bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living Alone: Associations with Diet and Health in the Spanish Young Adult Population
Authors: Sandri Elena , Pérez-Bermejo Marcelino , Cabo Asensi , Cerdá-Olmedo Germán
Published: May 2023

Eating together as a family has important health benefits, as the diet is more balanced and of a higher quality. Eating together is also a factor in the prevention of diet-related diseases. The promotion of family and shared meals is currently a public health strategy. The aim of this research was to study the eating habits of the Spanish young adult population and their impact on health. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out using surveys. A questionnaire was designed and validated to explore a set of variables related to food and health. The dissemination was carried out through social networks by means of an online form, using non-probabilistic snowball sampling to obtain a sample of 17,969 subjects aged between 18 and 45 years. We found statistically significant differences between people living in a family home compared to people living outside a family home in the healthy eating index for the Spanish population, fish consumption, and fried food consumption. This suggests that the nutrition of people living in a family home is healthier, although their BMI is higher. People living together have a statistically higher healthy eating index value than people living alone; consume fast food, fried food, and ultra-processed food less frequently; and eat fish more often. On the other hand, people who live in a family home or are accompanied are more likely to have a sedentary lifestyle and are less physically active. It was concluded that people living alone have a worse healthy eating index than those living with company, which seems to indicate that nutritional interventions should pay attention to people living alone as a variable to be taken into account in future analyses.
Development and Relative Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Intake among Pregnant Women in Santiago, Chile: A Pilot Study
Authors: López-Arana Sandra , Peralta Rebeca , Sambra Verónica , Abrigo Karen , Prado Gabriel , Cáceres Paola , Carvajal Bielka , Gotteland Martin
Published: May 2023

Studies on the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) among pregnant women are scarce and have produced mixed results. One of the major challenges is to accurately assess NNS intake, especially in countries that have implemented policies to prevent obesity and where many foods and beverages have been progressively reformulated to partially or totally replace sugar with NNSs. This study aimed to develop and assess the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for use in pregnant women. We developed an FFQ to examine the intake of seven NNSs (acesulfame-k, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, steviol glycosides, and D-tagatose). This questionnaire was piloted in 29 pregnant women (median age = 31.2 y; 25th–75th percentile: 26.9–34.7) to assess NNS intake over the previous month, compared to 3-day dietary records (3-DR). The validity of this dietary method was assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Lin´s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland–Altman plots. Spearman’s correlations between the FFQ on NNSs and 3-DR ranged from 0.50 for acesulfame K to 0.83 for saccharin. CCC ranged between 0.22 and 0.66. The Bland–Altman plots showed an overestimation of saccharin, sucralose, and steviol glycosides intake by the FFQ on NNSs compared with 3-DR, and an underestimation of acesulfame K and aspartame. Overall, the NNSs most frequently consumed were sucralose, and none of the participants exceeded the acceptable daily intake for any of the NNSs evaluated. The FFQ on NNSs seems to be reasonably valid in the assessment of NNSs among pregnant women.
Nutrition-Based Strategies to Reduce Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage and Soreness
Authors: Barnes Matthew J.
Published: May 2023

Exercise induced-muscle damage (EIMD) occurs after strenuous and/or novel exercise that involves repeated eccentric contractions [...]
Curcumin as a Therapeutic Agent for Sarcopenia
Authors: Saud Gany Siti Liyana , Chin Kok-Yong , Tan Jen Kit , Aminuddin Amilia , Makpol Suzana
Published: May 2023

Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and functions as we age. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia is underlined by oxidative stress and inflammation. As such, it is reasonable to suggest that a natural compound with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities could prevent sarcopenia. Curcumin, a natural compound derived from turmeric with both properties, could benefit muscle health. This review aims to summarise the therapeutic effects of curcumin on cellular, animal, and human studies. The available evidence found in the literature showed that curcumin prevents muscle degeneration by upregulating the expression of genes related to protein synthesis and suppressing genes related to muscle degradation. It also protects muscle health by maintaining satellite cell number and function, protecting the mitochondrial function of muscle cells, and suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress. However, it is noted that most studies are preclinical. Evidence from randomised control trials in humans is lacking. In conclusion, curcumin has the potential to be utilised to manage muscle wasting and injury, pending more evidence from carefully planned human clinical trials.
COVID-19 and Other Pleiotropic Actions of Vitamin D: Proceedings from the Fifth International Conference “Vitamin D—Minimum, Maximum, Optimum” under the Auspices of the European Vitamin D Association (EVIDAS)
Authors: Pludowski Pawel
Published: May 2023

Vitamin D deficiency appeared as a worldwide pandemic markedly earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in global media [...]
2-Substituted-3-(5-Substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol/thiadiazol-2-yl) Thiazolidin-4-one Derivatives: Synthesis, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Potential
Authors: Kumar Davinder , Aggarwal Navidha , Kumar Harsh , Kapoor Garima , Deep Aakash , Bibi Shabana , Sharma Aastha , Chopra Hitesh , Kumar Marwaha Rakesh , Alshammari Abdulrahman , Alharbi Metab , Hayee Abdul
Published: May 2023

