bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anterior Endoscopic Cervical Discectomy: Surgical Technique and Literature Review
Authors: Ahn Yong
Published: March 2023

The conventional surgical technique for radiculopathy with cervical disc herniation (CDH) is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, with a good clinical outcome and fusion rate. However, significant perioperative morbidity related to extensive surgical exposure has been reported. Therefore, anterior endoscopic cervical discectomy (AECD) using a working channel endoscope has been developed to reduce surgical complications and tissue damage. The objective of this study was to describe a cutting-edge technique for AECD of soft CDH. The primary indication is cervical radiculopathy with or without axial neck pain due to soft CDH. The surgical procedure consists of 2 parts: (1) a safe anterior percutaneous approach under fluoroscopic control and (2) selective endoscopic discectomy and foraminal decompression using specialized mechanical tools under endoscopic visualization. The clinical outcomes are comparable to those of conventional surgery and show the benefits of minimally invasive spine procedure. Perioperative data revealed typical minimalism, including reduced muscle damage, blood loss, operative time, and recovery time. With technical advancements in surgical instruments and optics, AECD will become more practical and safer. AECD is effective in selected CDH cases with cervical radiculopathy. However, high-quality clinical studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of this endoscopic cervical spinal procedure.
Biportal Endoscopic Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy for Adjacent 2-Level Foraminal Lesions Using a Single Approach (Sliding Technique)
Authors: Heo Dong Hwa , Ha Ji Soo , Jang Jae Won
Published: March 2023

Objective: Endoscopic posterior cervical foraminotomy (PCF) using uniportal or biportal endoscopic approach has been performed for cervical foraminal stenosis or foraminal disc herniation. Two-level PCF is possible using a single biportal endoscopic approach. The purpose of this study was to present a technique of biportal endoscopic PCF for contiguous 2-level foraminal lesions using a single approach and its clinical results.Methods: Patients who received 2-level PCF using a single biportal endoscopic approach were enrolled in this study. We analyzed their clinical data including age, sex, complications, and Neck Disability Index (NDI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) of neck and arm. Postoperative magnetic resonance image was taken on the first postoperative day to determine whether there was sufficient decompression.Results: We successfully performed biportal endoscopic PCF for adjacent 2-level foraminal lesions using a single approach (sliding technique) in all 12 patients. There were cervical foraminal disc herniation with foraminal stenosis (5 cases) and 2-level foraminal stenosis (7 cases). Preoperative mean NDI and VAS of arm and neck significantly decreased at 12 months after surgery. Postoperative clinical outcomes were excellent in 5 patients, good in 6 patients, and fair in 1 patient. There was no major complication.Conclusion: Two-level PCF could be performed using a single approach biportal endoscopic surgery with only 2 skin incisions. Clinical outcomes are favorable. This sliding PCF technique using biportal endoscopic approach might be an alternative surgical treatment for contiguous 2-level cervical foraminal pathologic lesions.
Looking Back on 2022 With Neurospine
Authors: Ryu Dal-Sung , Han Inbo
Published: March 2023

On behalf of the editorial office of Neurospine, we would like to extend our appreciation to all the readers who have supported the journal throughout the year. Neurospine was established in March 2018 through a collaboration of 3 leading spinal neurosurgery societies from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Since then, Neurospine has continued to enhance its academic impact, serving as a platform for sharing knowledge and information related to the management of spinal diseases. In this article, we aim to present the bibliometrics of Neurospine, including the submission and publication of manuscripts and the peer review process. We are looking forward to continued growth and serving the academic community to the best of our ability.
THE IMPORTANCE OF IDEOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND POLITICAL PLURALISM FOR THE DOMESTIC STATE: CONSTITUTIONAL–LEGAL AND THEORETICAL–LEGAL ASPECTS
Authors: Golovinov A.V. , Golovinov Yu.V.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this article is to emphasize the role and significance of the constitutional principle ofideological diversity and political pluralism for maintaining the democratic foundations of the nationalstatehood. The authors show that the existence of this or that ideology is possible only within the frameworkof a constitutionally fixed legal ideology, the essence of which is to maintain a balance of constitutional values, the interests of society, the state and the individual. The paper establishes that the principle of ideologicaldiversity and political pluralism is of particular importance in a democratic constitutional state. Indeed, insuch a state, pluralism, formalized in the form of ideological diversity, is the basis of the constitutional order.Moreover, the priority of human rights as the most important foundation of the rule of law cannot be fullyrealized outside the above-mentioned principles of ideological diversity. The most complete realization ofthese rights and obligations is possible precisely in conditions of ideological diversity.
PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT OF POOR CITIZENS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO HOUSING BY INDIVIDUAL STATE BODIES
Authors: Plehotko K.K.
Published: March 2023

