bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on Optimal Promotion Strategies of Remanufactured Products in a Dual-Channel Supply Chain
Authors: Li Hao , Liu Min , Xiao Qing
Published: July 2024

As an important way to realize the circular economy, remanufacturing faces the problem of low consumer recognition of remanufactured products. Given that factor, this study formulates a model that integrates offline direct sales with online distribution led by remanufacturers, assuming that consumers perceive differences between channels. We develop a Stackelberg game model to represent cases of remanufactured channel promotion and generic promotion and analyze the optimization of pricing and the level of promotion effort decisions for remanufactured products. Furthermore, considering the market conditions, such as the difference coefficient of consumer channel perception and the spillover effect in generic promotion, we investigate the selection of the optimal promotion strategy for remanufacturers. The research findings reveal the following: (i) Under channel promotion, the level of promotion effort and the prices of online and offline products are positively correlated with the difference coefficient of consumer value perception. Conversely, under generic promotion, the level of promotion effort and the prices of online and offline products initially decrease and then increase with the difference coefficient of consumer value perception. (ii) Under the generic promotion, the differences in prices between online and offline products are significantly smaller compared to channel promotion. (iii) The remanufacturer’s profit from channel promotion is higher when the difference in consumer channel perception is either small or large. Conversely, when the difference in consumer channel perception is moderate, the optimal strategy for remanufacturers is generic promotion, thereby achieving a mutually beneficial outcome with retailers. This study provides a theoretical foundation for remanufacturers to formulate effective pricing and promotion strategies in dual-channel marketing, thereby enhancing the market recognition and sales of remanufactured products.
Closed-Form Solutions for Kermack–McKendrick Dynamical System
Authors: Ene Remus-Daniel , Pop Nicolina
Published: July 2024

This work offers a (semi-analytical) solution for a second-order nonlinear differential equation associated to the dynamical Kermack–McKendrick system. The approximate closed-form solutions are obtained by means of the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM) using only one iteration. These solutions represent the ε-approximate OHAM solutions. The advantages of this analytical procedure are reflected by comparison between the analytical solutions, numerical results, and corresponding iterative solutions (via a known iterative method). The obtained results are in a good agreement with the exact parametric solutions and corresponding numerical results, and they highlight that our procedure is effective, accurate, and useful for implementation in applications.
Underwater High Precision Wireless Acoustic Positioning Algorithm Based on L-p Norm
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Yingmin , Zhu Guolei
Published: July 2024

Underwater wireless acoustic positioning technology uses the geometric relationship between a target and a receiving array to determine the target’s position by measuring distances between the target and the array elements, that the receiving array is usually symmetry in space. It is an indirect measurement approach, so ranging errors can significantly impact positioning accuracy due to error transmission effects. To improve precision, a similarity-matched localization algorithm based on the L-p norm (LPM) is introduced. This algorithm constructs a distance vector model with environmental parameters and performs similarity analysis by computing the L-p norm of the distance vector and a reference copy vector for three-dimensional localization in the observation area. Unlike conventional methods, this technology directly matches distance vectors without coupling error transmission, thereby enhancing positioning accuracy even though it remains contingent upon ranging precision. To validate the algorithm’s efficacy, Monte Carlo simulations are employed to analyze the distribution patterns of positioning errors in both horizontal and three-dimensional spaces. The results show an improvement from a mean positioning error of 0.0475 m to 0.0250 m and a decrease in error standard deviation from 0.0240 m to 0.0092 m. The results indicate that LPM offers improved accuracy and robustness by circumventing traditional error transmission issues.
Elliptic Curve Cryptography-Based Identity Authentication Scheme Suitable for Metaverse Environment
Authors: Zhai Haonan , Deng Miaolei , Wu Huanmei
Published: July 2024

Compared to traditional platform environments in the online realm, the metaverse, as a three-dimensional (3D) virtual world, exposes more identity data to the network. Once these data are compromised, it leads to privacy breaches. Therefore, how to ensure identity security in the metaverse environment has become an urgent problem to be solved. Although research on identity authentication schemes can help improve identity security, traditional identity authentication schemes in network environments are studied based on their own environmental characteristics, which makes it difficult to meet the security needs in the metaverse environment. As a result, in this paper we propose an elliptic curve cryptography (ECC)-based identity authentication scheme to address identity authentication issues in the metaverse environment. This scheme ensures secure communication among users, avatars, and platform servers. The security of this scheme was demonstrated through informal security analysis and the automated validation of internet security protocols and applications (AVISPA) formal security analysis tools, and the results showed that it can resist various known attacks. Compared with existing identity authentication schemes, this scheme has lower computational and communication costs.
A One-Dimensional Dynamic Model for a Thin-Walled U-Shaped Boom Segment Considering Cross-Section Deformation
Authors: Zhu Yuhang , Zhang Lei , Wang Hui
Published: July 2024

