bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Optical Collimator System for Vehicle Speed Gun using Non-Imaging Optics
Authors: Nhut Le Minh , Pham Thanh Tuan , Tran Tien Dung , Huan Vu Dinh , Shin Seoyong
Published: February 2023

Vehicle speed guns are usually used in normal sunlight conditions (daytime). If we want to use vehicle speed guns in low light conditions (nighttime), the illuminator is needed to provide sufficient light for the vehicle speed gun to take photos. The illuminator must fulfill two requirements: (i) using the infrared wavelength to ensure that the driver is not startled by dazzling eyes by the illuminator of the proposed speed gun system and (ii) high energy efficiency to make the illuminator compact leading to the use a small battery system to improve the portable of the proposed vehicle speed gun. In this study, an illuminator using a collimator system designed by using non-imaging optics is introduced. LEDs with infrared wavelength are chosen from the library of LightToolsTM, the structure of collimated is designed to transfer the illumination from the LEDs array to a square area of 3x3 m2 to cover the vehicle to detect the vehicle number plate. The design process is built based on the conservation of optical path length in the Matlab program. After that, the designed collimator is simulated in LightToolsTM software. The promising results of the simulation in LightToolsTM show that the collimator can efficiently transfer light from the LED array to the target area with a uniformity of about 70 % and optical efficiency of about 80 %.
Bilateral Blok Fascial Pekto Interkosta Sebagai Ajuvan pada Operasi CABG
Authors: Herlambang Dedi , Hadinata Yudi
Published: February 2023

Latar Belakang: Regional blok sebagai ajuvan dalam operasi jantung mulai banyak digunakan sebagai terapi tambahan untuk mengurangi nyeri selama periode intraoperatif dan pascaoperasi, diantaranya blok Pekto Interkosta Fasial (PIF). Pembedahan jantung identik dengan penggunaan opioid dosis tinggi. Pada laporan kasus ini, kami melaporkan penggunaan blok PIF pada pasien dewasa yang menjalani operasi CABG.Kasus: Laki-laki, usia 58tahun, diagnosa penyakit jantung koroner, menjalani operasi CABG. Pembahasan: Kami lakukan ajuvan blok PIF pada anestesi umum dengan anestesi lokal bupivakain 0,25%+ epinephrine 1:200.000 dengan volume 20ml sisi kanan dan 20ml sisi kiri. Hemodinamik terpantau stabil tanpa penambahan opioid selama periode operasi.Kesimpulan: Penggunaan teknik PIF Blok efektif menurunkan penggunaan opioid dan menjamin pengelolaan nyeri yang adekuat pada operasi CABG. Blok ini dapat dipergunakan sebagai salah satu alternatif teknik analgesia untuk pasien sternotomi maupun kasus lain yang melibatkan rongga dada bagian depan.
Entrepreneurial Attitudes, Intentions and Motivations among University Students in the National Capital Region
Authors: Mangada Miguel E.
Published: February 2023

Utilizing the descriptive-comparative and descriptive-correlational research designs, the researcher employed a questionnaire as the principal tool in gathering data from 518 college students enrolled in the business program of the different universities in the National Capital Region (NCR) during the school year 2014-2015 through a convenience sampling.

The findings of the study revealed that majority of the university college students belonged to the 20 years old group, were females, born in the middle sibling order, had parents who reached college, and had an average monthly income ranging from P30,000 and above, and whose families were self-employed, and had previous entrepreneurial family experience.

The study indicated that the respondents had a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship. The respondents were found to have high entrepreneurial intentions. For the push factors that motivate respondents to become

entrepreneurs, the respondents were much affected by the different push factors, while the pull factors were not very important to them. .

The study also found that the exogenous factors hindering the respondents’ intention of becoming entrepreneurs will be serious problem to the respondents if they enter the world of entrepreneurship and these will bother them a lot especially upon starting a business, and so do the endogenous factors.

Furthermore, the study found the following: a) that there was a significant difference between gender and entrepreneurial attitudes as manifested by the p- value of 0.000 which is less than 0.05 or 5%; b)that there was a significant relationship between the entrepreneurial attitudes and intention of the respondents as manifested by the p-value which is -0.169 and verbally interpreted as very low correlation and with the p-value = 0.000 which is less than 0.05 or 5%, thus, led the researcher to reject the null hypothesis (Ho); c) that there was no significant relationship between entrepreneurial intentions and motivational factors as manifested by the p-value of 0.505 and 0.611 which were higher than 0.05 or 5 percent; d) that in terms of pull factors, the entrepreneurial intentions do not affect the motivational factors or the other way around; e) that the push factors or the motivational factors do not affect the entrepreneurial intentions of the respondents. This means that even if how good are the entrepreneurial intentions, there is a possibility that motivational factors will not be good and vice versa; f) in terms of exogenous factors, the entrepreneurial intention and hindering factors do not significantly relate with one another as manifested by the r- value of 0.075 and also p-value

of 0.870 which is greater than 0.05 or 5 percent; and g) when endogenous factors were considered, a significant relationship exists between the entrepreneurial intention and hindering factors.
The Chinese economy at the crossroads and the uncertain future of the “China Model”
Authors: Ni Alexandra.Jingsi
Published: February 2023