In Russia, an extensive system of bodies involved in the protection of the rights of citizens has developed.At the same time, their work often affects not only the resolution of a particular dispute, but also affectsthe entire system of social relations in a certain area. The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation andthe highest judicial bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation may invalidate, respectively,certain provisions of the regulatory act at the level of the Russian Federation or its constituent entity. TheProsecutor's Office of the Russian Federation has a significant impact on public relations, since it not onlyconsiders specific complaints, but also exercises overall control over the activities of public bodies. TheCommissioners for Human Rights of the Russian Federation and in its subjects have the opportunity to collecta large amount of factual material about the real state of affairs in any direction. A study of the activities ofthese bodies to protect the right of poor citizens to housing and the use of existing powers will allow us toevaluate the effectiveness of the mechanism for ensuring the rights of citizens.
THE HETEROGENEITY OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY AS A FACTOR IN THE SYSTEMATIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF LEGISLATION
Authors: Pyatkov D.V.
Published: March 2023

The article examines the question of the concept of business activity. It is concluded that this conceptcovers various types of human activity that cannot be reduced to entrepreneurship. The category «businessactivity» is not used in the Russian civil legislation, which is its significant drawback. In general, jurisprudencepays little attention to this generic category. In this regard, the main type of this activity is not fullyunderstood — entrepreneurial activity. There is no clarity as to the whole variety of business activity;there is no criterion in the legislation that allows in law enforcement practice to confidently distinguishentrepreneurship from other types of business activity. Based on the analysis of domestic pre-revolutionaryliterature on commercial law and modern foreign trade codifications, proposals were made to improveRussian legislation. In particular, it is proposed to distinguish between entrepreneurial and other types ofactivities according to such a criterion as the professional implementation of activities.
Lightweight Parallel Octave Convolutional Neural Network for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Li Dan , Wu Hanjie , Wang Yujian , Li Xiaojun , Kong Fanqiang , Wang Qiang
Published: March 2023

Although most deep learning-based methods have achieved excellent performance for hyperspectral image (HSI) classification, they are often limited by complex networks and require massive training samples in practical applications. Therefore, designing an efficient, lightweight model
to obtain better classification results under small samples situations remains a challenging task. To alleviate this problem, a novel, lightweight parallel octave convolutional neural network (LPOCNN) for HSI classification is proposed in this paper. First, the HSI data is preprocessed
to construct two three-dimensional (3D) patch cubes with different spatial and spectral scales for each central pixel, removing redundancy and focusing on extracting spatial features and spectral features, respectively. Next, two non- deep parallel branches are created for the two inputs,
which design octave convolution rather than classical 3D convolution to facilitate light weighting of the model. Then two-dimensional convolutional neural network is used to extract deeper spectral-spatial features when fusing spectral-spatial features from different parallel layers. Moreover,
the spectral-spatial attention is designed to promote the classification performance even further by adaptively adjusting the weights of different spectral-spatial features according to their contribution to classification. Experiments show that our suggested LPOCNN acquires a significant
advantage on classification performance over other competitive methods under small sample situations.
IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE ÁREAS PRIORITÁRIAS ASSOCIADAS ESPACIALMENTE À INCIDÊNCIA DE DENGUE NO MUNICÍPIO DE CAMPINAS (SP), ENTRE 2013 E 2016
Authors: Mendes Jéssica Andretta , Ferreira Marcos César
Published: March 2023

Neste artigo, o objetivo é avaliar a aplicação de alguns métodos de análise espacial para detecção de aglomerados em estudos relacionados às epidemias de dengue, entre eles, o método de densidade kernel, de autocorrelação local de Moran e o método para detecção de aglomerados Scan. O município de Campinas (SP), reúne características epidemiológicas e geográficas favoráveis à infestação pelo mosquito Aedes aegypti. Considerou-se o período de 2013 a 2016, totalizando 118.658 casos confirmados. Os resultados demonstraram que os casos confirmados de dengue e as taxas de incidência registradas apresentaram arranjo espacial aglomerado, e subáreas do município com autocorrelação espacial significante de altas taxas de incidência, com a formação de agrupamentos de diferentes intensidades, indicando dependência espacial. Os três métodos utilizados apresentaram similaridades e coerência. Em alguns distritos de saúde os aglomerados se mantiveram persistentes ao longo de todo o período avaliado (norte, noroeste e sudoeste), enquanto outros aglomerados, também expressivos, foram intermitentes (sul e leste do município). Em 2013, 2014 e 2016 os aglomerados mais expressivos mantiveram-se nas regiões periféricas do município, enquanto em 2015, as regiões mais centrais foram mais acometidas. Tais informações podem servir como suporte para as ações de enfrentamento de futuros surtos epidêmicos no município.
Serological survey for Getah virus in domestic pigs of South Korea
Authors: Park Yu-Ri , Kim Eun-Ju , Lee Hye Jeong , Hyun Bang-Hun , Yang Dong-Kun
Published: March 2023