This article presents a one-dimensional dynamic model for a thin-walled U-shaped telescopic crane boom segment, considering cross-section deformation, to address complex and inefficient dynamic modeling issues. The symmetric U-shaped cross-section provides a uniform distribution of mass and stress, enhancing the beam’s stability and bending stiffness. This symmetry allows for a simplified analysis in dynamic modeling, reducing the number of variables that need to be considered. The cross-section deformation is captured by basis functions satisfying displacement continuity conditions, which lays the foundation for constructing the initial model formulation based on the Hamilton principle. The variation forms of the cross-section are obtained by the decoupling eigenvalue problem, and then the principal component analysis is carried out to identify major cross-section deformation. The identified cross-section deformation features are hierarchically structured and have real physical significance. Finally, the initial one-dimensional higher-order dynamics model is improved by using the identified deformation mode. Numerical examples are presented in order to validate the three-dimensional dynamic properties and transient dynamic behavior of the U-shaped boom segment. The proposed model demonstrated high accuracy compared to ANSYS models, with relative errors below 2%. In addition, the method can be widely applied to a thin-walled U-shaped boom segment with a slenderness ratio of more than four.
Bubble Dynamics in the Polyakov Quark-Meson Model
Authors: Wang Junrong , Jin Jinshuang , Mao Hong
Published: July 2024

In the framework of the Polyakov quark-meson model with two flavors, the bubble dynamics of a first-order phase transition in the region of high density and low temperature are investigated by using the homogeneous thermal nucleation theory. In mean-field approximation, after obtaining the effective potential with the inclusion of the fermionic vacuum term, we build a geometric method to search two existing minima, which can be actually connected by a bounce interpolated between a local minimum to an adjacent global one. For both weak and strong first-order hadron quark phase transitions, as fixing the chemical potentials at μ=306MeV and μ=310MeV, the bubble profiles, the surface tension, the typical radius of the bounce, and the saddle-point action as a function of temperature are numerically calculated in the presence of a nucleation bubble. It is found that the surface tension remains at a very small value even when the density is high. It is also noticed that the deconfinement phase transition does not change the chiral phase transition dramatically for light quarks and phase boundaries for hadron and quark matter should be resized properly according to the saddle-point action evaluated on the bounce solution.
Three Ecological Models to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Trichoderma spp. for Suppressing Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus
Authors: Voloshchuk Nataliia , Irakoze Zilfa , Kang Seogchan , Kellogg Joshua J. , Wee Josephine
Published: July 2024

Chemical pesticides help reduce crop loss during production and storage. However, the carbon footprints and ecological costs associated with this strategy are unsustainable. Here, we used three in vitro models to characterize how different Trichoderma species interact with two aflatoxin producers, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, to help develop a climate-resilient biological control strategy against aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species. The growth rate of Trichoderma species is a critical factor in suppressing aflatoxigenic strains via physical interactions. The dual plate assay suggests that Trichoderma mainly suppresses A. flavus via antibiosis, whereas the suppression of A. parasiticus occurs through mycoparasitism. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Trichoderma inhibited the growth of A. parasiticus (34.6 ± 3.3%) and A. flavus (20.9 ± 1.6%). The VOCs released by T. asperellum BTU and T. harzianum OSK-34 were most effective in suppressing A. flavus growth. Metabolites secreted by T. asperellum OSK-38, T. asperellum BTU, T. virens OSK-13, and T. virens OSK-36 reduced the growth of both aflatoxigenic species. Overall, T. asperellum BTU was the most effective at suppressing the growth and aflatoxin B1 production of both species across all models. This work will guide efforts to screen for effective biological control agents to mitigate aflatoxin accumulation.
Resistance of Lepidopteran Pests to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins: Evidence of Field and Laboratory Evolved Resistance and Cross-Resistance, Mode of Resistance Inheritance, Fitness Costs, Mechanisms Involved and Management Options
Authors: Afzal Muhammad Babar Shahzad , Ijaz Mamuna , Abbas Naeem , Shad Sarfraz Ali , Serrão José Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins are potential alternatives to synthetic insecticides for the control of lepidopteran pests. However, the evolution of resistance in some insect pest populations is a threat and can reduce the effectiveness of Bt toxins. In this review, we summarize the results of 161 studies from 20 countries reporting field and laboratory-evolved resistance, cross-resistance, and inheritance, mechanisms, and fitness costs of resistance to different Bt toxins. The studies refer mainly to insects from the United States of America (70), followed by China (31), Brazil (19), India (12), Malaysia (9), Spain (3), and Australia (3). The majority of the studies revealed that most of the pest populations showed susceptibility and a lack of cross-resistance to Bt toxins. Factors that delay resistance include recessive inheritance of resistance, the low initial frequency of resistant alleles, increased fitness costs, abundant refuges of non-Bt, and pyramided Bt crops. The results of field and laboratory resistance, cross-resistance, and inheritance, mechanisms, and fitness cost of resistance are advantageous for predicting the threat of future resistance and making effective strategies to sustain the effectiveness of Bt crops.
7-Phenylheptanoic Acid-Hydroxypropyl β-Cyclodextrin Complex Slows the Progression of Renal Failure in Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease Mice
Authors: Commey Kindness Lomotey , Enaka Airi , Nakamura Ryota , Yamamoto Asami , Tsukigawa Kenji , Nishi Koji , Otagiri Masaki , Yamasaki Keishi
Published: July 2024

