bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of obesity and endocrine therapy on the prognosis of premenopausal women with HR+HER2-breast cancer: a multi-center retrospective study
Authors: Lian Weibin , Hong Chengye , Wang Chuan , Chen Debo
Published: May 2024

The effects of obesity on breast cancer prognosis may be subtype-dependent. However, research on premenopausal women with HR + HER2- subtype is insufficient. We included premenopausal women with HR + HER2- early breast cancer who received radical surgery in 42 breast centers nationwide from 2016 to 2021. Patients were classified into four groups according to body mass index (BMI): underweight (UW), normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), obesity (OB). Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare disease-free survival (DFS) between different BMI groups. Multivariate cox regression analysis was used to identify the effect of obesity on prognosis. Total 5094 patients were included in the analysis. DFS in OB patients was significantly worse than that in patients with NW (p = 0.002). After adjusted for age, tumor size, lymph node involvement, Ki67 index, PR, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and OFS, obesity remains an independent prognostic factor for DFS in premenopausal patients with HR + HER2- breast cancer (p = 0.043). In OW/OB patients who only received selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), DFS was significantly worse than that in UW/NW patients (p = 0.0067). However, OW/OB does not affect DFS in patients who received ovarian function suppression (OFS) (p = 0.865). Furthermore, analysis from Restricted Cubic Splines (RCS) showed that the risk of recurrence continues to increase with increasing BMI in overweight and obese patients. Our study confirmed that obesity stands as an independent prognostic factor for DFS in premenopausal patients with HR + HER2- breast cancer. OFS may reverse the prognosis of premenopausal women with HR + HER2- breast cancer who only receiving SERMs.
Dual Active Bridge Converter for Bidirectional Power Control and minimization of Ripples in Inverter Stage
Authors: Kanase Digvijay B , Patil Vishal B , Jadhav Sachin P , Patil Swapnil D , Mali Prashant S , Prasad Shashikant
Published: May 2024

Solid-State Transformers (SSTs) play a crucial role in enhancing the performance of dual active bridge converters and ensuring robust isolation. These converters are renowned for their exceptional capability to efficiently handle high power levels. The H Bridge maintains a consistent 50% duty cycle to ensure operational control. The rectifying and inverter components within the SST DAB converter are interconnected in a multi-stage arrangement. Variations in output power result from the converter's direct current (DC) input and output voltages and the inverter's alternating current (AC) output. This type of converter exhibits noticeable second-order harmonics. The main goals of the control for the DAB converter are to maintain stability in both the power and the DC output voltage. Additionally, it aims to minimize disturbances originating from the inverter section as a secondary goal. The proportional-integral (PI) controller, and the proportional-integral (PI) controller in conjunction with a resonant controller are the two controller types examined in this work. Because of the DAB converter's low switching frequency, the typical PI controller only amplifies a limited amount at 120 Hz, which causes amplified voltage ripples at the inverter's output. One method to minimize these ripples is by enhancing the PI controller's Kp value, however doing so may cause the feedback loop to become unstable. It's important to note that a standalone The PI controller can effectively regulate the DC voltage. but it cannot entirely eliminate ripples. Alternative approaches such as resonant controllers can be employed to address this limitation. This technique may efficiently manage the output voltage and lessen ripples.
Quantification of 730 mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites of fungi and plants in grain products
Authors: Sulyok Michael , Suman Michele , Krska Rudolf
Published: May 2024

This work reports on the validation of a liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous quantification of more than 700 mycotoxins and other secondary fungal metabolites and plant toxins in pasta, biscuits, crackers and musli. The “dilute and shoot” approach was found to be fully applicable to these complex matrices, as only 7 -14% of the analytes exhibited significant matrix effects while recoveries of the extraction were outside the target range of 70 – 120% for only 26 compounds. Data on repeatability (based on 7 brands per matrix) and on intermediate precision was compliant to the related < 20% criterion for 95-98% and 99 % of all analytes, respectively. The limits of quantification were much lower than the related regulatory limits set for mycotoxins in cereal products. Application of the method to 147 samples from the European market revealed the presence of enniatins and deoxynivalenol in the majority of the samples. No regulatory limits were exceeded except the sum of ergot alkaloids being higher in a few samples than the 50 – 150 µg/kg to be implemented as of July 2024.
A formative assessment system in Baduanjin physical education based on inertial measurement unit motion capture
Authors: Zhao Shanguang , Shen Yanqing , Zhou Ke , Li Hai
Published: May 2024

This research aims to use the commercial inertial measurement unit (IMU) motion capture (MoCap) to build a formative assessment system in Baduanjin physical education (PE) to assist PE teachers in completing the formative assessment. The system recognizes motions and assesses motion accuracy by analyzing the motion data captured from students with IMU MoCap. The Baduanjin motions dataset was obtained by recruiting students and teachers to verify the feasibility of the commercial IMU MoCap in recognizing motion accuracy. Furthermore, based on the dataset, suitable methods for recognizing motions and assessing the motion accuracy of Baduanjin were developed and verified. The formative assessment system in Baduanijn PE was built on selected methods and for objective users test. The system obtained excellent accuracy in recognizing student motions (99.77%), and there is a solid connection (over 0.8) between the system and the teacher for assessing motion accuracy. The objective user test demonstrates that the formative assessment system built on IMU MoCap is appropriate for the Baduanjin PE.
Characteristics, predictive factors, and prognostic impact of effusion in multiple body cavities after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kurokawa Mineo , Masuda Yasutaka , Honda Akira , Oyama Takashi , Masamoto Yosuke
Published: May 2024

