bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a Decision Model for Korean OTT Service Users to Adopt Wireless D2D Caching Networks on Their Mobile Devices
Authors: Jang Yumi , Kim Seongcheol
Published: May 2023

As most Korean OTT subscribers use mobile devices as their primary medium for watching OTT video content, mobile network traffic is soaring. However, the existing build-out of mobile communication technology – such as deploying more base stations or expanding the network bandwidth – is struggling to keep pace with the enormous increased demands of mobile network traffic. Accordingly, wireless device-to-device (D2D) caching networks are considered one of the most reliable alternatives for reducing the overload from mobile network traffic caused by streaming video content online. However, wireless D2D caching networks have pros and cons, like any other technology. Thus, this study aims to examine the practical decision-making process of mobile OTT service users in response to the application of wireless D2D caching networks on their mobile devices. An online survey of 94 respondents was conducted in South Korea during 19–23 May 2022; the data obtained were analyzed using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. The study finds that it was the risks, rather than the situational conditions and benefits, that mostly affected mobile OTT service users’ behavioral intentions and strategies. Streaming video content using mobile data or Wi-Fi was perceived as the most viable option. Mobile OTT service users were also willing to take the leap of shifts towards downloading video content in advance rather than adopting wireless D2D caching networks on a mobile device. However, mobile OTT service users’ decisions are heavily dependent on situational conditions related to use of mobile OTT services that make the quality of service consumption different. As one of the first to examine the responses of mobile OTT service users, this study provides meaningful implications for a timely and sensitive issue.
Anal Cancer and Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia Risk among Patients Treated for HPV-Related Gynecological Diseases: a Systematic Review
Authors: Brzeziński Michał , Stukan Maciej
Published: May 2023

Background: The most important causative agents of neoplasms in the anogenital area is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Due to the anatomical proximity of the genital and anus area and the ease with which HPV infection is transmitted, it seems that patients after treatment of HPV-related gynecological diseases may have increased risk of developing a second HPV-related neoplasm- anal cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the risk of anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) and anal cancer (AC) among patients after treatment of HPV-related gynecological diseases. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of available literature in multiple databases. The study was performed following Cochrane Reviewers' Handbook and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2009 guidelines. Moreover, we assessed the quality of each study using QUADAS-2. Results: Twenty five studies were included in the final analysis. Patients after treatment of HPV-related gynecological diseases have a significantly higher risk of AC (mean standardized incidence ratio [SIR]= 5.387, mean incidence risk [IR]= 0.096%, mean IR per 100,000 person-years= 10.37), and AIN (mean IR= 23.683%) compared to the population risk. Conclusions: Patients with HPV-related gynecological diseases should constitute a group for which an appropriate primary and secondary screening for AC should be introduced.
Engaging Minds: Transforming Language Learning with Dynamic Digital Storytelling
Authors: Eslit Edgar
Published: May 2023

Digital storytelling is a powerful tool for language learning that has gained popularity in recent years. By incorporating different modes of communication such as text, images, audio, and video, digital storytelling provides learners with engaging and interactive experiences that promote language acquisition and cultural awareness. Digital storytelling can also promote interaction among learners, which is crucial for language learning, and provide learners with opportunities to receive feedback and support from their peers. Additionally, digital storytelling can be used to promote cultural sensitivity and intercultural dialogue among language learners. Through storytelling, learners can gain insights into the customs, values, and beliefs of different communities, and create stories that reflect their own cultural backgrounds and experiences. This paper provides an overview of the benefits of digital storytelling for language learning and highlights the various ways in which it can be used to enhance language acquisition and cultural awareness. It concludes with recommendations on how to effectively incorporate digital storytelling into language teaching practices.
Geometry of CR-Slant Warped Products in Nearly Kaehler Manifolds
Authors: Uddin Siraj , Chen Bang-Yen , Bossly Rawan
Published: May 2023

Recently, we studied CR-slant warped products B1×fM⊥, where B1=MT×Mθ is the Riemannian product of holomorphic and proper slant submanifolds and M⊥ is a totally real submanifold in a nearly Kaehler manifold. In the continuation, in this paper, we study B2×fMθ, where B2=MT×M⊥ is a CR-product of a nearly Kaehler manifold and establish Chen’s inequality for the squared norm of the second fundamental form. Some special cases of Chen’s inequality are given.
Conditions for Minimizing the Computational Complexity of the RCWA Calculation of the Diffraction Efficiency of Sawtooth Two-Layer Double-Relief Microstructures
Authors: Greisukh Grigoriy Isaevich , Antonov Artem Ivanovich , Ezhov Evgeniy Grigorievich , Danilov Victor Anatolyevich , Usievich Boris Alexandrovich
Published: May 2023

In this study novel recommendations are presented and substantiated for selecting the number of modes and optical thicknesses of flat lattice slabs that make up the microreliefs, which minimize the computational complexity of the rigorous coupled-wave analysis calculation of the diffraction efficiency (DE) of a sawtooth two-layer two-relief microstructure, while maintaining the specified reliability of the calculation results. The computational complexity can be controlled by allowing one or another level of oscillation of the DE curves depend on the angle of incidence of the radiation incident on the microstructure. In particular, the complexity of the multi-thousand DE calculations in the optimization process can be reduced by using the proposed methodology as well as increased computational complexity to certify the accuracy of the solution obtained as a result of implemented optimization.
Designing Microfluidic PCR Chip Device Using CFD Software for the Detection of Malaria
Authors: Austria Meynard R. , Garcia Jon Patrick T. , Caparanga Alvin R. , Tayo Lemmuel L. , Doma Bonifacio Jr T.
Published: May 2023

