bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Removal of Divalent Nickel from Aqueous Solution Using Blue Green Marine Algae: Adsorption Modelling and Applicability of Various Isotherm Models
Authors: Ramadoss Ramsenthil , Gunasekaran Durai , Subramanian Dhanasekaran
Published: July 2022

The adsorption of Ni(II) onto blue green marine algae (BGMA) in batch conditions is being investigated. The highest adsorption capacity of BGMA was found to be 42.056 mg/g under ideal testing conditions, where the initial Ni(II) metal ion concentration was adjusted from 25 ppm to 250 ppm. The optimal pH, biomass loading, and agitation rate for maximum Cu(II) ion removal have been determined to be 6, 2 g and 120 rpm, respectively. For the equilibrium condition, 24 hours of contact time is allowed. At room temperature, all of the experiments are conducted. The isotherm has a L shape, based on the equilibrium experimental data. It indicates that there is no considerable competition for active sites between the solvent and Ni(II). There is no strong competition between the solvent and Ni(II) for the active sites of BGMA, indicating that there is no strong competition between the two. It also suggests that the BGMA’s Ni sorption ability is restricted (II). The experimental data is validated using multiple isotherm models, and the mechanism of adsorption is then discovered, as well as the process design parameters. The Fritz-Schlunder-V isotherm model is particularly relevant in defining the mechanism of Ni(II) adsorption under the conditions used in this study, according to modelling studies. This model’s qmax of 41.89 mg/g shows that it matches experimental data more closely.
Abnormal Iron Metabolism and Its Effect on Dentistry
Authors: Dahihandekar Chinmayee , Kale Pisulkar Sweta
Published: July 2022

Iron is a necessary micro-nutrient for proper functioning of the erythropoietic, oxidative and cellular metabolism. The iron balance in the body adversely affects the normal physiologic functioning of the body and structures in the oral cavity. Various abnormalities develop owing to improper iron metabolism in the body which reflects in the oral cavity. The toxicity of iron has to be well understood to immediately identify the hazardous effects which arise owing to it and to manage it. It has been very well mentioned in the chapter. The manifestations of defects of iron metabolism in the oral cavity should be carefully studied to improve the prognosis of the treatment of the same. Disorders related to iron metabolism should be managed for improvement in the quality of life of the patient.
Impact of Dialogic Argumentation Pedagogy on Grade 8 Students’ Epistemic Knowledge of Science
Authors: Tarekegn Getachew , Osborne Jonathan , Tadesse Mesfin
Published: July 2022

This study explores the effect of dialogic argumentation on grade 8 students’ epistemic knowledge of science in physics. A quasi-experimental design was employed to compare experimental (239) and control (240) groups’ epistemic knowledge of science. A pre-intervention and post-intervention physics reasoning test was administered, and small group classroom discussions were also video recorded. Physics teachers in the intervention group had trained for three days about dialogic argumentation and Talking Physics Students Activities manual was also distributed and used in this yearlong intervention. Mann-Whitney U test results indicated that the post-test scores of grade 8 students in the argumentation lessons significantly increased in their level of epistemic knowledge compared to the non-argumentation groups, z =−4.509, p = .000, and r = .21, but not in the pre-test scores, z =−1.038 and p = .299. However, both pre- and post-test scores of both groups were relatively low. The intervention groups showed significant improvements in the quality of their argumentation on the ASAC scale, z = 2.111, p = .035, and r = .56, but not the control groups, z = 1.068 and p = .285. The study found evidence that argumentation-based lessons improved both the epistemic knowledge and the quality of dialogic argumentations of grade 8 students and that students’ level of epistemic knowledge and the quality of their dialogic argumentations were strongly correlated.
Robust Control Based on Input-Output Feedback Linearization for Induction Motor Drive: Real Time Implementation
Authors: Krim Saber , Faouzi Mimouni Mohamed
Published: July 2022

This chapter proposes a design of hardware architecture of an improved Direct Torque Control (DTC) for a real-time implementation on a Xilinx Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The first contribution in this chapter consists in combining the DTC with a Space Vector Modulation (SVM) technique and an Input-Output Feedback Linearization (IOFL) approach. In fact, the classical DTC has remarkable performance in terms of fast torque response and less dependence on the system parameters. Despite the cited advantages, the classical DTC is penalized by high torque ripples and inverter-switching-frequency variations. In this context, the SVM is added to the DTC structure in order to keep the switching frequency constant and to reduce ripples. Furthermore, the nonlinear IOFL is proposed to achieve a decoupled flux and torque control. The novel structure is named in this chapter as DTC-IOFL-SVM. Moreover, this chapter presents a hardware implementation of the suggested DTC-IOFL-SVM strategy utilization. The hardware implementation is chosen in order to reduce the sampling period of the system thanks to the parallel processing of the FPGA. In order to demonstrate the performance of the FPGA implementation of the proposed DTC-IOFL-SVM, numerous simulation results are presented using the Xilinx system generator under a Matlab/Simulink.
Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis Process: From a Laboratory Scale to an Industrial Plant
Authors: Frediani Marco , Frediani Piero , Innocenti Gianni , Mellone Irene , Simoni Roberto , Oteri Gianpaolo
Published: July 2022

