bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between cardiac autonomic regulation, visceral adipose tissue, cardiorespiratory fitness and ambient air pollution: 4HAIE study (Program–4)
Authors: Dostal Tomas , Dankova Martina , Barot Tomas , Sindler Dominik , Kutac Petr , Jandackova Vera , Jandacka Daniel , Hofmann Peter , Cipryan Lukas
Published: December 2024

Background

The main objective of the present cross-sectional cohort study was to determine whether there is an association between cardiac autonomic regulation, as expressed through heart rate variability (HRV), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and over the long-term living in areas with low or high air pollution.

Methods

The study sample included 1036 (487 females) healthy runners (603) and inactive participants (age 18–65 years) who had lived for at least 5 years in an area with high (Moravian-Silesian; MS) or low (South Bohemian; SB) air pollution in the Czech Republic. A multivariable regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between multiple independent variables (CRF (peak oxygen consumption), VAT, sex, socioeconomic status (education level), and region (MS region vs. SB region) with dependent variable HRV. The root mean square of successive RR interval differences (rMSSD) was employed for the evaluation of HRV.

Results

The multivariable linear regression model revealed that cardiac autonomic regulation (rMSSD) was significantly associated with CRF level (p < .001) and age (p < .001). There were no associations between rMSSD and region (high or low air-pollution), sex, education level or VAT (p > 0.050).

Conclusions

We showed that living in an area with low or high air pollution is not associated with cardiac autonomic modulation in healthy runners and inactive individuals. CRF and age significantly directly and inversely, respectively, associated with HRV. There were no other significant associations.
Evaluation of atmospheric correction algorithms for salt lake water assessment: Accuracy, band-specific effects, and sensor consistency
Authors: Liu Changjiang , Zhang Fei , Jim Chi-Yung , Oke Saheed Adeyinka , Adam Elhadi
Published: December 2024

Atmospheric correction plays an important role in satellite monitoring of lake water quality. However, different atmospheric correction algorithms yield significantly different accuracy for inland lake waters beset by shallowness and turbidity. Finding a suitable algorithm for a specific lake is critical for quantitative satellite water-environmental monitoring. This study used Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 L1 level data of Ebinur Lake in arid northwest China on May 19, 2021. Atmospheric corrections were performed using FLAASH, QUAC, 6S, Acolite-DSF and Acolite-EXP algorithms. The Sentinel 2 reflectance product verified the consistency of the algorithms. Quasi-simultaneously measured hyperspectral data determined the algorithm applicable to Ebinur Lake waters. The results indicate that the Acolite-DSF algorithm has good consistency and high accuracy in the atmospheric correction of Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 images. Extracting the atmospheric correction of Landsat 8 images found relative error at 0.3 in the Blue, Green, and Red bands and 0.5 in the NIR band. For comparison, the relative errors of Sentinel 2 in all bands are 0.3. Therefore, these four bands of Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2 data are recommended for temporal monitoring of water-environmental parameters in Ebinur Lake. Besides identifying the suitable atmospheric correction algorithm for Ebinur Lake, this study analyzed the atmospheric correction errors of common wavebands for remote sensing monitoring of water bodies, especially applicable for inland salt lakes of arid regions.
Molecular monitoring of short- and long-term transcriptional effects of hair growth stimulating agents
Authors: Henne Sabrina K. , Hochfeld Lara M. , Bartmann Werner , Welss Thomas , Nöthen Markus M. , Heilmann-Heimbach Stefanie
Published: December 2024

Male-pattern hair loss (MPHL) is the most common form of hair loss in humans. Limited treatment options exist, which are not curative and vary in efficacy and invasiveness. Therapeutic and cosmetic hair growth stimulating agents that alleviate hair loss at a low risk of side effects are therefore of interest. The efficacy of hair growth-stimulating agents is mainly evaluated by hair comb tests and trichograms. These methods do not offer molecular insights, which can provide early insights into treatment response and may be useful in monitoring long-term compliance and efficacy. We propose a general concept for the molecular monitoring of hair growth stimulating agent treatment response in vivo, based on RNA and microRNA expression profiling before and during treatment. The molecular profile can be extended by individual genotype information to assess the impact of genetic constitution on treatment response. To test this methodological approach, 91 male participants with visible signs of and/or a family history of MPHL were assigned to four groups to investigate the effects of three hair growth stimulating agents versus placebo. mRNA- and microRNA-Seq was performed on plucked hair follicle samples before, after four days, and after six weeks of treatment. Genotyping was performed on DNA extracted from blood or saliva samples. Differential expression analyses identified 52 differentially expressed genes and 17 modulated pathways following treatment with the three hair growth stimulating agents. While the majority of effects were detectable after 6-week treatment, 23% of genes showed significant regulation after 4-day treatment. Integration with genetic data through pathway-based polygenic risk score analyses identified 5 associations between genetic background and treatment effects, pointing to a potential value of companion diagnostics for hair growth stimulating agents. Our data show that this molecular monitoring approach provides insights into hair growth stimulating agent treatment response as early as days within commencing treatment, and is suitable to monitor long-term treatment effects and compliance. Combined with genetic profiling, this approach may enable personalized prediction of treatment efficacy and compliance.
STUDYING THE CORRECTION FACTOR OF A LITHIUM FLUORIDE CRYSTAL DURING ITS SHOCK COMPRESSION AND ISOENTROPIC UNLOADING
Authors:   All-Russian Research Institute of Technical Physics, Krasilnikov A.V. , Shestakovskaya E.S. ,   South Ural State University, Poptsov A.G. ,   All-Russian Research Institute of Technical Physics, Kovalev A.E. ,   All-Russian Research Institute of Technical Physics, Yalovets A.P. ,   South Ural State University, Nesmiyanov E.I. ,   South Ural State University,   All-Russian Research Institute of Technical Physics
Published: December 2024