China’s impressive development and modernization have entered into a politically and economically sensitive phase with the mounting external containment to suppress theseemingly unstoppable momentum of its continuous rise and the internal demand for sustainable growth and qualitative upgrading of the Chinese economy. At the current moment, the US and China are tightly locked in a fierce interstate competition due to A)China’s unfulfilled aspiration to become a true global superpower with the ability to redefine and revise the existing rules of the game set by the US-led global West and B) the strategicdesperation on the part of the US to sustain and prolong the deteriorating unipolar world order and reverse its relative decline. In a general sense, I tend to believe the Chinese economy is at the crossroads of developmentand evolution at the current moment. China has been gradually losing its demographicadvantages over time to aging and lower birth rate. Increasing productivity, rising income per capita and reinforcing its competitive position in the global economic system through technological innovation and advancement seem to be a both inevitable and promising avenueto elevate the Chinese economy onto a higher level of sophistication with improvedsustainability in the long run. However, the US has resorted to the strictly enforced“technology embargo”, especially the recent “chip ban”, to decisively block, or at least, hold back China’s rapid advancement in a wide range of strategically critical industries, such as artificial intelligence (AI), hypersonic missile development, aerospace engineering, quantum computing, and smart or self-driving (electronic) car etc. Therefore, in this article, I intend tocritically discuss how and why the Chinese economy is, once again, in a major crisis since thehugely successful, comprehensive reform in the late 1970s and what could be possibly done to safeguard the Chinese economy during a highly unpredictable and remarkably turbulent time of steadily mounting internal and external challenges.Key words: the Chinese economy, technological development, Sino-US interstate competition and the “China Model”.
Absolute chronology of the Globular Amphora funeral complex at Malice, Sandomierz Upland
Authors: Witkowska Barbara , Przybyła Marcin M. , Podsiadło Michał , Szczepanek Anita , Włodarczak Piotr
Published: February 2023

The article presents new radiocarbon datings made for a funeral complex from Malice, site 1, located on the Sandomierz Upland and related to the Globular Amphora culture. The complex included at least two human graves (features no. 32 and 33) and two animal deposits or sacrificial pits (no. 31 and probably 54). Feature 32 was a collective grave including five burials (of a male, a female and three children), while in Feature 33 the only one disarticulated human skeleton has been excavated. Pit 31 contained at least three animal individuals. It is possible the unexamined Pit 54 also contained animal depositions. The described features probably formed two clusters, each of which included a human grave and an accompanying pit with animal deposits. Altogether ten radiocarbon dates were obtained with the dated bone samples coming from five human skeletons found in Graves 32 and 33, and animal remains from Pit 31. The calibration results point to the first half of the 3rd millennium BC and stay between 2909 and 2472 BC (with the probability of 95.4%) or more precisely between 2898 and 2490 BC (probability of 68.2%). However, thanks to the stratigraphic documentation it was possible to determine that five deceased from Feature 32 were buried in three phases most likely to ca. 2850–2750 BC. It is highly probable that individual burials were separated by short time intervals. A similar age should be adopted for Feature 31 – a sacrificial pit linked to Grave 32. However, it is not possible to determine with any certainty the age of Grave 33: it could have been contemporaneous with, or slightly younger (ca 2620–2500 BC) than Feature 32.
Relationships between Globular Amphora and Corded Ware occupation phases in Złota-Nad Wawrem site, Sandomierz Upland. Chronometric and stratigraphic evidence
Authors: Witkowska Barbara , Włodarczak Piotr
Published: February 2023

On the Nad Wawrem site in Złota, unique instances of stratigraphic sequences were recorded, involving materials linked to the Globular Amphora culture and Corded Ware culture. This article discusses these sequences and presents hitherto unpublished materials that may contribute to the study of the decline of the Eneolithic in Małopolska. The stratigraphic sequences involve the presence of pottery belonging to the older phase of the Corded Ware culture in pits related to the Globular Amphora culture and the intercutting of Globular Amphora settlement features by Corded Ware graves. In settlement pits, besides dominating materials of the Globular Amphora culture, pottery typical of the older phase of the Corded Ware culture was discovered. Corded Ware niche graves, in turn, were clearly younger than the Globular Amphora settlement pits they cut into. The study of the sequences reveals the complexity of cultural relations on the Sandomierz Upland in the first half of the 3rd millennium BC. An interesting aspect is the cross-border nature of the pottery often treated as a clear cultural marker. Substantiated by absolute dating, the synchronous development model of the Globular Amphora culture, the older phase of the Corded Ware culture and the Złota culture is reflected in the peculiarity of recorded pottery assemblages.
Absolute chronology of settlement remains of the Globular Amphora culture in the Sandomierz Upland (Site Gałkowice-Ocin, Mierzanowice, Złota–Nad Wawrem)
Authors: Florek Marek , Witkowska Barbara
Published: February 2023

