bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modern Possibilities of Liver Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Images in the Diagnosis of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Lozbenev F. S. , Morozova T. G.
Published: October 2022

Objective: to evaluate the current possibilities of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD).Material and methods. The examined patients were at the inpatient and outpatient stages of observation in the gastroenterology department on the basis of the Clinical Hospital No. 1 (Smolensk) and received treatment for diffuse liver diseases of alcoholic etiology. The study included 128 patients: 76 (59%) males and 52 (41%) females, mean age 42.3 ± 4.7 years. Patients were monitored from 2019 to 2022. All of them underwent abdominal organs ultrasound with liver clinical elastography and liver MRI with DWI; in 34 cases liver multi-slice computed tomography was performed.Results. When comparing the results of a qualitative assessment of liver DWI MRI with the CAGE (Cut, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) test data and the results of patients and relatives survey about the use of alcoholic beverages, a high correlation was established between the diffusion restriction in the liver during MRI and impaired withdrawal regimen (r = 0.901). The diagnostic and prognostic significance of the developed criteria for liver DWI MRI in patients with ALD at admission was assessed: for qualitative assessment AUROC 0.827 (95% CI 0.792–0.873), for quantitative assessment AUROC 0.949 (95% CI 0.912–0.981); in dynamic observation: for qualitative assessment AUROC 0.958 (95% CI 0.925–0.984), for quantitative assessment AUROC 0.947 (95% CI 0.947–0.981).Conclusion. The obtained quantitative indicators of liver DWI MRI make it possible to predict the clinical form of ALD: apparent diffusion coefficient for steatosis is 2.66 ± 0.9 × 10–3 mm2/s, for steatohepatitis – 2.14 ± 0.5 × 10–3 mm2/s, for hepatitis – 1.75 ± 0.6 × 10–3 mm2/s, for cirrhosis – 1.15 ± 0.6 × 10–3 mm2/s (AUROC 0.948; 95% CI 0.922–0.983). Qualitative parameters of liver DWI MRI (there is/is not a diffusion restriction) predict violations of the withdrawal regimen in patients with ALD in all its clinical forms (AUROC 0.931; 95% CI 0.822–0.979).
Rare Form of Breast Cancer and Lung Foci: Do We Always Have to Wait for Metastases?
Authors: Meskikh Е. V. , Nudnov N. V. , Mukhutdinova G. Z. , Vorob’eva V. О.
Published: October 2022

Will the detected lung foci in patients with a burdened oncological history (breast cancer) always be metastatic? In response to the question posed, we present a clinical case of pulmonary sarcoidosis mimicking the metastatic lesion of metaplastic breast cancer. And we remind of the need for a differential diagnosis, despite the oncological history of a patient and radiation diagnostics data.
Histologycally Confirmed Synchronous Pancreatic and Duodenal Double Cancer
Authors: Yelshibayeva E. S. , Kapi R. U. , Mardenkyzy D. , Gadylkan S. K. , Khoyshibay M. M. , Sapkina A. N.
Published: October 2022

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the most pervasive form of cancer with high mortality rates. Being obscure at the early stages, non-specific symptoms and their onset only in the late stages of the disease lead to detection of the III–IV stages cancer on initial diagnistics. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is an intramucosal tumor of gastrointestinal tract, which is a derivate of interstitial cells of Cajal. The unicity of the presented clinical case is the rareness of GIST, which was an incidental finding during diagnostics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Diagnosed by intravenous contrast computed tomography, synchronous pancreatic and duodenal double cancer was confirmed histologically after Whipple surgery. The opportunities of intravenous contrast computed tomography in diagnostics of synchronous cancer were demonstrated.
Les ventes de bois des forêts publiques en 2021
Authors: Office national des forêts Département Commercial Bois
Published: October 2022

Dans un environnement économique très porteur et une belle mobilisation en volume, le chiffre d’affaires bois des forêts publiques gagne 28 % à 538 millions d’euros en 2021. Les prix de tous les résineux, du Chêne et du Hêtre augmentent nettement alors que la crise du scolyte régresse et que le merrain ne se redresse qu’en fin d’année. Le prix unitaire apparent s’accroît de 14 %. Les volumes fournis en contrats d’approvisionnement progressent de 10 %.
SABERES E FAZERES DOS PROFESSORES DE GEOGRAFIA REFERENTES À EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL NAS ESCOLAS ESTADUAIS DE ENSINO MÉDIO EM PORTO NACIONAL – TO
Authors: Miranda Artemiza Ferreira Soares , Bispo Marcileia Oliveira
Published: October 2022

