bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Common bunt in organic wheat: unravelling infection characteristics relevant for resistance breeding
Authors: Lunzer Magdalena , Dumalasová Veronika , Pfatrisch Kilian , Buerstmayr Hermann , Grausgruber Heinrich
Published: October 2023

Common bunt caused by Tilletia tritici and T. laevis has re-emerged as a major threat to wheat yield and quality, especially in organic farming. Resistance against its causal agents is present in the wheat gene pool and provides the most economically efficient and sustainable way to combat the disease since seed treatments approved for organic farming are rare and do not always provide full protection. We tested a winter wheat diversity panel with 128 lines for common bunt resistance in Austria and Czechia, and evaluated the applicability of marker-assisted selection (MAS) via Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR markers in genotypes with high variation in their genetic background. Field trials were conducted across two years and artificially inoculated with local bunt populations. The virulence patterns of these inocula differed between locations and only 15% of the tested genotypes showed stable resistance across test sites. Number and weight of bunt sori relative to the total number and weight of wheat grains in sampled ears revealed that partial infections of ears were frequently appearing. Forty-two breeding lines harboring combinations of four different resistance QTL were developed through MAS. Out of these, a quarter were resistant with a maximum of 5% common bunt incidence. On the other hand, only six out of 46 tested commercial cultivars and breeding lines showed no infection with common bunt, underlining the present scarcity of bunt-resistant cultivars for organic wheat production. By this study we showed that MAS is a useful tool to speed up the selection of resistant lines even in populations with highly diverse genetic backgrounds, and that it is efficient in pyramiding resistance loci and thereby improving the level of resistance.
The impact of innovative behaviors on academic misconduct among graduate students: a mediated moderation model
Authors: Su Peng , He Mu
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Academic misconduct among graduate students poses a significant challenge in graduate education. This study aims to explore the impact of innovative behavior on graduate student academic misconduct and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

A survey was conducted on 677 graduate students currently enrolled in Beijing universities to assess their innovative behavior, academic misconduct, academic anxiety, employment confidence, educational levels, among other factors. The study analyzed the mediating roles of academic anxiety, employment confidence, and educational levels in the relationship between innovative behavior and graduate student academic misconduct.

Results

Graduate student innovative behavior exerts a negative predictive effect on academic misconduct, with a stronger emphasis on innovative behavior associated with a reduced likelihood of academic misconduct. Academic anxiety plays a mediating role in the relationship between graduate student innovative behavior and academic misconduct. Educational levels and employment confidence each play moderating roles in the latter stages of the mediation effects concerning graduate student innovative behavior, academic anxiety, and academic misconduct.

Conclusion

This study reveals the mediating role of academic anxiety in the relationship between innovative behavior and graduate student academic misconduct. It also identifies the moderating roles of employment confidence and educational levels. These findings deepen our understanding of the relationship between innovative behavior and graduate student academic misconduct and are conducive to preventing such misconduct among graduate students.
Feasibility assessment of crowdsourcing slogans for promoting household waste segregation in India: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Krishnan Kavya , Sahoo Krushna Chandra , Kalyanasundaram Madhanraj , Singh Surya , Srinivas Asha , Pathak Ashish , Stålsby Lundborg Cecilia , Atkins Salla , Rousta Kamran , Diwan Vishal
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Crowdsourcing is an emerging technique to engage or access a wider set of experts and multiple stakeholders through online platforms, which might effectively be employed in waste management. Therefore, we assessed the feasibility of the crowdsourcing method to provide an alternative approach that can improve household waste segregation using an “online-slogan-contest”.

Methods

The contest was promoted via targeted emails to various governmental and non-governmental organizations and through social media platforms for around 4 weeks (25 days). The entries were received through a Google form. The slogans were assessed by the experts and analyzed using content analysis methods.

Results

Total 969 entries were received from different geographic regions in India. Of that, 456 were in English and 513 in Hindi. Five themes of waste segregation emerged from the received slogans: (1) Community awareness, responsibility, and support, (2) Significance of household waste segregation, (3) Use of separate dustbins, (4) Health and well-being, and (5) Environment and sustainability.

Discussion

Crowdsourcing approaches can be used by local authorities for improving waste management approaches and are recommended as these involve a wider audience within a short time frame. Moreover, this approach is flexible and integrating crowdsourcing approaches strengthens our understanding of existing waste management activities.
The modulation of emotional memory consolidation by dream affect
Authors: du Plessis Liëtte , Lipinska Gosia
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Research in the field of cognitive neuroscience has focused on the role of sleep in various neurocognitive processes such as memory consolidation. However, an area that has not been adequately researched is the role of dreaming in this memory process. This study aimed to determine the relationship between affect experienced in dreams and emotional memory consolidation. Considering that REM dreams are laden with emotion and that emotion enhances memory, one possibility is that dream affect could also play a role in emotional memory consolidation. We hypothesised that greater dream-related affect would be associated with greater memory retention of emotional but not neutral information.

