bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between Gut Microbiota, its Metabolic Products, and their Association with Liver Enzymes among Sample of Egyptian Females
Authors: Hassan Nayera E. , El-Masry Sahar A. , Nageeb Ayat , El Hussieny Mohamed S. , Khalil Aya , Aly Manal Mouhamed , Soliman Muhammad Al-Tohamy , Ismail Ahmed , El-Saeed Gamila , Hashish Adel , Selim Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim: The gut microbiota appears to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of obesity, liver metabolism and the associated diseases. The present study aimed to identify the existing gut microbiota enterotypes and its metabolic products profiles among a sample of normal weight and obese Egyptian females, and to investigate the correlation between gut microbiota; body mass index andliver enzymes among them.Methods: A case-control cross-sectional study, included 112 Egyptian females; 82obese and30 normal weight; with age ranged from 25 up to 60 years. For each participant, anthropometric measurements (weight, height and BMI), laboratory investigations (AST, ALT, SCFA, CRP) and microbiota analysis were done. Results: The obese females had higher significant values of CRP,AST, ALTand SCFA. In addition, obese females had insignificant higher values of log Bacteroidetes, log firmicutes, log firmicutes/ Bacteroidetes ratio, and log lactobacillus, and insignificant lower values of log bifidobacteria; than normal weight group.Among normal weight group, Lactobacillus shad significant positive correlations with SCFA, Bifidobacteria and Firmicutes, and significant negative correlations with AST, ALTand CRP. Bifidobacteria had significant negative correlations with Ht and ALT. Bacteroidetes bacteria had significant positive correlations with SCFA, and significant negative correlations with age and height. Firmicutes bacteria had significant negative correlations with AST and ALT. Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes Ratio had significant negative correlations with AST, ALTand SCFA. Among obese group, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria had significant negative correlations with Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes Ratio however; these correlations were insignificant among normal weight group. Moreover, there were insignificant correlations between any type of studied microbiota and any of the anthropometric or laboratory parameters; except Firmicutes bacteria had significant negative correlations with ALT.Conclusion: The beneficial Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria have its good impact in improving obesity status, liver function in form of ALT.
National Health Security Policy in Indonesia: A Narrative Review from Law Perspective
Authors: Budiono Arief , Absori Absori , Zuhdi Syaifuddin , Kurnianingsih Kurnianingsih , Inayah Inayah , Bangsawan Moh Indra , Yuspin Wardah
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: The Republic of Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution Article 28H clause (3) on the Rights to Social Security, Law No. 40 of 2004 on the National Social Security System, and Law No. 24 of 2011 on the Healthcare and Social Security Agency stipulate that everyone has the right for social security to achieve an adequate standard of living and to increase their dignity. This is to create a prosperous and just society.

AIM: This research aims to describe the current National Health Security (NHS) policy as well as the good governance-based NHS policy.

METHODS: This is normative legal research by doing literature analysis and/or secondary data. This descriptive research uses the statute and conceptual approaches.

RESULTS: Results show that the Indonesian NHS is based on Law No. 24 of 2011 on the Social Security Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial). It has not been implemented optimally due to lack of accommodation of the good governance principles, including legal certainty, benefit, non-partiality, prudence, non-abuse of authority, transparency, public interest, and good service.

CONCLUSION: Thus, the government needs to optimize the application of these principles in managing the NHS policy to provide the best services for the people.
Empowering Village Health Workers to Influence Preconception Behavior and Increase Utilization of Preconception Health Services in the Deli Serdang Regency
Authors: Linda Irma , Santoso Heru , Lubis Zulhaida , Siregar Muhammad Fidel Ganis
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND: Preconception health care are critical in addressing modifiable risk factors to prevent maternal death, neonatal death, unplanned pregnancies, birth defects, premature birth and retardation of fetal growth in the womb.
AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of preconception health cadres empowerment on changed in preconception health behaviors of brides and grooms-to-be, as well as improved utilization of preconception health services at eight community health centers in the Deli Serdang district.
METHODS: This research is part of a dissertation study entitled Preconception Period Service Strategy on Brides and Grooms-to-Be through Empowerment of Preconception Health Cadres in Deli Serdang Regency. The effect of the empowerment of preconception health cadres in preconception health behaviors performed by Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test with the statistical significance test with CI 95% and significant difference value p<0,05. The Normalized Gain (N-gain score) test is used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.
RESULTS. There is a significant influence of preconception health cadres empowerment interventions on the knowledge, attitudes, and actions of brides and grooms-to-be in preconception health with the same probability value of p=0.001. Most brides and grooms-to-be (80%) take advantage of preconception health services at health centers after following the intervention of empowerment of preconception health cadres.
CONCLUSIONS. Interventions empowering preconception health cadres significantly affect the behavior of the brides and grooms-to-be and quite effective in increasing knowledge and actions of brides and grooms-to-be in preconception health.
Compétences en contextes numériques : des leviers de financiarisation de l’éducation
Authors: Gobert Thierry
Published: February 2022

