bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O UTILITARISMO E A ÉTICA KANTIANA
Authors: Buarque Gabriela , Catão Adrualdo de Lima
Published: December 2021

Trata-se de breve reflexão acerca das correntes de filosofia moral utilitária e kantiana no que tange às escolhas tomadas por máquinas inteligentes. Com efeito, a inteligência artificial vem assumindo cada vez mais capacidade de se conduzir de modo autônomo o que, por sua vez, acarreta a necessidade de tomada de decisão em situações de confronto moral. Como deve a máquina se comportar? Se tais questionamentos, quando afetos aos seres humanos, já acendem debates calorosos, quando se trata de máquinas inteligentes, o desafio é ainda maior. Por meio de método dedutivo de revisão bibliográfica, o presente artigo visa instigar reflexões acerca da aplicabilidade das correntes utilitárias ou kantianas na condução de máquinas inteligentes. Verifica-se, por fim, que há uma tendência à escolha utilitária na programação de tais tecnologias.
LOS DERECHOS SOCIALES EN EL ENTRAMADO DEL ESTADO SOCIAL
Authors: Carlota Ucín María
Published: December 2021

La incorporación de los derechos económicos, sociales y culturales (en adelante DESC) en las Constituciones, a partir del llamado “constitucionalismo social” en la segunda mitad del siglo pasado fue paralela al desarrollo del Estado de Bienestar o Social. Esta circunstancia determina algunos de los caracteres propios de estos derechos, su contenido y también, qué es lo que se puede reclamar en su nombre. Es por ello que la adecuada comprensión de los mismos impone su integración dentro del funcionamiento de esta forma estatal, tal como aquí se propone. Se puede afirmar que los DESC son tan solo una cara jurídica de la llamada “cuestión social” y por ello un análisis de los mismos — aun cuando se pretenda estrictamente jurídico — no debería descuidar la visión de aquellas otras dimensiones sociales y sus problemas.
O TRABALHADOR CIDADÃO
Authors: Guimarães Ricardo Pereira de Freitas , Félix Talita Pimenta , Chahaira Bruno Valverde
Published: December 2021

O objetivo do presente artigo é demonstrar que nos dias atuais, para além da cidadania em seus contornos políticos, acabamos nos deparando com a cidadania civil e a cidadania social, que são contornos próprios de uma mesma raiz que precisam avançar nos estados que possuem como fundamento a democracia como estirpe de tratamento social. Tentando acompanhar esse desencadear das relações fundadas nas ditas revoluções ocorridas na própria forma de produção, prestação de serviços e distribuição de renda, a legislação de cada país, a seu modo, seja através de seus textos constitucionais ou de sua legislação infraconstitucional tenta acomodar os abismos encontrados entre fato e a norma, enfrentando questões que surgem na pós-modernidade com aceleração jamais vista ou esperada. Para a obtenção dos resultados almejados pela pesquisa, o método de abordagem a ser seguido será o empírico-dialético, utilizando-se das pesquisas bibliográficas e normativas.
JURISDIÇÃO VOLUNTÁRIA E REGISTRO DE IMÓVEIS
Authors: Hommerding Adalberto Narciso , Marchionatti Carlos Cini
Published: December 2021

JURISDIÇÃO VOLUNTÁRIA E REGISTRO DE IMÓVEIS
RETURN OF THE CULTURAL OBJECTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW, EUROPEAN UNION LAW, AND LITHUANIAN LAW
Authors: Ravlusevicius Pavelas
Published: December 2021

The article examines the legal problems associated with the return of cultural objects in International, European Union, and Lithuanian Laws, as well as the extraterritorial application of mandatory norms. Particular importance is given to the influence of the UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects and the Directive 2014/60/EC on the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State. Attention is paid to the correlation of civil law doctrines with the protection of the owner’s rights and the bona fide purchaser of a cultural object on the one hand, and International and European Laws about the return to the owner and compensation to the owner of a cultural object on the other hand, because Lithuanian legislation and case law do not apply the vindication doctrine to protect owner’s rights of cultural objects and thus differs from the traditional approach to solving the problems of returning cultural objects within the civil law framework. The article deals with the related problems of recognition of the owner’s rights and changes in the evidence presumptions. The issue of restoring the owner’s rights to illegally confiscated cultural objects during the existence of the USSR was decided in the practice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania. Courts of general jurisdiction considered claims for the return of cultural objects belonging to foreign entities - the Federal Republic of Germany and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. Particular importance was the question of the application of International and European Laws in judicial practice. According to the results of the study of the practice of the Republic of Lithuania, it is proposed to regard the return of cultural objects as an independent way of protecting the owner’s rights, which makes secondary the bona fide purchaser doctrine in relation of a cultural object.
O TRATAMENTO DE DADOS PESSOAIS PELO PODER PÚBLICO E O PAPEL DOS TRIBUNAIS DE CONTAS
Authors: Santos Neto Arnaldo Bastos , Ishikawa Lauro , Maciel Moises
Published: December 2021