In this innovative research, a novel series of thiazolidin-4-one analogues having a 1,3,4-oxadiazole/thiadiazole moiety were derived and the structures of all the newly obtained molecules were established using different physicochemical and analytical means (1H-NMR, FTIR, mass spectra, and elemental analyses). The synthesized molecules were then investigated for their antiproliferative, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potential. The cytotoxicity screening studies revealed that analogues D-1, D-6, D-15, and D-16 possessed comparable efficacy, within the IC50 range (1 to 7 μM), when taking doxorubicin as a reference drug (IC50 = 0.5 μM). The antimicrobial activity was assessed using different Gram-(+) and Gram-(−) bacterial and fungal strains and the results revealed that molecules D-2, D-4, D-6, D-19, and D-20 possessed potent activity against selective strains of microbes with MIC ranges of 3.58 to 8.74 µM. The antioxidant evaluation was performed using the DPPH assay and the screening results revealed that analogue D-16 was the most potent derivative (IC50 = 22.3 µM) when compared with the positive control, ascorbic acid (IC50 = 111.6 µM). Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of the synthesized novel derivatives revealed that para-substituted halogen and hydroxy derivatives have remarkable potential against the MCF-7 cancer cell line and antioxidant potential. Similarly, electron-withdrawing groups (Cl/NO2) and -donating groups at the para position possess moderate to promising antimicrobial potential.
Broadband Mid-Infrared Frequency Comb in Integrated Chalcogenide Microresonator
Authors: Lu Siqi , Lin Guosheng , Xia Di , Wang Zifu , Luo Liyang , Li Zhaohui , Zhang Bin
Published: May 2023

Mid-infrared (MIR) frequency combs based on integrated photonic microresonators (micro combs) have attracted increasing attention in chip-scale spectroscopy due to their high spectral resolution and broadband wavelength coverage. However, up to date, there are no perfect solutions for the effective generation of MIR micro combs because of the lack of proper MIR materials as the core and cladding of the integrated microresonators, thereby hindering accurate and flexible dispersion engineering. Here, we have firstly demonstrated a MIR micro comb generation covering from 6.94 μm to 12.04 μm based on a sandwich-integrated all-ChG microresonator composed of GeAsTeSe and GeSbSe as the core and GeSbS as cladding. The novel sandwich microresonator is proposed to achieve a symmetrically uniform distribution of the mode field in the microresonator core, precise dispersion engineering, and low optical loss, which features a wide transmission window, high Kerr nonlinearity, and hybrid-fabrication flexibility on a silicon wafer. A MIR Kerr frequency comb with a 5.1 μm bandwidth has been numerically demonstrated, assisted by dispersive waves. Additionally, a feasible fabrication scheme is proposed to realize the on-demand ChG microresonators. These demonstrations characterize the advantages of integrated ChG photonic devices in MIR nonlinear photonics and their potential applications in MIR spectroscopy.
Role of NPR1 in Systemic Acquired Stomatal Immunity
Authors: Guan Qijie , David Lisa , Moran Riley , Grela Ivan , Ortega Angelica , Scott Peter , Warnock Lindsey , Chen Sixue
Published: May 2023

Stomatal immunity is the primary gate of the plant pathogen defense system. Non-expressor of Pathogenesis Related 1 (NPR1) is the salicylic acid (SA) receptor, which is critical for stomatal defense. SA induces stomatal closure, but the specific role of NPR1 in guard cells and its contribution to systemic acquired resistance (SAR) remain largely unknown. In this study, we compared the response to pathogen attack in wild-type Arabidopsis and the npr1-1 knockout mutant in terms of stomatal movement and proteomic changes. We found that NPR1 does not regulate stomatal density, but the npr1-1 mutant failed to close stomata when under pathogen attack, resulting in more pathogens entering the leaves. Moreover, the ROS levels in the npr1-1 mutant were higher than in the wild type, and several proteins involved in carbon fixation, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and glutathione metabolism were differentially changed in abundance. Our findings suggest that mobile SAR signals alter stomatal immune response possibly by initiating ROS burst, and the npr1-1 mutant has an alternative priming effect through translational regulation.
Mineral Nutrient Uptake, Accumulation, and Distribution in Cunninghamia lanceolata in Response to Drought Stress
Authors: Li Shubin , Yang Li , Huang Xiaoyan , Zou Zhiguang , Zhang Maxiao , Guo Wenjuan , Addo-Danso Shalom Daniel , Zhou Lili
Published: May 2023

