bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ASCENT Intervention to Improve Access and Reduce Racial Inequalities in Kidney Waitlisting
Authors: Patzer Rachel E. , Zhang Rebecca , Buford Jade , McPherson Laura , Lee Yi-Ting Hana , Urbanski Megan , Li Dong , Wilk Adam , Paul Sudeshna , Plantinga Laura , Escoffery Cam , Pastan Stephen O.
Published: February 2023

Background

The US kidney allocation system (KAS) changed in 2014, but dialysis facility staff (including nephrologists, social workers, nurse managers, and facility administrators) had low awareness of how this policy change could affect their patients' access to transplant. We assessed the effectiveness of a multicomponent and multilevel educational and outreach intervention targeting US dialysis facilities with low waitlisting, with a goal of increasing waitlisting and reducing Black versus White racial disparities in waitlisting.

Methods

The Allocation System Changes for Equity in Kidney Transplantation (ASCENT) study was a cluster-randomized, pragmatic, multilevel, effectiveness-implementation trial including 655 US dialysis facilities with low waitlisting, randomized to receive either the ASCENT intervention (a performance feedback report, a webinar, and staff and patient educational videos) or an educational brochure. Absolute and relative differences in coprimary outcomes (1-year waitlisting and racial differences in waitlisting) were reported among incident and prevalent patients.

Results

Among 56,332 prevalent patients, 1-year waitlisting decreased for patients in control facilities (2.72%–2.56%) and remained the same for patients in intervention facilities (2.68%–2.75%). However, the proportion of prevalent Black patients waitlisted in the ASCENT interventions increased from baseline to 1 year (2.52%–2.78%), whereas it remained the same for White patients in the ASCENT intervention facilities (2.66%–2.69%). Among incident patients in ASCENT facilities, 1-year waitlisting increased among Black patients (from 0.87% to 1.07%) but declined among White patients (from 1.54% to 1.27%). Significant racial disparities in waitlisting were observed at baseline, with incident Black patients in ASCENT facilities less likely to waitlist compared with White patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35 to 0.92), but 1 year after the intervention, this racial disparity was attenuated (aOR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.49 to 1.42).

Conclusions

The ASCENT intervention may have a small effect on extending the reach of the new KAS policy by attenuating racial disparities in waitlisting among a population of US dialysis facilities with low waitlisting.

Clinical Trial registry name and registration number

National Institutes of Health (NCT02879812)

Podcast

This article contains a podcast at https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2023_03_08_CJN0000000000000071.mp3
A theoretical and empirical study on the impact of local government debt on economic growth
Authors: Fengze Yu
Published: February 2023

Economists on the connotation and extension of government debt has been different debate, its impact on economic growth has not formed a consistent point of view and method, even some theories on government debt analysis conclusions are very different. The main representative theories are "the harmful theory of public debt" of classical economics school and "the beneficial theory of public debt" represented by Keynesianism. Marxist political economics from the perspective of production relations, the connotation and extension of government debt has been deeply studied and discussed, the government debt as a means of financing, accelerate the original accumulation of capital. Since the founding of The People's Republic of China, in order to meet the needs of economic construction and development in different historical stages, The financing behavior and methods of Local governments in China have been constantly changing and improving in the course of development. Through the method of combining theoretical research and empirical research, this paper studies the relationship between Local government debt and economic growth in China after reviewing the classical economic theories and the development history of local government debt in China, and gives relevant policy suggestions.
Assessment of size structures, length-weight models and condition factors of Eleotridae (Pisces: Perciformes: Gobiodei) from the coastal waters of Benin (West Africa)
Authors: Stanislas Sonon Péjanos , Rachad Sidi Imorou , Hamidou Arame , Nambil Adjibade Kayodé , Alphonse Adite
Published: February 2023

The Eleotridae is one of the fish family widely distributed in the Benin coastal waters where the species constitute an important component of artisanal fisheries. The current study evaluates length frequency distributions, length-weight models and condition factors of Eleotrid fishes in order to assess their wellbeing in the degrading coastal waters of Benin. Fish samplings were made during eighteen (18) consecutive months and morphometric data were recorded and analyzed using SPSS computer software. Larger Eleotrids were Eleotris vittata, E. senegalensis, E. daganensis and Bostrychus africanus while Dormitator lebretonis, the most abundant species displayed small sizes (standard length) ranging between 1.2 - 11.30 cm. Overall, all the species showed unimodal size distributions except Eleotris daganensis that exhibited a bimodal size distribution in Lake Nokoué. Length-weight models showed allometric growth with slopes b ranging between 2.4725 and 3.7296 along with significant correlation coefficients (r) varying between 0.7695 and 0.9965. Condition factors (K) varied significantly across the four (4) coastal waters and ranged between 0.79 (Dormitator lebretonis) and 3.60 (Eleotris daganensis). The sustainable exploitation of Eleotrid fishes in the Benin coastal waters requires a holistic approach of ecosystem management including ecological follow-up, habitat restauration and species valorization.
The Structural change in the International System: From a Modified Version of Neorealism
Authors: Ziarani Mohammad Zandi , Mirkoshesh Amirhooshang , Razani Ehsan
Published: February 2023