O tratamento...
Differences in Environmental and Hormonal Regulation of Growth Responses in Two Highly Productive Hybrid Populus Genotypes
Authors: Žiauka Jonas , Striganavičiūtė Greta , Szyp-Borowska Iwona , Kuusienė Sigutė , Niemczyk Marzena
Published: December 2021

Phenotypic plasticity in response to adverse conditions determines plant productivity and survival. The aim of this study was to test if two highly productive Populus genotypes, characterized by different in vitro etiolation patterns, differ also in their responses to hormones gibberellin (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA), and to a GA biosynthesis inhibitor paclobutrazol (PBZ). The experiments on shoot cultures of ‘Hybrida 275’ (abbr. H275; Populus maximowiczii × P. trichocarpa) and IBL 91/78 (Populus tremula × P. alba) were conducted either by modulating the physical in vitro environment or by adding specific chemicals to the nutrient medium. Our results show that there are significant differences between the studied genotypes in environmental and hormonal regulation of growth responses. The genotype H275, which responded to darkness with PBZ-inhibitable shoot elongation, was unable to recover its growth after treatment with ABA. In contrast, the genotype IBL 91/78, whose shoot elongation was not affected either by darkness or PBZ treatment, recovered so well after the ABA treatment that, when rooted subsequently, it developed longer shoots and roots than without ABA treatment. Our results indicate that GA catabolism and repressive signaling provide an important pathway to control growth and physiological adaptation in response to immediate or impending adverse conditions. These observations can help breeders define robust criteria for identifying genotypes with high resistance and productivity and highlight where genotypes exhibit susceptibility to stress.
Mechanical Properties of a 3D Printed Wall Segment Made with an Earthen Mixture
Authors: Ferretti Elena , Moretti Massimo , Chiusoli Alberto , Naldoni Lapo , De Fabritiis Francesco , Visonà Massimo
Published: December 2021

This paper is part of the research on 3D printing of earthen housing modules, made with earth taken in situ. Previous studies have already led to the definition of 3D printed earthen elements for the external cladding of single-story wooden load-bearing structures. With this work, we intend to take a step forward in the use of 3D printed earthen elements, studying their load-bearing capacity for vertical loads. The goal is to create load-bearing structures entirely in earth, with two or more floors. To this end, the present work investigates two of the major presumed criticalities of 3D printed elements under vertical load, namely the detachments due to poor cohesion between extruded layers and the detachments between internal infill and external coating. The uniaxial compression test on a specially 3D printed wall segment did not actually show any particular danger for the stability of the structure, due to detachment phenomena. Rather, the experimental results showed some quite anomalous mechanical behaviors for a brittle construction material (studied at the mesoscale), especially as regards Poisson’s modulus and volumetric strain. The main experimental finding concerns the contribution of the internal infill, which seems to have a structural function and not just a filling function.
Rice Husk Shredding as a Means of Increasing the Long-Term Mechanical Properties of Earthen Mixtures for 3D Printing
Authors: Ferretti Elena , Moretti Massimo , Chiusoli Alberto , Naldoni Lapo , De Fabritiis Francesco , Visonà Massimo
Published: December 2021

This paper is part of a study of earthen mixtures for 3D printing of buildings. To meet the ever-growing environmental needs, the focus of the paper is on a particular type of bio-composite for the stabilization of earthen mixtures – the rice husk-lime bio-composite – and on how to enhance its effect on the long-term mechanical properties of the hardened product. Having assumed that the shredding of the vegetable fiber is precisely one of the possible ways to improve the mechanical properties, we compared the results of uniaxial compression tests performed on cubic specimens made with both shredded and raw vegetable fiber, for three curing periods. The results showed that the hardened earthen mixture is not a brittle material in the strict sense, because it exhibits some peculiar behaviors, anomalous for a brittle material. However, being a “designable” material, its properties can be varied with a certain flexibility to get as close as possible to the desired ones. One of the peculiar properties of the hardened earthen mixture deserves further investigation, rather than corrections. This is the vulcanization that occurs (in a completely natural way) in the long term, thanks to the mineralization of the vegetable fiber by carbonation of the lime.
An Explainable Machine Learning Approach for COVID-19 Impact on Mood State of Children and Adolescents during the 1st Lockdown in Greece
Authors: Ntakolia Charis , Priftis Dimitrios , Charakopoulou-Travlou Mariana , Rannou Ioanna , Magklara Konstantina , Giannopoulou Ioanna , Kotsis Konstantinos , Serdari Aspasia , Tsalamanios Emmanouil , Grigoriadou Aliki , Ladopoulou Konstantina , Koullourou Iouliani , Sadeghi Neda , O’Callaghan Georgia , Stringaris Argyris , Lazaratou Eleni
Published: December 2021

