bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APPLICATION OF GIS BASED MODEL IN LANDFILL SITE SELECTION: A CASE STUDY OF LAHORE, PAKISTAN
Authors: S. Rathore
Published: July 2023

Open dumping sites for solid wastes in Asian developing countries, including Pakistan, have recently received particular attention in terms of environmental pollution problems. In the Lahore District, Mehmood Booti is the only authorized open dumping site developed by city district government which is now unable to fulfill district’s requirement. Therefore the data was collected to propose a new landfill site in Lahore district, Pakistan. These data sets involved the processing of spatial information that was utilized in GIS environment using Boolean Operation as a tool for land suitability analysis. In order to achieve desired results, five input raster layers; including water bodies, roads, important places, existing dumping site and tube well were prepared. After omission of unsuitable areas, the suitability analysis of the residue areas was accomplished.
REVIEW ON TRANSGENIC TECHNOLOGY IN LIVESTOCK: CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE HORIZONS
Authors: M. Shaukat
Published: July 2023

Transgenic technologies are one of the most promising arenas in the field of biotechnology. These techniques employ genetic engineering techniques to insert foreign genes of interest into genome of an individual. These foreign genes are inherited and expressed by the recipient‟s offspring.

Two things determine the success of any transgenic technique namely the transport of foreign piece of DNA across the recipient‟s cell membrane and delivery of that DNA across the nuclear membrane gaining access to the chromosomes of the recipient. Many transgenic techniques are employed for genetic manipulation like microinjection, somatic cell nuclear transfer, chemical methods, restriction enzyme mediated gene transfer, retrovirus mediated gene transfer as well as embryonic stem cell and sperm mediated DNA transfer etc. The transgenic animals can be employed in drug discovery, disease research and xenotransplantation etc. This review summarizes various transgenic techniques, applications and future prospects of the transgenic technology.
Negotiating the Use of Native Languages in Emerging Pluralistic and Independent Broadcast Systems in Africa
Authors: Isaac Abeku Blankson
Published: July 2023

Since the 1990s liberal and democratic reforms in African countries, competitive independent and pluralistic broad castings, particularly radio, have emerged to provide channel and program diversity for the first time in these emerging democracies. Independent radio has become an entrée into civic discourse and socio-political awareness and a force for social and political integration and accountability. However, these positive developments have overshadowed theobservation that Africa’s emerging independent radio has become an avenue for corroding their societies’ languages and cultures. While they have been insensitive to native languages, they are successful in domesticating the languages of their former European colonizers. Using the experiences of Ghana’s radio, this article raises important questions about the relationship between Africa’s native languages and the development of a true African broadcasting system. It calls for a re-examination of the belief that the multilingual character of African societies does not serve broadcasting well. It argues that a true African broadcast system that allows for mass participation can develop only if African broadcasters and policy makers address the native language deficiency in broadcasting. Finally, it calls for a deliberate and planned effort to promote the use of African native languages over Euro-imperial languages in broadcasting.
Everyday Use of Mobile Phones in Niger
Authors: Gado Alzouma
Published: July 2023