Bien que l’université soit parfois décrite comme un sanctuaire éloigné des vicissitudes économiques, elle est prise entre les contraintes de l’autonomie de gestion, l’évolution des demandes des usagers et ses missions de service public. Elle accueille des apprenants de tous horizons de plus en plus massivement avides de formations « utiles », orientées vers l’emploi ou répondant directement à des questions qu’ils se posent sans logique de cursus. Introduite dans les textes en 2005, l’approche par les compétences en contexte numérique pourrait être symptomatique de la financiarisation de l’éducation et du rapprochement entre logiques entrepreneuriales, logiques sociales, logiques de gouvernance universitaire et demandes des apprenants.
Design pédagogique et renversements des logiques de conception
Authors: Hulin Thibaud
Published: February 2022

Cet article propose un cadre théorique pour comprendre comment la culture industrielle se diffuse dans l’éducation et la formation. Il décrit d’abord les processus de diffusion des innovations, d’acceptation et de résistance au changement. Puis il souligne l’importance de construire une stratégie de réappropriation de ces technologies. L’article envisage alors le design de l’innovation comme une activité communicationnelle et multi-dimensionnelle, centrée en partie sur l’humain, en partie sur la technique. Par rapport à la logique classique de la conception, apparaît deux renversements. Dans le premier, l’industrialisation de l’enseignement, selon un mode tayloriste, prône une division du travail entre experts techniques, ingénieurs et enseignants, selon une approche descendante. Le second favorise davantage la réappropriation des enseignants via des processus de design participatif, selon une approche ascendante, mais ses conditions sont plus difficiles à réunir. Les grandes industries du numérique (Google, Apple, Facebook, Adobe, Microsoft…) semblent moins bien équipées que les petites entreprises innovantes pour favoriser le co-design.
À propos d’une poésie révolutionnaire de Th. C. Pfeffel
Authors: Ergal Yves-Michel
Published: February 2022

Commentaire sur la notice parue dans le premier numéro de Revue de littérature comparée en janvier 1921, rédigée par Marie-Joseph Bopp, à propos d’un chant patriotique alsacien, écrit en 1790, par Theodor Conrad Pfeffel.
François Cheng passeur et penseur
Authors: Pageaux Daniel-Henri
Published: February 2022

C’est non le poète ou le romancier qui est ici étudié, mais l’auteur de nombreuses études sur la peinture et la pensée chinoises, et l’essayiste, le moraliste qui, depuis deux décennies, s’est tourné vers les questions qu’il juge essentielles dans notre monde actuel, en raison même de leur apparente inactualité : la mort, la beauté, l’âme, le dépassement de soi. L’article détaille une écriture de la médiation, du dialogue entre l’Extrême Orient et l’Occident qui a évolué vers une écriture de la confession et la méditation.
Migratory dermatographic urticaria following COVID-19 vaccine booster in young adult male
Authors: Maiella Richard A. ,   Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, 42 E Laurel Rd, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA, Staples Kelly M. , Veldanda Ashokvardhan ,   Stafford Medical, P.A., 1364 Route 72 West, Manahawkin NJ, 08050, USA
Published: February 2022

With the recent approval of booster vaccinations in the United States for adults who already received their primary vaccinations, millions of adults have been administered the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna booster vaccines. Adverse events related to these vaccines continue to be reported and are majority self-limited. In this case report, we present a young male who acquired chronic, migratory dermatographic urticaria two weeks after administration of the Moderna mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine booster.
Machine Learning Applied to Health Information Exchange
Authors: Miranda Filipe , Sousa Ana Regina , Duarte Julio , Abelha António Carlos , Machado José
Published: February 2022

The interest in artificial intelligence (AI) has grown in the last few years. The healthcare community is no exception. The present work is focused on the exchange of medical information, using the Health Level Seven (HL7) international standards. The main objective of the present work is to develop an AI model capable of inferring if for a given hour exists a peak in the number of exchanged messages. To accomplish that, two different deep learning models were created, an artificial neural networks (ANN) and long short-term memory (LSTM). The intention is to observe which is capable to perceive the situation better considering the environment and features of a healthcare facility. Using laboratory-generated data, it was possible to simulate variations and differences in “traffic.” Comparing the LSTM vs. ANN model, the first is capable of outputting peaks better but for considered mean values that do not happen. For the given context, predicting the peak is essential, so the LSTM is the right choice and uses fewer features that are good regarding performance.
Multi-Class Sentiment Classification for Healthcare Tweets Using Supervised Learning Techniques
Authors: Menaouer Brahami , Zahra Abdeldjouad Fatma , Mohammed Sabri
Published: February 2022

