bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large articulations do not increase wear rates of thin second-generation highly cross-linked polyethylene liners at ten years
Authors: Callary Stuart A. , Sharma Deepti K. , D’Apollonio Taisha M. , Campbell David G.
Published: November 2023

Aims

Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) is the most accurate radiological method to measure in vivo wear of highly cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) acetabular components. We have previously reported very low wear rates for a sequentially irradiated and annealed X3 XLPE liner (Stryker Orthopaedics, USA) when used in conjunction with a 32 mm femoral heads at ten-year follow-up. Only two studies have reported the long-term wear rate of X3 liners used in conjunction with larger heads using plain radiographs which have poor sensitivity. The aim of this study was to measure the ten-year wear of thin X3 XLPE liners against larger 36 or 40 mm articulations with RSA.

Methods

We prospectively reviewed 19 patients who underwent primary cementless THA with the XLPE acetabular liner (X3) and a 36 or 40 mm femoral head with a resultant liner thickness of at least 5.8 mm. RSA radiographs at one week, six months, and one, two, five, and ten years postoperatively and femoral head penetration within the acetabular component were measured with UmRSA software. Of the initial 19 patients, 12 were available at the ten-year time point.

Results

The median proximal, 2D, and 3D wear rates calculated between one and ten years were all less than 0.005 mm/year, with no patient recording a proximal wear rate of more than 0.021 mm/year. Importantly, there was no increase in the wear rate between five and ten years.

Conclusion

The very low wear rate of X3 XLPE liners with larger articulations remains encouraging for the future clinical performance of this material.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(11):839–845.
Detection of trace phosphorus in water by plasma amplification laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Xinyan , Wang Xin , Wang Xi , Wang Biyi , Li Dongdong , Zhang Xu , Ren Hongmei , Qin Zhengbo , Zhou Zhengxian , Zheng Xianfeng
Published: November 2023

For monitoring the extent of eutrophication in water, phosphorus (P) was detected by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A plasma amplification method was proposed and the filtered aerosol was guided to interact with the collinear laser in conjunction with a nebulizer, cyclonic spray chamber, and quartz tube. With this method, the length of the plasma was amplified from 5.27∼8.73 to 17.58 mm. Moreover, the limit of detection (LoD) values of P in water improved from 6.13∼17.75 to 3.60 ppm. Furthermore, the average relative error (REAV) values reduced from 10.23∼23.84 to 6.17%. The root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) values decreased from 16.68∼64.29 to 3.24 ppm. This demonstrated that plasma amplification LIBS could improve the quantitative analysis performance of LIBS detection of trace phosphorus in water.
FBG-based three-dimensional micro-force sensor with axial force sensitivity-enhancing and temperature compensation for micro-forceps
Authors: Zhang Xiaodong , Liu Hongcheng , Wang Yachun , Xiong Yiwei , Niu Hang
Published: November 2023

During retinal microsurgery, excessive interaction force between surgical instruments and intraocular tissue can cause serious accidents such as tissue injury, irreversible retinal damage, and even vision loss. It is essential to accurately sense the micro tool-tissue interaction force, especially for the Ophthalmic Microsurgery Robot. In this study, a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) three-dimensional (3-D) micro-force sensor for micro-forceps is proposed, which is integrated with the drive module as an end-effector and can be conveniently mounted onto the ophthalmic surgical robot. An innovative axial force sensitivity-enhancing structure is proposed based on the principles of flexure-hinge and flexible levers to overcome the low sensitivity of axial force measurement. A dual-grating temperature compensation method is adopted for axial force measurement, which considers the differential temperature sensitivity of the two FBGs. Three FBGs are arranged along the circumference of the guide tube in this study to measure transverse forces and compensate for effects caused by changes in temperature. The experimental results demonstrate that the micro-forceps designed in this study achieved a resolution of 0.13 mN for transverse force and 0.30 mN for axial force. The temperature compensation experiments show that the 3-D micro-force sensor can simultaneously compensate for temperature effects in axial and transverse force measurement.
Detrimental effects of period-chirped gratings in pulse compressors
Authors: Bienert Florian , Röcker Christoph , Dietrich Tom , Graf Thomas , Ahmed Marwan Abdou
Published: November 2023

We present a comprehensive simulative and experimental investigation of how period-chirped pulse compression gratings affect the compressed pulses. A specifically developed ray-tracing tool was used for the simulative investigations. It is shown that the chirp creates a characteristic spatio-spectral error pattern, which leads to a degradation of the beam quality and an increase of the pulse duration. The experimental investigations, for which both a narrow-bandwidth continuous-wave and a pulsed laser beam were guided through a Treacy-compressor comprised of period-chirped gratings, confirm the simulation results and present methods on how to identify the chirp’s characteristic error pattern in practice.
Towards optical trapping and enantioselectivity of single biomolecules by interference of collective plasmons
Authors: Bustamante Rina H. , Arredondo Champi Hipólito A. , Cornejo Daniel R. , Castilho Piqueira José Roberto , Salcedo Walter J.
Published: November 2023

