bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional Collision Risk Prediction System at a Collision Area Considering Spatial Pattern
Authors: Namgung Ho , Kim Joo-Sung
Published: December 2021

To reduce the risk of collision in territorial sea areas, including trade ports and entry waterways, and to enhance the safety and efficiency of ship passage, the International Maritime Organization requires the governing body of every country to establish and operate a vessel traffic service (VTS). However, previous studies on risk prediction models did not consider the locations of near collisions and actual collisions and only employed a combined collision risk index in surveillance sea areas. In this study, we propose a regional collision risk prediction system for a collision area considering spatial patterns using a density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). Furthermore, a fuzzy inference system based on a near collision (FIS-NC) and long short-term memory (LSTM) is adopted to help a vessel traffic service operator (VTSO) make timely optimal decisions. In the local spatial pattern stage, the ship trajectory was determined by identifying the actual-collision and near-collision locations simultaneously. Finally, the system was developed by learning a sequence dataset from the extracted trajectory of the ship when a collision occurred. The proposed system can recommend an action faster than the fuzzy inference system based on the near-collision location. Therefore, using the developed system, a VTSO can quickly predict ship collision risk situations and make timely optimal decisions at dangerous surveillance sea areas.
Metal Nanoparticles as Novel Antifungal Agents for Sustainable Agriculture: Current Advances and Future Directions
Authors: Cruz-Luna Aida R. , Cruz-Martínez Heriberto , Vásquez-López Alfonso , Medina Dora I.
Published: December 2021

The use of metal nanoparticles is considered a good alternative to control phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture. To date, numerous metal nanoparticles (e.g., Ag, Cu, Se, Ni, Mg, and Fe) have been synthesized and used as potential antifungal agents. Therefore, this proposal presents a critical and detailed review of the use of these nanoparticles to control phytopathogenic fungi. Ag nanoparticles have been the most investigated nanoparticles due to their good antifungal activities, followed by Cu nanoparticles. It was also found that other metal nanoparticles have been investigated as antifungal agents, such as Se, Ni, Mg, Pd, and Fe, showing prominent results. Different synthesis methods have been used to produce these nanoparticles with different shapes and sizes, which have shown outstanding antifungal activities. This review shows the success of the use of metal nanoparticles to control phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture.
Natural Resources and Civil Conflict: The Role of Military Expenditures
Authors: Arezki Rabah , Brueckner Markus
Published: December 2021

Military expenditures significantly affect the relationship between the risk of civil conflict outbreak and natural resources. We show that a significant positive effect of natural resource rents on the risk of civil conflict outbreak is limited to countries with low military expenditures. In countries with high military expenditures, there is no significant effect of natural resource rents on civil conflict onset. An important message is thus that a conflict resource curse is absent in countries with sufficiently large military expenditures.
Statistical Machine Learning Approaches to Liver Disease Prediction
Authors: Mostafa Fahad , Hasan Easin , Williamson Morgan , Khan Hafiz
Published: December 2021

Medical diagnoses have important implications for improving patient care, research, and policy. For a medical diagnosis, health professionals use different kinds of pathological methods to make decisions on medical reports in terms of the patients’ medical conditions. Recently, clinicians have been actively engaged in improving medical diagnoses. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in combination with clinical findings has further improved disease detection. In the modern era, with the advantage of computers and technologies, one can collect data and visualize many hidden outcomes such as dealing with missing data in medical research. Statistical machine learning algorithms based on specific problems can assist one to make decisions. Machine learning (ML), data-driven algorithms can be utilized to validate existing methods and help researchers to make potential new decisions. The purpose of this study was to extract significant predictors for liver disease from the medical analysis of 615 humans using ML algorithms. Data visualizations were implemented to reveal significant findings such as missing values. Multiple imputations by chained equations (MICEs) were applied to generate missing data points, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensionality. Variable importance ranking using the Gini index was implemented to verify significant predictors obtained from the PCA. Training data (ntrain=399) for learning and testing data (ntest=216) in the ML methods were used for predicting classifications. The study compared binary classifier machine learning algorithms (i.e., artificial neural network, random forest (RF), and support vector machine), which were utilized on a published liver disease data set to classify individuals with liver diseases, which will allow health professionals to make a better diagnosis. The synthetic minority oversampling technique was applied to oversample the minority class to regulate overfitting problems. The RF significantly contributed (p<0.001) to a higher accuracy score of 98.14% compared to the other methods. Thus, this suggests that ML methods predict liver disease by incorporating the risk factors, which may improve the inference-based diagnosis of patients.
Biomimetic Ceramic Composite: Characterization, Cell Response, and In Vivo Biocompatibility
Authors: Lin Hung-Yang , Lu Yi-Jung , Chou Hsin-Hua , Ou Keng-Liang , Huang Bai-Hung , Lan Wen-Chien , Saito Takashi , Cho Yung-Chieh , Ou Yu-Hsin , Yang Tzu-Sen , Peng Pei-Wen
Published: December 2021

