bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biocontrol potential of endophytic Pseudomonas strain IALR1619 against two Pythium species in cucumber and hydroponic lettuce
Authors: Amaradasa B. Sajeewa , Mei Chuansheng , He Yimeng , Chretien Robert L. , Doss Mitchell , Durham Tim , Lowman Scott
Published: February 2024

The use of fungicides to manage disease has led to multiple environmental externalities, including resistance development, pollution, and non-target mortality. Growers have limited options as legacy chemistry is withdrawn from the market. Moreover, fungicides are generally labeled for traditional soil-based production, and not for liquid culture systems. Biocontrol agents for disease management are a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional agroprotectants. Pythium ultimum is a soil borne oomycete plant pathogen with a broad taxonomic host range exceeding 300 plants. Cucumber seedlings exposed to P. ultimum 1 day after a protective inoculation with bacterial endophyte accession IALR1619 (Pseudomonas sp.) recorded 59% survival; with the control assessed at 18%. When the pathogen was added 5 days post endophyte inoculation, 74% of the seedlings treated survived, compared to 36% of the control, indicating a longer-term effect of IALR1619. Under hydroponic conditions, IALR1619 treated leaf type lettuce cv. ‘Cristabel’ and Romaine cv. ‘Red Rosie’ showed 29% and 42% higher shoot fresh weight compared to their controls, respectively. Similar results with less growth decline were observed for a repeat experiment with IALR1619. Additionally, an experiment on hydroponic lettuce in pots with perlite was carried out with a mixture of P. ultimum and P. dissotocum after IALR1619 inoculation. The endophyte treated ‘Cristabel’ showed fresh weight gain, but the second cultivar ‘Pensacola’ yielded no increase. In summary, the endophyte IALR1619 provided short term as well as medium-term protection against Pythium blight in cucumber seedlings and may be used as an alternative to conventional fungicides in a greenhouse setting. This study also demonstrated the potential of ALR1619 as a biocontrol agent against Pythium blight in hydroponic lettuce.
Mapping queen snapper (Etelis oculatus) suitable habitat in Puerto Rico using ensemble species distribution modeling
Authors: Overly Katherine E. , Lecours Vincent
Published: February 2024

Queen snapper (Etelis oculatus) is of interest from an ecological and management perspective as it is the second most landed finfish species (by total pounds) as determined by Puerto Rico commercial landings (2010–2019). As fishing activities progressively expand into deeper waters, it is critical to gather data on deep-sea fish populations to identify essential fish habitats (EFH). In the U.S. Caribbean, the critically data-deficient nature of this species has made this challenging. We investigated the use of ensemble species distribution modeling (ESDM) to predict queen snapper distribution along the coast of Puerto Rico. Using occurrence data and terrain attributes derived from bathymetric datasets at different resolutions, we developed species distribution models unique to each sampling region (west, northeast, and southeast Puerto Rico) using seven different algorithms. Then, we developed ESDM models to analyze fish distribution using the highest-performing algorithms for each region. Model performance was evaluated for each ensemble model, with all depicting ‘excellent’ predictive capability (AUC > 0.8). Additionally, all ensemble models depicted ‘substantial agreement’ (Kappa > 0.7). We then used the models in combination with existing knowledge of the species’ range to produce binary maps of potential queen snapper distributions. Variable importance differed across spatial resolutions of 30 m (west region) and 8 m (northeast and southeast region); however, bathymetry was consistently one of the best predictors of queen snapper suitable habitat. Positive detections showed strong regional patterns localized around large bathymetric features, such as seamounts and ridges. Despite the data-deficient condition of queen snapper population dynamics, these models will help facilitate the analysis of their spatial distribution and habitat preferences at different spatial scales. Our results therefore provide a first step in designing long-term monitoring programs targeting queen snapper, and determining EFH and the general distribution of this species in Puerto Rico.
Microtubule disruption synergizes with STING signaling to show potent and broad-spectrum antiviral activity
Authors: Han Jing , Wang Zhimeng , Han Fangping , Peng Bo , Du Juanjuan , Zhang Conggang
Published: February 2024

The activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling induces the production of type I interferons (IFNs), which play critical roles in protective innate immunity for the host to defend against viral infections. Therefore, achieving sustained or enhanced STING activation could become an antiviral immune strategy with potential broad-spectrum activities. Here, we discovered that various clinically used microtubule-destabilizing agents (MDAs) for the treatment of cancer showed a synergistic effect with the activation of STING signaling in innate immune response. The combination of a STING agonist cGAMP and a microtubule depolymerizer MMAE boosted the activation of STING innate immune response and showed broad-spectrum antiviral activity against multiple families of viruses. Mechanistically, MMAE not only disrupted the microtubule network, but also switched the cGAMP-mediated STING trafficking pattern and changed the distribution of Golgi apparatus and STING puncta. The combination of cGAMP and MMAE promoted the oligomerization of STING and downstream signaling cascades. Importantly, the cGAMP plus MMAE treatment increased STING-mediated production of IFNs and other antiviral cytokines to inhibit viral propagation in vitro and in vivo. This study revealed a novel role of the microtubule destabilizer in antiviral immune responses and provides a previously unexploited strategy based on STING-induced innate antiviral immunity.
Mapping the functional form of the trade-off between infection resistance and reproductive fitness under dysregulated immune signaling
Authors: Critchlow Justin T. , Prakash Arun , Zhong Katherine Y. , Tate Ann T.
Published: February 2024

