bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Climate of Ancient Earth
Authors: Armstrong Edward , Farnsworth Alexander , Lauretano Vittoria , Witkowski Caitlyn
Published: May 2022

The Earth has been around for a long time. Earth’s climate history is called its paleoclimate, where “paleo” means old or ancient. In this article, we explain how studying paleoclimate helps us understand how and why the Earth (and the life on it) evolved over time. Scientists can study the fossils, chemicals, and minerals preserved in ice or ancient rocks. Using this information, as well as computer models of Earth’s past climate, scientists can figure out climate changes going back millions of years. Understanding past climate changes helps us understand how Earth’s climate is changing now, and how it might further change in the future.
The Future of Water for Food
Authors: Mohtar Rabi H. , Fares Ali
Published: May 2022

Globally, water is a bottleneck to food security and, as such, a new approach for water for food is needed. Food insecurity is knocking at every nation's door, including those of the most developed. Moreover, the disruptions in food supply chains that result from continued reliance on a business-as-usual approach of traditional, non-sustainable food and agricultural systems make food insecurity even more vividly present. This article explores the current relationship between food production and water resources. It attempts to better understand how we might reduce the inter-dependencies between food and fresh water by exploring new and alternative sources of water, including improving the efficiencies of green and recycled water.
Assessment of Future Airframe and Propulsion Technologies on Sustainability of Next-Generation Mid-Range Aircraft
Authors: Karpuk Stanislav , Radespiel Rolf , Elham Ali
Published: May 2022

The present work demonstrates the impact of future airframe and propulsion technologies on the sustainability of potential future medium-range commercial jets with design specifications similar to the Airbus A320-200. Advanced airframe and engine technologies include laminar flow control (LFC), active load alleviation, new materials and structures, and ultra-high bypass ratio turbofan engines. Two aircraft configurations with various design options were compared to determine potentially the best option for the mission profile, which tends to minimize the environmental impact. Each configuration was designed to balance the equivalent CO2 emissions and Direct Operating Costs. Technology sensitivity analyses were performed to investigate the significance of particular technology combinations and determine the ones that improve aircraft sustainability the most. All studies were performed at a conceptual design level using a multi-fidelity design approach to investigate the system-level effects of the technologies. The open-source aircraft design environment SUAVE was extended and integrated with other aircraft design and analysis tools to obtain all required correlations. The aircraft with advanced technologies showed an average reduction in equivalent CO2 emissions of 36% and a 23% reduction in DOC compared to the reference aircraft for a similar mission profile, although aircraft with future technologies may have a 43% higher production cost. The given results indicate that the application of technologies may be commercially successful if technologies achieve expected performance values, despite high development costs. Finally, the technology sensitivity analysis demonstrated the most significant influence of engine-related technologies and laminar flow control compared to other technologies considered in this research. Depending on design and integration complexities, engine technologies can be more achievable in the near future and can substantially reduce the overall emission level.
Space Environment Evaluation and Low-Earth-Orbit Demonstration of a Communication Component with a Commercial Transceiver Integrated Circuit
Authors: Kameda Toshihiro , Nagata Akihiro , Kimura Yohei , Imai Ryujin , Shrestha Pragyan , Kimura Keisuke , Yasuda Atsushi , Watanabe Hiromasa
Published: May 2022

A software-controllable, consumer-grade, single-chip transceiver integrated circuit (IC) has multiple applications because it can generate a continuous-wave beacon while providing the basic functions of frequency shift keying digital communication as well. In addition, such ICs are low-cost. The above characteristics are advantageous for CubeSats with limited space and for university satellites with development cost constraints. In this study, we conduct radiation tolerance evaluation and Doppler shift tolerance tests to evaluate the feasibility of a single-chip consumer transceiver IC for space applications. In the radiation tolerance evaluation test, we compare the IC radiation tolerance to that of a single-chip microcomputer implemented in space and confirm the good resistance of the former based on the predictive analysis of the single-event upset incidence. Through the Doppler frequency shift tolerance test, we confirm suitable receiving sensitivity. Furthermore, we develop a transceiver IC as a CubeSat-class satellite component and successfully establish communication in an in-orbit demonstration, where the transceiver IC is employed as a CubeSat communication module released from the International Space Station. Thus, the feasability of space utilization of the consumer communication IC is demonstrated, which has implications for the development of more flexible and challenging system designs using newly introduced consumer devices.
Effects of Commercially Available Antioxidant-Enriched Fish- and Chicken-Based Diets on Biochemical Parameters and Blood Fatty Acid Profile of Old Dogs
Authors: Sechi Sara , Carta Silvia , Correddu Fabio , Di Cerbo Alessandro , Nudda Anna , Cocco Raffaella
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two commercially available fish- (FH) and chicken (CH)-based diets and the same diets combined with antioxidant compounds, e.g., FH-AOX and CH-AOX, respectively, on biochemical parameters and blood fatty acid (FA) profile. For this purpose, 28 dogs were allocated to four groups and fed the four diets for six months. Blood samples were taken before starting the experimental period and at the end of the trial. Concerning the biochemical parameters, the animals fed CH-AOX reached the highest values for ALB compared to the animals fed CH or FH-AOX; however, the values were within the reference values for old dogs. Triglycerides and urea were significantly higher in FH compared to the CH diet; however, both FH-AOX and CH-AOX showed a marked decrease in the TRI and urea concentration with respect to FH and CH. Moreover, CH-AOX and FH-AOX increased glucose values, linoleic acid content, and polyunsaturated FA n-3 with respect to FH and CH. On the contrary, arachidonic acid was lower in the CH-AOX and FH-AOX groups. In conclusion, FH led to a better FA profile than that of the CH diet, while CH-AOX and FH-AOX improved the FA profile regardless of the basal diet.
Study on the Development and Growth of Coral Larvae
Authors: Lin Chiahsin , Kang Chia-Ming , Huang Chih-Yang , Li Hsing-Hui , Tsai Sujune
Published: May 2022