The characteristic accumulation of circulating uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulfate (IS), in chronic kidney disease (CKD) further exacerbates the disease progression. The gut microbiota, particularly gut bacterial-specific enzymes, represents a selective and attractive target for suppressing uremic toxin production and slowing the progression of renal failure. This study investigates the role of 4-phenylbutyrate (PB) and structurally related compounds, which are speculated to possess renoprotective properties in suppressing IS production and slowing or reversing renal failure in CKD. In vitro enzyme kinetic studies showed that 7-phenylheptanoic acid (PH), a PB homologue, suppresses the tryptophan indole lyase (TIL)-catalyzed decomposition of tryptophan to indole, the precursor of IS. A hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) inclusion complex formulation of PH was prepared to enhance its biopharmaceutical properties and to facilitate in vivo evaluation. Prophylactic oral administration of the PH-HPβCD complex formulation reduced circulating IS and attenuated the deterioration of renal function and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in adenine-induced CKD mice. Additionally, treatment of moderately advanced adenine-induced CKD mice with the formulation ameliorated renal failure, although tissue fibrosis was not improved. These findings suggest that PH-HPβCD can slow the progression of renal failure and may have implications for preventing or managing CKD, particularly in early-stage disease.
Assessment of the Safety Profile of Chimeric Marker Vaccine against Classical Swine Fever: Reversion to Virulence Study
Authors: Huynh Loc Tan , Otsuka Mikihiro , Kobayashi Maya , Ngo Hung Dinh , Hew Lim Yik , Hiono Takahiro , Isoda Norikazu , Sakoda Yoshihiro
Published: July 2024

Chimeric marker vaccine candidates, vGPE−/PAPeV Erns and vGPE−/PhoPeV Erns, have been generated and their efficacy and capability to differentiate infected from vaccinated animals were confirmed in previous studies. The safety profile of the two chimeric marker vaccine candidates, particularly in the potential reversion to virulence, was evaluated. Each virus was administered to pigs with a dose equivalent to the vaccination dose, and pooled tonsil homogenates were subsequently inoculated into further pigs. Chimeric virus vGPE−/PAPeV Erns displayed the most substantial attenuation, achieving this within only two passages, whereas vGPE−/PhoPeV Erns was detectable until the third passage and disappeared entirely by the fourth passage. The vGPE− strain, assessed alongside, consistently exhibited stable virus recovery across each passage without any signs of increased virulence in pigs. In vitro assays revealed that the type I interferon-inducing capacity of vGPE−/PAPeV Erns was significantly higher than that of vGPE−/PhoPeV Erns and vGPE−. In conclusion, the safety profile of the two chimeric marker vaccine candidates was affirmed. Further research is essential to ensure the stability of their attenuation and safety in diverse pig populations.
Quantitative HBV Core Antibodies as a Prognostic Marker for HBeAg Seroclearance: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lazarevic Ivana , Miljanovic Danijela , Banko Ana , Cupic Maja , Cirkovic Andja
Published: July 2024

During chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the seroclearance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) is an important event and a significant surrogate endpoint of all current therapeutic strategies. The prediction of HBeAg seroclearance can help assess the benefits of therapy in patients during or before therapy initiation. The quantitation of HBV core antibodies (qAnti-HBc) is a new non-invasive biomarker for solving multiple diagnostic dilemmas. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that measured qAnti-HBc in patients who achieved HBeAg seroclearance were performed through PubMed, Web of Science (WoS) and SCOPUS electronic database searches. Nineteen articles were included in the systematic review, comprising 3434 chronically infected patients (1014 with and 2420 without HBeAg seroclearance). Sixteen publications with data regarding qAnti-HBc levels were included in the meta-analysis. The baseline level of qAnti-HBc antibodies was significantly higher in patients with than without HBeAg seroclearance (SMD = 0.88, 95%CI SMD = 0.56–1.2, p < 0.001). The same conclusion was reached for patients originating from Asia (SMD = 0.94, 95%CI SMD = 0.55–1.33) and for the qAnti-HBc antibodies among adult HBV patients with therapy-induced HBeAg seroclearance (SMD = 0.90, 95%CI SMD = 0.54–1.25, p < 0.001). The systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence of the role of qAnti-HBc as a promising biomarker for predicting HBeAg seroclearance in chronically infected patients.
Genomic Evolution and Surveillance of Respiratory Syncytial Virus during the 2023–2024 Season
Authors: Yunker Madeline , Fall Amary , Norton Julie M. , Abdullah Omar , Villafuerte David A. , Pekosz Andrew , Klein Eili , Mostafa Heba H.
Published: July 2024

