bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inequality in physical activity in organized group settings for children: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Essay Ann M. , Wichman Christopher S. , Schenkelberg Michaela A. , Dzewaltowski David A.
Published: October 2023

Background:Children accumulate physical activity (PA) in adult-led organized group settings (e.g., classrooms). Variability in mean PA exists based on the social system structure of setting time, but the influence of structure on PA inequality is unknown. This study examined PA inequality, defined by the Gini coefficient, in time-segmented organized group setting meetings and differences in inequality by setting type and time-segment purpose. PA inequality by time-segment purpose was also examined for gender and socioeconomic status subgroups.Methods:Children’s PA and meeting routines were assessed using accelerometer and video observation data from a sample of school classrooms, before-/after-school programs, and youth club groups (n=30) for third- through sixth-grade children (n=699) in two rural communities. Meeting day routines (n=130) were segmented into smaller units (sessions; n=835), and a purpose code was assigned to each session (e.g., PA). Group accelerometer data were paired with the meetings and sessions, and the Gini coefficient was used to quantify inequality in activity counts and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for each segment. Beta generalized estimating equations examined the influence of setting type and session purpose on PA inequality.Results:Inequality in activity counts was significantly lower (p<.05) during youth club meetings (Gini=0.17), and inequality in MVPA minutes was significantly greater (p<.05) during school meetings (Gini=0.34) compared to the other settings. Within meetings, organized PA sessions (Gini=0.20) had significantly lower inequality (p<.05) in activity counts than academic (Gini=0.30), enrichment (Gini=0.31), and non-active recreation (Gini=0.30) sessions. Inequality in MVPA minutes was significantly lower (p<.05) in organized PA (Gini=0.26) and free play (Gini=0.28) sessions than other session types. These findings were consistent in demographic subgroup analyses.Conclusions:PA inequality among children differed by the structure of organized group setting meetings and sessions. The Gini coefficient can illuminate PA inequalities across multiple timescales (e.g., meetings, sessions) in organized group settings for children and may be a useful metric for informing efforts to improve population PA outcomes for children.
Value of the modified Resorlu-Unsal renal stone scoring system for the evaluation of renal stone clearance after FURL
Authors: Cao Huan , Liu Wen , Yang Jinkai , Luo Yuhua
Published: October 2023

Objectives
To investigate the feasibility of the modified Resorlu-Unsal renal stone scoring (RUSS) system in predicting postoperative renal stone clearance after ureteral flexible lithotripsy (FURL).
Methods
Patients with renal stones who underwent FURL were retrospectively analysed as study subjects, preoperative stone status was scored using the modified RUSS in the stone removal and stone retention groups, independent risk factors for the effect of renal stone removal after FURL were analysed using a logistic multifactorial regression model, and the predictive value of postoperative renal stone clearance was evaluated using a subject operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results
The stone area, number of renal calyces involved, and CT value of stones in the stone removal group were smaller than those in the stone remnant group, and the number of stones with maximal diameter grade 1 was significantly more than that in the stone remnant group, and the modified RUSS score score was lower than that in the stone remnant group (P < 0.05). It was also found that stone area, multiple stones, IPA < 45°, and modified RUSS score were independent risk factors for stone clearance after FURL (P < 0.05). The AUC of the modified RUSS score was found to be greater than that of stone area, multiple stones by ROC graph (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The modified RUSS scoring system predicted renal stone clearance after FURL more accurately than stone area and multiple stones.
Paclitaxel-Induced Acute Fibrinous and Organizing Pneumonitis in Early Breast Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Limpawittayakul Piyarat , Petchjorm Supinda , Chueansuwan Worawong , Boonfueang Wanvisa
Published: October 2023

Background: Paclitaxel is a chemotherapeutic drug widely used in breast cancer treatment. While common side effects are possible, paclitaxel-induced pneumonitis is rare, with an estimated incidence of 1%–5% and a high mortality rate.
Case presentation: A 57-year-old Thai woman was diagnosed with stage II right breast cancer. She received adjuvant chemotherapy comprising doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by weekly paclitaxel. After the ninth paclitaxel cycle, she developed progressive dyspnea and acute respiratory failure. Empirical antibiotic therapy with meropenem, levofloxacin, oseltamivir, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was initiated to address potential bacterial/viral pneumonias and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Transbronchial biopsies revealed acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonitis. The patient was placed in the prone position, and a muscle relaxant was administered. Following the administration of dexamethasone, her symptoms improved. However, while reducing the dexamethasone dosage, she developed new-onset dyspnea as well as tachy-brady arrhythmia and hypotension. Echocardiography revealed Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (stress-induced cardiomyopathy). Intravenous methylprednisolone 500 mg/day was administered for 3 days followed by transition to intravenous dexamethasone and slow tapering to prednisolone. Prednisolone was gradually tapered and eventually discontinued after 3 months.
Discussion and Conclusions: Paclitaxel-induced pneumonitis is a rare complication. The diagnosis should be considered in any patient who develops respiratory symptoms while receiving paclitaxel. Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonitis is a rare type of interstitial pneumonitis with high recurrence and mortality rates. High-dose steroids are needed to treat this type of pneumonitis.
Automatic Generation of ARM NEON Micro-Kernels for Matrix Multiplication
Authors: Alaejos Guillermo , Martínez Héctor , Castelló Adrián , Dolz Manuel F. , Igual Francisco D. , Alonso-Jordá Pedro , Quintana-Ortí Enrique S.
Published: October 2023