The global spread of COVID-19 led the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic on 11 March 2020. To decelerate this spread, countries have taken strict measures that affected the lifestyle and economy. Various studies have been focused on the identification of COVID-19 impact to mental health of children and adolescents via traditional statistical approaches. However, a machine learning methodology must be developed to explain the main factors that contribute to the change of mood state of children and adolescents during the first lockdown. Therefore, to this study an explainable machine learning pipeline is presented focusing on children and adolescents in Greece, where a strict lockdown was imposed. The target group consists of children and adolescents, recruited from children and adolescent mental health services, who present mental health problems diagnosed before the pandemic. The proposed methodology imposes: (i) data collection via questionnaires; (ii) a clustering process to identify the groups of subjects with amelioration, deterioration and stability to their mood state; (iii) a feature selection process to identify the most informative features that contribute to mood state prediction; (iv) a decision-making process based on an experimental evaluation among classifiers; (v) calibration of the best performing model and (v) a post-hoc interpretation of the features’ impact on the best performing model. The results showed that a blend of heterogeneous features from almost all feature categories is necessary to increase our understanding regarding the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the mood state of children and adolescents.
A Guiding Framework for Needs Assessment Evaluations to Embed Digital Tools with Indigenous Communities
Authors: Bhawra Jasmin , Buchan Marisa Claire , Skinner Kelly , Favel Duane , Katapally Tarun Reddy
Published: December 2021

In community-based participatory projects, needs assessments are one of the first steps to identify priority areas. Access-related issues often pose significant barriers to participation for rural and remote communities, particularly Indigenous communities which have a complicated relationship with academia due to a history of exploitation and trauma. In order to bridge this gap, work with Indigenous communities requires consistent and meaningful engagement. The prominence of digital devices (i.e., smartphones) offers an unparalleled opportunity to ethically and equitably engage citizens across jurisdictions, particularly in remote communities. We propose a framework to guide needs assessments which embed digital tools in partnership with Indigenous communities. Guided by this framework, a needs assessment was conducted with a subarctic Métis community in Saskatchewan, Canada. This project is governed by a Citizen Scientist Advisory Council which includes Traditional Knowledge Keepers, Elders, and youth. An environmental scan of relevant programs, key informant interviews, and focus groups were conducted to systematically identify community priority areas. Given the timing of the needs assessment, the community identified the Coronavirus pandemic as a key priority area requiring digital initiatives. Recommendations for community-based needs assessments to conceptualize and implement digital infrastructure are put forward, with an emphasis on self-governance and data sovereignty.
THE USE OF MULTISUBSTRATE MIXTURES FOR METHANE BIOSYNTHESIS BY AN ADAPTED COMPLEX OF MICROORGANISMS FOR OBTAINING ORGANIC FERTILIZER
Authors: Digtiar Sergii , Pasenko Alyona , Novokhatko Olha , Maznytska Oksana , Nykyforova Olena
Published: December 2021

Due to the istabiity of market prices for traditional hydrocarbon energy resources and negative impact of their combustion products on the environment, recently quite rapidly develop technology that provide for, first of all, renewable energy sources. One of the promising areas of alternative energy is bioenergy is a branch of biotechnology that considers organic matter of biomass of various origins (mainly agricultural waste) as a fuel source. Among the main advantages of energy biotechnology, it should be noted the speed and relative ease of recovery of the energy substrate, as well as the fact that it is not alien to the environment, so, even if released in quantities exceeding the permissible ones, this will not lead to irreversible changes in the ecosystem. Excess biomass will quickly be incorporated into biogeochemical cycles, which is the key to minimizing environmental damage. The process of bioconversion of methane from organic substrate compounds (carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, organic acids, alcohols), which in three stages, is called methanogenesis. This process involves a specific complex bacterial enzyme system, consisting of the following coenzymes: methanofuran, tetrahydro-methanopterin, coenzymes F420 and F430, coenzyme M (CoM), coenzyme B. Using of ways of processing and waste disposal, that based on alternative biological recycling methods of organic pollutants does not always allow to achieve the expected effect, in particular on artificially created ecosystems of animal farms working in a closed mode. Concentration on a small area of a significant amount of biowaste (manure, dung, process runoffs etc.) of the cattle kept in the facilities of live-stock industry, contaminates soils, water bodies and atmospheric air with microorganisms, dust, harmful gases and other decomposition products. Often, it is one of the main factors constrainting on the growth of livestock enterprises and agro-industrial complex (AIC) capacities in general, restraining the economic development of regions specializing in agricultural production. For the first time in the region, study was carried out in order to determine the most efficient way to process miskantus phytomass for the production as target products of methane-containing biogas mixture and organo-mineral fertilizer suitable for use in agriculture and forestry. An economically and ecologically attractive way of utilization of wastes of phyto- and zoogenic origin, which makes it possible significantly reduce anthropogenic pressure on the environment, has been proposed.
THE EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID ON GLUCOSE URINE ASSAY BY COPPER SULPHATE REDUCING SYSTEM AND HEXOKINASE METHOD.
Authors:   A.M. Ali, Shah A.H.
Published: December 2021

