bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are There Two Kinds of Reasoners?
Authors: Markovits Henry
Published: February 2024

There is little consensus about the underlying parameters of human reasoning. Two major theories have been proposed that suppose very different mechanisms. The mental model theory proposes that people use working memory intensive processes in order to construct limited models of problem parameters. Probabilistic theories propose that reasoning is a process by which people use the sum of their existing knowledge in order to generate an estimate of the probability of a conclusion given problem parameters. Following an initial proposition by Verschueren et al., the dual-strategy model supposes that these different approaches to reasoning are in fact an important individual difference. Specifically, a recently developed diagnostic questionnaire has identified two major categories of reasoners: Counterexample reasoners use a mental model form of processing, while Statistical reasoners use a probabilistic form of processing. In the following, I describe results that show that the Counterexample/Statistical distinction affects information processing across a variety of reasoning and judgment tasks. In addition, strategy use correlates with performance on very different kinds of thinking, such as contingency judgments, processing of negative emotions, or susceptibility to social biases. Although this distinction is related to differences in cognitive ability, it has been found to predict performance over and above these differences. More recent results have shown that it is possible to experimentally modify strategy use. These results suggest that strategy use is an important individual difference that can affect performance in a wide variety of contexts.
Capsicum Endophytic Bacterial Strain LY7 and Prochloraz Synergistically Control Chilli Anthracnose
Authors: Ren Lu , Qin Nan , Ning Junqi , Yin Hui , Lü Hong , Zhao Xiaojun
Published: February 2024

Chilli anthracnose is a major infectious disease of the genus Capsicum. Chemical control is the primary means of controlling this disease; however, the excessive use of chemical pesticides can adversely affect ecological security and human health. Here, our aim was to explore the synergistic effects of chemical and biological pesticides in the control of chilli anthracnose. The bacterial strain LY7, which is antagonistic to the anthracnose-causing fungus Colletotrichum scovillei, inhibited the growth of C. scovillei by 83.52%. Through morphological and genetic analyses, this strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis. Then, the compatibility of LY7 with three common chemical fungicides was determined. The in vitro protective and therapeutic efficacies of the 1 × 109 CFU/mL (colony-forming unit/mL) bacterial solution were 66.38% and 35.18%, respectively, but both were significantly lower than those of prochloraz, the most compatible fungicide. We then conducted field efficacy trials to elucidate the best combination of prochloraz and LY7; the highest control efficiency was achieved with a suspension of 1.0 × 108 CFU/mL of LY7 mixed with 0.75 g/L prochloraz (3:7 ratio). Electron microscopy revealed the inhibitory effects of LY7 and prochloraz on C. scovillei mycelial growth. These results suggest that an LY7-based biofungicide can partially replace prochloraz, serving as an integrated management strategy to control chilli anthracnose.
Personalized Medicine Transformed: ChatGPT’s Contribution to Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Alarm Management in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Sheikh Mohammad S. , Thongprayoon Charat , Qureshi Fawad , Suppadungsuk Supawadee , Kashani Kianoush B. , Miao Jing , Craici Iasmina M. , Cheungpasitporn Wisit
Published: February 2024

The accurate interpretation of CRRT machine alarms is crucial in the intensive care setting. ChatGPT, with its advanced natural language processing capabilities, has emerged as a tool that is evolving and advancing in its ability to assist with healthcare information. This study is designed to evaluate the accuracy of the ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 models in addressing queries related to CRRT alarm troubleshooting. This study consisted of two rounds of ChatGPT-3.5 and ChatGPT-4 responses to address 50 CRRT machine alarm questions that were carefully selected by two nephrologists in intensive care. Accuracy was determined by comparing the model responses to predetermined answer keys provided by critical care nephrologists, and consistency was determined by comparing outcomes across the two rounds. The accuracy rate of ChatGPT-3.5 was 86% and 84%, while the accuracy rate of ChatGPT-4 was 90% and 94% in the first and second rounds, respectively. The agreement between the first and second rounds of ChatGPT-3.5 was 84% with a Kappa statistic of 0.78, while the agreement of ChatGPT-4 was 92% with a Kappa statistic of 0.88. Although ChatGPT-4 tended to provide more accurate and consistent responses than ChatGPT-3.5, there was no statistically significant difference between the accuracy and agreement rate between ChatGPT-3.5 and -4. ChatGPT-4 had higher accuracy and consistency but did not achieve statistical significance. While these findings are encouraging, there is still potential for further development to achieve even greater reliability. This advancement is essential for ensuring the highest-quality patient care and safety standards in managing CRRT machine-related issues.
Importance of STEM and STEAM Education for Improvement of the Land in the RURAL Environment: Examples in Latin America
Authors: Gavari-Starkie Elisa , Espinosa-Gutiérrez Patricia-Teresa , Lucini-Baquero Cristina , Pastrana-Huguet Josep
Published: February 2024

