bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HYPERTEXT CASE MODEL FOR TEACHING SEMANTIC READING TO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MATH LESSONSPROBLEMS OF MANAGING A CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEM IN THE PRESENCE OF MALFUNCTIONS IN IT
Authors: Avetisyan Tatiana V. , Preobrazhenskiy Andrey P. , Preobrazhenskiy Yuri P.
Published: February 2024

The study of various properties of information-technical systems from the point of view of interaction of their physical and digital components is a new and actual direction of modern science of cyber-physical systems. When considering modern cyber-physical systems, various authors recommend considering them as complex systems within the framework of system analysis. Due to the complexity of systems, adaptive algorithms should be relied upon in human-machine interaction. In this case, the specialist is seen as a decision maker. In the course of his work, he will strive to ensure the required mode of functioning of the cyber-physical system, including in the presence of faults in it. This paper proposes to consider the possible actions of a specialist in a cyber-physical system from the perspective of a simulation experiment. The paper provides an illustration of an algorithm scheme related to adaptive resource selection in a cyber-physical system. The scheme of rational decision making when resources are selected is shown. A methodology for generating logic models is proposed. The paper shows how game modeling can be applied to cyber-physical systems. The results obtained in this paper can be applied to a wide range of cyberphysical systems.
‘Selling their souls?’ Nurses' understanding of addiction and recovery in acute hospital settings
Authors: Cafferkey Sadie Lavelle , Kelly Peter , Comiskey Catherine
Published: February 2024

Background:

Nursing disciplines do not currently have a shared understanding of addiction or recovery to address their contribution to their patients' needs. Recent developments of addiction nursing models, alongside an international move to standardise language, is slow to be reflected in nurses' perceptions in acute hospital settings.

Aim:

To explore nurses' understanding of addiction and recovery in acute general hospitals.

Methods:

A qualitative study with semi-structured open-ended questions informed by a prior literature review was undertaken with nurses working in an acute general hospital in Dublin, Ireland.

Results:

The identified themes were the knowledge of addiction, including physical and psychological needs, and the understanding of recovery, patient-centred services and the impact of the individual's environment.

Conclusion:

Standardising language for addiction and recovery and improving addiction education will give nurses a better understanding of the chronic nature of substance use and the importance of this in providing high-quality health care.
Compositional Convergence in Whitman and Borges
Authors: Benedict Nora
Published: February 2024

Abstract: Jorge Luis Borges's interest in and admiration for Walt Whitman has been well-documented and studied. However, there has been no consideration of the overlaps in their writing practices. In this paper, I place two early manuscripts, one by Whitman (1855) and another by Borges (c. 1929), in conversation as a way to highlight their shared compositional methods. In particular, I show how their conception of physical books exhibits what I call compositional convergence, or the independent evolution of similar ways of thinking about the structure of books in different moments in time.
Improving grating duty cycle uniformity: amplitude-splitting flat-top beam laser interference lithography
Authors: Xue Dongbai , Deng Xiao , Dun Xiong , Wang Jun , Wang Zhanshan , Cheng Xinbin
Published: February 2024

Laser interference lithography is an effective approach for grating fabrication. As a key parameter of the grating profile, the duty cycle determines the diffraction characteristics and is associated with the irradiance of the exposure beam. In this study, we developed a fabrication technique amplitude-splitting flat-top beam interference lithography to improve duty cycle uniformity. The relationship between the duty cycle uniformity and irradiance of the exposure beam is analyzed, and the results indicate that when the beam irradiance nonuniformity is less than 20%, the grating duty cycle nonuniformity is maintained below ±2%. Moreover, an experimental amplitude-splitting flat-top beam interference lithography system is developed to realize an incident beam irradiance nonuniformity of 21%. The full-aperture duty cycle nonuniformity of the fabricated grating is less than ±3%. Amplitude-splitting flat-top beam interference lithography improves duty cycle uniformity, greatly reduces energy loss compared to conventional apodization, and is more suitable for manufacturing highly uniform gratings over large areas.
Highly sensitive optical fiber pressure sensor based on the FPI and Vernier effect via femtosecond laser plane-by-plane writing technology
Authors: Hu Xixi , Su Dan , Qiao Xueguang
Published: February 2024

In this paper, a highly sensitive pressure sensor based on fiber-optic Fabry–Perot interferometers (FPIs) and the Vernier effect (VE) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. We employ a closed capillary-based FPI
s
for the sensing cavity, and an FPI
r
created through femtosecond laser refractive index modulation for the reference cavity, which remains impervious to pressure changes. Connecting these two FPIs in series produces a VE-based cascaded sensor with a clear spectral envelope. The femtosecond laser micromachining technique provides precise control over the length of FPI
r
and facilitates adjustments to the VE’s amplification degree. Experimental results reveal significant pressure sensitivities of −795.96pm/MPa and −3219.91pm/MPa, respectively, representing a 20-fold and 80-fold improvement compared to FPI
s
(−39.80pm/MPa). This type of sensor has good sensitivity amplification and, due to its all-fiber structure, can be a promising candidate for high-temperature and high-pressure sensing, especially in harsh environments.
Numerical simulation of ultrawideband supercontinuum generation covering a 2–20  µm waveband in cascaded all-soft-glass fiber
Authors: Chu Yiqi , Xu Zhiyu , Li Chuchen , Jiang Chenyun , Hu Tianhao , Zhao Zhongbin , Zhou Yong , Ma Xiaohui , Fang Wentan , Zhang Wei , Chen Xiaolin , Huang Song , Yu Ronghua , Liao Meisong , Gao Weiqing
Published: February 2024