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of morbidity, particularly in infants. This study describes RSV genomic diversity and disease outcomes during the 2023–2024 season in the Johns Hopkins Hospital System (JHHS). Between August and December 2023, 406 patient samples were sequenced, showing that RSV-B GB5.0.5a was the dominant genotype detected. RSV-A genotype GA2.3.5 was detected less frequently. Metadata analysis of patient data revealed that, although RSV-B was more commonly detected, patients with RSV-A infections were more frequently hospitalized. Analysis of both the G- and F-genes revealed multiple amino acid substitutions in both RSV-A and RSV-B, with some positions within the F-protein that could be associated with evasion of antibody responses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the genetic diversity of circulating GB5.0.5a and GA2.3.5 genotypes. This study serves as an important baseline for genomic surveillance of RSV within the JHHS and will assist in characterizing the impact of the newly approved RSV vaccines on RSV genomic evolution and the emergence of escape mutations.
Point-of-Care Assays to Trichomonas vaginalis Diagnosis: The Road So Far
Authors: Borges Anna Victória Bernardes e , Perini Hugo Felix , Alvin Eliete Almeida , Silva Anielle Christine Almeida , da Silva Marcos Vinicius
Published: July 2024

Trichomonas vaginalis infection represents the most prevalent non-viral, curable parasitic sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. The demand for precise and cost-effective point-of-care (POC) tests is paramount in the pursuit of STI epidemic control, ensuring expeditious patient diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. In the present study, we searched academic databases, including PubMed (US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health), Scopus, and Web of Science, employing the following keywords: “Trichomonas vaginalis”, “diagnosis”, “point-of-care tests”, and “rapid diagnosis”, to provide information about the development and effectiveness of POC tests to identify T. vaginalis. Present assays for T. vaginalis exhibit suboptimal performance, and the integration of advanced technologies, notably nanotechnologies, emerges as a formidable instrumentality for augmenting diagnostic precision while curtailing expenditure. In this review, we provide an encompassing survey of cutting-edge POC tests for T. vaginalis diagnosis and offer an outlook on future prospects in this domain.
Operational Modal Analysis of CNC Machine Tools Based on Flank-Milled Surface Topography and Cepstrum
Authors: Guan Liwen , Chen Yanyu , Wang Zijian
Published: July 2024

Conducting research on the dynamics of machine tools can prevent chatter during high-speed operation and reduce machine tool vibration, which is of significance in enhancing production efficiency. As one of the commonly used methods for studying dynamic characteristics, operational modal analysis is more closely aligned with the actual working state of mechanical structures compared to experimental modal analysis. Consequently, it has attracted widespread attention in the field of CNC machine tool dynamic characteristics research. However, in the current operational modal analysis of CNC machine tools, discrepancies between the excitation methods and the actual working state, along with unreasonable vibration response signal acquisition, affect the accuracy of modal parameter identification. With the development of specimen-based machine tool performance testing methods, the practice of identifying machine tool characteristics based on machining results has provided a new approach to enhance the accuracy of CNC machine tool operational modal analysis. Existing research has shown that vibration significantly influences surface topography in flank milling. Therefore, a novel operational modal analysis method is proposed for the CNC machine tool based on flank-milled surface topography. First, the actual vibration displacement of the tooltip during flank milling is obtained by extracting vibration signals from surface topography, which enhances the accuracy of machine tool operational modal analysis from both the aspects of the excitation method and signal acquisition. A modified window function based on compensation pulses is proposed based on the quefrency domain characteristics of the vibration signals, which enables accurate extraction of system transfer function components even when the high-frequency periodic excitation of the machine tool causes overlap between the system transfer function components and the excitation components. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can obtain accurate operational modal parameters for CNC machine tools.
Updated Talbot Method for Culvert Design Discharge Prediction
Authors: Uslu Özay , Lav Abdullah Hilmi , Şen Zekâi
Published: July 2024

Surface runoff flows must be drained safely through culverts in ephemeral flow streams and bridges in perennial streams without any damage to the road or highway infrastructure stability. In practice, bridges cross drainage basin channels reliably, and they are more carefully planned, designed, constructed, and maintained against extreme water passages, but culverts are subject to even less frequent and intensive rainfall consequent surface runoff occurrences with higher risk potential. It is, therefore, necessary to design culverts more carefully in such a way that they drain down the upstream surface water without any critical problem to the road downstream of the road stream channels. Most of the hydrological, hydraulic, and sedimentological formulations are empirical expressions that are widely valid for locations where culverts are suitably developed based on simple bivalent logical rules between factors involved in upstream inlet locations of culverts. One of the first logic rule-based methods in the literature is Talbot’s procedural approach to culvert design. This approach is based not only on an explicit equation, but also on a set of linguistically proposed design rules that are expressed deterministically to effectively eliminate most of the ambiguities. This paper proposes a modified approach with additional logistic structural features based on a bivalent logic inference system, which is an improved version of the Talbot procedure and leads to better culvert transition surface flow prediction. The proposed method is applied to a local area in Tekirdağ City, Türkiye, where a serious train accident occurred due to a poorly maintained culvert.
Research on Suspended Particle Size Measurement Based on Ultrasonic Backscattered Amplitude Analysis
Authors: Li Yixu , Yang Wenjun , Lin Haili , Kuang Zhen , Chen Yue , Han Chang , Gao Yinggang , Li Tingting
Published: July 2024