Interdisciplinary STEM and STEAM education gives us the opportunity for training students to achieve all educational objectives in a sustainable development framework. Land in a rural area is a scenario with a range of educational resources for the development of STEM and STEAM projects to train students to interact with the rural environment. The possibilities of the land in order to prepare students for the needs of today’s world are linked and sensitized to the environment. In this article, we will offer contemporary examples of STEM and STEAM projects that have been carried out in Latin America. These projects are being developed in which young people establish links with their environment, territory, and the local environment surrounding them. We must look carefully at projects and works in which students’ ties to their land and environment are valued through the STEM and STEAM education necessary today. In this scenario, a comparison has been made between the projects in Latin American countries and Spain.
The Prognostic Value of Olfactory Dysfunction in Patients with COVID-19: The COVIDORA Study
Authors: Hamel Anne-Laure , Delbos Léo , Natella Pierre-André , Radulesco Thomas , Alexandru Mihaela , Bartaire Emmanuel , Bartier Sophie , Benoite Gonda , Bequignon Emilie , Castillo Laurent , Canouï-Poitrine Florence , Carsuzaa Florent , Corré Alain , Coste André , Couloigner Vincent , Daveau Clémentine , De Boissieu Paul , De Bonnecaze Guillaume , De Gabory Ludovic , Debry Christian , Deraedt Simon , Dufour Xavier , El Bakkouri Wissame , Gilain Laurent , Hans Stéphane , Hautefort Charlotte , Hermann Ruben , Jankowski Roger , La Croix Candice , Lecanu Jean-Baptiste , Malard Olivier , Michel Justin , Nguyen Yann , Nevoux Jerome , Papon Jean-François , Patron Vincent , Prigent Marine , Pruliere-Escabasse Virginie , Renaud Marion , Rumeau Cécile , Salmon Dominique , Saroul Nicolas , Serrano Elie , Nhung Tran Khai Christine , Tringali Stéphane , Truy Eric , Vandersteen Clair , Verillaud Benjamin , Veil Raphaël , Fieux Maxime
Published: February 2024

Background: Among all studies describing COVID-19 clinical features during the first wave of the pandemic, only a few retrospective studies have assessed the correlation between olfac-tory dysfunction (OD) and the evolution of disease severity. The main aim was to assess whether OD is a predictive factor of COVID-19 severity based on the patient’s medical management (outpa-tient care, standard hospital admission, and ICU admission). Methods: A national, prospective, mul-ticenter cohort study was conducted in 20 public hospitals and a public center for COVID-19 screen-ing. During the first wave of the pandemic, from 6 April to 11 May 2020, all patients tested positive for COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR underwent two follow-up ENT consultations within 10 days of symptom onset. The main outcome measures were the evolution of medical management (out-patient care, standard hospital admission, and ICU admission) at diagnosis and along the clinical course of COVID-19 disease. Results: Among 481 patients included, the prevalence of OD was 60.7%, and it affected mostly female patients (74.3%) under 65 years old (92.5%), with fewer comor-bidities than patients with normal olfactory function. Here, 99.3% (290/292) of patients with OD presented with non-severe COVID-19 disease. Patients reporting OD were significantly less hospi-talized than the ones managed as outpatients, in either a standard medical unit or an ICU. Conclu-sions: As regards the clinical course of COVID-19 disease, OD could predict a decreased risk of hospitalization during the first wave of the pandemic.
A Novel Method for the Measurement of the Vaginal Wall Thickness by Transvaginal Ultrasound: A Study of Inter- and Intra-Observer Reliability
Authors: Bosio Sara , Barba Marta , Vigna Annalisa , Cola Alice , De Vicari Desirèe , Costa Clarissa , Volontè Silvia , Frigerio Matteo
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives: A consensus regarding the optimal sonographic technique for measuring vaginal wall thickness (VWT) is still absent in the literature. This study aims to validate a new method for measuring VWT using a biplanar transvaginal ultrasound probe and assess both its intra-operator and inter-operator reproducibility. Material and Methods: This prospective study included patients with genitourinary syndrome of menopause-related symptoms. Women were scanned using a BK Medical Flex Focus 400 with the 65 × 5.5 mm linear longitudinal transducer of an endovaginal biplanar probe (BK Medical probe 8848, BK Ultrasound, Peabody, MA, USA). Vaginal wall thickness (VWT) measurements were acquired from the anterior and posterior vaginal wall at three levels. Results: An inter-observer analysis revealed good consistency between operators at every anatomical site, and the intra-class coefficient ranged from 0.931 to 0.987, indicating high reliability. An intra-observer analysis demonstrated robust consistency in vaginal wall thickness measurements, with an intra-class coefficient exceeding 0.9 for all anatomical sites. Conclusions: The measurement of vaginal wall thickness performed by transvaginal biplanar ultrasound was easy and demonstrated good intra- and inter-operator reliability.
The Influence of Crystal Orientation and Thermal State of a Pure Cu on the Formation of Helium Blisters
Authors: Shtuckmeyster Daniel , Maman Nitzan , Vaknin Moshe , Zamir Gabriel , Zenou Victor Y. , Kentsch Ulrich , Dahan Itzchak , Shneck Roni Z.
Published: February 2024