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique is one of the molecular methods in amplifying DNA for the detection of malaria. However, the limitations of PCR especially when used for routine clinical practice can hamper its sensitivity and specificity. With that, this study focuses on designing a microfluidic device that will mimic the function of a conventional genus-specific PCR based on 18S rRNA gene to detect malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum) at low grade parasitemia. The design was drawn and simulated using ANSYS 14.5 Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The simulation shows that adding loops to the design increases its relative deviation but to a minimal extent as compared to having only a straight path design, which indicates that looping is acceptable in designing a microfluidic device to minimize chip length. Also, increasing the cross-sectional area of the fluid path decreases the efficiency of the design, thus, the design with a relatively smaller cross-sectional area is favored. And lastly, among the three materials utilized, the chip made of polypropylene is the most efficient with a relative deviation of 0.94 as compared to polycarbonate and polydimethylsiloxane which have relative deviations of 2.78 and 1.92, respectively.
Multi-Focused Laboratory Experiments Based on Quorum Sensing and Quorum Quenching for Acquiring Microbial Physiology Concepts
Authors: Torres Mariela Analía , Valdez Alejandra Leonor , Olea Carolina de Lourdes , Nieto-Peñalver Carlos Gabriel
Published: May 2023

After a time away from the classrooms and laboratories due to the global pandemic, the return to the teaching activities during the semester represented a challenge to both teachers and students. Our particular situation in a Microbial Physiology course was the necessity of imparting in a shorter time, laboratory practices that usually take longer. This article describes a two-week long laboratory exercise that covers several concepts in an interrelated way: conjugation as a gene transfer mechanism, regulation of microbial physiology, production of secondary metabolites, degradation of macromolecules and biofilm formation. Utilizing a Quorum Quenching (QQ) strategy, the Quorum Sensing (QS) system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is first attenuated. Then, phenotypes regulated by QS are evidenced. QS is a regulatory mechanism of the microbial physiology that relays on signal molecules. QS is related in P. aeruginosa to several virulence factors, some of which are exploited in the laboratory practices presented in this work. QQ is phenomenon by which QS is interrupted or attenuated. We utilized a QQ approach based on the enzymatic degradation of the P. aeruginosa QS signals in order to put in evidence QS-regulated traits that are relevant for our Microbial Physiology course.
Photocatalytic Synthesis of 6 Phosphorylated Phenanthridines from 2 Isocyanobiphenyls via Radical C−P and C−C Bond Formation
Authors: Wang Liping , Zhang Qin , Sang Xiaoyan , Ding Qiuping
Published: May 2023

A mild, efficient, and photocatalytic synthesis of 6-phosphorylated phenanthridines via tandem radical addition/cyclization/aromatization of 2-isocyanobiphenyls with diarylphosphine oxides is reported. The method features operational simplicity, metal-free conditions, using low-cost rose Bengal as catalyst and sustainable air as terminal oxidant at room temperature, and providing the desired products in moderate to good yields.
Optimization Imposition upon Drone Gimbal Control Electronics
Authors: Zheng Erhe , Sands Timothy
Published: May 2023

The goal of the manuscript is to design a relatively best control structure for the noise suppression of a drone’s camera gimbal action. The gimbal’s movement can be simplified as a rest-to-rest reorientation system that can achieve the boundary result of a dynamic system. Six different control architectures are proposed and evaluated based on their ability to control the trajectory of the dynamic-system position and speed, their running time, and quadratic cost. The robustness of the control architecture to uncertainties in inertia and sensor noise is also analyzed. Monte Carlo figures are used to assess the performance of the six control systems. The conditions for applying different architectures are identified through this analysis. The analysis and experimental tests reveal the most suitable control of the drone’s camera gimbal rotation.
Numerical Study on Ductile Failure Behaviours of Steel Structures under Quasi-static Punch Loading
Authors: Cai Wei , Zhou Zhihui , Qian Xudong , Cao Dongfeng , Li Shuxin , Zhu Ling , Hu Haixiao
Published: May 2023

A reliable finite element procedure to simulate shear-dominated ductile fracture in large-scale, thin-walled steel structures is still evolving due primarily to the challenges in determining the fracture criterion of steel materials under complex stress states. This paper aims to examine the accuracy of the modified Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model considering the shear failure in simulating ductile fracture of steel plate structures under quasi-static punch loading. The modified GTN damage models are performed by ABAQUS user defined material subroutine (VUMAT). The void related parameters and shear damage parameters of Xue’s and N-H modified GTN models are calibrated from test specimens with various geometries corresponding to different stress triaxiality and shearing conditions. The damage evolution associated with the shearing of voids in the modified GTN models has strong influences on the stress triaxiality versus equivalent plastic strain under complex stress states, especially for the shear dominated loading conditions. Based on the original GTN model, Xue’s model, and N-H modified GTN model with calibrated material parameters, a numerical comparative study examines the ductile fracture of steel non-stiffened plate and stiffened plate under punch loading. Benchmarked against the experimental studies, the numerical simulations demonstrate that the shear driven void evolution in the modified GTN model imposes significant effects on the load-displacement responses, as well as the onset and extension of ductile fracture in steel plates under punch actions. The N-H modified model with calibrated shear damage parameters shows a better correlation with the ductile fractures in steel plates observed in the experiment, than the original GTN model and Xue’s modified GTN model. As a result of this study, the modified GTN model considering the shear failure can be applied for practical applications in the crashworthiness assessment of ship collision and grounding.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in Sports – a Comparison between a CGM Device and Lab-Based Glucose Analyser under Resting and Exercising Conditions in Athletes
Authors: Bauhaus Helen , Erdogan Pinar , Braun Hans , Thevis Mario
Published: May 2023