General matrix multiplication (gemm) is a fundamental kernel in scientific computing and current frameworks for deep learning. Modern realisations of gemm are mostly written in C, on top of a small, highly-tuned microkernel that is usually encoded in assembly. The high performance realisation of gemm in linear algebra libraries in general include a single micro-kernel per architecture, usually implemented by an expert.
In this paper, we explore a couple of paths to automatically generate gemm microkernels, either using C++ templates with vector intrinsics or high-level Python scripts that directly produce assembly code. Both solutions can integrate high performance software techniques, such as loop unrolling and software pipelining, accommodate any data type, and easily generate micro-kernels of any requested dimension. The performance of this solution is tested on three ARM-based cores, and compared with state-of-the-art libraries for these processors: BLIS, OpenBLAS and ArmPL. The experimental results show that the auto-generation approach is highly competitive, mainly due to the possibility of adapting the micro-kernel to the problem dimensions.
Lactating mothers’ perceptions and sensory acceptability of a Provitamin A carotenoid-iron rich composite dish prepared from iron biofortified common bean and orange-fleshed sweet potato in rural western Uganda
Authors: Buzigi Edward , Mahinda Babra Muhindo , Pillay Kirthee , Siwela Muthulisi , Isingoma Evyline Barugahara , Ssozi Joshua , Tesfay Samson
Published: October 2023

Background
Lactating mothers are at higher risk for developing the two leading micronutrient deficiencies of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and iron deficiency (ID) because of the physiological demands of vitamin A and iron that increase during breastfeeding. However, Uganda’s lactating mothers are more vulnerable to VAD and ID because they consume plant-based conventional non-biofortified foods such as white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP) and non-iron biofortified common bean (NIBCB) that are low in provitamin A (PVA) and iron, respectively. A PVA carotenoid-iron rich dish was prepared from a combination of PVA biofortified sweet potato, orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) and iron biofortified common bean (IBCB). Therefore, this study evaluated the perceptions and sensory acceptability of OFSP + IBCB (test food) against WFSP + NIBCB (control food) among lactating mothers in rural Uganda.
Methods
This crossover acceptability study randomly selected ninety-four lactating mothers to participate in the study. The sensory attributes (taste, color, aroma, texture, and general acceptability) of OFSP + IBCB and WFSP + NIBCB were rated using a five-point facial hedonic scale (1 = dislike very much, 2 = dislike, 3 = neutral, 4 = like 5 = like very much). Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to assess the perceptions of lactating mothers about their future consumption of OFSP + IBCB. The chi-square test was used to detect the proportion difference for each sensory attribute between OFSP + IBCB and WFSP + NIBCB, whilst FGD data were analyzed by thematic analysis. An attribute was considered acceptable if the participant scored from like to like very much (4 to 5) on the 5-point facial hedonic scale.
Results
The texture of OFSP + IBCB was significantly not accepted compared to that of WFSP + NIBCB (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in lactating mothers’ acceptability for all the other attributes of taste, color, aroma, and general acceptability. Lactating mothers had positive perceptions of the taste, aroma, and color of the OFSP + IBCB and negative perceptions about the soft texture of OFSP. The lactating mothers were keen to know where to access, the market price, and the preparation costs of OFSP + IBCB.
Conclusion
Based on taste, color, aroma, and general acceptability, OFSP + IBCB and WFSP + NIBCB were equally acceptable among lactating mothers. The lactating mothers had positive perceptions of using OFSP + IBCB provided they were accessible, affordable, and feasible to prepare them.
From residue to structurally and economically valuable lumber: Assessment of density, flexural properties, and joint efficiencies of finger-jointed logging residues of Khaya Ivorensis
Authors: Dadzie Peter Kessels , Appiah-Kubi Emmanuel , Inyong Stephen , Boampong Ernest , Asibe Osei
Published: October 2023

One way to reduce forest depletion rate and increase timber availability is to turn logging residues into structurally and economically valuable timber, and finger-jointing (FJ) appears the best technology to adapt. This study centred on Khaya ivorensis with five-fold objectives of assessing the: density; flexural properties; moisture content (MC) and FJ combination effect on density and flexural properties; joint efficiencies in MOE and MOR; and the predictive accuracy of density and MC for MOE and MOR following ISO 3131 − 1975 (for density), and BS 373–1957 (for flexural properties). Branch and stem off-cuts were extracted from two natural forest reserves and finger-jointed at two MCs (18 ± 3%mc and 9 ± 3%mc) using polyvinyl acetate adhesive (PVA). All FJ lumber at 18%mc, and branch & branch FJ lumber at both MCs were significantly (P < 0.05) denser than the rest. All FJ lumber at 18% MC were elastic than their unjointed stemwood. Though branch & branch FJ exhibited lowest elasticity and rupture at both MC levels, samples at 18% MC significantly (P < 0.05) exhibited lower rupture than those at 9%MC. MC and FJ lumber combination significantly (P = 0.000) influenced density and flexural properties. MC and density predicted flexural properties to about 79% accuracy. Relative to their unjointed stemwood, FJ lumber at 18%MC gained over 100% elasticity but had 40 to 70% MOR and 67 to 90% MOE at 9%MC. In conclusion, Finger-jointing branchwood with PVA is possible, but for optimum flexural properties, branch & stem combinations rather than branch & branch are recommended.
Activation of metallocene hydride intermediates by methylaluminoxane in alkene dimerization and oligomerization
Authors: Parfenova Lyudmila , Kovyazin Pavel , Bikmeeva Almira , Palatov Eldar , Ivchenko Pavel , Nifant'ev Ilya
Published: October 2023