Fluid retention presenting as effusions in body cavities in sometimes encountered following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), however, its spaciotemporal characteristics, predictive factors, and prognostic impact is poorly defined. Here, we comprehensively reviewed pleural (PL), peritoneal (PT), and pericardial (PC) effusions in 178 first allo-HSCT recipients retrospectively. A total of 123 (69.1%) patients developed effusions in either cavity: the PL, PT, and PC effusions were found in 106, 88, and 53 patients for the first time after allo-HSCT with a median of 38.0 (range, 2–2950), 22.5 (range, 2–1324), and 40 (range, 2–945) days. The cumulative incidence at day 100 was 41.0%, 40.4%, and 20.8%, respectively. Out of 92 patients presenting with effusions within day 100, 28 patients presented with effusion in a single cavity, 39 in two cavities, and 25 in all of three cavities. Higher disease risk index was identified as predictive factors for cavity effusion. The 2-year overall survival rate of patients with effusions at no, single, double, and triple cavities within day 100 were 86.1%, 60.0%, 59.6%, and 18.8%, respectively. Our results indicate that rigorous pre- and peri-transplantation management to avoid fluid retention is important to improve transplantation outcomes.
Autonomous Mobile Vehicle Using ROS2 and 2D-Lidar and SLAM Navigation
Authors: Gyanani Pratham , Agarwal Mridul , Osari Ranjeet , Chandore Garima
Published: May 2024

This study describes the use of the SLAM algorithm in autonomous mobile vehicle/robot navigation. The proposed work is organized inside the Robot Operating System (ROS2) architecture. Data visualization is done with Rviz, and vehicle simulation is done with Gazebo. SLAM Toolbox uses laser and odometry data from several sensors for mapping. We have built a small bot which uses Differential Drive Control System. It also uses the Nav2 plugin of ROS2 for navigation from one place to another in the environment by first giving the initial co-ordinates of the robot and then the Goal pose where the robot has to reach. It also implements online asynchronous plugin of ros2 which helps the robot to detect real time change in the map during the navigation so it will change its path if a new object is detected real time
Systemic Stakeholder Analysis - Background on the methodology and its application within the Bio-Mo-D project
Authors: Neumann Kai , Sievi Marguerite
Published: May 2024

A multitude of stakeholders, encompassing various sectors, are involved in the modernization of ecosystem-related reporting in Germany at both corporate and national levels. The Bio-Mo-D project aims to identify pathways towards these objectives and recognize key stakeholders and their roles. Employing an explorative stakeholder model aids in comprehending the factors facilitating and hindering each objective, as well as the interconnections between them and the roles played by numerous stakeholders. A refined descriptive model further illustrates generic dynamics, facilitating the identification of major stakeholders along impact chains. This enhanced understanding of processes, triggers, and dynamics enables the Bio-Mo-D project to identify e.g. potential advocacy coalitions, underscoring the significance of pilot applications in catalyzing the dynamics of reinforcing feedback loops in the mainstreaming process and the need for feasible science-policy-interfaces.
Insights into the role of children in the COVID-19
pandemic in Belgium: a longitudinal sensitivity
analysis
Authors: Angeli Leonardo , Caetano Constantino , Franco Nicolas , Coletti Pietro , Faes Christel , Molenberghs Geert , Beutels Philippe , Abrams Steven , Willem Lander , Hens Niel
Published: May 2024

Understanding the evolving role of different age groups in virus transmission dynamics is essential for informed pandemic
management. This study delves into the age-related transmission patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in Belgium from November
2020 to February 2022. We employed a next-generation matrix approach, integrating longitudinal social contact data and
numerical simulations of the evolving population susceptibility. A perturbation analysis of the effective reproduction number
(Rt ) underscored the age-specific transmission patterns. From November to December 2020, adults aged [18,60) were main
contributors to Rt (≈ 78%), with children aged [0,12) having a marginal role (≈ 3.7%). This pattern shifted between January and
March 2021, coinciding with in-person education resumption and the Alpha variant emergence; children’s contribution to Rt
increased to ≈ 38%. Stringent measures in March 2021 significantly reduced transmission levels, substantially downsizing
the role of the [18,30) age group. Following the summer school break, in September-October 2021, we observed a notable
resurgence in children’s contribution to Rt . Our findings highlight the noteworthy and varying influence of the [0,12) age
group on SARS-CoV-2 transmission, offering insights to design nuanced pandemic responses, e.g., that balance public health
needs with socio-educational implications of interventions like extended school closures. Overall, this study demonstrates the
effectiveness of our methodology in uncovering age-specific transmission patterns in the study of infectious disease spread.
Optimizing the mode switching quality of hybrid tractors equipped with mechanical-hydraulic compound transmission devices
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Sheng Jie , Zhang Hongwei , Wang Dehai , Chen Long
Published: May 2024

