bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Sintered Clay Minerals
Authors: Tominc Sara , Ducman Vilma , König Jakob , Škapin Srečo , Spreitzer Matjaž
Published: February 2024

The need to reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint generated by firing ceramics has stimulated research to develop sintering processes carried out at lower temperatures (ideally not above 300 °C) and high pressures (up to 600 MPa), the so-called cold sintering process (CSP) (Grasso et al., 2020, Maria et al., 2017). To evaluate the applicability of CSP to clays, we focused on two representative clay minerals, kaolinite and illite, and on the natural clay material obtained from a Slovenian brick manufacturer. The selected clay materials were characterized on the basis of mineralogical-chemical composition (XRD, XRF) and particle size distribution (SEM analysis, PSD, BET). The powders of clay minerals and natural clay material were first sintered in a heating microscope to determine the sintering conditions and then in a laboratory furnace at 1100 °C for 2 hours and additionally at 1300 °C for kaolinites. The effect of compression of the initial powders on their final properties was also investigated.
Waste Rubber Incorporated in the Alkali-Activated Metakaolin’s Aluminosilicate Network Enhanced by Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Horvat Barbara , Mušič Branka
Published: February 2024

Building materials represent the possibility of prolonging the life of waste materials. The key is to ensure that the products are suitable for their function. So we activated metakaolin with the alkaline Na-silicate solution in the ratio that ensures the prevention of efflorescence and high mechanical strength (Horvat and Ducman, 2019). As the waste material (to be incorporated in the aluminosilicate network (ASN) of the alkali-activated metakaolin) ground waste rubber from electric cables was used in the preselected mass ratios. Its inclusion in products, like paving stones, can reduce stiffness, improve durability, dampen vibrations, and reduce road noise. The mechanical strengths of test samples with rubber present on the active surface or slightly below were higher compared to samples where rubber was encapsulated throughout the volume. Compressive strength was higher when samples were irradiated with low powers of microwaves while irradiation with higher powers led to the foaming of alkali-activated slurry. The encapsulation quality of the ground rubber was evaluated by SEM while the chemical influence on ASN was determined by EDS, FTIR, and XRD. Slipperiness change on the active surface of pavement stones proved that the addition of the ground rubber enhanced the walking safety of the product.
Production of Micellar Structures From Medicinal Mushrooms
Authors: Kučuk Nika , Primožič Mateja , Knez Željko , Leitgeb Maja
Published: February 2024

Fungal micellar membranes, which consist of cellulose, chitin, and proteins, are one of the important and largest groups of microorganisms. Micellar structures are promising biological materials with great advantages, because they can be adapted very well to different cultivation parameters, are biodegradable and their production is relatively inexpensive. Their fibrous structure makes them very promising for biotechnological and cosmetic applications, but also for various industries such as packaging and construction. The therapeutic mushrooms Ganoderma lucidum and Pleurotus ostreatus were used for the production of micellar membranes. In addition, the morphological, chemical, and hydrodynamic properties were also investigated. Micellar membranes were successfully obtained from both therapeutic mushrooms. By optimizing the growth parameters, it was possible to achieve the highest yield and the highest water absorption capacity of the micellar membranes with advantageous characteristics.
Bacterial Cellulose Membranes Enriched With Bioactive Compounds From Avocado Seeds
Authors: Kupnik Kaja , Primožič Mateja , Knez Željko , Leitgeb Maja
Published: February 2024

Lately, biologically active materials are an extensive topic of research and the employment of bacterial cellulose membranes (BCMs) as carriers has proven to be one of the more interesting applications, especially in the biomedical, cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical fields. However, bacterial cellulose itself is not antibacterially effective, which is one of the most desired property. To increase its applicability, BCMs can be modified or enriched with biologically active compounds. While humanity is striving for an extensive strategy for the transition to circular economy, the food wastes present a sustainable and renewable source that can be processed into value-added products. The production of BCMs by cultivation of Komagataeibacter hansenii was carried out. BCMs were further enriched with bioactive compounds obtained from avocado seeds using ethanol as a solvent. The developed BCMs have shown great potential with their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus for further applications in biomedicine, cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
Influence of Ammonium Polyphosphates and 2,4,6-Triamino-1,3,5-Triazine on the Mechanical-Physical Properties of Polyurethane and Alkali-Activated Materials
Authors: Mušič Branka , Horvat Barbara
Published: February 2024

In building constructions, the tendency towards an ever-better material directs us to composite materials. In this work, we prepared an organic-organic and organic-inorganic composite material by incorporating fire retardants, ammonium polyphosphates, and 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine, into a polyurethane network and an aluminosilicate network (ASN) of alkali-activated material. Polyurethane foams (PUR) are well-known materials that, due to their properties, such as low weight-to-strength ratio, low electrical and thermal conductivity, flexibility, and relatively simple preparation process, are used in various industries, also in the construction industry, e.g., for thermal insulation of windows and doors or fixing and sealing joinery. Opposite, the ASN of alkali-activated metakaolin, successfully paves the way for new applications, such as high-temperature protection. In this paper, these interactive properties of prepared composites are studied using thermal testing and mechanical analysis. It was found that inhibitors significantly increase the fire resistance of PUR systems while they slightly reduce the mechanical properties. Incorporating polymer flame retardant into ASN in building products, such as façade panels, can decrease the mechanical properties but can offer the non-flammable building envelope not get heated from burning surroundings, i.e., not becoming a convection heat source, but rather represent a fire-distinguisher for flammable materials.
Energy Management of Buildings With a Focus on Municipalities
Authors: Smutková Karolína , Gregor Jiří , Sabev Varbanov Petar , Stehlík Petr
Published: February 2024