The factors that influence the formation of helium blisters in copper were studied, including crystallographic grain orientation and thermomechanical conditions. Helium implantation experiments were conducted at 40 KeV with a dose of 5 × 1017 ions/cm2, and the samples were then subjected to post-implantation heat treatments at 450 °C for different holding times. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) detector was used to analyze the samples, revealing that the degree of blistering erosion and its evolution with time varied with the crystallographic plane of the free surface in different ways in annealed and cold rolled copper. Out of the investigated states, rolled copper with a (111) free surface had superior helium blistering durability. This is explained by the consideration of the multivariable situation, including the role of dislocations and vacancies. For future plasma-facing component (PFC) candidate material, similar research should be conducted in order to find the optimal combination of material properties for helium blistering durability. In the case of Cu selection as a PFC, the two practical approaches to obtain the preferred (111) orientation are cold rolling and thin layer technologies.
Effects of Zn Addition and Twin Roll Casting Process on the Microstructure, Texture, and Mechanical Properties of the Mg-Al-Mn-Ca Sheet
Authors: Eom Donghwan , Yi Sangbong , Letzig Dietmar , Park No-Jin
Published: February 2024

In this work, the microstructure and texture of Mg-1.0Al-xZn-0.2Mn-0.5Ca (wt.%, x = 0, 1) alloys, which were produced via conventional casting or twin roll casting (TRC), were investigated, and their relation to the mechanical properties of the sheets at the final gage was analyzed. In the Zn-containing AZMX1100 alloy sheets, the amount and size of the secondary phases were significantly reduced, in comparison to the Zn-free AMX100 alloy sheet. The TRC sheet shows a smaller grain structure and fine secondary phases in comparison to the sheets produced via the conventional casting process. The texture of the AMX100 sheet is characterized by the basal poles tilted in the sheet rolling direction (RD). In the AZMX1100 sheets, the texture with the tilted basal poles towards the RD and transverse direction (TD) was developed after recrystallization annealing, while the tilting angle of the basal pole in the TD is larger than in the RD. There is no significant difference in the texture between the sheets produced by the casting and TRC process. The highest yield strength was obtained in the AZMX1100 sheet produced by the TRC process, and all examined sheets showed the mechanical anisotropy in accordance with their textures.
Numerical Simulation of Macro-Segregation Phenomena in Transition Blooms with Various Carbon Contents
Authors: Song Sicheng , Sun Yanhui , Chen Chao
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a numerical simulation of the steel grade transition from the ladle nozzle to the solidification end of the bloom. The simulation is based on models encompassing fluid flow, solidification, heat transfer, an electromagnetic field, and solute transport. To validate the accuracy of the steel grade transition model, transition blooms of high-carbon steel are sampled. Subsequently, the model is applied to investigating the steel grade transition between medium-carbon steel and low-carbon steel. The findings indicate that the regions exhibiting significant differences between their molten steel flow velocity and bloom casting speed in the strand model are primarily concentrated within 1 m below the meniscus. Additionally, the mushy zone in the strand model possesses a substantial volume. Solute elements continuously permeate the liquid phase from the solid phase through the mushy zone. Consequently, the distribution of solute elements in the transition bloom is primarily influenced by the molten steel flow in the tundish and macro-segregation in the casting process. The segregation degree of each solute element varies among grades with different carbon contents. In the austenite phase, the segregation degree of each element follows the order C > Si > Mo > Mn > Cr > Ni, while in the ferrite phase, the segregation degree is ordered as C > Si = Mn. Considering macro-segregation, the transition bloom partition model proves to be more stringent than the original partition method. This results in longer transition blooms when a significant difference exists between the new and old grades. For example, in Scheme 1, the original plan transition bloom length is 8.88 m, whereas the new plan transition bloom length is 10.88 m. Similarly, in Scheme 2, the original plan transition bloom length is 34.64 m, and the new plan transition bloom length is 35.16 m. Conversely, shorter partition intervals occur when there is an overlap in the composition of the new and old grades. In Scheme 3, the original plan partition interval for the new and old grades is 4.08 m, while the new plan partition interval is reduced to 0.94 m.
Design and Control of Upper Limb Rehabilitation Training Robot Based on a Magnetorheological Joint Damper
Authors: Zhu Jintao , Hu Hongsheng , Zhao Wei , Yang Jiabin , Ouyang Qing
Published: February 2024