Several outbreaks of Getah virus (GETV) have been reported in horses and pigs, causing large economic losses. However, there have been no reports describing serological survey for GETV in South Korea pigs. The present study conducted serological survey of GETV in South Korean pigs. A total of 670 whole blood samples were collected from domestic pigs. The overall seropositive rate was 26.4%, higher than the rates observed in racehorses in 2013–2014. Preparations for epidemics of novel diseases caused by climate change should include regular serological survey for these diseases, including GETV, and the development of vaccines against novel pathogens.
Immunogenicity of a new inactivated vaccine against feline panleukopenia virus, calicivirus, and herpesvirus-1 for cats
Authors: Yang Dong-Kun , Park Yu-Ri , Kim Eun-Ju , Lee Hye Jeong , Oh Subin , Hyun Bang-Hun
Published: March 2023

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1) are major infectious pathogens in cats. We evaluated the immunogenicity of a new vaccine containing inactivated FPV, two FCVs, and FHV-1 in animals. An FPV, two FCVs, and an FHV-1 isolate were continuously passaged 70, 50, 80, and 100 times in CRFK cells. FP70, FC50, FC80, and FH100 were propagated and used as vaccine antigens. Two inactivated feline virus vaccines, Rehydragel-adjuvanted vaccine (FRAV) and Cabopol-adjuvanted vaccine (FCAV) were prepared and inoculated into mice and guinea pigs. Humoral immune responses were measured using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) for FPV and virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) for two FCVs and FHV-1 tests. Serial passages in CRFK cells resulted in increase in titers of FPV and two FCVs but not FHV-1 The FCAV induced higher mean HI and VNA titers than the FRAV in guinea pigs; therefore, the FCAV was selected. Cats inoculated with FCAV developed a mean HI titer of 259.9 against FPV, and VNA titers of 64, 256, and 3.2 against FCV17D03, FCV17D283, and FHV191071, respectively. Therefore, cats inoculated with the FCAV showed a considerable immune response after receiving a booster vaccination.
Hemorrhagic disease caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus-2a in Korean Indigenous Cattle: case reports
Authors: Cho Hyung-Chul , Kim Byoung-Soo , Jang Dong-Hun , Lee Kyung-Hyun , Choi Kyoung-Seong
Published: March 2023

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), which is prevalent worldwide, is one of the most important viral pathogens and causes substantial economic loss to the livestock industry. Despite its importance, BVDV is largely unnoticed in the Republic of Korea (ROK). In this study, we report the case of a steer with BVDV that died suddenly due to severe enteritis. Two 1-year-old Korean indigenous cattle in the same herd presented severe hemorrhagic diarrhea. Case 1 had severe dehydration and died after 3 days, whereas case 2 had anorexia, depression, and severe diarrhea with mucus and blood. Only case 2 was necropsied, and BVDV2a was detected in the tissues of its alimentary tract. Gross lesions, including erosion, ulceration, and extensive hemorrhage, were observed in the digestive tract mucosa. Immunohistochemistry revealed marked positive staining for BVDV2a antigen in the large intestine. This report describes the first case of hemorrhagic disease caused by acute BVDV2a infection, which is characterized by high mortality in Korean indigenous cattle. This study will help establish vaccination and control strategies for BVDV in the ROK.
PREEMPTION OF EARTHMOVING CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS IN STROBOSCOPE
Authors: Ioannou Photios G. , Likhitruangsilp Veerasak
Published: March 2023

Preemption in simulation modeling is the interruption of ongoing operations when trigger events occur, and the transfer of the resources involved to new activities. The new preemption capabilities added to the Stroboscope simulation system are illustrated by their application to two earthmoving examples. The first involves moving soil using two wheelbarrows and two laborers, one who loads and one who hauls. Preemption occurs when the return of an empty wheelbarrow interrupts loading the other wheelbarrow to start a new haul activity immediately. When the loading and hauling cycles are balanced, preemption improves productivity when the time to haul is less variable than the time to load. In the second example, two cranes unload barges that bring construction fill material for undersea land reclamation. When only one barge is currently unloading, it uses both cranes. The arrival of a second barge preempts the unloading of the first barge so that each barge is unloaded by a single crane. When unloading a barge is complete, and there are no other barges waiting to unload, its crane is reallocated to the barge that may still be unloading so it can use both cranes. Modeling the required multiple preemptions and reallocations of cranes dynamically illustrates the new preemption capabilities added to Stroboscope and how they can be used to model preemption in general.
BEST PRACTICES USED BY CONTRACTORS TO REDUCE HEAT-RELATED INJURIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES
Authors: Oko D. Paul
Published: March 2023

Exposure to extreme heat and its negative effects on construction workers are perennial problems that require utmost attention. In Nevada, construction workers experience heat-related injuries (HRIs) and fatalities as a result of high temperatures. Despite evidence of heat-related fatalities and legislation recommending adoption of best practices to reduce occurrence of injuries on construction sites, it is not clear whether contractors are using any form of best practices to reduce the number of heat-related injuries that affect their workers. Consequently, a questionnaire was developed to determine whether contractors working in Nevada adopt and implement prescribed best practices and any other best practices developed by their respective organizations to curb the menace of HRIs occurring on construction sites. The survey was sent to 120 contractors, out of which 46 responded to the survey. The results showed that the best practices used by most of the contractors are: providing water regularly to the workers, providing a shed/place to rest for workers; and scheduling work shifts properly so that their workers can avoid unnecessary exposure to heat. Recommendations on best practices to reduce heat-related injuries and fatalities provided by the respondents are; preparing and implementing a comprehensive job-site safety plan, mandating contractors to work during periods of low temperature and creating public awareness about HRIs.
IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: A THEORETICAL EVALUATION ON A COUNTRY’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Cooper Baccus B.K.
Published: March 2023

