bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the Flexibility of PVA Membrane through Glycerol Addition
Authors: Jamali Abdul Rauf , Shaikh Asif Ahmed , Chandio Ali Dad
Published: July 2023

The main goal of this study was to introduce glycerol as a plasticizer to Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) membranes in order to increase their flexibility. The qualities of PVA membranes produced with various glycerol concentrations were evaluated. With the modified PVA membranes containing 5% glycerol, encouraging results were obtained. These membranes had superb optical characteristics and a 90% transmittance rate. This shows that the membranes are suited for applications needing excellent optical clarity since they permit light to travel through with little distortion. Importantly, FTIR analysis demonstrated that the addition of glycerol had no effect on the PVA membranes' chemical composition or structural integrity. In comparison to pure PVA Membrane, the modified membranes' water barrier qualities showed a considerable drop of up to 50%. The membranes are useful for applications requiring moisture management or breathability because of the decline, which points to an increase in permeability to water vapour. The large increase in flexibility, which was achieved by the PVA membranes containing 5% glycerol and beyond the brittleness typically associated with pure PVA, was a noteworthy discovery. The possible applications are expanded due to the increased flexibility, especially in industries where adaptability and flexibility are essential. Additionally, the addition of glycerol improved the thermal stability of the membranes, as they showed increased resistance to breakdown or decomposition at high temperatures. Additionally, the modified membranes' mechanical qualities were better than those of pure PVA, indicating that the glycerol addition improved their overall mechanical performance and tensile strength. PVA membranes were effectively made more flexible by adding 5% glycerol as a plasticizer. This led to membranes with superior optical qualities, reduced water barrier properties, greater flexibility, improved thermal stability, and maybe improved mechanical capabilities. These discoveries open up new opportunities for the use of these flexible PVA membranes in a range of settings, such as flexible packaging, biomedical materials, and other industries that need adaptive and flexible materials.
Oil Pulling and Polyphenols: Treatment of Gingivitis Patients With ‘Itri Extra Virgin Olive Oil’
Authors: Zumbo Giulia , Corridore Denise , Sciscione Samantha , Stamegna Claudio , Guerra Fabrizio , Polimeni Antonella , Vozza Iole
Published: July 2023

Objectives The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of extra virgin olive oil (EVO) and fruity oil for the treatment of gingivitis. Materials and Methods. A sample of 75 patients with gingivitis induced by plaque bacteria, over 18 years of age, was divided into three groups: a study group A with extra virgin olive oil, a study group B with fruity oil and a control group C. In the two study groups, Evo oil was administered as a mouthwash in patients with gingival inflammation. The protocol included a daily application of the product for 30 days, with three recalls 15 days apart. Clinical parameters of plaque formation and gingivitis - plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI) were assessed at each recall and scored on a specific periodontal chart. The control group re-ceived no mouthwash treatment to normal daily oral hygiene procedures, and the same clinical parameters as the study group were evaluated. Data were evaluated using SPSS 27.0 software for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chica-go, IL, USA). Then, the pre- and post-treatment values of the groups were compared using the t-student test, set-ting P < 0.05 as the significance level. Results Comparison with the three groups showed that extra virgin olive oil was an adjuvant in the treatment of gingival inflammation, improving PI and BI. In group A, mean plaque index had a 48% reduction and bleeding index 64% reduction, after 30 days. In group B, the mean plaque index had a 35% reduction and a bleeding index reduction of 43%, after 30 days. Conclusion The collected data showed significant improvements in the formation of bacterial plaque and gingi-vitis. the exact mechanism of such treatment is still to be elucidated. As a result of this, further studies with a different sample of patients to those used and a comparison with other products need to be addressed to verify and demonstrate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect of the components of this natural product.
Supporting Participatory Management for Catchment Operationalization with Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets. Case Study in Laspias River, Thrace, Greece
Authors: Bakas Thomas , Papadopoulos Christopher , Latinopoulos Dionissis , Kagalou Ifigenia , Akratos Christos , Angelidis Panagiotis , Pliakas Fotios-Konstantinos , Spiliotis Mike
Published: July 2023

Βottom-up management in catchment scale is deemed as the determinant way to avoid the conflict of the water users through the participation of stakeholders, strategy co-shaping and solutions co-creation. Water management cannot be one-dimensional but demands cross sectoral coop-eration. Usually, the difficulty lies in proper stakeholder training and their opinion inclusion, using a quantifiable manner in water management. The Laspias River watershed occupies an area of 221.8 km2, belonging to the River Basin District of Thrace and it is characterized by intense agricultural and industrial activity. Complying with the augmented water needs and pollution loads by respecting stakeholders’ opinion, this research aims to utilize a hybrid intuitionistic fuzzy multi-criteria-based methodology. It is a common difficulty to deal with supplier selection in resources management since it is a typically decision-making problem encompassing multiple (several conflicting) criteria, on which stakeholder’s opinions are usually imprecise and in a rather qualitative form. Therefore, the proposed method provides the mathematical tool to move into more comprehensive decisions with the public involvement. The weights are produced based on the stakeholder’s opinion. The alternatives’ ranking is achieved based on the fuzzified intuition-istic version of Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and problems’ mitigation solutions’ hierarchy is achieved.
The energy implications of averting climate change catastrophe
Authors: Moriarty Patrick , Honnery Damon
Published: July 2023

