bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjusted versus Targeted Fortification in Extremely Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants: Fortin Study. A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Authors: Sanchez-Holgado Maria , Saenz de Pipaon Miguel , Jiménez-González Concepción , Crespo Sánchez María Gema , Molero-Luis Marta , Montes Maria Teresa , Segovia Cristina , Losantos-García Itsaso , Jiménez-González María , Escribano-Palomino Esperanza , Cabrera-Lafuente Marta
Published: July 2024

Fortified human milk is the first choice for preterm infants. Although individualized fortification is recommended, the optimal method for this population remains uncertain. We conducted a comparative study assessing the growth effects of adjusted (AF) and targeted fortification (TF) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. This single-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary neonatal unit in Spain. Eligible participants were premature infants with a birthweight <1000g exclusively fed with human milk. A total of 38 patients were enrolled, 15 of them randomised to AF group and 23 to TF group. AF was based on BUN concentration and TF on human milk analysis. The primary outcome was weight gain velocity (g/kg/day).No significant differences were found in weight gain velocity at 28 days, at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, at discharge nor during intervention. Protein intake was significantly higher in AF group (5.02 g/kg/day vs 4.48 g/kg/day, p= 0.001). No differences were found in lipids, carbohydrates and energy intake; neither in weight z score change between the different time points; nor in length and head circumference growth. Both AF and TF are comparable methods of fortification and provide appropriate growth rate in ELBW infants.
Does the Weather Still Affect Me When I Shop at Home? The Impact of Weather on Online Shopping Behavior
Authors: Liu Hongde , Wang Jun , Zhang Ruilin , Liu Ou
Published: July 2024

Previous studies have acknowledged the impact of weather changes on retail uncertainty. They primarily focus on understanding how weather conditions affect offline consumer behavior and aiming to develop effective marketing strategies. However, there is little research on the complex impact of weather on online shopping behavior. To bridge this gap, we conduct a study with a sample of 261 consumers from China with shopping experience in Community Retail Shops (CRSs). We utilize the S-O-R model and theories including meteorological emotional effect theory, emotional coherence and meteorological psychology to propose and validate models elucidating the relationship between weather and consumers' online shopping behavior in CRS. Our findings reveal that weather conditions affect consumers' spending patterns and purchase diversity, mediating by consumers' emotion and risk aversion, when they comfortably shop online at home. Furthermore, employing the fsQCA model, we identify the critical path through which weather conditions and consumer types influence risk aversion awareness. The results provide management implications for retailers to develop online marketing strategies for different consumer types.
Terahertz Dielectric Metasurface for Reconfigurable Multifunctional Holographic Imaging with Dual-Mode Controlled by Graphene
Authors: Huang Hui-Fen , Wang Jian-Yuan
Published: July 2024

Metasurface constitutes one of the most promising technologies for holographic imaging; however, the work for terahertz (THz) metasurface holographic imaging is relatively limited. Here, we propose a THz dielectric geometric-propagation phase metasurface, which can operate dual-mode (reflection and transmission) and reconfigurable multifunctional holographic imaging. The dual-mode is realized by controlling the Fermi energy level (Ef) of the graphene integrated into the metasurface unit, and the reconfigurable three-channel holographic imaging in reflection or transmission mode are achieved by switching the feed polarization among left-handed circular polarization (LCP), right-handed circular polarization (RCP) and linear polarization (LP). The metasurface is designed based on the transmission mode, and a physical model for switching to the reflection mode is established. For the first time to the best of our knowledge, a reflection-transmission dynamic modulation THz holographic imaging metasurface has been developed. The holographic metasurface operates in transmission mode at Ef = 0.1 eV, and in reflection mode at Ef = 0.9 eV. Compared with recently published holographic imaging metasurfaces, the proposed metasurface offers the following advantages: high holographic efficiencies (42.5% to 49%), more holographic imaging channels, dynamic modulation dual-mode operations, and reconfigurability.
Evaluation and Optimization of a Decentralized Incineration Facility for Animal By-Products: Performance, Cost Analysis, and Resource Recovery
Authors: Charitidis Panagiotis , Eftaxias Alexandros , Voudrias Evangelos , Diamantis Vasileios
Published: July 2024

In this study, a decentralized incineration facility was evaluated over a three-year period, focusing on performance aspects such as burning rate, ash production, fuel and electricity consumption, and ash composition while processing animal by-products (ABP). The total cost for ABP incineration was determined to be 159 € per ton of ABP, with the major components being capital depreciation (42%), maintenance expenditures (26%), labor (18%), and transportation costs (9%). Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) consumption ranged from 3-7 kg per ton of ABP, while electricity use was between 15-20 kWh per ton of ABP incinerated. The incineration process generated 7-10% (by weight) ABP ash, which was characterized by high calcium and phosphorus content and low levels of hazardous trace elements. Leaching tests demonstrated the potential for recovering the alkaline supernatant for flue gas treatment and the phosphorus-rich slurry for fertilizer production. The findings suggest that energy recovery and valorization are crucial for minimizing operational costs and environmental impact, emphasizing the benefits of integrating advanced resource recovery techniques in ABP incineration facilities.
Evaluation of a Ten Immunodot Antigens Test in Autoimmune Hepatitis and Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Lessons Learned for a Tertiary Care Academic Hospital
Authors: Zorzi Giulia , Pokem Perrin Ngougni , Dahlqvist Geraldine , Délire Bénédicte , Lanthier Nicolas , Starkel Peter , Horsmans Yves , Aupaix Cedric , Jnaoui Samia , Gruson Damien
Published: July 2024