We designed a cascaded all-soft-glass fiber
structure and simulate midinfrared 2–20 µm ultrawideband
supercontinuum (SC) generation numerically. The cascaded fiber
structure consists of a 1.5 m InF3 fiber, a 0.2 m chalcogenide
photonic crystal fiber, and a 0.2 m tellurium-based
chalcogenide photonic crystal fiber. Using a 2 µm pulse pumping
this cascaded structure, the generated SC covering the wavelengths
longer than 20 µm has been demonstrated theoretically. The
30 dB bandwidth reaches 20.87 µm from 1.44 to
22.31 µm. The effect of different pulse widths on SC generation
is considered. With the increase of peak power and the decrease of
pulse width, the energy of SC in the 15–20 µm waveband
increases gradually. The mechanism of SC broadening process has also
been analyzed. The SC generation of more than 20 µm in this
cascade structure is caused by the self-phase modulation, soliton
effects, four-wave mixing, and redshifted dispersive wave. This method
demonstrates the possibility of generating ultrawide bandwidth SCs up
to a 20 µm waveband by a commercial 2 µm pump source and
all-fiber structure.
High-uniformity and high-performance waveguide Ge photodetectors for the O and C bands
Authors: Li Xinyu , Xu Qiang , Song Ruogu , Wang Jinyu , Wang Shuxiao , Yue Wencheng , Wang Wei , Cai Yan , Yu Mingbin
Published: February 2024

This paper presents the test
results for high-performance and high-uniformity waveguide
silicon-based germanium (Ge) photodetectors (PDs) for the O band and C band. Both wafer-scale and chip-scale
test results are provided. The
fabricated lateral p−i−n (LPIN) PDs exhibit a responsivity of
0.97 A/W at a bias of −2V, a bandwidth of 60 GHz, and a
no-return-to-zero (NRZ) eye diagram rate of 53.125 Gb/s.
Additionally, an average dark current of 22.4 nA was obtained
in the vertical p−i−n (VPIN) PDs at −2V by optimizing the doping process. The
device can reach an average responsivity of 0.9 A/W in the O band. The standard deviation in a
wafer with a dark current and responsivity is as low as 7.77 nA
and 0.03 A/W at −2V, respectively.
Unravelling the novel genetic diversity and marker-trait associations of corn leaf aphid resistance in wheat using microsatellite markers
Authors: Yadav Jayant , Jasrotia Poonam , Jaglan Maha Singh , Sareen Sindhu , Kashyap Prem Lal , Kumar Sudheer , Yadav Surender Singh , Singh Gyanendra , Singh Gyanendra Pratap
Published: February 2024

The study was conducted to identify novel simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with resistance to corn aphid (CLA), Rhopalosiphum maidis L. in 48 selected bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wild wheat (Aegilops spp. & T. dicoccoides) genotypes during two consecutive cropping seasons (2018–19 and 2019–20). A total of 51 polymorphic markers containing 143 alleles were used for the analysis. The frequency of the major allele ranged from 0.552 (Xgwm113) to 0.938 (Xcfd45, Xgwm194 and Xgwm526), with a mean of 0.731. Gene diversity ranged from 0.116 (Xgwm526) to 0.489 (Xgwm113), with a mean of 0.354. The polymorphic information content (PIC) value for the SSR markers ranged from 0.107 (Xgwm526) to 0.370 (Xgwm113) with a mean of 0.282. The results of the STRUCTURE analysis revealed the presence of four main subgroups in the populations. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the between-group difference was around 37 per cent of the total variation contributed to the diversity by the whole germplasm, while 63 per cent of the variation was attributed between individuals within the group. A general linear model (GLM) was used to identify marker-trait associations, which detected a total of 23 and 27 significant new marker-trait associations (MTAs) at the p < 0.01 significance level during the 2018–19 and 2019–20 crop seasons, respectively. The findings of this study have important implications for the identification of molecular markers associated with CLA resistance. These markers can increase the accuracy and efficiency of aphid-resistant germplasm selection, ultimately facilitating the transfer of resistance traits to desirable wheat genotypes.
Healthcare professionals’ perception and COVID-19 vaccination attitudes in North-Western Ghana: A multi-center analysis
Authors: Balegha Augustine Ngmenemandel , Abdul-Aziz Suburu , Mornah Louis
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccination has been identified as one of the most effective strategies for combating COVID-19. Positive perceptions and attitudes of HCPs towards the COVID-19 vaccination are essential to vaccine uptake and adherence. However, the perceptions and attitudes of HCPs towards the COVID-19 vaccination remain largely unexplored. We therefore assessed healthcare professionals’ perceptions, attitudes, and predictors of their attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination in the Wa Municipality, Upper West Region of Ghana.

Methods

In 2023, from January 16th to February 28th, we administered a multi-centre e-survey to a cross-section of 403 healthcare professionals in Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region, Ghana. We used STATA version 13 to analyze the data. Frequencies, percentages, and composite scores were used to assess perceptions and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccination. Hierarchical binary logistic regression modeling was then used to determine the predictors of attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccination.

