bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of supplementation with yeast polysaccharides on intestinal function in piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus
Authors: Li Hanxiao , Wu Mengjun , Li Zhonghua , Zhang Qian , Zhang Xiaohan , Zhang Yanyan , Zhao Di , Wang Lei , Hou Yongqing , Wu Tao
Published: April 2024

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has caused huge economic losses to the pig industry. Yeast polysaccharides (YP) has been used as a feed additive in recent years and poses good anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects. The present study aimed to explore the protective effect of YP on intestinal damage in PEDV-infected piglets. Eighteen 7-day-old piglets with similar body weights were randomly divided into three groups: Control group (basal diet), PEDV group (basal diet), and PEDV+YP group (basal diet +20 mg/kg BW YP), six replicates per group and one pig per replicate. Piglets in PEDV group and PEDV+YP group were orally given PEDV (dose: 1 × 106 TCID50) at 19:30 PM on the 8th day of the experiment. The control group received the same volume of PBS solution. Weight was taken on an empty stomach in the morning of the 11th day, blood was collected and then anesthetic was administered with pentobarbital sodium (50 mg/kg·BW) by intramuscular injection, and samples were slaughtered after the anesthetic was complete. The results showed that YP could alleviate the destruction of intestinal villus morphology of piglets caused by PEDV. Meanwhile, PEDV infection can reduce the activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, and increase the content of malondialdehyde. YP can improve the antioxidative capacity in the serum and small intestine of PEDV-infected piglets. In addition, YP inhibited the replication of PEDV in the jejunum ileum and colon. Moreover, YP can regulate the mRNA levels of inflammatory genes (IL-1β and iNOS) and lipid metabolic genes (APOA4 and APOC3) in the small intestine. In summary, YP could inhibit virus replicates, improve intestinal morphology, enhance antioxidant capacity, relieve inflammation and regulate the metabolism of the intestine in PEDV-infected piglets.
Rail surface defect data enhancement method based on improved ACGAN
Authors: Zhendong He , Xiangyang Gao , Zhiyuan Liu , Xiaoyu An , Anping Zheng
Published: April 2024

Rail surface defects present a significant safety concern in railway operations. However, the scarcity of data poses challenges for employing deep learning in defect detection. This study proposes an enhanced ACGAN augmentation method to address these issues. Residual blocks mitigate vanishing gradient problems, while a spectral norm regularization-constrained discriminator improves stability and image quality. Substituting the generator’s deconvolution layer with upsampling and convolution operations enhances computational efficiency. A gradient penalty mechanism based on regret values addresses gradient abnormality concerns. Experimental validation demonstrates superior image clarity and classification accuracy compared to ACGAN, with a 17.6% reduction in FID value. MNIST dataset experiments verify the model’s generalization ability. This approach offers practical value for real-world applications.
Machine learning techniques based on 18F-FDG PET radiomics features of temporal regions for the classification of temporal lobe epilepsy patients from healthy controls
Authors: Liao Kai , Wu Huanhua , Jiang Yuanfang , Dong Chenchen , Zhou Hailing , Wu Biao , Tang Yongjin , Gong Jian , Ye Weijian , Hu Youzhu , Guo Qiang , Xu Hao
Published: April 2024

Background

This study aimed to investigate the clinical application of 18F-FDG PET radiomics features for temporal lobe epilepsy and to create PET radiomics-based machine learning models for differentiating temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients from healthy controls.

Methods

A total of 347 subjects who underwent 18F-FDG PET scans from March 2014 to January 2020 (234 TLE patients: 25.50 ± 8.89 years, 141 male patients and 93 female patients; and 113 controls: 27.59 ± 6.94 years, 48 male individuals and 65 female individuals) were allocated to the training (n = 248) and test (n = 99) sets. All 3D PET images were registered to the Montreal Neurological Institute template. PyRadiomics was used to extract radiomics features from the temporal regions segmented according to the Automated Anatomical Labeling (AAL) atlas. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Boruta algorithms were applied to select the radiomics features significantly associated with TLE. Eleven machine-learning algorithms were used to establish models and to select the best model in the training set.

Results

The final radiomics features (n = 7) used for model training were selected through the combinations of the LASSO and the Boruta algorithms with cross-validation. All data were randomly divided into a training set (n = 248) and a testing set (n = 99). Among 11 machine-learning algorithms, the logistic regression (AUC 0.984, F1-Score 0.959) model performed the best in the training set. Then, we deployed the corresponding online website version (https://wane199.shinyapps.io/TLE_Classification/), showing the details of the LR model for convenience. The AUCs of the tuned logistic regression model in the training and test sets were 0.981 and 0.957, respectively. Furthermore, the calibration curves demonstrated satisfactory alignment (visually assessed) for identifying the TLE patients.

Conclusion

The radiomics model from temporal regions can be a potential method for distinguishing TLE. Machine learning-based diagnosis of TLE from preoperative FDG PET images could serve as a useful preoperative diagnostic tool.
Gait-modifying effects of augmented-reality cueing in people with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Hoogendoorn Eva M. , Geerse Daphne J. , van Dam Annejet T. , Stins John F. , Roerdink Melvyn
Published: April 2024

Introduction

External cueing can improve gait in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), but there is a need for wearable, personalized and flexible cueing techniques that can exploit the power of action-relevant visual cues. Augmented Reality (AR) involving headsets or glasses represents a promising technology in those regards. This study examines the gait-modifying effects of real-world and AR cueing in people with PD.