Methods

126 healthy participants, aged 18–35, were recruited for the online study, of which 103 participants had valid data (female: n =73). On the night of the study, participants viewed a series of pictures from the South African Affective Picture System (SA-APS) in an online session. Afterwards, they verbally recalled as many pictures as possible. The following morning, they were asked to recall any dreams and rate the emotional intensity of their dreams. Participants then again verbally recalled all the pictures that they could remember from the previous night.

Results

Contrary to the prediction, dream-related affect, regardless of valence, did not predict memory consolidation of positive or negative information. Instead, increases in dream-related affect, and especially anxiety were predictive of better memory retention of all information. The findings also showed that an increase in negative affect in dreams predicted better memory retention of negative information.

Discussion

Our results suggest that dream affect is an important modulator of memory consolidation processes occurring during sleep. Furthermore, increased negative affect may indicate which experiences are salient and require consolidation to form long-lasting memories that can guide future behaviour.

Conclusion

These findings have implications for psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, which is characterised by negative affect and increased memory sensitivity to negative stimuli.
Metallic Superheroes That Trap Poisonous Arsenic From Water
Authors: Vences-Alvarez Esmeralda , Rangel-Mendez Rene
Published: October 2023

Water pollution is a very concerning problem since it affects millions of people around the world. Arsenic is a highly toxic metal that can cause serious health problems if consumed. Substances called metal oxides can help to remove contaminants like arsenic from water, and researchers have recently shown that these superheroes are even more powerful when they are combined. In anime, the superheroes Goku and Vegeta can fuse to become Gogeta, and when they do so their power increases. Similarly, combining metal oxides is a superpower that could save the world from poisonous arsenic, through a trapping mechanism called adsorption. In this article, we will explain what arsenic is, how it can affect humans, and how metal oxides might eventually help us to produce safer water.
Online sports fans communities: humor, trivial knowledge, and anti-modern tendencies
Authors: Levental Orr
Published: October 2023

Recent technical developments and the widespread use of social networks have led to the emergence of a variety of online communities built around common interests. Among these virtual communities, one notable category revolves around sports fans. This conceptual article uses several examples of online sports fan communities in Israel to analyze their core elements. Within this context, the article focuses on the significance of humor, trivial knowledge, and counter-modern concepts as the key elements fostering unity among fans. Humor serves as a common thread that encourages interactions, also providing a platform for fans to showcase their niche knowledge, symbolizing their dedication to fan culture. Meanwhile, the prevalence of counter-modern inclinations within these communities highlights the fans' constant devotion to the sport, demonstrating a profound loyalty. Collectively, these elements signify a shift from supporting specific teams to becoming keen fans of the broader sporting domain.
Relapses in Illicit Drug Use Among Probationers: Results in a Risk Group of Public Health Services in Bavaria
Authors: Kappl U. , Sakr A. M. , Huppertz B. , Stöver H. , Stich H.
Published: October 2023

Objective: We aimed to identify in this study time trends of relapses in the illicit consumption of narcotics in a special at-risk population of former drug users under a public health perspective.

Methods: In a pooled dataset of 14 consecutive calendar years (2006–2019), the use of seven different narcotic substances was studied in 380 persons with a total of 2,928 urine samples which were analyzed using a valid marker system for narcotic residues.

Results: During the entire observation period, the relapse rate for cannabinoids and opiates was the highest despite abstinence requirements. It was noticeable that the relapses across all narcotics groups occurred primarily during the first 3 years of the probation period (90%) with a decrease in illegal consumption during the following years of the observation period.

Conclusion: Special attention should be paid to probationers at the beginning of the probation period to develop more effective prevention strategies for substance abstinence by all involved actors in public health services.
Soil Burn Severities Evaluation Using Micromorphology and Morphometry Traits After a Prescribed Burn in a Managed Forest
Authors: Moreno-Roso S. , Chávez-Vergara B. , Solleiro-Rebolledo E. , Quintero-Gradilla S. , Merino A. , Ruiz-Rojas M.
Published: October 2023

Prescribed burn is a tool that must imply low soil burn severity (SBS) levels; however, a wide range of soil impacts have been demonstrated because of the influence of very variable factors. The effects on biological, physical, and chemical soil properties are well reported in numerous studies; nonetheless, there are still questions about the effect of prescribed burns on soils at the micro-scale. As a result, an analysis of the link between micromorphological features and SBS does not currently exist. Thus, the main aim of the present study is to perform a micro-scale evaluation for complementing the SBS visual examination after prescribed burning in a managed pine forest in western Mexico. Morphometry and micromorphology analyses of mineral soil revealed that at low SBS levels, only the soil structure in the first centimeter is affected by prescribed burns. While at high SBS, the prescribed burn affected the first 2 cm, showing soil structure disturbance, ash filling porous, and soil aggregates getting reddish. Therefore, immediate actions have to be made by land managers after applying prescribed burns before the first rain to prevent post-fire surface soil erosion, particularly in bare soil patches where the burned aggregates are more susceptible to rain splash and runoff.
Mucuna and Avocado-Seed Residues as Sustainable Fertilizers and Biostimulants for Cherry Tomatoes
Authors: Camas-Reyes Alberto , Estrada-Luna Andrés A. , Ponce-Ramírez José de Jesús , Manzo-Valencia María Karina , Galván-Pantoja Francisco , Moreno-Valencia Martha Edith , Hernández-Orihuela Ana Lilia , Santiago-Díaz José Arbel , Valdés-Rodríguez Silvia , Martínez-Antonio Agustino
Published: October 2023

