bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Mining and Polar Coordinates in the Analysis by Gender of Finishing Behaviors in Professional Basketball Pick and Roll
Authors: Morillo-Baro Juan Pablo , Troyano-Gallegos Belén , Pastrana-Brincones José Luis , Vázquez-Diz Juan Antonio , Reigal Rafael E. , Quiñones-Rodríguez Yarisel , Hernández-Mendo Antonio , Falcó Coral , Morales-Sánchez Verónica
Published: December 2021

The open nature of basketball gives it a large uncertainty that makes hard the tactical analysis of the situations that happen in the game. Specifically, screens are one of the offensive tactical elements most used in basketball and one example of a tactical situation that needs the highest preparation level to get a good performance in the competition. The aim of this study is to differentiate these player behaviors by gender using data mining and polar coordinates analysis. Therefore, one ad hoc observational tool made by 17 criteria and 97 exhaustive and mutually exclusive (E/ME) categories has been designed and validated using the data quality analysis (correlation coefficients and concordance index 0.98) and generalizability analysis (G coefficients 0.94) to perform such a study. The observational design is nomothetic, punctual, and multidimensional. A total of 176 ball screens situations have been analyzed for the men's category and 118 for women's category, corresponding to three different teams of each gender playing in the highest competition level in Spain during the 2018/2019 season using Hoisan software tool. The analysis of the relationships among behaviors has been performed using Polar Coordinates analysis as well as data mining analysis: clustering and decision tree classifier. Results show significant relationships that allow us to tactically interpret the pick and roll situations in men's and women's professional basketball players in Spain, allowing us to develop more intervention programs which will optimize training and improve players performance.
Reduced Stocking Density and Provision of Straw in a Rack Improve Pig Welfare on Commercial Fattening Farms
Authors: Schodl Katharina , Wiesauer Lisa , Winckler Christoph , Leeb Christine
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of reduced stocking density in combination with provision of additional enrichment material on pig welfare on-farm. On three growing-finishing farms in Austria, in total 974, 413, and 70 pigs were kept at 1 m2/pig and straw or hay in a rack as additional enrichment material (improved pens, IP;n= 6–38 pens per farm) or in pens complying with the minimum legal requirements of 0.7 m2/pig (control pens, CP;n= 6–37 pens per farm). Behavior as well as skin, tail and ear lesions and pig soiling were assessed at the beginning and in the middle of the fattening period, while performance data were recorded at the end of the fattening period. Data analysis was performed for each farm separately using generalized linear and linear mixed models or Mann-Whitney U-Test. Pigs in IP less frequently manipulated pen mates' ears (Farm 1:Ptreatment*assessment=0.002; Farm 2:P=0.002) and body (Farm 1:P=0.021;Farm 2:P=0.015) than in CP. Prevalence of skin, tail and ear lesions and soiled pigs did not differ between treatments. In only one farm, average daily weight gain was higher in IP than in CP (Farm 1:P=0.003). Our findings indicate that increased space allowance and provision of substrate can improve aspects of animal welfare within existing pig fattening systems, without requiring irreversible constructional modifications to the system.
Prevalence of Bovine Genital Campylobacteriosis, Associated Risk Factors and Spatial Distribution in Spanish Beef Cattle Based on Veterinary Laboratory Database Records
Authors: Pena-Fernández Nerea , Cano-Terriza David , García-Bocanegra Ignacio , Horcajo Pilar , Vázquez-Arbaizar Patricia , Cleofé-Resta Darío , Pérez-Arroyo Bárbara , Ortega-Mora Luis M. , Collantes-Fernández Esther
Published: December 2021

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a sexually transmitted disease that causes early reproductive failure in natural breeding cattle that are managed extensively. The aim of this study was to assess the BGC prevalence in Spain from 2011 to 2019 using data collected cross-sectionally from the diagnostic reports issued by the SALUVET veterinary diagnostic laboratory from a total of 5,182 breeding bulls from 1,950 herds managed under “dehesa” systems (large herds within fenced pastures and all-year breeding season) or mountain systems (smaller herds with seasonal breeding management and grazing in communal mountain pastures). Infection was detected by PCR in 7.7 and 12.2% of the bulls and herds tested, respectively. The “dehesa” herd management system (OR = 2.078, P = < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.55–1.77), bovine trichomonosis status of the herd (OR = 1.606, P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.15–2.22), and bulls ≥3 years old (OR = 1.392, P = 0.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.92) were identified as risk factors associated with Campylobacter fetus venerealis infection. We also studied the high-risk areas for circulation of the infection in extensive beef cattle herds in Spain, showing four significant clusters in “dehesa” areas in the south-western provinces of the country and a fifth cluster located in a mountain area in northern Spain. The results obtained in the present study indicate that BGC is endemic and widely distributed in Spanish beef herds. Specifically, “dehesa” herds are at greater risk for introduction of Cfv based on relatively high local prevalence of the infection and the use of specific management practices.
Streptococcus pluranimalium 2N12 Exerts an Antagonistic Effect Against the Swine Pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae by Producing Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Vaillancourt Katy , Frenette Michel , Gottschalk Marcelo , Grenier Daniel
Published: December 2021