Social media has revolutionized the way people disclose their personal health concerns and express opinions on public health issues. In this paper a new approach for multi-class sentiment classification using supervised learning techniques. The aim of this multi-class sentiment classification is to assign the healthcare Tweets automatically into predetermined categories on the basis of their linguistic characteristics, their contents, and some of the words that characterize each category from the others. Briefly, relevant health datasets are collected from Twitter using Twitter API; then, use of the methodology is illustrated and evaluated against one with only three different algorithms was used, to improve the accuracy of Decision Trees, SMO, and K-NN classifiers. Many experiments accomplished to prove the validity and efficiency of the approach using datasets tweets and it accomplished the data reduction process to achieve considerable size reduction with the preservation of significant dataset's attributes
Critical Factors to Overcome Project Scope Creep in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Alkarbi Awadh M. , Ajmal Mian M. , Salameh Anas A.
Published: February 2022

This study aims to determine procurement and project management critical factors to develop procurement strategy with stakeholders to eliminate Project Scope Creep (PSC) risks in the oil & gas (O&G) sector. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology is applied to prioritize the critical factors from Tendering Management (TM), Contract Quality (CQ), and Project Management (PM) criteria to solve the PSC problem. Data from eight managerial levels and two specialists from procurement and project departments of two O&G companies in the UAE context. The study revealed that there are six factors out of fifteen, which are critical factors from procurement management; i.e., 1) tender strategy 2) tender clarifications meetings and negotiation 3) tender document preparation 4) techno-commercial bids evaluation & award 5) well-written contracts and 6) supplier selection criteria. This study provides managers with tools and strategies for successful project management practices in the UAE.
The Influence of Personality Traits on Intention to Purchase Green Products
Authors: Vu Quan Minh , Liao Ying Kai , Thi Yen , Truong Giang Nu To , Nguyen Phuong Minh Binh , Wu Wann-Yih
Published: February 2022

Resource depletion and environmental degradation are moving society toward a hierarchical model of environmental concerns and green purchase intention. Companies and individuals have not only been awakened to these issues but also begun taking action. This study is designed to evaluate the role of personality traits on green purchases. Based on Mowen’s 3M model, this study identifies environmental concern, perceived value and green purchase attitude as three of the mediating variables that mediate the influence of personality traits on green purchase intention. Results indicated that the Big-five traits significantly influence environmental concern, perceived value, and green purchase attitudes, further influencing consumers’ green purchase intention. Since previous studies rarely identify the influences of personality traits and other mediation variables on green purchases, the findings presented in this study provide new insight into the determinants of green purchase intention and provides a springboard for future exploration of this subject.
Pandemic, Perceived Risk, and Cognitive Dissonance as Antecedents to Need for Cognitive Closure
Authors: Sachdeva Ruchika
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this article is to examine the influence of pandemic, perceived risk, and cognitive dissonance on the need for cognitive closure. A consumer today wants an aversion towards the ambiguity that is created due to this pandemic. The data is collected using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk panel. All of the filled questionnaires are analyzed using stepwise regression. The findings suggest that perceived risk, pandemic, cognitive dissonance influence the need for cognitive closure and perceived risk is the major predictor of cognitive closure. These results enrich our understandings with regards to the importance of designing the marketing strategies in a way that will lead to the reduction in the consumer's perceived risk and cognitive dissonance created due to the pandemic.
Socio-Economic Situation in Latvia's Municipalities in the Context of Administrative-Territorial Division and Unexpected Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Arhipova Irina , Berzins Gundars , Erglis Aldis , Ansonska Evija , Binde Juris
Published: February 2022

In this research, the authors analysed how the behaviour of people changed in various phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and how these changes affected the economic activity in municipalities, taking into consideration significant changes in people’s habits and employment conditions. The pandemic coincided with the administrative-territorial reform in Latvia, providing a unique opportunity to test and ascertain in a single research both the above-mentioned changes in the economic activity of inhabitants and the viability of the new administrative-territorial division vis-a-vis the new reality. The developed regional planning methodology based on the mobile phone activity data and socio-economic indicators (set of indicators provided by regional development state institutions) is used to categorize the 43 newly formed municipalities into similar groups. It is concluded that the aggregated indicators have a significant impact on the division of municipalities: Inhabitants, Dynamics indicator, Economic development level, Mobile phone activity on workdays, holidays and weekends.
Replacement of performance enhancers by propolis ethanol extract in broiler diets
Authors: Vieira Wesley  Caetano , Geraldo Adriano , Zangerônimo Márcio Gilberto , Gonçalves Jéssica Magela , Avelar Guilherme Salviano , Costa Lucas Marques Silva , Valentim Jean Kaique , Garcia Rodrigo Garófallo
Published: February 2022