Methods

21 people with PD performed walking tasks augmented with either real-world or AR cues, imposing changes in gait speed, step length, crossing step length, and step height. Two different AR headsets, differing in AR field of view (AR-FOV) size, were used to evaluate potential AR-FOV-size effects on the gait-modifying effects of AR cues as well as on the head orientation required for interacting with them.

Results

Participants modified their gait speed, step length, and crossing step length significantly to changes in both real-world and AR cues, with step lengths also being statistically equivalent to those imposed. Due to technical issues, step-height modulation could not be analyzed. AR-FOV size had no significant effect on gait modifications, although small differences in head orientation were observed when interacting with nearby objects between AR headsets.

Conclusion

People with PD can modify their gait to AR cues as effectively as to real-world cues with state-of-the-art AR headsets, for which AR-FOV size is no longer a limiting factor. Future studies are warranted to explore the merit of a library of cue modalities and individually-tailored AR cueing for facilitating gait in real-world environments.
ALTA: a simple nutritional prognostic score for patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Song Rui , Wang Xiaohao , Li Zhao , Wu Hongyu , Tan Jiahe , Tan Junyi , Li Hanlu , Zeng Teng , Ren Hong , Chen Zhiwei
Published: April 2024

Background

Malnutrition, despite being a common complication, is often neglected in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). The objective of this study was to develop a simplified nutritional prognostic score to accurately predict mortality in HBV-ACLF patients.

Methods

In this multicenter retrospective study, clinical data from 530 HBV-ACLF patients were used to create a new prognostic score, which was then validated in two external cohorts (n = 229 and 248).

Results

Four independent factors were significantly associated with 28-day mortality in HBV-ACLF patients, forming a novel prognostic score (ALTA score = 0.187 × age—0.849 × lymphocyte count—2.033 × total cholesterol—0.148 × albumin—0.971). Notably, the AUROC of ALTA score for 28/90-day mortality (0.950/0.967) were significantly higher than those of three other ACLF prognostic scores (COSSH-ACLF II, 0.864/0.734; MELD, 0.525/0.488; MELD-Na, 0.546/0.517; all P < 0.001), and three known nutritional scores (CONUT, 0.739/0.861; OPNI, 0.279/0.157; NRS-2002, 0.322/0.286; all P < 0.001). The prediction error rates of ALTA score for 28-day mortality were significantly lower than COSSH-ACLF II (7.3%), MELD (14.4%), MELD-Na (12.7%), CONUT (9.0%), OPNI (30.6%), and NRS2002 (34.1%) scores. Further classifying ALTA score into two strata, the hazard ratios of mortality at 28/90 days were notably increased in the high-risk groups compared to the low-risk group (15.959 and 5.740). These results were then validated in two external cohorts.

Conclusion

ALTA, as a simplified nutritional prognostic score for HBV-ACLF, demonstrates superiority over the COSSH-ACLF II and other scores in predicting short-term mortality among HBV-ACLF patients. Therefore, it may be used to guide clinical management, particularly in primary care settings.
Caring for hearts and minds: a quality improvement approach to individualized developmental care in the cardiac intensive care unit
Authors: Butler Samantha C. , Rofeberg Valerie , Smith-Parrish Melissa , LaRonde Meena , Vittner Dorothy J. , Goldberg Sarah , Bailey Valerie , Weeks Malika M. , McCowan Sarah , Severtson Katrina , Glowick Kerri , Rachwal Christine M.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) are at high risk for developmental differences which can be explained by the cumulative effect of medical complications along with sequelae related to the hospital and environmental challenges. The intervention of individualized developmental care (IDC) minimizes the mismatch between the fragile newborn brain's expectations and the experiences of stress and pain inherent in the intensive care unit (ICU) environment.

Methods

A multidisciplinary group of experts was assembled to implement quality improvement (QI) to increase the amount of IDC provided, using the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP), to newborn infants in the cardiac ICU. A Key Driver Diagram was created, PDSA cycles were implemented, baseline and ongoing measurements of IDC were collected, and interventions were provided.

Results

We collected 357 NIDCAP audits of bedside IDC. Improvement over time was noted in the amount of IDC including use of appropriate lighting, sound management, and developmentally supportive infant bedding and clothing, as well as in promoting self-regulation, therapeutic positioning, and caregiving facilitation. The area of family participation and holding of infants in the CICU was the hardest to support change over time, especially with the most ill infants. Infants with increased medical complexity were less likely to receive IDC.

Discussion

This multidisciplinary, evidence-based QI intervention demonstrated that the implementation of IDC in the NIDCAP model improved over time using bedside auditing of IDC.
Phage-antibiotic combinations in various treatment modalities to manage MRSA infections
Authors: Loganathan Archana , Bozdogan Bulent , Manohar Prasanth , Nachimuthu Ramesh
Published: April 2024

Introduction: The emergence of antibiotic resistance is a significant challenge in the treatment of bacterial infections, particularly in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Phage-antibiotic combination therapy is now being utilized as a preferred therapeutic option for infections that are multi-drug resistant in nature.

