bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards the Design and Implementation of an Image-Based Navigation System of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Combining a Color Recognition Technique and a Fuzzy Logic Controller
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsien , Yu Chao-Ming , Wu Chia-Yu
Published: June 2021

This study proposes the development of an underwater object-tracking control system through an image-processing technique. It is used for the close-range recognition and dynamic tracking of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with an auxiliary light source for image processing. The image-processing technique includes color space conversion, target and background separation with binarization, noise removal with image filters, and image morphology. The image-recognition results become more complete through the aforementioned process. After the image information is obtained for the underwater object, the image area and coordinates are further adopted as the input values of the fuzzy logic controller (FLC) to calculate the rudder angle of the servomotor, and the propeller revolution speed is defined using the image information. The aforementioned experiments were all conducted in a stability water tank. Subsequently, the FLC was combined with an extended Kalman filter (EKF) for further dynamic experiments in a towing tank. Specifically, the EKF predicts new coordinates according to the original coordinates of an object to resolve data insufficiency. Consequently, several tests with moving speeds from 0.2 m/s to 0.8 m/s were analyzed to observe the changes in the rudder angles and the sensitivity of the propeller revolution speed.
16 Ch × 200 GHz DWDM-Passive Optical Fiber Sensor Network Based on a Power Measurement Method for Water-Level Monitoring of the Spent Fuel Pool in a Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Lee Hoon-Keun , Choo Jaeyul , Kim Joonyoung
Published: June 2021

This paper presents a remote 16 Ch × 200 GHz dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)-passive optical fiber sensor (OFS) network. We particularly investigate the remote water-level monitoring capability of the OFS network based on an optical power measurement that features simplicity and a fast processing speed. The OFS network utilizes a seeded amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light that is spectrum-sliced and distributed by an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) towards multiple sensing units (SU), where each SU is installed at a different height in the water pool. Then, each SU reflects either of the two different optical powers according to the medium (air vs. water) back to the monitoring station. Therefore, the total received optical power at the monitoring station linearly changes according to the water level. We can simply recognize the water level by utilizing the optical power meter (OPM) at the monitoring station rather than the optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), which is bulky and expensive and requires a relatively long processing time. Consequently, we can reduce the system complexity, processing time, and cost (both installation and maintenance). However, the OPM-based OFS network requires a new methodology to derive the water level from the measured optical power. Thus, we come up with the reference-to-power ratio (RPR) analysis, which can be used for the maximum distance analysis as well as water level recognition. Based on the new reception architecture supported by the new post-processing scheme, the OFS network can distinguish 17 different water levels of the SFP at the monitoring station, which is >40 km away from the SFP, without using any active devices (such as optical amplifiers) at the remote places.
A Ratiometric Optical Dual Sensor for the Simultaneous Detection of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Kumar Divyanshu , Chu Cheng-Shane
Published: June 2021

Simultaneous detection of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) has attracted considerable interest since CO2 and O2 play key roles in various industrial and domestic applications. In this study, a new approach based on a fluorescence ratiometric referencing method was reported to develop an optical dual sensor where platinum (II) meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (PtTFPP) complex used as the O2-sensitive dye, CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) combined with phenol red used as the CO2-sensitive dye, and CdSe/ZnS QDs used as the reference dye for the simultaneous detection of O2 and CO2. All the dyes were immobilized in a gas-permeable matrix poly (isobutyl methacrylate) (PolyIBM) and subjected to excitation using a 380 nm LED. The as-obtained distinct fluorescence spectral intensities were alternately exposed to analyte gases to observe changes in the fluorescence intensity. In the presence of O2, the fluorescence intensity of the Pt (II) complex was considerably quenched, while in the presence of CO2, the fluorescence intensity of QDs was increased. The corresponding ratiometric sensitivities of the optical dual sensor for O2 and CO2 were approximately 13 and 144, respectively. In addition, the response and recovery for O2 and CO2 were calculated to be 10 s/35 s and 20 s/60 s, respectively. Thus, a ratiometric optical dual gas sensor for the simultaneous detection of O2 and CO2 was successfully developed. Effects of spurious fluctuations in the intensity of external and excitation sources were suppressed by the ratiometric sensing approach.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for Attacking Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Parras Juan , Hüttenrauch Maximilian , Zazo Santiago , Neumann Gerhard
Published: June 2021

Recent advances in Deep Reinforcement Learning allow solving increasingly complex problems. In this work, we show how current defense mechanisms in Wireless Sensor Networks are vulnerable to attacks that use these advances. We use a Deep Reinforcement Learning attacker architecture that allows having one or more attacking agents that can learn to attack using only partial observations. Then, we subject our architecture to a test-bench consisting of two defense mechanisms against a distributed spectrum sensing attack and a backoff attack. Our simulations show that our attacker learns to exploit these systems without having a priori information about the defense mechanism used nor its concrete parameters. Since our attacker requires minimal hyper-parameter tuning, scales with the number of attackers, and learns only by interacting with the defense mechanism, it poses a significant threat to current defense procedures.
An Evaluation of the Factors Affecting ‘Poacher’ Detection with Drones and the Efficacy of Machine-Learning for Detection
Authors: Doull Katie E. , Chalmers Carl , Fergus Paul , Longmore Steve , Piel Alex K. , Wich Serge A.
Published: June 2021

