bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil Composition of the Tovuzchay Basin of Azerbaijan by Ecological Regions
Authors: Kerimova A.
Published: January 2024

One of the environmental problems that the relevant structures are currently closely addressing is the protection and restoration of soil fertility. In this regard, the effective and correct use of land resources in the region, as well as the protection of agricultural land, have become urgent problems. In order to organize environmental monitoring carried out on the basis of the relevant program, environmental observations of diagnostic indicators of soil fertility were carried out. Tovuzchay river basin is divided into ecological regions: watershed, transit and accumulation areas, the closedness of the territories in relation to other river basins, their separation by natural boundaries (watersheds) are factors that increase the accuracy of observations.
Kadınların Gayri Resmi Barış Süreçlerindeki Rolünün Kadın Haklarına Yönelik Çıktıları: Güney Afrika Örneği
Authors: Köse Bahar , Eminoğlu Ayça
Published: January 2024

Tüm zamanlarda ve dünyanın her yerinde kadınlar ekonomiden sağlığa, eğitimden dış politikaya hayatın her alanından dışlanma ve ikincil bir statüye indirgenme durumuyla karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Bu durum barışın sağlanması ve toplumun yeniden yapılanması söz konusu olduğunda da geçerliliğini korumaktadır. Bu doğrultuda kadınlar toplumun geleceğinin inşa edildiği resmi masalardan dışlanmakta ve kadınların çabaları çoğunlukla gayri resmi bir statüye indirgenmektedir. Gayri resmi süreçlerde kadınlar gerek bireysel gerekse örgüt halinde toplumun geleceğinin inşasında önemli görevler üstlenmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı barışı resmi süreçlerin ötesinde ele alarak kadınların gayri resmi çabalarının kadın hakları bakımından ülkenin geleceğine yaptığı önemli katkıları vurgulamaktır. Bu doğrultuda Güney Afrika örneğini ele alarak kadın örgütlerinin stratejik hamlelerinin mevzuattaki yansımaları incelenmiştir. Neticede kadınların gayri resmi faaliyetlerinin resmi süreçleri önemli ölçüde etkilediği ve kadınlara yasal ehliyet, siyasi temsil, nafaka, aile içi şiddetten korunma vb. pek çok yasal hak tanıdığı sonucuna varılmıştır. Bu vesileyle gayri resmi barış süreçlerinin önemi ve barış süreçlerine kadın katılımının önemli çıktıları gibi konulara da dikkat çekilmiştir.
Effectiveness and advantages of ablative method of surgical removal of focies of verrucous leukoplakia of the oral mucosa with dental diode laser
Authors: Lyubomirskiy G. B.
Published: January 2024

The article presents clinical and diagnostic aspects of leukoplakia of the oral mucosa and red border of the lips and approaches to the treatment of the verrucous form of leukoplakia. The effectiveness of laser thermal ablation and adhesive balm with magnetic polymers, hexethidine, cytylpyridinium chloride and hyaluronic acid has been shown, which opens up new possibilities in the treatment of this pathology with minimal risk of complications.
THE TRANSLATION OF POETRY:AN EXAMPLE FROM NAZIK AL-MALA'IKA
Authors: Asfour Mohammad
Published: January 2024

Almost everybody agrees that poetry is what gets lost in translation. Poetry is said to be inseparable from the language in which it was originally written. Different languages not only have different prosodic systems, they also have different sound systems whose subtle effect is often difficult to estimate in the source language, let alone transferring that effect to the target language. A prose version of a poem in the same language does not have the same effect, perhaps not even the same meaning (Brooks1947:192-214; de Beaugrande and Dressler, 1981:58). Moreover, literature in general, and poetry in particular, is more or less tied to the source culture, which often makes it difficult to transfer adequately to the target culture without some loss. Finally, the source language may offer, through historically established conventions, metaphoric possibilities that may not be available in the target language. This is obviously a special problem relating to the translatability of metaplioric language in general (see, for example, Newmark 1995:32-33).

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INTRODUCTION TO TRANSLATION THEORY AND CONTRASTIVE TEXTOLOGY IN ARAB UNIVERSITY TRANSLATION CLASSES
Authors: G. Emery Peter
Published: January 2024

Translation courses are found in most Arab University English programmes but the rationale for their existence is seldom made explicit. In a survey of syllabi of such programmes, Bahumaid (1995:99) found that (with one exception) 'no set of clearly defined objectives of the translation course is provided in the course description/outline'. The most common reasons for teaching translation at university level are a) linguistic and b) vocational/professional, but it seems that both in the West and in the Arab World the latter type of (career-oriented) courses are few and far between. A survey report on Translation in British Universities BA Degree French Language programmes found that 'translation (was) taught as a way of improving students' linguistic proficiency in nineteen of the twenty-one institutibns which answered the survey questionnaire' (Sewell, 1996: 137). It is true that the two aims can coincide. Improved linguistic proficiency would normally lead to a better chance of employment as a translator. But some scholars feel that the university translation class could be more effectively focussed on developing professional translation skills (Critchley et al, 1996) vvhiie others consider that the traditional practice of prose/translation exercises are neither realistic nor relevant to the work of the professional translator..
POST GIBRAN: ANANTHOLOGYOFNEWARAB AMERICAN WRITING, BY KHALID MATTAWA and MUNIR AKASH, EDS. PP.460. MARYLAND: KITAB, INC., 1999.
Authors: MATTAWA KHALID , AKASH MUNIR
Published: January 2024