Methods: In this study, we examined the combined impact of the staph phage vB_Sau_S90 and four antibiotics on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We conducted experiments on three different treatment sequences: a) administering phages before antibiotics, b) administering phages and antibiotics simultaneously, and c) administering antibiotics before phages.

Results: When the media was supplemented with sub-inhibitory concentrations of 0.25 μg/mL and 1 μg/mL, the size of the plaque increased from 0.5 ± 0.1 mm (in the control group with only the phage) to 4 ± 0.2 mm, 1.6 ± 0.1 mm, and 1.6 ± 0.4 mm when fosfomycin, ciprofloxacin, and oxacillin were added, respectively. The checkerboard analysis revealed a synergistic effect between the phages and antibiotics investigated, as indicated by a FIC value of less than 0.5. The combination treatment of phages and antibiotics demonstrated universal efficacy across all treatments. Nevertheless, the optimal effectiveness was demonstrated when the antibiotics were delivered subsequent to the phages. Utilizing the Galleria mellonella model, in vivo experiments showed that the combination of phage-oxacillin effectively eliminated biofilm-infected larvae, resulting in a survival rate of up to 80% in the treated groups.

Discussion: Our findings highlight the advantages of using a combination of phage and antibiotic over using phages alone in the treatment of MRSA infections.
Using societal conditional regard to cope with drug use in the ultraorthodox community and the unintended consequences
Authors: Itzhaki-Braun Yael , Gavriel-Fried Belle
Published: April 2024

Introduction

A developing theoretical framework for the investigation of tight cultures’ reaction toward members who violate communal norms is societal conditional regard (SCR).

Methods

Using a qualitative interpretive approach, in the current study we investigated the way the Ultraorthodox Jewish community uses SCR to cope with substance use disorders (SUDs), which considered to be a norms violation in closed religious communities. We did so by drawing on in-depth interviews with 14 young men from the Ultraorthodox community in Israel who were diagnosed as having an SUD and were in recovery.

Results

(a) The community’s socialization process, educating its members to lead a life that is the only right one; (b) The community’s use of God as the one whose love and regard are conditional; (c) The SCR emotional and behavioral practices used by the community toward individuals who violate norms, and (d) How, paradoxically, the use of SCR may eventuate in the initiation of drug use, and within the community itself.

Discussion

Findings are discussed in the context of self-determination theory and SCR, and shed light on how tight cultures cope with the threat of deviation of communal norms. Implications for intervention and policy are outlined.
Effects of self-efficacy on frontal midline theta power and golf putting performance
Authors: Yu Chien-Lin , Kao Cheng-Wei , Wu Jia-Hao , Hung Eric , Chang Wei-Chun , Yang Ren-Ting , Wang Kuo-Pin , Hung Tsung-Min
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Self-efficacy (SE), defined as an individual's belief in their ability to complete a task, is linked to top-down attentional control, influencing motor performance in sports. Although the behavioral effects of SE are well-documented, there is a lack of research on the mechanisms through which SE affects sports performance. Our research aims to elucidate the neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie the impact of self-efficacy on sports performance. Specifically, we intend to explore the effects of low and high SE on frontal midline theta (Fmθ) activity, associated with sustained top-down attention, and on motor performance.

Methods

We recruited thirty-four professional golfers to perform 60 putts, during which their electroencephalographic activity was monitored. SE levels were assessed using a visual analog scale from 0 to 10 before each putt, with scores categorized into higher or lower SE based on each golfer's individual average score.

Results

Paired t-tests indicated that trials with higher SE scores had a higher putting success rate than those with lower SE scores (53.3% vs. 46.7%). Furthermore, trials associated with higher SE scores exhibited lower Fmθ activity compared to those with lower SE scores (4.49 vs. 5.18).

Discussion

Our results suggest that higher SE is associated with reduced top-down attentional control, leading to improved putting performance. These findings support Bandura's theory of SE, which suggests that the effects of efficacy beliefs are mediated by cognitive, motivational, emotional, and decision-making processes. This study sheds light on the intermediate processes of SE by examining its impact on the anticipation of outcomes, sports performance, and attentional control prior to putting.
A review of strategies and levels of community engagement in strengths-based and needs-based health communication interventions
Authors: Stover Jesse , Avadhanula Laxmisupriya , Sood Suruchi
Published: April 2024

Background

Community engagement is key in health communication interventions that seek to incorporate community voices in their planning and implementation. Understanding what approaches and strategies are currently being used can help tailor programs in different social and cultural contexts. This review explores needs-based and strengths-based approaches and consensus and conflict strategies in community-based global health communications programs. Our objective is to examine the current state of the field, outline lessons learned, and identify gaps in existing programming to help guide future interventions.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science were searched for articles published between 2010 and 2023. Studies were included if they described a community-based health communication intervention and an ongoing or completed implementation. Interventions were coded then categorized according to their level of community engagement and as single, hybrid, or complex, depending upon the number of approaches and strategies used.

Results

The search yielded 678 results and 42 were included in the final review and analysis. A vast majority 34 (81.0%) interventions utilized a needs-based approach and 24 (57.1%) utilized a strengths-based approach. Consensus as a strategy was utilized in 38 (90.5%) of the manuscripts and 9 (21.4%) implemented a conflict strategy. Interventions that combined approaches and strategies were more likely to leverage a higher level of community engagement.