This paper analyzes how Waltzian neorealism by some modifications can explain and predict the structural change in international system. To answer this question, we extract the main concepts of waltz definition of the system and its critics then draw the theoretical scheme to find limitation and make a synthetized modifications on waltz international system to make it applicable to study structural change in the system. Our results showed waltz theory weaknesses in the first two elements of the structure. Results also show that the international system defined by waltz needs some modifications by adding up the structure of the process to exit from the problem of having no attention to historical and social basis of international outcomes. From a modified version of neorealism, this study emphasizes the need to take into account the impact of the structure of the process to the structural change of the system along with opening the first two element of the structure to change by taking into account the principle of segmentation and separateness to functional specification.
АНАЛИЗ ЭЛЕКТРИЧЕСКИХ СХЕМ ПО ПОСТОЯННОМУ ТОКУ МЕТОДОМ НЬЮТОНА – РАФСОНА
Authors: Строгонов А.
Published: February 2023

Для анализа аналоговых схем разработчики широко применяют
симулятор SPICE, который входит в состав большинства САПР от
ведущих мировых вендоров. Сегодня доступ к бесплатным версиям
и исходным кодам этой программы ограничен, в связи с чем актуальной
задачей становится поиск альтернативных методов и алгоритмов
расчета электрических схем, которые можно было бы реализовать
в отечественных системах схемотехнического проектирования ИС.
В статье на примере расчета электрических схем по постоянному току
методом Ньютона – Рафсона показана возможность применения известных
алгоритмов для анализа электрических схем, выполнена оценка их
точности в сравнении с современными средствами проектирования.
НАМ ИНТЕРЕСНО МЕЧТАТЬ И ВОПЛОЩАТЬ МЕЧТЫ, ОТКРЫВАТЬ ДЛЯ СЕБЯ НОВЫЕ РЫНКИ
Authors: Юров В.
Published: February 2023

АО «НИИМА «Прогресс» – одно из ведущих
предприятий отечественной электронной
промышленности – в прошлом году отметило
свое 35‑летие. Как менялся институт
в последние годы с тем, чтобы отвечать
современным условиям, и какие цели и задачи
он ставит перед собой сейчас, в юбилейном
интервью рассказал первый заместитель
генерального директора АО «НИИМА «Прогресс»
Виктор Владимирович Юров. Данное интервью
мы предлагаем вашему вниманию.
СВЧ-КОМПОНЕНТЫ НА ОСНОВЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИИ НИТРИДА ГАЛЛИЯ: ЧТО ИЗМЕНИЛОСЬ ЗА ДВА ГОДА
Authors: Кищинский А. , Миннебаев В.
Published: February 2023

10–11 ноября 2022 года в Москве состоялся II семинар-совещание
специалистов радиоэлектронной промышленности на тему «Актуальные
вопросы разработки и применения СВЧ-компонентов и приборов на основе
технологии нитрида галлия (GaN‑2022)». Мероприятие было организовано
АО «Микроволновые системы» (Москва). Цель мероприятия – обмен опытом
и налаживание прямого взаимодействия между руководителями, учеными,
специалистами радиоэлектронной промышленности, представителями
дизайн-центров,
вузовской и академической науки в решении задачи
становления и развития в России промышленных технологий производства
нитрид-галлиевых
СВЧ-компонентов (транзисторов и интегральных схем),
повышения качества и технического уровня разрабатываемых на основе
этих компонентов модулей, приборов и радиотехнических систем.
НОВЫЕ ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ДЛЯ КОНТРАКТНОЙ РАЗРАБОТКИ И ПРОИЗВОДСТВА: КАК ОНИ ВОЗНИКАЮТ И КАК ИМИ ВОСПОЛЬЗОВАТЬСЯ
Authors: Тишкин С. , Московко И.
Published: February 2023

«Гаоди» – сравнительно молодой контрактный разработчик и производитель
электроники: он был образован в 2015 году. Тем не менее, уже к 2022 году
у компании сложились свои традиции и был накоплен существенный опыт
в разработке электронной аппаратуры, преимущественно – вычислительной
техники. Уход с российского рынка ряда зарубежных компаний, в том числе
производителей устройств для промышленной автоматизации, открыл
для контрактных разработчиков возможности для расширения спектра
направлений своей деятельности. Какие перспективы видит в этом ключе
компания «Гаоди» – как для себя, так и для рынка в целом, рассказывают
генеральный директор ООО «Гаоди Рус» Сергей Александрович Тишкин
и руководитель направления вычислительной техники компании
Игорь Юрьевич Московко
Generative Landscape Elements: Paving patterns
Authors: Pant Ar. Piyush , Sharma Ar. Monica
Published: February 2023

Abstract: One of the basic works which is frequently done in any landscape project is designing a paving pattern. It sounds easy, but to derive a pattern with a set of design goals, requires various hit and trails to get into the final one. There are lot of parameters which we have to cover based on the requirements and context of the site. For Example, Choosing the right proportion of colors, Right Proportion of the material types, Right Sizes of the paving material, Various arrangements and possibility of pattern design, testing various arrangements using different materials of various shapes and sizes and the list goes on. To do all those things manually is a very complex and impossible job, and even if it’s possible the time invested is too high and there is a limitation on the number of design options we can test to achieve our design goal with regular tools. In this article with the help of a test example, we will see how we can solve the above issue by using generative design process, which is very iterative, where we create a parametric model first which has a set of design goals, then using the same data-set we can use optimization engine to go through all alternatives and gives the best filtered results in no time
Detection of Counterfeit Medical Products
Authors: M Ramya K , L Rachana , Naik Ranjita Kiran , Satish Rashmika , Naseem Saba
Published: February 2023