Mineral accumulation in plants under drought stress is essential for drought tolerance. The distribution, survival, and growth of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.), an evergreen conifer, can be affected by climate change, particularly seasonal precipitation and drought. Hence, we designed a drought pot experiment, using 1-year-old Chinese fir plantlets, to evaluate drought effects under simulated mild drought, moderate drought, and severe drought, which corresponds to 60%, 50%, and 40% of soil field maximum moisture capacity, respectively. A treatment of 80% of soil field maximum moisture capacity was used as control. Effects of drought stress on mineral uptake, accumulation, and distribution in Chinese fir organs were determined under different drought stress regimes for 0–45 days. Severe drought stress significantly increased phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) uptake at 15, 30 and 45 days, respectively, within fine (diameter < 2 mm), moderate (diameter 2–5 mm), and large (diameter 5–10 mm) roots. Drought stress decreased magnesium (Mg) and manganese (Mn) uptake by fine roots and increased iron (Fe) uptake in fine and moderate roots but decreased Fe uptake in large roots. Severe drought stress increased P, K, calcium (Ca), Fe, sodium (Na), and aluminum (Al) accumulation in leaves after 45 days and increased Mg and Mn accumulation after 15 days. In stems, severe drought stress increased P, K, Ca, Fe, and Al in the phloem, and P, K, Mg, Na, and Al in the xylem. In branches, P, K, Ca, Fe, and Al concentrations increased in the phloem, and P, Mg, and Mn concentrations increased in the xylem under severe drought stress. Taken together, plants develop strategies to alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress, such as promoting the accumulation of P and K in most organs, regulating minerals concentration in the phloem and xylem, to prevent the occurrence of xylem embolism. The important roles of minerals in response to drought stress should be further evaluated.
Strength Characteristics of a Smooth HDPE Geomembrane/Nonwoven Geotextile Interface Based on a Novel Ring Shear Apparatus
Authors: Liu Zhanlei , Shi Jianyong , Lin Hai , Zhang Yuchen
Published: May 2023

This paper aims to investigate the interfacial strength characteristics, particularly the residual strength, of a high-density polyethylene smooth geomembrane (GMB-S)/nonwoven geotextile (NW GTX) interface using a novel ring shear apparatus under high normal stresses and two specimen conditions. A total of eight normal stresses (from 50 kPa to 2308 kPa) and two specimen conditions (dry and submerged at ambient temperature) are considered in this study. The reliability of using the novel ring shear apparatus to study the strength characteristics of the GMB-S/NW GTX interface was demonstrated by conducting a series of direct shear experiments with a maximum shear displacement of 40 mm and ring shear experiments with a shear displacement of 10 m. The peak strength, post-peak strength development, and residual strength determination method of the GMB-S/NW GTX interface are explained. Three exponential equations suitable for characterizing the relationship between the post-peak friction angle and the residual friction angle of the GMB-S/NW GTX interface are established. This relationship can be used with the relevant apparatus (i.e., an apparatus with deficiencies in executing large shear displacement) in determining the residual friction angle of the high-density polyethylene smooth geomembrane/nonwoven geotextile interface.
Interplay between Thermally Induced Aragonite–Calcite Transformation and Multistep Dehydration in a Seawater Spiral Shell (Euplica scripta)
Authors: Tone Taiga , Koga Nobuyoshi
Published: May 2023

While heating a seawater spiral shell (Euplica scripta), thermally induced aragonite–calcite (A–C) transformation occurred within the temperature region of multistep thermal dehydration. Here, the kinetic interplay between the A–C transformation and thermal dehydration was studied as a possible cause of the reduction in the A–C transformation temperatures. The kinetics of the A–C transformation was systematically investigated under isothermal conditions by powder X-ray diffractometry and under linear nonisothermal conditions by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal dehydration was characterized as a partially overlapping, three-step process by thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis coupled with mass spectroscopy for the evolved gases. The A–C transformation occurred in the temperature range of the final part of the second dehydration step and the initial part of the third dehydration step. The kinetics of A–C transformation and thermal dehydration were characterized by contracting geometry-type models, in which the respective transformations were regulated by a constant linear advancement rate and diffusional removal of water vapor, respectively. Based on the kinetic results, the mutual interaction of those thermally induced processes is discussed as a possible cause of the reduction in the A–C transformation temperature.
Study on Wellbore Stability of Multilateral Wells under Seepage-Stress Coupling Condition Based on Finite Element Simulation
Authors: Xu Hao , Cao Jifei , Dong Leifeng , Yan Chuanliang
Published: May 2023

The use of multilateral wells is an important method to effectively develop complex oil reservoirs, and wellbore stability research of multilateral wells is of great importance. In the present study, the effects of formation fluids and rock damage were not taken into account by the wellbore stability model. Therefore, finite element analysis (FEA) software was used to establish a three-dimensional (3D) seepage-stress FEA model for the multilateral junctions. The model was used to analyze the wellbore stability of multilateral wells and study influences of wellbore parameters and drilling fluid density on wellbore stability at multilateral junctions. Simulation results show that the wellbore diameter insignificantly affects wellbore stability. When the angle between the main wellbore and branches enlarges to 45°, the equivalent plastic strain decreases by 0.0726, and the wellbores become more stable; when the angle is larger than or equal to 45°, the region prone to wellbore instability transfers from the multilateral junctions to the inner of multilateral wellbores. When the azimuth of wellbores is along the direction of the minimum horizontal principal stress, the equivalent plastic strain decreases by 78.2% and the wellbores are most stable. Moreover, appropriately increasing the drilling fluid density can effectively reduce the risk of wellbore instability at the multilateral junctions. A model has been developed that allows analysis of multilateral wellbore stability under seepage-stress coupling condition.
The Bāb on the Rights of Women
Authors: Zabihi-Moghaddam Siyamak
Published: May 2023

