bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 treatment reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in reflux esophagitis in rats
Authors: Wei Jingjing , Zhang Jun , Jiang Ying , Lian Tingting , Zhang Peihong , Zhuang Zehao
Published: March 2022

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder with a considerably high prevalence across the world. Reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus can cause irritation and inflammation of the esophagus and progress into reflux esophagitis (RE). Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effects and plays an important regulatory role in adaptability and innate immunity. Therefore, we hypothesized that VitD3 may play a protective role in RE. A total of 70 male Sprague–Dawley rats were used to surgically induce acute RE(n = 35) or chronic RE (n = 35), and to examine effects of different doses of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3(VitD3) on morphological changes and alteration of pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Macrographic and histopathological examinations revealed various degrees of esophageal impairment in rats following surgical induction of acute or chronic RE, whereas morphologic grading of esophageal mucosa showed no significant difference between groups. The protein expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 was significantly increased in the rats with acute or chronic RE compared with rats that received sham-surgery. Vit D3 treatment significantly reduced the levels of these pro-inflammatory cytokines in both the low-dose and high-dose VitD3 groups compared with the control group in acute RE. Although no morphologic and histopathologic changes were observed, these novel findings suggest a potential protective role of VitD3 in RE at an early stage.
Identification of phenylketonuria patient genotypes using single-gene full-length sequencing
Authors: Gao Jinshuang , Li Xiaole , Yu Haiyang , Guo Yaqing , Song Liying , Fang Yang , Yuan Erfeng , Shi Qianqian , Zhao Dehua , Yuan Enwu , Zhang Linlin
Published: March 2022

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a common, autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism caused by PAH gene variants. After routine genetic analysis methods were applied, approximately 5% of PKU patients were still not diagnosed with a definite genotype.Methods: In this study, for the first time, we identified PKU patients with unknown genotypes via single-gene full-length sequencing.Results: The detection rate of PKU genotype increased from 94.6% to 99.4%, an increase of approximately 5%. The variants c.1199+502A>T and 1065+241C>A were found at a high frequency in Chinese PKU patients.Conclusion: Our study suggest that single-gene full-length sequencing is a rapid, efficient and cost-effective tool to improve the genotype detection rate of PKU patients. Moreover, we provides additional case data to support pathogenicity of deep intronic variants in PAH.
Resource selection of free-ranging goats and potential behavioral mechanisms
Authors: Cheng Hua , Jin Bao-Cheng , Luo Kai , Zhang Xue-Li , Pei Jiu-Ying , Tang Jia-Qi , Zhang Yong-Hong , Sun Guo-Jun , Li Feng-Min , Wu Xinyuan
Published: March 2022

Background: Herbivores rarely move and forage randomly in rangelands. They tend to move in ways that balance energy acquisition from food intake and energy expenditure to find food, which are generally influenced by biotic and abiotic factors respectively. However, few studies have explored the relative importance of energy acquisition and expenditure in the foraging behavior of livestock or wild angulates in the absence of predation and human disturbance. There is also limited understanding of the trade-offs between forage quality and quantity and its implications to foraging behaviors of livestock. Methods: Satellite remote sensing, vegetation surveys, and GPS-tracking of 181 free-ranging Zhongwei goats over five years (2013-2017) were used to assess how biotic and abiotic factors affect the spatiotemporal distribution of free-ranging goats when foraging in the semiarid grassland of Loess Plateau. Results: The goats tended to use gentler slopes throughout the year which likely reduced energy expenditure. The spatial distributions of goats, however, primarily responded to the spatiotemporal variation of biotic factors rather than abiotic factors of elevation, slope and solar radiation. They preferentially used areas with higher forage quantity in the spring, areas of higher forage quality and quantity in summer, areas of higher quality in terms of abundance of palatable species in autumn, and areas of higher forage quantity in the winter. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, energy acquisition is of priority to energy expenditure in the foraging process for the Zhongwei goats. The preferences of the goats for forage quality or quantity vary with forage availability, selecting for higher forage quality when the forage is plentiful and for higher forage quantity otherwise. Better understanding of the patterns and drivers of spatiotemporal distribution of the goats can improve our ability to predict foraging behavior of livestock in heterogeneous environment and lead to better management practices and policy for sustainability of these arid landscapes and associated ecosystem services.
Combined roles of exporters in acetic acid tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Zhang Xiaohuan , Nijland Jeroen G. , Driessen Arnold J. M.
Published: March 2022

Acetic acid is a growth inhibitor generated during alcoholic fermentation and pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass, a major feedstock to produce bioethanol. An understanding of the acetic acid tolerance mechanisms is pivotal for the industrial production of bioethanol. One of the mechanisms for acetic acid tolerance is transporter-mediated secretion where individual transporters have been implicated. Here, we deleted the transporters Aqr1, Tpo2, and Tpo3, in various combinations, to investigate their combined role in acetic acid tolerance. Single transporter deletions did not impact the tolerance at mild acetic acid stress (20 mM), but at severe stress (50 mM) growth was decreased or impaired. Tpo2 plays a crucial role in acetic acid tolerance, while the AQR1 deletion has a least effect on growth and acetate efflux.. Deletion of both Tpo2 and Tpo3 enhanced the severe growth defects at 20 mM acetic acid concomitantly with a reduced rate of acetate secretion, while TPO2 and/or TPO3 overexpression in ∆tpo2∆tpo3∆ restored the tolerance. In the deletion strains, the acetate derived from sugar metabolism accumulated intracellularly, while gene expression analysis suggests that under these conditions, ethanol metabolism is activated while acetic acid production is reduced. The data demonstrate that Tpo2 and Tpo3 together fulfil an important role in acetate efflux and the acetic acid response.
HSP-17 protects H9c2 cells against oxidative stress injury and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway
Authors: Chen Xiaofang , Zhang Hao , Feng Mengwen , Ding Jingjing , Zhang Li , Qian Ling-Mei
Published: March 2022