Conventional methods of climate change (CC) mitigation have not ‘bent the curve’ of steadily rising annual anthropic CO2 emissions or atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. This study reviews the present position and likely future of such methods, using recently published literature with a global context. It particularly looks at how fast they could be implemented, given that the limited time available for avoiding catastrophic CC (CCC). The study then examines solar geoengineering, an approach often viewed as complementary to conventional mitigation. The review next introduces equity considerations, and shows how this will shorten even further the time available for effective action for CC mitigation. The main findings are as follows. Conventional mitigation approaches will be implemented too slowly to be of much help in avoiding CCC, partly because some suggested technologies are infeasible, while others are either of limited technical potential, or, like wind and solar energy, cannot be introduced fast enough. Because of these problems, solar geoengineering is increasingly advocated as a quick-acting and effective solution. However, it could have serious side effects, and given that there will be winners and losers at the international as well as the more regional level, political opposition may make it difficult to implement. The conclusion is that global energy consumption itself must be rapidly reduced to avoid catastrophic climate change.
Magnetic Properties of High-Pressure Torsion Deformed Co-Zr
Authors: Stückler Martin , Wurster Stefan , Alfreider Markus , Zawodzki Michael , Krenn Heinz , Bachmaier Andrea
Published: July 2023

Co-Zr amorphous alloys exhibit soft magnetic properties, whereas Co-rich crystalline magnetic phases in this alloy system display hard magnetic behaviour. In this study, an initial two-phase Co-Zr composite with an overall composition of 75 at.% Co and 25 at.% Zr was processed by high pressure torsion (HPT) and the effects of severe plastic deformation and subsequent thermal treatment on the structural evolution and its magnetic properties have been investigated. HPT processing allowed us to achieve an amorphous microstructure in the as-deformed state with low coercivity. To further tune magnetic properties and study the alloys’ crystallization behaviour, various annealed states are investigated. Microstructural properties are correlated to the magnetic properties and a decreasing coercivity with increasing annealing temperature is observed despite the onset of crystallization in the amorphous alloy. At higher annealing temperatures, coercivity increases again. The results appear promising to obtain tuneable rare-earth free magnetic materials by severe plastic deformation.
Meal Timing and Melatonin-Containing Food Intake in Young People with Social Jetlag
Authors: Polugrudov Artem , Popov Sergey , Smirnov Vasily , Zueva Natalya , Borisenkov Mikhail F.
Published: July 2023

The study examined eating timing, diet, and the ratio of sleep phases in people with social jetlag (SJL). The study involved 83 participants who filled out a questionnaire, and 21 of them took part in the study of sleep phases by electroencephalography during the week. SJL was associated with a higher incidence rate of eating jetlag, eating phase delays, an increase in calorie intake after 9 p.m., a decrease in dietary fiber intake for breakfast, and melatonin-containing product consumption for dinner. Young people with SJL had a reduction in total sleep and light sleep phase duration by 60 and 36 min on work/school days and an increase in total sleep and REM sleep phase duration by 66 and 60 min on weekends, respectively. Young people consuming foods with more than 4234.5 ng of melatonin for dinner, compared with their peers consuming less than 313.2 ng of melatonin, showed a decrease in SJL and sleep debt by 54 and 90 min and an increase in the total sleep and the deep sleep phase duration by 66 and 30 min, respectively. Thus, the consumption of melatonin-containing foods for dinner is associated with a decrease in circadian misalignment and a sleep quality improvement.
Elevated Interleukin-31 Levels in Serum of Dogs with Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis Suggests an Involvement in Its Pathogenesis
Authors: Lemke Laura , Carlson Regina , Warzecha Katrin , Volk Andrea , Tipold Andrea , Nessler Jasmin
Published: July 2023

Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA) is a predominantly Th-2 immune-mediated dis-ease, but exact pathomechanism remains still unclear. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is predominantly produced by T cells with a Th-2 phenotype during proinflammatory conditions. We hypothesize, IL-31 might be involved in the pathogenesis of SRMA.
IL-31 was measured in archived samples (49 serum and 52 CSF samples) of dogs with SRMA, Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO), infectious meningoencephalitis, atopic dermatitis and of healthy control dogs using a competitive canine IL-31 ELISA.
Mean serum IL-31 level in dogs with SRMA (n=18) was mildly higher compared to dogs with atopic dermatitis (n=3) and MUO (n=15) and markedly higher than in healthy controls (n=10) and dogs with infectious meningoencephalitis (n=3). Dogs with SRMA in the acute stage of the disease and without any pre-treatment had the highest IL-31 levels. The mean CSF IL-31 value of dogs with SRMA (n=23) was quite similar to healthy controls (n=8) and did not differ significantly from dogs with MUO (n=19) and infectious meningoencephalitis (n=2).
Based on this study, an involvement of IL-31 in the pathogenesis of the systemic Th-2 im-mune-mediated immune response in SRMA can be assumed as a further component leading to an aberrant immune reaction.
İbrahim Halil Tuğluk ve Özkan Ciga, [Abdullah El-Kâtib, Tezkire-i Rumât, Okçular Kitabı, İnceleme-Metin-Sözlük], Ketebe Yayınları, İstanbul, 2021.
Authors: DOKUMACI Neslihan
Published: July 2023