Due to the climate situation, the EU policy, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, it is necessary for municipalities to take a conceptual approach to their energy sector. A big topic of this issue and also the subject of this paper is the energy optimization of municipal buildings. The reality in the Czech Republic is that municipalities, with a few exceptions, do not combine data on energy and water consumption with the actual technical condition of the buildings concerned, so they have no basis for decision-making and individual projects are often dealt with in an unconceptual and ad-hoc manner. The methodology is based on an analysis of the situation in the South Moravian Region and a questionnaire survey of the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic. This article identifies the key areas that affect the energy efficiency of buildings and therefore specific data should be collected from these areas to form the basis for setting up the energy management of the city.
Repensar el mapa de la economía política de la comunicación y la cultura en el contexto de los cambios tecnológicos
Authors: Zaragoza Ramírez Mario Alberto
Published: February 2024

Reconsiderar y actualizar el mapa teórico de la economía política de la comunicación y la cultura resulta una tarea apremiante en tiempos donde los cambios tecnológicos visibilizan nuevas formas de comprender los consumos culturales, la desigualdad y la apropiación significativa de los contenidos. No se trata sólo de las tecnologías de la información y del conocimiento, de las plataformas electrónicas de interacción social y/o de los contenidos musicales y audiovisuales al alcance por streaming. El planteamiento y objetivo de mapear la economía política, es incluir nuevas fronteras teóricas para pensar nuevos desafíos y dimensiones metodológicas que pongan en el centro a consumidores y consumidoras no sólo como un comprador o imitador de identidades, sino como un posibilitador de diferencias atravesado por la tecnología, la contaminación y el consumo desmedido en un contexto de economías globales. Esto contribuye a ampliar la discusión sobre la relación espacio-tiempo de los procesos políticos, sociales y culturales emergentes que suceden actualmente en el espacio público.
Mujer, tierra y territorio en el arte peruano contemporáneo: Madre nuestra (2018), de Luz Letts
Authors: Vergara Nataly
Published: February 2024

El arte como esencia discursiva puede convertirse en un medio de reflexión sobre nuestra realidad social. Madre nuestra, de la artista plástica Luz Letts (2018), es un ejemplo de ello, pues esta obra representa a una mujer todopoderosa y sostenedora de la nación que cuestiona los estereotipos de género y la violencia contra la mujer en el Perú. A su vez, da cuenta de la poderosa relación de lo femenino con la tierra y el territorio, y nos motiva a pensar en el apoyo mutuo entre mujeres para combatir la dominación hacia el cuerpo femenino y hacia el mundo natural. Así, plantea la creación de una identidad colectiva femenina como fuerza de la nación, una defensa comunitaria de la tierra y del territorio en vías de construir una sociedad más justa. Finalmente, esboza la necesidad de repensar nuestro país con un giro ecoterritorial y ecofeminista.
La voz rebalsa imágenes. Sobre el Podcast del Archivo de la Memoria Trans (Argentina)
Authors: De la Jara Plaza Blas
Published: February 2024

El Archivo de la Memoria Trans (AMT) es un proyecto que nace desde la organización colectiva en Argentina. A partir de la transversalización de perspectivas transgénero, despliega memorias en perpetua interpelación y relectura de los procesos de justicia transicional. Comprendido por un acervo principalmente fotográfico, el trabajo de esta iniciativa privilegia la visualidad. Sin embargo, propone también una respuesta sonora ante los silencios del sub-registro y las limitaciones de la imagen para lidiar con un trauma histórico pluridimensional. En este sentido, el Podcast del AMT emerge ante el deseo de expresar la densidad de lo vivido más allá del encuadre fotográfico. Trascendiendo visualidades, se desencadenan relatos que enriquecen el ecosistema mediático del AMT.
Interstellar, entre la física y El Aleph
Authors: Meza-Vélez Iván
Published: February 2024

La película de ciencia ficción Interstellar (2014) explora las posibilidades que ofrece la relatividad general de Albert Einstein a través de agujeros de gusano, agujeros negros y dilatación del tiempo con gran realismo. Este trabajo estudia todas las secuencias vinculadas con la física, sobre todo el viaje de los astronautas a través de un agujero de gusano y el encuentro con un agujero negro. Luego, bajo la luz de la física actual, se analiza la verosimilitud de los fenómenos físicos presentados en la cinta. Como eje central del estudio, se entrelaza la física y el arte cinematográfico a través de la imagen fílmica. También se demuestra que las escenas finales se alejan de la física, pero como lenguaje simbólico se acercan a El Aleph de Borges, con el que se hace un paralelo. Ciencia y arte, realismo y ficción, características de Interstellar que son desarrolladas en el presente trabajo.
Leitura e pesquisa dos textos de Françoise Choay: uma entrevista com Rachid Ouahès e a apresentação de seu inventário bibliográfico
Authors: Alves Peixoto Priscilla , Ouahès Rachid
Published: February 2024

