bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges of Engineering Applications of Descriptive Geometry
Authors: Balajti Zsuzsa
Published: November 2023

Descriptive geometry has indispensable applications in many engineering activities, some of which are presented in the first chapter of this paper in order to place the development presented here among them. As a result of the continuous variability of the technological environment according to various optimization aspects, the engineering activities must also be continuously adapted to the changes, which an appropriate approach and formulation are required from the practitioners of descriptive geometry, and can even lead to improvement in the field of descriptive geometry. The imaging procedures are always based on the methods and theorems of descriptive geometry. Resolving contradictions in spatial geometry reconstruction research is a constant challenge, to which a possible answer in many cases is the search for the right projection direction. A special method of enumerating the possible infinite viewpoints for the representation of the surface edge curves is presented in another part of the paper. The procedure for determining the correct directions in a mathematically exact way is also presented through examples. The analysis and some of the results of the Monge mapping, which is suitable for the solution of a mechanical engineering task to be solved in a specific technical environment, are also presented.
Frequency Domain Estimation Method of The Characteristic Period of The P Wave of Earthquakes
Authors: Donciu Codrin , Serea Elena , Temneanu Marinel Costel
Published: November 2023

The earthquake alert of the early warning systems is based on the delay that the S waves have in reference to the P waves and on the interpretation of the P waves’ specific parameters. One of the most used parameters for estimating the moment magnitude of an earthquake is the characteristic period measured in the first 3 seconds of the appearance of the P wave. The typical method determines the characteristic period in the time domain, based on the velocity wave and the displacement wave. In the present work, we present a method for estimating the frequency of the characteristic period. This method includes zero padding of the P wave sequence, conversion of the extended sequence from the time domain to the frequency domain, the identification of local frequency maxima and the calculation of the weighted average of the frequency based on the identified maxima. Tests conducted on synthetic signals, as well as standard deviation evaluation tests for simultaneous recordings on several stations, reveal better performance to the usual method.
Predictive Value of Der P 2-Specific IgE for Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in Children With Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Wang Jiayan , Xu Bohuai , Jia Xujin , He Yong , Jia Beibei , Li Junyuan , Xu Ming
Published: November 2023

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials of childhood allergic rhinitis (AR). Currently, there is a lack of some generally accepted biomarkers that may predict the clinical response to SCIT to eventually achieve personalized therapy. In this study, 28 children with AR received Der p SCIT for 26-30 months at baseline, and four efficacy endpoints, serum interleukin (IL)-5, periostin, Der p-specific IgE (sIgE), and Der p sIgG4, were measured by ELSIA. Clinical symptoms and characteristics were assessed by questionnaires, and the associations among periostin, Der p 2 sIgE and clinical efficacy were analyzed. The results showed that SCIT demonstrated a significant reduction in Der p 1 sIgE (P < 0.05) and Der p 2 sIgE (P < 0.01), an increase in Der p sIgG4 (P < 0.001) and an improvement in clinical efficacy at the fourth efficacy endpoint compared with that at baseline. A positive linear correlation was found in serum periostin and Der p sIgE (Pearson correlation=0.8868, P=0.045), Der p sIgG4 (Pearson correlation=-0.9025, P=0.036), and clinical efficacy. Importantly, the concentration of serum Der p 2 sIgE showed a positive linear correlation with clinical efficacy and serum periostin (Pearson correlation=0.9581, P=0.010). These results suggest that SCIT can result in reduced type 2 cytokines and Der p sIgE and has long-term efficacy in children with AR. Der p 2 sIgE has a positive linear correlation with clinical efficiency and serum periostin and may be a useful biomarker for the prediction of SCIT.
Delving into the Digital Twin Developments and Applications Beyond BIM in the Construction Industry
Authors: Afzal Muhammad , Li Rita Yi Man , Shoaib Muhammad , Ayyub Muhammad Faisal , Tagliabue Lavinia Chiara , Bilal Muhammad , Ghafoor Habiba
Published: November 2023

Construction 4.0 is witnessing exponential growth in Digital Twin (DT) technology developments and applications, revolutionizing the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other emerging technologies used throughout the lifecycle of the built environment. BIM provides technologies, procedures, and data schemas representing building components and systems. At the same time, DT enhances this with real-time data for cyber-physical integration, enabling live asset monitoring and better decision-making. Despite being in the early stages of development, DT applications have rapidly progressed in the AEC sector, resulting in a diverse literature landscape due to the various technologies and parameters involved in fully developing the DT technology. The intricate complexities inherent in digital twin advancements have confused professionals and researchers. This confusion arises from the nuanced distinctions between the two technologies, i.e., BIM and DT, causing a convergence that hinders realizing their potential. To address this confusion and lead to a swift development of DT technology, this study presents a holistic review of the existing research focusing on the critical components responsible for developing DT applications in the construction industry. The study identifies five crucial elements: technologies, maturity levels, data layers, enablers, and functionalities. Additionally, it identifies research gaps and proposes future avenues for streamlined DT developments and applications in the AEC sector. Future researchers and practitioners can target data integrity, integration and transmission, bi-directional interoperability, nontechnical factors, and data security to achieve mature digital twin applications for AEC practices. This study highlights the growing significance of DTs in construction and provides a foundation for further advancements in this field to harness its potential to transform built environment practices.
Skin Cancer Detection Using Machine Learning Classification Models
Authors: NATHA PRIYA , POTHURAJU RAJARAJESWARI
Published: November 2023