From the point of view of classical electrodynamics, nano-optical and enantioselective tweezers for single biomolecules have been routinely investigated using achiral and chiral localized surface plasmons, respectively. In this work, we propose the use of interference of collective plasmons (Fano-type plasmon) that exist in densely hexagonal plasmonic oligomers to design a high-efficiency nano-optical tweezer to trap individual biomolecules with a radius of 2 nm. For this purpose, we fabricated and simulated 2D hexagonal arrays of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) with sub-wavelength lattice spacing which support collective plasmons by near-field coupling. Our full-field simulations show that densely hexagonal plasmonic oligomers can enhance the Fano-like resonances arising from the interference of superradiant and subradiant modes. This interference of collective plasmons results in a strong intensification and localization of the electric near-field in the interstice of the AuNPs. The methodology can also be extended to collective chiral near-fields for all-optical enantioseparation of chiral biomolecules with a small chirality parameter (±0.001) with the hypothesis of the existence of strong magnetic near-fields.
Dual-frequency modulated heterodyne quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy
Authors: Lang Ziting , Qiao Shunda , Liang Tiantian , He Ying , Qi Lei , Ma Yufei
Published: November 2023

A novel dual-frequency modulated heterodyne quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (DFH-QEPAS) was demonstrated for what we believe to be the first time in this study. In traditional H-QEPAS, the frequency of modulated sinusoidal wave has a frequency difference (Δf) with the resonance frequency (f0) of a quartz tuning fork (QTF). Owing to the resonance characteristic of QTF, it cannot excite QTF to the strongest response. To achieve a stronger response, a sinusoidal wave with a frequency of f0 was added to the modulation wave to compose a dual-frequency modulation. Acetylene (C2H2) was chosen as the target gas to verify the sensor performance. The proposed DFH-QEPAS improved 4.05 times of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared with the traditional H-QEPAS in the same environmental conditions.
Oblique illumination-induced transformation between the FP and the Fano resonances through an all-dielectric metasurface
Authors: Hou Chen , Yang Rui
Published: November 2023

We demonstrate the angular dispersive transmission properties of electromagnetic fields with both the Fabry–Pérot (FP) resonances and Fano resonances through an all-dielectric metasurface consisting of a silicon bar array over the silicon dioxide slab. More specifically, when the normal incidence is casting over the metasurface, solely FP resonances will be achieved, and the silicon rod array can be equivalent to another dielectric combining with the silicon dioxide substrate. On the other hand, the Fano resonances will become dominant when the metasurface is under the wide-angular oblique illumination, raising the asymmetry in the silicon bar array to function as toroidal dipoles and electric quadrupoles and thus enable the proposed all-dielectric metasurface to achieve different resonances with the variation of different angular illuminations.
Single-frequency optical parametric oscillator intracavity-pumped by a visible VECSEL for low-noise down-conversion to 1.55 µm
Authors: Anderson Steven , Moriya Paulo Hisao , Caspani Lucia , Hastie Jennifer
Published: November 2023

We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first optical parametric oscillator (OPO) pumped by a visible AlGaInP-based vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL). Tunable emission over 1155–1300 nm in the signal and 1474–1718 nm in the idler are observed by temperature adjustment of a 40 mm-long 5%-MgO:PPLN crystal intracavity-pumped at 690 nm. When optimized for low oscillation threshold, and by implementing resonant idler output-coupling (Toc = 1.7%), extracted output powers of 26.2 mW (signal) and 5.6 mW (idler; one-way) are measured, corresponding to a total down-conversion efficiency and extraction efficiency of 70.2% and 43%, respectively. Further, a total down-conversion efficiency of 72.1% is achieved in the absence of idler output-coupling. Of particular interest for high-precision applications, including quantum optics experiments and squeezed light generation, high stability and single-frequency operation are also demonstrated. We measure RMS stabilities of 0.4%, 1.8% and 2.3% for the VECSEL fundamental, signal and idler, with (resolution-limited) frequency linewidths of 2.5 MHz (VECSEL) and 7.5 MHz (signal and idler).
Genome instability footprint under rapamycin and hydroxyurea treatments
Authors: Li Jing , Stenberg Simon , Yue Jia-Xing , Mikhalev Ekaterina , Thompson Dawn , Warringer Jonas , Liti Gianni
Published: November 2023

