bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre-endoscopy SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy during COVID-19 pandemic: the care must go on
Authors: Casper M. , Reichert M. C. , Rissland J. , Smola S. , Lammert F. , Krawczyk M.
Published: March 2022

Background

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, endoscopic societies initially recommended reduction of endoscopic procedures. In particular non-urgent endoscopies should be postponed. However, this might lead to unnecessary delay in diagnosing gastrointestinal conditions.

Methods

Retrospectively we analysed the gastrointestinal endoscopies performed at the Central Endoscopy Unit of Saarland University Medical Center during seven weeks from 23 March to 10 May 2020 and present our real-world single-centre experience with an individualized rtPCR-based pre-endoscopy SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy. We also present our experience with this strategy in 2021.

Results

Altogether 359 gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed in the initial period. The testing strategy enabled us to conservatively handle endoscopy programme reduction (44% reduction as compared 2019) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of COVID-19 rtPCR from nasopharyngeal swabs were available in 89% of patients prior to endoscopies. Apart from six patients with known COVID-19, all other tested patients were negative. The frequencies of endoscopic therapies and clinically significant findings did not differ between patients with or without SARS-CoV-2 tests. In 2021 we were able to unrestrictedly perform all requested endoscopic procedures (> 5000 procedures) by applying the rtPCR-based pre-endoscopy SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy, regardless of next waves of COVID-19. Only two out-patients (1893 out-patient procedures) were tested positive in the year 2021.

Conclusion

A structured pre-endoscopy SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy is feasible in the clinical routine of an endoscopy unit. rtPCR-based pre-endoscopy SARS-CoV-2 testing safely allowed unrestricted continuation of endoscopic procedures even in the presence of high incidence rates of COVID-19. Given the low frequency of positive tests, the absolute effect of pre-endoscopy testing on viral transmission may be low when FFP-2 masks are regularly used.
MaxEnt-based modeling of suitable habitat for rehabilitation of Podocarpus forest at landscape-scale
Authors: Tesfamariam Birhane Gebrehiwot , Gessesse Berhan , Melgani Farid
Published: March 2022

Modeling the current distribution and predicting suitable habitats of threatened species support proper planning processes for conservation and restoration. The aim of this study was thus to model the actual distribution and predict environmentally suitable habitats for Podocarpus falcatus, a locally threatened native tree species in Ethiopia. To realize this objective, species’ presence samples, BIOCLIMATIC, and topographic predictors were combined to run a MaxEnt model. Finally, a model-generated habitat suitability map was produced with AUC accuracy of 0.783. Among the variables used for modeling, elevation range was found to be a key predictor of Podocarpus distribution, followed by precipitation of the driest quarter and isothermality. An extensive area (> 48%) of the studied landscape has been predicted to be environmentally suitable for the target species. However, only a small portion open-land area is practically available for rehabilitation since the area has been intensively cultivated to support the densely inhabited population. Therefore, potential areas for a small-scale plantation of Podocarpus trees remain to be pocket sites in religious places and around farmers’ homesteads. So far, many farmers in this area have demonstrated a successful experience of growing this degraded native tree species. Thus, encouraging privately owned small-scale plantations could enhance rehabilitation and more sustainable conservation of the locally threatened native tree species.
Biosynthesis and bioactivities of metal nanoparticles mediated by Helichrysum aureonitens
Authors: Shelembe Bongisiwe , Mahlangeni Nomfundo , Moodley Roshila
Published: March 2022

Biosynthesis of nanoparticles is the preferred route for the fabrication of biocompatible and cheaper drugs. In this study, the extract and major secondary metabolite from Helichrysum aureonitens, 3,5-dihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone, were used to synthesize silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles. Spectroscopic and microscopic techniques confirmed the formation of the nanoparticles. The flavone alone showed higher DPPH radical scavenging ability (IC50 = 487.1 μg mL−1) relative to the control, butylated hydroxytoluene. In addition, silver nanoparticles synthesized using the flavone had higher ferric reducing potential (Fe3+ to Fe2+) compared to the other test samples. The cytotoxic activity of the plant extract, the flavone, and their biosynthesized nanoparticles was also investigated using the MTT assay against the cancerous MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma)), and non-cancerous HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cell lines. The plant extract decreased the cell viability of A549 (IC50 = 68.6 μg mL−1) without being cytotoxic against HEK293, even at high concentrations. Silver nanoparticles significantly decreased cell viability of A549 and moderately decreased cell viability of MCF-7 but induced cell death of HEK293 even at low concentrations. This study provides a green synthesis route for silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles and confirms the therapeutic effectiveness of H. aureonitens, thereby validating its use in ethnomedicine.
A study to compare the efficacy of intrathecal dexmedetomidine versus nalbuphine as an adjuvant to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in lower abdominal surgeries
Authors: Khare Arvind , Chohala Mukesh , Thada Beena , Mathur Veena , Garg Deepak , Tanwar Neha
Published: March 2022

