bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANÁLISE DAS MUDANÇAS DE USO E COBERTURA DA TERRA E PLANEJAMENTO REGIONAL NO MATOBIBA
Authors: Silva Willian Alves da , Deus Leandro Andrei Beser de
Published: June 2023

A região conhecida como MATOPIBA (Região das divisas dos Estados do Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí e Bahia) passa, nas últimas décadas, por fortes alterações de sua vegetação natural devido ao avanço do Agronegócio. O Cerrado tem dado lugar a pastagens e agricultura em larga escala. Neste trabalho, objetiva-se comparar o avanço da agricultura ao longo de 30 anos, com enfoque especial em como cada classe de vegetação tem sido afetada, seja diretamente pela substituição por agricultura, ou devido a impactos indiretos. Para isso, serão utilizadas cenas ambientais produzidas pela classificação de subcenas Landsat [5 e 8] e posterior análise dos gráficos de “Perdas e Ganhos”, do módulo análise de mudanças, produzidos pelo modelo LCM (Land Change Modeler) pertencente ao software IDRISI Selva. Como resultado final, observou-se a expansão da Agricultura sobre certos tipos de vegetação nativa e uma progressiva diminuição da densidade desta vegetação preservada como efeito colateral.
Модель формирования защитной пленки в окрестности щелевого канала при конвективно-пленочном охлаждении пластины
Authors: Тукмаков Алексей Львович , Tukmakov Aleksey Lvovich , Харьков Виталий Викторович , Kharkov Vitalii Viktorovich , Ахунов Адель Айратович , Ahunov Adel' Airatovich , Тукмакова Надежда Алексеевна , Tukmakova Nadejda Alekseevna
Published: June 2023

На основе решения осредненной по Рейнольдсу системы уравнений движения вязкого сжимаемого теплопроводного газа выполнен расчет тепловых и скоростных полей газа при формировании конвективно-пленочной защиты плоской пластины. Уравнения динамики газа решаются явным методом Мак-Кормака с расщеплением исходного оператора по направлениям и схемой нелинейной коррекции. Модель турбулентности Спаларта-Аллмараса применяется совместно со скоростной пристеночной функцией. Блочная конечно-разностная сетка строится методом Томпсона. Определены поля газодинамических функций по обе стороны от пластины при различных углах истечения струи из плоской щели. Получены оценки температуры поверхностей пластины с применением скоростной и тепловой пристеночных функций.
Evaluation of Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential using Interfracture Water Flooding in a Tight Oil Reservoir
Authors: Yang Yi , Liao Guangzhi , Xiong Wei , Zhang Jie , Gao Shusheng , Shen Rui , Wang Shengzhou , Zhang Jianzhong , Tan Lingfang
Published: June 2023

The recovery factor of horizontal wells in tight reservoirs after stage fracturing is low. The effect of water huff-puff on enhancing oil recovery is not obvious. Water channeling is serious during interwell water displacement. Conventional EOR (enhance oil recovery) methods are not effective. Scholars have proposed the method of interfracture water flooding after horizontal well fracturing to improve recovery efficiency in tight reservoirs. In order to study the EOR effects of interfracture water flooding and huff-puff in tight reservoirs, three different EOR schemes were designed: interfracture synchronous water flooding (IFSWF), interfracture asynchronous water flooding (IFAWF), and water huff-puff. The experiment results show the following: (1) in the physical simulation experiment of homogeneous cores, after injection of 0.8 PV formation water, the recovery rates of huff-puff, IFAWF, and IFSWF were 25.7%, 33.7%, and 38.6%, respectively. (2) In the simulation of fractured cores, the oil concentration of IFAWF is 2.7 times higher than that of IFSWF. (3) In the simulation of formation energy replenishment by fractured core, the formation pressure increased by IFAWF is 1.9 times higher than the pressure increased by IFSWF. The results of this study show that interfracture asynchronous flooding can increase the utilization efficiency of injected water, overcome heterogeneity, effectively supplement the energy of tight reservoir, increase the swept area, and improve the recovery factor. IFAWF is a more suitable EOR method for tight reservoirs. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of how to select methods to enhance tight oil recovery. At the same time, it provides a method and idea for improving oil recovery of shale oil with lower reservoir physical properties.
Preoperative Thalamus Volume is not associated with preoperative cognitive impairment (preCI) or postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD)
Authors: Fislage Marinus , Feinkohl Insa , Borchers Friedrich , Pischon Tobias , Spies Claudia D. , Winterer Georg , Zacharias Norman , Consortium BioCog
Published: June 2023