This paper critically examines the effects of mobile phone use on relationshipsamong people in Niger. The study is based on a fieldwork conducted during thesummer of 2003 and 2004 among Nigerien urban users of mobile phones inNiamey, the capital city. Semi-structured interviews were used to find out howpeople ‘experience’ the use of mobile phones in their everyday life. The authorargues that the use of mobile phones in Niger is expanding women’s sphere ofprivacy, challenging the disintegration effects of urban life, reinforcing communalties, changing social use of time and what Pertierra et al. (2002) call ‘discursivepractices.’ The paper concludes by explaining that the popularity of mobilephones in Africa and particularly in Niger lies essentially in the manipulabilityand low cost of those telecommunications devices, including the fact that mobilephones do not require a certain level of literacy among the users.
Pengembangan Kemampuan Manajemen Pemasaran Melalui Teknik Pengemasan dan Labeling Produk UMKM di Desa Kerato
Authors: Fendy Maradita  , Anwar  , Fahlia  , Fadli Faturrahman  , Rian Hardiansyah  , Agus Santoso  , Hartini  , Jayanti Mandasari  , Nurasia  , Nurmaliyah
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this service is to expand product marketing and introduce product packaging to people in Kerato Village who have businesses. The method used is to provide counseling and training regarding product packaging techniques and product marketing. Marketing is the spearhead in a business, so this needs to be improved all the time and given knowledge about marketing that continues to grow. The result of this activity is that the community in Kerato village who have a business can better understand how to apply attractive packaging and carry out proper marketing so that they can increase their business.
Factores asociados a sinusitis crónica en niños menores de 10 años que acuden al instituto nacional de salud del niño 2017-2019
Authors:   , Ricra Fernandez Cesar Augusto
Published: July 2023

OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores asociados a sinusitis crónica en niños menores de 10 años que acuden al Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño de enero del 2017 a agosto del 2019. METODOLOGIA: El presente estudio es de tipo analítico, casos y controles, observacional, transversal, retrospectivo. Se tomó una población de 276 pacientes donde 138 correspondieron a pacientes con sinusitis crónica y 138 a pacientes sin sinusitis crónica. La información se recolecto mediante una ficha de recolección de datos al revisar las historias clínicas. RESULTADOS: Las variantes anatómicas y estructurales como tabique nasal desviado (p=0.003) y la hipertrofia adenoidea (p=0.001) se asociaron significativamente a sinusitis crónica en niños menores a 10 años como también se encontró en las comorbilidades asociación significativa en pacientes con rinitis alérgica(p=0.028) y asma (p=0.026) CONCLUSIÓN: Los factores asociados a sinusitis crónica en niños menores de 10 años fueron tabique nasal desviado, hipertrofia adenoidea, rinitis alérgica y asma en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño.
Riesgos asociados sindrome metabolico en pacientes con psoriasis atendidos en el servicio de dermatologia del hospital María Auxiliadora, enero - diciembre del 2018
Authors:   , Sanchez Vargas Luz Maylee
Published: July 2023

OBJETIVO: Determinar los riesgos asociados al síndrome metabólico en pacientes con psoriasis atendidos en el servicio de dermatología del Hospital “María Auxiliadora” Enero – Diciembre 2018. DISEÑO: Estudio de tipo analítico, caso-control, cuantitativo, retrospectivo y transversal. Se revisaron 225 historias clínicas de pacientes con psoriasis; los casos fueron 71 pacientes con síndrome metabólico y el grupo de control 142 pacientes sin síndrome metabólico. Se utilizó una ficha de recolección de datos acerca de los riesgos asociados a síndrome metabólico: factores sociodemográficos; factores clínicos; antecedentes personales y antecedentes patológicos. Las variables se analizaron en el programa estadístico SPSS versión 25. RESULTADOS: Existe asociación estadísticamente significativa entre: edad adulto (valor p=0.000; OR:2.985; IC95% 1.622- 5.496);el sexo femenino (valor p=0.003; OR:2.456; IC95% 1.357- 4.442); variante clínica vulgar (p=0.029; OR:.3.280; IC95% 1.304-8.251); gravedad de psoriasis moderada (p=0.000; OR 4.982; IC95% 2.700-9.193); sedentarismo (p=0.000; OR:3.855; C95% 2.099-7.080); alimentación no saludable(p=0.000; OR:3.835; IC95% 2.100- 7.004); consumo de alcohol(p=0.001; OR:2.76; IC95% 1.491-4.806); IMC de sobrepeso ( p=0.000; OR=1.434; IC95% 1.076-3.477) y obesidad (p=0.000; OR=1.076; IC95% 1.772-6.986);hígado graso(p=0.011; OR:2.099; IC95%1.177-3.744) y diabetes(p=0.009, OR:2.208; IC95%1.216-4.008) como riesgo asociados a síndrome metabólico en pacientes con psoriasis. CONCLUSIONES: La edad, el sexo, la variante clínica psoriásica, la gravedad de psoriasis, el sedentarismo, el tipo de alimentación, consumo de alcohol, el IMC, hígado graso y diabetes; son riesgos asociados al desarrollo de síndrome metabólico en pacientes con psoriasis, atendidos en el servicio de dermatología del Hospital “María Auxiliadora” enero-diciembre 2018.
Matoa : Analogi Morfologi Buah Endemik Daerah Papua ‘Matoa’ Sebagai Inspirasi Penciptaan Karya Busana Berkolaborasi Dengan PT. Sangkara Indah Sejahtera
Authors: Santini Ni Kadek Dwika , Sudharsana Tjok Istri Ratna Cora , Diantari Ni Kadek Yuni
Published: July 2023