Under the project financed by the National Science Centre no 2014/12/S/HS3/00355 the first series of chronometric data has been obtained which forms the basis for establishing the chronology of the Globular Amphora culture in the Sandomierz Upland. It has produced altogether 42 absolute age determinations setting a chronological bracket of the Sandomierz-Opatów subgroup, of which 19 new radiocarbon determinations came from five settlements of this culture. Some are sites known in the literature, while others have been discovered in recent years. In general, the data from the settlements are compatible with the series obtained from graves, but a few dates and materials indicate the possibility of GAC surviving until the second half of the 3rd millennium BC.
Chronology and periodization of the Globular Amphora culture East Lublin Subgroup
Authors: Bronicki Andrzej
Published: February 2023

The Globular Amphora culture East Lublin subgroup was distinguished in the 1950s by Stefan Nosek. The key argument in favour of the distinction involved stone cist graves, having south-eastern affinities. The newly-distinguished taxonomic unit boasted both western and eastern traits. Since 1996, 13 radiocarbon dates have been obtained for nine features: 1 settlement pit, 5 cist graves and 3 pit graves. The dates helped distinguish three chronological sequences and describe inventories of grave finds from particular development phases. By comparing inventories from graves for which radiocarbon dates were available with grave goods from features without such determinations, it was possible to supplement the sets of cultural elements characteristic of successive time intervals with traits to be found solely in the latter. Ultimately, the proposed periodization of Globular Amphora settlement in the eastern Lublin province is made up of three phases: I (‘general Globular Amphora’ horizon – preceding the formation of the East Lublin subgroup) – 3000/2950–2900/2850 BC; II (‘classical’ phase of the East Lublin subgroup) – 2900/2850–2650/2600 BC; III (‘late’ phase of the East Lublin subgroup) – 2650/2600–ca 2400 BC.
Verkörperungen der (Ohn-)Macht bei Juli Zeh – Darstellungen des Physischen zwischen Ressource und Verletzlichkeit
Authors: Alt Lucas
Published: February 2023

Juli Zeh setzt sich in ihren dystopisch anmutenden Romanen Spieltrieb (2004), Corpus Delicti. Ein Prozess (2009) und Leere Herzen (2017) kritisch mit postmodernen Verfahren politischer Machtausübung auseinander. Kontrolle und Disziplinierung richten sich auf den partiell unverfügbaren und daher verachteten (menschlichen) Körper im Sinne einer „Austreibung des Anderen“ (Han 2016). Das Physisch-Materielle erscheint einerseits als Zielobjekt, andererseits aber auch als Antagonist rationaler Systeme und totalitärer Staatlichkeit.
Impaired calcium handling mechanisms in atrial trabeculae of diabetic patients
Authors: Jones Timothy L. M. , Kaur Sarbjot , Kang Nicholas , Ruygrok Peter N. , Ward Marie‐Louise
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling and contractile function in freshly excised human atrial tissue from diabetic and non‐diabetic patients undergoing routine surgery. Multicellular trabeculae (283 ± 20 μm in diameter) were dissected from the endocardial surface of freshly obtained right atrial appendage samples from consenting surgical patients. Trabeculae were mounted in a force transducer at optimal length, electrically stimulated to contract, and loaded with fura‐2/AM for intracellular Ca2+ measurements. The response to stimulation frequencies encompassing the physiological range was recorded at 37°C. Myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity was assessed from phase plots and high potassium contractures of force against [Ca2+]i. Trabeculae from diabetic patients (n = 12) had increased diastolic (resting) [Ca2+]i (p = 0.03) and reduced Ca2+ transient amplitude (p = 0.04) when compared to non‐diabetic patients (n = 11), with no difference in the Ca2+ transient time course. Diastolic stress was increased (p = 0.008) in trabeculae from diabetic patients, and peak developed stress decreased (p ≤ 0.001), which were not accounted for by reduction in the cardiomyocyte, or contractile protein, content of trabeculae. Trabeculae from diabetic patients also displayed diminished myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity (p = 0.018) compared to non‐diabetic patients. Our data provides evidence of impaired calcium handling during excitation‐contraction coupling with resulting contractile dysfunction in atrial tissue from patients with type 2 diabetes in comparison to the non‐diabetic. This highlights the importance of targeting cardiomyocyte Ca2+ homeostasis in developing more effective treatment options for diabetic heart disease in the future.
Symmetry and nonsymmetry of minimal action sign-changing solutions for the Choquard system
Authors: Chen Jianqing , Zhang Qian
Published: February 2023