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causal agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, a highly contagious and often deadly respiratory disease that causes major economic losses in the swine industry worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent antagonistic activity of Streptococcus pluranimalium 2N12 (pig nasal isolate) against A. pleuropneumoniae. A fluorimetric assay showed that S. pluranimalium produces H2O2 dose- and time-dependently. The production of H2O2 increased in the presence of exogenous lactate, suggesting the involvement of lactate oxidase. All 20 strains of A. pleuropneumoniae tested, belonging to 18 different serovars, were susceptible to H2O2, with minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal bactericidal concentrations ranging from 0.57 to 2.3 mM. H2O2, as well as a culture supernatant of S. pluranimalium, killed planktonic cells of A. pleuropneumoniae. Treating the culture supernatant with catalase abolished its bactericidal property. H2O2 was also active against a pre-formed biofilm-like structure of A. pleuropneumoniae albeit to a lesser extent. A checkerboard assay was used to show that there were antibacterial synergistic interactions between H2O2 and conventional antibiotics, more particularly ceftiofur. Based on our results and within the limitations of this in vitro study, the production of H2O2 by S. pluranimalium could be regarded as a potential protective mechanism of the upper respiratory tract against H2O2-sensitive pathogens such as A. pleuropneumoniae.
Resolution of Severe Neurologic Signs Following Intravenous Lipid Emulsion Therapy in a Young Dog With a Portosystemic Shunt: Case Report
Authors: Spillane Amanda M. , Haraschak Jenica L. , McMichael Maureen A.
Published: December 2021

A 5-month-old male intact Great Pyrenees was presented for an acute onset of severe neurologic signs (stupor, absent menace, intermittent head turn to the left). The patient's history included possible naproxen ingestion with a maximum ingested dose of 59 mg/kg, exceeding the reported dose of >50 mg/kg known to cause neurologic signs. Blood sampling for baseline bloodwork was performed, and intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) was subsequently administered, for treatment of the suspected toxicosis. Due to severe and life-threatening neurologic signs, other methods of decontamination were contraindicated and unlikely to be effective; extracorporeal therapy was also unavailable. Complete resolution of neurologic signs occurred 30 min after completion of ILE therapy. At this time, the owners found the missing naproxen tablets after returning home and the bloodwork results returned revealing findings consistent with hepatic encephalopathy. The fasted blood ammonia concentration immediately prior to ILE administration was 702.1 μg/dL (reference interval, RI: 24–36 μg/dL) and decreased to 194.1 μg/dL 24 h later. In the first 24 h, the patient also received three doses of lactulose, N-acetylcysteine, and intravenous fluids. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a single, large intrahepatic portosystemic shunt via computed tomography and underwent an endovascular coil embolization procedure. Given the rapid and dramatic improvement in severe neurologic signs after ILE therapy alone, it is strongly suspected that this treatment resulted in improvement of hepatic encephalopathy.
Associations of Porphyromonas gingivalis Infection and Low Beclin1 Expression With Clinicopathological Parameters and Survival of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Guo Yibo , Liu Yiwen , Yang Haijun , Dai Ningtao , Zhou Fuyou , Yang Hong , Sun Wei , Kong Jinyu , Yuan Xiang , Gao Shegan
Published: December 2021

Purpose: The present study focused on exploring the associations of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) infection and low Beclin1 expression with clinicopathological parameters and survival of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients, so as to illustrate its clinical significance and prognostic value.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect P. gingivalis infection status and Beclin1 expression in 370 ESCC patients. The chi-square test was adopted to illustrate the relationship between categorical variables, and Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used for correlation analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves with the log-rank test were used to analyse the correlation of P. gingivalis infection and low Beclin1 expression with survival time. The effects of P. gingivalis infection and Beclin1 downregulation on the proliferation, migration and antiapoptotic abilities of ESCC cells in vitro were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8, wound healing and flow cytometry assays. For P. gingivalis infection of ESCC cells, cell culture medium was replaced with antibiotic-free medium when the density of ESCC cells was 70–80%, cells were inoculated with P. gingivalis at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10.

Result:P. gingivalis infection was negatively correlated with Beclin1 expression in ESCC tissues, and P. gingivalis infection and low Beclin1 expression were associated with differentiation status, tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage and prognosis in ESCC patients. In vitro experiments confirmed that P. gingivalis infection and Beclin1 downregulation potentiate the proliferation, migration and antiapoptotic abilities of ESCC cells (KYSE150 and KYSE30). Our results provide evidence that P. gingivalis infection and low Beclin1 expression were associated with the development and progression of ESCC.