Abstract. Lithium fluoride (LiF) single crystals are widely used in experiments involving intense dynamic loading as a window for optical methods, such as VISAR or PDV. They are transparent and do
not undergo phase transitions under shock compression up to ~200 GPa. To interpret experimental data
obtained using such a window, it is necessary to introduce a correction coefficient. This coefficient links the apparent mass velocity obtained experimentally to the true mass velocity. While this coefficient is constant for stationary shock waves, it is affected by the spatial non-uniformity of the window's density for more complex flows. The study highlights the experimental investigations of shock-wave processes in lithium fluoride conducted under shock loading up to 90 GPa. Mathematical modeling of the experiments was also performed. For this purpose, the authors built a mathematical model of one-dimensional elastoplastic flows of the medium using the Prandtl–Reuss plasticity model, and constructed the equation of state for lithium fluoride. The correction coefficient was obtained in two ways: based on the dependence of the refractive index on density and the law of mass conservation on the shock wave, and based on the dependence of the optical path length of the laser beam on the density distribution in the material under study.
Harnessing endophytes: Advanced insights into nutrient acquisition and plant growth enhancement
Authors: Srijanani V , Malathi P , Anandham R , Sellamuthu KM , Jayashree R
Published: December 2024

The rapid growth of the global population and the rising demand for sustainable agriculture have intensified interest in eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. While synthetic fertilizers effectively boost crop yields, they seriously threaten soil health, human well-being and environmental stability. Researchers are increasingly exploring microbial solutions such as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. Among these, endophytes-microorganisms that live within plant tissues without causing harm-show considerable promise. Recent studies underscore the critical role of endophytes, both rhizobial and nonrhizobial, in improving nutrient use efficiency, promoting plant growth and enhancing resistance to pests, diseases and environmental stresses. However, despite these advancements, significant knowledge gaps remain concerning the mechanisms through which endophytes facilitate macro- and micronutrient acquisition. This review seeks to clarify these mechanisms and highlights the need for more extensive research to fully understand the functional dynamics of endophytes in nutrient acquisition and their potential to support sustainable agricultural practices.
Green Hospital Concept: Its Challenges, Benefits and Focus Areas
Authors:   Laboratory Medicine (Biochemistry & Immunology), Impulse Hospital, ImHS&RCLtd, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh and Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, State University of Bangladesh (SUB), Dhanmondi, Dhaka- 1205, Bangladesh, Giasuddin Abu Sayed Mohammad
Published: December 2024

We need to understand what actually a green hospital means. The concept of 'Green Buildings' can be traced to the United Nations concerted efforts, over the years, to bring to the fore the idea of sustainability in all aspects of human development. The concept of developing sustainable green buildings received further attention with the introduction of Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach. According to TBL approach, primary goal of designing a green building would be to reduce the use of resources such as land, water, energy and supplies. The noble idea is for the people so that who live, work, learn and heal in green buildings are healthier, happier and more productive. Therefore, a sustainable green hospital enhances patient wellbeing, aids in curative process while utilizing natural sources in efficient environment friendly manner. A green hospital chooses an environment friendly site, utilizes efficient designs, uses green building materials, thinks green during construction around a facility that recycles, reuses materials, reduces waste and produces cleaner air, reduce CO2 generation etc. The standards and strategies are developed and laid down by World Green Building Council (WGBC), US Green Building council (USGBC) and the leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) since green hospital movement began years ago. The requirements, challenges and barriers for setting up a green hospital with proper concept and design are reviewed in the present article.
Postoperative Skin Reactions Related to Povidone Iodine
Authors:   University of Ankara, Faculty of Dendistry, Akçaalan Yasemin , Erkılıç Ezgi ,   University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara
Published: December 2024