One of the great challenges for the European Union (EU) is the “Circular Economy Package,” and to achieve this goal, materials at the end of their life cycle must be recycled using a sustainable process. In this way, as a thermochemical treatment, pyrolysis represents a significant opportunity so long it leads to the recovery of both energy and chemical content of mixed, contaminated, or deteriorated plastics. An excellent history of an academic-industrial adventure started in 2008 at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Florence demonstrates the possibility of employing microwaves to recycle plastics to preserve their energy and chemical content. After that, Techwave started industrialization of the process in 2019, realizing a small-scale prototype followed by a full-scale pilot plant using different plastic materials (e.g., polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and polypropylene). Nowadays, the plant may process 90 kg/h of plastics with a low formation of char and gas and an interesting amount of liquid useful as a source of chemicals or fuel because it has an LHV of 35–43 kJ/kg. The Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis (MAP) is an industrial novelty in plastic recycling, and it looks very promising for a much more modern and innovative plastic waste recovery system.
Heavy Metal Residues in Milk and Milk Products and Their Detection Method
Authors: Aggarwal Ankur , Verma Tarun , Ghosh Sumangal
Published: July 2022

Milk and milk products are an essential part of the human daily diet, and their consumption is steadily increasing. Milk is regarded as a complete food because it contains all of the macronutrients including protein, carbohydrates, fat and vitamins. Milk also has a high concentration of mineral elements (metals) such as sodium, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper and zinc. They are critical for proper body growth and maintenance but excess in these metals, particularly, heavy metals cause disturbances and pathological conditions. People nowadays are concerned about food safety issues involving microbial, chemical and physical hazards. Heavy metal residues such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) pose a chemical hazard. These are the main contaminants. Heavy metals are any metallic chemical elements with a relatively high density (5 g/cc) whose levels must be monitored. Atomic absorption spectroscopy can be used to estimate the heavy metal contamination in milk and milk products.
Financial Reporting and Analysis of Tesla Green Technology in the United States Market
Authors: Mohammad Alsharari Nizar
Published: July 2022

This study aims to discuss and analyze the financial position and performance of the US Tesla green technology company in the United States. This study uses a case study approach, financial data, and website methodologies to collect and analyze the research data. The case study is Tesla, Inc., which is a US electric vehicle and clean energy company based in Austin, Texas. Tesla is a green technology company that produces and designs electric cars, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar roof tiles and solar panels, and related products and services. Tesla is growing fastly by introducing new green products, and it is now one of the world’s most valuable enterprises. It has a high market capitalization of almost US$1 trillion to become the world’s most valuable automaker. This study concludes that Tesla has changed their strategy to become the most worldwide sales of purely battery electric vehicles, capturing 23% of the market and 16% of the plug-in electric battery in the market for 2020. It has also developed a significant installer of photovoltaic systems through its subsidiary Tesla Energy in the United States. One of the largest global battery energy-storage systems suppliers is Tesla Energy, with 3.99 gigawatt-hours installed in 2021.
Effect of Family Education on Clinical Outcomes in Children with Asthma: A Review
Authors: Dardouri Maha , Mallouli Manel , Sahli Jihene , Zedini Chekib , Bouguila Jihene , Mtiraoui Ali
Published: July 2022

Childhood asthma still imposes an enormous burden on children and their families. To the best of our knowledge, no study reviewed the literature on the effect of family asthma education on major asthma outcomes. This study aimed to explore the effect of family education programs on major asthma outcomes in children. Quasi-experimental studies and randomized controlled trials were conducted among children with asthma aged 6–18 years and their parents were included. Pub Med, Science Direct, and Trip databases were used to extract data published in English from 2010 to 2021. Twenty-two studies were reported in this review. It was demonstrated that family empowerment interventions were effective in improving the quality of life of children and their parents, asthma symptom control, and pulmonary function. Family education that was specific to medication improved medication adherence, inhalation technique, and asthma control. Family asthma education enhanced asthma management and family functioning. This approach should be a cornerstone of pediatric asthma therapy. It helps health care professionals to build a strong connection and trustful relationship with children with asthma and their families.
Sustainable Management Plans in Fisheries and Genetic Tools: An Overview of the Challenge in Invertebrates’ Fisheries at the Central Area of the Southern Bay of Biscay, Spain
Authors: Parrondo Lombardía Marina , García-Florez Lucía , Dopico Rodríguez Eduardo , Juan Borrell Pichs Yaisel
Published: July 2022

The fishing and aquaculture sectors are an important source of development around the globe. In Asturias (Spain), the diversity and richness of the fishing grounds of the Cantabrian Sea favored the historical settlement of a large number of communities closely linked to the marine environment and fishing resources, forming an integral part of the region’s cultural and natural heritage. However, aquatic ecosystems are facing, nowadays, important threats from anthropogenic activities. To address these problems and avoid their impact on fishing activities, it is essential to know the ecological and genetic status of the species. Despite this, the application of genetic tools is still incipient in many species of commercial interest; however, its use can help to generate data that allow better regulation and fisheries planning. Here, the use of genetic markers and educational strategies in the management of some shellfish species of great commercial and cultural value in Asturias are reviewed. Moving toward sustainable fisheries management is a priority that can only be achieved through R + D + i, educational strategies, and the development and implementation of a regional strategy oriented toward the sustainable management and exploitation.
Biochar Synergistic New Ammonia Capture of CO2 and High-Value Utilization of Intermediate Products
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Yalong , Feng Dongdong , Wu Jiabo , Gao Jianmin , Du Qian , Huang Yudong
Published: July 2022