POST GIBRAN: ANANTHOLOGYOFNEWARAB AMERICAN WRITING, BY KHALID MATTAWA and MUNIR AKASH, EDS. PP.460. MARYLAND: KITAB, INC., 1999..
Contrastive Studies of Arabic and English: The Diglossic Parameter
Authors: J.Bakir Murtadha
Published: January 2024

1. The Comparison of English with Arabic enjoys a long history and wide popularity in modern language research conducted by Arab or Arabist linguists. The earliest of such studies go back to the fifties, probably exhibiting the then new focus on language comparison with
pedagogical objectives. 1 It is thus interesting to ponder on the various
aspects of this line of research: its history, its relation to other lines of research, the issues it generates, its position within the research movement, its points of focus, the theoretical modifications it underwent, or changes in research attitudes towards it. In any survey of the state of the art, these and other _ questions will be pertinent. Unfortunately nothing much has been done in this respect. Therefore, these questions remain unansY'ered. The present paper concerns itself with one aspect of these studies. This is the noticeable alternation in the form of Arabic that researchers have chosen to compare with English in their studies.

Arabic is one of those languages that exhibit diglossia - a situation whereby two distinct forms of the language live side by side in the community. In all Arabic-speaking communities two distinct forms of Arabic - Standard Arabic (SA) and the regional spoken colloquial- co­ exist. Both are eligible for comparison. Any researcher who sets out to compare English, or any language for that matter, with Arabic will face the question as to which of these forms he wants to choose for the comparison. All the studies that concern or involve a comparison of English with Arabic make this choice before getting involved in the actual task of description and comparison . I have not encountered a contrastive study of English and Arabic in which no decision is explicitly made as to which form of Arabic the comparison with English is going to be carried out.

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Distorted Love in Tayeb Salih's Season ofMigration to the North
Authors: NouhaHomad NouhaHomad
Published: January 2024

All men dream: but not all equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.
T. E. Lawrence'

In a blurb on the back of the French translation ofTayeb Salih's Season of Migration to the North Claude-Michel Cluny says that the novel is: 'Angoisse des batards nes des noces de 1'Afrique et de l'Occident, du passe avec le futur ...../ It plays out the agony of the bastard, or hybrid, who is the product of a love-hate relationship between East and West and of past and future,3 and reveals, as Octavio Paz puts it, 'that the ancient beliefs and customs are still in existence beneath the Western forms.'4 The novel explores the concept of time, a concept so singular in Sudan, due to its environm.ent a...11d distances, that control over either does not seem possible. Life moves at a pace different from that in the \X/estern \Vorld
. and problems are magnified or minimised accordingly by this distorted sense of time.5 Moreover, not only time but history is distorted by c )l1stant flashba.c fu d fast=for vards 'p 1nctt1ated by the agonizing cry of (Mustafa) Sa'eed, totally lost to himself tom apart between East and West, South and North, Black and White.' 6
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Burzio's Generalization and Arabic Verbs
Authors: S. Al-Seghayar Mohamed
Published: January 2024

This paper incorporates a detailed examination of what has come to be known as Burzio 's Generalization after Luigi Burzio's work of (1986) on Italian Syntax and purports to investigate how this generalization can be applied to data from Standard Arabic. We first review Burzio's generalization in section 2 , Section 3 deals with the generalization as it applies to Arabic declaratives and in Section 4 we examine the generalization with respect to two exclamative constructions in Standard Arabic. Section 5 sums up the findings of the paper regarding the application ofBurzio's generalization to the data considered.

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Arabic Collocations: The Need for an Arabic Combinatory Dictionary
Authors: Hafiz Al-Tahir
Published: January 2024

The provtswn of collocations in a reference form is becoming increasingly important for foreign language learners and users as well as for translators. It is also important, however, to understand the nature of lexical collocability so as to be able to determine which lexical combination should be entered in the reference work and which are not needed there. The Arabic language is rich in many forms of collocation, and even native speakers of Arabic today seem to need a reference for the various combinations of lexical items that affect their language production with relation to usage and grammar.

This paper aims to explain the semantic nature of lexical collocations, at least in the Arabic language. The paper also proposes a methodology for the entry of Arabic collocations in a special dictionary, which Ihave adopted in the dictionary I have already compiled, which is awaiting publication (cf. Hafiz, forthcoming).