The objective of this pilot study was to compare glucose concentrations in capillary blood (CB) samples analysed in a laboratory by a validated method and glucose concentrations measured in the interstitial fluid (ISF) by continuous glucose monitoring under different physical activity levels in a postprandial state in healthy and active subjects without diabetes. Ten healthy, active subjects (26±4 years, 67±11 kg bodyweight (BW), 11±3 h) were included in the study. Within 14 days, they underwent six tests consisting of a) resting fasted (R/Fast), b) resting after intake of 1 g glucose/kg BW (R/Glc) and c) running for 60 minutes at moderate (65/Glc) and d) high (85/Glc) intensity after intake of 1 g glucose/kg BW. Data were collected in the morning, following a standardised dinner before test day. Sensor-based glucose concentrations were compared to simultaneous capillary blood glucose concentrations. Pearson’s r correlation coefficient was highest for R/Glc (.92, p<.001) compared to R/Fast (.45, p<.001), 65/Glc (.60, p<.001) and 85/Glc (.70, p<.001). Mean absolute relative deviation (MARD) and standard deviation (SD) was smallest for resting fasted and similar between all other conditions (R/Fast: 8±6%, R/Glc: 17±12%, 65/Glc: 22 ± 24%, 85/Glc: 18±17%). However, Bland-Altman plot analysis showed a higher range between lower and upper limits of agreement (95% confidence interval) of paired data under exercising compared to resting conditions. Under resting fasted conditions, both methods produce similar outcomes. Under resting postprandial and exercising conditions, respectively, there are differences between both methods. However, further data in healthy subjects need to be gathered considering physical activity and nutrition status.
Postoperative Hypothermia in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery: A Cohort Study
Authors: Kammar-García Ashuin , Romero-Chacón Leidy Katerin , Guadarrama-Tovar Sara Gabriela , Mancilla-Galindo Javier , Guerrero-Gutiérrez Manuel Alberto , Escarramán-Martínez Diego , Aguilar-Silva Fernando
Published: May 2023

Objective: To describe the proportion of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery who develop postoperative hypothermia, and the variables associated with its occurrence. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in a tertiary care referral hospital in Mexico City to describe the incidence of perioperative hypothermia and factors associated with postoperative hypothermia. A repeated measures ANOVA model was used to compare preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative temperatures. Potential variables associated with hypothermia were evaluated with a logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 110 patients were included in the analysis. Of them, 61% (n=67) were women. The mean age was 56.7 years (SD: 16.3, range: 75). The most frequently involved organ on which surgery was performed was kidney or urinary tract (21.8%), followed by large bowel (14.5%) and exploratory laparotomy (14.5%). The incidence of postoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery was 57.3%, while preoperative and intraoperative hypothermia occurred in 55.5% and 79.1%, respectively. Age over 60 years was the only variable associated with postoperative hypothermia after multivariable adjustment for sex, age, and time surgery (OR=18.4, 95% CI:3.79-89.6, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Increasing age was the only variable associated with postoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.
Achalasia Post-Bariatric Surgery, Placement Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Case Report
Authors: Landeros-Ruiz Juan Pablo , Zúñiga-Ramos Lourdes Marlene , Cárdenas-Guerrero Daniela , Torres Quitzia Libertad
Published: May 2023

INTRODUCTION: Achalasia is a pathology with an incidence of 1 in 100,000 inhabitants per year. There are very limited data on achalasia in the obese population, especially in those undergoing bariatric surgery. The approach of choice for cases of achalasia is fundoplication to correct the reflux; however, lacking a fundus due to a previous gastrectomy, an alternative that offers optimal results should be chosen. Here we present the surgical approach in a case of esophageal achalasia and a history of vertical sleeve gastrectomy, where we performed simultaneous Heller's cardiomyotomy and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, as well as the results obtained.