Esta entrevista foi realizada por Priscilla Alves Peixoto, docente da Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, com Rachid Ouahès, docente da Universidade Benyoucef Benkhedda (Alger 1) e autor de uma das primeiras monografias sobre a obra de Françoise Choay. Seu ponto de partida é uma apresentação geral da interlocução com Rachid Ouahès. Na sequência, são introduzidas as questões que permitiram conhecer o processo de elaboração da monografia do entrevistado e as motivações que o levaram a empreendê-la. A entrevista conta ainda com uma reflexão crítica de Rachid Ouahès ao revisitar o trabalho que realizou há mais de vinte anos. Para complementá-la, incluiu-se ainda a transcrição do inventário bibliográfico elaborado para a monografia, uma relação de escritos de Françoise Choay publicados entre 1956 e 1999. Espera-se que esse inventário bibliográfico sirva de base para futuras pesquisas.
Contemporary approach to heavily calcified lesions: tools of the trade, challenges, and pitfalls
Authors: Russo Debora , Massaro Gianluca , Benedetto Daniela , Russo Giulio , Canova Paolo , Pescetelli Irene , Fiocca Luigi , Romano Michele , Lettieri Corrado , Chiricolo Gaetano , Sangiorgi Giuseppe Massimo
Published: February 2024

Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) affect more than 90% of men and more than 67% of women older than 70; the spread is mainly due to the high occurrence of major cardiovascular risk factors. The presence of CAC can be detected by several noninvasive and invasive methods like computed tomography (CT), coronary angiography (CA), Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS), and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), with each system providing different information that can be used in the treatment strategy of CAC. Several devices can modify calcium during PCI: high-pressure non-compliant balloons, cutting/scoring balloons, atheroablative technologies, and intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL). Each technique has advantages and disadvantages that every interventional cardiologist should know to perform an optimal PCI and to achieve the best result and clinical outcome. This is a narrative review that aims to illustrate the contemporary management of CAC, focusing on the available techniques to assess calcifications and their novel advancements and explaining the existing tools to treat CAC with a focus on their significant challenges and pitfalls.
The Role of the Ukrainian Crisis in Formation of the New World Order
Authors: Solovyev E.
Published: February 2024

The situation in Ukraine is often interpreted by Western analysts as a conflict that changes the rules of the game in world politics. The article is dedicated to the analyzes of the Ukrainian crisis and stresses the point that Ukrainian conflict’s assessments as “game-changer” are largely a consequence of the large-scale investment of political, military and financial resources by Western countries in Ukraine. Western politicians have made such serious bets in recent years (at least since 2014), exaggerating the conflict to the level of an existential conflict against the forces of “absolute evil” or confrontation between “democracy” and “authoritarianism”, that they can no longer search for a compromise or, especially, just step aside. As a result, assessments of this kind take on the meaning of self-fulfilling prophecies. And Ukrainian civil war turned to a dangerous regional conflict, so according to this approach and Western states readiness to continue to invest resources in the confrontation with Russia in Ukraine, the duration of the “unipolar moment” in the system of international relations, as well as the parameters of the emerging new world order, really begin to depend on the outcome of the initially peripheral conflict (taking into account the interests of external actors and the parties involved).
The Phenomenon of Kazakh Nationalism: An Attempt to Analyze
Authors: Gudimenko D.
Published: February 2024

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of Kazakh ethnic nationalism. The origins and main milestones of its formation, its manifestations in the education system, language sphere, demographic and HR politics are described. The fundamental ideas of the nationalist parties and organizations in Kazakhstan are considered and analyzed. The article emphasizes that the “Kazakhization” promoted by Kazakh national patriots contradicts the real needs of the socio-economic development of the state. The author concludes that nationalist trends are dangerous for partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan.
Contemporary Relations between Belarus and China
Authors: Malyshev D.
Published: February 2024

The paper characterizes the main stages of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Belarus in the 1990s and in the 21st century. Special attention is paid to the interaction between the leaders, the governments and legislative bodies of the two states in the political and socio-economic spheres. A detailed characterization of bilateral humanitarian cooperation is given. The main directions of interaction between the two countries within the framework of the implementation of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative are shown. The specifics of the development of the Chinese-Belarusian relations within the Great Stone Industrial Park, which has become a kind of symbol of cooperation between the two countries, are determined. Attention is also paid to such an important Chinese-Belarusian project as the Belji automobile plant.
Seasonal variation in the concentration of potentially toxic elements in fish from El Tunal river, Durango, Mexico: Possible implications for human health
Authors:   Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango, Durango, México, Velázquez-Chávez Leticia de Jesús , Chávez-Simental Jorge Armando ,   Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango, Durango, México, Ortiz-Sánchez Ixchel Abby ,   Tecnológico Nacional de México, Durango, México, Pámanes-Carrasco Gerardo Antonio ,   Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango, Durango, México, Carrillo-Parra Artemio ,   Universidad Juarez del Estado de Durango, Durango, México, Pereda-Solís Martín Emilio ,   Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango, Durango, México
Published: February 2024