Background: Oxidative stress and apoptosis play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury. HSP-17 is a peptide that is expressed at low levels in DOX-treated mouse heart tissue. It has high bioactivity and interspecies sequence consistency and is predicted to have a myocardial protective effect.Methods: First, we added 1 μM DOX to H9c2 cell culture medium and incubated the cells for 24 hours to construct a myocardial cytotoxicity model. Then, we detected the effect of HSP-17 on DOX-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury by measuring cell viability and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, we used ROS and JC-1 kits to evaluate the effect of HSP-17 on oxidative stress injury in cardiomyocytes induced by DOX. Western blot and flow cytometry analyses were utilized to detect the level of apoptosis. Finally, we detected the protein expression levels of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway members by western blotting and demonstrated the cardioprotective mechanism of HSP-17.Results: We obtained evidence that the HSP-17 peptide can increase cell viability, reduce LDH levels, and reduce ROS and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In addition, we provide evidence that HSP-17 upregulates the expression level of p-Akt in a DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury model and that LY294002 (LY), a typical inhibitor of PI3K/Akt, eliminates the protective roles of HSP-17.Conclusions: In conclusion, we have elucidated, for the first time, that the HSP-17 peptide protects H9c2 cells against DOX-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway, providing a new idea for the therapy of DOX-induced myocardial injury.
Improving the Success Rate of Quantum Algorithm Attacking RSA Encryption System
Authors: Dong Yumin , Liu Hengrui , Fu Yanying , Che Xuanxuan , Liu Cheng , Sun Lina , Wen Guangrui
Published: March 2022

The task of Shor’s factorization algorithm (SFA) is to find a non-trivial factor of a given composite number N. In the algorithm, it is explicitly required that the constructor f (x) = a x mod N cycle is an even number, otherwise it returns to the algorithm header to recalculate. According to the analysis of the principle of SFA, the characteristics of RSA public key cryptosystem and a large number of calculation results, the random selection of a value is related to the obtained period. Aiming at this defect, a new optimization scheme is proposed on the basis of the previous optimization, and the odd cycle obtained when a is a perfect square number randomly becomes effective. When the arbitrarily chosen value of a obtains a period that is a multiple of 3, by modifying the decomposition method, the requirements for the period are relaxed without affecting the algorithm complexity. Using the classic algorithm, we experimentally prove the effectiveness of the improved algorithm, and the new algorithm significantly reduces the probability of repeated operations.
Detection and Treatment of Lung Adenocarcinoma at Pre-/minimally Invasive Stage: Is It Lead-time Bias?
Authors: Ma Zelin , Wang Zezhou , Li Yuan , Zhang Yang , Chen haiquan
Published: March 2022

Objectives: This study investigates whether lead-time bias contributes to the excellent survival of AIS and MIA.Methods: We enrolled patients with resected adenocarcinoma from 2008-2012. Age, sex, smoke history, surgical approach, radiological features, invasive stage and postoperative follow-up data were documented. 1:1 PSM was performed to balance the influence of sex and smoking status on survival. After matching, the average age of two groups was compared to calculate the lead time of diagnosis. The gain in life years for adenocarcinoma diagnosed at pre-/minimally invasive stage was estimated by subtracting the “lead time” and “median survival year of IAC” from “the life expectancy of AIS/MIA patients” referring to Centre for Health and Information. Results: There were 124 AIS/MIA patients and 1148 IAC patients. The frequency of female and never-smoking patients in AIS/MIA group was much higher than that in IAC group. PSM analysis identified 124 patient pairs. No cancer-related death and recurrence were observed among AIS/MIA patients in 5 years after surgery. For IAC patients, 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 73.5% and median survival is 13.5 years. The average age of AIS/MIA group and IAC group are 53.6 years and 58.2 years, respectively. The lead time between diagnosis of AIS/MIA and IAC is 4.6 years. Referring to Centre for Health and Information, the life expectancy of patients with AIS/MIA diagnosed at 53.6 years old is 28.9 years. With adjustment for the lead time, the gain in life years for adenocarcinoma diagnosed at pre-/minimally invasive stage is 10.8 years. Conclusions: With adjustment for the lead time between diagnosis of AIS/MIA and IAC, resecting lung adenocarcinoma at pre-/minimally invasive stage can improve life expectancy. The excellent survival of AIS/MIA is not lead time bias.
Epidemic risk assessment from geographic population density
Authors: Celestini Alessandro , Colaiori Francesca , Guarino Stefano , Mastrostefano Enrico , Zastrow Lena Rebecca
Published: March 2022

