bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu Olan Çocuklarda Beslenme Durumunun Belirlenmesi
Authors: KAYNAR Ayşe Nur , ÖNGÜN YILMAZ Hande
Published: June 2020

Otizm Spektrum Bozukluğu (OSB), sosyal,
iletişim, davranış ve bilişsel becerilerinde sorunlar ile erken çocukluk
döneminde ortaya çıkan ve genelde etkilerini yaşam boyu sürdüren, nedeni ve
tedavisi halen bilinmeyen nörogelişimsel bir bozukluktur. Bu araştırmada amaç
otizmli çocukların beslenme durumlarını, alışkanlıklarını ve yeme problemlerini
belirlemektir. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tipte yapılan bu araştırma, Bağcılar
Lokman Hekim Özel Eğitim ve Uygulama Merkezi’nde eğitim gören, 7-14 yaş arası,
10 kız 48 erkek, toplam 58 çocuk ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada çocuk ve
aileye ilişkin genel bilgiler, üç günlük besin tüketim kaydı ve besin tüketim
sıklığı anketleri uygulanmıştır. Veriler değerlendirildiğinde, çocuklarda
sindirim sistemi problemlerinden kabızlık ile şişkinlik ve gaz problemlerinin
sık görüldüğü, yeni yiyecek denemeyi reddetmenin de yaygın olduğu görülmüştür.
Ayrıca otizmi olan çocukların yiyecekleri renk, tat ve koku özelliklerine göre
de tercih ettiği belirlenmiştir. BKİ (Beden Kitle İndeksi) ile yiyecekleri
renk, tat, koku özelliklerine göre tercih etme ve BKİ ile yeni yiyecek denemeyi
reddetme arasında anlamlı ilişki olduğu bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Besin tüketim
sıklığı incelendiğinde süt, kefir, balık, yeşil yapraklı sebzeler, kuru
meyveler ve tam tahıllı ekmek gibi besinlerin hiç tüketilmediği görülmüştür. Üç
günlük besin tüketim kayıtlarına göre günlük protein alımının fazla olduğu,
posa, vitamin B1, B6, folat, kalsiyum ve potasyum alımlarının yetersiz olduğu
görülmüştür. Bu çalışmanın sonucuna göre risk altında olan otizmli çocukların
beslenme durumları ile beslenme alışkanlıkları takip edilmeli, yaygın görülen
gastrointestinal sorunlar tedavi edilmeli, vitamin ve mineral yetersizlikleri
önlenmeli ve takıntılı yeme davranışları için çözüm yolları üretilmelidir.
Ergenlerde Çevresel Risk Algısının Belirlenmesi
Authors: TÜMER Adile , SÜMEN Adem
Published: June 2020

Araştırma ergenlerin çevresel risk algısını
ve bazı değişkenlerle ilişkisini incelenmek amacıyla yapılmıştır.Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tipte tasarlanan
bu araştırma 2015 yılında Muğla’da iki farklı lisede yapılmıştır (N=525).
Örnekleme yöntemine gidilmemiş, çalışmaya katılmayı kabul eden ve yazılı izin
alınan 473 öğrenciden veri toplanmıştır. Veri toplama aracı olarak,
“Tanımlayıcı özellikler soru formu” ve “Çevresel Risk Algısı Ölçeği”
kullanılmıştır. Verilerin değerlendirmesi SPSS 20,0 paket programında,
tanımlayıcı istatistikler, bağımsız guruplarda t testi ve tek yönlü varyans
analizi ile yapılmıştır. Araştırma için ölçek kullanım izni, etik kurul izni,
araştırmanın yapıldığı kurumdan ve öğrencilerden yazılı izin alınmıştır.Araştırma kapsamına alınan öğrencilerin
yaş ortalaması 16,22±1,07 ve %70,2’si kız öğrencidir. Öğrencilerin %74,8’inin
ailesinde çevre konusunun konuşulduğu, %72,7’sinin konuyu ilgi çekici bulduğu
ve %50,3’ünün derslerde çevre konusunun işlendiğini ifade ettiği
belirlenmiştir. Araştırmada öğrencilerin Çevresel Risk Algısı Ölçeği puan
ortalamasının 5,75±1,23 olduğu saptanmıştır. Sınıf düzeyi, gelir durumu, çevre
konusunun ilgisini çekmesi, ailede çevre konusunun konuşulması ve lisedeki
derslerde işleniyor olması gibi bağımsız değişkenlere göre çevresel risk algısı
puan ortalamasında anlamlı fark belirlenmiştir (p<0,05).  