In recent years, computer-aided analysis techniques have emerged as valuable tools in assisting dermatologists by providing objective and efficient analysis of skin cancer images. This paper utilizes the combination of the Contourlet Transform (CT) and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) techniques for accurately recognizing borders, contrast changes, and shapes of skin cancer images. These results often contain many features, leading to high computational costs and potential over-fitting issues. Hence, we applied Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to select the most informative and discriminating features, reducing the dimensionality while retaining important information for accurate classification. After reducing the feature set with PSO, we applied these sets to Machine learning classification algorithms: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Neural Networks (NN). The results show that SVM has the lowest time complexity of 0.0458 seconds, followed by the Neural Network at 0.08730 seconds, and the Random Forest model has the highest time complexity of 0.1622 seconds. The SVM and Neural Network models are faster to train than the Random Forest model, making them more suitable for real-time or latency-sensitive applications. We also compared our proposed model with the state-of-the-art models and obtained the accuracy of 86.9%, which is the highest among the models.
Occupational Stress and Turnover Intentions in Employees of the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority: Mediating Effect of Burnout and Moderating Effect of Motivation
Authors: Freitas Mariana , Moreira Ana , Ramos Fernando
Published: November 2023

The main objective of this study was to study the effect of occupational stress on turnover intentions, as well as whether this relationship is mediated by burnout levels and moderated by motivation. The sample of this study consisted of 603 participants, all employees of the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority, which is part of the Ministry of Finance and belongs to the Direct State Administration. The results indicate that occupational stress (with managers, with career and remuneration and with work overload) has a positive and significant effect on turnover intentions and that this relationship is mediated by burnout. Motivation (intrinsic and identified) has a negative and significant effect on turnover intentions. Intrinsic motivation moderates the rela-tionship between occupational stress (with managers, with colleagues, with career and pay and with family problems) and turnover intentions. These results indicate that among the dimensions of occupational stress, the most critical are stress with managers, work overload and career and pay. These are factors that the Direct State Administration should be concerned about in trying to minimize their causes.
The employability strengths American Millennials contribute to the health administration workforce: A workplace readiness study at two California public universities
Authors: Augustin Frankline , Narad Richard , Brendan Moran Brendan Moran , Bahr Kaitlin
Published: November 2023

This qualitative study examined employability, also referred to as workplace readiness strengths in this article, for American Millennial health administration baccalaureates. The primary researcher used data collected from focus groups and interviews conducted at two certified Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) programs in California, USA. Participants (n = 71) belonged to one of 4 distinct groups: (a) health administration faculty, (b) internship preceptors, (c) alumni, and (d) undergraduate students (interns) enrolled in their internship program. Thematic content analysis was used to evaluate the collected qualitative data, after which descriptive statistics was applied to calculate the frequencies of emergent themes. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies, an employer and university validated list of Career Readiness Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce, was used as a comparative framework for the workplace readiness strengths provided in the qualitative data. Six strength-based themes emerged, two of which comparatively aligned with two of the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. However, respondents indicated that the rest of the NACE Career Competencies were not overtly expressed by Millennials as workplace strengths and should be embedded into the health administration curriculum. This invaluable information can be used to update the AUPHA health administration curriculum and help their undergraduate students increase their employability index scores.
Experimental Study on Friction Coefficient of Gas–Oil Two-Phase Flow in a Large Annulus
Authors: Wang Zhiyuan , Hu Junjie , Pan Shaowei , Zhang Jianbo , Chen Keshan , Sun Baojiang
Published: November 2023

The friction coefficient is an important factor that affects the accurate calculation of wellbore annular pressure distribution and is of great significance for the safety of drilling operations. To date, investigations of the friction coefficient mainly focused on low-viscosity liquids (such as water and kerosene). Thus, the obtained friction coefficients have poor applicability in the calculation of gas–oil-based mud two-phase flow. This study reports gas–oil two-phase flow experiments for different viscosities (16–39 mPa·s) in the annulus of a large wellbore, performed using an experimental wellbore (Φ100×Φ60×12 000 mm). The gas–liquid mixture Reynolds number ranges from 500 to 10,000. The results reveal a consistent trend for the variation of the friction coefficient under different flow patterns. For the same mixture Reynolds number, a larger liquid viscosity corresponds to a smaller variation of the friction coefficient among different flow patterns. The larger the superficial liquid velocity, the greater the friction coefficient. Based on the dimensionless analysis of the experimental data, a model for the calculation of the friction coefficient of gas–oil two-phase flow in a large annulus is established, and its prediction error relative to the experimental data is found to be less than 30%. This study can provide a basis for accurate calculations of gas–oil-based mud two-phase flow in drilling wellbores.
222 nm far-UVC light markedly reduces the level of infectious airborne virus in an occupied room.
Authors: Kleiman Norman , Welch David , Hashmi Raabia , Shuryak Igor , Brenner David , Buonanno Manuela
Published: November 2023