Kültür, bir milletin kimliğinin oluşmasında önemli bir rol oynar. Bir milletin dili ve tarihi başta olmak üzere kültür, gelenek ve göreneklerle hayatın bütünüdür. Türk milleti, farklı coğrafyalarda hüküm sürmüş kadim bir kültüre sahiptir. Türk milletinin karakteristik özelliği Türk kültürüne de yansımıştır. Bu özelliklerinden biri de Türk milletinin savaşçı bir ruha sahip oluşudur. Bu yönüyle Türk kültüründe, savaş ve savaşa dair pek çok malzeme ile birlikte zengin bir kültür ve tasavvur dünyası oluşmuştur. İslamiyet ile birlikte manevi bir anlam kazanan okçuluk, ilerleyen zamanlarda gelişerek edebî metinler vasıtasıyla da canlı tutularak nesilden nesile aktarılmaya devam etmiştir. Bu bağlamda ok/okçuluk ile ilgili birçok eser yazılmıştır. Bu eserlerden biri de 17. yüzyılda Abdullah El-Kâtib tarafından kaleme alınan Tezkire-i Rumât’tır. Kitap ön söz, giriş, iki bölüm, özel adlar dizini ve sözlük çalışması yapılarak hazırlanmıştır. Eser, metin ve tıpkıbasımdan oluşmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, “İbrahim Halil Tuğluk ve Özkan Ciga, [Abdullah El-Kâtib, Tezkire-i Rumât, Okçular Kitabı, İnceleme-Metin-Sözlük], Ketebe Yayınları, İstanbul, 2021” adlı eserin tanıtımı yapılacaktır.
Nem érti, amit olvas! Kinek a feladata az olvasás tanítása?
Authors: Fejes József Balázs , Hódi Ágnes , Szenczi-Velkey Beáta , Tary Blanka , Vígh Tibor
Published: July 2023

A tanulmány célja, hogy (1) áttekintést nyújtson a magyar tanulók olvasási teljesítményéről nemzetközi kontextusban, (2) bemutassa azokat az okokat és következményeket, amelyek összefüggésbe hozhatók a gyenge olvasási-szövegértési eredményekkel, valamint hogy (3) felvázoljon néhány lehetséges irányt, amelyek továbblépést jelenthetnek a tanulók olvasási teljesítményének javításában. A továbblépés irányait tekintve ez a munka elsősorban az iskolai keretek közötti fejlesztés lehetőségeire fókuszál, és amellett érvel, hogy az alsó tagozatot követően a szövegértés tantárgyakba ágyazott kritériumorientált fejlesztésére van szükség. Ennek támogatásához elengedhetetlennek tűnik egy, az olvasási stratégiák és az olvasási motiváció kutatási eredményeit kombináló fejlesztőprogram kidolgozása.
A diskurzusjelölők tanítása egy középiskolai magyar nyelvi órán
Authors: Pomázi Bence
Published: July 2023

A tanulmány arra tesz javaslatot, hogyan tartható meg egy diskurzusjelölőkről szóló, középiskolai magyar nyelvi óra. A diskurzusjelölők nem képezik a törzsanyag részét sem a NAT, sem a Kerettanterv szerint, mégis hasznos lehet a diákoknak megismerkedni ezzel a kommunikációra és annak körülményeire vagy résztvevőire közvetlenül reflektáló funkcionális kategóriával. A tanulmány először bemutatja a diskurzusjelölők használatáról szóló korábbi magyar vizsgálatokat, amelyek között a használat korosztály szerinti megoszlását felmérő és a hozzájuk kapcsolódó attitűdökről szóló vizsgálatok is szerepelnek. Ezek után egy duplaóra, tehát kétszer 45 perc anyagát kitevő feladatsort mutat be, ennek végén az adott korosztály vonatkozásában a diákok attitűdjéről szóló felmérés is helyet kapott a diskurzusjelölőkről. Az órán szóba kerültek a diskurzusjelölők szerteágazó funkciói, valamint a szóbeli és írásbeli kommunikációban mutatkozó különbségek is.
Mass Violence as Tragedy: Analyzing the Transmission of Discourses
Authors: Prade-Weiss Juliane , Markl Dominik , Petrović Vladimir
Published: July 2023

Mass violence—killings and other forms of violence that aim at exterminating large groups of people—is often called a tragedy. The trope can be found in testimonies of victimization, justifications of perpetration, journalistic, political, and academic language as well as in popular parlance. The article examines the divergent usages of the travelling trope of tragedy with particular emphasis on its role in forming justificatory discourse. The issue at stake is that the trope of tragedy does not remain confined to outright justifications such as juridical legitimization, moral vindication, political propaganda etc., but permeates condemnation and critique as well. The rationale of the analysis is that justifications of acts of mass violence that are negotiated in key areas of the cultural canon give a culturally specific, often identificatory, meaning to acts that are, from a critical perspective, mostly either considered senseless or comprehended in economic and sociopolitical terms. Yet it is largely owing to justificatory discourses that acts of mass violence do not remain single, exorbitant events, but have a lasting impact by shaping the linguistic and heuristic framework of their subsequent evaluation. When condemnation and critique adopt these terminologies and frameworks—such as the notion of purity underlying the term ‘ethnic cleansing’, or the ethnopolitical paradigm informing the concept of genocide—this effects an uneasy mimetic participation in transmitting justifications of mass violence. The trope of tragedy makes it possible to address the issue of mimetic participation by drawing attention to the audience as an indispensable element of the discourse.
Representación femenina y estereotipos presentes en las series de ficción infantiles
Authors: Alonso González Marián
Published: July 2023