Immune responses benefit organismal fitness by clearing parasites but also exact costs associated with immunopathology and energetic investment. Hosts manage these costs by tightly regulating the induction of immune signaling to curtail excessive responses and restore homeostasis. Despite the theoretical importance of turning off the immune response to mitigate these costs, experimentally connecting variation in the negative regulation of immune responses to organismal fitness remains a frontier in evolutionary immunology. In this study, we used a dose-response approach to manipulate the RNAi-mediated knockdown efficiency of cactus (IκBα), a central regulator of Toll pathway signal transduction in flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum). By titrating cactus activity across four distinct levels, we derived the shape of the relationship between immune response investment and traits associated with host fitness, including infection susceptibility, lifespan, fecundity, body mass, and gut homeostasis. Cactus knock-down increased the overall magnitude of inducible immune responses and delayed their resolution in a dsRNA dose-dependent manner, promoting survival and resistance following bacterial infection. However, these benefits were counterbalanced by dsRNA dose-dependent costs to lifespan, fecundity, body mass, and gut integrity. Our results allowed us to move beyond the qualitative identification of a trade-off between immune investment and fitness to actually derive its functional form. This approach paves the way to quantitatively compare the evolution and impact of distinct regulatory elements on life-history trade-offs and fitness, filling a crucial gap in our conceptual and theoretical models of immune signaling network evolution and the maintenance of natural variation in immune systems.
Are Radiomic Spleen Features Useful for Assessing the Response to Infliximab in Patients With Crohn's Disease? A Multicenter Study
Authors: Tang Chao-Tao , Yin Fang , Yin Yitian , Liu Zide , Long Shunhua , Zeng Chun-Yan , Chen Yong , Chen You-Xiang
Published: February 2024

INTRODUCTION:

To develop and validate a radiomics nomogram for assessing the response of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) to infliximab.

METHODS:

Radiomics features of the spleen were extracted from computed tomography enterography images of each patient's arterial phase. The feature selection process was performed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm, and a radiomics score was calculated based on the radiomics signature formula. Subsequently, the radiomic model and the clinical risk factor model were separately established based on the radiomics score and clinically significant features, respectively. The performance of both models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, decision curve analysis curves, and clinical impact curves.

RESULTS:

Among the 175 patients with CD, 105 exhibited a clinical response, and 60 exhibited clinical remission after receiving infliximab treatment. Our radiomic model, comprising 20 relevant features, demonstrated excellent predictive performance. The radiomic nomogram for predicting clinical response showed good calibration and discrimination in the training cohort (area under the curve [AUC] 0.909, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.840–0.978), the validation cohort (AUC 0.954, 95% CI 0.889–1), and the external cohort (AUC = 0.902, 95% CI 0.83–0.974). Accordingly, the nomogram was also suitable for predicting clinical remission. Decision curve analysis and clinical impact curves highlighted the clinical utility of our nomogram.

DISCUSSION:

Our radiomics nomogram is a noninvasive predictive tool constructed from radiomic features of the spleen. It also demonstrated good predictive accuracy in evaluating CD patients' response to infliximab treatment. Multicenter validation provided high-level evidence for its clinical application.
O uso do “mas” como recurso atenuador na língua brasileira de sinais
Authors: Burgo Vanessa Hagemeyer , Matoso Sheyla Cristina Araujo , Enedino Wagner Corsino
Published: February 2024

O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o emprego do “mas” como recurso atenuador na língua brasileira de sinais (Libras) em conversações entre pessoas surdas. O aporte teórico está fundamentado em Quadros (2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019), Quadros e Karnopp (2004), Góes e Campos (2021), Gesser (2012), Leite (2008, 2013), Mccleary e Viotti (2007, 2011), Brito (1995), Negreiros e Barros (2017), Rosa (1992), Galembeck (1999) e Urbano (1998), entre outros. O corpus desta pesquisa é formado por vídeos disponíveis na internet pelo projeto da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina denominado Corpus de Libras. De acordo com os resultados, a partícula “mas” auxilia o sinalizante na arquitetura dos enunciados, servindo como um anúncio, uma espécie de preparação que atenua, por antecipação, o conteúdo do que será expresso.
Psychometric Properties of the Draw a Story (DAS) Test in Depressed and Normal Children
Authors: Ashtari R. , Khormaei F. , Rahimi C. , Mohammadi N.
Published: February 2024

Objective: understanding the problems of depressed children is important, as they may express their issues through painting and storytelling, which can provide insight into their excitability and self-image. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Draw a Story test in children with depression and normal ones.

Material and methods. The participants of this study included 60 fourth and fifth grade students in Yazd province, who were divided into two groups; depressed and normal. Then, each group was evaluated by drawing a story test (DAS).

