bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain mechanisms involved in the perception of emotional gait: A combined magnetoencephalography and virtual reality study
Authors: Wu Yu-Tzu , Baillet Sylvain , Lamontagne Anouk
Published: March 2024

Brain processes associated with emotion perception from biological motion have been largely investigated using point-light displays that are devoid of pictorial information and not representative of everyday life. In this study, we investigated the brain signals evoked when perceiving emotions arising from body movements of virtual pedestrians walking in a community environment. Magnetoencephalography was used to record brain activation in 21 healthy young adults discriminating the emotional gaits (neutral, angry, happy) of virtual male/female pedestrians. Event-related responses in the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), fusiform body area (FBA), extrastriate body area (EBA), amygdala (AMG), and lateral occipital cortex (Occ) were examined. Brain signals were characterized by an early positive peak (P1;∼200ms) and a late positive potential component (LPP) comprising of an early (400-600ms), middle (600-1000ms) and late phase (1000-1500ms). Generalized estimating equations revealed that P1 amplitude was unaffected by emotion and gender of pedestrians. LPP amplitude showed a significant emotion X phase interaction in all regions of interest, revealing i) an emotion-dependent modulation starting in pSTS and Occ, followed by AMG, FBA and EBA, and ii) generally enhanced responses for angry vs. other gait stimuli in the middle LPP phase. LPP also showed a gender X phase interaction in pSTS and Occ, as gender affected the time course of the response to emotional gait. Present findings show that brain activation within areas associated with biological motion, form, and emotion processing is modulated by emotional gait stimuli rendered by virtual simulations representative of everyday life.
Natural external plastron mold of the Triassic turtle Proterochersis: An unusual mode of preservation
Authors: Szczygielski Tomasz , Marchetti Lorenzo , Dróżdż Dawid
Published: March 2024

Impressions of vertebrate bodies or their parts, such as trace fossils and natural molds of bones, are a valuable source of information about ancient faunas which may supplement the standard fossil record based on skeletal elements. Whereas trace fossils of animal activity are relatively common and actively studied within the field of ichnology, and natural impressions of internal or external surfaces are a frequent preservation mode in fossil invertebrates, natural molds of bones are comparatively rare and less extensively documented and discussed. Among them, internal molds (steinkerns) of turtle shells are a relatively well-known form of preservation, but the mechanisms and taphonomic prerequisites leading to their formation are poorly studied. External shell molds are even less represented in the literature. Herein, we describe a historic specimen of a natural external turtle plastron mold from the Triassic (Norian) Löwenstein Formation of Germany–a formation which also yielded a number of turtle steinkerns. The specimen is significant not only because it represents an unusual form of preservation, but also due to its remarkably large size and the presence of a potential shell pathology. Although it was initially interpreted as Proterochersis sp., the recent progress in the knowledge of proterochersid turtles leading to an increase in the number of known taxa within that group allows us to verify that assessment. We confirm that the specimen is morphologically consistent with the genus and tentatively identify it as Proterochersis robusta, the only representative of that genus from the Löwenstein Formation. We note, however, that its size exceeds the size observed thus far in Proterochersis robusta and fits within the range of Proterochersis porebensis from the Grabowa Formation of Poland. The marks interpreted as shell pathology are morphologically consistent with Karethraichnus lakkos–an ichnotaxon interpreted as a trace of ectoparasites, such as leeches. This may support the previously proposed interpretation of Proterochersis spp. as a semiaquatic turtle. Moreover, if the identification is correct, the specimen may represent a very rare case of a negative preservation of a named ichnotaxon. Finally, we discuss the taphonomy of the Löwenstein Formation turtles in comparison with other Triassic turtle-yielding formations which show no potential for the preservation of internal or external shell molds and propose a taphonomic model for the formation of such fossils.
The role of diabetic foot treatment in improving left ventricular function: Insights from global longitudinal strain echocardiography
Authors: Ashoobi Mohammad Taghi , Hemmati Hosein , Moayerifar Maziar , Moayerifar Mani , Gholipour Mahboobeh , Motiei Mahsa , Yazdanipour Mohammad Ali , Eslami Kenarsari Habib
Published: March 2024

We decided to evaluate the effect of treatment of diabetic foot ulcers in improving heart function by strain echocardiography than conventional transthoracic echocardiography. This prospective cross-sectional study included patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Conventional and two-dimensional strain echocardiography performed before and after three months diabetic foot treatment. Then, we compared the echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS). Multivariate and univariate logistic regression analysis were performed to find which variable was mainly associated with LV-GLS changes. 62 patients with DFU were conducted. After echocardiography, all patients underwent surgical or non-surgical treatments. Three months after the treatment, LV-EF was not significantly different with its’ primary values (P = 0.250), but LV-GLS became significantly different (P<0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, with the increase in the grade of ulcer, LV-GLS improved by 6.3 times. Not only the treatment of DFU helps to control adverse outcomes like infection, limb loss and morbidity but also it enhances cardiac function. Of note, strain echocardiography found to be a better indicator of myocardial dysfunction than LV-EF. These findings make a strong reason for the routine assessment of cardiac function in patients with DFU.
Toxoplasma type II effector GRA15 has limited influence in vivo
Authors: Merritt Emily F. , Kochanowsky Joshua A. , Hervé Perrine , Watson Alison A. , Koshy Anita A.
Published: March 2024

