bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Investigation of Gel and Composite Materials
Authors:   , Mieles Matthew , Ji Haifeng
Published: January 2024

Herein, a comprehensive investigation is carried out to explore several gel and composite materials and the techniques that can be used to produce enhanced materials with superior mechanical properties. This thesis focuses on different but related projects, separated by chapters. In Chapter 1, a quick overview of what defines gels and composites, as well as various examples of each are given. Additionally, the types of polymerization tools available for forming these materials are explored and their mechanical properties are discussed. In Chapter 2, a hydrogel is studied that was made using a uniquely synthesized double network system to produce a highly stretchable, injectable, re-moldable, and strong gel with strain sensing capabilities. In Chapter 3, a novel inorganic-based gel composite made from a truly 1-dimensional titanate is investigated. The investigation of this recently discovered material led to the elucidation of a previously unknown gelling mechanism rarely seen for inorganic materials. The compressive strength of the gels was measured, and the chemical composition of the material was determined. In Chapter 4, a wood-polymer composite (WPC) was produced using a non-conventional method of polymerization called dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma. The DBD plasma-treated method was compared to a similar WPC made using UV light as the polymerization technique. The DBD plasma technique produced superior WPCs with higher flexural strength than the UV-treated WPCs. Finally, an acrylic acid paper composite is produced and tested as a wet wipe material to determine its anti-drying properties. This composite was also produced using the DBD plasma technique for the bulk polymerization of the acrylic acid-immersed paper sheets.
The Formation of One-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Crystals via Evaporative Crystallization on Water Surface
Authors:   , Qian Qian , Li Christopher Y. , Magenau Andrew J. D.
Published: January 2024

Solvent evaporation is one of the most fundamental processes in soft matter. Structures formed via solvent evaporation are often complex yet tunable via the competition between solute diffusion and solvent evaporation time scales. Controlling the evaporation process has profound effects on the coating, printing, food, membrane, and pharmaceutical industries. This dissertation concerns the polymer evaporative crystallization on water surface (ECWS). The dynamic and two-dimensional nature of the water surface offers a unique way to control the crystallization pathway of polymeric materials. Using poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), we demonstrate that both one-dimensional (1D) crystalline filaments and two-dimensional (2D) lamellae are formed via ECWS, in stark contrast to the 2D Langmuir-Blodget monolayer systems as well as polymer solution crystallization. Results show that this biphasic 1D/2D structure is tunable via chemical structures such as molecular weight and polarity of the polymer and processing conditions such as temperature, evaporation speed, and interfacial tension. We show that the 1D crystals are formed by interfacial crystallization of pinned PLLA chains at the liquid/liquid interface, while 2D lamellae are formed where less confinement on the chain conformation is imposed. Only 1D filaments are formed when poly(L-lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PLLA-b-PEO) block copolymer is employed in ECWS, which is attributed to the strong pinning effect of the block copolymer imparted by the hydrophilic PEO block. The formation of 1D crystals follows a nucleation-merging process, different from the classical nucleation and growth mechanism. The nucleation-merging process mimics the recently discovered particle-mediated crystallization in biominerals and the so-called nodule structures in polymer bulk. This intriguing observation reveals the feasibility of altering the polymer's crystallization pathways by changing the energy landscape of the intermediate states. This dissertation work demonstrates that ECWS provides a rich platform to tune polymer crystallization pathways. It also offers a unique approach to fabricating nanomaterials and polymer thin films with tunable morphology.
Comparison of Predictive Performance of Data Mining Algorithms in Predicting Tomato Yield with the A Case Study in Igdir
Authors: Karadaş Köksal , Bulut Osman Doğan
Published: January 2024

Among the vegetable species in the world, the plant with the most cultivation area is tomato. Increasing tomato yield is important in terms of contributing more to the world economy, producer’s income and human health. With the advancement in software technologies, the importance of data mining algorithms is increasing due to the fact that these algorithms can produce more sophisticated solutions for regression and classification problems. Determining the factors affecting tomato yield and comparing different data mining algorithms on prediction of tomato yield are the purpose of this study. For this purpose, survey study was conducted with the 105 farmers, selected by Simple Random Sampling Method in Igdir province in 2016. Different data mining algorithms including Classification and Regression Tree, Exhaustive CHAID, Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detector, Artificial Neural Network Algorithm, Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines and General Linear Model were developed and compared their predictive performance. MARS decision tree has been able to build a model with greatest predictive accuracy, and the others are respectively ANN, GLM, CART, CHAID and Exhaustive CHAID. In the MARS model, number of irrigation , amount of chemical fertilizer , age of farmer , number of seedlings , education level , soil analysis status , sowing region were found statistically significant (P˂0.05). Preferring the MARS model could give an opportunity to detect factors affecting tomato yield and their interactions with higher accuracy. Moreover, results can be easily interpreted and the rules are understandable.
Siyah Alaca Sığırlarda Erken Laktasyon Dönemindeki Süt Bileşimleri ve Etkili Faktörlerin Belirlenmesi
Authors: Tatlısu Burak , Zulkadir Ugur
Published: January 2024