In this article, we consider the following Choquard system inRNN≥1{{\mathbb{R}}}^{N}N\ge 1−Δu+u=2pp+q(Iα∗∣v∣q)∣u∣p−2u,−Δv+v=2qp+q(Iα∗∣u∣p)∣v∣q−2v,u(x)→0,v(x)→0as∣x∣→∞,\left\{\begin{array}{l}-\Delta u+u=\frac{2p}{p+q}({I}_{\alpha }\ast | v{| }^{q})| u{| }^{p-2}u,\\ -\Delta v+v=\frac{2q}{p+q}({I}_{\alpha }\ast | u{| }^{p})| v{| }^{q-2}v,\\ u\left(x)\to 0,v\left(x)\to 0\hspace{1em}\hspace{0.1em}\text{as}\hspace{0.1em}\hspace{0.33em}| x| \to \infty ,\end{array}\right.whereN+αN<p,q<N+αN−2\frac{N+\alpha }{N}\lt p,q\lt \frac{N+\alpha }{N-2},2∗α{2}_{\ast }^{\alpha }denotesN+αN−2\frac{N+\alpha }{N-2}ifN≥3N\ge 3and2∗α≔∞{2}_{\ast }^{\alpha }:= \inftyifN=1,2N=1,2,Iα{I}_{\alpha }is a Riesz potential. By analyzing the asymptotic behavior of Riesz potential energy, we prove that minimal action sign-changing solutions have an odd symmetry with respect to the a hyperplane whenα\alphais either close to 0 or close toNN. Our results can be regarded as a generalization of the results by Ruiz et al.
Visual inspection intelligent robot technology for large infusion industry
Authors: Liang Qilang , Luo Bangshun
Published: February 2023

The application of intelligent technology has realized the transformation of people’s production and lifestyle, and it has also promoted the development of the field of medicine. At present, the intensity of intelligence in the field of medicine is increasing. By using its cash methods and techniques combined with the mechanical field, this article proposes to use visual inspection technology to understand the fusion of the medical field and the mechanical field. It is helpful to analyze and solve objective problems such as low efficiency in current infusion and insufficient rigidity of large infusion plastic bottles. Drawing on the principles and laws of deep learning algorithms and neural networks, the technical research of intelligent robots for visual inspection is carried out to realize the intelligence of infusion robots. In the research accuracy of detection, the detection rate of standard particles higher than 85 µM has reached almost 100%, and the rate of 50 µM standard particles is lower and unstable. The detection effect of the control light bulb control was different, and the detection rate was between 50 and 80%, which was obviously worse than the detection robot effect. Therefore, the current research on the technology of intelligent robots is very important.
Bond of corroded reinforcement in strain resilient cementitious composites
Authors: Tastani Sousana
Published: February 2023

In corroded steel anchorages, radial pressures generated by corrosion and bond are balanced by hoop tension provided by the concrete cover. As the concrete has negligible tension strain capacity, in the absence of confinement, anchorage failure occurs by cover splitting and consequent bond deterioration. This paper presents an experimental study of short reinforcement anchorages embedded in a strain resilient cementitious composite matrix, which were preconditioned under simulated corrosion before mechanical loading. The experiment was meant to assess the restraining effect of randomly dispersed plastic fibers on the build-up of expansive rust, by measuring the degree of rebar corrosion that led to cracking of the concrete cover, and the consequent improvements in residual anchorage capacity, by measuring the mechanical response to four-point loading. A total of eighteen short beams were tested with variables being the anchorage length extending into the shear span of the beams as well as the matrix (with and without fibers). Comparisons among artificially corroded and non-corroded coupons demonstrate the favorable effect a strain resilient matrix has in delaying metal consumption as a consequence of the fibers’ restrain against crack initiation/widening; their mechanical testing reveals even increase of local bond strength for corrosion level less than 10%.
Numerical simulation of fluid flow mixing in flow-focusing microfluidic devices
Authors: Aghaei Halimeh , Solaimany Nazar Ali Reza
Published: February 2023

A numerical simulation through computational fluid dynamics is presented on the fluid flow mixing in a flow-focusing microfluidic device with three inlet channels confluence angles of 45, 67.5, and 90°. The effect of various parameters such as aspect ratio (0.5, 1, and 1.5), mixing channel length (1–4 mm), and Reynolds number (1–20) on the mixing efficiency, and the pressure drop are evaluated. The results demonstrate that the increase in mixing efficiency results from an increase in the Reynolds number and aspect ratio for all the angles. In addition, an increase in the pressure drop due to an increase in the Reynolds number and a decrease in the aspect ratio is observed. A longer length of the mixing channel indicates a higher mixing efficiency. The mixing efficiency is more suitable at an angle of 45° among the applied angles in terms of the operational and geometric parameters due to an increase in the contact surface of the flows at the inlet channels junction since the mixing index range is between 0.54 and 1 by varying the mentioned parameters.
Preparation of novel acyl pyrazoles and triazoles by means of oxidative functionalization reactions
Authors: Wadey Geoffrey P. , Doherty Katrina E. , Sandoval Arturo León , Leadbeater Nicholas E.
Published: February 2023