CASE PRESENTATION: 44-year-old woman with no chronic degenerative diseases, with a previous record of vertical sleeve gastrectomy 5 years ago, who started 1 year and 5 months earlier with dysphagia to liquids, then to solids, in addition to weight loss of 10 kilograms in 4 months. The BMI before vertical sleeve gastrectomy was 32 kg/m2, her BMI at the time of admission was 20 kg/m2; she also presented regurgitation and generalized weakness. After analyzing the surgical options, it was decided to perform a Heller cardiomyotomy and a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The procedure turned out to be safe and successful in treating achalasia symptomatology, in addition to complete resolution of the reflux symptom.
Autopsy for Medical Diagnostics of Sudden Unexpected Death: Cardiac Conduction System Findings
Authors: Ottaviani Giulia , Ramos Simone G.
Published: May 2023

Sudden unexpected death (SUD) is a fatal event that occurs in an apparently healthy subject so that such an abrupt outcome could have not been predicted. SUD - including sudden intrauterine unexplained death (SIUD), sudden neonatal unexpected death (SNUD), sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sudden unexpected death of the young (SUDY), sudden unexpected death in the adult (SUDA) - occurs as the first manifestation of an unknown underlying disease or within a few hours of presentation of a disease. SUD is a major unsolved, shocking form of death that occurs frequently and can happen at any time without warning. For each case of SUD, a review of clinical history data and performance of a complete autopsy, particularly focused on the study of the cardiac conduction system were carried out according to the necropsy protocol devised by the Lino Rossi Research Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy. Research cases are represented by 75 SUD victims, subdivided into 15 SIUD, 15 SNUD, 15 SUDY, and 15 SUDA victims, collected and selected for this study. After the routine autopsy and clinical history analysis, the death remained unexplained and hence a diagnosis of SUD was assigned to the 75. subjects, which included45 females (60%) and 30 (40%) males, ranging in age from 27 gestational weeks to 76 years. Serial sections of the cardiac conduction system disclosed frequent congenital alterations, of the cardiac conduction system in fetuses and infants. An age-related significant difference in distribution among the 5 age-related groups was detected for the following anomalies of the conduction system: central fibrous body (CFB) islands of conduction tissue, fetal dispersion, resorptive degeneration, Mahaim fiber, CFB cartilaginous meta-hyperplasia, His bundle septation, sino-atrial node (SAN) artery fibromuscular thickening, atrio-ventricular junction hypoplasia, intramural right bundle branch, and SAN hypoplasia. The results data are useful to understand the cause of death for all SUD cases that were unexpected and would have otherwise remained unexplained, so to motivate medical examiners and pathologists to perform more in-depth studies.
In Vitro and In Silico Analysis of the Anti-cancer Effects Eurycomanone and Eurycomalactone From Eurycoma longifolia.
Authors: Yunos Nurhanan Murni , Wahab Habibah A , Al-Thiabat Mohammad G. , Sallehudin Nor Jannah , Jauri Muhamad Haffiz
Published: May 2023

Eurycomanone and eurycomalactone are known quassinoids present in the roots and stems of Eurycoma longifolia. These compounds had been reported to have cytotoxic effects, however, their mechanism of action in a few cancer cell lines have yet to be elucidated. This study was aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effects and mechanisms of action of eurycomanone and eurycomalactone in cervical (HeLa), colorectal (HT29) and ovarian (A2780) cancer cell lines via Sulforhodamine B assay. Their mechanism of cell death was evaluated based on Hoechst 33342 assay and in silico molecular docking toward DHFR and TNF-α as putative protein targets. Eurycomanone and eurycomalactone exhibited in vitro anti-cancer effects manifesting IC50 values of 4.58 ± 0.090 µM and 1.60 ± 0.12 µM (HeLa), 1.22 ± 0.11 µM and 2.21 ± 0.049 µM (HT-29), and 1.37 ± 0.13 µM and 2.46 ± 0.081 µM (A2780) respectively. They induced apoptotic cancer cell death in dose- and time-dependent manners. Both eurycomanone and eurycomalactone were also predicted to have good inhibitory potential as demonstrated by the docking into TNF-α with binding affinity of -8.83 and -7.51 kcal/mol, respectively, as well as into DHFR with binding affinity results of -8.05 and -8.87 kcal/mol, respectively. These results support the evidence of eurycomanone and eurycomalactone as anti-cancer agents via apoptotic cell death mechanism that could be associated with TNF-α and DHFR inhibition as among possible protein targets.
The Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics of Natural Selection: From Molecules to the Biosphere
Authors: Michaelian Karo
Published: May 2023