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that establishes a long-term infection in the brain of many warm-blooded hosts, including humans and rodents. Like all obligate intracellular microbes, Toxoplasma uses many effector proteins to manipulate the host cell to ensure parasite survival. While some of these effector proteins are universal to all Toxoplasma strains, some are polymorphic between Toxoplasma strains. One such polymorphic effector is GRA15. The gra15 allele carried by type II strains activates host NF-κB signaling, leading to the release of cytokines such as IL-12, TNF, and IL-1β from immune cells infected with type II parasites. Prior work also suggested that GRA15 promotes early host control of parasites in vivo, but the effect of GRA15 on parasite persistence in the brain and the peripheral immune response has not been well defined. For this reason, we sought to address this gap by generating a new IIΔgra15 strain and comparing outcomes at 3 weeks post infection between WT and IIΔgra15 infected mice. We found that the brain parasite burden and the number of macrophages/microglia and T cells in the brain did not differ between WT and IIΔgra15 infected mice. In addition, while IIΔgra15 infected mice had a lower number and frequency of splenic M1-like macrophages and frequency of PD-1+ CTLA-4+ CD4+ T cells and NK cells compared to WT infected mice, the IFN-γ+ CD4 and CD8 T cell populations were equivalent. In summary, our results suggest that in vivo GRA15 may have a subtle effect on the peripheral immune response, but this effect is not strong enough to alter brain parasite burden or parenchymal immune cell number at 3 weeks post infection.
Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial: Effect of an everyday cognition training program on cognitive function, emotional state, frailty and functioning in older adults without cognitive impairment
Authors: Sáez-Gutiérrez Susana , Fernández-Rodríguez Eduardo José , Sánchez-Gómez Celia , García-Martín Alberto , Barbero-Iglesias Fausto José , Sánchez Aguadero Natalia
Published: March 2024

Background

Ageing entails changes in complex cognitive functions that lead to a decrease in autonomy and quality of life. Everyday cognition is the ability to solve cognitively complex problems in the everyday world, enabling instrumental activities of life. Benefits have been found in studies using everyday cognition-based assessment and intervention, as the results predict improvements in everyday performance, not just in specific cognitive functions. A study protocol is presented based on assessment and training in everyday cognition versus traditional cognitive stimulation for the improvement of functionality, emotional state, frailty and cognitive function.

Methods

A parallel randomised controlled clinical trial with two arms will be conducted. It will be carried out by the University of Salamanca (Spain) in eleven centres and associations for the elderly of the City Council of Salamanca. People aged 60 years or older without cognitive impairment will be recruited. Participants will be randomly distributed into two groups: the experimental group will undergo a training programme in everyday cognition and the control group a programme of traditional cognitive stimulation, completing 25 sessions over 7 months. All participants will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the intervention, where socio-demographic data and the following scales will be collected: The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), Questionnaire ARMS-e, Everyday Cognition Test (PECC), Scale Yesavage, Test Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), The Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Fragility Index and Lawton y Brody Scale.

Discussion

The present study aims to improve conventional clinical practice on cognitive function training by proposing a specific assessment and intervention of everyday cognition based on the importance of actual cognitive functioning during the resolution of complex tasks of daily life, giving priority to the improvement of autonomy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; ID: NCT05688163. Registered on: January 18, 2023.
¿Un "apartheid" en las cabezas? El genocidio como identidad heredada
Authors: Baer Alejandro
Published: March 2024

Genocidio es varias cosas al mismo tiempo: 1) un crimen codificado en la Convención de Naciones Unidas de 1948; 2) un término analítico desarrollado por académicos en distintas disciplinas; y, 3) un concepto vernacularizado que adoptan, habitan y despliegan de diversas formas individuos, grupos de víctimas y actores políticos. En los usos del término anida siempre una paradoja que me propongo desgranar en este artículo. Por un lado, permite que quienes sufrieron la violencia se reconozcan, nombren, y se entiendan como parte de una historia común. Facilita la visibilización y articulación de demandas de justicia y reparación al grupo que ha sido objeto de persecución. Sin embargo, en la medida que el crimen genocida conlleva necesariamente la designación de un grupo perpetrador y un grupo víctima, su recuerdo naturaliza y perpetúa en el tiempo las arbitrarias demarcaciones creadas o exacerbadas por los ideólogos y ejecutores de la violencia (por ejemplo: «alemanes» y «judíos, «hutus» y «tutsis», «serbios» y «bosnios»). Este ensayo introduce la historia del concepto y explora sus efectos sobre subjetividades, la transmisión intergeneracional y las relaciones inter-grupales.
Mapping the Country’s Dependence on Indonesia’s Coal Import Market
Authors: MANURUNG Riski Nurul Hasanah , PRAKOSO Havidz Ageng , ROZIQIN Ali
Published: March 2024