The mutational processes dictating the accumulation of mutations in genomes are shaped by genetic background, environment and their interactions. Accurate quantification of mutation rates and spectra under drugs has important implications in disease treatment. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing and time-resolved growth phenotyping of yeast mutation accumulation lines to give a detailed view of the mutagenic effects of rapamycin and hydroxyurea on the genome and cell growth. Mutation rates depended on the genetic backgrounds but were only marginally affected by rapamycin. As a remarkable exception, rapamycin treatment was associated with frequent chromosome XII amplifications, which compensated for rapamycin induced rDNA repeat contraction on this chromosome and served to maintain rDNA content homeostasis and fitness. In hydroxyurea, a wide range of mutation rates were elevated regardless of the genetic backgrounds, with a particularly high occurrence of aneuploidy that associated with dramatic fitness loss. Hydroxyurea also induced a high T-to-G and low C-to-A transversion rate that reversed the common G/C-to-A/T bias in yeast and gave rise to a broad range of structural variants, including mtDNA deletions. The hydroxyurea mutation footprint was consistent with the activation of error-prone DNA polymerase activities and non-homologues end joining repair pathways. Taken together, our study provides an in-depth view of mutation rates and signatures in rapamycin and hydroxyurea and their impact on cell fitness, which brings insights for assessing their chronic effects on genome integrity.
Women’s lived experience of endometriosis-related fertility issues
Authors: Girard Elodie , Mazloum Anna , Navarria-Forney Isabelle , Pluchino Nicola , Streuli Isabelle , Cedraschi Christine
Published: November 2023

Objective

The aim of the present study is to conduct a qualitative investigation to provide a deeper understanding of women’s views about endometriosis, fertility and their perception of reproductive options.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted by two female psychiatrists, specialized in gynecology and obstetrical consultation-liaison psychiatry, trained in qualitative procedures, with experience in qualitative studies and in psychological support of women attending infertility consultations. No prior relationship with respondents was established before data collection. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed. Interviews lasted 45–75 minutes. The transcripts were then analysed using thematic content analysis.

Results

Twenty-nine women were contacted. Twelve agreed to an interview at the hospital’s infertility clinic. Eleven women with diverse sociodemographic characteristics were included. The key findings of thematic content analysis can be grouped into four topics: (1) Diagnostic announcement and initial delay; (2) Negative perceptions of initial care: pre-diagnosis phase; (3) Struggle with endometriosis and its treatment; (4) Issues related to health problems, fertility and reproductive options.

Conclusion

Our analysis of the interviews corroborates the distressing impact of the trivialization of pain and the uncertainty of or the long quest for diagnosis. The findings also stress various associated issues, from the diagnostic delay to the low success rates of fertility treatments. This qualitative analysis contributes to better understand the accumulation of negative emotions within the illness trajectory and the poor dyadic adjustment within the couple.
Promotion of Th1 and Th2 responses over Th17 in Riemerella anatipestifer stimulation in chicken splenocytes: Correlation of gga-miR-456-3p and gga-miR-16-5p with NOS2 and CCL5 expression
Authors: Cammayo-Fletcher Paula Leona T. , Flores Rochelle A. , Nguyen Binh T. , Villavicencio Andrea Gail M. , Lee Seung Yun , Kim Woo H. , Min Wongi
Published: November 2023

Riemerella (R.) anatipestifer poses a significant threat to ducks, resulting in mortality rates ranging from 5–75%. This disease is highly infectious and economically consequential for domestic ducks. Although other avian species, such as chickens, also display susceptibility, the impact is comparatively less severe than in ducks. IL-17A has a pronounced correlation with R. anatipestifer infection in ducks, which is less in chickens. This study performed an in vitro transcriptome analysis using chicken splenic lymphocytes collected at 4-, 8-, and 24-hour intervals following R. anatipestifer stimulation. The primary objective was to discern the differentially expressed genes, with a specific focus on IL-17A and IL-17F expression. Moreover, an association between specific miRNAs with NOS2 and CCL5 was identified. The manifestation of riemerellosis in chickens was linked to heightened expression of Th1- and Th2-associated cells, while Th17 cells exhibited minimal involvement. This study elucidated the mechanism behind the absence of a Th17 immune response, shedding light on its role throughout disease progression. Additionally, through small RNA sequencing, we identified a connection between miRNAs, specifically miR-456-3p and miR-16-5p, and their respective target genes NOS2 and CCL5. These miRNAs are potential regulators of the inflammatory process during riemerellosis in chickens.
The Effect of COVID-19 on Tawjeihi Students’ Anxiety and Depression in Jordan: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors:   Jordan University of Science and Technology, Al Sheyab Nihaya , Ashami, Azhar
Published: November 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the mental health of students. Students have reported feelings of boredom, relaxation, and complications during remote learning, as well as missing social interactions and experiencing fear, sadness, and anxiety when hearing news about COVID-19. Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate the level of anxiety and depression among the students who practiced online learning through COVID-19. Methods: A quantitative study was used. The study used a convenience sampling method to collect data. The total number of the sample reached 390 students. The students were selected from the University of Jordan and Applied Science University in Amman. The other part of the sample was collected from the governmental and private schools in Amman governorate. The questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. Results: The results showed a wide variation of the conditions inside households that left a deep impact on the students in Tawjihi. The previous conditions and the difficulties that the families faced to save the internet with high criteria left high pressure on Tawjihi students. The results showed that the complete lockdown due to COVID-19 caused different levels of depression and anxiety. The results showed that the students were depressed from online learning due to the difficulties that they faced in reaching the online sessions and the difficulty in managing the online platforms. Conclusion: Online learning left different levels of depression and anxiety among the Tawjihi students as a result of the low experience of online learning. Implications for Nursing: By addressing anxiety and depression among students, nursing science can contribute to the development of effective interventions and support systems that enhance students' mental well-being and overall educational experience. Keywords: Online learning, High-school students, Depression, Anxiety.
Stable COX17 Downregulation Leads to Alterations in Mitochondrial Ultrastructure, Decreased Copper Content and Impaired Cytochrome c Oxidase Biogenesis in HEK293 Cells
Authors: Vanišová M. , Burská D. , Křížová J. , Daňhelovská T. , Dosoudilová Ž. , Zeman J. , Stibůrek L. , Hansíková Hana
Published: November 2023