Abstract: Medical product counterfeiting is one of the many major problems facing the healthcare sector. It is estimated that 10 to 30 percent of medical products sold are fake. Because they do not have access to quality healthcare, these issues are more prevalent in undeveloped and developing nations. As the healthcare supply chain is centralised and the procedure from the product's creation to its delivery to the user is opaque, it is challenging to identify counterfeit goods. As a result, the traceability of medicinal products becomes crucial. In addition to the difficulties of data privacy, data authenticity, and adaptability, traditional methods have not been very effective in resolving these problems. In this study, we reviewed several blockchain-based approaches for detecting fake medical items that employ the Ethereum blockchain, Hyperledger fabric, etc. The adoption of innovative ideas, like the inclusion of a QR code which enables customers to discover more about medical products are also studied. We also discuss the various architectures and techniques that are employed. The key challenges faced, and the research gaps are also analysed.
The performance of fire wood stove for heat exchanger tubeless type in the fluidized bed dryer of orthodox black tea
Authors: Abbas Tajudin
Published: February 2023

The biomass potential of tea plantations such as tea pruning waste, shade tree waste and waste of tea replanting are large enough. Energy derived from biomass is a renewable energy source that environmentally friendly, and it does not cause a negative impact to the environment. Heat exchanger tubeless type can only use fossil fuel. To replace the fuel derived from biomass on the tubeless type of heat exchanger, the furnace must be designed specifically as a substitute for fuel oil burner. This paper provides the result of engineering design of tubeless type heat exchanger of and their performance in a fluidized bed dryer of orthodox black tea. Apart from that, the design suitable also for the green tea drying machines. As a substitute for fuel oil burner, the heat exchanger tubeless type can use waste of tea replanting. The ratio of fire wood was 0.90 kg per kilogram of made tea with 57.9% of the energy efficiency and 46.3% of drying energy efficiency.
IGNITING BURNING WAVE IN A SMALL NUCLEAR REACTOR SUITABLE FOR REMOTE AREAS IN MONGOLIA
Authors: A Tsendsuren. , B Munkhbat. , S Odmaa.
Published: February 2023

In Mongolia, energy demand is increasing rapidly and installed capacity cannot keep up the demand due to a weak condition of both electricity access and grid structure. According to a survey, primary electricity demand by 2025 would be higher in the central region and tend to increase in other regions. Full coverage of the country by grid extension is difficult from a technical as well as an economic perspective because of high investment costs and high electrical loss over long distances, and low demand in the remote regions. Therefore, small power systems are suitable in remote regions and typical large-size power systems are not a very good option. However, a small fast reactor system may be suitable, having unique characters, to reduce nuclear waste and effective use of nuclear fuel. In this study, a preliminary design study on a small breed and burn type fast reactor was carried out using continuous energy Monte Carlo code MVP/GMVP II with the JENDL-3.3 data library. In the concept of breed and burn, igniting a burning wave is an important concern. This study concerns the igniting burning wave with enriched uranium for initiating the conversion process. As seen from the result, the proposed small reactor could operate more than seventy years under breed and burn mode.
НИЙЛМЭЛ ДҮРСЭН ДЭЛГЭЦИЙН ГҮНИЙГ МАТРИЦАН ХААЛТ АШИГЛАЖ САЙЖРУУЛАХ НЬ
Authors: Yulian Cao , Номин-Эрдэнэ Д. , Ганбат Б.
Published: February 2023

Гурван хэмжээст (3D) дэлгэцийн нэг төрөл болох нийлмэл дүрсэн дэлгэцийн гүний хэмжээ нь бага буюу хэрэглэгчийн шаардлага хангахгүй байна. Тиймээс энэ судалгааны ажлаар гүний хэмжээг ихэсгэх шинэ арга танилцуулна. Гүнийг ихэсгэхийн тулд уламжлалт нийлмэл дүрсэн дэлгэцийн линз матрицтай ижил хэмжээтэй хаалтыг нэмж байрлуулсан. Сарниулагч дээр үүсэж байгаа дүрсийг ажиглаж гүний хэмжээ хэрхэн өөрчлөгдөж байгааг судалсан. Туршилтын үр дүнгээс харахад 3D дүрс нь төвөөсөө зах уруу жигд бөгөөд тод үүсэж байгаагаас дэвшүүлж буй шинэ арга нь гүний хэмжээг ихэсгэж байна. Зөвхөн хаалт байрлуулсан энэ арга нь хямд бөгөөд хялбар арга учир ирээдүйд өргөн ашиглах боломжтой
Халдлага илрүүлэх хосолмол загварыг юмсын интернэтийн сүлжээнд ашиглах нь
Authors: Н. Угтахбаяр , Б Өсөхбаяр
Published: February 2023

Юмсын интернэтийн хэрэглээ, төрөл, үйлдвэрлэгчид сүүлийн жилүүдэд асар хурдацтай нэмэгдэж буйтай холбоотойгоор халдлагын тоо тодорхой хэмжээнд тасралтгүй нэмэгдэж буйг олон эх сурвалж дурьдаж байна. Үүнээс гадна энгийн хэрэглэгч болон үйлдвэрийн түвшинд ашиглагдаж буй энэхүү төхөөрөмжүүд нь ихэнх тохиолдолд интернэт сүлжээнд холбогдон ашиглагдаж байна. Иймээс халдлагын бай болох, хохирол учрах цар хүрээ нь уламжлалт сүлжээнээс дутахгүй өндөр байгаа юм. Аюулгүй байдлын мэргэжилтнүүдийн хувьд халдлагыг судлан шинжлэх нь цаг хугацааны хувьд хязгаарлагдмал, шинээр гарах халдлагын төрөл олон болох бүрт улам хүндрэлтэй болж байна. Халдлагыг судлах, таньж илрүүлэх энэхүү хүндрэлтэй байдлыг тодорхой түвшинд эерэг үр дүнтэй даван туулахад гажигт суурилсан системүүд ашиглах нь үр дүнтэй гэдэг талаар олон судлаачдын бүтээлүүд байна. Гажигт суурилсан халдлага илрүүлэх системийг дангаар нь ашиглах нь тодорхой түвшний үр дүнтэй хэдий ч сигнатурт суурилсан халдлага илрүүлэх систем нь өндөр үр дүнтэй хэвээр байсаар байгаа тул эдгээрийг хослуулан хэрэглэх замаар халдлага илрүүлэх хосолмол систем бий болгох боломжтой гэж үзэн зэрэгцээ ажиллагаа бүхий загварыг энэхүү судалгааны ажлаар санал болгож байна.
Уртын дууны төрлийг шүлгийн өгөгдөл ашиглан машин сургалтын аргаар ангилах нь
Authors: Б. Сувдаа , Н. Баярсайхан , Г. Нандинбилиг
Published: February 2023