Environmental pollution is a major problem worldwide. One of the major health issues is the consumption of potentially toxic elements through fish intake, particularly in urban areas. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the human health risks of fish consumers. This study aims to determine concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn in the liver and muscle of freshwater carp (Cyprinus carpio) caught in El Tunal River, Durango, Mexico. Carps were collected in dry (n = 7) and rainy (n = 10) seasons. The highest concentrations of all elements were found in the liver, where As and Zn (4.83 and 6.51 µg/g w/w, respectively) were predominant. Meanwhile, As, Cr, and Zn (1.00, 1.12, and 1.09 µg/g w/w, respectively) were predominant in muscle. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn had significant differences between seasons (p < 0.05), showing that during the rainy season the concentration of elements in the river, and hence in fish tissues, was reduced. Elements in edible tissue were below the levels allowed in Mexico and by international agencies. The mean and total target hazard quotients were below 1, indicating a minor risk to human health. Based on this study, fish consumption does not represent a risk to human health; however, it is necessary to continue monitoring pollutants since their accumulation can increase over time.
Peran Orang Tua terhadap Kontrol Diri Anak dalam Penggunaan Smartphone
Authors: Amalia Amanda Rosa
Published: February 2024

Kemajuan teknologi selalu menuntut seseorang untuk mengikuti zaman, yang mana selalu mempunyai tujuan untuk memudahkan manusia dalam hal apapun, dan dapat menyesuaikan kehidupan dengan orang lain yang juga mengikuti perkembangan zaman. Penelitian tentang kontrol diri pada anak dengan peran orang tua ini menggunakan metode penelitian deskriptif kualitatif, dengan mendapatkan fenomena dan informasi berupa fakta dari wawancara dan observasi. Pemilihan untuk informan pada penelitian ini diambil dengan teknik purposive sampling, dengan demikian peneliti mengambil 5 informan, dengan kriteria sebagai berikut: 1) ayah dan ibu yang mempunyai anak 6-12 tahun, 2) ayah dan ibu yang menyerahkan smathphone pada anaknya, 3) ayah dan ibu yang anaknya jarang main dengan teman sabaya (anaknya sering dirumah). Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui seberapa bagaimana peran orang tua untuk mengontrol anaknya agar tidak kecanduan terhadap smartphone. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: orang tua berperan penting untuk mengontrol anaknya, dengan memanfaatkan kecanggihan yang terdapat di smartphone dengan menggunkana fitur kontrol orang tua. Agar orang tua bisa mengetahui segala hal yang telah diakses anaknya karena histori segala pencarian akan ketahuan dari fitur tersebut.
Diagenesis of the Miocene Obispo Formation, Coast Range,
California
Authors: Surdam Ronald C. , Hall Clarence A.
Published: February 2024

The pyroclastic Miocene Obispo Formation (15-17 m.y.b.p.) was deposited in a continental submarine margin along the “leaky” San Luis Obispo transform (SLOT). These bimodal volcanic rocks (rhyolitic pyroclastics and basaltic flows and sills) occur along a linear trend that extends for 140 to 200 km in the southern Coast Range of California. In the area of investigation the Obispo Formation consists of a prism of volcanic rocks 500 to 1000 meters maximum thickness. Much of the pryo-clastic material, which commonly consists of over 80% of the formation, has been diagenetically altered.

Early in the diagenetic history of the Obispo Formation much of the pyroclastic material, particularly the fine-grained glassy fragments, has been altered to the zeolites clinoptilolite and morden-ite. These early diagenetic products resulted from hydration reactions. Besides the addition of H2O, the reactions involved only minor mass transfer. Early diagenesis coincided with the injection of intrusive bodies shortly after deposition of the tuffaceous material. Intrusive bodies acted as heat sources which heated the interstitial fluids in the wet tuffaceous sediments causing the convection of the fluids and acceleration of hydration reactions (zeolitization). The distribution of the mordenite and clinoptilolite is controlled by the proximity of the intrusive bodies; with the mordenite being formed closest to the intrusives (higher temperature) and the clinoptilolite forming more distant from the intrusives (lower temperature).