Autoimmune diseases of the liver and biliary tract require timely and accurate diagnosis. This study evaluates the D-tek panel (D-Tek, Mons, Belgium) of 10 immunodot antigens for its effectiveness in diagnosing autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). We retrospectively analysed serum samples from 111 patients who had undergone routine testing, including indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), to confirm or exclude autoimmune liver or biliary tract disease. The panel tested for M2/nPDC, M2/OGDC-E2, M2/BCOADC-E2, M2/PDC-E2, gp210, sp100, LKM1, LC1, SLA, and F-actin antigens. Results showed that all positive IIF+ELISA results were confirmed by the immunodot panel, except for two samples from patients never diagnosed with AIH. The immunodot test identified over 20 additional autoantibodies in samples initially negative by IIF, corroborated by laboratory imaging and medical history. The immunodot technique proved to be a quick, sensitive, and specific method with high overall accuracy. This study suggests that the immunodot technique may be an effective screening and confirmatory method for autoimmune liver diseases, potentially improving diagnostic efficiency and accuracy in clinical practice.
The p-Frobenius Number for the Triple of the Generalized Star Numbers
Authors: Yin Ruze , Mu Jiaxin , Komatsu Takao
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we give closed-form expressions of the $p$-Frobenius number for the triple of the generalized star numbers $a n(n-1)+1$ for an integer $a\ge 4$. When $a=6$, it is reduced to the famous star number. For the set of given positive integers $\{a_1,a_2,\dots,a_k\}$, the $p$-Frobenius number is the largest integer $N$ whose number of nonnegative integer representations $N=a_1 x_1+a_2 x_2+\dots+a_k x_k$ is at most $p$. When $p=0$, the $0$-Frobenius number is the classical Frobenius number, which is the central topic of the famous linear Diophantine problem of Frobenius.
Phytoremediation of Mercury Contamination: Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Mosquera Lina M. , Cuervo Diego Paredes , López Ana M. , Arias Carlos A. , Carvalho Pedro N.
Published: July 2024

Mercury is classified as one of the world’s most toxic and dangerous pollutants. It tends to bio-accumulate and biomagnify within the trophic chain and is persistent. Various approaches are available to remediate Hg-affected sites, including phytoremediation, which includes the use of plants to clean up contaminated environments. Phytoremediation of mercury contamination is at-tracting increasing attention because of its advantages: it is environmentally friendly, inexpensive, simple, and can improve soil fertility. In this report, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix software were used to analyze 457 and 697 documents published from 2000 to 2023, retrieved from the data-bases WoS and Scopus, respectively. China, India, the United States, and Spain are the top four most productive countries. The largest topic area was environmental sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences was the organization that contributed the most to the overall number of pub-lications. The keywords with the highest frequency, excluding phytoremediation and mercury in WoS, were heavy metals, accumulation, cadmium, soils, and phytoextraction. In Scopus, the most frequent keywords were bioremediation, heavy metals, soil pollution, bioaccumulation, biodeg-radation, and environmental. From the above analysis, we concluded that future research should focus on 1) finding native plants, 2) increasing remediation ability through assisted phytoremedi-ation, 3) studies of molecular mechanisms in plants with phytoremediation potential, and 4) ge-netic engineering applications. This study provides insight into trending themes and serves as a reference for future research.
A Survey of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Jendoubi Chaima , Asad Arghavan
Published: July 2024

The different systems in the nuclear power plants (NPP) are critical and complex which requires
a continuous rigorous monitoring for both normal and abnormal conditions. However, due to the
nonlinearity of the dynamic behavior of these systems, implementation of artificial intelligence
within the NPP components is crucial to enhance the monitoring and the predictability of the key
operating parameters trend. On the other hand, lessons learned from large nuclear accident
proves that a remote real-time coordination between the different stakeholders involved in the
safety of the nuclear reactor is needed. This remote feature can be implemented in the existing
power plants by embedding a mobile computing networks within the plant components. This
network will send early warning and transmit the NPP data on real-time to different authorities
such as the regulatory authority and the decision-making committees, to enhance the
interpretability of the nuclear event and deliver a collaborative decision which in return mitigate
the risk associated with these events and increase the overall safety of the plant. The integration
of AI and mobile computing in NPP would be most of interest in countries where nuclear
reactors data are challenged to reach during an accident. For instance, during the meltdown of
Chernobyl, the Soviet government covered the accident from the news in an attempt to contain
the consequences but there was a spread of radioactive contamination to some other Europe
countries. Therefore, in the case of such scenario the implementation of mobile computing and
AI would result in different outcomes as the European countries would be notified through the
mobile networking and the spread of contamination would be forecasted by the AI algorithms.
In this paper, we examine the different modern AI and mobile computing technologies, the
different potential application, the associated features and challenges, and future work direction.
The Relationship between COVID-19 and Retinal Vascular Occlusive Diseases: A Systemic Review
Authors: Muto Tetsuya , Machida Shigeki , Imaizumi Shinichiro , Kamoi Koju
Published: July 2024