Studies on the early development of corals are required for academic research on coral reefs and applied reef conservation, but the interval between observations is usually weeks or months. Thus, no study has comprehensively explored the development of coral larvae after settlement. This study observed Galaxea fascicularis, Mycedium elephantotus, Pocillopora verrucosa, and Seriatopora caliendrum larvae after settlement, including their growth process and the formation of tentacles, skeletons, and polyps. The G. fascicularis and M. elephantotus polyps exhibited the skeleton-over-polyp mechanism, whereas the P. verrucosa and S. caliendrum polyps exhibited the polyp-over-skeleton mechanism. During asexual reproduction, the Symbiodiniaceae species clustered on the coenosarc, resulting in polyp development and skeletal growth. M. Elephantotus was unique in that its tentacles were umbrella-shaped, and its polyp growth and Symbiodiniaceae species performance during asexual reproduction differed from those of the other three corals. Although both P. verrucosa and S. caliendrum have branching morphologies, their vertical development stages were dissimilar. S. caliendrum relied on the mutual pushing of individuals in the colony to extend upward, whereas P. verrucosa had a center individual that developed vertically. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for future research on coral breeding, growth, and health assessments.
Low-Light Image Enhancement Method Based on Retinex Theory by Improving Illumination Map
Authors: Pan Xinxin , Li Changli , Pan Zhigeng , Yan Jingwen , Tang Shiqiang , Yin Xinghui
Published: May 2022

Recently, low-light image enhancement has attracted much attention. However, some problems still exist. For instance, sometimes dark regions are not fully improved, but bright regions near the light source or auxiliary light source are overexposed. To address these problems, a retinex based method that strengthens the illumination map is proposed, which utilizes a brightness enhancement function (BEF) that is a weighted sum of the Sigmoid function cascading by Gamma correction (GC) and Sine function, and an improved adaptive contrast enhancement (IACE) to enhance the estimated illumination map through multi-scale fusion. Specifically, firstly, the illumination map is obtained according to retinex theory via the weighted sum method, which considers neighborhood information. Then, the Gaussian Laplacian pyramid is used to fuse two input images that are derived by BEF and IACE, so that it can improve brightness and contrast of the illuminance component acquired above. Finally, the adjusted illuminance map is multiplied by the reflection map to obtain the enhanced image according to the retinex theory. Extensive experiments show that our method has better results in subjective vision and quantitative index evaluation compared with other state-of-the-art methods.
Augmented Reality-Assisted Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Instrumentation: A Cadaveric Feasibility and Accuracy Study
Authors: Chang Chih-Chang , Kuo Chao-Hung , Chang Hsuan-Kan , Tu Tsung-Hsi , Fay Li-Yu , Wu Jau-Ching , Cheng Henrich , Huang Wen-Cheng
Published: May 2022

Percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation is the keystone of minimally invasive spine surgery. Percutaneous screw placement demands experience and relies greatly on intra-operative image guidance. This study aims to validate the feasibility and accuracy of augmented-reality (AR)-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation. One cadaveric torso was prepared for this study. After a pre-operative computed tomography (CT) scan, the images were transferred to an AR station to generate a 3D hologram. The 3D hologram and navigation images were projected to a pair of goggles with a display screen. With registration, the 3D spine hologram was overlayed onto the cadaver. Bilateral instrumentation from T6 to L5 was performed by two surgeons using AR assistance. A post-operative CT scan was obtained. The Gertzbein–Robbins scale (grade 0–3) was used for accuracy assessment. A total of 24 screws were placed. The overall screw accuracy was 87.5%. There were three major medial breaches that occurred on Rt T6/7/8, which were the most distant screws from the iliac reference. The cause of the three major medial breaches appeared to be related to their distance from the iliac reference. AR-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation could improve anatomical visualization, facilitate surgical workflow, and provide an intuitive way of performing surgery.
Gastroprotective Effects of Fermented Gold Kiwi (Actinidia chinenesis L.) Extracts on HCl/EtOH-Induced Gastric Injury in Rats
Authors: Jeon Eun-Jong , Choi Ji-Hye , Lee Na-Yong , Oh Hyun-Jeong , Kwon Hyuck-Se , Kwon Jungkee
Published: May 2022