Este artículo estudia la representación femenina y los estereotipos de género presentes en las series de ficción infantiles para determinar el universo que perfila para sus audiencias, una de las más maleables. Los niños y las niñas de entre 6 y 9 años son muy sensibles a la influencia de los medios al estar en proceso de construcción su identidad personal, sobre todo, cuando los personajes presentan edades similares y se produce una identificación con el mismo y una réplica del comportamiento visto en la pequeña pantalla. Para determinar el grado de representación femenina y los estereotipos hemos aplicado los test de Bechdel (1985) y Mako Mori (2013) a los personajes principales y secundarios de un total de 35 series infantiles que se emiten en la actualidad en Clan TV, Netflix y Disney Channel. Aunque tres de cada cuatro series de ficción infantil superan los referentes convencionales de género y consiguen una caracterización femenina bien lograda, aún persiste un 25% de series sin personaje principal femenino y cuando lo hace presenta atributos claramente encuadrables dentro de los estereotipos, contribuyendo a perpetuar el rol asignado tradicionalmente a las mujeres: personajes secundarios y satélite de sus parejas e hijos o hijas.
Applications of Machine Learning Methods to Predict Hole Cleaning in Horizontal and Highly Deviated Wells
Authors: Mendez Michael , Ahmed Ramadan , Karami Hamidreza , Nasser Mustafa , Hussein Ibnelwaleed A. , Garcia Sergio , Gonzalez Andres
Published: July 2023

Machine learning (ML) has become a robust method for modeling field operations based on measurements. For example, wellbore cleanout is a critical operation that needs to be optimized to enhance the removal of solids to reduce problems associated with poor hole cleaning. However, as wellbore geometry becomes more complicated, predicting the cleaning performance of fluids becomes more challenging. As a result, optimization is often difficult. Therefore, this research focuses on developing a data-driven model for predicting hole cleaning in deviated wells to optimize drilling performance.

More than 500 flow loop measurements from eight studies are used to formulate a suitable ML model to forecast hole cleanout in directional wells. Measurements were obtained from hole-cleaning experiments that were conducted using different loop configurations. Experiments ranged in test-section length from 22 to 100 ft, in hole diameter from 4 to 8 in., and in pipe diameter from 2 to 4.5 in. The experiments provided measured equilibrium bed height at a specific flow rate for various fluids, including water-based and synthetic-based fluids and fluids containing fibers. Several relevant test parameters, including fluid and cutting properties, well inclination, and drillstring rotation speed (drillpipe rev/min), were also considered in the analysis. The collected data have been analyzed using the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining. This paper is unique because it systematically evaluates various ML models for their ability to describe hole cleanout processes. Six different ML techniques: boosted decision tree (BDT), random forest (RF), linear regression, multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS), neural networks, and support vector machine (SVM) have been evaluated to select the most appropriate method for predicting bed thickness in a wellbore. Also, we compared the predictions of the selected ML method with those of a mechanistic model for cases without drillstring rotation. Finally, using the ML model, a parametric study has been conducted to examine the impact of various parameters on the cleanout performance of selected fluids.

The results show the relative influence of different variables on the prediction of cuttings bed. Accordingly, flow rate, drillpipe rev/min, and fluid behavior index have a strong impact on dimensionless bed thickness, while other parameters such as fluid consistency index, solids density and diameter, fiber concentration, and well inclination angle have a moderate effect. The BDT algorithm has provided the most accurate prediction with an R2 of 92%, a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.06, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of roughly 0.05. A comparison between a mechanistic model and the selected ML technique shows that the ML model provided better predictions.
R scripts for Human Microbiome Analysis Toolset
Authors: Rosa Bruce A , Martin John , Mitreva Makedonka
Published: July 2023

A variety of statistical analysis methods to analyze microbiome data are provided in an R script, with formatted example input files. These methods include read count rarefaction, diversity calculations, NMDS clustering, Dirichlet Multinomial Mixtures (DMM) clustering, cluster validation with Silhouette scores and Prediction strength, random forest, and ANCOM-BC2. The script is a valuable tool for microbiome researchers and provides simple-to-use code with comments and properly formatted example input files, to perform a comprehensive set of methods for analyzing microbiome data.
Chicken caecal enterotypes in indigenous Kadaknath and commercial Cobb chicken lines are associated with Campylobacter abundance and influenced by farming practices
Authors: Hay Melanie Claire , Hinsu Ankit T , Koringa Prakash G , Pandit Ramesh J , Liu Po-Yu , Parekh Mithil J , Jakhesara Subhash J , Dai Xiaoxai , Crotta Matteo , Fosso Bruno , Limon Georgina , Guitian Javier , Tomley Fiona M , Xia Dong , Psifidi Androniki , Joshi Chaitanya G , Blake Damer P
Published: July 2023