Measuring the size of suspended particles in water is crucial in related fields such as environmental engineering, marine engineering, and hydraulic engineering. Considering the size distribution of suspended particles in real rivers, the amplitude (Amp) of the backscattering of particles with sizes ranging from 0.006 mm to 0.030 mm was analysed in this research using a lightweight ultrasonic meter developed by the authors and four probes with bandwidths ranging from 3.0 MHz to 30.0 MHz. In the analysis of Amp measurements for different particle sizes, using 0.008 mm as the reference particle size and converting to the rest of the particle sizes, if the Rayleigh scattering condition is satisfied between the particle sizes and the probe frequency, the conversion error value will be between −10% and 10%. This verifies the correctness of the theoretically derived particle size-Amp theory (the positive power relationship between the particle sizes and the Amp) and reflects the validity constraints of designing this experimental setup. The measurement method based on particle backscattering Amp analysis utilised in this study will help to achieve real-time measurements of suspended particles at river sites.
Numerical Modelling of Wave–Vegetation Interaction: Embracing a Cross-Disciplinary Approach for Bridging Ecology and Engineering for Nature-Inclusive Coastal Defence Systems
Authors: El Rahi Joe , Stratigaki Vasiliki , De Troch Marleen , Troch Peter
Published: July 2024

Coastal areas are increasingly at risk due to climate change, necessitating innovative mitigation approaches. This study explores the integration of living environments, particularly aquatic vegetation, with conventional defence systems to provide socially acceptable and nature-inclusive coastal defence systems. Through examining the published literature, this study identifies two perspectives: engineering and ecological. From an engineering perspective, wave propagation models and simulation techniques for wave–vegetation interaction are identified. Ecologically relevant coastal and marine vegetation is presented, and based on its ecological features (morphology, biomechanics, buoyancy, and variability) a novel ecological categorization framework is developed. The results challenge the notion of a strict divide between ecological and engineering approaches. Analysis of existing wave–vegetation models reveals that many engineers consider the ecological features of vegetation-induced wave attenuation studies. However, computational limitations often lead to simplifications. Furthermore, complex models, while offering detailed ecological insight, are often limited to small-scale experimental domains. Conversely, simpler models, suitable for large-scale engineering problems, may lack ecological detail. This suggests a potential future approach numerical modelling that combines high-resolution models for small areas with large-scale, implicit engineering models operating at the ecosystem scale.
Socio-Demographic Factors Driving the Choice of Alternative Safe Water Sources and Their Implications for Public Health: Lessons from Goalmari, Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Riaz Hossain , Fenner Richard A.
Published: July 2024

This study examined how socio-economic driving forces influence households’ choice of water, ranging from a piped water supply provided by Veolia to untreated sources contaminated with high levels of arsenic and pathogens. Households fall into three cluster groups based on variations in socio-economic status and physical, infrastructure, and institutional elements. About 64% of the variations are related to differences in awareness, willingness, and ability to pay for safe water sources. Families with higher monthly income showed interest in accepting Veolia’s house connection options, resulting in the shutdown of six community tap points and ultimately affecting the low-income households’ accessibility to Veolia water. A causal loop diagram showed five feedback loops influencing the choice of drinking contaminated water. Bayesian Network models were sensitive to the ability, accessibility, and willingness to pay for safe water, deep tube well distributions, installation and maintenance costs, ownership of tube wells, household income level, and the level of awareness. Results suggest that the risks of drinking contaminated water can be minimized by raising awareness; accepting arsenic removal techniques; sharing expenses; training for deep tube well installations and maintenance; increasing Veolia pipeline coverage; and redesigning the tap point distributions. These results help identify the relative importance of such interventions to improve water security in safe water-poor areas.
Terrestrial Heat Flow and Lithospheric Thermal Structure of the Hubao Basin, North Central China
Authors: Gong Ziqin , Xu Wei , Tang Xiaoyin , Zhu Genggeng , Yang Yuliang , Guo Tianqi , Wang Sen
Published: July 2024