Gastritis and gastric ulcers caused by stressors such as drinking are common. The ability of functional foods to protect the stomach more effectively and reduce the risk of side effects is of interest. The fermentation process can increase the preservation and bioactive compound content of kiwi fruits. This study produced fermented kiwi powder using two lactic acids separated from gold kiwi fruits. Gold kiwi puree (Actinidia chinensis L.) was fermented using beneficial bacteria. Fermentation increased the content of bioactive compounds such as organic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids. We investigated whether fermented gold kiwi (FGK) extract had antioxidant and gastric protective effects in an HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis animal model and pyloric ligation animal model. FGK increased radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. In the gastritis model, FGK inhibited inflammation-related factors such as iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, while increasing the expression of the protective molecule PGE2. Furthermore, FGK administration improved gastric lesion site appearance, clinical symptoms, and mucosal thickness in rats. FGK also reduced gastric fluid volume, free acidity, total acidity, and pepsin activity in the pyloric ligation model. These results suggest that FGK can decrease the inflammatory response and protect the gastric mucosa. FGK therefore has the potential to prevent and treat gastritis and gastric ulcers.
Analytical Modeling of Acoustic Emission Due to an Internal Point Source in a Transversely Isotropic Cylinder
Authors: Kim Kwang Bok , Kim Bong Ki , Lee Sang Guk , Kang Jun-Gill
Published: May 2022

In this paper, the displacement fields responsible for acoustic emission (AE), excited from a point source in a transversely isotropic cylinder, are derived by solving the Navier-Lamé (NL) equation. The point source as an internal defect is represented by a spatiotemporal concentrated force. The introduction of three potentials correlated with the point source to displacement field vector decouples the coupled NL equation in cylindrical coordinates. Under these conditions, we solve the radial, tangential, and axial displacement fields. Analytical simulations of AE were carried out at several point source locations. Our results demonstrate that analytical modeling is a powerful tool for characterizing AE features generated from an internal defect source.
Classification of Defective Fabrics Using Capsule Networks
Authors: Kahraman Yavuz , Durmuşoğlu Alptekin
Published: May 2022

Fabric quality has an important role in the textile sector. Fabric defect, which is a highly important factor that influences the fabric quality, has become a concept that researchers are trying to minimize. Due to the limited capacity of human resources, human-based defect detection results in low performance and significant loss of time. To overcome human-based limited capacity, computer vision-based methods have emerged. Thanks to new additions to these methods over time, fabric defect detection methods have begun to show almost one hundred percent performance. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) play a leading role in this high-performance success. However, Convolutional Neural Networks cause information loss in the pooling process. Capsule Networks is a useful technique for minimizing information loss. This paper proposes Capsule Networks, a new generation method that represents an alternative to Convolutional Neural Networks for deep learning tasks. TILDA dataset as source data for training and testing phases are employed. The model is trained for 100, 200, and 270 epoch times. Model performance is evaluated based on accuracy, recall, and precision performance metrics. Compared to mainstream deep learning algorithms, this method offers improved performance in terms of accuracy. This method has been performed under different circumstances and has achieved a performance value of 98.7%. The main contributions of this study are to use Capsule Networks in the fabric defect detection domain and to obtain a significant performance result.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Air-Cycle Refrigeration Systems with Expansion Work Recovery for Compartment Air Conditioning
Authors: Yang Xiaoling , Wang Zhefeng , Zhang Ze , Chen Shuangtao , Hou Yu , Chen Liang
Published: May 2022

As a requirement for sustainable development, air-cycle refrigeration has received wide attention as a candidate for environmentally friendly air conditioning technology. In this study, the thermodynamic performance of air refrigeration cycles is investigated in compartment air conditioning. The effects of compressor efficiency, expander efficiency, ambient humidity, all-fresh-air supply and ambient pressure on the cycle performance are presented. The effects of compressor arrangement in the high-pressure cycle and the low-pressure cycle are compared. An open-loop high-pressure cycle has a larger COP than that of an open-loop low-pressure cycle but requires larger heat exchange. The performance of air refrigeration cycles with full fresh air is studied, and the influence of fresh air is discussed. Schemes for condensed water recirculation with wet compression are proposed, which can improve the COPs of open-loop low-pressure cycles by 44.7%, 48.8% and 48.4%. In the air conditioning of plateau trains, open-loop high-pressure cycles have slightly lower COPs, but they can supply air with elevated pressure and oxygen concentration.
The State of the Art of Data Mining Algorithms for Predicting the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cortés-Martínez Keila Vasthi , Estrada-Esquivel Hugo , Martínez-Rebollar Alicia , Hernández-Pérez Yasmín , Ortiz-Hernández Javier
Published: May 2022

Current computer systems are accumulating huge amounts of information in several application domains. The outbreak of COVID-19 has increased rekindled interest in the use of data mining techniques for the analysis of factors that are related to the emergence of an epidemic. Data mining techniques are being used in the analysis and interpretation of information, which helps in the discovery of patterns, planning of isolation policies, and even predicting the speed of proliferation of contagion in a viral disease such as COVID-19. This research provides a comprehensive study of various data mining algorithms that are used in conjunction with epidemiological prediction models. The document considers that there is an opportunity to improve or develop tools that offer an accurate prognosis in the management of viral diseases through the use of data mining tools, based on a comparative study of 35 research papers.
Some New Bounds for the Inverse Sum Indeg Energy of Graphs
Authors: Li Fengwei , Ye Qingfang , Broersma Hajo
Published: May 2022