Este trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a relação entre as concepções dos professores de Geografia e sua prática docente no ensino médio, referente à Educação Ambiental nas Escolas Estaduais de Porto Nacional – TO, investigando quais os saberes que os docentes de Geografia possuem de Educação Ambiental e identificar os fazeres dos docentes de Geografia em Educação Ambiental. A metodologia foi fundamentada numa revisão de literatura acerca do tema estudado. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica em livros, teses, dissertações e artigos sobre a importância das concepções e práticas dos professores de Geografia referente à Educação Ambiental nas escolas formais  em Porto Nacional – TO, na rede pública estadual e também foram realizados entrevistas, questionários e observação das aulas dos professores. Os resultados obtidos oferecem uma visão de como tem se dado à práxis em Educação Ambiental na área pesquisada e a relação com a Geografia. A partir do arcabouço elaborado das concepções reveladas, foi possível formular algumas sugestões de intervenção em EA para as escolas pesquisadas. Ressalta-se que a importância desta pesquisa para a área está em contribuir para a reflexão sobre os saberes e fazeres que possam permear a EA e, também, pela contribuição que fornece, não ficando apenas no trato conceitual.
Stock and exchange rate movements in the MENA countries: A Markov Switching –VAR Model
Authors: Trabelsi Marwa , Bahloul Slah
Published: October 2022

Purpose ― This article explores the causal link between stock and currency returns in The Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries from January 2011 through February 2020.
Methods ― This study uses the Vector autoregressive (VAR) and the Markov switching vector autoregressive (MS-VAR) models to investigate the dynamic causality between equity and exchange rate markets.
Findings ― Results indicate that this relation depends on the state of the markets. Furthermore, generally, equity returns have a significant impact on the currency markets, whatever the market state.
Implication ― Regime shifts in the relationship between stock and exchange rate markets are significant for portfolio allocation because they help investors improve their investment decisions through knowledge of the dynamic link between these markets.
Originality ― This study adds to the literature on the relationship between exchange rates and stock prices in the MENA countries, which have become attractive destinations for international investors due to their higher returns.
Validitas dan Reliabilitas Perceived Future Employability Scale untuk Dewasa Muda
Authors: Christy Matius Anastasia , Gunawan William
Published: October 2022

In this era of the 4th industrial revolution, one of the challenges we face is employment. There has been a decrease in job opportunities, while competition has also increased. The unemployment rate also continues to increase annually, especially among university graduates. Students need to be aware of how ready they are to enter the labor market after completing their studies. This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the Perceived Future Employability Scale (PFES), to identify whether the Indonesian version of the instrument is valid and reliable. PFES is expected to assist students to get an overview of how ready they are to enter the labor market, so they can prepare themselves better and know what still needs to improve. The process carried out includes a Focused Group Discussion (FGD), forward-backward translation, expert review, readability test, expert judgment, and data collection. The research design is in the form of an online questionnaire. The number of samples in this study amounted to 467 university students aged 18-30 years old. This study examined the construct validity and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha). PFES has a strong positive correlation with the instrument that measures similar construct, and has a low negative correlation with the instrument that measures different construct. The results also indicated a high level of reliability. Thus, the Indonesian version of the PFES measuring instrument is a valid and reliable measuring instrument.
Employment Generation Challenges and Strategies for Pakistan: A Diagnostic Analysis
Authors: Begum Azeema
Published: October 2022

The employment challenges are getting more complex and worse because youth under the age of 30 constitute 64 percent of the total population. The gradual increase in labor force participation is adding more pressure to the labor market to generate employment opportunities. Hence, the growth in employment generation is essential to match the unprecedented number of young people entering working age in Pakistan. Moreover, the structural transition process involving labor movement from low-to-high productive activities has been much slower in Pakistan than in other Asian countries like China. This study identifies all major concerns regarding employment challenges in Pakistan and identifies various strategies and policies while adopting a diagnostic approach to employment policy. The reason for adopting the diagnostic approach/framework is to develop an understanding of the factors which are responsible for the slow growth of employment in formal sectors and significant constraints for generating more employment. It attempts to assess various elements that may find a place in developing strategies and policies. While designing effective policies for employment, policymakers must consider all aspects like population, demographics, types of unemployment, economic condition, social structure, and development stage of a country. Meanwhile, the role of entrepreneurial activities and the private sector, technological changes, development of labor-intensive industries and SMEs, improving skills and knowledge, youth employment programs, active labor market policies (ALMPs), and macroeconomic policies are core elements that should be considered to design effectual policies for employment generation.
Re-Imagining Wasatiyyah as a Socio-Theological Mediation of Youth Anger in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Prempeh Charles
Published: October 2022

The paper recognizes that the current coronavirus has caused an anger spike that has brought in its wake global street demonstrations and protests against the ruling elite. In the case of Ghana, this has found expression in some of the young men and women of the country deploying their anger that brings them into conflict with the police – often leading to either death or destruction of property. Much as the issue of youth anger is transnational, in this article, the researcher focuses on two Muslim inner-cities in Accra, Nima, and Maamobi, to reflect on how wasatiyyah could be appropriated to mediate emerging religiopolitical tension in Ghana and the West African sub-region. It is instead for the sake of convenience of the researcher’s familiarity since, as a resident of a Muslim inner-city in Accra, the researcher seeks to destabilize the simplistic assertion that Islam is a violent religion, while Muslim youth in the urban slum is concomitantly incorrigibly aggressive. Thus, deploying autoethnography and ethnographic techniques of in-depth interviews, the article explores the intersections of Ghana's socio-political history and global and contemporary issues, including Covid-19 have spiked anger that needs critical reflection. The paper concludes that the anger in the Muslim communities in Accra is not isolated from the social history of Ghana and the global context. To keep the security of the country intact and offers the youth hope, wasatiyyah will help in explaining existential inequalities as well as reorienting people to deploy moral outrage productively.
Temporal Patterns of Bacterial and Physico-chemical Profiles of Static Aquaculture Systems: Insights into Health Hazards for Fish and the Public
Authors: Abdulkadir Abideen , Abubakar Musa Idi-ogede , Abdulkadir Olanrewaju Jimoh , Fawole Femi John
Published: October 2022