Matoa merupakan tumbuhan endemik asal Papua yang tersebar hampir di seluruh daerah Papua, seperti jayapura, Wondoswaar-pulau Weoswar, Anjai Kebar, Warmare, Armina-Bintuni, Ransiki, Pami-Nuni (Manokwari), Samabusa-Nabire, serta pulau Yapen. Buah ini memiliki cita rasa yang manis dan unik, rasa buahnya seperti perpaduan lengkeng, rambutan, dan durian. Selain rasa buah yang unik dan manis, buah matoa memiliki banyak manfaat seperti dalam bidang kesehatan buah ini mengandung vitamin A, C, dan E. Oleh karena itu, penulis ingin memperkenalkan buah matoa kepada masyarakat luas melalui penciptaan busana chic look yang terinspirasi dari buah matoa. Dalam penciptaan busana chic look ini mempergunakan teori FRANGIPANI yaitu 8 tahapan penciptaan busana dan gaya ungkap analogi. Dari sepuluh metode tahapan FRANGIPANI hanya delapan metode penciptaan  dijadikan sebagai landasan dalam penciptaan koleksi busana dengan ide pemantik matoa kedalam tiga jenis busana meliputi ready to wear busana pria, ready to wear deluxe busana wanita, dan semi couture busana wanita. Hasil dari penciptaan busana ini diharapkan dapat menambah pengetahuan dalam bidang fashion mengenai analogi morfologi buah matoa yang diimplementasikan ke dalam karya busana.
Utilizing Sand as Glaze in Agung Glazinia Ceramics
Authors: Diatmika Gusti Ngurah Agung Dalem , Muka I Ketut , Suardina I Nyoman
Published: July 2023

This study aims to practice the application of sand to the glaze which is intended to produce glazes with different colors for staining ceramics. Qualitative methods are used with the data collection process through observation, interviews, and documentation. To find out the results resulting from the use of sand to glaze, an experimental method is applied as a reference in this study. The process of making glaze with a mixture of sand is still the same as the process of making glaze in general, starting from preparing tools or materials, mixing materials, applying to burning to find out the results obtained. The sand can produce new effects such as melting glass melts on glazes with certain colors. Characteristics of sand that is difficult to melt produces its own texture from the sand that is mixed into the glass. Sand glaze is very suitable to be applied to ceramic media which needs different shades from the glaze color in general. In the future sand glaze can be one of the glaze options that are in great demand by the public because it can reduce the material costs of making glaze.
ANALISIS SEMIOTIKA TERHADAP ANIMASI “BELAJAR MEMBACA HURUF VOKAL DAN KONSONAN, LALA & CIKO”
Authors: Yasa Gede Pasek Putra Adnyana , Putra Gede Lingga Ananta Kusuma , Pramayasa I Made Hendra Mahajaya
Published: July 2023