Drones are being increasingly used in conservation to tackle the illegal poaching of animals. An important aspect of using drones for this purpose is establishing the technological and the environmental factors that increase the chances of success when detecting poachers. Recent studies focused on investigating these factors, and this research builds upon this as well as exploring the efficacy of machine-learning for automated detection. In an experimental setting with voluntary test subjects, various factors were tested for their effect on detection probability: camera type (visible spectrum, RGB, and thermal infrared, TIR), time of day, camera angle, canopy density, and walking/stationary test subjects. The drone footage was analysed both manually by volunteers and through automated detection software. A generalised linear model with a logit link function was used to statistically analyse the data for both types of analysis. The findings concluded that using a TIR camera improved detection probability, particularly at dawn and with a 90° camera angle. An oblique angle was more effective during RGB flights, and walking/stationary test subjects did not influence detection with both cameras. Probability of detection decreased with increasing vegetation cover. Machine-learning software had a successful detection probability of 0.558, however, it produced nearly five times more false positives than manual analysis. Manual analysis, however, produced 2.5 times more false negatives than automated detection. Despite manual analysis producing more true positive detections than automated detection in this study, the automated software gives promising, successful results, and the advantages of automated methods over manual analysis make it a promising tool with the potential to be successfully incorporated into anti-poaching strategies.
A Guide to Parent-Child fNIRS Hyperscanning Data Processing and Analysis
Authors: Nguyen Trinh , Hoehl Stefanie , Vrtička Pascal
Published: June 2021

The use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning during naturalistic interactions in parent–child dyads has substantially advanced our understanding of the neurobiological underpinnings of human social interaction. However, despite the rise of developmental hyperscanning studies over the last years, analysis procedures have not yet been standardized and are often individually developed by each research team. This article offers a guide on parent–child fNIRS hyperscanning data analysis in MATLAB and R. We provide an example dataset of 20 dyads assessed during a cooperative versus individual problem-solving task, with brain signal acquired using 16 channels located over bilateral frontal and temporo-parietal areas. We use MATLAB toolboxes Homer2 and SPM for fNIRS to preprocess the acquired brain signal data and suggest a standardized procedure. Next, we calculate interpersonal neural synchrony between dyads using Wavelet Transform Coherence (WTC) and illustrate how to run a random pair analysis to control for spurious correlations in the signal. We then use RStudio to estimate Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) to account for the bounded distribution of coherence values for interpersonal neural synchrony analyses. With this guide, we hope to offer advice for future parent–child fNIRS hyperscanning investigations and to enhance replicability within the field.
Combining Ergonomic Risk Assessment (RULA) with Inertial Motion Capture Technology in Dentistry—Using the Benefits from Two Worlds
Authors: Maurer-Grubinger Christian , Holzgreve Fabian , Fraeulin Laura , Betz Werner , Erbe Christina , Brueggmann Doerthe , Wanke Eileen M. , Nienhaus Albert , Groneberg David A. , Ohlendorf Daniela
Published: June 2021

Traditional ergonomic risk assessment tools such as the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) are often not sensitive enough to evaluate well-optimized work routines. An implementation of kinematic data captured by inertial sensors is applied to compare two work routines in dentistry. The surgical dental treatment was performed in two different conditions, which were recorded by means of inertial sensors (Xsens MVN Link). For this purpose, 15 (12 males/3 females) oral and maxillofacial surgeons took part in the study. Data were post processed with costume written MATLAB® routines, including a full implementation of RULA (slightly adjusted to dentistry). For an in-depth comparison, five newly introduced levels of complexity of the RULA analysis were applied, i.e., from lowest complexity to highest: (1) RULA score, (2) relative RULA score distribution, (3) RULA steps score, (4) relative RULA steps score occurrence, and (5) relative angle distribution. With increasing complexity, the number of variables times (the number of resolvable units per variable) increased. In our example, only significant differences between the treatment concepts were observed at levels that are more complex: the relative RULA step score occurrence and the relative angle distribution (level 4 + 5). With the presented approach, an objective and detailed ergonomic analysis is possible. The data-driven approach adds significant additional context to the RULA score evaluation. The presented method captures data, evaluates the full task cycle, and allows different levels of analysis. These points are a clear benefit to a standard, manual assessment of one main body position during a working task.
Steganographic Analysis of Blockchains
Authors: Giron Alexandre Augusto , Martina Jean Everson , Custódio Ricardo
Published: June 2021