Background
A growing body of literature suggests the important role of the thalamus in cognition and neurodegenerative diseases. This study aims to elucidate whether the preoperative thalamic volume is associated with preoperative cognitive impairment (preCI) and whether it is predictive for postoperative cognitive dysfunction at 3 months (POCD).
Methods
We enrolled 301 patients aged 65 or older and without signs of dementia who were undergoing elective surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging was conducted prior to surgery. Freesurfer (version 5.3.) was used to automatically segment the thalamus volume. A neuropsychological test battery was administered before surgery and at a 3 month follow-up. It included the computerized tests Paired Associate Learning (PAL), Verbal Recognition Memory (VRM), Spatial Span Length (SSP), Simple Reaction Time (SRT), the pen-and-paper Trail-Making-Test (TMT) and the manual Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT). Using a reliable change index, preCI and POCD were defined as total Z-score > 1.96 (sum score over all tests) and/or Z-scores > 1.96 in ≥ 2 individual cognitive test parameters. For statistical analyses, multivariable logistic regression models were applied. Age, sex and intracranial volume were covariates in the models.
Results
Of 301 patients who received a presurgical neuropsychological testing and MRI, 34 (11.3%) had preCI. 89 patients (29.5%) were lost to follow-up. The remaining 212 patients received a follow-up cognitive test after 3 months, of whom 25 (8.3%) presented with POCD. Independently of age, sex and intracranial volume, neither preCI (OR per cm³ increment 0.81 [95% CI 0.60–1.07] p = 0.14) nor POCD (OR 1.02 per cm³ increment [95% CI 0.75–1.40] p = 0.87) were statistically significantly associated with patients’ preoperative thalamus volume.
Conclusion
In this cohort we could not show an association of presurgical thalamus volume with preCI or POCD.
Reducing artifactual somatic variant calls from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens by using DEEPOMICSⓇ FFPE, a bioinformatic approach based on deep neural networks
Authors: Heo Dong-hyuk , Kim Inyoung , Seo Heejae , Kim Seong-Gwang , Kim Minji , Park Jiin , Park Hongsil , Kang Seungmo , Paik Soonmyung , Hong Seong-Eui
Published: June 2023

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens are routinely used in pathological diagnosis, but their large number of artifactual mutations complicate the evaluation of companion diagnostics and analysis of next-generation sequencing data. Identification of variants with low allele frequencies is challenging because existing FFPE filtering tools label all low-frequency variants as artifacts. To address this problem, we aimed to develop DEEPOMICSⓇ FFPE, an AI model that can classify a true variant from an artifact. Paired exome genome sequencing data from fresh frozen and FFPE samples from 24 tumors were obtained from public sources and used as training and validation sets at a ratio of 7:3. A deep neural network model with three hidden layers was trained with input features using outputs of the MuTect2 caller. Contributing features were identified using the SHapley Additive exPlanations algorithm and optimized based on training results. The performance of the final model (DEEPOMICSⓇ FFPE) was compared with those of existing models (MuTect filter, FFPolish, and SOBDetector) by using well-defined test datasets. We found 43 discriminating properties for FFPE artifacts. Optimization of property quantification improved the model performance. DEEPOMICSⓇ FFPE removed 99.6% of artifacts while maintaining 85.2% of true variants, with an F1-score of 87.8 in the dataset not used for training, which is significantly higher than those of existing tools. Its performance was maintained even for low-allele-fraction variants with an specificity of 0.998, suggesting that it can be used to identify subclonal variants. Different from existing methods, DEEPOMICSⓇ FFPE identified most of the sequencing artifacts in the FFPE samples while retaining more of true variants, including those of low allele frequencies. The newly developed tool DEEPOMICSⓇ FFPE may be useful in designing capture panels for personalized circulating tumor DNA assay and identifying candidate neoepitopes for personalized vaccine design. DEEPOMICSⓇ FFPE is freely available on the web (http://deepomics.co.kr/ffpe) for research.
Clinicopathological characteristics and other factors associated with early onset colorectal cancer among Pakistani population: results from a hospital cancer registry
Authors: Shamsi Uzma , Idress Romana , Khan Sadaf , Azam Iqbal , Ansar Zeeshan , Zafar Syed Nabeel
Published: June 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Costs and Economic Burden of Childhood Diarrhea in Uganda
Authors: Ssebagereka Anthony , de Broucker Gatien , Mutebi Aloysius , Kiracho Elizabeth Ekirapa , Patenaude Bryan , Constenla Dagna
Published: June 2023