Indonesia is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of coal. Its strategic geographical location facilitates coal export activities to consumer countries. In addition, the quality of Indonesian coal is also very suitable for steam power plants, especially sold at competitive prices on the international market. This research highlights how the world's largest coal-importing countries depend on the Indonesian coal import market. This means that Indonesian coal significantly influences the world's energy contribution. Based on this fact, the author states that the coal that Indonesia exports to importing countries dramatically affects the economic conditions of these countries. Driven by population increases, economic expansion, improved quality of life, and energy use, coal is an important energy source. Therefore, many countries import coal to meet domestic energy needs and reserve coal supplies long-term. To find out this, the author uses a qualitative research method, descriptive analysis with a dependency theory approach, that is analyzed in a world macro context using a world system perspective. In addition, the author also uses mean calculations to find the average result of the amount of coal imports for each country.
Ecofeminism as a Movement: Choosing between Economics and Nature Protection
Authors: HAJAD Vellayati , IKHSAN Ikhsan
Published: March 2024

This research aims to discuss the direction of the ecofeminist movement in Indonesia after the New Order. The world ecofeminist movement is often criticized because it is considered to obscure the essential spirit of feminism in its efforts to protect nature. However, in Indonesia, it is widely praised for its success in protecting wildlife from potential damage. This research uses ecofeminism theory and resource mobilization theory to examine the side of women's struggle to preserve nature. In order to identify research gaps and uncharted region for further investigation, this study employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). There are three stages involved in SLR: planning, conducting, and reporting. The results of this research are that there is strengthening within the organization of the ecofeminist movement when natural disasters and other potential natural damage occur, thus giving rise to collective awareness about the importance of women participating in protecting nature. This research concludes that the ecofeminist movement opens up new political opportunities for women to be empowered and prosperous and protect wildlife.
Budget Deficit, Debt, and Inflation in Ghana (1960-2022): The Fiscal Theory of Inflation Case?
Authors: SEIDU Abdul Majeed , VASILEV Aleksandar
Published: March 2024

This study follows the approach in Kehoe and Nicolini (2021) in order to analyse and interpret the historical performance of Ghana’s economy over the period 1960-2022 in terms of deficits, public debt accumulation, monetary policies and their relationships to inflation, exchange rate etc. The paper explores the link and similarities between Ghana’s economic cycle from pre- and post-military rule. In both cases, excessive borrowing, leading to a large accumulation of public debt, and accompanied with burdensome debt interest payments, has been one of the major challenges that the country must wean itself from.

The study also documents that the underlying reason for the deficits is the low domestic revenue mobilisation, i.e the fiscal capacity of Ghana is lower compared to the one of developed countries. Finally, the positive interaction between money supply and inflation has also been established in this study. However, the increase in money supply (and thus inflation) is a result of fiscal imbalances: by printing money, the Central Bank of Ghana is effectively using inflation as a tax and trying to generate a seigniorage revenue to “cover” at least part of the budget deficit.
Growth and seed yield of seven fennel cultivars with two types of ploughing systems
Authors: Ziydan Bassim , Alrawi Marwa , F Almehemdi Ali , Sekhi Yasir
Published: March 2024

A field experiment was carried out in Abu Ghraib district-Baghdad Iraq, to evaluate 7 fennel cultivars with ploughing systems. Two tillage systems (tillage and no-tillage) were allocated to main plots, while 7 fennel cultivars: Amigo, Azuria, Dollap, Hannan, Romanesco, Sahoo and Sajjet were allocated to subplots. Characteristics that had been studied were plant height, number of branches, number of umbels, number of umbellates, number of seeds per umbellate, stem diameter, weight of 1000 grains, and seed yield per ha. Significant results were with the no-till system in plant height (134.97 cm. plant-1) and number of umbels (43.56 umbel plant-1). The tillage system's significant results were in the number of seeds, weight of 1000 seeds (8.72 g), and yield per ha (490.03 kg ha-1). Hannan-cultivar remarks yield per ha (742.99 kg ha-1) and 1000-seed weight (10.90 g). Azuria-cultivar remarks on number of seeds of umbellets (24.44 seeds umbellate-1). Romanesco-cultivar remarks on the number of umbels (48.72 umbel plant-1). Therefore, cultivars varied in showing their latent ability through their performance with their phenotypic characteristics. Hannan cultivar was optimal in results that gave the highest seed yield. Thus, it can be entered into a crop breeding program with other cultivars that have outperformed in other characteristics.
Interactions between aphids and aphidophages in citrus orchards in the Chlef region (North West of Algeria)
Authors: AMOKRANE Dalila , MOHAMMEDI AHMED , Mahmoudi Abdelhaq , ABABOU ADDA
Published: March 2024