Novel acyl pyrazoles and acyl triazoles have been prepared by means of the oxidative amidation of aldehydes in the presence of the requisite azole. Yields range from modest to good in both cases, and some limitations of the substrate scope have been discovered. Acyl pyrazoles were prepared by treatment of a mixture of aldehyde and pyrazole with an oxoammonium salt bearing the nitrate anion. In the case of acyl triazoles, the oxidative functionalization was performed using sodium persulfate as a terminal oxidant in the presence of a catalytic quantity of a nitroxide.
Contextual Specificity of (Un)Healthy Food/Drink Intake in Everyday Life: A Study Based on Episodic Memories
Authors: Laguna-Camacho Antonio
Published: February 2023

Identifying the contexts of episodes of (un)healthy food/drink intake could inform strategies for eating more healthily. This study assessed memories of recent episodes of healthy and unhealthy eating from adults in Mexico. For each (un)healthy eating episode participants recalled place, time of day, people present and food/drink intake. Categories were formed for the contextual features and foods/drinks that were reported, then the relative frequency of each category was tested between healthy and unhealthy eating episodes. Overall, there was a large set of categories of (un)healthy food/drink choices, and there were more healthy eating episodes with family at home and unhealthy eating episodes with friends out of home. However, as expected, a more specific context as well as food/drink intake was identified for each sort of recalled (un)healthy eating episode of the day. Additionally, eating out of home, later in the day and with people present were features related to higher estimated energy content across (un)healthy eating episodes. These findings support the assessment of self-reported memories of recent eating episodes to generate evidence that contribute to contexts that support healthy eating habits.
«Classic problems» of common European security in the works of Russian political scientists
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Sindeev Alexei
Published: February 2023

The monograph is devoted to the study of the problems of common European security by Russian political scientists. The author continued the conceptual systematization of the points of view that have developed in domestic political science about the essence and interconnection of the most important problems for European security. Recommendations are given on possible ways to intensify work to resolve existing problems and consolidate Russian political scientists. The author believes that modernity makes it possible to increase the productivity of interaction between domestic political scientists and strengthen the competitiveness of the Russian political science school in the world. The author has carried out the primary conceptual systematization of the points of view that have developed in Russian political science about the essence and interrelation of the problems fundamental to European security and the transformations taking place in the European space. The monograph substantiates the thesis about the constructed nature of the phenomenon of common European security and presents two algorithms for the formation of concepts. The monograph develops a new scientific direction – study of the works of political scientists.
Germany. 2021
Authors:   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Belov Vladislav , Gracheva Maria ,   Primakov IMEMO of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Ivanova Anna ,   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kotov Aleksandr ,   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences, Meden Natalia ,   MGIMO (U), Russian Foreign Ministry, Ogneva Aleksandra ,   Institute of Europe, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: February 2023

In an academic monograph, leading Russian Germanists examine the most important political and economic processes in Germany in 2021. The authors pay particular attention to party political processes, a range of state elections, the election campaign for seats in the Bundestag and its results. The coalition negotiations between the SPD, Union 90/Greens, the FDP, the subsequent conclusion of the contract, the formation of a new cabinet of ministers and its first steps under the leadership of Federal Chancellor O. Scholz, who replaced the 16-year reigning A. Merkel, were analyzed. The economic consequences of the ongoing corona crisis and the measures taken by the state to deal with them are being examined. Particular attention is paid to the maritime economy, the electricity sector and Germany's growing import dependency. Relations of Germany with the USA and the Russian Federation are analyzed, including the problems of the Nord Stream 2 project and the specifics of their political and economic cooperation.
BrainWAVE: A Flexible Method for Noninvasive Stimulation of Brain Rhythms across Species
Authors: Attokaren Matthew K. , Jeong Nuri , Blanpain Lou , Paulson Abigail L. , Garza Kristie M. , Borron Ben , Walelign Michael , Willie Jon , Singer Annabelle C.
Published: February 2023

Rhythmic neural activity, which coordinates brain regions and neurons to achieve multiple brain functions, is impaired in many diseases. Despite the therapeutic potential of driving brain rhythms, methods to noninvasively target deep brain regions are limited. Accordingly, we recently introduced a noninvasive stimulation approach using flickering lights and sounds (“flicker”). Flicker drives rhythmic activity in deep and superficial brain regions. Gamma flicker spurs immune function, clears pathogens, and rescues memory performance in mice with amyloid pathology. Here, we present substantial improvements to this approach that is flexible, user-friendly, and generalizable across multiple experimental settings and species. We present novel open-source methods for flicker stimulation across rodents and humans. We demonstrate rapid, cross-species induction of rhythmic activity without behavioral confounds in multiple settings from electrophysiology to neuroimaging. This flicker approach provides an exceptional opportunity to discover the therapeutic effects of brain rhythms across scales and species.
Abstinence-Induced Nicotine Seeking Relays on a Persistent Hypoglutamatergic State within the Amygdalo-Striatal Neurocircuitry
Authors: Domi Ana , Domi Esi , Lagstrom Oona , Gobbo Francesco , Jerlhag Elisabet , Adermark Louise
Published: February 2023