It has now become clear that a combinatory dictionary of Arabic is not only important for Arabists and orientalists, but also for translators, foreign writers in Arabic and foreign learners of Arabic. Their need for such a reference work seems to be evident as can be seen from the difficulties they often encounter and the errors they often make while speaking/writing and translating.
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Some Notes on Single Cycle Syntax and Genitive of Negation
Authors: Witkos Jacek
Published: January 2024

This paper is an attempt at providing an account of Long GoN within the system of minimalismbased on case-agreement and single cycle syntax, closely related to the system developed in Chomsky (J998, 1999, 2000). First, we propose that a successful relation of case-agreement can be established not only between full Probes and complete Goals but also between 'split' Probes and complete Goals. We define a 'split' Probe as a (predefined) pair of heads that complement each other and jointly have features (+case, +). In the concrete case ofGoN and Long GoN, the two heads involved are F/Neg (+case) and v (+). The distance holding between the two half Probes in the cases ofLong GoN and the punitive power of the PIC, force us to revise certain assumptions concerning the status ofphases in the derivation. We propose that for a successful case-agreement relation both the 'split' Probe and the Goal must be placed within the same derivational phase. We therefore submit that neither the vP nor the infinitive embedded under control verbs constitute strong phases. In order to deal with infinitives embedded under control verbs, we reject the idea that they are CPs and propose instead that they are best treated as bare TPs, following Boskovic (1997) or, preferably, Hornstein (2000, 2001). The latter hypothesis, based on movement into thematic positions and treatment of obligatory control PRO as an NP trace, has an additional advantage ofexplaining lack ofdefective intervention effects that a PRO, with its interpretable (+) features visible to the Probe, is otherwise expected to cause..
Towards a New Methodology for Teaching English to Arab Learners( TEAL )*
Authors: Mukattash Lewis
Published: January 2024

This paper is based on a series of assumptions and principles, which if and when endorsed would lead to a better understanding of the role of FL education in the Arab World and hence to adopting explicit strategies to boost it to the desired extent and level without losing sight of the main objective of the overall educational system in our countries..
ArabianJazz..·1993, (376 pages) and Crescent, 2003, (pages 349) • by Diana Abu Jaber .. (W.W: Norton and Company, New York) .
Authors: Jabbour Georgette
Published: January 2024

ArabianJazz..·1993, (376 pages) and Crescent, 2003, (pages 349) • by Diana Abu Jaber .. (W.W: Norton and Company, New York) ..
Psychic Occupation: Western Narrative Style in Beer in the Snooker Club and Season of Migration to the North
Authors: J. McDonald John
Published: January 2024

This paper compares how two Arab Novels, Waguih Ghali's Beer in the Snooker Club (1964) written in English, and Tayeb Salih 's Season of Migration .to the North (1969) written in Arabic (trans. by Denys Johnson –Davies), depict Colonialism 's influence on Arab cultural identity through narrators who are Anglophiles. While the Arabic narrative and Western voice interact cohesively, the protagonists of Salih 's and Ghali's  novels experience inter-cultural and internal conflicts which result in self-hatred, physical and identity displacement, political dissidence, and acts of questionable morality. Because both identify with an occupying culture they struggle to find stability, satisfaction or redemption in the excesses and "freedoms " of the West, and in the customs of their native cultures..
Globalism and the Universal Language: The Lessons of the Past*
Authors: Al-Dabbagh Abdulla
Published: January 2024

The idea of one common language for all mankind appeared for the first time, in European thought, during the Renaissance. In the years immediately following the Second World War there was a strong and serious revival of interest in the possibilities of a universal language. Although the achievement of common language for all humanity may still seem far away, it may well no longer be a dream or a theoretical game of linguists. The rising status of English as an international language, especially in the era of contemporary Globalism, has put this old/new issue into yet another perspective..
Globalisation and the Myth of Liberalisation
Authors: Tennent Graeme
Published: January 2024

Globalisation and the Myth of Liberalisation.
The Interlanguage of Arab Learners of English (ILALE) A Preliminary Annotated Bibliography
Authors: Mukattash Lewis
Published: January 2024

The Interlanguage of Arab Learners of English (ILALE) A Preliminary Annotated Bibliography.
The Jordanian Novel 1980 – 1990: A Study and an Assessment by Fahd A. A. Salameh, Ministry of Culture, Amman, 2000.
Authors: T. Gorgis Dinha
Published: January 2024

The Jordanian Novel 1980 – 1990: A Study and an Assessment by Fahd A. A. Salameh, Ministry of Culture, Amman, 2000..
A Theme-Rheme Analysis of Exclamatives and Clause Typology in English and Arabic
Authors: S. Al-Seghayar Mohamed
Published: January 2024