In recent years, rehabilitation robots have been developed and used in rehabilitation training for patients with hemiplegia. In this paper, a rehabilitation training robot with variable damping is designed to train patients with hemiplegia to recover upper limb function. Firstly, a magnetorheological joint damper (MR joint damper) is designed for the rehabilitation training robot, and its structural design and dynamic model are tested theoretically and experimentally. Secondly, the rehabilitation robot is simplified into a spring-damping system, and the rehabilitation training controller for human movement is designed. The rehabilitation robot dynamically adjusts the excitation current according to the feedback speed and human–machine interaction torque, so that the rehabilitation robot always outputs a stable torque. The magnetorheological joint damper acts as a clutch to transmit torque safely and stably to the robot joint. Finally, the upper limb rehabilitation device is tested. The expected torque is set to 20 N, and the average value of the output expected torque during operation is 20.02 N, and the standard deviation is 0.635 N. The output torque has good stability. A fast (0.5 s) response can be achieved in response to a sudden motor speed change, and the average expected output torque is 20.38 N and the standard deviation is 0.645 N, which can still maintain the stability of the output torque.
Study of Electrical and Dielectric Behaviors of Copper-Doped Zinc Oxide Ceramic Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering for Electronic Device Applications
Authors: Benamara Majdi , Iben Nassar Kais , Rivero-Antúnez Pedro , Essid Manel , Soreto Teixeira Silvia , Zhao Shanyu , Serrà Albert , Esquivias Luis
Published: February 2024

In this study, Cu-doped ZnO aerogel nanoparticles with a 4% copper concentration (Cu4ZO) were synthesized using a sol–gel method, followed by supercritical drying and heat treatment. The subsequent fabrication of Cu4ZO ceramics through Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) equipped with EDS, and impedance spectroscopy (IS) across a frequency range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz and temperatures from 270 K to 370 K. The SPS–Cu4ZO sample exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average crystallite size of approximately 229 ± 10 nm, showcasing a compact structure with discernible pores. The EDS spectrum indicates the presence of the base elements zinc and oxygen with copper like the dopant element. Remarkably, the material displayed distinct electrical properties, featuring high activation energy values of about 0.269 ± 0.021 eV. Complex impedance spectroscopy revealed the impact of temperature on electrical relaxation phenomena, with the Nyquist plot indicating semicircular arc patterns associated with grain boundaries. As temperature increased, a noticeable reduction in the radius of these arcs occurred, coupled with a shift in their center points toward the axis center, suggesting a non-Debye-type relaxation mechanism. Dielectric analyses revealed a temperature-driven evolution of losses, emphasizing the material’s conductivity impact. Non-Debye-type behavior, linked to ion diffusion, sheds light on charge storage dynamics. These insights advance potential applications in electronic devices and energy storage.
Microneedle-Assisted Transdermal Delivery of Lurasidone Nanoparticles
Authors: Radmard Ariana , Banga Ajay K.
Published: February 2024

Lurasidone, an antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia, is administered daily via oral intake. Adherence is a critical challenge, given that many schizophrenia patients deny their condition, thus making alternative delivery methods desirable. This study aimed to deliver lurasidone by the transdermal route and provide therapeutic effects for three days. Passive diffusion was found to be insufficient for lurasidone delivery. The addition of chemical enhancers increased permeation, but it was still insufficient to reach the designed target dose from a patch, so a microneedle patch array was fabricated by using biodegradable polymers. For prolonged and effective delivery, the drug was encapsulated in Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles which were made using the solvent evaporation method and incorporated in microneedles. Effervescent technology was also employed in the preparation of the microneedle patch to facilitate the separation of the needle tip from the patch. Once separated, only the needle tip remains embedded in the skin, thus preventing premature removal by the patient. The microneedles demonstrated robust preformation in a characterization test evaluating their insertion capacity, mechanical strength, and the uniformity of microneedle arrays, and were able to deliver a dose equivalent to 20 mg oral administration. Therefore, the potential of a transdermal delivery system for lurasidone using microneedles with nanoparticles was demonstrated.
Research on Optical Mutual Injection to Generate Tunable Microwave Frequency Combs
Authors: Wu Bin , Zhao Qingchun
Published: February 2024

In this study, a scheme for generating tunable microwave frequency combs (MFCs) based on optical mutual injection is proposed and experimentally investigated. The scheme is based on the optical injection of lasers to generate MFCs, and constitutes a feedback loop by using dual-laser mutual injection to obtain MFCs with a large continuous bandwidth and tunable comb spacing. The experimental setup analyzes the effects of injected optical power, modulation frequency and amplitude, and wavelength detuning on the generated MFC signals. The experimental results indicate that when the single-frequency electrical signal is set to 2 GHz, flat MFCs with amplitude variations within 10 dB can be obtained by optimizing the injected power and the frequency detuning between the two semiconductor lasers. Furthermore, the comb spacing of the MFCs can be made tunable by varying the modulation frequency and selecting the matched operating parameters to adapt to different application scenarios.
Plants in Menstrual Diseases: A Systematic Study from Italian Folk Medicine on Current Approaches
Authors: Mazzei Rosalucia , Genovese Claudia , Magariello Angela , Patitucci Alessandra , Russo Giampiero , Tagarelli Giuseppe
Published: February 2024