Öğrencilerin çevresel risk algısının iyi
düzeyde olduğu; ailede ve okulda çevre konusunun ele alınıyor olmasının bu
algıyı daha da güçlendirdiği söylenebilir. Tüm okul müfredatlarında çevre
sağlığı derslerinin olması ve yaygınlaştırılmasının, konuyla ilgili
farkındalığı artıracağı, dolayısıyla toplum sağlığına katkı sağlayacağı
düşünülmektedir.
El Sistema Nacional e-México
Authors: Islas Carmona Octavio
Published: June 2020

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FORECASTING BANKS RETURN ON EQUITY USING LEADING ECONOMIC INDICATORS
Authors: Jurevičienė Daiva , Rauličkis Darius
Published: June 2020

The research examines an approach to forecast return on equity using leading economic
indicators for short periods in banks. ROE is one of the most important ratios for performance measurement.
Its adequacy is necessary for competitiveness, attract funding in financial markets, accumulate reserve for
future turbulences, secure compliance with supervisory requirements and maintain positive signals for the market.
There is still a debate in the literature on factors of commercial banks’ profitability forecasting, techniques,
and most appropriate models to improve the correctness of predicting and acquiring more accurate signals for
communication on targets. The problems are still relevant from both a theoretical perspective and practical
implementation. This research aims to prove the necessity to include leading economic indicators for short
term ROE forecasting. It conducts investigations for the relevant studies, using regression analysis, necessary
tests, ascertains opportunities and limitations of using these indicators and develops a conceptual model and
its assessment major Baltic banks. The results show verification of approach to forecast ROE using leading economic
indicators for short periods. Such study complements signalling theory with a new approach, how to predict and
acquire signal not only using economic indicators as a general group but sub-group them into coinciding,
lagging and leading.
The Role of the Immune Response in Chronic Marginal and Apical Periodontitis
Authors: Karteva Teodora , Manchorova-Veleva Neshka
Published: June 2020

The immune response is a complex, dynamic and strongly individual biologic network that plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of chronic apical and marginal periodontitis. Recent research in the field of periodontology has indicated that the major determinant of susceptibility to disease is the nature of the immunoinflammatory response as marginal periodontal tissue damage is thought to be primarily mediated by the host reaction. Whether the same rules apply for the development of apical periodontitis, however, remains largely unexplored. This review aims to draw parallels between the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis of endodontic and marginal origin, outline the evidence for the destructive role of immune response in chronic marginal periodontitis and raise questions about its role in chronic apical periodontitis. It would be worthy to further explore the impact of the immune system on the characteristics and progress of these diseases and transfer some of the scientific models from the field of periodontology to the field of endodontics. Research in this area could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of apical and marginal periodontitis and lay the foundation of new personalized treatment strategies. 
Retreatability of Bioceramic Endodontic Sealers: a Review
Authors: Zhekov Kostadin I. , Stefanova Vessela P.
Published: June 2020

In 2009 a new type of endodontic sealers was introduced to the market. The so called “bioceramic” sealers are a promising alternative to the present golden standard of root canal fillings. Now a decade later, still very little is known about the ability to remove these sealers in cases of non-surgical endodontic retreatment (NSER). There are only a limited number of articles that provide such information. The commonly used hand files are not efficient in removing thoroughly the sealer from the main canal walls. Machine driven files are much easier and faster alternative to the hand ones, but are still not able to ensure complete removal. Although ultrasonics can be applied only in the straight portion of the main canal, they raise the efficacy of sealer removal. Photon-initiated photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) is another way to enhance the removal of bioceramics. Solvents like chloroform and orange oil are effective in softening gutta-percha, but not the bioceramics. This article reviews the available scientific data concerning removal of bioceramic materials in the context of a NSER. 
Presence of IL-8 Gene Polymorphism and IL-8 Serum Levels in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis - Literature Review
Authors: Mlachkova Antoaneta , Popova Christina , Doseva Velichka
Published: June 2020

Multifactorial nature of chronic periodontitis is well known. The data indicate that the bacteria of subgingival biofilm (with their presence at high levels, too), as well as the immune response of the organism, genetic components and environmental factors play a significant role in the development of periodontal destructive disease. On the one hand the strong relationship between microorganisms from the “red complex” has been proved. On the other hand the initiation and progression of chronic periodontitis has been verified, as well. The presence of bacterial metabolic products and other substances (lipopolysaccharides, enzymes and toxins) results in increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and release of active agents leading to the development of a local tissue lesion. Thus, the negative (destructive) side of the immune response is expressed and associated with the immunopathological nature of periodontitis. Literary data testify the importance of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in regulating the inflammatory response to bacterial infection and suggest its association with susceptibility to periodontitis.
Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type 2 and Pregnancy
Authors: Yanachkova Vesselina , Chaveeva Petya , Staynova Radiana , Milcheva Ralitsa
Published: June 2020

Autoimmune polyglandular syndromes are combinations of various endocrine and nonendocrine autoimmune diseases, as well as the presence of elevated organ-specific antibody titers. We present a clinical case of a 41-year-old pregnant patient with type 2 autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, combining Addison’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypogonadism. The pregnancy was achieved after the use of assisted reproductive technology. During the pregnancy the patient was strictly monitored. Glucocorticoid and mineralocor­ticoid replacement therapy was adjusted according to the electrolyte profile and general condition of the patient. Management during pregnancy was difficult due to fluctuations in electrolyte levels, thyroid hormones and orthostatic manifestations. Prior to delivery adrenal crisis occurred, but the condition was successfully managed. No complications were reported for the mother and the newborn.
Bernhard Seifert, The Ants of Central and North Europe Book review
Authors: Tăușan Ioan
Published: June 2020

Review of "The ants of Central and North Europ" by Bernhard Seifert
The usefulness of trabecular bone score in patients with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Nam Seoung Wan , Sung Yoon-Kyoung , Kim Dam , Cho Soo-Kyung , Song Yoonah , Choi Yun Young , Sim Yongjin , Kim Tae-Hwan
Published: June 2020