The geographic distribution of the population on a region is a significant ingredient in shaping the spatial and temporal evolution of an epidemic outbreak. Heterogeneity in the population density directly impacts the local relative risk: the chances that a specific area is reached by the contagion depend on its local density and connectedness to the rest of the region. We consider an epidemic spreading in an urban territory subdivided into tiles (i.e., census blocks) of given population and demographic profile. We use the relative attack rate and the first infection time of a tile to quantify local severity and timing: how much and how fast the outbreak will impact any given area. Assuming that the contact rate of any two individuals depends on their household distance, we identify a suitably defined geographical centrality that measures the average connectedness of an area as an efficient indicator for local riskiness.
Safety of stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with moderate to severe aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Salatzki Janek , Ochs Andreas , Kirchgäßner Nadja , Heins Jannick , Seitz Sebastian , Hund Hauke , Mereles Derliz , Friedrich Matthias G. , Katus Hugo A. , Frey Norbert , André Florian , Ochs Marco M.
Published: March 2022

Aims: Dobutamine and adenosine stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) are relatively contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe AS. We aimed to determine the safety of dobutamine and adenosine stress CMR in patients with moderate to severe AS.Methods: In this retrospective study patients with AS who underwent either dobutamine or adenosine stress CMR between January 2009 and December 2021 for exclusion of obstructive CAD were enrolled. We recorded clinical data, CMR and echocardiography findings and side effects (major complications, minor complications and complaints). Patients with AS were compared to matched individuals without AS.Results: 187 patients with AS were identified and compared to age-, gender- and BMI-matched 187 patients without AS. No major complications were reported in the study nor the control group. The reported frequency of complaints and minor complications were similar between the study and the control groups.Nineteen patients with AS experienced side effects during dobutamine stress CMR compared to eighteen patients without AS (p=0.855). One patient with AS and two patients without AS undergoing adenosine stress CMR experienced side effects (p=0.562). Four examinations were aborted because of severe chest pain, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and third-degree atrioventricular block. Age, prior coronary artery bypass grafting, prior stroke and inducible ischaemia were associated with a higher incidence of complications.Conclusion: Moderate to severe AS was not associated with side effects of complications during CMR stress test. The data suggest CMR stress testing to be safe in patients with AS.
MiR-20a: a mechanosensitive microRNA Regulates fluid shear stress-mediated osteogenic differentiation via the BMP2 signaling pathway by target BAMBI and SMAD6
Authors: Ai Hong , Peng Zhuli , Mai Zhihui , Xiao Feng , Liu Guanqi , Wang Yixuan , Xie Shanshan
Published: March 2022

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of diverse biological and pathological process. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-20a in fluid shear stress(FSS)-mediated osteogenic differentiation.Methods: In the present study, we subject osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells or mouse bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs) to single bout short duration fluid shear stress(12 dyn/cm2 for 1 hour) by using a parallel plate flow system. The expression of miR-20a was quantified with miRNA array profiling and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) during the FSS-mediated osteogenic differentiation. Bioinformatics analysis and a luciferase assay were performed to confirm potential targets of miR-20a.Results: Osteoblast-expressed miR-20a is sensitive to the mechanical environments of FSS, which is differentially upregulated During Steady FSS-mediated Osteogenic Differentiation. MiR-20a enhances FSS-induced osteoblast differentiation by activating the BMP2 signaling pathway. Both BAMBI and SMAD6 are targets of miR-20a that negatively regulate the BMP2 signaling pathway.Conclusion: MiR-20a is a novel mechano-sensitive miRNA that can enhance osteoblast differentiation in FFS mechanical environments, implying that this miRNA might be a target for bone tissue engineering and orthodontic bone remodeling for regenerative medicine applications.
The pattern and treatment outcomes for rectal cancer with concurrent locoregional recurrence and distant metastases after total mesorectal excision
Authors: Chen Yikuan , Li Yaqi , Mo Shaobo , Hu Xiang , Liu Fangqi , Cai Sanjun , Ma Xiaoji , Peng Junjie
Published: March 2022

Objective
To study the pattern and treatment outcome of rectal cancer (RC) with concurrent locoregional recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) after total mesorectal excision (TME) and to identify patient-, disease-, and treatment-related factors associated with differences in prognosis after concurrent LR and DM.
Methods
RC patients who were diagnosed with concurrent LR and DM after TME from May 2015 to June 2019 were included in our study. All patients received single or multiple treatment modalities under the guidance of multidisciplinary team (MDT) of colorectal cancer in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center.The prognostic of various clinicopathological factors for survival calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis.
Results
A total of 74 RC patients with conurrent LR and DM after TME were eligible for analysis with median follow-up of 27 months. Median survival of patients included was 34 months and 30 patients (41%) died. 59 patients (80%) underwent comprehensive treatments. Patients with oligometastatic disease (OMD) achieved no evidence of disease (NED) status more frequently than those with multiple metastases (P = 0.003). In the univariate analysis, patients achieving NED, diagnosed with OMD and five or less peritoneal metastases tended to have longer survival after LR and DM diagnosis (P < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, attaining NED status was the only independent factor for survival (hazard ratio (HR), 2.419; P = 0.032). Survival after concurrent LR and DM in the non-NED group was significantly shorter than in the NED group (median survival, 32 vs 46 months; HR, 2.7; P = 0.014).
Conclusion
The pattern and treatment outcome of RC with concurrent LR and DM after TME has changed with development of multiple treatment modalities. Although the prognosis is still poor, pursuing NED status through comprehensive treatments may improve the survival of RC patients with concurrent LR and DM after TME.
On the throughput of the common target area for robotic swarm strategies
Authors: Passos Yuri Tavares dos , Duquesne Xavier , Marcolino Leandro Soriano
Published: March 2022