In the face of global warming and the urgent need for CO2 reduction, carbon capture, utilization, and storage, technology plays an important role. Based on the traditional liquid-phase and solid-phase CO2 capture technologies, the liquid-phase ammonia and biochar CO2 capture technologies are reviewed with emphasis. A multiphase carbon capture technology that uses biochar to enhance the mass transfer-crystallization process of the new ammonia CO2 capture technology is proposed. High CO2 capture efficiency, limited ammonia escape, and low system energy consumption can be achieved through the orderly construction of three-dimensional graded pore channels and the directional functionalization of biochar. The intermediate products of CO2 captured by the ammonia process and the special agricultural waste rice husk components were considered. The use of rice husk-based biochar for CO2 capture by synergistic new ammonia method and the process regulation of intermediate products to prepare nano-silica to achieve high-value utilization of interstitial products of carbon capture. This technology may be important to promote the development of CO2 capture technology and CO2 reduction.
Modelling Agitation-Sedation (A-S) in ICU: An Empirical Transition and Time to Event Analysis of Poor and Good Tracking between Nurses Scores and Automated A-S Measures
Authors: Hudson Irene
Published: July 2022

Sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is challenging, as both over- and under-sedation are detrimental. Optimal sedation and analgesic strategies, are a challenge in ICU and nurses play a major role in assessing a patient’s agitation levels. Assessing the severity of agitation is a difficult clinical problem as variability related to drug metabolism for each patient. Multi-state models provide a framework for modelling complex event histories. Quantities of interest are mainly the transition probabilities e.g. between states, that can be estimated by the empirical transition matrix (ETM). Such multi-state models have had wide applications for modelling complex courses of a disease. In this chapter the ETM of multi-state and counting process (survival analytic) models which use the times for ICU patients to transition to varying states of violations (a violation being a carer’s agitation rating outside so-called wavelet-probability bands (WPB)) confirm the utility of defining so-called trackers and non-trackers according to WPB-based control limits and rules. ETM and multi-state modelling demonstrate that these control-limit scoring approaches are suitable for developing more advanced optimal infusion controllers and coding of nurses A-S scores. These offer significant clinical potential of improved agitation management and reduced length of stay in critical care.
Early Signal Detection: Data Mining of Mental Disorders with Statins
Authors: Jimenez-Serrania Maria-Isabel
Published: July 2022

Statins are widely prescribed to treat dyslipidemias. It is well-known adverse reaction of these active ingredients related to rhabdomyolysis and myalgia, but there are other signals to be aware of, such as mental disorders. Pharmacovigilance tools help to trace known risks and detect early other unknown effects that appear over time. Data of all the reported suspected adverse drug reactions for statins from the international World Health Organization (WHO) repository Vigibase were analyzed with an adaptation of data mining Bayesian methodology to search for positive signals, threshold of false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05, and listed candidates for priority clinical investigation. Among positive mental signals observed, some were currently stated as adverse reactions in technical factsheets as insomnia, depression, dementia, and nightmares, but others have not reached this condition as bipolar, psychotic, and emotional disorders or symptoms and suicide. Other diverse central positive signals that can be confounded with mental conditions obtained and not stated were senses impairment, such as blindness, deafness, balance disorder, and events related to suicide. Worrying positive signals proposed as candidates to further investigation are insomnia for pitavastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin; dementia for atorvastatin and rosuvastatin; and suicide and psychotic disorders for atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin.
Phase Noise in OFDM
Authors: Shrivastav Kamayani
Published: July 2022

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technique provides high data rate with high spectral efficiency for operating close to the Shanon capacity bounds. With the advantages of simple channel equalization, robustness against frequency selectivity of the channel, and efficient implementation, this is a widely deployed technique. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access (OFDMA), the multiple access technique using OFDM, has the great potential for providing high spectral efficiency due to its integrated space-frequency and multiuser diversity. Besides all the advantages, OFDM/A is very susceptible to transceiver’s impairments such as phase noise (PHN), carrier frequency offset, and in-quadrature phase imbalance effect. Phase noise is the random fluctuation in phase of the sinusoidal waveform used for frequency up/down conversion of baseband signals to/from RF (radio frequency). This occurs due to the inherent imperfections of oscillators used for this purpose. This chapter addresses the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing/multiple access system performance under the impact of transceiver oscillator phase noise.
Quantitative Assessment Methods for the Severity of Drug Dependences and Corresponding Rehabilitation Programs
Authors: Wang Mu , Qian Yu-Xiang , Ding Zeng-Hui , Yuan Cun-Feng , Yang Xian-Jun , Liu Yu , Sun Yi-Ning
Published: July 2022