In his writings, the Bāb (1819–1850), the founder of the Bābī religion, introduced laws and pronounced ethical injunctions pertaining to women that marked a significant departure from Muslim legal norms and social customs prevailing in Iran and the wider Islamic world. His statements signal a deliberate attempt to improve the status of women, including in marital relations. They addressed issues such as mutʿah and taḥlīl marriages, polygyny, bridal consent, divorce and spousal relations. This article examines the Bāb’s statements on these issues and reflects on their significance for the rights of women in the context of Muslim juridical opinions and social customs, focusing mainly on the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
MCSGNet: A Encoder–Decoder Architecture Network for Land Cover Classification
Authors: Hu Kai , Zhang Enwei , Dai Xin , Xia Min , Zhou Fenghua , Weng Liguo , Lin Haifeng
Published: May 2023

The analysis of land cover types is helpful for detecting changes in land use categories and evaluating land resources. It is of great significance in environmental monitoring, land management, land planning, and mapping. At present, remote sensing imagery obtained by remote sensing is widely employed in the classification of land types. However, most of the existing methods have problems such as low classification accuracy, vulnerability to noise interference, and poor generalization ability. Here, a multi-scale contextual semantic guidance network is proposed for the classification of land cover types by deep learning. The whole model combines an attention mechanism with convolution to make up for the limitation that the convolution structure can only focus on local features. In the process of feature extraction, an interactive structure combining attention and convolution is introduced in the deep layer of the network to fully extract the abstract information. In this paper, the semantic information guidance module is introduced in the cross-layer connection part, ensuring that the semantic information between different levels can be used for mutual guidance, which is conducive to the classification process. A multi-scale fusion module is proposed at the decoder to fuse the features between different layers and avoid loss of information during the recovery process. Experiments on two public datasets demonstrate that the suggested approach has higher accuracy than existing models as well as strong generalization ability.
Service Life Prediction of Concrete Coated with Surface Protection Materials by Ultrasonic Velocity in Cold Region
Authors: Ma Dequn , Yang Fan , Mo Yeqiang , Yang Shichao , Guo Chengchao , Wang Fuming
Published: May 2023

Lithium silicate (LS) crack repairing material, working as a crystal waterproof material, could be used to strengthen concrete made from solid waste materials. This paper presents the results of water absorption and rapid freeze–thaw tests with concrete specimens coated with LS. Concrete specimens with different water–binder ratios and air content (0.35–1 and 0.55–4.5) were tested. The moisture uptake and water absorption coefficient were analyzed in the water absorption test. The water absorption coefficient of LS-coated specimens was lower than that of uncoated specimens, resulting in a lower total moisture content. The relative dynamic modulus of elasticity was calculated by the fundamental transverse frequency (Er) and ultrasonic velocity (Ev), respectively. Er and Ev exhibited similar attenuation characteristics, and the attenuation of LS-coated specimens was lower than that of uncoated specimens. A two-segment freeze–thaw damage model based on Er and Ev was employed to predict the service life of concrete. The relative errors of the service life results calculated by Er and Ev were within 10%. The two-segment freeze–thaw model could be used for the service life prediction of concrete structures. The present work provides new insight into using LS to improve the service life of concrete.
Studies on the Accumulation, Translocation, and Enrichment Capacity of Soils and the Plant Species Phragmites Australis (Common Reed) with Heavy Metals
Authors: Chitimus Dana , Nedeff Valentin , Mosnegutu Emilian , Barsan Narcis , Irimia Oana , Nedeff Florin
Published: May 2023

In the present study, heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, As) from former industrial areas were analyzed in soil and the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed), a plant species found in shallow river banks. The objectives of the study were to determine the accumulation, translocation, and enrichment capacity of soils and plants (root, stem, leaf, and flower) with heavy metals, and to evaluate the potential of the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) in the phytoremediation of heavy-metal-polluted soils. The sediments and plants investigated were particularly rich in heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Pb, and As, and Pb and Zn concentrations were determined to be of phytotoxic level. The highest transfer coefficient of heavy metals from the soil to the root of the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) was for the metals Cu and Zn. The transfer of heavy metals from the root of the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) to the aerial part of the plant was lowest for Cu. A very low enrichment factor value was recorded for the metal As. The mobility of heavy metals was generally higher from the sediment to the plant roots, with the order of the average transfer coefficient values being Cu > Zn > Pb > As for all three areas analyzed. The translocation of heavy metals from the root to the upper aerial part of the plant was in the form of As > Pb > Zn > Cu in the plant species Phragmites australis (common reed). According to the average values obtained for the three coefficients, the accumulation, translocation, and enrichment capacity of heavy metals in soil and the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed), it can be stated that the plant species Phragmites Australis (common reed) is very suitable for use in the process of soil remediation by phytoremediation.
Effects of Health Factors on GDP Growth: Empirical Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Islam Mohammad Mazharul , Mondal Mohammad Nazrul Islam , Khoj Haitham
Published: May 2023