Cox17 is an assembly factor that participates in early cytochrome c oxidase (COX, CcO) assembly stages. Cox17 shuttles copper ions from the cytosol to the mitochondria and, together with Sco1 and Sco2, provides copper ions to the Cox1 and Cox2 mitochondrially encoded subunits. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cox17 also modulates mitochondrial membrane architecture due to the interaction of Cox17 with proteins of the MICOS complex (mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system). There is currently no data regarding the impact of long-term Cox17 deficiency in human cells. Here, we present construction and characterization of three stable COX17 shRNA-downregulated HEK293 cell lines that have less than 10 % of the residual Cox17 protein level. Cox17-depleted cell lines exhibited decreased intramitochondrial copper content, decreased CcO subunit levels (Cox1, Cox4 and Cox5a) and accumulation of CcO subcomplexes. Similarly to yeast cells, mitochondria in Cox17-downregulated HEK293 cell lines exhibited ultrastructural changes including cristae reduction and mitochondrial swelling. Characterization of the molecular pathogenesis of long-term Cox17 deficiency complements our knowledge of the mitochondrial copper metabolism and assembly of cytochrome c oxidase in human cells.
Strong Association between APOA5 Gene Polymorphisms and Hypertriglyceridaemic Episodes
Authors: Vrablík Michal , Hubacek J. A. , Dlouha D. , Satny M. , Adamkova V. , Ceska R.
Published: November 2023

Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels represent a significant risk factor of cardiovascular and total mortality. Concentrations of TG in the plasma depend, to a large extent, on the genetic background, and the apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) gene seems to be one of the most powerful players in the plasma TG metabolism regulation. In total, we analysed three taggingAPOA5(rs964184 rs662799, rs3135506) SNPs in 209 patients with plasma TG levels over 10 mmol/l (HTG) on at least one occasion and in 379 treatment-naïve controls (NTG) with plasma TG values within the normal range. Minor alleles of all three analysedAPOA5polymorphisms significantly (all P < 0.0001) increased the risk of hypertriglyceridaemia. The most significant association (P < 0.0000001) was observed for the rs964184 polymorphism, where the minor GG homozygotes had the odds ratio (OR, 95% CI) for hypertriglyceridaemia development 21.30 (8.09-56.07, P < 0.000001) in comparison with the major CC allele homozygotes. Carriers of at least one minor allele at rs3135506 had OR (95% CI) 4.19 (2.75-6.40); (P < 0.000005) for HTG development and similarly, carriers of a minor allele at rs662799 had OR (95% CI) 3.07 (2.00-4.72) (P < 0.0001). The cumulative presence of risk alleles (unweighted gene score) significantly differed between patients with episodes of high TG and controls at P < 0.0000001. There were 73 % of subjects without any of the risk alleles among the controls and 46 % in the patients. In contrast, the controls just included 3 % of subjects with score 3 and more in comparison with 18 % in HTG patients. We conclude that commonAPOA5variants are very important genetic determinants of episodic hypertriglyceridaemia in the Czech population with a high potential to be applied in personalized medicine.
The New Form Agency Problem: Cooperation and Circular Agency
Authors: Chen Chun-Hung , Chen Kuan-Wei , Chen Yu-Fan , Lin Chia-Yin
Published: November 2023