An emerging intervention for control of airborne-mediated pandemics and epidemics is whole-room far-UVC (200-235 nm). Laboratory studies have shown that 222-nm light inactivates airborne pathogens, potentially without harm to exposed occupants. While encouraging results have been reported in benchtop studies and in room-sized bioaerosol chambers, to date there have been no quantitative studies of airborne pathogen reduction in occupied rooms. We quantified far-UVC mediated reduction of aerosolized murine norovirus (MNV) in an occupied mouse-cage cleaning room within an animal-care facility. Benchtop studies suggest that MNV is a conservative surrogate for airborne viruses such as influenza and coronavirus. Using four 222-nm lamps installed in the ceiling, and staying well within current recommended regulatory limits, far-UVC reduced airborne infectious MNV by 99.8% (95% CI: 98.2-99.9%). This study is the first to directly demonstrate far-UVC anti-microbial efficacy against airborne pathogens in an occupied indoor location.
Bioelectricity production and bioremediation potential of Withania somnifera
Authors: Bhattacharya Riya , Bose Debajyoti , Ganti Pranathi , Rizvi Alwiya
Published: November 2023

In plant microbial fuel cells or p-MFCs living plants photosynthesize between two electrodes. The plant exudes organic waste material from the roots. In the rhizosphere, bacteria consume these wastes by oxidizing them in contrast to the atmosphere that reduces it. This redox reaction along with photosynthesis can be harnessed as an energy source in the form of bioelectricity. In this work, the plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal was used for generating bioelectricity from the root exudates and organic matter available in the soil. An open circuit voltage of 930 ± 21 mV was achieved between multiple cycles of operation.
Pleiotrophin-Neuregulin1 promote axon regeneration and sorting in conduit repair of critical nerve gap injuries
Authors: RomeroOrtega Mario , Gu Xingjian , Rahman Farial , Tran B , Miyata JF , Reynoso Ana Hernandez , Anand Sanjay , Bendale Geetanjali
Published: November 2023

Significant challenges remain in the treatment of critical nerve gap injuries using artificial nerve conduits. We previously reported successful axon regeneration across a 40 mm nerve gap using a biosynthetic nerve implant (BNI) with multi-luminal synergistic growth factor release. However, axon sorting, remyelination, and functional recovery were limited. Neuregulin1 (NRG1) plays a significant role in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of Schwann cells (SCs) during development and after injury. We hypothesize that the release of NRG1 type III combined with pleiotrophin (PTN) in the BNI will enhance axon growth, remyelination, and function of regenerated nerves across a critical gap. A rabbit 40 mm peroneal gap injury model was used to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of BNIs containing either NRG1, PTN, or PTN+NRG1 growth factor release. We found that NRG1 treatment doubled the number of regenerated axons (1276±895) compared to empty controls (633±666) and PTN tripled this number (2270±989). NRG1 also significantly increased the number of SOX10+ Schwann cells in mid-conduit (20.42%±11.78%) and reduced the number of abnormal Remak axon bundles. The combination of PTN+NRG1 increased axon diameter (1.70±1.06) vs control (1.21±0.77) (p<0.01), with 15.35% of axons above 3 µm, comparable to autograft. However, the total number of remyelinated axons was not increased by the added NRG1 release, which correlated with absence of axonal NRG1 type III expression in the regenerated axons. Electrophysiological evaluation showed higher muscle force recruitment (23.8±16.0 mN vs 17.4±1.4 mN) and maximum evoked compound motor action potential (353 μV vs 37 μV) in PTN-NRG1 group versus control, which correlated with the improvement in the toe spread recovery observed in PTN-NRG1 treated animals (0.64±0.02) vs control (0.50±0.01). These results revealed the need of a combination of pro-regenerative and remyelinating growth factor combination therapy for the repair of critical nerve gaps.
Syllable, Bigram, and Morphology-Driven Pseudoword Generation in Greek and a Protocol for Pseudoword Assessment
Authors: Apostolouda Vassiliki , Kosmidis Kosmas , Kanetidis Michael , Revithiadou Anthi
Published: November 2023