Background: Diarrhea is one of the leading -causes of morbidity and mortality among children under age five in Uganda. While there is an abundance of literature on disease burden, there is limited available evidence on the costs and economic burden of childhood diarrhea in Uganda. To fill this gap, we estimated the cost of childhood diarrhea in Uganda from a societal perspective.
Methods: We used an incidence-based cost-of-illness approach capturing monthly healthcare facility data on staff, medications, capital costs, and hospital-related expenditures for childhood diarrhea patients in Uganda. We interviewed caregivers of children with diarrhea at 48 selected healthcare facilities in the public and private (for-profit and not-for-profit) sectors. We conducted phone interviews with caregivers 7-14 days post-discharge to capture additional out-of-pocket expenses and associated costs. We also captured caregiver costs related to diarrhea illness including, productivity/time loss, income, food, travel costs and other household characteristics. These costs were then aggregated into direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect costs and estimated by age, gender, type of care (outpatient, inpatient), type of facility, and wealth quintile. The impact of diarrheal disease to households in terms of catastrophic health expenditure was measured.
Results: Overall, total cost of illness per diarrhea episode was $29.21 from the caregiver perspective. The average direct (medical and non-medical) and indirect costs were $15.76 and $2.51 respectively. From the government perspective, the average cost of treatment for an episode of childhood diarrhea varied for an ambulatory case ($4.41) and inpatient case ($8.26). These costs also varied depending on the ownership the type of the facility and the district where the facility was located. From a societal perspective, a hospitalized and an ambulatory episode of diarrhea cost $53 and $14 respectively. Caregivers incurred on average $29 in economic costs and $16 in out-of-pocket for an episode of diarrhea. The economic cost of an episode of diarrhea accounted for approximately 5% of the annual national gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Furthermore, the proportion of households that experienced catastrophic health expenditures decreased with richer quintiles.
Conclusion: This is one of the first cost-of-illness studies using primary data to quantify the economic burden of childhood diarrhea in Uganda. Costs of care from the caregiver perspective significantly varied by child’s age, district location, length of stay and wealth quintiles, which information is essential for decision-making.
Changes of anthropometric indicators of Lithuanian first-graders in 2008-2019 according to International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and World Health Organization (WHO) definitions
Authors: Špečkauskienė Vita , Trišauskė Justina , Grincaitė Monika , Kriaučionienė Vilma , Petrauskienė Aušra
Published: June 2023

Introduction
The monitoring of children's growth plays a crucial role in assessing their growth patterns and indicating their weight status. Increased BMI, overweight and obesity is most commonly associated with unhealthy nutrition, non-communicable diseases, and other health disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) to measure routinely trends in children’s anthropometric changes, that allows intercountry comparisons within the European Region. COSI study aims to evaluate and to compare underweight, overweight and obesity changes across countries.
Methods
This study was composed according to the COSI study protocol, and it compares the five rounds of anthropometric measurements of Lithuanian first-graders (7-8-year-old) from 2008 to 2019. The main measurements were weight and height; calculated BMI, W/A, H/A and BMI/A Z-scores. Changes of the indicators were evaluated according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-offs and WHO child growth standards, grouped by 4 estimates: underweight (thinness), normal weight, overweight and obesity. All comparisons were performed between age groups, gender and COSI round year.
Results
The mean values for weight, height, W/A and H/A Z-scores were significantly higher for both age and gender groups when comparing later COSI round years (2016 or 2019) to earlier years (2008-2013, in some cases 2016 is included in this range). Time trends of the WHO growth standards and IOTF cut-offs indicate significant decrease among 7-year-old overweight group for boys and girls. Also, a significant decrease was indicated among boys aged 8 years in the overweight group according to the WHO definitions. The only significant increase in trend were expressed in girl’s group with obesity aged 8 years according to IOTF cut-offs.
Conclusion
The prevalence of overweight and obesity of first-grade children in Lithuania indicates positive changes during eleven-year period. However, it is important to continue the monitoring of children’s growth tendencies.
Evaluating the possibility of gamma-ray assisted synthesis of nanomaterials at MNSR research reactor
Authors: Bagherzadeh M. , Dastjerdi M. H. Choopan , Mokhtari J.
Published: June 2023

Herein, a gamma irradiation cell consist of a borated polyethylene (BPE) cylinder with a cadmium inner wall was designed and constructed at Isfahan miniature neutron source reactor (MNSR) for synthesize of metal nanoparticles. The cell is placed in a dry channel irradiation site near the reactor core. The performance of this irradiation cell with appropriate shape and size was evaluated and the neutron flux (φ) and the neutron and gamma dose rates (Dn and Dg) inside it are calculated using MCNP code. The results showed that the designed cell could deliver appropriate gamma dose rate to samples and reduce the thermal neutron flux from 5.82×1010 to 6.28×107 n.cm-2.s-1, i.e. over 99.89% attenuation. Also, the gamma dose rate inside the designed neutron shield is calculated to be 3.83 kSv.h-1. To evaluate the designed and constructed cell, synthesis of Pd and Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on SiO2 supporter was done. Prepared nanocomposites were characterized by using XRD, FE-SEM, and EDXA techniques. Observed results showed metallic Pd and Ag NPs were produced successfully by means of a designed gamma irradiation cell at the reactor via gamma assisted route in nanometer sizes for the first time.
A Method for DDOS Attacks Prevention Using SDN and NFV
Authors: Shayegan Mohammad Javad , Damghanian Amirreza
Published: June 2023