Homogeneous catalytic systems based on metallocenes, organoaluminum compounds, and activators proved to be efficient in alkene dimerization, oligomerization, and polymerization reactions. Metal hydrides can act as highly reactive species of these catalytic systems. Despite the large number of experimental and theoretical studies in this field, the effect of the activator on the structure and dynamics of hydride intermediates is an open question. In order to elucidate the dependence of the structure and reactivity of the bimetallic hydride intermediates formed in the systems metal complex – OAC – activator on the nature of the transition metal atom and ligand environment, we used NMR spectroscopy to study reactions of a series of L2MCl2 complexes (M = Hf, Zr; L2 = Cp2, CpMe2, ansa-(Me2C)2Cp2, ansa-Me2CInd2) with HAlBui2 and ММАО-12 activator. As a result, M,Al-bimetallic intermediates containing [L2ZrH3] and [(L2Zr)2H3] type moieties were detected for both hafnium and zirconium complexes with cyclopentadienyl ligands. The [L2ZrH3] type structure predominates in the system based on the ansa-linked bis-indenyl zirconium complex. The detected complexes provide associates with ММАО-12 and, hence, they can act as precursors of active sites determining the alkene dimerization and oligomerization routes.
Novel Intrusion Detection System for MANETs using Hybrid Improved Grey Wolf Optimizer based deep recurrent neural network model
Authors: SATHIYA R , YUVARAJ N
Published: October 2023

The advent growth of wireless networks and their applications in different fields has been more prominent in the previous few years and specifically mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) has gained the importance from consumers and researchers due to their reliability and sustainability. MANET is widely employed for communicating and sending and receiving packets in a network without any requirement of specific hardware structure, due to which these are employed in different sectors. Because of its wide applicability, there exist numerous challenges in handling MANETs, especially with respect to network security. Intrusion is one of the key security problem faced in MANETs during the transmission of data packets within the communication system. The occurrence of malicious node in MANETs shall lead to removal of information packets during data transfer and thus intrusion detection system (IDS) are successfully designed to handle the node behaviours and identify the malicious nodes in the network and their behaviours. Henceforth, this research study develops a novel IDS model using the proposed improved grey wolf optimizer (ImGWO) hybridized with that of the deep recurrent neural network (DRNN) model for predicting and observing the behaviour of malicious nodes in MANETs. The developed novel hybrid ImGWO-DRNN model is applied on the KDD Cup 1999 datasets and training and testing of the proposed IDS technique is studied. Evaluation metrics was set to analyse and validate the proposed IDS technique and the results prove the superiority of this ImGWO-DRNN intrusion detection system over the previous techniques from literature for the MANETs.
Challenges and coping mechanisms of parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Mesfin Wongelawit , Habtamu Kassahun
Published: October 2023

Background
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has manifestations of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects every facet of a child’s life, including one’s own emotions, family and school life, and social interaction. The few available studies on ADHD conducted in Ethiopia focus on teachers’ awareness and the prevalence of ADHD. None of these studies has taken into account parents of children who have ADHD. The present study, therefore, aimed to find out the challenges and coping mechanisms of parents who have children with ADHD.
Methods
A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of parents who have children with ADHD. The study was carried out in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Fourteen parents and two healthcare providers were involved in the study. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with parents of children with ADHD (n = 8) and healthcare providers (n = 2). Focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted with parents (n = 6). A topic guide for conducting the interviews and FGD was developed. Interviews and the FGD were audio-recorded. The data were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach.
Results
With regard to challenges of parents of children with ADHD, three themes emerged: social challenges, economic challenges and psychological challenges. Stigma is found to be the most common challenge. Other challenges included worry about the child's future, lack of social support, strained relationships with others, impact on their job, and marital conflict. Concerning coping mechanisms, two themes emerged: Inward and outward means of coping. The inward means of coping included prayer and developing an optimistic mindset whereas the outward means were family support, healthcare providers’ guidance, and social avoidance.
Conclusions
The study found that parents of children with ADHD experience several aspects of psychological, social, and economic challenges. Support from healthcare professionals, family members, and the community at large is found to be useful for parents to cope with these challenges. Future research should focus on evaluating interventions that would help parents with ADHD cope with the challenges they experience.
Assessing the risk factors associated with sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis: a case-control study
Authors: Xiao LeYao , Dai Mei , Zhao Fei , Shen YouShu , KWAN Rick Yiu Cho , Salvador Jordan Tovera , Yang Ping , Zhang Li , Luo YaWen , Liu Qian
Published: October 2023