A robotic swarm may encounter traffic congestion when many robots simultaneously attempt to reach the same area. For solving that efficiently, robots must execute decentralised traffic control algorithms. In this work, we propose a measure for evaluating the access efficiency of a common target area as the number of robots in the swarm rises: the common target area throughput. We also employ here the target area asymptotic throughput — that is, the throughput of a target region with a limited area as the time tends to infinity — because it is always finite as the number of robots grows, opposed to the relation arrival time at the target per number of robots that tends to infinity. Using this measure, we can analytically compare the effectiveness of different algorithms. In particular, we propose and formally evaluate three different theoretical strategies for getting to a circular target area: (i) forming parallel queues towards the target area, (ii) forming a hexagonal packing through a corridor going to the target, and (iii) making multiple curved trajectories towards the boundary of the target area. We calculate the throughput for a fixed time and the asymptotic throughput for these strategies. Additionally, we corroborate these results by simulations, showing that when a strategy has higher throughput, its arrival time per number of robots is lower. Thus, we conclude that using throughput is well suited for comparing congestion algorithms for a common target area in robotic swarms even if we do not have their closed asymptotic equation.
Comprehensive bioactivity of Pleurotus flabellatus lectin and their interruption in apoptosis inducing WNT pathway
Authors: Murugesan Arul Kumar , Sathuvan Malairaj , Javee Anand
Published: April 2022

Cancer is the high leading cause of cancer temporality worldwide. Treatment of cancer has always been a challenge for primary care and the development of appropriate medicine against colon and lung cancers is a major focus for budding researchers in the field. The mushroom lectin has, a few studies explored relating to the biological activity such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer activity and others. The mushroom lectin has attained considerable attention recently. The present study was undertaken to evaluate Pleurotus flabellatus lectin (PFL-L) induced cell death on human pathogenic fungal cells. Fungal cell viability was estimated at different intervals, moreover Aspergillus niger has the lowest cell viability (11%) compared to the others. Additionally, PFL-L was examined on human colorectal carcinoma cancer (HT29) cells and lung carcinoma cancer (A549) cells. The apoptotic changes were detected by apoptosis assay on HT29 cells and A549 cells. Further, PFL-L was demonstrated to the HT29 cells were disturbed against the presence of PFL-L at 100 µg/mL and the cell viability range is 25.90 ± 1.52%, whereas the A549 cells range is low. Then, the PFL-L initiates that DNA damage within cancer cells and the effects of cancer-related proteins were examined.
Monthly assessment of the relative abundance and development of immature stages of Culex mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of the selected breeding habitats in Niger, Nigeria
Authors: Hasber Salim , Ibrahim Kura. Shehu , Hamdan Ahmad , Israel Kayode. Olayemi , Danjuma Solomon , Abu Hassan. Ahmad , Mamman Rashidu
Published: April 2022

The study was conducted in gutter, swamps, and large water bodies and Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae were sampled weekly from May to November 2019. Three Culex vectors identified in the areas namely, Culex quinquefasciatus, Cx. nigripalpus and Cx. salinarius. Habitats-wised showed large water habitats had the abundance of Culex followed by gutters and swamps. Based on the monthly abundance rate, the peak abundance of the immature stages was June and July and declined in November in both habitats. While the age survival rate differed significantly from one another across the months in all the habitat types. On the age distribution within the habitat types, L4 was the highest, in gutters, while in swamps, and large water habitats, L1 larvae were the most abundant, respectively. While between the habitats, gutters had a significantly higher abundance of L1, L2, L3, and L4, while swamp and larger water habitats were insignificant (p > 0.05) from one another for L1 and L4 except for the L3 immature stage that was differentiated with larger water being the most abundant. The findings imply that anthropogenic changes to the ecosystem are causing a severe hazard of Culex-Borne Diseases to public health in Niger State.
A method for finding a zero of the sum of maximal monotone operators
Authors: Beddani Abdallah
Published: March 2022

This paper describes and presents a method for finding the zero of the sum of two monotone operators on real Hilbert spaces. In addition, some illustrative examples are given at the end of this paper.
A Descriptive Retrospective Study of The Prevalence Of Antipsychotic Polypharmacy (APP) Among Schizophrenia Patients In Malaysia
Authors: Muthanna Fares M.S , Ibrahim Hamza Khaliha
Published: March 2022