The present study aimed to synthesize biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (CaPs) composed of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) from the propagated Scleractinian coral and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous using a solid-state reaction followed by heat treatment at a temperature of 1100 °C for 1 h to 7 days. The as-prepared coral and coral-derived biphasic CaPs samples were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The cell response of the biphasic CaPs was evaluated by in vitro cytotoxicity assessment using mouse fibroblast (L929) cells. The bilateral femoral defect rabbit model was used to assess the early local reaction of the coral-derived biphasic CaPs bone graft on tissue. The results confirmed that the co-existence of β-TCP and HAp was formed at 1100 °C for 1 h. The ratio of HA/β-TCP increased as the heat-treatment time increased. The coral-derived biphasic CaPs comprising 61% HAp and 39% β-TCP (defined as HT-3) were not cytotoxic. Furthermore, no significant differences in local tissue reaction were observed between the HT-3 sample and autogenous bone. Therefore, the synthesized coral-derived biphasic CaPs is a candidate for bone grafting due to its good biocompatibility.
Life Cycle Assessment and Impact Correlation Analysis of Fly Ash Geopolymer Concrete
Authors: Shi Xiaoshuang , Zhang Cong , Liang Yongchen , Luo Jinqian , Wang Xiaoqi , Feng Ying , Li Yanlin , Wang Qingyuan , Abomohra Abd El-Fatah
Published: December 2021

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) has drawn widespread attention as a universally accepted ideal green material to improve environmental conditions in recent years. The present study systematically quantifies and compares the environmental impact of fly ash GPC and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete under different strength grades by conducting life cycle assessment (LCA). The alkali activator solution to fly ash ratio (S/F), sodium hydroxide concentration (CNaOH), and sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide ratio (SS/SH) were further used as three key parameters to consider their sensitivity to strength and CO2 emissions. The correlation and influence rules were analyzed by Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Gray Relational Analysis (GRA). The results indicated that the CO2 emission of GPC can be reduced by 62.73%, and the correlation between CO2 emission and compressive strength is not significant for GPC. The degree of influence of the three factors on the compressive strength is CNaOH (66.5%) > SS/SH (20.7%) > S/F (9%) and on CO2 emissions is S/F (87.2%) > SS/SH (10.3%) > CNaOH (2.4%). Fly ash GPC effectively controls the environmental deterioration without compromising its compressive strength; in fact, it even in favor.
Spherical Silica Modified with Magnesium and Ruthenium—Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Properties
Authors: Grzelak Kalina , Trejda Maciej
Published: December 2021

The design of different bimetallic catalysts is an important area of catalytic research in the context of their possible applications in the cascade processes, meeting the requirements of the so-called green chemistry. In this study, such catalysts were obtained by the incorporation of magnesium species into spherical silica, which was in the next step covered with porous silica and modified with ruthenium species. The structure and chemical composition of the materials obtained were determined by XRD measurements, low temperature N2 adsorption/desorption, SEM, ICP-OES and XPS methods. The catalytic activities of materials obtained were tested in 2-propanol decomposition and hydrogenation of levulinic acid. The results obtained confirmed the successful coverage of nanospheres with porous silica. A much higher concentration of ruthenium species was found on the surface of the catalysts than in their bulk. The opposite relationship was observed for magnesium species. The modification of nanospheres with silica had a positive effect on the catalytic activity of the materials obtained. For the most active sample, i.e., Ru/NS/3Mg/NS, 49% of levulinic acid conversion in its hydrogenation process was reported with γ-valerolactone as the only product.
New Method for Determining the Machine-Hand Welding Times Using Ultrasonic Welding Machines with Rotary Sonotrode
Authors: Rogale Dubravko , Rogale Snježana Firšt , Knezić Željko , Fajt Siniša
Published: December 2021

The paper presents a new method for determining the machine-hand welding times of synthetic polymer materials using ultrasonic welding machines with rotary sonotrode. The method is based on the claims and observations of W. Möller intended for the clothing industry in the 1990s, according to which there is a spontaneous drop in sewing speed when strongly curved seams are joined, which is due to the possibility of human reactions. The method for determining machine-hand sewing times of curved seams was well accepted in garment production processes. It is used to standardize production time. Using ultrasonic welding machines with rotary sonotrode, the problem of determining the time of ultrasonic joining of curved seams on clothing or technical textiles remained unsolved. That is why is completely new and original model was created, which combines eight technical parameters of ultrasonic welds, eight technological parameters of the production process and seven ergonomic parameters depending on the psychophysical conditions of the workers. The systematic development of the mathematical relationship of all 23 parameters mentioned and the corresponding mathematical expressions for determining and calculating these parameters are presented. These results were also verified by experimental measurements, which show a favourable correlation between the calculated and measured machine hand times. The relationships between the recommended welding speeds, the critical radii of curvature and the number of reactions required according to Möller and the new model are also presented. An analysis of the success in the application of Möller’s and the new model was also performed.
Jensen Functional, Quasi-Arithmetic Mean and Sharp Converses of Hölder’s Inequalities
Authors: Simić Slavko , Todorčević Vesna
Published: December 2021