Results

The healthcare professionals had positive perceptions [6.00; IQR = 4.00–7.00] and attitudes [5.00; IQR = 4.00–5.00] towards theCOVID-19 vaccination. Positive perception [aOR = 1.81; 95% CI = 1.14–2.87, p < 0.05], female sex [aOR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.35–0.97, p < 0.05], marital status [aOR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.20–3.12; p < 0.01], having a bachelor’s degree or higher [aOR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.01–4.12; p < 0.05], and working in the Wa North sub-Municipal area [aOR = 0.22; 95% CI = 0.05–0.96; p < 0.05] were statistically significantly associated with attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination.

Conclusion

The healthcare professionals’ perceptions and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccination were positive but suboptimal. We recommend regular education on COVID-19 vaccine benefits, safety, and efficacy. Enabling the work environment and addressing vaccine availability and accessibility for healthcare professionals should also be prioritized. These measures should particularly focus on female, single healthcare professionals who possess below a bachelor’s degree and are working in the Wa North sub-municipal area.
Mundos de língua portuguesa – olhares cruzados (IV): O Brasil em foco: perspetivações literárias e culturais
Authors: Tocco Valeria , Araújo Filipa Medeiros , André Carlos Ascenso
Published: February 2024

Mundos de língua portuguesa - olhares cruzados apresenta a síntese do debate científico que vários especialistas ligados à Associação Internacional de Lusitanistas compartilharam na cidade de Roma, em tempo de pandemia. Neste volume são reunidos estudos sobre multíplices aspetos da literatura e da cultura brasileiras do séc. XVII aos nossos dias, concedendo especial atenção a questões sensíveis como ditadura, violência, racismo, injustiça social. Enriquecem este conjunto as reflexões sobre o estatuto da personagem literária ou sobre loucura e memória.
Contributos da Sociedade para a Redução do Risco em Populações Vulneráveis
Authors: Castro Fátima Velez de , Lourenço Luciano
Published: February 2024

A obra “Contributos da Sociedade para a Redução do Risco em Populações Vulneráveis” apresenta 14 capítulos, onde se reflete sobre casos concretos de populações em risco. São quatro núcleos de conteúdo que atribuem um caráter único à obra. O primeiro diz respeito à relação bidirecional entre a questão da pobreza e do conflito, assim como a discussão estabelecida em torno do estabelecimento do que se entende ser o perfil das denominadas populações vulneráveis. O segundo núcleo de conteúdo entreliga a problemática do risco, da vulnerabilidade, da catástrofe e das medidas compensatórias, dando a conhecer visões diferenciadas a partir do direito, da sociologia, da economia e das finanças (seguradoras). O terceiro refere-se à realidade portuguesa, tendo em conta temas prementes como os incêndios florestais, a gentrificação e turistificação de áreas urbanas, ou a participação cívica. Por último o quarto núcleo de conteúdos versa a realidade da América Latina, discutindo-se a temática da vulnerabilidade em grupos populacionais particulares, como é o caso das mulheres afrodescendentes, catadores de lixo, trabalhadores rurais e contextos sociais de pobreza.
ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ИНДИВИДУАЛЬНО-ГРУППОВОГО СОСТАВА ПОЛИФЕНОЛОВ В ЛИСТЬЯХ РАСТЕНИЙ LONICERA CAERULEA SUBSP. ALTAICA (CAPRIFOLIACEAE) В ВЫСОТНОМ ГРАДИЕНТЕ
Authors: Boyarskikh Irina Georgievna , Kostikova Vera Andreevna
Published: February 2024

Comparative analysis of the variability of quantitative indicators of the individual-group composition of biologically active phenolic compounds in leaf extracts of the resource species L. caerulea subsp. altaica (Caprifoliaceae Juss.) was carried out. Sampling for the study was carried out in the cenopopulations of the Altai Mountains in the valley of the Multa River, in the altitudinal gradient. Eighteen polyphenols were identified by high performance liquid chromatography in extracts from the leaves of L. caerulea subsp. altaica. Luteolin-7-glucoside is the main component among them. The content of individual classes of phenolic compounds in extracts from the leaves of L. caerulea subsp. altaica in the altitude profile varied significantly: hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives – 3.3-4.8 mg/g, flavonols – 6.6-12.1 mg/g, flavones – 13.6-29.6 mg/g. A significant increase in the total content of polyphenols and luteolin-7-glucoside in extracts from the leaves of L. caerulea subsp. altaica was noted above and below the limits of the optimum distribution of this plant in the vertical gradient. Positive statistically significant correlations of flavones and the total content of phenolic compounds with the height of plant growth are established within 1200–1850 meters above sea level. The content of flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids, on the contrary, decreased with increasing altitude.
Da contrapublicidade subalterna fraseriana como um potencial emancipador aos sujeitos trans no Brasil
Authors: Brum Amanda , Duro Dias Renato
Published: February 2024