Recent years have seen many challenges associated with sustainable construction practices, which stem mainly from the need to maintain a balance between the different dimensions of sustainability, including economic, social, and environmental. As a result, the paper investigates previous literature on the challenges of implementing sustainable practices in the South African construction industry. The data for this paper came from a systematic literature review, which included references to published theoretical literature. According to literature findings, one of the major challenges in sustainability implementation is capital cost, which is followed by information gathering, a lack of legislative incentives, leadership/management barriers, the challenges of chronic labor shortages, a lack of innovation and adaptability among industry stakeholders, and the industry's overall resistance to change. The study is primarily a literature review on the challenges of implementing sustainable practices as well as contributing innovative strategies to the thinking on sustainability in the South African construction industry. It is recommended that the construction industry be robust, have an attitude shift in finding practical solutions to tackle sustainable construction barriers, and develop standards and training objectives to ensure that the construction processes undertaken by various construction firms result in higher levels of education and environmental awareness.
STUDY THE EFFECT OF ADDING HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE ON THE ASPHALT MIXTURE
Authors: Issa Amjad , Abu Sheikah Areen , Nazzal Rassmya , Jaber Ameed
Published: March 2023

This paper aims at studying the impact of adding high-density polyethylene (HDPE) on the 3⁄4” hot mix asphalt (HMA). Polyethylene is used as it forms a considerable amount of the existing plastic wastes in the world in general and in Palestine at specific. These plastic materials are used as additives to check the performance and the characteristics and properties of the HMA. Accordingly, six different batches of asphalt concrete (AC) samples are prepared using polyethylene as a percentage of the weight of optimum bitumen in varying proportions (0%, 2%, 4%,6% 8%, and 10%). The performance of the HA mixture is examined by checking different parameters such as stability, flow, air voids, VMA, density, etc. The dry process of binominal mixtures (Marshall Method) is used and the required and needed experiments are carried out according to the ASTM specifications. The results indicate that the addition of high-density polyethylene improves and refines the properties of the 3⁄4 inch HMA considering medium traffic in terms of stability and the remaining Marshall parameters. The optimum plastic content is 4% by weight of bitumen which satisfies all specifications.
RESPONSE OF STEEL FRAME ASSEMBLY UNDER LOCALIZED FIRE EFFECT
Authors: palit Sabarna , Bhattacharyya Sriman Kumar
Published: March 2023

The focus of the present paper is on the investigation of the deformation and forces of an isolated steel beam column sub-frame exposed to localized fire. The investigated frame is modelled using finite element software ABAQUS considering three dimensional solid elements. A sequentially coupled thermo-mechanical analysis, where the derived temperature distribution obtained from the heat transfer analysis used as an input for the mechanical analysis, is carried out. The input heat flux which acts as Neumann boundary condition for the heat transfer analysis is considered from widely recognized handbook of ‘Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SPFE)’ of fire. Elasto-plastic material model is used for steel where the temperature dependent material properties are followed according to the Eurocode 3. Different cases were investigated based on the location of the localized fire source in the floor below the exposed beam. It was observed that for asymmetrical location of the fire source beneath the beam, the rotation for the far end connection to the fire source was always higher than the near end.
FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR OF A BRACED HYBRID STEEL-TIMBER BEAM
Authors: Khennane Amar , Reza Wasim , Khelifa Mourad
Published: March 2023

A hybrid steel-timber beam commercially available in Australia is subject to a flexural test to study its mechanical performance. To mimic the practical use of the beam as a floor joist and reproduce the lateral restraints offered by the flooring, two beams were connected to each other using lateral bracing. The braced beam system was tested in four-point bending. The beams not only achieved their full loading capacity, but they also displayed excellent ductility, which could make them suitable for use in seismic prone areas. A finite element analysis of the tests is carried out to understand the performance of the beam and to validate the model so it can be used to carry virtual tests on different configurations of hybrid beams. The study revealed that if a hybrid steel beam is to display ductility, the steel web must be thin to fail first before the cracking of the timber.
Instytucjonalny udział osób starszych w funkcjonowaniu samorządów terytorialnych: realia i założenia legislacyjne
Authors: Salachna Joanna , Szafranek Anna
Published: March 2023