Bacteriological and physico-chemical analyses of fish pond water are very important in aquaculture as they give insights into likely threats to aquaculture and associated personnel. Bacteriological and physico-chemical profiles of selected fish ponds in the Ilorin West area of Kwara State, Nigeria, were investigated to evaluate the water quality of rearing enclosures. Physico-chemical analyses revealed quality parameters were within the recommended range for aquaculture. Following bacteriological analyses of static water pond culture, the TVC and TCC showed temporal variations, with concentration increasing with sampling time. However, the FCC showed fluctuation. Totally, 8 bacteria groups were isolated from both rearing enclosures. Of these, Gram-negative bacteria showed dominance. In which 5 Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Serratia spp, Enterobacter spp, and Pseudomonas spp) and 3 Gram-positive (Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, and Bacillus spp) were encountered. Estimates of bacteria occurrence in both rearing facilities respectively gave: Staphylococcus spp (20%), Streptococcus spp (12%), Proteus spp (8%) Enterobacter spp (20%), Serratia spp (16%), Bacillus spp (9%), Escherichia coli (8%), Pseudomonas spp (7%) from earthen pond water sampled. While Staphylococcus spp (18%), Streptococcus spp (16%), Proteus spp (8%), Enterobacter spp (22)%, Serratia spp (8%), Bacillus spp (15%), Escherichia coli (8%), Pseudomonas spp (6%) from concrete water sampled. Conclusively, although there is the presence of bacteria groups of public health concern, the static water exchange provides benefits of natural processing of wastes and restoration of the pond ecosystem. Notably, the presence of Escherichia coli indicates the presence of pathogenic organisms of enteric origin. The presence of these organisms has been associated with a lack of tentative pond management and effective biosecurity procedures.
Culture Integration and Rural Tourism Development: A Scoping Literature Review
Authors: Tang Muyan , Xu Hongzhang
Published: October 2022

Rural tourism plays an increasing role in sustaining sustainable rural development. Integrating culture in rural tourism is multifaceted. Local communities have often been regarded as homogeneous and different voices internally is selectively presented or re-interpreted by powers. A better understanding of how and why cultures are integrated into rural tourism is urgently needed. This paper aims to investigate: (1) what are the aims and motives of tourism managers to integrate cultural concepts into rural tourism; (2) who has participated in the cultural integration process; and (3) how cultures have been integrated into rural tourism. Based on a scoping literature review, we find that cultures could add more attractions, such as historical heritage, artwork, cultural landscape, customs, food, and language, to the natural landscape and bring more tourists to rural areas. However, integrating cultures into rural tourism is not always successful. Conflicts of interests among different stakeholders are often found too. Some worst culture-integration cases even destroyed the original natural landscape and local cultures. While culture integration is complicated, injustice and preserve effects do not have to be a consequence of integrating cultures into rural tourism. Two-way communication among tourism provider, managers and demanders can mitigate disruptive outcomes and unlock positive social outcomes.
A Self-Adaptive Multiple Exposure Image Fusion Method for High Reflective Surface Measurement
Authors: Chen Xiaobo , Du Hui , Zhang Jinkai , Yang Xiao , Xi Juntong
Published: October 2022

Fringe projection profilometry(FPP) has been extensively applied in various fields for its superior fast speed, high accuracy and high data density. However, measuring some objects with high reflective surfaces or high dynamic range surfaces remains challenging for FPP. Some multiple exposure image fusion methods have been proposed and successfully improved the measurement performance for these kinds of objects. Normally, these methods have a relatively fixed sequence of exposure settings determined by artificial experience or trial and error experiments, which may decrease the efficiency of the entire measurement process and may have less robustness to various environmental lighting conditions and object reflective properties. In this paper, a novel self-adaptive multiple exposure image fusion method is proposed with two main aspects of improvement on adaptively optimizing the initial exposure and the exposure sequence. By introducing the theory of information entropy, combined with the analysis of the characterization of fringe image entropy, an adaptive initial exposure searching method is first proposed. Then, an exposure sequence generation method based on dichotomy is further described. On the base of these two improvements, a novel self-adaptive multiple exposure image fusion method for FPP as well as its detailed procedures are given. Experimental results validate the performance of the proposed self-adaptivity multiple exposure image fusion method by measuring the objects with different surface reflectivity and in different ambient lighting conditions.
Wildlife Hosts of Leishmania Infantum in a Re-Emerging Focus of Human Leishmaniasis, in Emilia-Romagna, Northeast Italy
Authors: Taddei Roberta , Bregoli Arianna , Galletti Giorgio , Carra Elena , Fiorentini Laura , Fontana Maria Cristina , Frasnelli Matteo , Musto Carmela , Pupillo Giovanni , Reggiani Alessandro , Santi Annalisa , Rossi Arianna , Tamba Marco , Calzolari Mattia , Rugna Gianluca
Published: October 2022