This systematic examines research into patients diagnosed with retinal vascular occlusive diseases (RVODs) secondary to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination. RVODs include central retinal vein occlusion, branch retinal vein occlusion, central retinal artery occlusion, and branch retinal artery occlusion. Previous studies have posited a possible link between RVODs and COVID-19. RVODs are of two types: retinal vein occlusion and retinal artery occlusion. These disorders develop when retinal blood vessels become clogged by thrombi or fat deposition. The retina is an important component of the visual apparatus. Its photoreceptors are stimulated by the light hitting the eye and record its pattern. The retina then relays this visual information to the brain. When retinal blood vessels become clogged, the damage can range from slightly reduced vision to complete blindness. COVID-19 causes endothelial dysfunction and increased levels of von Willebrand factor antigens in the blood. Elevation of von Willebrand factor activates the coagulation process and platelet aggregation. The treatment methods and visual prognosis in COVID-19-related RVODs do not differ from conventional RVODs. However, ophthalmologists need to be aware of the possible relationship and should consider RVODs when they encounter patients with vision loss following COVID-19 infection or vaccination.
Aggregate Exposure Pathways for 6PPD Quinone: A Quantitative Source-to-Target Site Case Study Integrating Exposure and Human
Authors: Sanganyado Edmond
Published: July 2024

Research interest in the occurrence, distribution, fate, and toxicity of N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) quinone, a derivative of the tire amino antioxidant 6PPD in urban environments, has surged. While several studies have found that 6PPD quinone exhibits acute, reproductive, and behavioral toxicity as well as mutagenicity and hepatotoxicity in aquatic and terrestrial animals, its environmental exposure data are fragmented and lack coherence across the source-to-exposure continuum, making it difficult to use for risk assessment and regulatory purposes. The present work developed an aggregate exposure pathway (AEP) framework to integrate the exposure data. An AEP network was developed for the atmospheric deposition of 6PPD quinone from tire wear in the Pearl River Delta, which led to human exposure. The 6PPD quinone research was organized, visualized, and evaluated with pertinent knowledge gaps identified using the weight of evidence assessment. Eight key exposure states were identified, with only two having high confidence levels and three having low confidence levels. Empirical support for the key transitional relationships decreased from High to Low from the source to the target site, indicating an urgent need for downstream mechanistic data. The proposed AEP framework integrated diverse 6PPD quinone research, facilitating a mechanistic understanding of the source-to-outcome continuum, as well as the development of quantitative predictive models for future research and environmental regulation.
The Cultural Impact of Recent Urban-Rural Migration on Depopulated Rural Areas in Southern Transylvania
Authors: Dragan Alexandru , Ispas Raluca Tatiana , Crețan Remus
Published: July 2024

There has recently been discussion regarding how heritage rural areas are culturally affected by recent urban – rural migration. However, little research has been done into the form this process takes in post-communist contexts. Taking a geography approach to some Romanian heritage sites, this study foregrounds narratives based on interviews with local people in two villages in southern Transylvania that were formerly inhabited by different ethnicities. The results point to quite different perceptions of cultural landscape change in the two villages. Although both communities consciously seek to preserve and maintain a sense of place that is rooted in history, those who migrate from urban areas to these rural heritage places represent a catalyst for community resilience and development in areas such as acquisition of buildings, development of facilities, modern social services, and seeking new funding for landscape transformation. As NGOs function as a link between government, local people, newcomers to the community, and investors, we contend that more attention could be paid to channelling their funds towards investment in rural heritage. The greatest challenges to heritage are those posed by tourism, while NGOs and small investors are the driving force that helps to preserve and save cultural heritage.
Feathered Predators: The Role of Plumage in the Hunting Tactics of Velociraptor
Authors: Hu Tyler
Published: July 2024

This literature review investigates the role of plumage in the hunting tactics of Velociraptor, integrating anatomical analysis and biomechanical modeling. Velociraptor, a swift and agile theropod from the Late Cretaceous, exhibited advanced intelligence and sensory capabilities that contributed to its effective predatory strategies. Recent discoveries have confirmed that Velociraptor was covered in feathers, with quill knobs indicating well-developed plumage. This review explores the potential functions of feathers beyond flight, focusing on their impact on hunting behavior. Evidence suggests that Velociraptor’s plumage likely facilitated camouflage and enhanced aerodynamic control, improving its stealth and maneuverability during high-speed chases. Additionally, feathers might have contributed to stability during incline running, further supporting its adaptability in diverse environments. Velociraptor’s hunting strategies, characterized by agility and precision, were complemented by its feathered anatomy, which may have also played a role in pack hunting and social interactions. Overall, the integration of plumage with Velociraptor’s anatomical features and behavioral adaptations underscores its efficiency as a predator, demonstrating how feathers may have been a critical factor in its successful hunting tactics.
Extraction Methods for Carotenoids, Xanthophylls and Chlorophylls
Authors: Stoica Alice Georgiana , Badea Georgiana , Eremia Sandra A.V. , Albu Camelia , Litescu-Filipescu Simona Carmen , Radu Gabriel-Lucian
Published: July 2024