The objective of the present study was to compare the results obtained by different methods used in glucose monitoring. Diabetic patients are known to use urine glucose strips or dipsticks tests or glucose pads for urine analysis. Blood glucose monitoring instruments such as different types of blood gluco-meters and digital blood glucose monitoring devices are also available in the local market for home glucose testing.
The integrated working conditions and labor safety assessment in foundries
Authors: Lazarenkov A. M. , Nikalaichyk Yu. A.
Published: December 2021

The results of research on working conditions and labor safety assessment in foundries are presented. The production factors of working conditions in foundries with different types of production and their impact on injuries and professional incidence of workers are considered. Recommendations to improve working conditions and reduce their impact on foundry workers are given.
Production of ferroalloys in rotary tilting furnaces
Authors: Rovin S. L. , Rovin L. E.
Published: December 2021

The article presents an analysis of methods that can be used for low‑tonnage production of ferromanganese, ferrosilicon and other ferroalloys in the conditions of a machine‑building enterprise using its own waste, including dispersed. It is proposed to carry out the production of ferroalloys in rotary tilting furnaces (RNP) of a new generation, which have maximum efficiency when heating and melting dispersed materials, allow active oxidation and reduction processes and are able to provide the necessary profitability even with small production volumes.
Technology and equipment of vertical‑stack molding for the production of castings without pattern drafts
Authors: Fonov V. V. , Grechanik S. N. , Golub D. M.
Published: December 2021

The article reports on the new technology and equipment of vertical‑stack molding (VSM), created by OJSC “BELNIILIT” for the manufacture of vertical‑stack molds. The development is intended for the production of molds and cast blanks of oil, which are later used for the manufacture of piston rings of internal combustion engines.

The difference between the above‑mentioned technology and traditional methods of VSM is the use of models without drafts. The development is export‑oriented and has a great economic effect for ring manufacturers due to the absence of drafts on castings, since part of the mechanical operations for their processing is excluded, the metal consumption of blanks is reduced, the production spaces required in this regard are reduced, the necessary labor supply is reduced, etc.

OJSC “BELNIILIT” has successfully carried out experimental design and technological work on the new scientific and technical products creation, which are of great interest to the world manufacturers of piston rings. An industrial sample of a molding machine and a mold manipulator were manufactured.
Nonoxidizing heating of chip‑powder dispersions of ferrous metals in hydrocarbon atmosphere
Authors: Dyakonov O. M. , Sereda V. Yu.
Published: December 2021

The process of inorganic and organic components temperature transformation of metal waste into solid and gaseous products in a continuous hot briquetting muffle furnace has been studied. The composition of the hydrocarbon atmosphere formed in the muffle under conditions of limited access to the oxidizer has been determined. It is shown that the thermal destruction of the coolant oil phase proceeds according to a complex mechanism of consecutive reactions, including polycondensation, polymerization, and deep compaction with a constant decrease in the hydrogen content and ends with the formation of a coke‑like carbon residue on the surface of metal particles and an air suspension of finely dispersed carbon particles (smoke). When it is heated to hot briquetting temperatures of 750–850 °C, chemically active dispersions of ferrous metals are protected from oxidation first by a hydrocarbon gas with a density of 9.0–13.5 kg/m3, then by a pyrocarbon coating with a thickness of 0.1–0.3 mm up to the completion of the processes of pressing and cooling the briquette.
Rationale for the Choice of the Ellipsoidal Reflector Parameters for Biomedical Photometers
Authors: Bezuglaya N. V. , Haponiuk A. A. , Bondariev D. V. , Poluectov S. A. , Chornyi V. A. , Bezuglyi M. A.
Published: December 2021

Biomedical photometersʼ information-measuring systems with ellipsoidal reflectors have acceptable results in determining of biological tissues optical properties in the visible and near-infrared spectral range. These photometers make it possible to study the optical radiation propagation in turbid media for direct and inverse problems of light-scattering optics. The purpose of this work is to study the influence of the ellipsoidal reflectors design parameters on the results of biomedical photometry when simulating the optical radiation propagation in a system of biological tissue and reflectors in transmitted and reflected light.

The paper substantiates the choice of the ellipsoidal reflectors’ focal parameter for efficient registration of forward and backscattered light. The methodology of the process is illustrated by the results of a model experiment using the Monte Carlo simulation for samples of human brain white and gray matter at the visible range of 405 nm, 532 nm, and 650 nm. The total transmittance, diffuse reflectance, and absorption graphs depending on the sample thickness were obtained. Based on the introduced concepts of the ellipsoidal reflector efficiency index and its efficiency factor, the expediency of choosing the ellipsoidal reflectors focal parameter is analyzed to ensure the registration of the maximum amount of scattered light. The graphs of efficiency index in reflected and transmitted light for different thickness samples of white and gray matter and efficiency factors depending on the sample thickness were obtained.

The influence of the reflectors ellipticity on the illuminance of various zones of photometric images using the example of an absorbing biological medium – pig liver tissue – at wavelength of 405 nm with a Monte Carlo simulation was analyzed.