In this article, we give sharp two-sided bounds for the generalized Jensen functional Jn(f,g,h;p,x). Assuming convexity/concavity of the generating function h, we give exact bounds for the generalized quasi-arithmetic mean An(h;p,x). In particular, exact bounds are determined for the generalized power means in terms from the class of Stolarsky means. As a consequence, some sharp converses of the famous Hölder’s inequality are obtained.
A Comparison of Two-Stage Least Squares (TSLS) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) in Estimating the Structural Relationship between After-School Exercise and Academic Performance
Authors: Shin Kyulee , You Sukkyung , Kim Mihye
Published: December 2021

The current study examines the structural relationship between the academic performance exam scores of Korean middle school students and their after-school exercise hours. Although prior literature theoretically or experimentally predicts that these variables are positively associated, this association is difficult to empirically verify without controlling for mutual effects with other variables, or unless a full model is estimated by specifying the whole structure of all variables affecting the two variables in question. Unlike previous studies, this study estimates the structural relationship using two-stage least squares method, which does not require experimental observations collected for our particular purpose or estimating the full model. From this estimation, we empirically affirm that there is a positive structural relationship between students’ after-school exercise hours and their academic performance exam scores, whereas the ordinary least squares method consistently estimates a negative relationship.
Method of Microglial DNA-RNA Purification from a Single Brain of an Adult Mouse
Authors: Raihan Md. Obayed , McGregor Brett A. , Velaris Nathan A. , Brishti Afrina , Hur Junguk , Porter James E.
Published: December 2021

Microglia, the resident brain immune effectors cells, show dynamic activation level changes for most neuropsychiatric diseases, reflecting their complex regulatory function and potential as a therapeutic target. Emerging single-cell molecular biology studies are used to investigate the genetic modification of individual cells to better understand complex gene regulatory pathways. Although multiple protocols for microglia isolation from adult mice are available, it is always challenging to get sufficient purified microglia from a single brain for simultaneous DNA and RNA extraction for subsequent downstream analysis. Moreover, for data comparison between treated and untreated groups, standardized cell isolation techniques are essential to decrease variability. Here, we present a combined method of microglia isolation from a single adult mouse brain, using a magnetic bead-based column separation technique, and a column-based extraction of purified DNA-RNA from the isolated microglia for downstream application. Our current method provides step-by-step instructions accompanied by visual explanations of important steps for isolating DNA-RNA simultaneously from a highly purified microglia population.
Response of Tropical Cyclone Frequency to Sea Surface Temperatures Using Aqua-Planet Simulations
Authors: Raavi Pavan Harika , Walsh Kevin J. E.
Published: December 2021

The present study investigates the effect of increasing sea surface temperatures (SSTs) on tropical cyclone (TC) frequency using the high-resolution Australian Community Climate and Earth-System Simulator (ACCESS) model. We examine environmental conditions leading to changes in TC frequency in aqua-planet global climate model simulations with globally uniform sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Two different TC tracking schemes are used. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) scheme (a resolution-dependent scheme) detects TCs that resemble observed storms, while the Okubo–Weiss zeta parameter (OWZP) tracking scheme (a resolution-independent scheme) detects the locations within “marsupial pouches” that are favorable for TC formation. Both schemes indicate a decrease in the global mean TC frequency with increased saturation deficit and static stability of the atmosphere. The OWZP scheme shows a poleward shift in the genesis locations with rising temperatures, due to lower vertical wind shear. We also observe an overall decrease in the formation of tropical depressions (TDs) with increased temperatures, both for those that develop into TCs and non-developing cases. The environmental variations at the time of TD genesis between the developing and the non-developing tropical depressions identify the Okubo–Weiss (OW) parameter and omega (vertical mass flux) as significant influencing variables. Initial vortices with lower vorticity or with weaker upward mass flux do not develop into TCs due to environments with higher saturation deficit and stronger static stability of the atmosphere. The latitudinal variations in the large-scale environmental conditions account for the latitudinal differences in the TC frequency in the OWZP scheme.
An Infrared DoLP Model Considering the Radiation Coupling Effect
Authors: Su Dezhi , Liu Liang , Liu Lingshun , Ming Ruilong , Wu Shiyong , Zhang Jilei
Published: December 2021

The polarization degree of objects in the marine background are affected by infrared radiation from sea surface. Taking into account the radiation coupling effect (RCE), a degree of linear polarization (DoLP) model is deduced. The DoLP of painted aluminum plates at different observation angles are simulated. The simulation results show the trend of the DoLP of the object decreases first and then increases as the observation angle θO, with the minimum value at θO=53∘. Nevertheless, we get a monotonically increasing trend and the minimum value is at θO=0∘ without considering RCE. The experimental results accord closely with those of the simulation with RCE. This conclusion is useful for the polarization detection and identification of infrared objects in the marine background.
Proton-Alpha Drift Instability of Electromagnetic Ion-Cyclotron Modes: Quasilinear Development
Authors: Shaaban Shaaban M. , Lazar Marian , Yoon Peter H. , Poedts Stefaan , López Rodrigo A.
Published: December 2021

