bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ХАРЧОВА ЦІННІСТЬ БЕЗДРІЖДЖОВОГО БЕЗГЛЮТЕНОВОГО ХЛІБА
Authors: Васьківська Аліна , Пересічна Світлана
Published: November 2023

Культура споживання хліба в усьому світі відіграє вирішальну роль в історії цивілізації, харчуванні з часів розвитку сільського господарства. Попри те, що аромат і смак хлібобулочних виробів продовжують задовольняти більшість людей, деякі споживачі мають специфічну потребу у безглютеновому харчуванні. Щоб покращити якість життя населення з точки зору дієти, фахівці харчової промисловості та закладів ресторанного господарства прагнуть розробити високоякісний безглютеновий хліб. Тому існує потреба в нових безглютенових інгредієнтах для хлібобулочних виробів. Створення новітніх видів бездріжджового безглютенового хліба досягнуто шляхом направленої оптимізації хімічного складу хлібобулочних виробів за рахунок заміни борошна житнього та пшеничного першого сорту на безглютенову рослинну сировину: крупу зеленої гречки, насіння сезаму та кіноа, харчові волокна коноплі та гарбуза, волоський горіх. Для задоволення зростаючого попиту споживачів у вживанні безглютенових виробів з високоякісних та натуральних продуктів, розроблено бездріжджовий безглютеновий хліб гречаний з насінням кіноа та сезаму: з волоським горіхом; з харчовими волокнами коноплі; з харчовими волокнами гарбуза. Визначено харчову цінність бездріжджових безглютенових видів хліба: гречаного з кіноа, сезамом та волоським горіхом; гречаного з кіноа, сезамом та харчовими волокнами коноплі; гречаного бездріжджового з кіноа, сезамом та харчовими волокнами гарбуза. Експериментальними дослідженнями доведено збільшення вмісту білків у 1,60 – 2,09 рази, харчових волокон у 3,10•102 – 1,25•10³ рази, мінеральних речовин (K, Са, Mg, P, Fe, Cu, Zn), вітамінів (В1, Е, РР) у складі розроблених видів хліба порівняно з контрольним зразком. Таким чином, бездріжджові види хлібу з використання безглютенової рослинної сировини мають покращену харчову цінність виробів та можуть забезпечувати від 25,37% до 27,47% добової потреби організму в енергії, що дозволяє рекомендувати їх для впровадження в харчовій промисловості та ресторанному господарстві для населення хворих на целіакію та у повсякденному харчовому раціоні всіх верств населення для оздоровчого харчування.
Novo diretor do Inpa: ‘temos que ouvir as lideranças indígenas e ser ouvidos pelos políticos’
Authors: Colón Marcos
Published: November 2023

Escolhido para chefiar uma das instituições científicas mais importantes da Amazônia, Henrique Pereira diz que vai priorizar atenção a orçamento, que caiu nos últimos anos, e divulgação científica
Selection of sesame mutants for higher yield and yield contributing traits through gamma ray irradiation
Authors: Khatun MK , Emon RM , Bhuiyan MSH , Malek MA , Mahmud SA
Published: November 2023

The experiment was conducted to observe their performance regarding seed yield and yield attributes, and to select promising mutant(s) having higher seed yield with shorter maturity periods. Five mutants along with the mother variety and one check variety were evaluated following a randomized complete block design with three replications at three sesame growing areas of Bangladesh during Kharif-I, 2017. Analysis of variance showed highly significant variations among the mutants and checks for most of the characters in individual locations and combined over locations. The mutant SM-07 produced the highest seed yield (1522 kg ha-1) at each location with taller plants and the shortest maturity period. The heatmap and correlation matrix showed a significant positive correlation among the no. of branch plant-1, no. of pod plant-1, and the seed yield. Considering mean seed yield over locations, three mutants viz., SM-07, SM-06 and SM-04 produced higher seed yield (1522, 1483 ,and 1461 kg ha-1, respectively) with took short days (83-85 days) to maturity. These three mutants need to be further zonal evaluation for conformity of their performance.
Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 37(1): 91-100, 2023
¿Resignificar monumentos y construir contra-monumentos? Por una teoría materialista frente a una práctica ideológica
Authors: Palacios González Daniel
Published: November 2023

Tras trazar el origen de los monumentos en la acumulación violenta de capitales y la aparición de un capitalismo racial en Europa occidental, donde la teoría de la construcción y conservación de monumentos se revistió de humanismo universal, se expone la problemática de las disciplinas que defienden la resignificación de los mismos o la construcción de contra monumentos. Ambas teorías siguen explicitando los intereses de las clases dominantes y forman parte de la reproducción de sus ideologías, al relegar a los colectivos históricamente reprimidos, oprimidos y explotados a espacios de subalternidad monumental a la vez que se defiende mantener en el espacio público los monumentos de las clases dominantes, solo resignificados asegurando así la perpetuación de las desigualdades. Este hecho se complementa con el menosprecio a los monumentos realistas realizados por movimientos de liberación nacional y emancipadores, los cuales sí que pueden ser destruidos en el marco de las intervenciones occidentales sin abrir el debate de la conservación o la resignificación. Se defiende por tanto la necesidad de abandonar perspectivas conservadoras desde las disciplinas de la historia del arte y la conservación de patrimonio y reconocer la legitimidad social de ciertos movimientos iconoclastas y de la construcción de nuevos monumentos.
ASPEK ETIKA PADA LAYANAN REFERENSI DAN INFORMASI DI PERPUSTAKAAN: SEBUAH ULASAN
Authors: Putra Dedy Dwi
Published: November 2023

