bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agroecological zoning as a tool for the reproduction of natural resource capital in the agricultural sector
Authors: Sukhomlinova Natalya , Polyakov Vyacheslav
Published: August 2023

The article discusses the mechanism for the practical implementation of the procedure for agroecological zoning of agricultural lands as a modern tool to increase the level of adaptability and efficiency of agricultural production. At the same time, special attention is paid to the analysis of the use of an adaptive-landscape approach within the framework of this procedure, which is focused on the formation of a dynamic landscape structure of the territory. In addition, the necessity of using nature-like technologies that are most adequate to the local specifics, allowing to ensure the most effective interaction between the natural and production subsystems of the agroecosystem, is substantiated. On the example of the analysis of such a procedure in six rural settlements of the Rostov region belonging to different natural and agricultural zones, the economic and environmental efficiency of the implementation of measures for agroecological zoning is shown. The calculations made indicate that the rate of increase in the cost parameters of natural resource capital due to the implementation of the proposed measures for agroecological zoning based on the adaptive landscape approach exceeds the growth dynamics of the total cost of manufactured products, which indicates the presence of a synergistic effect due to their implementation.
Bioindication of environmental security in urban and rural territory according toBetula pendulaRoth
Authors: Pishchimko Olesya , Korobova Larisa , Riksen Vera
Published: August 2023

In the modern era of urbanization, air pollution is becoming a significant cause of changes in the health of the population. The contribution of the complex of atmospheric pollutants to the state of the urban environment can be assessed by the bioindication method. In the article, this is done using the fluctuating asymmetry of the leaf blades of the silver birch on the example of the one and a half million city of Novosibirsk and a rural settlement located 50 km away. Novosibirsk is an industrial center and has a high transport and logistics significance. Bioindication data testify to the critical state of its environment in places of high transport load and industrial congestion and to a significant deviation from the norm when moving away from the park zone. This requires the development of additional measures aimed at minimizing the impact of environmental risks on the population.
Effects of Volcanic Activity on Organic Matter Enrichment in the Sediments and its Implications for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development
Authors: Liu Ruomu
Published: August 2023

Volcanic activity is an important geological phenomenon in the evolution and development of the earth and brings rich resources to benefit human society, such as geothermal resources, valuable minerals, petroleum, and natural gas, although volcanic eruptions cause serious threats to the ecological environment of our planet. The co-development of oil and gas and volcanic activity in the same basin is a common phenomenon globally. Volcanic activity can bring abundant nutrients into the basins, conducive to the development of algae and other microorganisms in the water body. After the death of organisms, their remaining settles down to the water bottom and accumulate in the sediments. Meanwhile, reducing gases, releasing along with the volcano eruption, including H2S, CO2, etc., result in anoxia in the water body, benefiting the preservation of organic matter at the bottom and brings a large amount of material basis for the generation of oil and gas. Additionally, volcanic activity and hydrothermal fluids are rich in acid substances, will dissolve part of the minerals in the formation, generates a large number of migration channels for oil and gas migration. Some volcanic rocks are rich in pores, making them natural tanks for oil and gas storage. However, volcanic activity also has destructive effects on oil and gas accumulation. High hydrothermal/volcanic input can dilute primary productivity or reduce the abundance of organic matter due to high deposition rates, while excessive volcanic activity or hydrothermal fluid input can introduce large amounts of sulfate into the water, causing strong bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). The high consumption of organic matter can hamper the organic matter enrichment. Therefore, how to define appropriate volcanic activity conducive to organic carbon preservation, and to establish the relationship model between volcanic activity and organic matter enrichment, are key scientific issues.
Performance Diagnosis and Analysis of a Thermal Power Turbine Unit in a Power Plant
Authors: Zhang Yanpeng , Zhong Ziwei , Li Si , Zheng Wei , Zhu Lingkai , Shang Panfeng
Published: August 2023

In order to further improve the operation level of the provincial grid direct thermal power units, optimize the data quality of the provincial thermal power unit system, diagnose and analyze the operation data of the thermal power unit system, and comprehensively analyze and evaluate the unit regulation ability from the aspects of heating capacity, the minimum startup mode of the whole plant, and the load capacity of the heating state, so as to provide support for the accurate scheduling of the unit.
Prüfungsthema: Atmungsorgane
Authors: Schmid Eva C.
Published: August 2023

Liebe Heilpraktikeranwärter – mit diesen Karteikarten wollen wir Sie bei der Vorbereitung auf die mündliche Heilpraktikerüberprüfung unterstützen. Viel Erfolg beim Lernen wünscht Ihnen
A System for Teaching Advanced Colonoscopic Skills and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Based on Nonclinical Models
Authors: Mitra Neil , Whelan Richard L.
Published: August 2023