The global demand for sustainable agricultural practices is increasing, necessitating the preference for fertilizers and organic stimulants with minimal chemical transformation. This study investigates the potential use of Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens sp.) and avocado (Persea americana Mills) seed residues in the cultivation of cherry-tomato crops (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) var. cerasiforme. After extracting L-dopa, the Mucuna ground residual seeds were incorporated into the soil substrate as an edaphic fertilizer. In contrast, the hydrolyzed avocado seed was mixed with water or the nutrient Long Ashton and applied as a foliar biostimulant to cherry plants grown in a greenhouse. We report the nutrients and amino acid content in hydrolysates of the avocado and Mucuna’s residue seeds and experiment with their effect in plants employing a completely blocked random design of eight treatments with four replicates. Data inspection involved analysis of variance, and mean differences were determined using Fisher’s least significant difference test. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among the treatments regarding the number of flowers (70%), fruits (23%), and dry weight fruits (25%) in favor of those using these seed residues. A second experiment revealed that treatments containing both seed residues slightly increased the °Brix in fruits. This study supports with evidence that residual seeds benefit tomatoes and probably other important plants, contributing to the path to sustainable agriculture.
Dose-Dependency of the Glycemic Response to Polyphenol-Rich Sugarcane Extract (PRSE)
Authors: Flavel Matthew , Neoh Julian , Lim Kosta Fremielle
Published: October 2023

Foods high in available carbohydrates, such as plain white sugar or sucrose, increase the postprandial blood glucose levels that may aggravate the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. One class of compounds that is gaining popularity due to its potential application in reducing the release of sugars for absorption into the body is polyphenols. The study aimed to investigate the effect of adding different doses of polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract (PRSE) to sucrose to lower the postprandial glycemia of the participants in a non-randomized study. The four test samples’ Glycemic Index (GI) values were calculated based on the standardized recommended methodology by comparing the area under the curve (AUC) of the test samples against the glucose standard. The glucose concentration curves were similar for the four test foods. The glucose response curves, and GI values were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The results of this study indicate that PRSE-coated sugar can lower postprandial glycemia in normal individuals. Additionally, decreasing GI values with an increasing concentration of polyphenols suggests a dose-dependent effect between polyphenol levels and GI.
Identification of a New Drug Binding Site in the RNA-Dependent-RNA-Polymerase (RdRp) Domain
Authors: Gana Aparna S. , Baraniuk James N.
Published: October 2023

We hypothesize that in silico structural biology approaches can discover novel drug binding sites for RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerases (RdRp) of positive sense single-strand RNA (ss(+)RNA) virus species. RdRps have a structurally conserved active site with seven motifs (A to G), despite low sequence similarity. We refined this architecture further to describe a conserved structural domain consisting of motifs A, B, C and F. These motifs were used to realign 24 RdRp structures in an innovative manner to search for novel drug binding sites. The aligned motifs from the enzymes were then docked with 833 FDA-approved drugs (Set 1) and 85 FDA-approved antivirals (Set 2) using the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) docking 2020.09 software. Sirolimus (rapamycin), an immunosuppressant that targets the mammalian mTOR pathway, was one of the top ten drugs for all 24 RdRp proteins. The sirolimus docking site was in the nucleotide triphosphate entry tunnel between motifs A and F but distinct from the active site in motif C. This original finding supports our hypothesis that structural biology approaches based on RdRp motifs that are conserved across evolution can define new drug binding locations and infer potential broad-spectrum inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 and other ss(+)RNA viruses.
Screening of Tnfaip1-Interacting Proteins in Zebrafish Embryonic cDNA Libraries Using a Yeast Two-Hybrid System
Authors: Huang Shulan , Zhang Hongning , Chen Wen , Wang Jiawei , Wu Zhen , He Meiqi , Zhang Jian , Hu Xiang , Xiang Shuanglin
Published: October 2023