Background

The subarachnoid block is a commonly used technique for lower abdominal surgeries. Bupivacaine being a cost-effective drug gives satisfactory analgesia for 90–120 min. Adjuvants such as dexmedetomidine and nalbuphine extend the analgesia in the postoperative period. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of intrathecal dexmedetomidine and nalbuphine as an adjuvant to hyperbaric bupivacaine regarding the duration of analgesia as the primary objective and the time of onset of sensory and motor blockade, duration of motor blockade, haemodynamics parameters like mean heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure, and side effects if any being the secondary objectives. Eighty patients, aged 18–65 years of ASA physical status I and II, were randomly allocated into two groups. Group NB (n = 40) received 0.5% Inj. hyperbaric bupivacaine 18 mg (3.6 ml) + Inj.nalbuphine 1.0 mg (0.1 ml) while group DB (n = 40) received 0.5% Inj. hyperbaric bupivacaine 18 mg (3.6 ml) + Inj.dexmedetomidine 10 μg (0.1 ml).

Results

Patients in group DB had a significantly prolonged duration of analgesia as compared to group NB. The early onset of sensory and motor blockade was noted in group DB(P < 0.05). The duration of motor blockade was significantly prolonged in group DB (P < 0.05). Patients in both groups showed no significant difference in haemodynamic changes and incidence of side effects (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Dexmedetomidine as an intrathecal adjuvant was found to have prolonged sensory and motor block and provide good quality of postoperative analgesia and stable haemodynamics with minimal side effects as compared to nalbuphine.
Prediction of the hot asphalt mix properties using deep neural networks
Authors: Othman Kareem
Published: March 2022

Background

Marshall design process is the most common method used for estimating the Optimum asphalt content (OAC) and this process is called the asphalt mix design. However, this method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and its results are subjected to variations.

Results

This paper employs artificial neural network (ANN) for the estimation of Marshall test parameters (OAC, Stability, Flow, Air voids, Voids in mineral aggregate) using the aggregate gradation as the input of the prediction process. Multiple ANNs are tested in order to optimize the NN hyperparameters and produce accurate predictions. Different activation functions, number of hidden layers, and number of neurons per hidden layer are tested and heatmaps are generated to compare the performance of every ANN. Results show that the optimum ANN hyperparameters change depending on the predicted parameter. Finally, the deep NN can predict the OAC, stability, flow, density, air voids, and voids in mineral aggregate with R values of 0.91, 0.8, 0.53, 0.65, 0.77, and 0.66.

Conclusion

The linear activation function is the most efficient activation function and generates more accurate results than the logistic and the hyperbolic tangent functions. Additionally, it is shown that the deep neural network approach represents a major innovative tool for the prediction of the asphalt mix properties as results of this approach outperforms results of the shallow ANN that consists of a single hidden layer which is the only approach used in the literature. Thus, the use of the deep ANN can be useful during the phase of the design of the asphalt mix process because of its ability to predict variables with high accuracy. For example, the ANN with 3 hidden layers and 16 neurons per layer with the linear activation function can predict the OAC with high accuracy (R = 0.91), which can be helpful in the design process as the ANN can be employed for the prediction of the OAC of the asphalt mix.
The burden of COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis detection: a single-center study
Authors: Hashem Maiada K. , Hussein Aliae A. R. Mohamed , Amin Mariam Taher , Mahmoud Abdelmalek , Shaddad Ahmad M.
Published: March 2022

Background

Since being declared a global pandemic, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) took over healthcare providers and researchers’ interest. However, other epidemic diseases, including tuberculosis (TB), are still a health issue that aggravate under the umbrella of health facilities exhaustion. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis management.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the quarterly reports issued by a tuberculosis management unit from 2017 to June 2021, including data of 12 subunits. The changes in pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis incidence trends (new + relapsed cases) throughout the 4 years were reported. The quarterly changed percentages in cases numbers along 2020 and first half of 2021 was compared with that of the same periods in 2019.

Results

Incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was higher than pulmonary tuberculosis throughout the 4 year study periods (7.69 vs. 4.49, 9.44 vs. 4.33, 7.75 vs. 3.58, and 7.82 vs. 2.94/100.000 population, respectively) with a noticeable decline in the incidence of pulmonary TB during 2020. The second quarter of 2020 showed the lowest tuberculosis incidence rate with a 41.6% decline in the total number of diagnosed cases while 2nd quarter of 2021 showed 21.2% decline. During 2020, only 4 cases of multidrug-resistant TB were reported (compared to an average of 8 cases of MDR-TB yearly before the COVID-19 era).