A second generation of diagenesis of the Obispo Formation occurs late in the burial history after the deposition of the overlying Monterey Formation. Reactions characterizing late diagenesis resulted in larger scale mass transfer. Dolomitization of many of the tuff beds took place during this stage of diagenesis. CO2-charged fluids were largely responsible for the later stage of diagenesis. These waters were derived from the dewatering and diagenesis of organic-rich sediments in adjacent basins.
Estudio de viabilidad de la implementación de la tecnología Blockchain en el sistema contable
Authors:   , Mayuri Saavedra Martin Josué
Published: February 2024

En los últimos años, el Blockchain ha ofrecido a las empresas posibilidades de ahorro de costos a través de la automatización, seguridad e incluso, permite crear oportunidades de tributación inmediata (Dai y Vasarhelyi, 2017). Posiblemente estos avances pueden tener efectos significativos en los empleos y cambiaría industrias enteras con el nuevo horizonte de las soluciones digitalizadas y automatizadas. A través de protocolos generados, por ejemplo, como el del proyecto Ethereum, las organizaciones tienen el potencial de facturar, pagar y realizar la contabilidad de sus acciones, todo esto, en una misma transacción (Dai & Vasarhelyi, 2017). Como la contabilidad y la auditoría tienen ciertos objetivos similares a los propuestos por Blockchain, el conocimiento de esta herramienta podría convertirse en el foco principal de tales profesiones. Deloitte argumenta que: "al final del camino del Blockchain, las auditorías totalmente automatizadas pueden ser una realidad” (Deloitte 2016, p.3). El presente trabajo de investigación tiene un enfoque cuantiativo con un diseño descriptivo y transversal, el objetivo es describir el efecto potencial que representa Blockchain; no solo para las auditorías en el mundo, sino también de cómo sería si se implementase en el Perú. Para completar el proceso de la fase investigativa de este proyecto, se realizará el estudio de las encuestas realizadas a auditores que trabajaron con Blockchain y los efectos que estas han experimentado, así como se revisará la literatura referente al tema. El tema de investigación cuenta con información internacional suficiente de nivel primario, o sea, aspectos que nos orientan a la descripción de la plataforma, beneficios y experiencia que engloba el paquete ofrecido por Blockchain.
Diammonium Phosphate Treatment for Sustained Hydraulic/Acid Fracture Conductivity in Chalk and Limestone Formations
Authors: Desouky Mahmoud , Samarkin Yevgeniy , Aljawad Murtada Saleh , Amao Abduljamiu , AlTammar Murtadha J. , Alruwaili Khalid M.
Published: February 2024

The sustained conductivity of hydraulic/acid fractures is crucial for the continuous and effective production of hydrocarbons. However, hydraulic fractures in soft carbonate formations often experience a reduction in conductivity due to rock deformation and creeping under in-situ stresses. One approach to resolve this issue is to stiffen the fracture surfaces using a consolidating agent. This study examines the application of diammonium hydrogen phosphate (DAP) as an additive to improve the hydraulic/acid fracture conductivity in Indiana limestone and Austin chalk slabs. Initially, flat slabs of Indiana limestone and Austin chalk were subjected to acidization using 15% and 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl) for 10 minutes and 5 minutes, respectively. The resulting surface texture changes were measured using a profilometer. Subsequently, half of the samples underwent treatment in 1 M DAP under 1,000 psi and 75°C for 72 hours. The surface stiffness of the samples was evaluated using nondestructive impulse hammering before and after acid injection and DAP treatment, while hydraulic/acid fracture conductivity was determined using an API conductivity setup. Following acid injection, the experimental results demonstrate that the stiffness of all the samples was diminished to different degrees. However, intact Indiana limestone samples exhibited increased stiffness after treatment with DAP. Acidized Indiana limestone samples showed partial restoration of their original stiffness with DAP treatment. In contrast, DAP treatment fully restored the stiffness of Austin chalk samples and further enhanced it, resulting in a twofold to fivefold increase. The increased stiffness observed in the treated samples had a direct impact on short- and long-term conductivity. Treated Indiana limestone fractures exhibited double the conductivity of untreated fractures. The improvement in Austin chalk conductivity was even more significant after DAP treatment, resulting in seven to eight times higher conductivity in the treated hydraulic/acid fractures. It is worth noting that there was little to no correlation between surface roughness and conductivity, highlighting the significant influence of fracture stiffness on conductivity.
Effects of different intensity endurance training on atrial fibrillation in Rats
Authors: Xiao Jingwen , Zhang Jiancheng , Zhang Yan , Li Chuanchuan , Yang Chenqi , Jiang Yu , Lai Xinqi , Lin Zhengnan
Published: February 2024

Background
Exercise has a positive effect on various cardiovascular diseases. However, it is not uncommon to experience arrhythmia events during or after exercising.
Objective
To determine how to maximize the benefits of exercise while ensuring safety.
Methods
we conducted a study involving 40 adult Sprague-Dawley rats. These rats underwent exercise of different intensities for 8 weeks. We recorded electrophysiological stimulation to track the occurrence and duration of atrial fibrillation, along with other electrophysiological data. Additionally, we analyzed and observed the histology of cardiomyocytes.
Results
The results revealed a relationship between exercise intensity and the incidence of atrial fibrillation and myocardial lipid deposition. As exercise intensity increased, there were an increase in myocardial fibrosis, mitochondrial activity, and autophagy and a decrease in reactive oxygen species. The expression of NCX1 and Kv1.5 proteins in rat atrial cardiomyocytes exhibited varying degrees of change. The increase in myocardial lipid level after exercise is thought to have a significant effect on myocardial fibrosis, which may be related to the upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha expression.
Conclusion
Sustained and moderate-intensity exercise is considered more suitable for improving myocardial metabolic energy supply and treating atrial arrhythmias.
Rope Skipping or Badminton? The Effect of Exercise on Sleep Quality in University Students
Authors: Ye Zixin , Tan Shuyue , Zhu Yingyuan , Fan Jialin
Published: February 2024