The extraction methods for carotenoids, xanthophylls and chlorophylls are essential processes involved in the recovery of bioactive compounds from a wide variety of natural sources, including plants, marine organisms, microorganisms and animals. These bioactive compounds, characterized by their significant functional and structurally active properties, play a crucial role in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and food. Due to their presence in small quantities and conjugated form in nature, the extraction of these compounds can be laborious and often requires meticulous purification steps. Interestingly, the primary and secondary metabolites present in plants contribute significantly to the production of these bioactive compounds, adding to their complexity and importance. Notably, carotenoids, as natural pigments with antioxidant and nutritional properties, are known for offering numerous health benefits and are instrumental in various biological processes, including the photoprotection of plants and the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases. It is fascinating to observe that by-products generated from agricultural activities and food processing serve as abundant sources of these bioactive compounds, aligning with the principles of the circular economy and sustainable resource management. Given the diverse health benefits and multifaceted applications of these natural pigments, there is a growing interest in not only extracting but also utilizing them for industrial, nutritional and pharmacological purposes.
Liquid Overlay-Induced Donor Plant Vigor and Initial Ammonium-Free Regrowth Medium Are Critical to the Cryopreservation of Scrophularia kakudensis
Authors: Lee Hyoeun , Park Hana , Park Sang-Un , Kim Haenghoon
Published: July 2024

Cryopreservation, storing biological material in liquid nitrogen (LN, −196 °C), offers a valuable option for the long-term conservation of non-orthodox seeds and vegetatively propagated species in the sector of agrobiodiversity and wild flora. Although large-scale cryobanking of germplasm collections has been increasing worldwide, the wide application of cryopreservation protocol in wild flora is hampered by difficulties in vitro propagation and a lack of universal cryopreservation protocols, among others. This study established a systematic approach to developing an in vitro culture and droplet-vitrification cryopreservation procedure for shoot tips of Scrophularia kakudensis. The standard procedure includes two-step preculture with 10% sucrose for 31 h and with 17.5% sucrose for 16 h, osmoprotection with loading solution C4-35% (17.5% glycerol + 17.5% sucrose, w/v) for 30 min, cryoprotection with A3-80% (33.3% glycerol + 13.3% dimethyl sulfoxide + 13.3% ethylene glycol + 20.1% sucrose, w/v) at 0 °C for 60 min, and cooling and rewarming using aluminum foil strips. After unloading, a three-step regrowth procedure starting with an ammonium-free medium with growth regulators was essential for developing normal plantlets from cryopreserved shoot tips. Liquid overlay on the gelled medium two weeks after inoculation resulted in vigorous growth during subcultures. Moreover, liquid overlay increased LN regeneration by up to 80%, i.e., 23% higher than no liquid overlay.
Design and Characterization of a Wearable Inertial Measurement Unit
Authors: Tirado Diego Valdés , Carro Diego García , Alvarez Juan Carlos , López Antonio M. , Alvarez Diego
Published: July 2024

The utilization of inertial measurement units (IMUs) as wearable sensors is proliferating 1 across various domains such as healthcare, sports, and rehabilitation. This expansion is driven by 2 the continuous improvement of sensor technology to accommodate specific operational demands. 3 This paper introduces the development of a configurable wearable device capable of capturing both 4 high-frequency and low-frequency signals, tailored for a wide range of monitoring applications.Our 5 focus is on a comprehensive evaluation of the device in terms of deviation, noise levels, and precision. 6 We present initial findings that demonstrate the device’s robust performance, and put on the spotlight 7 the most critical optimizations needed to improve the device to reach the goal of a smart general-use 8 unit for human motion monitoring.
Effect of Biochar Amendment and Organic Fertilization on the Yield and Nutritional Quality of Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L.) Plants.
Authors: García-Gómez Pablo , Moreno Diego A , Conesa Encarna , Martínez-Ballesta MCarmen
Published: July 2024