No presente trabalho propõe-se, analisar se o ideal da contrapublicidade subalterna estruturado por Fraser (1993) apresenta potencial emancipatório para estruturar resposta às subalternizações, como o não reconhecimento de direitos, vivenciadas pelos sujeitos trans no cenário brasileiro. Para tanto, valendo-se a partir da revisão bibliográfica de cunho narrativo, fundamentalmente dos pressupostos de Fraser (1993; 2007, 2009a; 2009b), fez-se, de início, um breve estudo da estruturação do movimento trans no Brasil e, logo, diagnosticou-se o ideal da contrapublicidade subalterna, bem como se analisou a potencialidade deste ideal para refletir resposta emancipatória as subalternidades vivenciadas pelos sujeitos trans. Acredita-se, por fim, que ao se refletir o ideal da contrapublicidade subalterna se possibilite reflexões críticas acerca da igualdade de participação dos sujeitos trans, bem como de respostas emancipatórias às subalternidades, como o não reconhecimento de direitos, experimentadas por estes sujeitos no contexto brasileiro.
REFÚGIO E UNIVERSIDADE
Authors: Bertoldo Jaqueline , Scheila Friedrich Tatyana
Published: February 2024

A pesquisa apresenta algumas reflexões e propostas sobre o papel das universidades com os direitos das pessoas refugiadas e deslocadas. Nesse sentido, o estudo tem como objetivo geral mapear e sistematizar as características de programas específicos de acolhimento de estudantes refugiados na educação superior. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo descritivo, buscando verificar políticas específicas de acesso à educação superior para pessoas refugiadas em diferentes países das Américas, quais sejam: Canadá, México e Brasil. Para tanto, utilizamos o método de estudo de caso múltiplo e dividimos a pesquisa em duas partes: a) a primeira discute os impactos do deslocamento forçado para a trajetória educacional das pessoas refugiadas, bem como os desafios para ingresso no educação superior; b) a segunda parte apresenta os resultados e as discussões acerca dos casos analisados. Por meio do estudo, foi possível identificar semelhanças e diferenças entre as experiências observadas, bem como oferecer algumas sugestões e soluções para ampliar e aprimorar a atuação das universidades brasileiras no que se refere ao tema do refúgio.
Centralidades, heterogeneidades y fragmentación en la configuración de una ciudad conurbana
Authors: Maneiro María , Pacheco Diego , Pagella Letizia , Manuela Díaz , Saldaña Marina
Published: February 2024

En este artículo realizamos un trabajo empírico a través de siete estaciones o paradas del centro de la Ciudad de Quilmes, Provincia de Buenos Aires. Estas paradas fueron observadas durante una jornada invernal del año 2022. A pesar de que la Ciudad de Quilmes es sólo un fragmento de la metrópoli en la que se inserta, entendemos que analizar sus heterogeneidades, sus centralidades y su fragmentación interna resulta de interés para dar luz a aspectos menos estudiados de las regiones metropolitanas, a saber: la complejidad de las ciudades de escala media que están insertas en su interior. Si bien la observación fue el principal método de relevamiento empírico, no fue el único, pues se tuvo en cuenta también un registro fotográfico y geográfico propio y de fuentes secundarias. El trabajo de campo consistió en un recorrido a pie para identificar los distintos fragmentos que componen el centro de la Ciudad de Quilmes. Mediante lo antedicho el trabajo buscó describir cada una de estas paradas respecto de sus características, las formas de uso del espacio y las especificidades que las ordenan para, también, reflexionar respecto de sus articulaciones, sus tensiones y sus temporalidades en torno al centro de Quilmes en su conjunto.
Políticas sociales urbanas y desigualdades como procesos de acumulación de desventajas en territorio
Authors: Pignatta María Angélica
Published: February 2024

El presente artículo busca analizar si las trayectorias de las políticas sociales urbanas alineadas al enfoque de derechos —participativas, integrales y progresivas— generan mayores posibilidades de reducir las desigualdades territoriales y avanzar en la ampliación de derechos y, viceversa, si los déficits en la operacionalización de estos principios afectan negativamente sus posibilidades de transformar los procesos de acumulación de desventajas en territorio. Para esto, se estudia el caso de la ciudad de Rosario (Argentina), destacado por la implementación de políticas sociales urbanas innovadoras que buscan incorporar el enfoque de derechos. El artículo se propone, en primer lugar, analizar las trayectorias de institucionalización de las políticas de integración socio-urbana implementadas en la ciudad de Rosario desde inicios de siglo. En segundo lugar, se analiza la implementación de estas políticas en la zona de “Cullen” dentro del Barrio Empalme Graneros de la ciudad de Rosario durante el período 2014-2022. La metodología es cualitativa y recurre a fuentes secundarias (información documental, evaluaciones e investigaciones realizadas) y primarias que incluyen entrevistas en profundidad a 16 actores clave (funcionarios del gobierno y trabajadores del Estado, organizaciones sociales y referentes territoriales del barrio). El análisis de un barrio específico evidencia transformaciones positivas, así valoradas por habitantes del barrio, pero también percibidas como insuficientes o inconclusas debido a dificultades de coordinación y a los vaivenes o “interrupciones” en las trayectorias de institucionalización de la política, que afectan negativamente las transformaciones incipientes ante desigualdades urbanas que, lejos de atenuarse, se acrecientan y complejizan.
"Habitar el borde del río"
Authors: Martinez Marina
Published: February 2024

El artículo presenta avances de investigación de la tesis de doctorado en la que se busca analizar las formas del habitar de las mujeres de un barrio de la ciudad de Santa Fe, Argentina, denominado  La Vuelta del Paraguayo (LVDP) que se caracteriza por ubicarse en el valle aluvial del Río Paraná y estar afectado por los ciclos del río y sufrir inundaciones. 