During the mode switching process of a hybrid tractor equipped with a mechanical-hydraulic compound transmission (HMCVT) device, the separation and combination of the clutch will cause transient shocks, affecting the smoothness and driving comfort of the entire vehicle. This article establishes a system dynamics model in SimulationX simulation software and builds a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test platform for testing to study the simulation and testing when switching from pure electric drive mode to hybrid speed coupling mode. In order to solve the problem of slow dynamic response of the engine, this study proposes a control strategy of "clutch oil pressure fuzzy control + motor torque compensation” and uses the orthogonal test range analysis method and variance analysis method to optimize the vehicle mode switching quality. Taking the switching timing of the six clutches C0, C2, C3, C4, C6 and C7 involved in this article as the factors A, B, C, D, E and F of the orthogonal test range analysis, the clutch switches 0.5s ahead of time. On-time switching and delayed switching of 0.5s are used as three levels. L27(36) orthogonal table is selected for simulation test. Range method analysis shows that scheme A3B1C3D3E1F2 is the optimal switching scheme, that is, clutches C2 and C6 switch 0.5s in advance, and clutch C7 is on time. Switching, clutches C0, C3 and C4 are switched with a delay of 0.5s, the output shaft speed drop is reduced from 21.875% to 1.63%, the dynamic load coefficient is reduced from 8.473 to 2.72, and the impact degree is reduced from 26.181m/s3 to 7.08m/ s3, the switching time is reduced from 1.345s to 0.35s. A hardware-in-the-loop test platform was built for testing. The hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test results were consistent with the overall trend of the simulation results, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy and method.
Strong Fuzzy Detour µ-Centre in Fuzzy Graphs
Authors: J Umamaheshwari , K Dillibabu , P Vishnukumar , A Anbarasan
Published: May 2024

Fuzzy graphs are defined as graphs with fuzzy edges and vertices. The fuzzy values are represented by membership functions, which assign a degree of membership to each element. We proposed a new technique for fuzzy detour by applying strong arc concepts, which leads to strong fuzzy detour µ-centre, strong fuzzy detour µ-diameter, and strong fuzzy detour µ-radius. Additionally, we proposed some related properties and theorems based on these concepts. We showed that it is metric and showed some analog properties, like the relationship between the eccentricity of two nodes and the relationship between the radius and diameter of a strong fuzzy detour. We have presented the result of finding the eccentricity by utilizing the matrix's max-max composition. We discussed some analog properties of matrices and we discussed the formula to find the radius of Cn, n > 3, with specific conditions and also proved that the radius of Cn is strictly increasing and G is self-centered. Also, we proved that α, β strong fuzzy µ-distance is metric and also showed that the alpha strong arcs and beta strong arcs number is always equal to the number of arcs in G. We discussed some problems and theorems based on these concepts.
Effect of thickness ratio on mechanical properties and tribological behavior of TiB2/Cr multilayer coatings
Authors: Wu Bi , Gao Siyang , Xue Weihai , Yang Shuai , Li Shu , Duan Deli
Published: May 2024

The design of TiB2-based coating with Cr interlayer can offer an efficient way to improve its mechanical properties and tribological performance. The stress distribution of the TiB2/Cr multilayer coatings was optimized by varying the ceramic-metal thickness ratio (Q). As Q decreased from 1.0 to 0.5, the hardness of the deposited TiB2/Cr multilayer coatings drop from 30.3 GPa to 20.2 GPa. However, their fracture toughness and adhesion strength are promoted. The multilayer coating with Q = 0.5 exhibited the best toughness, crack propagation resistance (CPRs), and the smallest equivalent stress area, resulting in the best wear resistance. The wear mechanism of the TiB2 interlayer is primarily abrasive, while that of the Cr interlayer is adhesive. However, reducing Q further to 0.3 led to decreased wear resistance due to low hardness and significant stress concentration. This indicates that there is an optimal balance between hardness, toughness, and stress distribution for achieving improved wear resistance for the multilayer design. Additionally, a notable correlation was found between CPRs and the wear resistance of TiB2/Cr multilayer coatings. CPRs could serve as a reliable predictor for the tribological performance of the ceramic coatings.
Crystallization experiments of the wheel-and-axle host compound, 1,4-phenylene-bis(di-p-tolylmethanol), from pyridine and methylpyridine mixtures
Authors: Barton Benita , Vorgers Jarryd A. , Hosten Eric C.
Published: May 2024