TNFAIP1 regulates cellular biological functions, including DNA replication, DNA repair, and cell cycle, by binding to target proteins. Identification of Tnfaip1-interacting proteins contributes to the understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanisms of their biological functions. In this study, 48 hpf, 72 hpf, and 96 hpf wild-type zebrafish embryo mRNAs were used to construct yeast cDNA library. The library titer was 1.12 × 107 CFU/mL, the recombination rate was 100%, and the average length of the inserted fragments was greater than 1000 bp. A total of 43 potential interacting proteins of Tnfaip1 were identified using zebrafish Tnfaip1 as a bait protein. Utilizing GO functional annotation and KEGG signaling pathway analysis, we found that these interacting proteins are mainly involved in translation, protein catabolic process, ribosome assembly, cytoskeleton formation, amino acid metabolism, and PPAR signaling pathway. Further yeast spotting analyses identified four interacting proteins of Tnfaip1, namely, Ubxn7, Tubb4b, Rpl10, and Ybx1. The Tnfaip1-interacting proteins, screened from zebrafish embryo cDNA in this study, increased our understanding of the network of Tnfaip1-interacting proteins during the earliest embryo development and provided a molecular foundation for the future exploration of tnfaip1’s biological functions.
A Synopsis of Hepatitis C Virus Treatments and Future Perspectives
Authors: Medina Christian , García Alexis Hipólito , Crespo Francis Isamarg , Toro Félix Isidro , Mayora Soriuska José , De Sanctis Juan Bautista
Published: October 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide public health problem. Chronic infection with HCV can lead to liver cirrhosis or cancer. Although some immune-competent individuals can clear the virus, others develop chronic HCV disease due to viral mutations or an impaired immune response. IFNs type I and III and the signal transduction induced by them are essential for a proper antiviral effect. Research on the viral cycle and immune escape mechanisms has formed the basis of therapeutic strategies to achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). The first therapies were based on IFNα; then, IFNα plus ribavirin (IFN–RBV); and then, pegylated-IFNα-RBV (PEGIFNα-RIV) to improve cytokine pharmacokinetics. However, the maximum SVR was 60%, and several significant side effects were observed, decreasing patients’ treatment adherence. The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) significantly enhanced the SVR (>90%), and the compounds were able to inhibit HCV replication without significant side effects, even in paediatric populations. The management of coinfected HBV–HCV and HCV–HIV patients has also improved based on DAA and PEG-IFNα-RBV (HBV–HCV). CD4 cells are crucial for an effective antiviral response. The IFNλ3, IL28B, TNF-α, IL-10, TLR-3, and TLR-9 gene polymorphisms are involved in viral clearance, therapeutic responses, and hepatic pathologies. Future research should focus on searching for strategies to circumvent resistance-associated substitution (RAS) to DAAs, develop new therapeutic schemes for different medical conditions, including organ transplant, and develop vaccines for long-lasting cellular and humoral responses with cross-protection against different HCV genotypes. The goal is to minimise the probability of HCV infection, HCV chronicity and hepatic carcinoma.
Striking a Balance between Conservation and Development: A Geospatial Approach to Watershed Prioritisation in the Himalayan Basin
Authors: Ganie Parvaiz Ahmad , Posti Ravindra , Bharti Vidya Shree , Sehgal Vinay Kumar , Sarma Debajit , Pandey Pramod Kumar
Published: October 2023

This study was undertaken in the Himalayan basin, in the river Lohawati, Uttarakhand, to study its hydro-morphological characteristics and prioritise the watersheds using geospatial tools. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER-30 m) data and the Survey of India’s topographic sheets were used to analyse the study area comprehensively. Nine watersheds were identified within the basin in order to calculate the hydro-morphological characteristics in terms of basic, shape, texture, and relief aspects. The basin was identified as being elongated, with a total drainage area of 337.48 km2. The interaction between the terrain, rock formations, and precipitation levels produced a branching structure in the areas drainage system that ranged from dendritic to sub-dendritic. The basin had been classified as a fifth-order basin, comprising a network of 500 stream segments spanning a total length of 492.41 km. In each of the watersheds, the primary streams are of the first order, followed by those of the second order, and so forth. The physiography and lithology of the basin have a significant influence on this pattern. The calculated elongation ratio, circulatory ratio, form factor, shape index, and shape factor ranged from 0.57 to 0.80, 0.35 to 0.64, 0.26 to 0.50, 1.98 to 3.89, and 0.57 to 1.77, respectively. These values indicate that watersheds are elongated, suggesting moderate lag times. The parameters, including drainage density (0.98 to 1.62), stream frequency (1.07 to 1.59), infiltration number (1.04 to 2.59), drainage texture (0.67 to 2.82), and drainage intensity (0.93 to 1.12), pointed towards the coarser drainage texture, higher infiltration, and minimal runoff characteristics of the basin. In light of the relief characteristics of the basin, a higher basin relief, relief ratio, and relative relief were observed for the watersheds, indicating the possibility of higher erosion and deforestation rates. Using the Weighted Sum Analysis (WSA) method, the computed factors were utilised to rank the watersheds based on their potential for erosion. Based on the WSA approach, watersheds were classified into high-, moderate-, and low-prioritisation zones. This further indicates that 36.14% (121.95 km2) of watersheds are in the high-priority zone, and that 48.84% (164.91 km2) and 15.00% (50.62 km2) of watersheds are in the moderate- and low-priority zones, respectively. The WSA is a practical strategy to prioritise watersheds when making appropriate decisions.
Development of an Airbag Geometry Specific for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Franco Bartolomeu , Alves Ribeiro José Manuel , Sánchez-Arce Isidro de Jesús
Published: October 2023