ÖZ
Bu araştırma, Konya ili Sarayönü ilçesinde bulunan özel bir sığırcılık işletmesinde yetiştirilen süt sığırlarının erken laktasyon döneminde süt komponentlerindeki değişimler ve süt komponentlerini etkileyen faktörlerin araştırılması amacıyla yapılmıştır. Laktasyonun yirminci, kırkıncı ve altmışıncı günlerinde üç dönem süt numunesi alınmış ve süt komponentleri belirlenmiştir. Süt komponentleri olarak elektrik iletkenliği, laktoz, pH, protein, somatik hücre sayısı, kuru madde, yağsız kuru madde ve yağ değerleri incelenmiştir. Bu değerler sırasıyla 5.534 ± 0.02 mS/cm, % 4.985 ± 0.03, 6.601 ± 0.01, % 2.957 ± 0.02, 297.273 ± 56.84 adet/ml, % 11.585 ± 0.02, % 8.501 ± 0.03 ve % 3.033 ± 0.02 olarak tespit edilmiştir
Sütün bileşimine etkisi incelenen faktörlerden doğum ayının etkisi elektrik iletkenliği, pH ve somatik hücre sayısı değerlerine P
A Preliminary Research on the Trichoptera Fauna of the Kura-Aras River Basin and Eastern Black Sea Streams
Authors: Baytaşoğlu Hazel , Küçükbasmacı İbrahim
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study is to determine the Trichoptera species distributed in the Kura-Aras river basin and Eastern Black sea coastal rivers within the borders of Turkey. For this purpose, samples were taken from a total of 51 stations, each individual was separated according to its morphological characteristics and species identification was completed. A total of 44 Trichoptera species were recorded as a result of the samplings made from two different river basins with flow within the borders of Turkey. Although Trichoptera species distributed in the Eastern Black Sea basin have been identified before, this study was conducted for the first time for the Kura-Aras river basin. Species identified from the Kura-Aras river system are new records for the basin.
Uwarunkowania przyrodnicze rozwoju Łodzi włókienniczej
Authors: Szkurłat Elżbieta , Adamczewska Maria
Published: January 2024

Celem proponowanych zajęć jest ukazanie znaczenia warunków przyrodniczych Łodzi w rozwoju przemysłu włókienniczego i szybkim rozwoju Łodzi jako miasta. Poznanie tych uwarunkowań odbywa się zarówno poprzez obserwacje bezpośrednie realizowane w terenie jak również  przy wykorzystaniu map i tekstów źródłowych. Tematyka zajęć sprzyja kształtowaniu u uczniów umiejętności wnioskowania, analizowania, porównywania i interpretowania  materiałów kartograficznych, identyfikowania związków i zależności przestrzennych. Dotyczą one wzajemnych zależności środowiskowych takich jak: ukształtowanie powierzchni Łodzi i układ  dolin rzecznych, przebieg działu wodnego I rzędu oraz  zasobność  terenu w wodę i obecność młynów wodnych. W poszukiwaniu przyrodniczych czynników rozwoju przemysłowego Łodzi pomocne są  teksty źródłowe w postaci raportów pisanych  przez Rajmunda Rembielińskiego i Stanisława Staszica z objazdów Łodzi i okolic na początku XIX wieku. Eksponowana w tych raportach opinia o obfitości wód powierzchniowych na terenie Łodzi,  zostaje wzmocniona mapą interaktywną ukazującą sieć rzek płynących w przeszłości na obszarze Łodzi oraz archiwalne fotografie rzeki Łódki z początku XX wieku. Konfrontacja treści tych wszystkich materiałów źródłowych z bezpośrednią obserwacją w terenie aktualnego stanu wód powierzchniowych, może tworzyć sprzyjającą atmosferę do refleksji i stawiania pytań o przyczyny tak zasadniczych zmian w zasobach wód powierzchniowych w XIX wieku i współcześnie.
„Od miedzy do miedzy”, czyli o skutkach (nie)planowania przestrzennego
Authors: Szkurłat Elżbieta
Published: January 2024

Koncepcja zajęć wynika z przekonania o potrzebie kształcenia postaw szacunku do polskiej przestrzeni, upowszechniania wiedzy i pogłębionej refleksji nad jej wartością oraz różnorodnymi kosztami nieracjonalnego nią gospodarowania. W okresie coraz szybszych i zachodzących na coraz większą skalę zmian w zagospodarowaniu terenu warto stawiać pytania o reguły, zasady postępowania człowieka wobec ogromnego dobra narodowego jakim jest przestrzeń w której żyjemy. Liberalizacja prawa planistycznego w Polsce po 1989 r. doprowadziły do wielkoskalowych, nieracjonalnych, chaotycznych, nieplanowanych i bardzo kosztownych przekształceń w zagospodarowaniu terenu i krajobrazie. Problematyka racjonalnego gospodarowania w przestrzeni, zagadnienia chaosu przestrzennego, ładu i nieładu w krajobrazie została uwzględniona w edukacji szkolnej poprzez wprowadzenie odpowiednich zapisów w obowiązujących od 2017 (szkoła podstawowa) i od 2018 roku (szkoła ponadpodstawowa) wymaganiach programowych.
Celem proponowanej koncepcji zajęć terenowych jest wprowadzenie wybranych elementów edukacji przestrzennej poprzez: uzasadnienie potrzeby edukacji w zakresie racjonalnego gospodarowania przestrzenią (wskazanie na przestrzeń jako dobro narodowe), identyfikacja w terenie przykładów błędnego (nie)planowania przestrzennego, rozpraszania zabudowy, planowania „od miedzy do miedzy” oraz poznanie głównych skutków tego procesu.
Jako miejsce obserwacji zaplanowano północno-wschodnią część strefy podmiejskiej Łodzi: Osiedle Nad Łódką, zabudowane tereny w sąsiedztwie ulicy Marmurowej, Olkuskiej, Nad Niemnem.
Materiałami pomocniczymi są: mapy z Geoportalu i Google z zaznaczonymi działkami oraz materiały źródłowe dotyczące skutków ekonomicznych nieładu przestrzennego w Polsce.
Geometric Morphometric Research of the Molars in Tree Shrews (Tupaia belangeri) from Different Regions
Authors: Yang Cheng-yao , Gao Wen-rong , Ning Na , Zhu Wan-long
Published: January 2024