Evolutionary theory suggests that the origin, persistence, and evolution of biology is driven by the “natural selection” of characteristics improving the differential reproductive success of the organism in the given environment. The theory, however, lacks physical foundation, and, therefore, at best, can only be considered a heuristic narrative, of some utility for assimilating the biological and paleontological data at the level of the organism. On deeper analysis, it becomes apparent that this narrative is plagued with problems and paradoxes. Alternatively, non-equilibrium thermodynamic theory, derived from physical law, provides a physical foundation for describing material interaction with its environment at all scales. Here we describe a “natural thermodynamic selection” of characteristics of structures (or processes), based stochastically on increases in the global rate of dissipation of the prevailing solar spectrum. The different mechanisms of thermodynamic selection are delineated for the different biotic-abiotic levels, from the molecular level at the origin of life, up to the level of the present biosphere with non-linear coupling of biotic and abiotic processes. At the levels of the organism and the biosphere, the non-equilibrium thermodynamic description of evolution resembles, respectively, Darwinian and Gaia descriptions, although the underlying mechanisms and the objective function of selection are fundamentally very different.
Recycled and Nickel or Cobalt-Doped Lead Materials from Lead Acid Battery
Authors: Rada Simona , Pintea Andrei , Opre Razvan , Unguresan Mihaela , Popa Adriana
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes the recycling of plates from spent car batteries by the melt quenching method and the incorporation of NiO or Co3O4 contents in order to improve the electrochemical performance of new materials for applications as electrodes on batteries. The analysis of X - ray diffractograms indicates the gradual decrease of the sulfated crystalline phases, respectively 4PbO•PbSO4 and PbO•PbSO4 phases until their disappearance for higher dopant concentrations. IR data show a decreasing trend in the intensity of the bands assigned to sulfate ions and a conversion of [PbO3] pyramidal units into [PbO4] tetrahedral units by doping with high dopant levels yielding to the formation of the PbO2 crystalline phase. The EPR data indicate three resonance lines centered on the gyromagnetic factor, g ~ 2, 2.2 and 8, which are dependent on the NiO level. The first two resonance lines are assigned to nickel ions in higher oxidation states and the last signal centered at g ~ 8 corresponds to nickel metal nanoparticles. This compositional evolution can be explained by considering a process of drastic reduction of nickel ions in oxidation states superior to metallic nickel. The linewidth and the intensity of resonance lines situated at about g ~ 2, 2.17, 4.22 and 7.8 corresponding to the Co+2 ions from EPR spectra depend very strongly on the Co3O4 concentration. The best reversibility of the cyclic voltammograms was highlighted for the samples with x = 8 mol% NiO and 10 mol% Co3O4, which are recommended as suitable in applications as electrode for renewable batteries.
Geological Hazard Susceptibility Evaluation using Information Quantity, Deterministic Coefficient, and Logistic Regression Models and Their Comparison at Xuanwei, China
Authors: Zhang Shaohan , Tan Shucheng , Liu Lifeng , Ding Duanyu , Sun Yongqi , Li Jun
Published: May 2023

In China, the majority of mountainous regions are characterized by complex topography and a delicate, sensitive geological environment. Coupled with a generally underdeveloped infrastruc-ture and numerous unreasonable human engineering activities, these regions are often highly susceptible to geological disasters. Geological hazards can cause significant damage to human lives and property, impeding the development of mountainous areas. Consequently, researching the assessment of geological hazard vulnerability is crucial for disaster prevention, emergency management, and economic development in these regions. This study focuses on Xuanwei City and selects eight factors for evaluation, including elevation, gradient, slope aspect, normalized vegetation index, stratigraphic lithology, distance from faults, distance from rivers, and distance from roads. These factors are chosen based on a comprehensive analysis of the spatial and tem-poral distribution of geological hazards and disaster incubation conditions. Two paired models, the deterministic coefficient model + logistic regression model (CF+LR) and the information quan-tity model + logistic regression model (I+LR), were employed to quantitatively assess the study ar-ea. The accuracy of these models was evaluated using ROC curves and AUC values. The results indicate that: (1) The AUC values for the CF+LR and I+LR coupled models are 0.799 and 0.772, respectively, demonstrating that both models can objectively and reliably assess the vulnerability to geological hazards in the study area; (2) Based on the CF+LR model calculations, the geological hazard susceptibility of Xuanwei City can be categorized into four zones: extremely high suscepti-bility (6.09%), high susceptibility (31.08%), medium susceptibility (32.26%), and low susceptibility (30.57%); (3) The CF+LR model more accurately represents the evaluation results and offers a strong reference value.
Compulsory Earthquake Insurance and Insurance Subsidy in Turkey
Authors: Yalaz Hatice Özlem
Published: May 2023