This paper is an attempt to offer a theme-rheme typology of English and Arabic clauses with exclamatives in focus. This is done by investigating the theme-rheme organization of all clause types in English and Arabic and showing that a three-feature system can help provide two different typologies of clauses in both languages. It is shown that a (theme-initial, rheme-initial) feature system is not enough a system and that a third feature i.e. (transition-initial) is needed for such a task. It is also shown that in English, the features (trans-final, theme-final) are needed to distinguish between two theme-initial types of clauses. It is also shown that in Arabic the same two features, i.e. (trans-final, theme-final), are needed to make a distinction between two different types of clauses. The analysis reflects the differences and similarities between clause types (if any) between the two languages in question..
Sa- and Sawfa as Modal Forms New Evidence from Informant Testing
Authors: Abunowara Ahmed
Published: January 2024

Most of the Western writers, especially when they come to compare the
English modal verbs with their equivalents in Arabic, claim that there are no modal
verbs in Arabic (see, for example, Swan and Smith's (1987) Learner English: A
Teacher's Guide to Interference and other Problems). There are probably two reasons
why they make this assumption. The first one is that modality in Arabic has not yet
attracted much attention from either Arabic or Western linguists. The second is the
scarcity of information about these modal forms in Arabic grammar books. Arabic does
have different realizations at the level of form for 'modal' meanings, e.g. as verbs,
adjectives, adverbs, and particles. But these verbal and non-verbal forms do not form a
distinct, formally recognizable set of modal forms, as is the case with the English
modals. The result is that discussions of them are scattered throughout different
chapters of the traditional Arabic grammar books. (This is possibly a third reason that
has led some writers claim that there are no modal verbs in Arabic). But, whether they
are verbs, adjectives, or particles, these forms express a wide range of 'modal' meanings
(see Abunowara, 1996). This paper shows that the two particles sa- and sawfa, beside
their meaning as future markers, can cover a range of volitional and prediction
meanings if they are used in different contexts..
The Effects of Instruction on Acquiring Pronominal Copies’ Status
Authors: Maghrabi Aimen
Published: January 2024

This study examines the effect of two types of formal instruction on acquiring pronominal copies' status in English restrictive relative clauses by native speakers of Arabic using English for academic purposes. Grammatical judgment and sentence combination elicitation measures were used followed by some pedagogical implications and further research suggestions..
Contrastive Analysis and Diglossia
Authors: Al-Ajlouny Mohammed
Published: January 2024

This paper starts by discussing the relation between contrastive analysis and diglossia, attempting to find out whether the colloquial dialects of Arabic have any influence on the learning of English by speakers of those dialects. If it does, then colloquial, as well as Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), has to be contrasted to English for pedagogical purposes. So far, most contrastive analysis studies have dealt only with MSA as though colloquial has no influence on learning English. Evidence from university students' writing in MSA and English is presented to prove that colloquial does influence these students' learning of MSA and English. The paper concludes that this influence of colloquial is sufficient justification for including the colloquial dialects in Arabic-English contrastive studies, MSA alone being not enough for pedagogical purposes..
Text Marking Strategies of Saudi University Students
Authors: Omer Alhaidari Ahmad
Published: January 2024

The study attempted to investigate the textmarking strategies used by both male and female Saudi university students. It also aimed at finding out the textmarking strategies they used and the differences between the male and female students in the application of these strategies. The results revealed that Saudi students lacked the proper caliber of using textmarking strategies and needed some practical training. However, the female students did better in their textbooks than their male counterparts. Saudi students preferred underlining to highlighting while marking the texts but failed to distinguish between important and unimportant information. Most of them relied on their mother tongue i.e. Arabic for text comprehension. Also, they used non-generative strategies like underlining rather than generative ones like summarization and annotation..
MODELS OF CHOOSING THE LOCATION OF A LOGISTICS CENTER
Authors:   National University of Bioresources and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Zagurskiy Oleg
Published: January 2024

Abstract. Allocating a certain territory for transportation, logistics and distribution of goods involves spatial planning and infrastructure rationalization. The decisions regarding the geographical location of the logistics center itself and its structural elements are extremely important, because their impact on the indicators of its activity is long-term. And if mis-take is made during the construction of production or logistics facilities, and this or that facility is placed in an unfortu-nate place, then to correct the situation (moving to a new, better place), a large amount of material, financial, labor and other resources will be needed, which will lead to to the loss of customers, time, freezing of capital and, accordingly, a decrease in the competitiveness of enterprises, industries, countries, etc. The work summarizes the criteria for choosing the location of the logistics center and reviews practices for making decisions about its optimal location, substantiating proposals for choosing the best method. Making a decision about choosing the optimal location of a logistics center is a very difficult economic and mathemat-ical task, because decision-makers have to rationalize the combination of quantitative and qualitative factors, the mass of factors and the trade-offs between them on the basis of socio-economic, political and geographical criteria and the condi-tion of the motor transport infrastructure. When choosing the optimal location of the logistics center, it is proposed to apply the method of analytical hierarchy (AI), which includes procedures for synthesizing many statements, obtaining the priority of criteria and finding alternative solutions. Keywords: multi-criteria models, hierarchical structure, logistics center, routing, motor transport infrastructure.
CREATION OF AN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR CHECKING OF COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTALITY REQUIREMENTS AND ROADWORTHINESS TEST FOR VEHICLES ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ECMT/ITF AND THE 1997 AGREEMENT
Authors:   State Enterprise «State Road Transport Research Institute», Nazarenko Mykola , Ageev Volodymyr ,   State Enterprise «State Road Transport Research Institute», Holyk Andrii ,   State Enterprise «State Road Transport Research Institute», Trokhymchenko Volodymyr ,   State Enterprise «State Road Transport Research Institute»
Published: January 2024