W świetle przemian demograficznych i zwiększającego się odsetka liczby osób starszych w Polsce istotne wydaje się dokonanie analizy instytucjonalnego udziału seniorów w funkcjonowaniu samorządów terytorialnych (w tym także w aspekcie ich partycypacji w życiu lokalnej społeczności). Z prawnego punktu widzenia jedną z instytucjonalnych form partycypacji/współdecydowania osób starszych na poziomie gmin (zgodnie z ustawą o samorządzie gminnym) stanowi rada seniorów. W praktyce zaobserwowano jednak niedostateczną aktywność rad seniorów, próby ich upolitycznienia, jak również różnice w ich aktywności w poszczególnych częściach kraju. Celem artykułu jest określenie roli instytucji rady seniorów jako formy partycypacji społecznej oraz możliwych zmian w zakresie zasad działania rad czy też prawnych podstaw funkcjonowania instytucji. Aby zrealizować obrany cel, zastosowano niereaktywną metodę badań w postaci analizy treści aktów prawnych, orzecznictwa i dostępnych danych statystycznych. W efekcie analiz ustalono, że rady seniorów okazały się najsłabszą formą partycypacji społecznej w jednostkach samorządu terytorialnego. Tym samym instytucja ta, celem wzmocnienia jej znaczenia, wymaga dodatkowych zmian legislacyjnych, jak, np. ustalenia zakresu kompetencji rad seniorów i doprecyzowania ogólnego składu rady.
Economic integration in the face of new challenges for the European economy
Authors: Markowski Łukasz , Warżała Rafał
Published: March 2023

Recent events in the world economy, such as the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, have special implications for the countries that are part of the most advanced integration group in the world – the European Union (EU). In order to face new challenges, the EU must constantly evolve, because leaving the structure unchanged could mean stagnation and collapse. The paper aims to assess the functioning of the European Union in the conditions of the new ‘post-pandemic’ reality and the consequences of the war in Ukraine, and to review the prospects for further integration. The paper uses a diagnostic approach that involves establishing the actual state of affairs, assessing it, and considering the possibility of its improvement. As a result of the considerations undertaken, it can be assumed that the stability (and even the survival) of the EU seem to be favoured more by integration initiatives referring to the neo-functional theory and federal approach rather than the confederal approach. It is justified to increase the role of the political spill-over effect and the assumptions of heterodox economics. Historical experience leads to the conclusion that failure to take appropriate initiatives may trigger the disintegration mechanism and, consequently, the collapse of the European integration project.
Specialized vocabulary across languages: The case of traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Lu Cailing , Coxhead Averil
Published: March 2023

This paper reports on the creation of specialized word lists in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is a discipline using vocabulary across languages (i.e., Chinese and English) and involves learners with different L1 backgrounds. First, a TCM Word List of 2,778 specialized words was established from corpora of TCM textbooks and journal articles. Selection criteria included specialized meaning, keyness in a corpus of general written English compared to the TCM Corpora, and frequency. The resulting TCM list covered 36.65% of the TCM Corpora but had low coverage over corpora of general written English and medical English. The TCM Word List was then divided into three sub-lists based on frequency, and graded into three levels. Level 1 contains high-frequency lexical items in English (e.g., organ, coating); Level 2 contains items that are mid-, low-frequency, or beyond any frequency levels (e.g., pericarpium, metabolism); and Level 3 contains Chinese loan words (e.g., qi, yang). Last, there is an overlap of 309 word families between this list and an earlier TCM list by Hsu (2018), which excludes words from the 1st-3rd 1,000 word families in English. Suggestions for teachers and future research are provided.
Leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative for Green Investments: The Case of Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmad Zaker , Hoque Sanjana
Published: March 2023

Despite there being a well-documented need, as well as opportunity, to enhance foreign direct investment (‘FDI’) inflow to climate-friendly (‘green’) economic activities in Bangladesh, the reality portrays a stark contrast. Nowhere is it more obvious than the evolving investment relationship between China and Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Originally under the rubric of the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor, and later under the garb of the BRI, Chinese investments in Bangladesh have predominantly ended up in fossil fuel-based sectors. Even after the advent and expansion of the ‘green BRI’ initiative, reality has not changed much. This article offers an assessment of investment inflows from China to Bangladesh under the BRI umbrella against the backdrop of a growing green investment trend and the existing applicable legal framework. It finds that key legal and policy challenges that prevent leveraging of the BRI for green investment into Bangladesh include: an uncoordinated approach from the government, a disregard for the role of economic policy instruments for climate action, and politically motivated, as well as path-dependent decision-making with respect to investment promotion. This paper suggests that ambitious climate commitments combining economic policy tools, along with a more integrative and holistic domestic approach to climate action and investment promotion, can help shift the status quo.
Fabrication, property characterization, and benefit analysis of mixing mechanism of nitrogen and melt, and its comparison of the porous-foam polypropylene injection molding parts
Authors: Huang Po-Wie , Peng Hsin-Shu
Published: March 2023