Pseudowords are crucial in (psycho)linguistic research, offering a way to study language without meaning interfering. While various methods for pseudoword creation exist, each has its limitations. Traditional approaches create pseudowords by modifying existing words, potentially leading to unintended recognition of the original words. Modern techniques, using high-frequency bigrams or syllable deconstruction, often require linguistic expertise and may not be tailored specifically for Greek, which is our primary focus. Hence, we introduce SyBig (r)- Morph, a novel algorithm for generating Greek pseudowords with unique features that distinguish it from existing pseudoword generation algorithms.
SyBig (r)-Morph constructs pseudowords using syllables as the main building block, replicating in this manner the linguistic patterns of Greek words. Furthermore, it is flexible and can be applied to extensive wordlists/databases categorizing syllables by position to ensure phonotactic consistency with user-selected morphosyntactic categories. Another important feature of SyBig (r)-Morph is that it employs dual lexicons to eliminate phonologically invalid combinations.
We also outline a specialized protocol for further evaluating the phonological wellformedness of Greek pseudowords, focusing on pseudo-nouns for a production experiment that investigates diverse accentual patterns within and across noun classes. Using an annotated version of the Clean Corpus and the Num Tool, we ensure that these pseudowords adhere to Greek phonotactics and do not closely resemble native words. Selection of essential parameters, including bigram token and type frequency, phonological neighbors, and Levenshtein distance, guarantees accurate phonological well-formedness assessment. This meticulous process results in a curated set of 240 pseudowords for our linguistic experiment.
Experimental analysis of interface behavior between sand and corrugated surfaces with DIC technique
Authors: Grabowski Aleksander , Konkol Jakub , Wójcik Michał , Nitka Michał
Published: November 2023

The paper deals with laboratory investigations of the interface between sand and sinusoidal corrugated surface in the direct shear apparatus under constant normal load. The 3D printing technology was used to provide a custom-built direct shear box and to construct different topographies of corrugated surfaces. A series of interface shearing experiments with different sinusoidal corrugated surfaces were analyzed using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique. The micro-behavior of the shear zone was evaluated. It has been shown that the increase of the corrugation coefficient d/l induces the increase of the forces exerted on the surface and the volumetric changes. Direct sliding of the material on the surface was observed for smooth surfaces. In contrast, the shear plane was observed above the corrugation valleys, inside the material and at the corrugation peaks for rough surfaces. The critical value of the corrugation coefficient, ranging between 0.053 and 0.147, was found to be the boundary between rough and smooth interfaces. The grain-on-surface friction component was between 19% and 32%, and the grain-on-grain component was between 68 and 81% for rough interfaces with the shear zone thickness ranging from 4×d50 to 5×d50. The presented research provides unique insights into the micro-behavior of the interface between the granular material and the sinusoidal corrugated surface.
Copper catalyzed synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine based triazole-linked glycohybrids: Mechanistic insights and bio- applications
Authors: Tiwari Ghanshyam , Khanna Ashish , Tyagi Rajdeep , Mishra Vinay Kumar , Narayana Chintam , Sagar Ram
Published: November 2023

Hybrid molecules continue to maintain their stronghold in the drug market, with over 60% of drug candidates in pharmaceutical industries. The substantial expenses for the development and production of biologically privileged drugs are expected to create opportunities for the developments of hybrid molecule-based drugs. Therefore, we have developed a simple and efficient copper catalyzed approach for the synthesis of a wide range of triazole-linked glycohybrids derived from pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines. Employing microwave-assisted copper catalyzed approach, we developed a concise route using various 7-O-propargylated pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and 1-azidoglycosides. This strategy afforded a series of twenty-seven glycohybrids up to 98% yield with diverse stereochemistry. All achieved within a remarkably shortened time frame. Our investigation extends to the evaluation of anti-cancer potential of these synthesized triazole-linked pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine based glycohybrids. In-vitro assays against MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and MDA-MB453 cell lines reveal intriguing findings. (2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-(acetoxymethyl)-6-(4-(((5-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl)oxy)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate emerges as a standout with potent anti-cancer activity against MDA-MB231 cells (IC50 = 29.1 µM), while (2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-2-(acetoxymethyl)-6-(4-(((5-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl)oxy)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-3,4,5-triyl triacetate demonstrates exceptional inhibitory effects against MCF-7 cells (IC50 = 15.3 µM). These results align with our docking analysis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigations, further validating the in-vitro outcomes. This work not only underscores the synthetic utility of our devised protocol but also highlights the promising potential of these glycohybrids as candidates for further anti-cancer therapeutic exploration.
The Future Trend of E-Mobility in Terms of Battery Electric Vehicles and their Impact on Climate Change: A Case Study Applied in Hungary
Authors: Saleh Mohamad Ali Saleh
Published: November 2023

The transportation sector is responsible for 25% of the total CO2 emissions, whereas 60.6% of this sector represents small and medium passenger cars. However, as noted by the European Union Long-term strategy, there are two ways to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions in the transportation sector. The first way is characterized by creating more efficient vehicles. In contrast, the second way is characterized by changing the fuel used. The current study addressed the second way, changing the fuel type. The study examined the potential of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as an alternative fuel type to reduce CO2 emissions in Hungary's transportation sector. The study used secondary data retrieved from Statista and stata.com to analyze the future trends of BEVs in Hungary. The results showed that the percentage of BEVs in Hungary in 2022 was 0.4% compared to the total number of registered passenger cars, which is 3.8 million. The simple exponential smoothing (SES) time series forecast revealed that the number of BEVs is expected to reach 84,192 in 2030, indicating a percentage increase of 2.21% in the next eight years. The study suggests that increasing the number of BEVs is necessary to address the negative impact of CO2 emissions on society. The Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology's strategy to reduce the cost of BEVs may increase the percentage of BEVs by 10%, resulting in a potential average reduction of 76,957,600 g/km of CO2 compared to gasoline, diesel, HEVs, and PHEVs.
Genome-Wide Association Studies of Amphillo germplasm resistance to Meloidogyne paranaensis
Authors: Gonzales Rafael Vago , Caixeta Eveline Teixeira , Salgado Sônia Maria Lima , Alves Danúbia Rodrigues , Fatobene Barbhara Joana Reis , Silva Edson Mario Andrade , Correia Alexsandra Medeiros , Nascimento Moysés , Oliveira Antonio Carlos Baião , Pereira Antônio Alves
Published: November 2023