1,4Phenylene-bis(diptolylmethanol) (H), a host compound with the wheel-and-axle design, formed complexes with organic guest solvents pyridine (PYR) and 2-, 3- and 4-methylpyridine (2MP, 3MP and 4MP). The host:guest (H:G) ratios were 1:3, 1:2, 1:2 and 1:1, respectively. Host crystallization experiments from mixed guests demonstrated H to prefer both PYR and 4MP; however, it was established that these difficult-to-separate (by fractional distillations) guest mixtures cannot be purified/separated by means of H through supramolecular chemistry strategies owing to these selectivities for PYR and 4MP being less than optimal. Single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments showed that each guest compound was held in its complex by means of a classical hydrogen bond with H, and that one of the preferred guests, PYR, experienced a significantly shorter contact of this type than the other guests. Hirshfeld surface analyses demonstrated that PYR was also involved in a greater percentage of (guest)N···H(host) interactions compared with the other guest molecules. Thermal analyses, on the other hand, revealed that 4MP (also a favoured guest species) formed the most stable complex of the four in this investigation. These results with H were compared to those obtained when employing a closely related host compound from a previous report, 1,4-bis(diphenylhydroxymethyl)benzene: while both host species preferred the same guests (PYR and 4MP), the extent of the selectivity of that host compound compared with H in the present work was significantly more enhanced. Thus, minor modifications may deleteriously affect the selectivity behaviour of closely related host compounds.
Nonuniformity of diffractive splitting and transmitter–receiver alignment for large-field-of-view hundred-beam-scale LiDAR
Authors: Hou Jia , Zhao Zhonghao , Peng Zhiqiang , He Zhiping
Published: May 2024

To meet the spatial perception requirements for autonomous ship navigation in common scenarios such as ocean navigation, port entry and exit, and lock passage, commercial vehicle-mounted LiDAR technology falls short of demands in aspects such as sensing distance, field of view, angular resolution, and spatial sampling density. This paper proposes a hundred-beam-scale LiDAR scheme based on large-field-of-view diffractive beam splitting and a fiber array for echo reception and presents an in-depth investigation of the angular nonuniformity of diffractive beam splitting and the microradian-scale alignment for such hundred-beam-scale large-field-of-view LiDAR. This paper considers a combination of split-beam transmission based on a high-order diffractive optical element (DOE) and echo reception based on a high-precision fiber-optic line array. The nonlinear angular characteristics of the DOE are deduced and analyzed for a large field of view. The units of the receiving fiber-optic array are designed to offset the influence of the angular nonlinearity of the DOE, ensuring high-precision receiver–transmitter alignment of the hundred-beam-scale LiDAR for beams at any order of diffraction and helping to reduce system errors. The above-described LiDAR system has undergone laboratory testing and practical engineering verification, and it provides a new optical solution for LiDAR systems at the hundred-beam scale with a large field of view, a small divergence angle, and high sampling density. The presented system achieves a registration accuracy of 66.5 µrad with 128 beams and a 10-degree field of view, greatly improving signal reception efficiency. Such LiDAR systems have a wide range of applications, including space docking, target identification, lunar and planetary exploration, and ground-based vehicle-mounted LiDAR.
Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) marker-based analysis on the genetic variation and population structure of local and exotic sorghum germplasm collection conserved ex-situ in Sri Lanka
Authors: Kaluthanthri D. V. S. , Perera S. A.C.N. , Dasanayaka P. N.
Published: May 2024

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the most important cereal crops occupying the fifth position based on the cultivated extent among the cereal crops in the world. Characterization of genetic resources is a pre-requisite for utilization of conserved genetic resources in breeding programmes and cultivation. The present study was carried out to reveal the genetic variation and population structure of local and exotic sorghum germplasm collection conserved in ex-situ seed gene bank at the Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Sri Lanka. Total genomic DNA was extracted from 60 germplasm accessions using CTAB miniprep DNA extraction protocol. A two-step PCR amplification was performed at 16 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci. Four differentially labeled PCR products were multiplexed and size-fractioned using capillary electrophoresis. Data analyses were performed using GeneMapper 4.0, OSIRIS, PowerMarker 3.25, Structure 2.2 and STRUCTURE HARVESTER. The 16 SSR loci recorded polymorphism and the dendrogram revealed four distinct clusters. The optimum number of subpopulations was three in addition to two admixture subpopulations. The revealed population structure did not depict the geographical origin of the germplasm accessions. The present study confirmed that the majority of local sorghum germplasm accessions tested were genetically distinct. Varying degrees of outcrossing selfing in subsequent generations may have led to the creation of novel sorghum genotypes at global level.
Novel Quinolone substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives: Design, synthesis, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Das Rina , Mehta Dinesh Kumar , Sharma Diksha
Published: May 2024

A novel series of quinolone-substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives 4(a-l) have been designed and synthesized. The target compounds were investigated for their antibacterial activity against gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis, ATCC 29212) and gram negative bacterium (Escherichia coli, ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ATCC 27853) for antifungal activity using candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and anti-inflammatory activity as COX-II inhibitors, respectively. The 1,3,4-oxadiazole functionality was introduced at C-6 position of pipemidic acid derivatives. The structure of synthesized derivatives was confirmed by IR, 1H NMR and Mass spectrometry techniques. The quinolone (pipemidic acid)-oxadiazole hybrid derivatives were found to be effective against bacterial strains. When compared to ciprofloxacin (MIC 16 µg/mL), the compounds under consideration (4f, 4h, and 4k) showed potent antibacterial activity against all bacterial strains except Enterococcus faecalis, with MICs of 8 µg/mL. On the other hand, synthesized target compounds (4a–l) did not respond well against the Candida albicans fungal strain. The compound (4k) represents the high % inhibition against COX-II. The compounds (4f, 4h & 4k) exhibited the highest hydrogen bonding interaction with ARG57, ARG72, ARG78, LEU54 and MET16 target residues with a binding energy of -8.4, -8.6 & -8.5 kcal/mol into the active pocket of DNA gyrase enzyme respectively even better in comparison to reference ligands. Based on the docking study, the quinolone (pipemidic acid) oxadiazole hybrid structural ligands exhibited strong interaction at binding pockets of DNA gyrase enzyme.
A Carbon Black-Doped Chalcopyrite-Based Electrochemical Sensor for Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Ma Tingting , Wang Yue , Gu Yuxuan , Hasebe Yasushi
Published: May 2024