The present study was carried out to evaluate the substitution of synthetic performance enhancers by ethanolic propolis extract (EPE) in the diet of broilers and their effects on performance, carcass yield, noble cuts, viscera and bed quality. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replicates each, totaling 24 experimental plots with 20 birds each. The experimental treatments were: negative control, without the inclusion of performance improvement and EPE-free; positive control, containing avilamycin performance enhancer; Inclusion of 0.1% of EPE and; Inclusion of 0.2% EPE. The analyzed data were submitted to analysis of variance and applied the SNK test at 5% probability. There was no effect of the inclusion of additives on feed intake and feed conversion in the periods from 1 to 7, 1 to 21, and from 1 to 42 days of age. Weight gain was lower in birds receiving feed with the inclusion of 0.1% EPE in the period from 1 to 7 days, not differing from the other treatments in the other evaluation periods. Carcass characteristics, cuts, and viscera and bed moisture were not influenced by the treatments used. The inclusion of ethanol extract from propolis as a performance enhancer up to 42 days of age provided similar results to the use of performance enhancers based on avilamycin, thus being an efficient substitute in poultry production.
Evaluation of extruded roughage with different additives in sheep diet
Authors: Assis Tamires Soares de , Schultz Erica Beatriz , Oliveira Karla Alves , Siqueira Marco Túlio Santos , Sousa Luciano Fernandes , Macedo Junior Gilberto de Lima
Published: February 2022

The purpose was to evaluate the effect of extruded roughage Foragge® with different additives on intake, digestibility nutrients and nitrogen balance of sheep. Twenty adults, non-pregnant ewes with average weight 68 kg were used. The treatments were extruded roughage with additives (essential oil, virginiamycin, unpurified inactive yeast, tannin and purified inactive yeast). The design was in randomized blocks. The means were contrasted by SNK test, and the fecal score was tested by the Kruskal Wallis test (1952), at 5% significance. There was no difference in the intake of dry matter, crude protein, nitrogen, water, water in relation to dry matter, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (p > 0.05). As well as the digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber, the fecal weight, fecal nitrogen, retained nitrogen and nitrogen retained in relation to nitrogen ingested (p > 0.05). However, dry matter intake as a function of body weight and metabolic weight, urinary nitrogen, hemicellulose intake, and hemicellulose as a function of NDF, were higher in the Foragge Factor® treatment (p < 0.05). The inclusion of different additives in the extruded roughage improved nutritional parameters, without causing disturbances.
Effect of adsorbents on diets with corn contaminated by mycotoxins on the productive performance and health of broilers
Authors: Fernandes Jovanir Inês Müller , Baldo Jessiane Sauer , Ferreira Ana Clara Polo , Schuroff Juliana Schulter , Reuter Anderson Henrique , Salinas Bruna Carolina Druzian
Published: February 2022

A total of 1,296 broiler chicken were housed, distributed in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 6 repetitions. The treatments consisted of a control diet formulated with corn considered adequate and without the addition of adsorbent, a diet formulated with corn naturally contaminated with mycotoxin (CCM) and four diets formulated with CCM and added with different commercial adsorbents. At the end of the first week and at 21 days of age of the birds, it was observed that the control diet resulted in greater (p < 0.05) live weight and weight gain in relation to the inclusion of CCM. The relative weight of the liver was lower for the control group compared to the groups receiving a diet with CCM and CCM + ads D. The relative weight of the proventriculus and cloacal bursa was lower for the control group compared to those who received a diet with CCM + ads B and CCM + ads C. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) of the diets on the analysis of serum biochemistry and the occurrence of fatty and hydropic degeneration in the liver of broilers. The use of adsorbents can mitigate the harmful effects of mycotoxins, however, these products have specific binding capacity to the type of mycotoxin present in food.
Educación para la ciudadanía global
Authors: Ibarra Figueroa Williams , Leyton Elia Calderón
Published: February 2022

Este artículo se basa en el análisis de las competencias ciudadanas para dar respuesta a la demanda de un desarrollo humano integral en las humanidades. El presente trabajo explora las relaciones existentes entre la formación ciudadana en la educación y el desarrollo humano necesarios para la formación de ciudadanos democráticos. En el texto también se presentan diferentes controversias que gravitan alrededor del concepto de ciudadanía a la luz de varias concepciones teóricas, y se asume una postura que favorece su aplicación en propuestas educativas en un contexto internacional. Incluso, develar las fuentes que generan la concepción de la formación de los ciudadanos a lo largo de la historia presupone analizar en las sinergias que caracterizan los modelos de ciudadanía y la proyección educativa que cada etapa educacional. La importancia de reflexionar sobre la racionalidad de las decisiones pedagógicas comprende un ejercicio para reconocer el desafío que implica los nuevos retos de nuestro tiempo, desde los procesos de formación para el ejercicio de la ciudadanía global. El problema que se discute es la confrontación de saberes, en el marco de la educación integral destacando las limitaciones de la democracia representativa. Objetivo es plantear la importancia de la formación de competencias ciudadanas con una mirada crítica a la educación para la ciudadanía global, que implica conectar la escala local como global de forma integral, con el fin de destacar la relevancia de una educación para la ciudadanía mundial.
Maintenance of sterility in SMS packaging in dental environments: concern with biosafety
Authors: Almeida Júlia Pereira Carvalho , Vitral Robert Willer Farinazzo , Lourenço Aneliese Holetz de Toledo , Coxiponés Georgia Botafogo Pinheiro das Flores e Cruz D’almas , Polo Ana Bárbara , Apolonio Ana Carolina Morais
Published: February 2022