Background: Plant-based remedies have been used since antiquity to treat menstrual-related diseases (MD). From the late nineteenth to the early to mid-twentieth century, Italian folk remedies to treat “women’s diseases” were documented in a vast corpus of literature sources. Aim: The purpose of this paper is to bring to light the plant-based treatments utilized by Italian folk medicine to heal clinical manifestations of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea and menstrual disorders in an attempt to discuss these remedies from a modern pharmacological point of view. Moreover, we compare the medical applications described by Hippocrates with those utilized by Italian folk medicine to check if they result from a sort of continuity of use by over two thousand years. Results: Out of the 54 plants employed in Italian folk medicine, 25 (46.3%) were already documented in the pharmacopoeia of the Corpus Hippocraticum for treating MD. Subsequently, a detailed search of scientific data banks such as Medline and Scopus was undertaken to uncover recent results concerning bioactivities of the plant extracts to treat MD. About 26% of the plants used by Italian folk medicine, nowadays, have undergone human trials to assess their actual efficacy. At the same time, about 41% of these herbal remedies come back to in different countries. Conclusions: Active principles extracted from plants used by Italian folk healers could be a promising source of knowledge and represent strength candidates for future drug discovery for the management of MD.
Photosynthetic Responses of Racomitrium japonicum L. to Strontium Stress Evaluated through Chlorophyll a Fluorescence OJIP Transient Analysis
Authors: Ren Hui , Lu Yunmei , Tang Yunlai , Ren Peng , Tang Hao , Chen Qunlong , Kuang Peigang , Huang Renhua , Zhu Wenkun , Chen Ke
Published: February 2024

Nuclides pollution and its biological effects are of great concern, especially for bryophytes during their terrestrial adaptation. Understanding PSII activity and electron transport response is vital for comprehending moss abiotic stress reactions. However, little is known about the photosynthetic performance of moss under nuclide treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the chlorophyll fluorescence of Racomitrium japonicum L. The moss was subjected to Sr2+ solutions at concentrations of 5, 50, and 500 mg/L to evaluate chlorophyll a fluorescence using the OJIP test. Moderate and high Sr2+ stress led to inner cell membrane dissolution and reduced chlorophyll content, indicating impaired light energy absorption. At 5 mg/L Sr2+, fluorescence kinetics showed increased light energy capture, energy dissipation, and total photosynthetic driving force, thus stimulating transient photosynthetic activity of PSII and improving PSI reduction. Linear electron transfer and PSII stability significantly decreased under moderate and high Sr2+ stress, indicating potential photosynthetic center damage. Cyclic electron transfer (CEF) alleviated photosynthetic stress at 5 mg/L Sr2+. Thus, low Sr2+ levels stimulated CEF, adjusting energy flux and partitioning to protect the photosynthetic apparatus. Nevertheless, significant damage occurred due to inefficient protection under high Sr2+ stress.
Prayer Motifs and National Consciousness in Changing Conditions of Reception: As Exemplified by the Works of Ivan Shmelev and Boris Zaitsev
Authors: Sidor Monika
Published: February 2024

This article presents the role of selected motifs of prayer depicted in the works of first-wave Russian emigrants in the creation of a certain type of national mythology. The starting point of the considerations is a reflection on the status of emigrant literature at the time of its creation, during the period of political changes in the Soviet bloc, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and today. From the beginning, émigré literature has served as a certain treasury of images and symbols, which are treated as necessary elements for maintaining the national identity of emigrants. The article presents selected motifs from the works of Ivan Shmelev’s The Year of the Lord and Pilgrimage, and Boris Zaitsev’s Saint Sergius of Radonezh, showing prayer as an element of ritual, as a collective request, and as an act of deep contact with God. The analysis of the selected examples shows that regardless of the literary form, narrative perspective, or the way the subject was presented, the writers showed prayer motifs in a patriotic context, while mythologizing pre-revolutionary Russia and bringing the idea of “Holy Rus” to life. In the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, there has been an increased interest in emigrant literature, and the ideas contained therein have proven to be very important for the formation of the new national consciousness of Russians. Today, due to another political change in Russia and its political isolation, émigré literature is of renewed importance in Russian circles. The writers whose works are discussed in this study are regarded as the main Orthodox writers of the twentieth century, and the image of praying Russia is again the basis for building a new national identity. The study concludes with the observation that the value of emigrant literature should be studied in the context of the time of its creation.
A Near-Field Imaging Method Based on the Near-Field Distance for an Aperture Synthesis Radiometer
Authors: Wu Yuanchao , Li Yinan , Song Guangnan , Dou Haofeng , Wen Dandan , Li Pengfei , Yang Xiaojiao , Lv Rongchuan , Li Hao
Published: February 2024

For an aperture synthesis radiometer (ASR), the visibility and the modified brightness temperature (BT) are related to the Fourier transform when the distance between the system and the source is in the far-field region. BT reconstruction can be achieved using G-matrix imaging. However, for ASRs with large array sizes, the far-field condition is not satisfied when performing performance tests in an anechoic chamber due to size limitations. Using far-field imaging methods in near-field conditions can introduce errors in the images and fail to correctly reconstruct the BT. Most of the existing methods deal with visibilities, converting near-field visibilities to far-field visibilities, which are suitable for point sources but not good for extended source correction. In this paper, two near-field imaging methods are proposed based on the near-field distance. These methods enable BT reconstruction in near-field conditions by generating improved resolving matrices: the near-field G-matrix and the F-matrix. These methods do not change the visibility measurements and can effectively image both the point source and the extended source in the near field. Simulations of point sources and extended sources in near-field conditions demonstrate the effectiveness of both methods, with F-matrix imaging outperforming near-field G-matrix imaging. The feasibility of both near-field imaging methods is further validated by carrying out experiments on a 10-element Y-array system.
Unmanned Airborne Bistatic Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Data Processing Method Using Bi-Directional Synchronization Chain Signals
Authors: Zhu Jinbiao , Lin Bei , Pan Jie , Cheng Yao , Qiu Xiaolan , Jiang Wen , Liu Yuquan , Liu Mingqian
Published: February 2024