The optical properties of biological media (scattering and absorption coefficients, scattering anisotropy factor, refractive index) and the samples’ geometric dimensions, particularly the thickness, are predetermined when choosing the ellipsoidal reflectors parameters for registration of the scattered light. Coordinates of the output of photons and their statistical weight obtained in the Monte Carlo simulation of light propagation in biological tissue have a physical effect on a characteristic scattering spot formation in the receiving plane of a biomedical photometer with ellipsoidal reflectors.
Shape and Measurement Monitoring of Inrush Current Characteristics of a Battery-Capacitive Energy Storage Device with Two-Channel Digital Oscilloscope
Authors: Vasilevich V. P. , Zbyshinskaya M. V.
Published: December 2021

The main reason of voltage instability in stand-alone power supply systems is the electric drive motors inrush current, which are usually higher than their nominal value. The most reasonable way to solve this problem is using capacitive energy storage. The purpose of research is shape and measurement monitoring of battery-capacitive energy storage device inrush current characteristics. Parameters comparative analysis for lithium-ion battery (LIB) part and capacitive part of the energy storage device was holding with the twochannel digital oscilloscope.

Measuring testing bench included parallel connected LIB part and capacitive part of the storage device and connected to the power source. The LIB part of the storage device is made on the basis of the ATOM 10 multifunctional motor drive device of the new generation, which contains 15 V lithium-ion battery and 9.4 A·h capacity. The capacitive part of the storage device is the INSPECTOR Booster supercapacitor with an 80 F electrostatic capacitance and 15.5 V voltage. A 12 V AC/DC step-down converter was used as a power source. An electric air automobile compressor M-14001 was used as a current drain. The testing bench measuring part consisted of a two-channel digital oscilloscope and two standard measuring shunts with 15000 μOm resistance serial attached to LIB part and capacitive part of the storage device. Shape and measurement monitoring of inrush current characteristics of LIB part and capacitive part of the energy storage device was held synchronously using a two-channel digital oscilloscope with recording data to FAT32 file system USB flash drive. Obtained data was transferred to a personal computer and analyzed.

The measurement results showed that 82.3 % of the energy losses compensation of the motor start is taken over by the capacitive part of the energy storage device, what makes longer LIB’s life. By adjusting the oscilloscope sweep trace index you can analyze more detailed time response shape and its duration. The values of the inrush current amplitudes were calculated in proportion to the voltage drop on the shunts and their resistances.

The developed method for monitoring shape and measurement inrush current characteristics can be used in various technical applications: smart stand-alone photovoltaic system, uninterruptible power supply devices, electric drive control systems, etc.
New Cellulose based pH-Sensitive Hydrogel for Highly Efficient Dyes Removal in Water Treatment: Kinetic, Thermodynamic, Theoretical and Computational Studies
Authors: Jabir Loubna , elhammi Hayat , Nor Mohammed , Jilal Issam , Idrissi Abderrahmane El , Amhamdi Hassan , Abou-Salama Mohamed , Ouardi Youssef El , Barkany Soufian El , Laatikainen Katri
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a new green pH-sensitive cellulose based hydrogel (swelling rate ~ 1005 %) was successfully elaborated. However, the new EDTA crosslinked HEC was investigated as adsorbent materiel, which it showed high removal efficiency (~2000 mg.g-1) to aquatic micropollutants, especially methylene blue as cationic dyes model. The synthesis of HEC-EDTA at high advanced crosslinking degree (up to 92 %) that confirmed using structural analyzes (FTIR and 13C CP/MAS-NMR), was cried out using DAEDT and DMAP as acyl transfer agent, where the lamellar morphology (2D- microstructure) was highly suggested basing on the average functionality of the reaction system. The kinetic study showed that the adsorption process was better described by pseudo-second-order kinetic, where the thermodynamic parameters exhibited a negative effect of temperature indicating a physical adsorption process. In addition, the adsorption capacity was studied according to the experimental conditions (pH, contact time, concentration, etc.), and the Freundlich model revealed a strong correlation to the experimental results indicating an energetic heterogeneity of the surface active sites. In the other hand, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted and optimized using COMPASS II, where the results showed a good agreement with the experiment, and that basing on the intermolecular Non-covalent interaction, molecular structure and cluster configurations.
Construction of an lncRNA–mRNA Co-Expression Regulatory Network Mediating Inflammation and Regeneration Following Acute Pancreatitis Injury
Authors: Wang Jing , Chen Tianjie , Zhang Xiaohua , Zhao Shulei
Published: December 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of many diseases and can be used as targets for diagnosis and treatment. However, the expression and function of lncRNAs in the injury and repair of acute pancreatitis (AP) are unclear. To decipher lncRNAs’ regulatory roles in AP, we reanalyzed an RNA-seq dataset of 24 pancreatic tissues, including those of normal control mice (BL), those 7 days after mild AP (D7), and those 14 days after mild AP (D14). The results showed significant differences in lncRNA and mRNA expression of D7/D14 groups compared with the control group. Co-expression analysis showed that differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs were closely related to immunity- and inflammation-related pathways by trans-regulating mRNA expression. The lncRNA–mRNA network showed that the lncRNAs Dancer, Gmm20488, Terc, Snhg3, and Snhg20 were significantly correlated with AP pathogenesis. WGCNA and cis regulation analysis also showed that AP repair-associated lncRNAs were correlated with extracellular and inflammation-related genes, which affect the repair and regeneration of pancreatic injury after AP. In conclusion, the systemic dysregulation of lncRNAs is strongly involved in remodeling AP’s gene expression regulatory network, and the lncRNA–mRNA expression network could identify targets for AP treatment and damage repair.
Microstructure and Characterization of Ti-Al Explosive Welding Composite Plate
Authors: Bi Zhi-xiong , Li Xue-jiao , Zhang Ting-zhao , Wang Quan , Rong Kai , Dai Xian-de , Wu Yong
Published: December 2021