The phytonematode Meloidogyne paranaensis is one of the main threats to coffee production. The development of Coffea arabica cultivars resistant to this pathogen is an urgent demand for coffee growers. Progenies derived from the wild germplasm Amphillo are considered potential sources of resistance to M. paranaensis, however, the mechanisms involved in this resistance have not yet been elucidated. In the present work, the resistance of different progenies derived from Amphillo was studied and molecular markers associated with resistance were identified. Through the Genomic-Wide Association, SNP markers associated with genes potentially involved in resistance control were identified. A total of 158 genotypes belonging to four progenies derived from crosses between Amphillo and Catuaí Vermelho were analyzed. These coffee plants were phenotyped for five traits related to resistance. A total of 7116 SNP markers were genotyped and, after quality filtering, 931 SNPs were selected to conduct the genome-wide association study. The mixed linear model identified 12 SNPs with significant associations with at least one of the evaluated variables and eighteen genes were mapped. The results obtained support the development of markers for assisted selection, studies on genetic inheritance, and elucidating molecular mechanisms involved in the resistance of C. arabica to M. paranaensis.
Environmental, Biomedical, and Industrial Applications of Biogenic Magnetite Nanoparticles
Authors: Gandarias Lucía , Kimber Richard L. , Ona-Nguema Georges
Published: November 2023

Magnetite is the most abundant magnetic iron mineral on the Earth’s surface. Its formation in natural ecosystems is mainly due to microbial activity. Microbially synthesized magnetite, commonly called “biogenic magnetite,” has many beneficial properties for a wide range of environmental and commercial applications. Its high surface reactivity facilitates interactions with (in)organic pollutants in anthropic and natural ecosystems, as well as with reagents in industrial catalysis. Due to its magnetic properties and good biocompatibility, biogenic magnetite is also well suited for biomedical applications such as cancer treatment or drug delivery. Biomineralization of magnetite offers an inexpensive and sustainable method for the production of this highly functional material. Moreover, this biomineralization process results in a biomolecule coating of the magnetite, making it highly amenable to further functionalization. This chapter reviews the application of biogenic magnetite across environmental, medical, and industrial settings. Existing challenges and future opportunities in these applications are also discussed.
Application and comparison of four assessment methods for water quality of Sancha Lake in Central Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Su Kai , Peng Zhongshan , Wang Qin , Cao Rong , Xi Yingwei
Published: November 2023

In order to analyze and compare the characteristics and applicability of different water quality evaluation methods applied to lake water quality evaluation, four monitoring sections were set up in Sancha Lake in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and 20 water quality parameters were selected. The single factor index method, the comprehensive pollution index method, the Nemerow pollution index method, and the improved Nemerow pollution index method were used to comprehensively evaluate water quality. The research results showed that the single factor index evaluation method is simple to operate and can quickly determine the water quality category by identifying the worst single water quality indicator. The comprehensive pollution index method and the Nemerow pollution index method determine the degree of water pollution based on the numerical values representing the overall pollution level of the representative water body. The evaluation results showed that except for the evaluation results of the single factor evaluation method with categories II and III, the results of other evaluation methods were all category I, indicating that the water quality was good.
Importance of process design on carbon footprint from drinking water treatment by enhanced coagulation-filtration
Authors: Pellikainen Paula , Eikebrokk Bjornar , Vahala Riku
Published: November 2023

There are several process design options for enhanced coagulation-filtration in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). This study compares the carbon footprint and economic impact of two common process designs based on enhanced coagulation-filtration with pH, Ca, and alkalinity adjustment for corrosion control. The process designs are direct filtration (DF) using Al coagulant with limewater (DF-Al) and contact filtration (CF) using Fe coagulant with alkaline filter layers (CF-Fe). The operational data are retrieved from full-scale DWTPs. The results show that the carbon footprint from operations is five times larger for the DF-Al compared to the CF-Fe. Operational costs covering chemicals and energy are almost 30% higher for the DF-Al. Simplified material intensity estimations for the construction phase show that the carbon footprint and investment cost increase with increasing process area, which are larger for the DF-Al. Therefore, to reduce environmental impacts and costs, the design of drinking water treatment processes should be carefully considered even for very similar processes. The results should motivate both water professionals and decision-makers to include a carbon footprint evaluation as a routine step in the DWTP selection and design phases.
The temperature-dependent kinetics and bacteria regrowth by performic acid and sodium hypochlorite disinfection
Authors: Ding Ning , Liu Kun , Jiang Lin , Liu Hong
Published: November 2023