Los aportes del trabajo se enmarcan dentro de los estudios de espacio y género y se vale de la perspectiva interseccional para indagar en las experiencias de vida de mujeres que habitan un barrio que convive con el río. Partimos de entender que la naturaleza o el medio ambiente constituye otro organizador social que genera desigualdades y que es necesario tenerlo en cuenta en los análisis de la interseccionalidad además del género y la clase.

Para abordar este objetivo realizamos entrevistas etnográficas  a informantes clave para indagar cuáles son las percepciones acerca de lo que supone vivir en un barrio con estas características. Entre los principales hallazgos observamos que las condiciones de desigualdad en las que se encuentran inmersas las mujeres de LVDP varía de acuerdo a los ciclos del río, es decir, si está bajo o si hay inundación. 

En conclusión, el artículo destaca la importancia de considerar las peculiaridades geográficas y las condiciones de vida e infraestructura de los barrios en la forma en que las mujeres se relacionan con ellos.
Entangled Co-Design with a Trickster: Speculative Framing and Reframing
Authors: Svihla Vanessa , Jacobs Megan , Castillo Tim , Tsiongas Mary , Buechley Leah , Tucker Megan , Traylor Amy , Trujillo Drew , Fresquez Reuben , Cervantes-Carreon Jaziel , Nesbit Sydney , Fresquez Reuben
Published: February 2024

Speculative design, as a diverse set of methods that aim to offer critique, can be challenging to engage productively. In this design case, we share how a prior, stalled design project—an ambitious vision of interdisciplinary design education partnered with business and housing development projects in Santa Fe, New Mexico—provided compelling precedent as we sought to reframe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognized that solution-focused ways of working in the prior project left the design problem undefined. As we began the design work detailed in this case, we leveraged the perspectives and design knowledge of our interdisciplinary team of faculty and students. While design cases often emphasize the designed training or program, we focus on our reframing process, sharing vignettes as we prepared to and participated in activities at a design workshop, and then used our own design practices to engage in problem framing workshops. In sharing these accounts, we characterize the pandemic as a trickster and speculative co-designer, who revealed much about how our efforts were entangled with institutional structures. Across these punctuated vignettes of design work, we highlight how an initial broad problem frame invited this trickster to participate and how the application of problem framing tools wrested framing agency from the trickster. Collectively, this anchored our attention to systemic inequities in ways that troubled notions of sustainability.
Membrane distillation of synthetic urine for use in space structural habitat systems
Authors: Sagar Viral , Mekalip Lauren M. , Lynam Joan G.
Published: February 2024

Low-energy separation of potable water from urine is an important area of research, particularly if humans hope to transcend their earth-bound origins. The high cost of water in rocket payloads means that it must be recycled and the byproducts of the crew used productively. Direct Contact Membrane Distillation (DCMD) can use low heat sources to separate water from urea, which can then be used as a plasticizer in regolith-based cement to make it more workable. In the present study, traditional cement curing was compared to vacuum curing for regolith-based cement where artificial urine, concentrated using DCMD, was added as a plasticizer. Increases in workability were found for increasing concentrations of urea. Porosity also tended to increase with increasing urea concentration. Surprisingly, Lunar Highlands Simulant regolith-based batches with urea that were cured under vacuum showed higher compressive strengths than those cured traditionally. No literature is available for DCMD use with urine, indicating that this research is novel and could have widespread applications, such as in desert environments or public urinals.
Coupled AC2-CFD simulations for a high-pressure core melt accident scenario
Authors: Herb Joachim , Hristov Hristo V. , Steinrötter Thomas
Published: February 2024

Even though very unlikely to occur, severe accident scenarios in nuclear power plants have to be analyzed. During high-pressure core meltdown scenarios in a pressurized water reactor the primary circuit should fail first. Previous analyses found that a free convection flow within the vertical steam generator (SG) tubes with a simultaneous stratified gas counterflow in the hot legs could arise. This phenomenon leads to higher thermal loads on individual SG tubes which might then fail leading to a containment bypass and the release of radioactive material into the environment. Lumped parameter system codes used for safety analyses do not provide the models necessary to simulate phenomena like mixing in three-dimensional flows and could not consider local turbulence effects. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes provide such capabilities but are much more computationally expensive. Coupling of a system code with a CFD code can therefore be used to simulate such phenomena. The advantages of both approaches can be maximized by splitting up the simulation domain between the codes, depending on the expected flow conditions. The system code AC2 coupled with the CFD code OpenFOAM was used to simulate part of the severe accident transient. Free convection in the hot leg and the U-tubes of the vertical SG was observed in case of high-pressure severe accident sequences. The thermal load of individual SG tubes has been estimated from the results. These loads can be used as inputs for structural-mechanical analyses to estimate which part of the primary circuit would fail first.
Exploring the chronostratigraphy of a Bronze Age settlement through core drilling
Authors: Lie Marian Adrian , Găvan Alexandra , Kienlin Tobias L. , Röpke Astrid , Zickel Mirijam , Zerl Tanja
Published: February 2024