Background: Biological traits are mainly determined by genotype and are also influenced by environmental factors, especially in the process of adapting to different environments, corresponding phenotypic variations may occur. Even for the same animal, there may be some morphological differences due to its long-term adaptation to different habitat environments. Molar teeth are the direct contact point between animals and the environment, which are of great significance in the study of animal adaptability to different environments. Methods: To explore the relationship between the morphology of the molars (upper molars and lower molars) of tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) and environmental variations in different regions, we applied geometric morphometric methods to measure the morphological characteristics of the molars of T. belangeri in 12 different regions of China (Hainan, Daxin, Leye, Xingyi, Xichang, Hekou, Kunming, Mengla, Dali, Tengchong, Pianma, Laboratory bred F1 generation). Result: The results showed that the morphological variations of the lower molars of T. belangeri in 12 different regions were larger, which was more suitable and reference valuable for studying the morphological differences among different geographical populations. The Principal component analysis showed that T. belangeri from 12 regions were clustered into 4 branches: Hainan was clustered into one branch, Daxin was clustered into one branch, Pianma and Tengchong were clustered into one branch and Leye, Xingyi, Hekou, Kunming, Xichang, Mengla, Dali and laboratory bred F1 generation were clustered into one branch. The thin plate spline analysis showed that deformations in the upper molars were mostly concentrated in the alveolar and dental margins. The deformations of the lower molars were mainly concentrated in the alveolar, marginal and occlusal surfaces. Multidimensional scaling showed that there were differences in molars morphology among the 12 locations, with significant variations in Hainan, Daxin, Pianma and Tengchong regions, reflecting the adaptive variation of T. belangeri to different ecological environments. The present results can provide a certain basis for the study of phenotypic adaptation in T. belangeri.
Pride and Community Connection for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ Youth: the Intersectionality of Identity for Indigenous Adolescents in the United States
Authors: Angelino Alessandra C. , Thomas Morgan , Jeffries Itai , Hoover Ashley
Published: January 2024

Two-Spirit and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and gender-diverse (2SLGBTQ+) adolescents and young adults (AYA) in Indigenous communities face disparate physical and mental health outcomes in the absence of connection to culture and Indigenous identity. There are limited data on the unique needs and strengths of this population. This work aimed to highlight the barriers and needs of 2SLGBTQ+ AYA and the link between cultural connection, pride, and resilience and positive health outcomes for these adolescents. This analysis of 15–25-year-old participants is derived from a mixed-methods study, which assessed the barriers to seeking and accessing care for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. Survey and short-answer responses were collected through REDCap, and an analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 (quantitative) and ATLAS.ti (qualitative short answer). Responses demonstrate high levels of pride and connectedness among 2SLGBTQ+ AYA and that affirming healthcare is critical in supporting positive outcomes. Results also suggest a need for increased education regarding Indigenous worldviews, health, barriers to care, and historical contexts besides gender diversity. In conclusion, results indicate that pride and connection are inherent in 2SLGBTQ+ AYA communities, which can serve as protective factors to improve health outcomes. Using this knowledge, providers can support youth clinically as well as through policy and advocacy action. Family, community, and health provider support allow for identity formation and expression. Findings can also be applied to gender-diverse AYA in non-Indigenous communities.
Renal Implications of Acute Endocarditis: Exploring the Dynamics and Management of Glomerulonephritis as a Secondary Complication
Authors: Gomez Coral Maria Isabel
Published: January 2024

This article delves into the intricate landscape of glomerulonephritis secondary to acute endocarditis, a condition marked by the complex interplay of infectious, immunological, and renal factors. Addressing the evolving epidemiology and risk factors, it sheds light on the clinical manifestations that underscore the multifaceted nature of the disease. The diagnostic approach encompasses a comprehensive evaluation involving serological markers, blood cultures, and imaging studies, with renal biopsy crucial in assessing the severity of glomerular damage.
Éter es. Lo sagrado en la poesía de Pura López Colomé
Authors: Vergara Mendoza Gloria Ignacia
Published: January 2024