.
An Update on Mitophagy Facilitating Substances: Their Future for Facilitating Healthy Ageing Along with Treating NDG (Parkinson’s Disease; Alzheimer’s Disease), Cancer, Ovarian Ageing: A Mini Narrative Review
Authors:   Centre For Human Reproduction 721, G.T.B. Nagar, Jalandhar-144001, Punjab, India, Kaur Kulvinder Kochar
Published: December 2024

The elimination of injured mitochondrial constituents via an event called mitochondrial autophagy (alias mitophagy) is necessary for appropriate mitochondrial working, thereby mitophagy is crucial for the health of all the aerobic animals inclusive of humans. To our misfortune reduction of mitophagy takes place with age. A plethora of age-related diseases for instance Alzheimer’s disease, along with Parkinson’s diseases have the properties of accrual of injured mitochondria in addition to oxidative injury. Thereby utilizing small molecule pharmacolological agents, for activating mitophagy is an upcoming approach the treatment of myriad of diseases. Recent studies have isolated natural agents, as well as synthetic agents which facilitate mitophagy. Categorization of such substances have been done in the form of mitophagy stimulators inclusive of i) antioxidants ii)) mitochondrial uncouplers iii) complex I hampering agents iv) redox manipulators v) metabolic manipulators vi) neuronal manipulators vi) autophagy manipulators vii) antibiotics along with anti-fungal agents viii) reactive oxygen species (ROS) producers. Their influence on stimulating the prolongation of life- along with health span in addition to mechanistic modes is further illustrated if acknowledged. Lastly, mitochondrial bio generation leads to harmony amongst mitophagy for guaranteeing appropriate mitochondrial network homeostasis. Intriguingly, mitochondrial biogeneration activation might be caused by akin molecules stimulating mitophagy for instance, resveratrol in addition to metformin. Although remarkable work has been undertaken regarding acquisition of insight regarding such events, plethora of information needs unraveling, specifically in the context of acquisition of insight of their interassociation at the level of organism along with evaluation of combination of such agents which target mitophagy as well as biogeneration. Future asssessment of such field might be unveiling the manner such combinations might be influencing lifespan along with health span in different biological models.
Isolated Acute Rheumatic Pancreatitis: A Case Report
Authors:   Morning Star hospital, Enayam Thoppu, Kanyakumari District, India, Muthiah Ramachandran
Published: December 2024

Aim: To emphasize the role of antibiotics in acute pancreatitis as prophylactic and therapeutic benefits. Case Report: A 32-year old obese male was admitted with acute abdomen in the emergency room. He was supported with intravenous fluids and the blood chemistry revealed elevated amylase and lipase levels, raised ESR and a positive ASO titer test. CT abdomen suggested interstitial edematous pancreatitis (IEP) and no fluid collection. Patient was treated with IV cefotaxime and metronidaziole and his condition remarkably improved with therapy and blood parameters returned normal at the end of 4 weeks and follow up CT revealed no abnormal findings and symptom free thereafter. Conclusion: Acute pancreatitis is usually a sterile inflammatory process caused by chemical autodigestion of pancreas. The edematous form of acute pancreatitis needs to correct its etiological factor to avoid recurrence. It is observed as an initial manifestation of group A beta hemolytic streptococcal infection in this patient and antibiotics play a role as curative and prophylactic in selected cases.
Extending video interactions to support self-regulated learning in an online course
Authors: Van Sebille Ysabella , Joksimovic Srecko , Kovanovic Vitomir , Mirriahi Negin , Stansborough Romany , Dawson Shane
Published: December 2024

Although self-regulated learning (SRL) is essential part of learning, students often commence studies with poor SRL skills. This places much emphasis on course design to foster SRL. In online education, this is a complex undertaking. The present study examines how online technologies can be harnessed to promote SRL. This study of an online first year course (N=138) investigates how student use of a video annotation tool incorporating in-video quizzes can predict learning outcomes and foster SRL. The study found that students were more likely to complete the in-quiz self-assessment questions than contribute to socially-shared resources such as annotations or summaries. This finding may be a result of the higher cognitive load associated with writing tasks versus responses to in-video questions. The findings also revealed a strong positive association (R2=0.45) between student completion of the in-video quizzes and course grade. It is not surprising that quiz attempts reflect performance. However, it is important to consider the interaction between the correct and incorrect responses. Above a certain threshold of positive answers, the association between incorrect in-video quiz submissions and final grade becomes negative. The study has implications on how analytics are interpreted and how instructors can frame feedback to foster SRL skills.
Inclusive design in a virtual world serious game to improve adult literacy
Authors: Southgate Erica , Smith Shamus P. , Langridge Richard , Gruppetta Maree
Published: December 2024

