bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of mindfulness-based interventions – MBCT and MBSR – in depression treatment and relapse prevention
Authors: Szymonik Julia , Szopa Sebastian
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Depression stands as a primary contributor to disability, prompting extensive exploration of treatment and prevention strategies. Recognizing the limitations of conventional approaches, the significance of effective non-pharmacological therapies, like psychotherapy, in managing mental health disorders is increasingly acknowledged. There's a growing interest in mindfulness-based interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). These interventions, which prioritize present-moment awareness and acceptance, target depression's mechanisms, such as rumination, while cultivating coping strategies and resilience. Mindfulness, with its comprehensive approach and capacity for self-regulation, emerges as pivotal in addressing psychiatric conditions. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of MBCT and MBSR's effectiveness in treating depression and preventing relapses.
Description of the state of knowledge: MBCT and MBSR exhibit promising potential in effectively managing and preventing depression. Moreover, they alleviate anxiety, emotional exhaustion, stress and psychological distress, while fostering improved coping with rumination, memory disturbances and emotional regulation.
Summary: Research indicates that incorporating MBCT and MBSR could offer a hopeful avenue for managing and alleviating the symptoms of depression and mental disorders, by addressing underlying factors which play a pivotal role in their development. To corroborate these encouraging results, additional randomized, large-scale, placebo-controlled trials are essential.
Benefits of l-theanine supplementation and its possible role in clinical use – review
Authors: Womperski Karol , Woźniak Justyna , Szymonik Julia , Szopa Sebastian , Elias Jagoda
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Green tea has been a meaningful element of various cultures among the world for ages and its benefits for human health are widely known. Discovery of its ingredients facilitated the profound research of their positive role and mechanisms of action. One of them – l-theanine - seems to have a multidirectional influence on human health.
Methods and materials: A review of chosen literature from PubMed database, GoogleScholar database between the years 2000-2023 was conducted using the following keywords: “theanine”, “theanine cognition”, “theanine brain activity”, “theanine neural activity”, “theanine neuroprotection”, “theanine stress”, “theanine cancer”, “theanine immunity”, “theanine safety”, “theanine caffeine”, “theanine metabolism”
Aim of study: Review of current knowledge on l-theanine, its benefits for health, mechanisms of action, possible applications in clinical use and safety.
Results:  L-theanine has a profitable influence on cognitive performance, stress management, neuroprotection, immunity and exhibits anti-cancer properties while having virtually no detrimental side effects.
Conclusions: Further research on application of l-theanine in clinical use is necessary as studies carried out on humans included only a limited number of participants.
Correlation between depression, physical exercise and neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Rosołowska-Żak Sara , Sambura Maria , Sas Wiktoria , Podyma Katarzyna , Ryznar Gracja , Rejdych Julia , Pierzchała Piotr , Minkowska Michalina , Chimiak Krystyna , Bylica Gabriela
Published: April 2024

Introduction:
Depression is the most common mental disorder, affecting a significant percentage of the adult population. The disease is associated with many negative health consequences and is one of the leading causes of disability and inability to work worldwide. This neurological condition is commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). In recent decades, advancements have uncovered certain pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders. These revelations suggest that, although they exhibit unique characteristics, there are notable parallels in the neurobiological changes associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and the neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. In this article the relevance of non-pharmacological therapies in the management of neurodegenerative diseases have been rising. Almost absent from side effects, non-pharmacological alternatives, including physical exercise have shown promising benefits.
Aim of the study:
The study aims to evaluate the association between depression symptoms and neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, we indicate sport as a way to preserve and improve cognitive function, and to maintain a proper quality of life.
Material and methods:
We conducted a review of scientific publications published in the years 1998-2024 in English and Polish in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. We used keywords such as "depression", "neurodegeneration” and “physical exercise”.
Conclusions:
Depression has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and suggested to be a possible prodrome for them. However, sport can alleviate behavioral symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders, like anxiety, depression, indifference and sleep disruptions.
Treatment fatigue among adult patients with chronic heart failure in a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Hassen Minimize , Mekonnen Desalew , Muhammed Oumer Sada
Published: April 2024

Background/Aims

Patients with heart failure must adhere to strict treatment regimens, including pharmacological treatments, medical appointments and lifestyle modifications. This study aimed to assess the extent of treatment regimen fatigue among patients with heart failure in Ethiopia and identify factors that may exacerbate this. The authors also aimed to gather insights from patients and health professionals about how to ameliorate the impact of treatment regimen fatigue.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted at a specialist cardiac clinic in Ethiopia from 1 August to 30 September 2021. In the quantitative stage, the Treatment Regimen Fatigue Scale was delivered via interview to 325 patients with heart failure to collect data on their level of treatment regimen fatigue and analyse this against their demographic, clinical and treatment-related characteristics. The influences of factors on treatment regimen fatigue were tested using the Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis and Chi square tests, as appropriate. In the qualitative stage, interviews were conducted with 14 patients with heart failure and 10 specialist health professionals to identify possible interventions to reduce treatment regimen fatigue. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and subject to content analysis to identify themes.