Airbags are important safety devices in modern vehicles. However, their effectiveness is linked to the occupants being seated in standard positions. Although autonomous vehicles are less accident-prone, they are also equipped with airbags, similar to any other vehicle. Additionally, autonomous vehicles allow for occupants seated in non-standard positions, so in the case of a collision, the airbags’ effectiveness decreases. In this work, an airbag design suitable for both assisted and autonomous driving conditions is proposed, the driver’s airbag being the object of interest. Airbag geometry, threads, seam strength, and seam geometries were selected following Design of Experiments (DoE) methodologies and a series of experimental tests. Moreover, an adaptive system based on sewn tethers allows the airbag to adapt to the driving mode, which is proposed and validated. Finally, all the findings were experimentally tested on two different geometries. The results were satisfactory as the deployed airbag shape and dimensions were as expected, indicating that this airbag design is capable of protecting the driver of a vehicle capable of autonomous driving.
Cardiological Challenges Related to Long-Term Mechanical Circulatory Support for Advanced Heart Failure in Patients with Chronic Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Dandel Michael
Published: October 2023

Long-term mechanical circulatory support by a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), with or without an additional temporary or long-term right ventricular (RV) support, is a life-saving therapy for advanced heart failure (HF) refractory to pharmacological treatment, as well as for both device and surgical optimization therapies. In patients with chronic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), timely prediction of HF’s transition into its end stage, necessitating life-saving heart transplantation or long-term VAD support (as a bridge-to-transplantation or destination therapy), remains particularly challenging, given the wide range of possible etiologies, pathophysiological features, and clinical presentations of NICM. Decision-making between the necessity of an LVAD or a biventricular assist device (BVAD) is crucial because both unnecessary use of a BVAD and irreversible right ventricular (RV) failure after LVAD implantation can seriously impair patient outcomes. The pre-operative or, at the latest, intraoperative prediction of RV function after LVAD implantation is reliably possible, but necessitates integrative evaluations of many different echocardiographic, hemodynamic, clinical, and laboratory parameters. VADs create favorable conditions for the reversal of structural and functional cardiac alterations not only in acute forms of HF, but also in chronic HF. Although full cardiac recovery is rather unusual in VAD recipients with pre-implant chronic HF, the search for myocardial reverse remodelling and functional improvement is worthwhile because, for sufficiently recovered patients, weaning from VADs has proved to be feasible and capable of providing survival benefits and better quality of life even if recovery remains incomplete. This review article aimed to provide an updated theoretical and practical background for those engaged in this highly demanding and still current topic due to the continuous technical progress in the optimization of long-term VADs, as well as due to the new challenges which have emerged in conjunction with the proof of a possible myocardial recovery during long-term ventricular support up to levels which allow successful device explantation.
Alveolar Bone Box Ostectomy Grafted with Particulate Bone Substitute with Subsequent Dental Implant Placement in a Case of Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia Involving the Posterior Maxilla: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Kablan Fares
Published: October 2023

Background: Patients with dysplastic bone diseases, including fibrous dysplasia (FD), represent a particular challenge for placement of dental implants. This is due to structural bony changes that may compromise the bone blood supply and plasticity, thus potentially affecting the process of osseointegration. This case report describes a novel approach for dental-implant-based rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla affected by craniofacial fibrous dysplasia (CFD), with 7 years of treatment follow-up. Case presentation: A 35-year-old female patient was referred due to a suspected unidentified bone lesion affecting the left side of the maxilla. A clinical and radiographic diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia was confirmed through a wedge bone biopsy. Particulate bone substitute was packed into a box-shaped ostectomy area of the lesion in the affected maxillary alveolar ridge. This was followed by the placement of four implants 6 months post operation. The implants were successfully integrated, as confirmed by clinical examination over 7 years of follow up. Conclusion: this treatment approach may be considered as a predictable and efficient treatment modality for dental implant rehabilitation in patients with a variety of fibro-osseous lesions, including fibrous dysplasia, which affect the alveolar bone.
Non-Thermal Plasma Treatment of Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) Dental Membranes and Its Effects on Cellular Adhesion
Authors: Nayak Vasudev Vivekanand , Mirsky Nicholas Alexander , Slavin Blaire V. , Witek Lukasz , Coelho Paulo G. , Tovar Nick
Published: October 2023

Non-resorbable dental barrier membranes entail the risk of dehiscence due to their smooth and functionally inert surfaces. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) treatment has been shown to increase the hydrophilicity of a biomaterials and could thereby enhance cellular adhesion. This study aimed to elucidate the role of allyl alcohol NTP treatment of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) in its cellular adhesion. The materials (non-treated PTFE membranes (NTMem) and NTP-treated PTFE membranes (PTMem)) were subjected to characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Cells were seeded upon the different membranes, and cellular adhesion was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively using fluorescence labeling and a hemocytometer, respectively. PTMem exhibited higher surface energies and the incorporation of reactive functional groups. NTP altered the surface topography and chemistry of PTFE membranes, as seen through SEM, XPS and ESCA, with partial defluorination and polymer chain breakage. Fluorescence labeling indicated significantly higher cell populations on PTMem relative to its untreated counterparts (NTMem). The results of this study support the potential applicability of allyl alcohol NTP treatment for polymeric biomaterials such as PTFE—to increase cellular adhesion for use as dental barrier membranes.
Analysis of Influencing Factors for Stackable and Expandable Acoustic Metamaterial with Multiple Tortuous Channels
Authors: Bi Shaohua , Yang Fei , Shen Xinmin , Zhang Jiaojiao , Yang Xiaocui , Zhang Heng , Peng Wenqiang
Published: October 2023