The study investigated sarcopenia prevalence and associated factors in cirrhosis patients admitted from July 2021 to November 2022. Of 271 participants, 27.7% had sarcopenia. Prevalence was higher in ≥60-year-olds (38.3%) and those exercising <3 times/week (36.4%). Binary regression analysis identified factors linked to sarcopenia. Lower body mass index (BMI) (OR 0.663; 95% CI 0.551–0.799, p < 0.001), mid-upper arm muscle circumference (OR 0.833; 95% CI 0.716–0.969, p = 0.018), albumin (OR 0.831; 95% CI 0.762–0.907, p < 0.001), and total cholesterol (OR 0.389; 95% CI 0.230–0.659, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with sarcopenia. Conversely, exercise <3 times/week (OR 2.498; 95% CI 1.063–5.874, p = 0.036), hepatic encephalopathy (OR 3.658; 95% CI 1.539–8.694, p = 0.003), high malnutrition risk (OR 2.579; 95% CI 1.127–5.898, p = 0.025), high alkaline phosphatase level (OR 1.007; 95% CI 1.003–1.011, p < 0.001), and age (OR 2.688; 95% CI 1.012–7.137, p = 0.047) were positively correlated with sarcopenia. Adjusting for gender weakened the age-sarcopenia link. In conclusion, sarcopenia was prevalent in cirrhosis patients, with age, physical activity, BMI, nutritional status, and albumin independently associated with it. Serum ALP and total cholesterol were linked to sarcopenia development. Regular exercise may help maintain grip strength and delay liver function deterioration in cirrhotic individuals.
Incidence, management, and outcome of incidental meningioma – what has happened in 10 years?
Authors: Näslund Olivia , Strand Per Sveino , Solheim Ole , Masri Mohammad Al , Rapi Okizeva , Thurin Erik , Jakola Asgeir S.
Published: October 2023

Purpose
The aim of this study was to study the use of brain scanning, and the subsequent findings of presumed incidental meningioma in two time periods, and to study differences in follow-up, treatment, and outcome.
Methods
Records of performed CT and MRI of the brain were retrospectively reviewed in search for patients with presumed incidental meningioma. Their medical health records were the used to study clinical handling and outcome.
Results
An identical number of unique patients underwent brain imaging during the two time periods (n = 22 259 vs. 22 013). In 2018–2019, 25% more incidental meningiomas were diagnosed compared to 2008–2009 (n = 161 vs. 129, p = 0.052). MRI was used more often in 2018–2019 (34.8 vs. 28.5%), and the use of contrast enhancement, irrespective of modality, also increased (28.6 vs. 12.2%). In the most recent cohort, patients were older (median 79 years vs. 73 years, p = 0.03). Indications showed a significant increase of cancer without known metastases among scanned patients.
Conclusions
Despite the same number of unique patients undergoing brain scans in the time periods, there was a trend towards more patients diagnosed with an incidental asymptomatic meningioma in the more recent years. This difference may be attributed to more contrast enhanced scans and more scans among the elderly. Patients in the cohort from 2018–2019 more often had non-metastatic cancer, with their cause of scan screening for metastases. There was no significant difference in management decision at diagnosis, but within 3 years of follow up significantly more patients in the latter cohort had been re-scanned.
CNN-BLSTM with Attention Model for Speech Emotion Recognition
Authors: Xia Yuguo , Zhao Li
Published: October 2023

In order to further enhance the discrimination of speech emotion feature, an approach for speech emotion recognition using CNN-BLSTM based on 3D Cepstrum Feature and Attention Model is proposed. On the basis of extracting typical feature MFCC, the 3D cepstrum feature is constructed by fusing its first-order and second-order difference to form dynamic input feature vector. Then CNN-BLSTM is constructed using convolutional neural network and bidirectional long short-term memory network for long-term modeling, and attention mechanism is utilized to further enhance the weight of key emotional features of speech. The experimental results show the proposed method can focus on the useful information of the feature and effectively improving the accuracy of speech emotion recognition.
Transgenic Tg(Kcnj10-ZsGreen) Fluorescent Reporter Mice Allow Visualization of Intermediate Cells in the Stria Vascularis
Authors: Strepay Dillon , Olszewski Rafal T. , Nixon Sydney , Korrapati Soumya , Adadey Samuel , Griffith Andrew J. , Su Yijun , Liu Jiamin , Vishwasrao Harshad , Gu Shoujun , Saunders Thomas , Roux Isabelle , Hoa Michael
Published: October 2023

The stria vascularis (SV) is a stratified epithelium in the lateral wall of the mammalian cochlea, responsible for both endolymphatic ion homeostasis and generation of the endocochlear potential (EP) critical for normal hearing. The SV has three layers consisting predominantly of basal, intermediate, and marginal cells. Intermediate and marginal cells form an intricate interdigitated network of cell projections making discrimination of the cells challenging. To enable intermediate cell visualization, we engineered by BAC transgenesis, reporter mouse lines expressing ZsGreen fluorescent protein under the control of Kcnj10 promoter and regulatory sequences. Kcnj10 encodes KCNJ10 protein (also known as Kir4.1 or Kir1.2), an ATP-sensitive inwardly-rectifying potassium channel critical to EP generation, highly expressed in SV intermediate cells. In these transgenic mice, ZsGreen fluorescence mimics Kcnj10 endogenous expression in the cochlea and was detected in the intermediate cells of the SV, in the inner phalangeal cells, Hensen’s, Deiters’ and pillar cells, in a subset of spiral ganglion neurons, and in glial cells. We show that expression of the transgene in hemizygous mice does not alter auditory function, nor EP. These transgenic Tg(Kcnj10-ZsGreen) mice allow live and fixed tissue visualization of ZsGreen-expressing intermediate cells and will facilitate future studies of stria vascularis cell function.
Automatic detection of fake tweets about COVID-19 Vaccine in Portuguese
Authors: Geurgas Rafael , Tessler Leandro
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic induced an unprecedented wave of of disinformation in social media in Brazil. In particular Twitter (currently X) was used to spread fake news about COVID-19 vaccines that helped to induce vaccine hesitation.This article presents a BERT-based neural network for automatic detection of fake tweets.The optimized architecture relies upon BERTimbau, a BERT implementation pre-trained in Brazilian Portuguese, fine-tuned using three fully connected layers.All 2,857,908 tweets in Portuguese containing the word \textit{vacina} (vaccine in Portuguese) were collected over a 7-month period.A subset of 14,400 tweets was manually classified as real or fake.The network was fine-tuned using the 1,144 curated fake tweets and a random sample of 2000 real tweets.Optimal results were achieved melting the last four layers of the BERTimbau.The best results obtained were 77.1\% f1-score and 76.9\% accuracy.These results are already acceptable for practical applications.They can be improved increasing the size of the training dataset.State of the art performance was obtained training the same neural network architecture with a larger curated balanced English language training dataset.
The effects of silymarin supplementation on cellular damage and stress indices after an acute aerobic exercise: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked clinical study
Authors: Gharakhanlou Bahram Jamali , Rahmani Bita , Amaghani Akram , Solaimanian Shahabaddin , Shiri-Shahsavar Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2023