Layanan referensi dan informasi memainkan peran penting dalam penyelenggaraan layanan di perpustakaan. Pada perkembangan masyarakat yang digerakkan oleh informasi saat ini, layanan referensi dan informasi telah bergerak menuju ranah kontribusi yang lebih luas. Pustakawan dan profesional informasi sebagai aktor layanan ini perlu memiliki kesadaran dan pemahaman mengenai pentingnya suatu etika dalam praktik layanan referensi dan informasi di perpustakaan. Melalui pendekatan kualitatif dengan studi pustaka, artikel ini mengulas mengenai berbagai aspek etika yang melekat pada layanan referensi dan informasi di perpustakaan. Berbagai aspek etika dalam konteks layanan referensi dan informasi di perpustakaan meliputi privasi, kesetaraan akses, kebebasan intelektual, kompetensi profesional, hak cipta, menghormati pengguna, dan konflik kepentingan. Berbagai aspek etika yang melekat di dalam layanan referensi dan informasi tidak terlepas dari pemahaman mengenai berbagai ruang lingkup layanan referensi yang meliputi aktivitas pemberian informasi, sumber informasi, alat dan media, dan wawancara referensi. Dalam menyikapi berbagai situasi terkait isu etika pada layanan referensi, memahami dan menerapkan standar etika atau kode etik menjadi kebutuhan dan tuntutan bagi pustakawan dan profesional informasi dalam menjalankan tugasnya. Tindakan yang berprinsip pada aspek etis memberikan keuntungan yang besar pada kepuasan pengguna dan institusi perpustakaan tempat layanan referensi dan informasi dijalankan.
Sosialisasi Pelatihan Perawistan Olahraga Sepak Takraw Kabupaten Donggala
Authors: Sardiman Sardiman , Purwanto Didik , Agusman Muhammad , Sianto Moh Ifhkal , Sukrawan Nyoman , Dewi Pendit Sinta Satria
Published: November 2023

Pelatihan peraturan wasit olahraga sepak takraw pada masyarakat dan di kabupaten Donggala. Masalah dalam pengabdian ini adalah (1) Masih rendahnya pemahaman peraturan wasit olahraga sepak takraw pada masyarakat dan atlet kabupaten donggala (2) Masih rendahnya peranan dalam memberikan peraturan wasit olahraga sepak takraw pada masyarakat dan atlet di kabupaten Donggala. Target dalam pemecahan masalah mitra adalah (1) Meningkatkan pemahaman atlet sepak takraw tentang peraturan wasit olahraga sepak takraw dan (2) Meningkatkan peranan pelatih dalam peraturan wasit olahraga sepak takraw. Luaran yang di capai adalah (1) Peningkatan Penerapan Iptek di Masyarakat (Mekanisasi, IT, dan Manajemen), (2) Perbaikan Tata Nilai Masyarakat (Sosial, Keamanan, Ketentraman, Pendidikan). Metode yang digunakan untuk mendukung tercapainya solusi dan target yang ingin dicapai adalah (1) Sosialisasi yang dimaksudkan untuk mendapatkan informasi dan data - data tentang kegiatan pengabdian, (2) Pendampingan terhadap mitra pengabdian dimaksudkan agar dapat membimbing atlet, pelatih dan masyarakat terkait aturan sepak takraw di Kabupaten Donggala dalam menerapkan konsep yang telah diberikan.
The ‘Making’ of Chinese Zen Poetry: Sam Hamill's The Poetry of Zen
Authors: Qin Si
Published: November 2023

The appreciation of Zen Buddhism in the mid-twentieth century led to a new exploration and tradition of Zen poetry translation. Many translators influenced by the American ‘Zen Boom’ were drawn to Chinese Zen poems during this time. However, translating Zen poetry is a complex art, and often shaped by the translator's personal experiences and qualities. Diverse perspectives exist on what constitutes Zen poetry, and selections for Zen anthologies hinge on the editor's perception. This paper centres on Sam Hamill's work in The Poetry of Zen, 2004, examining his selection and interpretation of classical Chinese Zen poems. It highlights the intricate relationship between translated texts, their cultural and historical contexts, and the translator, while elucidating how the Zen interpretation of classical Chinese poetry contributed to the establishment of the tradition of Zen poetry translation.
Social and Cultural Issues of Menstruation and Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Nepal
Authors: Kaphle Maheshor , Karki Rajesh , Regmi Nirmala , Poudyel Pragati
Published: November 2023