Let G be a (molecular) graph with n vertices, and di be the degree of its i-th vertex. Then, the inverse sum indeg matrix of G is the n×n matrix C(G) with entries cij=didjdi+dj, if the i-th and the j-th vertices are adjacent and 0 otherwise. Let μ1≥μ2≥…≥μn be the eigenvalues of C arranged in order. The inverse sum indeg energy of G, εisi(G) can be represented as ∑j=1n|μi|. In this paper, we establish several novel upper and lower sharp bounds on μ1 and εisi(G) via some other graph parameters, and describe the structures of the extremal graphs.
Effects of Risperidone and Prenatal Poly I:C Exposure on GABAA Receptors and AKT-GSK3β Pathway in the Ventral Tegmental Area of Female Juvenile Rats
Authors: Chen Shiyan , Lian Jiamei , Su Yueqing , Deng Chao
Published: May 2022

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) in the ventral midbrain is the origin of the dopaminergic neurotransmission pathways. Although GABAA receptors and AKT-GSK3β signaling are involved in the pathophysiology of mental disorders and are modulated by antipsychotics, an unmet task is to reveal the pathological changes in these biomarkers and antipsychotic modulations in the VTA. Using a juvenile polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C) psychiatric rat model, this study investigated the effects of adolescent risperidone treatment on GABAA receptors and AKT/GSK3β in the VTA. Pregnant female Sprague–Dawley rats were administered Poly I:C (5mg/kg; i.p) or saline at gestational day 15. Juvenile female offspring received risperidone (0.9 mg/kg, twice per day) or a vehicle from postnatal day 35 for 25 days. Poly I:C offspring had significantly decreased mRNA expression of GABAA receptor β3 subunits and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD2) in the VTA, while risperidone partially reversed the decreased GAD2 expression. Prenatal Poly I:C exposure led to increased expression of AKT2 and GSK3β. Risperidone decreased GABAA receptor β2/3, but increased AKT2 mRNA expression in the VTA of healthy rats. This study suggests that Poly I:C-elicited maternal immune activation and risperidone differentially modulate GABAergic neurotransmission and AKT-GSK3β signaling in the VTA of adolescent rats.
Risk Coupling Evaluation of Social Stability of Major Engineering Based on N-K Model
Authors: Yan Hongyan , Zheng Zhouwei , Huang Hanjie , Zhou Xinyi , Tang Yizhi , Hu Ping
Published: May 2022

In view of the sociality, complexity, and uncertainty of major engineering projects, social stability poses many problems for social contradictions and conflicts in the whole life cycle of the project. This study aimed to investigate the approach of the coupling evaluation method to analyze the coupling influence of social stability risk factors of major projects. First, the potential risk factors of internal and external social stability risk of major projects were abstracted based on literature research and case analysis, and a bow-tie model and a coupling evaluation index system were constructed. Then, a N-K model of social stability risk coupling evaluation of major projects was constructed based on complex network, and the probability and risk value of the coupling of different risk factors were calculated. The studies showed that the coupling ways of social stability risk factors of major projects influence the social stability risk. Multi-factor risk coupling will increase the probability of social stability risk of major projects. The study of this paper provides a theoretical basis for the social stability risk management decision-making of major projects and promotes the sustainable development of major projects.
ZnO Piezoelectric Films for Acoustoelectronic and Microenergetic Applications
Authors: Golovanov Egor , Kolesov Vladimir , Anisimkin Vladimir , Osipenko Victor , Kuznetsova Iren
Published: May 2022

Zinc oxide is one of the most popular materials for acoustoelectronic sensors and vibro-piezo-transducers used in nano-piezo-generators. In the present paper, thick piezoelectric ZnO films are fabricated on both sides of various substrates using magnetron sputtering technique. It is shown that the main problem for double film deposition is the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of the ZnO films and the substrate materials. The problem is solved by decreasing the plate temperature up to 140 °C, reducing the growing rate up to 0.8 ± 0.05 μm/h, and diminishing the oxygen content in Ar mixture up to 40%. Using the modified sputtering conditions, the ZnO films with thickness up to 15 μm, grain size 0.3 μm, and piezoelectric module as large as 7.5 × 10−12 C/N are fabricated on both faces of quartz and lithium niobate plates as well as on flexible polyimide flexible film known as Kapton. The films are characterized by chemical composition, crystallographic orientation, piezoelectric effect, and acoustic wave generation. They are applied for vibro-piezo-transducer based on flexible ZnO/Kapton/Al/ZnO/Al structure. When the structure is mechanical excited, the variable electric voltage of about 35 mV is generated. The value of the voltage is sufficient for an unstable energy source used in autonomic micro-energetic energy-store systems.
Spectroscopic and Physicochemical Studies on 1,2,4-Triazine Derivative
Authors: Alrooqi Arwa , Al-Amshany Zahra M. , Al-Harbi Laila M. , Altalhi Tariq A. , Refat Moamen S. , Hassanien Ali M. , Mersal Gaber A. M. , Atta Ahmed A.
Published: May 2022