Conclusion: Long-term smoking and alcohol consumption causes poor oral and esophageal microenvironments and ESCC patients with these features were more susceptible to P. gingivalis infection and persistent colonization, and exhibited lower Beclin1 expression, worse prognosis and more advanced clinicopathological features. Our findings indicate that effectively eliminating P. gingivalis colonization and restoring Beclin1 expression in ESCC patients may contribute to preventation and targeted treatment, and yield new insights into the aetiological research on ESCC.
Branchiogén ciszta előfordulása szokatlan életkorban, ritka lokalizációban
Authors: Horváth Dóra , Redl Pál , Hegedűs Csaba
Published: December 2021

A branchiogén anomáliák a veleszületett fejlődési rendellenességek heterogén csoportját képviselik. Branchiogén cisztákleggyakrabban a második kopoltyúív rendellenességeiből származnak. Jellemzően felnőtt korban, felső légúti fertőzéstkövetően alakulnak ki puha duzzanat formájában a musculus sternocleidomastoideus elülső széle mentén, általábanannak felső harmadában; de a nyakon bárhol előfordulhatnak a branchialis fistula lefutása mentén a supraclavicularisrégiótól a fossa tonsillarisig. Az epipharyngeális lokalizáció ritka. A szerzők egy héthónapos csecsemő gastrointestinalisvírusinfekciója kapcsán végzett gyermekgyógyászati vizsgálat során észlelt szokatlan lokalizációjú, epipharyngeálisbranchiogén ciszta diagnosztikáját és műtéti eltávolítását mutatják be, a kórkép irodalmi áttekintésével.
Elektromos és kézi fogkefék hatékonyságának összehasonlítása az orális prevencióban
Authors: Nagy Pál , Kövér Krisztián , Gera István , Horváth Attila
Published: December 2021

Háttér: A dentális plakk eltávolítása fontos szerepet játszik a szájüregi egészség fenntartásában. Ezen cél eléréséhez számos elektromos és kézi fogkefét fejlesztettek ki, ám még a mai napig is eltérő vélemények és kutatási eredmények látnak napvilágot az említett eszközök prioritásának vizsgálata során.Célkitűzés: Az elektromos és kézi fogkefék összehasonlítása parodontális paraméterek és biztonságosság alapján.Vizsgálati módszer: A MEDLINE és EMBASE (2014 májusáig bezárólag) elektronikus adatbázisainak kulcsszavak segítségével történő szűrése a témába illő közlemények felkutatásához. A beválogatási kritériumok az alábbiak voltak: randomizált kontrollált klinikai vizsgálat, felnőtt korú populáció, legalább 15 maradó fog jelenléte. A fogorvos vagy szájhigiénikus általi tisztítást, illetve a tükörszimmetrikus vizsgálatokat kizártuk. Az elsődleges vizsgálati paramétereka plakk és gingivális indexek változásai, míg a másodlagosak a klinikai szondázási mélység (PPD) változása, a fogkefék biztonságossága és a publikációk minőségi értékelése voltak. Az intervenciós hatás nagyságának kifejezésére a standardizált átlagos különbséget (SMD) használtuk 95%-os konfidencia intervallummal, random hatás modell segítségével.Eredmények: Az elektronikus keresés 173 találatot adott, melyből végül 21 tanulmány 1500 résztvevő alannyal került beválogatásra a meta-analízisbe. Mind az elektromos, mind a manuális fogkefék biztonságosnak bizonyultak komoly lágy- és keményszöveti mellékhatások nélkül. Az elektromos fogkefék általánosságban hatékonyabban távolították ela lepedéket (–9%) és csökkentették a gingivitist (–6%) és fogkőképződést. A plakk indexnél az SMD –0,40 (95% CI: –0,95, –0,16), míg a gyulladásos indexeknél –0,29 (95% CI: –0,56, –0,03) volt az elektromos fogkefe javára. A PPD csökkenésében nem volt szignifikáns különbség. Az elektromos fogkeféket tovább osztva működési elv alapján elmondható, hogy az oszcilláló-rotáló (pulzáló), a szónikus, illetve az ultraszónikus fogkefék lepedék-eltávolítása szignifikánsan jobb volt, mint a kézi fogkeféké. Ugyanez már nem mondható el az ellen-oszcilláló és az ionizáló fogkefékről. A vizsgálatok minőségi értékelése rávilágított, hogy a publikációk nem teljesen részrehajlásmentesek, ezért egyetlen tanulmány sem felelt meg a legmagasabb minőségi kritériumoknak.Következtetések: A vizsgált oszcilláló-rotáló és rezgő fogkefék statisztikailag hatékonyabbak a kézi fogkeféknél, bár ezen előny klinikai relevanciája kevéssé ismert. Megfelelően instruált és motivált pácienseknél az elektromos fogkefe előnye megszűnik, ami megerősíti az egyénre szabott szájhigiénés oktatás jelentőségét. Továbbá a vizsgálatok nagyfokú metodikai heterogenitást mutatnak, így a statisztikai feldolgozásából nyert klinikai következtetéseket óvatosan kell kezelni.
A Szegedi Fogászati és Szájsebészeti Klinika orális és maxillofaciális régió onkológiai és egyéb betegségeinek retrospectív szűrési és epidemiológiai vizsgálata (1960–2014)
Authors: Sonkodi István , Nagy Judit , Novák Péter , Virág Katalin , Boda Krisztina , Braunitzer Gábor , Nagy Katalin
Published: December 2021