Background
The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of APP among Malaysian patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Methods
A descriptive retrospective study was conducted to gather clinical and demographic information on adult individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders e.g schizophrenia who had been prescribed with antipsychotic drugs (Antipsychotic combination or Monotherapy) and had been admitted to Hospital Kajang in Malaysia between March 2016 and November 2016. Prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) is determined by determining whether the patient is given one or more antipsychotic medications or not. A descriptive analysis was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of APP among clinical and demographic variables.
Results
The study included 113 people suffering from schizophrenia. The prevalence of APP was 56.7% (n = 64). According to our results, the prevalence of APP among demographic and clinical variables were 48.4% (n = 31) among elderly patients, 61.8% (n = 40) among males, 70.3% (n = 19) among single, and 67.2% (n = 43) among unemployed schizophrenia patients.
Conclusion
According to this setting, the proportion of APP in schizophrenia patients is quite high. Being male, single and younger than 50 years of age was linked to a significant rise in APP prevalence; thus, protocols are required to recognize subgroups of psychiatric patients who are most likely benefit from novel management strategies and kidney functions.
A novel mechanism controls Li mineralization in granitic pegmatite
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Hui , Tang Yong , Lv Zheng-Hang , Guan Shen-Jin , Wang Meng-Tao
Published: April 2022

Granitic pegmatite Li deposits account for approximately half of global Li production, while the Li mineralization mechanism remains enigmatic. Here we present Li isotope data on the albite from 8 textural zones of the well-characterized Koktokay No. 3 Li-Be-Nb-Ta-Rb-Cs mineralized pegmatite in Xinjiang, China. Our results reveal that there coexists two important processes during the internal evolution of the pegmatite: (1) fluid exsolution and (2) Li unloading. The former facilitates Li enrichment and the later results in spodumene crystallization. These “fluid transportation” processes can be indicated by a negative correlation between δ7Li value and Li content. Globally, the statistical geochemical data of Li mineralized pegmatites have also yielded a negative linear correlation between δ7Li value and Li content in both of whole rock and separated mineral samples, providing compelling evidence that “fluid transportation” is the key mechanism responsible for Li mineralization in granitic pegmatites. This finding is of great significance for Li metal deposit modeling, highlighting an urgent need to better understand the dynamic processes of magmatic-hydrothermal interaction during the crystallization of pegmatite magma.
Application of Nature-Based Nanotechnology for Enhancing Biocementation in Clay by Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation
Authors: Ghalandarzadeh Sara , Maghoul Pooneh , Ghalandarzadeh Abbas , Courcelles Benoit
Published: March 2022

Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a nature-based soil stabilization technique, which has been developed for the past 20 years. Nevertheless, the application of the MICP method for stabilization of clays has received less attention in the literature as it is necessary to boost its effect in various ways to ensure its efficiency. Simultaneous use of the MICP method with natural nanomaterials can be a way to enhance the performance of MICP. In this study, the effect of nano-CaCO3 and nano-SiO2 on enhancing the MICP processes in a kaolinite clay is investigated. The nanomaterials and bacteria and cementation solutions were added to the host soil with different percentages. A series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests was conducted to study the effect of nano-enhanced bio-cementation on soil strength after different curing times. Furthermore, the microstructure of the treated soils was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, chemical decomposition and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. It was observed that the amount of calcium carbonate and UCS increased in all nano-bio-treated samples with curing time. SEM images of the modified samples showed that the soil texture becomes flocculated with the addition of nano-SiO2 with the MICP method and calcium carbonate was formed in the voids between the clay minerals, which increased the strength of the soil. XRD analyses and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of calcium carbonate in the soil texture.
Cyborgs vs. Vatniks: Hybridity, Weaponized Information, and Mediatized Reality in Recent Ukrainian War Films
Authors: Ladygina Yuliya V.
Published: March 2022

Focusing on Akhtem Seitablaiev’s blockbuster Kiborhy: Heroi ne vmyraiut' (Cyborgs: Heroes Never Die, 2017) and Sergei Loznitsa’s auteur production Donbass (2018), this article argues that the latest cycle of Ukrainian war films merits critical attention as an astute record of conspicuous social transformations in today’s Ukraine and as a medium that presents an original perspective on the hybrid nature of modern war and its mediatization, the latter being a relatively new theme in war films broadly defined. The article uses post-colonial and cyborg theories of hybridity, Baudrillard’s concept of simulacra, and the Marxist notion of “false consciousness” to illustrate how post-Soviet, post-colonial, and post-truth aspects of war-torn Ukraine conflate in Seitablaev’s and Loznitsa’s works to bring to the fore a recent shift in the nature of warfare itself. As the two films unequivocally demonstrate, the latter is defined not so much by high-tech armed operations and direct annihilation of the opponent as by contactless warfare, as well as its consequences for those directly influenced by it.
The effect of Clathrin protein addition on increasing the number of electrons in organic Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC)
Authors: Trihutomo Prihanto , Marji Marji , Harly Muchammad , Wahyudi Bambang Adi , Radja Muhammad Bustomi
Published: March 2022