Steganography is one of the ways to hide data between parties. Its use can be worrisome, e.g., to hide illegal communications. Researchers found that public blockchains can be an attractive place to hide communications; however, there is not much evidence of actual use in blockchains. Besides, previous work showed a lack of steganalysis methods for blockchains. In this context, we present a steganalysis approach for blockchains, evaluating it in Bitcoin and Ethereum, both popular cryptocurrencies. The main objective is to answer if one can find steganography in real case scenarios, focusing on LSB of addresses and nonces. Our sequential analysis included 253 GiB and 107 GiB of bitcoin and ethereum, respectively. We also analyzed up to 98 million bitcoin clusters. We found that bitcoin clusters could carry up to 360 KiB of hidden data if used for such a purpose. We have not found any concrete evidence of hidden data in the blockchains. The sequential analysis may not capture the perspective of the users of the blockchain network. In this case, we recommend clustering analysis, but it depends on the clustering method’s accuracy. Steganalysis is an essential aspect of blockchain security.
Performance Analysis of the IEEE 802.15.4 Protocol for Smart Environments under Jamming Attacks
Authors: López-Vilos Nicolás , Valencia-Cordero Claudio , Azurdia-Meza Cesar , Montejo-Sánchez Samuel , Mafra Samuel Baraldi
Published: June 2021

Jamming attacks in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) scenarios are detrimental to the performance of these networks and affect the security and stability of the service perceived by users. Therefore, the evaluation of the effectiveness of smart environment platforms based on WSNs has to consider the system performance when data collection is executed under jamming attacks. In this work, we propose an experimental testbed to analyze the performance of a WSN using the IEEE 802.15.4 CSMA/CA unslotted mode under jamming attacks in terms of goodput, packet receive rate (PRR), and energy consumption to assess the risk for users and the network in the smart scenario. The experimental results show that constant and reactive jamming strategies severely impact the evaluated performance metrics and the variance’ of the received signal strength (RSS) for some signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) ranges. The measurements obtained using the experimental testbed were correlated with analytical models. The results show that in the presence of one interferer, for SINR values higher than 4.5 dB, the PRR is almost 0.99, and the goodput 3.05 Kbps, but the system performance is significantly degraded when the amount of interferers increases. Additionally, the energy efficiency associated with reactive strategies is superior to the constant attack strategy. Finally, based on the evaluated metrics and with the proposed experimental testbed, our findings offer a better understanding of jamming attacks on the sensor devices in real smart scenarios.
Analysis of Dielectric Waveguide Grating and Fabry–Perot Modes in Elastic Grating in Optical Detection of Ultrasound
Authors: Pechprasarn Suejit , Sukkasem Chayanisa , Suvarnaphaet Phitsini
Published: June 2021

In our previous work, we have demonstrated that dielectric elastic grating can support Fabry–Perot modes and provide embedded optical interferometry to measure ultrasonic pressure. The Fabry–Perot modes inside the grating provide an enhancement in sensitivity and figure of merit compared to thin film-based Fabry–Perot structures. Here, in this paper, we propose a theoretical framework to explain that the elastic grating also supports dielectric waveguide grating mode, in which optical grating parameters control the excitation of the two modes. The optical properties of the two modes, including coupling conditions and loss mechanisms, are discussed. The proposed grating has the grating period in micron scale, which is shorter than the wavelength of the incident ultrasound leading to an ultrasonic scattering. The gap regions in the grating allow the elastic grating thickness to be compressed by the incident ultrasound and coupled to a surface acoustic wave mode. The thickness compression can be measured using an embedded interferometer through one of the optical guided modes. The dielectric waveguide grating is a narrow bandpass optical filter enabling an ultrasensitive mode to sense changes in optical displacement. This enhancement in mechanical and optical properties gives rise to a broader detectable pressure range and figure of merit in ultrasonic detection; the detectable pressure range and figure of merit can be enhanced by 2.7 times and 23 times, respectively, compared to conventional Fabry–Perot structures.
Performance of an Electrothermal MEMS Cantilever Resonator with Fano-Resonance Annoyance under Cigarette Smoke Exposure
Authors: Setiono Andi , Fahrbach Michael , Deutschinger Alexander , Fantner Ernest J. , Schwalb Christian H. , Syamsu Iqbal , Wasisto Hutomo Suryo , Peiner Erwin
Published: June 2021

An electrothermal piezoresistive cantilever (EPC) sensor is a low-cost MEMS resonance sensor that provides self-actuating and self-sensing capabilities. In the platform, which is of MEMS-cantilever shape, the EPC sensor offers several advantages in terms of physical, chemical, and biological sensing, e.g., high sensitivity, low cost, simple procedure, and quick response. However, a crosstalk effect is generated by the coupling of parasitic elements from the actuation part to the sensing part. This study presents a parasitic feedthrough subtraction (PFS) method to mitigate a crosstalk effect in an electrothermal piezoresistive cantilever (EPC) resonance sensor. The PFS method is employed to identify a resonance phase that is, furthermore, deployed to a phase-locked loop (PLL)-based system to track and lock the resonance frequency of the EPC sensor under cigarette smoke exposure. The performance of the EPC sensor is further evaluated and compared to an AFM-microcantilever sensor and a commercial particle counter (DC1100-PRO). The particle mass–concentration measurement result generated from cigarette-smoke puffs shows a good agreement between these three detectors.
Smart-Contract Aware Ethereum and Client-Fog-Cloud Healthcare System
Authors: Lakhan Abdullah , Mohammed Mazin Abed , Rashid Ahmed N. , Kadry Seifedine , Panityakul Thammarat , Abdulkareem Karrar Hameed , Thinnukool Orawit
Published: June 2021