Use of theoretical frameworks can be powerful reflective thinking tools when developing new digital tools for learning. For maximum utility, digital learning tools should be designed to be inclusive of human difference. The purpose of this paper is to provide a case study on the application of an inclusive design framework in the development of a virtual world serious game designed to improve the literacy of learners in tertiary education. This paper provides a critical perspective on applying an inclusive design framework including problems, possibilities and ongoing tension in the project involved in deploying the game to both mobile devices and via head mounted display. Understanding both the strength and potential fallibility of theoretical frameworks such as inclusive design is important in developing impactful technological solutions to enduring social and educational problems.
Re-thinking LMS change
Authors: Pechenkina Ekaterina , Branigan Elizabeth
Published: December 2024

This paper reports on a qualitative evaluation of the first phase of an iterative, university-wide process of transitioning all units of study into a new Learning Management System (LMS). Lecturers in charge of the first group of units undergoing transition were interviewed, the goal of this being for their experiences of the process to inform its next stages, which would involve larger unit cohorts. The change process was designed with the principles of the authentic learning environment at its core and had academic professional development in digital literacy built in into its design, in hopes of enabling sustainable and scalable teaching transformation. The evaluation sought to ascertain how lecturers experienced the process of LMS change in the context of their teaching. Recommendations are offered pertaining to the change process design elements that promise to enhance lecturers’ digital literacy and inspire teaching transformation.
Towards authentic e-Exams at scale
Authors: Hillier Mathew , Grant Scott , Coleman Martin
Published: December 2024

In this paper we present the design and user evaluation of a resilient online e-Exam platform that is capable of working without a network for most of the exam session, including the conclusion of an exam, without loss of data. We draw upon the education and technology acceptance literature as a basis for evaluation. The technology approach takes advantage of the Moodle learning management system quiz module as a means to provide an electronic workflow for assessments and builds on a range of open source components to construct the robust solution. The approach also enables rich, constructed assessment tasks by providing authentic ‘e-tools of the trade’ software applications and a consistent operating system on each student’s BYO laptop. The robust Moodle exam deployment was trialled in two undergraduate units (subjects) at an Australian university. Students undertook a sequence of practice, mid-term and a final examination using the platform. Additional software and audio files were utilised as part of the exams. Student feedback on their experience was collected using pre and post surveys covering a range of issues related to technology acceptance.
Designing a Virtual Health Faculty Hub
Authors: Cochrane Thomas , Aiello Stephen , Cook Stuart , Stretton Todd , Britnell Sally , Narayan Vickel , Aguayo Claudio
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we discuss the design of a 360-degree virtual environment experience for Health School students to explore seven university health disciplines within the School of Clinical Science. This teaching approach uses the Seekbeak 360-degree online platform to create a virtual environment and a rhizomatic learning pedagogy to encourage participatory and negotiated community engagement. Participants engage with a 360-degree virtual scene that allows exploration of each of the health disciplines. This allows the student to experience core competencies and example environments for each discipline via a centralised single hub. Informed by a Design-Based Research methodology we discuss the first prototype stage of the virtual health hub that has been developed using Seekbeak. The virtual health faculty hub aims to create an inexpensive mobile BYOD immersive environment for 578 first year Health School students to explore and experience the health teams with whom they will collaborate in real world situations upon graduation.
The Momentum Program
Authors: Beattie Scott , Jones Wayne
Published: December 2024

The Momentum Program is an extra-curricular model of digital badged based credentialing for law students studying at CQ University. In that program, students can choose to engage in online workshops and face challenges that earn credentials, recognising professional skills in both traditional and emerging 21st century lawyering. This paper is a reflection on the design process undertaken and the key insights derived from the first stages of creation and implementation.
Changing technologies and assessment redesign
Authors: O'Rourke Mark
Published: December 2024

This project reviewed current assessment practice across a School at a large University in Melbourne through analysis of student Course Experience Surveys (CES), desktop analysis of course guides, teacher interviews and student focus groups. Based on the findings, targeted resources were designed and professional development activities delivered to teachers to improve assessment and feedback processes in an environment of changing educational technology contexts. Analysis of qualitative CES data identified the most significant issues with assessment design and implementation, and this was used as a reference point and in communication with teachers to promote an understanding that assessment design impacts student learning and achievement.
 
The development of resources and delivery of professional development activities to improve assessment design were undertaken during a period of significant technological change at the University. A new Learning Management System (LMS) was implemented and all courses were required to have an online presence and comply with a set of guidelines. The impact of this significant change on academics and students was examined to determine whether institutional technology implementation facilitates or hinders efforts to improve assessment and feedback processes in the context of learning and teaching practice.
Developing a design-based research methodology for designing MR technologies for mountain safety
Authors: Hong Jin , Cochrane Thomas , Withell Andrew
Published: December 2024

This paper outlines the first stage of a design-based research (DBR) project exploring the literature and establishing a research methodology for the design of mixed reality (MR) environments to enhance informal learning in preparation for engagement in high-risk environments. The context of the project is mountain safety education for expert climbers to prepare them for the critical risks involved in extreme mountain climbing environments. The paper outlines the scope, background, proposed research methodology and initially identified design principles for designing MR technologies for mountain safety. The research draws upon literature applying new pedagogies for informal learning, including heutagogy or self-determined learning.
Use of interactive video for teaching and learning
Authors: Gedera Dilani , Zalipour Arezou
Published: December 2024