La idea de lo sagrado en la obra de Pura López Colomé está enraizada en la concepción misma que ella tiene. Desde sus poemas de infancia que dejaba en sus cuadernos, los ramilletes espirituales o el diario que le permitía el diálogo con Dios —como lo refiere con Adriana Pacheco en Hablemos escritoras—, hasta su último libro Borrosa imago mundi, López Colomé deja ver que la palabra poética revela el sentido profundo de las cosas, del ser. Sin embargo, para fines de este acercamiento crítico nos centraremos únicamente en el poemario Éter es, que nos remite desde el título a la verticalidad de un tiempo en el que ubicamos la búsqueda de nuestra poeta, considerando la visión como revelación y la interioridad como espacio de esa revelación.
Poética y política de la memoria en La escritura o la vida, de Jorge Semprún
Authors: Luna Muñoz Sebastián Cruz
Published: January 2024

El presente artículo propone la exploración de dos dimensiones constitutivas de la obra de Jorge Semprún: la poética y la política de la memoria, específicamente en uno de sus libros mayores, La escritura o la vida (1993). Dimensiones que no existen o se despliegan por separado, sino que conforman una sola entidad o densidad narrativa, pues se trata de la recreación literaria de la memoria histórica, en este caso, de una memoria (entre tantas otras) del campo de concentración nazi. Por lo tanto, es una recreación que lleva implícita una poética y una política de la memoria: una poética por tratarse de una recreación narrativa; una política por tratarse de una recreación de la memoria histórica; teniendo ambas, como fundamento, el lenguaje: el arduo y depurado trabajo con el lenguaje. De modo que la memoria de Semprún, más que ser una memoria individual, es una memoria transindividual, una memoria que no se contenta con el mero testimonio, sino que hace del testimonio una obra de arte, gracias a la ficción.
Desa Wisata Brayut sebagai Ruang Interaksi Sosial Wisatawan Asing dan Masyarakat Lokal
Authors: Putri Irawati Anindya , Sari Meliana , Cahyani Aprilia Dwi
Published: January 2024

Penelitian ini mengkaji perilaku wisatawan asing dalam aktivitas berwisata di Desa Wisata Brayut ditinjau dari perspektif masyarakat lokal. Perilaku wisatawan yang disorot dalam penelitian ini adalah proses interaksi wisatawan asing dengan masyarakat lokal Desa Wisata Brayut (unsur manusia) dan interaksi wisatawan asing dengan unsur nonmanusia, seperti alam, adat istiadat, nilai, dan norma yang dijunjung tinggi oleh masyarakat lokal. Lokus penelitian ini adalah di Desa Wisata Brayut, Pandowoharjo, Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian  deskriptif kualitatif. Informan dalam penelitian ini adalah ketua pengelola Desa Wisata Brayut dan masyarakat lokal. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara terstruktur, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Melalui teknik analisis model Creswell, hasil penelitian ini diklasifikasikan ke dalam empat tema, antara lain (1) karakteristik wisatawan asing, (2) interaksi wisatawan asing dan masyarakat lokal Desa Wisata Brayut, (3) interaksi wisatawan asing dengan unsur non-manusia di Desa Wisata Brayut, serta (4) upaya masyarakat lokal mendidik wisatawan asing.
Las lecturas visuales y textuales del colonialismo. José María López Sánchez y Miguel Ángel Puig-Samper Mulero (eds.). Introducción
Authors: López Sánchez José María , Puig-Samper Mulero Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2024

Este monográfico nace como fruto de las actividades planificadas dentro del Proyecto Ciencia, racismo y colonialismo visual (Visualrace), ref. PID2020-112730GB-I00, financiado por MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033. No obstante, como la empresa del conocimiento hace tiempo que necesita trazar alianzas y redes para que sea plenamente satisfactoria, no todos los autores de este dosier pertenecen a dicho proyecto y nos sentimos muy satisfechos de poder presentar alguna contribución que nos enriquece sobremanera “desde fuera” del mismo. El tema que nos ocupa, las lecturas textuales y visuales del colonialismo, es una cuestión que ha recibido una creciente atención por parte de la historiografía durante las últimas décadas. Nuestro abordaje focaliza como eje prioritario la relación entre la ciencia y el racismo, con la consecuencia inmediata de la discriminación de parte de las poblaciones que fueron objeto de atención por este binomio.
Cuando la civilización llegó a América
Authors: Fernández Gallego Alba
Published: January 2024

Este estudio aborda el posicionamiento que adoptó el CSIC con respecto a Iberoamérica en su práctica historiográfica, fiel reflejo de la ruptura con el periodo anterior y de la imposición de la idea de Hispanidad. Para ello se han analizado documentación administrativa del CSIC, monografías editadas por el Instituto Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo y la Escuela de Estudios Hispano-Americanos, así como sus publicaciones periódicas durante la década de los años cuarenta y cincuenta del siglo XX. A partir de ellas se presenta la lectura que hicieron de dicho pasado los historiadores del Consejo, concretadas en cuatro ejes: los momentos de descubrimiento y conquista, en el marco de una pretendida misión civilizadora de España; la construcción del “otro”, a partir del elemento indígena; la actividad misional; y la visión antropológica.
La revista África: representación textual y visual del africanismo franquista (1942-1950)
Authors: López Sánchez José María , Puig-Samper Mulero Miguel Ángel
Published: January 2024