A novel 5-(5-Bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-6-oxo-3-phenyl-5,6-dihydro-1,2,4-triazine-2(1H)-carbothioamide (4) “compound 4” was synthesized. The chemical structure of compound 4 was confirmed with spectroscopic techniques. Thermal analysis (TGA/dTGA) studies were conducted for identifying the kinetic thermodynamic parameters and the thermal stability of the synthesized compound 4. Cyclic voltammetric studies were performed for recognizing electrochemical characteristics of the synthesized compound 4. The calculated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), and the band gap were found to be −3.61, −5.32, and 1.97 eV, respectively. Using a diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) technique, the estimated values of the optical band transitions of compound 4 in powder form were found to be 2.07 and 2.67 eV. The structural properties of thermally evaporated compound 4 thin films were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was found that compound 4 has a triclinic crystal structure. The optical transitions and the optical dispersion factors of compound 4 thin films were investigated using a UV-Vis spectroscopy technique. From the UV-Vis spectroscopy technique, Egind=3.6 V was estimated for both the as-deposited and annealed thin films. For the as-deposited film, there were two photoluminescence (PL) emission peaks centered at 473 and 490 nm with a shoulder at 422 nm. For the annealed film at 423 K, there were five PL emission peaks centered at 274, 416, 439, 464, and 707 nm with a shoulder at 548 nm. The dark electrical conduction of compound 4 thin film was through a thermally activated process with activation energy equaling 0.88 eV.
The Effect of Surgeon Volume on the Outcome of Laser Vaporization: A Single-Center Retrospective Study
Authors: Maeda Michihide , Hisa Tsuyoshi , Matsuzaki Shinya , Lee Misooja , Mabuchi Seiji , Kamiura Shoji
Published: May 2022

Although laser vaporization is a popular minimally invasive treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), factors influencing CIN recurrence are understudied. Moreover, the effect of surgeon volume on patients’ prognosis after laser vaporization for CIN is unknown. This single-center retrospective study evaluated the predictive value of surgeon volume and patient characteristics for laser vaporization outcomes in women with pathologically confirmed CIN2. Histologically confirmed CIN2 or higher grade after laser vaporization was defined as persistent or recurrent. Various patient characteristics were compared between women with and those without recurrence to examine the predictive factors for laser vaporization. There were 270 patients with a median age of 36 (18–60) years. The median follow-up period was 25 (6–75.5) months and the median period between treatment and persistence or recurrence was 17 (1.5–69) months. The median annual number of procedures for all seven surgeons was 7.8. There were 38 patients (14.1%) with persistent or recurrent lesions—24 had CIN2, 13 had CIN3, and one had adenocarcinoma in situ. Patient age, body mass index, surgeon volume, and history of prior CIN treatment or invasive cervical cancer were not significantly correlated with lesion persistence or recurrence. In conclusion, laser vaporization has comparable success rates and is a feasible treatment for both low- and high-volume surgeons.
Endoscopic Diagnosis and Management of Barrett’s Esophagus with Low-Grade Dysplasia
Authors: Maione Francesco , Chini Alessia , Maione Rosa , Manigrasso Michele , Marello Alessandra , Cassese Gianluca , Gennarelli Nicola , Milone Marco , De Palma Giovanni Domenico
Published: May 2022

Barrett’s Esophagus is a common condition associated with chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is well known that it has an association with a higher incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma, but this neoplastic transformation is first preceded by the onset of low and high-grade dysplasia. The evaluation of low grade dysplastic esophageal mucosa is still controversial; although endoscopic surveillance is preferred, several minimally invasive endoscopic therapeutic approaches are available. Endoscopic mucosal resection and radiofrequency ablation are the most used endoscopic treatments for the eradication of low-grade dysplasia, respectively, for nodular and flat dysplasia. Novel endoscopic treatments are cryotherapy ablation and argon plasma coagulation, that have good rates of eradication with less complications and post-procedural pain.
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment by SCORE2 Predicts Risk for Colorectal Neoplasia and Tumor-Related Mortality
Authors: Wernly Sarah , Semmler Georg , Völkerer Andreas , Rezar Richard , Datz Leonora , Radzikowski Konrad , Stickel Felix , Aigner Elmar , Niederseer David , Wernly Bernhard , Datz Christian
Published: May 2022

Objectives: The European Society of Cardiology endorsed SCORE2 to assess cardiovascular risk. The aim of this observational, retrospective study was to assess whether SCORE2 is associated with colorectal neoplasia in an asymptomatic screening population. Further, we evaluated if SCORE2 predicts tumor-related mortality. Methods: We included 3408 asymptomatic patients who underwent a screening colonoscopy. We calculated SCORE2 for each participant and stratified patients according to their predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease: SCORE2 0–4.9%, SCORE2 5–9.9%, and SCORE2 ≥ 10%. We assessed the association between SCORE2 as a continuous variable, the presence of colorectal neoplasia using multilevel logistic regression, and SCORE2 and mortality using Cox regression. Results: In total, 1537 patients had a SCORE2 of 0–4.9%, 1235 a SCORE2 of 5–9.9%, and 636 a SCORE2 ≥ 10%. The respective rates of colorectal neoplasia were 20%, 37%, and 44%. SCORE2 was associated with the presence of any (OR 1.11 95%CI 1.09–1.12; p < 0.001) and advanced colorectal neoplasia (OR 1.06 95%CI 1.08–1.13; p < 0.001) in univariate analysis. After multivariable adjustment (age, sex, family history, and metabolic syndrome) a higher SCORE2 remained associated with higher odds for any (aOR 1.04 95%CI 1.02–1.06; p = 0.001) and advanced (aOR 1.06 95%CI 1.03–1.10; p < 0.001) colorectal neoplasia. SCORE2 was associated with both all-cause (HR 1.11 95%CI 1.09–1.14; p < 0.001) and tumor-related mortality (HR 1.10 95%CI 1.05–1.14; p < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that SCORE2 is associated with the presence of colorectal neoplasia. Clinicians could kill two birds with one stone calculating SCORE2. In patients with a high SCORE2, screening colonoscopy aside from cardiovascular risk mitigation could improve outcomes.
Paucigranulocytic Asthma: Potential Pathogenetic Mechanisms, Clinical Features and Therapeutic Management
Authors: Papaioannou Andriana I. , Fouka Evangelia , Ntontsi Polyxeni , Stratakos Grigoris , Papiris Spyridon
Published: May 2022