Ziel dieser Studie ist es, die verschiedenen Blattlausarten und ihre assoziierten Aphidiphagen in Zitrusplantagen in der Region Chlef (Algerien) zu erfassen und zu identifizieren, um die Interaktionen zwischen Prädation und Parasitismus im Hinblick auf die biologische Bekämpfung dieser furchterregenden Schädlinge zu verbessern. Für die Probenahme wurden gelbe Klebefallen, gelbe Becken und visuelle Bestimmung verwendet. Mit dieser Studie konnten wir sieben Blattlausarten und 34 Blattlausarten identifizieren. Die häufigsten Blattläuse waren A. spiraecola und A. gossypii, während die häufigsten Aphidiphagen Episyrphus balteatus, Chrysoperla carnea, Coccinella septempunctata, Aphidoletes aphidimyza und Lysiphlebus fabarum waren. In Bezug auf die Häufigkeit werden Aphidiphagen von Marienkäfern dominiert, gefolgt von Florfliegen, Schwebfliegen, Wanzen und Mücken an letzter Stelle. Die Vielfalt der aphidiphagen Fauna ist nicht sehr hoch, aber die höchsten Werte werden gegen Ende April festgestellt. Die Prädationsaktivität im Untersuchungsgebiet erstreckt sich von Ende März bis November. Aphidiphagen zeigen Präferenzen für bestimmte Beutetiere und nicht für andere, im Falle der Blattlausdiversität, sowohl nach intrinsischen als auch nach extrinsischen Faktoren.

Schlüsselwörter: Blattläuse, Aphidiphagen, Zitrusfrüchte, natürliche Feinde, chlef.
An isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS)-based candidate reference measurement procedure (RMP) for the quantification of primidone in human serum and plasma
Authors: Schierscher Tobias , Salzmann Linda , Singh Neeraj , Fischer Vanessa , Kobel Anja , Bauland Friederike , Geistanger Andrea , Risch Lorenz , Geletneky Christian , Seger Christoph , Taibon Judith
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Primidone is an anticonvulsive drug used in the treatment of epilepsy and essential tremor. It offers beneficial effects in controlling seizures, but its usage is also associated with possible side effects. To ensure optimal therapy, it is crucial to measure its concentration through accurate quantification methods. Therefore, our main goal was to develop and validate a new reference measurement procedure (RMP) for accurately measuring primidone levels in human serum and plasma.

Methods

In our study, we focused on the separation of primidone from both known and unknown interferences using a C18 column. To achieve accurate sample preparation, we developed a protocol involving protein precipitation followed by a high dilution step. The validation of the assay and determination of measurement uncertainty were carried out following guidelines from organizations such as the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, the International Conference on Harmonization, and the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. These rigorous validation processes ensure the reliability and accuracy of our method for quantifying primidone levels in human serum and plasma samples.

Results

The RMP was shown to be highly selective and specific, with no evidence of matrix interference. It can be used to quantify primidone in the range of 0.150–30.0 μg/mL. Intermediate precision was less than 4.0 %, and repeatability CV ranged from 1.0 to 3.3 % across all concentration levels. The relative mean bias ranged from 0.1 to 3.9 % for native serum levels, and from −2.6 to 2.8 % for lithium-heparin plasma levels. The measurement uncertainties for single measurements and target value assignment were 1.5–4.1 % and 0.9–1.0 %, respectively.

Conclusions

In this study, we introduce an innovative LC-MS/MS-based candidate RMP specifically designed for primidone in human serum and plasma. Our RMP offers a traceable platform, facilitating the standardization of routine assays and enabling the evaluation of clinically relevant samples. With this novel approach, we aim to enhance the accuracy and reliability of primidone measurements, ultimately benefiting the field of clinical research and patient care.
Ant community composition in a citrus grove reveals eastern expansion in Florida of the South American big-headed ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Ascunce Marina S. , Carroll Katherine Casey , Aufmuth Joe , Justice Lauren , Perez Patricia , Nisip Andrew , Gavilanez-Slone Jenny M. , Qureshi Jawwad A. , Porter Sanford , Lucky Andrea
Published: March 2024

Florida has become a worldwide hotspot for introduced and invasive ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Furthermore, studies have shown that non-native ants support other invasive insects in Florida, such as the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), which is the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal pathogen of citrus greening, the worst citrus disease in the world. The Asian citrus psyllid establishes beneficial interactions with invasive, introduced, and native ants. In this study, we described the ant diversity in a citrus grove in south Florida as a first step to assess ant-Asian citrus psyllid interactions for future studies. During the summer of 2018, 25 pitfall traps were set in a citrus grove. The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Buren), was present in all the traps (100 %), and 19 traps (76 %) had Dorymyrmex bureni (Trager), the pyramid ant, which is native to the southeast United States. Two introduced ants, Cardiocondyla emeryi (Forel) and Brachymyrmex obscurior (Forel), were found in 15 (60 %) and 11 (44 %) traps, respectively. The South American big-headed ant, Pheidole obscurithorax (Naves), was found in 14 traps (56 %). This introduced ant has been found to co-exist with S. invicta, and to our knowledge, this is the first report of the species in this eastern part of peninsular Florida. Finally, Cardiocondyla venustula (Wheeler), an introduced ant from Africa, was found in one of the traps. Although, this ant is found in south Florida, it seems uncommon, and this is its first report in this county. Our study highlights the continued spread of introduced and invasive ants in Florida.
Impoliteness in polylogal intercultural communication among Asian EFL learners
Authors: Pan Zhaoyi
Published: March 2024