One of the most widespread forms of security attacks in enterprise networks is Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDOS) attacks. The purpose of DDOS attacks is to intentionally disrupt a network by sending a large amount of false requests. A new path for network design and management has been created with the introduction of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). NFV architectures allow network functions to be defined quite dynamically. Dynamic definitions of network functions provide the best support for organizational environments. The aim of this research is to prevent DDOS attacks using NFV and SDN platforms. The research method uses the Moving Target Defense (MTD) idea to change the network routes and services location for specific detection packets. The MTD prevents attackers from performing DDOS attacks on real network topologies. A major innovation presented in this research is the selection of moving target defense types based on the processing resources of the overlay networks. The results indicates that the proposed method will save these resources and reduce the time required to check packets in networks.
Complex Whistler-Mode Wave Features Created by a High Density Plasma Duct in the Magnetosphere
Authors: Agapitov Oleksiy , Golkowski Mark , Khatun-E-Zannat Raahima , Hosseini Poorya , Harid Vijay
Published: June 2023

A Van Allen Probes observation of a high-density duct alongside whistler-mode wave activity shows several distinctive characteristics: (a) - within the duct, the wave normal angles (WNA) are close to zero and the waves have relatively large amplitudes, this is expected from the classic conceptualization of ducts. (b) - at L-shells higher than the duct’s location a large “shadow” is present over an extended region that is larger than the duct itself, and (c) - the WNA on the earthward edge of the duct is considerably higher than expected. Using ray-tracing simulations it is shown that rays fall into three categories: (i) ducted (trapped and amplified), (ii) reflected (scattered to resonance cone and damped), and (iii) free (non-ducted). The combined macroscopic effect of all these ray trajectories reproduce every feature in the spacecraft observation.
Identifying possible biomarkers of lower urinary tract symptoms using metabolomics and partial least square regression
Authors: Hopland-Nechita Florin V , Andersen John R , Kvalheim Tarja Rajalahti , Beisland Christian
Published: June 2023

The objective of this study was to explore potential novel biomarkers for moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using a metabolomics-based approach, and statistical methods with significant different features than previous reported
Materials and Methods
The patients and the controls were selected to participate in the study according to inclusion/exclusion criteria (n = 82). We recorded the following variables: International prostatic symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume, comorbidities, PSA, height, weight, triglycerides, glycemia, HDL cholesterol, and blood pressure. The study of 41 plasma metabolites was done using the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique. First, the correlations between the metabolites and the IPSS were done using Pearson. Second, significant biomarkers of LUTS from metabolites were further analysed using a multiple linear regression model. Finally, we validated the findings using partial least square regression (PLS).
Results
Small to moderate correlations were found between IPSS and methionine (-0.301), threonine (-0.320), lactic acid (0.294), pyruvic acid (0.207) and 2-aminobutyric-acid (0.229). The multiple linear regression model revealed that only threonine (p = 0.022) was significantly associated with IPSS, whereas methionine (p = 0.103), lactic acid (p = 0.093), pyruvic acid (p = 0.847) and 2-aminobutyric-acid (p = 0.244) lost their significance. However, all metabolites lost their significance in the PLS model.
Conclusion
When using the robust PLS-regression method, none of the metabolites in our analysis had a significant association with lower urinary tract symptoms. This highlights the importance of using appropriate statistical methods when exploring new biomarkers in urology.
The car-free journey to, and through, parenthood
Authors: Kent Jennifer L.
Published: June 2023

In the context of increasing urgency and interest in the need to reduce private car dependence, it is surprising that we know very little about people who chose to live without cars. This is particularly so for those living through life-stages, and in structural and cultural contexts, generally associated with private car use. Parenting children is one such life-stage. The common understanding is that the vulnerabilities and complexities associated with parenting are best attenuated by the autonomy, security and seclusion of the private car. Others, by choice or circumstance, parent by ‘altermobility’ – without the private car. Using data from in-depth interviews with car-free parents of young children, this paper records how parents come to live without private cars in a city that is dominated by structures, cultures and expectations of private car use. It proposes travel trajectories based on past and present events, experiences and inclinations. In doing so, the paper exposes the sheer complexity of influences of the past on present and future mobility practices, calling into question linear understandings of travel socialisation and mobility biography research. Auto-dependent childhoods, for example, do not necessarily produce car-dependent adults. And the onset of parenthood is not necessarily a time of increased private car attachment. In conclusion, the findings query assumptions about the impact of the early years of parenting on private car dependence, proposing that it is the child, not the infant, that cements the seemingly intractable bond between parenting and private car use.
Railway food delivery System
Authors: Silva D.I.De , Godapitiya M.V.N. , Sangavi.G  , Rugashan.J  , Srikandarasa.H  , Venuganth.A
Published: June 2023