Conclusion

There was a noticeable drop in tuberculosis case detection during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lockdown, started in Egypt by the end of March 2020, could contribute to the marked drop in the second quarter. However, a steady partial decline was continued during the first half of 2021, which foretells a growing problem.
Approach to the Patient With Glucocorticoid-induced Adrenal Insufficiency
Authors: Borresen Stina Willemoes , Klose Marianne , Glintborg Dorte , Watt Torquil , Andersen Marianne Skovsager , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla
Published: March 2022

Glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency is caused by exogenous glucocorticoid suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and is the most prevalent form of adrenal insufficiency. The condition is important to diagnose given the risk of life-threatening adrenal crisis and impact on patients’ quality of life. The diagnosis is made with a stimulation test such as the ACTH test. Until now, testing for glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency has often been based on clinical suspicion rather than routinely but accumulating evidence indicates that a significant number of cases will remain unrecognized. During ongoing oral glucocorticoid treatment or initially after withdrawal, ~50% of patients have adrenal insufficiency, but, outside clinical studies, ≤ 1% of patients have adrenal testing recorded. More than 70% of cases are identified during acute hospital admission, where the diagnosis can easily be missed because symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are nonspecific and overlap those of the underlying and intercurrent conditions. Treatment of severe glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency should follow the principles for treatment of central adrenal insufficiency. The clinical implications and thus indication to treat mild-moderate adrenal deficiency after glucocorticoid withdrawal has not been established. Also, the indication of adding stress dosages of glucocorticoid during ongoing glucocorticoid treatment remains unclear. In patients with established glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency, high rates of poor confidence in self-management and delayed glucocorticoid administration in the acute setting with an imminent adrenal crisis call for improved awareness and education of clinicians and patients. This article reviews different facets of glucocorticoid-induced adrenal insufficiency and discusses approaches to the condition in common clinical situations.
Sites of Indeterminacy in Lisa Robertson
Authors: Miller Christopher Patrick
Published: March 2022

Indeterminacy is a term that has been asked to do a lot of work for literary and cultural criticism. For strictly formalist critics, it might be the quality of a text or artwork that both preserves useful ambiguity and invites participation from respondents. For criticism that challenges the status quos of social and political life, it is often the interpretive condition that can unsettle existing patterns of recognition and judgment. What this essay finds in the work of Lisa Robertson is a more situated notion of indeterminacy, one that relates indeterminacies of speech, form, and affect to the destabilizing effects that postindustrial capitalism can have and has had on cities and their inhabitants. Following a brief overview of indeterminacy as a critical concept, from New Criticism to poststructuralist theory, the essay closely reads Robertson's Occasional Work and Seven Walks from the Office for Soft Architecture (2003) as a multi-genre study in Vancouver becoming “money” and the effects of this process on work characterized as temporary or feminine. Indeterminacy becomes a double bind for the speakers of her “Office,” in that freedoms of expression, feeling, or movement fold into occasions for speculation and displacement. Finally, the essay relates Robertson's indeterminacies to recent debates about the character of avant-garde writing, arguing for a more socially and historically contingent notion of aesthetic experimentation.
Study on the impact of the therapeutic swimming on elderly women diagnosed with osteoporosis
Authors: Vizitiu Elena , Constantinescu Mihai
Published: March 2022

Introduction The adult woman has a complex of endocrine metabolic changes that can influence and cause various disorders in the body regarding the decrease of functional and regulatory ca-pacities. The involuntary changes in a woman's aging highlight both the appearance and the functionality. In this sense, we intend to conduct a study on morphological changes, parameters that represent risk factors in the development of osteoporosis. Studies by Kanis (1) and Munshi (2) show that maintaining adequate bone mass as well as ensuring adequate muscle tone can prevent osteoporosis, and a pronounced incidence of the onset and development of chronic de-generative pathologies can promote fractures. Material and method. In connection with the elu-cidation of this aspect, we will use the Frax estimation method, which is based on the introduc-tion of values obtained from medical evaluations. Regarding the study, we propose to the sub-jects a therapeutic swimming program to avoid the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures. Results and discussions. Regarding the field of factors favoring the estimation of a fracture in the items regarding cortisone treatments, alcohol consumption, digestive problems, minor traumas, the investigated subjects answered with No 100%.In order to obtain objective results, the study will continue for a period of 1 year, the intermediate tests will be performed after 4 months from the beginning of the work program and at the same time the program will undergo changes, de-pending on the results obtained from the evaluations. Conclusions. The implementation of this water exercise program will lead to adaptive changes in the direction of limiting the unevolu-tionary processes of senescence.

Keywords: elderly women; osteoporosis; estimate; physical activity, therapeutic swimming
Denaturing and dNTPs reagents improve SARS-CoV-2 detection via single and multiplex RT-qPCR
Authors: Cadena-Caballero Cristian E. , Vera-Cala Lina M. , Barrios-Hernandez Carlos , Rueda-Plata Diego , Forero-Buitrago Lizeth J. , Torres-Jimenez Carolina S. , Lizarazo-Gutierrez Erika , Agudelo-Rodriguez Mayra , Martinez-Perez Francisco
Published: March 2022

Background: Recent estimates indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, could be effectively controlled via the development and implementation of diagnostic tools such as quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). However, this reaction often generates false-negative results due to novel mutations and can also be affected by the secondary structure of the RNA transcripts that derive from the gene sequence used for diagnostic purposes.

Methods: Using high-performance computing, we consolidated a global SARS-CoV-2 genome repository encompassing 19,317 genomes from the GenBank database and 107,259 from the GISAID database to generate monthly SARS-CoV-2 consensus sequences from January to December 2020.

Results: These sequences were then used to create ORF8-specific primers and probes to validate single and multiplex RT-qPCR protocols both in silico and experimentally using genes E (Berlin protocol) and N (CDC protocol) as targets.

Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated that RT-qPCR Ct values were improved by the inclusion of either a denaturing solution composed of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and by adjusting nucleotide proportions based on the SARS-CoV-2 genome.
Design-of-experiments in vitro transcription yield optimization of self-amplifying RNA
Authors: Samnuan Karnyart , Blakney Anna K , McKay Paul F , Shattock Robin J
Published: March 2022

Background: Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccines are able to induce a higher antigen-specific immune response with a more cost-effective and rapid production process compared to plasmid DNA vaccines. saRNAs are synthesized through in vitro transcription (IVT); however, this process has mainly been optimized for relatively short mRNAs.

Methods: Here, we optimized the IVT process for long saRNAs, approximately 9.4 kb, through a design of experiment (DoE) approach to produce a maximal RNA yield and validated the optimal IVT method on various sizes of RNA.

Results: We found that magnesium has the highest impact on RNA yield with acetate ions enabling a higher yield than chloride ions. In addition, the interaction between magnesium and nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) is highly essential for IVT. Further addition of sodium acetate (NaOAc) during IVT provided no added benefit in RNA yield. Moreover, pyrophosphatase was not essential for productive IVT. The optimal IVT method can be used to synthesize different lengths of RNA.

Conclusions: These findings emphasize the ability to synthesize high quality and quantity of saRNA through IVT and that the optimal amount of each component is essential for their interactions to produce a high RNA yield.
Theoretical spectroscopic study of acetyl (CH3CO), vinoxy (CH2CHO), and 1-methylvinoxy (CH3COCH2) radicals. Barrierless formation processes of acetone in the gas phase
Authors: El Hadki Hamza , Gámez Victoria Guadalupe , Dalbouha Samira , Marakchi Khadija , Kabbaj Oum Keltoum , Komiha Najia , Carvajal Miguel , Senent Diez Maria Luisa
Published: March 2022

Background: Acetone is present in the earth´s atmosphere and extra-terrestrially. The knowledge of its chemical history in these environments represents a challenge with important implications for global tropospheric chemistry and astrochemistry. The results of a search for efficient barrierless pathways producing acetone from radicals in the gas phase are described in this paper. The spectroscopic properties of radicals needed for their experimental detection are provided.  

Methods: The reactants were acetone fragments of low stability and small species containing C, O and H atoms. Two exergonic bimolecular addition reactions involving the radicals CH3, CH3CO, and CH3COCH2, were found to be competitive according to the kinetic rates calculated at different temperatures. An extensive spectroscopic study of the radicals CH3COCH2 and CH3CO, as well as the CH2CHO isomer, was performed. Rovibrational parameters, anharmonic vibrational transitions, and excitations to the low-lying excited states are provided. For this purpose, RCCSD(T)-F12 and MRCI/CASSCF calculations were performed. In addition, since all the species presented non-rigid properties, a variational procedure of reduced dimensionality was employed to explore the far infrared region.

Results: The internal rotation barriers were determined to be V3=143.7 cm-1 (CH3CO), V2=3838.7 cm-1 (CH2CHO) and V3=161.4 cm-1 and V2=2727.5 cm-1 (CH3COCH2).The splitting of the ground vibrational state due to the torsional barrier have been computed to be 2.997 cm-1, 0.0 cm-1, and 0.320 cm-1, for CH3CO, CH2CHO, and CH3COCH2, respectively.

Conclusions: Two addition reactions, H+CH3COCH2 and CH3+CH3CO, could be considered barrierless formation processes of acetone after considering all the possible formation routes, starting from 58 selected reactants, which are fragments of the molecule. The spectroscopic study of the radicals involved in the formation processes present non-rigidity. The interconversion of their equilibrium geometries has important spectroscopic effects on CH3CO and CH3COCH2, but is negligible for CH2CHO.
Plamy na honorze
Authors: Kasprzycki Remigiusz
Published: March 2022

HONOR DISGRACED: PRE-WORLD WAR II DESERTIONS OF POLISH ARMY OFFICERS

During the Interwar period, desertions plagued the Polish Army. Many officers were counted among the thousands of rank-and-file soldiers who deserted prior to 1939. The desertion of officers was the most shocking of all peacetime abandonments, as they were supposed to be patriotic leaders of the men under their command. Officers deserted for myriad reasons, including fear of prosecution for illicit behavior, such as theft, and the discovery of cooperation or collusion with foreign agents. Of all the officer desertions during this period, the most spectacular took place in 1930 when Major Stanisław Krauss defected to Belgium and France. In 1934, a French court sentenced him to 5 years in prison for spying on French forces for Germany. The trial hit press headlines worldwide.
Military Conflicts Between Communist States: Geopolitical Realities and the Realization of a Communist Peace
Authors: Grass Kacper
Published: March 2022