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) requires skills that the vast majority of endoscopists do not possess. ESD be broken down into component skills and at least three of the necessary skill sets can be taught separately. In the United States most trainees initially participate in half- or full-day courses that utilize ex vivo and in vivo animal models and the great majority learn these advanced skills in the clinical setting. We describe a comprehensive training over a well-defined period using ex vivo porcine or bovine large bowel models. There are five components or modules that make up the training program: (1) bowel wall injections in ex vivo tissue, (2) inanimate figure tracing model to teach scope control, (3) ESD in plastic tube with window cutout over which square of ex vivo tissue is placed, (4) ESD in ex vivo porcine or bovine large bowel, and (5) mucosal wound closure. The authors are in the midst of training a group of residents, fellows, and young attendings using this approach. This approach has not been vetted yet; however, the preliminary results are promising.
Comparison of Insulin Analogs and Human Insulins: A Narrative Review
Authors: Eledrisi Mohsen S. , Danjuma Mohammed Ibn-Mas'ud
Published: August 2023

Introduction Since insulin analogs have pharmacological properties that are similar to the normal physiological action of insulin, it has been suggested that they provide better glucose control and less rates of hypoglycemia compared to human insulins.

Methods We performed a narrative, nonsystematic review of the literature including clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and professional guidelines related to the comparison of human insulins and insulin analogs in terms of glucose control, safety profile, and cost.

Results Long-acting basal insulins result in mild improvement in glucose control and less rates of nocturnal hypoglycemic compared to neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin, mainly among patients with type 1 diabetes. Rapid-acting insulin analogs provide better glucose control and lower rates of hypoglycemia compared to regular insulin among patients with type 1 diabetes, whereas no advantage has been shown for insulin analogs among patients with type 2 diabetes for glucose control or hypoglycemia. Premixed insulin analogs provided no advantage in glucose control and inconsistent benefit in lowering the rates of hypoglycemia compared to human premixed insulins among patients with type 2 diabetes. The cost of insulin analogs is significantly higher than human insulins, and favorable cost-effectiveness has only been demonstrated for rapid-acting insulin analogs in type 1 diabetes.

Conclusion Currently available evidence supports the use of rapid-acting insulin analogs and possibly long-acting basal insulin over human insulins for patients with type 1 diabetes. For patients with type 2 diabetes, the use of long-acting insulin analogs may be recommended for selected patients who are at an increased risk of significant hypoglycemia, while no clear benefits of meal insulin analogs over human insulins have been observed.
The Effect of Usage of Antiasthmatic Inhalers on Color Stability and Surface Roughness of Dental Restorative Materials: An In
Vitro Study
Authors: Subramaniam Priya , Bhat Devikripa , Gupta Megha , Gulzar Shabnam , Shah Altaf H.
Published: August 2023

Objectives Increased demand for esthetics by parents and children has resulted in the use of tooth-colored restorative materials. Children with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma use inhalers which have shown to affect the surface of restorative materials. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of antiasthmatic inhalers on color stability and surface roughness of three restorative materials.

Materials and Methods Forty samples each of three dental restorative materials: group A: glass ionomer cement (GIC), group B: alkasite restorative material, and group C: composite resins were prepared. Each group was further divided into two subgroups of 20 samples each according to the inhaler used. All the specimens were polished using polishing discs and stored in artificial saliva in order to simulate the oral environment. The baseline color value and surface roughness of all the samples were measured using a spectrophotometer and a profilometer, respectively. Group 1 and group 2 were exposed to 0.31 mg of salbutamol sulfate and 20 mg formoterol fumarate in combination with budesonide, respectively, for every 12 hours, for a period of 15 days following which the samples were evaluated for color changes and surface roughness.

Statistical Analysis The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis and level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results Exposure to both the inhalers caused a change in color and surface roughness in all three restorative materials. There was a significant change in the color of GIC and composite resin (ΔE > 3.3), following exposure to both the inhalers (p < 0.05). The change in color of alkasite restorative material was not significant. A significant increase in the surface roughness of composite resin from 0.56 ± 0.14 to 0.67 ± 0.19 was seen following 15 days' exposure to formoterol in combination with budesonide inhaler (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Following exposure, both the inhalers had an equal effect on color and surface roughness of all three restorative materials. Alkasite restorative material showed greater resistance to change in color and surface roughness when exposed to antiasthmatic inhalers, compared to GIC and composite resin. Thus, children who use inhalers and nebulizers should be advised to implement more precautionary oral hygiene measures and periodic dental visits.
Overview of the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Blackmer-Raynolds Lisa , Sampson Timothy R.
Published: August 2023

The human gastrointestinal tract is home to trillions of microorganisms—collectively referred to as the gut microbiome—that maintain a symbiotic relationship with their host. This diverse community of microbes grows and changes as we do, with developmental, lifestyle, and environmental factors all shaping microbiome community structure. Increasing evidence suggests this relationship is bidirectional, with the microbiome also influencing host physiological processes. For example, changes in the gut microbiome have been shown to alter neurodevelopment and have lifelong effects on the brain and behavior. Age-related changes in gut microbiome composition have also been linked to inflammatory changes in the brain, perhaps increasing susceptibility to neurological disease. Indeed, associations between gut dysbiosis and many age-related neurological diseases—including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—have been reported. Further, microbiome manipulation in animal models of disease highlights a potential role for the gut microbiome in disease development and progression. Although much remains unknown, these associations open up an exciting new world of therapeutic targets, potentially allowing for improved quality of life for a wide range of patient populations.
Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Stroke
Authors: Yong Heather Y.F. , Ganesh Aravind , Camara-Lemarroy Carlos
Published: August 2023