Our proposed system is an online food ordering system designed to address the challenge of accessing quality food during long train journeys. To overcome this issue, we are developing a web application that allows passengers to conveniently place food orders online from a food delivery platform's website provided by the service provider. The ordered food is then prepared by restaurants and delivered to the train at the designated station by a dedicated delivery executive. The web application will provide a user-friendly interface for passengers to browse and select from a variety of food options, place orders, and make secure payments. The system aims to streamline the food delivery process, ensuring timely and efficient delivery to the designated train stations. The proposed system has the potential to enhance the dining experience for train passengers by providing access to a wider range of food options and improving the quality and convenience of food delivery during their journey. The research paper will provide detailed insights into the system's architecture, methodology, and evaluation, showcasing its potential impact on the railway food service industry and the overall travel experience for train passengers. Our research aims to contribute to the existing literature on railway food delivery systems and address the limitations of current systems. The proposed system has practical implications for the railway and food service industries, as it can improve the availability and quality of food options for train passengers, while also offering business opportunities for restaurants and food delivery providers. Overall, our research endeavors to develop a web application that enhances the convenience and satisfaction of train passengers by providing an efficient and user-friendly system for online food ordering and delivery during train journeys.
Bootstrapping Multiple Systems Estimates to Account for Model Selection
Authors: Silverman Bernard W. , Chan Lax , Vincent Kyle
Published: June 2023

Multiple systems estimation is a standard approach to quantifying hidden populations where data sources are based on lists of known cases. A typical modelling approach is to fit a Poisson loglinear model to the numbers of cases observed in each possible combination of the lists. It is necessary to decide which interaction parameters to include in the model, and information criterion approaches are often used for model selection. Difficulties in the context of multiple systems estimation may arise due to sparse or nil counts based on the intersection of lists, and care must be taken when information criterion approaches are used for model selection due to issues relating to the existence of estimates and identifiability of the model. Confidence intervals are often reported conditional on the model selected, providing an over-optimistic impression of the accuracy of the estimation.
A bootstrap approach is a natural way to account for the model selection procedure. However, because the model selection step has to be carried out for every bootstrap replication, there may be a high or even prohibitive computational burden. We explore the merit of modifying the model selection procedure in the bootstrap to look only among a subset of models, chosen on the basis of their information criterion score on the original data. This provides large computational gains with little apparent effect on inference. Another model selection approach considered and investigated is a downhill search approach among models, possibly with multiple starting points.
A CASE OF ORPHAN HYALINE FIBROMATOSIS SYNDROME IN UKRAINE
Authors: Redko Olena , Smiyan Oleksandr , Loboda Andriy , Petrashenko Viktoriia , Shkolna Iryna , Zaitsev Ihor , Redko Sergiy , Klochko Anzhela , Obzor Tetyana , Kyrylo Ruban
Published: June 2023

Background. Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome is a rare, highly dramatic, autosomal recessive multisystem disorder. The basis of the disease is the abnormal diffuse deposition of hyaline material in the connective tissue and internal organs. Mutations in the CMG2 gene (also known as the ANTXR2 gene) cause the disease. CMG2 encodes a transmembrane protein involved in endothelial development. Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome involves two allelic diseases that have the same phenotype. These are infantile systemic hyalinosis and juvenile hyaline fibromatosis. Common signs of these diseases are pain, joint contractures, skin lesions (thickening of the skin with areas of hyperpigmentation, pearl-sized nodules or papules), subcutaneous nodules on the head, neck, and extremities, gingival hypertrophy, osteopenia, protein-losing enteropathy, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Diseases differ in the time of the first clinical signs onset, the severity of the course, and the life expectancy of patients. In the case of infantile systemic hyalinosis, the prognosis is fatal. Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome is an orphan disease that is very difficult to diagnose. There is no pathogenetic treatment for the disease today. Clinical case. We described a case of hyaline fibromatosis syndrome in a boy who was observed and treated at the Municipal Non-Profit Enterprise of Sumy Regional Council "Regional Children's Clinical Hospital" (Ukraine). The diagnosis was made based on medical and genetic analysis. The early manifestation of symptoms and the severe course of the disease forced us to think about infantile systemic hyalinosis in the child. Along with characteristic external phenotypic signs, severe enteropathy with protein loss and persistent infections were observed in the child. As far as we know, this is the first case of the disease diagnosed in Ukraine. This publication aims to draw medical professionals' attention to the diversity of the course of genetic diseases in children. Comprehensive care, timely and symptomatic treatment make it possible to prolong the life of patients.
On possibilities of improving labor safety by improving forms and methods of managing labor behavior (on the example of large investment construction projects)
Authors: Agoshkov A. I. , Kurochkin P. A.
Published: June 2023

The current possibilities of improving the labor safety of employees in the industrial and transport sectors by improving methods for managing the labor behavior were analyzed. Russian and foreign theories of managing the influence of the human factor on the labor process and result were described. The “resources processes values” system of the concept of organization management was analyzed. Using this system, possibilities of applying a value-oriented approach to improving the efficiency of the applied methods and practices were determined. On the example of managing a large investment construction project, the main value constants of employees were identified; the relationship of values and needs were investigated; the most widely used formats of development of common values of employees changing their labor behavior were systematized; their effectiveness was assessed. Directions for further research on improving the effectiveness of methods for managing the influence of the human factor on the process and result of production activities were determined. The ideological foundations for creating labor safety culture were provided.
Pre-service Teachers' Views on Multiple Disabilities and Visual Impairment
Authors: DEMİRYÜREK Pınar , BİLGİÇ Hatice Cansu , ŞAFAK Pınar
Published: June 2023