Results

In the quantitative phase, participants' mean level of treatment regimen fatigue was −48.38±13.1, indicating low levels of fatigue. Several factors had a significant impact on level of treatment regimen fatigue, including living alone (U=7819.5; Z=−3.01; P=0.003); poor knowledge of heart failure (U=4379.0; Z=−4.24; P<0.001); lack of family support (U=6152.5; Z=−4.09; P<0.01); presence of two or more comorbidities (U=11273.5; Z=−2.28; P=0.023); adverse drug effects (U=6990.0; Z=−2.78; P=0.006); poor availability of medications (U=10215.0; Z=−3.43; P=0.001); and reliance on health insurance to obtain medication (X2=7.18; P=0.028). Qualitative results indicated that improving patients' self-care, making changes to the structure of the cardiac clinic (eg more regular follow up with the same clinician) and improving the general healthcare system could reduce treatment regimen fatigue.

Conclusions

Patients with heart failure seem to experience low levels of treatment regimen fatigue, but this can be influenced by a variety of demographic, clinical and treatment-related factors. Interventions on a local and systemic level could reduce the risk of treatment regimen fatigue, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
The BANCC research forum: supporting cardiac nurses to develop research and academic skills
Authors: Austin Rosalynn , Ellison Sarah , Kavuncu Derya , Kinsey Laura , Loftus Nick Woolfe , Masters Helena , Richardson Janice , Ting Fang Feng , Bernhardt Lizelle
Published: April 2024

This month's BANCC column describes the abstract writing, poster design and writing for publication workshops delivered by the BANCC research forum in 2023, and the potential for similar initiatives to improve nurses' research confidence and competence.
Student Teachers’ Knowledge of School-level Geometry: Implications for Teaching and Learning
Authors: Mukuka Angel , Alex Jogymol Kalariparampil
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to assess the geometric knowledge of student teachers from a university in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The study used a sample of 225 first-year student teachers who completed school mathematics baseline assessments on a computer- aided mathematics instruction (CAMI) software. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design, using quantitative data to measure student teachers’ geometry achievement level, and qualitative data to explain the challenges encountered. The results show that student teachers exhibited a low level of understanding of school-level geometry. The low achievement levels were linked to various factors, such as insufficient grasp of geometry concepts in their secondary school education, difficulty in remembering what was done years ago, low self-confidence, and lack of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills along with the limited time for the baseline tests. These results suggest that appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that student teachers acquire the necessary subject-matter knowledge to teach effectively in their future classrooms.

 
Urban social movements as extended class actors: struggles over reproduction in Buenos Aires, New York City and Hamburg
Authors: Uhlmann Sarah
Published: April 2024

Along with a resurgence in urban social movements (USMs) since the Global Financial Crisis in 2007–08 has come renewed interest in what form(s) of social struggle these movements represent. This is because USMs cannot be straightforwardly explained by the contradiction between capital and labour, as they happened outside the workplace. With the aim of conceptualising USMs, a comparative and empirical case study was conducted on urban development and protest in New York City, Buenos Aires and Hamburg. Approaches ranging from spatial theory to urban sociology and political economy informed the theoretical framework. The study was empirically based on 47 interviews with activists, as well as the observation of participants at protest events and document analysis (both of publications by urban protest initiatives and urban development statistics). Emerging similarities regarding the relational and cognitive structures of investigated protests suggest that contemporary USMs are collective actors counteracting urban dispossession and are thus linked to the capitalist mode of accumulation. Therefore, the article argues for an understanding of USMs as extended class struggles over social reproduction in the city. This terminology is intended not only to highlight that USMs are expressions of the crisis of social reproduction in cities, but also to categorise the characteristic features of USMs – which represent struggles for the use value of a city. USMs can, moreover, contribute to social change, especially if they are able to provide alternative means of social reproduction through the appropriation of urban space.
Power loss analysis for optical cavity of X-ray free-electron laser oscillator at 10 KeV
Authors: Tiwari Ganesh , Yu Li , Shaftan Timur , Smaluk Victor , Yang Xi
Published: April 2024

We investigate properties of optical elements in the optical cavity of an X-ray free electron laser oscillator with emphasis on power loss of a monochromatic Gaussian radiation beam upon passing through them using analytical and numerical approaches. Here we assume the optical cavity comprises of refractive lenses and Bragg crystals exploiting symmetric Bragg
scattering. For lens, we include the focusing and curvature effects while we include the angular
filtering due to finite Darwin width of Bragg crystals. Our results indicate feasibility of X-ray power outcoupling in the range of 0.5-28 % with intra-cavity reflectivity of 67-95 % at 10.321 KeV.
Rearing of Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks on rabbits for the biological transmission of Anaplasma marginale
Authors: Ali Sikandar , Ahmad Abdullah Saghir , Ashraf Kamran , Khan Jawaria Ali , Rashid Muhammad Imran
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim: Anaplasma marginale is an obligate intraerythrocytic rickettsial parasite that infects cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. There is no evidence that A. marginale inoculation can be used to culture Rhipicephalus annulatus in rabbits. This study aimed to determine the molting of R. annulatus larvae, nymphs, and adults on rabbits as well as nymphs and adults of R. annulatus on calves with or without A. marginale. Transstadial, horizontal, and transovarial transmissions of A. marginale in R. annulatus reared on rabbits and calves were evaluated.