The ability of space plasmas to self-regulate through mechanisms involving self-generated fluctuations is a topic of high interest. This paper presents the results of a new advanced quasilinear (QL) approach for the instability of electromagnetic ion-cyclotron modes driven by the relative alpha-proton drift observed in solar wind. For an extended parametric analysis, the present QL approach includes also the effects of intrinsic anisotropic temperatures of these populations. The enhanced fluctuations contribute to an exchange of energy between proton and alpha particles, leading to important variations of the anisotropies, the proton-alpha drift and the temperature contrast. The results presented here can help understand the observational data, in particular, those revealing the local variations associated with the properties of protons and alpha particles as well as the spatial profiles in the expanding solar wind.
An Intelligent Optimized Route-Discovery Model for IoT-Based VANETs
Authors: Karunanidy Dinesh , Ramalingam Rajakumar , Dumka Ankur , Singh Rajesh , Alsukayti Ibrahim , Anand Divya , Hamam Habib , Ibrahim Muhammad
Published: December 2021

Intelligent Transportation system are becoming an interesting research area, after Internet of Things (IoT)-based sensors have been effectively incorporated in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). The optimal route discovery in a VANET plays a vital role in establishing reliable communication in uplink and downlink direction. Thus, efficient optimal path discovery without a loop-free route makes network communication more efficient. Therefore, this challenge is addressed by nature-inspired optimization algorithms because of their simplicity and flexibility for solving different kinds of optimization problems. NIOAs are copied from natural phenomena and fall under the category of metaheuristic search algorithms. Optimization problems in route discovery are intriguing because the primary objective is to find an optimal arrangement, ordering, or selection process. Therefore, many researchers have proposed different kinds of optimization algorithm to maintain the balance between intensification and diversification. To tackle this problem, we proposed a novel Java macaque algorithm based on the genetic and social behavior of Java macaque monkeys. The behavior model mimicked from the Java macaque monkey maintains well-balanced exploration and exploitation in the search process. The experimentation outcome depicts the efficiency of the proposed Java macaque algorithm compared to existing algorithms such as discrete cuckoo search optimization (DCSO) algorithm, grey wolf optimizer (GWO), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and genetic algorithm (GA).
Drivers of Individual Credit Risk of Retail Customers—A Case Study on the Example of the Polish Cooperative Banking Sector
Authors: Balina Rafał , Idasz-Balina Marta
Published: December 2021

The main aim of the research was to determine the key factors determining the level of credit risk of individual clients (clients in the form of natural persons, excluding companies) on the example of Polish cooperative banks according to the following features: transaction characteristics, socio-demographic characteristics of the customer, the customer’s financial situation, the customer’s history of cooperation with the cooperative bank where they applied for a loan, and the customer’s history of cooperation with other financial institutions. For the research gathered data from 1000 credit applications submitted by individual customers when applying for a credit in five different cooperative banks were used for the analyses. To assess the credit risk of retail clients we use logit regression models, and additionally, score cards were calculated. The results of the research indicate that among the factors with high predictive power there were the features characterizing the client’s history of cooperation with the cooperative bank, where they applied for a loan. It may mean that when assessing credit risk related to financing individual customers, cooperative banks due to their local character, have an advantage over other financial institutions.
Design and Implementation of a Gesture-Aided E-Learning Platform
Authors: Kremser Wolfgang , Kranzinger Stefan , Bernhart Severin
Published: December 2021

In gesture-aided learning (GAL), learners perform specific body gestures while rehearsing the associated learning content. Although this form of embodiment has been shown to benefit learning outcomes, it has not yet been incorporated into e-learning. This work presents a generic system design for an online GAL platform. It is comprised of five modules for planning, administering, and monitoring remote GAL lessons. To validate the proposed design, a reference implementation for word learning was demonstrated in a field test. 19 participants independently took a predefined online GAL lesson and rated their experience on the System Usability Scale and a supplemental questionnaire. To monitor the correct gesture execution, the reference implementation recorded the participants’ webcam feeds and uploaded them to the instructor for review. The results from the field test show that the reference implementation is capable of delivering an e-learning experience with GAL elements. Designers of e-learning platforms may use the proposed design to include GAL in their applications. Beyond its original purpose in education, the platform is also useful to collect and annotate gesture data.
A Neural Network Model for Estimating the Heart Rate Response to Constant Intensity Exercises
Authors: Zakynthinaki Maria S. , Kapetanakis Theodoros N. , Lampou Anna , Ioannidou Melina P. , Vardiambasis Ioannis O.
Published: December 2021

Estimating the heart rate (HR) response to exercises of a given intensity without the need of direct measurement is an open problem of great interest. We propose here a model that can estimate the heart rate response to exercise of constant intensity and its subsequent recovery, based on soft computing techniques. Multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks (NN) are implemented and trained using raw HR time series data. Our model’s input and output are the beat-to-beat time intervals and the HR values, respectively. The numerical results are very encouraging, as they indicate a mean relative square error of the estimated HR values of the order of 10−4 and an absolute error as low as 1.19 beats per minute, on average. Our model has also been proven to be superior when compared with existing mathematical models that predict HR values by numerical simulation. Our study concludes that our NN model can efficiently predict the HR response to any constant exercise intensity, a fact that can have many important applications, not only in the area of medicine and cardio-vascular health, but also in the areas of rehabilitation, general fitness, and competitive sport.
Augmented Reality in Precision Farming: Concepts and Applications
Authors: Hurst William , Mendoza Frida Ruiz , Tekinerdogan Bedir
Published: December 2021