Drug use is a worldwide issue, and how to treat it is even a greater challenge. It is important for drug dependences to receive interventions and treatments in time. Before receiving treatments, an effective screening or diagnosis assessment is necessary, and patients should have an assessment to understand the severity of drug use–related disorders. For more than 40 years, the instruments to assess the severity of drug dependence have been developed well, and different quantitative methods can cover almost every field of the symptoms in different periods and stages of drug addiction. This chapter reviews more than 20 drug dependence screening and diagnosis assessments and different types of treatments. These quantitative assessments can provide drug dependences a comprehensive diagnosis of their drug use–related disorders. The treatments should be designed for different level of drug dependence.
The Effect of COVID-19 on the Quality of Life of Care Workers: Challenges for Social Services Leaders
Authors: Calderón-Orellana Magdalena , Inostroza Alejandra , Miranda Sánchez Paula
Published: July 2022

Stressful situations are likely to impact health and social care workers’ quality of life negatively. Indeed, mental, physical, and emotional health problems have been reported in relation to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of health care workers. Instead of health care workers’ reality, and despite the care sector’s relevance, studies of the effects of COVID-19 on the quality of life of care workers have not been sufficiently explored. Recognizing the effect of COVID on the quality of life of care workers will collaborate with leaders of organizations, social work practitioners, and academics in the design of policies that promote better working conditions. Therefore, during 2021, a study was carried out in Chile where 150 social services and care workers were surveyed in Chile using a version of COV19-QoL in Spanish. The impact of COVID on quality of life is described, and the challenges that this reality implies to social service leaders are presented.
Use of Induction Generators in Small Hydro Power Generation System Feeding Isolated Load in Remote Mountainous Regions of Himalayas
Authors: C. Rathore Umesh , Singh Sanjeev
Published: July 2022

Providing reliable and clean power from conventional grid in remote mountainous regions is always a challenging task due to tough geographical and climatic conditions. Renewable energy sources-based power plants such as small hydro power plants play a significant role in meeting the power requirements in these remote locations in mountainous regions. Synchronous generators are the most commonly used generators in small hydro power plants. However, with the advancement in controller technology for voltage and frequency control, induction generators are nowadays preferred in renewable energy conversion systems. Self-excited induction generators (SEIG) in small hydro power plants feeding isolated domestic loads are more suitable due to their inherent advantages as compared to conventional synchronous generators. This chapter deals with the usefulness of electronic load controller used in voltage and frequency control of self-excited induction generator used in small hydro power plant feeding isolated load in remote mountainous regions of Himalayas.
Treatment of Patients with Newly-Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Zahit Bolaman Ali , Turgutkaya Atakan
Published: July 2022

Multiple Myeloma is an incurable disease. It is responsible for 1.8% of all cancers. The median age is 69–71 years. The treatment of MM is challenging and is affected by several factors such as the patient’s age, comorbidity index, and fitness. The main combination regimen consists of the addition of proteasome inhibitors and IMIDs to steroids. In all studies conducted to date, the results obtained in transplanted patients are better than in patients who did not proceed into transplantation. Before starting treatment, risk stratification should be performed for all patients, and they should be treated accordingly. Recently, there have been advances in the treatment with the introduction of new agents, particularly monoclonal antibodies.
The Role of Microglia in Neuroinflammation
Authors: Hung Shao-Wen , Chen Chia-Chi , Chen Hsiao-Yun , Hung Ying-Ching , Huang Ping-Min , Lin Chia-Yu
Published: July 2022

Microglia typically exist in a resting state of a mature brain and monitors the brain environment. In response to brain injuries or immunological stimuli, however, microglia are readily activated. In their activated state, they can serve diverse beneficial functions essential for enhancing neuron survival through the release of trophic and anti-inflammatory factors. Under certain circumstances, such as sustained epilepsy, however, microglia become overactivated and can induce significant and highly detrimental neurotoxic effects by the excessive production of a large array of cytotoxic factors, such as nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines. Neuroinflammation has been identified in epileptogenic tissue and is suspected of participating in epileptogenesis. Recent evidence has shown the effects of anti-inflammation and protection against ischemic brain injury by inhibiting soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) pharmacologically and genetically. We assume that sEH inhibition might be also beneficial to prevent inflammatory processes caused by seizures and subsequent chronic epilepsy. In the present study, we investigated whether sEH is involved in overactivated microglia-induced neuroinflammation and subsequent epileptogenesis in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Overactivated microglia will be detected by using imaging techniques. It is hoped that the results of the present study would provide a better understanding of the roles of sEH and microglia in epileptogenesis.
Drug Delivery through Liposomes
Authors: Lankalapalli Srinivas , Vinai Kumar Tenneti V.S.
Published: July 2022