In order to study the interface characteristics and microstructure formation of Ti-Al composite plate, explosive welding was carried out with TA2 titanium as the fly plate and 5083 aluminums as the base plate. Optical microscope and electron microscope were used to analyze the microstructure of intermetallic compounds. SPH method was used to simulate the welding process of composite plates. The formation conditions and initial defects of intermetallic compounds were analyzed. The results show that most of the melted metal in the wave-front stays in the wave-waist region, and there was a relative velocity difference between the vortex and the titanium tissue, which led to the existence of small pieces of fragmentation. The outer layer of the vortex had higher velocity than the inner layer. The formation of Ti3Al, its antioxidant capacity wound lead to the formation of cracks. The temperature of outer vortex was higher than that of inner vortex, and the vortex has a transition layer of 5 μm, which is thinner than the transition layer of 8 μm between cladding plate and substrate. The jet was mostly composed of aluminum metal, and the interface jet velocity reaches 3000 m·s-1 and the interface temperature reaches up to 2100 K. Compared with the molten metal in the wave-back vortex, the jet temperature at the interface was higher, resulting in a thicker transition layer at the bonding surface. The residual stress at the interface wound cause the density of the material to increase.
Adsorptive Removal of Arsenic by Synthetic Iron-loaded Goethite: Isotherms, Kinetics, and Mechanism
Authors: Talpur Shakeel Ahmed , Baloch Muhammad Yousuf Jat , Su Chunli , Iqbal Javed , Ahmed Aziz
Published: December 2021

Arsenic contamination in the groundwater is a worldwide concern. Therefore, this study was designed to use synthetic iron-loaded goethite to remove arsenic. Adsorption was significantly pH-dependent; hence, pH values between 5.0 and 7.0 resulted in the highest removal of arsenate and arsenite. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were almost perfectly matched in terms of strong positive coefficient of determination “R2” arsenate – 0.941 and 0.992 and arsenite – 0.945 and 0.993. The adsorption intensity “n” resulted as arsenate – 2.542 and arsenite – 2.707; besides separation factor “RL” found as arsenate – 0.1 and arsenite – 0.5, respectively. However, both “n” and “RL” leads to a favourable adsorption process. Temkin isotherm yielded in equal binding energies “bt” showing as 0.004 (J/μg) for both arsenate and arsenite. Jovanovic monolayers isotherm was dominated by the Langmuir isotherm. This resulting in maximum adsorption capacity “Qmax” of arsenate – 1369.877 and arsenite – 1276.742 (μg/g), which approaches to the saturated binding sites. Kinetic data revealed that adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 240 – arsenate and 360 – arsenite (minutes), respectively. Chemisorption was found effective with high “R2” values 0.981 ­– arsenate and 0.994 – arsenite, respectively, with the best fitting of pseudo-second order. Moreover, Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to determine the morphological content, surface area, crystalline structure, and chemical characteristics of the adsorbent. It is anticipated that optimal arsenic removal was achieved by the porosity, chemical bindings, and surface binding sites of the adsorbent.
Frequency and Risk Indicators of Periodontal Diseases in a Sample of Adult Egyptian Patients: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gamil Omar Khaled , Ahmed Dina Fahim , Keraa Khaled Mohamed , Ghallab Noha Ayman , Elbattawy Weam
Published: December 2021

This hospital-based cross-sectional study aimed at determining frequency and risk indicators/predictors of periodontitis in a sample of Egyptian adult population and to develop a prediction equation for classifying periodontal diseases. Seven hundred and fifty subjects were consecutively recruited from outpatient Diagnostic Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. Validated oral health questionnaire for adults and oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire were filled by all patients. Diagnosis was made based on measurements of clinical periodontal parameters including plaque index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, clinical attachment level and gingival recession. Radiographic examination was performed using digital periapical radiographs. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to determine significant predictors of periodontal diseases and discriminant analysis was performed to predict periodontal disease classification. Gingivitis was the most frequent periodontal disease (39.6%) followed by periodontitis stage I (38%), stage II (20.4%), stage III (1.6%) and stage IV (0.4%). The lowest OHIP-14 scores were in patients with periodontitis stages III and IV. Multivariate analysis showed that education (p < 0.001), OHIP-14 score (p = 0.003), non-smoking (p = 0.001) and non-alcohol drinking (p = 0.021) were significant negative predictors, while never to clean the teeth (p < 0.001) were significant positive predictors of periodontal disease. Periodontitis stages III and IV were the least frequent on a sample of Egyptian adult patients. Education, frequency of teeth cleaning, smoking, alcohol drinking and OHIP-14 scores were significant predictors of periodontal disease. Through discriminant analysis this study could classify patients into different periodontal diseases with an overall correct prediction of 99.2%.
Sensitivity and Specificity of Different Diagnostic Methods in Occlusal Caries Detection of Permanent Teeth among Paediatric Patients
Authors: Mokhtar Ilham Wan , Venkiteswaran Annapurny , Yusof Mohd Yusmiaidil Putera Mohd
Published: December 2021