Practice difficulties during menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) are major global concerns. So, this review will explore the issues of cultural and social for menstruation and AUB in Nepal. Nearly one-third of menstruating girls and women were facing abnormal menstruation and uterine bleeding worldwide. All religions have negative views and enforce prohibitions on menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding except Sikhism. AUB impacts women's living quality, sexuality, social engagement and participation, mental well-being, access to education and employment prospects, experiences of stigma and shame, as well as economic challenges. Menstruation restrictions are a routed problem in some parts, some religions, and castes, and very few menstruating women use disposable sanitary pads in Nepal. Awareness programs, educational intervention programs, and education on menstrual health help to rule out the causes of AUB, and legal implementation of these should be applied to the effort to overcome the issues.
Current Understanding and Gaps in Knowledge of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection
Authors: Bastidas G , Bastidas D , Bastidas-Delgado G
Published: November 2023

Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial infection that most frequently causes sexually transmitted infection in the world, therefore, it is considered a serious public health problem. The objective of this commentary is to describe in a condensed but sufficient manner what has been reported by researchers on the subject based on the documentary review available in digital repositories on aspects of the infection. The information obtained was grouped into 7 categories as a result of the analysis of relevant ideas. There are many aspects to be revealed in terms of pathogenesis, biology of the microbial agent, and treatment, hence the need to generate new knowledge in this regard and to carry out thematic consolidations such as the one presented here.
Knitted Mycelium: Transforming Mycelium hybrids into solidifying and lightweight textile structures
Authors: Kühner Anne-Kathrin
Published: November 2023

Knitted Mycelium introduces a method for constructing three- dimensional structures using mycelium and textile. It involves a hybrid yarn made from mycelium, substrate, and textiles, which is knitted to create initially ﬂexible forms that solidify as the mycelium grows. The method combines mycelium's sustainable and solidifying properties with textile techniques to produce structures with architectural potential. This approach was developed through a systematic process, with careful selection of materials and textile techniques. The knitting technique was chosen exemplarily for the presented study because of its properties, but it can be replaced by other textile construction techniques, as the study shows. Knitted Mycelium offers versatility, scalability, and potential for various applications.The process has a low energy impact and can be implemented locally and with local available materials. Depending on the choice of material, the composite can be returned to the biological cycle after use.The method is adaptable for different materials and textile techniques to suit speciﬁc needs
Collaboratively Reforming General Education History Teaching and Learning: A Roadmap for the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Miller Brenna , Spohnholz Jesse
Published: November 2023

This article focuses on the most challenging history courses taught at institutions of higher education in the United States: introductory world history courses, required of undergraduates as part of comprehensive liberal arts degrees. It summarizes conclusions made by recent scholars of teaching and learning and identifies significant gaps between their recommendations and the realities facing faculty assigned to teach these classes. The authors present a vision for a collaborative faculty-led project that aims to ameliorate some of these challenges by centering student engagement and meaning making in their learning experiences. The article also offers evidence drawn from student feedback on educational materials used in the authors’ own introductory world history courses, which reveals that student ownership of learning increased when they could see themselves reflected in the topics they studied and when they had opportunities to better understand and recognize the views and experiences of other people related to those same topics.
Reply to Perrella et al. Coming Back to the Basics. Comment on “Cangir et al. A CT-Based Radiomic Signature for the Differentiation of Pulmonary Hamartomas from Carcinoid Tumors. Diagnostics 2022, 12, 416”
Authors: Cangir Ayten Kayi , Orhan Kaan , Gursoy Coruh Aysegul
Published: November 2023

We thank to Dr. Perrella and and his fellow authors for your kind letter and thoughtful comments [...]
GLPS: A Geohash-Based Location Privacy Protection Scheme
Authors: Liu Bin , Zhang Chunyong , Yao Liangwei , Xin Yang
Published: November 2023

With the development of mobile applications, location-based services (LBSs) have been incorporated into people’s daily lives and created huge commercial revenues. However, when using these services, people also face the risk of personal privacy breaches due to the release of location and query content. Many existing location privacy protection schemes with centralized architectures assume that anonymous servers are secure and trustworthy. This assumption is difficult to guarantee in real applications. To solve the problem of relying on the security and trustworthiness of anonymous servers, we propose a Geohash-based location privacy protection scheme for snapshot queries. It is named GLPS. On the user side, GLPS uses Geohash encoding technology to convert the user’s location coordinates into a string code representing a rectangular geographic area. GLPS uses the code as the privacy location to send check-ins and queries to the anonymous server and to avoid the anonymous server gaining the user’s exact location. On the anonymous server side, the scheme takes advantage of Geohash codes’ geospatial gridding capabilities and GL-Tree’s effective location retrieval performance to generate a k-anonymous query set based on user-defined minimum and maximum hidden cells, making it harder for adversaries to pinpoint the user’s location. We experimentally tested the performance of GLPS and compared it with three schemes: Casper, GCasper, and DLS. The experimental results and analyses demonstrate that GLPS has a good performance and privacy protection capability, which resolves the reliance on the security and trustworthiness of anonymous servers. It also resists attacks involving background knowledge, regional centers, homogenization, distribution density, and identity association.
Innovative Solid-State Ferroresonance-Suppressing Circuit for Voltage Transformer Protection in Wind Generation Systems
Authors: Bakhshi Ali , Bigdeli Mehdi , Moradlou Majid , Behdani Behzad , Hojabri Mojgan
Published: November 2023