To reduce the noise generated by large mechanical equipment, a stackable and expandable acoustic metamaterial with multiple tortuous channels (SEAM–MTCs) was developed in this study. The proposed SEAM–MTCs consisted of odd panels, even panels, chambers, and a final closing plate, and these component parts could be fabricated separately and then assembled. The influencing factors, including the number of layers N, the thickness of panel t0, the size of square aperture a, and the depth of chamber T0 were investigated using acoustic finite element simulation. The sound absorption mechanism was exhibited by the distributions of the total acoustic energy density at the resonance frequencies. The number of resonance frequencies increased from 13 to 31 with the number of layers N increasing from 2 to 6, and the average sound absorption coefficients in [200 Hz, 6000 Hz] was improved from 0.5169 to 0.6160. The experimental validation of actual sound absorption coefficients in [200 Hz, 1600 Hz] showed excellent consistency with simulation data, which proved the accuracy of the finite element simulation model and the reliability of the analysis of influencing factors. The proposed SEAM–MTCs has great potential in the field of equipment noise reduction.
Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramic-Doped Inorganic Polymers for Thermo-Structural Fiber-Reinforced Composites
Authors: Medri Valentina , Natali Murri Annalisa , Papa Elettra , Mingazzini Claudio , Scafè Matteo , Landi Elena
Published: October 2023

New inorganic nanostructured matrices for fiber-reinforced composites with enhanced high-temperature stability were developed from alkali aluminosilicate polymers doped with different ultra-high-temperature ceramic (UHTC) particles. The alkali aluminosilicate matrices were synthesized at room temperature with a high SiO2:Al2O3 ratio and then further functionalized by doping with 4–5 wt % of micrometric SiC, ZrB2, ZrC, and HfC powders and finally thermally stabilized as glass–ceramics at 750 °C. The different UHTC-doped matrices were characterized according to their dimensional and microstructural changes after thermal cycling in air flux at 1000 °C. The first results showed that carbide-based UHTC powders improved the thermal stability of the matrices, preventing the excessive swelling of the material and the formation of detrimental voids that might result in the lack of adhesion with reinforcing fibers. Contrarily, the addition of ZrB2 resulted in an excessive matrix swelling at high temperature, thus proving no efficacy compared to the undoped matrix. Impregnation tests carried out on C-fiber fabrics showed good processability, adhesion to the fibers, and fracture pull-out, especially for carbide-based matrices.
Pattern of Residual Submucosal Involvement after Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer: A Rationale for the Utility of Endoscopic Submucosal Resection
Authors: Elazzamy Haidy , Bhatt Monika , Mazzara Paul , Barawi Mohammed , Zeni Amer , Aref Amr
Published: October 2023

Background and Objectives: Full-thickness trans anal local excision for tumors with favorable response following neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is a common strategy for organ preservation, but it could be associated with a high rate of postoperative complications. We describe the incidence and pattern of submucosal involvement in surgical specimens following neoadjuvant therapy for LARC and whether limiting local excision of the residual tumor bed to only mucosal/submucosal layers of the rectal wall is sufficient for accurately predicting the ypT status of residual cancer, providing a pathological rationale to replace full-thickness local excision by endoscopic submucosal resection. Materials and Methods: This was a single-institution retrospective study conducted at a teaching community hospital. We reviewed clinical and pathological findings with slides of 82 patients diagnosed with LARC treated at our center between 2006 and 2020. Eligibility criteria mirrored our current organ preservation trials. Results: No tumor was found in surgical specimens in 28 cases (34%). Additionally, 4, 22, 27, and 1 cases were staged as ypT1, ypT2, ypT3, and ypT4, respectively. Residual malignant cells were found in the submucosal layer in 98% of cases with ypT+ stage, with ‘skip lesions’ in only 2% of cases. Conclusions: A very high incidence of submucosal involvement is noticed in residual tumors after neoadjuvant therapy, providing pathological rationale to study the role of endoscopic submucosal resection as a restaging tool for tumors with favorable response after neoadjuvant therapy when organ preservation strategy is pursued. This study was limited by its retrospective design and relatively small number of patients.
Safe City: A Study of Channels for Public Warnings for Emergency Communication in Finland, Germany, and Greece
Authors: Yli-Kauhaluoma Sari , Statheropoulos Milt , Zygmanowski Anne , Anttalainen Osmo , Hakulinen Hanna , Kontogianni Maria Theodora , Kuula Matti , Pernaa Johannes , Vanninen Paula
Published: October 2023