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is a solar cell that uses dyes to convert sunlight into electricity, which has a wide absorption spectrum, is inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Visible light sensitive dyes are used in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) types to generate electricity. Natural sensitive dyes that are commonly used in DSSC are chlorophyll derived from plants. Chlorophyll is a source of electrons which will be excited when exposed to light, resulting in an electric current in the DSSC. The most basic problem in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) is that the number of electrons produced is still lower than that of silicon solar cells. This is due to the high recombination process of free electrons due to limited diffusion of electrons trapped at the boundary between TiO2 particles caused by less than optimal contact between particles. Clathrin is a protein that plays an important role in the formation of the vesicle layer which is responsible for the transport of molecules in cells. As a protein that plays an important role in the cell transport system, Clathrin can bind to ions in order to transport cells. This study has proven that the addition of Clathrin protein to the DSSC layer can increase the number of electrons generated in the DSSC. The method used in this study was to vary the addition of Clathrin content to TiO2, namely the Clathrin concentration of 0 %, 25 %, 50 % and 75 %. The results showed that increasing the Clathrin content would increase the electric current and the number of electrons generated by the DSSC, namely the 75 % Clathrin content with an electric current of 5,247 mA and the number of electrons was 3.28x1016
Using Phenomenology to Access Teachers’ Understanding of the Benefits of Student Voice in the Context of Gifted and Talented Education in an Australian Independent School
Authors: Thorneycroft Anne , Hyde Brendan
Published: April 2022

The purpose of the study reported here was to explore teachers’ lived experiences and reflections on how they perceive and understand the benefits of allowing student voice within the gifted and talented cohort of students at an independent school located in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Using the phenomenological framework of van Manen’s four lifeworld existentials of lived body, lived time, lived space, and lived relations, semi-structured interviews took place with three teachers from this school. Four themes emerged from the analysis – challenge, belonging, autonomy and empowerment. The findings highlight the benefits of allowing student voice in the gifted and talented program in enhancing the educational growth of gifted students and enabling gifted students to contribute positively for the betterment of society.
Streamflow forecasting in Tocantins river basins using machine learning
Authors: Duarte Victor Braga Rodrigues , Viola Marcelo Ribeiro , Giongo Marcos , Uliana Eduardo Morgan , de Mello Carlos Rogério
Published: April 2022

Understanding the behavior of the river regime in watersheds is fundamental for water resources planning and management. Empirical hydrological models are powerful tools for this purpose, with the selection of input variables as one of the main steps of the modeling. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to select the best input variables using the genetic, recursive feature elimination, and vsurf algorithms, and to evaluate the performance of the random forest, artificial neural networks, support vector regression, and M5 model tree models in forecasting daily streamflow in Sono (SRB), Manuel Alves da Natividade (MRB), and Palma (PRB) River basins. Based on several performance indexes, the best model in all basins was the M5 model tree, which showed the best performances in SRB and PRB using the variables selected by the recursive feature elimination algorithm. The good performance of the evaluated models allows them to be used to assist different demands faced by the water resources management in the studied river basins, especially the M5 model tree model using streamflow lags, average rainfall, and evapotranspiration as inputs.
Projekt ustawy o kooperatywach mieszkaniowych jako przykład działania państwa w przestrzeni polityki mieszkaniowej
Authors: Kugacz Bartłomiej
Published: April 2022

Artykuł dotyczy instytucji kooperatywy mieszkaniowej, będącej odpowiedzią ze strony państwa na wciąż rosnące zapotrzebowanie wśród społeczeństwa na lokale mieszkalne. Praca skupia się na przedstawieniu pojęcia kooperatyw mieszkaniowych oraz węzłowych postanowień wynikających z treści projektowanej ustawy odnoszącej się do instytucjonalizacji przedmiotowej kooperatywy w systemie prawa polskiego. Artykuł zmierza do przedstawienia oraz opisania proponowanych przez projektodawcę sposobów powstania takiej kooperatywy oraz udziału gminy w procesie jej realizacji.
Wartość własnych doświadczeń rodzinnych św. Augustyna
Authors: Ozorowski Mieczysław
Published: April 2022

Niniejszy projekt badawczy ma na celu przedstawienie własnych doświadczeń związanych z małżeństwem i rodziną u św. Augustyna. Św. Augustyn jest jednym z największych teologów w starożytności chrześcijańskiej. Nie był on żonatym mężczyzną, ale urodził się w chrześcijańskiej rodzinie i posiadał pewne doświadczenie życia z kobietą w konkubinacie.  Pozostawił również dużą ilość pism poświęconych zagadnieniom małżeńskim i rodzinnym. Nie tworzą one zwartego traktatu o małżeństwie i rodzinie. Są one odbiciem aktualnych i palących problemów, które nurtowały nie tylko św. Augustyna, ale również otaczających go ludzi. Wydaje się również, że św. Augustyn żył osobiście tymi zagadnieniami, które opisywał w swoich pismach. Problematyka małżeńska i rodzinna wynika z własnego osobistego doświadczenia a także doświadczenia bliskich mu ludzi. Poglądy Augustyna wywarły duży wpływ na postawę całego Kościoła Zachodniego. Podstawowym źródłem w tym zakresie pozostają jego „Wyznania”, które zawierają wiele informacji biograficznych. Jest to oryginalne opracowanie ukazujące źródła poglądów św. Augustyna na seksualność człowieka oraz jego relacje rodzinne.
Wychowanie do wartości a pojęcie rodziny wielodzietnej (wielofunkcyjnej)
Authors: Karwowska Aleksandra
Published: April 2022