Dental caries is a commonly progressive disease that proceeds through various degrees of severity that a dentist can detect. The aims of the in vivo study were to assess the accuracy of the individual model (near-infrared light transillumination [NILT] device, visual and radiographic examinations) in detecting occlusal caries, and to evaluate the performance of visual and NILT device combination for occlusal caries detection in deciding the treatment options. Fifty-two non-cavitated occlusal surfaces from 16 patients were assessed with three different diagnostic devices in random order. Identified lesions were prepared and validated. Logistic regression analysis was performed for each method. The sensitivity and specificity values for each method and the combined models were statistically measured using RStudio version 0.97.551. At the enamel level, visual detection was the most sensitive method (0.88), while NILT was the most specific (0.93). NILT scored the highest for sensitivity (0.93) at the dentine level and visual detection scored the highest for specificity (0.88). Visual detection + NILT model was significantly better (p = 0.04) compared to visual detection or NILT alone (df = 1). The visual-NILT combination is a superior model in detecting occlusal caries on permanent teeth. The model provided surplus value in caries detection hence improving the treatment decision-making in occlusal surfaces.
Alveolar Bone Morphotype in Orthodontic Patients
Authors: Jacques Jaime A. , Balbontin-Ayala Felipe A. , Gambetta-Tessini Karla F. , Besa-Alonso Arturo , Bustamante-Olivares Erica I.
Published: December 2021

Orthodontic treatments have been described as a risk factor for the development of gingival recessions. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the alveolar bone morphotype of the upper and lower anterior of 33 orthodontic treatment of candidate patients. The images were obtained from a high-resolution cone beam computerised tomography. Then, the thickness of the alveolar bone plate of teeth was measured in six levels, recording the presence of dehiscences and fenestrations. A total of 2,334 sites were evaluated. The average thickness of the maxillary alveolar bone at the buccal surface was 0.70, 0.62 and 1.43 mm at the cervical, middle and apical levels, respectively, while in the mandibular teeth it was 0.53, 0.50 and 2.96 mm. At the palatal and lingual surfaces, the bone was thicker than the buccal except at the apical level of the mandible. Most of the examined sites were measured less than 1 mm (n = 1,235, 52.9%), associated with high prevalence of bone dehiscences (57.6%) and fenestrations (33.3%), particularly in skeletal Class III patients. The observed bone morphotype involved a high vulnerability to bone resorption, and the subsequent gingival recession occurrence, face to orthodontic movements.
Critical Factors Causing Material Wastes in Building Construction Projects
Authors:   Department of Construction Technology and Management, College of Engineering and Technology, Dilla University, PO Box 419, Dilla, Ethiopia, Tafesse Shitaw , Adugna Tamene ,   Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Jimma Institute of Technology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
Published: December 2021

Construction sites generate a large amount of material wastes and have become a common problem with associated risks in Ethiopia. However, the sources of such wastes are not well recognised. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to analyse the risk factors that contribute to material wastes in building construction projects. To achieve this goal, the factors that cause construction wastes were identified from literature and construction experts via focus group discussions and personal interviews. Following this, the factors were subjected to a questionnaire survey to identify the most critical factors of construction wastes. The questionnaire was distributed purposively to 85 construction experts representing contractors, consultants, and clients and 70 questionnaires were duly received for analysis. The data were analysed with a mean score and ranked to identify the most critical factors generating material wastes at construction sites. According to the results of the study frequent changes made to the design, poor strategies for waste minimisation, improper storage of material, poor site management, poor planning and supervision, and errors of contract document were the most critical factors causing construction wastes.
Measures to Provide Settlements with Quality Drinking Water: Assessment of the Potential by the Example of the Odessa Agglomeration
Authors:   Department of Architectural Space Design, Architectural and Art Institute, Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Ukraine, Tserkovna Oksana Georhiyivna
Published: December 2021