Despite historical perceptions of systemic communist-capitalist bipolarity in the Cold War world order, the international communist system was nevertheless affected by the same geopolitical realities that influenced the international system as a whole. By examining the seven cases of military conflicts between communist states from 1945 to 1991 – the Soviet invasion of Hungary (1956), the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968), the Sino-Soviet border conflict (1969), the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia (1978-1989), the Chinese invasion of Vietnam (1979), the Somali invasion of Ethiopia (1977-1978), and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979-1989) – this article challenges both the notions of Cold War bipolarity between communist and capitalist systems as well as the Marxist theory of peaceful coexistence between communist states.
The Value of Information and Flexibility with Temporal Commitments
Authors: Boada-Collado Pol , Chopra Sunil , Smilowitz Karen
Published: March 2022

Problem definition: We study the combined value of observing future demand realizations (partial demand visibility) and flexible capacity, two hedging mechanisms against demand uncertainty, when signing capacity contracts with short temporal commitment. Academic/practical relevance: With new technological innovations, short commitment contracts are found in dynamic environments like distribution, processing, and manufacturing, a trend likely to grow in the future. In contrast to classic procurement, where commitments are long, short commitments lead to new dynamics in which demand visibility allows companies to use flexible resources more efficiently by adapting to demand observations. Methodology: We incorporate flexible capacity and demand visibility simultaneously using a multiperiod newsvendor network model with two nodes that are supplied using dedicated and flexible capacity contracts with short temporal commitment. Results: The optimal commitment to capacity contracts adapts within bounds to the observed demand at each node. The ability to adapt to visible demand becomes more valuable when flexible capacity contracts are available. This allows us to show that demand visibility and flexible capacity can act as complements. Managerial implications: In contrast to conventional wisdom, when contracts have short commitment, companies can enhance the value of demand visibility if flexible capacity is also available as an option.
Uncertainty Quantification and Global Sensitivity Analysis of Radiated Susceptibility in Multiconductor Transmission Lines using Adaptive Sparse Polynomial Chaos Expansions
Authors: Zhu Yu , Wang Yinhao , Yu Quanyi , Wu Dayong , Zhang Yang , Zhang Tong
Published: March 2022

This study analyzes the uncertainties of the radiated susceptibility in multiconductor transmission lines (MTLs), and introduces an adaptive sparse polynomial chaos expansion combining hyperbolic truncation scheme with orthogonal matching pursuit method (AS-PCE (OMP)). This method is used as the basis to realize the uncertainty quantification (UQ) of radiated susceptibility and global sensitivity analysis (GSA) of input variables to output variables. GSA considers the influencing factors of the incident field and transmission-line geometric parameters. The global sensitivity indices of each input variable are calculated for varying impedance loads. The accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are verified compared with the results of the polynomial chaos expansion based least angle regression method and Monte Carlo methods.
Novel Broadband Circularly Polarized Monopole Antenna for Multi-communication Systems
Authors: Chen Hua , Feng Quanyuan , Wen Yan , Fu Qiang
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes a novel coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed broadband circularly polarized (CP) monopole antenna, which applies to C-band and various wireless communication systems. The antenna consists of the double circular-shaped patch (DCSP) with square and L-shaped slots, and an improved asymmetric ground plane. The prototype of the designed antenna has been fabricated. The results of the measurement show that the 10-dB impedance bandwidth (ZBW) is 117.8% (2.2–8.5 GHz), the 3-dB axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) is 62% (4.45–8.45 GHz).
Planar Magnetic Integration Design Based on LLC Resonant Converter
Authors: Deng Xianming , Zheng Kang , Gu Yanxing , Zhang Ankang , Jia Zhen
Published: March 2022

High power density and high efficiency is a major trend in the development of power converters. The main measure to reduce the size of power converter is to improve the working frequency, and the limiting factor is the size of magnetic components. With the development of new semiconductor devices, the working frequency of power converters has been significantly improved, which gives us the opportunity to apply printed circuit board (PCB) winding planar magnetics. Compared with the traditional high frequency magnetics, planar magnetics not only reduce the size of the magnetic components effectively but also improve reliability through repeatable automated manufacturing, which is convenient for large-scale production. Magnetic integration is another method to reduce the size of the power converter. In this paper, a new magnetic structure based on PCB winding is proposed, which integrates inductance and transformer into one component. And the inductor can be independent of the transformer. In this structure, the inductance of inductor and excitation inductance of transformer can be easily controlled by changing the number of winding turns or the length of the air gap. A 20-W 200-kHz half-bridge LLC resonant converter with a peak efficiency of 94.9% is built to verify the feasibility of the designed planar magnetic integrated structure.
A Compact and High-Performance Shielding Enclosure by Using Metamaterial Design
Authors: Cui Keyi , Shi Dan , Sun Chi , Liu Xiaoyong
Published: March 2022

A compact and high-performance shielding enclosure designed by metamaterial structure based on frequency selective surface (FSS) is proposed. The enclosure has large holes for convenience of airflow and cable access. However, it can achieve great shielding performance by maintaining more than 40 dB attenuation. The shield is composed of n ×× n unit cells, and each unit cell is designed by knitting the 2.5-dimensional loop-type elements interconnected through vias. This design shows promising capability of size reduction, bandwidth expansion, and shielding effectiveness enhancement. Moreover, the enlarged holes on the FSS are helpful for the ventilation and heat dissipation. The size of the proposed 2.5-D FSS is only 0.097λ0λ0××0.097λ0λ0, where λ0λ0 corresponds to free space wavelength of resonance frequency. The proposed structure provides 3.38 GHz (3.21–6.59 GHz) wide shielding bandwidth. Furthermore, it has stable response to the wide-angle incident wave ranging from 0∘∘ to 85∘∘ with more than 40 dB attenuation at 4.83 GHz for both x-polarization and y-polarization. The proposed FSS is practically useful for the shielding of fifth generation (5G) wireless systems, WiMAX, and WLAN.
Linear Antenna Array Synthesis by Modified Seagull Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Kurt Erhan , Basbug Suad , Guney Kerim
Published: March 2022