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation, in which several phenotypes have been described, related to the age of onset, symptoms, inflammatory characteristics and treatment response. The identification of the inflammatory phenotype in asthma is very useful, since it allows for both the recognition of the asthmatic triggering factor as well as the optimization of treatment The paucigranulocytic phenotype of asthma (PGA) is characterized by sputum eosinophil levels <1–3% and sputum neutrophil levels < 60%. The precise characteristics and the pathobiology of PGA are not fully understood, and, in some cases, it seems to represent a previous eosinophilic phenotype with a good response to anti-inflammatory treatment. However, many patients with PGA remain uncontrolled and experience asthmatic symptoms and exacerbations, irrespective of the low grade of airway inflammation. This observation leads to the hypothesis that PGA might also be either a special phenotype driven by different kinds of cells, such as macrophages or mast cells, or a non-inflammatory phenotype with a low grade of eosinophilic inflammation. In this review, we aim to describe the special characteristics of PGA and the potential therapeutic interventions that could be offered to these patients.
Volatile Organic Compounds Frequently Identified after Hyperbaric Hyperoxic Exposure: The VAPOR Library
Authors: de Jong Feiko J. M. , Brinkman Paul , Wingelaar Thijs T. , van Ooij Pieter-Jan A. M. , van Hulst Rob A.
Published: May 2022

Diving or hyperbaric oxygen therapy with increased partial pressures of oxygen (pO2) can have adverse effects such as central nervous system oxygen toxicity or pulmonary oxygen toxicity (POT). Prevention of POT has been a topic of interest for several decades. One of the most promising techniques to determine early signs of POT is the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. We reanalyzed the data of five studies to compose a library of potential exhaled markers for the early detection of POT. GC-MS data from five hyperbaric hyperoxic studies were collected. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare baseline- and postexposure measurements; all ion fragments that significantly varied were compared by similarity using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. All identified molecules were cross-referenced with open-source databases and other scientific publications on VOCs to exclude compounds that occurred as a result of contamination, and to identify the compounds most likely to occur due to hyperbaric hyperoxic exposure. After identification and removal of contaminants, 29 compounds were included in the library. This library of hyperbaric hyperoxic-related VOCs can help to advance the development of an early noninvasive marker of POT. It enables validation by others who use more targeted MS-related techniques, instead of full-scale GC-MS, for their exhaled VOC research.
Geochemistry of Mudstones/Silty Mudstones from the Qigequan Formation and Shizigou Formation in Yuejin-II Area, Southwestern Area of the Qaidam Basin: Implications for Sedimentary Environment and Sandstone-Type Uranium Mineralization
Authors: Ao Cong , Teng Xue-Ming , Wei Xue-Bin , Lei Tao , Wang Duo , Yang Jun
Published: May 2022

The Qaidam Basin has been the focus of sandstone-type uranium prospecting since the 1950s. In recent years, relying on the uranium geological survey project supported by the China Geological Survey, and the cooperation with the Qinhai oil company, drilling work at the Yuejin-II area in this basin has achieved breakthroughs on industrial-level sandstone-type uranium exploration. In this study, we present major, trace and REE geochemical analysis of the Qigequan Formation and the Shizigou Formation mudstones/silty mudstones collected from an industrial uranium ore drillholes in the Yuejin-II area. The Shizigou and Qigequan Formations exhibit signatures of non-intense alteration, low rock maturity and proximal provenance. The overall arid paleoclimatic conditions controlled the sedimentation of large volume of uranium rich materials. The period of relative humidity prompted the sedimentation of reduced agents. Aided by the neotectonic-induced slopes and tectonic windows, oxygenated fluids migrated along permeable layers and extracted the hexavalent uranium, transported in the form of uranyl ion (UO22+). When the oxygen–uranium-rich fluids finally infiltrated into the reductive sand body, the hexavalent uranium was reduced to tetravalent uranium and deposited in the form of uranium compounds. Large-scale and centrally distributed reductive sand bodies provided favorable ore storage space for the sandstone-type uranium mineralization in the Yuejin-II area.
Review for Rare-Earth-Modified Perovskite Materials and Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Li Bobo , Tian Feng , Cui Xiangqian , Xiang Boyuan , Zhao Hongbin , Zhang Haixi , Wang Dengkui , Li Jinhua , Wang Xiaohua , Fang Xuan , Qiu Mingxia , Wang Dongbo
Published: May 2022