Backgrounds/Aims: This study was performed to reveal the usefulness of the trabecular bone score (TBS) in assessing bone strength in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in comparison with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) methods.Methods: A total of 215 AS patients (75.8% male) were enrolled from a single university hospital in Korea. Demographic and clinical information were assessed. Patients completed X-rays of the cervical and lumbar spine (L-spine), and spinal ankyloses were quantified using the modified Stoke AS Spine Score (mSASSS). Hip, anteroposterior and lateral L-spine bone mineral density (BMD) and TBS were assessed by DXA methods. Clinical characteristics and bone strength measurement results were compared between male and female AS patients. The accuracy of each bone strength evaluation method in predicting Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) scores indicating moderate or higher fracture risk was compared by receiver operating characteristic curves in patients aged ≥ 40 years. Correlations between each bone strength measurement method and mSASSS were examined.Results: Male patients showed higher mSASSS and less prevalent peripheral joint involvement compared to female patients (p < 0.05). TBS, hip BMD, and L-spine lateral BMD showed comparably high areas under the curve (AUCs) for predicting FRAX-major osteoporotic fractures (MOF) ≥ 10% (AUC ranged 0.72 to 0.76). TBS negatively correlated with mSASSS in both male and female patients (p < 0.01).Conclusions: TBS could predict the risk of MOF and is not influenced by spinal osteoproliferation in AS patients, even in those with advanced spinal changes.
« Faire peuple » aux États-Unis : réflexions sur l’histoire populaire de Howard Zinn
Authors: Ivol Ambre
Published: June 2020

Cet article étudie l’ouvrage le plus célèbre de l’historien américain Howard Zinn, intitulé Une Histoire populaire des États-Unis. De 1492 à nos jours , sous l’angle de la méthodologie adoptée et des intentions d’écriture de l’auteur. Deux citations organisent le propos afin de déterminer, d’une part, les héritages intellectuels explicites de l’œuvre ; d’autre part, les sources d’inspiration implicites qui donnent corps au propos. Le but de l’essai consiste à préciser le projet méthodologique de ce récit célèbre et controversé en suggérant que la catégorie d’histoire « par en bas » ne permet pas à elle seule de rendre compte de l’approche de cet historien ouvertement militant. Plus qu’un récit à rebours des narrations classiques présentées dans les manuels scolaires, il s’agit en fait d’un projet singulier visant à traquer un peuple en puissance, qui se manifeste, de façon dynamique, à l’occasion de mobilisations sociales d’ampleur variables, sur le temps long de l’histoire du pays.
Vingt millions de Français et Louis XIV
Authors: Croix Alain
Published: June 2020

Cet article propose une définition de « l’histoire populaire », en évoquant sa filiation intellectuelle, ses risques, ses apports, et les questions méthodologiques qu’elle pose, notamment en matière de sources, d’espace traité et de chronologie. Cette « histoire du peuple » manifeste le retour de la question sociale en histoire, et illustre la responsabilité sociale de l’historien.
Revue de la littérature sur les interventions en milieu scolaire concernant la vaccination anti-HPV
Authors: Bruel Sébastien , Cochard Julie , Espinouse Sandrine , Frappé Paul
Published: June 2020

Introduction : L’infection à papillomavirus humains (HPV) est l’infection sexuellement transmissible la plus fréquente. Elle est associée au cancer du col de l’utérus et à plusieurs autres cancers. Même si le vaccin anti-HPV présente une efficacité notable et une tolérance jugée excellente, les taux de couverture vaccinale sont variables à travers le monde et très bas en France. But de l’étude : Une revue de la littérature portant sur les cinq dernières années a été réalisée en novembre 2017 dans les bases de données MEDLINE et Banque de données de santé publique. Seize études traitant des interventions réalisées en milieu scolaire concernant la vaccination anti-HPV chez les jeunes filles de 11 à 19 ans ont été sélectionnées et analysées. Résultats : La moitié des études concernait les jeunes filles mineures en collège et lycée ou leurs parents et l’autre moitié, des étudiantes majeures. L’éducation par une information écrite, une présentation ou une discussion augmentait la connaissance au sujet de l’infection à HPV et de sa prévention vaccinale, même à moyen terme. Les interventions qui avaient le meilleur impact étaient celles qui utilisaient la personnalisation du message, la combinaison des informations ou des sources et la mise en place de questionnaires pré intervention. La connaissance n’était pas toujours corrélée avec la vaccination effective. Conclusions : Les interventions éducatives augmentent la connaissance sur le HPV ainsi que l’intention vaccinale mais pas la vaccination. Des études supplémentaires semblent nécessaires pour appréhender le fossé entre le niveau de connaissance et son impact sur la couverture vaccinale.
Consommation de soins dentaires préventifs en région Centre-Val de Loire : une étude rétrospective
Authors: Denis Frédéric , de Fontagalland Charlotte , Meymandi-Nejad Bruno , Amador Gilles , Brochen Zéphyrine , Tubert-Jeannin Stéphanie , Rusch Emmanuel
Published: June 2020