Materials and Methods: Engorged female ticks were collected from field samples of A. marginale-infected and non-infected cattle. We divided the eight rabbits into two groups: A and B. Group A rabbits were infected with A. marginale through parenteral inoculation, whereas Group B rabbits were kept as a control. The “clean rabbits” in Group B were observed for tick rearing without A. marginale. Polymerase chain reaction was used to screen A. marginale in rabbits and stages of tick. The complete life cycle of R. annulatus with or without A. marginale was observed on rabbits.

Results: A 6.5-day longer life cycle was observed in ticks harboring A. marginale than in ticks without A. marginale. To observe transstadial transmission, transstadial, horizontal, and transovarial transmissions of A. marginale in R. annulatus ticks were experimentally observed in one clean calf fed separately with infected nymphs and female adult ticks.

Conclusion: We experimentally observed transovarian, transstadial, and transovarial transmission of A. marginale in R. annulatus ticks as a biological vector reared on calves and rabbits. We used rabbits as a model animal for rearing R. annulatus ticks and culture of A. marginale.
Keywords: Anaplasma marginale, horizontal, rabbits, Rhipicephalus annulatus, transovarial, transstadial.

Keywords: Anaplasma marginale, horizontal, rabbits, Rhipicephalus annulatus, transovarial, transstadial.
Death Anxiety and Its Relationship to Demographic Data for Cancer Patients at Tishreen University Hospital in Latakia: A Correlational Study
Authors:   Faculty of Nursing, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria., Malek Eskandar Maha
Published: April 2024

Background: Diagnosing cancer and undergoing therapeutic measures are accompanied by an intense state of death anxiety. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate death anxiety and its relationship to demographic data for cancer patients at Tishreen University Hospital in Latakia. Methods: The quantitative approach was used in the current study. A descriptive, correlational design was utilized in the current study. The study used a convenience sampling method. The total number of the participants was 100 cancer patients. The patients were selected from Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia/Syria. Death-anxiety scale was used as a tool for data collection. Results: The results showed a moderate level of death anxiety among participants, and there was a statistically significant relationship between death anxiety and gender. Conclusion: Having cancer affects the level of death anxiety among patients, which appears to be higher among females than among males. Implications for Nursing: Studying the relationships between sociodemographic characteristics and the level of death anxiety in cancer patients will help individualize education about psychological problems associated with cancer. Healthcare professionals must evaluate patients' needs and personal characteristics before starting to perform psychological interventions. Keywords: Death anxiety, Cancer patients, Demographic data, Cancer
A Literature Review of Self-care Behaviors among Patients with Diabetes Using the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors:   Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan, Damen AL-Dalaen, Bouthayna , Alzayyat Abdulkarim
Published: April 2024

Background: Taking into consideration the increment of the diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence rate, the importance of effective management strategies becomes more pronounced in promoting the well-being of patients affected by the condition. Among the various approaches to managing DM, self-care behaviors (SCBs) have emerged as crucial elements contributing to positive outcomes. Purpose: This review of literature aims to investigate and examine current research, offering a detailed comprehension of the SCBs practiced by individuals with diabetes. Methods: Self-care encompasses a wide spectrum of activities. However, the focus of our literature search and review is medication adherence (MA) and physical activities (PA). The authors used the following databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar scientific databases. The forthcoming keywords were utilized: diabetes, SCBs (similar terms like self-care, self-care management and, self-care practices are used), DM, MA, PA, and the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Results: This review included 39 studies. The rates of MA ranged from 26% to 94%. Conversely, the rates of adherence to PA ranged from 9% to 77%. Correlates for MA and PA were identified. Conclusion: This thorough literature review has explored the complex domain of SCBs in individuals with DM, employing the TPB as its guiding framework. This review offered valuable insights into the factors impacting the incorporation of SCBs within the framework of diabetes management. Implications for Nursing: The findings of this review give directions for nursing researchers and practitioners, so as to develop effective interventions for individuals with DM. Keywords: SCBs, DM, PA, MA, TPB.
Cell Association in Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) Rescue and Cell Infection
Authors: Svoboda Jan
Published: April 2024