In the last decade, an upsurge of human leishmaniasis has been reported in the Emilia-Romagna region, Northeast Italy. Epidemiologic data raised doubts about the role of dogs as the main reservoirs for Leishmania infantum. In the present study, a total of 1,077 wild animals were screened for L. infantum DNA in earlobe and spleen samples from 2019 to 2022. The lymph nodes were tested only in the 23 animals already positive in the earlobe and/or spleen. A total of 71 (6.6%) animals resulted positive in at least one of the sampled tissues, including 3/18 (16.7%) wolves, 6/39 (15.4%) European hares, 38/309 (12.3%) roe deer, 1/11 (9.1%) red deer, 8 (4.9%) wild boars, 13/319 (4.1%) red foxes, 1/54 (1.9%) porcupine, and 1/59 (1.7%) European badger. Most of the infected animals (62/71) tested positive only in the earlobe tissue, just 4 animals (2 roe deer and 2 wild boars) tested positive only in the spleen, and 5 animals (3 roe deer and 2 red foxes) resulted positive for both tissues. L. infantum DNA was detected in the lymph nodes of 6/23 ani-mals. L. infantum detection occurred in all seasons associated with low real-time PCR Ct values. Further research is needed in order to clarify the role of wildlife in the re-emerging focus of leishmaniasis in Northeast Italy.
Evidence of Critical Dynamics in the Honey Bee Swarm
Authors: Shpurov Ivan Ilich , Froese Tom
Published: October 2022

Social insects, such as honey bees exhibit complex behavioral patterns and their inconspicuous coordination enables decision-making on the colony level. It is thus proposed, that a high-level description of their collective behavior might share commonalities with neural processes in the brains. At the same time, recent research concerning overarching features of neural activity implies that brains are poised at the edge of the critical phase transition and that such a state is enabling maximal computational power and adaptability. In our research, we applied some tools developed in the computational neuroscience field to the dataset of bee trajectories recorded within the hive, during the course of many days. Our results imply that certain characteristics of the system are remarkably similar to the Ising model when it operates at critical temperature and also shares some of the features with the human brain at the resting state
A Concise Proof of Goldbach Conjecture
Authors: Wang Xin
Published: October 2022

The Goldbach Conjecture, which is frequently termed as “1 + 1”, has been a fascinating goal for many mathematicians over centuries. A Chinese mathematician, Dr. Jingrun Chen, proved 1 + 2, which is a great success and the best result so far achieved. Although there were several attempts proving the conjecture, these attempts are either tediously long, complicated, or logically imperfect, thus not widely accepted. Taking advantage of the periodicity of primes, here the author provides a straight forward rigorous proof for the Conjecture.
COVID-19 Lockdown Impact on Air Pollution: A Global Comparative Analysis
Authors: Akan Aytac Perihan , Coccia Mario
Published: October 2022

The goal of this study is to develop a global analysis, based on data from 2015 to 2022, that clarifies the impact of containment policies (e.g., lockdown and quarantine) for Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) on the air pollution between countries of different continents. In this context, average changes of CO, NO2, SO2, O3, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations based on measurements at ground level in January, February, and March for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 are compared with average values of 2015-2018 period between 300 cities of 19 countries in 5 continents. Results show that the maximum reduction in pollutant concentrations during this period is given by: CO (-4,367.5%) in France, NO2 (-150.5%) in China and Australia, SO2 (-154.1%) in Israel, O3 (-94.1%) in China, PM2.5 (-41.4%) in Germany and PM10 (-157.4%) in Turkey. Findings reveal that the effects of containment policies on air quality vary significantly between countries depending on different geographical characteristics of regions. This study has main environmental policy implications because it clarifies the critical role of severe control measure to reduce air pollution and support sustainable environment and development.
Effective One-Class Classifier Model for Memory Dump Malware Detection
Authors: Al-Qudah Mahmoud , Ashi Zein , Alnabhan Mohammad , Abu Al-Haija Qasem
Published: October 2022

Malware complexity is rapidly increasing, causing catastrophic impacts on computer systems. Memory dump malware is gaining increased attention due to its ability to expose plaintext passwords or key encryption files. This paper presents an enhanced classification model based on One class SVM (OCSVM) classifier that can identify any deviation from the normal memory dump file patterns and detect it as malware. The proposed model integrates OCSVM and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for increased model sensitivity and efficiency. An up-to-date dataset known as “MALMEMANALYSIS-2022” was utilized during the evaluation phase of this study. The accuracy achieved by the traditional one-class classification (TOCC) model was 55%, compared to 99.4% in the one-class classification with PCA (OCC-PCA) model. Such results have confirmed the increased performance achieved by the proposed model.
Beyond the Public/Private Divide: New Perspectives on Sexuality, Hospitality, and Diplomacy within Royal Spaces
Authors: Neighbors Dustin
Published: October 2022