Background:
Identifying farming practices that decrease susceptibility to infectious diseases and optimise food conversion efficiency is valuable for chicken welfare and productivity, the environment, and public health. Enterotypes can be used to define microbial community phenotypes that have differential, potentially significant impacts on gut health.
Results:
In this study, we delineated enterotypes by analysing the microbiomes of 300 indigenous Kadaknath and 300 commercial Cobb400 broiler chickens raised across 60 farms in western India. Using a compositional data approach, we identified three distinct enterotypes: PA1 (n = 290), PA2 (n = 142) and PA3 (n = 67). PA1 and PA2 clustered more closely with each other than with PA3, however PA2 had significantly lower alpha diversity than PA1. PA1 was dominated by Faecalibacterium and had a higher abundance of Prevotellamassilia than other enterotypes. PA2 was characterised by a high abundance of the common taxa Phascolarctobacterium A and Phocaeicola dorei and had a significantly higher Campylobacter abundance than PA1. PA3 was defined by lower abundance of taxa such as CAG-831 and Mucispirillum schaedleri. Network analysis showed that all enterotypes have different proportions of competing Firmicutes-dominant and Bacteroidota-dominant guilds. Random Forest Modelling using defined farm characteristics was predictive for enterotype.
Conclusions:
This study suggests that enterotypes are influenced by farming practices, hence modification of practices could potentially be used to reduce the burden of zoonotic pathogens such as Campylobacter.
Application Analysis of Immersive Technology Based on Embedded Image System in Animated Character Images
Authors: Liu Fangfei
Published: July 2023

In recent years, with the rapid development of embedded technology and the application of network systems, the training and teaching of embedded image system technology have been promoted to solve the problem of slow update and development of materials and laboratory equipment. Immersive 3D animation technology has begun to flourish in the field of visual performances such as film and television, education, and entertainment. Compared with other new technologies, immersive technology can make movies more realistic and bring audiences a more realistic immersive experience. Although the traditional 3D technology is very mature and rich in content, the development of the comprehensive 3D content industry at home and abroad is mainly focused on hardware development, so there are relatively few content libraries related to this, and there is still a lot of room for development. The original animation character creation was mainly based on the mastery of hand-painted technology and key frame skills, but due to the limitations of this technology, the animation production wasted a lot of manpower, resources and time, and the intelligence of the characters and group action behaviors could not be guaranteed. Therefore, the research of image design based on intelligent algorithms has attracted more and more attention from most scientists. Characters, scenes, and character actions and behaviors are the three major elements in animation production, and they are also the key elements that reflect the effects of animation. The fast and effective way to shape the characters, the vivid and realistic performance of the group behavior, represents the quality of animation production. Through the research of immersive technology based on embedded image system, this paper applies it to the research of animated character image, aiming to promote its better development.
Failure behavior of a notched plate repaired by a hybrid repair technique (Stop hole bonded composite
Authors: BELHAMIANI Mohamed , Djebbar Noureddine , Oudad Wahid , Bouzitouna Wahiba Nesrine
Published: July 2023

Generally, bonded repairs are only approved if the primary aircraft structure is cracked and the residual strength significantly exceeds the design limit charge before the bonded repair can be applied.. In order to improve the maintenance effect of the stop hole approach for cracks, a solution of using both techniques (stop hole / bonded composite repairs) are proposed and investigated by finite element analysis. This work presents a study on the effectiveness of the hybrid repair technique in notched panels using both stop drilling hole and bonded composite repair techniques. Several parameters are taken into account: the diameter of the size of hole drilling, the width and the thickness of the composite patch and other parameters are modeled with a elastoplastic behavior of the plate using Abaqus software. A limit-load analysis determines a lower bound to the limit charge of a component and provides an alternative way to estimate plastic collapse for the limit loads. In addition, the limit load analysis had helped to provide an evaluation of the behaviors of structures or components for other failures. The plastic limit load (PLL) was evaluated by a convergent load increment in a wellconfigured finite element analysis with a load of a sufficiently small increment for an elastic-perfectly plastic behavior of the structure. The allowable limit stress on the aircraft is calculated by applying design factors to the plastic limit load (PLL) so that the onset of plastic collapse does not occur. The results proved that the hybrid repair provided the largest percentage in terms of maintenance and the smallest values for the notch stress intensity factor (NSIF) and von Mises stress for most of the hybrid configuration compared to the single repair technique.
Phytochemicals, antioxidant activity and essential oil components of Mentha longifolia genotypes
Authors: Tabar Fezzeh Mohammadi , Fathi Shahnaz , Shameh Shahla , Alirezalu Abolfazl
Published: July 2023