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) has been widely used as a disinfectant in water and wastewater treatment, because of its high efficiency and low cost, whereas the bio-toxicity of its disinfection byproducts (DBPs) raised great concern. Performic acid (PFA) produces less DBPs and shows strong oxidation abilities. In this study, the effect of temperature on NaOCl and PFA disinfection as well as bacteria regrowth were evaluated. First, the inactivation of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis by NaOCl and PFA at 4 and 20 °C, detected by cell cultured-based plate counting were fitted to kinetic models, and the predicted CTs were calculated. The results showed that NaOCl was more effective than PFA for E. coli and S. aureus inactivation, and the temperature was positively correlated to disinfection. Second, bacteria regrowth was evaluated at different temperatures (4 and 20 °C) of disinfection and storage. The results showed that the bacteria inactivated by NaOCl regrew prominently, especially for those inactivated at 4 and stored at 4 °C, probably through the mechanism of reactivation of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria. PFA was superior in suppressing bacteria regrowth, and it may be used as an alternate disinfectant in water treatment in cold environment.
Obecność franciszkańska w Egipcie od końca XVIII wieku do czasów współczesnych
Authors: Paczkowski Mieczysław C.
Published: November 2023

Po ponad pięciu stuleciach obecności franciszkańskiej w Egipcie sytuacja uległa zmianie. Stało się to z powodu wyprawy Napoleona nad Nil. To moment, w którym rozpoczął się okres wpływów europejskich w tamtym regionie. Pod pewnymi względami wytworzyło to także sprzyjające warunki do rozwoju wspólnoty rzymskokatolickiej. Apostolat franciszkański nie był jednak łatwy. Złoty okres dla duszpasterstwa franciszkańskiego nastąpił w chwili otwarcia Kanału Sueskiego. Europejczycy przez dekady nadawali ton charakterowi działalności franciszkańskiej. W pierwszej połowie XX wieku obecność franciszkańska w Egipcie mogła rozwijać się bez przeszkód. Z chwilą wybuchu II Wojny Światowej i powstania Republiki Egiptu sytuacja uległa zmianie. Europejczycy opuszczali Egipt, a wspólnota katolicka szybko się kurczyła. Odpływ Europejczyków spowodował konieczność sprofilowania nowych form obecności franciszkańskiej i zwrócenie się w stronę miejscowej ludności. Zaczęto bardziej starać się o lokalne powołania. Misja franciszkańska nie straciła jednak swojej specyfiki. Szczególny zakres aktywności stanowi duszpasterstwo Koptów i praca naukowo-badawcza we franciszkańskim Centrum Studiów Wschodnich w Kairze.
Activation and Denitrosylation of Procaspase-3 in KA-induced
Excitotoxicity
Authors: Liu Yong , Yan Hui , Zhang Jia , Cai Yu-Ting , Yin Xiao-Hui , Lu Feng , Liu Ying-Kui , Li Chong
Published: November 2023

Background:

It has been reported that activation of glutamate kainate receptor subunit 2
(GluK2) subunit-containing glutamate receptors and the following Fas ligand(FasL) up-regulation,
caspase-3 activation, result in delayed apoptosis-like neuronal death in hippocampus CA1 subfield
after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Nitric oxide-mediated S-nitrosylation might inhibit the
procaspase activation, whereas denitrosylation might contribute to cleavage and activation of
procaspases.

Objectives:

The study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying procaspase-3
denitrosylation and activation following kainic acid (KA)-induced excitotoxicity in rat
hippocampus.

Methods:

S-nitrosylation of procaspase-3 was detected by biotin-switch method. Activation of
procaspase-3 was shown as cleavage of procaspase-3 detected by immunoblotting. FasL expression
was detected by immunoblotting. Cresyl violets and TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling
(TUNEL) staining were used to detect apoptosis-like neuronal death in rat hippocampal CA1 and
CA3 subfields.

Results:

KA led to the activation of procaspase-3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the
activation was inhibited by KA receptor antagonist NS102. Procaspase-3 was denitrosylated at 3 h
after kainic acid administration, and the denitrosylation was reversed by SNP and GSNO. FasL ASODNs
inhibited the procaspase-3 denitrosylation and activation. Moreover, thioredoxin reductase
(TrxR) inhibitor auranofin prevented the denitrosylation and activation of procaspase-3 in rat
hippocampal CA1 and CA3 subfields. NS102, FasL AS-ODNs, and auranofin reversed the KAinduced
apoptosis and cell death in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 subfields.