The amount of arable land is limited, yet the demand for agricultural food products is increasing. This issue has led to the notion of precision farming, where smart city-based technologies (e.g., Internet of Things, digital twins, artificial intelligence) are employed in combination to cater for increased production with fewer resources. Widely used in manufacturing, augmented reality has demonstrated impactful solutions for information communication, remote monitoring and increased interaction. Yet, the technology has only recently begun to find a footing alongside precision farming solutions, despite the many benefits possible to farmers through augmenting the physical world with digital objects. Therefore, this article reflects on literature discussing current applied solutions within agriculture, where augmented realty has demonstrated a significant impact for monitoring and production. The findings discuss that augmented reality must be coupled with other technologies (e.g., simultaneous localization and mapping algorithms, global positioning systems, and sensors), specifically 9 are identified across 2 application domains (livestock and crop farming) to be beneficial. Attention is also provided on how augmented reality should be employed within agriculture, where related-work examples are drawn from in order to discuss suitable hardware approaches and constraints (e.g., mobility).
Genotoxicity of Mercury and Its Derivatives Demonstrated In Vitro and In Vivo in Human Populations Studies. Systematic Review
Authors: Sánchez-Alarcón Juana , Milić Mirta , Bustamante-Montes Lilia Patricia , Isaac-Olivé Keila , Valencia-Quintana Rafael , Ramírez-Durán Ninfa
Published: December 2021

Beside partial coverage in three reviews so far (1994, 2009, 2019), there is no review on genotoxic studies dealing with mercury (Hg) and human exposure using the most usual genotoxic assays: sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosomal aberrations (CA), cytochalasin B blocked micronucleus assay (CBMN), and single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE or alkaline comet assay). Fifty years from the first Hg genotoxicity study and with the Minamata Convention in force, the genotoxic potential of Hg and its derivatives is still controversial. Considering these antecedents, we present this first systematic literature overview of genotoxic studies dealing with Hg and human exposure that used the standard genotoxic assays. To date, there is not sufficient evidence for Hg human carcinogen classification, so the new data collections can be of great help. A review was made of the studies available (those published before the end of October 2021 on PubMed or Web of Science in English or Spanish language) in the scientific literature dealing with genotoxic assays and human sample exposure ex vivo, in vivo, and in vitro. Results from a total of 66 articles selected are presented. Organic (o)Hg compounds were more toxic than inorganic and/or elemental ones, without ruling out that all represent a risk. The most studied inorganic (i)Hg compounds in populations exposed accidentally, occupationally, or iatrogenically, and/or in human cells, were Hg chloride and Hg nitrate and of the organic compounds, were methylmercury, thimerosal, methylmercury chloride, phenylmercuric acetate, and methylmercury hydroxide.
Oxidative Degradation of Hazardous Benzene Derivatives by Ferrate(VI): Effect of Initial pH, Molar Ratio and Temperature
Authors: Majid Dian , Kim Il-Kyu , Laksono Fajar Budi , Prabowo Aditya Rio
Published: December 2021

Two of the most hazardous benzene derivatives (HBD) that have polluted the aquatic environment are bromobenzene and chlorobenzene. Ferrate can degrade various pollutants quickly and efficiently without producing harmful byproducts. This study aims to determine the ability of ferrate to degrade harmful contaminants such as bromobenzene and chlorobenzene. A series of batch experiments were carried out, including for the molar ratio, initial pH solution, and temperature. The study was conducted at an initial pH of 3.6 to 9.6, a molar ratio of 2 to 8 and a temperature of 15 to 55 °C. The study will also examine the differences in functional groups in these pollutants. As a result of the experiments, the optimum conditions to oxidize HBD in a batch reactor was found to have an initial pH of 7.0, a molar ratio of 8, and a temperature of 45 °C, with a 10 min reaction time. Ferrate has a degradation ability against chlorobenzene greater than bromobenzene. The functional cluster in pollutants also significantly affects the degradation ability of ferrate. The results of the degradation experiment showed that ferrate(VI) could effectively oxidize hazardous benzene derivatives in a solution.
Photodegradation of Aquaculture Antibiotics Using Carbon Dots-TiO2 Nanocomposites
Authors: Louros Vitória , Ferreira Liliana , Silva Valentina , Silva Carla , Martins Manuel , Otero Marta , Esteves Valdemar , Lima Diana
Published: December 2021