Results. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the depressed and normal groups in terms of self-image and emotion content, as determined by a two-way analysis of variance. The normal group significantly demonstrated a stronger self-image and emotional state than the depressed group. There was no significant difference between boys and girls in terms of self-image. However, there was a significant difference in their emotional expression, with girls being more adept at expressing their emotions compared to boys. Convergent validity of the DAS was established by correlating it with the DSRS test for self-image and emotion, resulting in correlations of -0.67 and -0.74, respectively. The reliability of the DAS test was assessed using the test-retest method for self-image and emotion, yielding coefficients of 0.82, 0.90, respectively. Additionally, the raters' agreement coefficient was calculated for self-image and emotion, and was 0.68 and 0.82, respectively.

Conclusions. The results of this study revealed the reliability and validity of the test (DAS) in the group of depressed and normal children. This test can be used to diagnose children with depression.
Alternative and complementary treatments for migraine
Authors: Tabeeva G. R. , Filatova E. G. , Amelin A. V. , Osipova V. V. , Artemenko A. R. , Akhmadeeva L. R. , Ekusheva E. V. , Koreshkina M. I. , Lebedeva E. R. , Sergeev A. V. , Golovacheva V. A. , Latysheva N. V. , Naprienko M. V. , Skorobogatykh K. V. , Azimova Yu. E. , Rachin A. P. , Parfenov V. A.
Published: February 2024

Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder that is associated with considerable disadaptive effect on patients. Despite the development of pharmacotherapy strategies for migraine, only one third of patients are satisfied with their overall treatment. Many migraine patients turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which is not usually considered a part of conventional medicine and is not always evidence-based. In practise, however, they are often used to improve the effectiveness of standard therapy or to provide alternative treatment. In addition, in CAM methods, the patient is actively involved in the choice of treatment strategies, and they have good adherence. The basic principles and approaches of CAM are increasingly being introduced into clinical practise. This review discusses the principles of CAM in the treatment of migraine as a holistic approach using lifestyle strategies and selected non-pharmacological treatments that have been shown to be effective and rational.
Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of the drug Cytochrome C in the treatment of asthenia in outpatients (CITRIN study)
Authors: Lobzin V. Yu. , Emelin A. Yu. , Kolmakova K. A.
Published: February 2024

Asthenic syndrome occurs in most chronic diseases, and doctors encounter it in outpatient appointments for both somatic and neurological pathologies. Drugs that normalize energy metabolism, have an antioxidant effect and antihypoxic properties are used to treat asthenia.

Objective: to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the drug Cytochrome C in patients with asthenia of various origin in an outpatient setting.

Material and methods. The study included 147 outpatients with asthenia who received Cytochrome C 10 mg intramuscularly daily for 10 days. The assessment of the initial level of asthenia manifestations and their changes in dynamics was carried out using the MFI-20 scales, the assessment of daytime sleepiness, the assessment of fatigue (FAS), the severity of symptoms of the disease and the dynamics of the condition according to the doctor and the patient.

Results. By the 10th day of therapy, there was a decrease in the severity of asthenia on the MFI-20 scale from 72.2±12.7 to 41.1±12.3 points (p<0.01), including general (by 45%), physical (by 42%) and mental (by 45%) asthenia according to the MFI-20 subscales (p<0.001), improvement in night sleep and reduction in daytime sleepiness on the Epworth scale by 65% – from 9.1±5.6 to 4.6±4.3 points (p<0.001), reduction in severity of fatigue by 29% (p<0.01). The clinically significant improvement lasted until the 30th day of observation, 3 weeks after the end of the therapy. Overall, a significant reduction in asthenia symptoms was observed in 99% of patients on day 10 of therapy and in 96% of cases on day 30.

Conclusion. Cytochrome C has been shown to be very effective in patients with asthenia as it reduces all manifestations of asthenia, improves night sleep and reduces daytime sleepiness.
Clinical case of an atypical course of autoimmune anti-NMDA encephalitis
Authors: Goldobin V. V. , Klocheva E. G. , Dil A. V. , Golovkin V. I. , Chistova I. V.
Published: February 2024

Autoimmune encephalitis with antibodies against NMDA receptor (anti-NMDA encephalitis) is a relatively newly described disease that occupies a leading position among encephalitis of various etiologies. The article presents diagnostic criteria for this disease and describes a case of an atypical course of confirmed anti-NMDA encephalitis. The peculiarities of this observation are the relatively mild course of the disease with the development of generalized seizures, mental and cognitive disorders at the onset of the disease. The difficulties in diagnosis and possible pathogenetic aspects of the disease are discussed.
Lassen Sie uns über das Scheitern bei Projekten mit kommerziellen Partnern sprechen: Ein Interview mit Andreas Degkwitz
Authors: Degkwitz Andreas
Published: February 2024

Die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) und der Wissenschaftsrats (WR) haben 2011 den sechs deutschen Bibliotheksverbünden empfohlen, sich mit ihren Infrastrukturen auf zeitgemäße, überregionale Services auszurichten. Für den Aufbau einer „Cloudbasierten Infrastruktur für Bibliotheksdaten“ (CIB) erhielten ab 2013 die Verbünde BVB, HEBIS und KOBV im Rahmen einer Förderausschreibung den Zuschlag. In dem Interview werden Herausforderungen, Probleme und das Scheitern dieses Vorhabens aus Sicht des Interviewten erörtert. Dabei stellen sich allerdings auch Aspekte heraus, die sich für solche Vorhaben künftig zur Berücksichtigung empfehlen.
An isotope dilution-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC-MS/MS)-based candidate reference measurement procedure (RMP) for the quantification of phenobarbital in human serum and plasma
Authors: Schierscher Tobias , Salzmann Linda , Singh Neeraj , Bachmann Martina , Kobel Anja , Wild Janik , Bauland Friederike , Geistanger Andrea , Risch Lorenz , Geletneky Christian , Seger Christoph , Taibon Judith
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Phenobarbital serves as an antiepileptic drug (AED) and finds application in the treatment of epilepsy either as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy. This drug exhibits various pharmacodynamic properties that account for its beneficial effects as well as potential side effects. Accurate measurement of its concentration is critical for optimizing AED therapy through appropriate dose adjustments. Therefore, our objective was to develop and validate a new reference measurement procedure (RMP) for the accurate quantification of phenobarbital levels in human serum and plasma.