As in other parts of the world, natural disasters are increasingly causing significant loss of life and economic damage in Turkey. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, storms, fires, and hailstorms have been occurring since ancient times, but now they are being compounded by factors such as climate change and the deterioration of natural environments. This has led to an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters and the resulting damage. It is important to finance the economic consequences of natural disasters that threaten individuals, commercial enterprises, and the country's administration. The frequency of the public's exposure to natural disasters, insurance awareness, the financial size of the disasters, the risk management policies of insurance companies, and the competence and willingness of the state and local governments to cover the damage are decisive factors. Prior to the increase in natural disasters, the country's administration was active and involved in first aid, rescue, and damage financing. However, it now has difficulty in financing the damage caused by natural disasters to individual, commercial, industrial, and agricultural assets and does not want to provide full assurance. This is because the dangers awaiting humanity in the future cannot be fully predicted. Private insurance companies undertake the task of taking over and distributing the risk in financing natural disaster losses and ensuring sustainability. Although this is a modern and rational solution, the problem is the insufficient number of insurance policies and insufficient premium production in countries where insurance awareness is not sufficiently developed. To increase premium production and geographical distribution of the risk, the state includes natural disaster insurances within the scope of compulsory insurances and mandates pre-disaster insurance policies. Following the earthquake disaster in the Marmara Region on 17.08.1999, compulsory insurance against earthquakes was introduced in Turkey with the Decree Law No. 587, which entered into force on 27.09.2000. This eliminated the obligation of the state to pay earthquake-related payments for the buildings determined by Turkish Natural Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TNCIP). Citizens have obtained modern, reliable, and regular insurance protection against earthquake damage. Naturally, the success or failure of Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (CEI) and Turkish Natural Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TNCIP) can be questioned after a major disaster. Since TNCIP is a new institution and other countries have not yet adopted it as an example, precedent institutions and past data cannot be included in the literature.
Undernutrition Modifies the Antihypertensive and Metabolic Responses of Rostafuroxin in Male Rats: Outcomes on Bodily Na+ Handling and Renal Na+-transporting ATPases
Authors: Pereira-Acácio Amaury , Veloso-Santos João P.M. , Veloso-Santos João P.M. , Costa-Sarmento Glória , Muzi-Filho Humberto , Vieyra Adalberto
Published: May 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether chronic undernutrition modifies the response to rostafuroxin in juvenile rats. Chronic undernutrition was induced in male rats using a multideficient diet known as Regional Basic Diet (RBD), mimicking alimentary habits in impoverished regions worldwide. Animals were given RBD – or a control/CTRL normal diet for rodents – from weaning to 90 days, and rostafuroxin (1 mg/kg body mass) or vehicle were orally administered during the last 30 days. Undernourished rats became hypertensive at 55–60 days of age (tail-cuff recording). During the last two days, the rats were hosted in metabolic cages to measure food/energy, water, Na+ ingestion, and urinary volume. Blood and kidneys were collected after euthanasia. Rostafuroxin increased food/energy and Na+ intake in CTRL and RBD rats but had opposite effects on Na+ balance (intake minus urinary excretion): negative in CTRL and positive in RBD. The drug normalized the decreased plasma Na+ concentration found in RBD rats, increased urinary volume in RBD but not in CTRL, and decreased and increased urinary Na+ concentration in the RBD and CTRL groups, respectively. Rostafuroxin decreased the ouabain-sensitive (Na++K+)ATPase and increased the ouabain-resistant, furosemide-sensitive Na+-ATPase from proximal tubule cells in both groups, and normalized the systolic blood pressure in RBD without effect in CTRL rats. We conclude that chronic undernutrition modifies the response of blood pressure, caloric metabolism, Na+ distribution in liquid compartments, mobilization of Na+ from non-osmotic compartments, Na+ and water balance, and activity of renal Na+-transporting ATPases to rostafuroxin.
UVM: A Pass Transistor-Based Multi-Function Gate Design
Authors: Datta Rajesh
Published: May 2023

This study introduces a gate design that uses pass transistor switches and enables the implementation of all nec- necessary logic gates with a single structure. This gate design can be used for efficient circuit resizing and creating secure obfuscated circuits. This work also presents simulation results that demonstrate the effectiveness of the gate in performing various logic gate operations.
Robot Motion in Radial Mass Density Field
Authors: Novakovic Branko , Majetic Dubravko , Kasac Josip , Brezak Danko
Published: May 2023

Control of autonomous robot motion in radial mass density field is presented. In that sense the robot motion is described as the function of the radial mass density parameters. The radial mass density field is between the maximal radial mass density and the minimal radial mass density. Between these two limited values one can use n points (n = 1, 2, . . . nmax) and calculate the related radial mass density for each point. The radial mass density is maximal at the minimal gravitational radius and minimal at the maximal gravitational radius. This conclusion is valid for Planck scale, but also for the scales that are less or higher of that one. Using the ratio of the Planck mass and Planck radius it is generated energy conservation constant with value κ = 0.99993392118. Further, in this theory it is possible to connect Planck’s and gravitational parameters as functions of the maximal (or minimal) radial mass density. In that sense the autonomous robot motion in radial mass density field is important for the control of the robot motion at micro and nano scales.
Ev Sahibi ve Köken Ülkede Çevresel Sürdürülebilirlik Uygulamaları Birbirinden Farklı Mı? Ford Otomotiv Örneği
Authors: TALAŞ Zeynep , DİL Esra
Published: May 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Ford Otomotiv örneği üzerinden küresel işletmelerin köken ve ev sahibi ülkedeki çevresel sürdürülebilirlik yaklaşımlarındaki farklılığı irdelemektir. Bu doğrultuda çevresel sürdürülebilirlik raporlaması köken ülke ve ev sahibi ülkede farklılaşıyor mu? Şayet bir fark tespit ediliyorsa bunun kaynağı nedir? Çevresel sürdürülebilirlik teorilerinden bu durumu açıklayan bir teorik yaklaşım var mıdır? soruları çalışmanın odaklanacağı noktalardır. Çalışmada nitel araştırma yöntemi benimsenerek, Türkiye’nin ev sahipliği yaptığı, ABD kökenli Ford Otomotiv işletmesinin iki ülkedeki çevresel sürdürülebilirlik raporları içerik analizine tabi tutulmuştur. GRI indeksi çevre kategorileri ve Koşu Bandı Üretim Teorisi çevre kategorileri analizin iki aşamasını oluşturmuştur. Bulgular, ev sahibi ülkenin çevresel uyum kategorisinde daha baskın, köken ülkede ise zayıf olduğunu göstermektedir. Ancak köken ülkede tedarikçi çevresel değerlendirme kategorisinin detaylı şekilde yapılandırıldığı tespit edilmiştir.
Türkiye’deki Büyükşehir Belediyelerinin Mobil Teknoloji Kullanımlarının Analizi
Authors: GÜRSOY Oğuzhan
Published: May 2023