Түүх, шастираас үзвэл Монгол ардын уртын дуу нь нэн эртний улбаатай аман зохиолын томоохон төрөл зүйлийн нэг юм. Арвин сан хөмрөгтэй Монгол ардын аман зохиол нь хэдэн өдрөөр хайлдаг хөлгөн их туйлсаас эхлээд ерөөл, магтаал, хэдэн арван шад шүлэг бүхий уртын дууны шүлэг зэрэг нь амнаас ам дамжин өнөө бидэнд уламжлагдан ирсэн бөгөөд бүтнээр нь өгүүлж байж төгөлдөр утга бүрнээ илэрхийлэгддэг. Уртын дуугаа гадаад ертөнцөд танин мэдүүлэх нь зөвхөн аялгуу, эгшгийн хүрээнд л байгаа юм. Тэгвэл шүлгийн утга, агуулгаас, ёс заншил, Монголчуудын оюун сэтгэлгээг тайлж мэдэх учиртай юм. Үүнийг орчин цагийн мэдээллийн технологийн хөгжил, судалгааны аргыг ашиглан шинэлэг аргаар судлан, хөгжүүлэх боломжийг эрэлхийлэн энэхүү судалгааг салбар дундын хэлбэрээр эхлүүлж байна. Энэхүү өгүүлэлдээ уртын дууны хэмжээг илэрхийлдэг  айзам, суман, бэсрэг дууг дууны нэр, утга, шүлэг, тухайн дууны бадгийн тоо, мөрийн тоо, үгийн тоо зэргээр бүртгэлжүүлэн, мөн аялгууны үргэлжлэх хугацааны хувьд бадгийн үргэлжлэх хугацаа, 5 үгийн үргэлжлэх хугацаа, 1 үгийн үргэлжлэх дундаж хугацаа, хамгийн урт дуулагдаж байгаа үгийн үргэлжлэх хугацаа зэрэг үзүүлэлтээр бүртгэн машин сургалтын аргаар ангилах боломжийг судалж үзлээ.
Estimation of Effective Dose in Monte Carlo Simulation Method for CT Coronary Angiography Patients
Authors: Deva Sarma Arnabjyoti , Kanti Singha Dr.Mrinal , Sharma Jibon , Pratim Kashyap Dr. Manash
Published: February 2023

Computed tomography (CT) scans of Coronary Angiography have significantly aided in the diagnosis of disorders of the coronary artery. In contrast to other radiological examinations, the patient's radiation exposure is notably higher. This study aimed to optimize the radiation dose and estimate the adequate amount in computed tomography (CT) for coronary angiography. A total of 380 patients were referred to the Primus Diagnostic Centre and Heath City Hospital, Guwahati Assam, during the study with coronary artery disturbances. Data on the technical parameters used in CT procedures were taken in 2022. The aim and study's objective was Organ and surface dose to specific radiosensitive organs (Chest) estimation using software imPACT 1.0.4 from National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) SR250 Monte Carlo dataset. The study population (n = 380) comprised 190 men and 190 women with an average age of 29 to 75 years. The Mean ± SD of BMI and ED are 22.42±1.06 and 21.57±4.27 respectively. The mean DLP is 854.67, and the mean ED is 21.57. The effective doses for males (13- 27) mSv were in females (13-29) mSv. This study was a pioneer in presenting actual amounts of CT examinations in Assam because other countries have already started with more advanced CT procedures, such as dosages for paediatrics, coronary angiography and CT fluoroscopy. With this study, there may be more opportunities to create complex new studies or enhance the data from related studies that may be done in future work. The high precision with minimum risk, the current study can be considered as the need of the hour.
Ayurvedic Management of Dushtavrana (Non-Healing Ulcer)– A Case Report
Authors: Nycy Dr.B. S , Rajkumar Gupta Dr. , Twinkle Joshi Dr. , Priyal Bansal Dr.
Published: February 2023