Methods

A sample preparation protocol based on protein precipitation followed by a high dilution step was established in combination with a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method using a C8 column to separate target analytes from known and unknown interferences. Assay validation and determination of measurement uncertainty were performed based on current guidelines. Selectivity and Specificity were assessed using spiked serum and plasma samples; to investigate possible matrix effects (MEs) a post-column infusion experiment and a comparison of standard line slopes was performed. Precision and accuracy were determined within a multiday precision experiment.

Results

The RMP was shown to be highly selective and specific, with no evidence of matrix interferences. It can be used to quantify phenobarbital in the range of 1.92 to 72.0 μg/mL. Intermediate precision was less than 3.2 %, and repeatability coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 1.3 to 2.0 % across all concentration levels. The relative mean bias ranged from −3.0 to −0.7 % for native serum levels, and from −2.8 to 0.8 % for Li-heparin plasma levels. The measurement uncertainties (k=1) for single measurements and target value assignment were 1.9 to 3.3 % and 0.9 to 1.6 %, respectively.

Conclusions

A novel LC-MS/MS-based candidate RMP for the quantification of phenobarbital in human serum and plasma is presented which can be used for the standardization of routine assays and the evaluation of clinically relevant samples.
Does EU Regulation Adequately Address the Tension between CCPs Shareholders’ and Clearing Members’ Incentives?
Authors: Sotiropoulou Anastasia
Published: February 2024

964The current EU regulatory regime of Central Counterparties (CCPs) falls short of addressing adequately the potential misalignment of incentives of CCPs’ shareholders on the one hand and clearing members on the other hand.Thus, according to the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), while clearing members contribute substantially to the default waterfall of a CCP, they do not enjoy substantial governance rights: they merely participate in the risk committee of the CCP, whose role is only advisory.By contrast, although shareholders are vested with substantial governance rights, such as the right to appoint the members of the board which sets the CCP’s risk profile, they do not bear final losses first, as in ordinary companies: the shareholders’ contribution to a CCP’s default waterfall is limited and, in case the CCP enters resolution, they only bear losses, in principle, after the clearing members.It is however clear that when the owners of a firm are not the ones bearing the risks first, the firm may be inclined to excessive risk-taking. The objective of this article is therefore to discuss a number of ways to improve the corporate governance of CCPs, in particular the incentive setting for shareholders.965
Browning formation markers of subcutaneous adipose tissue in relation to resting energy expenditure, physical activity and diet in humans
Authors: Dinas Petros C. , Valente Angelica , Granzotto Marnie , Rossato Marco , Vettor Roberto , Zacharopoulou Aikaterini , Carrillo Andres E. , Davies Natalie A. , Gkiata Paraskevi , Jamurtas Athanasios Z. , Koutedakis Yiannis , Metsios George S. , Flouris Andreas D.
Published: February 2024

Background

Regular exercise and diet may contribute to white adipose tissue (WAT) conversion into a brown adipose-like phenotype that may increase resting energy expenditure (REE), leading to weight loss. We examined the relationship between REE, physical activity (PA) participation and diet with browning formation markers of subcutaneous WAT in healthy men.

Materials and methods

We assessed REE, diet and body composition of 32 healthy men [age (years): 36.06 ± 7.36, body mass index (BMI): 27.06 ± 4.62 (kg/m2)]. Participants also underwent measurements of PA [metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week] using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), while they undertook a subcutaneous fat biopsy from the abdominal region to assess the mRNA expressions of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

Results

We found no associations between the UCP1, PGC-1α, PPARα and PPARγ mRNAs with REE, PA levels and diet (p > 0.05). However, the PGC-1α, PPARα and PPARγ mRNAs were more expressed in individuals displaying moderate rather than low PA levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, PGC-1α, PPARα and PPARγ mRNAs were negatively correlated with fat mass percentage (p < 0.05). PGC-1α and PPARα mRNAs were also negatively correlated with BMI, while PGC-1α mRNA was inversely associated with waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

REE, PA levels and diet are not associated with browning formation indices of subcutaneous adipose tissue in healthy adult men.
Detection of atmospheric turbulence parameters in free space optical communication
Authors: K Vashista Bharadwaj , D Sai Chaitanya , K Pujith , Y Maneesha , Sindhwani Manoj , Sachdeva Shippu , Adhikari Manoj Singh
Published: February 2024