The terrestrial heat flow and lithospheric thermal structure of sedimentary basins are crucial for understanding basin dynamics and assessing geothermal resources. This study computed the heat flow in the Hubao Basin using rock thermal conductivity and borehole temperature data. Combined with the geophysical profile of the Yinshan Orogenic Belt–Hubao Basin–Ordos Basin, the lithospheric thermal structure was studied, and the geodynamic mechanism is discussed. The results indicate that the heat flow in the Hubao Basin ranges from 64.0 to 73.8 mW/m2. The Moho temperature along the profile varies between 570 and 652 °C, and the thickness of the thermal lithosphere ranges from 122.7 to 138.8 km. Using the backstripping method to calculate the crust–mantle heat flow ratio, we find that this ratio in in the Hubao Basin is approximately 1, indicating a “warm crust, warm mantle” type of lithospheric thermal structure. This is related to the combined effects of extensional tectonics since the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, westward subduction of the Pacific Plate, remote effects from the Indian Ocean Plate, and the development of deep-seated faults within the basin. The combined effects of lithospheric thinning and deep-seated faults have resulted in thermal anomalies in the Hubao Basin.
Can Plant-Associated Chironomids Be Used as an Indicator of Lake Status with the Alternative States Theory?
Authors: Tarkowska-Kukuryk Monika , Majczak Marta
Published: July 2024

Shallow lakes according to the alternative states theory may present extremely different environmental conditions, clear water with abundant growth of macrophytes and turbid water with cyanobacterial blooms. The deterioration of water quality led to visible changes within submerged macrophytes and thus in available habitats for plant-associated biocenosis. Larvae of chironomids are the most numerous and widely distributed macroinvertebrates. Since benthic chironomids are used in the monitoring of environmental changes and in paleolimnological research, epiphytic chironomids are not well known in this regard. The larvae can be used as indicators of lake macrophyte status. The present study focuses on plant-associated chironomids of a group of ten shallow lakes of the Polesie region (eastern Poland). The lakes were classified with alternative states theory as macrophyte-dominated (MD), phytoplankton–macrophyte-dominated (PMD) and phytoplankton-dominated (PD). The domination structure of epiphytic chironomids showed significant changes between lake types, with the highest abundance of Paratanytarsus austriacus in MD lakes, Endochironomus albipennis in PMD lakes and Cricotopus sp. (gr. sylvestris) in PD lakes. The highest mean density was noted in PD lakes while the highest species diversity (values of Shannon–Wiener index) in PMD lakes. Moreover, environmental variables (macrophyte biomass, Secchi disc depth, chlorophyll-a and TP) differentiating lake types were used in RDA analysis to evaluate their effect on chironomid taxa distribution. Next, the variables with a significant effect on specific chironomid taxa were used in multivariate regression analysis. The results led to the creation of a model of distribution of chironomid taxa with regard to lake type.
Alexandrium catenella (Group I) Causes Higher and Faster Toxicity Than A. pacificum (Group IV) in Mytilus eduis
Authors: Oh Seok Jin , Jeong Soo Yong , Son Moonho
Published: July 2024

Consuming poisoned shellfish can lead to severe health problems and even death. Alexandrium catenella (Group I) and A. pacificum (Group IV) cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in Korea, and PSP is detected more in a wider area. However, the association between toxic dinoflagellates and shellfish poisoning is unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the toxicity, detoxification, and compositional differences in PSP in Mytilus edulis exposed to PSP caused by A. catenella and A. pacificum. High-performance liquid chromatography with post-column oxidation was used to analyze PSP toxicity in poisoned M. edulis. PSP in M. edulis increased as the A. catenella and A. pacificum cell density increased. However, the cell density of A. catenella peaked faster than that of A. pacificum, and a high level of toxicity was detected. In the detoxification experiment, PSP in M. edulis decreased rapidly within 24 h in filtered seawater. However, PSP was continuously detected without decreasing below the detection limit until the last day of the experiment. In addition, the carbamate composition (GTX1+4) was detected as the main toxic composition in poisoned M. edulis, unlike in vegetative cells. GTX1+4 can poison shellfish quickly when toxic dinoflagellates appear in the marine environment. However, poisoned shellfish take a long time to be completely detoxified. Moreover, if shellfish continuously feed on poisonous dinoflagellates, their toxicity can increase rapidly due to biotransformation. Our results can help identify the mechanisms of shellfish toxicity and detoxification after PSP caused by toxic dinoflagellates.
‘Feminine Threshold’: Theorizing Masculine Embodiment with Latinx Men
Authors: Haro Adriana
Published: July 2024

The aim of this paper is to discuss how young Latinx men living in Australia negotiate, embody, and complicate existing dominant and racialized masculinities. Queer and feminist theories are used to explore how Latinx men negotiate and embody masculinities, sexualities, and being ‘other’ in a White dominant cultural context. These tensions were explored through semi-structured in-depth interviews and a creative visual method known as sandboxing with twenty-one Latinx men. Sandboxing aims to elicit conversation and allows for the reflection and sharing of a visual and symbolic representation of participants’ lives. The findings suggest masculinities are lived and embodied alongside negotiating racialization and sexualities. The fluidity of masculinities surfaces in participants’ reflexive engagement with masculinities and the nuances in negotiating and simultaneously reproducing gender binary norms. Participants’ careful negotiation in engaging with feminine culture led to developing the concept ‘feminine threshold’, a theoretical contribution offered in this article, in understanding how Latinx men negotiate masculinities.
The Patient's Perspective: Does It Align with Dialysis Adequacy?
Authors: Cohen-Hagai Keren , Kitani Angam , Benchetrit Sydney , Erez Daniel , Alon Antebi , Wilf-Miron Rachel , Saban Mor
Published: July 2024

Key Points

This study showed variation in satisfaction and quality of life between three dialysis centers, suggesting local factors influence outcomes.