Treatment of non-healing ulcers (dushtaVrana) is a clinical challenge. Even though contemporary medicine can manage infected wounds through antibiotics, non-healing wounds are still a problem to be solved. Ayurveda contributes significantly in the management of dushtavrana through its holistic approach. This case report discusses a 52-year-old male patient who complained of a non-healing ulcer over the left big toe's metatarsophalangeal joint area for six months. With associate complains of pricking pain and itching in the nearby area of the ulcer. Cleaning of the ulcer was done with Nomura arka (Distillation preparation of cow urine) followed by Dhara (wash) with kwatha prepared out of lodhra(SymplocosracemosaRoxb), yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhizaglabra), manjishta (Rubiacordifolia).Sadhyovirechana (Purgation therapy) is performed with trivrutlehua and milk. Orally Aragwadhadikashaya, Sarivadhyasava, and Guggulupanchapalachurna were administered. After 15 days of treatment, there was considerable relief in the pain, and the wound started healing. One month of treatment led to the complete healing of the wound. Parisheka of lodra, yashtimadhu, and manjishtakwatha helps clean and heal the wound due to its vranahara, sandhaneeyaaction. Virechana with Trivrutlehya helps in the elimination of vitiated pitta, which allows for enhancing wound healing. Aragwadhadikashayam helps in dushtaVranashodhana and reduces the itching.Sarivadhyasavaisamapachaka, pittahara and pidakahara.GuggulupanchapalachurnacontainsGuggulu, Pippali, Triphala, etc. as its contents. Hence it contributes to the management of pain and healing of the ulcer.
Phenology of tropical lower montane forests in southern highlands of Vietnam: leafing is associated with precipitation but flowering is not
Authors: Nagahama Ai , Tagane Shuichiro , Ngoc Nguyen , Binh Hoang , Cuong Truong , Tsuchiya Kojin , Zhang Meng , Moritsuka Etsuko , Toyama Hironori , Nagamasu Hidetoshi , Naiki Akiyo , Kitamura Shumpei , Yahara Tetsukazu
Published: February 2023

The premise of the study Though phenological studies in montane forests
are important, particularly in tropical Asia where primitive angiosperms
are found, the phenology in these forests is still poorly understood. To
characterize the phenological patterns and reveal the relationships
between meteorological factors and phenology, we observed the leafing,
flowering, and fruiting phenology in the tropical montane forests of
Vietnam. Methods We observed the leafing, flowering, and fruiting
phenology of 91 species every three months in five plots (elev.
1460–1920 m) in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, Vietnam, and analyzed how
the number of species that were leafing, flowering, or fruiting varied
in relation to precipitation, temperature, or daylength. Key results The
leafing phenology showed a peak at the beginning of the wet season
(April) and was significantly influenced by all of day length,
precipitation, and temperature. The flowering phenology did not show any
distinct peaks and was influenced by day length and precipitation. The
fruiting phenology showed a low peak from the wet season (July) to the
beginning of the dry season (December) and was not significantly
influenced by any of the meteorological factors. Main conclusion The
community-wide phenological patterns of leafing, flowering, and fruiting
in the tropical montane forest of Bidoup-Nui Ba are unique among the
tropical forests of East and Southeast Asia. In particular, our
observation suggests that masting in tropical montane forests may be an
ancestral state of both general flowering in tropical rainforests and
masting found in temperate forests in East and Southeast Asia.
Tensile and Fatigue Behaviors of Additively Manufactured AlSi10Mg: Effect of Solutionizing and Aging Heat Treatments
Authors: Shamsaei Nima , Baig Shaharyar , Ghiaasiaan Reza , Shao Shuai
Published: February 2023

The effects of various heat treatments on the microstructure and
mechanical properties of laser beam powder bed fused AlSi10Mg were
investigated. Specimens were solutionized at three different
temperatures of 425, 475 and 525 °C followed by natural aging (T4) prior
to microstructural and mechanical characterization. In addition, the
effect of aging was studied by artificially aging (i.e., T7) some of the
solutionized specimens at 165 °C. Solutionizing at all temperatures was
observed to fully dissolve the additive manufacturing (AM) induced
dendritic microstructure, leaving bulky Si and needle-shaped β-AlFeSi
precipitates in the grain interiors and boundaries. Tensile results
revealed that T4 specimens exhibited more ductility, while T7 specimens
showed substantially higher strengths with slightly reduced ductility.
Interestingly, no significant effect of heat treatment on strain-life
fatigue behavior was observed. Fractography found the Si-particles to be
responsible for tensile fracture, while AM volumetric defects were the
main initiators of fatigue cracks.
Robust Guidance and Control with Collision Avoidance for Fully Actuated Multirotor Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Ricardo Jorge A. , Santos D.A.
Published: February 2023

This paper is concerned with the robust guidance and control of fully
actuated multirotor aerial vehicles in the presence of moving obstacles,
linear velocity constraints, and matched model uncertainties and
disturbances. We address this problem by adopting a standard
hierarchical flight control architecture consisting of a supervisory
outer-loop guidance module and an inner-loop stabilizing control one.
The position and attitude control laws are designed using a
proportional-derivative approach combined with a sliding mode
disturbance observer. On the other hand, to design the guidance, we
propose a robust version of the continuous-control-obstacles method,
which derives from the velocity obstacles one, to drive the vehicle to a
target pose while avoiding collision with moving obstacles and violation
of linear velocity constraints. The overall method have been numerically
evaluated and shown to be effective in providing satisfactory tracking
performance, collision-free guidance, and satisfaction of linear
velocity constraints.
Minimal tissue inputs produce a chromosome-scale genome assembly of the rusty patched bumble bee, an endangered North American pollinator
Authors: Koch Jonathan , Sim Sheina , Scheffler Brian , Smith Tamara , Geib Scott M.
Published: February 2023

The rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis, is an important
pollinator in North America and a federally listed endangered species.
Due to habitat loss and large declines in population size, B.
affinis is facing imminent extinction unless human intervention and
recovery efforts are implemented. To better understand B. affinis
biology and population genetic and genomic landscapes, we sequenced and
assembled the B. affinis genome from a single male. Whole genome
HiFi sequencing on PacBio coupled with HiC sequencing resulted in a
complete and highly contiguous contig assembly that was scaffolded into
a chromosomal context, resolving 18 chromosomes for this species. All
material for both HiFi and HiC sequencing was derived from a single
abdominal tissue segment from the one male. These assembly results,
coupled with the minimal amount of tissue destructively sampled,
demonstrates methods for generating contiguous and complete genomic
resources for a rare and endangered species with limited material
available and highlights the importance of sample preservation. Precise
methods and applications of these methods are presented for potential
applications in other species with similar limitations in specimen
availability and curation considerations.
COVID-19 and Retinal Layer Thickness: A bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Lang lili , Zhao Kun , Xiang Xiqiao , Wenwen Wang , Zhang QingWei , Gu Bingxin , Zhang Yanyan , zhang xingxing , Tang Zhen , Guo Meixiang , YuanHao Wei , Yuan Lin , Yang Shaoling
Published: February 2023