Contexte : La démographie des chirurgiens-dentistes en région Centre-Val de Loire est très inférieure à la moyenne nationale et est marquée par de nombreuses inégalités territoriales de santé. Le but de cette étude est de préciser les habitudes de consommation de soins dentaires dans cette région sur la base d’un acte, le détartrage (HBJD001) qui permet une élimination mécanique du tartre afin de prévenir l’apparition de maladies parodontales. Méthode : Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective réalisée à partir de données issues de plusieurs bases du Système national d’information inter régimes de l’assurance maladie de l’année 2016, effectuée par l’Institut statistique des professionnels de santé libéraux. Résultats : On observe un sous-recours aux détartrages par rapport à la France métropolitaine avec certains territoires qui cumulent des difficultés d’offre de soins et un recours aux détartrages inférieur à la moyenne régionale. Bien que l’offre de soins soit inégalement répartie, elle influe peu sur le volume d’actes consommés par patient, notamment sur le recours aux détartrages. À l’inverse, les indicateurs de richesse ou de pauvreté impactent la consommation de l’acte HBJD001. Conclusion : Cette étude suggère que la consommation de détartrages est indépendante de l’offre de soins, mais liée au gradient social de la population. Elle pointe également le déficit de la consommation de cet acte en regard de celle observée en France métropolitaine. Le rôle potentiel de l’acte HBJD001 comme marqueur d’un parcours de soins préventifs ainsi que la nécessité d’un ajustement du zonage déterminé par l’ARS sont mis en avant.
Análisis de los patrones espacio-temporales de eventos a partir de datos de Twitter: el caso de la World Pride 2017 en Madrid
Authors: Osorio Arjona Joaquín
Published: June 2020

Este trabajo analiza los patrones espaciotemporales de un macroevento en una ciudad a partir de nuevas fuentes de datos, partiendo como hipótesis que las multitudes registran una alta actividad en las redes sociales durante los programas del evento. Identificando usuarios que han publicado tweets geolocalizados en el centro de Madrid durante la World Pride 2017, se puede localizar su procedencia, y evaluar el impacto del evento a nivel espaciotemporal a partir de la comparación con los resul­tados observados durante una semana habitual. Los resultados obtenidos muestran un crecimiento del número de usuarios ex­tranjeros y un fuerte aumento de la actividad en las principales zonas del evento mientras que la actividad de las zonas más alejadas disminuye.
Anomaly Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Proposed Framework
Authors: Ibrahim Dina M. , Alruhaily Nada M.
Published: June 2020

With the rise of IOT devices and the systems connected to the internet, there was, accordingly, an ever-increasing number of network attacks (e.g. in DOS, DDOS attacks). A very significant research problem related to identifying Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) attacks and the analysis of the sensor data is the detection of the relevant anomalies. In this paper, we propose a framework for intrusion detection system in WSN. The first two levels are located inside the WSN, one of them is between sensor nodes and the second is between the cluster heads. While the third level located on the cloud, and represented by the base stations. In the first level, which we called light mode, we simulated an intrusion traffic by generating data packets based on TCPDUMP data, which contain intrusion packets, our work, is done by using WSN technology. We used OPNET simulation for generating the traffic because it allows us to collect intrusion detection data in order to measure the network performance and efficiency of the simulated network scenarios. Finally, we report the experimental results by mimicking a Denial-of-Service (DOS) attack.  
Modelling Traffic on Road Junctions on Parallel Computing Systems Using Cellular Automata Approach
Authors: Chechina Antonina Aleksandrovna , Churbanova Natalia Gennadievna , Trapeznikova Marina Aleksandrovna
Published: June 2020

The paper deals with traffic flow modelling and simulation on supercomputer systems. The created mathematical model is based on cellular automata (CA) approach and allows to depict multilane traffic on various complex road configurations. The numerical algorithms for the model are designed for supercomputer calculations.
The main focus of this research is the validation of the created models and the comparison with results obtained by other researchers, as well as with experimental data. Several test problems were solved to carry out the comparison. The results obtained show that the model represents traffic flow characteristics efficiently and correctly and can be used for real-life traffic predictions.
Aerial Mechatronic Systems for Collection of Atmospheric and Environmental Data
Authors: Pop S. , Ceocea C. , Cioacă C. , Prisacariu V. , Boșcoianu M. , Vlădareanu V. , Vladareanu L.
Published: June 2020

Currently, atmospheric and environmental monitoring also requires approaches based on robotic aerial mechatronic systems that can offer the advantages of onboard intelligent sensors. The accelerated dynamics of climate change generate risks that can be prevented by the acquisition, storage, transmission and processing of data taken under static, quasi-statistical and kinetic conditions at lower costs compared to piloted aircraft. The article presents an approach on atmospheric and environmental monitoring using a robotic aerial mechatronic system based on an airship UAV and a classic airborne UAV, launched using a ground-based launch device.
Spatial Analysis of Potential Nesting Habitat for Florida Sandhill Cranes
Authors: Downs Joni , Buck Courtney , Qarah Faisal , Hu Yujie
Published: June 2020