This paper focuses on the findings of Phases I and II of an institution-wide project on the effective use of interactive video for teaching and learning in a university in New Zealand. Responding to the emerging growth of video in teaching and learning practice and scholarship, and also to the university’s strategic focus on providing blended, flexible learning opportunities, this project explores the ways in which lecturers currently use videos in teaching, their challenges, and their attitudes towards making video as well as students’ perceptions of learning through video. This paper discusses what we conceptualise as effective learning moments and conditions and how these can be created and maximised through the effective production and manipulation of relevant, purposeful interactive videos. The overall project combines both research and impact and develops opportunities for lecturers to enhance their competencies in creating interactive videos.
Shifting our focus
Authors: Miles Carol , Foggett Keith
Published: December 2024

The rapid and consistent rise in online delivery of university credit courses, and the corresponding requirement to assess student work in this mode has resulted in a proliferation of academic enquiry in the areas of contract cheating and online proctoring, including discussion and publication surrounding the verification of student identity when engaging in online formal examinations. The increasing availability of commercially-written academic essays (submitted by students as their own work), commonly referred to as “contract cheating,” has become another hot area of academic enquiry.
This symposium will provide a forum for an important discussion surrounding whether or not too much emphasis is being placed on discouraging a very small percentage of students from performing in dishonest ways, as compared to the amount of effort that should be placed on finding valid and reliable ways to assess student achievement that is aligned with stated learning outcomes. Presenters will contend that many of the concerns relating to online students’ academic dishonesty could be allayed if the two most common university assessment tools – the formal academic essay, and high-stakes formal examinations were not used to measure the achievement of online students. Several suggestions for authentic, workplace-related tasks will be discussed.
Learning analytics in the classroom
Authors: Lodge Jason , Thompson Kate , Horvath Jared , De Barba Paula , Blumenstein Marion
Published: December 2024

The field of learning analytics has progressed significantly since the first Learning Analytics and Knowledge (LAK) conference in 2011. In recent years, the emphasis on technical and statistical aspects of data and analytics has given way to a greater emphasis on what these data mean in the classroom context. This panel session is aimed at examining the emerging role that data and analytics play in understanding and supporting student learning in higher education. Specifically, the panel will focus on the importance of transdisciplinarity and how translation from data to action can occur in the classroom context. The aim of this session is to broaden the conversation about learning analytics within the ASCILITE community. From there, the panel will discuss ways in which learning analytics can have a greater impact on learning design in physical and digital learning environments.
Everyone on board
Authors: Edwards Miriam , Boyd Sandra
Published: December 2024

This symposium will examine the potential barriers experienced by students with disability who choose to study online. Participants will consider the challenges as well as the opportunities educational technology affords an increasingly diverse student cohort. Co-presented by an educational designer and a student liaison officer specialising in assistive technologies, the benefits of proactively addressing accessibility will be argued. Participants will be introduced to the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how they may be incorporated into the curriculum, with a particular focus on online delivery. Participants will be invited to critique their own teaching materials such as Learning Management System (LMS) sites, lecture materials and public facing websites to identify accessibility issues. Participants will experience practical strategies and tools to increase accessibility within their learning design and teaching. These activities will be complemented by a list of resources for future reference. Participants will leave the session with a heightened awareness of accessibility issues within higher education and what actions they can take to be more inclusive within their own professional practice.
Prosodic aspects of non-morphemic word formation
Authors: Hamans Camiel
Published: December 2024

This paper discusses three processes of non-morphemic word formation with the aim of making it clear that in addition to traditional processes of word formation, there also exists an underexposed area of non-morphemic word formation, which is located at the interface of phonology and morphology. The processes discussed are clipping, libfixing and blending. In all three processes prosodic and syllabic features appear to play an essential role. The focus of the analyzes presented here is on the formal side. Semantic aspects are only discussed in passing.
La construcción del refugio en la narrativa argentina del siglo XXI
Authors: Tozzi Liliana
Published: December 2024

Much of the Argentine narrative of the 21st century refracts the social context, determined by capitalism and its consequences in terms of exclusion, precariousness, individualism, among others. In this framework, space and temporality are related, in some cases, to processes of isolation and self-destruction of the characters; in others, to the possibility of marginal communities which resist the impositions of the hegemonic system. In this communication, I propose the idea of refuge, as a crossing point for several theoretical categories: the image of “house/home” as a place of safety (Bachelard, 2000) and home as “chronotope of intimacy” (Arfuch, 2014). The novels construct a space that includes the historical dimension of the 21st century, through a critical vision of the hegemonic system. I will tackle these lines of analysis in Mal de época, by María Sonia Cristoff, and Una música, by Hernán Ronsino.
Crouzeix's conjecture, compressions of shifts, and classes of nilpotent matrices
Authors: Bickel Kelly , Corbett Georgia , Glenning Annie , Guan Changkun , Vollmayr-Lee Martin
Published: December 2024