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is increasingly being used for healthcare purposes. IoMT enables many sensors to collect patient data from various locations and send it to a distributed hospital for further study. IoMT provides patients with a variety of paid programmes to help them keep track of their health problems. However, the current system services are expensive, and offloaded data in the healthcare network are insecure. The research develops a new, cost-effective and stable IoMT framework based on a blockchain-enabled fog cloud. The study aims to reduce the cost of healthcare application services as they are processing in the system. The study devises an IoMT system based on different algorithm techniques, such as Blockchain-Enable Smart-Contract Cost-Efficient Scheduling Algorithm Framework (BECSAF) schemes. Smart-Contract Blockchain schemes ensure data consistency and validation with symmetric cryptography. However, due to the different workflow tasks scheduled on other nodes, the heterogeneous, earliest finish, time-based scheduling deals with execution under their deadlines. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm schemes outperform all existing baseline approaches in terms of the implementation of applications.
Fluorometric Optimized Determination of Total Glutathione in Erythrocytes
Authors: Francioso Antonio , Fanelli Sergio , Cavallaro Rosaria A. , Fontana Mario , Mattioli Roberto , D’Erme Maria , Mosca Luciana
Published: June 2021

Glutathione is a tripeptide natural product characterized by a non-canonical peptide bond with an amide moiety linking the nitrogen of cysteine to the γ-carboxyl of glutamate, and is found ubiquitously in nature, in animals, plants and microorganisms. One of the most abundant biological matrices is represented by erythrocytes, being glutathione the only sulfur-containing mechanism for the red blood cell oxidative protection. Several analytical methods for glutathione determination from different samples are described in the literature and most of these methods are based on the use of high-performance liquid chromatography. HPLC equipment is not available in all the biochemical laboratories, and, moreover, displays lot of economic and ecological limitations, including organic solvent consumption and time-consuming analysis. Here, an organic-free high-throughput fluorometric methodology for the analysis of total glutathione in erythrocytes is reported, avoiding the use of time-consuming and not-sustainable techniques.
An IoT-Based Participatory Antitheft System for Public Safety Enhancement in Smart Cities
Authors: Papadakis Nikos , Koukoulas Nikos , Christakis Ioannis , Stavrakas Ilias , Kandris Dionisis
Published: June 2021

The risk of theft of goods is certainly an important source of negative influence in human psychology. This article focuses on the development of a scheme that, despite its low cost, acts as a smart antitheft system that achieves small property detection. Specifically, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based participatory platform was developed in order to allow asset-tracking tasks to be crowd-sourced to a community. Stolen objects are traced by using a prototype Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based system, which sends signals, thus becoming a beacon. Once such an item (e.g., a bicycle) is stolen, the owner informs the authorities, which, in turn, broadcast an alert signal to activate the BLE sensor. To trace the asset with the antitheft tag, participants use their GPS-enabled smart phones to scan BLE tags through a specific smartphone client application and report the location of the asset to an operation center so that owners can locate their assets. A stolen item tracking simulator was created to support and optimize the aforementioned tracking process and to produce the best possible outcome, evaluating the impact of different parameters and strategies regarding the selection of how many and which users to activate when searching for a stolen item within a given area.
A Note on the Reality of Incomputable Real Numbers and Its Systemic Significance
Authors: Minati Gianfranco
Published: June 2021

We discuss mathematical and physical arguments contrasting continuous and discrete, limitless discretization as arbitrary granularity. In this regard, we focus on Incomputable (lacking an algorithm that computes in finite time) Real Numbers (IRNs). We consider how, for measurements, the usual approach to dealing with IRNs is to approximate to avoid the need for more detailed, unrealistic surveys. In this regard, we contrast effective computation and emergent computation. Furthermore, we consider the alternative option of taking into account the properties of the decimal part of IRNs, such as the occurrence, distribution, combinations, quasi-periodicities, and other contextual properties, e.g., topological. For instance, in correspondence with chaotic behaviors, quasi-periodic solutions, quasi-systems, uniqueness, and singularities, non-computability represents and corresponds to theoretically incomplete properties of the processes of complexity, such as emergence and quantum-like properties. We elaborate upon cases of equivalences and symmetries, characterizing complexity and infiniteness as corresponding to the usage of multiple non-equivalent models that are constructively and theoretically incomplete due to the non-exhaustive nature of the multiplicity of complexity. Finally, we detail alternative computational approaches, such as hypercomputation, natural computing, quantum computing, and analog and hybrid computing. The reality of IRNs is considered to represent the theoretical incompleteness of complex phenomena taking place through collapse from equivalences and symmetries. A world of precise finite values, even if approximated, is assumed to have dynamics that are zippable in analytical formulae and to be computable and symbolically representable in the way it functions. A world of arbitrary precise infinite values with dynamics that are non-zippable in analytical formulae, non-computable, and, for instance, sub-symbolically representable, is assumed to be almost compatible with the coherence of emergence. The real world is assumed to be a continuous combination of the two—functioning and emergent—where the second dominates and is the norm, and the first is the locus of primarily epistemic extracts. Research on IRNs should focus on properties representing and corresponding to those that are detectable in real, even if extreme, phenomena, such as emergence and quantum phenomena.
Modeling the Cost-Effectiveness of Interventions to Prevent Plague in Madagascar
Authors: Malloy Giovanni S. P. , Brandeau Margaret L. , Goldhaber-Fiebert Jeremy D.
Published: June 2021