Observational studies have reported that COVID-19 is associated with
alterations in retinal layer thickness, including changes in the
ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and retinal nerve fiber
layer (RNFL). However, observational studies are susceptible to
confounding factors and reverse causality. Therefore, we assessed the
direction and strength of the causal relationship between COVID-19
patient phenotypes (susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity) and
GCIPL and RNFL thicknesses using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian
randomization (MR) design. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method is
the primary approach used to estimate causal effects. MR Egger, weighted
median, weighted mode, MR Egger (bootstrap), and penalized weighted
median methods were applied. In addition, we performed sensitivity
analyses using RadialMR, MRPRESSO, MR Egger regression, Cochran’s Q
statistic, and Leave-one-out analysis. Forward MR analysis revealed that
genetically identified COVID-19 susceptibility significantly increased
the risk of GCIPL thickness (OR: 2.428, 95% confidence
interval[CI]:1.493-3.947, P=3.579 ×10
) and RNFL thickness (OR: 1.735,95%CI:1.198-2.513,
P=3.580×10 ). The results
after excluding MRPRESSO and RadialMR to identify outliers and SNPs
associated with confounding factors showed RNFL
thickness(OR:1.800,95%CI: 1.192-2.717,
P=5.147×10 ).Reverse MR
analysis did not indicate a significant causal association between GCIPL
and RNFL thicknesses and COVID-19 phenotypes. In conclusion, the host
genetic liability to COVID-19 susceptibility was causally associated
with increased GCIPL and RNFL thicknesses. Documenting this association
increases our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms
underlying COVID-19 susceptibility in retinopathy.
Roflumilast Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats Through Down-Regulation of JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Patel Sandip , Patel Priyal , Chudasama Piyush , Soni Shailesh , A Manan Raval
Published: February 2023

Diabetes nephropathy (DN) is one of the most prevalent microvascular
complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). The present study was carried
out to explore the role of roflumilast, a PDE4 inhibitor, as a potential
treatment option for DN. The model was developed by feeding a high-fat
diet for four weeks and following streptozotocin (30 mg/kg) injection
intraperitoneally. The rats with >13.8 mmol/L blood glucose
were included in the study. The diabetic rats were treated with
roflumilast (0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/kg) and standard metformin (100 mg/kg)
orally once a day for eight weeks. Roflumilast (1 mg/kg) remarkably
improved renal damage, which was indicated by an increase in 16%
albumin, a decrease in 5% serum creatinine, 12% BUN, 19% HbA1c, and
34% blood glucose. It also significantly improves the oxidative stress
levels, which was indicated by a decrease in 18% MDA level and an
increase in GSH, SOD, and catalase by 6%, 4%, and 5%, respectively.
Roflumilast (1 mg/kg) decreased the HOMA-IR index by 28% and increased
the pancreatic β-cells functioning by 30%. Moreover, significant
improvement in histopathological abnormalities was observed in
roflumilast treatment groups. Roflumilast treatment was shown to
down-regulate the gene expression of TNF-α, NF-kB, MCP-1, fibronectin,
and collagen IV, and upregulated the expression of the Nrf2 gene. The
gene expression was significantly reduced by 2.1-fold, 2.3-fold,
2.5-fold, 2.7-fold, and 1.52-fold individually. The Nrf2 gene was
upregulated by 1.43-fold. These results manifested that roflumilast
alleviated renal injuries in DN rats, which might be associated with
suppressing the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS (PPPS) IN UGANDA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND POLICYMAKING
Authors: Molokwane Thekiso , Nduhura Alex , Casady Carter , Dick-Sagoe Christopher , Lee Ka
Published: February 2023

While literature on PPPs globally can be found in abundance, in Africa,
there is still limited literature on the contextualization, application,
trends, inventory and account of existing and upcoming PPPs in Uganda.
Based on a review of literature, this study reveals that there is
heightened momentum for the adoption of PPPs compared to a decade ago.
Notwithstanding, a deficiency exists in studies providing a countrywide
review of PPP adoption over the last several decades in Uganda. To this
end, this article investigates the origins of PPPs in Uganda, its legal
and regulatory framework, and surveys existing and upcoming PPPs in the
country. The study also provides a synthesis of how PPPs have performed
so far—including their benefits and challenges. Finally, this study
discusses the implications for practice and policy and outlines a
research agenda for PPPs in Uganda.
Problems of local organic food procurement management at general education schools in Latvia
Authors:   Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Aleksejeva Lasma
Published: February 2023