A simple, rapid, economical and non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for sensitive determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was developed based on a physical combination of carbon black (CB) and pure chalcopyrite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance, cyclic voltammetry and steady-state amperometric methods were used to evaluated the morphology and electrochemical performance of the modified electrode. The H2O2 sensor showed good sensitivity, reproducibility and practical usage. In the range of 0.1 ~ 100 mM, the peak current has a good linear relationship toward the concentration of H2O2, with the detection limit (S/N = 3) of 0.04 mM by using amperometry method. Both linear range and sensitivity of the prepared sensor were enhanced through the combination of chalcopyrite and CB. The results show that the synergistic effect of CB and chalcopyrite can improve the electron transfer rate and accelerate the electrochemical catalytic reaction.
SHaSTA: An Open-Source Simulator for Human and Swarm Team Applications
Authors: Manjunatha Hemanth , KrisshnaKumar Prajit , Distefano Joseph P. , Jani Apurv , Behjat Amir , Ghassemi Payam , Chowdhury Souma , Dantu Karthik , Esfahani Ehsan T.
Published: May 2024

Human-swarm teaming combines the dynamic capabilities of robot swarms with the strategic cognition of humans to perform complex tasks. As robotic systems and unmanned vehicles gain enhanced autonomy, there is an imperative need for for a human-in-the-loop simulation framework to study both human action/cognition as well as swarm behaviors and their interaction within operational contexts. Such a framework is essential for developing and testing the coordination of human supervisor and robotic swarms with different level of autonomy and exploring the role of machine learning in enhancing their collective behaviors beyond basic functionalities. This paper introduces SHaSTA(Simulator for Human And Swarm Team Applications), a versatile, open-source simulation platform designed to advance research in swarm learning and human-swarm interaction. SHaSTA offers a comprehensive interface that allows both human operators and machine learning algorithms to direct and refine swarm tactics and behaviors. The platform incorporates a range of functionalities, including individual robot controls, swarm behavior primitives like formation control and path planning, and customizable interfaces for defining novel behavioral primitives. A standout feature of SHaSTA is its capability to integrate and synchronize physiological data from human operators with robotic swarm simulations. This integration provides a deeper understanding of human factors in swarm control and enhances the simulation’s realism and applicability. We demonstrate SHaSTA’s effectiveness and scalability through a case study in a search-andrescue scenario, showcasing its computational efficiency and the practical benefits of its human-swarm interaction model. Additionally, we present findings from our human subject study that illustrate how SHaSTA effectively captures and utilizes physiological features to inform and improve human-swarm interaction strategies.
Measurement Uncertainty and Flagging Performance Evaluation of Sysmex XN-1500 Analyzer in an Accredited Laboratory in West Africa
Authors: Dibbasey Mustapha , Mamudou  , Sarfo Francess , Begum Rosyna , Umukoro Solomon
Published: May 2024

Background/Objective
assess measurement uncertainty (MU) of enumerating main haematological indices using Sysmex XN-1500 analyser and flagging performance characteristics of the analyser.
Methods
We calculated standard MU from each possible sources of error to obtain expanded MU at a 95% level of confidence. We employed the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) Milan model and the biological variation model from the EFLM database to verify that our expanded MU values were within allowable performance specifications (APS). MU was preceded by evaluating the flagging performance of the analyser.
Results
The MU of hemoglobin, red blood cells, haematocrit, white blood cells, and platelets generated by the Sysmex XN-1500 platform falls within the allowable APS defined by the established model. Further, we found no statistically significant differences (Mann-Whitney-U-Test, p-value = 0.2188) when the MU results for all the haematological indices obtained from our internal quality control data were compared with the external quality assurance proficiency testing results (reference method). The MU values for all the haematological indices were comparable between the Sysmex XN-1500 analyser and the existing Abbott platform (Mann-Whitney U Test, P = 0.12). The overall flagging performance of the Sysmex XN-1500 platform was excellent when compared to the gold-standard peripheral blood film examination (PBF) results, except for iRBC? Q-flags, as all iRBC? Q-flags were confirmed as false flags by PBF examination.
Conclusion
The MU of main haematological indices using the Sysmex XN-1500 analyser falls within the allowable APS. The flagging performance of the Sysmex XN-1500 was poor in detecting RBC inclusions.
Systematic Literature Review on early detection of Postoperative Delirium in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Othman Saleh Mohammed Alhaj , Aziz Mohammed Ali Ali , XU Qin
Published: May 2024