Studi ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis animasi yang berjudul “Belajar Membaca Huruf Vokal dan Konsonan, Lala & Ciko”menggunakan teori semiotika. Teori semiotika yang digunakan adalah semiotika Charles Sanders Pierce meliputi: ikon, indeks, dan simbol. Pada umunya, pembelajaran atau pesan yang disampaikan melalui bentuk video, khususnya video animasi, tentu memiliki suatu tanda di dalamnya yang dapat membantu para penontonnya untuk cepat menangkap pesan yang disampaikan. Dalam animasi, tanda tersebut bisa dibentuk pada audio, visual, karakter, maupun pendukung lainnya. Penelitian ini termasuk dalam kategori penelitian lapangan (field research) dan digolongkan sebagai penelitian deskriptif kualitatif untuk memperoleh penelitian yang akurat. Penelitian deskriptif kualitatif berupa mendeskripsikan, mencatat, menganalisis dan menginterprestasikan apa yang diteliti, melalui observasi, wawancara dan mempelajari dokumentasi. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa animasi “Lala & Ciko” menerapkan tanda seperti ikon, indeks dan simbol. Hampir pada keseluruhan adegan menerapkan tiga tanda tersebut. Penggunaan ikon, indeks, dan simbol memberikan dampak yang positif dalam membantu anak-anak dalam memahami, mengenal, dan menguasai keterampilan membaca huruf vokal dan konsonan secara interaktif dan menyenangkan.
A Construção do PAS-IF: Percepção do Apoio Social – Inventário de Funções
Authors: Lomando Eduardo
Published: July 2023

Este artigo tem como objetivo delinear os passos da construção do instrumento PAS-IF que descreve de forma quantitativa a percepção do apoio social em sete dimensões a partir de três mapas: família, amigos e relações trabalho/escola.
Cuidando do Cuidador. Programa preventivo e terapêutico para cuidadores de idosos
Authors: Tulio Josete Cesarina , Rocha Milena Buccianti Dias da
Published: July 2023

O cuidador do idoso é uma pessoa que se dedica à tarefa de cuidar. Entre as ações sociais da Associação Paranaense de Terapia Familiar, objetivando melhorar a qualidade de vida do cuidador por meio de práticas preventivas e fortalecimento de vínculos, o presente trabalho traz a experiência adquirida com grupos de cuidadores de idosos - familiares e profissionais. Para tanto foi gerado espaço terapêutico para grupos de cuidadores que facilite troca de experiências, construção de novas competências e possibilidades de reflexão, ressignificação de seus conflitos e aflições. Os resultados  do processo em grupo foram positivos quanto a melhora na autoestima e autocuidado, melhor percepção de si mesmo, dos seus recursos, e retomada de projetos pessoais. Autocuidado e autorespeito mostraram-se aprendizados importantes, sendo um exercício que desperta um compromisso consigo próprio e com suas relações, diminuindo riscos de elevado grau de estresse e doenças comprometedoras do bem-estar físico e emocional.
Spiritualitas Diakonia Guru Pendidikan Agama Katolik (Sebuah Refleksi atas Panggilan Guru PAK di Tahun Diakonia)
Authors: Haru Emanuel
Published: July 2023

A Catholic Religious Education Teacher is called to become a servant. He/She dedicate Him/Her self to present the Kingdom of God for others, wherever He/She work. Ruteng Diocese has decided the year of 2019 as Diacony Year. It is one of the implementations of Third Synod of this Diocese. Diacony is the preaching of the Church to serve all the creatures. The specialty of Diacony is presenting the Kingdom of God in concrete work in the fields of economics, politics, law, education, culture, including technology and the world of social communication.As thecitizens of the Church of God’s People, every person (and group of people) is called to carry out the mission of service that is to present the Kingdom in to the world in accordance with the professions and fields of duty entrusted to it. Likewise, a teacher. Teachers, including Catholic Religious Education Teachers who work in education field, have the responsibility to implement this year of service (diacony) through their specific duties as a teacher and educator as well as a catechist. Through his/her work as a teacher and educator, Catholic Religious Education Teachers present the Kingdom of God to students in the school. Likewise in carrying out its function as a catechist. He/She presents the kingdom of God to anyone wherever He/She works as a catechist.This paper is a reflection of the implementation of the duties of a Catholic Religious Education Teacher who must actually have a diacony spirituality. Diacony spirituality is inherent in a Catholic Religious Education Teacher when He/She is on a mission as a servant, not as a mere worker. In the context of interpreting this Year of service/diacony, there is a reflective question which is evocative and suing which is asked, “Is the Catholic Religious Education Teacher still aware of his calling as a minister with some virtues inherent in the ministry of service?
aportes teóricos de Pierre Bourdieu para compreensão do processo de construção da Lei Aldir Blanc
Authors: Kaizer de Oliveira Bianca , Michels Chaves Bianca , Helena Livramento Dellagnelo Eloise
Published: July 2023