In this work, carbon dots (CD) were synthesized and coupled to titanium dioxide (TiO2) to improve the photodegradation of antibiotics in aquaculture effluents under solar irradiation. Oxolinic acid (OXA) and sulfadiazine (SDZ), which are widely used in aquaculture, were used as target antibiotics. To prepare nanocomposites of CD containing TiO2, two modes were used: in-situ (CD@TiO2) and ex-situ (CD/TiO2). For CD synthesis, citric acid and glycerol were used, while for TiO2 synthesis, titanium butoxide was the precursor. In ultrapure water (UW), CD@TiO2 and CD/TiO2 showed the largest photocatalytic effect for SDZ and OXA, respectively. Compared with their absence, the presence of CD@TiO2 increased the photodegradation of SDZ from 23 to 97% (after 4 h irradiation), whereas CD/TiO2 increased the OXA photodegradation from 22 to 59% (after 1 h irradiation). Meanwhile, in synthetic sea salts (SSS, 30‰, simulating marine aquaculture effluents), CD@TiO2 allowed for the reduction of SDZ’s half-life time (t1/2) from 14.5 ± 0.7 h (in absence of photocatalyst) to 0.38 ± 0.04 h. Concerning OXA in SSS, the t1/2 remained the same either in the absence of a photocatalyst or in the presence of CD/TiO2 (3.5 ± 0.3 h and 3.9 ± 0.4 h, respectively). Overall, this study provided novel perspectives on the use of eco-friendly CD-TiO2 nanocomposites for the removal of antibiotics from aquaculture effluents using solar radiation.
Understanding the Future Impacts of Electric Vehicles—An Analysis of Multiple Factors That Influence the Market
Authors: Wellings Jonathan , Greenwood David , Coles Stuart R.
Published: December 2021

The electric vehicle market is an increasingly important aspect of the automotive industry. However, as a relatively new technology, several issues remain present within the industry. An analysis is utilised to examine these issues, along with how they affect the industry and how they can be tackled. Several key issues that affect the electric vehicle market, as well as how efforts to address these issues influence the market, are identified. The analysis also includes the examination of ethical issues, with the issues that arise from the production of raw materials for electric vehicles. The analysis and examination of ethical issues display a wide range of problems in the industry. However, it did highlight the efforts being made to lessen the effect of these problems by various groups, such as regulation by EU and US governing bodies on the materials mined. From this analysis, this paper identifies that many of the other factors examined are directly or indirectly influenced by political and economic factors, also examined in this review. This highlights the impact that governing bodies and businesses have on a vast number of issues that are present within the market and how they can resolve the harmful factors examined.
Vertebral Heart Scale for the Brittany Spaniel: Breed-Specific Range and Its Correlation with Heart Disease Assessed by Clinical and Echocardiographic Findings
Authors: Kallassy Anthony , Calendrier Elodie , Bouhsina Nora , Fusellier Marion
Published: December 2021

The vertebral heart scale (VHS) was proposed by Buchanan and Bucheler as an objective method for estimating heart size in dogs. However, several studies have reported significant variation between breeds. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the VHS and to suggest a useful upper limit for normal heart size in Brittany Spaniels. The VHS was measured using a right lateral view in twenty-eight normal dogs and fifteen dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. The mean ± SD (standard deviation) VHS was 10.6 ± 0.2 vertebrae (v) in the normal dogs, which differs significantly from the mean VHS of 9.7 ± 0.5 v in Buchanan’s original study with dogs of various breeds. The VHS in the dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease was 11.9 ± 1.1 v. With a threshold value of 11.1 vertebrae, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for diagnosing a cardiomegaly are 90%, 72%, 53% and 96%, respectively.
Addition of Reduced Glutathione (GSH) to Freezing Medium Reduces Intracellular ROS Levels in Donkey Sperm
Authors: Yánez-Ortiz Iván , Catalán Jaime , Delgado-Bermúdez Ariadna , Carluccio Augusto , Miró Jordi , Yeste Marc
Published: December 2021

In donkeys, the use of frozen-thawed sperm for artificial insemination (AI) leads to low fertility rates. Furthermore, donkey sperm produce a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and post-AI inflammation induces the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETosis), which further generates many more ROS. These high ROS levels may induce lipid peroxidation in the sperm plasma membrane, thus affecting its integrity. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, mainly found in the seminal plasma (SP), are responsible for maintaining the redox balance. However, this fluid is removed prior to cryopreservation, thereby exposing sperm cells to further oxidative stress. The exogenous addition of antioxidants to the freezing medium can reduce the detrimental effects caused by ROS generation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate how the addition of different reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations (control, 2 mM, 4 mM, 6 mM, 8 mM, and 10 mM) to fresh sperm affect their cryotolerance. Total and progressive motility, kinematic parameters and motile sperm subpopulations were significantly (p < 0.05) different from the control in treatments containing 8 mM and 10 mM GSH, but not at lower concentrations. Plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and intracellular superoxide levels (O2−) were not affected (p > 0.05) by any GSH concentration. Interestingly, however, the addition of 8 mM or 10 mM GSH reduced (p < 0.05) the percentages of viable sperm with high overall ROS levels compared to the control. In conclusion, frozen-thawed donkey sperm are able to tolerate high GSH concentrations, which differs from what has been observed in other species. This antioxidant capacity suggests that ROS could be important during post-AI and that the impact of using exogenous antioxidants like GSH to improve the sperm resilience to freeze-thawing is limited in this species.
Recommendations for Transdisciplinary Professional Competencies and Ethics for Animal-Assisted Therapies and Interventions
Authors: Trevathan-Minnis Melissa , Johnson Amy , Howie Ann R.
Published: December 2021