Plague (Yersinia pestis) remains endemic in certain parts of the world. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of plague control interventions recommended by the World Health Organization with particular consideration to intervention coverage and timing. We developed a dynamic model of the spread of plague between interacting populations of humans, rats, and fleas and performed a cost-effectiveness analysis calibrated to a 2017 Madagascar outbreak. We assessed three interventions alone and in combination: expanded access to antibiotic treatment with doxycycline, mass distribution of doxycycline prophylaxis, and mass distribution of malathion. We varied intervention timing and coverage levels. We calculated costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios from a healthcare perspective. The preferred intervention, using a cost-effectiveness threshold of $1350/QALY (GDP per capita in Madagascar), was expanded access to antibiotic treatment with doxycycline with 100% coverage starting immediately after the first reported case, gaining 543 QALYs at an incremental cost of $1023/QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses support expanded access to antibiotic treatment and leave open the possibility that mass distribution of doxycycline prophylaxis or mass distribution of malathion could be cost-effective. Our analysis highlights the potential for rapid expansion of access to doxycycline upon recognition of plague outbreaks to cost-effectively prevent future large-scale plague outbreaks and highlights the importance of intervention timing.
Axial Anomaly in Galaxies and the Dark Universe
Authors: Meinert Janning , Hofmann Ralf
Published: June 2021

Motivated by the SU(2)CMB modification of the cosmological model ΛCDM, we consider isolated fuzzy-dark-matter lumps, made of ultralight axion particles whose masses arise due to distinct SU(2) Yang–Mills scales and the Planck mass MP. In contrast to SU(2)CMB, these Yang–Mills theories are in confining phases (zero temperature) throughout most of the Universe’s history and associate with the three lepton flavours of the Standard Model of particle physics. As the Universe expands, axionic fuzzy dark matter comprises a three-component fluid which undergoes certain depercolation transitions when dark energy (a global axion condensate) is converted into dark matter. We extract the lightest axion mass ma,e=0.675×10−23 eV from well motivated model fits to observed rotation curves in low-surface-brightness galaxies (SPARC catalogue). Since the virial mass of an isolated lump solely depends on MP and the associated Yang–Mills scale the properties of an e-lump predict those of μ- and τ-lumps. As a result, a typical e-lump virial mass ∼6.3×1010M⊙ suggests that massive compact objects in galactic centers such as Sagittarius A* in the Milky Way are (merged) μ- and τ-lumps. In addition, τ-lumps may constitute globular clusters. SU(2)CMB is always thermalised, and its axion condensate never has depercolated. If the axial anomaly indeed would link leptons with dark matter and the CMB with dark energy then this would demystify the dark Universe through a firmly established feature of particle physics.
Vaccines in Gastrointestinal Malignancies: From Prevention to Treatment
Authors: Chudasama Rani , Phung Quan , Hsu Andrew , Almhanna Khaldoun
Published: June 2021

Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are some of the most common and devastating malignancies and include colorectal, gastric, esophageal, hepatocellular, and pancreatic carcinomas, among others. Five-year survival rates for many of these malignancies remain low. The majority presents at an advanced stage with limited treatment options and poor overall survival. Treatment is advancing but not at the same speed as other malignancies. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are still only partially effective in GI malignancies and cause significant side effects. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel strategies in the treatment of GI malignancies. Recently, immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors have entered as potential new therapeutic options for patients, and thus, cancer vaccines may play a major role in the future of treatment for these malignancies. Further advances in understanding the interaction between the tumor and immune system have led to the development of novel agents, such as cancer vaccines.
Glucose Oligosaccharide and Long-Chain Glucomannan Feed Additives Induce Enhanced Activation of Intraepithelial NK Cells and Relative Abundance of Commensal Lactic Acid Bacteria in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Meijerink Nathalie , de Oliveira Jean E. , van Haarlem Daphne A. , Hosotani Guilherme , Lamot David M. , Stegeman J. Arjan , Rutten Victor P. M. G. , Jansen Christine A.
Published: June 2021