Introduction: Intense physical activity leads to muscle damage associated with increased oxidative stress and changes in antioxidant balance. This study aims to evaluate the effect of silymarin extract supplementation on damage indicators and cellular stress in active men after acute aerobic exercise. Materials and Methods: Twenty athletic men (average age of 25.09 ± 2.11 years) were placed in two groups of silymarin (n = 10) and placebo (n = 10) in a double-masked design. After 14 days of supplementation, both groups participated in an aerobic exercise protocol. Changes in serum creatine kinase (CK), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were measured before and immediately after the workout. The data were analyzed using the analysis of the covariance test at a significancy level of p < 0.05. Results: The results showed that acute aerobic exercise significantly increased CK and MPO levels in both groups (p ≤ 0.05). However, this increment was lower in the silymarin group compared to the placebo group. In addition, the TAC increased significantly in the silymarin group after two weeks of supplementation compared to the placebo group (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the present research findings, a 14-day silymarin supplementation likely prevents muscle damage and oxidative stress caused by performing a residual aerobic session in men.
Cosmological Gravitational Redshift and Hubble Tension
Authors: III Charles H. McGruder
Published: October 2023

For almost a century since its first measurement by Hubble in 1929 the value of the Hubble constant, H, has been the subject of intense debate. In the last few years a new dimension has been added to this debate because there appears to be a significant discrepancy between the values of H derived from present-day universe (cepheids, supernova, lensed quasars, tip of the red giant branch), which are minimally dependent on cosmological theory and those derived from early universe observations (cosmic microwave background and baryon acoustic oscillations), which are based on the standard cosmological theory, $\Lambda CDM$, whereby $\Lambda CDM$ in turn is based on the assumption that the universe is expanding. This discrepancy is known as Hubble tension. We resolve the Hubble tension by introducing a universe which is govern by the Taub-NUT solution to the field equations of general relativity. The Taub-NUT universe is not expanding. In this universe the observed cosmological redshift is due to the gravitational redshift associated with the Taub-Nut solution, which we refer to as cosmological gravitational redshift. Time dilation in this stationary universe has the same dependency on redshift, that generally has been seen as proof that space is expanding.
Endüstriyel Nesnelerin İnterneti Uygulamaları için FPGA Destekli ve Bağlam Tabanlı Erişim Kontrol Güvenlik Sistemi
Authors: GENÇ Didem , TOMUR Emrah , ERCAN Tuncay
Published: October 2023

Endüstri 4.0 ile birlikte üretimin her alanında gittikçe artan bilgisayar destekli sistemlerin yarattığı farklı ve karmaşık ağ topolojileri, artan veri miktarı, firmaların güvenlik ihtiyaçlarını artırmaktadır. Bundan dolayı farklı endüstriyel sektörlerde kullanılan farklı cihaz ve veri kullanımı şirketler, kendi kritik akıllı üretim sistemlerine yönelik güvenilir bir risk yönetim sistemine ihtiyaç duymaktadır. İşletmeler bu yüzden sahip oldukları Endüstriyel Kontrol ve Bilişim Sistemlerini korumayı amaçlarlar. Bu çalışmada üretim alanında kullanılabilecek, endüstriyel cihazlar ve/veya bunlara bağlı sensörlerin erişim kontrolü bağlamında güvenlik ihtiyaçlarını karşılayacak ve kenar bilişim kapsamında çalışacak FPGA (Alanda Programlanabilir Kapı Dizileri) destekli bir güvenlik platformu tasarlanmış ve çalışma yöntemi açıklanmıştır. Akıllı üretim cihazlarının bulunduğu bir imalathane ortamında çalışan cihaz, sensor, akıllı kontrol kutusu ve ağ geçidi gibi bileşenler üzerinde bağlam-tabanlı bir erişim denetim sistemi kullanımı gösterilmiş ve örnek bir çoklu kimlik doğrulama yöntemi tasarlanmıştır.
The Investigation of Possible Use of Olive Oil Production Wastes in Wool Dyeing
Authors: AVCI Berrak Buket , ERKAN Gökhan
Published: October 2023