This paper presents a study of linear antenna array (LAA) synthesis with a seagull optimization algorithm (SOA) to achieve radiation patterns having low maximum sidelobe levels (MSLs) with and without nulls. The SOA is a new optimization technique based on the moving and attacking behaviors of the seagull in the nature. In this study, the original mathematical model of SOA is modified by compensating the exploration and exploitation features to improve the optimization performance. The optimization ability of the modified SOA (MSOA) is tested with seven numerical examples of LAA. In the first three examples, the amplitude values of the array elements are optimized by MSOA whereas the element position values are calculated by MSOA for the last four examples. The numerical results obtained by MSOA are compared with those of different algorithms from the literature. The results reveal that MSOA algorithm is very good at optimizing antenna array parameters to obtain a desired radiation pattern. Additionally, it is seen that MSOA finds better results than the compared algorithms in terms of MSL and single and multiple null depth levels (NDLs). The contribution of the modification of MSOA is shown with a convergence curve to compare with the original one.
Optimization of photo-biomodulation therapy for wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chen Qianqian , Yang Jichun , Yin Huijuan , Li Yingxin , Qiu Haixia , Gu Ying , Yang Hua , Xiaoxi Dong , Xiafei Shi , Che Bochen , Li Hongxiao
Published: March 2022

Unclear optical parameters make photo-biomodulation (PBM) difficult to implement in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) clinically. Here, 12 wavelengths (400–900 nm) were used to conduct PBM to heal DFU wounds in vitro and in vivo. PBM at 10 mW/cm2 and 0.5–4 J/cm2 with all 12 wavelengths promoted proliferation of diabetic wound cells. In a mimic DFU (mDFU) rat model, PBM (425, 630, 730, and 850 nm, and a combination light strategy) promoted mDFU healing. The positive cell proliferation, re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and inflammation were possible mechanisms. The combination strategy had the best effect, which can be applied clinically.
Quantitative chemical sensing of drugs in scattering media with Bessel beam Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Nan , Ren Feng , Li Li , Wang Haoyu , Wang Lin , Zeng Qi , Song Yali , Zeng Tingting , Zhu Shouping , Chen Xueli
Published: March 2022

Scattering can seriously affect the highly sensitive detection and quantitative analysis of chemical substances in scattering media and becomes a significant challenge for in vivo application of Raman spectroscopy. In this study, we demonstrated a proof of concept for using the self-reconstructing Bessel beam for Raman spectroscopic sensing of the chemicals in the handmade scattering media and biological tissue slices. The homebuilt Bessel beam Raman spectroscopy (BRS) was capable of accurately detecting the Raman spectra of the chemicals buried in the scattering media, and had a superiority in quantitative analysis. The feasibility of the developed technique was verified by detecting the Raman spectra of pure samples in air. Compared with the spectra acquired by the Gaussian beam Raman spectroscope, the performance of the BRS system in terms of Raman spectrum detection and Raman peak recognition was confirmed. Subsequently, by employing the technique for the detection of acetaminophen buried in the scattering media, the application of the new technology in detecting and quantitating the chemicals in the scattering media were underlined, offering greater detection depth and better linear quantification capability than the conventional Gaussian beam Raman spectroscopy. Finally, we explored the potential of the BRS system for chemical sensing of acetaminophen in biological tissue slices, indicating a significant development towards the evaluation of drug in vivo.
Difference in gaze control ability between low and high skill players of a real-time strategy game in esports
Authors: Jeong Inhyeok , Nakagawa Kento , Osu Rieko , Kanosue Kazuyuki
Published: March 2022