AAI is a transdisciplinary field that has grown exponentially in recent decades. This growth has not always been synergistic across fields, creating a need for more consistent language and standards, a call for which many professionals in the field have made. Under the umbrella of human–animal interactions (HAI) is animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), which have a more goal-directed intention with animals who have been assessed for therapeutic, educational, or vocational work. The current article offers a brief history and efficacy of HAI, describes the limitations and gaps within the field and recommends a new set of competencies and guidelines that seek to create some of the needed common language and standards for AAI work to address these limitations.
First Isolation and Molecular Typing of Pathogenic and Intermediate Leptospira Species from Urine of Symptomatic Dogs
Authors: Piredda Ivana , Bertoldi Loris , Benvenuto Giuseppe , Palmas Bruna , Pedditzi Aureliana , Pintore Pierangela , Chisu Valentina
Published: December 2021

Aim of this study was to evaluate, the presence and diversity of Leptospira spp. in blood and urine samples collected from 175 owned-dogs from Sardinia, Italy. After determination of leptospiral infection by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), urine from MAT-positive dogs were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (lipL32 rt-PCR) and then isolated by culture. In order to characterize obtained serovars, positive cultures were then subjected to 16S rRNA and secY sequencing, phylogenetic analysis and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). Results showed that seven dogs (4%; 95% CI: 0–55) had Leptospira DNAs in their urine and five strains were isolated from urine cultures. The three different sequence types (ST17, ST198 and ST24) belonging to Leptospira interrogans genomospecies identified by MLST analyses in this study, confirmed that the leptospiral infection was widespread in Sardinian dogs. We also reported the first characterization of a new Leptospira spp. isolated from urine of one dog living in the study area. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, confirmed that this genospecies was closely related to Leptospira hovindhougenii, an intermediate Leptospira spp. with unknown pathogenicity previously isolated from a rat in Denmark. Further studies are required to clarify whether healthy dogs that shed leptospires in their urine could represent a zoonotic risk for humans in this region.
Peculiarities of the course of bacterial diseases of rainbow trut in industrial farms of North-West Russia
Authors: Nechaeva Tamara Alexeyevna
Published: December 2021

Currently, in the Leningrad Region and the Republic of Karelia, trout farming is carried out mainly in cage farms, and in recent years, small closed water supply units (RAS) are gaining popularity and are actively used. In the first years of operation, outbreaks of serious infectious diseases occurring in the form of bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia, as well as toxicosis, were observed in such installations. In cage farms, a joint course of bacterial and parasitic diseases is possible. In the course of the work, 11 cage farms in the Leningrad Region and the Republic of Karelia were surveyed, as well as 4 RAS in the Gatchinsky and Luga Districts of the Leningrad Region. The manifestation of aeromonas bacterial and infection and trienophorosis in the cage farm was associated with the growing conditions — high water temperatures, lack of feeding, and the presence of a formed focus of invasion in the water source. In the spring-summer and summer-autumn periods in cage farms, the manifestation of myxobacteriosis caused by Flavobacterium psychrichila is possible. In summer, the danger is a bacterial infection proceeding as a bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia (pathogens — Yersenia ruckeri and Flexibacter columnaris). In autumn, outbreaks of pseudomonosis are possible in cage farms. The causative agent is Pseudomonas fluorescens. However, it is also possible to find Pseudomonas putida, which is more characteristic of cyprinids. In the RAS, the death of fish was caused by mixed infections. The causative agents are Yersenia ruckeri and Carnobacterium piscicola; bacteria of the genera Flavobacterium and Aeromonas. Such a complex of aeromonads with flavobacteria is characterized by increased aggressiveness and can cause a serious septic infection. Timely measures taken, including the normalization of housing and feeding conditions, as well as therapeutic and prophylactic measures, made it possible to suppress the development of infections, toxicosis and improve the condition of fish on these farms.
Fabrication of Ni–Mo-based Electrocatalysts by Modified Zn Phosphating for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Im Han Seo , Park Seon Ha , Ha Hyo Jeong , Lee Sumin , Heo Sungjun , Im Sang Won , Nam Ki Tae , Lim Sung Yul
Published: December 2021

The preparation of low-cost, simple, and scalable electrodes is crucial for the commercialization of water electrolyzers for H2 production. Herein, we demonstrate the fabrication of cathodes through Mo-modified Zn phosphating of Ni foam (NiF) for water electrolysis, which has been largely utilized in surface coating industry. In situ growth of electrocatalytically active layers in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was occurred after 1 min of phosphating to form ZnNiMoPi, and subseque activation resulted in the formation of ZnNiMoPOxHy. ZnNiMoPOxHy exhibited superior HER performance than NiF, primarily because of the increased electrochemically active surface area of ZnNiMoPOxHy compared to that of bare NiF. Although further investigations to improve the intrinsic electrochemical activity toward the HER and detailed mechanistic studies are required, these results suggest that phosphating is a promising coating method and will possibly advance the fabrication procedure of electrodes for water electrolyzers with better practical applications.
Uso de residuos agroindustriales en las propiedades mecánicas del concreto: Una revisión literaria
Authors: Castillo Piscoya Gustavo Eduardo , Chavarry Koosi Julio Cesar , Peralta Panta Jorge Keny , Muñoz Pérez Sócrates Pedro
Published: December 2021