The Florida sandhill crane Antigone canadensis pratensis is designated as threatened by the state of Florida, where there is an urgent need to map and quantify available habitat. First, we used habitat suitability index (HSI) modelling to map and assess potential nesting habitat for sandhill cranes in Florida. Second, we used spatial optimization approaches to calculate the maximum number of breeding pairs that can simultaneously occupy potential nests given that they both must be of some minimum quality and must be spaced some minimal distance apart. Mapping results reveal that nesting habitat is concentrated in the central portion of the state, with adequate brooding habitat appearing to be the most limiting factor affecting habitat suitability. Assuming nesting only occurs in habitat rated as high quality (HSI ≥ 0.7) and spacing between adjacent nests is ≥1,000 m, we conservatively estimate that 5,540 nesting pairs of Florida sandhill cranes can potentially be supported. Additional nesting pairs may be supported in habitats of marginal (HSI ≥ 0.3; 14,530) to moderate (HSI ≥ 0.5; 8,723) quality. The suitability maps and breeding pair estimates can be used to identify important habitat areas to focus crane conservation efforts, determine potentially limiting habitat features across the landscape, and potentially guide future population monitoring efforts. For example, grassland or prairie restoration could be used to potentially increase nesting pairs in the southern portion of the state where emergent wetlands are abundant but brooding habitat is lacking.
Use of Predator-Deterrent Fences to Increase Attwater's Prairie-Chicken Nest Success
Authors: Morrow Michael E. , Toepfer John E.
Published: June 2020

We retrospectively evaluated 20 y of using predator-deterrent fences to mitigate unusually high nest predation for the critically endangered Attwater's prairie-chicken Tympanuchus cupido attwateri at the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge. Refuge staff constructed fences of 0.9-m-high, 0.32–0.64-cm mesh hardware cloth, with 15.2-m-long sides, and staked at the bottom to discourage predators from going under the fence. Workers placed fences around nests at a mean of 3.2 d of incubation. Eighty-two percent of fenced nests were successful vs. 12% for unfenced nests. Daily survival rate increased from 0.9159 for unfenced nests in 1997–2011 to 0.9916 for fenced nests during 2000–2019. Fencing did not increase abandonment or reduce the proportion of eggs that hatched in successful nests. After 2012, we reduced fence sides from 15.2 m to 7.6 m in length. Larger and smaller fences were equally effective with respect to daily survival rate and proportion of abandoned nests. The median proportion of eggs that hatched from successful nests was 6% higher for larger fences vs. smaller fences, but this difference was not statistically significant. Predator-deterrent fences substantially increased Attwater's prairie-chicken nesting success in this study, and may represent a viable management strategy for increasing nesting success for other populations of ground-nesting birds with high conservation value.
Modelling and Simulation of a Natural Gas Liquid Fractionation System Using Aspen HYSYS
Authors: Owolabi John Olusoji , Kila Olatokunbo Olatunbosun , Giwa Abdulwahab
Published: June 2020

The global use of natural gas is growing quickly, and this is attributed primarily to its environmental advantage over fossil fuels such as crude oil and coal. This natural gas is usually flared in refineries because extra charges would be incurred in collecting and processing it. A country flares about 800 million standard cubic feet (Mmscf) of gas per day, from approximately 144 gas flare points across the nation, losing a huge amount of money per annum. A liquefied natural gas plant has converted about 5.58 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of associated gas to exports as liquefied natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), thus helping to reduce gas flaring from upstream companies. Natural gas liquids (NGLs) are major contributors to this economic benefit through petrochemical feedstock for industrial purposes, fuel for residential, commercial and agricultural applications, in addition to using other products as propellant, refrigerant and gasoline blending. To contribute to the technology of natural gas liquid system, in this work, a fractionation system has been modelled and simulated using Aspen HYSYS to determine the status of processes involved and the compositions of the NGLs. The results obtained revealed that each of methane, ethane, propane,iso-butane andn-butane could be successfully separated with high purity from natural gas feed stream. Also, it was observed from the validation carried out on the developed model of the system, which was ascertained by its operations that were in line with the theoretical principles of separation involved in the plant, that it can be used for further analyses of the system.
Study of the Potential of Sodium Carbonate Extracted from Trona as a Drilling Fluid Additive
Authors: Nzerem Petrus , Adejoh Enyo June , Ogolo Oghenerume , Okafor Ikechukwu , Gimba Abdullahi Suleiman Bah , Choir Ternenge Joseph , Ogbeiwi Precious
Published: June 2020

Drilling additives play a unique role during drilling operations, from aiding in the control of various drilling challenges to successfully enhancing downhole drilling efficiency. pH enhancers are amongst the plethora of additives imported into Nigeria at exorbitant prices to aid in drilling operations. These additives includes NaOH, Na2CO3, Ca (OH)2 etc. These additives are used to improve the mud pH and mitigates drill string corrosion. The high cost of importation of these additives, has warranted the need for product substitution which should take advantage of the locally available resources. This paper evaluated the suitability of locally-sourced Trona, as a mud additive in drilling mud. Trona is known chemically as Sodium Sesquicarbonate or Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate. A distinguishing factor in this research work was the purification of Trona by extracting the compound of interest (Na2CO3) from it using the monohydrate process. The purification method involved crushing and screening of Trona as well as calcination, filtration and evaporation processes. The analysis of the Trona and the extracted product was performed using quantitative analysis and characterization tools such as FTIR and EDX. Further experimentation was carried out to evaluate the effects of the extracted sodium carbonate on the mud pH, rheology, and density of the water-based mud. The results were also compared to the results gotten from the addition of conventional Na2CO to similar mud samples. The extracted Na2CO was observed to increase the pH of the mud samples from 8.73 to 9.52 and the commercial Na2CO increased it from 8.73 to 10 and this value is still in the range of API standard. The pH enhancers from both sources also had effect on the mud rheological properties. This indeed showed that the extracted Na2CO from Trona acted as drilling fluid pH enhancer and hence possess the potential for usage in the industry.
Modelling IR Spectra of Sulfonated Polyether Ether Ketone (SPEEK) Membranes for Fuel Cells
Authors: Vaivars Guntars , Krūkle-Bērziņa Kristīne , Markus Madara
Published: June 2020