By regarding impoliteness as a dynamic process, this research examined impoliteness in the polylogal intercultural communication among Asian learners of English as a foreign language (EFL), including the impoliteness acts by the face-threat initiators, and the responses to the impoliteness acts by both the face-threat recipients and the face-threat witnesses. Moreover, it attempted to identify the factors that caused impoliteness in intercultural communication. Eighty-four Asian EFL learners from five Asian countries were engaged in this research. This research used group discussions to collect the nearly naturally occurring communication. The result illustrated that Asian EFL learners used the criticize/dispraise the hearer impoliteness strategy most frequently. Two new impoliteness strategies were identified, namely the use of the face-threat initiator’s first language (L1), and the use of inappropriate English expressions. In addition, a new reaction was used by both the face-threat recipients and the face-threat witnesses, namely the confirmation of impoliteness. A dynamic model of impoliteness based on the results of this research was proposed. Furthermore, six factors that caused impoliteness were discussed, including different individual cultural variations, accommodation to the intercultural communication, the degree of mindfulness, the individual prior experience of knowledge about the English language, the English proficiency levels of the EFL learners, and differences in individual salience that resulted in the failure of cooperative intention by the interactants in the intercultural communication. This research attempts to fill the lacuna in impoliteness studies in the fields of intercultural communication and intercultural pragmatics.
What is lost when a language dies?
Authors: Søgaard Anders
Published: March 2024

Nowak argues that the problem with language loss is not linguists’ loss of data or that the loss of a language is often a result of discrimination against its speakers. Instead, the real problem is its speakers’ loss of illocutionary force. I argue that Nowak’s argument rests on two premises that are both empirically unjustified: that cultural knowledge is a prerequisite for illocutionary force, and that language is a prerequisite for illocutionary force. Languages are among the most fascinating accomplishments of mankind, surpassing Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China in the eyes of many. I think language loss is comparable to loss of species. The intuition that the death of a language is a significant event, reflects that: Something that evolved gradually over hundreds of years, passed on through hundreds of generations and thousands of individual speakers, is irreversibly gone, once and for all. The illocutionary force of its individual speakers is not.
Impact of fiber diameter on mechanical and water absorption properties of short bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites
Authors: Tahir Danish , Karim Muhammad Ramzan , Wu Shuying , Rehan Muhammad , Tahir Muhammad , Zaigham Sheher Bano , Riaz Nishat
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate the effect of fiber diameter on the mechanical and water absorption characteristics of short bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites. Three different fiber sizes (180–250 µm, 250–500 µm, and 700–1000 µm) were used to prepare composites with varying fiber loadings of 10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 30 wt.%. The fabricated composites were cut to standard dimensions, and tension tests, impact tests, and water absorption tests were performed. Reproducible results were obtained, revealing that using fibers of smaller diameter (180–250 µm) increased the tensile strength of the composite by 20 % compared to composites with larger diameter fibers (700–1000 µm), while the tensile modulus showed a 22 % enhancement with decreasing fiber diameter. Composites with larger diameter fibers exhibited more defects (voids and matrix detachment), as revealed by SEM analysis of fractured surfaces. The impact strength of composites with a diameter size of 700–1000 µm increased by 33 % compared to composites reinforced with the smallest fiber diameter. Water absorption of the composites was also studied by long-term immersion in water, showing that water intake was high initially, reaching a saturation point after a certain time interval. The absorbed water values indicated that composites with the smallest diameter (180–250 µm) showed maximum water intake due to the creation of more water intake sites (increased interfacial area), while composites with the largest diameter fibers (700–1000 µm) exhibited the least water absorption as the interaction region between fibers and matrix was reduced.
Assessment of caries diagnostic threshold of DMFT, and ICDAS II in the estimation of caries prevalence rate in first permanent molars among students of College of Dentistry-Hawler Medical University.
Authors:   Department of Conservative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University., Saeed Razawa Kareem , Omer Mustafa Isa , Hanna Neenor Nazar , Ghafour Hallo Khals
Published: March 2024

Background: Dental caries is a common chronic infectious disease resulting from tooth-adherent cariogenic bacteria primarily S. Mutans, which metabolize sugars to produce acid, demineralizing the tooth structure over time. First permanent molars (FPMs) have a key role in establishing dental occlusion. They are very prone to caries because of their anatomical structure and early eruption. Hence, the estimation of dental caries in FPMs at individual and community levels could help understand the pattern and severity of dental caries. Aim: The current study aimed to evaluate the caries prevalence of FPMs amongst the students of collage of dentistry/HMU. The rate of decay between male and female, maxillary and mandibular FPM teeth. Method: This study was carried out among the students of Hawler medical university/college of dentistry. The total number of samples was (100) samples. The age of the students ranged from (18-24 years) of age. Clinical examinations were carried out under artificial light using dental mirrors and dental probe/explorers. Dental caries was diagnosed on teeth number (3, 14, 19, and 30), according to the criteria of DMFT index looking for missing, filling, decayed teeth. then ICDAS to further classify the amount of dental caries later the collected data was analyzed by using SPSS. Results: in this study the difference in decay between maxillary and mandibular teeth was significant with the P value being (0.27). Between genders the P value was (0.38) and between age groups was (0.30) their result being insignificant, according to chi-square test. Conclusion: this study indicates that; the rate of decay is more in mandibular FPMs in comparison to maxillary FPMs. While the difference between the male, female and different age group in caries prevalence are non-significant, hence, more education about the aforementioned problems is necessary. Keywords: Caries Diagnostic Threshold, Prevalence Rate.
Side Effects of Steroidal and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on The Oral Cavity.
Authors:   Lecturer at College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University., Ghazi Shayma , Rasul Khalid Yasin , Hamad Aras Khidhir , Khidhir Aso Abdulkhaliq , Ahmed Lozan Khalil
Published: March 2024