The bistatic Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) system can overcome the physical limitations imposed by the baseline of monostatic dual-antenna InSAR. It provides greater flexibility and can enhance elevation measurement accuracy through a well-designed baseline configuration. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with bistatic InSAR, having relatively low cost and high flexibility, are useful for mapping and land resource exploration. However, due to challenges including spatiotemporal synchronization and motion errors, there are limited reports on UAV-borne bistatic InSAR. This paper proposes a comprehensive method for processing data from small UAV-borne bistatic InSAR by integrating two-way synchronization chain signals. The proposed method includes compensation for time and phase synchronization errors, trajectory refinement with synchronized chain and Position and Orientation System (POS) data, high-precision bistatic InSAR imaging, and interferometric processing. Height inversion results based on the proposed method are also provided, which demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in improving the accuracy of interferometric measurement at calibration points from 0.66 m to 0.42 m.
Best Practices for Municipalities to Promote Online Citizen Participation and Engagement on Facebook: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: Guillaumie Laurence , Vezina-Im Lydi-Anne , Bourque Laurence , Boiral Olivier , Talbot David , Harb Elsie
Published: February 2024

The objective of this study is to identify the best practices of Facebook use for municipalities looking to communicate and interact with their citizens, with a particular impact for rural municipalities. A narrative review was conducted to identify the scientific and gray literature on research databases and Google, respectively. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted to summarize the main strengths, challenges, and recommendations to improve municipalities’ Facebook use. Our results showed many benefits of Facebook use for municipalities and elected officials, such as communicating efficiently with citizens. The main challenge identified was developing an effective communication strategy. Finally, several recommendations were found, such as making Facebook posts that appeal to citizens and promote discussion. These results will be useful in helping municipalities develop an effective Facebook communication strategy to improve online engagement and citizen participation for local governments.
Navigating Efficiency and Uncertainty: Risks of Relying on an At-Will Workforce in Urban Meal Delivery
Authors: Zhou Weiwen , Miller-Hooks Elise , Sahasrabudhe Sagar
Published: February 2024

Increasing popularity in gig employment has enabled the use of an at-will workforce of self-contracted couriers to participate in many service industries serving urban areas. This gig workforce has come to play a particularly important role in the growing meal delivery service industry. Hiring at-will couriers for delivery job fulfillment can decrease the costs of satisfying nonstationary demand. However, at-will workers can show up for work at their will and without notice. Thus, this puts the service performance of the delivery company that relies on effective workforce management to ensure timely delivery of orders at risk. This work investigates the tradeoffs between using such an at-will workforce of couriers in place of a fixed fleet of drivers in servicing a meal delivery environment. A stochastic DES with tabu search heuristic and embedded ejection chain approach for optimal delivery job bundling, routing, and assignment was developed and run within a rolling horizon framework to replicate the dynamics of the meal delivery setting. Condition Value at Risk (CVaR) is adopted to measure the risk of late delivery due to uncertainty in workforce availability. Results from a numerical case study with 25 restaurants and 613 orders arriving over a 14-h period show tradeoffs from using at-will couriers in place of a comparable fixed fleet of drivers in terms of delivery resource utilization, efficiency risk of failing to satisfying orders and risk of significantly late delivery. Results indicate that using at-will couriers for meal delivery can enable more efficient use of delivery resources, but at the cost of a higher risk of late delivery, and sometimes intolerably late delivery, as compared to using a fixed fleet of drivers to fulfill orders.
Phylogenetic characterization of Cochroaches (Insecta: Blattaria) in Türkiye and determination of their vector potential for medically important parasites
Authors: Cevahir Fatma , Düzlü Önder , Atelge Mübeccel , Yıldırım Alparslan
Published: February 2024