SPEEK (sulfonated polyether ether ketone) membranes have been prepared and characterized. The SPEEK membrane geometry and theoretical vibration spectra calculated using density functional theory (DFT) as depending from membrane chain length and polymer cross-linking. Analyzed the limitations of the method by comparing theoretical and experimental IR spectra.
Changes in the Biochemical Composition of Tomato Fruit under the Influence of Illumination Quality
Authors: Erdberga Ieva , Alsina Ina , Dubova Laila , Dūma Māra , Sergejeva Daiga , Augšpole Ingrīda , Avotiņš Ansis
Published: June 2020

Tomatoes are one of the most consumed vegetables in the world. Unfortunately, obtaining a high quality tomato yield in our latitudes is inconceivable without additional lighting. Changes in biochemical composition are mainly dependent on the light received by the plant. During the winter months, natural daylight at 55 ° latitude is insufficient to provide the necessary vegetation for fruit-bearing vegetables. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in the biochemical composition of tomato fruits by using less conventional lighting methods, which could offer potential energy savings by providing higher levels of biologically active substances in tomatoes. The study was conducted in a greenhouse of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies during the winter season 2018-2019, using a 16-hour photoperiod. LED, Induction, and High Pressure Sodium Lamps (as control) were used in the study. These lighting devices, with some differences, simulate daylight. Three tomato cultivars: ‘Diamont F1’, Encor F1’and ‘Balzano F1’were studied. The study specified the tomato yield and the following biochemical parameters: soluble sugars (BRIX), vitamin C, organic acids, lycopene, carotenoids, phenols and flavonoids. As expected, the yield and species-specific pigment content of tomato fruit is largely dependent on the genetics of the variety. On the other hand, biologically active compounds such as organic acids, soluble sugars, ascorbic acid and flavonoids undergo more changes due to the composition of the light. The obtained biochemical parameters give an opportunity to consider different illumination methods and the need to carry out further studies in order to confirm the conclusions. Significantly higher yields were observed in the variant with conventionally used high pressure sodium lamps. In mean time, it should be noted that in the variant with LED lamps, higher content of lycopene as well as phenols and vitamin C were observed.
Computational Study of Association of Dihydroxybenzoic Acids in Solution: Testing the Molecular Self-Association Computational Methodology for Formation of Binary Systems
Authors: Trimdale Aija , Bērziņš Agris
Published: June 2020

Already validated methodology for self-association in solutions were used to evaluate if this method could also be used in other studies regarding association in solution. Three isomeric dihydroxybenzoic acids were used to calculate Gibbs free energies of association for homodimers, heterotetramers and associates with solvent molecules by using DFT calculations in multiple environments and having different conformations.
Hyaluronic Acid/Polylysine Composites for Local Drug Delivery: A Review
Authors: Tračuma Elīza , Loca Dagnija
Published: June 2020

Site specific drug delivery systems (DDS) are usually developed to overcome the side effects of conventional ones (e.g. injections or oral ingestions), creating smart drug delivery vehicles characterized with greater efficiency, safety, predictable therapeutic response as well as controlled and prolonged drug release periods. DDS made of hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) are promising candidates in the field of local drug delivery due to their high biocompatibility. Moreover, electrostatic attractions between negatively charged HA and positively charged PLL can be used to fabricate multilayer films, bilayer films and hydrogels, avoiding the application of toxic crosslinking agents. In this review, we report the preparation of HA/PLL composites exploiting their intrinsic properties, as well as developed composite application possibilities as controlled drug delivery systems in bone tissue, central nervous system and gene engineering.
Novel Hydrogels and Composite Hydrogels Based on ԑ-Polylysine, Hyaluronic Acid and Hydroxyapatite
Authors: Ščeglovs Artemijs , Salma-Ancane Kristine
Published: June 2020

At this work hydrogel and composite hydrogel systems based on ԑ-polylysine (EPL), hyaluronic acid (HA) and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nHAp) were synthesized via chemical cross-linking method followed by in situ precipitation of nHAp into hydrogel copolymer matrix. Molecular structure, phase composition and morphology of EPL-HA and EPL-HA/nHAp systems were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fabricated hydrogels and composite hydrogels were evaluated by hydrogels characteristics such as gel fraction and swelling behavior. This study provides a new insight to develop cutting-edge bioactive hydrogels and composite hydrogels for bone tissue engineering as injectable biomaterials due to beneficial properties of system components.
Changes in Composition of Birch Outer Bark Extractives After Recrystallization with C2-C5 Alkanols
Authors: Makars Raimonds , Paze Aigars , Rizikovs Janis , Berzins Rudolfs , Godiņa Daniela , Puke Maris , Stankus Kristaps , Virsis Inguss
Published: June 2020