Healthcare services must be guided by biosafety practices and microbial control. This control is highly influenced by humidity, which directly impacts the maintenance of sterility of the materials used in the appointments. High concentration of moisture, in the form of aerosol, splashes and spills, is caused during dental care. During the COVID-19 times the contamination by aerosol and droplets worries greatly. Considering that it could cause harm to the sterility of an autoclaved material, especially in dental environments, the objective was to evaluate the behavior of SMS sterilization packages (Spunbonded / Meltblown / Spunbonded) against microbial penetration in an aqueous vehicle. SMS of three brands were challenged, equally divided into two groups: virgin and processed (subjected to a single autoclaving cycle). Each specimen was aseptically deposited on Macconkey agar. Subsequently, 5 µL of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 saline solution [108 CFU mL-1] was deposited in center of the SMS specimen and the dish incubated at 36°C / 48h. Reading was performed by the presence or absence of bacterial growth typical of the species under the SMS, observed on the back of Petri dish. The lowest penetration rate observed was 60% for one of the brands in the virgin condition, and 75% for two brands in the processed condition. Statistical analysis showed an association between bacterial penetration and the evaluated group, this association being valid only in the virgin condition. The different SMS behave similarly in terms of resistance to bacterial penetration after being processed. The data show that moisture can assist in bacterial transport through sterilized SMS. Therefore, SMS packages are not able to prevent bacterial penetration, and possibly other microorganisms, when in aqueous vehicles, offering a potential risk of breaking the aseptic chain. Thus, care must be taken in routines for handling and storage sterile packaging.
Diagnostic costs: a research in a family medicine outpatient clinic
Authors: Sahin Safiye , Esen Fevzi , Zeren Ozturk Guzin
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study is to evaluate the direct diagnostic costs for disease groups and other variables (such as gender, age, seasons) that are related to the direct diagnostic costs based on a 3-year data. The population of the study consisted of 31,401 patients who applied to family medicine outpatient clinic in Turkey between January 1st, 2016 and December 31st, 2018. With this study, we determined in which disease groups of the family medicine outpatient clinic were most frequently admitted. Then, total and average diagnostic costs for these disease groups were calculated. Three-year data gave us the opportunity to examine the trend in diagnostic costs. Based on this, we demonstrated which diseases' total and average diagnostic costs increased or decreased during 3 years. Moreover, we examined how diagnostic costs showed a trend in both Turkish liras and USA dollars’ rate for 3 years. Finally, we analysed whether the diagnostic costs differed according to variables such as age, gender and season. There has been relatively little analysis on the diagnostic costs in the previous literature. Therefore, we expect to contribute to both theorists and healthcare managers for diagnostic costs with this study.
Psychological well-being in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bayir Berna , Aylaz Rukuye , Erkurt Mehmet Ali , Bostanci Serap
Published: February 2022

The aim of the study is to determine the psychological well-being of patients who underwent stem cell transplantation. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 100 patients. Data were collected face-to-face using an introductory information form and the Brief Symptom Inventory. When the results of the patients were examined, the interpersonal sensitivity of the sub-dimensions of the scale was found to be 5.0 ± 4.06, depression 7.60 ± 5.37, and anxiety disorder 7.90 ± 5.34. There was a significant difference between the diagnosis time of the patients and all sub-factors of the scale, except phobic anxiety. It was found that the psychological state of the patients was directly related to the time of first diagnosis. As a result, the importance of following the psychological process of the patients during the treatment process was revealed when planning nursing care.
Exploratory analysis of bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential of grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace
Authors: Ribeiro Leomara Floriano , Ribani Rosemary Hoffmann , Stafussa Ana Paula , Makara Cleyton Nascimento , Branco Ivanise Guilherme , Maciel Giselle Maria , Haminiuk Charles Windson Isidoro
Published: February 2022

The aim of this study was to explore the profile of bioactive compounds of Merlot grape pomace by different methodologies including phenolic composition by spectrophotometry, chromatography and spectroscopy and its antibacterial activity. Additionally, the correlation between phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity by principal component analyses (PCA) was evaluated. Merlot grape pomace showed different classes of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and stilbene with high antioxidant activity according to the DPPH (2.58 ± 0.07 mg mL‑1), autoxidation of system β-carotene/linoleic acid (70.60 ± 0.91%), ABTS (1.22 ± 0.01 mg mL-1) and FRAP (23.83 ± 0.64 µM FeSO4 g-1) assays. The extracts showed minimum inhibitory concentration for gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria with high values for Bacillus cereus (MIC = 12.5 mg mL-1) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 25 mg mL-1), respectively. In addition, fingerprint regions of the phenolic compounds were found by mid-infrared, supporting the results of the chromatographic analyses. Through the PCA, the antioxidant potential assays had high correlation with phenolic composition. Therefore, considering the significant concentrations of the different bioactive compounds found in Merlot grape pomace, it can be inferred that this cheap by-product can be reused by the food industry in the development of new products
Fabrication of Aluminum Nickel Reactive Bilayer by the Lift-Off Process
Authors: Asghar Muhammad Talal
Published: February 2022