Core drilling has been used successfully in archaeology for a variety of applications, including mapping stratigraphy across large areas, estimating feature depth and content, understanding site formation processes, as well as complementing information obtained through surface collection and geophysical survey. In this paper, we provide an overview of the first core drilling campaign carried out in 2021 on the outer settlement of the Bronze Age tell from Toboliu in western Romania. The overall aim of this coring program was to gather information regarding the nature of various features within the settlement, with a focus on the anomalies visible in the geomagnetic site plan. Based on 165 drilled cores, a reconstruction of the site’s stratigraphy is presented in this paper. This reconstruction was controlled and confirmed by excavations in one of the coring transects where the stratigraphic interpretation of the cores could be linked with the excavated stratigraphy. Additionally, samples for radiocarbon dating were collected from several cores. Based on this data, we discuss preliminary insights into possible house locations and preservation issues, as well as the chronological development and occupation sequence of this complex site.
New constructions of nonregular cospectral graphs
Authors: Hamud Suleiman , Berman Abraham
Published: February 2024

We consider two types of joins of graphs

G

1

{G}_{1}

and

G

2

{G}_{2}

,

G

1

⊻

G

2

{G}_{1}\hspace{0.33em}⊻\hspace{0.33em}{G}_{2}

– the neighbors splitting join and

G

1

∨

=

G

2

{G}_{1}\mathop{\vee }\limits_{=}{G}_{2}

– the nonneighbors splitting join, and compute the adjacency characteristic polynomial, the Laplacian characteristic polynomial, and the signless Laplacian characteristic polynomial of these joins. When

G

1

{G}_{1}

and

G

2

{G}_{2}

are regular, we compute the adjacency spectrum, the Laplacian spectrum, the signless Laplacian spectrum of

G

1

∨

=

G

2

{G}_{1}\mathop{\vee }\limits_{=}{G}_{2}

, and the normalized Laplacian spectrum of

G

1

⊻

G

2

{G}_{1}\hspace{0.33em}⊻\hspace{0.33em}{G}_{2}

and

G

1

∨

=

G

2

{G}_{1}\mathop{\vee }\limits_{=}{G}_{2}

. We use these results to construct nonregular, nonisomorphic graphs that are cospectral with respect to the four matrices: adjacency, Laplacian, signless Laplacian and normalized Laplacian.
Vibration IOT Control Algorithm for Steel Structures of Concrete Buildings with Elastic Boundary Constraints
Authors: Lu Chunting , Li Yang
Published: February 2024

Because of the influence of steel structure’s elastic properties in concrete buildings, the traditional vibration Internet of Things (IOT) control algorithm of steel structures has the problem of low control efficiency. Based on the research subject of concrete buildings, a corresponding steel structure model is established, and the corresponding vibration control standard is determined according to the characteristics of the model. In this model, the boundary elastic constraints of the steel structure are set according to its structural characteristics, and the vibration characteristics of the steel structure are analyzed under the constraints. The external vibration signal is simulated, and the response of the building’s steel structure under different signal excitations is observed. According to the response characteristics of the steel structure, the vibration controller is designed and installed, the real-time vibration signal is input into the controller, and finally the vibration control of steel structure of concrete building is realized. By comparison with the traditional vibration IOT control algorithm, it is concluded that the vibration control method designed by combining vibration frequency and vibration amplitude has smaller error and shorter time cost, that is, the designed vibration IOT control algorithm has more advantages in control efficiency.
An Open-Source Mouse Chronic EEG Array System with High-Density MXene-Based Skull Surface Electrodes
Authors: Ding Li , Patel Aashvi , Shankar Sneha , Driscoll Nicolette , Zhou Chengwen , Rex Tonia S. , Vitale Flavia , Gallagher Martin J.
Published: February 2024

Electroencephalography (EEG) is an indispensable tool in epilepsy, sleep, and behavioral research. In rodents, EEG recordings are typically performed with metal electrodes that traverse the skull into the epidural space. In addition to requiring major surgery, intracranial EEG is difficult to perform for more than a few electrodes, is time-intensive, and confounds experiments studying traumatic brain injury. Here, we describe an open-source cost-effective refinement of this technique for chronic mouse EEG recording. Our alternative two-channel (EEG2) and sixteen-channel high-density EEG (HdEEG) arrays use electrodes made of the novel, flexible 2D nanomaterial titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene. The MXene electrodes are placed on the surface of the intact skull and establish an electrical connection without conductive gel or paste. Fabrication and implantation times of MXene EEG electrodes are significantly shorter than the standard approach, and recorded resting baseline and epileptiform EEG waveforms are similar to those obtained with traditional epidural electrodes. Applying HdEEG to a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) model in mice of both sexes revealed that mTBI significantly increased spike–wave discharge (SWD) preictal network connectivity with frequencies of interest in the β-spectral band (12–30 Hz). These findings indicate that the fabrication of MXene electrode arrays is a cost-effective, efficient technology for multichannel EEG recording in mice that obviates the need for skull-penetrating surgery. Moreover, increased preictal β-frequency network connectivity may contribute to the development of early post-mTBI SWDs.
The concept, legal nature and features of the founding agreement
Authors: Hapoliak T.V.
Published: February 2024