La revista África había nacido en 1924 como espacio de sociabilidad cultural para el Ejército africanista. Tras la Guerra Civil la revista fue reeditada por unos militares que, desde la Presidencia de Gobierno, trataron de impulsar un africanismo que conectaba con la actuación del Ejército en Marruecos antes de la guerra, pero que durante la posguerra exigió construir la legitimidad del nuevo régimen y de su acción colonial en África. La revista fue un factor clave en la construcción textual y visual de dicho africanismo. En sus páginas se gestó un discurso que alimentó algunas de las características básicas de lo que entendemos por franquismo y, para ello, África fue fundamental.
Deportados republicanos españoles víctimas de experimentos médicos en los campos nazis
Authors: González López Esteban , Ríos Cortés Rosa , Cuerda Esther
Published: January 2024

En algunos campos nazis, miles de prisioneros fueron víctimas de experimentos médicos, tanto con fines militares como raciales: inmersión en agua helada, ingestión forzada de agua salada, exposición a situaciones de elevada altitud, investigación con vacunas y medicamentos contra enfermedades infecciosas y búsqueda de métodos eficientes de esterilización para mujeres y hombres. Todas estas atrocidades tuvieron lugar sin ningún tipo de consideración para las personas. Son muy conocidos los experimentos que se realizaron en Auschwitz, Dachau o Ravensbrück, pero no tanto los que tuvieron lugar en Mauthausen. Mediante la consulta en archivos internacionales y testimonios hemos recogido información sobre 34 deportados republicanos españoles que fueron víctimas de experimentos médicos en los campos nazis de Mauthausen (Austria), Dachau, Buchenwald y Ravensbrück (Alemania). El objetivo de este artículo es dar a conocer algunas de sus historias y recordar que entre las víctimas de los experimentos médicos nazis hubo también españoles.
Modifiable factors of development and recurrence of adenomatous colorectal polyps (literature review)
Authors: Gataullin I. G. , Sakhabetdinov B. A. , Valitov B. R. , Ermakova K. N. , Kalyamova A. V.
Published: January 2024

Relevance. Adenomatous colorectal polyps are associated with a high risk of developing a malignant tumor. They are considered precancerous conditions and can lead to the development of colorectal cancer. To date, colorectal cancer ranks third in the world in frequency of occurrence among all malignant neoplasms.

Objective. Improving the results of diagnosis and surgical treatment of patients with colorectal adenomatous neoplasms by identifying development factors and identifying risk groups for this nosology.

Materials and methods. Analysis of literary data.

Results. Among the factors leading to the development of colorectal polyps, it is worth noting a genetic predisposition, so by immunoblotting, PCR sequencing of the entire exome in cases of patients with familial dentate polyposis, rare variants of the germ line in the WNK2 gene were identified. Functional studies have shown that variants of the WINK2 germ line affect protein function in the context of the MAPK pathway, a molecular trait of this disease. Also, in the course of many domestic and foreign randomized clinical trials, the following modifiable factors for the development of adenomatous colorectal polyps were identified.

Conclusion. The study revealed the factors of development and recurrence of colorectal neoplasms and identified risk groups for this nosology. The study revealed low compliance of patients with respect to changes in certain living conditions (the use of ethyl alcohol and products containing it, tobacco smoking, both active and passive, the fight against obesity and inactivity), which leads to recurrence and increases the risks of malignancy of colorectal polyps.
Objective criteria for the quality of life of patients who underwent surgery (literature review)
Authors: Mnoyan A. Kh. , Zhukov S. V. , Morozov A. M. , Bagdasarov A. A. , Petrukhina E. S. , Stepanenko V. P.
Published: January 2024

Relevance.One of the tasks of modern surgery is to provide high-quality medical care with a significant impact on the patient, which should lead to an improvement in the quality of life. Quality of life assessment is becoming increasingly relevant in healthcare and is associated with improved decision-making, higher satisfaction and better treatment outcomes.

The purpose of the study. To identify criteria for an objective assessment of the quality of life of patients in the postoperative period.

Materials and methods. In the course of this study, the most relevant domestic and foreign literary sources were analyzed, reflecting the problem of assessing the quality of life of patients in the postoperative period.

Results.To assess the quality of life, various forms of questionnaires for patients are usually used. Questionnaires can be both general and specific for a particular disease. After analyzing numerous questionnaires to determine the quality of life, it became possible to combine and classify objective criteria for the quality of life.

Conclusion.The use of general and special questionnaires makes it possible to perform a full-scale assessment of both the main components of the quality of life and its specific aspects in this disease. At the same time, it is important to take into account the influence of various factors, including gender, age, and the initial quality of life, on the change in indicators over time. This approach is the most correct and corresponds to modern recommendations for analyzing quality of life data that changes over time and is associated with various factors.
Optimal access for Achilles Tendon Repair
Authors: Kisel' D. A. , Fayn A. M. , Svetlov K. V. , Vlasov A. P. , Lazarev M. P. , Akimov R. N. , Chemyanov I. G.
Published: January 2024

Background. Despite the many accesses described in the literature for open Achilles tendon repair, there is no evidence of the benefits of this or that access confirmed by clinical observations.