Ferroresonance, as an undesirable disturbance, leads to significant overvoltage and distorted waveforms. This phenomenon can be highly damaging to voltage transformers and other parallel-connected equipment and can entail catastrophic consequences. This paper aims to design and study a solid-state ferroresonance-suppressing circuit (SSFSC) to protect voltage transformers (VTs) together with other parallel-connected equipment in wind generation systems from the adverse effects of the ferroresonance phenomenon. The proposed structure consists of low-voltage circuits, including power IGBTs. The excellent performance of the proposed SSFSC in suppressing ferroresonance overvoltage in wind generation VTs has been authenticated by analyses conducted utilizing a wind generation system model. In order to validate the performance of the proposed SSFSC, detailed analytical studies and time-domain simulations have been carried out employing a MATLAB/Simulink environment. The results verify that the proposed SSFSC can effectively suppress ferroresonance phenomena in VTs and mitigate their accompanying overvoltages with a high operational speed.
Enhanced Dynamic Control Strategy for Stacked Dynamic Regulation Frequency Response Services in Battery Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Ahmouda Abdulkarim , Gladwin Daniel T.
Published: November 2023

Energy storage systems are undergoing a transformative role in the electrical grid, driven by the introduction of innovative frequency response services by system operators to unlock their full potential. However, the limited energy storage capacity of these systems necessitates the development of sophisticated energy management strategies. This paper investigates the newly introduced frequency response service, Dynamic Regulation, within the Great Britain electrical grid. Our study not only establishes control parameters but also demonstrates a novel approach to energy management that pushes the boundaries of the allowable service envelope. We present two distinctive control methods, the first serving as a reference for standard response, and the second as a dynamic control approach, exploiting the extremities of the allowable service envelope. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis that considers availability, the number of equivalent full cycles, and cost–revenue analysis based on grouped dynamic control state of charge setpoints is carried out. Our results underscore that the optimization of average availability takes precedence over merely minimizing the number of cycles, which leads us to define a target state of charge range of between 40% and 45% for a 1-h battery to achieve an availability >95%. Furthermore, our study presents simulated results utilizing real-world frequency data, which reveal the transformative potential of the latter control method. By enhancing the availability of battery energy storage systems, this innovative approach promises not only higher revenues for the asset owner but also assists the system operator in managing frequency.
Electrifying Green Logistics: A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles
Authors: Oliveri Ludovica Maria , D’Urso Diego , Trapani Natalia , Chiacchio Ferdinando
Published: November 2023

Green logistics is an approach aimed at reducing the environmental impact of transport, storage, and distribution practices, through low-emission vehicles, optimized routes, clean energy tech in warehouses, and efficient waste management. These solutions can contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals of the European Green Deal. The main research question of this paper is whether an electric vehicle has a lower environmental impact compared to a gasoline vehicle. This study presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of an electric vehicle using lithium-ion battery technology (BEV) and compares it to an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), considering the transportable load within the context of Italy. Through a gate-to-grave approach, both vehicles’ life cycle use and disposal phases were evaluated to identify the hotspots of environmental impact. The LCA methodology allows for an objective comparison and the results show that BEV emits slightly less kgCO2eq than ICEVs. The primary contributor to the vehicles’ impact is the dependency of the electric energy primary source from fossil fuels. Therefore, a second analysis was conducted to analyse the benefit of photovoltaic panels to generate the electric energy, showing that it can result in a significant 50% reduction in impact, making the electric vehicle a valid solution for achieving green logistics objectives. However, the questions of electric energy production, management, and distribution together with the supply of raw material and disposal of lithium batteries remain open. This issue raises a concern regarding the BEV in a country like Italy where the lack of recharging points limits the adoption of electric vehicles in green logistics.
Surface Modification of Ga-Doped-LLZO (Li7La3Zr2O12) by the Addition of Polyacrylonitrile for the Electrochemical Stability of Composite Solid Electrolytes
Authors: Noh Hyewoo , Kim Daeil , Lee Wooyoung , Jang Boyun , Ha Jeong Sook , Yu Ji Haeng
Published: November 2023