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are seen in over 50% of ischemic stroke survivors; the most common complications are dysphagia, constipation, and GI bleeding. The bidirectional relationship of the gut–brain axis and stroke has recently gained traction, wherein stroke contributes to gut dysbiosis (alterations in the normal host intestinal microbiome) and gut dysbiosis perpetuates poor functional neurologic outcomes in stroke. It is postulated that the propagation of proinflammatory cells and gut metabolites (including trimethylamine N-oxide and short-chain fatty acids) from the GI tract to the central nervous system play a central role in gut–brain axis dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the known GI complications in acute ischemic stroke, our current knowledge from experimental stroke models for gut–brain axis dysfunction in stroke, and emerging therapeutics that target the gut–brain axis.
Venous Pathologies and Interventions of the Head
Authors: Mehta Tej Ishaan , Arun Anirudh , Heiberger Caleb , Cognetti David , Ray Tyler R. , Amans Matthew R. , Fargen Kyle , Huisman Thierry A.G.M. , Hui Ferdinand
Published: August 2023

Intracranial venous pathologies are a historically underrecognized group of disorders that can have a devastating impact on patients. Despite advancements in peripheral venous disorders and arterial neurointerventions, intracranial venous pathologies have received comparatively little attention. Understanding the anatomy, physiology, clinical relevance, and treatment options of intracranial venous pathologies is fundamental to evolving therapies and research priorities. This article provides an overview of major intracranial venous pathologies, the respective pathophysiologies, and treatment options.
Myocardial Recovery, Metabolism, and Structure after Cardiac Arrest with Cardioplexol
Authors: Hemmerich Carina , Heep Martina , Gärtner Ulrich , Taghiyev Zulfugar Timur , Schneider Matthias , Böning Andreas
Published: August 2023

Objectives Clinical studies indicate encouraging cardioprotective potential for Cardioplexol. Its cardioprotective capacities during 45 minutes of ischemia compared with pure no-flow ischemia or during 90 minutes of ischemia compared with Calafiore cardioplegia were investigated experimentally.

Methods Forty-four rat hearts were isolated and inserted into a blood-perfused pressure-controlled Langendorff apparatus. In a first step, cardiac arrest was induced by Cardioplexol or pure no-flow ischemia lasting 45 minutes. In a second step, cardiac arrest was induced by Cardioplexol or Calafiore cardioplegia lasting 90 minutes. For both experimental steps, cardiac function, metabolic parameters, and troponin I levels were evaluated during 90 minutes of reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, hearts were fixed, and ultrastructural integrity was examined by electron microscopy.

Results Step 1: after 90 minutes of reperfusion, hearts exposed to Cardioplexol had significantly higher left ventricular developed pressure (CP-45ˊ: 74%BL vs. no-flow-45ˊ: 45%BL; p = 0.046) and significantly better maximal left ventricular relaxation (CP-45ˊ: 84%BL vs. no-flow-45ˊ: 51%BL; p = 0.012). Oxygen consumption, lactate production, and troponin levels were similar in both groups. Step 2: left ventricular developed pressure was lower (22 vs. 48% of BL; p = 0.001) and coronary flow was lower (24 vs. 53% of BL; p = 0.002) when Cardioplexol was used compared with Calafiore cardioplegia. Troponin I levels were significantly higher under Cardioplexol (358.9 vs. 106.1 ng/mL; p = 0.016).

Conclusion Cardioplexol significantly improves functional recovery after 45 minutes of ischemia compared with pure ischemia. However, Cardioplexol protects the myocardium from ischemia/reperfusion-related damage after 90 minutes of ischemia worse than Calafiore cardioplegia.
Investment risk-taking and benefit adequacy under automatic balancing mechanism in the Japanese public pension system
Authors: Kimura Shin , Kitamura Tomoki , Nakashima Kunio
Published: August 2023

The automatic balancing mechanism introduced in 2004 aims to re-establish the financial equilibrium of the Japanese public pension systems. The non-linear functions for benefits embedded in the automatic balancing mechanism make it challenging to analyse the impact of market fluctuations on the adequacy of benefits and the sustainability of the pension system. Using a stochastic simulation model applied to the government’s public pension verification programmes, the risk of benefit levels and financial stability according to risk-taking in pension reserve funds for the Japanese public pension system is investigated. The Japanese public pension system is characterised by a pay-as-you-go system with substantial reserve funds. Benefit adequacy is measured by the replacement rate and financial sustainability by the reserve-to-expenditure ratio. The results show that for a high level of risk-taking in the reserve fund, the risk of benefits increases because the automatic balancing mechanism reduces benefits until the pension system recovers solvency. In addition, the risk of reserve funds increases because of the possibility of sizeable negative investment returns. In contrast, when risk-taking is low, the benefit level is locked in at a low level because investment returns are insufficient. Therefore, moderate risk-taking of reserve funds should be adequate.
Cashing the pink RMB through docile bodies: queering paradox of erotic entrepreneurs on Chinese social media platforms
Authors: Chen Zhen Troy , Whyke Thomas William , Lopez-Mugica Joaquin , Peng Altman Yuzhu
Published: August 2023