A Szegedi Fogászati és Szájsebészeti Klinika orális medicina szakrendelése az 1960–2014 időszakban 3 megye (átlagosan1,7 millió fő) sztomato-onkológiai betegeinek ellátásáért volt felelős. Jelen közlemény a nevezett időszakban az orálismedicina tárgykörébe foglalt betegségek incidencia-adatait összegzi. A vizsgált időszakban az összes új betegszám (ideértve a klasszikus értelemben vett stomatologiai betegeket) 338 200 volt. Ebből az összesített esetszámból 9 482 esetbenjelentkeztek betegek jóindulatú szájüregi daganattal (2.8%), 5438 esetben szájüregi precarcinomával (1.6%), és5145 esetben rosszindulatú szájüregi daganattal (1.5%). Ilyen módon az 54 év összegzett daganatos és premalignusesetszáma 20 065-nek adódott, ami az összes új betegszám 5,9%-a. Az előbbiek alapján a praemalignus és malignusléziók együttesen a sztomato-onkológiai incidenciának több mint felét adták, az összes új betegszámnak pedig 3,1%-át.Az egyéb szájnyálkahártya-betegségekről 1974 óta vannak adataink. Az 1974–2014 időszakban 14 446 új beteg jelentkezettilyen betegségekkel (az erre az időszakra vetített incidencia 5,8%-a). Az adott évben sztomato-onkológiai gondozásravisszarendelt betegekről 1970 óta vannak adataink, az 1970–2014 időszakban ezen betegek száma 117 268 volt,ez az szakrendelés összes betegforgalmának 76,97%-a.A tendenciákra jellemző, hogy az 1960-tól 2004-ig tartó – reprezentatívnak tartott – időszakban az új jóindulatú daganatokszáma tizenötszörösére, a precarcinomás esetek száma harmincszorosára, a rosszindulatú daganatok számahuszonötszörösére emelkedett, míg az egyéb szájnyálkahártya-betegségek száma ebben az időszakban a tizennégyszeresérenőtt.
Lehetséges mellékhatások a fogszabályozó kezelések kapcsán
Authors: Gyócsi András , Kolarovszki Béla , Frank Dorottya
Published: December 2021

Jelen áttekintő közlemény célja, hogy a fogszabályozó kezelések során előforduló lehetséges mellékhatásokat összegezverészletes irodalmi összefoglalást nyújtson az esetlegesen kialakuló szövődményekről (fogágyat ért egészségkárosodás,külső gyökér resorptio, zománckárosodás, pulpát érintő változások, fájdalom, diszkomfort, lágyrészsérülések,készülékalkatrészek/műszerek légúti aspirációja/lenyelése, infektív endocarditis, temporomandibuláris ízületi problémák,allergiás reakciók). Minthogy a fent említett kedvezőtlen, nem kívánt mellékhatások jelentős része kellő figyelemmelés körültekintéssel megelőzhető, vagy a kialakulásuk kockázata minimálisra csökkenthető, ezen információk ismeretealapvető fontossággal bír minden egyes fogszabályozással foglalkozó gyakorló orvos vagy leendő szakorvos számára.
Estimation of the Critical Seismic Acceleration for Three-Dimensional Rock Slopes
Authors: Meng Qingfeng , Hu Xuyue , Chen Guanghui , Li Peng , Wang Zhi
Published: December 2021

An analytical approach for the estimating of critical seismic acceleration of rock slopes was proposed in this study. Based on the 3D horn failure model, the critical seismic acceleration coefficient of rock slopes was conducted with the modified Hoek–Brown (MHB) failure criterion in the framework of upper-bound theory for the first time. The nonlinear Hoek–Brown failure criterion is incorporated into the three-dimensional rotational failure mechanism, and a generalized tangent technique is introduced and employed to convert the nonlinear Hoek–Brown failure criterion into a linear criterion. The critical seismic acceleration coefficients obtained from this study were validated by the numerical simulation results based on finite element limit analysis. The agreement showed that the proposed method is effective. Finally, design charts were provided for exceptional cases for practical use in rock engineering.
Electrochemical Amino Acid Sensing: A Review on Challenges and Achievements
Authors: Moulaee Kaveh , Neri Giovanni
Published: December 2021

The rapid growth of research in electrochemistry in the last decade has resulted in a significant advancement in exploiting electrochemical strategies for assessing biological substances. Among these, amino acids are of utmost interest due to their key role in human health. Indeed, an unbalanced amino acid level is the origin of several metabolic and genetic diseases, which has led to a great need for effective and reliable evaluation methods. This review is an effort to summarize and present both challenges and achievements in electrochemical amino acid sensing from the last decade (from 2010 onwards) to show where limitations and advantages stem from. In this review, we place special emphasis on five well-known electroactive amino acids, namely cysteine, tyrosine, tryptophan, methionine and histidine. The recent research and achievements in this area and significant performance metrics of the proposed electrochemical sensors, including the limit of detection, sensitivity, stability, linear dynamic range(s) and applicability in real sample analysis, are summarized and presented in separate sections. More than 400 recent scientific studies were included in this review to portray a rich set of ideas and exemplify the capabilities of the electrochemical strategies to detect these essential biomolecules at trace and even ultra-trace levels. Finally, we discuss, in the last section, the remaining issues and the opportunities to push the boundaries of our knowledge in amino acid electrochemistry even further.
Carbon Nanotubes Use for the Semiconductors ZnSe and ZnS Material Surface Modification via the Laser-Oriented Deposition Technique
Authors: Kamanina Natalia , Toikka Andrey , Valeev Bulat , Kvashnin Dmitry
Published: December 2021