Background and objectives: The steroidal and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used classes of medications for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and are associated with the risk of many oral side effects and which might be presented with variable degrees of severity. The main objective of this research was to identify oral side effects that could be associated with using Steroidal or NSAIDs. Patients and Methods: A total number of 82 patients who were attending the teaching clinics at the College of Dentistry and were using steroids or NSAIDs participated in this study and they were interviewed and examined clinically for the presence of any abnormal oral presentation. The data were all recorded on a pre-designed questionnaire. The data was expressed as a percentage and analyzed statistically using ANOVA and t-test. Results: The data showed that a majority of NSAIDs users complained of gingival bleeding (39%) and Xerostomia (32%), while corticosteroid users complained of fungal infection (50%), gingival inflammation (25%) and other less frequent side effects. Drugs that were associated with the most oral side effects were aspirin, ibuprofen, mefenamic acid and prednisolone. Conclusion: Data analysis showed that many oral side effects might be related to steroidal and NSAIDs. It is important to consider that drugs in general may cause oral side effects at different doses, dosage forms and durations of use and may have a variety of clinical presentation. The dentists have a crucial role in identifying these drug-related oral side effects through their clinical practices in order to provide the proper management for the patients. Keywords: Side effects, steroids, NSAIDs, xerostomia, Ulcers.
Spinal Glycine Receptor Alpha 3 Cells Communicate Sensations of Chemical Itch in Hairy Skin
Authors: Weman Hannah M. , Ceder Mikaela M. , Ahemaiti Aikeremu , Magnusson Kajsa A. , Henriksson Katharina , Andréasson Linn , Lagerström Malin C.
Published: March 2024

Glycinergic neurons regulate nociceptive and pruriceptive signaling in the spinal cord, but the identity and role of the glycine-regulated neurons are not fully known. Herein, we have characterized spinal glycine receptor alpha 3 (Glra3) subunit-expressing neurons inGlra3-Cre female and male mice.Glra3-Cre(+) neurons expressGlra3, are located mainly in laminae III–VI, and respond to glycine. Chemogenetic activation of spinalGlra3-Cre(+) neurons induced biting/licking, stomping, and guarding behaviors, indicative of both a nociceptive and pruriceptive role for this population. Chemogenetic inhibition did not affect mechanical or thermal responses but reduced behaviors evoked by compound 48/80 and chloroquine, revealing a pruriceptive role for these neurons. Spinal cells activated by compound 48/80 or chloroquine expressGlra3, further supporting the phenotype. Retrograde tracing revealed that spinalGlra3-Cre(+) neurons receive input from afferents associated with pain and itch, and dorsal root stimulation validated the monosynaptic input. In conclusion, these results show that spinalGlra3(+) neurons contribute to acute communication of compound 48/80- and chloroquine-induced itch in hairy skin.
ACID-RESISTANT LIMOSILACTOBACILLUS FERMENTUM ISOLATES RECOVERED FROM FERMENTED TURKISH SUCUK: SCREENING OF PROBIOTIC CHARACTERIZATION AND PHYLOGENY
Authors: Dışhan Adalet , Gonulalan Zafer
Published: March 2024

The present study was conducted to identify acid-resistant lactic acid bacteria from fermented Turkish sucuk, detect phylogenetic affinities, and probiotic/biotechnological profiles. Samples were collected from popular fermented meat retail stores in Kayseri (n:20). The selected lactobacilli were exposed to different pH. Isolates resistant to pH2 were identified by sequencing following the 16s rRNA gene amplification and recorded in GenBank. The pH2 is distinctive for lactobacilli, as most (61.9%) of lactobacilli were inhibited (P <0.05). Isolates surviving at pH2 were determined to be Limosilactobacillus fermentum. The survival rates in bile salt, simulated gastrointestinal juices (between 97.13-106.60%), and autoaggregation, hydrophobicity, and coaggregation of isolates were statistically significant (P <0.05). L. fermentum S19 was the only isolate capable of producing exopolysaccharide; S19 had a high autoaggregation and hydrophobicity over 70%. Traditional Turkish fermented sucuk is a product with enormous potential, containing the newly isolated wild-type L. fermentum, which stands out for biotechnological/probiotic properties.
Note on the Effect of Polyacrylamides on the Fibres/TiO₂-Adsorption Equilibrium
Authors:   Wiggins Teape Research and Development Ltd., Corte H. , Jones S. ,   Wiggins Teape Research and Development Ltd.
Published: March 2024

