pharmacological strategies
to control motor symptoms; and 2) novel non-dopaminergic approaches for the treatment of non-motor
symptoms. The overall objective of this review is to use a ‘crystal ball’ approach to the future of drug
discovery in PD and move away from the more traditional dopamine-based treatments. Here, we discuss
promising non-dopaminergic and ‘dirty drugs’ that have the potential to become new key players
in the field of Parkinson’s disease treatment.
Multivariate Prediction of Small-bowel Ischemia and Necrosis using CT in
Emergent Patients with Small-bowel Obstruction
Authors: Li Bo , Wu Zhifeng
Published: August 2023

Background:

It is difficult to accurately determine whether emergent patients with small-bowel obstruction (SBO) have small-bowel ischemia and necrosis(SBIN). Therefore, in this study, we aimed to assess the ability of abdominal CT scans to predict SBIN and establish a new predictive model.

Methods:

From March 2018 to May 2023, a rigorous posthoc analysis was conducted on whether 177 emergent patients with SBO had SBIN. Four clinical indexes and 19 CT signs were analyzed, and a multivariate scoring model for predicting SBIN was established using logistic regression analysis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the accuracy of this model.

Results:

Multivariate analysis showed that mesenteric edema and effusion (OR=23.450), significant thickening and the target sign on the small-bowel wall on plain scans (OR=23.652), significant thinning of the small-bowel wall(OR=30.439), significant decrease in small-bowel wall density (OR=12.885), and significant increase in small-bowel wall density (OR=19.550) were significantly correlated with SBIN (P<0.05). According to their multivariate ORs, an appropriate "predictive score" was assigned to each sign, and the rates of SBIN among those with a total score of 0-4, 5-6, and 7-8 were 2.2%, 86.4%, and 96.9%, respectively. The AUC of this predictive scoring model for SBIN exceeded 0.980.

Conclusion:

We have developed a predictive scoring model for SBIN, for which the incidence of SBIN increases with increasing predictive scores. This model can be useful for clinical treatment.
The Effectiveness of Blended Learning for Dermatology Undergraduate Medical Students (Preprint)
Authors: Silva Cristiana , Vasconcellos Cidia , Souza Murilo Barreto , Fernandes Juliana Dumet , Rego Vitoria Regina de Almeida Pedreira
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Novel internet-based applications and associated technologies have influenced all aspects of our society, ranging from areas of commerce and business to entertainment and health care. Education is no exception. In this context, this study was designed to evaluate the impact of a dermatology e-learning program on the academic performance of medical students.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to develop a dermatology blended learning course for undergraduate medical students and compare the knowledge gained by students who took this course to those who attended traditional classes.

METHODS

This prospective study evaluated the performance of fourth-semester medical students from the Federal University of Bahia, Brazil. A total of 129 students were selected and divided into 2 groups. The first group (n=57) attended traditional classes and used printed material (books and handouts). The second group (n=72) took our e-learning course and used an e-book as a supplement in a hybrid setting comprising online plus traditional learning. Each course was evaluated with multiple-choice, paper-based tests that were administered at the beginning and end of the course.

RESULTS

Although the precourse tests did not show any difference between the traditional and hybrid groups (mean 2.74, SD 1.25 vs mean 3.2, SD 1.22), students attending the hybrid course had better final term grades (mean 8.18, SD 1.26) than those who attended traditional classes (mean 7.11, SD 1.04). This difference was statistically significant (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the performance of undergraduate students who took a course supplemented with e-learning material was superior to those who attended a traditional course alone.
Hyaluronidase for Dermal Filler Complications: Review of Applications and Dosage Recommendations (Preprint)
Authors: Kroumpouzos George , Treacy Patrick
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Hyaluronidase (Hyal) can reverse complications of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, which has contributed substantially to the popularity of such procedures. Still, there are differing opinions regarding Hyal treatment, including dosage recommendations in filler complication management.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to address unanswered questions regarding Hyal treatment for HA filler complications, including timing and dosage, skin pretesting, properties of various Hyals and interactions with HA gels, and pitfalls of the treatment.

METHODS

PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched from inception for articles on Hyal therapy for filler complications. Articles were evaluated regarding their contribution to the field. The extensive literature review includes international leaders’ suggestions and expert panels’ recommendations.

RESULTS

There are limited controlled data but increasing clinical experience with Hyal treatment. The currently used Hyals provide good results and have an acceptable safety profile. Nonemergent complications such as the Tyndall effect, noninflamed nodules, and allergic or hypersensitivity reactions should be treated with low or moderate Hyal doses. Hyal should be considered with prior or simultaneous oral antibiotic treatment in managing inflammatory nodules. Hyal may be tried for granulomas that have not responded to intralesional steroids. Emergent complications such as vascular occlusion and blindness require immediate, high-dose Hyal treatment. Regarding blindness, the injection technique, retrobulbar versus supraorbital, remains controversial. Ultrasound guidance can increase the efficacy of the above interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyal is essential in aesthetic practice because it can safely treat most HA filler complications. Immediate Hyal treatment is required for emergent complications. Aesthetic practitioners should be versed in using Hyal and effective dosage protocols.

CLINICALTRIAL
Sentiment analysis and natural language processing using Reddit data to evaluate patient opinions on hair loss therapeutics (Preprint)
Authors: Sally Rachel , Shapiro Jerry , Lo Sicco Kristen
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Online forums are rich sources of user-derived data and harnessing this information utilizing natural language processing techniques can provide insights into patient experiences. The subject forums of Reddit may allow for focused explorations such as opinions on specific therapeutic agents.

OBJECTIVE

To determine patient sentiment about key treatments for female hair loss. Secondarily, to demonstrate the feasibility of using Reddit data to perform sentiment analysis on patient comments.

METHODS

A software pipeline scraped publicly available Reddit comments from r/femalehairloss, then processed them into sentence tokens. Sentiment analysis was subsequently performed. A frequency word representation was created.

RESULTS

The most frequently cited single treatments were minoxidil and spironolactone. Comments mentioning PRP and minoxidil were the second and third most positive on average. Comments referencing dutasteride were the most positive, however, this may be skewed by the low number of dutasteride-only comments. Finasteride comments were the least positive on average but were still slightly greater than 0.

CONCLUSIONS

In this paper, we have demonstrated the feasibility of performing sentiment analysis on Reddit comments. Our results suggest that opinions about hair loss therapeutics on the examined forum were on average positive. Analysis of health-focused subreddits such as r/femalehairloss can provide a deeper understanding of patient discourse and may also represent an opportunity for physicians to disseminate evidence-based recommendations.
Exploring the Association between Job Attributes and Housing Rents: A Case Study of Guangzhou
Authors: Luo Fubin , Zhang Yunzheng
Published: July 2023

The association between jobs and housing rents has garnered significant attention from scholars. However, the current body of literature only examines a limited number of job-related characteristics when investigating the link between jobs and housing rents, without delving into more comprehensive job attributes. This study utilizes job data sourced from the job search website Zhilian to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how housing rents are associated with job attributes (specifically, job position features, employer features, and distant job accessibility) at various spatial scales. The analysis is based on a sample of 3,850 communities in Guangzhou, China. This study reveals that housing rents are associated with job attributes at varying spatial scales, with the magnitude of impact generally diminishing as the spatial scale expands. When considering job attributes, it is found that employer features hold the highest level of significance, followed by job position features, while distant job accessibility is deemed to be of lesser importance. The aforementioned findings contribute novel insights into the association between specific job characteristics and housing rents. This information can prove valuable for policymakers as they strive to formulate affordable housing strategies that align with prevailing employment conditions.