In my article I tried to present the results of early experiments suggesting a significant role for cell association in Rous sarcoma virus transformation of non-permissive cells and revealing that infectious virus can be efficiently rescued from such cells by their fusion with permissive chicken fibroblasts.
Characterization of Porcine Granulosa Cell Line AVG-16
Authors: Sadowska A. , Nynca A. , Korzeniewska M. , Piasecka-Srader J. , Jablonska M. , Orlowska K. , Swigonska S. , Ciereszko Renata E.
Published: April 2024

Commercially available, but not yet characterized, the AVG-16 granulosa cell line was established from granulosa cells of medium porcine follicles. To examine the suitability of the AVG-16 cell line for studying the molecular mechanism of action of various environmental oestrogens, we investigated: 1/ cell morphology (by standard haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining); 2/ basal and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH) -stimulated steroid hormone (progesterone; P4 and 17β-oestradiol; E2) secretion (by radioimmunoassay) and 3/ expression of receptors involved in the regulation of granulosa cell function: FSH receptor (FSHR), LH receptor (LHR), oestrogen receptor α (ERα), oestrogen receptor β (ERβ) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). mRNA and protein expression was determined by RT-PCR and fluorescence immunocytochemistry, respectively. The secretion of P4 and E2 by AVG-16 cells was in the range of steroid hormone secretion by porcine cultured primary granulosa cells. Neither FSH (100 ng/ml) nor LH (100 ng/ml) affected P4 and E2 secretion by AVG-16 cells. The presence of FSHR and LHR at both mRNA and protein level was not demonstrated in the cells. However, AVG-16 cells were found to express mRNA and protein of ERα, ERβ and AhR. The results of our study showed that AVG-16 cells possess the capability of steroid hormone production, and both oestrogen receptors and AhR are present in these cells. Therefore, AVG-16 cells may serve as an unlimited source of homogenous porcine granulosa cells useful for studying the effects of environmental oestrogens on ovarian physiology.
Agency Costs of Outside Equity: Evidence From Start-Up Firms in Their First Two Years
Authors: Everett Craig R.
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the agency costs associated with outside equity infusions into 4928 randomly selected firms surveyed annually during their first two years of business.  Sources of outside equity include angel investors, venture capital or private equity, other companies, or government sources.  Changes in outside equity levels are significantly and positively associated with changes in the number of perquisite programs available to employees.  These results are robust to controls for observable firm characteristics such as firm size and profitability.
The Relationship Between the Level of Administrative Performance and The Level of Administrative Creativity Among the Administrative Members of The Golden Square Clubs in The Iraqi League
Authors: Alhamdane Aktham , Boukari Samia , Mhenni Thouraya , Attia Ahmed , Turki Olfa , Gaied Chortane Sabri , Khalifa Riadh
Published: April 2024

This study aims to identify the relationship between the level of administrative performance and the level of administrative creativity among of the administrative members of the Golden Square clubs in the Iraqi league. Additionally, it sought to identify differences in the level of managerial performance and managerial creativity among the administrative members of the Golden Square Clubs in the Iraqi League based on the variables of educational qualification and specialization. To achieve this objective, the study was carried out with a sample of forty-eight (48) administrative members of the Golden Square Clubs. Two study instruments were prepared for data collection. The first instrument was the managerial performance tool consisting of 39 items distributed across four areas (planning, organizing and coordinating, directing and controlling, communication and decision-making). The second instrument was the managerial creativity tool consisting of 38 items distributed across four areas (encouraging creativity, problem-solving and decision-making, adaptability to change, spirit of risk-taking). The results of this study indicated that the managerial performance of the administrative members in the Golden Square Clubs was high, with a response rate of 74.93%. However, managerial creativity among the administrative members in Iraqi sports clubs was average, with a response rate of 71.23%. These results also revealed a statistically significant positive correlation at a significance level of 0.05 between the level of managerial performance and managerial creativity among the administrative members in Iraqi sports clubs. The correlation coefficient was high, reaching a value of 0.84. Furthermore, the study identified statistically significant differences at a significance level of 0.05 in the level of managerial performance among the administrative members in Iraqi sports clubs, attributed to the variables of educational qualification and specialization.
The Crime-Fraud Exception to the Attorney-Client Privilege: Communications That Are Not Privileged
Authors: Hunter Richard J. , Shannon John H.
Published: April 2024

In three previous articles, “Assessing Confidentiality in the Lawyer-Client Relationship: A Client Perspective” (2022a), “Avoiding Common Conflicts of Interest in the Lawyer-Client Relationship” (2022b), and “The Lawyer-Client Relationship: Fee Arbitration” (2022c), the authors have described various aspects of the lawyer-client relationship. In this article, the authors describe an important exception to the principle of confidentiality found in the crime-fraud doctrine which permits a court to breach lawyer-client confidentiality upon the proper showing.
Stability from rigidity via umbilicity
Authors: Scheuer Julian
Published: April 2024