This article investigates the emergence of "erotic entrepreneurs" in China, a new category of male influencers who engage in erotic activities and target followers of all genders on platforms such as TikTok/Douyin and Bilibili. Through ethnographic research, we examine how these young individuals strategically marketize their private and intimate experiences as a form of aspiration and commerce. We use Foucault’s concept, "docile bodies," to interrogate how these erotic entrepreneurs navigate the power and knowledge systems of the creative economy. We argue that the paradoxical position of these docile male, queer bodies helps to increase their visibility on one hand, whilst renders them vulnerable to exploitation, censorship, and commodification on the other. The findings suggest that this paradox disrupts traditional gender stereotypes and the underlying power structures, but also reinforces the neoliberal and patriarchal order specific to postreform China.
The densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of (TiB2+SiC)/AlSi10Mg composites manufactured by LPBF
Authors: Dang Bo , Zhang Zhao , Li Kan , Chen Yan , Xu Junfeng , Jian Zengyun
Published: August 2023

Herein, the (TiB2 + SiC)/AlSi10Mg composites were prepared using a planetary ball mill and fabricated by the LPBF technique. The effects of nano-TiB2 particles and laser power on the densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the LPBFed (TiB2 + SiC)/AlSi10Mg composites were investigated. The densification and mechanical properties of composites increase first and then decrease with increasing laser power and nano-TiB2 particle content. Under the optimal processing parameters and nano-TiB2 particle content, 98.3% relative densification of the LPBFed composites was achieved. The LPBFed (TiB2 + SiC)/AlSi10Mg composites had superior mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 452.8 MPa, a yield strength of 217.2 MPa, and an elongation of 4.33% (increases of 30.8%, 14.3%, and 90.7%, respectively), and the maximum microhardness of 126.7 HV (increase of 6.1%).
Estimation of imprints of the bounce in loop quantum cosmology on the bispectra of cosmic microwave background
Authors: K Roshna , Sreenath V.
Published: August 2023

Primordial non-Gaussianity has set strong constraints on models of the early universe.
Studies have shown that Loop Quantum Cosmology (LQC), which is an attempt to extend inflationary scenario to planck scales, leads to a strongly scale dependent and oscillatory non-Gaussianity. In particular, the non-Gaussianity function f
NL (k
1, k
2, k
3) generated in LQC, though similar to that generated during slow roll inflation at small scales, is highly scale dependent and oscillatory at long wavelengths. In this work, we investigate the imprints of such a primordial bispectrum in the bispectrum of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).
Inspired by earlier works, we propose an analytical template for the primordial bispectrum in LQC.
We write the template as a sum of strongly scale dependent and oscillatory part, which captures the contribution due to the bounce, and a part which captures the scale invariant behaviour similar to that of slow roll. We then compute the reduced bispectra of temperature and electric polarisation and their three-point cross-correlations corresponding to these two parts.
We show that the contribution from the bounce to the reduced bispectrum is negligible compared to that from the scale-independent part. Thus, we conclude that the CMB bispectra generated in LQC will be similar to that generated in slow roll inflation. We conclude with a discussion of our results and its implications to LQC.
Moiré Dirac fermions in transition metal dichalcogenides heterobilayers
Authors: Che 车 Chenglong 成龙 , Lv 吕 Yawei 亚威 , Tong 童 Qingjun 庆军
Published: August 2023

Monolayer group-VIB transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) feature low-energy massive Dirac fermions, which have valley contrasting Berry curvature. This nontrivial local band topology gives rise to valley Hall transport and optical selection rules for interband transitions that open up new possibilities for valleytronics. However, the large bandgap in TMDs results in relatively small Berry curvature, leading to weak valley contrasting physics in practical experiments. Here, we show that Dirac fermions with tunable large Berry curvature can be engineered in moiré superlattice of TMD heterobilayers. These moiré Dirac fermions are created in a magnified honeycomb lattice with its sublattice degree of freedom formed by two local moiré potential minima. We show that applying an on-site potential can tune the moiré flat bands into helical ones. In short-period moiré superlattice, we find that the two moiré valleys become asymmetric, which results in a net spin Hall current. More interestingly, a circularly polarized light drives these moiré Dirac fermions into quantum anomalous Hall phase with chiral edge states. Our results open a new possibility to design the moiré-scale spin and valley physics using TMD moiré structures.
Exploring reservoir computing: Implementation via double stochastic nanowire networks
Authors: Tang 唐 Jian-Feng 健峰 , Xia 夏 Lei 磊 , Li 李 Guang-Li 广隶 , Fu 付 Jun 军 , Duan 段 Shukai 书凯 , Wang 王 Lidan 丽丹
Published: August 2023

Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain, uses memristor devices for complex tasks. Recent studies show that self-organizing random nanowires can implement neuromorphic information processing, enabling data analysis. This paper presents a model based on these nanowire networks, with an improved conductance variation profile. We suggest using these networks for temporal information processing via a reservoir computing scheme and propose an efficient data encoding method using voltage pulses. The nanowire network layer generates dynamic behaviors for pulse voltages, allowing time series prediction analysis. Our experiment uses a double stochastic nanowire network architecture for processing multiple input signals, outperforming traditional reservoir computing in terms of fewer nodes, enriched dynamics and improved prediction accuracy. Experimental results confirm the high accuracy of this architecture on multiple real-time series datasets, making neuromorphic nanowire networks promising for physical implementation of reservoir computing.
Team-based fixed-time containment control for multi-agent systems with disturbances
Authors: Zhao 赵 Xiao-Wen 小文 , Wang 王 Jin-Yue 进月 , Lai 赖 Qiang 强 , Liu 刘 Yuan 源
Published: August 2023

We investigate the fixed-time containment control (FCC) problem of multi-agent systems (MASs) under discontinuous communication. A saturation function is used in the controller to achieve the containment control in MASs. One difference from using a symbolic function is that it avoids the differential calculation process for discontinuous functions, which further ensures the continuity of the control input. Considering the discontinuous communication, a dynamic variable is constructed, which is always non-negative between any two communications of the agent. Based on the designed variable, the dynamic event-triggered algorithm is proposed to achieve FCC, which can effectively reduce controller updating. In addition, we further design a new event-triggered algorithm to achieve FCC, called the team-trigger mechanism, which combines the self-triggering technique with the proposed dynamic event trigger mechanism. It has faster convergence than the proposed dynamic event triggering technique and achieves the tradeoff between communication cost, convergence time and number of triggers in MASs. Finally, Zeno behavior is excluded and the validity of the proposed theory is confirmed by simulation.
Pragmatic modelling of axial flow-induced vibration (FIV) for nuclear fuel rods
Authors: Pauzi Anas Muhamad , Iacovides Hector , Cioncolini Andrea
Published: August 2023

Flow-induced vibration (FIV) at the spacer grid in the fuel assembly of a Light Water Reactor (LWR) is the leading cause of fuel failure. This project aims to produce a simulation benchmark on the experimental campaign at MACE on axial FIV of a cantilever beam in an annular tube, that mimics the configuration and environment of a typical LWR. The nuclear fuel rod, which consists of fuel pellets filled in Zirconium alloy cladding is modelled in the experiment as a steel rod filled with lead shots that closely approximates the filling density of the fuel pellet. To reduce the complexity and increase the efficiency of the simulation, further simplification is applied by on the geometry and assuming the solid domain as a single material instead of multiple materials. The first mode of frequency of the rod vibrating in quiescent water, which had been validated via the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory against experimental measurements, was used to design the single-material solid domain. Two models were proposed, firstly a solid rod with lower density and stiffness (SLE), and secondly an empty cladding with high density and low stiffness (EHD). Both solid and fluid domains were discretised using the cell-centred finite volume (FV) method and coupled with strong two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI). Results on the frequency of vibration in quiescent water and in axial flow showed good agreement with experimental measurement, and the computational efficiency is analyzed for different rod models and changes in parameters of the solid domains.
Improving source convergence diagnostics sensitivity using the complex components of Fourier fundamental mode
Authors: Chin K F , Omar M R , Karim J A
Published: August 2023

Previous works have demonstrated that the Fourier fundamental mode coefficient (FFMC) is a potential fission source convergence indicator for Monte Carlo k-eigenvalue calculations. Unlike the conventional Shannon entropy indicator, it requires no spatial meshing, and its computation is computationally inexpensive. However, we found that FFMC is less sensitive to the convergence involving near symmetrical fission distributions. To rectify the problem, we focus on the analysis of the FFMC’s components (the real and imaginary parts) on a simple geometry problem and a full reactor core problem. The usage of the FFMC’s components is more conservative compared to the original FFMC method as supported by the improved results of the fission source convergence detection.
Effect of particle size analysis on the physicochemical characterization of Malaysian monazite
Authors: Roslan Nurliana , Che Hak Cik Rohaida , Norazumin Abdul Rahman
Published: August 2023