Semiconductor component and microelectromechanical system manufacturing requires metal patterning in an integrated circuit (IC), using the photoresist lift-Off process. Ideal advantages like cost-effectiveness, reduction of complexity and process maturity are associated with the lift-Off process. Alternatively, the choice of photoresist relies on factors such as cost, initial photoresist thickness and reliable processing parameters extraction. However, the availability of the cheap photoresist is still at question. For the case of the underlying study, a highly cheap photoresist E8015 of thickness 38-micrometer was developed for the purpose of edge profiling. Desirable extraction of the useful parameter range for dry resist processing is performed. Parameter variation like exposure energy and development time led to a successful undercut angle of 66° to 73°, while the straight edge profile of 90° was realized at various parameter combinations. Eventually, a metallic multilayer of 10-micrometer thickness is successfully lifted off on plain silicon. Controlled self-propagating reaction within these structured metallic layers may be employed for IC packaging hereafter.
A Study on the Salt Preventive Properties of Blast Furnace Slag with Different Blaine Values and Curing Condition
Authors: Mochida Kazuki , Nito Nobukatu , Fujiwara Satoshi , Subpa-Asa Prang , Date Shigeyuki
Published: February 2022

Since sustainable development is becoming incredibly influential, the concrete and cement industries are reducing negative environmental impacts. Previous studies have reported salt damage effects on reinforced concrete structures on various methods to prevent salt damage. The solution is to substitute the raw materials required in cement with industrial by-products from manufacturing steel products, including blast furnace slag (BFS). Since it strengthens the concrete structure, the chloride ion penetration must also be considered. Using BFS with various Blaine values investigated the effect of BFS on blocking resistance and chloride ion penetration. This study focused on delaying the permeation of chloride ions and conducted a study using blast furnace slag. The cement replacing with blast furnace slag improves the salt preventive performance and detoxifies chloride ions. This study examined fluctuations in the blast furnace slag Blaine value affect the salt preventive property by steam curing condition. The result confirmed that the compressive strength increases as the blast furnace slag with a higher Blaine value are used also confirmed that the study improved the salt preventive performance by increasing the addition rate of the blast furnace slag fine powder.
New-and-Old Concrete Interface Shearing Strength Test and Shear Slip Behavior Analysis
Authors: Zhang Wei Guo , Dai Wen Hao , Liu Bao Chang
Published: February 2022

To explore the influence of different factors on the shear resistance of the fiber-reinforced Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) and ordinary concrete interface, the influence rule of rib width, rib height, and planting bars ratio on the interface shear strength of steel fiber-reinforced ECC and ordinary concrete was investigated by orthogonal experimental design. The experimental results show the rib width is the most important factor affecting the shear strength of the interface, and the ratio of planting bars minimally influences the shear strength of the interface. The order of main influence factors of shear resistance of interface can be arranged as follows: rib width→rib height→planting bars ratio. Experimental process and load-displacement curve show the failure of the double-sided shear specimen with ribs or planting bars has certain plastic failure characteristics, which extends the failure time of the specimens.
Effect of Thermal Stimulation of Superplasticizer on Basic Properties of Mortar
Authors: Saito Masto , Takigawa Mizuki , Koyama Hiromitsu , Uno Yoshiki , Date Shigeyuki
Published: February 2022

The demand for extending the life of concrete buildings has increased in recent years, and the requirements of concrete efficiency standards have also increased. Superplasticizers are used to meet these requirements. Previous studies have established that when superplasticizers are deposited in a high-temperature environment, their physical properties and flowability change. This study confirmed that the flowability with different binders and hardening performance of mortars were both affected by thermal stimulation. The results confirmed that the thermal stimulation effect improved the flowability without adversely affecting the hardening performance.
Impact of Basic Parameters on Heat and Moisture Process Simulation of Bamboo Building Envelope in China (II): Material Parameters
Authors: Huang Zu Jian , Sun Yi Min
Published: February 2022

Bamboo building envelope (BBE) is a kind of hygroscopic construction, making it necessary to describe the coupled heat and moisture (H&M) process accurately. In order to clarify the impact of material parameters on the H&M process of BBE, the study sets up BBE comparison model groups in WUFI Plus for annual coupled H&M process simulation, with exterior walls of 3 typical bamboos as boundary conditions and climate data of 24 Chinese representative cities as external conditions. Results quantitatively show the factor impact of hygrothermal properties parameters on the annual moisture content, heat and moisture exchange of the bamboo exterior walls, as well as the HVAC demand and indoor hygrothermal environment of the bamboo enclosed space. The simulation without liquid water-related parameters results in significant underestimation of moisture content and moisture exchange, and causes evident deviation to the heat exchange and HVAC demand. The constant valuation of thermal parameters and hygric parameters lead to deviation in heat process and moisture process of the BBE, respectively. The study highlights the moisture content-dependent bamboo hygrothermal parameters for the application of BBE.
Modelling the Toughness of Nanostructured Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Composites Fabricated by Stereolithography 3D Printing: A Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Maalihan Reymark D.
Published: February 2022