In this study, an injection molding machine with a mixing mechanism of nitrogen (N2) and melt was designed, and the melt-fill/porous-foaming behavior is observed under the novel barrel design (plasticizing stage) of the gas/melt mixing for the porous injection molded thermoplastic. The thermoplastic employed in this study was polypropylene (PP), and the gas for forming the porous structure is N2. In addition, a thickness of 5 mm and a width of 10 mm paper-clip shape and the mold were constructed for studying the melt-fill-length and fill-length ratio through an experiment. The experimental results showed that the use of an injection molding machine with a mixing mechanism of N2 and melt decreased the melt-fill-length when the N2-output pressure was increased. The reason is that when the gas output, the speed of the screw will be affected. Therefore, during the gas/melt mixing and the plasticization rate will also affect the volume of the foam and the melt. But during plasticizing setting back pressure, can improve its melt volume reduction. When passing through the mixing mechanism and the injected melt, the melt is filled into the mold cavity, and the pressure in the melt is released/porous-foaming grows. At the same time, when the output pressure increases, the amount of melt in the injection barrel will decrease, and its relative porous structure/density distribution will increase. In addition, the mixing/flow direction of the melt impacted the density distribution and dispersion of porous foaming, thus the sample weight/shrinkage of melt-fill-length test sample (Mfl-ts) was improved.
Analysis of the Number of Tests, the Positivity Rate and Their Dependency Structure During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Jamshidi Babak , Bekrizadeh Hakim , Jamshidi Zargaran Shahriar , Rezaei Mansour
Published: March 2023

Recent advances in medical instruments, information technology, and unprecedented data sharing allowed scientists to investigate, trace, and monitor the COVID-19 pandemic faster than any previous outbreak. This extraordinary speed makes COVID-19 a medical revolution that causes some unprecedented analyses, discussions, and models. Modeling the dependence between the number of tests and the positivity rate is one of these new issues. Using four classes of copulas (Clayton, Frank, Gumbel, and FGM), this study is the first attempt tom model the dependency. The estimation of the parameters of the copulas is obtained using the maximum likelihood method. To evaluate the goodness of fit of the copulas, we calculate AIC. The computations are conducted on Matlab R2015b, R 4.0.3, Maple 2018a, and EasyFit 5.6. Findings indicate that at the beginning of a typical epidemic, the number of tests is relatively low and the proportion of positivity is high. As time passes, the number of tests increases, and the positivity rate decreases. The epidemic peaks are occasions that violate the stated general rule –due to the early growth of the number of tests. Also, during both peak and non-peak times, the rising number of tests is accompanied by decreasing the positivity rate. We find that the proportion of positivity is more proportional than the number of tests to the number of infected cases. Therefore, the changes in the positivity rate can be considered a representative of the level of the spreading. Approaching zero positivity rate is a good criterion to scale the success of a healthcare system in fighting against an epidemic. Accordingly, the number and accuracy of tests can play a vital role in the quality level of epidemic data.
Analysis of sperm separation protocols for isolating cryopreserved human spermatozoa
Authors: Hungerford Alena J , Bakos Hassan W , Aitken Robert J
Published: March 2023

Graphical abstract

Sperm cryopreservation is a valuable tool for the long-term preservation of male fertility. Thus, determining the optimal technique for isolating spermatozoa post-thaw is vital to ensure recovery of the highest quality spermatozoa with minimal iatrogenic damage. This not only enhances the chances of successful conception but also reduces the risk of genetic damage in the embryo. To address this issue, human semen samples were cryopreserved using a slow freezing protocol and Quinn's Advantage™ Sperm Freeze medium. The samples were subsequently thawed and subjected to three types of sperm isolation procedures: direct swim-up, density gradient centrifugation, and electrophoretic separation using the Felix™ device. Cryopreservation led to the anticipated loss of sperm motility and vitality in association with increases in lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Following sperm selection, all three isolation techniques resulted in an increase in sperm motility which was particularly evident with the swim-up and Felix™ procedures. The latter also significantly improved sperm vitality. There were no differences between sperm separation techniques with respect to morphology, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation remained essentially unchanged when cell vitality was taken into account. By contrast, major differences were observed in DNA integrity and lipid aldehyde formation, where Felix™ isolated cells exhibiting significantly less DNA damage than the other isolation procedures as well as lower levels of 4-hydroxynonenal formation. Electrophoretic sperm isolation, therefore, offers significant advantages over alternative separation strategies, in terms of the quality of the gametes isolated and the time taken to achieve the isolation.

Lay Summary

Long-term storage of sperm is vital to assisted reproductive technology because it permits the preservation of fertility that might be compromised as a result of factors such as chemotherapy or vasectomy. This goal can be achieved via cryopreservation – the freezing of cells to −196°C. When the sperm are subsequently required for conception, they must be carefully separated from the cryopreservation medium in a manner that maximizes the chances of successful conception and minimizes the risk of genetic defects in the offspring. In this paper, three isolation techniques were compared for their ability to separate ideal sperm from semen and media following cryopreservation. It was found that cryopreservation led to lower levels of motility and vitality and created higher levels of DNA and cell membrane damage. Of the three techniques compared, only cells separated on the basis of their size and electric charge (electrophoretic isolation) exhibited significantly lower levels of DNA fragmentation.
Disruption of CSF2RA in the bovine preimplantation embryo reduces development and affects embryonic gene expression in utero
Authors: Sosa Froylan , Uh Kyungjun , Drum Jéssica N , Stoecklein Katy S , Davenport Kimberly M , Sofia Ortega M , Lee Kiho , Hansen Peter J
Published: March 2023