Batches of 100 g unbeaten, bleached softwood sulphite fibres dispersed in 20 1 distilled water were prepared and mixed with increasing amounts of a commercial filler grade of titanium dioxide. The addition level ranged from 0.5 to 3.0 g TiO₂/g fibres. Each mixture was stirred slowly for 1 h with a blade stirrer (40 rpm) to prevent sedimentation. After this time the adsorption equilibrium was established. Four samples, 100 ml each, of the supernatant liquid were drawn with a plastic tube covered with a fine wire mesh at the bottom. From the TiO₂ content of the samples the amounts of TiO₂ adsorbed on the fibres were calculated.
Expression of Water from Cellulosic Fibres Under Compressive Loading
Authors:   Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden, Carlsson G. , Lindstrom T. ,   Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden, Soremark C. ,   Swedish Forest Products Research Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
Published: March 2024

Experiments have been performed in order to demonstrate that water is expressed from small cavities in the fibre matrix during the pressing operation. The gel water* in the fibre was tagged by mixing a fibre suspension with a solution of a polysaccharide (dextran) with a known relative molecular mass, capable of entering only cavities greater than its molecular diameter. When a fibre mat is subjected to an external pressure under these conditions, the water expressed from smaller cavities dilutes the polysaccharide solution. By using solutions of polysaccharides of different relative molecular masses, it was possible to demonstrate from which cavities the water was expressed. Pressing experiments were performed with different kinds of fibres. Bleached and unbleached fibres, a mechanical pulp and viscose fibres were used. The effects of beating, drying and de-crilling were investigated.
Significance of Felt Roughness in Wet Pressing
Authors:   Pulp & Paper Research Institute of Canada, Montreal, Canada, Oliver J. F. , Wiseman N. ,   Pulp & Paper Research Institute of Canada, Montreal, Canada
Published: March 2024

Several widely recognised operational problems in papermaking have been attributed to the felt structure. All of these result from phenomena occurring at the macroscopic level, e.g. shadow and yarn-marking.⁽¹⁾ However, phenomena occurring at the microscopic level, i.e. at the scale of the individual fibres of the felt and paper, have received less attention. Recent experimental studies⁽²⁻³⁾ on press felts show that their surface properties strongly affect water removal in wet pressing. Two mechanisms have been proposed to account for these effects : rewetting, and load uniformity. While a first approach to a quantitative discussion of the effect of felt properties on rewetting has been made,⁽³⁾ account of the structural influence on load uniformity has hitherto been considered only from a qualitative standpoint.⁽²⁻⁴⁾ In this briefnote we present some findings of a more quantitative study⁽⁵⁾ to investigate the latter problem. In this study we have evaluated felt roughness and assessed its effect on water removal.
The Role of Pressing in Wet-Web Saturation
Authors:   Texon, Inc., South Hadley, Mass., U.S.A., Waterhouse J. F.
Published: March 2024

Wet-web saturation, a process developed for the addition of polymer to fibrous networks, involves three distinct stages: (1) Web consolidation and water removal by wet pressing. (2) Latex saturation of the wet-web by capillary and hydrostatic forces. (3) Redistribution and removal of excess latex by squeeze rolls. The results presented in this paper are part of an ongoing programme to gain a better understanding of the saturation process and its influence on the properties of polymer impregnated networks. This experimental investigation using a laboratory press is concerned with the saturation process (primarily pressing) behaviour of wood pulps in the basis weight range of 250-1 500 g/m².
The Transport of Water in Cellulosic Materials
Authors:   Departments of Wood and Paper Science and Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University, Stannett V. T. , Williams J. L. ,   Departments of Wood and Paper Science and Chemical Engineering, North Carolina State University
Published: March 2024

The mechanisms involved in the transport of water in high polymers are reviewed. The discussion is mainly based on intact capillary-free models where the solution-diffusion mechanism is operative. The different patterns of behaviour which have been found for the sorption isotherms and the concentration dependence of the diffusion constants will be presented. Examples of the behaviour found with cellulose itself, two cellulose derivatives and with grafted cellulose and celullose acetate will be discussed in detail. In particular, experiments concerned with the sorption ofwater into wood pulp and grafted wood pulp will be presented and some theoretical and practical aspects of the results obtained considered.
Moisture Response of Thermomechanical and Other Fibres
Authors:   Forest Products Laboratory, Division of Chemical Technology, South Melbourne, Australia, de Yong J. , Higgins H. G. ,   Forest Products Laboratory, Division of Chemical Technology, South Melbourne, Australia, Irvine G. M. ,   Forest Products Laboratory, Division of Chemical Technology, South Melbourne, Australia
Published: March 2024

The objective of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the way in which the response of individual cellulose fibres to changes in relative humidity is relevant to the dimensional behaviour of paper and to the role of the fibres in composite materials, where dimensional instability is the main impediment to their wider use. The torsional response of individual pine tracheids to changes in relative humidity has been measured, and it is proposed that the observed angle of twist on drying a collapsed fibre is a function of the microfibril angle, the wall thickness, the fibre length and the fractional linear shrinkage across the microfibrils. A link between fibre twist and paper shrinkage is suggested. In thermomechanical pulps the temperature of defibration apparently affects the fibre twist in a way which is inversely related to the degree of fibrillation and fibre damage. The mechanical properties of wet fibre webs have been studied as a function of moisture content. The wet web strength and other properties of thermomechanical pulps depend on the fibrillation induced during refining which in turn depends on the relationship of the refining temperature to the lignin glass transition point.
Water Effects on Young’s Modulus of H-Bonded Solids
Authors:   Westvaco, New York, N.Y., U.S.A, Nissan A. H.
Published: March 2024