In this research, the dyeability of wool fabrics by using olive oil production waste was investigated. In this study, olive oil wastes were separated into two components as olive oil wastewater and pomace by filtration method. 100 % wool fabrics were dyed with conventional method with olive oil wastewater. In addition, the pre-mordanting method was preferred as the mordanting method. Alum, ferrous sulphate, tannic acid and tartaric acid were used as mordant materials, and various mordant concentrations and different mordant durations were studied. In dyeing, 100 % olive oil wastewater was used as dyeing liquor and all dyes were dyed in 1:20 liquor ratio. Color analyses of dyed fabrics were made, CIEL*a*b* and K/S values were examined. In addition, the coloring agents in olive oil wastewater were investigated by HPLC analysis. Light fastness, washing fastness, wet and dry rubbing fastness, acidic and alkaline perspiration fastness and water stain fastness were investigated.
Thermal Analysis of Muscle Tissues Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields
Authors: SORGUCU Uğur
Published: October 2023

The interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological masses is increasing day by day. There are thousands of studies in the literature on this interaction. Until now, most of the studies on bio heat transfer have focused on damage caused by electromagnetic fields. However, the therapeutic side of electromagnetic fields has been neglected. This study aimed to bring a new perspective. Using the bio heat transfer equation, the temperature effect of different parameters due to the electromagnetic field was investigated. In the present study, the analytical solution of Pennes' bioheat transfer equation was evaluated together with real muscle tissue parameters. By trying different parameter variations, the effect of parameters such as perfusion constant and thermal conductivity coefficient on tissue warming was observed. In the light of this study, device designs for magnetic heating processes applied in physiotherapy will be possible. After entering the tissue parameters and electromagnetic field values, it was possible to find out what kind of temperature change can be observed as a result of the formulation obtained in this study. The effects of thermal conductivity coefficient, blood perfusion value and heat transfer coefficient on temperature distribution were graphically analyzed. Effect of randomly selected thermal parameters are evaluated within the study. This study has shown to what extent the increasing thermal parameters of the tissue will be affected by the electromagnetic field.
Experimental investigations on the thermal performance of additively manufactured porous topologies
Authors: GÜNGÖR Şahin
Published: October 2023

Additive manufacturing enables researchers to form unique and unconventional topologies satisfying design compactness, improved efficiency, and lower cost. Design freedom introduced by the additive manufacturing reveals the idea of implementing the topology optimization approach into thermal systems. In this study, changes in thermal performance of three types of topologies: gyroid, hexagon (honeycomb), and rectilinear are experimentally investigated. In addition, porosity level of each topology is varied in between 25%, 50% and 75% to improve the impact of the study. The experimental results indicate that gyroid structures are thermally more efficient (up to 15.6%) than the remaining topologies. Furthermore, thermal diffusivities of the rectilinear and gyroid topologies with 25% porosity level are measured as the extremes, and it is detected that these structures propagate heat 1.1 times greater than the hexagon structure.
Flechten als Indikatoren des Klimawandels in der Nordeifel
Authors: Schwarz Matthias
Published: October 2023

Der Vergleich von bisher publizierten Fundlisten zeigt, dass sich die Zahl der VDI-Klimawandelarten im Nationalpark Eifel und in den angrenzenden Gebieten seit Mitte des letzten Jahrhunderts fast verdoppelt hat. Mit dem Temperaturanstieg in Nordrhein-Westfalen (NRW) haben sich auch in den kühlen, höher gelegenen Regionen der Nordeifel Flechten angesiedelt, die in einem milden, ozeanisch geprägten Klima zu Hause sind.
Beiträge zur Weichtierfauna (Mollusca: Gastropoda et Bivalvia) der Eifel und Voreifel I: Die Weichtiere des Fauna-Flora-Habitat und Naturschutzgebietes „Eschweiler Tal und Kalkkuppen“ (Bad Münstereifel, Kreis Euskirchen)
Authors: Pardey Andreas
Published: October 2023

In den Jahren 2012 bis 2018 wurden im Fauna-Flora-Habitat-Gebiet „Eschweiler Tal und Kalkkuppen“ (Stadt Bad Münstereifel, Kreis Euskirchen, Nordrhein-Westfalen) die Weichtiere (Schnecken und Muscheln) erfasst. Der Untersuchungsschwerpunkt lag auf den Laubmischwäldern, Kalkmagerrasen sowie Kalkfelsen, Gewässern und Nasswiesen. Von den 72 im Gebiet festgestellten Arten werden 18 in den Roten Listen Deutschlands und Nordrhein-Westfalens geführt. Besonders bemerkenswert ist der Nachweis der in der Nordeifel bisher sehr selten gefundenen Maskenschnecke (Isognomostoma isognomostomos) sowie der in NRW vom Aussterben bedrohten Quendelschnecke (Candidula unifasciata). Die Weichtiergemeinschaften der verschiedenen Lebensraumtypen entsprechen in ihrer Artenzusammensetzung historischen Schilderungen aus dem Untersuchungsraum wie auch den Erkenntnissen aus anderen Landschaften. Die Daten belegen den Erfolg wie auch die Notwendigkeit der Fortführung der naturschutzorientierten Pflege insbesondere des Offenlandes.
Untersuchungen zum Beutespektrum rheinischer Schleiereulen (Tyto alba) aus den Jahren 2015 - 2019
Authors: Schmitt Marcus
Published: October 2023