Organic fertilization is gaining importance as an alternative to chemical fertilization. However, the effects of organic products on crop quality need to be characterized, especially in those new products. Therefore, the effect of an enriched-biochar supplied with an organic fertilizer (Biochar) on yield and nutritional compounds of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var scolymus) heads was analyzed and compared to inorganic conventional fertilization (Control). For that, number of fruits and their weights were determined together with nutritional properties of artichoke heads, as mineral content, fatty acids, content phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Results showed that biochar increased crop yield as registered by the higher number of marketable or commercial artichokes, as compared to the Control. Besides, biochar-treated plants presented significantly higher contents of Ca, Mg, and S, in the artichoke heads, but a decreased content of Co, Cu, and Zn. The fatty acids content in the Biochar-treated artichokes was also significantly higher, mainly because of the palmitic acid. On the contrary, the contents of phenolic compounds (e.g. flavonoids), were negatively and significantly affected by the Biochar application. In conclusion, the application of Biochar as soil amendment in combination with organic matter, for growing artichokes in the Semiarid Mediterranean area (e.g. Murcia Region) favoured an increasement in yield without comprising its nutritional composition. Further developments to establish protocols for extended use of Biochar in this agri-food production area are guaranteed.
Enhancing Fake News Detection with Word Embedding: A Machine Learning and Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Al-Tarawneh Mutaz A. B. , Al-irr Omar , Al-Maaitah Khaled S , Kanj Hassan , Aly Wael Hosny Fouad
Published: July 2024

The proliferation of fake news on social media platforms poses significant challenges to information authenticity and public trust. In this study, the impact of various word embedding techniques on the performance of both machine learning and deep learning models for fake news detection is systematically evaluated. The comprehensive TruthSeeker dataset, which spans over a decade of labeled news articles and social media posts, is utilized. Three popular word embedding techniques are analyzed: TF-IDF, Word2Vec, and FastText. These embeddings were tested with multiple machine learning classifiers, including logistic regression, naive Bayes, K-nearest neighbors, support vector machines, multilayer perceptrons, decision trees, and random forests, as well as deep learning models, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Among machine learning models, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) with TF-IDF achieved the highest accuracy of 99.03%, precision of 98.92%, recall of 99.15%, and F1 score of 99.03%. The Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) also demonstrated strong performance with Word2Vec, reaching an accuracy of 95.24%, precision of 94.95%, recall of 95.50%, and F1 score of 95.07%. For deep learning models, CNNs combined with TF-IDF embeddings showed outstanding results, achieving an accuracy of 98.99%, precision of 98.56%, recall of 99.48%, and F1 score of 99.02%. These results highlight the critical role of word embeddings in enhancing model accuracy and reliability in misinformation detection.
GeoQuickView: Simplifying LiDAR-Derived Raster Visualization for Everyone
Authors: Hegyi Alexandru
Published: July 2024

GeoQuickView is a software application designed to bridge the gap between advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and users with no prior experience in GIS. This paper explores the development, functionality, and user-centric design of GeoQuickView, highlighting its capabilities in loading, visualizing, and analyzing geographic data. Emphasis is placed on its use with LiDAR-derived Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), user-friendly interface, and robust tools for measurement and digitization. The application’s role in democratizing access to complex geospatial data is discussed, alongside potential applications and future developments. The software was designed to work seamlessly with data from Romania and can display various types of raster elevation data. While the Coordinate Reference System (CRS) may present challenges for data extraction outside of Romania, the data can still be visualized effectively within the app. The application is available upon request. If you enjoy using GeoQuickView and wish to unlock its full range of features, please consider supporting the developer by buying a few cups of coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/alexhegyi.
Urban Land: Toward a Consilient Model
Authors: Mehaffy Michael West
Published: July 2024

It is widely recognized that rapid urbanization and urban change are defining traits of the contemporary era, bringing both daunting challenges and hopeful opportunities. It is therefore critical that we have a clear and actionable model of the nature of urban space and the dynamics of its functions and dysfunctions to guide policy and practice. Yet the field today includes a range of definitions that are often inconsistent and often conflating very different properties of urban land, often expressed in some version of the conflated characterization, “over half of humanity now lives in cities.” In the last several decades, more articulated theoretical models have been advanced, with notable differences and discrepancies as well as partial commonalities. Here we assess the various models, and we formulate a consolidated and “consilient” theoretical model that may help guide policy and practice through an era of increasingly daunting urban challenges. In particular, the model focuses upon the cellular network structure of public and private spaces, and the dynamics of their evolution under human control – a theoretical model we refer to as Place Network Theory.
Functional Outcomes of Single-Stage Facial Reanimation Surgery With Radical Parotidectomy
Authors: Ji Jeong-Yeon , Kim Seong Dong , Park Moo Kyun , Suh Myung-Whan , Ahn Soon-Hyun , Chung Eun-Jae
Published: July 2024