Conclusion

These results showcase the complicated nature of global health communication program planning and implementation. There is a lack of interventions that use conflict as a strategy to empower communities to act on their own behalf, even when at odds with existing power structures. Complex interventions that include all approaches and strategies demonstrate the potential for global health communication interventions to be at the cutting edge of public health practice.
The influence of early diet quality on the mental health of college students: the mediation effects of height and qi-deficiency
Authors: Wang Xinzhu , He Xinyu , Fu Kaixian , Zhang Yuxia
Published: April 2024

Background

In China, the prevalence of mental health issues among college students is a significant concern in society. This study aims to investigate the impact of early dietary quality on the psychological well-being of college students and elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which these effects occur, specifically focusing on height and qi-deficiency as mediators according to Chinese traditional medicine (CTM).

Methods

A total of 655 college students were surveyed in October 2023 using paper-pencil-based questionnaires at four second-tier universities in Sichuan Province. The assessment included mental health, height, and qi-deficiency. Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analyses were employed to examine the mediation model and test the hypotheses.

Results

The college students exhibited acceptable levels of early diet quality (M = 3.72) and mental health (M = 3.63), while also presenting mild qi-deficiency symptoms (M = 2.25). Their average height was measured at 164.61 cm. Early diet quality demonstrated significant associations with mental health (r = 0.38, p < 0.01), height (r = 0.32, p < 0.01), and qi-deficiency (r = −0.32, p < 0.01). Mental health displayed correlations with height (r = 0.32, p < 0.01) and qi-deficiency (r = −0.49, p < 0.01). The results of linear regression analyses revealed significant associations between early diet quality and mental health (β = 0.31, p < 0.01), height (β = 0.21, p < 0.01), as well as qi-deficiency (β = −0.26, p < 0.01). Furthermore, when early diet quality was included in the regression model, both height (β = 0.21, p < 0.01) and qi-deficiency (β = −0.35, p < 0.01) emerged as significant mediators in the relationship with mental health.

Conclusion

The mediation model and hypotheses were strongly supported, demonstrating that early diet quality exerted an influence on the mental health of college students through two distinct pathways: height and qi-deficiency. Moreover, the mediating effect of qi-deficiency was found to be more pronounced than that of height in the relationship between early diet quality and mental health among college students.
An assessment of the perceptual elements of urban streets based on the context of urban tourism - The case of Sheffield
Authors: Huang Siqi
Published: April 2024

Background

After COVID-19, more and more travelers are more inclined to walk in cities, and the sensory elements of streets can have a significant impact on urban tourism. Local residents and travelers have different perceptions of the street and preferences for its use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and analyse the streets from the perspective of locals and travelers.

Method

In this study, a questionnaire was designed to obtain local residents' and travelers' evaluations of the sensory elements of the street and a quadrant analysis of the street's sensory elements was carried out using the IPA-Kano model.

Results

The results of the study show that travelers are particularly concerned about maps and signage guidance, while local residents are more concerned about the green environment of the surroundings and how well it is maintained.

Conclusion

There is a difference in the indicators chosen by the two groups in the results of the comparison between locals and travelers, and this study is hoped to provide some data support for future urban managers and designers to learn from and refer to for street improvements and renewal.
RE-AIM for rural health innovations: perceptions of (mis) alignment between the RE-AIM framework and evaluation reporting in the Department of Veterans Affairs Enterprise-Wide Initiatives program
Authors: Chasco Emily E. , Van Tiem Jennifer , Johnson Nicole , Balkenende Erin , Steffen Melissa , Jones DeShauna , Friberg Julia E. , Steffensmeier Kenda , Moeckli Jane , Arora Kanika , Rabin Borsika Adrienn , Reisinger Heather Schacht
Published: April 2024

Background

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health (ORH) supports national VA program offices' efforts to expand health care to rural Veterans through its Enterprise-Wide Initiatives (EWIs) program. In 2017, ORH selected Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM), an implementation science framework, to structure the EWI evaluation and reporting process. As part of its mandate to improve EWI program evaluation, the Center for the Evaluation of Enterprise-Wide Initiatives conducted a qualitative evaluation to better understand EWI team' perceptions of, and barriers and facilitators to, the EWI evaluation process.

Methods

We conducted 43 semi-structured interviews with 48 team members (e.g., evaluators, program office leads, and field-based leads) representing 21 EWIs from April-December 2020. Questions focused on participants' experiences using strategies targeting each RE-AIM dimension. Interviews were inductively analyzed in MAXQDA. We also systematically reviewed 51 FY19-FY20 EWI annual reports to identify trends in misapplications of RE-AIM.

Results

Participants had differing levels of experience with RE-AIM. While participants understood ORH's rationale for selecting a common framework to structure evaluations, the perceived misalignment between RE-AIM and EWIs' work emerged as an important theme. Concerns centered around 3 sub-themes: (1) (Mis)Alignment with RE-AIM Dimensions, (2) (Mis)Alignment between RE-AIM and the EWI, and (3) (Mis)Alignment with RE-AIM vs. other Theories, Models, or Frameworks. Participants described challenges differentiating between and operationalizing dimensions in unique contexts. Participants also had misconceptions about RE-AIM and its relevance to their work, e.g., that it was meant for established programs and did not capture aspects of initiative planning, adaptations, or sustainability. Less commonly, participants shared alternative models or frameworks to RE-AIM. Despite criticisms, many participants found RE-AIM useful, cited training as important to understanding its application, and identified additional training as a future need.