Background
Postoperative delirium (POD) is a cognitive decline and attention deficit that can occur in patients after cardiac surgery. Despite extensive research identifying risk factors, POD often goes undiagnosed and untreated in medical settings.
Method
This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to summarize studies on early POD identification in patients following cardiovascular surgery. Data was obtained from Scopus, PubMed, and the Cochrane International database.
Results
Seven examined studies highlight high-risk variables (individual characteristics, underlying diseases, treatment methods) and typical symptoms as crucial components for early POD diagnosis. However, diagnostic criteria and evaluation methodologies need to be more consistent, and there is no consensus on the most efficient early detection approaches.
Conclusion
The findings underscore the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and evaluation methods for early POD detection in cardiovascular surgery patients. Evidence-based recommendations are necessary to enhance early diagnosis and treatment of POD in this population.
Social comparison and overall adjustment among freshmen in one public university
Authors: Aloka Peter J. O.
Published: May 2024

The freshmen in universities continue to face adjustment issues to new environments. Thus, transition to the university is characterized by expected independent decisions as compared to the previous secondary school teacher controlled learning environment.When the transition challenges are not well managed by the university administration, then it could lead to the emergence of psychopathology, as pre-existing mental health problems are exacerbated or new symptoms emerge in response to novel environmental stressors.The present study examined the relationship between social comparison and overall adjustment among the freshmen in one selected public university in Kenya. The study was informed by Social Comparison Theory (SCT) and Student Integration Theory.This study was anchored in the positivist research paradigm. The study was guided by the cross-sectional survey research design. The sample size comprised 213 freshmen in one public university in Western Kenya. The Social Comparison Scale and Adjustment Questionnaire were used to collect data. The validity results indicated that the Keiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) was 0.753. The Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity at 95% level of confidence was significant (p-value of .000 < 0.05). The finding shows that there was a low negative (r = -.142, n =213, p<.05) relationship between social comparison and overall adjustment among the first year university students. The study concludes that the social comparison regression model was adequate to predict overall adjustment among first year university students [F (1, 211) = 4.366, p< .05)].The study recommends that the university counseling center should develop holistic counseling therapies, which would enhance coping skills, seeking support, and counseling seeking behaviours among first year students
Perancangan Aplikasi Time Management Untuk Mahasiswa Berbasis Gamification
Authors: Sulistio Gerry Susanto , Chrisantyo Lukas , Raharjo Willy Sudiarto
Published: May 2024

Mahasiswa sering menghadapi kendala dalam mengatur waktu karena banyaknya tugas dan distraksi contohnya media sosial. Untuk mengatasi masalah ini, aplikasi dikembangkan dengan pendekatan Design Thinking dan menggunakan elemen gamifikasi untuk meningkatkan motivasi mahasiswa. Pada tahap pengujian, digunakan Task Scenario untuk mengukur effectiveness dan System Usability Scale untuk mengukur satisfaction pengguna. Hasil pengujian menunjukkan tingkat effectiveness mencapai 87,2% dan hasil SUS mendaptakan rata-rata 65,7% sehingga termasuk pada kategori tingkat D (OK) dan acceptability ranges pada high marginal. Sehingga dapat ditarik kesimpulan bahwa aplikasi ini masih dapat berjalan dengan normal dan beberapa pengguna masih dapat menerima dan menggunakannya dengan baik.
Penerapan Choreography Message Broker Untuk Transaksi Data Berbasis Asynchronous RESTful
Authors: Imanuel Desendo , Rini Maria Nila Anggia , Susanto Budi
Published: May 2024

Saat ini, rumah sakit yang berada di bawah Yayasan Kristen untuk Kesehatan Umum (YAKKUM) menjalankan sistem informasi secara independen yang berarti masing-masing rumah sakit membangun dan mengelola sistem informasinya secara mandiri tanpa adanya keterlibatan secara sistematis dengan rumah sakit lainnya. Hal tersebut memicu munculnya sifat heterogen pada data sehingga diperlukannya integrasi data. Pada aplikasi skala enterprise, masalah integrasi antar komponen sistem aplikasi akan bertambah seiring dengan meningkatnya kebutuhan dan kompleksitas aplikasi tersebut. Salah satu cara mengatasi hal tersebut adalah mengimplementasikan middleware dengan pendekatan choreography sebagai media penengah antar service. Sistem mengimplementasikan Axon Server sebagai message broker yang dikonfigurasi dengan event handler dengan mode tracking processor. Setiap service memiliki database masing-masing yang didukung dengan penerapan infrastruktur menggunakan Docker. Sistem diuji berdasarkan skenario pengujian keandalan transaksi data antar service pada roll back atau compensating transaction,  choreography, dan event consumption. Hasil pengujian menyatakan semua skenario pengujian berhasil diuji bahkan ketika service melakukan reboot di tengah-tengah proses pengujian. Di samping itu, pengujian dengan unit test, component test, integration test berhasil menyelesaikan 46 kasus tes per 46 total kasus tes pada User Service dan 27 kasus tes per 27 total kasus tes pada Auth Service. Namun, hasil pengujian juga menunjukkan adanya kejanggalan atau bug saat memproses transaksi data berbasis saga pattern.
An eco-friendly and facile method for oil–water separation using the bio-Zn oxide-based superhydrophobic membrane
Authors: Beagan A. , Elakany A. S. , Yang Z. , Mohamed M. E.
Published: May 2024