Objectives. Facial nerve sacrifice during radical parotidectomy can impair quality of life. This study assessed the effectiveness of single-stage facial reanimation surgery performed concurrently with radical parotidectomy in restoring facial function.Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent single-stage facial reanimation combined with radical parotidectomy. The techniques employed included selective reinnervation and orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer. Outcomes were evaluated using the modified House-Brackmann and Terzis grading systems, Emotrics facial assessment, and the Facial Disability Index (FDI).Results. Among the 13 patients studied (median age, 54 years; 69% male), 10 underwent selective reinnervation. Of these, nine patients demonstrated improvement, achieving House-Brackmann grade III and Terzis grade 4 or 5. The other three patients underwent tendon transfer and achieved moderate functional outcomes. Emotrics analysis revealed balanced facial symmetry in the selective reinnervation group. Furthermore, FDI scores indicated satisfactory physical and social/well-being functions.Conclusion. Single-stage facial reanimation effectively restores facial function in patients undergoing radical parotidectomy. This approach offers meaningful benefits in the early recovery of facial function.
The Search for an Ideal Definitive Treatment of Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Orbit Invasion
Authors: Han Seung Cheol , Seong Jeon , Cho Sung-Woo , Kim Hyun-Jik , Kim Jeong-Whun , Kim Dong-Young , Rhee Chae-Seo , Won Tae-Bin
Published: July 2024

Objectives. Sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) often invades the orbit. The treatment approach for sinonasal cancer that has spread to the orbit varies across medical centers and depends on the extent of the invasion. The decision to preserve the orbit in the treatment strategy is made on a case-by-case basis and results in varying outcomes. Currently, a multimodal treatment regimen, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), is commonly adopted for managing sinonasal cancers. This study aims to assess the prognosis of sinonasal SqCC with orbital invasion from various perspectives.Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of patients with primary sinonasal SqCC invading the orbit who were treated at Seoul National University Hospital and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2009 and 2018. The extent of the tumor, orbital invasion, treatment strategies, recurrence rates, and survival rates were analyzed.Results. Overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) rates showed no significant differences based on the grade of orbital invasion. When tumor resection with orbit preservation was employed as the definitive treatment, DFS was significantly extended compared to cases where surgery was not the definitive treatment (RT or CCRT). Additionally, there was no significant difference in DFS between patients who underwent orbit exenteration and those who underwent tumor resection with orbit preservation as the definitive treatment.Conclusion. Tumor resection with orbit preservation as the definitive treatment appears to be the preferred approach, prolonging DFS and increasing the likelihood of longer-term survival in cases of SqCC with orbital invasion.
O uso da informática na aprendizagem da matemática
Authors: Fernandes da Silva junior Laudeci
Published: July 2024

ara desenvolver essa temática sobre o uso da informática no ensino da matemática vem primeiramente nos mostrar a evolução da informática desde primórdios quando o Matemático Willian criou em 1622 uma régua de números, após esse período a informática passa por um grande avanço tecnológico, então em 1642 Blaise criou a primeira calculadora que realizava contas de adição e subtração e auxiliava na cobrança de taxas e impostos. No entanto devido ao grande avanço tecnológico que vivenciamos atualmente devemos utilizar essas tecnologias ao favor da aprendizagem da matemática, por muitas das vezes essas tecnologias não estão sendo utilizadas da forma correta e devido os avanços tecnológicos os discentes utilizam os avanços tecnológicos para atrapalhar as aulas. Pensando nesse contexto o objetivo geral deste trabalho é promover a aprendizagem dos discentes através do uso da informática no ambiente escolar e os específicos é proporcionar a construção da aprendizagem através de softwares e tornar as aulas de matemática dinâmicas, porém para inserir as tecnologias no ambiente escolar são enfrentados vários desafios entre ele a infraestrutura, a falta de formação dos docentes para utilização dos softwares é o grande desafio, pois para que o uso tecnológico funcione da forma correta e eficaz o docente deve conhecer como funciona os softwares e saber como utilizá-lo na aprendizagem do discente.
Bird Sound Feature Extraction and Recognition Model Design Based on Neural Network Architecture Search
Authors: jiang ying , zhang liu-lei , yang fan
Published: July 2024

Birds are of great significance to biodiversity. Bird sounds have obvious characteristics per species, and they are an important way forbids to communicate and transmit information. Accurate identification of bird species plays a critical role in biodiversity surveys. The development of deep learning has made it possible to identify bird species through acoustic characteristics. However, most of the deep learning-based research on bird sound recognition relies too much on traditional experience and subjective human-designed feature extraction and model design, regardless of whether they are optimal for the bird sound data. Therefore, this study proposes a deep learning model based on neural architecture search, which uses a simple and equivalent node to design the model structure for feature extraction and recognition and takes the inferring time as part of the loss function to balance classification accuracy and running time, reducing model complexity. During the feature extraction phase, the final model selects 36 as the optimal number of Mel filter banks. On a dataset of 264 bird sounds, the neural network architecture search-based model achieves an average classification accuracy of 92.44% and a maximum classification accuracy of 98.14%. This study provides a meaningful exploration for achieving bird sound recognition without relying on traditional experience and subjective human design.
Deformation mechanism of Large Deep Loess-mudstone Landslide under the Coupling effect of Loess Collapsibility and Earthquakes: A Case Study of the Yangpo Landslide in Min County, Gansu Province, China
Authors: Guo Changbao , Cao Jiawen , Liu Jixin , Yang Zhihua , Wei Changli , Wu Ruian , Cao Shichao
Published: July 2024