This article studies the level set Crouzeix (LSC) conjecture, which is a weak version of Crouzeix’s conjecture that applies to finite compressions of the shift. Among other results, this article establishes the LSC conjecture for several classes of

3
×
3

3\times 3

,

4
×
4

4\times 4

, and

5
×
5

5\times 5

matrices associated with compressions of the shift via a geometric analysis of their numerical ranges. This study also establishes Crouzeix’s conjecture for several classes of nilpotent matrices whose studies are motivated by related compressions of shifts.
Influence of plasma nitriding on surface layer of M50NiL steel for bearing applications
Authors: Reddy C. Anil Kumar , Rao Pothamsetty Kasi V. , Venkatesh Begori , Rao Boggarapu Nageswara
Published: December 2024

Research on plasma nitriding was carried out on M50NiL bearing steel, subject to temperatures ranging from 460 to 560°C over periods from 4 to 40 h, while keeping the gas mixture at a steady ratio of 80H2:20N2. To examine the phase structure and chemical composition of the plasma nitrided layer, techniques such as energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized. The M50NiL steel sample heated to 550°C for 24 h was found to contain an unusually high amount of nitrogen, as per the EDS analysis. The majority of the nitrided layer’s composition is made up of nitrogen-expended phases. Following XRD analysis, several peaks were identified, including α′-FeN, γ′-FeN, γ′-Fe3N, α′-Fe, and γ′-Fe. The main objective of this research was to explore the impact of temperature on the microstructure, hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of the surface nitrided layers. The steel that underwent nitriding at 500°C for 4 h demonstrated a significantly higher surface hardness of 1,332 HV, with an additional increase in case depth by 62.00 μm. The findings suggest that both the duration and temperature of nitriding affect the depth of the plasma nitrided layer. The surface hardness of the plasma samples was found to be notably improved. The steel sample, PN 500, nitrided at 08 h, exhibited the highest wear resistance among the nitride samples. The wear resistance of the samples was shown to be significantly enhanced. Potentiodynamic tests were conducted to assess the corrosion resistance of the nitrided steel, revealing that it was notably more resistant than the untreated steel. Furthermore, it was observed that steel nitrided for shorter durations at lower temperatures (e.g., 460°C for 4 h) demonstrated superior corrosion resistance compared to samples nitrided at higher temperatures.
Central precocious puberty in a toddler with hypothalamic hamartoma
Authors: Turhan Banu , Büyükyılmaz Gönül , Boyraz Mehmet
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a rare condition that causes epilepsy and central precocious puberty (CPP) at an early age. In this report, we describe a child with CPP secondary to HH and discuss the current literature.

Case presentation

A 26-month-old girl was brought to our hospital for evaluation of breast enlargement. Her parents were first-degree relatives. Her breast development was categorized as Tanner stage 3, and her bone age was 7 years/4 months. Laboratory investigations were consistent with CPP. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a smooth, spherical lesion in the hypothalamus, located in the tuber cinereum and measuring 11 × 9 × 10 mm. The lesion was identified as a HH. The patient was started on gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue therapy, specifically 200 μg/kg/month of leuprolide acetate (3.75 mg depot) administered intramuscularly every 28 days. During the 2-year follow-up, her breast development remained at Tanner stage 3, and she did not develop axillary or pubic hair. Her bone age was 7 years/6 months (chronological age; 4 years/2 months). 2-year follow-up MRI showed no change in the size or contours of the HH compared with the initial diagnosis. No side effects from the medical treatment were observed during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

In patients under the age of 4 years showing signs of CPP, HH should be considered as diagnosis. All patients receiving medical treatment should be closely monitored.
Variation is the way to perfection: imperfect rhyming in Chinese hip hop
Authors: Wang Tianxiao , Lin Yuhan
Published: December 2024

Despite the burgeoning interest in the linguistic construction of localized hip hop identities, rhyming practices, an essential component of the genre, remain underexplored. Conversely, phonological studies interpret imperfect rhyming in hip hop as evidence of rappers’ implicit knowledge of a stable linguistic system. Drawing on both strands of research, this study examines how Chinese rappers enhance the perceptual rhymability of prescriptively imperfect rhymes and how these strategies embody rappers’ agentive efforts at glocalizing hip hop and reflect broader sociolinguistic changes in China. The dataset comprises 369 instances of monolingual (Chinese, English) or crosslinguistic (English-Chinese) imperfect rhymes, drawn from a rap competition show. Results suggest that a majority of monolingual Chinese imperfect rhyme sets adhere to the rhyming schemes in traditional folk arts, while numerous monolingual English and English-Chinese imperfect rhyme sets align with Zwicky’s Rock Rhyme framework derived from English rock lyrics. Additionally, we identified two other strategies originating from the phonological features of (1) Southern Mandarin and (2) Chinese-accented English, both of which are prominent linguistic influences in contemporary Chinese society. This study explores rap music’s fundamental linguistic device in the process of glocalization and develops an analytical paradigm for both monolingual and crosslinguistic rhyming practices.
The Complementary Principle and language dominance: mapping the language–domain relationships of Spanish–English bilinguals
Authors: Olson Daniel J. , Czerwionka Lori
Published: December 2024