Abstract. Roadworthiness testing of wheeled vehicles plays a critical role in ensuring road safety. A systematic approach to analyzing this process reveals key aspects that can contribute to improving safe-ty for all road users. One of the most important characteristics of such an analysis is the ability to identify specific inconsistencies, as well as to determine their sources. SE “DerzhautotransNDIproject”, understanding the importance of this issue, regularly conducts audits of testing laboratories. This makes it possible to collect objective statistical data, which become the basis for further research. These data are an integral part of the analytical process, which is implemented with the help of a specialized expert system. This system, even at its initial stage of development, is already showing impressive performance. It not only allows you to detect inconsistencies in various parameters, but also directs the attention of experts to specific types and models of vehicles. However, the potential of the expert system is much wider. It has the ability to increase the efficiency of the inspection process, as well as contribute to the search for ways to optimize the quality of service and inspections of the health insurance company. The integration of this system into a wider ecosystem approach to transport safety can be the key to more systematic and effective risk management on the roads. With all the above in mind, it can be said that the analysis of the road safety inspection process, supported by research and the latest technologies, is a step forward in the direction of creating a safe and sustainable transport environment. Improving safety, efficiency and sustainability in the transport industry through these studies can become the new standard for all stakeholders. Keywords: expert system, ECMT, Technical Inspections (1997 Agreement), risks, inspection of vehicles.
ORGANIZATION OF TECHNOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND DESIGN OF PRODUCTION DIVISIONS OF AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT ENTERPRISES IN THE INTERACTIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WORKLAB-AUTO
Authors:   Vinnytsia National Technical University, Kukurudziak Yurii
Published: January 2024

Abstract. The general structure, principles of operation and application of the author's interactive learning envi-ronment Worklab-Auto for the organization of technological processes of diagnosis, maintenance and repair of cars and the design of pro-duction units of automobile transport enterprises are described. The software complex includes a fairly extensive data-base, server and client parts with a WEB interface and access via the INTERNET network. System modules provide inter-active implementation and simulation of production situations, which significantly improves the quality and realism of design. The environment contains modules for the analysis of the enterprise's production activity, which analyze the state of the production and technical base and the organization of work in production units, providing tech-nological equipment and tools. Calculation modules provide for the determination of the annual volume of work, the number of workers and the number of posts, as well as the distribution of work by types and place of execution. The pro-duction units of the enterprise are formed in the organizational modules. Technological equipment is selected from the database for each production unit. The organization of workplaces involves in an interactive mode fixing for each work-place works that are similar in execution technology, as well as the necessary technological equipment and tools. The types of diagnostic maintenance or repair posts are selected from the database which are equipped with an inspection ditch, a lift or stationary post equipment, respectively. The graphic window of the room plan makes it possible to display and move the selected equipment, service posts, workplaces, gates, doors, windows on a large scale. The development and optimization of route technology involves the visual division of a given technological process into separate operations. Keywords: design, automobile transport enterprise, technological process, education, interactive and distance learning.
ROAD PAVEMENTS SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS STANDARD MEASURING METHODS
Authors:   N.P. Shulgin State Road Research Institute State Enterprise, Tereshchenko Tatiana
Published: January 2024