The hypothesis that colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) plays a role in the preimplantation development of the bovine embryo was tested by evaluating consequences of inactivation of CSF2RA (the functional receptor in the embryo) for the development of embryos in utero. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to alter sequences on exon 5 and intron 5 of CSF2RA, Control embryos were injected with Cas9 mRNA only. Embryos > 16 cells at day 5 after insemination were transferred to synchronized recipient females in groups of 7–24. Embryos were flushed from the uterus 2 days later. The proportion of recovered embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage was lower for knockout embryos (39%) than for control embryos (63%). RNA sequencing of individual morulae and blastocysts indicated a total of 27 (morula) or 15 (blastocyst) differentially expressed genes (false discovery rate <0.05). Gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the knockout affected genes playing roles in several functions including cell signaling and glycosylation. It was concluded that signaling through CSF2RA is not obligatory for the development of the bovine preimplantation embryo to the blastocyst stage but that CSF2 signaling does enhance the likelihood that the embryo can become a blastocyst and result in specific changes in gene expression.

Lay summary

Development of the early embryo depends upon regulation by chemical signals produced by the uterus. One of these signals is a protein called colony-stimulating factor 2 (CSF2) that can affect the development of embryos in culture. To test whether CSF2 also regulates the embryo in the uterus, where development ordinarily occurs, we evaluated development in the uterus of embryos in which the receptor for CSF2 was disrupted. Embryos without the receptor gene were less likely to develop to the typical stage of development than control embryos and experienced some differences in the expression of specific genes. We conclude that CSF2 regulates embryonic development in the uterus.
Analysis and Suggestions on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Smart Classroom in the Application of Geography Teaching in Senior Middle School
Authors: Du Qingshan
Published: March 2023

As the information age advances, traditional classroom methods are no longer sufficient for meeting modern educational needs. Smart classroom technology has emerged as a new teaching method, particularly in high school geography, offering various advantages such as displaying content in a comprehensive way and promoting real-time interaction. However, some issues persist in the practical application of this technology. This paper analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of using smart classroom technology in geography teaching, and provides suggestions for improving its effectiveness. Advantages of smart classroom technology in geography teaching include the ability to highlight teaching focuses and overcome difficulties, increase students’ interest in learning, and improve classroom knowledge and teaching efficiency. On the other hand, drawbacks include the lack of expertise among geography teachers in utilizing smart classroom technology, reduced independence of students’ thinking due to the intelligent classroom teaching mode, over-reliance on technology which affects teaching outcomes, and information overload that can hamper students’ acceptance. To address these advantages and disadvantages, this paper offers several recommendations: improving the efficiency of resource collection and production, selecting the appropriate smart classroom mode according to actual teaching needs, striking a balance between intelligent and traditional teaching methods, and providing geography teachers with training to enhance their information technology skills.
Smart Classroom Empowering Students’ Growth and Development: A Case Study of Zhongliang Xiangyun Branch of Chengdu Longjiang Road Primary School
Authors: Huang Chengfeng
Published: March 2023

As a “key project school of smart education” in Wuhou District, Zhongliang Xiangyun Branch of Chengdu Longjiang Road Primary School actively explores smart education projects, promotes classroom teaching and learning reform, and strives to create smart classrooms with strict standards, high quality, and high efficiency under the guidance of the Wuhou “National Smart Education Demonstration Zone”. The school focuses on student-centered learning and improving core literacy, while combining the concept of the new national curriculum standards and the requirements of digital education transformation to develop a new smart classroom teaching model that advocates student autonomy, situational teaching, and cooperative learning. The school has also provided in-depth teacher training and promoted the construction of an AI teaching analysis system platform to support smart classroom teaching and research. The school is committed to continuously improving the evaluation mechanism of smart classroom teaching, ensuring the high-level implementation and high-quality development of classroom teaching, and ultimately achieving the all-round development of students and creating a new pattern of smart classrooms.
Comparative evaluation of dental caries experience using CAST index and WHO criteria among 5 and 15-year-old schoolchildren
Authors: E Saira Siraj , Sagarkar Anitha R , Pushpanjali K
Published: March 2023