Nicotine robustly sustains smoking behavior by acting as a primary reinforcer and by enhancing the incentive salience of the nicotine-associated stimuli. The motivational effects produced by environmental cues associated with nicotine delivery can progressively manifest during abstinence resulting in reinstatement of nicotine seeking. However, how the activity in reward neuronal circuits is transformed during abstinence-induced nicotine seeking is not yet fully understood. In here we used a contingent nicotine and saline control self-administration model to disentangle the contribution of cue-elicited seeking responding for nicotine after drug abstinence in male Wistar rats. Usingex vivoelectrophysiological recordings and a network analysis approach, we defined temporal and brain-region specific amygdalo-striatal glutamatergic alterations that occur during nicotine abstinence. The results from this study provide critical evidence indicating a persistent hypoglutamatergic state within the amygdalo-striatal neurocircuitry over protracted nicotine abstinence. During abstinence-induced nicotine seeking, electrophysiological recordings showed progressive neuroadaptations in dorsal and ventral striatum already at 14-d abstinence while neuroadaptations in subregions of the amygdala emerged only after 28-d abstinence. The observed neuroadaptations pointed to a brain network involving the amygdala and the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) to be implied in cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking. Together these data suggest long-lasting neuroadaptations that might reflect neuroplastic changes responsible to abstinence-induced nicotine craving. Neurophysiological transformations were detected within a time window that allows therapeutic intervention advancing clinical development of preventive strategies in nicotine addiction.
Binge Eating and Health Behaviors During Times of High and Low Stress Among First-year University Students
Authors: Lamb Megan , Howard Andrea L.
Published: February 2023

The current study examined the influence of physical activity and sleep on binge eating during times of typically higher-and lower-stress over the academic year (n=394, Mage=18.6). First-year undergraduate students completed surveys of physical activity, sleep, and binge eating behaviors across four waves spanning the academic year. Results of multilevel models revealed relatively stable binge eating scores across the academic year. We found no robust associations between physical activity or sleep and binge eating during times of high and low stress. Small effects in this study, consistent with other non-clinical samples, highlight that eating behaviors are resistant to change.
Loading thymoquinone on d -α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) micelles improves the pro apoptotic properties against breast cancer cells
Authors:   King Khalid University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Abha 9004, Saudi Arabia, Elbehairi S. E. I. , Alfaifi M. Y. ,   King Khalid University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Abha 9004, Saudi Arabia, Shati A. A. ,   King Khalid University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Abha 9004, Saudi Arabia, Alamri Shati ,   College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Alfayi M. ,   College of Applied Medical Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Fahmy U. A. ,   Department of pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Rizg W. Y. ,   Department of pharmaceutics, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Published: February 2023

Thymoquinone (TQ) has been reported in the literature to inhibit different stages of cancer because of its potency. The great potential was shown by nanoparticles (Micelles) as drug carriers of cytotoxic agents. This work aimed to investigate the ability of Micelles based on to enhance TQ cytotoxicity in MCF-7 cells. TQ was loaded using the antisolvent phase separation technique on TPGS Micelles. The prepared TQ TPGS Micelles were investigated for several factors, including size, shape, in vitro release, and cytotoxicity activity in MCF-7 cells. In comparison with either pure TQ or TPGS, TQ-TPGS Micelles revealed spherical shaped Micelles with in vitro TQ sustained release for over 36 h and enhanced cytotoxicity activity in MCF-7 cells. Results of cell cycle analysis showed accumulation of MCF-7 cells in G2 / M, and in MCF-7 cells challenged with TQ TPGS Micelles, pre-G1 phases were observed. A large rise in the percentage of cells for early and late apoptosis, as shown by cells stained with annexin V, in addition to total cell death. TQ formulation in the form of Micelles based on TPGS improved the cellular permeation and apoptotic activity of TQ, contributing to the promise of its cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells.
Synthesis and cyclic voltammetric properties of Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O/PAM composite particles
Authors:   College of Chemical Engineering, Daqing Normal University, Daqing 163712, China, Huang Q. Y. , Wang S. Z. ,   Organic Geochemical Laboratory, Exploration and Development Research Institute of Daqing Oilfield Co Ltd, Daqing 163712, China
Published: February 2023