The doctrinal understanding of the concept of «founding agreement» was studied. The author supports the position that the founding agreement is not a contract of a simple partnership, but is a subtype of a contract on joint activity. An analysis of the legal characteristics of the founding agreement was carried out and it was determined that it is consensual, named, multilateral, fiduciary, aleatory, free of charge, concluded for the benefit of third parties.The article provides a comparative legal analysis of the founding agreement with related legal structures, in particular with the joint activity agreement, the simple partnership agreement, the reorganization (merger) agreement and the corporate agreement.The author’s definition of the founding agreement is proposed. It is emphasized that the concept of the founding agreement should contain only defining characteristics, be based on a more general concept of the agreement and not contain unnecessary features. The author’s definition of the studied concept is follow: а founding agreement is an agreement between two or more natural and/or legal entities (founders) about their joint organizational and property activities aimed at establishing a certain legal entity.It is claimed that there are no corporate relations when concluding the founding agreement. The author believes that the relevant relations are contractual, because the founding agreement is a civil law one.The author argues for the necessary definition of a single «founding agreement» to regulate the stage of creation of any corporate-type legal entity. It is also appropriate to define the charter as the only founding document of corporate legal entities. It is emphasized that with this separation of the functions of the founding agreement and the statute, the issues of inconsistency in terminology, the dispute regarding the understanding of the place of the founding agreement in the system of treaties, and many others will disappear.
Alternative dispute resolution procedures in the system of legal forms of environmental conflict resolution
Authors: Yaremak Z.V.
Published: February 2024

In this study, an analysis of the legal mechanisms for the settlement of environmental-legal conflicts was carried out, taking into account the peculiarities of environmental legal relations and the environmental-legal regulation of these relations. The effectiveness of the application of traditional forms of dispute resolution - judicial and administrative - based on the resolution of disputes based on the law, and alternative mechanisms based on the principle of conflict resolution by comparing and finding a balance between public, state and private interests is analyzed. A comparative analysis of these forms was carried out in terms of the effectiveness of solving environmental and legal conflicts.It has been reasonably proven that the concept of sustainable development at the stage of ecoconflict settlement acquires a practical embodiment when conciliatory dispute resolution procedures are used. In this case, the result is compatible with the doctrine of sustainable development – a decision establishing the law, which to some extent reflects the interests of each of the parties to the conflict. It has been proven that such a law-making decision can be based on consensus (if the parties eventually adopted a decision that partially reflects the interest of each and an agreement was reached on the essence of the conflict) or compromise (the decision is based on understanding the essence of the problem, taking into account the interests, but not in full measure on its solution).It was concluded that it is necessary to develop consensual forms of environmental conflict resolution in national law enforcement practice, which should become a full-fledged alternative to judicial, administrative and other jurisdictional forms of dispute resolution. It is time to form an independent legal institute of environmental law, which will specialize in the settlement of environmental and legal conflicts, and will contribute to the introduction of an effective mechanism for managing environmental conflicts with maximum consideration of the legitimate socially acceptable interests of all participants.
Impact Of Gender on Job Satisfaction And Organizational Commitment In Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Singh Dhara , Kumar Sanjeev , Meet Manoj Kumar
Published: February 2024

These days, in the field of research, specially, job satisfaction has developed as one of the most preferred and doable topics. The business institutions are more concern over the effect on the performance of the organizations. Job satisfaction is connected to the effective response to the working environment and organizational commitment is considered as more consistent and continuing attitudes of employees. Many studies have found that job satisfaction and organizational commitment play vital role in the growth and development of an organization.  Any organization is not be able to attain the competitive level of excellence, from the product point of view or from the customer point of view, without taking into consideration the satisfaction level of its employees. In this study, effect of gender on both the attitudes of a person – job satisfaction and organizational commitment has been investigated. The responses of employees from manufacturing sectors have been collected and analysed to get the result. It revealed that men and women have similar level of job satisfaction and organizational commitment.
A Systematic Review on Effect of Scoparia Dulcis on Alterations in Antioxidant Status, Oxidative Damage in Diabetes and Other Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Murugan Pidaran
Published: February 2024

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Diabetes mellitus is presently a burden not only on the individuals affected by the disease but also on society, particularly the national health system of all the countries. The war against diabetes through the development of new drugs is an ongoing continuous process. Despite many advances in the development of oral hypoglycemic agents, an ideal drug for treating diabetes mellitus is still a distant reality. As pointed out by World Health Organisation (WHO), prevention of diabetes and its complications is not only a major challenge for the future, but essential if health for all is to be attainable target. WHO study groups emphasize strongly in this regard the optimal, rational uses of traditional and natural indigenous medicine. The study of such medicinal plants might offer a natural key to unlock diabetologists pharmacy for the future. Indian traditional medicines have a long history to treat diabetic mellitus (DM) by the herbs and herbal extracts. Scoparia dulcis, also known as sweet broom weed, is a perennial herb which is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. In these regions, the fresh or dried plant has traditionally been used as one of remedies for diabetes and various diseases. The plant is abundantly found in many countries and can be easily grown and cultivated, should there be a need for mass production. The whole plant is used for ailments like diarrhea, stomach-ache, kidney stones, kidney problems, and fever. S. dulcis is a rich source of flavones, terpenes and steroids S. dulcis is one of the traditional antidiabetic herbs. There were so many research work done on its antidiabetic properties. S. dulcis has been used by human for centuries as a medicinal herb. S. dulcis has also been shown to exhibit analgesic, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, sedative, hypnotic, antiulcer, antisickling, and antimicrobial activities. Given this evidence, it may be concluded that S. dulcis could be promoted among the masses as an alternative and complementary therapy for diabetes, provided further scientific studies on the toxicological and pharmacological aspects are carried out through either in vivo or clinical means.
Intranasal insulin for COVID-19-related smell loss: a pilot study
Authors: Daniel Dibildox , Paula Loyola-Nieto , Eduardo Brenner-Muslera , Daniel Guerra-Arellano , Andrea Dib-Estephan , Fernando Loyola-Nieto
Published: February 2024