This research investigated the difference in aspects of gaze control between esports experts (Expert) and players with lower skills (Low Skill) while playing the real-time strategy game called StarCraft. Three versions of this game at different difficulty levels were made with the StarCraft Editor, and the gaze movements of seven Expert and nine Low Skill players were analyzed while they played the games. The gaze of Expert players covered a significantly larger area in the horizontal direction than the gaze of Low Skill players. Furthermore, the magnitude and number of saccadic eye movements were greater, and saccade velocity was faster in the Expert than in the Low Skill players. In conclusion, StarCraft experts have a specific gaze control ability that enables them to quickly and widely take visual information from all over the monitor. This could be one of the factors enabling StarCraft experts to perform better than players with lower skills when playing games that require task-switching ability.
Different patterns of white matter microstructural alterations between psychotic and non-psychotic bipolar disorder
Authors: Lee Dong-Kyun , Lee Hyeongrae , Ryu Vin , Kim Sung-Wan , Ryu Seunghyong
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to investigate alterations in white matter (WM) microstructure in patients with psychotic and non-psychotic bipolar disorder (PBD and NPBD, respectively). We used 3T-magnetic resonance imaging to examine 29 PBD, 23 NPBD, and 65 healthy control (HC) subjects. Using tract-based spatial statistics for diffusion tensor imaging data, we compared fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusion (MD) pairwise among the PBD, NPBD, and HC groups. We found several WM areas of decreased FA or increased MD in the PBD and NPBD groups compared to HC. PBD showed widespread FA decreases in the corpus callosum as well as the bilateral internal capsule and fornix. However, NPBD showed local FA decreases in a part of the corpus callosum body as well as in limited regions within the left cerebral hemisphere, including the anterior and posterior corona radiata and the cingulum. In addition, both PBD and NPBD shared widespread MD increases across the posterior corona radiata, cingulum, and sagittal stratum. These findings suggest that widespread WM microstructural alterations might be a common neuroanatomical characteristic of bipolar disorder, regardless of being psychotic or non-psychotic. Particularly, PBD might involve extensive inter-and intra-hemispheric WM connectivity disruptions.
The association between academic achievement in physical education and timing of biological maturity in adolescents
Authors: Vist Hagen Ruben , Haga Monika , Sigmundsson Hermundur , Lorås Håvard
Published: March 2022

Individual differences in tempo and timing of biological maturity, especially in adolescents, has been argued as a potential underlying cause of relative age effects observed in Physical education (PE). Indeed, differences in maturation could influence pupils`achievement in PE where motor behavior and physical activity are central tenets. However, the timing of biological maturity has not previously been investigated in the context of academic achievement in PE. Therefore, the current study`s aim was to investigate the association between timing of biological maturity and relative age on adolescents`academic achievement in PE. The data material consists of two samples from lower secondary schools (13–16 years old). Sample 1 (45 boys and 31 girls) was used to compare differences in anthropometrics and indicators of biological maturity between pupils with different grades (i.e., 3/4, 5, 6), while in sample 2 (114 boys and 127 girls) differences in mean grade were compared between birth quartiles. Pupils`final grade in PE were collected for both samples as a proxy for academic achievement. A one-way analysis of variance indicated a moderate-to-large association between timing of biological maturity, through age at peak height velocity, and academic achievement in PE, where later maturing pupils received a higher grade compared to earlier maturing pupils. Results from a factorial analysis of variance indicated an interaction effect between gender and birth quartile on academic achievement in PE. Post hoc analysis revealed that relatively younger boys received significantly lower grades as opposed to their relatively older peers. This effect was not present for girls. Collectively, these results indicate that developmental differences are associated with academic achievement in PE. Hence, PE teachers should be aware of these individual constraints in their teaching and assessment practice to accommodate fair and equal opportunities for achievement in the subject.
El cambio de entorno y evocación en las tradiciones discursivas: propuesta y aplicación al caso de en definitiva
Authors: Llopis Cardona Ana Belén
Published: March 2022

Desde las primeras publicaciones sobre tradiciones discursivas se ha venido insistiendo en que son hechos de discurso tradicionales ligados unas veces a una situación comunicativa, otras veces a un ámbito particular, y conformados en un contexto histórico o sociocultural determinado; estos aspectos forman parte de lo que Coseriu denominó “entorno” (1962 [1973]). Por consiguiente, se podría decir que el entorno es un constituyente esencial de las tradiciones discursivas, pues siempre se producen en una serie de circunstancias comunes. A diferencia de otros componentes como el contenido, la estructura o las formas lingüísticas (Kabatek 2004a, 2004b, 2005a, 2018), el entorno hace referencia a lo que rodea el texto, no al texto en sí mismo, de manera que su presencia es más velada, pues se da por asociación o “evocación” (Coseriu 1979, 2007). Asimismo, las tradiciones discursivas están sujetas a constante actualización y a modificaciones varias de todos sus componentes –algunas livianas, otras de mayor calado–, incluido el entorno. Ahora bien, los estudios de casos apenas dan cuenta del proceso de expansión de sus componentes a otras tradiciones discursivas y prestan escasa atención a los cambios en el entorno. Así pues, este trabajo se ocupa del cambio del entorno en las tradiciones discursivas –concomitante a otros cambios en sus componentes tradicionales– y de la consiguiente mutación de su evocación. El objetivo último es ofrecer una guía para explorar y catalogar los textos y/o componentes de unas tradiciones discursivas en función de la permanencia o modificación del entorno, tanto en diacronía como en sincronía. Para ello se proponen como herramientas de análisis los conceptos de (des)/localización, localización parcial y ampliación o reducción de la localización. La propuesta se ilustrará principalmente con la historia de la construcción en definitiva desde sus primeras dataciones en sentencias jurídicas (localización) hasta los usos como marcador del discurso en textos científicos y narrativos (deslocalización). Para el estudio diacrónico de en definitiva, se examinaron las ocurrencias obtenidas en el Corpus del Nuevo diccionario histórico (CDH) para el periodo 1200-1975; se consultó, además, la Hemeroteca Digital (HD) con el fin de completar vacíos en la documentación de los siglos XVIII y sobre todo XIX.
Martínez-Atienza de Dios, M. (2021). Entre el léxico y la sintaxis: las fases de los eventos, Bern, Peter Lang, 142 pp.
Authors: Vatrican Axelle
Published: March 2022