This study explores cooperation in the circular agency problem. In circular agency, an agent has weak power in the face of its principal. This research explores a cooperation mechanism in which three participants simultaneously have the identity of principal and agent, in order to illuminate the power struggle between the board of directors, the external shareholder, and the manager of a company. We use the equilibrium results to explain the phenomenon of cooperation between members of the enterprise in practice. Our results have implications for firm governance.
The crystal structure of 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)propane-1,3-diol, C6H11N3O3
Authors: Guo Jing-Jing , Feng Chao , Chen Zi-Jie
Published: November 2023

C6H11N3O3, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 6.1802(3) Å, b = 12.6623(5) Å, c = 10.0897(4) Å, β = 93.328(2)°, V = 760.10(6) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0341, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0864, T = 150 K.
Acute Aerobic Exercise at Different Intensities Modulates Motor Learning Performance and Cortical Excitability in Sedentary Individuals
Authors: Kuo Hsiao-I , Hsieh Ming-Hsien , Lin Yi-Ting , Nitsche Michael A.
Published: November 2023

Converging evidence indicates the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise on motor learning performance. Underlying mechanisms might be an impact of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity and cortical excitability. Evidence suggests that motor learning and cortical excitability alterations correlate with the intensity of aerobic exercise and the activity level of participants. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of different aerobic exercise intensities on motor learning and cortical excitability in sedentary individuals. The study was conducted in a crossover and double-blind design. Twenty-six healthy sedentary individuals (13 women and 13 men) performed a motor learning task and received a cortical excitability assessment before and after a single session of low-, moderate-, and high-intensity aerobic exercise or a control intervention. The study revealed that motor learning performance and cortical excitability were significantly enhanced in the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, compared with the other conditions. These findings suggest aerobic exercise intensity-dependent effects on motor learning in sedentary adults. The underlying mechanism might be an exercised-induced alteration of cortical excitability, specifically a reduction of GABA activity.
Does Board Social Network Affect Bank Performance — Evidence From Listed Banks in Vietnam
Authors:   Ton Duc Thang University, Quynh-Nhu Ngo Nguyen , Tri Ha Minh ,   Vietnam National University, Quynh Le Vy ,   Ton Duc Thang University, Nhi Do Uyen ,   Ton Duc Thang University
Published: November 2023

Using a sample of 34 listed commercial banks in Vietnam from 2010 to 2020, we explore the impact of board social networks on bank performance. We find a significant positive relationship between educational ties and family ties and bank performance and a significant negative relationship between professional ties, business ties and state ties on bank results. Therefore, the bank performance can be improved when the board connection with inside companies is greater than three business groups or state companies and the number of connections inside the board is less than ten members. We also find a positive and significant relationship between board connection outside (between three and five business groups or state companies) on next-two-year bank performance. Likewise, the board connection inside between ten and eighteen ties will also enhance the next-two-year bank performance.
Strategic Alliance and Tacit Collusion, of Competitive Advantage Through Market Area, Product Innovation Cooperative Café Timor and National Cooperative Business Association (CCT-NCBA) in Timor Leste
Authors:   Widiya Mandala Catholic University of Surabaya, Xavier Sufa Efi Silvester
Published: November 2023

This study aims to prove that the implementation of strategic alliance and tacit collusion can increase the competitive advantage of CCT-NCBA in organic coffee production by developing market areas and product innovation. This study aims to prove that implementing a strategic alliance can increase the competitive advantage of coffee organic through developing the market area and product innovation. Based on the results of hypothesis testing and the analysis of strategic alliances, market area, and product innovation against competitive advantage, it is known that building a competitive advantage in the product coffee organic be achieved through the establishment of strategic alliances and tacit collusion right, based on the exchange of raw material resources, technology or resources marketing. Strategic alliances and tacit collusion are used to strengthen the position of organic coffee production in the face of competition organic coffee business. The more precise the model selection strategic alliance and tacit collusion, product innovation organic coffee production will be able to build a competitive advantage of her. The development model of strategic alliances and tacit collusion CCT-NCBA that needs to be developed is to increase the competitive advantage has the form of an alliance focused on cooperation in the provision of raw materials, interest in improving the skills of cooperation, and the application of the production process technology.
Dynamics of Housing Affordability and Effects of Regional Migration: Evidence From England and Japan
Authors:   Seikei University, Idee Takako , Kurahashi Toru ,   Dokkyo University
Published: November 2023

This study aims to identify the primary driving forces behind the recent high appreciation in housing prices, discover how regional mobility influences housing affordability, and determine what policies are effective to address the problem. To do this, we estimate the structural model of housing prices and regional mobility using 2012/2013 to 2020/2021 panel data for England and Japan. The results reveal that the housing market in England is quite responsive to changes in expected housing price appreciation and that regional mobility alleviates the housing affordability problem; however, the Japanese housing market lacks mobility and is responsive to the supply of new houses. Regional mobility in England was driven expected wage and house prices, which alleviated the negative effect of increased house prices and contributed to convergence of regional differences in affordability. In both countries, increased share of parttime workers would invite workers’ inflow and worsen the affordability. To address these issues, each country has implemented different policies, with varying degrees of effectiveness. The British government has targeted a substantial increase in housing supply, but it should be associated with measures for curving the expectation of house price appreciation in urban regions. The Japanese government, on the contrary, should increase housing stock by renovating vacant houses and liquidate the labour market.
The Role of Cooperatives in Mitigating the Effects of the Eco-Climate Crisis
Authors:   University of Patras, Vathi-Sarava Panagiota , Nikolopoulos T. ,   University of Patras
Published: November 2023