Composite solid electrolytes (CSEs), often incorporating succinonitrile (SCN), offer promi I confirm sing solutions for improving the performance of all-solid-state batteries. These electrolytes are typically made of ceramics such as Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) and polymers such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP). Garnet-applied polymer–ceramic electrolyte (g-PCE) is composed of PVDF-HFP, SCN, and LLZO. However, the interface between SCN and LLZO is reportedly unstable owing to the polymerization of SCN. This polymerization could cause two serious problems: (1) gelation during the mixing of LLZO and SCN and (2) degradation of ionic performance during charge and discharge. To prevent this catalytic reaction, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) can be added to the g-PCE (g-PPCE). PAN blocks the polymerization of SCN through a cyclization process involving La ions which occurs more rapidly than SCN polymerization. In this study, the enhanced chemical stability of the garnet-applied PAN-added polymer ceramic electrolyte (g-PPCE) was achieved by using an impregnation process which added SCN with 5 wt.% of PAN. The resulting CSE has an ionic conductivity of ~10-⁴ S/cm at room temperature. Coin-type cells assembled with LFP (LiFePO4) and LNCM (LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2) cathodes with Li-metal anodes show specific discharge capacities of 150 and 167 mAh/g at 0.1 C, respectively, and stable cycle performance. Additionally, a pouch-type cell with a discharge capacity of 5 mAh also exhibits potential electrochemical performance.
Design and Evaluation of the Compact and Autonomous Energy Subsystem of a Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Drzewiecki Marcin , Guziński Jarosław
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the results of the design process focused on the development of the energy subsystem (ES) of a wave energy converter (WEC). The ES is an important electrical part that significantly affects the energy reliability and energy efficiency of the entire WEC device. The designed ES was intended for compact WECs powering IoT network devices working in the distributed grid. The developed ES is an electronic circuit consisting of three cooperating subsystems used for energy conversion, energy storage, and energy management. The energy conversion subsystem was implemented as a set of single-phase bridge rectifiers. The energy storage subsystem was a battery-less implementation based on the capacitors. The energy management subsystem was implemented as a supervisory circuit and boost converter assembly. The designed ES was verified using the physical experiment method. The model experiment reflected the operation of the designed ES with a piezoelectric PZT-based WEC. The experimental results showed a 41.5% surplus of the energy supplied by ES over the energy demanded by the considered load at a duty cycle of ca. 6 min—37.2 mJ over 26.3 mJ, respectively. The obtained results have been evaluated and discussed. The results confirmed the designed ES as a convenient solution, which makes a significant contribution to the compact WECs that can be applied among others to a distributed grid of autonomous IoT network devices powered by free and renewable energy of sea waves. Finally, it will also enable sustainable development of mobile and wireless communication in those maritime areas where other forms of renewable energy may not be available.
Drought in the Breadbasket of America and the Influence of Oceanic Teleconnections
Authors: Campbell Olivia G. , Goodrich Gregory B.
Published: November 2023

From 1980 to 2020, drought events accounted for only 11.4% of the billion-dollar disasters in the United States (U.S.), yet caused the second-highest total amount in damages, at USD 236.6 billion. With the average cost of a drought being upwards of USD 9.5 billion, these natural disasters can create serious problems in agriculture. Drought is defined as a period of below-average precipitation that causes damage to agriculture and water supplies. Previous research has linked drought events in the U.S. Great Plains to oceanic teleconnections in the Pacific and Atlantic basins, indicating the influence of El Niño—Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). This study looks to identify areas of the Great Plains where drought, as measured by PDSI, has the strongest relationship to ENSO, PDO, and AMO from 1950 to 2019. The states studied are Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Nebraska, and Kansas because these rank as the second through seventh most agriculturally productive states in terms of crop and livestock production. Results show that most of this region displays a relationship between drought and the ENSO and PDO, with less of the region displaying a relationship with the AMO.
Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Acceptability of Medical Male Circumcision among Males in Traditionally Circumcising Rural Communities of Alfred Nzo District, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Ntshiqa Thobani , Musekiwa Alfred , Manesen Riyadh , Mdose Hetani , Ngoma Nqobile , Kuonza Lazarus , Dlamini Thomas , Reddy Carl , Williams Seymour
Published: November 2023

Male circumcision (MC) reduces HIV transmission risk by up to 60% in heterosexual men. However, uptake of medical male circumcision (MMC) is low in traditionally circumcising communities of South Africa. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices to identify factors predicting acceptability of MMC among males in the Alfred Nzo District. A cross-sectional study was conducted among males aged 15–49 years in this district. Logistic regression was used to identify factors predicting acceptability of MMC. We interviewed 343 males who had a median age of 19 years (interquartile range (IQR): 16–25 years). Of these, 77% (95% confidence interval (CI): 72–82) were circumcised: 77% (95% CI: 71–82) were circumcised in a traditional setting and 21% (95% CI: 16–26) in a medical setting. The median score of knowledge about the benefits of MMC was 62.5% (IQR: 37.5–75.0), with 59% (95% CI: 53–64) demonstrating a positive attitude towards MMC and 68% (95% CI: 63–73) accepting involvement of health workers in MC. Excellent knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.07, 95% CI: 0.99–9.58, p = 0.053), awareness (aOR: 3.26, 95% CI: 1.08–9.86, p = 0.037), and positive attitude towards MMC (aOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30–4.25, p = 0.005) were associated with acceptability of MMC. Participants demonstrated good knowledge and acceptance of the MMC programme. Knowledge, attitude, and awareness were significant predictors of MMC acceptability.
Anti-Proliferative Potential of Cynaroside and Orientin—In Silico (DYRK2) and In Vitro (U87 and Caco-2) Studies
Authors: Pirvu Lucia Camelia , Pintilie Lucia , Albulescu Adrian , Stefaniu Amalia , Neagu Georgeta
Published: November 2023