Several efforts have been focused on targeted drug delivery systems for delivering a drug to a particular region of the body for better control of systemic as well as local action. Liposomes have proven their efficiency as a choice of carrier for targeting the drugs to the site of action. The main reason for continuous research on liposomes drug delivery is they largely attributed to the fact that they can mimic biological cells. This also means that liposomes are highly biocompatible, making them an ideal candidate for a drug delivery system. The uses found for liposomes have been wide-spread and even include drug delivery systems for cosmetics. Several reports have shown the applicability of liposomal drug delivery systems for their safe and effective administration of different classes of drugs like anti tubercular, anti cancer, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antisense, lung therapeutics, skin care, vaccines and gene therapy. Liposomes are proven to be effective in active or passive targeting. Modification of the bilayer further found to increase the circulation time, improve elasticity, Trigger sensitive release such as pH, ultrasound, heat or light with appropriate lipid compositions. The present chapter focuses on the fundamental aspects of liposomes, their structural components, preparation, characterization and applications.
Dark Energy as an Information Field and Attribute of the Universe
Authors: Bogomolov Alexander
Published: July 2022

The hypothesis that information is the same attribute of the Universe as space, time and matter, which appeared after the Big Bang and its carrier is the dark energy, is proposed. We assume that along with the development of matter and space–time continuum the development of information took place, i.e. its accumulation and complication of forms of its realization in the Universe, and the formation of information field. The proposed concept is close to or coincides with the bio-centrism concept. They substantiate the connection between information and dark energy from philosophical and physical positions. Including properties of “black holes” of the Universe. The rate of increase of knowledge and volumes of created information in the process of human evolution is very similar to the rate of increase of “mass” of dark energy of the Universe. They concluded that structured information in the information field, which forms the noosphere or thinking shell, plays a decisive role both in life of an individual and humanity. Comparison of quantum properties of information field of the Universe (noosphere) and dark energy may lead to new discoveries of the essence of life and the Universe. Studying and mastering of noosphere will mean the transition of humanity to a cosmic stage of its development.
The G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Agonist Prevents Cardiac Lipid Accumulation by Stimulating Cardiac Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α: A Preclinical Study in Ovariectomized-Diabetic Rat Model
Authors: Jafarynezhad Faezeh , Shahbazian Mohammad , Farhadi Zeinab , Yadeghari Maryam , Rezvani Mohammad Ebrahim , Safari Fatemeh , Azizian Hossein
Published: July 2022

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cardiometabolic changes, and menopause exacerbates these conditions, leading to a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), which mediates the rapid effects of estrogen, has beneficial cardiac effects in both T2DM and menopause, but its mechanism of action is not well understood. Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether G1 as a selective GPER-agonist has beneficial effects on cardiac lipid metabolism in ovariectomized rats with T2DM. Methods: Female Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 7 in each group): Sham-control (Sh-Ctl), T2DM, ovariectomized-T2DM (OVX-T2DM), OVX-T2DM-G1 (GPER-agonist), and OVX-T2DM-vehicle (OVX-T2DM-Veh). After stabilization of T2DM, G1 (200 μg/Kg) was administrated for 6 weeks. Then, the levels of free fatty acids (FFAs), CD36, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and lipid accumulation in the cardiac tissue were determined. Results: Compared with the Sh-Ctl group, cardiac FFAs (P < 0.001), CD36 (P < 0.05), and lipid accumulation (P < 0.001) increased, and cardiac PPARα (P < 0.01) decreased in T2DM animals; ovariectomy intensified these changes. Also, cardiac FFAs, PPARα, and lipid accumulation (P < 0.05) significantly decreased in the OVX-T2DM-G1 group compared to the OVX-T2DM-Veh group. However, cardiac CD36 levels did not change. Conclusions: G1 as a selective GPER-agonist affects lipid metabolism in T2DM animals. It also plays a vital role in improving cardiac metabolism during postmenopausal diabetic conditions.
A Comparison Between the Effects of Calcium Acetate and Sevelamer Carbonate on Progression of Aortic Vascular Calcification in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 4 and 5
Authors: Verma Himanshu , Sunder Sham , Sharma B.B. , Sharma Neera , Verma Rashi
Published: July 2022

Background: Calcium-based and non-calcium-based phosphate binders are frequently used to treat hyperphosphatemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of calcium acetate and sevelamer carbonate on the progression of aortic vascular calcification in patients with CKD stages 4 and 5. Methods: This was an open-label randomized prospective comparative study, in which the participants encompassed both male and female patients with ambulatory hyperphosphatemic CKD stages 4 and 5 aged above 18 years. One hundred fifty patients with CKD stages 4 and 5 were screened for Aortic vascular calcification using digital X-ray lumbar spine and multi-slice CT scan, of whom fifty patients with vascular calcification were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. The participants were then serially studied for the effects of phosphate binders on the progression of vascular calcification over one year. One group was prescribed calcium acetate, and the other group was prescribed sevelamer carbonate. Results: Fifty hyperphosphatemic CKD patients with a mean age of 57 years were randomly assigned into two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups; however, the patients assigned to the sevelamer group were older and higher aortic calcification index (ACI) (P = 0.035) and Kauppila scores (P = 0.04), and elevated serum calcium (P = 0.04), Ca X PO4 (P = 0.006), and vitamin D. In calcium acetate-treated patients, the mean ACI increased significantly during six months and one year; however, the increase was not significant in the sevelamer group. Serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum iPTH level, and the inflammatory markers of atherosclerosis-high sensitivity of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), decreased significantly in the sevelamer group. Conclusions: The prevalence of vascular (abdominal aortic) calcification in pre-ESRD (CKD stage 4 and 5) patients was 75%. Abdominal aortic calcification increased significantly in calcium acetate-treated patients during six months and one year; however, the progression was not significant regarding sevelamer. Because of its pleiotropic properties, sevelamer is more effective and consistent in retarding the progression of vascular calcification than calcium acetate in patients with CKD stages 4 and 5.
Zkoumání mimoprávních vlivů na hranici metodologicky možného
Authors: Majerčík Ľubomír
Published: July 2022