The primary objectives of this study are to examine the presence of long-run equilibrium relationships and short-run dynamic relationships between health factors and GDP growth in Saudi Arabia over a specific time period. By utilizing an annual time series dataset from 1990 to 2019 obtained from the World Bank, the study focuses on four key health factors and employs the Johansen cointegration test and vector error correction model to estimate the relationship between these factors and GDP growth. The results indicate the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between the health factors and GDP growth; however, in the short term, the variables are found to be in a state of disequilibrium. Specifically, the study reveals that infant mortality, road traffic mortality, and healthcare expenditure exhibit a strong negative relationship with GDP growth, while the maternal mortality ratio displays a weak positive relationship. The findings of this research hold significant implications for policymakers who are striving to achieve sustainable GDP growth as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. These findings suggest that policymakers can simultaneously promote higher GDP growth and reduce infant mortality, road traffic mortality, and healthcare expenditure. Although the maternal mortality ratio exhibits a relatively weak positive relationship with GDP, it is still crucial for policymakers to address this issue to enhance sustainable GDP growth, aligning with the objectives set forth in Saudi Vision 2030. Overall, this study bridges a research gap and provides valuable insights that can inform health and economic policies in Saudi Arabia.
Spatial Distribution Characteristic and Type Classification of Rural Settlements: A Case Study of Weibei Plain, China
Authors: Duan Yaqiong , Chen Su , Zhang Lingda , Wang Dan , Liu Dongyang , Hou Quanhua
Published: May 2023

The continuous development of urbanization in China has brought new opportunities to rural settlements but has also led to spatial problems such as disorderly layout and unbalanced morphological structures, and the sustainable development of the countryside faces great challenges. As the core spatial carrier of rural settlements, scientific identification of their characteristics and delineation of their types is conducive to the subsequent spatial optimization of rural settlements to promote the coordinated and orderly development of rural areas. In recent years, several studies have explored the characteristics and classification of rural settlements based on single factor influences, but few studies have comprehensively considered them from a multidimensional perspective. To fill this gap, this paper takes the rural settlements in the Weibei Plain as the research object, uses the continuous spectral transect analysis method, combines the landscape security pattern analysis, establishes a multidimensional feature matrix model, quantitatively analyzes the spatial differentiation characteristics, and classifies the types. The key findings are as follows. (1) According to the analysis of landscape security patterns, it was divided into four types of rural settlements. The rural settlements with high and medium security patterns accounted for 86.79%, and the overall ecological adaptability was good. (2) In terms of spatial distribution, 80% of patches in the Weihe River transect are small and unevenly distributed under the influence of river runoff, gradually changing from dense to discrete; the fluctuation range of the 70% patch area is restricted by the terrain in the Hanyuan tableland transect is small and changes from discrete to dense. In terms of spatial morphology, 70% of the Weihe River transect was irregular and varied greatly. The morphology of the Hanyuan tableland transect tended to be similar, and the degree of fragmentation of the Hanyuan tableland transect was higher than that of the Weihe River transect. (3) The Weihe River transect was divided into six types of settlement space, the Hanyuan tableland transect was divided into seven types, and the characteristics of different settlement space types were quite different. The results can provide a scientific basis for the spatial planning, industrial guidance, and facility layout of rural settlements and have important significance for the rational formulation of spatial agglomeration guidance strategies and the promotion of sustainable rural development in China.
Multi-Response Optimization of Semi-Lightweight Concrete Incorporating Expanded Polystyrene Beads
Authors: El-Mir Abdulkader , Fayad Elias , Assaad Joseph J. , El-Hassan Hilal
Published: May 2023

The utilization of expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads in semi-lightweight concrete (SLC) intended for repair and building applications has gained great attention in recent years. This study examines the effect of mix design parameters including binder content, water-to-binder ratio (w/b), EPS content, and silica fume (SF) additions on the mechanical properties and durability of SLC mixtures. The experimental program was carried out following the Taguchi approach for four parameters, each having three levels, to produce an L9 orthogonal array. The performance criteria under investigation were the superplasticizer demand, density, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water absorption, sorptivity, and abrasion resistance. Test results showed that the w/b and EPS content were the most contributing parameters that altered the SLCs performance. The multi-response optimization method (TOPSIS) revealed that superior performance could be achieved using a binder content of 375 kg/m3, a w/b of 0.45, an EPS content of 3 kg/m3, and a SF replacement rate of 8%. The mix design parameters were utilized to create multivariate regression models to predict the SLCs mechanical and durability properties. Such data can be of particular benefit to engineers seeking the use of lightweight materials for sustainable construction with optimized durability and a reduced cement carbon footprint.
Conceptualizing the Role of Social Entrepreneurial Orientation in the Triple Bottom Line in the Social Enterprise Context: Developing Country Perspective
Authors: Premadasa Madhuwanthi , Siyambalapitiya Janaka , Jayawardhana Kumudu , Fernando Imali
Published: May 2023