Restrictions on the use of antibiotics in the poultry industry stimulate the development of alternative nutritional solutions to maintain or improve poultry health. This requires more insight in the modulatory effects of feed additives on the immune system and microbiota composition. Compounds known to influence the innate immune system and microbiota composition were selected and screened in vitro, in ovo, and in vivo. Among all compounds, 57 enhanced NK cell activation, 56 increased phagocytosis, and 22 increased NO production of the macrophage cell line HD11 in vitro. Based on these results, availability and regulatory status, six compounds were selected for further analysis. None of these compounds showed negative effects on growth, hatchability, and feed conversion in in ovo and in vivo studies. Based on the most interesting numerical results and highest future potential feasibility, two compounds were analyzed further. Administration of glucose oligosaccharide and long-chain glucomannan in vivo both enhanced activation of intraepithelial NK cells and led to increased relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) amongst ileum and ceca microbiota after seven days of supplementation. Positive correlations between NK cell subsets and activation, and relative abundance of LAB suggest the involvement of microbiota in the modulation of the function of intraepithelial NK cells. This study identifies glucose oligosaccharide and long-chain glucomannan supplementation as effective nutritional strategies to modulate the intestinal microbiota composition and strengthen the intraepithelial innate immune system.
Palm oil and human health: modern scientific outlook
Authors: Medvedev Oleg S. , Medvedeva Nataliya A.
Published: June 2021

Review of scientific literature on the evidence of the relationship between palm oil (PO) and its components on human health, on the mechanisms of cholesterol control and risks for development of cardiovascular diseases. Natural interest in PO increased when it became evident that its physical properties make PO a natural substitute for partially hydrogenated vegetable oils containing trans fatty acids which have adverse effect on the human health. PO contains both saturated and unsaturated fats which makes it comparable with other vegetable oils, like olive, sunflower or soybean oils. Comparison with other vegetable oils did not show significant differences in of LDL, HDL or total cholesterol levels. Comparison of diets rich in PO with diets rich in trans fatty acids shows improvement of lipid profiles in groups with PO and serves as basis for replacement of trans fatty acids in food with PO and its fractions. In addition to fatty acids content, PO contains several phytonutrients including 4 forms of tocopherols and tocotrienols, carotenoids, sterols, and some others. Most of these compounds are considered beneficial for human health, mainly on account of their antioxidant activity. It is concluded that PO is safe component of food, when we pay attention to the rather high content of saturated fats in it.
Topical issues of interaction of psychotropic drugs
Authors: Karimov Artur Udalisovich , Maximov Maxim Leonidovich , Semenikhin Dmitry Germanovich , Karimov Linar Arturovich
Published: June 2021

In mental patients with concomitant somatic pathology, psychotropic drugs are prescribed in combination with other drugs used in the treatment of various somatic diseases. As well as a large number of patients with somatic diseases, they receive therapy aimed at correcting mental disorders. At the same time, it is important to take into account the possibility of cross-influence of such pharmacotherapy on the functions of the central nervous system and internal organs, as well as the peculiarities of drug interactions between drugs. According to the mechanism of development, there are pharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of drugs. The result of the interaction of drugs is more often a change in the intensity of the effect of drugs, less often there are qualitative changes in their action. The review article provides up-to-date practical information on the interaction of drugs for the treatment of mental disorders with drugs of other groups.
The use of surfactant preparations in the absence of primary deficiency: publications, legal and regulatory framework
Authors: Yargin S. V.
Published: June 2021

Pulmonary surfactant (Sf) reduces surface tension thus facilitating the widening of collapsed alveoli. Preparations of St are used in respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn — a condition with a primary deficiency of Sf. It was reported in some publications about successful use of Sf preparations in conditions without its primary deficiency: acute respiratory distress syndrome in children and adults, tuberculosis and others. Bronchoscopy was applied in some studies as a delivery method. It is argued here that some published data are theoretically unconvincing and not generally confirmed in the international literature. Further studies using different experimental models, adequately planned and performed to be reproducible, are necessary.
Wolff — Parkinson — White syndrome in nurse practice
Authors: Skvortsov Vsevolod Vladimirovich
Published: June 2021

Wolff — Parkinson — White syndrome (WPWS) is still the leading cause of supraventricular tachycardia in the world. The frequency of WPWS ranges from 0.1 to 0.3 % per 1000 people. It is worth noting that in patients with congenital heart defects, it increases to 0.5 %. The article highlights the main criteria of Wolff — Parkinson — White syndrome, its morphological justification, and the features of modern topical diagnosis. Also, the review of the main methods of treatment and rehabilitation of patients is presented.
Control in the work of the head of nursing service
Authors: Dvoinikov Sergey Ivanovich , Fomichev Danil Sergeevich
Published: June 2021

In the work of a head of nursing service, control is important. Most employees, regardless of their position, experience psychological stress, becoming an object of control. That is why there is a need to consider the essence of the control function in the work of the heads of nursing services, and the practical and psychological characteristics of its implementation.
Predicting asthma-related crisis events using routine electronic healthcare data: a quantitative database analysis study
Authors: Noble Michael , Burden Annie , Stirling Susan , Clark Allan B , Musgrave Stanley , Alsallakh Mohammad A , Price David , Davies Gwyneth A , Pinnock Hilary , Pond Martin , Sheikh Aziz , Sims Erika J , Walker Samantha , Wilson Andrew M
Published: June 2021

Background

There is no published algorithm predicting asthma crisis events (accident and emergency [A&E] attendance, hospitalisation, or death) using routinely available electronic health record (EHR) data.

Aim

To develop an algorithm to identify individuals at high risk of an asthma crisis event.