Discussion

The selection of a shared implementation science framework can be beneficial, but also challenging when applied to diverse initiatives or contexts. Our findings suggest that establishing a common understanding, operationalizing framework dimensions for specific programs, and assessing training needs may better equip partners to integrate a shared framework into their evaluations.
A perspective on cellulose dissolution with deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Alsoy Altinkaya Sacide
Published: April 2024

Currently, membrane manufacturing relies heavily on fossil-based solvents and polymers, resulting in significant negative impacts on human health and the environment. Thus, there is an urgent need for eco-friendly, low-toxicity, and sustainable solvents and polymers to comply with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. Cellulose, as a green, natural, and abundant polymer, offers a sustainable source for membrane manufacturing. However, a significant challenge exists in dissolving cellulose due to strong intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds within cellulose molecules. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs), which contain both hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups, have received significant attention as alternative solvents for cellulose dissolution owing to their low cost, low toxicity, environmentally friendly nature, ease of synthesis, and versatility. This review examines experimental studies, and theoretical approaches, highlighting key findings and factors influencing cellulose dissolution in deep eutectic solvents.
Exploring experiences of HIV care to optimize patient-centred care in Conakry, Guinea: a qualitative study
Authors: Kolié Delphin , Guillard Etienne , Sow Abdoulaye , Manet Hawa , Camara Bienvenu Salim , Bigirimana Théophile , Harouna Mamane , Delamou Alexandre
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Studies on the organisation of care and the power dynamic between providers and patients with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are rare. This study aims to describe the patient-provider relationship and explore the challenges to optimal and patient-centred care for HIV patients.

Methods

This was a qualitative exploratory descriptive study using in-depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. In total, 17 individual interviews and 5 focus group discussions were conducted. This was conducted in four urban health facilities in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Three group of participants were included in this study namely patients with HIV; health providers including facilities and services managers; and psychosocial counsellors. Psychosocial counsellors provide emotional and psychosocial support to HIV patients. Their role in the organization care in Guinea is new and they contribute to strengthening adherence of patients with HIV to ARV treatment.

Results

Patients with HIV, health providers, and psychosocial counsellors have a positive perception of the patient-provider relationship. This relationship was characterized essentially by maintaining confidentiality of HIV status disclosure, caring attitudes towards patients (being available, adjusting locations for accessing ART, based on patients’ preferences), and participating in HIV patient’s social life. However, scolding and miscommunication about the interpretation of viral load tests were reported. The shortage of human resources, low salaries of health staff, poor infrastructure, and the financial burden borne by patients with HIV impede the implementation of optimal patient-centred care.

Conclusion

Integrating psychosocial counsellors in HIV care organization, improving access to ARV, infrastructure, increasing human resources, and removing the financial burden for HIV patients are needed to optimal patient-centred care in Guinea.
Coatings 2023 Early Career Investigator Award: Announcement and Interview with the Winner
Authors:   Coatings Editorial Office
Published: April 2024

Since 2021, I have been working on a very exciting research project leaded by Prof [...]
Enhancement of Surface Properties Using Ultrashort-Pulsed-Laser Texturing: A Review
Authors: Alsaigh Reem A.
Published: April 2024

Surface texturing, which has recently garnered increased attention, involves modifying the surface texture of materials to enhance their tribology. Various methods have been developed for surface texturing. Laser surface texturing (LST) has attracted considerable interest because of its excellent texturing accuracy, controllability, and flexibility. It improves surface wettability properties and increases the wear resistance of materials while reducing the coefficient of friction. Herein, we present an overview of the underlying mechanisms of interactions between short-pulsed lasers and materials. In addition, we review published studies on the effects of LST on surface properties, including surface roughness, wettability, friction, and wear resistance. We believe that this review will provide valuable insights into the recent advances in surface property enhancement through LST, which exhibits potential for various applications.
Rabbi Nachman’s Sonic Schemes
Authors: Shelleg Assaf
Published: April 2024

This article discusses Tzvi Avni’s Second Piano Sonata, Epitaph, a sonic commentary on one of the inner tales in Rabbi Nachman’s “The Seven Beggars”. Written between 1974 and 1979, Epitaph not only marks the composer’s act of translation (from words into music and from a textual tale into a wordless and semantically unmarked piano sonata) but also his very turn to ethnographic sources that defied their negative function in a national territorial culture that vilified otherness while separating art from ethnography. Avni’s turn to Rabbi Nachman was part of a bigger shift that saw composers’ dialectical returns to Jewish histories and cultures that were previously repressed from a national culture which dehistoricized the Diaspora to the point of rendering the times and cultures of diasporic Jews a single temporality—ahistorical, contextless, and outside the teleological time of Zionism. With the (re)introduction of diasporic temporalities, non-redemptive poetics became an affordance in the music of Avni or Andre Hajdu (who is also discussed here) while steadily muting the territorial tropes that constituted Hebrew culture.
Tourism Transport-Related CO2 Emissions and Economic Growth: A Deeper Perspective from Decomposing Driving Effects
Authors: Yan Yuxiang , Phucharoen Chayanon
Published: April 2024