Bilgi ve iletişim teknolojileri alanında yaşanan hızlı değişim ve dönüşüm dalgası mobil teknolojileri hiç olmadığı kadar ön plana çıkarmıştır. Diğer teknolojik cihazlara kıyasla daha yüksek sahiplik oranı olan mobil cihazlar; vatandaşlar ve yerel yönetimler arasında, özellikle milenyum sonrasındaki dönemde, çağrı merkezleri, anlık mesajlaşma uygulamaları ve mobil uygulamalar gibi yeni iletişim kanalları açmıştır. Küresel ölçekteki erişim ve kullanım oranları göz önünde bulundurulduğunda mobil teknolojiler, çok sayıda vatandaşa/müşteriye erişme konusunda ciddi bir fırsat sunmaktadır. Kamu sektöründe daha düşük maliyetlerle daha iyi hizmet sunumu, verimlilik, hesap verebilirlik, şeffaflık, duyarlılık, yanıt verebilirlik ve geri bildirim ilkeleri çerçevesinde kurumsal kapasite sağlanması gibi avantajları olan M-Devlet ve M-Belediye çalışmaları günümüzde yeni bir demokratikleşme dalgasına neden olmaktadır. Bu çalışma ile kurumsal ve finansal açıdan görece güçlü olduğu düşünülen büyükşehir belediyelerinin mobil teknolojileri kullanım tarz ve düzeylerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Bu kapsamda, Türkiye’deki büyükşehir belediyelerinin bir M-Devlet ya da M-Belediyecilik aracı olarak kullandıkları anlık mesajlaşma uygulamaları, çağrı merkezleri üzerinden sundukları mobil hizmetler ve çok çeşitli başlıklarda geliştirdikleri mobil uygulamalar web hasadı yöntemi ile incelenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, mobil uygulama ve çağrı merkezi hizmetlerinin büyükşehir belediyelerince aktif olarak kullanıldığı ancak genel olarak anlık mesajlaşma programlarının (WhatsApp ve Telegram) çok aktif ve verimli olarak kullanılmadığı saptanmıştır.
Special Connections for Representing Multiscale Heterogeneities in Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Correia Manuel Gomes , Oliveira Gonçalo , Schiozer Denis José
Published: May 2023

The significant quantities of oil contained in fractured karst reservoirs in Brazilian presalt fields add new challenges to the development of upscaling procedures to reduce time on numerical simulations. This work aims to represent multiscale heterogeneities in reservoir simulators based on special connections between matrix, karst, and fracture mediums, both modeled in different grid domains within a single porosity flow model. The objective of this representation is to strike a good balance between accuracy and simulation time. Therefore, this work extends the approach of special connections developed by Correia et al. (2019) to integrate both karst and fracture mediums modeled in different grid domains and block scales. The transmissibility calculation between the three domains is a combination of the conventional formulation based on two-point flux approximation schemes and the matrix-fracture fluid transfer formulation. The flow inside each domain is governed by Darcy’s equation and implicitly solved by the simulator. For proper validation and numerical verification, we applied the methodology to a simple case (two-phase and three-phase flow) and a real case (two-phase flow). For the simple case, the reference model is a refined grid model with (1) an arrangement of large conduits (karsts), which are poorly connected; (2) a well-connected and orthogonal system of fractures; and (3) a background medium (matrix). The real case is a section of a Brazilian presalt field, characterized as a naturally fractured carbonate reservoir. The reference is the geological model. The simulation model consists of a structural model with different gridblock sizes according to the scale of the heterogeneities—small-scale karst geometries, medium-scale matrix properties, and larger-scale fracture features—interconnected by special connections. The results for both cases show a significant performance improvement regarding a dynamic matching response with the reference model, within a suitable simulation time and maintaining the dynamic resolution according to the representative elementary volume of heterogeneities, without using an unstructured grid. In comparison to the reference model, for the simple case and the real case, the simulation time was reduced by 42% and 87%, respectively. The proposed method contributes to a multiscale flow simulation solution to manage heterogeneous geological scenarios using structured grids while preserving the high resolution of small-scale heterogeneities and providing a good relationship between accuracy and simulation time.
Physics-Guided Deep Learning for Improved Production Forecasting in Unconventional Reservoirs
Authors: Mohd Razak Syamil , Cornelio Jodel , Cho Young , Liu Hui-Hai , Vaidya Ravimadhav , Jafarpour Behnam
Published: May 2023

The complexity of physics-based modeling of fluid flow in hydraulically fractured unconventional reservoirs, together with the abundant data from repeated factory-style drilling and completion of these resources, has prompted the development and application of data-driven statistical models for predicting hydrocarbon production performance. More recently, machine learning algorithms have been widely studied in developing data-driven prediction models for unconventional reservoirs. These models often require a large amount of high-quality training data with sufficient range to avoid excessive extrapolation and produce reliable predictions. Unlike statistical models, physics-based models represent causal relations between input and output variables to provide predictions beyond available data. While a detailed physics-based description of fluid flow in unconventional reservoirs is not yet available, approximate physical flow functions have been proposed to capture the general production behavior of unconventional wells. These physical functions can be augmented with the available data to improve data-driven methods by constraining the models to adhere to the general production trends. In this paper, we develop a physics-constrained data-driven model by embedding physical flow functions into neural network models. Since the performance of the physics-constrained model depends on the relevance of the embedded physics, a sizeable residual prediction error is expected if the collected data do not sufficiently match the embedded model. The residual model typically represents errors in the description of inputs or any missing physical phenomenon. We compensate for such errors through residual learning, where an auxiliary neural network is designed to learn the complex relationship between the input parameters (such as formation and completion properties) and the expected prediction residuals. The new physics-guided deep learning (PGDL) model augments any physics-constrained prediction model with residual learning to increase its prediction accuracy. Several synthetic and actual field data sets, from the Bakken play, are used to demonstrate the performance of the PGDL model.
Care intervention on psychological outcomes among patients admitted to intensive care unit: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Authors: Zheng Yafang , Zhang Lijuan , Ma Shihong , Wu Bian , Chen Peipei , Xu Yan , Tan Wenting , Li Hanzhan , Wu Qiaomei , Zheng Jingxia
Published: May 2023