Introduction: The study aims to determine whether there are any changes in the perceptions of final year pre-service special education teachers towards students with Multiple Disabilities and Visual Impairment (MDVI) and their education as a result of their teaching practice with these students.
Method: The study conducted through semi-structured interviews under qualitative research methods involved four female and two male pre-service teachers who were purposively selected according to the criterion sampling method and who were studying in the Visual Impairments Teaching Programme and continue their teaching practice with MDVI students. The data of the study were collected through semi-structured interviews. The data were collected before and after the teaching practice and analysed using the content analysis method.
Findings: In the light of the findings obtained, it is observed that the teaching practice with students with MDVI has a positive impact on the pre-service teachers' perceptions of students with MDVI and their education. After the practice, all participants had positive experiences with students with MDVI. The pre-service teachers have critically examined the physical structure of the school and the classroom after the practice; therefore, in the theme of the educational environment, while initially, two participants found the physical structure of the classroom positive, in the final interview all participants stated that it was not suitable. In the theme of pre-service teacher education, it was expressed that theoretical courses were useful but needed to be supported by practice. Participants stated that teaching practice with students with MDVI was beneficial in terms of gaining experience and that they would be able to work with students with all types of disabilities after graduation.
Discussion: This study examines the pre-service teachers’ views towards students with MDVI and their education and shows that they change positively during the year of teaching practice. The pre-service teachers stated that their feelings and views about the educational environment changed positively as they gained experience. Participants emphasised the need to enrich special education curriculum by increasing the focus on practice and experience in course content. In addition, it was noted that in-service training and digital materials could help teachers to provide quality education.
A Review of Methodological Approaches to Authenticating the Geographical Origin of Wines
Authors: Gnilomedova Nona , Anikina Nadezhda , Kolesnov Alexander
Published: June 2023

Wines with a clear geographical origin are more attractive for customers. The geographical origin of wine is stated on its label, but no official standards guarantee its reliability. The present research objective was to analyze the existing methodological approaches to wine authentication.

The study featured domestic and foreign publications indexed in Dimensions and Elibrary in 2017–2022 with such keywords as wine authentication, geographical origin of wine, and chemometrics.

The research revealed no single methodological solution to wine authentication because food science knows a wide range of parameters, methods, analytical equipment, and data processing models. Chemometric methods are reliable because they are able to process large arrays of analytical research results structured in a data bank using the so-called fingerprint principle. They involve 2–65 markers that are individual for each geographical region, country, zone, or terroir. Another promising method is the quantitative and qualitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (qNMR) of protons 1H and deuterium 2H(D) nuclei, as well as other elements (13C, 17O, 31P, 14N). The review resulted in an integrated approach based on a combination of isotopic testing with cation-anionic profiling. The analytical support involved the methods of atomic absorption and atomic emission spectroscopy, spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma, isotope ratio mass-spectrometry, and quantitative and qualitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. This combined approach could provide background for an all-Russian state standard with a single algorithm for wine authentication tests.

The new approach will be used to develop enochemical profiles of wines from a particular region, as well as to choose the most effective chemometric models for geographical authentication.
Effect of Elevated Storage Temperatures on the Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Apple Puree
Authors: Sergeev Andrey , Kalinina Irina , Shilkina Natalia , Barashkova Irina , Gradova Margaret , Motyakin Mikhail , Ivanov Victor
Published: June 2023

Food products change their quality during storage not only under the external impact, but also because they are complex in composition. As a result, food scientists look for new methods to control these internal changes. The research objective was to describe the changes in the physicochemical properties of apple puree during storage at elevated temperatures (40–60°C) and link them with the changes in the sensory profile.

The study featured homogenized apple puree packaged in composite material and heated up to 40, 50, and 60°C. The colorimetric studies were conducted at 45°/0°, light source D65. The proton relaxation time and the water diffusion coefficient (impulse gradient method) were studied at a frequency of 20 MHz. The analysis of molecular dynamics involved the method of electron paramagnetic resonance of spin probes. The samples were cooled down to –70°C to measure the content of non-crystallizing water by the method of differential scanning calorimetry.

The color change rate was constant and followed the zero-order kinetic reaction equation with an activation energy of 92 kJ/mol. The changes in color, proton relaxation, and sensory properties correlated when the samples were stored at 50 and 60°C. The analysis of the magnetic relaxation time, the diffusion coefficient of water, and the content of non-crystallizing water indicated that the main changes in the physical structure of the puree during heat treatment occurred as a result of the aggregation of apple cell fragments. These findings were confirmed by the optical microscopy.