Conclusions:

KA led to denitrosylation and activation of procaspase-3 via FasL and TrxR.
Inhibition of procaspase-3 denitrosylation by auranofin, SNP, and GSNO played protective effects
against KA-induced apoptosis-like neuronal death in rat hippocampal CA1 and CA3 subfields.
These investigations revealed that the procaspase-3 undergoes an initial denitrosylation process
before becoming activated, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and
possible treatment of excitotoxicity.
Biomarkers for Diagnosing and Treating Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Wu Mengyao , He Junyu , Chen Yetao , Wan Fangzhu , Tang Hongbo , Yin Chenghong , He Haibo , Yu Huifan , Yuan Chengfu
Published: November 2023

abstract:

Fetal growth restriction (FGR), a common obstetric complication, significantly increases the risks of fetal intrauterine death and neonatal death, and fetuses with
growth restriction are prone to cognitive retardation and various diseases in adulthood.
The early determination of FGR risk is contentious in clinical research, and few indicators are available for the early prediction and diagnosis of FGR. This review focuses on
the prediction and diagnosis of FGR, as well as the significance of biomarkers for FGR,
such as those related to gene regulation, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Although many of these biomarkers are still in the early stages of research, they
are good predictors of the threats to fetal health and safety, and they provide new insights for the treatment of FGR.
Evidence from Machine Learning, Diagnostic Hub Genes in Sepsis and Diagnostic Models based on Xgboost Models, Novel Molecular Models for the Diagnosis of Sepsis
Authors: Yu Yangzi , Li Jing , Li Jiarui , Zen Xianming , Fu Qiang
Published: November 2023

Background:

Systemic multi-organ dysfunction resulting from dysregulated
immune responses in the host triggered by microbial infection or other factors is a major
cause of death in sepsis, and secretory pathways play an important role in it.

Methods:

GSE57065, GSE65682, GSE145227, and GSE54514 from Gene Expression
Omnibus (GEO) were derived for this study. Secretory pathways single sample gene set
enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) scores in sepsis and normal samples were exposed. Gene
modules associated with secretory pathways were selected by weighted gene coexpression
network analysis (WGCNA) for Protein-Protein Interaction Networks (PPI)
assessment, and crossover genes in both were evaluated by eXtreme Gradient Boosting
(XGBoost) model in feature selection to identify hub genes in sepsis. In addition, we explored
the immune cells and signaling pathways regulated by hub genes.

Results:

Remarkable dysregulation of secretory pathways was demonstrated in sepsis.
The secretory pathways-associated gene modules were intimately involved in cytokine
and immune responses in infection. Four crossover genes (CD163, FCER1G, C3AR1,
ARG1) were present in WGCNA and PPI, and training in the XGBoost model revealed
the best diagnostic performance of these 4 genes, meaning that these genes were the hub
genes for sepsis. The 4-hub genes showed a significant negative correlation with T cell activity
and a significant positive correlation with inflammatory immune cells. In addition,
we found that the 4-hub genes markedly positively regulated INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE,
IL6 JAK STAT3 SIGNALING.

Conclusion:

Based on WGCNA, PPI, and XGBoost models, we identified hub genes that
play an important regulatory role in sepsis. We also developed novel molecular models for
the diagnosis of sepsis.
Differential Pharmacokinetic Interplay of Atorvastatin on Lacosamide and
Levetiracetam on Experimental Convulsions in Mice
Authors: Rajangam Jayaraman , Lakshmanan Arun Prasath , Palei Narahari N. , Elumalai Karthikeyan , Kotakonda Muddukrishnaiah , Prakash R. , Latha P
Published: November 2023

Background:

The beneficial effects of statins, other than their hypocholesterolemia role, have been
well documented, however, their use as an adjuvant drug with other antiseizure drugs, in the treatment of epilepsy
is poorly understood.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the symbiotic effect of ATOR along with either lacosamide (LACO) or
levetiracetam (LEVE) on experimentally induced epilepsy (Maximal electro-shock-MES or pentylenetetrazol-
PTZ) in mice models.

Methods:

Conventional elevated-maze (EPM) and rotarod methods were performed to observe the behavioral
effects.

Results:

In both the animal models, we found that co-administration of ATOR along with LACO showed a significant
reduction in hind-limb extension (HLE) and clonic convulsion (CC) responses, respectively, but not in the
ATOR+LEVE treated group. Intriguingly, comparable Straub tail response and myoclonic convulsion as the diazepam
(DIA) group were observed only in the ATOR+LACO treated group. Moreover, a significant muscle-grip
strength was observed in both groups. Also, pharmacokinetic analysis has indicated that the mean plasma concentration
of ATOR peaked at 2nd hr in the presence of LACO but marginally peaked in the presence of LEVE. An Insilico
study has revealed that ATOR has a higher binding affinity toward neuronal sodium channels.