Luteolin derivates are plant compounds with multiple benefits for human health. Stability to heat and acid hydrolysis and high resistance to (auto)oxidation are other arguments for the laden interest in luteolin derivates today. The present study was designed to compare the in silico and in vitro anti-proliferative potential of two luteolin derivates, luteolin-7-O-glucoside/cynaroside (7-Lut) and luteolin-8-C-glucoside/orientin (8-Lut). In silico investigations were carried out on the molecular target, namely, the human dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2) in association with its natural ligand, curcumin (PDB ID: 5ZTN), by CLC Drug Discovery Workbench v. 1.5.1. software and Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) v. MVD 2019.7.0. software. In vitro studies were performed on two human tumor cell lines, glioblastoma (U87) and colon carcinoma (Caco-2), respectively. Altogether, docking studies have revealed 7-Lut and 8-Lut as effective inhibitors of DYRK2, even stronger than the native ligand curcumin; in vitro studies indicated the ability of both luteolin glucosides to inhibit the viability of both human tumor cell lines, up to 85% at 50 and 100 µg/mL, respectively; the most augmented cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects were obtained for U87 exposed to 7-Lut (IC50 = 26.34 µg/mL). The results support further studies on cynaroside and orientin to create drug formulas targeting glioblastoma and colon carcinoma in humans.
Effects of Gender and Vitamin D on Vascular Reactivity of the Carotid Artery on a Testosterone-Induced PCOS Model
Authors: Süli Anita , Magyar Péter , Vezér Márton , Bányai Bálint , Szekeres Mária , Sipos Miklós , Mátrai Máté , Hetthéssy Judit Réka , Dörnyei Gabriella , Ács Nándor , Horváth Eszter Mária , Nádasy György L. , Várbíró Szabolcs , Török Marianna
Published: November 2023

The negative cardiovascular effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) have been discussed previously; however, the sex differences between PCOS females and males are not yet known. Our aim was to investigate the effect of PCOS and VDD in the carotid artery of male and female Wistar rats. Females were treated with transdermal testosterone (Androgel) for 8 weeks, which caused PCOS. VDD and vitamin D supplementation were accomplished via diet. The carotid arteries’ contraction and relaxation were examined using myography. Receptor density was investigated using immunohistochemistry. In PCOS females, angiotensin receptor density, angiotensin II-induced contraction, androgen receptor optical density, and testosterone-induced relaxation increased. The increased contractile response may increase cardiovascular vulnerability in women with PCOS. As an effect of VDD, estrogen receptor density increased in all our groups, which probably compensated for the reduced relaxation caused by VDD. Testosterone-induced relaxation was decreased as a result of VDD in males and non-PCOS females, whereas this reduction was absent in PCOS females. Male sex is associated with increased contraction ability compared with non-PCOS and PCOS females. VDD and Androgel treatment show significant gender differences in their effects on carotid artery reactivity. Both VDD and PCOS result in a dysfunctional vascular response, which can contribute to cardiovascular diseases.
Impact of NLRP3 Depletion on Aging-Related Metaflammation, Cognitive Function, and Social Behavior in Mice
Authors: Khilazheva Elena D. , Mosiagina Angelina I. , Panina Yulia A. , Belozor Olga S. , Komleva Yulia K.
Published: November 2023

Immunosenescence and chronic inflammation associated with old age accompany brain aging and the loss of complex behaviors. Neuroinflammation in the hippocampus plays a pivotal role in the development of cognitive impairment and anxiety. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully explained. In this study, we aimed to investigate the disruption of insulin signaling and the mechanisms underlying metabolic inflammation (“metaflammation”) in the brains of wild-type (WT) and NLRP3 knockout (KO) mice of different ages. We found a significant upregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the hippocampus during aging, leading to an increase in the expression of phosphorylated metaflammation proteinases and inflammatory markers, along with an increase in the number of senescent cells. Additionally, metaflammation causes anxiety and impairs social preference behavior in aged mice. On the other hand, deletion of NLRP3 improves some behavioral and biochemical characteristics associated with aging, such as signal memory, neuroinflammation, and metabolic inflammation, but not anxious behavior. These results are associated with reduced IL-18 signaling and the PKR/IKKβ/IRS1 pathway as well as the SASP phenotype. In NLRP3 gene deletion conditions, PKR is down-regulated. Therefore, it is likely that slowing aging through various NLRP3 inhibition mechanisms will lessen the corresponding cognitive decline with aging. Thus, the genetic knockout of the NLRP3 inflammasome can be seen as a new therapeutic strategy for slowing down central nervous system (CNS) aging.
Investigation of Effect of Wind-Induced Vibration on Typical Frame Structures on the Open Decks of Large Cruise Ships Based on the Subdomain Method
Authors: Feng Xiliang , Zhu Yue , Gan Jin , Chen Ziheng , Li Jing , Lin Yongshui , Wu Weiguo
Published: November 2023

Due to the tall and large superstructures of cruise ships, the wind-induced vibration of frame structure on open decks cannot be neglected. This study investigated the wind-induced vibration of a typical frame structure on a cruise ship by using wind tunnel tests and numerical simulations. Wind tunnel tests were conducted to explore the simulation methods of the fluid–structure interaction (FSI). CFD simulations were performed to obtain the wind field data of the entire ship, which was utilized as an input for the open deck through the subdomain method. Subsequently, wind-induced vibration simulations of the guide rail frame structure on the open deck was carried out under various wind conditions. The results revealed that employing the turbulence model SST k-ω had a good agreement with the experimental data. The entire ship’s CFD results have a significant impact on the subdomain’s wind-induced vibration results. The vibration frequency of the guide rail frame structure was mainly concentrated between 0.8–10.1 Hz. The most unfavorable conditions appear at the wind attack angles of 0° and 120°. This study can provide some instructive insights for the prediction of wind-induced vibration and control of typical structures on the open decks of large cruise ships.
Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Approach for Optimizing the Processing Parameters of 316L SS in Directed Energy Deposition
Authors: Amar Eden , Popov Vladimir , Sharma Vyas Mani , Andreev Batat Shir , Halperin Doron , Eliaz Noam
Published: November 2023