Social entrepreneurship is becoming widely recognized as essential to developing economies and societies. However, we find that the lack of a clear and cohesive conceptualization for understanding the distinctive context and reliable role of social entrepreneurship is a challenging aspect. Furthermore, the research is lacking in developing country perspectives. Accordingly, this study argues that a social entrepreneurship conceptual model needs to be developed from a developing country perspective to advance the literature on the social entrepreneurship notion. Specifically, this study followed a qualitative research approach and conducted in-person semi-structured interviews with 24 Sri Lankan social enterprises by adopting the maximum variation sampling technique. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Consequently, our model explicates how social entrepreneurial orientation leads to the triple bottom line through dynamic capability and social innovation. The proposed model anticipates that social entrepreneurial orientation alone cannot achieve the triple bottom line in social entrepreneurship. Thus, based on existing research evidence, we believe that the following constructs—social entrepreneurial orientation, dynamic capabilities, social innovations, and the triple bottom line—can be integrated to provide a solid conceptual model for social entrepreneurial ventures in developing countries.
Pyroptosis of Macrophages Induced by Clostridium perfringens Beta-1 Toxin
Authors: Zhang Siyu , Ma Lingling , Song Fuyang , Wang Dong , Shi Kesong , Li Yong , Zeng Jin , Wang Yujiong
Published: May 2023

Clostridium perfringens beta-1 toxin (CPB1) is responsible for necrotizing enteritis and enterotoxemia. However, whether the release of host inflammatory factors caused by CPB1 is related to pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death, has not been reported. A construct expressing recombinant Clostridium perfringens beta-1 toxin (rCPB1) was created, and the cytotoxic activity of the purified rCPB1 toxin was assessed via CCK-8 assay. The rCPB1-induced macrophage pyroptosis by assessing changes to the expression of pyroptosis-related signal molecules and the pyroptosis pathway of macrophages using quantitative real-time PCR, immunoblotting, ELISA, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopic assays. The results showed that the intact rCPB1 protein was purified from an E. coli expression system, which exhibited moderate cytotoxicity on mouse mononuclear macrophage leukemia cells (RAW264.7), normal colon mucosal epithelial cells (NCM460), and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). rCPB1 could induce pyroptosis in macrophages and HUVEC cells, in part through the Caspase-1-dependent pathway. The rCPB1-induced pyroptosis of RAW264.7 cells could be blocked by inflammasome inhibitor MCC950. These results demonstrated that rCPB1 treatment of macrophages promoted the assembly of NLRP3 inflammasomes and activated Caspase 1; the activated Caspase 1 caused gasdermin D to form plasma membrane pores, leading to the release of inflammatory factors IL-18 and IL-1β, resulting in macrophage pyroptosis. NLRP3 may be a potential therapeutic target for Clostridium perfringes disease. This study provided a novel insight into the pathogenesis of CPB1.
Agricultural Total Water Consumption Coefficient and Its Spatial Correlation Network in Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Yang Yafeng , Gao Yuanyuan , Zhang Ru , Xu Jijun , Yuan Haohan , Wang Hongrui
Published: May 2023

Agriculture contributes extensively to the economic development of countries; however, it is one of the main water-consuming industries. Revealing the characteristics and network structure of agricultural water use efficiency (AWUE) is conducive to green and coordinated development of agriculture. Considering that analyzing the variation of AWUE is helpful to calculating the AWUE, this study aims to calculate the total water consumption coefficient of the agricultural sector in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YEB) by using the China interregional input-output tables in 2012 and 2017. The gravity model was modified to deduce the spatial correlation network of agricultural total water consumption coefficient (ATWCC), and the social network analysis method was used to analyze the network structural characteristics. The results show that: (1) compared to 2012, the AWUE of YEB in 2017 improved, with a decrease of ATWCC from 532.5 to 387.5 m3/10,000-yuan, account for 27.2%; (2) The network relevance of ATWCC of YEB’s 11 provinces (cities) enhanced, the rank relationship within the network and the network structure was relatively stable; (3) The spatial correlation network formed several network centers, Zhejiang and Jiangsu in the eastern coastal area were the main destinations of the spatial spillover of the spatial correlation network.
Ciprofloxacin Removal Using Pillared Clays
Authors: Jara-Cobos Lourdes , Peñafiel María Eulalia , Montero Carolina , Menendez Miguel , Pinos-Vélez Veronica
Published: May 2023