We consider a range of geometric stability problems for hypersurfaces of spaceforms. One of the key results is an estimate relating the distance to a geodesic sphere of an embedded hypersurface with integral norms of the traceless Hessian operator of a level set function for the open set bounded by the hypersurface.
As application, we give a unified treatment of many old and new stability problems arising in geometry and analysis. Those problems ask for spherical closeness of a hypersurface, given a geometric constraint. Examples include stability in Alexandroff’s soap bubble theorem in space forms, Serrin’s overdetermined problem, a Steklov problem involving the bi-Laplace operator and non-convex Alexandroff–Fenchel inequalities.
Machine learning-based compressive strength estimation in nanomaterial-modified lightweight concrete
Authors: Alghrairi Nashat S. , Aziz Farah N. , Rashid Suraya A. , Mohamed Mohd Z. , Ibrahim Amer M.
Published: April 2024

The development of nanotechnology has led to the creation of materials with unique properties, and in recent years, numerous attempts have been made to include nanoparticles in concrete in an effort to increase its performance and create concrete with improved qualities. Nanomaterials are typically added to lightweight concrete (LWC) with the goal of improving the composite’s mechanical, microstructure, freshness, and durability qualities. Compressive strength is the most crucial mechanical characteristic for all varieties of concrete composites. For this reason, it is essential to create accurate models for estimating the compressive strength (CS) of LWC to save time, energy, and money. In addition, it provides useful information for planning the construction schedule and indicates when the formwork should be removed. To predict the CS of LWC mixtures made with or without nanomaterials, nine different models were proposed in this study: the gradient-boosted trees (GBT), random forest, tree ensemble, XGBoosted (XGB), Keras, simple regression, probabilistic neural networks, multilayer perceptron, and linear relationship model. A total of 2,568 samples were gathered and examined. The most significant factors influencing CS during the modeling process were taken into account as input variables, including the amount of nanomaterials, cement, water-to-binder ratio, density, the content of lightweight aggregates, type of nano, fine and coarse aggregate content, and water. The performance of the suggested models was assessed using a variety of statistical measures, including the coefficient of determination (R
2), scatter index, mean absolute error, and root-mean-squared error (RMSE). The findings showed that, in comparison to other models, the GBT model outperformed the others in predicting the compression strength of LWC mixtures enhanced with nanomaterials. The GBT model produced the best results, with the greatest value of R
2 (0.9) and the lowest value of RMSE (5.286). Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis showed that the most important factor influencing the prediction of the CS of LWC enhanced with nanoparticles is the water content.
Branching Processes Under Nonstandard Conditions
Authors: Vatutin Vladimir A. , Dyakonova Elena E.
Published: April 2024

We give a survey of some recent results describing some properties of
branching processes under nonstandard conditions.
Speaking for Human Being: Institutional Logics, Dragons, and the Supra-Human
Authors: Friedland Roger , Arjaliès Diane-Laure
Published: April 2024

This essay engages with the mounting published criticism of neo-institutionalism, but from the point of view of the institutional logical approach, one of its descendants. By addressing each of the main critiques: (1) institutional logical theory is tautological; (2) everything is institutional; (3) the absence of politics and power, and (4) its lack of a critical theory - the essay attempts to think how to build a theoretical apparatus able to engage with the current institutional crises of the world.
Does delayed cord clamping result in higher maternal blood loss in primary cesarean sections? A retrospective comparative study
Authors: Urech Fabia L. , Girard Thierry , Brunner Maya , Schoetzau Andreas , Lapaire Olav
Published: April 2024

Objectives

The University Hospital Basel implemented delayed umbilical cord clamping of 30–60 s in all laboring women on April 1, 2020. This practice has been widely researched showing substantial benefit for the neonate. Few studies focused on maternal blood loss. The objective of our retrospective comparative study was to assess the impact of immediate vs. delayed cord clamping on maternal blood loss in primary scheduled cesarean sections.

Methods

We analyzed data of 98 women with singleton gestations undergoing primary scheduled cesarean section at term. Data from procedures with early cord clamping (ECC) were compared to those after implementation of delayed cord clamping (DCC). Primary outcomes were perioperative change in maternal hemoglobin levels, estimated and calculated blood loss. Secondary outcomes included duration of cesarean section and neonatal data.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference in the mean perioperative decline of hemoglobin of 10.4 g/L (SD=7.92) and 18.7 g/L (SD=10.4) between the ECC and DCC group, respectively (p<0.001). The estimated (482 mL in ECC vs. 566 mL in DCC (p=0.011)) and the calculated blood loss (438 mL in ECC vs. 715 mL in DCC (p=0.002)) also differed significantly. Secondary outcomes showed no significant differences.