Rare earth elements (REEs) are the elements that have become extremely important to our world of technology owing to their unique physical and chemical properties, and widely used in advanced technology. Monazite is one of the mineral phosphate that contain a high amount of REEs including thorium and a small amount of uranium. In Malaysia, monazite is exist as by-product (‘amang’) from tin mining originated from Ipoh, Perak. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of the different particles size of raw and ground (milled) monazite on the physicochemical properties. The effectiveness of extraction and separation process of monazite was affected by the size of the particle. Based on the particle size distribution analysis, all the monazite samples were found to be present in the size range of 11-190 μm. The morphological and elemental composition of the monazite mineral have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) integrated with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX). The FESEM micrographs of the monazite showed an irregular spherical structures with different sizes. The chemical composition and the mineral phases present in monazite were studied by wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (WD-XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRF analysis confirmed the presence of the major REEs such as Ce, La and Nd elements in the mineral. XRD analysis also identified (Ce, La, Nd and Th)PO4 as the major phases along with quartz as minor phase. According to the FESEM-EDX and XRF analysis, smaller particle size of monazite gave higher content of REEs compare to raw monazite.
Effects of gamma radiation on sheep wool fiber composites reinforced with rice husk ash
Authors: Hidzir Norsyahidah Mohd , Radzi Afifah Mardhiah Mohamed , Radzali Nur Ain Mohd
Published: August 2023

It is well known that animal fiber is one of the potential pollutants to the environment if not been well disposed. Besides animal fiber, rice husk ash has also been considered as a type of waste that are able to pollute the air and soil. Recently, there are plenty of research for the purpose of reusing this type of waste in the composite making. It has been established that irradiation on composite at dose of more than 3 kGy can potentially increase the properties of the composite as it becomes harder and able to hold huge loads. Therefore, this research is conducted to study the effect of irradiated composites of sheep wool fibers reinforced with rice husk ash. The composites were prepared with different percentage of sheep wool (3% and 5%) as well as the addition of rice husk ash as filler. The gamma irradiation of 7 kGy of dose is used on the composites and later analysed for the changes in the chemical and physical properties. New chemical bonds were observed for irradiated composites through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Irradiated composite with 5% of wool has higher strength (0.16 MPa) compared to the irradiated composite with 3% of wool (0.09 MPa) from Izod fracture test. Meanwhile, composite without rice husk ash added were measured to have higher strength compared to the addition of rice husk ash as filler for both unirradiated and irradiated samples. The addition of rice husk ash increased the brittleness of the composite. In conclusion, the sheep wool fibers without the addition of rice hush ash are suitable to be used as reinforcing fibers in composites with gamma irradiation play insignificant part of the composite’s strength.
Attenuation range of particle radiations (alpha and beta) in human skin by Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Nawawi Nor Alia Aqilah , Tajudin Suffian Mohamad , Nasir Fairuz Mohd , Mohamed Nurul Syazwina , Abdullah Nazifah , Zainudin Nur Hamizah Mohd , Radzi Juliana Mohd
Published: August 2023

Particle radiations such as alpha and beta particles are more hazardous to humans than photons because of their higher linear energy transfer (LET). It is important to analyze the profile of particle radiations when interact with human skin. It is generally said that α particles can be stopped by a piece of paper while β rays can be stopped by an aluminum plate. A Monte Carlo simulation (PHITS code) is used for determining the attenuation and range of commonly available alpha (Po-210, Po-214, Am-241) and beta sources (Y-90) in human skin. These particle radiations were set at the surface of several materials such as skin, paper, water, aluminium and air to see their distribution within the materials. The PHITS code outputs were verified by comparing it with other literature for its range in air. Results showed that alpha particles barely pass through the outer layer of dead human skin and definitely can be stopped by a piece of paper. From the particle trajectory output, fluence of α particles from Po-210, Po-214, and Am-241 are completely stopped at 0.005 cm, 0.009 cm, and 0.012 cm in a paper, respectively, with no secondary particles are generated. On the other hand, beta particles would easily penetrate human skin and its range in human skin is ~0.8 cm for Y-90, while it would stop at ~0.3 cm in aluminium. In conclusion, based on these simulations, it was found that this study had justified the common sense on the shielding for the particle by using paper for alpha and aluminium for beta particle as a function of particle energy. Calculation with PHITS can be used for range calculation of various radiation types, including neutron and proton particles.
Radiation dosimetry for quality control of silicon wafer using electron beam
Authors: Muhamad Shalina Sheik , Hairaldin Siti Zulaiha , Ahmad Muhd Izham , Mansur Shahrina Akma , Ali Noor Hasni M.
Published: August 2023