Background
Numerous studies have explored care interventions to improve the psychological outcome of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, but inconclusive evidence makes it difficult for decision-makers, managers and clinicians to get familiar with all available literatures and find appropriate interventions. This umbrella review aimed to analyze the relationship between care intervention and psychological outcomes of ICU patients bases on existing systematic reviews.
Methods
Umbrella review of evidence across systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between 1987 and 2020 was undertaken. We systematically searched primary studies that examined the association between care intervention and the improvement of adverse psychological outcomes in ICU patients using PubMed, EMBASE, web of science, Cochrane library, and manual reference screening. The measurement tool (AMSTAR 2) was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of included studies. The excess significance bias, between-study heterogeneity expressed by I2, small study effect and evidence class were estimated.
Results
A total of 5110 articles were initially identified from the search databases and nine of them were included in analysis. By applying standardized criteria, only week evidence was observed in 13 associations, even though most included reviews were of moderate to high methodological quality. These associations pertained to eight interventions (music therapy, early rehabilitation, post ICU follow up, ICU diary, information intervention, preoperative education, communication and psychological support, surrogate decision-making) and five psychological outcomes (post intensive care syndrome, transfer anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression). Weak or null association was shown among the rest of the associations (e.g., weak association between music therapy and maternal anxiety or stress level).
Conclusions
The evidence of these eight supporting interventions to improve the adverse psychological outcomes of ICU patients and caregivers was weak. Data from more and better-designed studies with lager sample size are needed to establish robust evidence.
RUNX1/ETO Regulates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Levels in t(8,21) Acute Myeloid Leukaemia via FLT3 and RAC1
Authors: Azlan Adam , Khor Kang Zi , Rajasegaran Yaashini , Rosli Aliaa Arina , Said Mohamed Saifulaman Mohamed , Yusoff Narazah Mohd , Moses Emmanuel Jairaj
Published: May 2023

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis is crucial for leukaemogenesis. and deregulation would hamper leukaemic progression. Although the regulatory effects of RUNX1/ETO has been extensively studied, its underlying molecular mechanims in ROS production in t(8,21) AML is yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we report that RUNX1/ETO could directly control FLT3 by occupying several DNA elements on FLT3 locus. The possible hijacking mechanism by RUNX1/ETO over FLT3 mediated ROS modulation in AML t(8;21) was made apparent when suppression of RUNX1/ETO led to decrement in ROS levels and the direct oxidative marker FOXO3 but not in FLT3 and RAC1 suppressed t(8,21) AML cell line Furthermore, nuclear import of RUNX1/ETO was aberrated following RUNX1/ETO and RAC1 suppression suggesting association in ROS control. A different picture was depicted in non t(8;21) cells where suppression of RAC1 and FLT3 led to decreased levels of FOXO3a and ROS. Results alltogether indicate a possible dysregulation of ROS levels by RUNX1/ETO on t(8,21) AML.
Accumulation of m6A exhibits stronger correlation with MAPT than β-amyloid pathology in an APPNL-G-F /MAPTP301S mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Jiang Lulu , Roberts Rebecca , Wong Melissa , Zhang Lushuang , Webber Chelsea Joy , Kilci Alper , Jenkins Matthew , Sun Jingjing , Sun Guangxin , Rashad Sherif , Dedon Peter C , Daley Sarah Anne , Xia Weiming , Ortiz Alejandro Rondón , Dorrian Luke , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C , Wolozin Benjamin
Published: May 2023

The study for the pathophysiology study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been hampered by lack animal models that recapitulate the major AD pathologies, including extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition, intracellular aggregation of microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT), inflammation and neurodegeneration. We now report on a double transgenic APPNL−G−F MAPTP301S mouse that at 6 months of age exhibits robust Aβ plaque accumulation, intense MAPT pathology, strong inflammation and extensive neurodegeneration. The presence of Aβ pathology potentiated the other major pathologies, including MAPT pathology, inflammation and neurodegeneration. However, MAPT pathology neither changed levels of amyloid precursor protein nor potentiated Aβ accumulation. The APPNL−G−F/MAPTP301S mouse model also showed strong accumulation of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which was recently shown to be elevated in the AD brain. M6A primarily accumulated in neuronal soma, but also co-localized with a subset of astrocytes and microglia. The accumulation of m6A corresponded with increases in METTL3 and decreases in ALKBH5, which are enzymes that add or remove m6A from mRNA, respectively. Thus, the APPNL−G−F/MAPTP301S mouse recapitulates many features of AD pathology beginning at 6 months of aging.