Today, more than 70% of people live in and around cities. Existing urban and regional food systems are unsustainable and society expects and demands change. In order to help prevent and reduce food waste, reduce the environmental impact of food production and food waste, and promote access to healthy food for all, it is essential to design and develop smart, food-oriented food chains. Therefore, the involvement of local entrepreneurs, municipalities and citizens in the development of the food security ecosystem of cities and regions is important. Involvement in local food supply chains allows businesses to increase the added value of their products and make farmers less vulnerable to market risks by reducing the number of intermediaries through diversification and better price control, guaranteeing less asymmetric relationships with customers. Municipalities promote the consumption of quality products through green public procurement of food and thus reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases, but in the long run the costs of health care. In Latvia, according to the data of 2019, only 3% of biologically certified farms sold their products through public procurement, incl. purchase of school catering. The aim of this study is to identify barriers and possible solutions for increasing the share of local organic food purchased by mainstream schools. The study finds that the role of local organic food in green public procurement and its impact on territorial development is linked to environmental, social and economic benefits. The main obstacles to participating in GPP tenders and winning the tender were: 1) the quantity and range of products required (division of goods into lots), as well as the purchase prices of organic products; 2) high bureaucratic burden for “small” producers, complex Electronic Procurement System and tender submission criteria; 3 cal organic food is more expensive than imported; 4) limited financial resources; 5) insufficient amount of food produced. There were significant communication gaps between stakeholders regarding GPP, as well as a lack of knowledge about the organic market and how to implement GPP.
Biogas production and biomethane upgrading opportunities
Authors:   Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Millers Janis , Pilvere Irina ,   Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
Published: February 2023

As a member state of the European Union (EU), Latvia has undertaken to introduce measures to reduce the negative consequences of climate change, as stated in the European Green Deal climate neutrality strategy. In order to tackle the challenges identified in the European Green Deal, one must reach an equilibrium between the production and the absorption of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2030. The EU goal is to achieve a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2050, as compared to 1990. It is also planned to make future human activity more climate-neutral, which means saving resources, optimising energy consumption, recycling waste into new products, using agricultural products, including food, to their full extent, without losses. Significant changes in the key economic sectors of member states are to take place in accomplishing the EU climate neutrality goals. Recycling of waste is an integral component of circular economy. Biogas reactors make it possible to efficiently recycle biological waste, producing biogas. Biogas is a resource suitable for generating electric power and heat; while refining biogas, one can produce biomethane, to serve as an alternative to currently used types of fossil fuels. The goal of this study is to analyse the possibility of manufacturing biomethane from organic waste, through the use of biogas plants that receive funding via the mandatory procurement system in Latvia. The study revealed that at least half of the biogas plants, if repurposed for the manufacture of biomethane, would be able to generate EUR 70.2 million in revenue within a year, assuming a biomethane price of EUR 100 per MWh-1, thus fully compensating any income not received through mandatory procurement funding.
Is the EU agriculture becoming low-carbon? Trends in the intensity of GHG emissions from agricultural production
Authors:   Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Wicki Ludwik ,   Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Published: February 2023

GHG emissions from agriculture account for as much as 18% of the total human related emissions. In Europe, it is 12%. To reduce overall emissions, it is also necessary to reduce them from agricultural production. The study aims to assess the size and dynamics of changes in emissions from agriculture in EU countries. Based on FAO data, a trend in 1999–2019 was determined. It was also assessed how the level of emissions changed per production unit, including the extent to which these changes resulted from changes in the production volume and to what extent from the improvement of the production techniques. Overall, production increased by about 0.8% during the period under review, and GHG emissions decreased by 10.8% to 587 Mt CO2 eq. As a result, the emission intensity decreased by 11.5% from 1.74 to 1.54 kg CO2 eq. per 1 Int. $. There were differences in reducing emissions per unit of production between countries. The emissions per unit decreased more in the NMS with less developed agriculture, which has more significant potential to improve produc tion techniques. In more developed countries, changes were minor, and some even increased emissions per production unit. The main factor in reducing the emission intensity by 0.2 kg CO2 eq. per 1 Int. $ was the introduction of better production techniques with a 74% share in this change; to a lesser extent, it was possi ble through better use of energy in farms (26% share). Further reduction of the emission intensity will be relatively small. It may result from the regional intensifi cation of agriculture, the increase in production scale, and the higher level of mechanization. A more signifi cant reduction of emissions will require a reduction of production and changes in its structure, mainly limiting the production of cattle and milk and thus changes in the level and food consumption structure.
Peculiarities of cost management: agricultural enterprises under normal operating conditions and during the crisis
Authors:   Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics, Bieliaieva Nataliia , Sova Olena ,   National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Antypenko Nadiia ,   National Aviation University, Khmurova Victoriia ,   Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics
Published: February 2023

The aim of the article is to investigate and formulate peculiarities of agricultural enterprises’ cost management under normal operating conditions and during the crisis. The object of the research is the modification of the functional approach to the costs formation to determine the full cost of the resource on the base of its business processes passed. The analysis was based on the specifics of the agrosphere, including that one of the types of products is the main one (grain, root crops, marketable fish), the others are conjugate or secondary. A zonation of the production of marketable crop production has been formed. As a result of the research, the distribution of farms was carried out in accordance with the recommended zoning. It was discovered that the most promising method for achieving the maximum intensification of production, outstripping the growth of commercial output in comparison with the growth of production costs, is the improvement of equipment, technology and organization of production, breeding high-yielding varieties of agricultural crops and increasing the genetic potential of livestock and poultry. A method for the distribution of the main indicators of objective factors for reducing the cost of crop production and livestock industries is proposed. The main results of the research can be applied in the practical activity of agricultural enterprises to minimize the risks of their functioning. Further research needs to address the general economic costs and their distribution by types of crop production, determination of the characteristic bases of distribution etc.
Optimalisasi Potensi Desa dan Pengolahan Singkong Desa Kedungkeris
Authors: Dewangga Dismas Persada
Published: February 2023

Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) merupakan salah satu mata kuliah yang di berikan oleh Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta kepada mahasiswanya. KKN kali ini berfokus kepada program kerja potensi desa dan pengolahan tanaman singkong.  Program kerja yang di lakukan saat ini memiliki tujuan yaitu untuk membantu masyarakat Desa Kedungkeris supaya bisa mengembangkan potensi desa yang di miliki, selain itu dapat membuat masyarakat Desa Kedungkeris menjadi lebih terbuka, dan memperoleh pengetahuan yang baru. Metode yang digunakan yaitu melihat permasalahan yang sedang terjadi, mengumpulkan data-data, pengolahan data, dan kesimpulan. Hasil dari program kerja potensi desa yaitu pariwisata yang ada di Desa Kedungkeris dapat berkembang. Selain itu tanaman singkong dapat di olah menjadi berbagai macam makanan.
Pengembangan Public Speaking dalam Kegiatan Sidang Akademi di SMA Pangudi Luhur Van Lith, Muntilan
Authors: Astuti R.A. Vita , Rismayanti Rebekka , Vidiadari Irene Santika
Published: February 2023

Kegiatan pengabdian dengan tema mengenai pelatihan public speaking kepada siswa SMA diadakan dengan tujuan untuk memupuk kepercayaan diri siswa dan memberikan pembekalan mengenai dasar-dasar melakukan public speaking serta mempraktikkan ragam public speaking tersebut. Melihat pentingnya kemampuan berbicara di depan umum, maka seharusnya pelatihan yang terkait dengan hal ini perlu dilakukan, terutama bagi generasi muda. Pada kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini, sekolah yang disasar untuk diberi pelatihan adalah SMA Pangudi Luhur (PL) Van Lith Muntilan melalui kegiatan ekstrakurikuler bernama Sidang Akademi (SA). Dari hasil pra riset kepada guru dan evaluasi dari alumni Van Lith, situasi yang dihadapi Sidang Akademi di SMA PL Van Lith adalah materi public speaking yang tidak mengalami perkembangan setidaknya sejak sepuluh tahun lalu. Selain itu, minimnya guru yang memiliki kemampuan tentang public speaking, dan tidak adanya buku pedoman mengenai kegiatan public speaking di Sidang Akademi. Berdasarkan permasalahan tersebut, penelitian tentang Pelatihan Public Speaking kepada Siswa SMA Pangudi Luhur Van Lith Muntilan dilakukan. Hasilnya pelatihan ini memberikan wawasan kepada para siswa mengenai public speaking dan dapat mempraktikkannya dalam berbagai kesempatan. Selain itu, modul yang menjadi keluaran dari proses pengabdian ini dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai pegangan dalam mengasah kemampuan public speaking para siswa.
Pengembangan Potensi Pada Desa Kedungsari, Kecamatan Pengasih, Kabupaten Kulon Progo
Authors: Praharsiwi Caecilia Santi
Published: February 2023

Desa Kedungsari adalah sebuah desa yang terletak di sisi selatan Kecamatan Pengasih. Sebagian besar mata pencaharian masyarakat Desa Kedungsari adalah di sektor pertanian. Bekerja di sektor pertanian membuat masyarakat Desa Kedungsari tidak mendapatkan penghasilan tetap karena masa panen padi hanya tiga bulan sekali. Untuk itu, masyarakat Desa Kedungsari membutuhkan sumber mata pencaharian lain untuk menunjang kebutuhan hidupnya sehari-hari.Untuk membantu memajukan Desa Kedungsari dengan mengatasi permasalahan yang ada, maka dilakukan proses pendahuluan untuk mengidentifikasi permasalahan yang terjadi. Proses ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan internet sourching dikarenakan pandemi Covid-19 sehingga tidak ada penerjunan mahasiswa ke lapangan. Kemudian dengan bantuan studi pustaka dari berbagai sumber sehingga dapat ditentukan tujuan pengabdian ini. Kemudian dengan bantuan internet sourching kembali dilakukan pengambilan data dalam hal ini adalah potensi yang dapat dikembangkan. Kemudian dilakukan analisis data dan ditemukan hasil bahwa untuk memajukan perekonomian masyarakat Desa Kedungsari dilakukan dengan cara mengintegrasikan sekuruh potensi yang dahulu berjalan secara terpisah menjadi satu kesatuan dan dari potensi yang ada dilakukan pengembangan lebih lanjut. Potensi yang dapat dikembangkan antara lain kebudayaan, kerajinan eceng gondok, souvenir sampah plastik, dan persawahan.
Pemanfaatan Fermentasi Jerami Padi sebagai Pakan Ternak di Desa Demen, Kulon Progo
Authors: Kristianto Ignatius Indra
Published: February 2023

Makalah ini disusun bertujuan untuk mencari dan memaksimalkan potensi desa Demen yang ada, dengan memanfaatkan sumber daya alam yang ada. Desa Demen sebagian besar bergerak pada sektor pertanian dan peternakan. Potensi desa yang bisa dikembangkan dengan komoditas tanaman padi dan peternakan sapi dan kambing. Penyusunan ini berharap dapat membantu warga di desa Demen memaksimalkan potensi – potensi yang ada dari sumber daya alam.
Pengembangan Pariwisata Digital Berbasis Komunitas di Desa Hargomulyo, Kabupaten Gunungkidul
Authors: Ludvianto Meganusa
Published: February 2023

The tourism sector is promising to be developed in Indonesia, especially in the digital era. Group 77 KKN UAJY 79 gave an idea for tourism development in Hargomulyo Village, Gunungkidul. The idea is based on the potentials of Hargomulyo Village, then was linked to several concepts such as community based and one stop service tourism. Not only infrastructure and human resources, group 77 also directs development in Hargomulyo Village towards digital tourism. Thus, Hargomulyo Village will be ready to become a community based and digital tourism village with one stop service system to facilitate the focus of development.