This article presents the theme of the special edition, provides a case study, and sets out the ways in which the contributions consider how notions of privacy and the private emerged, influenced, or existed within and around the institution of monarchy. One of the key ways to tackle privacy is to investigate the idea of ‘access’ and ‘accessibility’, which is an underlying theme throughout the contributions of this special edition. Each contributor informs the phenomena of privacy, and thus privacy studies, through their research. These articles seek to understand the ways in which sexuality, hospitality, and diplomacy are shaped by notions of privacy and the private, as a means of contextualising and understanding the nuances of gender, power, and the interrelations of rulership.
Chernock, The Right to Rule and the Rights of Women: Queen Victoria and the Women’s Movement (Cambridge, 2020)
Authors: DeMerchant Connor E.
Published: October 2022

Review of Arianne Chernock, The Right to Rule and the Rights of Women: Queen Victoria and the Women’s Movement (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2020).
Multiple Imputation to Salvage Partial Respondents
Authors: Yamate Satoshi , Hamai Satoshi , Kawahara Shinya , Hara Daisuke , Motomura Goro , Ikemura Satoshi , Fujii Masanori , Sato Taishi , Harada Satoru , Harada Tetsunari , Kokubu Yasuhiko , Nakashima Yasuharu
Published: October 2022

Background:

Missing responses are common when Asian patients complete the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12), which is widely used to evaluate total hip arthroplasty (THA). We aimed to provide orthopaedic researchers with a solution for handling missing values in such patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Methods:

Patients who had undergone primary THA between 1998 and 2016 (n = 1,021) were investigated in 2020. The FJS-12 and 9 other PROMs, including questions related to Asian lifestyle activities, were administered. Risk factors for missing FJS-12 items were investigated. Partial respondents were matched with complete respondents; then, in each pair, the items not completed by the partial respondent were deleted from the responses of the complete respondent. Predictive mean matching (PMM) was performed in an attempt to recover the deleted items, using 65 sets of imputation models. After the missing values had been imputed, we explored patient characteristics that affected the FJS-12, using data from all complete and partial respondents.

Results:

A total of 652 patients responded to the survey (393 complete and 193 partial respondents). Partial respondents were older, more often female, and less active. Older respondents were more likely to skip items involving the bed, while those who reported a better ability to sit in the seiza style (traditional Japanese floor sitting) were more likely to skip items about chair sitting. The imputed FJS-12 value exhibited excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient for agreement with the true scores, 0.985). FJS-12 values of complete respondents were significantly higher than those of respondents with 4 to 11 missing items (51.6 versus 32.8, p < 0.001). Older age was associated with higher FJS-12 values, which was revealed only via analysis of the multiply imputed data sets (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Analysis of only complete FJS-12 responses after THA resulted in a nonresponse bias, preferentially excluding older, female, and less active individuals and those with a traditional floor living style. Multiple imputation could provide a solution to scoring and analyzing PROMs with missing responses by permitting the inclusion of partial respondents.

Level of Evidence:

TherapeuticLevel III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Surgical Correction of Neuromuscular Scoliosis Secondary to Congenital Zika Syndrome
Authors: O'Donnell Jennifer M. , Metz Lionel , Swarup Ishaan
Published: October 2022

Case:

Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) has been noted after the South American pandemic of Zika virus which peaked in 2015 to 2016, and the associated sequelae are still being described. Scoliosis has been noted in patients with CZS; however, there is a paucity of literature on the prevalence or management of scoliosis secondary to this condition. We report the case of a 5-year-old girl with severe neuromuscular scoliosis due to CZS that was managed with halo-gravity traction, followed by a growth-friendly construct.

Conclusion:

This case report highlights the need for more research focusing on the survivors of the Zika pandemic.
Utilizing Smartphone-Based Pinterest Applications in Developing EFL Students Speaking Skills in Indonesia
Authors: Marzuki Abdul Gafur , Muthmainnah Muthmainnah , Nursyam Nursyam , Santiana Santiana , Erizar Erizar
Published: October 2022

This study raises the issue of how to improve speaking skills using the smartphone-based Pinterest application for second-semester students. The purpose of this study was to determine the improvement of speaking skills using the smartphone-based Pinterest application for second-semester students. The type of research used in this research is Classroom Action Research (CAR) which is carried out in 2 cycles. The research subjects are second-semester students. The research instruments are an observation sheet and a performance test sheet. Data collection techniques are used in the form of tests and non-tests. The data analysis technique used is the descriptive statistical technique. The results of the study on second-semester students, experienced a good increase from the learning outcomes of the first cycle to the second cycle, with the standard value of student learning mastery of 85 classical standards. The average value in the first cycle is 48.00 with the level of completeness of learning outcomes in the first cycle of 10% and 90% incomplete. While the learning outcomes in the second cycle with an average value of 85.46 with the completeness level of learning outcomes in the second cycle of 96%, this figure indicates that the average value of the first cycle and the second cycle has increased, so that the smartphone-based Pinterest application in improving speaking skills can improve student learning outcomes.
Farmers’ preferred traits, production constraints, and adoption factors of improved maize varieties under South-Kivu rainfed agro-ecologies, eastern D.R. Congo: Implication for maize breeding
Authors: Ndeko Adrien Byamungu , Chuma Geant Basimine , Mondo Jean Mubalama , Kazamwali Léon Muzee , Mugumaarhahama Yannick , Bisimwa Espoir Basengere , Mushagalusa Gustave Nachigera
Published: October 2022