Reseña de: Martínez-Atienza de Dios, M. (2021). Entre el léxico y la sintaxis: las fases de los eventos, Bern, Peter Lang, 164 pp. ISBN 9783034342049.
Análisis de las construcciones con adverbios relativos de lugar desde una perspectiva diacrónica (siglos XVI-XIX)
Authors: González Santolalla Míriam
Published: March 2022

En este trabajo analizaremos las construcciones encabezadas en español por los adverbios relativos de lugar, donde y adonde (a donde), a partir del estudio de un corpus que abarca cuatro siglos (siglos XVI-XIX). Conoceremos, de este modo, el reparto de los sentidos locativos —ubicación, dirección, trayecto y procedencia— entre los distintos adverbios documentados tomando como punto de partida de la explicación la necesidad comunicativa de los hablantes, atendiendo así a un enfoque funcional. Las gramáticas que recogen la historia de estos nexos se centran, en cambio, en la enumeración de adverbios relativos de lugar para cada periodo de la historia del español, así como en los valores locativos y no locativos que reflejan. Asimismo, estudiaremos la evolución de estos nexos a lo largo de cuatrocientos años de historia. En el conjunto de adverbios relativos del castellano medieval se distinguían seis nexos —o, do, ado, donde, adonde y onde—, mientras que en el español clásico se reconoce un adverbio relativo principal —donde— susceptible de estar precedido de distintas preposiciones que precisen el valor locativo de la construcción. Se observa así el cambio de paradigma operado en el conjunto de adverbios relativos de lugar en español: se pasa de un sistema sintético a un modelo analítico. Por otra parte, las transformaciones que experimentan los adverbios relativos de lugar a partir del siglo XVI muestran la tendencia del sistema hacia determinados procedimientos gramaticales para la expresión de los valores locativos (anteposición de preposición, semántica de los verbos, presencia de antecedente), frente a otros procesos morfofonológicos y la etimología de los adverbios implicados. Desde una perspectiva diacrónica, proponemos que el comportamiento de los adverbios relativos de lugar en español está determinado por la pérdida de especificidad en la expresión del lugar, la necesidad de motivar el valor locativo de estos nexos y la intervención de determinados elementos morfosintácticos.
Model Pengelolaan Banjir: Systematic Review dan Arahan untuk Masa Depan
Authors: Djoharam Veybi , Widiatmaka Widiatmaka , Marimin Marimin , Panuju Dyah R , Tarigan S.D.
Published: March 2022

Banjir merupakan salah satu bencana alam yang sering terjadi di seluruh dunia, menyebabkan kerugian ekonomi, rusaknya infrastruktur bahkan sering menimbulkan korban nyawa. Oleh karena itu, mengatasi permasalahan banjir sangat penting untuk dilakukan. Tujuan makalah ini adalah untuk mensintesis permasalahan banjir dan menyusun kerangka kerja pengelolaan banjir secara holistik. Makalah ini mengulas dan mensintesis 124 jurnal yang diterbitkan antara tahun 2011 – 2021. Artikel jurnal yang diulas dikategorikan ke dalam tema pengaruh perubahan tutupan lahan terhadap hidrolgi (PL-H), perubahan penggunaan lahan (LULC), pengaruh klimatologi terhadap hidrologi (PK-H), mitigasi banjir (MB), ekonomi terkait banjir (Ek), evaluasi kejadian banjir (Ev), pengaruh perubahan lahan dan pengaruh klimatologi terhadap hidrologi (PL-PK-H), dan hidrologi (H). Tema hidrologi (H) merupakan topik dominan yang kami temukan dalam literatur sebanyak 30% selanjutnya 25% tema mitigasi banjir (MB) dan 17% tema pengaruh perubahan tutupan lahan terhadap hidrolgi (PL-H). Kontribusi dari makalah ini adalah menghasilkan kerangka kerja komprehensif yang perlu dilakukan dalam melakukan pengelolaan banjir.ABSTRACTFloods are one of the natural disasters that often occur around the world, causing economic losses, damage to infrastructure and often cause casualties. Therefore, overcoming the problem of flooding is very important to do. The purpose of this paper is to analyze flood problems and develop new flood management frameworks. The paper reviews and synthesizes 124 journals published between 2011 and 2021. The journal article reviewed is categorized into the themes of the influence of land cover changes on hydrolgi (PL-H), land use change (LULC), climatology influence on hydrology (PK-H), flood mitigation (MB), flood-related economy (Ek), evaluation of flood events (Ev), influence of land change and climatology influence on hydrology (PL-PK-H), and hydrology (H). The theme of hydrology (H) is the dominant topic that we found in the literature as much as 30% of the theme of flood mitigation (MB) and 17% of the theme of the influence of land cover changes on hydrolgi (PL-H). The contribution of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework that needs to be done in conducting flood management.