It is known that a material’s volume and the surface structuring by the nanoparticles causes a significant change in the material’s basic properties. In this aspect, the structuration of the surface of semiconductors is of interest, because their wide potential application in optoelectronics can extend the products’ transparency, hardness, wettability, and other important parameters. This paper presents possible methods for the surface modification of zinc selenide and zinc sulfide when carbon nanotubes are deposited on the surface by the application of the laser-oriented technique. It also shows changes of the spectral, mechanical, and wetting characteristics of the considered materials. Using the molecular dynamic simulations, the possible process of the carbon nanotubes penetration into the considered surfaces is presented. The simulation results are partially supported by the obtained experimental data.
Nanomedicine in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Status and Future Opportunities for Overcoming Therapy Resistance
Authors: Greene Michelle K. , Johnston Michael C. , Scott Christopher J.
Published: December 2021

The development of drug resistance remains one of the greatest clinical oncology challenges that can radically dampen the prospect of achieving complete and durable tumour control. Efforts to mitigate drug resistance are therefore of utmost importance, and nanotechnology is rapidly emerging for its potential to overcome such issues. Studies have showcased the ability of nanomedicines to bypass drug efflux pumps, counteract immune suppression, serve as radioenhancers, correct metabolic disturbances and elicit numerous other effects that collectively alleviate various mechanisms of tumour resistance. Much of this progress can be attributed to the remarkable benefits that nanoparticles offer as drug delivery vehicles, such as improvements in pharmacokinetics, protection against degradation and spatiotemporally controlled release kinetics. These attributes provide scope for precision targeting of drugs to tumours that can enhance sensitivity to treatment and have formed the basis for the successful clinical translation of multiple nanoformulations to date. In this review, we focus on the longstanding reputation of pancreatic cancer as one of the most difficult-to-treat malignancies where resistance plays a dominant role in therapy failure. We outline the mechanisms that contribute to the treatment-refractory nature of these tumours, and how they may be effectively addressed by harnessing the unique capabilities of nanomedicines. Moreover, we include a brief perspective on the likely future direction of nanotechnology in pancreatic cancer, discussing how efforts to develop multidrug formulations will guide the field further towards a therapeutic solution for these highly intractable tumours.
Three-Dimensional Comparative Study of Human Bipartite Scaphoids and the Os Centrale of the Wrist in Neandertals and Non-Human Anthropoid Primates
Authors: Durand Sebastien , Dufour Justine , Rosas Antonio , Becce Fabio , Orr Caley
Published: December 2021

In humans, bipartite scaphoid still does not differentiate clearly from traumatic non-union of the scaphoid. To aid diagnosis, we sought to analyze the main geometrical similarities among bipartite scaphoids from primate species with fused and unfused scaphoid centrales. Four human embryos, four cases of adult humans with bipartite scaphoid, twelve adult specimens of other extant anthropoid primates, and two Neandertal scaphoid specimens were included in this study. Three-dimensional polygon models of the scaphoid and os centrale were generated from CT scan, micro-CT scan, or histological sections. A 3D comparative study of the morphological and morphometrical parameters was performed using the MSC Patran software. The os centrale was smaller than the scaphoid in all specimens and its shape was elongated in the anteroposterior scaphoid direction. The position of the os centrale centroid compared to the scaphoid using direction vectors had a strong orientation along the proximodistal axis in all species. The main morphological feature of bipartite scaphoid was the continuity of the scaphoid from its proximal pole to its tubercule along the anteroposterior axis. In all specimens, if the os centrale was removed, the scaphoid still appeared normal and whole. The bipartite scaphoid in adult humans shares geometrical analogies with monkeys and orangutans, human embryos, and Neandertals. Morphological and morphometrical features identified in this study are useful to differentiate bipartite scaphoid from scaphoid pseudarthrosis. All other criteria suggested in the past lead to misdiagnosis.
Estimation of Phase Noise Transfer Function
Authors: Rutkowski Igor , Czuba Krzysztof
Published: December 2021

Quantifying frequency converters’ residual phase noise is essential in various applications, including radar systems, high-speed digital communication, or particle accelerators. Multi-input signal source analyzers can perform such measurements out of the box, but the high cost limits their accessibility. Based on an analysis of phase noise transmission theory and the capabilities of popular instrumentation, we propose a technique extending the functionality of single-input devices. The method supplements absolute noise measurements with estimates of the phase noise transfer function (also called the jitter transfer function), allowing the calculation of residual noise. The details of the hardware setup used for the method verification are presented. The injection of single-tone and pseudo-random modulations to the test signal is examined. Optional employment of a spectrum analyzer can reduce the time and number of data needed for characterization. A wideband synthesizer with an integrated voltage-controlled oscillator was investigated using the method. The estimated transfer function matches a white-box model based on synthesizer’s structure and values of loop components. The first results confirm the validity of the proposed technique.
Analysis of the Nicolaus Copernicus Airport Activity in Terms of the Flight Operations Impact on Air Pollution
Authors: Przespolewska-Gdowik Kamila , Jasiński Remigiusz
Published: December 2021