Background: Poor sleep quality is common among university students and can negatively affect their studies, college lives, and physical and mental health. Aerobic exercise has shown promise in mitigating these issues. Exercise interventions involved in previous studies were often time-consuming. To identify a more efficient approach, we evaluated the effects of 15-day rope skipping and badminton interventions on sleep issues. We hypothesized that both badminton and rope skipping would be effective in mitigating sleep problems and that the effect of rope skipping would be greater than that of badminton.
Methods: Fifty-five participants’ levels of sleep were assessed via nine variables, using the Consensus Sleep Diary and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index.
Results: Both exercises were effective in improving sleep onset latency. Badminton has a greater effect on improving daytime dysfunction than rope skipping. No additional significant results were found on the other components of sleep. One of the reasons for the nonsignificant results could be that some participants’ sleep was disturbed by roommates sharing the same bedroom.
Conclusions: Short-term rope skipping and badminton can effectively shorten the sleep onset latency of university students. Badminton can mitigate more daytime dysfunction than rope skipping. In addition, we found that some participants reported being more interested in exercise after the intervention, suggesting that exercise interventions could be used to foster exercise habits.
Effects of case management on motor and environmental risk factors for falls in older people with cognitive impairment: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Candanedo Maria Juana Beatriz Lima , Gramani-Say Karina , Sossai Mariana Ignácio , Maciel Leticia Teodoro , Fernandes Otavio Augusto , Tavares Larissa Riani Costa , Ansai Juliana Hotta
Published: February 2024

Objective: To verify the effectiveness of an intervention based on case management on motor and environmental risk factors for falls in community-dwelling faller older people with cognitive impairment.
Design: This is a randomized clinical trial.
Setting: The study developed in the year 2021 and 2022.
Participants: Participants were faller older people with cognitive deficits. The participants were divided into two groups: Control Group (CG) and Intervention Group (IG).
nterventions: The IG underwent case management for 16 weeks conducted remotely, which involved a multidimensional assessment, explanation of the identified risk factors for falls, completion of intervention proposal based on the identified risks.
Main outcome measures: There were an initial assessment, a final assessment after 16 weeks, and a follow-up assessment after 6 weeks, remotely. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed up and Go test (TUG) and TUG dual task, Manchester Index, Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) were used, as well as foot inspection and shoe questionnaire.
Results: The total sample consisted of 52 older people, 25 from the CG and 27 from the IG. There was no significant interaction between groups and moments. The CG presented a worse performance in muscle strength when compared to the IG, regardless of the assessment. In feet and footwear, there was a significant difference between groups (CG and IG) in the initial assessment and between assessments in both CG and IG.
Conclusion:There was no effectiveness of an intervention based on case management on the motor risk factors for falls in faller older people with cognitive impairment. However, regarding environmental risk factors, specifically the use of footwear, it was possible to verify changes regarding the use after the intervention and follow-up, with adherence to the recommendations given.
Edaphic influences on soil organic carbon in the forest systems of Southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: Binsiya T. K. , Sandeep S. , Vishnu P. S
Published: February 2024

Spatial distribution and edaphic influences on soil organic carbon (SOC) are key determinants of carbon sequestration potential of forest ecosystems. Further, analysis of aggregate-protected soil organic carbon gives an in-depth understanding of the stability of carbon stored in these soils. The present study evaluated the edaphic effects on the soil organic carbon in four different forest systems - tropical evergreen forest, tropical moist deciduous forest, tropical dry deciduous forest and shola forest - in the southern high hills agro-ecological zone of Western Ghats, India. Organic carbon contents in the wet-sieved soil aggregates varied significantly between the different forest systems. The soil organic carbon stocks up to 1 m depth was found to be highest in the shola forest system (441.08 Mg C/ha) and lowest in the dry deciduous forest (138.17 Mg C/ha). An evaluation of the effects of forest type, soil depth and aggregate size on SOC by a fixed-effect model showed that all these factors significantly affected carbon storage in these systems. An assessment of the relative importance and effect of fourteen edaphic factors on SOC content in different forest systems using the random forest model showed that the algorithm could explain 93.68%, 41.72%, 45.53% and 75.2% variability of SOC concentration across shola, dry deciduous, moist deciduous and evergreen systems, respectively. In all the forest systems except in dry deciduous forest, soil texture surpassed all other edaphic parameters and was found to be the primary factor influencing the SOC. The insights on the SOC dynamics and edaphic factors controlling them provide valuable inputs for forest management in the tropics vis – a – vis climate change mitigation.
Multiple Paths of Green and Low-carbon Development in Industrial Parks: Group Analysis Based on the TOE Framework
Authors: Xin Meng , Yue Cheng , Yuanhua Xuan
Published: February 2024