In recent years, rare-earth metals with triply oxidized state, lanthanide ions (Ln3+), have been demonstrated as dopants, which can efficiently improve the optical and electronic properties of metal halide perovskite materials. On the one hand, doping Ln3+ ions can convert near-infrared/ultraviolet light into visible light through the process of up-/down-conversion and then the absorption efficiency of solar spectrum by perovskite solar cells can be significantly increased, leading to high device power conversion efficiency. On the other hand, multi-color light emissions and white light emissions originated from perovskite nanocrystals can be realized via inserting Ln3+ ions into the perovskite crystal lattice, which functioned as quantum cutting. In addition, doping or co-doping Ln3+ ions in perovskite films or devices can effectively facilitate perovskite film growth, tailor the energy band alignment and passivate the defect states, resulting in improved charge carrier transport efficiency or reduced nonradiative recombination. Finally, Ln3+ ions have also been used in the fields of photodetectors and luminescent solar concentrators. These indicate the huge potential of rare-earth metals in improving the perovskite optoelectronic device performances.
Physical development and its connection with the adaptive potential of the body of adolescents studying in different educational organizations
Authors:   FSBEI HE Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, Stepanov Evgeniy Georgievich , Shakirov Damir Faizovich ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Jalaeva Erma Talgatovna ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Mochalkin Pavel Aleksandrovich ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Agafonov Artem Ivanovich ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Zigitbaev Ramil Nailevich ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Husainov Artur Eduardovich ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Akhmetzyanova Adilya Khazdarovna ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, Shigapov Artur Kharisovich ,   ICPE FSBEI HE Bashkir State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia
Published: May 2022

The article shows the results of a research on growth and physical development among students of sensitive age, 14–17, studying at boarding schools and gymnasiums, and university students aged 17–19. Also, the article includes a hygienic assessment and comparison of the students’ physical development and its correlation to the adaptive capacity of a human body. The research observed 447 boarding gymnasium students, 505 boarding school students, and 144 university students, their physical development was studied concerning the criteria of adaptation that are expressed as an adaptation capacity. The data gathered indicates that the majority of the students experience balanced physical development, that is natural to a healthy, adequately adaptive human body, and the presence of a strong statistically relevant correlation between physical development and adaptive capacity (r = 0,91; p ≤ 0,001).
Significant and memorable dates in the field of epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases 2022
Authors:   N.A. Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health, Moscow, Russia, Egorysheva I. V. , Sherstneva E. V. ,   N.A. Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health, Moscow, Russia
Published: May 2022

The staff of the Department of the History of Medicine of the N.A. Semashko National Research Institute of Public Health has prepared a list and description of significant and memorable dates in the field of epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases, timed to 2022. The material is presented in three sections: “historical and medical events”, “publication of works” and “personalities”. Historical and medical events, the round dates of which are celebrated in 2022, are associated with the prevention of infectious diseases relevant in the 19th and 20th centuries — tuberculosis, plague, rabies, brucellosis, malaria, etc. Scientific works published 75-255 years ago are devoted to the problems of epidemiology, treatment and prevention of syphilis, plague, typhus. During this period, such periodicals as “Hygiene and Epidemiology”, “Preventive Medicine”, “Bulletin of Epidemiology and Microbiology” were founded, which became the prototypes of modern specialized scientific journals. The section “personalities” contains a list of round dates from the birth and death of prominent figures in the field of epidemiology, parasitology, infectious diseases and a description of the main milestones of their lives and activities.
Nature of disciplinary responsibility of public servants
Authors:   Volga Region Institute of Management named after P.A. Stolypin — branch of RANEPA,  Saratov, Presnyakov M.V.
Published: May 2022

The article deals with the specifics of disciplinary liability of public servants. The author shows that this type of responsibility is not derived from disciplinary liability in labour relations (special disciplinary liability), but has its own logic of its historical development. In addition, disciplinary action in the public service has a different teleological significance. All this indicates that the model of development of this type of responsibility, borrowed from labor law, does not fully meet its essence and purpose.
Conception of collective labor disputes in the Russian Federation and the European Union
Authors:   Mari State University,  Yoshkar-Ola, Shemyakin R.K.
Published: May 2022

The article analyses the approaches to understanding the collective labor dispute that have developed in the legislation, law enforcement practice and doctrine of the Russian Federation and the European Union. The definition of “collective labor disputes” according to the legislation of the Russian Federation and some EU member states is characterized. How has the concept of “collective labor disputes” been transformed in Russian history and how are collective labor disputes defined in the legislation of the EU member states? There are the answers of some special questions.
Gestión digital para la calidad de servicio en atención de reclamos a usuarios de la EPS Marañón S.A-Jaén
Authors: Culqui Lozada Mirtha , Callao Alarcón Marcelino
Published: May 2022