Public warning systems are an essential element of safe cities. However, the functionality of neither traditional nor digital emergency warnings is understood well enough from the perspective of citizens. This study examines smart city development from the perspective of safety by exploring citizens’ viewpoints. It investigates people’s perceptions of the ways in which they obtain warnings and information about emergencies involving health risks. Data were collected in the form of focus group interviews and semi-structured interviews in Finland, Germany, and Greece. The results suggest that people place a lot of trust in their social network, receiving text messages, and their ability to use web-based search engines in order to obtain public warnings. The study discusses the challenges identified by citizens in the use of conventional radio and television transmissions and sirens for public warnings. Based on the results, citizens demonstrate informed ignorance about existing mobile emergency applications. Our results imply that it is not sufficient to build emergency communication infrastructure: the development of smart, safe cities requires continuous work and the integration of both hard and soft infrastructure-oriented strategies, i.e., technological infrastructure development including digitalisation and education, advancement of knowledge, and participation of people. Both strategic aspects are essential to enable people to take advantage of novel digital applications in emergency situations.
Energy Harvesting on Airport Pavements Traffic Dependent: A321 (Narrow-Body) Aircraft Case Study
Authors: Correia Diogo , Richards Phillip , Ferreira Adelino
Published: October 2023

Research into novel methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is being carried out with the use of energy-harvesting systems. On road pavements, energy-harvesting technology has been successful in finding solutions and applications. This study discusses a solution for airport pavements that aims to produce electric energy from aircraft traffic. The new system is simulated in Simulink/MATLAB with all the components for producing technical data being provided by the manufacturers. The system is internally subdivided by simulating the aircraft in 3DOF and the energy harvesting in 1DOF. The energy-harvesting simulations achieved an energy density of up to 6.80 Wh/(m.vehicle) and a 24% conversion rate. This paper contributes to the exploration of solutions to enable energy-harvesting systems to be placed in airport pavements. These solutions are traffic dependent and require an innovative system to control the operation due to the specifications of airport pavements.
Alterations of a CaCl2 Alginate Composite for Thermochemical Heat Storage during the Hydration in a 1 L Packed Bed Laboratory Reactor
Authors: Heitmann Stephan , Simon Tamás , Osburg Andrea , Fröba Michael
Published: October 2023

A composite material of alginate and CaCl2 was tested in a laboratory reactor (1 L) for its ability to thermochemically store heat. The material was exposed to air at 25 °C and 25% RH to prevent the salt from dissolving, and the heat evolution was observed over a period of 15 cycles. To evaluate the changes in the material, samples were taken after 5, 10 and 15 cycles and the material properties and calorimetric characteristics were examined. A change of the material in favor of the heat release was determined, so that an increase of the heat storage capacity from 1.28 kJ∙cm−3 to 2.11 kJ∙cm−3 was detected, with a simultaneous steep decrease of the pore volume in the range from 0.01 to 10 μm. The temperature lift of the reactor showed a significant increase, with the first cycle showing the smallest amount.
Gonadotropin and Ovarian Hormone Monitoring: Lateral Flow Assays for Clinical Decision Making
Authors: Targonskaya Anna , Maslowski Katherine
Published: October 2023

FSH, estrogen and progesterone testing are widely utilized in clinical practice. Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are cost-effective tools used for diagnosing infectious diseases, pregnancy, and substance testing. The focus of this narrative review is the potential for the wider utilization of listed hormone LFAs. A search was conducted with PubMed, Google Scholar and Wiley online libraries using keywords without any limitation on the publication date; animal studies were excluded. Clinical guidelines for the related conditions were included. According to published data, E3G and PdG are used to determine ovulatory cycles and can be utilized for research purposes to establish the normal range of menstrual cycles, as there is currently disagreement among guidelines. FSH measurement in blood samples is utilized to predict oocyte yield in assisted cycles and to differentiate women with premature ovarian insufficiency from hypothalamic amenorrhea, and can be replaced with more convenient urine testing. PdG was tested to assess the risk of pregnancy complications, specifically miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy, and might become a screening tool for miscarriage in the future. PMS, PMDD and ovarian carcinogenesis could be extensively studied using LFAs to gain a better understanding of the biology behind these conditions. Before implementing these LFAs into clinical practice, the reproducibility of progesterone assays should be evaluated. The results are critical for treatment decisions, and universally recognized standards for estradiol measurement should be developed.
Educación especial en la integración social en estudiantes del nivel inicial
Authors: Ponce Napa Susana Esperanza , Ponce Napa Nancy Katty , Ponce Napa Yolanda Laura , Vilca Perales Esther Jesús
Published: October 2023

Dado que el COVID-19 se ha convertido en un fenómeno global, los cambios en la integración social de los niños han sido dramáticoestudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la educación especial dentro de la integración social en el periodo de post pandemia en estudiantes de inicial. Se realizó una investigación con un enfoque cualitativo y un diseño fenomenológico y explotaría con un método inductivo, el cual determinó categorías y subcategorías. La población estuvo conformada por 8 docentes de educación especial del centro de estudio con más de 10 años de ejercicio profesional, se trabajó con los niños en la etapa inicial, enfocándose en los principios de la fenomenología y sus etapas Se utilizó como técnica la entrevista, el análisis bibliográfico y la revisión documental, con su respectivo instrumento. Se concluyó que la educación especial brindada a los niños de inicial de Chorrillos, no presenta eficacia en relación a la integridad social.
Herramientas digitales para la detección de estudiantes con riesgo académico en escuelas de Lima Metropolitana
Authors: Carrasco Lino Liliana Carmen , Aguirre Macavilca Martín Carlos , Padilla Diaz Omar Eduardo , Visurraga Camargo Luis Antonio
Published: October 2023