Background
The adoption rate of improved maize varieties (IMVs) is low among small-scale farmers in South-Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite extensive dissemination efforts by local and international research institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The level of understanding of farmers' preferences and needs for released IMVs, as well as socioeconomic factors influencing their adoption in South-Kivu, is still limited. This study aimed at assessing farmers' preference criteria for maize varieties and identifying factors driving the adoption of IMVs as well as major production constraints in South-Kivu, to guide varietal selection and breeding initiatives.
Results
Results showed that the most farmer-preferred attributes were high yield potential, early maturity, taste, and pest/disease resistance, with significant disparities across market segments. Socioeconomic factors such as the farmer’s age, experience, membership of farmer organization, contacts with extension services, land ownership, seed availability, access to credits and labor availability bear significant influence on the adoption decision of IMVs. While experience and membership of farmers’ organizations negatively influence the adoption of the combination of local and IMVs. Lack of land, pest and disease, lack of labor, and unavailability of quality seeds were the most important constraints faced by farmers.
Conclusions
In addition to controlling negative socioeconomic factors and production constraints, it would be essential to initiate breeding initiatives that consider local farmers' preferences and needs, to boost IMVs uptake by farmers in South-Kivu.
Biosurfactant Production by Free and Immobilized cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using Waste Engine Oil: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Pradhan Kajol , Jujaru Mohan , Gaur Shailee , Kumar Sushil , Jain Amit
Published: October 2022

This study investigated biosurfactant production by both free and immobilized bacterial strain ofPseudomonas aeruginosausing waste engine oil as a substrate. Polyurethane foam cubes were used as a carrier for the immobilization. Immobilization of cells using polyurethane foam was found to be convenient and after two days the bacterial growth was 2.9×1014CFU/ml. The batch experiments were performed in Erlenmeyer flasks and monitored at every 24 hr interval for both free and immobilized cell systems. The microbial population was counted using the plate count method and the hydrocarbon degradation percentage was calculated to evaluate bacterial activity. Surface tension was measured at regular intervals to ensure the presence of biosurfactant. The maximum reduction was found to be 37 and 35 mN/m in free and immobilized cell systems, respectively. The chemical characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the obtained product as rhamnolipid. Biosurfactant yield was found to be maximum in the case of immobilized system which was approximately 18 g/L. Scanning electron micrographs showed the potential of reusing the immobilized cells with polyurethane foam cubes.
Prolonging the time of progesterone supplementation to improve the pregnancy outcomes of single Day 6 blastocyst transfer in frozen-thawed cycles: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xu Manlin , Yan Yuan , Shen Xiaoyue , Sun Haixiang , Yan Guijun , Kong Na , Jiang Yue
Published: October 2022

• Background: Infertility is one of the most important and underappreciated reproductive health problems in developing countries. Currently, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer is the most effective treatment strategy for infertility. In a frozen-thawed cycle, single -blastocyst transfer can not only ensure relatively higher pregnancy and live-birth rates but also effectively reduce the risk of maternal and neonatal complications. In IVF-ET cycles, progesterone is initiated to promote the final phase of endometrial preparation prior to embryo transfer. However, the optimal duration of exposure to progesterone has remained inconclusive. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the effects of different prolonged progesterone transformation times (P+6 and P+7) on the pregnancy outcomes of D6 single blastocyst transfer in a frozen-thawed cycle.
• Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial involving 900 patients with single blastocyst transfer in the frozen-thawed cycle, aged from 20 to 38 years, with less than three transfers, and with HRT-cycle single D6 blastocyst transfer in the current cycle. Participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) into two parallel groups: the transfer of day 6 blastocysts on the 7th day of progesterone supplementation and the transfer of day 6 blastocysts on the 6th day of progesterone supplementation. The primary outcome measure is the embryo implantation rate. Secondary outcome measures include the clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and live birth rate.
• Discussion: This is the first randomized controlled trial to compare the transfer of day 6 blastocysts on the 6th and 7th day of progesterone supplementation. The results of this study will provide evidence for whether to prolong the duration of exposure to progesterone prior to embryo transfer.
• Trial registration: Clinical Trials. gov, ID: NCT04938011. Registered on 19 June 2021.
3D-printed Strontium-Titanium Scaffolds Incorporated with Highly Bioactive Serum Exosomes Promotes Critical Bone Defect Repair by Enhancing Osteogenesis and Angiogenesis
Authors: Liu Hao , Gu Ranli , Li Wei , Zeng Lijun , Zhu Yuan , Wang Siyi , Liu Xuenan , Heng Boon Chin , Liu Yunsong , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: October 2022