These days usage of wireless communication has become vast compared to wired communication. The landline is replaced with a mobile, wi-fi with DAS. From the era of 1970 to the 1980s, wireless communication has evolved and wireless communication uses RF waves to communicate which is called RF communication. As the demand for the speed of data rate, the new technology is evolving in the unguided medium due to its range, cost, and availability. In this evolution, it first came with optical fiber and after RF wireless or electromagnetic wireless technologies. Later, researchers have been found optical communication. In present days it is facing a lot of challenges and trials. Optical communication means communication using the light ray or light spectrum which can achieve great speed and long distance with secure data transfer. The major challenge to achieve this communication is atmospheric turbulence. Although lots of experiments have been done still the problem is the detection of atmospheric conditions and making communication possible according to atmospheric turbulence. In this paper, we are going to discuss a few techniques to detect atmospheric turbulence.
Therapeutic robots for post-stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Hong Ronghua , Li Bingyu , Bao Yunjun , Liu Lingyu , Jin Lingjing
Published: February 2024

Stroke is a prevalent, severe, and disabling health-care issue on a global scale, inevitably leading to motor and cognitive deficits. It has become one of the most significant challenges in China, resulting in substantial social and economic burdens. In addition to the medication and surgical interventions during the acute phase, rehabilitation treatment plays a crucial role in stroke care. Robotic technology takes distinct advantages over traditional physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, and is increasingly gaining popularity in post-stroke rehabilitation. The use of rehabilitation robots not only alleviates the workload of healthcare professionals but also enhances the prognosis for specific stroke patients. This review presents a concise overview of the application of therapeutic robots in post-stroke rehabilitation, with particular emphasis on the recovery of motor and cognitive function.
Computational investigation of thallium interactions with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for electrochemical sensing applications
Authors: Baweja Shefali , Lochab Amit , Baxi Shalini , Saxena Reena
Published: February 2024

Thallium (Tl) is a heavy toxic element which can cause several health issues. WHO and EPA have set a maximum permissible limit for thallium in drinking water above which it is hazardous, so its determination in our environment becomes crucial. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are preferred for use in thallium sensing due to their large surface area and high conductivity, which allow them to be readily functionalized to selective groups. Previous experimental results showed that Tl selectively interacted with the MWCNTs functionalized with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiol (T-MWCNTs) with a limit of detection of 1.29 μg L−1 and linear range 10–100 μg L−1 by using voltammetry under optimized conditions. In actual water samples, the electrochemical sensor fabricated with the above-mentioned functionalized MWCNTs nanocomposite demonstrated high reproducibility and recovery. Molecular recognition and the outcomes of chemical and biological processes are shaped by non-covalent interactions among molecules. It is essential to investigate how these interactions impact binding preferences to enhance our understanding of these events. Here, we examine the structures of complexes of Tl and T-MWCNTs using quantum chemical calculations. Our results show that the most favourable complex of Tl-T-MWCNTs involve strong interaction of Tl with the nitrogen lone pair and additional stabilising interaction provided by the oxygen lone pair of amide linkage of T-MWCNTs. Moreover, we observed that the thiol group within T-MWCNTs readily undergoes deprotonation due to its acidic nature. Non-covalent interactions among molecules influence chemical and biological processes and molecular recognition. To improve our knowledge of these events, it is important to explore the ways in which these interactions affect binding preferences The negative value of adsorption energy (−1.53 eV) of this structure suggested that the interaction process between Tl and T-MWCNTs is spontaneous.
Hoby revisited – 100 Jahre beißende Tierköpfe von Lolland
Authors: Blankenfeldt Ruth , Schuster Jan
Published: February 2024

Das im Jahr 1920 entdeckte Prunkgrab von Hoby ist ein zentraler Befund der älterkaiserzeitlichen Archäologie. Es ist eines der reichsten Gräber der „Lübsow-Gruppe“ und barg qualitätsvolle Gegenstände römischer Herkunft und nicht minder qualitätsvolle Artefakte einheimischer Produktion. Zu Beginn des 21. Jahrhunderts wurden knapp 250 Meter entfernt von der Bestattungsstelle durch Hobbyarchäologen älterkaiserzeitliche Keramik und mehrere Metallfunde entdeckt, die von einem mit dem Grab zeitgleichen Siedlungsplatz stammen. Dieser wurde seit 2005 ausgegraben. Im Rahmen eines dänisch-deutschen Kooperationsprojektes werden diese Befunde ausgewertet. Zugleich wird auch das Inventar des Prunkgrabes neu bearbeitet – die Ergebnisse der separat vorgenommenen antiquarischen Untersuchungen zu den einheimischen Gegenständen aus dem Grab können hier präsentiert werden. Die Untersuchungen zu den Fibeln und der Schnalle sowie die vergleichende Analyse der Importgefäßzusammensetzung verweisen gänzlich auf eine Datierung des Grabes von Hoby in claudische Zeit, relativchronologisch in die Subphase B1b.
Energy absorption of gradient triply periodic minimal surface structure manufactured by stereolithography
Authors: Liang Yingjing , He Huiyi , Yin Jun , Liu Yijie , Huang Jianzhang , Wu Zhigang , Zhai Yun , Hui David , Yan Lewei
Published: February 2024