Text čtenáři představuje knihu Mimoprávní vlivy na rozhodování českého Ústavního soudu, upozorňuje na limity jejího metodologického přístupu založeného na rozhovorech se soudci a zasazuje závěry do širšího kontextu. Autorům se úspěšně podařilo aplikovat Dyevrův model na podmínky českého ústavního soudu a zároveň shrnout vše, co bylo o rozhodovacích procesech Ústavního soudu napsáno. Tím připravili půdu pro další výzkum, který už by se ale měl vydat jinou cestou než zpřesňováním Dyevrova modelu. Nabízí se hledání konkrétních příkladů působení mimoprávních vlivů nebo korekce teoretických východisek kvantitativními metodami.
Forum Non Conveniens doctrine – post Brexit applicability in transnational litigation
Authors: Grodl Lukáš
Published: July 2022

The article follows the origin of the English forum non conveniens doctrine development in stay proceedings, its alterations, and applicable tests leading to CJEU’s decision in Owusu. Owusu ultimately forbade English courts to stay its proceedings and allow a “more convenient” forum to decide on the dispute merits in cases where the jurisdiction was conferred by the Brussels regime – not only concerning other EU courts but worldwide. With the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, a question appears whether English courts might again exercise this power. If affirmatory, the paper proceeds to assess various applicable, or presumably fitting, instruments, both for allocation of jurisdiction, and recognition and enforcement of judgments – Lugano Convention, Hague Convention 2005, and Hague Convention 2019. The paper also assesses how these instruments might interact with the use of forum non conveniens doctrine.
Daňové úroky a zásada zákazu anatocismu
Authors: Neckář Jan
Published: July 2022

Článek je věnován problematice daňových úroků, jejich vztahů a řeší otázku, zda je v daňovém právu dodržena zásada zákazu anatocismu. Podrobně jsou vymezeny jednotlivé druhy platebních deliktů v oblasti daní, související sankce a návazně pak analyzován jejich vzájemný vztah s ohledem na posouzení otázky přípustnosti úročení úroků.
Tři poznámky k faktorům ovlivňujícím Ústavní soud a k možnostem jejich reflexe
Authors: Grinc Jan
Published: July 2022

Článek navazuje na knihu H. Smekala, J. Benáka a kol. Mimoprávní vlivy na rozhodování českého Ústavního soudu. Na základě jejich zjištění se zamýšlí nad třemi otázkami významnými pro legitimitu a autoritu Ústavního soudu. Zaprvé jde o proces jmenování soudců Ústavního soudu a roli Senátu v něm. Zde je článek skeptický k možnosti uskutečnění některých podnětů ke změně přístupu Senátu. Zadruhé si článek klade otázku, zda a v jakém smyslu by měl Ústavní soud zohledňovat dopady svých rozhodnutí a zda tak v praxi činí. Zatřetí se zabývá procesem tvorby a přijímání plenárních rozhodnutí a v návaznosti na nedávnou kritiku tohoto procesu zevnitř soudu formuluje podněty ke zlepšení.
Reportovanie súhlasu posudzovateľov a spoľahlivosti posudzovateľov
Authors: Kočišová Lucia
Published: July 2022

V psychológii ale aj v mnohých iných oblastiach sa stretneme s použitím ďalšieho posudzovateľa pre potvrdenie validity a reliability našich záverov. Ide o súhlas posudzovateľov (inter-rater agreement), ktorý predstavuje zhodu v ich hodnotení a ak je zhoda dosiahnutá, hodnotitelia sú zameniteľní (Tinsley, Weiss, 1975) a spoľahlivosť posudzovateľov (inter-rater reliability) v zmysle konzistencie hodnotenia (LeBreton, Senter, 2008). Oba koncepty sa okrem definovania líšia aj v zodpovedaní rôznych výskumných otázok a spôsobu štatistickej analýzy. Cieľom príspevku je zodpovedať otázky, ktoré súvisia s praktickou potrebou reportovania súhlasu posudzovateľov a spoľahlivosti posudzovateľov. S tým sú spojené otázky, na ktoré príspevok hľadá odpovede: Aký počet posudzovateľov je vhodné zvoliť? Ako si vybrať vhodný index súhlasu a spoľahlivosti posudzovateľov? Existujú akceptované miery súhlasu a spoľahlivosti posudzovateľov? Ktoré faktory vplývajú na mieru súhlasu a spoľahlivosti posudzovateľov?
Recenze inteligenčních testů z pohledu praktiků
Authors: Kovaříková Jeannette Nicole , Sněhotová Jiřina
Published: July 2022