In this study, stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing was used to prepare toughened composites by facile blending of chemically compatible nanoscale polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) to commercial photoreactive resin. Due to the complex nature of 3D printing, the mechanical performance of the final parts cannot be simply determined or even estimated until they are manufactured and tested. Thus, response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to build regression models for determining the toughness of fabricated composites as function of toughener (POSS) amount and printing conditions (layer thickness and annealing temperature). The influence of the mentioned process parameters on toughness were investigated through a 17-run three-factor three-level Box-Behnken RSM design (BBD). The same experimental design was also used to acquire a data set for ANN. Finally, both the modeling methodologies were compared by coefficient of determination (R2) and residual distribution values. Results reveal that ANN possesses a better data fitting and predictive power as compared to RSM.
Valorization of Cotton Wastes for Production of Cellulose Nanocrystals
Authors: Sharaby Muhammed R. , Soliman Emad A. , Abdel-Rahman Adel B. , Osman Ahmed , Khalil Rowaida
Published: February 2022

With the massive use of cotton fibers in textile industries, the wastes produced have continuously increased, causing environmental problems. Valorization of these viable and sustainable cellulose sources may offer a variety of value-added products. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have gained attention as they are renewable, inexpensive, biocompatible materials with excellent properties that allow them to be used in many applications. In this study, CNCs were isolated from cotton linters by sulfuric acid hydrolysis, characterized by FTIR analysis for functional groups identification. XRD revealed a crystallinity value of 63.2 % with an identical peaks pattern to CNCs. TEM analysis illustrated rod-shaped structures in the nanorange. The degradation temperature for the CNCs was 170 oC based on TGA analysis.
A Polynomial Equation Model for Fatigue Crack Propagation in an Aeronautical Steel Material
Authors: Alvarado-Silva Carlos Alexis , Rosario de Oliveira Geraldo Cesar , Gamarra-Rosado Victor Orlando , de Azevedo Silva Fernando
Published: February 2022

The model widely used in the fatigue crack growth study in materials science and fracture mechanics is the Paris-Erdogan, which relates the stress intensity factor with the subcritical crack growth, under a fatigue regime. In this work, a seven degree polynomial is used as an alternative to model the crack propagation behavior and to be able to analyze the three regions charts of the cycles by load, in contrast to the common model that it performs at a slight approximation of the propagation phase of the trinca (region II). Finally, a comparison has been made between the proposed model and the secant method by the ASTM 647,2000 standard that adjusts the points obtained experimentally. This proposed equation is new as another alternative analytical model for which the adjustment parameter “R” are compared in relation to the classical approach in a aeronautical ABNT 4130 steel.
Study of the Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites Based on Polyolefins with the Addition of Rice Husk and Compatibilizer
Authors: Silva-Vela Alejandro , Roudet Francine , Calderón Nataly , Huanca-Zuñiga Paul , Tupayachy-Quispe Danny , Almirón Jonathan
Published: February 2022

The present work studies the mechanical behavior of rice husk as a reinforcement element in mixtures of polyolefins. The composites were made by polyolefin mixtures of 30% LDPE, 40% HDPE and 30% PP, rice husk and Polybond as a compatibilizer. Samples for the tensile test were prepared by injection and compressive methods. The results confirm that rice husk alongside the compatibilizer bring about positively in the strength of composites. In reference to the adherence of rice husk to the mixture of polyolefins, which was studied from the microstructure of composites, the addition of compatibilizer improves the adherence between the polyolefins and rice husk, and thereby the quality in the fracture surface. These composites are considered to be a good alternative for the recovery of plastic agricultural waste.
Environmental Damage Behavior of 2A12 Aluminum Alloy under Coupling Action of Marine Atmospheric Environment and Tensile-Compressive Load
Authors: Luo Lai Zheng , Wang Jin Mei , Fu Zhao Xu , Li Xiao Feng , Wang Jian Kun
Published: February 2022

The coupling test of marine atmospheric environment and tensile-compressive fatigue load for 2A12 aluminum alloy was carried out in outdoor environment of Hainan station by coupling test equipment of mechanical load. The coupling effect of marine atmospheric environment corrosion and tensile-compressive fatigue load on the environmental damage behavior of 2A12 aluminum alloy was discussed from the aspects of corrosion morphology, tensile properties and fracture morphology. The results show that the corrosion characteristics of 2A12 aluminum alloy in coupling test and static exposure test are consistent. The corrosion depths of the static exposure test for 6 months and the coupling test for 35 days are 71 μm and 121 μm, respectively. The results of tensile properties show that the decrease rate of tensile properties of 2A12 aluminum alloy are accelerated by the coupling effect. And the accelerated ratio of the coupling test was more than 10 times that of the static exposure test. The fracture morphology shows that the coupling fracture crack of 2A12 aluminum alloy starts from the corrosion surface, and the crack source and propagation zone are quasi-cleavage fatigue crack propagation characteristics. The coupling test results are closer to the actual situation of equipment, which has important reference value for the design and material selection of bearing structure.
Concrete Sustainable Buildings Using Domestic Wastewater Treated
Authors: Verde Sharlys , Aranibar Aderly , Rodríguez Jose , Carlos Eyzaguirre Acosta Augusto
Published: February 2022