Background
Large bone defect healing faces significant challenges because of inadequate bone regeneration and revascularization. Serum exosomes (sEXO) during bone defect repair are rich in osteogenic factors. Titanium (Ti) scaffolds and low dose strontium (Sr) can promote bone regeneration. Here, a “cell-free scaffold engineering” strategy that incorporates strontium and highly bioactive sEXO within a 3D-printed Ti scaffold is developed.
Methods
Sr-Ti-sEXO composite was prepared by ion implantation and ultra-high-speed centrifugation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alizarin red (ARS), immunofluorescence (IF) staining, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to detect the osteogenic effect of Sr-Ti-sExo on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and PCR were used to detect the osteoclast effect of Sr-Ti-sEXO on RAW264.7. The vascularization effect of Sr-Ti-sEXO on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was investigated by scratch and migration experiments. Micro-CT and histological staining were used to study the osteogenic and vasculogenic effects of Sr-Ti-sEXO implanted in rabbit large radius defect at 6 and 12 weeks in vivo. RNA-seq was used to explore the potential mechanism.
Results
Sr-Ti-sEXO composite promoted early osteogenesis and inhibited osteoclast formation through the combined release of Sr ions and sEXO, and sustained release of Sr ions enhanced bone conduction, bone induction and inhibited fibroblasts. sEXO can promote the vascular reconstruction of CBD in fracture stage, which has the dual effect of promoting bone and promoting angiogenesis in critical bone defect repair. These effects are regulated by multiple miRNAs that shuttle in sEXO.
Conclusions
Sr-Ti-sEXO has favourable sustained release performance, osteogenic and vasogenic effects, which is a biocompatible and clinically feasible critical bone defect repair strategy. This study also broadens the biomedical potential of exosomes with specific functions such as sEXO in fracture stage. Based on the relative abundance of sEXO, a sEXO library for clinical treatment can be established.
Optimal cleaning strategy of large-scale solar PVarrays considering non-uniform dust deposition
Authors: Simiyu Donah , Ye Xianming , Xia Xiaohua , Hu Yihua
Published: October 2022

The dust deposition on top of solar panels blocks the solar insolation, causes erosion of the solar panel surface material, andalso deviates the maximum power point of the solar panels’ power output, which results in reductions of the panels’ poweroutputs and accelerations on the panels’ aging process. In practice, periodically cleaning efforts on the solar panels have to beconducted for dust removal, which intensifies the operational cost of many solar photovoltaic power plants. This study proposesan optimal cleaning plan for the PV plants that are prone to the dust deposition. In order to obtain the optimal cleaning plan,we first investigate the dust deposition process and develop a model to describe how PV power generation varies with thenon-uniform dust deposition patterns. Then we formulate a constrained optimization model to identify the most cost-effectivesolar panel cleaning strategy. In the optimisation, the additional revenue due to cleaning the solar panels is formulated as theobjective function. The decision variables are the number of PV strings to be cleaned at each cleaning interval. A case study ispresented to show how effective the proposed optimal solar panel cleaning strategy is.
Investigation of biological and wound healing effects of Estrogen solution: An in vitro study
Authors: Shams Alireza , Nejati Negar , Shamosi Atefeh
Published: October 2022

Background
Repairing dermal skin defects denotes a challenging obstacle in wound healing. Wound healing activities of estrogen have been noted in many experimental models proposing their beneficial role in wound closure and treatments of impaired wound healing. To study the most significant problem in dermal defect regeneration, namely collagen formation and insufficient blood supply, this study aimed to evaluate different concentrations of estrogen in the co-culture of fibroblast and endothelial cells.
Methods
The human fibroblast (C163) and Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were co-cultured and treated with different concentrations of estrogen solution. The cytotoxic effect of estrogen solution was evaluated by MTT assay while expression of endothelial markers (CD31) and Vimentin in treated cells was examined using Real-time PCR and Immunofluorescence analysis. Wound healing capacity in human fibroblast cells was studied by a scratch test assay.
Results
Estrogen has a dose-dependent proliferation effect on C163 and HUVEC co-culture cells with a significant growth inhibition at concentrations higher than 75 ng/ml concentration. We demonstrated that estrogen increased the growth, proliferation, and migration of C163 and HUVEC co-culture cells, accordingly, cell viability and scratch tests. C163 and HUVEC co-culture cells were cultured by estrogen treatments, which also improved the expression of the CD31 and Vimentin markers.
Conclusions
These results provide further insight into the function of biological agents in the wound healing process and may have significant approaches for the use of estrogen in skin wound healing.
RIPK1-mediated NLRP3 activation via MAPK signaling pathway in the Pathogenesis of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Liu Yuemin , Dong Yabing , Liu Zhiyang , Wang Yiwen , Chai Ying , Han Zixiang , Wei Wenbin , Chen Minjie
Published: October 2022