Conclusions

In our study DCC resulted in a statistically significant higher maternal blood loss. In our opinion the widely researched neonatal benefit of DCC outweighs the risk of higher maternal blood loss in low-risk patients. However, maternal risks must be minimized, improvements to preoperative blood management and operative techniques are required.
Rate-dependent tensile properties of paperboard and its plies
Authors: Poddar Satyasarathi , Andreasson Eskil , Nygårds Mikael
Published: April 2024

Tensile properties of paperboard have been characterized, and it has been shown that paper tensile properties are dependent on the strain rate. Tensile testing was done using strain rates in the range 10−4–3 s−1, which corresponds to crosshead movements ranging from 1 up to 24,000 mm/min, using an electro-mechanical testing machine. Two paperboards, and its free-laid top, middle and bottom plies were characterized in MD and CD. The testing was limited by the maximum crosshead speed of the testing machine. Initially 50 mm (grip to grip) long samples were tested, but to test even higher strain rates also short samples with length of 5 mm were tested. The results showed that ultimate strength increased by 9 % per decade increasing of testing rate, and Young’s modulus increased by 7 %. This shows that the previously reported rule of thumb of 10 % increase of in-plane strength per decade increase of strain rate holds. The testing here shows that this is valid also at strain rates as high as 3 s−1. Moreover, the strain at break in CD for long tensile specimens was observed to decrease when the strain rate exceeded 0.1 s−1, which resulted in straighter crack paths.
Green chemistry: current status and challenges in Zimbabwe
Authors: Guyo Upenyu , Chigondo Fidelis , Nyoni Stephen , Muchanyereyi Netai , Zinyama Ngceboyakwethu P. , Kusena Winmore , Nyoni Dubekile
Published: April 2024

Green chemistry involves designing environmentally benign processes that either reduce or eliminate the use and production of hazardous substances in the production of safe chemical products. It aims at minimising waste; eliminating costly treatments; minimising energy and resource consumption, and yielding safer products. On this background, it becomes imperative to promote and establish Green chemistry worldwide, especially in developing countries by incorporating it into school curricula, thus placing it at its core for sustainable development purposes. While Zimbabwe, a sub-Saharan country, has made positive strides in key research areas such as the design of new chemicals, catalysis, solvents, renewable materials, and feedstocks, it still faces some challenges that inhibit the successful inception of the concept of green chemistry. An overview that includes educational curriculum, grants and awards, research, infrastructure, and facilities established to promote green chemistry research and education; challenges currently being faced in implementing the approaches and principles in selected universities; the role played by government bodies, and the public in influencing the criteria to promote the green chemistry concept is given.
Sandwiched filtrations
Authors: Bouaka Aicha
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we prove that a filtration sandwiched (in the sense of immersion) between two Brownian filtrations, is a weak Brownian filtration.
Structural, band profiles and optical reflectivity studies of ALi2B (A = Cu, Ag; B = Ge, Sn, Pb) compounds
Authors: Ayaz Maryam , Khan Hilal , Alsalmah Hessa A. , Yunas Muhammad , Murtaza Ghulam
Published: April 2024

The subject of given project is to highlight the basic elastic, electronic and optical reflectivity of ALi2B (A = Cu, Ag; B = Ge, Sn, Pb). For the calculation of these properties, we used the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) procedures carry through Wien2k package. Specifically, the Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof’s generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA) and Wu and Cohen generalized gradient approximation (WC-GGA) have been used. The obtained results fit well with existing experimental data. Different elastic parameters, such as constant of elasticity, elastic moduli, Poisson’s ratio, anisotropy factor and Cauchy pressure, are calculated for the first time for the compounds. The elastic properties clearly summarized the compound’s elastically stability and brittleness in both zinc blend phase. The band structure results for ALi2B shows that the compounds are metallic having overlapping bands across the electron chemical potential. The valance band highest energy state is composed from combination of Cu-d and Sn-p state, disclosed through these compound’s total (DOS) plots, whereas the conduction band primarily constitution is from Li-p, Sn-s Cu-s and Sn-p states. The intraband transitions play vital rule in the description of the optical reflectivity of the ALi2B compounds.
Effects of Different Water-Repellents and Sewing Thread Parameters on Comfort Properties of Fabrics Used for Outdoor Sports Activities
Authors: Erayman Yüksel Yaşar , Korkmaz Yasemin
Published: April 2024