In this work, Ti-pillared bentonites were evaluated to remove ciprofloxacin (CIP) from the aqueous solution. Pillared sodium bentonite (BSP) and pillared calcium bentonite (BCP) were prepared by means of the sol–gel method using titanium tetraisopropoxide with calcination for 3 h at 500 °C. They were characterized using the BET method for N2 adsorption, and subjected to X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the surface area of the pillared bentonites increased after the process, more than the natural ones. Pillared sodium bentonite has a more porous structure, larger surface areas, and higher adsorption capacity than pillared calcium bentonite. The kinetic adsorption of ciprofloxacin (CIP) onto pillared bentonites is well described by the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The BSP isotherm well fitted the Freundlich model, while the BCP isotherm fits the BET model better, suggesting multilayer adsorption. DR model shows mostly physical adsorption for CIP on the two adsorbents. The pH influence study indicated that CIP is adsorbed at pH between 6 and 8, which facilitates the use of BCP and BSP in wastewater treatment, whose pH generally oscillates between these ranges.
Measuring the usability of the Pydroid 3 ® app using SUS method
Authors: Marcillo Vera Fabricio , Andrade Acosta Nilo , Vaca Escobar Patricio , Viteri Alcívar Yanina
Published: May 2023

Hoy en día, las empresas de tecnología desarrollan aplicaciones móviles con el fin de satisfacer diversas necesidades de los usuarios, Estas aplicaciones móviles son diseñadas en base a ciertos parámetros de estudio como es la usabilidad. La usabilidad de una aplicación móvil se refiere a la magnitud con la cual el usuario satisface sus necesidades en un contexto específico. La usabilidad de una aplicación móvil está regulada por la eficiencia, eficacia y el grado de satisfacción del usuario como lo establece la norma ISO 9241-11. En este estudio, se pretende medir la usabilidad de la aplicación móvil Pydroid 3 ® mediante el método SUS, donde la variable de estudio fue el grado de satisfacción del usuario, en este caso la población de estudio fue homogénea, fueron estudiantes de nivel universitario. Según los resultados obtenidos, se obtuvo un grado de satisfacción entre el 40 % y 50 %, estos denotan que la aplicación presenta complejidad en el uso y requiere de soporte técnico para mejorar la usabilidad. En conclusión, la aplicación móvil presentó una usabilidad media considerando el nivel de satisfacción obtenido.
PROSPECTIVE DIRECTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SCHOOL MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
Authors: LUTFULLIN M. , LUTFULLIN V. , MATIASH L.
Published: May 2023

The factual material about significant weaknesses in the current state of school mathematics education in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Belarus, Latvia, Poland and Hungary is presented. These weaknesses include a decrease in the level of educational achievements of students, loss of desire to study mathematics, decline in the prestige of mathematical education and mathematical professions in public consciousness, etc. It was found that the attention of Ukrainian scholars to the problems of preventing and eliminating the failure of students, veiled by the use of the term “initial level of educational achievements”. The incompatibility of the abnormal overload of educational programs and textbooks with the principle of accessibility of learning and the consequences of this anomaly are revealed. Among them is the loss of students’ desire to study, failure of learning, replacement of the conscious learning of educational material by memorizing it, and a dangerously high level of incidence of illness in students. The unique experience of mathematics teachers of past (P. Dolhushyn, P. Larychev, H. Husarska) and current (S. Lohachevska, O. Plysiuk) generations regarding the practical implementation of standardized education freed from overloading students was analysed. The high educational and developmental effectiveness of the internal (in the same class) differentiation of students with high, medium and low levels of educational achievements, and its conditioning by in-depth learning of the educational material with the aim of adaptation to any level of educational achievements of students has been established. It is concluded that the introduction of internal differentiation of learning into mass school practice enables the implementation of prospective directions for improving the quality of mathematics education. They are the freeing students from academic overload, eliminating gaps in knowledge and skills, mastering the skills and abilities of independent work, developing thinking and interest in studying mathematics, and increasing the level of educational achievements.
GENERAL PEDAGOGICAL ASPECTS OF FORMING THE COGNITIVE INTEREST OF STUDENTS OF 5-6 GRADES IN STUDYING THE TECHNOLOGY OF PROCESSING CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
Authors: TYTARENKO V.
Published: May 2023

The article discusses general pedagogical aspects of the formation of the cognitive interest of students of grades 5-6 in the study of construction materials processing technologies. It was determined that, accordingly, the educational technologies used in the process of teaching students of 5-6 grades the technology of processing construction materials should be oriented to different levels of validity, generalization, and abstractness of knowledge, should be aimed at the development of various types of project-technological activities of students with different main types thinking and with different focus of interests. It is noted that the main condition for the formation of cognitive activity is active independent solving of cognitive tasks by students. The role of cognitive skills in the process of mastering construction materials processing technologies in the 5th-6th grade is justified, which is of great importance, their formation is one of the important tasks of technological education, because on this basis the development and improvement of students' cognitive abilities, their competence, their individuality is revealed .
THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AS A FACTOR OF INNOVATIVE CHANGES IN EDUCATION
Authors: SEMENOVSKA L. , DANYSKO O.
Published: May 2023