In this study, Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O/PAM composite particles (CPs) were synthesized by precipitation reaction and emulsion polymerization in microreactors formed by nano water droplets when the hydrophilic-hydrophilic equilibrium (HLB) value was 5.76. The experimental results showed that Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O/PAM CPs were close to the spherical shape with an average diameter of about 736 nm. The CPs contained Zn-O bonds and were covered by PAM. The modified electrode by Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O/PAM had good cyclic voltammetry characteristics at scan rate of 100 mVs-1 and cyclic potential of +0.8-0.0V, and can detect 0.00001M iodide. In the range of 50-400 mVs-1 , the peak current had a linear relationship with the square root of the scan rate and the electrochemical reaction of iodide on Zn5(OH)8Cl2·H2O/PAM/GCE belonged to diffusion control kinetics
Preparation of Zn3Ga2Ge2O10:Cr3+, Al3+ nanometer phosphors via sol-gel method
Authors:   Key Laboratory of Environment Functional Materials of Tangshan City, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China, Wu M. Y. , Wang Y. ,   Key Laboratory of Environment Functional Materials of Tangshan City, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China, Shen Y. ,   Key Laboratory of Environment Functional Materials of Tangshan City, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China, Li F. F. ,   Key Laboratory of Environment Functional Materials of Tangshan City, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China, Wang J. ,   Key Laboratory of Environment Functional Materials of Tangshan City, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China, Liu Y. ,   Key Laboratory of Environment Functional Materials of Tangshan City, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China, Peng C. ,   Key Laboratory of Environment Functional Materials of Tangshan City, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Inorganic Nonmetallic Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei, China
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the near-infrared luminescence Zn3Ga2Ge2O10:Cr3+, Al3+ prepared by citrate sol-gel method is studied. When the Cr3+ doping amount is 0.01% and the Al3+ doping amount is 0.2, the prepared Zn3Ga2Ge2O10: The afterglow properties of Cr3+, Al3+ afterglow nanomaterials are the best. The sample has the least heterogeneous phase, the highest crystallinity, the longest afterglow time, the excitation peak at 267 nm and the emission peak at 745 nm. The light produced belongs to the wavelength range of near-infrared light. After excitation with an ultraviolet lamp, the material can see deep cherry red light in the dark.
Effect of different Ce2O3 ON the structure and properties of BZT-CT ceramics
Authors:   Analysis and Testing Research Centre, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China, Ma X. G , Yan C. L. ,   Analysis and Testing Research Centre, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China, Li Y. L. ,   Analysis and Testing Research Centre, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China, Sang R. L. ,   Analysis and Testing Research Centre, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, China
Published: February 2023

Barium acetate, Zirconium nitrate and Calcium nitrate, Tetrabutyl titanate and Ce2O3 were used as the starting materials, the 0.68 BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-0.32 Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 ceramics are prepared by using sol-gel method, and effects of Ce2O3 content on structure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of 0.68 BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-0.32 Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 ceramics are investigated. The phase composition was detected by using X-ray diffraction characterization, and the micrographs were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results show that Ce3+ doped 0.68 BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-0.32 Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 ceramics have perovskite structure, when the Ce3+ doping amount is 0.006 mol%, the density is the highest, the grain size is the most uniform, and the porosity is the smallest. With the increase of Ce3+ doping content, the dielectric constant and piezoelectric constant of the sample first decreases, then increases and then decreases, meanwhile the dielectric loss first decreases and then increases. Very coincidentally, when the Ce3+ doping amount is 0.04 mol%, the dielectric constant, piezoelectric constant and planar electromechanical coupling factor kp are the highest. So the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of 0.68 BaZr0.2Ti0.8O3-0.32 Ba0.7Ca0.3TiO3 ceramics are optimized when the Ce3+ doping amount is 0.04 mol%.
Mechanical properties and electrochemical behavior of borosilicate glass system
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir 32038, Kingdom of Bahrain, Hefnawy A. , Elkhoshkhany N. ,   Physics Dept., College of Arts and Sciences at Tabrjal, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia, Mahgoub F. ,   Department of Materials Science, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, 163 Horreya Avenue, Shatby 21526, Egypt, Hussein M. ,   Department of Materials Science, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, 163 Horreya Avenue, Shatby 21526, Egypt
Published: February 2023

New synthesized borosilicate glass system within the molar percentages 50 B2O3 – (14–X) SiO2 – (20+X) Li2O –15 Na2O –1Al2O3 with X=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mol % was investigated. The amorphous identity of the samples has been checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The decrease of the molar volume (Vm) with increasing Li2O amount led to an increase in the calculated oxygen packing density (O.P.D). The packing density of the specimens increased also with the inclusion of Li2O. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) showed the transformation of BO3 to BO4 units that increased the rigidity of the prepared glass series. The ultrasound wave velocities (longitudinal (𝑣𝑙 ) and shear (𝑣𝑠 )) were assigned by the pulse-echo technique. Both (𝑣𝑙 ) and (𝑣𝑠 ) increased with increasing Li2O content because of increasing the rigidity of the glass host. The elastic Longitudinal (L), Young's (E), Bulk (B) and Shear (S) moduli besides the Micro-hardness (H) were calculated and all increased with increasing Li2O content. Ultrasonic mean velocity (𝑣𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛) and softening temperature (Tsm) increased while Poisson’s ratio (σm) decreased with the same gradient of X. The theoretical model proposed by (Makishima-Mackenzie) and bond compression model were employed for the prepared glasses. The results from both models showed correspondence with the experimentally obtained values. The impedance spectroscopy was applied to investigate the electrochemical mode of the present glass system and to measure the conductance for all the system samples.
Preparation and application of LiSiC-oxide for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Authors:   Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, Maryam A , Rasheed M. N. ,   Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, Asghar M. ,   Department of Physics, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan, Fatima K. ,   Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, Afzal M. ,   Department of Energy Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, Iqbal F. ,   Department of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, Rouf S A ,   Department of Physics, Division of Science and Technology, University of Education lahore, Syväjärvi M. ,   Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping Sweden, Zhu B. ,   Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Chemical Materials, Faculty of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei University Wuhan, Hubei 430062, P.R China
Published: February 2023