Paper is treated as a member of the class of hydrogen-bond dominated solids for which the author derived a set of equations connecting E to the effective number of H-bonds per cm³, N, and to the parameters of this bond. In this paper it is shown that the effect of water on such solids is to reduce E in one of two modes or regimes. In regime (1), a unimolecular reaction leads to a simple breakdown of H bonds on addition of water. In regime (2), which begins when the regain exceeds a critical value equal to the B.E.T. monomolecular layer, the reaction is still unimolecular in N, but is complicated by a co-operative breakdown phenomenon as envisaged by Frank and Wen’s ‘flickering clusters’ concept. Equations derived using these concepts and a co-operative index, C.I ., based on Starkweather’s thermodynamic calculations, are checked against all data available to the author on paper, other cellulosics, Nylon 66 and wool with satisfactory results.
Moisture Dependence of Impact Rupture Properties of Paper
Authors:   Division of Pulp and Paper Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan, Kimura M. , Usuda M. ,   Division of Pulp and Paper Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan, Kadoya T. ,   Division of Pulp and Paper Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Published: March 2024

There are a number of studies on the relationship between the mechanical properties of paper and adsorbed water. In other previous papers-Anderson⁽¹⁾, Yoshino⁽²⁾, and Kadoya⁽³⁾ which concerned moisture dependence of mechanical properties of paper under impact conditions, it was found that the maximum values in the impulse or rupture energy existed at 15-18 per cent moisture content. The reason why such a maximum value exists is, however, left unsolved, because of the complexity of failure mechanism under impact conditions.
Handsheet and Pilot Machine Recycling Degradation Mechanisms
Authors: Eastwood F. G. , Clarke B.
Published: March 2024

Selected results are presented of new detailed experiments on progressively recycling virgin pulp in the form of handsheets and machine made paper. Laboratory beaten pulp has been made into handsheets, re-disintegrated and remade (1) over four recycles with rosin/alumsizing and touch up beating to maintain freeness, and (2) over three recycles without sizing or further beating. The same beaten pulp was made into paper on a pilot paper machine and remade over three cycles. The work has shown clearly that, in the experiments, pilot machine recycling caused much smaller changes of sheet properties than is the case for handsheet recycling. However, the trends of change as recycling progresses are similar and it is likely that the same basic mechanisms are responsible. Differences of stock preparation and differences of formation make distinct contributions to the differences between handsheet and machine recycling. Changes in the chemical composition of the fibres occur during recycling and these were found to be more pronounced in the second handsheet recycling experiment than in the pilot machine trial. Loss of bonding strength is clearly related to a reduction of wet plasticity of the fibres. Machine recycling results support the handsheet data in suggesting a strong possibility that changes in fibre surface condition play an important part in loss of bonding strength, particularly at the first remaking.
The Role of Pulp Fractions and Processing Variables in Recycling
Authors:   Technical University of Lodz, Szwarcsztajn E. , Przybysz K. ,   Technical University of Lodz
Published: March 2024

The use of recycled pulps in the paper industry is increasing in importance. This is a result, not only of the growing deficit of fibrous raw materials in many regions of the world, but also of the mounting concern to protect the environment from the effects of waste paper garbage and its products of combustion.
Proportional Fuzzy Set Extensions and Imprecise Proportions
Authors: Kahraman Cengiz
Published: March 2024

The extensions of ordinary fuzzy sets are problematic because they require decimal numbers for membership, non-membership and indecision degrees of an element from the experts, which cannot be easily determined. This will be more difficult when three or more digits’ membership degrees have to be assigned. Instead, proportional relations between the degrees of parameters of a fuzzy set extension will make it easier to determine the membership, non-membership, and indecision degrees. The objective of this paper is to present a simple but effective technique for determining these degrees with several decimal digits and to enable the expert to assign more stable values when asked at different time points. Some proportion-based models for the fuzzy sets extensions, intuitionistic fuzzy sets, Pythagorean fuzzy sets, picture fuzzy sets, and spherical fuzzy sets are proposed, including their arithmetic operations and aggregation operators. Proportional fuzzy sets require only the proportional relations between the parameters of the extensions of fuzzy sets. Their contribution is that these models will ease the use of fuzzy set extensions with the data better representing expert judgments. The imprecise definition of proportions is also incorporated into the given models. The application and comparative analyses result in that proportional fuzzy sets are easily applied to any problem and produce valid outcomes. Furthermore, proportional fuzzy sets clearly showed the role of the degree of indecision in the ranking of alternatives in binomial and trinomial fuzzy sets. In the considered car selection problem, it has been observed that there are minor changes in the ordering of intuitionistic and spherical fuzzy sets.