While language dominance has been crucial in the study of bilingualism, recent research has called for more detailed measures to systematically account for the observation that bilinguals use different languages in different domains, a phenomenon formalized in the Complementary Principle. Few studies have systematically measured these language–domain relationships. Addressing these gaps, this study employs a novel, mixed-methods approach to identify the links between domain (i.e., topic) and language and to examine the effect of language dominance on language–domain relationships. Spanish–English bilinguals in the U.S. (N = 443) responded to open-ended prompts about the topics they discuss in each of their two languages and when code-switching. A qualitative thematic analysis was used to identify relevant topic categories and examine the relationships between topic and language. Subsequent analysis examined variability in language-domain mappings of bilinguals from across the language dominance continuum. Results showed that Spanish was most associated with topics of family and day-to-day life and English with academics and work. Little differentiation in language–domain mappings was found between English-dominant, Spanish-dominant, and balanced bilinguals. Findings are discussed with a focus on the methodological contributions and the implications for integrating the Complementary Principle in measures of language dominance.
Advanced integration of IoT and AI algorithms for comprehensive smart meter data analysis in smart grids
Authors: Wang Qing , Li Guimin , Xia Xiaodong , Jing Zhen , Zhang Zhi
Published: December 2024

Smart grids utilize advanced communication, information, and control technologies to build a more friendly power supply system. However, the development of technology leads to the increasing complexity of smart meter (SM) data in the power grid, and analyzing SM data becomes difficult. Therefore, in order to realize the effective analysis and forecasting of users’ electricity consumption behavior, an SM data analysis technique integrating the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence is proposed, which contains three major techniques: meter reading systems, load clustering, and load forecasting, and at last the technique is validated. Finally, the technology is validated. The experimental results showed that the average value of the Davis-Balding index for the proposed method combining recursive graphs and convolutional autoencoders was 1.87, which was significantly lower than the average value of 2.35 for other methods. The average value of the Dunn index was 0.086, which was higher than the 0.065 for the comparison method. In the load forecasting model, the model that employs multi-task learning and a gated cycle unit demonstrates superior performance across all comparison schemes, with the lowest average absolute percentage error of 12.90%. This is significantly lower than the comparison model’s 15.35%, which highlights the enhanced efficacy of the proposed model. The study realizes the effective analysis and prediction of consumers’ electricity consumption behavior and provides new ideas and solutions for the optimization and management of smart grids.
Sacrifice and Natality: Surrogacy Structures
Authors: Sherwood Yvonne
Published: December 2024

In this article, I begin to unpick the complex relationships between birth and sacrifice, taking my cue from the strange surrogacy structures in the textual triptych Genesis 21-23 (the expulsion [“sacrifice”] of Ishmael and Hagar, the surrogate mother; Abraham’s “sacrifice” of Isaac; and the death of Sarah), and the expansion of this birth-sacrifice complex in unexpected sources, including Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling and midrashim and liturgical poems. These traditions amplify the strange homologies between birth, sacrifice, and surrogacy (endless substitutions) around the (in)famous biblical sacrifice, in which a son is substituted by a surrogate, the ram, and still “sacrificed.” The many inflections of the birth-sacrifice relationship range from replacement (birth elided in a ritual of “birth done better”), to the triumph of natality over mortality and the anxious mimetic performance of the extreme adventure and risk of labour.
Immaterielles Kulturerbe als guter Grund
Authors: Enders Marie
Published: December 2024

Anders als bei etablierten Verträglichkeitsstudien zum materiellen Welterbe gibt es in Bezug auf das immaterielle Kulturerbe keine bewehrten Werkzeuge oder Methoden für kultur- und bodenpolitische Aushandlungsprozesse. Gleichzeitig ist die dynamische Weitergabe des immateriellen Kulturerbes nur durch Aushandlungsprozesse und das Engagement der Zivilbevölkerung gewährleistet. Der Beitrag geht diesem Widerspruch insofern auf den Grund, als er anhand von verschiedenen Beispielen im urbanen, aber auch ruralen Kontext der Frage nachgeht, welche Wirkung die Benennung eines immateriellen Kulturerbes und die Einschreibung in das bundesweite Verzeichnis für die Verräumlichung des lebendigen Erbes haben. Mit Fokus auf die Strukturwandelregion des Rheinischen Reviers erörtert der Beitrag das schlummernde Potential in Bezug auf Folgeprozesse und Verantwortlichkeiten, die aus der Identifikation und Berücksichtigung des Immateriellen für Raumplanungsprozesse erwachsen könnten.
Wie „lebendig“ muss Living Heritage sein?
Authors: de Oliveira Pinto Tiago
Published: December 2024