El uso de los residuos agroindustriales se desarrolla dentro del ámbito de la construcción a nivel técnico, ambiental y económico, enfocándose en mejorar la calidad del concreto. Este documento destaca una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre la aplicación de los residuos agroindustriales en las propiedades mecánicas del concreto, identificando también los porcentajes óptimos y los efectos que estos proporcionan a la mezcla. Se revisaron 62 artículos indexados y distribuidos en las siguientes bases de datos: 34 en Ebsco, 13 en Scielo, 13 en Scopus, y 2 en Science Direct. Concluyendo que, dentro de estos materiales, la mejor opción son las cenizas de centrales térmicas, debido a que resultan ser las más óptimas para ser adicionadas, pues, sus propiedades mecánicas resultaron ser las adecuadas.
Tıpkıbasımının Yeniden Yayınlanması Münasebetiyle "Kadı Burhaneddin Divanı"nda Yeni Okuyuşlar
Authors: KAYMAZ Zeki
Published: December 2021

1345 yılında Kayseri’de doğan Kadı Burhaneddin Ahmed, kadılık, vezirlik, naiplik ve hükümdarlık yapmış bir şairdir. 1398 yılında 54 yaşındayken Akkoyunlu hükümdarı Kara Yülük Osman Bey tarafından yine Kayseri’de öldürülmüştür. 1394 yılında yani Kadı Burhaneddin daha hayatta iken istinsah edilmiş nüshası elimizde bulunan Divan’ı, hem Eski Anadolu Türkçesinin karakteristik özelliklerini hem de şairin ağız özelliklerini yansıtan önemli bir kaynaktır.Kadı Burhaneddin’in divanı, Muharrem Ergin tarafından 1980 yılında İstanbul’da yayınlanmıştır. Kadı Burhaneddin’in çetin bir şiir dili olduğuna dikkat çeken Muharrem Ergin, bu hacimli divanı yetkin bir şekilde yayınlamıştır. Muharrem Ergin, bu yayının ön sözünde her şeye rağmen metinde çözülmemiş yerlerin ve hatta yanlış okunmuş kelimelerin kalmış olabileceğini de kaydetmiştir. Kadı Burhaneddin’in divanının tıpkıbasımı 2020 yılında yeniden yapılmıştır. Bu yazıda, Muharrem Ergin’in yukarıdaki tespitinden ilham alarak ve yeni tıpkıbasımdan da yararlanarak Kadı Burhaneddin Divanı’ndaki şiirler gözden geçirilmiş ve düzeltilmesi gerektiğini düşündüğümüz yerlerle ilgili tespitlerimiz ortaya konmuştur.
teste
Authors: Edison Edilson
Published: December 2021

resumo
Apresentação da “Régua milimetrada para fotografias odontológicas” desenvolvida na Universidade Estadual de Londrina / Presentation of the "millimeter ruler for dental photographs" developed at the State University of Londrina
Authors: Silva Adriana de Oliveira , Fabre Hebert Samuel Carafa , Guarneri Juliana Anany Gonzales , Do Amaral Anna Laura Morais , Suzuki Letícia Kaori
Published: December 2021

As fotografias odontológicas são responsáveis pelo registro permanente das condições clínicas e são aplicadas como documentação, ensino, comunicação entre dentistas, pacientes e técnicos, marketing, além de serem úteis como validade jurídica, tornando-se indispensáveis na rotina clínica diária. No entanto, a ação de fotografar, embora simples, necessita do conhecimento do operador sobre câmeras fotográficas e câmeras dos aparelhos celulares e suas variadas funções, evitando que os registros fotográficos se tornem custosos e exaustivos. O objetivo desse trabalho é apresentar a “régua milimetrada para fotografias odontológicas” desenvolvida na Universidade Estadual de Londrina como resultado de estudos e atividades práticas aplicadas em um programa de formação complementar do curso de odontologia. Caracteriza-se como um acessório para fotografias que facilita o processo de enquadramento, alinhamento e verificação de distorção de perspectiva, permitindo a padronização e calibração das tomadas fotográficas com medições precisas, reduzindo a necessidade de senso artístico, intuitivo e experiência profissional, uma vez que a régua contribui para o rápido entendimento e correção nas posições do fotógrafo e do paciente, melhor direcionamento e maior facilidade e rapidez para recortes das imagens obtidas. Pode-se concluir que a invenção é versátil e colabora para o alcance de imagens confiáveis e com maior qualidade, adequadamente obtidas de modo a auxiliar na organização e racionalização de trabalhos na prática clínica, sendo um acessório de grande importância, principalmente na atualidade, onde considera-se a utilização cada vez maior das fotografias que, por consequência, devem evoluir no sentido de facilitar planejamentos e contribuir para a execução dos tratamentos odontológicos.