The dynamic development of aviation is associated with many benefits, but also, unfortunately, with negative effects. One of the adverse consequences is the exhaust emissions that have a negative impact on human health. It particularly affects the residents of areas neighboring airports, as airport activity deteriorates local air quality. Using the Emissions and Dispersion Modeling System, the activity of the Nicolaus Copernicus Airport was assessed in terms of the flight operations’ contribution to air contamination in the area adjacent to the airport. Emissions from three sources were compared: aircraft, ground support equipment and auxiliary power units. The concentrations of pollutants in inhabited areas located in three different directions in relation to the airport were also estimated. In addition, the effect of distance from the airport on contaminant concentrations was assessed as a function of wind direction. It was noticed that small values of pollutant concentrations, originating from airport activity, appeared within a few kilometers from the airport, even if the prevailing wind direction on a given day was opposite to the analyzed dispersion direction.
Dynamic Modelling and Validation of an Air-to-Water Reversible R744 Heat Pump for High Energy Demand Buildings
Authors: Artuso Paolo , Tosato Giacomo , Rossetti Antonio , Marinetti Sergio , Hafner Armin , Banasiak Krzysztof , Minetto Silvia
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a reversible heat pump based on CO2 as the refrigerant, able to provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water to high energy demand buildings. The unit was developed and tested under the EU H2020 project MultiPACK, which has the main goal of assuring the market about the feasibility, reliability, and energy efficiency of CO2 integrated systems for heating and cooling and promoting a fast transition to low environmental impact solutions. Within the project, the confidence raising was performed by installation and monitoring of fully integrated state-of-the art CO2 systems in the Southern European Climate. With the aim of predicting the unit behaviour under variable load and boundary conditions, a dynamic model of the entire unit was developed with commercial software, considering actual components and the implemented control system and it was validated with experimental data, collected at the factory’s lab before commissioning. The validation against experimental data collected during operation as a heat pump demonstrated a maximum percentage difference between the experimental and predicted value of gas–cooler heat flow rate equal to +5.0%. A preliminary comparison with the experimental data in chiller configuration is reported, however further development was required to achieve a satisfactory validation. Lastly, the numerical model was utilized to simulate a typical operation in heat pump configuration with the system coupled with a hot water tank storage for the production of domestic hot water and space heating; the model predicts higher COP when operating in domestic hot water operation due to the lower water inlet temperature.
The Influence of Noise on the Exact Solutions of the Stochastic Fractional-Space Chiral Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Mohammed Wael W. , Bazighifan Omar , Al-Sawalha Mohammed M. , Almatroud A. Othman , Aly Elkhateeb S.
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we consider the stochastic fractional-space Chiral nonlinear Schrödinger equation (S-FS-CNSE) derived via multiplicative noise. We obtain the exact solutions of the S-FS-CNSE by using the Riccati equation method. The obtained solutions are extremely important in the development of nuclear medicine, the entire computer industry and quantum mechanics, especially in the quantum hall effect. Moreover, we discuss how the multiplicative noise affects the exact solutions of the S-FS-CNSE. This equation has never previously been studied using a combination of multiplicative noise and fractional space.
Dual Penta-Compound Combination Anti-Synchronization with Analysis and Application to a Novel Fractional Chaotic System
Authors: Jahanzaib Lone Seth , Trikha Pushali , Matoog Rajaa T. , Muhammad Shabbir , Al-Ghamdi Ahmed , Higazy Mahmoud
Published: December 2021

This paper studies a fractional-order chaotic system with sine non-linearities and highlights its dynamics using the Lyapunov spectrum, bifurcation analysis, stagnation points, the solution of the system, the impact of the fractional order on the system, etc. The system considering uncertainties and disturbances was synchronized using dual penta-compound combination anti-synchronization among four master systems and twenty slave systems by non-linear control and the adaptive sliding mode technique. The estimates of the disturbances and uncertainties were also obtained using the sliding mode technique. The application of the achieved synchronization in secure communication is illustrated with the help of an example.
Non-Debye Relaxations: The Ups and Downs of the Stretched Exponential vs. Mittag–Leffler’s Matchings
Authors: Górska Katarzyna , Horzela Andrzej , Penson Karol A.
Published: December 2021

Experimental data collected to provide us with information on the course of dielectric relaxation phenomena are obtained according to two distinct schemes: one can measure either the time decay of depolarization current or use methods of the broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Both sets of data are usually fitted by time or frequency dependent functions which, in turn, may be analytically transformed among themselves using the Laplace transform. This leads to the question on comparability of results obtained using just mentioned experimental procedures. If we would like to do that in the time domain we have to go beyond widely accepted Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts approximation and become acquainted with description using the Mittag–Leffler functions. To convince the reader that the latter is not difficult to understand we propose to look at the problem from the point of view of objects which appear in the stochastic processes approach to relaxation. These are the characteristic exponents which are read out from the standard non-Debye frequency dependent patterns. Characteristic functions appear to be expressed in terms of elementary functions whose asymptotics is simple. This opens new possibility to compare behavior of functions used to describe non-Debye relaxations. It turnes out that the use of Mittag-Leffler function proves very convenient for such a comparison.
A Disproportionality Bias in the Bureau of the Regional Assembly of Madrid
Authors: de la Cruz Vicente Omar , Tomé Bermejo Fernando , Ramiro Moreno Rafael
Published: December 2021