Design and setting

Database analysis from primary care EHRs of people with asthma across England and Scotland.

Method

Multivariable logistic regression was applied to a dataset of 61 861 people with asthma from England and Scotland using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. External validation was performed using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank of 174 240 patients from Wales. Outcomes were ≥1 hospitalisation (development dataset) and asthma-related hospitalisation, A&E attendance, or death (validation dataset) within a 12-month period.

Results

Risk factors for asthma-related crisis events included previous hospitalisation, older age, underweight, smoking, and blood eosinophilia. The prediction algorithm had acceptable predictive ability with a receiver operating characteristic of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70 to 0.72) in the validation dataset. Using a cut-point based on the 7% of the population at greatest risk results in a positive predictive value of 5.7% (95% CI = 5.3% to 6.1%) and a negative predictive value of 98.9% (95% CI = 98.9% to 99.0%), with sensitivity of 28.5% (95% CI = 26.7% to 30.3%) and specificity of 93.3% (95% CI = 93.2% to 93.4%); those individuals had an event risk of 6.0% compared with 1.1% for the remaining population. In total, 18 people would need to be followed to identify one admission.

Conclusion

This externally validated algorithm has acceptable predictive ability for identifying patients at high risk of asthma-related crisis events and excluding those not at high risk.
Bullying Escolar: Disciplinaridade, Trandisciplinaridade e Lógica do Terceiro Incluído
Authors: Monteiro Ferreira Hugo , Lins Lira Wagner
Published: June 2021

Este artigo aborda os resultados de uma pesquisa teórico-empírica, realizada numa escola pública municipal da cidade do Recife, sobre a inter-relação bullying escolar, disciplinaridade e transdisciplinaridade. A pesquisa buscou compreender se o uso da abordagem transdisciplinar, mais notadamente a Lógica do Terceiro Incluído, em ambientes escolares, possibilitava a minimização da ocorrência do fenômeno bullying entre pares. Em temos metodológicos, fundamentou-se numa abordagem qualitativa, tendo a Observação Participante como método, fez-se uso das seguintes técnicas de construção de dados: observação exploratória, entrevista semiestrutural e rodas de discussão. 35 (trinta e cinco) sujeitos (adolescentes) participaram como interlocutores/as, sendo, desse número, 5 (cinco) adolescentes ouvidos/as nas entrevistas e participantes das rodas de discussão. Os resultados apontam que a abordagem transdisciplinar, quando utilizada no enfrentamento ao bullying escolar, possibilita pôr em evidência questões tais como rejeição à diferença identitária, preconceito ao/à não-semelhante, a importância do autoconhecimento, do conhecimento do/a outro/a, da compreensão e da empatia como elementos essenciais a uma convivência social compassiva.
Literary Pointing the Theology of Dinai
Authors: J Jeyapriya
Published: June 2021

It is believed that the delights of individuals, good and bad, wealth, loss, success, failure, sin, and homelessness were totally given by God. So individuals prayed God to manage them to procure every one of the expectation for their lives. The instinctive and level headed man was convinced that there was a prevalent heavenly object that combined the world movement, creation, human existence, and the world life that encompassed him to acquire civilization. They have considered that the object is influenced by love, beyond human thoughts, and that it drives everything. They have realized that the Supreme Lord is the Lord. This article inspects the theology in the way of writing alludes to it.
The Theory of the Major Theological Principles of Eight Anthologies
Authors: T Jeyabharathi
Published: June 2021

The creation of God is the belief that we will be safe by creating rituals and temples that are sacrificed by men who are afraid of the fury of nature. They also gave their hunting tools to the gods who created it and also established idolatry. Among the gods that were so, there is a dual ity of the small god. At first, the small deities were worshipped on the border of the village as a place where the dead ancestors lived as people. This is called the Guardian Goddess. The great deities are considered to be the deity of every deity shown in Thelly. The difference between the minor gods and the great gods does not appear to have been in the Sangam literature. However, it is a discretion to match the definition of today. In the society where the dead were usually the middle stones, the stones became worship. The study is the only small-sighted cult of the four temples that were built for the king, the deceased, the dead from the north, the life of the goddess, the king and the living.
Faith in God and Language Policy in Tamil Pattiyal Grammar
Authors: G Lakshmidevi
Published: June 2021

Tamil devotional literature is composed as pathigangal and prabandangal. Most of the prabanda literature depends on Sittrilakiya Varieties. Pattiyal Grammar discusses about combining baithi and language god is portrayed as hero in such literatures. Devotional literature emphasize to get rid of worldly illusions and the ways to attain god. Paattiyal Grammar says certain conventions should be followed while writing hymns on God. This paper researches on the Paatiyal Grammar which has recorded that bakthi religious principles is formed on the basics of faith in God.
POLITICAL AND LEGAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE MIRROR OF MODERN SOCIO-PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS
Authors: Равочкин Н. Н.
Published: June 2021

Институциональная проблематика в социальной философии, сопряженная с идеями в теорети- кометодологическом и прикладном аспектах, приобретает значимость только в последние десятилетия. Во многом политико-правовые институты ответственны за выход государств на эволюционную магистраль в развитии. В статье автор анализирует современные социально-философские концепции с позиции их применимости в синтетической методологии исследования политико-правовых институтов. Теоретико-методологическими основаниями в работе выступают труды зарубежных, а также отечественных специалистов, в которых рассматривается суть выбранных для критического анализа концепций. В целях раскрытия заявленной тематики проводится обращение к теориям Дж. Агамбена, М. Деланда, М. де Серто и Ж.Л. Нанси. Представлены сильные и слабые стороны анализируемых материалистических методологических позиций, а также представлены перспективы и практическая связь подходов с проблематикой политико-правовых институтов.