Abstract. The texture of a road pavement surface and its skid resistance which concerns its ability to resist the vehicle wheel skidding have been accepted worldwide as the road safety criterion. These characteristics are interconnected in that the texture affects the skid resistance. The goal of the paper is to carry out the comparative analysis of valid road safety and performance parameters and its dependence on the road pavement surface texture and the comparative analysis of international and regional standard methods of road surface texture and skid resistance measurements covering methods acceptable for the road network survey. The main principles of the road pavement surface texture categorization were analyzed with its ranging as micro-, macro- and megatexture where the microtexture parameters sufficiently influence adhesion between pavement and tire especially in wet conditions. It was stated also that the macro- and megatexture parameters govern the rolling resistance and dynamic effect where the last is attributable to the comparable dimensions of the megatexture wavelength and the tire footprint and also affects the increase in loading that may be equal to the additive ESALs up to 40 %. The high-range wavelength roughness exceeding λ = 500 mm should be viewed as the road surface unevenness, as the feature negatively governing the vehicle road-holding ability. Also the contemporary high-performance techniques and methods for the road pavement surface skid resistance determination were reviewed and it was shown that these method and the according equipment should be divided as performing the longitudinal friction measurements or the side-way force measurements to be carried out under conditions that allow the investigators to distinguish the contribution made by the road pavement surface characteristics to the friction force. The possibilities of the usage of the results of the mathematical analysis of the road surface profile survey were analyzed separately and it was shown that the power spectral density can be accepted as a valid parameter for non-direct estimation of the road surface texture through international roughness index IRI. Keywords: road pavement, surface texture, profilometer, skid resistance, slid angle, friction coefficient, international roughness index.
Fast and Fourier: extreme mass ratio inspiral waveforms in the frequency domain
Authors: Speri Lorenzo , Katz Michael L. , Chua Alvin J. K. , Hughes Scott A. , Warburton Niels , Thompson Jonathan E. , Chapman-Bird Christian E. A. , Gair Jonathan R.
Published: January 2024

Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals (EMRIs) are one of the key sources for future space-based gravitational wave interferometers. Measurements of EMRI gravitational waves are expected to determine the characteristics of their sources with sub-percent precision. However, their waveform generation is challenging due to the long duration of the signal and the high harmonic content. Here, we present the first ready-to-use Schwarzschild eccentric EMRI waveform implementation in the frequency domain for use with either graphics processing units (GPUs) or central processing units (CPUs). We present the overall waveform implementation and test the accuracy and performance of the frequency domain waveforms against the time domain implementation. On GPUs, the frequency domain waveform takes in median 0.044 s to generate and is twice as fast to compute as its time domain counterpart when considering massive black hole masses ≥2×106M⊙ and initial eccentricities e0 > 0.2. On CPUs, the median waveform evaluation time is 5 s, and it is five times faster in the frequency domain than in the time domain. Using a sparser frequency array can further speed up the waveform generation, reaching up to 0.3 s. This enables us to perform, for the first time, EMRI parameter inference with fully relativistic waveforms on CPUs. Future EMRI models, which encompass wider source characteristics (particularly black hole spin and generic orbit geometries), will require significantly more harmonics. Frequency domain models will be essential analysis tools for these astrophysically realistic and important signals.
A deep learning knowledge distillation framework using knee MRI and arthroscopy data for meniscus tear detection
Authors: Ying Mengjie , Wang Yufan , Yang Kai , Wang Haoyuan , Liu Xudong
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To construct a deep learning knowledge distillation framework exploring the utilization of MRI alone or combing with distilled Arthroscopy information for meniscus tear detection.

Methods: A database of 199 paired knee Arthroscopy-MRI exams was used to develop a multimodal teacher network and an MRI-based student network, which used residual neural networks architectures. A knowledge distillation framework comprising the multimodal teacher network T and the monomodal student network S was proposed. We optimized the loss functions of mean squared error (MSE) and cross-entropy (CE) to enable the student network S to learn arthroscopic information from the teacher network T through our deep learning knowledge distillation framework, ultimately resulting in a distilled student network ST. A coronal proton density (PD)-weighted fat-suppressed MRI sequence was used in this study. Fivefold cross-validation was employed, and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1-score, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the medial and lateral meniscal tears detection performance of the models, including the undistilled student model S, the distilled student model ST and the teacher model T.

Results: The AUCs of the undistilled student model S, the distilled student model ST, the teacher model T for medial meniscus (MM) tear detection and lateral meniscus (LM) tear detection are 0.773/0.672, 0.792/0.751 and 0.834/0.746, respectively. The distilled student model ST had higher AUCs than the undistilled model S. After undergoing knowledge distillation processing, the distilled student model demonstrated promising results, with accuracy (0.764/0.734), sensitivity (0.838/0.661), and F1-score (0.680/0.754) for both medial and lateral tear detection better than the undistilled one with accuracy (0.734/0.648), sensitivity (0.733/0.607), and F1-score (0.620/0.673).