Dem kanonisierten Meisterwerk der abendländischen Musikgeschichte, das bereits im Programm zum UNESCO Weltdokumentenerbe von 1992 als schriftliches Autograph einen Platz erhalten hatte, steht mit der Konvention von 2003 klingende Musik als immaterielles Kulturerbe zur Seite. Um zu einem sinnvollen Vitality Index von Musikerbe zu kommen, müssen zunächst die wesentlichen Indikatoren erkannt und in eine Werteskala eingefasst werden. Über die allgemeinen Kriterien für lebendiges Kulturerbe hinaus bietet musikalisches Erbe den Vorteil, dass sich hier ganz eigene Elemente relativ unmissverständlich isoliert betrachten lassen.
Dehydration of un-irradiated and gamma and electron-beam irradiated europium acetate hydrate under non-isothermal conditions: kinetics of the dehydration process of un-irradiated material
Authors: Saleh Noura Mossaed , Aly Hisham Fouad , Mahmoud Ahmed Eman Abdelrahman , Mahfouz Refaat Mohamed
Published: December 2024

The authors present here the decomposition of un-irradiated (pristine) as well as of gamma (γ) and electron beam (EB) irradiated samples of europium (III) acetate hydrate (EuAc.xH2O) in the temperature range of 25–900 °C in the air atmosphere. Two absorbed doses of 103 (γ-ray) and 102 kGy (EB) were examined. The profiles of the TG curves of the dehydration process display noticeable changes in induction periods and mass loss percentages by exposure to irradiation. The kinetics of the dehydration process were analyzed using both model-fitting and model-free approaches. The dehydration process was controlled by the phase boundary model (R2). The E

a
 −α plots indicate that the dehydration is not a complex process and follows one reaction mechanism. Powder X-ray diffraction displayed that europium acetate hydrate crystallizes in a monoclinic system (SG P2/m), and no phase transformation was detected by two sources of irradiation up to 103 (γ-ray) and 102 kGy (EB). Thermodynamic parameters of the dehydration process were calculated and assessed. A predicted thermogram (TG) of the isothermal dehydration of EuAc.xH2O was constructed from non-isothermal data and used to determine the reaction model and the kinetic parameters of the dehydration process.
A new targetry system for cyclotron production of pharmaceutical grade indium-111 radioisotope
Authors: Fazaeli Yousef , Ashtari Parviz , Feizi Shahzad
Published: December 2024

The aim of this research is to present a new, fast, simple, low-cost and innovative method for the production and purification of pharmaceutical grade indium-111 chloride for use in nuclear medicine.In the previous methods for cyclotron production of indium-111 radioisotope, besides the need for high amount of enriched cadmium, in electrodeposition of enriched cadmium on copper backings for target preparation and its chemical dissolution step, impurities of isotopes of copper and zinc enter the final product. So, radiolabeling of such products was hard or impossible with some molecules. In this research, due to the proper selection of the target isotope, enriched cadmium-112, and the optimal proton bombardment energy, only very low amount radioisotopic impurities were produced and observed in the sample solution. After the separation process, the amounts of zinc-65 and indium-114 were less than the standard permissible amounts in indium-111 radiopharmaceuticals. The concentration of cadmium impurities in the final product was less than 0.1 ppm. The radionuclidic purity of the sample was confirmed by gamma ray spectroscopy, and it was found to be suitable for use in preclinical studies.
Innovations in perovskite solar cells: a journey through 2D, 3D, and 2D/3D heterojunctions
Authors: Sehar Anum , Nasir Fariha , Farhan Ahmad , Akram Samiullah , Qayyum Wajeeha , Zafar Kainat , Ali Syed Kashif , Qamar Muhammad Azam
Published: December 2024

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention in the photovoltaic community due to their exceptional performance, cost-effective manufacturing, and potential for diverse optoelectronic applications. Despite their promise, maintaining the operational stability of PSCs remains a critical challenge. In recent years, nanostructured materials, particularly two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and their 2D/3D heterojunction combinations, have emerged as innovative solutions to enhance PSCs’ stability and photovoltaic efficiency. This review examines recent advancements in PSCs utilizing these materials. It begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of perovskite-based photovoltaics and progresses to analyzing the role of 2D, 3D, and 2D/3D materials in optimizing PSC components. Key challenges in this field are also highlighted, alongside innovative strategies to overcome them, thus providing insights into the future direction of PSC technology.