Dosimetry studies using electron beams were performed with energies of up to 3 MeV, 2mA with various trolley speeds on the silicon wafer. The silicon wafer came with diameters of 152.4 and 203.2 mm with a thickness of 0.5 mm. The irradiations were performed by utilising the EPS 3000 Cockcroft-Walton type 3.0 MeV, 90 kwatts electron beam (EB) accelerator. Plastic film dosimeter, cellulose triacetate (CTA) was used as a dosimeter with a UV-vis spectrophotometer as the readout system. The dose setting in this investigation was ~100 kGy for 152.4 mm diameter and ~160 kGy for 203.2 mm diameter, which was based on the requirements of the customer. The acceptable dose value was set (± 10%) for better performance of the silicon wafer. It was important to comply with the international standards protocol for dosimeters in radiation processing dosimetry. The results showed that the dose and temperature decreased with increasing the speed. The optimum dose for both diameter of wafers when irradiate at electron beam current of 2 mA and the voltage of 3 MeV is at speed of 0.89 m/min. Based on these studies, it was found that it is important to control the speed of the trolley as it affects the irradiation conditions (e.g., temperature and dose measurements).
Assessment of elemental in plants acted as pollution biological indicator
Authors: Laili Zalina , Mejus Lakam , Hashim Azian , Diyana Nurul Fairuz , Mustaffa Mohammad Syahiran , Azman Muhammad Azfar , Yaccup Rahman , Mohd Hashim Mohd Muzamil , Omar Siti Aminah , Shukor Shakirah Abd. , Paulus Wilfred
Published: August 2023

Direct exposed to sources of heavy metal pollution in the environment have increased the ability of a certain plant to adopt and grown in this kind of environment. Heavy metals concentration in plants grown in the Pasir Gudang industrial area were determined using neutron activation analysis (NAA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The focus of this paper is to evaluating the potential use of plants in industrial areas as biological indicators to air and soil pollution. Nine plants species were collected based on the plants available at factories in the Pasir Gudang, Johor industrial area. The concentration of Fe, Zn, Co, Cr, As, Mn, Sb, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Cu in all plants were in the range of 0.186 to 482 mg kg-1 (dry weight). The results revealed the significant higher concentration of Al, Fe, Zn dan Mn in all polluted plants. Higher concentrations of Al, Fe and Zn were recorded in leaves of Acacia mangium leaves compared to other plant species. Our findings suggest that Acacia mangium plant is suitable as a tracer plant for a certain heavy metal absorption. More comprehensive monitoring is needed to understand the accumulation of heavy metal in the plant collected in Pasir Gudang Industrial area.
Potential of tropical expansive clays as natural sealing layer in nuclear waste repository system: a preliminary study
Authors: Shah A S N , Zali M A
Published: August 2023

The issue of radioactive waste disposal in Malaysia is frequently debated, particularly in terms of human and environmental long-term well-being. The creation of a repository with minimal hazard risk and cost implications is a major environmental concern related to nuclear waste. Expansive clay has distinct characteristics that are readily available in the environment and can serve as a natural barrier (sealing system) against the migration of radioactive and chemical pollutants. In this study, the physico-chemical and microstructural properties of 2 types of tropical soils with dominant clays mineral (vermiculite and montmorillonite) were investigated to better understand the potential of these clays as natural sealing in nuclear waste repository systems. Based on preliminary findings, both types of soil have been classified as alkaline soil (>7) with high swelling capacity (FSI) (>80%) and high consistency (LL>50%; PI>30%). The microstructural study demonstrates that vermiculite clays have a noticeable flaky morphology and a porous structure as compared to montmorillonite, indicating that the soil can absorb more water, hence decreasing its infiltration capability. Pinhole dispersion analysis reveals that montmorillonite clay is more prone to dispersion due to the presence of sodium ions and has a higher erosion potential than vermiculite clay. Future Malaysian stakeholders may employ this research to establish a long-term plan for the management of radioactive waste through the usage of natural resources.
Sintering β-SiC nanopowder using novel microwave-current assisted sintering technique: preliminary study
Authors: Al-Jothery H K M , Albarody T M B , Sultan N M , Mohammed H G , Megat-Yusoff P S M , Almuramady N , AL-Nidawi W J A
Published: August 2023

Silicon carbide is a crucial structure material because of its wide applications in different fields, such as electronics. The impurities have negative impact on the homogenous sinterability of nano SiC during the sintering process, especially the silicon dioxide. So, the consolidation of SiC nanopowders was conducted by the microwave-current assisted sintering process. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilised to examine the nanopowders and sintered samples of SiC. The results showed that the smallest average grain sizes of sintered specimens of treated and untreated-SiC nanopowders were 331 and 428 nm, respectively. The relative densities of sintered specimens of treated and untreated-SiC nanopowders were around 97.1% and 93.8%, respectively. In conclusion, the nanostructure of sintered SiC was the benchmark of the microwave-current assisted sintering technique.
High-level RNA editing diversifies the coleoid cephalopod brain proteome
Authors: Voss Gjendine , Rosenthal Joshua J C
Published: August 2023

Coleoid cephalopods (octopus, squid and cuttlefish) have unusually complex nervous systems. The coleoid nervous system is also the only one currently known to recode the majority of expressed proteins through A-to-I RNA editing. The deamination of adenosine by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) enzymes produces inosine, which is interpreted as guanosine during translation. If this occurs in an open reading frame, which is the case for tens of thousands of editing sites in coleoids, it can recode the encoded protein. Here, we describe recent findings aimed at deciphering the mechanisms underlying high-level recoding and its adaptive potential. We describe the complement of ADAR enzymes in cephalopods, including a recently discovered novel domain in sqADAR1. We further summarize current evidence supporting an adaptive role of high-level RNA recoding in coleoids, and review recent studies showing that a large proportion of recoding sites is temperature-sensitive. Despite these new findings, the mechanisms governing the high level of RNA recoding in coleoid cephalopods remain poorly understood. Recent advances using genome editing in squid may provide useful tools to further study A-to-I RNA editing in these animals.
MpbPPI: a multi-task pre-training-based equivariant approach for the prediction of the effect of amino acid mutations on protein–protein interactions
Authors: Yue Yang , Li Shu , Wang Lingling , Liu Huanxiang , Tong Henry H Y , He Shan
Published: August 2023