Este trabalho tem como objetivo traçar reflexões em torno da seguinte questão norteadora: quais as possíveis contribuições da Teoria dos Campos Sociais, de Pierre Bourdieu, para compreender a articulação no campo cultural entre o poder público e as organizações da sociedade civil, durante a construção nacional da Lei Aldir Blanc (LAB)? Para isso, apresentamos uma breve contextualização do campo da cultura no Brasil e do surgimento da LAB. Após, buscamos discorrer a respeito da perspectiva teórica apresentada por Pierre Bourdieu para compreensão do poder, seus principais conceitos, e de que forma estes podem contribuir para a análise do processo de construção e articulação da LAB.
A Polycrystalline Polymer Donor as Pre‐Aggregate toward Ordered Molecular Aggregation for 19.3% Efficiency Binary Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Guo Chuanhang , Fu Yiwei , Li Donghui , Wang Liang , Zhou Bojun , Chen Chen , Zhou Jing , Sun Yuandong , Gan Zirui , Liu Dan , Li Wei , Wang Tao
Published: July 2023

Organic semiconductors are generally featured with low structure order in solid‐state films, which leads to low charge‐transport mobility and strong charge recombination in their photovoltaic devices. In this work, a “polycrystal‐induced aggregation” strategy orders the polymer donor (PM6) and non‐fullerene acceptor (L8‐BO) molecules during solution casting with the assistance of PM6 polycrystals that are incubated through a vapor diffusion method, toward improved solar cell efficiency with either thin or thick photoactive layers. These PM6 polycrystals are redissolved in chloroform to prepare PM6 pre‐aggregates (PM6‐PA), and further incorporated into the conventional PM6:L8‐BO blend solutions, which is found to prolong the molecular organization process and enhance the aggregation of both the PM6 and the L8‐BO components. As the results, with the assistance of 10% PM6‐PA, PM6:L8‐BO solar cell devices obtain power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) from 18.0% and 16.2% to 19.3% and 17.2% with a 100 nm‐thick and 300 nm‐thick photoactive layer, respectively.
Drone Detection and Tracking System Based on Fused Acoustical and Optical Approaches
Authors: Ding Siyi , Guo Xiao , Peng Ti , Huang Xiao , Hong Xiaoping
Published: July 2023

The increasing popularity of small drones has stressed the urgent need for an effective drone‐oriented surveillance system that can work day and night. Herein, an acoustic and optical sensor‐fusion‐based system‐termed multimodal unmanned aerial vehicle 3D trajectory exposure system (MUTES) is presented to detect and track drone targets. MUTES combines multiple sensor modules including microphone array, camera, and lidar. The 64‐channel microphone array provides semispherical surveillance with high signal‐to‐noise ratio of sound source estimation, while the long‐range lidar and the telephoto camera are capable of subsequent precise target localization in a narrower but higher definition field of view. MUTES employs a coarse‐to‐fine, passive‐to‐active localization strategy for wide‐range detection (semispherical) and high‐precision 3D tracking. To further increase the fidelity, an environmental denoising model is trained, which helps to select valid acoustic features from a drone target, thus overcomes the drawbacks of the traditional sound source localization approaches when facing noise interference. The effectiveness of the proposed sensor‐fusion approach is validated through field experiments. To the best of the knowledge, MUTES provides the farthest detection range, highest 3D position accuracy, strong anti‐interference capability, and acceptable cost for unverified drone intruders.
PROTOCOL: Problem solving before instruction (PS‐I) to promote learning and motivation in child and adult students
Authors: González‐Cabañes Eduardo , Garcia Trinidad , Chase Catherine , Núñez Jose Carlos
Published: July 2023