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) metamaterials possess exceptional properties not commonly found in natural materials. TPMS metamaterials are used in lightweight structures and impact energy absorption structures due to their surface geometry and mechanical properties. The quasi-static mechanic properties of resin-based homogeneous and gradient TPMS structures manufactured by stereolithography are investigated in this study. The results of both experimental and numerical simulations reveal that the gradient TPMS structures have superior energy absorption abilities compared to the homogeneous TPMS structures. Furthermore, the benefits of gradient TPMS structures can be further enhanced by changing the gradient variation interval of the relative density and cell thickness of TPMS. If the slope and intercept of the C value function of the TPMS structures remain constant, selecting a design where the gradient direction of the cell aligns with the direction of the load on the material can enhance the energy absorption capability of the TPMS structures.
Investigation of the composition and morphology of raw materials from the Aral Sea region
Authors: Kurbanov Davron , Mylsamy Savithri , Zhou Biao , Babayev Zabibulla , Bazarbayev Rustam , Allaniyazov Atabek , Balakumar Subramanian , Zeng Guanggen , Yakubov Komiljon , Karazhanov Smagul
Published: February 2024

Clay and clay-based minerals have attracted research attention because of their unique properties and a vast range of applications in industry. In order to assess the potential applications, four different processed local kaolin-based raw minerals were collected from the Aral Sea region of Uzbekistan, and the total mineralogical properties have been explored. The results reveal that the structural, vibrational and electronic properties of metakaolinites only slightly differ from those of kaoline. The presence of corundum, quartz and kaolinite structural phase in minerals was determined by XRD analysis. FTIR and Raman studies expose the primary peaks which are associated with the functional groups of Al–OH, Al–O and Si–O in higher-frequency stretching and lower-frequency bending modes. The elemental and chemical compositional (XRF and XPS) analysis demonstrates the presence of major elements (Al, Si, Na, Fe, Ti) in the raw mineral and other metal contaminations (Mg, Ca, S, Cr, Zr). The SEM analysis demonstrates the morphological nature of kaolin-based raw minerals that can be exploited for industrial purposes.
Chemical state and atomic structure in stoichiovariants photochromic oxidized yttrium hydride thin films
Authors: Arslan Halil , Kuzmin Alexei , Aulika Ilze , Moldarev Dmitrii , Wolff Max , Primetzhofer Daniel , Pudza Inga , Kundzins Karlis , Sarakovskis Anatolijs , Purans Juris , Karazhanov Smagul Zh
Published: February 2024

We investigate the effective oxidation state and local environment of yttrium in photochromic YHO thin film structures produced by e-beam evaporation, along with their chemical structure and optical properties. Transmission electron microscopy images reveal the oxidized yttrium hydride thin film sample exhibiting a three-layered structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements manifest that the oxidation state of yttrium is modified, dependent on the film’s composition/depth. Furthermore, Ion beam analysis confirms that this variability is associated with a composition gradient within the film. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Y K-edge reveals that the effective oxidation state of yttrium is approximately +2.5 in the transparent/bleached state of YHO. Spectroscopic ellipsometry investigations showed a complex non-linear optical depth profile of the related sample confirming the dominant phase of YHO and the presence of Y2O3 and Y towards the middle of the film. The first evidence of (n; k) dispersion curves for e-beam sputtered photochromic YHO thin films are reported for transparent and dark states.
Remediation of pesticides, acetamiprid and imidacloprid from aqueous solutions using cellulose derived from sawdust of Populus nigra
Authors: Ullah Azmat , Ahmad Saqib , Gul Abdullah , Khan Samiullah , Zahoor Muhammad , Umar Muhammad Naveed , Ullah Riaz
Published: February 2024

In this study a low cost and easily available Black Poplar Sawdust (Populus nigra L.) was converted into an efficient adsorbent for the removal of acetamiprid (AMR) and imidacloprid (ICR) pesticides from aqueous solutions. The effect of adsorption effecting parameters including initial pesticides concentration, variations in the adsorbent amount, time of contact, and pH were investigated to understand the adsorption process of both pesticides. Further the kinetic, thermodynamic, and isotherm models were used to get an insight into the process of adsorption taking place. The results of the study suggested that the isotherm data align effectively with both the Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models (both pesticides). The maximum adsorption capacity (q
m) for AMR was found to be 25.22 mg g−1, while for ICR, it was 25.65 mg g−1. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model with value of R
2 = 0.9934 & 0.9964 respectively for AMR and ICR. The thermodynamic analysis confirmed the spontaneity and feasibility of the adsorption process, evident from the negative ∆G° values at different temperatures. The thermodynamics parameter values also suggested that the adsorption process is physisorption and exothermic due to the negative ∆H° value. From the results it was concluded that the devised adsorbent could be effectively used in reclamation pesticides contaminated water subjected to further verifications through testing against other pesticides.
Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Geçici Koruma Statüsündeki Suriyelilere Yönelik Tehdit Algısının İncelenmesi
Authors: EKTİREN Mahmut Turan , AKTAŞ Veysi
Published: February 2024