The aim is to determine and justify optimal access during open Achilles tendon repair.

Material and methods. The article shows the result of the analysis of data from a literary search, experimental work on 12 lower limbs of 6 cadavers, a clinical study based on a retro-prospective analysis of the treatment of 128 people in the Department of Emergency Traumatology N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute from 2014 to 2022. The comparison group retrospectively included 47 patients (36.7%) with Achilles tendon injury, who underwent suture of the Achilles tendon from S and Z–shaped accesses from 2014 to 2017. The main group prospectively included 81 patients (63.3%) for 2018-2022, who underwent paramedial tendon access.

Results. The analysis of a retrospective study showed that 3 patients from the comparison group with Achilles tendon injury in the postoperative period had ischemia of the wound edges with subsequent formation of necrosis and skin defect; 1 patient had a hypertrophic painful scar, which ulcerated from the constant traumatization of his shoe back (the total number of complications was 8.5%). In the patients of the main group, there were no complications in the postoperative period in any case. Conclusion. In our opinion, the paramedial tendon access is optimal, because there are no complications from the skin and leads to improved functional results.
Surgical treament of chronic pancreatitis (literature review)
Authors: Morozov S. V. , Rumyantsev V. B. , Lobakov A. I. , Shcherbyuk A. N. , Flegontov P. B.
Published: January 2024

Target. To summarize the available literature data on the methods of surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis, evaluate their results, identify shortcomings and possible solutions.

Materials and Methods. We conducted a literature review of scientific papers over the past 20 years, using the resources of the search engines PubMed, Cyberleninka and eLIBRARY, on the available methods of surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis. For this meta-analysis, we used articles containing an evidence-based experimental and clinical base on issues related to long-term and immediate results of surgical treatment.

Results and discussion. We analyzed the immediate and long-term results of the methods of surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis. In almost all studies, resection-drainage methods made it possible to effectively stop the pain syndrome for a long time. However, exoand endocrine insufficiency in most cases persisted or progressed, regardless of the method used. Another disadvantage of the existing methods was the inability to stop bleeding from the area of pancreatojejunostomy in the early postoperative period, so mortality after the development of these complications ranged from 5 to 60%.

Conclusion. Based on the results studied, we identified the following disadvantages of the known methods of surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis: 1. A long loop of the small intestine, at least 70 cm, turned off from digestion, leading to a significant decrease in the length of the intestinal tube, and, accordingly, the area of absorption of food nutrients. 2. The features of the reconstructive stage of the operation do not provide the physiological flow of pancreatic secretion into the duodenum and, accordingly, the activation of enzymes, thereby turning off the duodenal phase of digestion. 3. Roux-enabled loop of the small intestine creates favorable conditions for the development of excessive bacterial growth. 4. Lack of endoscopic evaluation of the pancreas to stop bleeding in the early postoperative period. After analyzing the literature data, we came to the conclusion that the elimination of these shortcomings will improve the results of chronic pancreatitis treatment.
Application of the rectus abdominal muscle in reconstructive and recovery surgery of chest wall defects
Authors: Medvedchikov-Ardiia M. A. , Korymasov E. A. , Benian A. S.
Published: January 2024

Introduction. Autologous plastic tissues (muscles and greater omentum) are preferable in the reconstruction of chest wall defects in infectious and inflammatory diseases of the chest wall. Extended and deep defects can be eliminated by flaps of the rectus abdominis muscle.

Aid. To study the effectiveness of various options for the use of flaps of the rectus abdominis muscle in plastic surgery of chest wall defects of infectious and inflammatory origin.

Object and methods. A retrospective analysis of the results of treatment of 34 patients with osteomyelitis of the sternum and ribs of various etiologies was carried out for the period from January 1, 2012 to May 30, 2023. In 32 patients, the main diagnosis was poststernotomy mediastinitis, 2 patients had post-radiation osteomyelitis of the sternum and ribs after combined cancer treatment. mammary gland. The majority of patients (n = 29) underwent a two-stage approach to treatment using vacuum therapy at the stage of relief of acute inflammation. All patients underwent plasty with a flap of the rectus abdominis muscle. The options for surgical intervention and the outcome of treatment were studied.

Results. The area of the defect to be repaired in patients ranged from 50 cm2 to 270 cm2 (mean 143.1 ± 15.3 cm2). There were no intraoperative complications in the patients. The postoperative period was complicated by various wound complications in 9 patients. Marginal necrosis of the skin part of the graft was revealed in 3 patients with full-thickness permanent graft plasty. In 3 patients, despite wound drainage, postoperative seromas were detected. Reoperations were performed in 2 patients: in one case, bleeding from the vein of the fullthickness flap was stopped, in the other case, partial necrosis of the full-thickness flap was detected, which required a second operation and revision of the flap. In 1 patient, the hematoma was emptied 3 days after the operation. The average duration of inpatient treatment of patients was 19.3 ± 2.8 days (range 17 to 38 days). There were no lethal outcomes in patients with muscle plasty with a permanent graft flap. In 1 patient, a postoperative hernia was formed in the region of the anterior abdominal wall. Recurrence of osteomyelitis of the ribs was diagnosed in 1 person 16 months after surgery.