This manuscript presents a novel approach for developing an environmentally friendly and effective oil–water separation membrane. Achieving a superhydrophobic (SH) coating on textile fabric (TF) involved a two-step process. Initially, the surface roughness was enhanced by applying bio-zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles obtained from Thymbra spicata L. Subsequently, the roughened surface was modified with stearic acid, a material known for its low surface energy. The bio-ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a circular morphology with an average size of 21 nm. The coating demonstrated remarkable mechanical stability, maintaining SH properties even after an abrasion length of 300 mm. Chemical stability studies revealed that the prepared membrane retained SH properties within a pH range of 5–11, which ensures robust performance. Absorption capacity measurements showcased different capacities for n-hexane (Hex), corn oil (C.O), and silicone oil (S.O), with consistent performance over 10 absorption–desorption cycles. High oil–water separation efficiencies were achieved for hexane, C.O, and S.O, emphasizing the coating's versatility. Flux rate measurements demonstrated that oil passed through the membrane efficiently, with the highest flux observed for Hex. The prepared SH membrane has superior mechanical and chemical stability and high separation efficiencies, which positions it as a promising candidate for diverse industrial applications.
Comparative analysis of approaches necessary for designing a robotic module for industrial parts defect detection
Authors:   Ufa State Petroleum Technological University, Ufa, Russia, Lonshchakov A.A. , Darintsev O.V. ,   Mavlyutov Institute of Mechanics UFRC of the RAS, Ufa, Russia
Published: May 2024

Over the past two decades, the most frequently implemented method of oil extraction in the Russian Federation has been a mechanized method using an electric submersible pump (ESP) unit. Due to the remoteness of the fields from the base of repair enterprises, the cost of transporting spent but maintainable ESPs significantly exceeds their purchase price, which over time leads to the formation of a significant amount of decommissioned oil production equipment. To solve this problem, it is proposed to develop a mobile robotic module for sorting, defecting and storing pump parts, thanks to its use, minor repairs of equipment will be possible directly at production sites. The article deals with the problems of complex flaw detection of metal and non-metallic parts with the possibility of applying the developed methodology for a wide range of industrial products, at the same time, the main attention is paid to work with ESP parts. Based on the decomposition of the problem, the most problematic operations were identified: classification of parts, surface control (identification of defects), dimensional control. The results of a brief comparative analysis for each of the above subtasks are based on a review of the scientific literature over the past 30 years, with the largest number of sources reviewed in the last 5 years. As a result optimal methods for solving the task were derived — a machine learning technique for classifying surface defects, the use of a coordinate measuring machine with a manipulator for dimensional control. A new approach is also proposed to solve the main problem of machine learning methods (lack of training samples) in the form of using synthetic photorealistic images for classification with transfer of defect features from semantically close and publicly available training samples.
Experimental setup for researching the stability of fluid flow
Authors:   Mavlyutov Institute of Mechanics UFRC RAS, Ufa, Russia, Mukhutdinova A.A. , Nizamova A.D. , Kireev V.N. , Urmancheev S.F. ,   Ufa University Science and Technology, Ufa, Russia
Published: May 2024

The problem of studying the stability of the flow of a thermoviscous liquid is relevant in connection with the need to develop methods for controlling flow regimes in industrial condensers and heat exchange devices. These devices play an important role in a variety of technological processes, from food production to materials processing, and their effectiveness is directly dependent on the flow regime they establish. Awareness of the importance of both laminar and turbulent flow regimes leads to the need to balance between energy efficiency, which is often preferable to laminar flow, and heat and mass transfer efficiency, which is characteristic of turbulent flow. This makes it important to study and control the stability of the flow. As the speed of fluid flow increases, laminar flow loses stability and disturbances arise, which can lead to the formation of a secondary nonlinear regime that preserves the main characteristics of laminar flow, or to flow turbulization, which in turn can have a significant impact on the efficiency of technical devices. Although a lot of work has been done to study the stability of the flow of homogeneous liquids in channels and their spectral characteristics, the importance of taking temperature differences into account is often overlooked. However, it is the dependence of liquid viscosity on temperature that plays a significant role in determining flow patterns and requires additional study. Despite the ongoing numerical studies of the stability of fluid flow, there remains a need to compare experimental data with the results of numerical modeling to obtain a more complete understanding of the processes occurring in the system. In this regard, within the framework of this work, an experimental setup of an annular channel was developed and assembled in order to conduct a detailed experimental study of the stability of fluid flow and subsequently compare the results obtained with numerical simulations, which will provide more accurate data for further improving the design and operation of industrial devices.
YouTube como fonte de informação na promoção de uma educação antirracista para bibliotecas escolares
Authors: Siqueira Clarice do Carmo , Valério Erinaldo
Published: May 2024