The effects on birch outer bark (BOB) ethanolic extractives’ chemical composition after recrystallization with C2–C5 alkanols were studied in this paper. Ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and 1-pentanol were used as solvents. The solubility of BOB extractives at the solvents boiling point was determined empirically. It was found that, with an increase of the boiling point of the solvents, the solubility of the extractives increased, reaching up to 486 g/L in 1pentanol at 142.2 °C. Recrystallization yields reached up to 67 wt% using 2-butanol and the purity of betulin up to 96 wt% using 2‐propanol as a solvent. Considering the yield of recrystallization, betulin content, boiling point of the solvent, solvent loss, toxicity and eco-friendliness of the solvent, ethanol was chosen to be the most suitable solvent for industrial scale purification of betulin in the BOB extractives. Using only one recrystallization step the content of betulin was increased by 20% — from 75 to 95 wt% and the yield of recrystallization was 32.1 g per liter of solvent.
Theoretical evaluation of Cox’s interaction model of client health behavior for health promotion in adult
women
Authors: Kim Youlim , Lee Hyeonkyeong , Ryu Gi Wook
Published: June 2020

Purpose: This literature review aimed to evaluate Cox’s interaction model of client health behavior (IMCHB) as used in studies on women’s health. Methods: Using keyword combinations of “women” and “IMCHB” or “interaction model of client health behavior,” we searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and RISS databases for studies on the promotion of women’s health published from January 2009 to April 2019. Finally, 11 studies were selected and evaluated according to seven criteria for theory evaluation, which combined Fawcett’s theory evaluation criteria and Chinn and Kramer’s criteria. Results: We found that the IMCHB corresponds to a verifiable practical level of a middle-range theory, although it may be partially abstract. It contains all four concepts of the metaparadigm of nursing, in terms of a holistic philosophical approach. A theoretical evaluation demonstrated that the IMCHB has significance, generality, testability, empirical adequacy, and pragmatic adequacy for nursing practice and research. However, the lack of clear conceptual definitions and the presence of complex relationships among concepts resulted in a lack of internal consistency and parsimony. Conclusion: According to an in-depth verification through a review of the literature, the IMCHB has been used as a health promotion intervention strategy for various populations of women and has led to useful results in nursing practice. The IMCHB was confirmed to be a suitable theory for experimental and clinical research. Future research can build on this middle-range theory for women’s health research and practice.
Influence of pregnant couples’ attitudes towards sex during pregnancy on sexual function
Authors: Kim Moon Jeong
Published: June 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the influences of the attitudes of pregnant women and their husbands towards sex during pregnancy on sexual function. Methods: In this study, 231 pregnant couples completed self-report questionnaires during their visits to women’s hospitals or community health centers. The questionnaires assessed general characteristics, maternal/paternal sexual attitudes towards sex during pregnancy (Maternal Sex during Pregnancy Scale, MSP/Paternal Sex during Pregnancy Scale, PSP), and sexual function (using the Female Sexual Function Index and International Index of Erectile Function, respectively). Multiple regression analysis was done to test the research model using SPSS version 23. Results: In this study, 74.9% of pregnant women and 38.5% of their husbands reported sexual dysfunction. MSP (β=.44, p<.001) in pregnant women and PSP (β=.39, p<.001) and being in the first trimester (β=.17, p=.012) in husbands influenced sexual function during pregnancy. In the first trimester, the scores for attitudes towards sex during pregnancy were the lowest in pregnant women, while they were the highest in their husbands. Conclusion: Positive attitudes about sex during pregnancy are important for sexual function in pregnant couples. Because the difference in attitudes towards sex during pregnancy between pregnant women and their husbands was greatest in the first trimester, sexual health interventions need to be provided in early pregnancy.
COVID-19 and restrictive lung disease: A deadly combo to trip off the fine balance
Authors: Sahu Kamal Kant , Mishra Ajay Kumar , Martin Kevin , Chastain Iryna
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has so far led to innumerable deaths worldwide. The risk factors so far that have been most studied as poor prognostic factors are old age, individuals with multiple comorbidities and immunocompromised patients. Amongst the chronic lung diseases, most patients with COVID-19 reported so far had asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and interstitial lung disease. Herein, we discuss the significance of restrictive lung disease during the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential risk factor via an example of a patient with kyphoscoliosis who succumbed to death due to COVID-19 pneumonia.
Misunderstandings about Developmental Dyslexia: A Historical Overview
Authors: Smirni Pietro , Vetri Luigi , Misuraca Eliana , Cappadonna Marco , Operto Francesca Felicia , Pastorino Grazia Maria Giovanna , Marotta Rosa
Published: June 2020

History of the reading disorder not due to an intellectual disability, inadequate teaching systems or poor motivation to study, referred to as developmental dyslexia, has very remote origins. The first attempts explain the disorder as a primary ‘visual defect’. Since then, several models have been developed until autopsy and histo-pathological studies on the brains of developmental dyslexics provided neuroanatomical evidence on the structural and morphologic differences between normal and dyslexic brains. In addition, the new neuroimaging technologies have allowed to understand the neural systems of reading and dyslexia. According to recent studies, developmental dyslexia appears as a neurodevelopmental multicomponent language-related disorder with a deficit in phonological decoding and in visuospatial organization of linguistic code. As a result, rehabilitation must be focused on the recovery of language and visuo-spatial and attentional processes underlying the complex and multi-component developmental dyslexia. This brief overview should be a valid tool for a deeper understanding of the dyslexic disorder. Literature searches in Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science identified one hundred articles focusing attention on how this disorder has been considered over the years.
Embedding rainbow trees with applications to graph labelling and decomposition
Authors: Montgomery Richard , Pokrovskiy Alexey , Sudakov Benjamin
Published: June 2020