Bu araştırmada üniversite öğrencilerinin geçici koruma statüsündeki Suriyelilere yönelik tehdit algısının incelenmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Araştırmada Sarı (2020) tarafından geliştirilen Suriyelilere Yönelik Tehdit Algıları ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemi İstanbul’da öğrenim gören 324 öğrenciden oluşmaktadır. Araştırma neticesinde katılımcıların tehdit algıları yüksek çıkmıştır. Katılımcıların Ekonomik Tehdit, Güvenlik Tehdidi, Kültürel Tehdit ve Çevresel Tehdit alt boyutları bağlamında cinsiyet değişkenleri, puan türleri ve ikametgâh türleri arasında anlamlı bir farkın olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Katılımcıların Ekonomik Tehdit ve Güvenlik Tehdidi bağlamında yaş değişkenleri arasında anlamlı fark bulunmamıştır. Kültürel tehdit ve çevresel tehdit bağlamında yaş değişkenleri arasında anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. LSD testi sonucunda kültürel tehdit alt boyutunda 18-20 yaş aralığı ile 23-24 ve 25+ yaş aralıkları arasında 18-20 yaş lehine anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. Çevresel tehdit alt boyutunda ise 18-20 ile 23-24 ve 25+ yaş aralıkları arasında 18-20 yaş aralığı lehine anlamlı fark bulunmuştur. 21-22 yaş aralığı ile 25+ yaş aralığı arasında 21-22 yaş aralığı lehine anlamlı fark bulunmuştur.
Personalised monuments and monumental personalities in the past and present of Bronze Age Cyprus
Authors: Basri Pertev
Published: February 2024

Nestled at the eastern corner of the Mediterranean, the island of Cyprus is a popular locale for archaeological research by resident and foreigner alike despite its modest size. The roots of this popularity run deep; Cyprus can boast for capturing people's attention with its antiquities since the start of the nineteenth century (Clarke 1813, pp.165–97). Authored by veterans of Cypriot archaeology, each of these three books is a valuable addition to the ever-expanding scholarship that is the legacy of this colourful history of aesthetic/financial curiosity transformed into meticulous research. Additionally, these three publications stand out among the avalanche of archaeological research on Cyprus due to their shared links.
Slowing of Movements in Healthy Aging as a Rational Economic Response to an Elevated Effort Landscape
Authors: Summerside Erik M. , Courter Robert J. , Shadmehr Reza , Ahmed Alaa A.
Published: February 2024

Why do we move slower as we grow older? The reward circuits of the brain, which tend to invigorate movements, decline with aging, raising the possibility that reduced vigor is due to the diminishing value that our brain assigns to movements. However, as we grow older, it also becomes more effortful to make movements. Is age-related slowing principally a consequence of increased effort costs from the muscles, or reduced valuation of reward by the brain? Here, we first quantified the cost of reaching via metabolic energy expenditure in human participants (male and female), and found that older adults consumed more energy than the young at a given speed. Thus, movements are objectively more costly for older adults. Next, we observed that when reward increased, older adults, like the young, responded by initiating their movements earlier. Yet, unlike the young, they were unwilling to increase their movement speed. Was their reluctance to reach quicker for rewards due to the increased effort costs, or because they ascribed less value to the movement? Motivated by a mathematical model, we next made the young experience a component of aging by making their movements more effortful. Now the young responded to reward by reacting faster but chose not to increase their movement speed. This suggests that slower movements in older adults are partly driven by an adaptive response to an elevated effort landscape. Moving slower may be a rational economic response the brain is making to mitigate the elevated effort costs that accompany aging.
Application of the tyraliera counting method to the large-scale inventory of red deer Cervus elaphus in the northern part of Western Pomerania, Poland
Authors: Kamieniarz Robert , Jakubowski Mikołaj , Dyderski Marcin K. , Nasiadka Paweł , Okarma Henryk , Pudełko Marek , Skubis Jacek , Tomek Andrzej , Wajdzik Marek , Mederski Piotr , Maciej Skorupski
Published: February 2024

Game animal damage in the forests and fields of Central Europe, which dramatically increased at the turn of the 21st century, has undermined the reliability of the size of game population estimates. It is hypothesized that this problem can be attributed to errors in the assessment of animal density. This study conducted game inventories in a region characterized by a large ungulate population using a count method with drivers in line formation (direct counts in control plots). The size of the red deer population in the investigated area was estimated using generalized linear models assuming a negative binomial distribution based on the compound distribution (including the zero-inflated model). The mean red deer density in spring 2012 was 21.5 animals/km2 of forest. The number of red deer determined during this study is often higher that hunters indicated in annual game management plans. For the rational management of populations, it is therefore necessary to verify those estimates periodically, e.g. every five years. The statistical analysis of data from tyraliera method counts may show the actual population size during spring. Thus, it can be the basis for adequately planning hunting bags. Adjusting the population density to the carrying environmental capacity should make it possible to reduce the pressure of red deer on forests and agricultural land.
Assessing the measuring time of forest plots
Authors: Di Cosmo Lucio
Published: February 2024

Forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services and information requirements on forests have grown considerably. Nevertheless, collecting information in the forest is expensive and for this reason assessment of forest resources strongly relies on statistical sampling. However, plot measurement remains essential even when remote-sensing data are used, and field assessments are still among the costliest components of forest inventories. Studies on the costs for plots survey are limited and usually based on expert evaluation rather than on data. This article analysed the relationship between the time needed for measuring forest plots and their site-related characteristics (slope, terrain roughness), stand features (number of trees, subsample trees, stumps, coarse woody debris, understorey vegetation) and protocol-related procedures, by means of univariate and multivariate analyses. Analyses showed that the time needed for measuring plots depends on the workload or the intensity of fieldwork. Especially, the number of variables surveyed matters, because the variables explained the measuring time variation by an additive effect, suggesting that within a complex field protocol the total number of measurements taken may not represent properly the overall intensity of work. Marking in an effective way permanent plots is recommendable because the retrieval success of the pins buried into the ground was the most important explanatory variable. Presence of understorey vegetation was more important than the number of individuals measured. The results obtained are consistent and logical, but the variance explained was limited, suggesting that predictability of the measuring time under complex field protocols might be intrinsically limited by the interactions among factors with opposite effects and especially by the adaptation of the surveyors to specific circumstances. For example, effects of physical tiredness were not detected in the days when two plots were measured; conversely, measuring a second plot reduced the measuring time of the first, an event most likely dependent on the surveyors’ behaviour. Under the conclusion that predictability is low by nature, the inference of studies based on simulation
Stratification of vertical canopy structure to improve estimation of forest inventory attributes using airborne LiDAR data in a large subtropical region of China
Authors: Zhou Mei , Li Chungan , Li Zhen , Yu Zhu , Zhou Xiangbei
Published: February 2024

Over the last two decades, airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) has been developed into an advanced tool for practical forest resource inventory monitoring over large areas. Nonetheless, improving the accuracy of forest inventory attribute estimations remains an ongoing challenge. This paper introduces a novel framework for estimating forest inventory attributes based on the stratification of vertical forest structures (VFS). According to the composition and spatial arrangement of the superior, middle, and inferior strata in the tree layer, the forest stand was classified into six distinct VFS classes. Subsequently, the multiplicative power models were established for the stratification-based estimations of the forest inventory attributes, including stand volume (VOL), basal area (BA), and above-ground biomass (AGB), by using a rule-based exhaustive combination approach, and their performances were comparatively analyzed. The result indicated that: compared to the accuracy (relative root mean squared error, rRMSE) of the species-based estimation, the weighted average rRMSE of stratumbased VOL, BA, and AGB estimations of four forest types (Chinese fir, Masson pine, eucalyptus, and broadleaf forests) decreased by 0.3%–7.3%, +3.6%–9.4%, and 0.7%–8.7%, respectively, and the accuracy was significantly improved after stratification. Even after clustering the VFS into two or three classes using cluster analysis, the accuracy of forest attribute estimations remained superior to that of the species-based estimations. Notably, the coefficients of variation for both forest attributes and LiDAR metrics experienced a substantial decrease, and their statistical relationship considerably strengthened within most strata post-VFS classification, which led to an improvement in the accuracy of the forest attribute estimations. The methodology presented in this paper provides a significant advance in improving the accuracy of forest inventory attributes for large areas using airborne LiDAR data.
МОТИВАЦІЙНІ ФАКТОРИ ТА ДОСЯГНЕННЯ У ВИВЧЕННІ МАТЕМАТИКИ СТУДЕНТІВ ІНЖЕНЕРНИХ СПЕЦІАЛЬНОСТЕЙ
Authors: ГУРАЛЬ ІНЕСА , СМОЛОВИК ЛІАНА
Published: February 2024

У роботі наведено результати дослідження зв’язку між мотивацією вивчення дисциплін математичного циклу студентами інженерних спеціальностей закладу вищої освіти та рівнем їх знань з цих дисциплін. Статистичний аналіз результатів опитування свідчить, що їх ставлення до математики пов'язане з рівнем знань предмета. Інтерес до шкільного та університетського курсів з математики, достатність прикладених зусиль та орієнтація на успіх при опануванні знань та навичок з математичних дисциплін в університеті, а також корисна цінність математичних знань для майбутніх освітніх та кар’єрних прагнень відрізняються  для студентів з різним рівнем знань, а саме: чим вищий рівень знань, тим вищий рівень вказаних мотиваційних факторів. Труднощі при вивченні математичних дисциплін і хвилювання під час контрольних заходів не мають значущого статистичного зв’язку з рівнем знань.
ІНФОМЕДІЙНИЙ УРОК ЧИ УРОК З ЕЛЕМЕНТАМИ МЕДІА: ПРО ВПРОВАДЖЕННЯ МЕДІАОСВІТИ У ШКІЛЬНУ ПРАКТИКУ
Authors: ОСТРОВСЬКА ГАЛИНА
Published: February 2024

У статті розглянуто питання впровадження медіаосвіти та роботи з різними джерелами інформації у шкільній практиці. Наголошується на формуванні медіаграмотності учнів для протистояння інформаційній агресії і запобігання медіатравматизації доцільно в системі шкільної освіти говорити про новий формат уроку та побудови завдань. Обґрунтовано поняття “інфомедійний урок” (медіаурок) та проаналізовано його відмінність від уроку з медіа. Конкретизовано ключі-підказки для побудови кожного з виду занять. Запропоновано приклади вправ з формування медіаграмотності учнів: сучасний здобувач освіти має не тільки прочитати і проаналізувати інформацію, перевірити її в інших джерелах, обґрунтувати висновок та застосувати для вивчення навчального предмета чи аналізу життєвої ситуації, а й зрозуміти роль та небезпеки ЗМІ (неповна інформація, неправдива, викривлена, маніпулятивна тощо).