In today’s market, consumers prioritize sportswear that offers both high comfort and functionality. This study aims to assess the impact of various water-repellents applied to fabrics, sewing thread types, and their water-repellent finishes on the comfort properties of outdoor sportswear. Fluorocarbons containing six and eight carbons were applied to fabrics, followed by sewing these fabrics using polyester-cotton corespun and polyamide sewing threads, with or without water-repellent finishing. Scanning electron microscopy analysis results confirmed that fluorocarbon water-repellents were successfully transferred to the fabric. Comfort properties were evaluated on both sewn and unsewn areas of the fabrics. The results of the study revealed that fluorocarbons with six carbons may be preferable considering overall bending rigidity with the value of 83.731 mg.cm. However, fluorocarbons with eight carbons generally exhibited higher water vapor (5,454.088 g/m2/day) and air permeability (58.100 mm/s on the right side and 58.760 mm/s on the back side). Moreover, the sewing process of fabrics increased the bending rigidity, thermal resistance, and thermal conductivity while decreasing in the thermal absorptivity and water vapor permeability values. The type of sewing thread was statistically significant for the comfort properties (weft, warp, and overall bending rigidity as well as water vapor permeability and right side-air permeability) except for Alambeta values. Additionally, water-repellent finishing of sewing threads showed a statistically significant effect on warp and overall bending rigidity as well as water vapor permeability values.
Micromechanical Modeling of Cement-Treated Base Materials Considering Recycled Crushed Aggregate Morphology from Construction and Demolition Waste Using Three-Dimensional Discrete Element Method
Authors: Ai Xinman , Yi Junyan , Pei Zhongshi , Huang Liyao , Zhou Wenyi , Xu Meng , Fan Lulu , Yang Jianhong , Feng Decheng
Published: April 2024

This study established a three-dimensional discrete element method (3D DEM) of cement-treated base materials (CTBM), considering the morphology of recycled crushed aggregates (RCAs) derived from construction and demolition waste. Coarse RCA morphology was obtained using X-ray computed tomography and integrated into the DEM model. The linear contact model and linear parallel bond model were selected and key microparameters were determined. The developed 3D DEM model was verified through the actual indirect tensile test of CTBM. Micromechanical analysis, encompassing contact force and displacement fields of particles, was subsequently evaluated based on the virtual uniaxial compression test. The findings revealed that particles near the loading plate exhibited relatively higher contact force, gradually decreasing with distance from the loading position. Regarding the displacement field, the particles closer to the edge of the cross-section and the loading plate on the longitudinal section experienced greater displacement, whereas those in the middle of the specimen and farther from the loading plate had smaller displacements. Furthermore, it was observed that increasing the cement content effectively enhanced the internal contact force and the ability of CTBM to resist uniaxial deformation.
Straight-Stream Nozzle Models to Support Aerial Applications
Authors: Fritz Bradley K.
Published: April 2024

Maintaining operational efficiency while mitigating spray drift potential can be challenging, particularly with modern aircraft that are capable of higher airspeeds. One of the easiest and most effective tools for reducing off-target movement is increasing droplet size, which minimizes the fraction of spray volume containing smaller, drift-prone droplets. Proper nozzle selection and use is the first and most significant step toward improving overall spray characteristics. Two straight-stream nozzles typically used in fertilizer banding applications were evaluated for performance when used under aerial application conditions. Both nozzles generally resulted in similar droplet-size characteristics when operated under similar conditions, although the H1/4U nozzle tips resulted in slightly larger droplet-size distributions overall. The resulting droplet-size models were incorporated into a series of computer and smartphone-based user interfaces that allow for simple inputs of application conditions (i.e., airspeed, spray pressure, and orifice size), with the resulting droplet-size characteristics returned to the applicator. With the ever-increasing need for application efficiency through the use of higher airspeeds and the critical need to mitigate off-target damage through increased control over the placement of applied sprays, it is anticipated that these and other straight-stream nozzles will find increased use throughout the industry, making the availability of these models critical to ensuring successful applications.
The Effectiveness of Different Drift-Reduction Mechanisms in Drone-Spray Conditions and How It Compares to Ground Applications
Authors: Naue Jeferson A. , Xu Yi , Policello George A.
Published: April 2024

The adoption of drones as spray systems is rapidly growing around the world because their versatility enables the treatment of crops in any terrain or growth stage, the adoption cost is lower than traditional ground or aerial spray systems, and they are easy to operate. However, the spray volumes are limited to a maximum of about 20 L/Ha, and extended range nozzles are typically used to maximize treatment coverage. At pressures typically used in drone-spray applications, these nozzles form fine droplets, which are prone to drift. Therefore, the use of a drift-reduction adjuvant is advisable. In this work, we report the effect of two types of drift-reduction agents or drift-reduction mechanisms over the formation of driftable fines in drone-spray applications and how it compares to ground application conditions. We evaluated the effect of these products on the spray drift of different pesticides and pesticide combinations, more specifically herbicides and soluble liquid formulations, testing the effect of the increased pesticide concentration in the spray solution. Overall, we observed an impact from the pesticide concentration, pesticide combination, and the type of adjuvant or drift retardant used. The polymer-based drift retardant was more effective at reducing drift in drone applications for the tested systems, and we explored the limited effect observed with the emulsion-based drift retardant from a mechanistic standpoint, demonstrating how the preservation of a nonhomogeneous phase is critical for the effect of these systems.
Research Protocol for Approval of Drift-Reducing Adjuvants for Dicamba in Brazil
Authors: Antuniassi Ulisses R. , Mota Alisson A. B. , Chechetto Rodolfo G. , Carvalho Fernando K. , Santos Marcio L. M. , Ovejero Ramiro F. L. , Barbosa Henrique N. , Palhano Matheus G.
Published: April 2024