The rapid urbanisation of the settlements of the Odessa agglomeration has negatively affected the quality of the drinking water that is transported to consumers. The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective measures to provide settlements with quality drinking water. In order to achieve this goal, possible options for measures were considered, and an assessment and comparative analysis of the potential of the proposed options were executed. The most effective measures were evaluated on two criteria: compliance with the principles of sustainable development and whether the measures were effective, reliable and comfortable for consumers when implemented. The factors that influenced the decision-making were the situation and conditions of the implementation of the measures, laboratory tests of the source water and laboratory tests of the water after the treatment process and consumer awareness of participation. The findings demonstrated that a measure was effective if it met the stated criteria. The results of the study are planned to be used as reference material in the elaboration of an integrated plan for the development of settlements, for decision-making in the organisation of recreation and health-related areas and for other resource planning activities.
Dye-sensitised Photocatalyst for Photocatalytic Whole Water Splitting to Produce Hydrogen in a Twin Photoreactor
Authors:   Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, Huang Yi-Shan , Huang Chao-Wei ,   Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 80778, Nguyen Van-Huy ,   Faculty of Biotechnology, Binh Duong University, Thu Dau Mot, Vietnam, Wang Yen-Han ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, Wu Jeffrey C. S. ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 10617, Tseng Mei-Rurng ,   Material and Chemical Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan 31040, Pao Yu-Chieh ,   Material and Chemical Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan 31040
Published: December 2021

Organic dye-sensitised SrTiO3:Rh and WO3 were served as H2 catalysts and O2 catalysts in a Z-scheme system to conduct photocatalytic pure water splitting. To enhance the light absorption capacity, the composites of organic dye (N3, N719, Z907, black dye, C101, and K19) and SrTiO3:Rh were synthesised via physical adsorption and then verified by the performance of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Among these dyes, N3-SrTiO3:Rh revealed visible light absorption and exhibited the best photocatalytic activity. Therefore, N3 dye was adopted, and silane coupling agents were used to form chemical bonding with SrTiO3:Rh. Furthermore, the photocatalytic pure water splitting of N3-SrTiO3:Rh was investigated in a single reactor, and a twin photoreactor with Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions served as the electron mediators, respectively. The highest quantum efficiency can reach 0.0259% in a twin reactor when compared with the single reactor (0.0052%) because of the improvement in the light absorption from N3 and inhibition of the backward reaction of water splitting. Consequently, organic dye-sensitised photocatalysts are highly effective and eco-friendly in conducting photocatalytic pure water splitting.
A Review on Various Analytical Methodologies for Etoricoxib
Authors: Prajapati Malesh , Yamgar Dilip Bhagwan , Desale Mayur Narayan , Fegade Bharti
Published: December 2021

Etoricoxib belongs to the class of highly selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs. It is mostly used for the treatment of pain, arthritic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The current study focuses primarily on analytical and bioanalytical method development methodologies, as well as numerous methods established for the estimation of etoricoxib, whether in pharmaceutical dose form or in bulk. Analytical procedures are critical for determining compositions, as they allow us to obtain both qualitative and quantitative results utilising advanced analytical tools. The analytical method for Etoricoxib may be chromatographic, electrochemical, spectral or hyphenated.  These methods aid in the comprehension of critical process parameters as well as the minimization of their impact on precision and accuracy. Analytical method development is required to sustain high commercial product quality standards and to meet regulatory requirements. Following the reference, regulatory organisations in several nations have established standards and procedures for providing approval, authentication, and registration. Bioanalytical methods are designed to quantify the concentration of drug, metabolite, or typical biomarkers from various biological fluids including serum, urine, saliva and tissue extracts.
Histopathological Effects of Seed Oil of Moringa oleifera Lam. on Albino Mice Infected with Plasmodium berghei (NK65)
Authors: Abdulahi Sikiru Kayode , Dada Ebenezer Oluyemi , Adebayo Rukayat Omolara
Published: December 2021

The study assessed the histopathological effects of seed oil of Moringa oleifera on albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. This work included a good idea in the treatment of a causing agent of malaria with Moringa seed oil as bio-natural treatment. Thirty-five mice were divided equally and grouped into five. The mice were acclimatised for seven days and thereafter infected with 0.2 mL Plasmodium berghei (NK65) parasite. The parasites were allowed to establish in the mice for five days before commencement of treatment. Group A - negative control (untreated), group B - positive control (10mg/kg chloroquine treated), group C, D and E were respectively treated with 800, 400, 200 mg/kg seed oil of Moringa oleifera. By oral administration of 0.2 mL of treatment dose, treatment was carried out in four consecutive days and the mice were sacrificed five days thereafter. The liver and kidney extracted from the mice were processed for histological studies. Findings revealed group A had the least packed cell volume (PCV) of 22.23±1.98% and group B had the most PCV of 48.31±1.55% after treatment. The PCV in groups C, D and E were 45.34±1.11%, 41.40±1.00% and 39.19±1.82% respectively after treatment. Coagulative necrosis and inflammation characterised the liver and kidney of mice in groups C and D. Lesions were observed in all the liver of mice treated with the seed oil of M. oleifera and chloroquine. Overall, it can be inferred that the higher the PCV of mice after treatment, the higher the performance of chemotherapeutic agents against parasitaemia. Thus, at 800, 400 and 200 mg/kg dosage, the seed oil of Moringa oleifera could possibly treat malaria. However, administration of a higher dose of the oil and chloroquine should be with caution as both drugs may pose adverse effects on the kidney and liver.