Conclusion: Through the knowledge distillation framework, the student model S based on MRI benefited from the multimodal teacher model T and achieved an improved meniscus tear detection performance.
Small organic molecules containing amorphous calcium phosphate: synthesis, characterization and transformation
Authors: Indurkar Abhishek , Kudale Pawan , Rjabovs Vitālijs , Heinmaa Ivo , Demir Öznur , Kirejevs Matvejs , Rubenis Kristaps , Chaturbhuj Ganesh , Turks Māris , Locs Janis
Published: January 2024

As the primary solid phase, amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) is a pivotal precursor in cellular biomineralization. The intrinsic interplay between ACP and Howard factor underscores the significance of understanding their association for advancing biomimetic ACP development. While organic compounds play established roles in biomineralization, this study presents the synthesis of ACP with naturally occurring organic compounds (ascorbate, glutamate, and itaconate) ubiquitously found in mitochondria and vital for bone remodeling and healing. The developed ACP with organic compounds was meticulously characterized using XRD, FTIR, and solid-state 13C and 31P NMR. The morphological analysis revealed the characteristic spherical morphology with particle size close to 20 nm of all synthesized ACP variants. Notably, the type of organic compound strongly influences true density, specific surface area, particle size, and transformation. The in vitro analysis was performed with MC3T3-E1 cells, indicating the highest cell viability with ACP_ASC (ascorbate), followed by ACP_ITA (itaconate). The lowest cell viability was observed with 10 %w/v of ACP_GLU (glutamate); however, 1 %w/v of ACP_GLU was cytocompatible. Further, the effect of small organic molecules on the transformation of ACP to low crystalline apatite (Ap) was examined in Milli-Q® water, PBS, and α-MEM.
Antimicrobial peptide-modified AIE visual composite wound dressing for promoting rapid healing of infected wounds
Authors: Chen Yi , Qian Hongjin , Peng Dandan , Jiang Yan , Liu Qiaolin , Tan Yan , Feng Longbao , Cheng Biao , Li Guilan
Published: January 2024

Wound infection is a major problem faced during wound healing. Therefore, it is necessary to develop wound dressings with excellent antimicrobial properties. Here, a smart response system of PVA-TPE/HA-AMP/SF/ALG wound dressing was prepared by a combination of chemical cross-linking and freeze-drying methods. We grafted AMP onto HA to endow the wound dressing with bacterial resistance and slow release of AMP. At the same time, the system detects bacterial activity in real time for precise antimicrobial activity (through the use of PVA-TPE) and modulates inflammation to reduce bacterial infection (through the use of AMP). In addition, the PVA-TPE/HA-AMP/SF/ALG wound dressing has a good three-dimensional mesh structure, which promotes cell proliferation, enhances collagen deposition and angiogenesis, and thus effectively promotes rapid healing of infected wounds. Moreover, it can induce the expression of inflammatory factors such as VEGF, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4 and TGF-β1 in infected wounds through the Wnt/CAMK/p-PKC signaling pathway, inhibit inflammatory responses, promote wound healing and reduce scar formation. Therefore, the PVA-TPE/HA-AMP/SF/ALG wound dressing smart response system shows great promise in infected wound healing.
Maturation and culture affect the metabolomic profile of oocytes and follicular cells in young and old mares
Authors: Bresnahan D. R. , Catandi G. D. , Peters S. O. , Maclellan L. J. , Broeckling C. D. , Carnevale E. M.
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Oocytes and follicular somatic cells within the ovarian follicle are altered during maturation and after exposure to culture in vitro. In the present study, we used a nontargeted metabolomics approach to assess changes in oocytes, cumulus cells, and granulosa cells from dominant, follicular-phase follicles in young and old mares.

Methods: Samples were collected at three stages associated with oocyte maturation: (1) GV, germinal vesicle stage, prior to the induction of follicle/oocyte maturation in vivo; (2) MI, metaphase I, maturing, collected 24 h after induction of maturation in vivo; and (3) MIIC, metaphase II, mature with collection 24 h after induction of maturation in vivo plus 18 h of culture in vitro. Samples were analyzed using gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry only when all three stages of a specific cell type were obtained from the same mare.

Results and Discussion: Significant differences in metabolite abundance were most often associated with MIIC, with some of the differences appearing to be linked to the final stage of maturation and others to exposure to culture medium. While differences occurred for many metabolite groups, some of the most notable were detected for energy and lipid metabolism and amino acid abundance. The study demonstrated that metabolomics has potential to aid in optimizing culture methods and evaluating cell culture additives to support differences in COCs associated with maternal factors.
The effect of adjunctive LASER application on periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Ponnaiyan Deepa , Rughwani Roshan R. , Shetty Ganesh , Mahendra Jaideep
Published: January 2024

Periodontal regeneration involves the composite action of cell, scaffolds and signaling molecules. There are numerous autologous sources of regenerative cells which are present close to the vicinity of the periodontally debilitated site, the primary one being the periodontal ligament stem cell, which is believed to have a key role in regeneration. Various methods can be harnessed to optimize and enhance the regenerative potential of PDLSCs such as the application of LASERs. In the last few years there have been various studies which have evaluated the effect of different types of LASERs on PDLSCs and the present review summarizes the photo-biomodulative activity of LASERs in general and its beneficial role in the stimulation of PDLSC specifically.
Obesity-related asthma and its relationship with microbiota
Authors: Huang Jinli , Zhou Xuehua , Dong Bo , Tan Hong , Li Qiuhong , Zhang Juan , Su Hui , Sun Xin
Published: January 2024