El riesgo académico puede ser entendido como la propensión que un estudiante concurra al fracaso escolar, debido a múltiples factores intervinientes, sin embargo, los docentes pueden mitigar este tipo de eventos a través de su función tutorial. Por tal motivo, el estudio tuvo como propósito conocer las experiencias de los docentes de primaria de instituciones públicas de Miraflores en la atención de estudiantes con riesgo académico, lo cual, consecutivamente condujo a la meta principal del trabajo, la cual fue establecer una propuesta para la gestión de riesgos académicos haciendo uso de herramientas digitales. Metodológicamente se asumió una perspectiva cualitativa, apoyada en el método hermenéutico; se trabajó con docentes, cuyas respuestas fueron recogidas a través de una entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados demuestran un docente que valora positivamente las herramientas digitales para la gestión de riesgos académicos; sin embargo, conoce que existe la necesidad de realizar propuestas para que educadores con poca capacitación en el manejo de las plataformas educativas que puedan desarrollarla.
Clima organizacional y desempeño docente en las instituciones educativas del nivel primaria
Authors: Acuña Gutiérrez Juan José , Chui Betancur Heber Nehemías , Pérez Argollo Katia , Roque Huanca Edgar Octavio , Roque Huanca Bernardo
Published: October 2023

Un adecuado clima organizacional permite el desarrollo profesional docente dado que este estudio tuvo como propósito determinar el grado de relación entre el clima organizacional y el desempeño docente en las instituciones educativas del nivel primaria del distrito Santa Ana, 2021. En este estudio se aplicó el cuestionario de clima organizacional y desempeño a 180 profesores de las instituciones educativas del distrito de Santa Ana, Cusco, Perú. Los resultados evidencian una correlación de Spearman de 0,860, lo cual establece una relación positiva, estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05). El 71.10% de los docentes perciben un clima organizacional “moderado”, el 17.80% considera un clima “óptimo” y el 11.10 % percibe un clima “pésimo” asociado al desempeño que evidencian los docentes (74.60% percibe como regular; 10,5% percibe como bueno y el 14.9% percibe como deficiente)”. El Clima organizacional influye en el desempeño de los docentes (P<0,05).
Motivación y clima institucional en docentes de la educación básica regular
Authors: Raez Martínez Haymin Teresa , Chávez Espinoza Patricia Emperatriz , Aguilar Abanto Jackeline Leonor , Cáceres Tovar Nelly Jeannette , Menacho Vargas Isabel
Published: October 2023

La motivación es uno de los recursos básicos y determinantes para tener resultados positivos en todos los campos de desenvolvimiento de los seres humanos, desde lo afectivo hasta el aspecto laboral. Este recurso se convierte en la columna vertebral para el logro de los objetivos establecidos dentro de las instituciones educativas; por lo tanto, docente motivado es sinónimo de tranquilidad y progreso; en ese sentido, la investigación tuvo como propósito determinar la relación entre motivación y clima institucional en docentes de las instituciones educativas American Children High School y la I.E.N 6052 América, San Juan de Miraflores. El método que se utilizó fue cuantitativo, de tipo correlacional, diseño no experimental, transeccional descriptivo; la población trabajada estuvo conformada por 81 docentes, la técnica que se empleó fue la encuesta y los instrumentos fueron el cuestionario y la escala de clima institucional; para el análisis de datos se empleó: Medidas de tendencia central y de variabilidad, Test de Kolmogorov-Smirnov de distribución normal, Prueba T de Student, prueba U de Mann-Whitney, Prueba de correlación de Pearson; por lo que se concluye que la motivación es fundamental para optimizar el buen clima institucional.
INTELLIGENT AGRICULTURAL PEST MANAGER DRONE IN PAKISTAN
Authors: Nasim Shahzad , Rashid Munaf , Syed Sidra Abid , Brohi Imtiaz
Published: October 2023

This paper’s primary goal is to develop an agriculture drone for spraying pesticides. We discuss an architecture based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in this study. Pesticides must be used in agriculture if the quality of large-scale output is to be maintained. It is crucial to increase agriculture's production and efficiency by employing cutting-edge technology to replace employees with intelligent equipment like robots. The research suggests a novel method to replace people in a number of agricultural tasks, including the identification of insect presence, the application of pesticides and fertilizers, etc. The created method entails building a prototype that makes use of basic, affordable equipment including a microprocessor, different motors, and terminal equipment to assist farmers in a variety of operations related to crop fields. Design and build an autonomous drone-based surveillance system capable of identifying injured crops and spraying pesticides in specified regions as needed. To combine an image processing and Artificial Intelligence based real time algorithm to determine crop health and evaluate the need for pesticides, as well as a weather monitoring system that can assist anticipate weather conditions