Studie mapuje v meziročním srovnání přístupy k diagnostice intelektu ze strany poradenských pracovníků působících ve školských poradenských zařízeních (ŠPZ). Zejména se týká výběru kognitivních testů pro účely mapování inteligence a přidružených vývojových milníků u dětí. Zahrnuje data, která byla získána v longitudinální studii v letech 2012 - 2018. Celkově proběhly čtyři sběry dat, zvlášť v pedagogicko-psychologických poradnách (PPP) a speciálně pedagogických centrech (SPC). Studie poukazuje na to, do jaké míry jsou postupně zařazovány nové metody do diagnostické praxe. Dále zahrnuje vyhodnocení čtyř nově zavedených metod z pohledu praktických uživatelů (konkrétně IDS, CFT 20-R, CAS 2 a ACFS), které dotváří a vhodně doplňují odborné recenze. Zajímala nás nejen četnost využití metod v praxi, ale také názor praktiků ohledně předností a výhod, týkajících se subjektivní validity, srozumitelnosti teoretického konstruktu, objektivity, kvality norem, ekonomičnosti a atraktivity metod. Data jsou dále doplněna o obsahovou analýzu komentářů praktiků k jednotlivým metodám a dalším údajům.
“Mister Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Socio‑economic and Political Consequences 30 Years After
Authors: Rusu Mihai Stelian , Pintilescu Corneliu , Báthory Dalia ,   Zeta Books
Published: July 2022

The fall of the Berlin Wall stood for a symbol of change and freedom across the socialist bloc and inspired the inhabitants in Eastern Europe to take action and revolt against dictatorial regimes. A long and often painful process of social, economic and political transformation began. Scholars grouped their research dealing with such transformations under the label of “Transitology” and the developing subfields of “transitional justice” and “memory studies” expanded and caught the academic interest. The present argument looks at the emergence and evolvement of these fields in parallel with a growing and changing society.
Cybersecurity Profile for the Hybrid Satellite Networks (HSN) Cybersecurity DRAFT Annotated Outline
Authors: McCarthy James , Mamula Dan , Brule Joseph , Meldorf Karri
Published: July 2022

The objective of this Cybersecurity Profile is to identify an approach to assess the cybersecurity posture of Hybrid Satellite Networks (HSN) systems that provide services such as satellite-based systems for communications, position, navigation, and timing (PNT), remote sensing, weather monitoring, and imaging. The HSN systems may interact with other government systems and the Critical Infrastructure as defined by the Department of Homeland Security to provide increased resiliency. This Profile will consider the cybersecurity of all the interacting systems that form the HSN rather than the traditional approach of the government acquiring the entire satellite system that includes the satellite bus, payloads, and ground system. NIST is developing a consistent approach to better understand the attack surface, incorporate security, and achieve greater resilience for space systems that may be leveraged by critical infrastructure owners and operators, the DoD, or other government missions.
ROBUST PARAMETER DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR MIXTURE PROCESS
Authors: HERRERA RIOS ERICKA BERENICE , SANCHEZ LEAL JAIME , RODRIGUEZ  MEDINA MANUEL ARNOLDO , GARCÍA   CASTELLANOS HUMBERTO , VALLES CHAVES ADAN
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACT:
Robust parameter design (RPD) involves the effects size, component restrictions, and fixed effects of mixture-process-noise variables (MPNV) in product and process design. The traditional methodology does not necessarily ensure a minimum variance and a reasonable model adjustment. Contrary to process and noise variables, mixture factor levels are not independent, negative proportions are not allowed, and their summary must be equal to unity. A transformation function enables the incorporation of noise factors into the response surface model, thus estimating the mixture-process optimum variables that minimize the variance expression without a cross array. In addition, it allows the determination of a confidence region over a point to achieve another component combination with similar or higher quality products. The third-generation process capability index, Cpkm as an alternative signal to noise ratio (SNR) estimator, improve process capability and product quality for fixed factor problems for full factorial and fractional experiment designs with or without repeated measures.

Keywords: Robust Parameter Design, Dual Response, Process Capability, Mixture Experiments, Signal-To-Noise Ratio, Response Surface Methodology.
Elderly and Senior Citizen
Authors: De Medeiros Kate
Published: July 2022

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Parameterized Complexity of Geodetic Set
Authors: Kellerhals Leon , Koana Tomohiro
Published: July 2022

A vertex set $S$ of a graph $G$ is geodetic if every vertex of $G$ lies on a shortest path between two vertices in $S$. Given a graph $G$ and $k \in \mathbb{N}$, the NP-hard ${\rm G{\small EODETIC}~S{ \small ET}}$ problem asks whether there is a geodetic set of size at most $k$.
Complementing various works on ${\rm G{\small EODETIC}~S{ \small ET}}$ restricted to special graph classes, we initiate a parameterized complexity study of ${\rm G{\small EODETIC}~S{ \small ET}}$ and show, on the one side, that ${\rm G{\small EODETIC}~S{ \small ET}}$ is $W[1]$-hard when parameterized by feedback vertex number, path-width, and solution size, combined.
On the other side, we develop fixed-parameter algorithms with respect to the feedback edge number, the tree-depth, and the modular-width of the input graph.
The Complexity of Drawing a Graph in a Polygonal Region
Authors: Lubiw Anna , Miltzow Tillmann , Mondal Debajyoti
Published: July 2022