The green and low-carbon development of industrial parks plays an important role in promoting industrial and technological agglomeration. Based on the TOE framework, this study selected 29 state-level economic and technological development zones (ETDZs) in China as research objects, and explored multiple sets of paths using fuzzy set qualitative comparison and necessity-contribution analysis. The study found that: (1) four promotion paths can be adopted for green low-carbon development of the zones: endogenous drive, balanced promotion, core support drive and comprehensive drive; (2) single environmental factor does not constitute a bottleneck hindering the green low-carbon development of the zones, which should be combined with the actual situation of the zones, and the balanced enhancement of the effectiveness of green and low-carbon should be realised through measures such as industrial policy, environmental risk prevention, and performance assessment of green policies. The results of the study deepen the rational understanding of the nature of the complex interaction of multiple factors behind the green and low-carbon development of industrial parks. In addition, the findings provide useful practical insights for green low-carbon construction.
Watch the Moon, Learn the Moon: Lunar Geology Research at School Level with Telescope and Open Source Data
Authors: Luke Kevin , Mishra Abhinav , Ghare Vihaan , Chanyal Shaurya , Shukla Priyamvada , Pandey Anushreya , Rane Vaishnavi , Pathan Ashadieeyah , Vaja Parv , Gogate Sai , Tiwari Shreyansh , Singh Jagruti , Davda Dhruv
Published: February 2024

Science-AI Symbiotic Group at Seven Square Academy, Naigaon was formed in 2023 with the purpose of bringing school students to the forefronts of science research by involving them in hands on research. In October 2023 a new project was started with the goal of studying the lunar surface by real-time observations and open source data. Twelve students/members from grades 8, 9, 10 participated in this research attempt wherein each student filled an observation metric by observing the Moon on various days with a Bresser Messier 150mm/1200mm reflector Newtonian telescope. After the observations were done, the members were assigned various zones on the lunar near side for analysis of geological features. Then a data analysis metric was filled by each of students with the help of Lunar Reconnais-sance Orbiter Camera’s/ LROC’s quickmap open access data hosted by Arizona State University. In this short paper a brief overview of this project is given. One example each of observation metric and data analysis metric is presented. This kind of project has high impact for school science education with minimal costs. This project can also serve as an interesting science outreach program for organisations looking forward to popularise planetary sciences research at school level.
A Multi-Stratal Model of Language Processing (MSMLP)
Authors: Elleuch Dalia
Published: February 2024

This article presents the Multi-Stratal Model of Language Processing (MSMLP) as an innovative neurolinguistic approach. The MSMLP is a framework that aims to advance the understanding of language processing (henceforth LP) in the human brain. A systematic review of the available models from various linguistic disciplines, cognitive psychology, and neuroscientific research was conducted to critically explore and synthesize the current trends and identify the theoretical gap regarding the technical modeling of the phenomenon under investigation (LP). The article provides a detailed overview of the theoretical foundations and key components of the MSMLP. It highlights the importance of studying language processing from a multi-stratal perspective, acknowledging the interconnectedness and mutual influence of different linguistic strata. The MSMLP integrates multiple strata of analysis: phonological, morphosyntactic, semantic, and pragmatic. By considering these interdependencies, the MSMLP offers a neurolinguistic explanation of naturalistic language processing. Furthermore, the article discusses the implications and potential applications of the MSMLP in the field of medical research and clinical practice. It emphasizes the model’s relevance in studying language disorders, such as aphasia, and its potential to inform diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Sedimentary features of AD1741 tsunami deposit and some older event deposits in the narrow lowlands along the eastern margin of the Japan Sea, northern Hiyama District, Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Kase Yoshihiro , Kawakami Gentaro , Nishina Kenji , Urabe Atsushi , Koyasu Hiromichi , Takashimizu Yasuhiro
Published: February 2024

Deposits of the AD1741 Oshima-Ohshima tsunami and some other events were identified by pit excavations in two narrow coastal lowlands along the eastern margin of the Japan Sea, northern Hiyama District, Hokkaido, Japan. The AD1741 tsunami deposits were consisted of volcanic-ash sand grains derived from the AD1640 Ko-d tephra, and were characterized by landward thinning bed geometry, landward paleocurrent, normal grading, erosional base with rip-up clasts, and higher ratio of marine diatoms. In the Kumaishi-Ayukawa lowland, well-preserved out-flow layer indicates that the tsunami entered through the river mouth reached the terrace cliffs and returned along the river. Whereas the tsunami deposits in the Hirahama lowland lack return flow layer and were overlain by marsh muds, suggesting that the tsunami overtopped the coastal sand dunes and seawater ponded the vast lowland for a period. The sand grains of AD1741 tsunami deposits in Hirahama were not much rounded compared with those in the Kumaishi-Ayukawa, which probably reflected sediment source from tephra fell on the sand dunes and inland. We also recognized event deposits younger than AD1741 of flash flood origins in both lowlands. In addition, two older event deposits (672–561 cal yBP and 2333–1999 cal yBP) existed in Hirahama, that were consisted of rounded pebbles to cobbles similar with present beach gravels. Although such gravelly event deposits may be formed by storm surge or tsunami, the details of their origins are currently unclear.
Feasibility of decoding covert speech in ECoG with a Transformer trained on overt speech
Authors: Komeiji Shuji , Mitsuhashi Takumi , Iimura Yasushi , Suzuki Hiroharu , Sugano Hidenori , Shinoda Koichi , Tanaka Toshihisa
Published: February 2024