Loess-mudstone landslides have become the most developed type of landslides on the Loess Plateau due to their ‘double-layer heterogeneous’ structure. Currently, there is a lack of research on the deformation and failure mechanisms of loess-mudstone landslides considering the coupling effects of loess collapsibility and seismic activity. This manuscript investigates the spatial structure and deformation characteristics of a large loess-mudstone landslide in Yangpo Village, Min County, Gansu Province, and the deformation characteristics and mechanisms were investigated by combining numerical simulation methods based on the Swell elastic-plastic model. The research results show: the volume of the Yangpo landslide is approximately 4.65 × 106 m³. The development of three layers of sliding zone, sliding zone is mainly developed in the loess and accumulation of body and mudstone junction, the maximum burial depth of 36.0 ~ 37.0 m. During the water saturation process, the loess structure is damaged due to the surface tension of clay particles (ts) and matric suction (s), resulting in surface cracks and uneven settlement, which can locally evolve into sinkholes. Numerical simulation indicates that under the action of loess collapsibility, the loess-mudstone landslide produces uneven vertical deformation, with the maximum vertical displacement increasing to 0.71 m. Some areas of the loess layer develop plastic damage zones. Under the coupling effect of loess collapsibility and seismic activity, the uneven settlement deformation of the loess continues to increase, with the maximum vertical displacement reaching 3.71 m. loess collapsibility is identified as a key factor in the deformation and failure of loess-mudstone landslides, with seismic activity exacerbating the deformation and failure. The research findings have significant theoretical implications for understanding the deformation characteristics and stability evaluation of large loess-mudstone landslides under the coupling effects of loess collapsibility and seismic activity. The results could provide geological support for disaster prevention and mitigation of loess-mudstone landslides.
Extraction and Identification of Transient Deformation after the Ludian Earthquake
Authors: Song Shangwu , Li Yuhang , Hao Ming , Wang Qingliang
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates the transient deformation signals associated with the Ludian M6.8 earthquake that occurred on June 22, 2014 in West-South of China, using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to extract the top four Principal Components (PCs) from the First-Order-Gauss-Markov (FOGM) time series. The spatiotemporal characteristics of these PCs were analyzed, revealing a spatiotemporal correlation associated with the Ludian earthquake. Statistical methods were then used to fit the decay characteristics of the spatial response of transient deformation, enabling the analysis of the spatial evolution pattern of transient deformation. Additionally, the spatial distribution pattern of transient deformation was analyzed in conjunction with the co-seismic mechanism, further confirming the transient deformation signal. The key findings of the study are as follows: 1. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the PC2 for East-West component and the PC1 for North-South component exhibit a "Stable-Accelerated-Recovery" pattern consistent with the Ludian earthquake, indicating that these two PCs represent transient deformation signals associated with the earthquake. 2. The spatial response values of the transient deformation signals decay with increasing epicentral distance, further verifying the correlation between the extracted PCs and the Ludian earthquake. 3. The spatial distribution pattern of post-seismic transient deformation is consistent with the co-seismic deformation field, indicating that post-seismic transient deformation is a continuation of the stress state change caused by the earthquake and represents the persistent deformation and displacement of the surface after the earthquake. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of PCA in identifying transient deformation signals associated with earthquakes and provide new insights into the study of post-seismic deformation mechanisms. The study also highlights the importance of considering potential limitations of PCA and the presence of non-linear components in GNSS data when interpreting the results.
Determining the Influencing Variables in Sustainable Production Management for Carpet Factories in Iran
Authors: Ravand Zahra Ghorbani , Xu Qi
Published: July 2024

Objective
The purpose of this article is to define, categorize and prioritize the influencing variables in the process of carpet production to implement sustainable production management regarding controlling the influencing variables.
Methodology:
For this research, after reviewing the literature, sustainable production variables were extracted from previous studies. Then, the variables and their classifications were examined through interviews with experts using the Delphi method. Afterward, by using the detailed structural modeling of ISM (Interpretive Structural Modeling), the contextual relationships between the variables were determined. Finally, the influencing variables and their power of influence were evaluated via MICMAC analysis. This model has been implemented as a case study in Kashan carpet factories in Iran.
Findings:
The results of the research and MICMAC analysis showed that the most influential variables in sustainable production for carpet factories are training staff and managers, which have the greatest impact on the sustainability of carpet factories. The influences of other variables are measured and presented in the results tables (Table 8), which can help managers with decision making.
Originally:
The innovative aspect of this article was the classification and prioritization of influential variables related to the sustainability of carpet factories in Iran, which can help managers in the decision-making process related to sustainable production systems.
Assessment of disposal patterns in Murrah and Nili-Ravi buffaloes
Authors: Tamboli Pooja , Bharadwaj A. , Chaurasiya A. K. , Bangar Y. , Khanna S. , Singh K.P.
Published: July 2024