We prove that the following problem is complete for the existential theory of the reals:
Given a planar graph and a polygonal region, with some vertices of the graph assigned to points on the boundary of the region,
place the remaining vertices to create a planar straight-line drawing of the graph inside the region.
This establishes a wider context for the NP-hardness result by Patrignani on extending partial planar graph drawings.
Our result is one of the first showing that
a problem of drawing planar graphs with straight-line edges is hard for the existential theory of the reals.
The complexity of the problem is open in the case of a simply connected region.

We also show that, even for integer input coordinates, it is possible that drawing a graph in a polygonal region requires some vertices to be placed at irrational coordinates.
By contrast, the coordinates are known to have bounded bit complexity for the special case of a convex region, or for drawing a path in any polygonal region.

In addition, we prove a Mnëv-type universality result - loosely speaking, that
the solution spaces of instances of our graph drawing problem are equivalent, in a topological and algebraic sense, to bounded algebraic varieties.
«Échale Papas», un podcast para la participación de personas con discapacidad intelectual. La experiencia del Centro Ocupacional Pintor Rosales de Madrid
Authors: Arquero Blanco Isabel , Fernández-Hoya Gema
Published: July 2022

La emisión de programas de radio en directo, la producción de podcasts, cortometrajes y blogs son procesos de comunicación inclusiva que utilizan tecnologías híbridas y que promueven la participación de personas con discapacidad intelectual en la vida de su comunidad.
La experiencia llevada a cabo por el Centro Ocupacional Pintor Rosales de Madrid ha resultado una iniciativa innovadora de participación al combinar con éxito las nuevas tecnologías con los medios de comunicación tradicionales.
El presente artículo estudia la evolución llevada a cabo desde las primeras experiencias en 2016, a través de la emisión en directo del programa de radio «Échale Papas», en Radio Almenara —hoy ya en su sexta temporada y que puede escucharse también mediante podcast, en el blog del programa—, hasta el reciente estreno del cortometraje «Tras la puerta», en junio de 2021, presentado al XX Certamen de Expresión Dramática para centros de personas con discapacidad del Ayuntamiento de Madrid. Ese año, debido a las limitaciones sanitarias de la pandemia Covid-19, se convocó en formato audiovisual.
Research progress of thermal transport in graphene-based thermal interfacial composite materials
Authors: An Meng , Sun Xu-Hui , Chen Dong-Sheng , Yang Nuo ,   College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, China,   School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Published: July 2022

With the rapid increase of the thermal power density of microelectronic devices and circuits, controlling its temperature has become an urgent need for the development and application of the electronic industry. By virtue of the ultrahigh thermal conductivity of graphene, developing high-performance graphene-based composite thermal interface materials has attracted much research attention and become one of hot research topics. The understanding of phonon transport mechanism in graphene-based composites at atomic scale can be helpful to enhance the heat conductive capability of composites systems. In this review, focused on graphene-based thermal interfaces materials, the heat conduction mechanism and the regulating strategy are introduced on both the internal thermal resistance and interfacial thermal resistance. Finally, the reseach progress and opportunities for future studies are also summarized.
Performance simulation of terahertz waveguide resonance biochemical sensor based on nanoporous gold films
Authors: Yang Ze-Hao , Liu Zi-Wei , Yang Bo , Zhang Cheng-Long , Cai Chen , Qi Zhi-Mei ,   State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   School of Electronic, Electrical and Communication Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: July 2022

A highly sensitive terahertz (THz) waveguide resonance biochemical sensor is designed and simulated. The sensor consists of a silicon prism, a dielectric layer and a nanoporous gold film. The nanoporous gold film acts as both a THz waveguiding layer and a biochemical molecular enrichment layer, which can enhance the interaction between the THz waveguide mode and the adsorbed biochemical molecules, consequently improving the sensor’s sensitivity. When the THz transverse electric (TE) or transverse magnetic (TM) modes are excited by the prism-coupling method, the THz absorption of the nanoporous gold film results in the sharp resonance dips in the THz reflection spectrum. The resonance frequencies of the THz waveguide modes and the sensitivity to either liquid refractive index (RI) or adsorbed molecules can be determined with the measured reflection spectra, and the sensor’s sensitivity and its figure of merit (FOM) can be improved by adjusting the thickness and RI of the dielectric layer. The simulation results at 45º incidence angle indicate that the resonance frequencies of the TE and TM modes of the sensor linearly change with increasing either liquid RI or the amount of adsorbed molecules, and the RI sensitivity and the FOM with the TM mode are 13.42 THz/RIU and 167.70/RIU, respectively. Compared with the TM mode, the TE mode has a lower sensitivity to lqiuid RI but a high sensitivity to adsorbed molecules. The reason for these differences is that with the TE mode the evanescent field penentrating out of the nanopous gold film is weaker than that with the TM mode.