Mentha longifolia is one of the most important aromatic and native plants of Iran and has a wide range of applications in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. In the present study, the phytochemicals and essential oil components, and antioxidant activity of 30 genotypes of M. longifolia were studied. The maximum amount of chlorophyll a (0.40 mg g− 1 DW), chlorophyll b (0.23 mg g− 1 DW) and total carotenoid content (18.59 µg g− 1 DW) were obtained in G26, while beta carotene (0.026 µg g− 1 DW) was obtained in G27. Total phenol content, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity by DPPH method ranged between 5.97–16.06 mg GAE g− 1 DW, 0.59–3.60 mg quercetin g− 1 DW and 3.34–15.72 mg AAE g− 1 DW, respectively. The highest levels of total anthocyanin content (9.30 µmol g− 1 DW) and soluble carbohydrate content (2.01 mg g− 1 DW) were recorded in G10 and G29, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed that piperitenone oxide (from1.17 to 69.12%), pulegone (from 2.97 to 67.82%), cis-piperitenone oxide (from 0.78 to 24.89%), thymol (from 0.14 to 22.90%) 1, 8-Cineole (from 0.97to 22.54%), p-menthone (from 0.17 to 15.42%) were as the main ingredients in 30 studied genotypes. Genotypes were divided into four classes based on Hierarchical cluster heat map analysis. Correlation analysis also showed a good relationship between essential oil constituents and evaluated phytochemical compounds. According to the results of this study, the essential oil of M. Longifolia genotypes can be a suitable candidate for use in various pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.
Environmental enrichment improves the recognition memory in adult mice following social isolation via downregulation of Kv4.2 potassium channels
Authors: Shang Qing , Dong Yi-Bei , Xu Le , Yang Jian-Hong , Li Jia-Wen , Yu Wei-Yi , Sun Jie , Gao Xiang , Huang Yi , Zhang Xiao-Qin
Published: July 2023

The recognition memory is a cognitive process that enables us to distinguish familiar objects and situations from new items, which is essential for mammalian survival and adaptation to a changing environment. Social isolation (SI) has been implicated as a detrimental factor for recognition memory. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been shown to carry information concerning the relative familiarity of individual stimuli, and modulating neuronal function in this region may contribute to recognition memory. The present study aimed to investigate the neuronal mechanisms in the mPFC of environmental enrichment (EE) on recognition memory in adult mice following SI. Mice were assigned into three groups: Control, SI, and SI + EE group. Novel location recognition (NLR) and Novel object recognition (NOR) tests were performed to evaluate the recognition memory. The levels of Kv4 channels were assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The effects of SI and SI + EE on the intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC were measured using whole-cell recording. We found that SI led to a reduction in the intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons. Specifically, we have identified that the reduction in the firing activity of pyramidal neurons resulted from alterations in the function and expression of Kv4.2 channels. Furthermore, EE regulated Kv4.2 channels, normalized the activity of pyramidal neurons and restored the behavioral deficits following SI. Thus, the roles of Kv4.2 channels in intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons suggest that the Kv4.2 channels present a promising therapeutic target for recognition memory impairment.
Salvianolic acid B attenuates renal fibrosis in rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction
Authors: yu wenjuan , zhao bei , yao gang , zhong haizhen
Published: July 2023

Background: Renal fibrosis is the most common pathological type in the development of chronic kidney disease, in which oxidative stress plays an important role. Nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2) is an important transcription factor to regulate oxidative stress response. In this article we investigated antioxidant salvianolic acid B(SAB) on oxidative stress induced renal fibrosis targeting Nrf2.
Methods: 45 rats aged 7-8 weeks were divided into control group, unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) group and SAB group. Salvianolic acid B was used to treat rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction until the seventh day after operation. The degree of renal tubular injury and fibrosis were observed by histopathological examination. Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1) were detected to evaluate the degree of renal fibrosis and oxidative stress.
Results: Salvianolic acid B could reduce renal tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis in UUO rats. Salvianolic acid B increased HO-1, NQO-1 and the nuclear expression of Nrf2, however the expression of total Nrf2 protein and Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1(Keap1) were not affected.
Conclusion: Salvianolic acid B may reduce oxidative stress and renal interstitial fibrosis through Nrf2 nuclear translocation.
Multi-center study on mortality in children, and adults with sickle cell anemia-risk factors and causes of death
Authors: Alkindi Salam , Al-Jadidi Salma , Al-Adawi Safa , Elsadek Rifaat Abdullah , Madhani Ali Al , Al-Nabhani Maryam , Pathare Anil V
Published: July 2023

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major public health burden worldwide with increasing morbidity and mortality. We studied the risk factors associated with mortality in SCD patients, between the years 2006 and 2020 at three hospitals in Oman. We analyzed clinical manifestations, haematological, biochemical, and radiological parameters, use of antibiotics, and blood and exchange transfusions. Our cohort included 123 patients (82 males, 41 females), with a median age of 27 (IQ 21–35 years). SCD related complications included acute chest syndrome (ACS) in 52.8%, splenic sequestration in 21.1%, right upper quadrant syndrome in 19.5%, more than > 6 VOC /year in 17.9%, and stroke in 13.8%. At the terminal event, patients had cough, reduced O2 saturation, crepitation and fever in 24.4%, 49.6%, 53.6% and 68.3% respectively. Abnormal chest x-ray and chest CT scan were seen in 57.7%, and 76.4% respectively. Laboratory parameters showed a significant drop in hemoglobin (Hb) and platelet counts from baseline, with a significant rise in WBC, LDH and CRP from baseline (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test).. All patients received antibiotics, whereas, 95.9% & 93.5% received simple blood transfusions, and exchange transfusions respectively, and 66.6% required non-invasive ventilation. Among the causes of death, ACS is seen in 32 (26%), sepsis in 49 (40%), and miscellaneous in 42 (34%). Sudden death was seen in 32 (26%) of patients. Male gender, with low HbF, rapid drop in Hb and platelet, and increased in WBC, LDH, ferritin, and CRP, correlated significantly with mortality in this cohort.
Is the use of diagnostic imaging and the self-reported clinical management of low back pain patients influenced by the attitudes and beliefs of chiropractors? A survey of chiropractors in the Netherlands and Belgium
Authors: Vossen Brenda L. van der , de Zoete Annemarie , Rubinstein Sidney M. , Ostelo Raymond W.J.G. , de Boer Michiel R.
Published: July 2023