In the context of this paper, the climate crisis will be treated first as a facet of the overall systemic biosphere crisis and second as a multiplier of existing crises, which are independent of each other, but which unfold in synergy, evolving together in interdependence. In such a context, the report refers, at the first level, to the characteristics and causes of the ecological and climate crisis. Then, the dominant logic that runs through the “green” deal currently promoted by the EU, will be explored to address this crisis. This logic only prolongs ineffective symptomatic “treatments”, while leading, in the long run, to the reproduction of the same vicious circles that nurtured the growing crisis. We propose as a solution a Copernican revolution in our mindsets, which will allow us to see in a different light the ways of dealing with the consequences of the ecological climate crisis. This will mark a “tipping point” — a paradigm shift in a post-growth direction where the institutions of the social and solidarity economy (SSE), being exemplary, are called upon to provide a transformative contribution. Among these institutions, the cooperatives, which are governed by SSE’s constituent principles, express a mild and “bottom-up” local and democratic economic activity, based on an economy of needs and not sizes. Through a multidisciplinary and multifaceted literature approach, this paper seeks to highlight the role of the SSE and, in particular, of cooperatives in mitigating the effects of the eco-climate crisis and in formulating feasible proposals and solutions.
Studying the Impacts of Covid-19 on University Students in Greece: Some Empirical Evidence
Authors:   University of Thessaly, Konstantinos Avlogiaris , Antonios Kostopoulos ,   University of Thessaly, Eleutherios Nikiforidis ,   University of Thessaly, Vasileios Ntafopoulos ,   University of Thessaly, Xaralambos Papadopoulos ,   University of Thessaly, Ioannis Papakostoulis ,   University of Thessaly
Published: November 2023

Covid-19 has changed in many aspects the lives of everyone. This extraordinary situation had not only financially but also socially, affected people from all over the world including the university students. The aim of this study is to investigate the impacts of Covid-19 on the university students in Greece. A questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms from 15 to 31 December 2021 on undergraduate students at the University of Thessaly, consisted of 30 questions that they had been allocated in five segments. The results indicated that, most of the university students who had been participated in this research where from Volos, taking part almost in every online lecture and during the pandemic crisis, a significant amount of them had not obtained any sickly habit or developed any psychiatric disorder. Apart from that, it has been spotted that quarantine had a severe impact on the relationship with friends.
Analyses on Chinese Villages’ Local Economy — Hezhai’s Case Study
Authors:   Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Fan Zhongpu
Published: November 2023

The chinese One-Party political system has prioritized economic development and social stability. The economic development is also local governance units’ main target, due to their fragile economic conditions. In 2020, China estimated over 500 thousand villages and registered about 36% of the population as rural. Apart from receiving State funds, the villages have some self-governance mechanisms permitted to stimulate their own local economies. The service industry is becoming a strong contender for the local development, especially rural tourism. Many studies made, show a connection between the political system and the economic development. This article analyses the village’s economic development, while reflecting on the effect of self-governance throughout the entire process. The investigation that focused on Hezhai village is a direct result of interviews made to local rulers and inhabitants, as well as the consideration of official data and information from a comparative database. To start, the current article displays the Chinese villages’ self-governance system and the main strategies for the economic development used at a basic level. Secondly it focuses on Hezhai and finally presents a reflection on what challenges local economies face in the future and the impact self-governance has on an economical point of view.
Isolation and characterization of Bacillus sp. IMV B-7883 proteases
Authors:   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Gudzenko O. V. , Varbanets L. D. ,   Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine;
Published: November 2023