Para   que   las   entidades   públicas puedan   optimizar   su   capacidad de  respuesta  ante  las  necesidades y  exigencias  de  cada  ciudadano, necesitan  implementar  la  gestión digital   en   todas   las   oficinas   y departamentos,       porque,       esto permite    solventar    peticiones    y mejorar  la  calidad  de  vida  de  la población. Se utilizó como objetivo general   analizar   la   construcción sobre un modelo de gestión digital que   contribuya   a   la   calidad   de servicio  en  atención  de  reclamos a  usuarios  de  la  EPS  Marañón  S.A. Jaén, 2021. Asimismo, se utilizó un enfoque   cuantitativo,   con   diseño no experimental     transaccional, de  tipo  básica  –  propositivo.  Para ello  se  consideró  como  técnica  la encuesta  y  como  instrumento  el cuestionario, el cual, fue aplicado a 77 trabajadores de la EPS Marañón S.A. Llegando a concluir que la gestión digital, presenta demasiadas deficiencias, siendo el factor principal que afecta directamente a la calidad de servicio en la atención que se brinda a los usuarios.
Plan participación ciudadana para el fortalecimiento del sistema educativo descentralizado de la Institución Educativa
Authors: Quesquén Díaz Jenny
Published: May 2022

La participación ciudadana y la descentralización educativa son procesos que han permitido mejorar  los  niveles  de acceso y calidad educativa, pero inconclusos en los espacios locales o desde las instituciones educativas para lograr un mayor impacto significativo en la ciudadanía, por eso se planteó el objetivo de diseñar un plan de participación ciudadana que fortalezca el sistema educativo descentralizado en la Institución Educativa; se identificó procesos, entidades y funcionamiento de la participación ciudadana y analizó factores y procesos de la descentralización educativa. La investigación fue de tipo básica, pro, descriptiva – proyectiva, diseño no experimental; se aplicó como instrumento un cuestionario a 46 representantes de entidades  de   la   Institución   Educativa y se entrevistó a tres especialistas. Se obtuvo como resultado que la valoración de la participación ciudadana y descentralización educativa es baja (39.0% y 39,1%, respectivamente). Considerando que se obtuvo una valoración baja de las variables, se diseñó el plan de participación ciudadana para fortalecer el sistema educativo descentralizado de la Institución Educativa, con  la  finalidad  de  mejorar  la gestión y calidad educativa, lograr autonomía educativa desde los espacios locales; se estructuró considerando las dimensiones de las variables, actores locales, aliados estratégicos y basado en las normas legales vigentes.
Indicadores de gestión en el manejo de los recursos públicos en la Municipalidad
Authors: Nuñez Jimenez Jessica Karina
Published: May 2022

Los   recursos   públicos   son   todos aquellos que están relacionados con el gasto que realizan los gobiernos del   Estado,   con   la   finalidad   de prestar     servicios     públicos     de diversos   tipos;   sin   embargo,   se observa    mucha    deficiencia    en el  manejo  de  los  recursos  de  la administración en la gestión pública en la Municipalidad. Es por ello que este estudio se propuso diagnosticar el manejo de los recursos públicos en  la  Municipalidad  de  Pimentel. Para ello se utilizó una investigación de   tipo   básica   con   enfoque   de carácter cuantitativo con un diseño transversal       no       experimental. Asimismo, se usó una muestra con 66 funcionarios públicos aplicando muestreo   probabilístico   con   una unidad de análisis. Para la cual se utiliza  la  técnica  de  la  encuesta  y el instrumento del cuestionario que fueron los mecanismos de medición aplicados  en  el  presente  trabajo. Entre    los    resultados    que    más destacan  se  tiene  que  la  variable relacionada   con   las   fuentes   de financiamientos  sobre  los  recursos públicos obtuvo un nivel bajo con el 61%, así mismo la variable gestión obtuvo  también  un  bajo  nivel  con el 42%. Concluyendo que el costo/ beneficio dentro del modelo resulta factible y sobre todo viable.
Estrategia	de	gestión	pública	para	inclusión	de	personas	con discapacidad en la municipalidad
Authors: Zarpán Romero Rosa María
Published: May 2022

En  la  actualidad  hay  un  promedio  de 480  millones  de  individuos  que  están  en edad  para  trabajar  y  que  presentan  una discapacidad  como  mínimo;  en  el  año 2006  la  Organización  de  las  Naciones Unidas puso en vigencia normas creadas por      la      Organización      Internacional sobre   los   derechos   para   las   personas con    discapacidad;    sin    embargo,    las instituciones    del    Estado    peruano    no acatan   estas   disposiciones,   es   el   caso de  la  Municipalidad  Distrital  de  Tumán. Razón por la cual, el presente estudio tuvo como propósito diagnosticar las políticas públicas para la inclusión de las personas con  discapacidad  que  se  desarrollan  en la  Oficina  Municipal  de  Atención  a  las Personas   con   Discapacidad   (OMAPED). El   estudio   fue   realizado   con   enfoque cuantitativo, de nivel descriptivo. Para ello se  tomaron  a  92  personas  identificadas por  OMAPED,  a  quienes  se  les  aplicó un  cuestionario  basado  en  la  dirección, educación,    cultura    y    capacitación    e integración     laboral.     Los     resultados mostraron que no existen políticas claras en beneficio de estas personas y son pocas las oportunidades de desarrollo, no existe un ambiente adecuado y tampoco acceso a  servicios  de  salud  básica  para  control médico.  Se  concluye  que  es  importante la  aplicación  de  estrategias  de  gestión pública para mejorar la inclusión partiendo de  los  ejes  estratégicos  como  la  cultura inclusiva  laboral,  medidas  institucionales para   el   apoyo   para   trabajadores   con discapacidad, actividades que promuevan y fortalezcan las relaciones interpersonales, el reclutamiento, selección y promoción.