This paper analyses the voting behavior of the parliamentary groups in the Regional Assembly of Madrid to appoint the Bureau, its representative body, in all the legislatures since its inception (1983–2021). To this end, the actual result of the voting is compared with the mock result attained by following a Nash equilibrium (NE) and a d’Hondt (d’H) allocation in each vote. But the result of a d’Hondt allocation varies based on the number of stages in which the voting is performed (President, Vice-President, and Secretaries), so a bias towards disproportionality could exist as measured by the absolute index of disproportionality which calculates the number of seats non-proportionally allocated. The results show that, in view of the hypothesis on the importance of the number of seats, the NE was only followed in four of the 12 Legislatures for Vice-Presidents (it was always followed for Secretaries). Thus, parliamentary groups could gain more seats by modifying their strategies. Additionally, the absolute rate of disproportionality and the number of seats non-proportionally allocated indicate that, in general, parliamentary groups obtain voting results that are less disproportionate than they could be (due to the number of voting stages).
Improvements in Sub-Catchment Fractional Snowpack and Snowmelt Parameterizations and Hydrologic Modeling for Climate Change Assessments in the Western Himalayas
Authors: Singh Vishal , Muñoz-Arriola Francisco
Published: December 2021

The present work proposes to improve estimates of snowpack and snowmelt and their assessment in the steep Himalayan ranges at the sub-catchment scale. Temporal variability of streamflow and the associated distribution of accumulated snow in catchments with glacier presence in the Himalayas illustrates how changes in snowpack and snowmelt can affect the water supply for local water management. The primary objective of this study is to assess the role of elevation, temperature lapse rate (TLR), and precipitation lapse rate (PLR) in the computation of snowpack (or snowfall) and snowmelt in sub-catchments of the Satluj River basin. Modeling of snowpack and snowmelt was constructed using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in both historical (1991–2008) and near-time scenarios (2011–2030) by implementing real-time hydrometeorological, snow-hydrological parameters, and Global Circulation Model (GCM) datasets. The modeled snowmelt-induced streamflow showed a good agreement with the observed streamflow (~60%), calibrated and validated at three gauges. A Sequential Uncertainty Parameter Fitting (SUFI2) method (SUFI2) resulted that the curve number (CN2) was found to be significantly sensitive during calibration. The snowmelt hydrological parameters such as snowmelt factor maximum (SMFMX) and snow coverage (SNO50COV) significantly affected objective functions, such as R2 and NSE, during the model optimization. For the validation of snowpack and snowmelt, the results have been contrasted with previous studies and found comparable. The computed snowpack and snowmelt were found highly variable over the Himalayan sub-catchments, as also reported by previous researchers. The magnitude of snowpack change consistently decreases across all the sub-catchments of the Satluj river catchment (varying between 4% and 42%). The highest percentage of changes in the snowpack was observed over high-elevation sub-catchments.
Is the Association between Herbal Use and Blood-Pressure Control Mediated by Medication Adherence? A Cross-Sectional Study in Primary Care
Authors: Thangsuk Phaviga , Pinyopornpanish Kanokporn , Jiraporncharoen Wichuda , Buawangpong Nida , Angkurawaranon Chaisiri
Published: December 2021

Herbs have been used worldwide for many health conditions as an alternative treatment, including hypertension. Their use might affect the use of conventional medications, as well as blood-pressure control. This study aims to determine whether the potential associations between herb use and high blood pressure in hypertensive patients was mediated by medication adherence. A cross-sectional study was conducted using questionnaires and available medical databases at a primary care clinic of a tertiary hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The data were collected from 450 patients with essential hypertension. Drug adherence was assessed by the Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale. The history of herbs used in the past three months was obtained. The goal of controlled blood pressure was defined in accordance with the Thai guidelines on the treatment of hypertension. Of the total 450 patients, 42% had high adherence. Nearly 18% reported herb use in the past three months. High medication adherence was strongly associated with blood-pressure control when adjusted for age, gender, education, the presence of comorbidities, and herb use (aOR 26.73; 95% CI 8.58–83.23; p < 0.001). The association between herb use and blood-pressure control did not achieve statistical significance (p = 0.143). However, the adjusted odds ratio of the association between herb use and blood-pressure control was diluted from 0.67 to 0.83 when adding the factor of medication adherence to the model. In conclusion, herb use was associated with poor medication adherence, which was in turn associated with poor blood-pressure control. Assessing this information contributes to appropriate exploration and counseling.
The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Earnings Management: Bibliometric Review
Authors: Santos-Jaén José Manuel , León-Gómez Ana , Serrano-Madrid José
Published: December 2021

This review aims to study the knowledge development and research dissemination on the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on earnings management through a social network approach using a bibliometric review. A systematic bibliometric review was carried out on 329 papers obtained from the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection database. The data were analyzed by year, journal, author, institution, country, affiliation, subject area and term analysis. The results reveal the growing interest of researchers in studying the impact of CSR. Although the USA and China dominate publication production, there are a large number of authors from more than 50 countries around the world. The results also show that being prolific does not imply being influential in this area. The keyword patterns showed some interesting potential areas of study on this topic. The findings of this paper provide insight to the research on the analysis of the influence of CSR on earnings management. The most important findings consist of a number of gaps in the literature, such as gender diversity, voluntary disclosure of information and existence of an audit committee, among others, that allow for future fields of research to improve the analysis of the influence of CSR in EM. This research should also prove helpful to managers, owners and auditors. This is the first bibliometric review developed on this topic and it can be extrapolated to any place in the world.
Assessment of Normal Tissue Radiosensitivity by Evaluating DNA Damage and Repair Kinetics in Human Brain Organoids
Authors: Bojcevski Jovana , Wang Changwen , Liu Haikun , Abdollahi Amir , Dokic Ivana
Published: December 2021