Conclusion:

This study has demonstrated that the plasma concentration of ATOR was potentiated in the presence
of LACO, but not in the presence of LEVE and it has provided significant protection against both the electro and
chemo-convulsive models in mice. This could be due to the symbiotic pharmacokinetic interplay of ATOR with
LACO, and possibly, this interplay may interfere with sodium channel conductance.
Cubosomes: An Emerging and Promising Drug Delivery System for
Enhancing Cancer Therapy
Authors: Singh Smita , Sachan Kapil , Verma Suryakant , Singh Nidhi , Singh Pranjal Kumar
Published: November 2023

Cancer and other diseases can be treated with cubosomes, which are lyotropic nonlamellar
liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNs). These cubosomes can potentially be a highly
versatile carrier with theranostic efficacy, as they can be ingested, applied topically, or injected
intravenously. Recent years have seen substantial progress in the synthesis, characterization,
regulation of drug release patterns, and target selectivity of loaded anticancer bioactive compounds.
However, its use in clinical settings has been slow and necessitates additional proof.
Recent progress and roadblocks in using cubosomes as a nanotechnological intervention against
various cancers are highlighted. In the last few decades, advances in biomedical nanotechnology
have allowed for the development of "smart" drug delivery devices that can adapt to external
stimuli. By improving therapeutic targeting efficacy and lowering the negative effects of payloads,
these well-defined nanoplatforms can potentially promote patient compliance in response
to specific stimuli. Liposomes and niosomes, two other well-known vesicular systems, share a
lipid basis with cubosomes. Possible applications include a novel medication delivery system for
hydrophilic, lipophilic, and amphiphilic drugs. We evaluate the literature on cubosomes, emphasizing
their potential use in tumor-targeted drug delivery applications and critiquing existing
explanations for cubosome self-assembly, composition, and production. As cubosome dispersion
has bioadhesive and compatible features, numerous drug delivery applications, including oral,
ocular, and transdermal, are also discussed in this review.
The Efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) on Healing of
Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Literature Review
Authors: Widigdo Dwi Ari Murti , Muttaqien Sofro Zaenal , Suseani Pangastuti Heny , Dachlan Ishandono
Published: November 2023

Background::

Diabetes mellitus is a complex disorder that requires continuous management
to control blood sugar levels and prevent complications. Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are
the most common complication in diabetic patients. A popular therapy modality with considerable
advantages in the management of diabetic foot ulcers today is negative pressure wound therapy
(NPWT).

Objective::

This study aimed to review related articles about the efficacy as well as the complications
or adverse effects of using NPWT on the healing of DFUs.

Methods::

Searching English databases from PubMed, Ebscohost, Proquest and Science Direct
was done to identify relevant citations published between January 2017 and January 2022. A
combination of terms was used with the boolean formulation of “negative pressure wound therapy
OR NPWT” OR “vacuum-assisted closure or VAC” AND “diabetic foot ulcers OR diabetic
foot wound” AND “wound healing” AND “Conventional dressings” and map terms were also
used for the subject heading. Some potentially relevant citations of articles from the bibliographies
are also reviewed.

Results::

This study included 8 related articles consisting of 6 RCTs, 1 cohort study and 1 Quasy
experimental study. There were various methodological techniques for using NPWT and outcome
measures among studies. The results of this literature review showed that NPWT was
more efficacious than the other conventional or advanced moist dressings. This therapy revealed
a faster healing time with complete wound healing and formation of granulation tissue and reduction
in wound size. The complications or adverse effects of NPWT, such as amputation
rate, bleeding and pain, were not different from conventional or advanced moist dressings,
though.

Conclusion::

NPWT was more efficacious than other conventional or advanced moist dressings
for the healing of DFUs. However, complications or adverse effects of using this therapy
showed no significant difference with other conventional or advanced moist dressings.
Clinical Risk Assessment and Comparison of Bias between Laboratory
Methods for Estimation of HbA1c for Glycated Hemoglobin in
Hyperglycemic Patients
Authors: Mukherjee Sukhes , Yadav Prasant , Ray Suman Kumar , Jadhav Ashish A. , Wakode Santosh L.
Published: November 2023

Introduction:

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), also known as glycated hemoglobin, is a
blood test used to evaluate and track a patient's blood sugar levels over the previous 2-3 months.
We have compared the analytical performance of the D10 hemoglobin (HPLC) testing system to
that of the immunoturbidimetric technique, which is a light-scattering immunoassay

Objectives:

To assess the clinical risk assessment between two methods (Compare the two Immunoturbidometric methods (AU680) vs HPLC method (D10)) in hyperglycemic patients and
assess the acceptability of the respective methods in the clinical biochemistry Laboratory.

Methods:

The charge of the globins in Hb was used as the basis for the HPLC method used to
measure HbA1c. HPLC detects and quantifies even the tiniest Hb fractions and the full spectrum
of Hb variants. HbA1c was measured using the immunoturbidimetric (AU 680 Beckmann coulter analyzer) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Experiments also made use of immunoturbidimetric techniques (using an AU 680 Beckmann coulter analyzer
equipment).

Results:

There is no statistically significant difference in HbA1c readings between male and female patients, as measured by either the Immunoturbidimetric or HPLC techniques.

Conclusion:

The immunoturbidimetric and high-performance liquid chromatography techniques
for estimating HbA1c yielded identical results. From the results of this study, we may deduce
that both techniques are valid for estimating HbA1c. As a result, it may be suggested that both
approaches can be used to estimate HbA1c in diabetic individuals.