Conclusions. The rectus abdominis muscle as an isolated and full-thickness flap is the optimal plastic material for eliminating defects in both the lower part of the sternum and extensive defects in the anterior and lateral surfaces of the chest wall.
Bridging boundaries: Exploring vineyard, management and variety characteristics influencing long-term infection of grapevine pathogens
Authors: Kocsis Ivett , Petróczy Marietta , Markó Gábor
Published: January 2024

Globalisation, climatic changes, and increasing consumer demand have forced the intensification of agricultural production. Thus, vineyards have crossed the boundaries of the original production zones and extended towards suboptimal areas, increasing the potential risk of damaging disease outbreaks. Therefore, there is a rising need for a complex and empirical revision of the interfering effects between grape infection and other external, large-scale factors such as environmental conditions and management practices. Although external abiotic and biotic factors could determine the infection levels of grape disease in a complex way, existing studies focus on the short-term effects of only a single or very few potential factors. In this large-scale study, we aimed to reveal the long-term impact of specific factors regarding vineyard characteristics, applied crop management and grape variety features, which could determine the infection severity of primary grape diseases (grey mould, downy mildew and powdery mildew) using a citizen science approach in Hungary, a traditional wine- and grape-producing country. The present study has revealed that some vineyards (e.g., inclination, row orientation) and variety features (e.g., bunch structure) were considered crucial. At the same time, other factors were found to be less relevant in the present complex comparison, suggesting that the role of these factors might be overemphasised in the literature. In conclusion, the susceptibility or tolerance of grapevines to pathogens appears to be an integrated effect of several factors and cannot be assigned to a single characteristic. The global changes urge the revision of conventional agricultural traditions and deepen our knowledge about the infection process and pathogen-host-environment interactions.
Addressing Challenges: Adopting Blockchain in the Pharmaceutical Industry for Enhanced Sustainability
Authors: Riedel Tino , Velamuri Vivek K.
Published: January 2024

The growing importance of sustainability in organizational success, particularly in the pharma-ceutical industry, underscores the need for leveraging technologies like blockchain to enhance sustainability indicators across environmental, social, and economic pillars. This study aims to identify and understand the challenges hindering the adoption of blockchain in the pharmaceuti-cal sector for improving sustainability performance, addressing two research questions: the spe-cific challenges faced by blockchain adoption in this context and the interdependencies among these challenges. Employing a two-step approach, the study compiles challenges through a litera-ture review, refines them via expert opinions, and establishes their interrelationships using methodologies like Fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modeling (FISM) and Cross-Impact Matrix Multiplication Applied to Classification (MICMAC). The research contributes to unraveling the complex relationships and dependencies within the system, providing a structured framework for improved decision-making and strategic planning. It fills a literature gap by being the first attempt to outline driving and dependent factors related to the challenges of adopting blockchain technology for sustainability enhancement in the pharmaceutical sector, offering insights that can significantly impact brand image, company perception, and consumer value.
Bioassay Guided Fractionation of Pittosporum angustifolium and Terminalia ferdinandiana: A Lc-Ms/Ms and Gc-Ms Exploratory Study
Authors: Mani Janice , Johnson Joel B. , Hosking Holly , Batley Ryan , Du Preez Ryan , Broszczak Daniel A , Walsh Kerry Brian , Neilsen Paul , Naiker Mani
Published: January 2024

Bioprospecting native Australian plants offers potential discovery of latent and novel bioactive compounds. Promising cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of Pittosporum angustifolium and Terminalia ferdinandiana led to further fractionation and isolation using our laboratory’s bioassay guided fractionation protocol. Hence, the aim of this study was to further evaluate the bioactivity of the fractions and subfractions and characterize bioactive compounds using liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography MS (GC-MS). Compounds tentatively identified in P. angustifolium Fraction 1 using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS were chlorogenic acid and/or neochlorogenic acid, bergapten, berberine, 8’-epitanegool and rosmarinic acid. GC-MS analysis data showed the presence of around 100 compounds, mainly comprising of carboxylic acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, and monoalkylglycerols. Furthermore, the fractions obtained from T. ferdinandiana flesh extracts showed no cytotoxicity, except against HT29 cell lines, and only Fraction 2 exhibited some antibacterial activity. The reduced bioactivity observed in the T. ferdinandiana fractions could be attributed to the potential loss of synergy as compounds become separated within the fractions. As a result, further fractionation, and separation of compounds in these samples were not pursued. However, additional dose-dependent studies are warranted to validate the bioactivity of T. ferdinandiana flesh fractions, particularly since this is an understudied species. Moreover, LC-MS/GC-MS studies confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in P. angustifolium Fraction 1/subfractions which helps to explain the significant acute anti-cancer activity of this plant. The screening process designed in this study has the potential to pave the way for developing scientifically validated phytochemical/bioactivity information on ethnomedicinal plants, thereby facilitating further bioprospecting efforts, and supporting the discovery of novel drugs in modern medicine.
Research on Delamination Damage Quantification Detection of CFRP Bending Plate Based on Lamb Wave Mode Control
Authors: Yu Quanpeng , Zhou Shiyuan , Cheng Yuhan , Deng Yao , Hao Jia
Published: January 2024