The representatives of Bacillus are some of the best protease producers studied so far since they exhibit broad substrate specificity, significant activity, stability, simple downstream purification, short period of fermentation and low cost. Earlier, we showed that Bacillus sp. IMV B-7883 strain synthesizes an extracellular proteases, which exhibit elastolytic and fibrinogenolytic activity. The aim of the work was to isolate and purify these enzymes from the culture liquid of the Bacillus sp. IMV B-7883 strain, as well as to study their properties. Isolation and purification of proteases was carried out by precipitation of the culture liquid with ammonium sulfate, gel permeation and ion exchange chromatography and rechromatography on Sepharose 6B. As a result, proteases with elastolytic and fibrinogenolytic activity with a molecular weight of 23 and 20 kDa respectively were isolated with elastase activity increased by 63.6 and fibrinogenolytic activity by 44.1 times. The enzyme with elastase activity had a pH-optimum of 7.0 and hydrolyzed only elastin, while the enzyme with fibrinogenolytic activity was an alkaline protease with a pH-optimum of 8.0 and in addition to fibrinogen, showed specificity for fibrin and, in trace amounts, for collagen. Keywords: Bacillus sp. IMV B-7883, elastase, fibrinogenase, pH optimum, substrate specificity
The New Ways of Upbringing: Contemporary Trends in Social Rehabilitation. Searching for Effective Methods Influencing the Socially Maladjusted
Authors:   University of Gdansk, Siemionow Justyna
Published: November 2023

The paper is a report on the pilot research on socially maladjusted boys, which led to the development of a questionnaire to test their thinking and designate its factors. The starting point of the proposal is the theory of G. D. Walters and his thesis for the criminal mind. A similar project has not been conducted in Poland so far, it is an innovative test, completely adapted to the circumstances and cultural characteristics of minors in Poland. The article shows the importance of this project for working with minors and the possibility of changes that can be achieved in this way.
Contribution of Student and Demonstration Experiments to the Quality of Students’ Knowledge about Matter in the Initial Chemical Education
Authors:   University of Novi Sad, Cvjeticanin Stanko
Published: November 2023

The aim of the paper is to determine whether there is a difference in student knowledge at all cognitive levels when the content about physical-chemical properties of matter are taught with the use of demonstration and student experiments in the third grade of primary school. Research sample consisted of 142 students. Experimental, comparative and descriptive – analytical methods were used. The survey instrument was a test. The students who had independently performed experiments obtained better results at the cognitive level of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on the final test and retest than the students to whom experiments had been demonstrated by the teacher.
Examination of Clinical Decision Making Perceptions of Nursing Students
Authors:   Dokuz Eylul University, Dicle Aklime , Edeer Aylin Durmaz ,   Dokuz Eylul University
Published: November 2023

In the study, clinical decision making perceptions of students who had clinical practice experience were evaluated. The sample was 210 nursing students. Data were collected through the Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale. There were significant differences between total scale score and three subscale scores of nursing students. According to one-year follow-up results, it was found that pre-graduation clinical decision making perception scores of students were low. For all of the classes, there is a need to implement different education methods which will elevate students’ perceptions of making clinical decisions in accordance with their developmental properties and to evaluate their results.
Effects of PBL Implementation on Teaching of Geography in High School
Authors:   Gymnasium “Jovan Jovanović Zmaj“, Mandić Vera Herceg , Ivkov-Džigurski Anđelija ,   University of Novi Sad
Published: November 2023

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) represents a major development and change in educational practice that continues to have a large impact across subjects and disciplines worldwide. PBL is a successful teaching and learning strategy used to engage students in deep rather than surface learning and where the learning is student focused rather than teacher focused (Biggs,1999). The paper presents the comparison of PBL with traditional learning in the teaching of geography in high school. Comparative analysis of the results of the pedagogical experiment, which included three high schools, 14 classes with 339 students, is carried out. In the statistical analysis of data t-test was used to check the hypothesis on the differences of the arithmetic means. The results of the final test showed that there was a significant difference in the arithmetic means between the students who had taken a PBL course and the students who had taken a traditional course. It can be concluded that PBL has a positive impact on improving student achievement in the learning of geography in elementary and secondary schools.
Greek Sixth-graders’ Mental Representations of the Mechanism of Vision
Authors:   University of Patras, Kokologiannaki Vasiliki , Ravanis Konstantinos ,   University of Patras
Published: November 2023

The presented research concerns 11-year-old Greek students’ mental representations of the mechanisms of vision in conditions of natural and artificial light, as well as the persistence of those representations in terms of the two different states of lighting and the expression form of the provided answers (oral speech; sketches). The study consisted of two phases: test interviews and an interview process, where personal interviews were conducted with 30 participants. The results showed that the 11-year-old pupils employed the majority of the vision schemes that are included in the international bibliography; however, they tended to use the Sea of Light mechanism and a new scheme the researchers called Illumination of the Object. The schemes employed, however, are not consistent, either throughout the different states of lighting, or in the 3-D and 2-D world.
Ethical Orientations and Sex in Teachers with Varied Educational Strategies
Authors:   Nicolaus Copernicus University, Rubacha Krzysztof , Chomczyńska-Rubacha Mariola ,   Nicolaus Copernicus University
Published: November 2023