Czy rodzina wielodzietna może dzisiaj dobrze spełniać funkcję wychowania do wartości? Często rodzina wielodzietna postrzegana jest jako mało wydajna i nie mogąca dobrze wypełnić swoich funkcji, w tym wychowania do wartości. ,,Rodzina jest jedną z najważniejszych grup pierwotnych, ma poczucie swej odrębności, ma własne zadania i cele życiowe, układ stałych międzyosobniczych stosunków, określoną strukturę”. Do celów rodziny zalicza się przede wszystkim zrodzenie potomstwa, miłość, wychowanie, dążenie do szczęścia etc. Funkcje to te same rzeczywistości jak cele, ale postrzegane z innej strony. Zaliczamy do nich między innymi funkcję reprodukcyjną, emocjonalną, wychowawczą czy opiekuńczą. Funkcja wychowawcza to wprowadzenie dziecka w świat, wpajanie mu systemu wartości i wzorów zachowań obowiązujących w społeczeństwie, oraz przygotowanie do pełnienia różnych ról społecznych w jego przyszłości. Istotną rolę w kształtowaniu poglądu na świat i wychowaniu do wartości mają rodzice, którzy są przykładem realizacji danych wartości i życia zgodnego z tymi wartościami. Rodzina jest szczególnym i podstawowym środowiskiem, w którym następuje spotkanie z konkretnymi wartościami oraz utrwalanie ich przez powtarzanie. Obecnie w zakresie budowania i realizowania właściwej filozofii rodzinnej istnieje wiele zagrożeń nazywanych filozofią sukcesu, pozoru, posiadania i przyjemności, powodujących przepaść pomiędzy dzieckiem a rodzicem oraz zatarcie najważniejszych wartości. Negatywne opinie dotyczące rodzin wielodzietnych są jednoznaczne krzywdzące. W Polsce jako współczynnik rodziny wielodzietnej przyjęto model 2 plus 3. Liczba rodzin 2+3 z roku na rok spada. Jedną z przyczyn takiego zjawiska jest społeczny negatywny odbiór wielodzietności. Jak zmieniać wizerunek rodziny wielodzietnej, aby zachęcać młode pokolenie do zakładania dużej rodziny? Są to niewątpliwie wyzwania, które stoją przed polską polityką rodzinną.
Posiłki rodzinne jako narzędzie budujące więzi rodzinne oraz zapobiegające zaburzeniom psychicznym i społecznym dzieci w Stanach Zjednoczonych
Authors: Dańczak MSF Mateusz
Published: April 2022

Autor podjął się opracowania tematu: posiłki rodzinne jako narzędzie budowania więzi. Z analizy literatury przedmiotu wynika, że posiłek rodzinny w historii ulegał przemianom i bardzo mocno zależał od sytuacji ekonomicznej i społecznej rodziny. W czasach najdawniejszych kobiety i dzieci, ze względu na niską pozycję społeczną bardzo rzadko mogły jeść razem z mężczyznami. Sytuacja uległa zmianie, gdy kobieta stała się opiekunką domowego ogniska, a dzieci odgrywały co raz większą rolę. W czasie II wojny światowej obraz rodziny, która wspólnie je obiad, był wykorzystywany do celów propagandowych, ale ze względu na liczbę mężczyzn przebywających na froncie, rzadko dochodził do skutku. Za „złoty okres” rodzinnych posiłków uznane zostały lata pięćdziesiąte XX wieku, w których były one powszechne.

Dzisiaj częstotliwość posiłków rodzinnych zależy od wielu czynników. Można tu wymienić zmiany w strukturze rodziny czy dużą aktywność pozaszkolną dzieci. Wyniki różnią się w zależności od badań, ale u wielu z nich zauważa się spadek częstości rodzinnych spotkań przy stole. Rodzice podobnie jak ich dzieci cenią sobie czas, który spędzają wspólnie podczas jedzenia, a jedną z głównych zalet takich spotkań jest wzmacnianie więzi między rodzicami i ich dziećmi. Nie jest to jednak jedyny pozytyw rodzinnych posiłków. Wśród nastolatków, którzy regularnie jedzą z rodzicami mnożna zauważyć mniejszą liczbę chorych na depresję i sięgających po różnego typu używki. W tej specyficznej grupie dostrzegalny jest również pozytywny wpływ na wyniki w nauce dzieci i młodzieży i problem nadwagi.
Correlation of Performance of Reinforced Concrete Buildings with Energy-Based Parameters
Authors: Sari Ali , Manuel Lance
Published: March 2022

Background:

The intensity of ground shaking and the demand on structures during earthquakes have been generally characterized using parameters such as peak ground acceleration as well as strength-based parameters such as response spectrum ordinates (e.g., spectral acceleration), which represent the maximum amplitude of shaking for structures with specified natural period and damping values.