Die Analyse von 744 Gewöllen (plus Resten) von fünf ländlich geprägten Nistplätzen der Schleiereule (Tyto alba) im linksrheinischen Rheinland (Bornheim, Dormagen- Knechtsteden, Neuss-Holzheim und zwei Standorte in Bedburg) erbrachte 2559 Beutetierindividuen der Wirbeltiere (Säugetiere: Insektenfresser und Nagetiere: 99,7 %, Rest: Singvögel). Die Wühlmäuse (Arvicolinae) waren überall die Hauptbeute vor Spitzmäusen (Soricidae) und Langschwanzmäusen (Muridae). Alle Untersuchungsgebiete zusammengefasst, ließen sich Überreste von 16 Kleinsäugetierarten identifizieren, wobei die Schleiereulen am häufigsten Feldmäuse (Microtus arvalis; 48,8 %) vor Hausspitzmäusen (Crocidura russula; 18,6 %) und Waldmäusen (Apodemus sylvaticus; 5,8 %) schlugen. Zu den interessantesten Funden zählen Wasserspitzmaus (Neomys fodiens), Kleinwühlmaus (Microtus subterraneus) und Zwergmaus (Micromys minutus). In Knechtsteden waren Artendiversität (Shannon-Index) und Gleichmäßigkeit des Artenaufkommens (Evenness) am höchsten (HS = 2,24 bzw. E = 0,87), in Bedburg am geringsten (HS = 0,9 bzw. E = 0,39). Mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen Artenvielfalt und Landnutzung in den betrachteten Landschaften werden kurz besprochen, das Vorkommen einiger bemerkenswerter Arten wird diskutiert.
Diversität und Ökologie limnischer Rotalgen im Brodenbachtal (Rheinland-Pfalz)
Authors: Eul Anna-Lena , Killmann Dorothee , Fischer Eberhard
Published: October 2023

Von März bis Mai 2020 wurde die Rotalgenflora des Brodenbachs (nördliches Rheinland- Pfalz) kartiert. Hierbei konnten die Arten Audouinella chalybea, Audouinella hermannii, Bangia atropurpurea, Hildenbrandia rivularis und Lemanea fluviatilis nachgewiesen werden. Insbesondere das Vorkommen von Bangia atropurpurea ist bemerkenswert.
Flechtenflora der Dellbrücker Heide
Authors: Berger Andrea , Schwarz Matthias
Published: October 2023

Der Arbeitskreis Flechten der Kreisgruppe Köln des Bundes für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (AKFK) hat 2019-2020 die Flechtenflora des Naturschutzgebietes Dellbrücker Heide im Nordosten des Kölner Stadtgebietes untersucht. Das Gebiet ist Teil des Naturraumes Bergische Heideterrasse und weist eine große Vielfalt bodenbewohnender (epigäischer) Flechten auf. Neben seltenen, heidetypischen Arten von Rentier- und Becherflechten aus der Gattung Cladonia (z. B. Cladonia portentosa, Cladonia floerkeana) und der Hornflechten-Gattung Cetraria (Cetraria aculeata), die magere und saure Böden besiedeln, wachsen auf anthropogen veränderten Flächen im Untersuchungsgebiet Taxa, die basische, kalkhaltige Substrate bevorzugen wie die seltene Falsche Rentierflechte Cladonia rangiformis, die Moos-Krugflechte Diploschistes muscorum und die Bereifte Schildflechte Peltigera rufescens. Die morphologisch sehr variable Strauchflechte Cladonia furcata bildet ungewöhnlich große Bestände. Flechtenarten, die als Zeiger für zunehmendes Nährstoffangebot (wie Xanthoria parietina) und Klimawandel (wie Flavoparmelia caperata) gelten, sind vertreten. Es wurden aber auch Arten gefunden, die typischerweise an kühleren, luftfeuchten Standorten erwartet werden, wie die epiphytischen Arten Arthonia radiata, Graphis scripta und die seltene Usnea filipendula, die auch in der Rote Liste von Nordrhein-Westfalen als gefährdet verzeichnet sind. In den Jahren 2019-2020 konnten insgesamt 91 Flechtenarten erfasst werden.
Bestandsanalyse felsüberwinternder Fledermäuse im Naturraum Westerwald auf Basis einer 34-jährigen Erfassungstätigkeit
Authors: Kukat Niklas
Published: October 2023

Von 1985/1986 bis 2018/2019 kontrollierten Georg Fahl, Klaus Huber, Leander Hoffman, Bruno Koch, Markus Metternich, Konstantin Müller und Marcel Weidenfeller bis zu 68 potentielle Winterquartiere im Naturraum Westerwald und erfassten die dort überwinternden Fledermäuse. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, auf Basis der erhobenen Erfassungen artenspezifische Bestandstrends zu ermitteln und diese mit vergleichbaren Arbeiten kritisch zu beurteilen. Insgesamt wurden 4010 Nachweise von insgesamt zehn Arten erbracht: Myotis myotis (2156), Myotis brandtii / Myotis mystacinus (852), Myotis daubentonii (617), Plecotus auritus (195), Myotis nattereri (134), Myotis bechsteinii (29), Pipistrellus nathusii (2), Myotis dasycneme (1) und Pipistrellus pipistrellus (1); 23 Nachweise konnten nicht bestimmt werden. Myotis myotis zeigt nach anfänglichen Bestandsschwankungen einen stabilen bis leicht wachsenden Bestand. Der Bestand von Myotis brandtii / Myotis mystacinus ist konstant, beziehungsweise zunehmend. Aufgrund unzureichender Datengrundlage kann letzteres jedoch nicht eindeutig signifikant bestätigt werden. Myotis daubentonii hingegen weist als einzige Art eine deutliche Bestandsabnahme seit dem Winter 2005/2006 auf. Plecotus auritus zeigt nach einer anfänglichen und leichten Abnahme einen gleichbleibenden Bestand. Myotis nattereri zeigte bis zu Winter 2005/2006 eine deutliche Bestandszunahme. Ob diese sich auch weiterhin fortsetzt oder der Bestand auf dem in diesem Winter erreichten Niveau stagniert, kann aufgrund einer unzureichenden Datengrundlage nicht ermittelt werden. Aufgrund der geringen Abundanz der anderen Arten kann über deren Bestandssituation im Westerwald keine Aussage getroffen werden.
Deorphanization and in vivo function(s) of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR182
Authors:   , Le Mercier Alan
Published: October 2023