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bending structure is widely used in the aviation field. The occurrence and propagation of delamination damage will reduce the safety of in-service bending structures. As a detection tool with high damage sensitivity, Lamb wave can effectively identify delamination damage. In this study, the signal difference coefficient (SDC) was introduced to quantify delamination damage and evaluate the sensitivity of A0 and S0 mode lamb waves to delamination damage. The simulation results show that compared with the S0 mode Lamb wave, the A0 mode Lamb wave exhibits higher delamination damage sensitivity. The delamination damage can be quantified based on the strong correlation between the SDC and the delamination damage size. The control effect of the linear array PZT phase time-delay method on Lamb wave mode was investigated by simulation. The phase time-delay method realizes the generation of a single-mode Lamb wave, which can separately excite the A0 mode and S0 mode Lamb wave to identify delamination damage of different sizes. The A0 mode Lamb wave was excited by the developed one-dimensional linear comb transducer (LCT), which was used to conduct the detection experiment on the CFRP bending plate with delamination damage sizes of Φ6.0 mm, Φ10.0 mm, and Φ15.0 mm. The experimental results verify the correctness of the simulation. According to the Hermite interpolation results of the finite-element simulation data, the relationship between the delamination damage size and the SDC was fitted by the Gaussian function, which can accurately quantify the delamination damage. The absolute error of the delamination damage quantification with fitting expression is not larger than 0.8 mm, and the percentage error is not more than 8%.
Numerical Simulation Research of Aerodynamic Characteristics during Take-off Phase in Ski Jumping
Authors: HU Qi , TANG Weidi , LIU Yu
Published: January 2024

In view of the inability to directly and accurately obtain the athlete's aerodynamic force during take-off phase through wind tunnel test, the athlete's aerodynamic force and surrounding flow field form under different take-off postures are obtained through numerical simulation research, and the effects of different take-off modes on the aerodynamic characteristics during take-off in ski jumping are discussed. The multi-body system composed of the athlete and skis was selected as the research objects. By using partially averaged Navier-Stokes (PANS) turbulence model and 3D numerical simulation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the aerodynamic characteristics of the athlete under different take-off postures were predicted. Take-off modes include knee-push-hip (KPH) mode and hip-drive-knee (HDK) mode, and the hip joint angle of HDK mode is significantly greater than KPH mode. First, the aerodynamic force ratio of the athlete’s torso and legs is obviously large. Although the aerodynamic force of arms themselves is not obvious, they have a great impact on the overall aerodynamic characteristics of the athlete, so the posture of arms cannot be ignored. Then, the total drag and moment of HDK mode are significantly higher than that of KPH mode, and the lift-to-drag ratio of HDK mode is significantly lower than that of KPH mode. At first the total lift of HDK mode is higher than that of KPH mode, but in the last attitude the total lift of HDK mode does not rise but fall, and finally the total lift of HDK mode is lower than KPH mode. The aerodynamic characteristics change dramatically during take-off phase, and the aerodynamic characteristics of the two take-off modes are quite different, and these changes and differences are difficult to be observed in real training and competition site. KPH mode has obvious aerodynamic advantage over HDK mode. During the take-off process, the athlete should increasethe force generated by the knee joint extension and appropriately reduce the speed of hip joint extension, and control the using force order of the lower limb joints, and push hip joint extension by knee joint extension, in order to avoid issues such as the hip joint angle is too large, the hip joint extension angle is too fast, the center of gravity is to back and other problems. Studying the aerodynamic characteristics during the take-off phase provides valuable insights for athletes to achieve favorable flight postures after take-off, offering scientific guidance to improve training strategies and enhance competitive performance.
Probabilistic Forecasting of Lightning Strikes over Continental US and Alaska: Model Development and Verification
Authors: Nikolov Ned , Bothwell Phillip , Snook John
Published: January 2024

Lightning is responsible for most annually burned area by wildfires in the extratropical region of the Northern Hemisphere. Hence, predicting the occurrence of wildfires requires reliable forecasting of the chance of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes during storms. Here, we describe the development and verification of a probabilistic lightning-strike algorithm designed to run on a uniform 20-km grid over the Continental USA and Alaska. The algorithm consists of a large set of logistic equations parameterized via logistic regression using long-term data records of observed lightning strikes and meteorological reanalysis fields from NOAA. Principal Component Analysis was employed to extract 13 Principal Components (strong predictors) from a list of 611 potential predictors. Our statistical analysis revealed that the occurrence of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes primarily depends on three factors: horizontal temperature distribution by pressure levels, amount of low-level atmospheric moisture, and wind vectors. These physical variables impact the vertical separation of electric charges in the lower troposphere during storms causing the voltage potential between ground and the cloud deck to increase to a level that triggers electrical discharges. Results from a forecast verification using independent data showed excellent model skill, thus making this algorithm suitable for inclusion into software systems forecasting the chance of wildfire ignitions.