During recent years, the rapid growth of the population in urban areas has promoted the development of housing, roads, shopping centres and industries; having increased the consumption of tap water in the concrete industry. A solution to this problem, is to use domestic wastewater treated, due to the large quantities produced and the need to include them within the life cycle of the water; thus bridging the gap of service in urban and rural areas. The present research seeks to use the domestic wastewater treated in the production of concrete for construction; the results show slightly for the slump, initial setting time and splitting tensile increase, and that the resistance to compression and flexural is decreased.
Hybrid Products from Laser Powder Bed Fusion Manufactured Inconel 718 and 316L Utilizing Laser Welding
Authors: Rautio Timo , Mäkikangas Jarmo , Kumpula Jani , Mustakangas Aappo , Järvenpää Antti
Published: February 2022

Additive manufactured (AM) 316L and Inconel 718 (IN718) parts using laser powder bedfusion technique and the weldability of the mixed pair by laser welding was investigated in this paper.The effect of prior heat treatment of the materials was also taken in to consideration. The motivationbehind this work was to investigate if hybrid products could be manufactured from these materials formore cost­efficient production of AM products. The results showed good reliability of the welds asthe tensile results were on par with the 316L base material. The hardness of the weld fusion zone was50 HV lower compared to the 316L base material hardness at 225 HV. In general, the results showedlaser welding is a very promising method for joining these printed materials and can be utilized asanother tool when integrating these materials into a design.
Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Al Composites Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering Using Hot Rolling Techniques
Authors: Okada Tomoharu , Kimura Shogo , Toma Genki , Tsukamoto Hideaki
Published: February 2022

Recently much interest has been attracted in replacing heavy metals with light metals such as aluminum to reduce weight to improve fuel efficiency of automobiles. However, weight reduction by light metals often leads to decrease in strength, which causes problems in terms of safety and sustainability. This study aims to produce carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites with high performance using a combination of spark plasma sintering (SPS) and hot rolling techniques. Dry ball milling and SPS followed by hot rolling were conducted to uniformly disperse CNT in Al matrix. The microstructures of the composites including dispersibility of CNT were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Anisotropic mechanical behavior was investigated through Vickers hardness and tensile tests. The experimental results demonstrated that the post-sintering hot rolling can highly enhance the tensile strength of the composites.
Acetic Acid Modified Steel Slag via Dry Chemical Modification Method for Enhancing the Hydraulic Reactivity
Authors: Huo Bin Bin , Zhang Ya Mei
Published: February 2022

To activate the early-age hydraulic reactivity of steel slag powder (SS), a method of using acetic acid (AA)-anhydrous alcohol solution to modify the SS via dry chemical modification technology was proposed. The compressive strength and hydraulic reactivity of SS pastes and SS blended cement pastes were investigated, then the mineral composition, surface morphology and specific surface area of unmodified SS and AA modified SS were characterized. The results show that calcite, portlandite and dicalcium ferrite in SS react with AA to produce calcium acetate and pores in the modified process, thus leading to AA modified SS with the greater specific surface area and rougher surface. Water is easier to absorb onto the surface of modified SS and enters the inner of SS particles along the pores, resulting in higher dissolution heat and reaction heat of active minerals in SS. The result show that, the higher 72 h cumulative hydration heat, the 3 d, 7 d and 90 d compressive strengths of AA modified SS pastes and AA modified SS blended cement pastes are obtained, compared to the unmodified pastes.
Study on the Preparation and Characteristics of Copper-Chromium Alloy Cladding Layer
Authors: Xue Shou Hong , Li Jia Xuan , Wu Ji Guang , Li Bao Kun , Ge Li Hong , Gao Zheng Ping , Yang Yao Guo
Published: February 2022

Copper is widely used in the power industry due to its good electrical conductivity. However, owing to its low hardness and resistance to abrasion, copper is prone to damage when working under harsh environmental conditions. In order to protect the power equipment and improve the surface strength of the material, this study explores the feasibility of using laser cladding technology to prepare a protective layer on the copper substrate. The phase, microstructure and element distribution of the cladding layer were analyzed, and the changes in the microhardness of the cross-section were measured. The wear resistance of the two cladding layers was tested and compared with the wear resistance of pure copper. The experimental results show that the cladding layer has uniform structure distribution, fine grains, and no element segregation; the hardness of the cladding layer is greatly increased, and the average hardness of the CuCr20 cladding layer is 155.8 HV, which can reach 2.2 times that of the substrate. The average hardness of the CuCr40 cladding layer is 254.4HV, which can reach 3.6 times that of the matrix. The wear resistance of the CuCr40 cladding layer is higher than that of the CuCr20 cladding layer, which can reach three times that of pure copper. Experiments have proved that the protective effect can be achieved by preparing a laser cladding layer on the surface of pure copper.