Based on analysis of the fundamental pedagogical, philosophical, psychological works (L. Ivleva, M. Keim, I. Kotsan , V. Lugovoi, I. Panasevych, E. Sulima, L. Tymchuk, L. Witkowski, Yu. Zinkovskyi, etc.) found that in our time, the professional training of higher education teachers is of particular importance. Proved that the decisive factor in innovative development is the awareness of how modern information technologies change our thinking and actions. It is important to be aware of the difference between technical progress and the specifics that distinguish the digitalization phenomenon.The rapid technological development of society requires educators to develop new professional competencies related to the active implementation of mixed and distance learning, which affects the role of the teacher, giving it a new meaning. Modern teachers must learn to perform the roles of educational consultants, mentors, tutors, trainers, facilitators who are able to establish positive constructive interaction with all subjects of the educational process. Performing the role of educational consultants, teachers are obliged to stimulate students to study the didactic content. They should also teach them to perceive the information presented in it, critically evaluate, design, create and transform it. An important task of the teacher is to provide recommendations and suggestions to students that will help to form the appropriate competencies in the educational process. The most important thing in this is various types of support for the full realization of educational goals. In modern conditions, the development of social skills (soft-skills) also belongs to the primary functions of pedagogues-consultants.The study found that education is a strategic resource for the innovative development of society. Globalization, the processes of changing economic markets, the development of modern technologies, mobility, internationalization and the integration of educational, social, production and natural systems put forward new requirements for highly qualified specialists.
STAGES OF FORMATION OF INFORMATION SECURITY SKILLS IN MASTERS OF SPECIALTY 013 PRIMARY EDUCATION
Authors: LAPSHYNA I. , LUPINOVYCH S.
Published: May 2023

The processes of technology and informatization of the modern world create new challenges and threats to the modern education system. Overcoming these threats by rejecting the achievements of civilization or by imposing significant restrictions is not rational and may lead to the degradation of society. The safety of primary school students in virtual information spaces can only be guaranteed by the level of information culture and skills to counter information threats. Given the mostly low level of readiness of adult members of society to counter informational and psychological attacks and influences, primary school teachers have maximum opportunities to form appropriate skills in primary school students. The effectiveness of their activities depends on their personal level of readiness to carry out this work. This level can be formed during course retraining within the framework of postgraduate education and during studies at universities in pedagogical specialties, in particular, in the master's degree under the educational program 013 Elementary education.The effectiveness of training will ensure the gradual assimilation of theoretical and methodological foundations on the issue of information security. Based on the above, we can distinguish the following stages of preparation of master's students for the activity of forming the skills of safe behavior of younger schoolchildren in virtual information spaces:1. Formation of master's students' understanding of the real threats of the information society and the ability to analyze their impact on both adult members of Ukrainian society and children of primary school age.2. Formation of countermeasures against detected and potentially predicted information threats.3. Formation of general methodological approaches to teaching subjects of the informative educational cycle in primary school with an emphasis on the topic of information security.4. Practical training during trainings of acquired methods of formation of information security skills in primary school students.The first three stages of training should be practically oriented with the involvement of lecture-seminar support, multimedia and printed resources. The fourth stage is purely practical and takes place in game and training form. Students at the fourth stage should be placed in virtual learning situations, during which they will have to convince and teach information security methods to virtual primary school students, identifying and taking into account their psychological, mental and epistemological features. To increase the effectiveness of this stage, you can create electronic simulators on the teacher's educational resource, which will allow each student to practice difficult situations at a convenient time, taking into account the age of the child and the presence of special educational needs.
DIDACTIC MODEL OF TEACHING CLASSICAL DANCE IN PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF CHOREOGRAPHY
Authors: TARANTSEVA O.
Published: May 2023

In the article, the author reveals the relevance of the problem of teaching classical dance in the professional training of future choreography teachers. A set of didactic conditions for teaching classical dance in the system of professional training of future teachers of choreography was determined: strengthening the cognitive interest of choreographer students in classical dance; visualization of methods of teaching classical dance in the system of professional training of future teachers of choreography; creation of modern educational and methodological support for the independent work of future teachers of choreography. A didactic model of classical dance teaching in the professional training of future choreography teachers was developed, which is presented as a set of three blocks (methodological-target, content-technological and control-evaluative).
Remote: Office Not Required—A Book Review
Authors: Hill Paul , Schmutz Andrea
Published: May 2023

Remote: Office Not Required by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson offers a novel perspective into the modern workplace practice of remote work. This book provides an outline for becoming an expert in remote work, both as a leader and as a practitioner. Fried and Hansson describe tools and methods that help practitioners find success when implementing remote work and explain how to avoid common obstacles. Although drawbacks and challenges exist, the authors maintain that remote work is likely more compatible with organizations than leaders might think, maintaining that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.