This study explores the intricate dynamics of CO2 emissions stemming from transport within the tourism sector. It aims to unravel the multidimensional aspects of how transport-related tourism contributes to CO2 emissions and to elucidate the complex relationship between regional economic growth and CO2 emissions from transport-related tourism. Our study employed Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) and Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) models to analyze data from 30 Chinese provincial regions between 2010 and 2018. The tourism transport-related CO2 emissions were decomposed into four separate driving effects using the LMDI approach. Then, PVAR models were constructed to reveal dynamic interactions between each driving effect and per capita gross regional product (GRP). Our results demonstrate a decrease in both energy structure effect (tourism transport-related CO2 emissions from energy structure) and energy intensity effect (tourism transport-related CO2 emissions from energy intensity) during the pre-COVID decade. Notably, the positive impulse response of energy structure effect to per capita GRP is observed. However, we found no evidence of a cointegrated relationship between energy intensity effect and regional economic growth, although other factors demonstrated connections. These findings echo the necessity to integrate sustainable practices into the tourism transportation business, especially in the area of energy structure, in order to mitigate adverse environmental effects from tourism. This paper disseminates the main drivers of CO2 emissions in the tourism transport sector and their interrelationship with regional economic growth. It not only guides tourism policymakers in targeting efforts to reduce carbon footprints, but also sets a new benchmark for future studies on CO2 emissions.
Biblijos skaitiniai iš Jono Bretkūno Postilės ir jo Naujojo Testamento Lozoriaus Zengštoko Evangelijose bei Epistolose (1612)
Authors: Aleknavičienė Ona
Published: April 2024

The article examines the second edition of Baltramiejus Vilentas’s Euangelias bei Epistolas (VEE, 1579), which Lozorius Zengštokas published under a similar title in 1612 (ZEE, 1612). Both editions consist of Bible readings arranged throughout the liturgical year. The aim of the study was to identify the sources of the readings added by Zengštokas and to assess the strategy of textual appropriation. The steps towards this goal were the following: (1) an overview of Zengštokas’s activities; (2) an assessment of the reasons for the publication of ZEE; (3) identification of the readings added to Zengštokas’s edition; (4) identification of their sources by means of comparative analysis, and (5) an assessment of the strategy of text appropriation on the basis of the intertextuality method. Zengštokas prepared a second edition of Vilentas’s book for several reasons: (1) the first edition had run out of print; (2) Jonas Bretkūnas’s Postilla (BP, 1591) contained too few biblical readings, especially epistolary ones, and therefore could not fully replace Vilentas’s book; (3) there was a shortage of readings for Sundays that were interspersed between the feast days during some years.
Propiedades psicométricas de la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale Student (UWES-S-17) en estudiantes mexicanos
Authors: Avalos Latorre María Luisa , Ramírez Cruz José Carlos , Oropeza Tena Roberto
Published: April 2024

El compromiso escolar es un constructo que permite identificar el nivel de bienestar en la universidad. El objetivo fue determinar las propiedades psicométricas de la Utrecht Work Engagement Scale Student (UWES-S-17) en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. Participaron 547 estudiantes hombres y mujeres con edades entre 18 y 20 años. Se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio de consistencia interna por medio de la prueba Alfa de Cronbach y la validez por medio de las cargas factoriales (X2 = 3890.83, gl = 136, p <.000). La escala UWES-S-17 se ajustó a tres factores con una varianza explicada del 55.8%, así como ? = .90 con coeficientes de correlación de ítems entre .362 a .533. Se concluye que la escala UWES-S-17, mantiene sus tres factores en estudiantes mexicanos, aunque algunos de los ítems se comportaron distintos, al migrar a otros factores. Finalmente, se discuten las implicaciones metodológicas del trabajo.
Reconhecimento de portas lógicas em projeto de acopladores de fibra de cristal fotônico
Authors: Rodrigues João Paulo Teófilo , Martins Francisco Leonardo Bezerra , Pinto Júnior Raimundo Farrapo , Nascimento José Cláudio do , Sá Júnior Jarbas Joaci de Mesquita
Published: April 2024

Este trabalho investiga a relação entre os parâmetros físicos e lógicos de um acoplador duplo simétrico de Fibra de Cristal Fotônico (PCF), utilizando redes neurais Perceptrons Multicamadas (MLPs). Sob modulação PAM e on-off (OOK), o estudo mostra que, as variações das combinações específicas dos valores dos parâmetros físicos determinam os pulsos de saídas lógicas desta PCF. Tais combinações foram analisadas por uma rede MLP, e esta foi capaz de classificar e determinar com precisão de 98,71% as características físicas que determinam a ocorrência da porta lógica OR. Assim, pelo alto percentual de acertos, pode-se concluir que as MLPs podem ser usadas, com sucesso, para classificar as relações entre características físicas e lógicas desta PFC.
he Question of Possible Participation of the British Military Mission in Siberia in Carrying Out of the Coup on November 18th, 1918 and to the Rise of A.V. Kolchak to Power
Authors: Гагкуев Р.Г.
Published: April 2024

Анализируется вопрос возможного участия Британской военной миссии в Сибири во главе с генералом А. Ноксом в подготовке и проведении переворота 18 ноября 1918 г. в результате которого была установлена власть верховного правителя России А. В. Колчака. Рассмотрены введенные к настоящему времени источники по теме, а также отечественная и зарубежная историография, касающаяся этого вопроса. Особое внимание уделено свидетельствам офицеров Французской военной миссии в Сибири, ее начальника генерала М. Жанена в формировании версии о британском заговоре и роли генерала Нокса и его офицеров в перевороте.