The authors present the results of empirical research that tested a hypothesis concerning the relationship between ethical orientations and teachers’ educational strategies. The study was planned as a quantitative strategy as theoretical-verified, in a quasi-experimental scheme with random sampling. Data was gathered with the help of tests, and the hypotheses were verified using two-way ANOVA.
Principal Instructional Leadership and Teaching for Learner Autonomy : A Multilevel Analysis of the Case of South Korea
Authors:   Hanyang University, Ham Seung-Hwan , Ahn Sung-Ho G. ,   Hanyang University, Cha Yun-Kyung ,   Hanyang University, Ju Mi-Kyung ,   Hanyang University, Kim Sunah ,   Hanyang University, Ku Hara ,   Hanyang University, Lee Sun-Kyung ,   Cheongju National University of Education, Park Young Serk ,   Gyeongin National University of Education
Published: November 2023

This study aims to explore how teachers’ use of instructional strategies to foster learner autonomy varies depending on principal instructional leadership. Based on a nationally representative sample of approximately 2,200 teachers in 131 middle schools in South Korea, a series of hierarchical generalized linear modeling analyses has been conducted. The main findings from this study lend credence to the idea that teachers whose school principals provide greater instructional leadership are significantly more likely to integrate instructional strategies to advance learner autonomy into their classroom teaching. This result appears very robust even after a range of variables pertaining to school and teacher characteristics is simultaneously taken into account.
Self-regulation of Learning in Secondary School Students with Special Educational Needs and other Students of Vocational and Technical Schools
Authors:   University of Maribor, Bakracevic Vukman Karin , Funcic Masic Tamara ,   University of Maribor, Schmidt Majda ,   University of Maribor
Published: November 2023

Our study examined the differences between students with special educational needs (SEN) and other students in vocational and technical schools in different areas of self-regulation: learning motivation, cognitive and metacognitive strategies and emotional regulation in learning. The sample consisted of 140 students, of whom 20 were students with SEN. Differences between students were most often expressed in the area of lower perceptions of self-efficacy. With respect to the regulation of time and study environment, the students with SEN had greater problems with following the study schedule than other students; in the area of taking responsibility for learning, the students with SEN gave up faster and did not persevere in studying the more difficult subject matter. The students with SEN also expressed less positive beliefs about themselves and their abilities; they sought study support later or not at all compared to other students and gave up on studying more difficult course material. In inclusive classes with the students with SEN, the teachers should dedicate more time to develop self-regulated learning skills and strategies and thus increase students’ feeling of control over the learning process.
Smart Parking Tying Dynamic Costing Method
Authors:   Computer Science and Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, Rahman Atiqur , Ufiteyezu Emmanuel ,   Electrical and Electronics Department, University of Rwanda, Rwanda
Published: November 2023

The solicitation of smart cities will increase unexpectedly with the rapid increase in IoT infrastructure. Smart City idea notably going up to city lifecycle. Parking is an important part of smart cities yet parking is a difficult process because there isn’t a good way to pay for it or find a spot in the existing system. The number of vehicles in our city is increasing day by day due to which there is an immediate need for a good parking system. The focal point of this paper is to manage parking lots by including dynamic costing methods incorporated in a novel iOS apps-based implementation for smart cities’ demands, which permits a user or driver to make an option for pricing the desired slot and booking the desired slot based on costing in that lot. That means, that developed iPark proposes innovative costing strategies that permit the making of additional parking profits and the rational ordering of parking transportation through parking lots. This paper additionally focuses on reducing the searching time for determining the parking lot using our proposed method, namely, the booking method. From the results, we can see that our proposed method increases profits as well as utilized resources properly compared to the existing methods.
Prediction for Hydrolysis of Ethylene Oxide via Fuzzy Logic and PID Control
Authors:   Department of Chemical Engineering and Process, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Abdul Halim Norhanifah , Abd. Rahman Norliza ,   Department of Chemical Engineering and Process, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Mohd Ali Jarinah ,   Department of Chemical Engineering and Process, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Published: November 2023

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) or Ethylene Oxide is an important chemical in plastic and automotive industry as mixed ingredients or cooling liquid. It is produced from ethylene oxide via hydrolysis at 200ºC and 22 atm. The ratio of the ethylene oxide with water should be maintain at 1:20 to reduce the formation of diethylene glycol and higher homologs. Objective of this study is to predict a production of MEG using fuzzy logic. Others parameters such as level, temperature, composition and pressure are consider constant in this research as this study focusing on single input, single (SISO) output strategy. For fuzzy logic prediction, the type of model chosen is Mamdani with triangular membership function, input 1, input 2, and output which refer to error, feedback, and production of ethylene glycol respectively. 11 rules has been construct in this research. The rules may contain “AND” or “OR” conjunctions. The “error” represents the difference between the value feedback and the output. The results for fuzzy rules give highest product of MEG (6.91) at error of 0.102 and 0.8 of feedback. The gain of proportional, integral, and derivative are 0.2, 0.2, and 0.1 respectively.