The current study was carried out to look into the disposal patterns of Murrah and Nili-Ravi buffaloes kept at ICAR-CIRB, Hisar and Sub-Campus Nabha, Punjab, respectively. The purpose of the investigation was to estimate the various non-genetic factors affecting culling and mortality patterns in buffaloes to suggest suitable health management practices, selection, and breeding strategies for enhancing genetic gain in buffaloes. From 1983 to 2017, 1180 data of 679 Murrah and 501 Nili-Ravi were used to calculate the frequency of culling and death. The impacts of several parameters on disposal were explored, including breed, period of disposal, season of disposal, and lactation completed. The findings revealed that in Murrah, 90.72% of buffaloes were disposed of due to culling and 9.28% due to mortality. While, in the instance of Nili-Ravi, animal disposal due to culling accounted for 89.62% of the total, with mortality accounting for 10.38%. The main reason for culling was old age and low production, while the majority of buffaloes died from cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory problems. Furthermore, the effect of season was highly significant (p < 0.01) on the pattern of culling in buffaloes. Additionally, majority of the animals culled in the winter season, followed by summer and most of the animals culled were old aged (45 and 22%), low yielder (35 and 27%) and affected with mastitis (30 and 28%), respectively in both the winter and summer seasons. Moreover, the effect of period of disposal was highly significant (p < 0.01) on the both pattern of mortality and culling in buffaloes. Further, maximum (34%) number of animals culled in the period 1994-98 due to old age whereas lowest culling rate (3%) was seen during 2014 to 2018. In this sequence, it may be determined that the reason for disposal differs depending on the breed, period, season and lactation completed.As a result, our efforts should be directed towards improving management practices with the goal of lowering the rate of culling and mortality, which leads to higher lifetime performance and, as a result, the overall efficiency of the dairy farm.
A temperature, pH, and ion sensitive block copolymer with an unusual phase transition: Monomethoxy polyethylene glycol - block-polyethyleneimine
Authors: HAMALOĞLU KADRİYE ÖZLEM , Kosaoğlu Hacim , Tuncel Ali , Çelebi Serdar S.
Published: July 2024

A temperature, pH and ion sensitive, block copolymer, monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (MPEG)–block-polyethyleneimine (PEI) was synthesized by carbodimide activation. MPEG-PEI block copolymer exhibited a thermally reversible phase transition from insoluble to soluble form with increasing temperature at neutral pH. MPEG-PEI chains are insoluble in the temperature range of 4-20oC in an aqueous medium containing 3.5 mM phosphate ion. By increasing temperature, homogeneous and transparent solutions including dissolved copolymer are obtained at temperatures higher than 20oC. The observed thermoresponsive behavior was opposite to that seen with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). Depending on the phosphate ion concentration, the phase transition temperature for passing from insoluble to soluble form could be also precisely controlled between 4-40oC. The reversible phase transition behavior of MPEG-PEI copolymer was confirmed by ten consecutive heating-cooling cycles between 4 - 50oC. MPEG-PEI copolymer also exhibited another responsivity against pH. More appreciable increase in the average hydrodynamic size with the rising temperature was observed at pH 9.0 with respect to those obtained at pH 5 and 7. Temperature, pH and ion sensitive behavior of MPEG-PEI is documented for the first time. The reversible phase transition of MPEG-PEI is a promising tool which may open novel pathways, particularly for enzyme immobilization and drug release studies.
Elucidation of the pluripotent potential of bovine embryonic lineages facilitates the establishment of formative stem cell lines
Authors: Zhi Minglei , Gao Dengfeng , Yao Yixuan , Zhao Zimo , Wang Yingjie , He Pengcheng , Feng Zhiqiang , Zhang Jinying , Huang Ziqi , Gu Wenyuan , Zhao Jianglin , Zhang He , Wang Shunxin , Li Xin , Zhang Qiang , Zhao Zengyuan , Chen Xinze , Zhang Xiaowei , Qin Lun , Liu Jun , Liu Chengjun , Cao Suying , Gao Shuai , Yu Wenli , Han Jianyong , Ma Zhu
Published: July 2024

The establishment of epiblast-derived pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) from cattle, which are important domestic animals that provide humans with milk and meat while also serving as bioreactors for producing valuable proteins, poses a challenge due to the unclear molecular signaling required for embryonic epiblast development and maintenance of PSC self-renewal. Here, we selected six key stages of bovine embryo development (E5, E6, E7, E10, E12, and E14) to track changes in pluripotency and the dependence on signaling pathways via modified single-cell transcription sequencing technology. The remarkable similarity of the gene expression patterns between cattle and pigs during embryonic lineage development contributed to the successful establishment of bovine epiblast stem cells (bEpiSCs) using 3i/LAF (WNTi, GSK3βi, SRCi, LIF, Activin A, and FGF2) culture systems. The generated bEpiSCs exhibited consistent expression patterns of formative epiblast pluripotency genes and maintained clonal morphology, normal karyotypes, and proliferative capacity for more than 112 passages. Moreover, these cells exhibited high-efficiency teratoma formation as well as the ability to differentiate into various cell lineages. The potential of bEpiSCs for myogenic differentiation, primordial germ cell like cells (PGCLCs) induction and as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) was also assessed, indicating their promise in advancing cell-cultured meat production, gene editing, and animal breeding.