The question of possible participation of the British military mission in Siberia headed by General A. Knox in the preparation and carrying out of the coup on November 18, 1918 as a result of which the power of the supreme ruler of Russia A.V. Kolchak was established is analysed. The sources introduced to date on the subject, as well as domestic and foreign historiography concerning this issue are considered. Particular attention is paid to the testimonies of officers of the French military mission in Siberia, its chief, General M. Janin in the formation of the version of the British conspiracy and the role of General Knox and his officers in the coup d'état.
YouTube™ como uma fonte de informações sobre odontologia do sono
Authors: Ribeiro-Lages Mariana Batista , Parada Matheus Cesar da Silva , Serra-Negra Júnia Maria , Pithon Matheus Melo , Coqueiro Raildo da Silva , Maia Lucianne Cople
Published: April 2024

Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade e a confiabilidade do conteúdo de vídeos sobre Odontologia do Sono no YouTube™.
Métodos: Foi realizada uma busca no YouTube™, utilizando o termo “Odontologia do Sono”, na qual selecionou-se os 100 primeiros vídeos para análise realizada por dois pesquisadores. Foram incluídos vídeos sobre o tema, na língua portuguesa brasileira, com no máximo 24 minutos. Foram extraídos: título, data, duração, visualização, curtida, fonte, público-alvo, objetivo e assunto. A qualidade foi avaliada através da Escala de Qualidade Global (EQG), e a confiabilidade, através da adaptação de um índice previamente publicado, ambos pontuando até 5 pontos, onde mais pontos significavam maior qualidade e confiabilidade. Foram realizados os testes de Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis e a correlação de Spearman (p < 0,05).
Resultados: 58 vídeos foram incluídos, cuja mediana da duração foi 2,4 ± 7,6 minutos. A maioria dos vídeos era produzida por cirurgiões-dentistas (CD) (75,9%; n = 44), sobre apneia (96,6%; n = 56), com o objetivo educacional/informativo (65,5%; n = 38) e direcionado para leigos (58,6%; n = 34). A maioria apresentou mediana baixa de 2,0 ± 1,0 na EQG (41,4%; n = 24), e na escala de confiabilidade, a mediana de 3,0 ± 1,0 (60,3%; n = 35). Houve correlação moderada da EQG (p = 0,62; p < 0,01) e da confiabilidade (ρ = 0,41; p < 0,01) com a duração do vídeo, e também entre EQG e confiabilidade (ρ = 0,66; p < 0,01). Vídeos educacionais/informativos, produzidos por CD, e direcionados a leigos, apresentaram uma maior EQG e confiabilidade (p < 0,01). Vídeos que incluíam bruxismo tinham maior EQG (p = 0,01). Programas de televisão e vídeos que não eram comerciais apresentaram maior confiabilidade (p < 0,05).
Conclusão: A maioria dos vídeos possuía qualidade baixa e confiabilidade moderada. Vídeos educacionais/informativos, feitos por CD, direcionados a leigos, que incluíam bruxismo, programas de televisão e que não eram comerciais, apresentaram maior qualidade e confiabilidade.
Między odrzuceniem a uznaniem: podejście do dziedzictwa niemieckiego w Katowicach i Metzu
Authors: Bogalska-Martin Ewa , Nawrocki Tomasz
Published: April 2024

Katowice and Metz were subject to intensive urbanisation and industrialisation from the second half of the 19th century until the beginning of the First World War. The German authorities were the initiator of the dynamic development of both these cities. The effects of these activities are still visible in the cities’ urban spaces, and constitute part of the cultural heritage. As such, they are becoming a part of the identity narratives jointly shaping the contemporary visions of the cities. Questions posed by this article include that concerning the place that traces of this “German” past occupy in the collective consciousness of these cities’ residents. What processes and stages allowed the gradual integration of these “traces” into the residents’ overall tangible and intangible collective memory? Which social groups, institutions, and organisations are the bearers of the memory of this part of the past? And finally, what needs to be done for German heritage to cease being a difficult heritage, and what role could reference to European heritage play here?
Análisis termodinámico y económico de un sistema geotérmico de trigeneración de energía, integrado con los ciclos Flash, Kalina y Stirling
Authors: Mendoza Maldonado Alejandra Belem , Pasillas Villalobos Luis Felipe , Rosado Fierro Jesús Ricardo , Lazos Durán Luis Manuel , Jurado Chávez Jeandery Alexandra , Ambriz Diaz Victor M.
Published: April 2024