A prolonged exposure to 40–60°C affected the color, the relaxation of water protons, and the size of aggregates of apple cell fragments. It also affected the amount of water that did not crystallize at –70°C. The correspondence between the values of the activation energies was determined by the methods of colorimetry and proton relaxation. Therefore, the coloration and the water changes depended on the same processes. These physical and chemical properties can be used for quantitative assessment of apple puree under thermal treatment.
Prospects for Derivatives of Game Animals
Authors: Vechtomova Elena , Kuprina Irina , Orlova Maria , Larichev Timothy
Published: June 2023

Game animals are a source of biologically active substances that requires a strict resource and biodiversity control. The research objective was to analyze three years of supply, demand, export, and import for brown bear, deer, and musk deer by-products. The review featured Russian and foreign articles on game animals published in 2016–2020, as well as customs information on imports and exports for this raw material. The research methods included systematization, analysis, and description. The population of brown bears in the Russian Federation is constantly growing. In 2018, it increased by 4% compared to 2017. Bear derivatives are in high demand in China, Italy, France, etc. The total number of importers in 2019 exceeded 25. In 2017, deer products were the most popular game derivatives exported from Russia to 35 countries. The biggest importer is China. In 2018, the volume of exports of deer and musk deer derivatives maintained the same value, but the list of importers changed. In 2019, the export volume increased by 1.4 times, and the number of importing countries reached 50. Russia is the leading exporter and importer of raw materials and derivatives from brown bears, deer, and musk deer. The market for game derivatives is actively developing. An increase in the number of predatory game animals, e.g., the brown bear, may adversely affect the local ecosystems, which can be prevented by licensed hunting. The high content of biologically active substances makes it possible to use game raw materials for new functional products.
Adaptive operation of a reservoir in climate change condition: a case study of Maroon Dam in Iran
Authors: Mirmehdi Mostafa , Shourian Mojtaba , Sharafati Ahmad
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this research is to investigate the climate change impacts in Maroon Basin, Iran. To investigate the impacts of climate change on rainfall, temperature, and inflow in Maroon Dam, a simulation of four general circulation models (GCMs) was done in three future periods 2021–2040, 2041–2060, and 2061–2080. The results showed that the projected increased temperature would significantly reduce the runoff in the basin, despite the projected increase in rainfall. The most significant decrease of the average inflow to the Maroon Dam Reservoir in the near future of the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios in March 24 and 26.4%, the middle future in March 25.4 and 29%, and the far future in March 27 and 30.6%, respectively, is predicted. Also, the MODSIM model simulation results showed that the Maroon Dam Reservoir would face a water resources shortage in the future to provide maximum demands. The average water supply reliability in climate change scenarios showed that the maximum water supply of 85% in the period 2021–2040 and the minimum of 80.4% in 2061–2080 would occur in the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively.
Packaged drinking water in Indonesia: The determinants of household in the selection and management process
Authors: Puspita Tities , Dharmayanti Ika , Tjandrarini Dwi Hapsari , Zahra Zahra , Anwar Athena , Irianto Joko , Rachmat Basuki , Yunianto Andre
Published: June 2023

The availability of safe drinking water remains a challenge in Indonesia. Packaged water in bottles or refillable containers has been increasingly popular as an alternative to good-quality drinking water. This study aimed to identify the reasons for the selection, management, and factors that influenced bottled and refilled water use in Indonesia. A cross-sectional Household Drinking Water Quality (HDWQ) study was conducted in 34 Indonesian provinces in 2020 involving 7,236 households as analyzed samples. The data analysis also included the 2020 National Socioeconomic Survey data to obtain households' socioeconomic status. As many as 68 and 63% of households consumed good-quality bottled and refilled water, respectively. Health was the reason for 29% of households choosing good-quality bottled water, while 49% of households selected good-quality refilled water out of habit. Several factors related to the consumption of fine-quality packaged water were high social status, water physical quality, ease of access, health reason, monthly expenses to buy drinking water, and storing water in manufactured containers. Packaged water, whether bottled or refilled, does not guarantee good physical and chemical quality. Therefore, to ensure good quality, the water storage should be kept from contamination.
Identification and evolution characteristics of drought field in the Pearl River Basin based on REOF-ESMD
Authors: Ling Minhua , Hu Xiaoyue , Guo Xiaomin , Yu Lili
Published: June 2023

The traditional drought field studies are inadequate to study drought field characteristics from the perspective of trend and periodicity at the same time, especially to compare the interannual and interdecadal variations of different drought types in the drought field to reveal their similarity and difference patterns. The drought field in Pearl River Basin (PRB) was determined in this paper using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and the empirical orthogonal function (EOF)/rotated empirical orthogonal function (REOF). Periodic characteristics and trend features of the drought field were recognized by extreme-point symmetric mode decomposition (ESMD) and other methods. The results showed that from the perspective of regional characteristics five different spatial modes may be used to categorize the interannual drought field of the PRB; there were interannual cycles associated with the southwest-type drought and the northwest-type drought. The central-south-, north-central- and eastern-type droughts had both interannual and interdecadal cycles; during the study period, the PRB's five types of drought revealed a changing tendency as opposed to a straightforward linear trend; from the interannual variation, the southwest-type drought was consistent with the northwest-type drought prior to 2000, and the north-central-type drought was consistent with the eastern-type drought before 2010.
Study on the method and model of water balance allocation of the Yellow River with overall fairness and efficiency
Authors: Wang Yu , Peng Shaoming , Wu Jian , Wan Fang , Zheng Xiaokang , Zhou Xiangnan , Shang Wenxiu , Zhang Fei
Published: June 2023