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise the largest transmembrane receptor family encoded in the human genome. GPCRs mediate the effect of a wide diversity of stimuli including light, odorants, ions, lipids, small peptides, and hormones. GPR182 is a GPCR for which no endogenous ligand has been identified yet. In the absence of an identified ligand, GPR182 remained poorly understood, and its biological functions had remained elusive. The presented work shows that GPR182 is highly and specifically expressed in microvascular endothelial cells. Phylogenetically, GPR182 is closely related to the atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3). Here, I show that GPR182 binds the chemokines CXCL10, -12 and -13. Similarly to other so-called atypical chemokine receptors, GPR182 is not coupled to G-proteins but is rather constitutively internalized following β-arrestin 2 recruitment. Consistent with potential scavenger functions, we detected increased concentration of the chemokines which bind the receptor in the plasma of Gpr182 deficient mice. Finally, we show that GPR182 plays an essential role in maintaining hematopoietic stem cells within the bone marrow niche. In summary, the data indicate that GPR182 is a novel member of the group of atypical chemokine receptors, which plays an important role in the chemokine/chemokine receptor network.
Method for processing experimental data when investigating residual stresses by drilling probe holes and digital image correlation
Authors: Makhalov M. S. , Krechetov A. A. , Blumenstein V. Yu. , Gorbatenko V. V.
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates the cutting forces arising when using a single abrasive grain. Analytical studies were carried out using a model of a single abrasive grain in the form of a rod with a radiused apex acting on the workpiece material. The slip-line method (method of characteristics) was used to calculate the deformation intensity of a plastically edged workpiece material under the action of a single grain. Mathematical models were developed for the following factors: plastic deformation of the material, edging of the stagnated zone and its friction against the grain surface when moved upwards in the form of chippings, grain friction against the plastically deformed material, and the action of the dynamic component of plastic deformation. The significance of the dynamic component in the overall balance of forces related to plastic deformation was established by determining the ratio of dynamic stress on the break line and shear yield point. This dependence calculated for D16T and 30HGSA materials showed the feasibility of accounting for the dynamic component subsequently processed by free orthogonal cutting and rolling contact deformation using a special machine with numerical control. Further, using the same machine, drilling of probing holes was performed with video recording of the surface image prior to and following drilling. By varying the speckle images, the displacements of material particles on the sample surface were determined by the digital image correlation method, following which the radial deformations were determined by differentiating the obtained displacement values. Statistical analysis of a sample of radial deformations equidistant from the centre of the hole while varying the rotation angle by Fourier transformation with the calculation of the distribution period showed that the distribution is periodic. It is established that the periodograms constructed using experimental data have local maxima at a period value close to 180 degrees. This determines that the main calculated components of the residual stresses and the angle of their rotation be constant when selected to calculate the values of radial deformations at arbitrary points around the hole. The paper presents an approach that allows residual stresses to be determined by drilling probing holes and assessing the displacement of material particles on the sample surface due to the redistribution of residual stresses. For the analytical description of experimental data, it is proposed that an approximating periodic function be used, and the physical meaning of its coefﬁcients is determined.
Study of the process of obtaining water glass from silica gel for use in metallurgy
Authors: Pyagay I. N. , Sizyakov V. M. , Svakhina Ya. A. , Titova M. E. , Miroshnichenko V. V.
Published: October 2023

This study explores the possibility of producing a sodium silicate solution (liquid glass) using industrial raw materials for subsequent use in metallurgical practice. The object of the study was industrial waste from the production of aluminium ﬂuoride, i.e., silica gel, which comprises a ﬁne powder of silicon dioxide with a moisture content of over 55 wt %. Silica gel was puriﬁed using a low-concentration solution of sulfuric acid. The synthesis of liquid glass was carried out using the HEL Auto-Mate Reactor System. The silicon content in the solution was determined by X-ray ﬂuorescence method using the Shimadzu EDX-7000P analyzer. To determine the alkali content in the resulting product, a titrimetric analysis method was used. The preliminary puriﬁcation process allowed silica gel with an amorphous silica content of over 98 wt % to be obtained. The optimal parameters of the liquid glass production were deﬁned: temperature – 100°C, process time – 4.5 hours, mixing speed – 300 rpm, and the concentration of the initial alkaline solution – from 10 to 17.5 wt %. The resulting liquid glass solution had a mass content of silicon dioxide from 16.65 to 23.77 wt % and a silicate module from 2.72 to 3.16, which meets the requirements of marketable products for various industries. Based on the experimental results, optimal parameters for the production of liquid glass using industrial raw materials, i.e., silica gel, are proposed. Liquid glass with the deﬁned characteristics can be further used as a binder in metallurgical processes.