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows: The purpose of this review is to synthesize the evidence about the efficacy of problem solving before instruction (PS‐I) to promote learning and motivation in students. Specifically, this review is designed to answer the following questions: To what degree does PS‐I affect learning and motivation, relative to alternative learning approaches? To what extent is the efficacy of PS‐I associated with the use of different design features within it, including the use of group work, contrasting cases, and metacognitive guidance in the initial problem‐solving activity, and the use of explanations that build upon students' solutions in the explicit instruction phase? To what extent is the relative efficacy of PS‐I associated with the contextual factors of activities used as control, age of students, duration of the interventions, and learning domain? What is the quality of the existent evidence to evaluate these questions in terms of number of studies included and potential biases derived from publication and methodological restrictions?
VCII based electronically tunable multi‐mode filter structure with fourth order low‐pass function for the HF band applications
Authors: Ozenli Deniz , Yesil Abdullah
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we propose an electronically tunable multi‐mode filter structure with fourth‐order current mode low‐pass function based on second‐generation voltage conveyor (VCII) for the analog baseband applications. The fourth‐order low‐pass circuit consists of second‐order core filter structures including band and low‐pass outputs. The proposed fourth‐order circuit's cut‐off frequency can be easily varied from 1.6 up to 17.2 MHz for the high frequency (HF) applications used in multi‐standard receivers. Also, the core circuit of the fourth‐order architecture possesses current mode and transresistance mode filter functions enabling signal conversion and different signal operations. The given architecture has 116 μm × 39 μm chip area, and post layout simulations are demonstrated extensively. In addition, the performance of the proposed structure is examined based on commercial elements (AD844s). Also, detailed linearity analysis is given using post layout extractions. In fourth‐order low‐pass structure, cut‐off frequency can be safely tuned from 1.6 up to 17.2 MHz, whereas consumed power can be reduced to 0.769 μW. It can be investigated that the proposed circuit can be safely used for the analog baseband and HF operations in wireless receivers.
Whole‐genome survey reveals extensive variation in genetic diversity and inbreeding levels among peregrine falcon subspecies
Authors: Johnson Jeff A. , Athrey Giridhar , Anderson Clifford M. , Bell Douglas A. , Dixon Andrew , Kumazawa Yoshinori , Maechtle Tom , Meeks Garrett W. , Mindell David , Nakajima Keiya , Novak Ben , Talbot Sandra , White Clayton , Zhan Xiangjiang
Published: July 2023

In efforts to prevent extinction, resource managers are often tasked with increasing genetic diversity in a population of concern to prevent inbreeding depression or improve adaptive potential in a changing environment. The assumption that all small populations require measures to increase their genetic diversity may be unwarranted, and limited resources for conservation may be better utilized elsewhere. We test this assumption in a case study focused on the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), a cosmopolitan circumpolar species with 19 named subspecies. We used whole‐genome resequencing to generate over two million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from multiple individuals of all peregrine falcon subspecies. Our analyses revealed extensive variation among subspecies, with many island‐restricted and nonmigratory populations possessing lower overall genomic diversity, elevated inbreeding coefficients (FROH)—among the highest reported, and extensive runs of homozygosity (ROH) compared to mainland and migratory populations. Similarly, the majority of subspecies that are either nonmigratory or restricted to islands show a much longer history of low effective population size (Ne). While mutational load analyses indicated an increased proportion of homozygous‐derived deleterious variants (i.e., drift load) among nonmigrant and island populations compared to those that are migrant or reside on the mainland, no significant differences in the proportion of heterozygous deleterious variants (i.e., inbreeding load) was observed. Our results provide evidence that high levels of inbreeding may not be an existential threat for some populations or taxa. Additional factors such as the timing and severity of population declines are important to consider in management decisions about extinction potential.
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)‐Mediated Oxidative Hydroxylation of Arylboronic Acids and Its Applications in C‐O Bond Formation
Authors: Yang Sen , Liu Guo‐ying , Fan Hui‐ke , Li Jun‐hua , Teng Qiao‐qiao , Chen Ming
Published: July 2023