En la presente investigación se realiza un análisis de desempeño termodinámico y económico de los ciclos Kalina, Flash y el motor Stirling, integrados de una forma innovadora para el aprovechamiento de los recursos geotérmicos en la generación de energía. Se establece un modelo basado en la primera ley de la termodinámica, con la finalidad de presentar las potencias netas entregadas de cada ciclo y del motor Stirling. Los resultados indican una potencia neta del sistema de 31.35 MW, el cual comparado en términos de potencia con otros métodos para obtención de energía es relevante. Por otro lado, a través de un modelo económico basado en indicadores económicos, se tiene la conclusión de que el sistema tiene una viabilidad económica favorable alcanzando valores en el tiempo de recuperación de la inversión y el valor presente neto de 1.5 años y 139,100,000 USD, respectivamente.
Análisis mediante dinámica de fluidos computacional del rotor de una turbina eólica de eje vertical híbrida H-Savonius
Authors: Marín Téllez Gerardo Javier , López Garza Víctor , Solorio Díaz Gildardo , Pacheco Ibarra J. Jesús
Published: April 2024

La simulación es una herramienta versátil y potente para el diseño. Permite anticiparse al comportamiento real,evaluarlo y analizarlo para obtener su mejor configuración. El presente trabajo desarrolla el estudio mediante lasimulación numérica con software CFD (Dinámica de Fluidos Computacional) para el rotor de una turbina eólica deeje vertical (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine, VAWT) híbrida H-Savonius de baja capacidad, obteniendo el torque, lapotencia generada y el (Coeficiente de potencia, es la relación entre la energía eléctrica producida por la turbina y laenergía cinética del viento, ) de la turbina. Los datos obtenidos de la simulación son una estimación del rendimientodel diseño innovador del rotor evaluado. Utilizando el software de ANSYS Workbench. Para el trazado y modeladode la geometría se emplea ANSYS DesignModeler, para el mallado se utiliza ANSYS Meshing y para la simulaciónCFD se usa ANSYS Fluent. Se realizan simulaciones URANS (Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes) en 2Dempleando la técnica de Sliding Mesh con el modelo de turbulencia SST de 4 ecuaciones (TSST) para evaluar elrendimiento de la turbina a una velocidad uniforme de viento de 7 m/s. Se realizó el análisis de independencia demalla. Se utiliza la técnica de Single Frame Motion para inicializar la simulación de Sliding Mesh.
Efecto del IHX sobre el rendimiento energético de un sistema de refrigeración por absorción híbrido
Authors: Ortega-Rojas J. , Amador López E. , Rodríguez Muñoz José Luis , Pacheco Cedeño José Sergio , Borja Soto C. E. , Zuno Silva J.
Published: April 2024

En el presente trabajo se presenta un estudio termodinámico de un sistema de refrigeración por absorción híbrido (HARC), en el que parte del calor del condensador es recuperado para mejorar el proceso de producción de refrigerante. Para el análisis del sistema, se investigaron los siguientes parámetros de operación: temperatura de activación, coeficiente de desempeño y capacidad de enfriamiento. Además, se establecieron como condiciones de operación que la temperatura en el condensador y absorbedor son igual a 35 °C, temperatura en el evaporador de 5 °C, efectividad en el intercambiador de calor de ηIHX = 0.5, 0.7 y 0.9, y se consideraron 5 variaciones en la presión de operación en el generador (Pgen = 1167 kPa, 889 kPa, 778 kPa, 687 kPa y 584 kPa).Los resultados muestran que la temperatura en el generador decrece hasta en 23.8 °C al reducir la presión en el generador desde 1167 kPa a 584 kPa. Los mejores rendimientos energéticos se obtienen al operar el HARC con una ηIHX =0.9. Al reducir la presión de operación en el generador de 1167 kPa a 584 kPa, el rendimiento energético se incrementa en un 3.30 %. Por otra parte, el aumento de la temperatura en el generador promueve un incremento en la capacidad de enfriamiento, la cual se mejora entre el 3.6-6.68 % al utilizar una efectividad en el intercambiador de calor de 0.9 y al operar el sistema a una temperatura en el generador de 100 °C. Finalmente, para que la efectividad en el intercambiador tenga un impacto considerable sobre la capacidad de enfriamiento a las presiones de operación de Pgen = 1167 kPa, 889 kPa, 778 kPa, 687 kPa y 584 kPa, es recomendable que la temperatura en el generador sea superior a 85 °C, 77 °C, 74 °C, 72 °C y 68 °C, respectivamente.
Cálculo de conductividad hidráulica de estudio litológico en el Valle de Ags, México y comparativa del rendimiento del modelo subterráneo con su uso
Authors: Hughes Lomelin Roxana Nicte-Ha , Martinez Cinco Marco Antonio , Sánchez Quispe Sonia Tatiana , Hernández Bedolla Joel
Published: April 2024

En este trabajo se comparan los rendimientos de los modelos subterráneos del acuífero Valle de Aguascalientes, México realizados en MODFLOW utilizando conductividades hidráulicas (Kh) equivalentes determinadas a partir de estudios litológicos, y utilizando Kh supuestas. Se configuró y se calibró el modelo, se calcularon los índices de calidad de ajuste para cada simulación, y se compararon; además, se compararon visualmente los niveles piezométricos del acuífero. Se encontró que el rendimiento global del modelo utilizando Kh equivalentes es mejor que el modelo utilizando Kh supuestas, tanto en la distribución espacial de flujos como en los índices, por lo que invertir trabajo previo en la determinación de parámetros da como resultado en modelos más robustos.