A subgraph of an edge-coloured graph is called rainbow if all its edges have distinct colours. The study of rainbow subgraphs goes back more than two hundred years to the work of Euler on Latin squares. Since then rainbow structures have been the focus of extensive research and have found applications in the areas of graph labelling and decomposition. An edge-colouring is locally

k

-bounded if each vertex is contained in at most

k

edges of the same colour. In this paper we prove that any such edge-colouring of the complete graph

K_n

contains a rainbow copy of every tree with at most

(1-o(1))n/k

vertices. As a locally

k

-bounded edge-colouring of

K_n

may have only

(n-1)/k

distinct colours, this is essentially tight.

As a corollary of this result we obtain asymptotic versions of two long-standing conjectures in graph theory. Firstly, we prove an asymptotic version of Ringel’s conjecture from 1963, showing that any

n

-edge tree packs into the complete graph

K_{2n+o(n)}

to cover all but

o(n^2)

of its edges. Secondly, we show that all trees have an almost-harmonious labelling. The existence of such a labelling was conjectured by Graham and Sloane in 1980. We also discuss some additional applications.
Quantitative estimates for sampling type operators with respect to the Jordan variation
Authors: Angeloni Laura , Costarelli Danilo , Vinti Gianluca
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we study the order of approximation with respect to the Jordan variation for the generalized and the Kantorovich sampling series, based upon averaged type kernels. In particular, we establish some quantitative estimates for the above operators. For the latter purpose, we introduce a suitable modulus of smoothness in the space of absolutely continuous functions on the whole real line.
A note on abelian subgroups of maximal order
Authors: Aivazidis Stefanos , Guralnick Robert M.
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we consider the influence that the maximal size

m

of an abelian subgroup of a group exerts on the size of the group. We will first prove that

|G|

divides

g(m)

, the product of all prime powers at most

m

. We then show that if a prime

p > m/2

divides

|G|

then either

G

is almost simple or of very restricted type and we determine the complete list of finite simple groups with exactly one such "large" prime divisor. We are then able to deduce that

|G|=g(m)

holds only when

G

is a small symmetric group and to derive an explicit upper bound for

|G|

as a function of

m

. We conclude our paper by determining the order of magnitude of this upper bound.
Relaxation of nonlinear elastic energies related to Orlicz–Sobolev nematic elastomers
Authors: Scilla Giovanni , Stroffolini Bianca
Published: June 2020

We compute the relaxation of the total energy related to a variational model for nematic elastomers, involving a nonlinear elastic mechanical energy depending on the orientation of the molecules of the nematic elastomer, and a nematic Oseen–Frank energy in the deformed configuration. The main assumptions are that the quasiconvexification of the mechanical term is polyconvex and that the deformation belongs to an Orlicz–Sobolev space with an integrability just above the space dimension minus one, and does not present cavitation. We benefit from the fine properties of orientation-preserving maps satisfying that regularity requirement proven in [27] and extend the result of [36] to Orlicz spaces with a suitable growth condition at infinity.
Elliptic Venttsel problems with $VMO$ coefficients
Authors: Apushkinskaya Darya E. , Nazarov Alexander I. , Palagachev Dian K. , Softova Lubomira G.
Published: June 2020

We announce new results about strong solvability of linear and quasilinear Venttsel boundary value problems with discontinuous principal coefficients.
$H=W$ Musielak spaces framework
Authors: Ahmida Youssef , Fiorenza Alberto , Youssfi Ahmed
Published: June 2020

We give a sufficient structural condition on the Musielak functions for the Meyers–Serrin theorem to hold in Musielak spaces. We unify and extend some density results of smooth functions in Orlicz–Sobolev spaces as well as in variable exponent Sobolev spaces.
On the best constant in the nonlocal isoperimetric inequality of Almgren and Lieb
Authors: Garofalo Nicola
Published: June 2020

In 1989 Almgren and Lieb proved a rearrangement inequality for the Sobolev spaces of fractional order

W^{s,p}

. The case

p = 2

of their result implies the nonlocal isoperimetric inequality

\frac{P_s(E)}{|E|^{\frac{N-2s}N}} \ge \frac{P_s(B_1)}{|B_1|^{\frac{N-2s}N}},\ \ \ \ \ \ \ 0 < s < 1/2,

where

P_s

indicates the fractional

s

-perimeter, and

B_1

is the unit ball in

\mathbb R^N

. In this note we explicitly compute the best constant, and show that for any

0 < s < 1/2

, one has

\frac{P_s(B_1)}{|B_1|^{\frac{N-2s}N}} = \frac{N \pi^{\frac N2 + s} \Gamma (1-2s)}{s \Gamma (\frac N2+1)^{\frac{2s}N} \Gamma (1-s)\Gamma (\frac{N+2-2s}{2})}.