We have developed a straightforward methodology for converting arylboronic acids into phenols using NaOH‐mediated air oxidation. This reaction offers several advantages, including simple operation, excellent tolerance towards various functional groups, and scalability. The transmetalation of the resulting borate ester with NaOH occurs readily, enabling convenient derivatization of the borate ester into aryl ethers and esters using alkyl and acyl halides.
Socioeconomic and home educational resource risk factors and Children's literacy and social skills in Guyanese families: Mediating role of parental cognitive engagement and parental guidance
Authors: Lape Megan E. , Roopnarine Jaipaul L. , Krishnakumar Ambika , Blake Corinne
Published: July 2023

This study examined the mediating role of parental cognitive engagement and parental guidance on the associations between family socioeconomic and home environment resource risk factors and children's literacy and social skills in Guyana. The sample consisted of 1208 families from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds drawn from the 2019 to 2020 country‐level UNICEF MICS data. Caregivers provided assessments of socioeconomic conditions, educational resources in the home environment, cognitive engagement, parental guidance and children's literacy and social skills. Family socioeconomic risk had an indirect association with social skills through cognitive engagement. Home environment educational resource risk had indirect associations with children's literacy and social skills through parental guidance. Findings are discussed in terms of identifying protective factors within families in low‐ and middle‐income Caribbean countries that can better inform intervention efforts geared at reducing risks to childhood development.
Sliding mode control for the discrete cyber‐physical systems under aperiodic denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Zhang Ruifeng , Yang Rongni , Li Guitong
Published: July 2023

In this work, the problems of stability analysis and sliding mode control (SMC) for discrete‐time cyber‐physical systems (CPSs) under denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks are investigated. Firstly, the model of aperiodic DoS attacks is established by introducing the constraints on the upper bound of the attack interval and the lower bound of the non‐attack interval. Next, by utilizing the SMC and switching strategies, the input‐to‐state stability (ISS) of the CPSs can be guaranteed in terms of the upper and lower bounds restrictions. Then, the sliding mode control law is designed for the considered CPSs. Finally, one example is given to illustrate the applicability of our proposed theoretical result.
Identifying coal mining subsidence impacts by soil moisture based on optical trapezoid model in Google Earth Engine
Authors: He Tingting , Chen Wenqi , Xiao Wu , Guo Jiwang , Chen Hang , Deng Xinyu
Published: July 2023

Many coal mining areas overlapped with agricultural land in the world. However, surface subsidence and waterlogging brought on by coal mining inexorably harm the agricultural land. Soil moisture can reflect the variation of mining impact significantly according to the geographic features of the high underground water table, which shows significant spatial gradient variation within the subsidence basin. Previous studies have used site survey and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which are not applicable to large‐scale assessments of the ecological impacts and defining the scale of impacts. Here, we used the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and an optical trapezoid model (OPTRAM) to estimate the soil moisture distribution around 50 mining subsidence waterbody samples in eastern China. Based on the spatial variation in soil moisture, the impact boundary of coal mining was determined using buffer analysis and trend fitting. The results showed that: (1) The OPTRAM can well reflect the soil moisture distribution which shows a good correlation between estimated and measured values, with R = 0.83 and RMSE = 0.054. (2) The spatial trend fitting of soil moisture is suitable for evaluating mining impact, and the impact distances are in the range of 96–762 m, 80% of which are located at 128–436 m. We also find that 28% of subsidence waterbody buffer basins were heavily influenced by human activities, and the coal mining impact boundaries cannot be effectively identified. The study provides a new idea to quantify the ecological and agricultural impact boundary of coal mining, which could be applied to other similar regions across the globe.
Dermatan Sulfate/Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with an Anti‐Inflammatory Peptide Increase the Response of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells to 5‐Fluorouracil
Authors: Blachman Agustín , Birocco Ariadna María , Curcio Sofía , Camperi Silvia Andrea , Gianvincenzo Paolo Di , Rodriguez Jésica Ayelén , Barredo‐Vacchelli Gabriela Romina , Cenci Gloria , Sosnik Alejandro , Moya Sergio , Calabrese Graciela Cristina
Published: July 2023