This study was performed to investigate the phylogenetic characters of the cockroaches in the Kayseri region for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mt-COI), mt-COII, and internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) gene regions. It was also aimed to determine their mechanical transmission of medically important parasites. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was performed by using mt-COI, mt-COII, and ITS-2 DNA gene regions to identify cockroach species (n=220) collected from different regions. Differentiation of cockroach species was based on RFLP models using two restriction enzymes: AvaI and EciI. For phylogenetic analysis, mt-COI, mt-COII, and ITS-2 DNA barcode regions were amplified with standard primers. The obtained amplicons were purified and sequenced using the PCR primers. According to PCR-RFLP, the cockroach species were identified as Blattella germanica (n=105), Blatta orientalis (n=86), and Periplaneta americana (n=29). A total of 13 haplotypes were detected and maximum likelihood (ML) analyses revealed that the sequences of all three species showed a monophyletic structure for the three gene regions. The cockroaches were examined for the presence of parasites. It was found that of the 58 parasitic forms identified, 46 (79.3%) belonged to helminth species and 12 (20.7%) to protozoan species. The results showed that B. germanica (58.6%) had the highest prevalence, followed by Bl. orientalis (32.8%) and P. americana (8.6%). The results of the study not only contribute to the molecular epidemiology of cockroaches but also confirm their important role as mechanical vectors of protozoan and helminth parasites.
Optimal storage media for avulsed teeth: an in vitro study
Authors: Phan Anh Chi , To Thanh Tin
Published: February 2024

Background: Tooth avulsion can be replanted to the alveolar bone if appropriate preserved. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of periodontal ligament cells in several storage media at different time after the tooth leaves the alveolar bone.

Method: 46 teeth premolars and third molars were divided into 4 storage media (DMEM, milk, physiologic saline, sports drink) and randomly for 4 period (30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 24 hours). The root surface was scraped to collect periodontal ligament cells. Cells were stained with 0.4% Trypan blue solution and observed by a Neubauer chamber under inverted microscope. Comparison of the percentage of cells viability between the study groups using the Kruskal-Wallis test, complemented by the Scheffé test (α = 5%).

Results: At 30 min, all 4 media gave high cell survival rate (over 95%) (p > 0.05). At 1 hour, the cell survival rate in DMEM, milk, and sports drink was higher than physiologic saline (p < 0.05) while at 2 hours and 24 hours, DMEM and milk have a higher percentage of viable cells (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Milk is a favorable storage medium for the viability of periodontal ligament cells, sports drink shows that it can completely replace milk when the tooth storage time is not more than 1 hour.

Key words: periodontal ligament, storage media, tooth avulsion
batalla de la vuelta de Obligado y sus representaciones. Fuentes de información, expectativas arqueológicas, técnicas y algunos resultados
Authors: Ramos Mariano , Helfer Verónica , Lanza Matilde , Darigo Mariano , Dottori Carolina , Sportelli Paola , Sulich Keila , Warr Matías
Published: February 2024

En este trabajo presentamos un conjunto de representaciones sobre la batalla de la Vuelta de Obligado, localidad de Partido de San Pedro en el nordeste Provincia de Buenos Aires ocurrida en noviembre de 1845 en el marco de lo que se conoce como la Guerra del Paraná (1845-1846). En este conjunto incluimos varios tipos: litografías, grabados, dibujos, acuarelas, pinturas, etc. que provienen de publicaciones, museos y otros reservorios locales y extranjeros. Acerca de otras, como daguerrotipos y fotografías, se duda de su existencia por varias razones que aquí se discuten concisamente. En el desarrollo del trabajo analizamos aspectos del contenido de cada una de esas representaciones que conforman una fuente de información con relación a una investigación como la que venimos desarrollando desde hace más de veinte años.

Este trabajo desarrolla perspectivas epistemológicas, teóricas y técnicas. Estas últimas al ser aplicadas en trabajo de campo, requieren de posteriores evaluaciones y ajustes. Al final destacamos que todas las líneas del estudio, fundadas en distintas fuentes de investigación, apuntan a un mejor conocimiento del evento y del proceso bélico. Asimismo, la conformación de estos registros nos permite contar con nuevas perspectivas para la construcción de la identidad y la memoria.
Aprendizaje significativo matemático basado en la educación emocional
Authors: Burgos-Macías Juana Giselle
Published: February 2024

El propósito de la presente investigación se enfocó en reflexionar sobre el aprendizaje significativo en matemáticas, en combinación con la educación emocional. Como metodología, se acudió a un enfoque cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico, el cual se llevó a cabo mediante la técnica de la observación y la entrevista semiestructurada a 10 docentes universitarios plasmada en un cuaderno de notas. Los resultados permitieron detectar que el aprendizaje de las matemáticas es significativo cuando se conectan los contenidos matemáticos con las situaciones de la vida real y las emociones, enlazando así el interés de los estudiantes con el aprendizaje. Por ende, se concluyó que, para lograr un aprendizaje significativo, los docentes deben incluir estrategias pedagógicas en su proceso de enseñanza, tales como: la integración de los aspectos emocionales, la contextualización emocional, un ambiente de aprendizaje emocionalmente seguro, una acción reflexiva y una evaluación formativa centrada en el progreso académico integral.
Lernergebnisse Studierender durch praktikumsintegrierte Praxisforschung im Verlauf ihres Lehramtsstudiums. Inwieweit führt wiederholtes Forschendes Lernen zu stabilen Lernergebnisbereichen in Bezug auf die Weiterentwicklung der eigenen Praxis und die Förderung von Forschungsorientierung?
Authors: Heissenberger-Lehofer Katharina , Krammer Georg
Published: February 2024