The accurate prediction of the effect of amino acid mutations for protein–protein interactions (PPI $\Delta \Delta G$) is a crucial task in protein engineering, as it provides insight into the relevant biological processes underpinning protein binding and provides a basis for further drug discovery. In this study, we propose MpbPPI, a novel multi-task pre-training-based geometric equivariance-preserving framework to predict PPI  $\Delta \Delta G$. Pre-training on a strictly screened pre-training dataset is employed to address the scarcity of protein–protein complex structures annotated with PPI $\Delta \Delta G$ values. MpbPPI employs a multi-task pre-training technique, forcing the framework to learn comprehensive backbone and side chain geometric regulations of protein–protein complexes at different scales. After pre-training, MpbPPI can generate high-quality representations capturing the effective geometric characteristics of labeled protein–protein complexes for downstream $\Delta \Delta G$ predictions. MpbPPI serves as a scalable framework supporting different sources of mutant-type (MT) protein–protein complexes for flexible application. Experimental results on four benchmark datasets demonstrate that MpbPPI is a state-of-the-art framework for PPI $\Delta \Delta G$ predictions. The data and source code are available at https://github.com/arantir123/MpbPPI.
The Deep Generative Decoder: MAP estimation of representations improves modelling of single-cell RNA data
Authors: Schuster Viktoria , Krogh Anders
Published: August 2023

Motivation

Learning low-dimensional representations of single-cell transcriptomics has become instrumental to its downstream analysis. The state of the art is currently represented by neural network models, such as variational autoencoders, which use a variational approximation of the likelihood for inference.

Results

We here present the Deep Generative Decoder (DGD), a simple generative model that computes model parameters and representations directly via maximum a posteriori estimation. The DGD handles complex parameterized latent distributions naturally unlike variational autoencoders, which typically use a fixed Gaussian distribution, because of the complexity of adding other types. We first show its general functionality on a commonly used benchmark set, Fashion-MNIST. Secondly, we apply the model to multiple single-cell datasets. Here, the DGD learns low-dimensional, meaningful, and well-structured latent representations with sub-clustering beyond the provided labels. The advantages of this approach are its simplicity and its capability to provide representations of much smaller dimensionality than a comparable variational autoencoder.

Availability and implementation

scDGD is available as a python package at https://github.com/Center-for-Health-Data-Science/scDGD. The remaining code is made available here: https://github.com/Center-for-Health-Data-Science/dgd.
The Assassination Cases of Madan Lal Dhingra, 1909 and Udham Singh, 1940 as Social Drama
Authors: Seal Lizzie , Neale Alexa
Published: August 2023

There were two Indian nationalist assassinations in London in the twentieth century: Sir William Curzon Wyllie by Madan Lal Dhingra in 1909 and Sir Michael O’Dwyer by Udham Singh in 1940. We read these assassinations as social dramas during which shifting meanings of British imperialism were articulated, contested and reinforced. We compare the cases to examine how Dhingra and Singh’s insistence on the iniquity of colonial violence contested dominant narratives of the British Empire as benign. Capital trials offered Dhingra and Singh the chance to state their views on a public stage. The final act of these social dramas was the death penalty, a measure intended to restore order, but which also posed the risk of turning them into martyrs.
Exploring the Lived Experiences of Compassion Fatigue in Parents who Adopt Children with Trauma Histories
Authors: Agius Claire , Eve Zarah , Pearson Rebecca
Published: August 2023

The challenges of caring for children with early life adversity have been identified as contributing to feelings of compassion fatigue (CF)—an emotional disconnection resulting from repeated exposure to another’s trauma. Although extensive studies have focused on contributors to trauma-inducing workplace stress and well-being, research on trauma-related stress in the home, especially in adoptive parent populations, is relatively underexplored. This study aimed to understand how adoptive parents make sense of their experiences of parenting adopted children, identify core components of CF, understand parents’ perceptions of contributing factors and explore wider relational impacts. Parents were recruited from Adoption UK via email invite. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve parents to form a holistic picture of adoptive parents’ experiences. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Findings yielded three overarching and interrelated themes: (i) a parent not a therapist; (ii) strained connections; and (iii) support is a mirage. Findings support recent literature highlighting the reality of CF in adoptive parents and the need to develop more preventative structures and responsive systems of support adapted to the needs of adopted children but also the unique needs of their families to help prevent mental health crises across the family and adoption breakdowns.