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia is a typical kind of neuropathic pain featured with severe and recurrent pain attacks along the areas innervated by trigeminal nerve. Although mechanical injuries caused by vessels compression is highly related to the pathogenesis, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.
Methods: We constructed chronic constriction to infraorbital nerve (CCI) on Sprague Dawley rats, after which spontaneous pain and mechanical allodynia related behaviors were measured. Transcriptome of trigeminal ganglion (TG) affected by CCI were analyzed to select the related signaling pathway and genes. We examined the receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) and domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) expression in the trigeminal ganglion by western blotting and RT-PCR; studied the location of RIPK1 and NLRP3 expression by performing immunofluorescence. Necrostatin-1, the specific antagonist of RIPK1, was administered to identify the effect of RIPK1 inhibition on NLRP3 expression.
Results: We identified mechanical allodynia within the whisker pad area after CCI. RNA-sequencing indicated that NLRP3 levels in the trigeminal ganglion were higher in CCI groups compared to the control group and MAPK signaling pathway was up-regulated after CCI. We also identified an increase in overall reactivity of RIPK1 in trigeminal ganglia after the surgery. A significant proportion of RIPK1+ cells in the TG of CCI rats colocalized with the neuron cells. RT-PCR result shows the expression of NLRP3 also increased following RIPK1 activation. The results from immunofluorescence staining revealed that NLRP3 was upregulated in TG neuron cells. Also, when RIPK1 is inhibited by Nec-1, NLRP3 expression in neurons from CCI rats also decreased. Nec-1 can alleviate the demyelination of TG and mechanical allodynia after CCI. Compared to control group, RIPK1 expression is down-regulated after Nec-1 injection, followed by a decreasing in NLRP3 expression.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates RIPK1 in TG neurons is activated when nerves are mechanically injuried, leading to the over-expression of NLRP3 inflammasome by activating MAPK signaling pathway. The subsequent cascade of inflammatory feedback and pain signal transmission led to the occurrence of trigeminal neuralgia.
Predictive Modeling and Analysis of Material Removal Characteristics for Robotic Belt Grinding of Complex Blade
Authors: jia haolin , Lu Congda , Cai Deling , Bao Chengle , Xiang Yingjian , Chen Jiahao
Published: October 2022

High-performance grinding has been converted from traditional manual grinding to robotic grinding over recent years. Accurate material removal is challenging for workpieces with complex profiles. Over recent years, digital processing of grinding has shown its great potential in the optimization of manufacturing processes and operational efficiency. Thus, quantification of the material removal process is an inevitable trend. This research establishes a three-dimensional model of the grinding workstation and designs the blade back arc grinding trajectory. A prediction model of the blade material removal rate (MRR) is established based on the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Experiments are carried out using the Taguchi method to investigate how certain elements might affect the outcomes. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) is used to study the effect of abrasive belt grinding characteristics on blade material removal. The mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of the established ANFIS model after training and testing is 3.976%, demonstrating superior performance to the reported findings, which range from 4.373 to 7.96%. ANFIS exhibits superior outcomes when compared to other prediction models, such as random forest(RF), artificial neural network (ANN), and support vector regression (SVR). This work can provide some sound guidance for high-precision prediction of material removal amounts from surface grinding of steam turbine blades.
Develop a framework using system thinking model on agile transformation in oil and gas company operation: A conceptual framework
Authors: Darusulistyo Sidik , Wibisono Dermawan , Wandebori Harimukti , Novani Santi
Published: October 2022

Agile has grown in popularity over the last decade as a new management approach to performance. The term refers to the observation that the rate of business change was rapidly outpacing the traditional organization’s ability to adapt. Deploying agile methodology aims to transform a company into a faster, more flexible, and more responsive organization, though it involves risk in highly hazardous operations. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a framework for agile transformation adaptation in an oil and gas company. The development uses a system thinking approach with Soft System Dynamic Methodology (SSDM) supported with the Mckinsey 7S model. This methodology was selected due to the complexity of change processes and the plural interrelationship among stakeholders. The framework proposed four variables that consist of strategy prioritization, strategy alignment, servant leadership, and governance process, as critical success factors in agile transformation adaption in the oil and gas operation for further enhancement in the later stage of the research.
Electric Distribution Systems Rearrangement for Energy Saving usingImproved Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm
Authors: Saleh A. A. , Adail A. S. , Nagy S. A.
Published: October 2022

Distribution systems are the network that transports electric energy to the end user (all load types) from distribution substations. In case of nuclear loads, distribution system must have higher power quality and reliable network design.Also, any of the feeders in the distribution network must be able to carry the full nuclear loads. But during feeding electric power to that loads there are power losses and voltages decreasing in the network. In case of nuclear loads, feeders of the network rearrangement must consider the optimal method to reduce the active power losses, and improve the voltage profile. This paper proposes an optimization technique based on improved artificial bee colony algorithm for distribution system - feeding nuclear load- rearrangement to save energy and improve electric network voltages. The proposed methodology is applied on standard distribution system to check the accuracy and reliability. The results and analysis showed the effectiveness and accuracy of the presented algorithm.