Methods:

It has long been recognized that to assess the demands on structures during earthquakes, one might employ an energy-based approach (as an alternative to the more common strength-based one), especially when there is an interest in assessing the damage potential of ground motions. The study focuses on the correlation between Ground Motion Parameters (GMPs) and structural damage indicators for reinforced concrete frames. The relationship between ground motion intensity and structural damage is of primary concern in seismic regions. Here, we consider GMPs that are strength-based (such as spectral acceleration, Sa) and energy-based (such as input energy-equivalent acceleration, Ai, and absorbed energy-equivalent acceleration, Aa), as defined in the study. In order to evaluate Ground Motion Parameters (GMPs) for efficiency, power-law format regression studies of damage measures (DM) on each GMP are utilized.

Results:

The general objective of this paper is to investigate if energy-based parameters can correlate well with structural damage. Thus, power-law formats in regression of damage on GMP are considered. In regression studies of this type, a lower standard deviation of the damage measure given the value of the ground motion parameter (GMP) is considered an indication of a stronger correlation between that damage measure and the corresponding ground motion parameter.

Conclusion:

These extensive regression studies are carried out for both low-rise and high-rise reinforced concrete buildings. Conclusions are discussed following these analyses.
Conocimiento local acerca del laurel silvestre (Litsea glaucescens Kunth) en el Parque Nacional El Chico, Hidalgo, México
Authors: Ortega-Meza Daniela , Pulido Silva Maria Teresa , Arruda Joari Costa de , Da Silva Carolina J. , Sander Nilo Leal , Gómez Aíza Adriana
Published: March 2022

El laurel silvestre (Litsea glaucescens) es uno de los productos forestales no maderables con mayor potencial en los bosques templados de México. Mientras que su uso etnobotánico es numeroso y milenario, hay escasa información documentada sobre el conocimiento tradicional y sus formas de manejo. Disponer de esta información ayuda a mantener parte de la memoria biocultural y aplicar estrategias de conservación. Los objetivos fueron documentar el conocimiento local y las estrategias de manejo realizado por comunidades campesinas del Parque Nacional el Chico, así como determinar los lugares y técnicas de cosecha. Se aplicaron 55 entrevistas semiestructuradas en las comunidades de Carboneras y Pueblo Nuevo, así como observaciones directas o recorridos en el parque. Todos los entrevistados reconocen y usan el laurel, la mayoría mostró conocimiento de la biología de la especie. El laurel está plenamente integrado al contexto cultural de los habitantes del área protegida. Los entrevistados detectan la plasticidad fenotípica del laurel, notable en su morfología, así como en sus características aromáticas y gustativas. Si bien nueve de cada 10 entrevistados reconoce que actualmente existen restricciones legales sobre la recolecta, ésta se lleva a cabo a nivel doméstico y comercial.
The Effect of Online Learning Using Smansa Ende Online on The Students’ Motivation and Learning Outcomes of Physics Subject of Class XI
Authors: Alung Helena V , Kaleka Melkyanus Bili Umbu , Rahmawati Ana Silfiani
Published: April 2022

The study aimed to find out the effect of online learning using Smansa Ende online on motivation to learn physics and the effect of online learning using Smansa Ende online on physics learning outcomes, to students in class XI at SMA Negeri 1 Ende for the academic year 2020/2021. Quantitative research was used to examine the causal relationships that were not treated by researchers and the occurred activities. The data collection techniques were questionnaires and documentation. The population was 71 students of class XI MIPA 4 and XI MIPA 5 at SMAN 1 Ende, with a research sample of 36 students of class XI MIPA 5. The hypothesis testing using linear regression t-test showed that H1 and H2 were accepted, with a significance value of H1 being less than 0.05 (0.026 0.050). Then, there was an effect of online learning using Smansa Ende Online on learning motivation. Meanwhile, the significant value of H2 was less than 0.05 (0.007 0.050). Then, there was an effect of online learning using Smansa Ende Online on learning motivation.
Individual functionalization of fiber-reinforced profiles via pultrusion
Authors: Drebenstedt Claudia , Knobloch Marcus , Löpitz David , Wagner David
Published: April 2022

Profile-based design is widely used because of its flexibility. A good possibility to increase the lightweight aspect can be the use of fiber reinforced profiles. These can be produced in a series suitable process - pultrusion. In this paper, the integration of functions in pultrusion profiles is focused. In one project, potential sensor concepts for robust condition monitoring of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) profiles were developed to expand the range of applications significantly. One application could be the substitution of complex aluminum profiles by fiber reinforced profiles with the advantage like high lightweight potential and low thermal expansion. Another objective was the integration of sensors and light-emitting diodes (LED) directly into the pultrusion profile.
The objective of a second research project was the integration, wiring and test of sensors into a curved roller ski profile to detect loads during training. Several types of sensors were investigated to evaluate the parameters accuracy, positioning, and wiring at the best economic efficiency.
The focus of the research and development of both projects was the integration of functions into pultruded profiles made of FRP. Successfully integrated functionalizing elements include sensors for strain, lighting elements, and touch sensors as well as temperature and humidity modules.
The objective of the research project “SmartSensSki” was the integration, wiring and test of sensors into a curved roller ski profile to detect loads during training. Several types of sensors were investigated to evaluate the parameters accuracy, positioning, and wiring at the best economic efficiency.
The focus of the research and development of both projects was the integration of functions into pultruded profiles made of FRP. Successfully integrated functionalizing elements include sensors for strain, lighting elements, and touch sensors as well as temperature and humidity modules.