One center linked better dialysis to less satisfaction, but fully grasping satisfaction differences between sites warrants additional study.

Background

The concept of patient-centered care puts the individual's health needs and desired health outcomes as the driving forces behind medical decision making and quality assessment in the health care system. Patients with ESKD treated by hemodialysis require frequent encounters with the dialysis facility to survive. Therefore, their satisfaction with care and perceived patient experience are important aspects that might affect their adherence to the care regimen. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction and its association with perceived patient experience and objective clinical quality parameters, across three hemodialysis clinics.

Methods

A prospective cohort study analyzed the data of 126 patients with ESKD receiving chronic hemodialysis over 9 months in three different care facilities. Sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, treatment details, and dialysis adequacy (measures as STDKt/V) were collected. Perceived quality of care, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes were assessed.

Results

Patients differed significantly between sites by age, diabetes status, and biochemical parameters. Satisfaction scores varied significantly for 12/14 survey questions and at the site-level, with site 2 scoring the highest. Overall satisfaction did not correlate with Kt/V. At site 1, a moderate negative correlation was found between satisfaction and Kt/V. Kt/V correlated positively with age but inversely with satisfaction. Hospitalization rates were similar regardless of satisfaction. Mortality trended lower in the highest Kt/V quartile.

Conclusions

Achieving clinical quality while optimizing patient satisfaction requires multifactorial approaches tailored to the unique population of the hemodialysis facility. Further research is needed to fully understand factors influencing satisfaction and perceived quality.
New Therapies for Highly Sensitized Patients on the Waiting List
Authors: Vo Ashley , Ammerman Noriko , Jordan Stanley C.
Published: July 2024

Exposure to HLA alloantigens through pregnancy, blood products, and previous transplantations induce powerful immunologic responses that create an immunologic barrier to successful transplantation. This is commonly detected through screening for HLA antibodies using Luminex beads coated with HLA antigens at transplant evaluation. Currently accepted approaches to desensitization include plasmapheresis/low-dose or high-dose intravenous Ig plus anti-CD20. However, these approaches are often unsuccessful because of the inability to remove high titer circulating HLA antibodies and limit rebound responses by long-lived anti-HLA antibody secreting plasma cells (PCs) and memory B cells (BMEM). This is especially significant for patients with a calculated panel reactive antibody of 99%–100%. Newer desensitization approaches, such as imlifidase (IgG endopeptidase), rapidly inactivate IgG molecules and create an antibody-free zone by cleaving IgG into F(ab’2) and Fc fragments, thus eliminating complement and cell-mediated injury to the graft. This represents an important advancement in desensitization. However, the efficacy of imlifidase is limited by pathogenic antibody rebound, increasing the potential for antibody-mediated rejection. Controlling antibody rebound requires new strategies that address the issues of antibody depletion and inhibition of BMEM and PC responses. This will likely require a combination of agents that effectively and rapidly deplete pathogenic antibodies and prevent immune cell activation pathways responsible for antibody rebound. Here, using anti–IL-6 receptor (tocilizumab) or anti–IL-6 (clazakizumab) could offer long-term control of BMEM and PC donor-specific HLA antibody responses. Agents aimed at eliminating long-lived PCs (anti-CD38 and anti–B-cell maturation antigen×CD3) are likely to benefit highly HLA sensitized patients. Complement inhibitors and novel agents aimed at inhibiting Fc neonatal receptor IgG recycling will be important in desensitization. Administering these agents alone or in combination will advance our ability to effectively desensitize patients and maintain durable suppression post-transplant. After many years of limited options, advanced therapeutics will likely improve efficacy of desensitization and improve access to kidney transplantation for highly HLA sensitized patients.
AN ASSESSMENT ON KEYWORDS USED IN TEACHING THE ALPHABETS AT A1 LEVEL: CAN TURKISH TEXTBOOK 1 EXAMPLE
Authors: YILMAZ Semih , Özdemir Cemal
Published: July 2024

Vocabulary teaching constitutes an integral part of foreign language teaching. One of the most needed elements in language learning is the quality of the words learned and their practical use in life. Active use of learned words is beneficial in developing four essential skills. This research aims to determine the efficiency of the keywords used in teaching the alphabet to individuals learning Turkish as a foreign language in the first grade of primary school and to draw attention to the problems experienced in this regard. In this respect, the research is essential because it is based on the experiences gained by instructors who have been actively teaching Turkish to foreigners for many years in different cities and institutions in Australia and includes actual observations. Document analysis and interview forms, which are qualitative research methods, were used in the research. In the study, suggestions were made on the importance of choosing the keywords used in alphabet teaching, the studies, methods, and techniques that should be done for this purpose, and the points that need to be considered, using the instructors' opinions. As a result of the research, words that were difficult to learn and had narrow usage areas were identified in the book examined and words with more effective usage were offered instead.
Expedientes para acreditación: la información de egresados y empleo del área económico-administrativa de la Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit
Authors: Estrada José Ramón Olivo , Rosales Mónica Salcedo , Torres Carmelina Montaño , Ponce Sonia Tapia
Published: July 2024