Semiconductors are well known as excellent materials in the field of exploring novel avenues which combine various fields in electronics, electrochemistry, etc for new functional device concepts. Lithium silicon carbide (LiSiC) is a well-known electrode material for Lithium ion batteries but relatively new for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and electrolyte-layer free fuel cells (EFFCs). In the present work, we have explored three categories of fuel cells based on mixed LiSiC-SDC (samarium doped ceria) in SOFC and LiSiC as a single component material with type (I) and without coating of a layer of 3CSiC as EFFC type (II). All of three cells are sandwiched between Ni foams coated with NCAL (Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05Li-oxide). The electrochemical performances of as prepared fuel cells are tested at 550°C, which is substantially lower than in conventional fuel cell materials. The LiSiC based EFFC type (II) demonstrates better performance because of less ohmic resistance as compared to type (I) have more layers. This indicates that the LiSiC-SDC system has potential for fuel cell development in accordance with energy band structure and alignment.
The essential role of forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) in thyroid cancer: a study related to The Cancer Genome Atlas and experimental data
Authors: Zhou Tian , Zhao Dai-wei , Ma Ning , Zhu Xue-ying , Chen Xing-hong , Luo Xue , Chen Song , Gao Qing-jun
Published: February 2023

Objective

Thyroid cancer (THCA) is the most common endocrine cancer in the world. Although most patients with THCA have a good prognosis, the prognosis of those with THCA who have an extra-glandular invasion, vascular invasion, and distant metastasis is poor. Therefore, it is very important to find potential biomarkers that can effectively predict the prognosis and progression of highly aggressive THCAs. It has been identified that forkhead box P4 (FOXP4) may be a new biomarker for the proliferation and prognosis for tumor diagnosis. However, the expression and function of FOXP4 in THCA remain to be determined.

Methods

In the present study, the function of FOXP4 in cells was investigated through the comprehensive analysis of data in The Cancer Genome Atlas and combined with experiments including immunohistochemistry (IHC), colony formation, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, wound scratch healing, and transwell invasion assay.

Results

In the present study, relevant bioinformatic data showed that FOXP4 was highly expressed in THCA, which was consistent with the results of the IHC and cell experiments. Meanwhile, 10 FOXP4-related hub genes were identified as potential diagnostic genes for THCA. It was found in further experiments that FOXP4 was located in the nucleus of THCA cells, and the expression of FOXP4 in the nucleus was higher than that in the cytoplasm. FOXP4 knockdown inhibited in vitro proliferation of the THCA cells, whereas overexpression promoted the proliferation and migration of THCA cells. Furthermore, deficiency of FOXP4 induced cell-cycle arrest.

Conclusion

FOXP4 might be a potential target for diagnosing and treating THCA.
Testosterone therapy increases the anticoagulant potential in men with opioid-induced hypogonadism: a randomized, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Bøgehave Mette , Glintborg Dorte , Gram Jørgen Brodersen , Bladbjerg Else-Marie , Andersen Marianne Skovsager , Sidelmann Johannes Jakobsen
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Hypogonadism is prevalent during opioid treatment, and low testosterone concentrations are associated with cardiovascular disease. The effect of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on the coagulation system in men with hypogonadism is not clarified. We investigate the effects of TRT on the tissue factor (TF) and contact activation pathways of coagulation in opioid-treated men.

Materials and methods

This was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in 37 men with total testosterone < 12 nmol/L randomized to 24 weeks of testosterone injections (n = 17) or placebo (n = 20). Variables of the coagulation system were analysed at baseline and after 24 weeks. Measurements included the TF pathway (endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and peak thrombin), the contact activation pathway (endogenous kallikrein potential (EKP) and peak kallikrein), coagulation factors (FVII, FX, prothrombin, and FXII), and inhibitors (tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), protein C, protein S, antithrombin, and C1 esterase inhibitor (C1inh)). Between-group differences at 24 weeks were determined with analysis of covariance. Within-group changes in TRT and placebo were analysed with paired t-test.

Results

Between-group differences at 24 weeks were observed for ETP (P = 0.036), FVII (P = 0.044), FX (P = 0.015), prothrombin (P = 0.003), protein C (P = 0.004), and protein S (P = 0.038). Within the TRT group, ETP, peak thrombin, FVII, FX, prothrombin, TFPI, protein C, FXII, and C1inh decreased and protein S increased (all P < 0.05). Within the placebo group, coagulation outcomes were unchanged.

Conclusion

TRT affects the coagulation system in an anticoagulant direction through suppressed TF pathway in men with opioid-induced hypogonadism.