Directed energy deposition (DED) is a crucial branch of additive manufacturing (AM), performing repairs, cladding, and processing of multi-material components. 316L austenitic stainless steel is widely used in applications such as the food, aerospace, automotive, marine, energy, biomedical, and nuclear reactor industries. Nevertheless, there is need for process parameter optimization and a comprehensive understanding of the individual and complex synergistic effects of process parameters on the geometry, microstructure, and properties of the deposited material or component. This is essential for ensuring repeatable manufacturing of parts across a single or series of platforms over time, or for minimizing defects such as porosity. In this study, the response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD) were employed to investigate the effects of laser power, laser scan speed, and powder mass flow rate on layer thickness, density, microstructure, and microhardness of 316L steel processed by Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS®) DED. Polynomial empirical prediction models correlating the applied processing parameters and the studied responses were developed.
Complex-Phase Steel Microstructure Segmentation Using UNet: Analysis across Different Magnifications and Steel Types
Authors: Swain Bishal Ranjan , Cho Dahee , Park Joongcheul , Roh Jae-Seung , Ko Jaepil
Published: November 2023

The quantification of the phase fraction is critical in materials science, bridging the gap between material composition, processing techniques, microstructure, and resultant properties. Traditional methods involving manual annotation are precise but labor-intensive and prone to human inaccuracies. We propose an automated segmentation technique for high-tensile strength alloy steel, where the complexity of microstructures presents considerable challenges. Our method leverages the UNet architecture, originally developed for biomedical image segmentation, and optimizes its performance via careful hyper-parameter selection and data augmentation. We employ Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) imagery for complex-phase segmentation and utilize a combined loss function to capture both textural and structural characteristics of the microstructures. Additionally, this work is the first to examine the scalability of the model across varying magnifications and types of steel and achieves high accuracy in terms of dice scores demonstrating the adaptability and robustness of the model.
Graphene-Based Composites for Thermoelectric Applications at Room Temperature
Authors: Harizanova Sonya , Vulchev Vassil , Stoyanova Radostina
Published: November 2023

The thermoelectric materials that operate at room temperature represent a scientific challenge in finding chemical compositions with three optimized, independent parameters, namely electrical and thermal conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient. Here, we explore the concept of the formation of hybrid composites between carbon-based materials and oxides, with the aim of modifying their thermoelectric performance at room temperature. Two types of commercially available graphene-based materials are selected: N-containing reduced graphene oxide (NrGO) and expanded graphite (ExGr). Although the NrGO displays the lowest thermal conductivity at room temperature, the ExGr is characterized by the lowest electrical resistivity and a negative Seebeck coefficient. As oxides, we choose two perspective thermoelectric materials: p-type Ca3Co4O9 and n-type Zn0.995Al0.005O. The hybrid composites were prepared by mechanical milling, followed by a pelleting. The thermoelectric efficiency was evaluated on the basis of its measured electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity at room temperature. It was found that that 2 wt.% of ExGr or NrGO leads to an enhancement of the thermoelectric activity of Ca3Co4O9, while, for Zn0.995Al0.005O, the amount of ExGr varies between 5 and 20 wt.%. The effect of the composites’ morphology on the thermoelectric properties is discussed on the basis of SEM/EDS experiments.
Isolation and Characterization of a Serratia rubidaea from a Shallow Water Hydrothermal Vent
Authors: Pereira Ricardo F. S. , Ferreira Maria J. , Oliveira M. Conceição , Serra Maria C. , de Carvalho Carla C. C. R.
Published: November 2023

Microbial life present in the marine environment has to be able to adapt to rapidly changing and often extreme conditions. This makes these organisms a putative source of commercially interesting compounds since adaptation provides different biochemical routes from those found in their terrestrial counterparts. In this work, the goal was the identification of a marine bacterium isolated from a sample taken at a shallow water hydrothermal vent and of its red product. Genomic, lipidomic, and biochemical approaches were used simultaneously, and the bacterium was identified as Serratia rubidaea. A high-throughput screening strategy was used to assess the best physico-chemical conditions permitting both cell growth and production of the red product. The fatty acid composition of the microbial cells was studied to assess adaptation at the lipid level under stressful conditions, whilst several state-of-the-art techniques, such as DSC, FTIR, NMR, and Ultra-High Resolution Qq-Time-of-Flight mass spectrometry, were used to characterize the structure of the pigment. We hypothesize that the pigment, which could be produced by the cells up to 62 °C, is prodigiosin linked to an aliphatic compound that acts as an anchor to keep it close to the cells in the marine environment.
Unraveling Transformative Effects after tDCS and BCI Intervention in Chronic Post-Stroke Patient Rehabilitation—An Alternative Treatment Design Study
Authors: Lima Jéssica P. S. , Silva Leticia A. , Delisle-Rodriguez Denis , Cardoso Vivianne F. , Nakamura-Palacios Ester M. , Bastos-Filho Teodiano F.
Published: November 2023