En este trabajo se analiza desde los procesos de acreditación, la problemática que implica la ausencia de una base de datos estructurada, donde se acopie la información necesaria para solventar las exigencias de los organismos acreditadores; además se vincula lo anterior con el desarrollo del proyecto sobre el empleo de los profesionistas formados en nuestra universidad, y su percepción de sus trayectorias laborales y el desarrollo de las capacidades en la institución y los espacios de trabajo; este estudio da cuenta sobre la pertinencia como un factor central en la acreditación y la necesidad que se tiene para integrar y validar los proyectos de carácter institucional que están desarrollando investigadores, cuando se realizan esfuerzos en la construcción de instrumentos para recabar información ausente en la universidad. Considerando que solo con los procesos de acreditación, no se puede asegurar la real calidad o la pertinencia de la actividad académica validada en los diversos grupos sociales.
Isolation of 8 ß -hydroxy-goyazensanolide from Eremanthus argenteus and the complete and unequivocal 1H and 13C NMR data assignment for this sesquiterpene lactone
Authors: Ferreira Alexsandro Eurípedes , Pavan Julian Carlos da Silva , Santos Eliene Silvério dos , Julioti Michelle de Aguiar Pimenta , Lopes João Luis Callegari , Crotti Antônio Eduardo Miller , Heleno Vladimir Constantino Gomes
Published: July 2024

This work describes the first isolation of 8 ß-hydroxy-goyazensanolide from Eremanthus argenteus and the complete and unequivocal 1H and 13C NMR assignments for this compound. The assignments were carried out in the means of spectroscopic data from 1H NMR, 13C{1H} NMR, gCOSY, gHMQC, gHMBC and J-resolved experiments. All hydrogen homonuclear coupling constants were measured, and all hydrogen signals multiplicities were clarified. This is the first report of 13C NMR data for this sesquiterpene lactone to our knowledge.
Influence of cashew nut oil on the oxidative and thermal stability of para nut (Bertholletia excelsa) biodiesel
Authors: Vieira José Sebastião Cidreira , Anjos Ricardo Damasceno , Sousa Raquel Silva de , Reis Hugo da Costa , Silva Igor Alves da , Lima Ana Lúcia de , Muchave Germildo Juvenal , Campos Sostenes Pinheiro , Mota Claudio José de Araujo
Published: July 2024

Brazil is a country with a high potential to produce renewable energy. The adequacy of the oily matter in transesterification contributes significantly to reduction and/or elimination of inconvenient substances contained in certain vegetable oils. It thus improves the quality and yield of biodiesel. This work aimed to investigate the oxidation and storage capacity of Para nut Biodiesel, properties that limit the use of this energy input. The thermogravimetric profile revealed that the Cashew nut liquid has thermal stability of around 237°C and oxidative resistance of 190°C. On the other hand, Para Nut Biodiesel showed considerable thermal and oxidation stability at approximately 200°C. Besides being an alternative to energy self-sufficiency, the processing of vegetable oils in Brazil can also generate employment and income opportunities and contribute to environmental preservation.
Saúde em cena: programa interdisciplinar de saúde com abordagem lúdica para idosos institucionalizados
Authors: Costa Marilda Morais da , Costa Philipe , Silva Rosilda Verissimo , Máximo Elisa , Abrocesi Solange , Scremin Marlete , Soares Antonio Vinicius
Published: July 2024

Introdução: O "Programa Saúde em Cena” é uma iniciativa interdisciplinar que promove a saúde por meio de atividades lúdicas, incluindo teatro, dança, contação de histórias, e expressões artísticas e cênicas. O programa visa transmitir informações sobre saúde de maneira divertida para idosos residentes em Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos (ILPIs). Revisão literária: Pesquisas indicam que idosos que levam uma vida ativa e engajada tendem a desenvolver melhor saúde e experimentar menos sofrimento. Atividades que estimulam a interação e o riso podem significativamente melhorar a qualidade de vida, comunicação e interação social entre eles. Metodologia: Entre novembro de 2020 e março de 2021, foram criadas 14 produções audiovisuais com a colaboração de 16 acadêmicos. Resultados: Com esse entendimento, o projeto buscou implementar estratégias que promovam a saúde de forma leve e descontraída nas ILPIs durante o período pandêmico, as ações presenciais foram limitadas devido ao necessário isolamento dessa população. Conclusão: adaptamos o projeto em fornecer as informações e atividades culturais de forma remota, por meio de plataformas digitais, garantindo assim a continuidade do engajamento e bem-estar dos idosos.