Obesity and asthma are global public health problems. Obesity-related asthma is a special phenotype of asthma with a complex pathogenesis. Its occurrence and development are related to mechanical compression, inflammatory response, metabolic regulation, gene regulation, and vitamin D deficiency. Different treatment strategies used in the process of weight loss have a beneficial impact on asthma. Alterations in gut and airway microbial community structure and their metabolites may also contribute to obesity-related asthma. The role of the Th17/Treg balance in the gut microbiota regulating the immune responses and host metabolism is important. Therapeutic measures associated with the gut microbiota variety may contribute to improving chronic inflammation associated with obesity by regulating the Th17/Treg balance. An early reduction in microbial diversity can predict the development of asthma and lead to allergy through an imbalance of Th2/Th1 responses. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) regulate the differentiation and activation of regulatory T cells, thereby regulating immune homeostasis in the lung to suppress allergic inflammation and weight gain. Therefore, clarifying the microbial mechanism of obesity-related asthma has important guiding significance for clinical treatment. In this review, we used the following terms: “asthma and obesity” and “obesity-related asthma”, combining “phenotype”, “airway inflammation” and “lung function”, and reviewed the characteristics and pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma, the relationship between the gut and airway microbiota and obesity-related asthma, and the current treatment measures for the disease.
Sea level and temperature extremes in a regulated Lagoon of Venice
Authors: Ferrarin Christian , Bonaldo Davide , Bergamasco Alessandro , Ghezzo Michol
Published: January 2024

Increasing sea levels and water temperatures have been detected at several coastal locations worldwide with severe consequences on the communities and ecosystems. Coastal lagoons are particularly vulnerable to such changes due to their low land elevation and limited connections with the open sea. Here the recent and future climatic changes in the Lagoon of Venice (Italy) are investigated using in-situ observations and high-resolution hydrodynamic modeling. Trend analysis was applied to observed time series of meteorological and oceanographic climate essential variables to identify significant long-term changes in mean and extreme values. The mean relative sea level rose at a rate of 4.9 mm per year in Venice due to the combined action of eustacy and subsidence while air and sea temperatures increased on average by 1.8 and 1.1°C in 30 years, respectively. These rates, as well as climate projections, were used following a pseudo-global-warming approach to investigate the near future (up to 2050) evolution of the lagoon's dynamics focusing on sea level and temperature extremes. The lagoon will amplify the temperature changes expected for the Adriatic Sea, especially in the shallow tidal flats where the intensity of the marine heat waves will be more than four times larger than that in the open sea. Moreover, the model allowed us to perform “what-if” scenarios to explore to which extent the flood protection MoSE barriers will modify the lagoon's dynamics. According to the simulations, the number of floods and therefore of the MoSE closure strongly increases with sea level rise. In the most severe scenario, MoSE will have to close for more than 20% of the time in October, November, and December resulting in the reduction of water exchange with the open sea and exacerbation of marine cold spells. Some considerations on the implications of the expected changes on the lagoon's ecology are proposed.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (from inception to standard treatment): a single-center observational study
Authors: Høydahl Martin Petter , Busund Rolf , Rösner Assami , Kjønås Didrik
Published: January 2024

Background

Treatment of severe aortic stenosis with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was introduced in 2002. Since then, TAVI has become the primary treatment approach worldwide for advanced-age patients and younger patients with severe comorbidities. We aimed to evaluate the changes in patient demographics, complications, and mortality rates within 13 years.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included 867 patients who underwent TAVI at the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsø from 2008 to 2021. The 13-year period was divided into period 1 (2008–2012), period 2 (2013–2017), and period 3 (2018–2021). The primary objective was to evaluate the changes in periprocedural (30 days), early (30–365 days), and late mortality rates (>365 days) between the periods. The secondary objective was to evaluate late mortality rates by sex and age groups: <70 years, 70–79 years, 80–89 years, and ≥90 years.

Results

The periprocedural mortality rates for periods 1, 2, and 3 were 10.3%, 2.9%, and 1.2%, respectively (P < 0.001). The early mortality rates were 5.6%, 5.8%, and 6.5%, respectively. No significant differences were observed in late mortality by sex or age group (<70, 70–79, and 80–89 years) with a median survival of 5.3–5.6 years. The median survival in patients aged ≥90 years was 4.0 years (P = 0.018).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that most patients are octogenarians, and the burden of their comorbidities should be highly considered compared to their age when evaluating the procedural outcomes. As the incidence of most complications related to TAVI has decreased, the rates of permanent pacemaker implantation remain high. Important advancements in diagnostics, valve technology, and procedural techniques have improved the periprocedural mortality rates; however, early mortality remains unchanged and poses a clinical challenge that needs to be addressed in the future.