DNA-double strand break (DSB), detected by immunostaining of key proteins orchestrating repair, like γH2AX and 53BP1, is well established as a surrogate for tissue radiosensitivity. We hypothesized that the generation of normal brain 3D organoids (“mini-brains”) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) combined with detection of DNA damage repair (DDR) may hold the promise towards developing personalized models for the determination of normal tissue radiosensitivity. In this study, cerebral organoids, an in vitro model that stands in its complexity between 2D cellular system and an organ, have been used. To quantify radiation-induced response, immunofluorescent staining with γH2AX and 53BP1 were applied at early (30 min, initial damage), and late time points (18 and 72 h, residual damage), following clinical standard 2 Gy irradiation. Based on our findings, assessment of DDR kinetics as a surrogate for radiosensitivity in hiPSC derived cerebral organoids is feasible. Further development of mini-brains recapitulating mature adult neuronal tissue and implementation of additional signaling and toxicity surrogates may pave the way towards development of next-generation personalized assessment of radiosensitivity in healthy neuronal tissue.
Revisiting CFTR Interactions: Old Partners and New Players
Authors: Farinha Carlos M. , Gentzsch Martina
Published: December 2021

Remarkable progress in CFTR research has led to the therapeutic development of modulators that rescue the basic defect in cystic fibrosis. There is continuous interest in studying CFTR molecular disease mechanisms as not all cystic fibrosis patients have a therapeutic option available. Addressing the basis of the problem by comprehensively understanding the critical molecular associations of CFTR interactions remains key. With the availability of CFTR modulators, there is interest in comprehending which interactions are critical to rescue CFTR and which are altered by modulators or CFTR mutations. Here, the current knowledge on interactions that govern CFTR folding, processing, and stability is summarized. Furthermore, we describe protein complexes and signal pathways that modulate the CFTR function. Primary epithelial cells display a spatial control of the CFTR interactions and have become a common system for preclinical and personalized medicine studies. Strikingly, the novel roles of CFTR in development and differentiation have been recently uncovered and it has been revealed that specific CFTR gene interactions also play an important role in transcriptional regulation. For a comprehensive understanding of the molecular environment of CFTR, it is important to consider CFTR mutation-dependent interactions as well as factors affecting the CFTR interactome on the cell type, tissue-specific, and transcriptional levels.
Allogeneic Bone-Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell with Moldable Cryogel for Craniofacial Bone Regeneration
Authors: Chu Cheng-Feng , Mao Shih-Hsuan , Shyu Victor Bong-Hang , Chen Chih-Hao , Chen Chien-Tzung
Published: December 2021

Allogeneic bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can promote bone regeneration and substitute for autologous BMSCs if autologous sources are unavailable, but the efficacy of bone regeneration by allogeneic BMSCs is still inconsistent. A Lewis rat cranium defect model was used to investigate the efficacy of bone regeneration between autologous and allogeneic BMSCs in gelatin-nanohydroxyapatite cryogel scaffolds. BMSCs from Wistar rats served as the allogeneic cell lineage. The full-thickness cranium defects were treated by either blank control, cryogel only, allogeneic BMSC-seeded cryogel, or autologous BMSC-seeded cryogel (n = 5). Bone regeneration was monitored by micro-computed tomography and examined histologically at week 12. In addition, we assessed the immune responses in vitro by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay and CD4+ immunochemistry staining ex vivo. The MLR showed that allogeneic BSMCs elicited a weak immune response on day 14 that progressively attenuated by day 28. In vivo, the bone regeneration in allogeneic BMSCs was inferior at week 4, but progressively matched the autologous BMSCs by week 12. Our results suggest that allogeneic BMSCs can serve as an alternative source for bone regeneration.
The Impact of Family Capital on Farmers’ Participation in Farmland Transfer: Evidence from Rural China
Authors: Xu Jing , Huang Jing , Zhang Zhengfeng , Gu Xiaokun
Published: December 2021

Family capital provides diverse and effective resources for production and livelihood of farmers, and thus profoundly determines farmers’ behavior in the decision-making process, yet the specific impact of family capital on farmers’ participation in farmland transfer has not been adequately examined. Based on a theoretical analysis, this paper divides family capital into four dimensions: human capital, economic capital, social capital, and cultural capital, and empirically analyzes the impact of different types of family capital on farmers’ participation in farmland transfer by using data on farmers in the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) database. The results show that human capital, economic capital, and cultural capital all have significant impacts on both farmland transfer-out and transfer-in behavior, while social capital only plays a significant role in farmland transfer in. In order to accelerate the development process of farmland transfer in China, it is necessary to actively guide surplus rural labor towards non-agricultural employment, improve the farmland system and build a land transfer trading platform to promote the transfer of farmland to households with a good agricultural base, and strengthen social security construction to reinforce the enthusiasm of farmers engaging in land transfer.