Under the changing environment, the problems of the water cycle and water resources in the basin become extremely complex, and the coordination of water use efficiency and fairness is extremely difficult. This paper takes the Yellow River Basin as the key research area and creates a balanced allocation method and model of water resources that take into account the fairness and efficiency of water use. The dynamic equilibrium allocation of water resources increment brought by new water source projects and regulation projects is realized, and the fine-tuning optimization of the water distribution scheme is realized. The results show that the optimal adjustment strategy of the water diversion scheme is to increase the upstream water allocation, and the adjustment range is 2.13%. The water allocation in the middle reaches was slightly increased by 0.25% to reduce the downstream and Hebei Province, Tianjin water allocation, and the adjustment range is −3.81%. The optimization scheme reflects the principle of ecological priority, guarantees the basic ecological environment water use in the Yellow River, balances the fairness and efficiency of economic and social water use outside the river, and provides technical support for water resources security in water-shortage basins.
Research on the allocation of water resources engineering projects based on multi-objective optimization
Authors: Lu Yongqin , Gan Lu , Chen Yonghua , Zheng Ningyao
Published: June 2023

The shortage of water resources (WR) directly affects the economic development and ecological environment in the region, and optimizing the allocation of water resources engineering (WRE) projects is the most valid method to solve this problem. Traditional WR allocation methods can no longer solve the complex configuration problems of complex WRE projects, and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has not provided new technologies and methods for optimizing WR allocation. This article conducted research on multi-objective optimization configuration of WRE based on AI technology. First, it introduced the current situation and future development direction of WR allocation, indicating the transformation of WR allocation from single-objective optimization to multi-objective optimization, and the importance of WR allocation, which should be coordinated from multiple aspects such as economy, society, and ecology. Experiments were conducted on its multi-objective genetic algorithm from three aspects: water use assurance rate, economic and ecological benefits, and execution efficiency.
Afrodescendencia y territorio. Identidades afro-rurales en el Valle de Azapa (Chile)
Authors: Araya Morales Isabel
Published: June 2023

Este artículo analiza la vinculación entre territorio e identidad afrodescendiente en el Valle de Azapa. Desde el año 2000, surge un movimiento afrochileno que demanda su reconocimiento estatal. En su interior, un grupo particular reivindica el valle como su propio territorio, el cual muestra cambios producto de la introducción de agroindustrias y semilleras. A nivel metodológico, entre 2012 y 2014, se realiza un estudio etnográfico sobre la historia de las poblaciones negras y su vinculación con el valle. Se concluye que el surgimiento de una identidad «afro-azapeña» se presenta como uno de los recursos que moviliza acciones colectivas para la defensa territorial.
Detection of Circulating Cell-free DNA to Diagnose Hepatocellular
Carcinoma in Chinese Population: A Systematic Review and
Meta-analysis
Authors: Aalami Amir Hossein , Aalami Farnoosh , Aliabadi Ehsan Kargar , Amirabadi Amir , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: June 2023

Background:

Cell-free circulating DNA has been known for many years, but this
knowledge has not been beneficial for diagnosis. In this meta-analysis, we examine the diagnostic
role of circulating cell-free DNA in HCC patients to find a reliable biomarker for the
early detection of HCC.

Materials and Methods:

We performed a systematic literature search using Science Direct,
Web of Science, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase, up to April 1st,
2022. Meta-Disc V.1.4 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.3.3 software calculated the
pooled specificity, sensitivity, area under the curve (AUC), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive
likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) Q*index, and summary receiver--
operating characteristic (SROC) for the role of cfDNA as a biomarker for HCC patients.
Moreover, the subgroup analyses have been performed based on sample types (serum/plasma)
and detection methods (MS-PCR/methylation).

Results:

A total of 7 articles (9 studies) included 697 participants (485 cases and 212 controls).
The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood
ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) were 0.706
(95% CI: 0.671 - 0.739), 0.905 (95% CI: 0.865 - 0.937), 6.66 (95% CI: 4.36 - 10.18), 0.287
(95% CI: 0.185 - 0.445), 28.40 (95% CI: 13.01 - 62.0), and 0.93, respectively. We conducted
a subgroup analysis of diagnostic value, which showed that the plasma sample had a better diagnostic
value compared to the serum.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis showed that cfDNA could be a fair biomarker for diagnosing
HCC patients.