Anosmia is defined as the absence of olfactory function, hyposmia as the decrease in olfactory function and parosmia as the aberrant olfactory perception. These are relatively common consequences of COVID-19 infection even months after resolution of the disease. SARS-CoV-2 has tropism for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in the respiratory system, suggesting it is the mechanism of damage to the olfactory neuroepithelium and of involvement at the central nervous system. The olfactory bulb is the organ with the highest intranasal insulin utilization. Insulin has been related to the production of multiple Growth Factors (GF) involved in the restoration of olfactory functions therefore it could be a viable treatment for patients with chronic olfactory disturbances. The aim of this study was to quantify improvement in olfaction after four weeks of using intranasal insulin, with the help of the Threshold, Discrimination and Identification (TDI) score based on the Sniffin Sticks®. The results showed 93% of the sample having an improvement. The initial mean TDI score was 67% compared to the final mean of 83% (95% CI, p<0.001). This is the first study to use a three-point assessment of olfaction in post-COVID-19 patients, while using the Sniffin Sticks® TDI score adapted to latin spanish.
Pediatricians’ Career Satisfaction and Wellbeing by Sex Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Frintner Mary Pat , Leslie Laurel K. , Gottschlich Elizabeth A. , Starmer Amy J. , Byrne Bobbi J. , Freed Gary L.
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVE

To compare pediatrician career satisfaction and wellbeing by sex during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic with prepandemic years using longitudinal survey data.

METHODS

Data from a cohort study, the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatrician Life and Career Experience Study, were used to examine career satisfaction and wellbeing from 2012 to 2021 among 2002–2004 and 2009–2011 residency graduates (n = 1760). Mixed effects logistic regression, including key pediatrician characteristics, examined career satisfaction and wellbeing measures for sex (female vs male), pandemic year (2012–2019 vs 2020–2021), and their interaction effect. Adjusted predicted percentage values (PVs) were determined.

RESULTS

In total, 73.4% of participants identified as female. Adjusting for key pediatrician characteristics, differences were found by sex for satisfaction and 4 of 5 wellbeing measures, by pandemic year for 2 wellbeing measures, and the interaction of sex and pandemic year for 3 wellbeing measures. Female pediatricians reported higher levels of anxiety, sadness, and work stress, with greater differences during the pandemic. For example, female pediatricians (PV = 22.6, confidence interval [CI] = 21.0–24.3) were more likely than male pediatricians (PV = 14.2, CI = 12.0–16.4) to report anxiety during pre-pandemic years, and the difference between female pediatricians (PV = 29.3, CI = 26.7–32.0) and male pediatricians (PV = 12.4, CI = 9.3–15.5) increased during pandemic years (sex by pandemic year interaction, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with male pediatricians, female pediatricians reported worse anxiety, sadness, and stress at work, and the differences were more pronounced during the pandemic.
Comparative Analysis of Dental Stem Cells from a Single Donor: Differences in Adipogenic Differentiation and Protein Profile
Authors: Marín-Uc José A. , Aguilar-Hernández Víctor , Hernández-Sotomayor Teresa , Brito Argáez Ligia , Nic-Can Geovanny I. , Chuc-Gamboa Martha Gabriela , Aguilar-Ayala Fernando , Aguilar-Pérez Fernando , Rodas-Junco Beatriz A.
Published: February 2024

Dental stem cells (DSCs) are multipotent cells with high proliferation capacity and multilineage differentiation. Few studies have compared the cellular characteristics and adipogenic differentiation potential of DSCs derived from tissues of the same individual. The objective of this work was to evaluate the differences in growth characteristics, expression of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-specific markers,

and the proteomic profile in response to adipogenic differentiation, of dental pulp and periodontal ligament cells obtained from a single donor. Dental cells were isolated from the third molar of a single donor using the outgrowth method. To obtain the proliferation curve of the cells was evaluated by trypan blue analysis. After the cells were cultured in adipogenic medium, morphological changes were monitored by oil red O staining, as well as adipogenic markers PPARγ and adiponectin by RT-qPCR. Finally, a two-dimensional electrophoresis of the proteins isolated from these cells was performed to analyze the proteomic profile. The two types of DSCs share similar cellular characteristics; however, their capacity for adipogenic differentiation is different. Based on the protein profiling results, we identified five differentially expressed proteins between both types of stem cells. Our findings showed that dental pulp and periodontal ligament stem cells from a single donor have similar cellular characteristics but a different response to adipogenesis, which would explain the differences in the expression of their proteins.