Background. CAST (Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment) index is a relatively new caries assessment tool that hierarchically describes the entire caries spectrum. Its comparability with WHO (World Health Organization) criteria in different populations and age groups needs to be investigated.
Objective. The objective of this study was to assess caries among 5 and 15-year-old schoolchildren using the CAST index and WHO criteria and to compare both indices on the basis of caries experience and examination time.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 553 schoolchildren aged 5 and 15 years in the North zone of Bengaluru city, India. Examiners underwent training and calibration for performing the CAST index. The first examination was performed using the CAST index followed by a second examination using the WHO criteria 2013, after some days. Time taken for examination was also recorded.
Results. The study sample consisted of 279 five-year-old and 274 fifteen-year-old schoolchildren. The difference in caries experience among 5 and 15-year-old children assessed using the CAST index (52%, 45.6%) and WHO criteria (42.3%, 24.5%) were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The average examination time was longer for the CAST index (93.77±24.77 seconds and 105.04±9.49 seconds) when compared to WHO criteria (61.05±15.91 seconds and 58.72±9.42 seconds) for primary and permanent dentition (p < 0.05).
Conclusion. Though the CAST index took a longer examination time, the information obtained was more precise and facilitated researchers in treatment planning encompassing prevention of initial lesions, restoration, and rehabilitation.
Fluorinated NH-iminophosphonates in synthesis of biorelevant α-aminophosphonic acids derivatives
Authors: Rassukana Yulia , Yelenich Ivanna , Onysʹko Petro
Published: March 2023

Reactions of (poly)fluoroalkylated NH-iminophosphonates with nitromethane, trimethylsilylcyanide, and diphenylphosphine oxide lead to respective fluorinated β-nitro-α-aminophosphonates, α-cyano-α-aminophosphonates, and heminal bisphosphonates. Reaction with 3-aminocrotonitrile 5 proceds at the β-position of enamine. In the case of α-imino chlorodifluoroethylphosphonate 1c the reaction is accompanied by an unusual nucleophilic substitution of the chlorine atom in CF2Cl group with the formation of pyrroline bearing a difluoromethylated aminophosphonate moiety
Metamodel simulation for designing monopole telecommunication antenna support structures
Authors: Sánchez-Guerrero Johnny Homero , Lagos-Zamora Christian David , Peña-Jordán Francisco Agustín , Arroba-Arroba Cesar Hernán
Published: March 2023

Finite element analysis is used to estimate the displacements and forces present in each element of a structure. This type of analysis is time consuming in pre-processing, processing, and post-processing. It also incurs considerable computational costs. A simplified methodology is therefore required to reduce design time considerably. The research involved the development and application of an experimental methodology and a simulation, using Ansys Research software’s LS-DYNA module, in which loads are applied in accordance with the ANSI/TIA 222-G standard used in the telecommunications industry. The matrix method was applied, obtaining results for nodal displacement that were compared with the results of physical tests and a metamodel, showing a variation range of 8.44%. In addition, it was shown that a metamodel can be used during the pre-design stage, significantly reducing the time required for analysis.
Mercantilização do ensino superior
Authors: De Cássia Pereira Farias Rita , De Jesus Souza Lídia , Aparecida da Silva Elisângela
Published: March 2023

O artigo analisa as páginas dos sites de sete instituições brasileiras que oferecem cursos de Serviço Social a distância e que são acessíveis à população de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os dados revelam que as principais estratégias de promoção dos cursos centram-se em aspectos econômicos como valor da mensalidade, oportunidades de bolsas de estudo e oferecimento de descontos. O pouco espaço para apresentação do currículo e da formação profi ssional sinaliza um distanciamento do projeto ético-político do Serviço Social brasileiro, comprometido com uma educação laica, gratuita, crítica e de qualidade.
Toward a (More) Inclusive FORB
Authors: Maarif Samsul , Asfinawati
Published: March 2023

Freedom of religion or belief (FORB) is supposedly universal, but religion has been predominantly defined as prototyping and privileging the so-called “world religions.” As a consequence, the religions of indigenous people have been treated as culture and as such excluded from FORB discourse. Drawing on the Indonesian context, this paper shows a new potential framework for a more inclusive FORB. It examines two decisions by the Indonesian Constitutional Court that dismantled the politics of “official” religions and expanded the notion of FORB, hence it fosters a more inclusive FORB. This article examines the commonly conceptualized anthropocentric human rights/FORB and compares it with the ecocentric paradigm of indigenous religions. It concludes that kepercayaan, as the constitutional term for indigenous religions, should be advocated to accommodate the ecocentric paradigm. In this way, the Indonesian understanding and practice of FORB may contribute to the global discourse of FORB and indigenous religions.
Dynamic response of arbitrary double-curved shells by meridian curve digitalization
Authors: Bich Nguyen Dang , Tung Nguyen Hoang , Tung Le Xuan
Published: March 2023

For the resulting equation of double-curved shells, which is formed by revolution of an arbitrary in-plane meridian curve and cannot be represented analytically, there exists no analytical approach to problem setting and solution. This paper presents the digitalization of the meridian curve in the polar coordinate system, which forms double number series. The double number series then can be approximated by an interpolation function so that calculations can be performed in a similar methodology for an explicit function. Digitalization enables the input parameters in the form of interpolation functions. Procedures for the proposed selection of solution forms, formation of the kinetic equation, and computation of coefficients for the kinetic equation from on the interpolation and explicit functions are presented in the paper. The final solution is obtained by using the program Mathematica 7.0 to solve the system of nonlinear differential equations. Assessment of the dynamic response of the double-curved shell, especially responses with chaotic motion, is also presented in the paper.