Forschendes Lernen zielt im Bereich der Lehrer- und Lehrerinnenbildung auf die Förderung professionellen Lernens durch die Förderung von Forschungsorientierung ab. Im Zuge der im Beitrag präsentierten Längsschnittstudie wurde eruiert, inwieweit die mehrmalige Durchführung von Praxisforschung im Bachelorstudium Primarstufe Effekte auf Lernergebnisse Studierender zeigt und ob stabile Bereiche von Lernergebnissen durch Praxisforschung abgeleitet werden können. Die Analysen zeigen, dass sich in Bezug auf professionelles, auf die Weiterentwicklung von Praxis bezogenes Lernen keine stabilen Faktoren von Lernergebnissen zeigen, Forschen hingegen einen übergeordneten Faktor darstellt. Darüber hinaus zeigen die Resultate, dass zunehmende Erfahrung Studierender mit Praxisforschung im Schnitt zu höheren Lernergebnissen in Bezug auf Forschen und Weiterentwicklung von Praxis führt. Insofern regen die Studienergebnisse einen differenzierten Blick auf die mehrmalige Durchführung Forschenden Lernens in Lehramtsstudien an und werfen ein kritisches Licht auf die Vergleichbarkeit bisheriger Studien. (DIPF/Orig.)
CHALLENGES OF FEMALE START-UPS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (EVIDENCE FROM GEORGIA)
Authors: Lekashvili Eka , Natsvlishvili Ia
Published: February 2024

The research paper examined the challenges faced by women in Georgia when startingan entrepreneurial activity. The research was conducted using the STAR (Situation,Task, Action, Result) interview method with focus groups. It was found that women'sentrepreneurial activity contributes not only to family income, but also plays animportant role in economic development and social welfare. The productivity ofwomen's entrepreneurship and their economic contribution depends on the country'slevel of development and cultural norms. In most regions of the world, local ethics andcultural values strongly define the role of women, which prevents women from pursuingentrepreneurship far from their home areas around the world.The purpose of the study is to examine the challenges faced by women in starting anentrepreneurial activity in Georgia, which will help society to identify the difficultiesthat prevent women from choosing an entrepreneurial activity and advancing theirentrepreneurial career. Gender inequality in employment, education and incomedistribution still exists in Georgia. The majority of the population in Georgia formallyshares the idea of gender equality. At the same time, a certain part of the populationshares the idea of the traditional distribution of gender roles.In the research work the difficulties that prevent women from choosing entrepreneurialactivities and advancing their entrepreneurial career have been revealed. In particular,individual and situational factors affecting business start-up as well as factorsinfluencing the business idea were identified.
TRAUMA, STRESS, COPING MECHANISMS AND PSYCHOTHERAPY SPECIFIC TO MENTAL TRAUMA
Authors: Avram Florentina , Batariga Florentina
Published: February 2024

The objective of the study is to identify the differences between the use of social copingmethods used by adults, determined by the presence of verbal abuse until the age ofeighteen, and the presence of an alcoholic parent during childhood and adolescence.The instruments used in the research were: The SACS Strategic Coping Scale, constructedby Stevan E. Hobfoll, Carla L. Dunahoo, Jeannine Monnier, Michael R. Hulsizer, andRobert Johnson in 1993 and revised in 1998, and the ACE (Adverse ChildhoodExperiences) .The results obtained from the statistical analysis of the data confirmed the fact that copingmechanisms such as the search for social support and social relationships differ accordingto childhood verbal abuse, but also that the use of assertive action as a coping mechanismdiffers according to the presence of an alcoholic parent in childhood .We hope that the work will be useful to students and psychologists, but also to bringclarity to those who want to deepen the theme of interdependence between stress andtrauma, and are looking for an answer for the misunderstood experiences of the adultpresent.
KEY ISSUES OF DEVELOPING PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVISM: THE CASE OF RUSSIA
Authors: Borodkina Olga
Published: February 2024

In times of turbulence and new risks, including epidemiological ones, public healthissues gain particular importance. These issues extend beyond just medical practices andencompass the social activities of various groups of the population. This paper focuseson the unique aspects of the development of social activism in the healthcare field inRussia, specifically examining the factors that contribute to the emergence of healthrelatedactivism, the barriers that hinder its growth, and the primary forms of activistinvolvement in the healthcare domain. The primary research method was expertinterviews with managers and specialists working in the field of HIV infectionprevention and treatment, mental health, drug addiction prevention, and social andmedical assistance to people with disabilities (N=17). The research findings highlightthat public health activism in Russia is closely linked to the activities of NGOs. Often,the establishment of these organizations is a response to the efforts of individualsseeking solutions to their own health-related problems or those of closed relatives.These problems often include issues like accessing treatment, obtaining necessarymedications, accessing medical and social services, and overcoming discrimination dueto a disease. The activities of these NGOs are influenced by a continually evolving legalframework and are contingent on the availability of financial support. Consequently, theforms and objectives of health activism are also undergoing of transformation. Theconclusion highlights the role of the state as a key regulator of public health activism.