O YouTube é um dos sites mais acessados do mundo, a plataforma conta com diversas ferramentas de interatividade e compartilhamento de informações, heranças do surgimento da Web 2.0. O cyberespaço permitiu com que questões sociais ganhassem mais visibilidade, assim como, as relações étnico-raciais, um dos principais assunto discutidos neste trabalho. Nesta perspectiva, a seguinte pesquisa se propôs a investigar o YouTube como ferramenta no auxílio aos/as estudantes enquanto fonte de informação para uma educação antirracista. Tendo em vista que, a educação é um dos caminhos para combater mazelas sociais, como o racismo, o estudo tem como objetivo geral analisar a plataforma YouTube como fonte de informação educacional na promoção de uma educação antirracista nas bibliotecas escolares. Estabelece como metodologia, uma pesquisa bibliográfica com abordagem qualitativa e de natureza básica. Entende que a biblioteca escolar pode ser um espaço que promova a diversidade e uma educação mais democrática. Com isso, a plataforma YouTube, a partir de seus vídeos, é uma fonte informacional que pode auxiliar bibliotecárias/os neste sentido. Indica o levantamento de 9 canais apresentados pelo Fundo Vozes Negras do YouTube, como fonte de informação antirracista para bibliotecas escolares. Defende, a importância da utilização destes canais em ambiente escolar, por meio da amostra de vídeos definida no corpo deste trabalho. Conclui que os conteúdos aqui apresentados, mostram que as reflexões sociais, em espaços de destaque como o YouTube, são importantes para a reconstrução de uma identidade negra positiva, negada a população negra ao longo da história.
Description of Some Methodologies for the Synthesis of 1,4-Naphthoquinone
Derivatives and Examples of their Biological Activity: A Review
Authors: Loredo-Carrillo Silvia E. , Leyva Elisa , López-López Lluvia Itzel , Navarro-Tovar Gabriela , de Loera Denisse , Vega-Rodríguez Sarai
Published: May 2024

An alternative to finding new drugs for the treatment of various diseases is the
chemical modification of the structure of compounds of natural origin. Among them, naphthoquinones
are very interesting candidates, as they are antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic,
and anticancer agents. Naphthoquinones are redox compounds that can accept one or two
electrons, generating reactive oxygen species in the cell and producing cell apoptosis. Naphthoquinones
are unsaturated compounds containing a dicarbonyl sequence in the para position,
which is highly reactive. Several studies of the chemical modification of naphthoquinones,
either of natural origin (such as lapachol or juglone) or synthetic origin, have demonstrated
the great importance and versatility of this type of compound. Polyhydroxylated
derivatives, amino, thioethers, and conjugated heterosystems (indole or pyrrole groups)
have been synthesized. Depending on the type of derivative, their specific use against certain types of microorganisms
or cancer cell lines has been demonstrated.
Recent Advancement in the Development of Detection and Removal of Heavy Metal Ions by Deep Eutectic Solvents: A Review
Authors: Al-Saidi Hamed M. , Khan Sikandar
Published: May 2024

:

Heavy metal pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems, because of the
non-degradable nature of heavy metals and their accumulation in the food chain, which poses a severe
threat to the environment and human health even at low concentrations. Most of these metal
ions can coordinate with biological molecules and disturb their function. Exposure to heavy metals
can cause different health threats such as endothelial dysfunction, allergy, infant mortality, cancer,
neurological diseases, respiratory diseases, oxidative stress, cardiovascular disorders and kidney
diseases. Therefore the detection and removal of these toxic species are very important. Deep eutectic
solvents (DESs) are green solvents and have excellent applications in many fields. They contain
nonsymmetrical ions that have low lattice energy, low vapor pressure, dipolar nature, nonflammability,
low volatility, low melting points, excellent thermal and chemical stability and high
solubility. DESs are also better in terms of the availability of raw materials, easy synthetic procedure,
low cost of their starting materials and their easy storage. DESs have an excellent ability for the detection
and removal of heavy metal ions. In this review, we discussed various DES-based spectrophotometric
and fluorimetric chemosensors for the detection of heavy metal ions in different matrixes.
Additionally, we have also explored the capabilities of different DESs in removing heavy metals.
A Polyacrylate Cotton-based Pipette Tip Micro-solid-phase Extraction
Technique Coupled with High-performance Liquid Chromatography for
Carvedilol Determination in Aqueous Media
Authors: Poryan Golchin , Noori Maedeh , Talebpour Zahra , Aboul-Enein Hassan Y.
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

In this work, a polyacrylate polymer was synthesized into a pipette tip containing cotton fibers and used to extract carvedilol from water and urine samples.

Methods:

A high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection method was developed,
which demonstrated the suitability of the purposed pipette tip micro-solid-phase extraction device.
Factors affecting the fabrication procedure and polymer quality were studied and optimized. In the
next step, the sample preparation process (including extraction and desorption) was fully optimized,
and the optimized method was validated.

Results:

A coating with suitable mechanical and chemical stability was achieved. Its structure was
successfully characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Within-batch and between-batch fabrication reproducibility were obtained at 3.0 and 9.0 %,
respectively. The developed method displayed a limit of detection of 1.1 µg L-1 when 1.5 mL of
sample was processed, and it was linear in the concentration range of 3.3-350 µg L-1 with LLOQ of 5
µg L-1
. The polyacrylate cotton-based pipette tip was finally used to extract carvedilol from aqueous
media with acceptable recoveries of 92-106%.

Conclusion:

The proposed method is simple and fast and requires low sample volumes. In addition,
this method has been evaluated in terms of greenness with three different tools, and the evaluation
results with all three tools have shown that this method is one of the green and environmentally
friendly methods.