Stroke is a debilitating clinical condition resulting from a brain infarction or hemorrhage that poses significant challenges for motor function restoration. Previous studies have shown the potential of applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to improve neuroplasticity in patients with neurological diseases or disorders. By modulating the cortical excitability, tDCS can enhance the effects of conventional therapies. While upper-limb recovery has been extensively studied, research on lower limbs is still limited, despite their important role in locomotion, independence, and good quality of life. As the life and social costs due to neuromuscular disability are significant, the relatively low cost, safety, and portability of tDCS devices, combined with low-cost robotic systems, can optimize therapy and reduce rehabilitation costs, increasing access to cutting-edge technologies for neuromuscular rehabilitation. This study explores a novel approach by utilizing the following processes in sequence: tDCS, a motor imagery (MI)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) with virtual reality (VR), and a motorized pedal end-effector. These are applied to enhance the brain plasticity and accelerate the motor recovery of post-stroke patients. The results are particularly relevant for post-stroke patients with severe lower-limb impairments, as the system proposed here provides motor training in a real-time closed-loop design, promoting cortical excitability around the foot area (Cz) while the patient directly commands with his/her brain signals the motorized pedal. This strategy has the potential to significantly improve rehabilitation outcomes. The study design follows an alternating treatment design (ATD), which involves a double-blind approach to measure improvements in both physical function and brain activity in post-stroke patients. The results indicate positive trends in the motor function, coordination, and speed of the affected limb, as well as sensory improvements. The analysis of event-related desynchronization (ERD) from EEG signals reveals significant modulations in Mu, low beta, and high beta rhythms. Although this study does not provide conclusive evidence for the superiority of adjuvant mental practice training over conventional therapy alone, it highlights the need for larger-scale investigations.
Methodologies and Challenges for Optimal Sensor Placement in Historical Masonry Buildings
Authors: Chaves Estefanía , Barontini Alberto , Mendes Nuno , Compán Víctor , Lourenço Paulo B.
Published: November 2023

As ageing structures and infrastructures become a global concern, structural health monitoring (SHM) is seen as a crucial tool for their cost-effective maintenance. Promising results obtained for modern and conventional constructions suggested the application of SHM to historical masonry buildings as well. However, this presents peculiar shortcomings and open challenges. One of the most relevant aspects that deserve more research is the optimisation of the sensor placement to tackle well-known issues in ambient vibration testing for such buildings. The present paper focuses on the application of optimal sensor placement (OSP) strategies for dynamic identification in historical masonry buildings. While OSP techniques have been extensively studied in various structural contexts, their application in historical masonry buildings remains relatively limited. This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of OSP in this specific context, analysing and discussing real-world examples, as well as a numerical benchmark application to illustrate its complexities. This article aims to shed light on the progress and issues associated with OSP in masonry historical buildings, providing a detailed problem formulation, identifying ongoing challenges and presenting promising solutions for future improvements.
Time Reduction for SLM OFDM PAPR Based on Adaptive Genetic Algorithm in 5G IoT Networks
Authors: Hagras Esam A. A. , F. Desouky Sameh , Aldosary Saad , Khaled Haitham , Hassan Tarek M.
Published: November 2023

In this paper, a new peak average power and time reduction (PAPTR) based on the adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) strategy is used in order to improve both the time reduction and PAPR value reduction for the SLM OFDM and the conventional genetic algorithm (GA) SLM-OFDM. The simulation results demonstrate that the recommended AGA technique reduces PAPR by about 3.87 dB in comparison to SLM-OFDM. Comparing the suggested AGA SLM-OFDM to the traditional GA SLM-OFDM using the same settings, a significant learning time reduction of roughly 95.56% is achieved. The PAPR of the proposed AGA SLM-OFDM is enhanced by around 3.87 dB in comparison to traditional OFDM. Also, the PAPR of the proposed AGA SLM-OFDM is roughly 0.12 dB worse than that of the conventional GA SLM-OFDM.
Inversion of Forest Biomass Based on Multi-Source Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Zhang Danhua , Ni Hui
Published: November 2023

Ecological forests are an important part of terrestrial ecosystems, are an important carbon sink and play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycle. At present, the comprehensive utilization of optical and radar data has broad application prospects in forest parameter extraction and biomass estimation. In this study, tree and topographic data of 354 plots in key nature reserves of Liaoning Province were used for biomass analysis. Remote sensing parameters were extracted from Landsat 8 OLI and Sentinel-1A radar data. Based on the strong correlation factors obtained via Pearson correlation analysis, a linear model, BP neural network model and PSO neural network model were used to simulate the biomass of the study area. The advantages of the three models were compared and analyzed, and the optimal model was selected to invert the biomass of Liaoning province. The results showed that 44 factors were correlated with forest biomass (p < 0.05), and 21 factors were significantly correlated with forest biomass (p < 0.01). The comparison between the prediction results of the three models and the real results shows that the PSO-improved neural network simulation results are the best, and the coefficient of determination is 0.7657. Through analysis, it is found that there is a nonlinear relationship between actual biomass and remote sensing data. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) can effectively solve the problem of low accuracy in traditional BP neural network models while maintaining a good training speed. The improved particle swarm model has good accuracy and speed and has broad application prospects in forest biomass inversion.