Several attempts for speech brain–computer interfacing (BCI) have been made to decode phonemes, sub-words, words, or sentences using invasive measurements, such as the electrocorticogram (ECoG), during auditory speech perception, overt speech, or imagined (covert) speech. Decoding sentences from covert speech is a challenging task. Sixteen epilepsy patients with intracranially implanted electrodes participated in this study, and ECoGs were recorded during overt speech, covert speech, and passive listening of eight Japanese sentences, each consisting of three tokens. A Transformer neural network model was applied to decode text sentences from covert speech, which was trained using ECoGs obtained during overt speech. We first examined the proposed Transformer model using the same task for training and testing and then evaluated the model’s performance when trained with overt or perception tasks for decoding covert speech. The Transformer model trained on covert speech achieved an average token error rate (TER) of 46.6% for decoding covert speech, whereas the model trained on overt speech achieved a comparable TER of 46.3% (p > 0.05; d = 0.07). Therefore the challenge of collecting training data for covert speech can be addressed using overt speech. The performance of covert speech can improve by using large amounts of overt speech.
Single-cell exploration of active microbiota in solubilizing fixed phosphorus in soils
Authors: Zhu Yong-Guan , Li Hong-Zhe , Peng JingJing , Yang Kai , Zhang Yi-Yue , Chen Qing-Lin , Cui Li
Published: February 2024

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) play a crucial role in mobilizing soil fixed phosphorus (P) and mitigating P crisis. However, it is a grand challenge to reveal their in situ P-solubilizing activity and the link between phenotypes and genotypes. Here, single-cell Raman-D2O was employed to discern and quantify soil active PSB. Their abundance and in situ activity differed significantly between soil types and fertilization treatments. Inorganic nutrient input was determined as the key driver for active PSB distributions. Further targeted single-cell sorting and metagenome sequencing of highly active soil PSB revealed novel unculturable genera with a low abundance in bulk soil microbiota. The underlying functional genes and metabolic pathway, especially the previously unrecognized interplay between P and C cycling involved in high P solubilization activity, were elucidated. This study provides a new single-cell approach to exploring PSB from native environments, enabling development of microbial solution for sustainable P utilization in agriculture.
Stress control mechanism by fiber distribution
Authors: Chalermsin Carol Lee , Kanahama Tohya , Sato Motohiro
Published: February 2024

This study aims to determine the optimal design of fibers that can minimize circumferential bending stress from the morphology of “bamboo,” which is considered a “natural functionally graded material (FGM)” because vascular bundles are distributed unevenly across its cross-section. Further, vascular bundles are crucial for determining the mechanical properties of bamboo, and their distribution is not random. This study analyzes bias distribution from the viewpoint of structural mechanics. Longitudinal splitting is a dominant failure mode in both bamboo and fiber composites, it is mainly caused by circumferential bending tensile stress. The bamboo was modelled as a hollow cylinder, and a circumferential bending stress equation was formulated. As a result, the vascular bundles distribution of the bamboo minimized the circumferential bending stress on the inner surface of the cross-section throughout the culm. These suggest that bamboo is a smart plant that can control its distribution based on regions more prone to failure, e.g., where cracks occur first on the inner surface. This study can help obtain the optimal stress-controlled design of fiber-reinforced composites and understand the morphological design of bamboo.
Using Isometric Log-Ratio in Compositional Data Analysis for Developing a Groundwater Pollution Index
Authors: Oh Junseop , Kim Kyoung-Ho , Kim Ho-Rim , Park Sunhwa , Yun Seong-Taek
Published: February 2024

This study introduces a novel Groundwater Pollution Index (GPI) formulated through compositional data analysis (CoDa) and robust principal component analysis (RPCA) to enhance groundwater quality assessment. Using groundwater quality monitoring data from sites impacted by the 2010–2011 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Korea, CoDa uncovers critical hydrochemical differences between leachate-influenced and background groundwater. The GPI was developed by selecting key subcompositional parts (NH4+-N, Cl−, and NO3-−N) using RPCA, performing ilr transformation, and normalizing the results to environmental standards, thereby offering a more precise and reliable pollution assessment. Validated against government criteria, the GPI demonstrated its potential as an alternative assessment tool, confirmed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The study underscores the importance of CoDa, especially the isometric log-ratio (ilr) transformation, in overcoming the limitations of traditional statistical methods by focusing on the relative nature of hydrochemical data. By bridging a methodological gap in groundwater assessment, the GPI represents a significant advancement in groundwater quality monitoring and management. Our results emphasize the importance of considering the compositional nature of environmental data and show the utility of multivariate statistical methods in enhancing the precision and reliability of pollution assessments.