Background
No previous studies have examined the association between attitudes and beliefs of chiropractors and their adherence to low back pain (LBP) guidelines. The aim of this study is: 1) to assess the attitudes and beliefs towards the management of LBP of Dutch and Belgian chiropractors; and 2) to investigate the association of these attitudes and beliefs on the use of diagnostic imaging and on the adherence to diagnostic guidelines and guidelines in the management of patients with LBP.
Methods
Study design: cross-sectional study using a web-based questionnaire in chiropractic private practice in the Netherlands and Belgium. The survey included sociodemographic characteristics, use of diagnostic imaging, the Pain Attitude and Beliefs Scale-Physiotherapists (PABS.PT) and 6 vignettes (3 acute and 3 chronic LBP patients). We used Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to categorize the chiropractors into clusters depending on their PABS.PT outcome, whereby the classes differed primarily on the biomedical score. We used linear, logistic, and mixed models to examine the associations between these clusters, and adherence to the recommendations of guidelines on: 1) diagnostic imaging use, and 2) management of LBP (i.e. advice on activity, treatment, return-to-work, and bedrest).
Results
The response rate of the Dutch and Belgian chiropractors was 61% (n=149/245) and 57% (n= 54/95), respectively. The majority of chiropractors scored midrange of the biomedical scale of the PABS.PT. Three clusters were identified using LPA: 1) high biomedical class (n=18), 2) mid biomedical class (n=117) and 3) low biomedical class (n=23).
Results from the vignettes suggest that chiropractors in the high biomedical class better adhere to diagnostic imaging guidelines and to LBP guidelines when it concerns advice on return-to-work and activity compared to the other two classes. However, no differences were identified between the classes for treatment of LBP. All chiropractors adhered to the guidelines’ recommendation on bedrest.
Conclusion
The high biomedical class demonstrated better overall adherence to the practice guidelines for the management of LBP and diagnostic imaging than the other classes. Due to the small numbers for the high and low biomedical classes, these results should be interpreted with caution.
Deep Learning Prediction of Renal Anomalies for Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis
Authors: Miguel Olivier X. , Kaczmarek Emily , Lee Inok , Ducharme Robin , Dingwall-Harvey Alysha L.J. , White Ruth Rennicks , Bonin Brigitte , Aviv Richard I. , Hawken Steven , Armour Christine M. , Dick Kevin , Walker Mark C.
Published: July 2023

Deep learning algorithms have demonstrated remarkable potential in clinical diagnostics, particularly in the field of medical imaging. In this study, we investigated the application of deep learning models in early detection of fetal kidney anomalies. To provide an enhanced interpretation of those models’ predictions, we proposed an adapted two-class representation and developed a multi-class model interpretation approach for problems with more than two labels and variable hierarchical grouping of labels. Additionally, we employed the explainable AI (XAI) visualization tools Grad-CAM and HiResCAM, to gain insights into model predictions and identify reasons for misclassifications. The study dataset consisted of 969 unique ultrasound images; 646 control images and 323 cases of kidney anomalies, including 259 cases of unilateral urinary tract dilation and 64 cases of unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. The best performing model achieved a cross-validated area under the ROC curve of 90.71% ± 0.54%, with an overall accuracy of 81.70% ± 0.88%, sensitivity of 81.20% ± 2.40% and specificity of 82.06% ± 1.74% on a test dataset. Our findings emphasize the potential of deep learning models in predicting kidney anomalies from limited prenatal ultrasound imagery. The proposed adaptations in model representation and interpretation represent a novel solution to multi-class prediction problems.
Adaptation and application of the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE) method for characterizing the trophic state of tropical semiarid reservoirs
Authors: Raulino João B. S. , Neto Iran E. Lima
Published: July 2023

Eutrophication is a recurrent problem in water bodies, especially in tropical semiarid reservoirs. The Trophic State Index (TSI) is an important tool for the environmental management of aquatic systems. However, determining the TSI involves uncertainties that can affect decision making. This study aimed to adapt and apply the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE) to characterize the TSI considering the uncertainties of the reference eutrophication classification system. The Castanhão reservoir, the largest in the State of Ceará, Brazil, was taken as a case study. The results showed that: i) the uncertainty of the trophic classification system can be characterized by the triangular and trapezoidal membership functions; ii) the result matrix associates the global trophic level with a degree of certainty, providing greater confidence to the decision maker; iii) the eutrophication index (EI) is not an adequate tool for hierarchizing the trophic degree; and iv) the membership level of the global trophic state generated by the FSE method is a suitable alternative to the EI. It is concluded that the proposed FSE model can be a useful tool for improving water resources management, especially in drylands.
Incidence and risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with acute or chronic pancreatitis: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Park Seon Mee , Kim Ki Bae , Han Joung-Ho , Kim Nayoung , Kang Tae Uk , Swan Heather , Kim Hyun Jung
Published: July 2023

We aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk of PC in pancreatitis. We identified patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) (n = 225,811, 50.0%) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) (n = 225,685, 50.0%) from Korean population-based data and matched them with age- and sex-matched controls (n = 4,514,960). We analyzed the incidence and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of PC among patients followed for more than 2 years or 5 years, and assessed risk changes over time in single episode of AP (SAP), recurrent AP (RAP), CP with AP, and CP without AP groups. We also performed subgroup analysis for both sexes. The incidences (per 104 person-years) and risks (aHR) of PC were higher in the RAP (12.69, 5.00) or CP with AP (12.12, 5.74) groups compared to the SAP (2.31, 1.32) or CP without AP (2.28, 1.57) groups. The risks of PC decreased over time, however, the risk of PC remained elevated in the RAP and CP with AP groups for more than 8 years. Females with RAP, SAP, and CP with AP had higher risks of PC than males. The risk of PC is higher and persists for longer duration in patients with RAP and CP with AP compared to those with SAP or CP without AP.
Study on flow field and convective heat transfer characteristics in grinding zone of large spiral angle flow disturbance grooved wheel
Authors: Mao Mingzhe , Liu Shibo , Jiang Jing Liang , Sun Shufeng , Wang Dexiang
Published: July 2023

In view of the high specific removal energy, high heat generation rate, low heat transfer efficiency, easy to produce local high temperature and grinding burns, new macro-structured grinding wheel forms were proposed, namely, Large Spiral-angle Grooved Grinding Wheels (LSG-GW, β > 85°) and Large Spiral-angle flow Disturbance Grooved Wheels (LSDG-GW). Considering the influence of wheel parameters, groove parameters and process parameters, an analytical model of the airflow field in the wedge area and contact area of LSG-GW was established. Analytical model of gas-liquid two-phase flow field and theoretical model of convective heat transfer coefficient distribution in heat transfer channels were established. The results showed that increasing the groove width, groove depth and the spiral angle can reduce the pressure of the flow field in the air barrier layer and make it easier for the grinding fluid to enter the grinding contact area. The LSDG-GW further reduces the grinding fluid back flow and side flow intensity, proving that the flow disturbance structure can bring in more grinding fluid into the grinding contact area. A theoretical model for the distribution of convective heat transfer coefficient in the grinding contact area was derived, and the analysis results proved that the flow disturbance structure can significantly improve the convective heat transfer coefficient in the grinding contact area. The LSDG-GW, as a new macro surface structured grinding wheel, has a very promising application in the high efficiency and high precision grinding process of difficult-to-machine alloy materials.
The Influence of Gleason score ≤6 histology on the outcome of high-risk localized prostate cancer after modern radiotherapy
Authors: Yamazaki Hideya , Suzuki Gen , Masui Koji , Aibe Norihiro , Kimoto Takuya , Yamada Kei , Okihara Koji , Hongo Fumiya , Okumi Masayoshi , Shiraishi Takumi , Fujihara Atsuko , Yoshida Ken , Nakamura Satoaki , Kato Takashi , Hashimoto Yasutoshi , Okabe Haruumi
Published: July 2023

Background We aimed to retrospectively review outcomes in patients with high-risk prostate cancer and a Gleason score ≤ 6 following modern radiotherapy.Materials and Methods We analyzed the outcomes of 1,374 patients who had undergone modern radiotherapy, comprising a high-risk low grade [HRLG] group (Gleason score ≤ 6; n = 99) and a high-risk high grade [HRHG] group (Gleason score ≥ 7, n = 1,275). We included 955 patients who received brachytherapy with or without external beam radio-therapy (EBRT) and 419 who received modern EBRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy [IMRT] or stereotactic body radiotherapy [SBRT]).Results At a median follow-up of 61 (2–177) months, actuarial 5-year biochemical failure-free survival rates were 95.6% and 90.9% (p = 0.0244), respectively. The HRLG group showed fewer clinical failure frequencies than the HRHG group (0% vs 4.9%, p = 0.04) and a better 5-year distant metastasis-free survival rate than the HRHG group (100% vs 96.4%, p = 0.039).Conclusions As the HRLG group exhibited no clinical failure and better outcomes than the HRHG group, the HRLG group might potentially be classified as a lower-risk group.
Alternate wetting and drying water management can reduce phosphorus availability under lowland rice cultivation irrespective of nitrogen level
Authors: Adhikary Partha Pratim , Mohanty Sheelabhadra , Rautaray Sachin Kanta , Manikandan Narayanan , Mishra Atmaram
Published: July 2023

The limited availability of phosphorus (P) in the soil, which is affected by soil moisture, has a significant impact on crop production. However, we still don't fully understand how water management and nitrogen addition affect the availability of phosphorus in paddy soil. An evaluation of the effects of two water management strategies that is continuous flooding (CF) and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation along with various nitrogenous fertiliser addition rates (equivalent to 0, 100%, 133%, and 166% recommended dose of N addition) on P availability in paddy soil took place over the course of a two-year field experiment. The results showed that water management had a significant influence on ferrous iron, microbial biomass P, and soil available P. However, the addition of nitrogen did not affect the availability of P in the soil. When nitrogen was added at various rates, AWD consistently reduced the amount of soil-available P compared to CF. This was primarily because AWD increased microbial biomass, which immobilized phosphorus and decreased the content of ferrous iron. As a result, the soil's ability to absorb phosphorus increased, leading to a decrease in the amount of phosphorus available. In conclusion, AWD decreases the amount of available P in paddy soil compared to CF.