Institutional issues in social philosophy, coupled with ideas in theoretical, methodological and applied aspects, has acquired significance only in recent decades. In many ways, political and legal institutions are responsible for the entry of states onto the evolutionary highway in development. In the article, the author analyzes modern socio-philosophical concepts from the standpoint of their applicability in the synthetic methodology of researching political and legal institutions. The theoretical and methodological foundations of the work are the works of foreign, as well as domestic specialists, in which the essence of the concepts selected for critical analysis is considered. In order to reveal the stated topic, an appeal is made to the theories of J. Agamben, M. Deland, M. de Certeau and J.-L. Nancy. The strengths and weaknesses of the analyzed materialistic methodological positions are presented, as well as the prospects and practical connection of approaches with the problems of political and legal institutions.
METHODS FOR IMPROVING THE ADHESION PROPERTIES OF BITUMENS TO MINERAL MATERIALS
Authors: Страхова Н. А. , Цамаева П. С. , Эльмурзаев А. А.
Published: June 2021

Статья посвящена анализу и изучению различных способов получения нефтяных битумов и улучшения адгезионных свойств в различных минеральных материалах. На примере Астраханского газоперерабатывающего завода показана эффективность добавления присадок - азот-, серосодержащих веществ, элементной серы и др. для улучшения адгезионных свойств битумов к минеральным материалам. Проведен анализ воздействия перепада температур в летнее и зимнее время на вяжущие свойства битумов. Рассмотрен способ предварительной отгонки летучих компонентов из нефтей, что приводит к уменьшению содержания парафинонафтеновых углеводородов и улучшению качества получаемых битумов. В статье также приведены результаты экспериментальных исследований влияния окисления кислородом воздуха, повышения температуры процесса на пластичность битумов. Эффективность окисления битумов зависит от величины поверхности контакта между жидкой и газовой фазой. Ускорение процесса окисления достигается в 6-7 раз при хорошем перемешивании реагирующих фаз.

The article also presents the results of experimental studies of the effect of oxidation with atmospheric oxygen, an increase in the process temperature on the plasticity of bitumen. The efficiency of bitumen oxidation depends on the size of the contact surface between the liquid and gas phases. Acceleration of the oxidation process is achieved 6-7 times with good mixing of the reacting phases.The article is devoted to the analysis and study of various methods of obtaining petroleum bitumen and improving the adhesion properties in various mineral materials. Using the example of the Astrakhan gas processing plant, the effectiveness of the addition of additives - nitrogen-, sulfur-containing substances, elemental sulfur, etc. - to improve the adhesion properties of bitumen to mineral materials is shown. The analysis of the effect of temperature differences in summer and winter on the binding properties of bitumen is carried out. A method for preliminary stripping of volatile components from oils is considered, which leads to a decrease in the content of paraffin-naphthenic hydrocarbons and an improvement in the quality of the obtained bitumen.
INVESTIGATION OF EFFICIENCY OF NATURAL GAS DRYING BY ABSORPTION AND ADSORPTION METHODS
Authors: Махмудова Л. Ш. , Ахмадова Х. Х. , Хадисова Ж. Т. , Абдулмежидова З. А. , Идрисова Э. У.
Published: June 2021

В статье проанализированы современные методы осушки природного газа для дальнейшей переработки его в метано-водородную смесь. Приведены результаты исследования абсорбционной и адсорбционной осушки природного газа жидкими реагентами (этиленгликолями) и твердыми адсорбентами (цеолитами и бентонитами). Показано, что природные бентонитовые глины обладают сравнительно небольшой адсорбционной активностью, их активация водными растворами Na2CО3 и H2SO4 способствует повышению адсорбционной активности, и их применение в комплексе с другими адсорбентами способствует значительному повышению процессов адсорбции. Авторами показана возможность и необходимость дальнейших исследований поиска эффективных методов активации бентонитовых глин.

The article analyzes modern methods of drying natural gas for further processing it into a methane- hydrogen mixture. The results of studies of absorption and adsorption drying of natural gas with liquid reagents (ethylene glycols) and solid adsorbents (zeolites and bentonites) are presented. It is shown that natural bentonite clays have a relatively small adsorption activity, their activation with aqueous solutions of Na2CO3 and H2SO4 increases the adsorption activity, and their use in combination with other adsorbents contributes to a significant increase in the adsorption processes.The authors show the possibility and necessity of further research to find effective methods of activation of bentonite clays.