The increased use of soybean cultivars genetically modified to be tolerant to dicamba is encouraging the development of new adjuvants for drift reduction. In this context, the objective of this work was to develop a test protocol for the approval of tank-mix drift-reduction adjuvants for dicamba in Brazil. A candidate adjuvant undergoes a set of droplet-spectrum tests in a paired manner with a standard adjuvant (Xtend Protect at 1.0% v/v). The protocol is based on comparing the new adjuvant with the standard, spraying them in a tank mixture with dicamba and glyphosate using a Teejet TTI 11003 spray nozzle at 5 bar. This solution contains XtendCam (480 g/L dicamba diglycolamine salt at 1.0 L/ha mixed with Roundup Transorb R [588 g/L glyphosate potassium salt at 2.0 L/ha]) at 100 L/ha. Because some of these adjuvants contain components sensitive to the pumping process, reducing its effectiveness, a sprayer equipped with a piston pump was used to simulate the pumping recirculation process, providing 5 bar to a nozzle inside a spray chamber, in which the droplet spectra generated over time was evaluated by a Sympatec Helos laser-diffraction particle analyzer. Four recirculation levels were considered: not pumped and 4, 10, and 16 cycles (one cycle means that the solution passed through the pump once). The volume median diameter (VMD) and the percentage by volume composed of droplets smaller than 150 μm (V150) data were used as parameters to compare the adjuvants through a statistical analysis. To be approved, an adjuvant must offer an VMD equal to or greater and V150 equal to or less than that generated by the standard adjuvant. Ten candidate adjuvants were evaluated, and only one was approved. The most frequent reason for failure was the generation of V150 higher than that generated by the Bayer adjuvant (Xtend Protect).
Adjuvants Enhancing the Residual Activity of Soil-Applied Herbicides
Authors: Gonçalves Heloisa , Mendonça Bruna , Pereira de Almeida Gabriela , Ramos Junior Edson Cardoso , Jurca Grigolli José Fernando , Favaro Cintia , Sobral Dezotti Rafael , Maravilha Mendes Pedro
Published: April 2024

The world population reached 7.7 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach around 10 billion by 2050. One of the major challenges in crop systems is weed competition, which increases resistance against current herbicides and negatively impacts the food supply. Preemergence herbicides play a vital role in reducing weed seed banks in the soil. Their effectiveness is enhanced when used in conjunction with post-emergence herbicides. This combined approach controls weed growth over an extended period, ensuring crop yields. It has a notable effect on soybean and corn crops, especially in the Americas. Although the active principle represents the central aspect in crop protection, it is known that the formulation technology, application technology, and association of tank-mix adjuvants can be fundamental tools to guarantee the achievement of the targeted and prolonged effectiveness of improving the control of weeds. Therefore, the aim of this research is to assess the performance of (S)-metolachlor when used with tank-mix adjuvants possessing various physical and chemical properties. Additionally, it aims to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of surfactants, with the goal of identifying a property that can predict the characteristic that enhances the herbicide residue in the soil. The findings of this study indicate that certain classes of adjuvants significantly enhance the residue of (S)-metolachlor in the soil, thereby extending the control of sourgrass and goosegrass to up to double the duration compared to when the product is applied alone. These adjuvants can be utilized in both tank-mix adjuvants and formulations such as oil-based or aqueous suspensions and emulsions.
Updated Review on Recent Advances in Silver Nanoclusters in Bioanalytical and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Kshatriya Vaibhavi Vijay , Kumbhare Manoj Ramesh , Jadhav Shraddha Vikas , Thorat Prajakta Jaywant , Bhambarge Rushikesh Gajanan
Published: April 2024

Silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) have emerged as highly adaptable nanomaterials with vast potential in theranostic applications, by integrating therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities within a single platform. This review summarizes current developments in the synthesis, characterization, and use of AgNCs for theranostics. AgNC synthesis has substantially advanced, and a variety of techniques such as chemical reduction, green synthesis, and templated methods are being used to manage stability, size, and form. AgNCs’ optical characteristics, including high fluorescence and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals, make them ideal for bioimaging and diagnostic applications. Furthermore, AgNCs’ surface chemistry enables simple functionalization with therapeutic drugs and targeting ligands, thus improving effectiveness and selectivity. AgNCs have been used in several diagnostic imaging modalities, including photoacoustic imaging, fluorescence imaging, and SERS-based sensing. They are suitable for both in vitro and in vivo imaging applications because of their exceptional photostability and biocompatibility, which enables real-time tracking of disease progression and therapy response.