The gold standard drug for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, 5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU), induces pharmacological tolerance in long‐term management. The transcriptional factor nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) plays a key role in 5‐FU resistance. The aim of this work is to study the capability of polyelectrolytes complex nanoparticles of dermatan sulfate (DS) and chitosan (CS), loaded with the anti‐inflammatory tripeptide IRW, to sensitize colorectal cancer cells to 5‐FU. Fluorescence and flow cytometry studies confirmed the recognition by the nanoformulation, of the cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) receptor, involved in the initiation and progression of colorectal tumors. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and flow cytometry reinforced the importance of DS and CD44 receptor in the interaction, as the addition of DS or anti‐CD44 antibody blocked the binding. Moreover, the nanoformulation also interacts with 3D colon cancer cultures, namely colonospheres, enriched in cancer stem cells (CSC), subpopulation responsible for drug resistance and metastasis. To evaluate the consequences of this interaction, the subcellular distribution of the transcriptional factor NFκB, is determined by immunofluorescence analysis. Internalization and the intracellular release of IRW inhibited nuclear translocation of NFκB and increased cellular sensitivity to 5‐FU. Altogether, the nanoformulation could provide a selective delivery platform for IRW distribution to colorectal tumors, being an innovative strategy toward overcoming 5‐FU resistance in CRC therapy.
Bifurcations of a diffusive predator–prey model with prey‐stage structure and prey‐taxis
Authors: Li Yan , Lv Zhiyi , Fan Xiuzhen
Published: July 2023

This paper is concerned with a diffusive predator–prey model with prey‐taxis and prey‐stage structure under the homogeneous Neumann boundary condition. The stability of the unique positive constant equilibrium of the predator–prey model is derived. Hopf bifurcation and steady‐state bifurcation are also concluded.
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K71 Alleviates UVB‐Induced Skin Barrier Dysfunction by Attenuating Inflammation via Increased IL‐10 Production in Mice
Authors: Katayama Shigeru , Yamazaki Rio , Umise Hikaru , Han Hsu Pei , Mihara Toshihiro , Uchiyama Kimiko , Takahashi Hajime , Nakamura Soichiro
Published: July 2023

Scope

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation causes skin barrier dysfunction, leading to decreased water‐holding capacity, impaired epidermal barrier function, and increased skin thickness. This study investigates the protective effects of oral administration of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei K71 against skin barrier dysfunction in UVB‐irradiated mice.

Methods and results

Mice are fed diets with or without K71 and irradiated with UVB three times a week for 12 weeks. Oral administration of K71 suppresses UVB‐induced decrease in stratum corneum water content, mitigates the increase of transepidermal water loss, and decreases epidermal thickness of the dorsal skin. Treatment with K71 reverses the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of nuclear factor‐κB induced by UVB irradiation and upregulates the expression of anti‐inflammatory IL‐10 in the dorsal skin. Notable upregulation of IL‐10 is observed in the spleens of K71‐treated mice. K71 treatment enhances IL‐10 production in J774.1 macrophages; however, this enhancement is diminished by inhibiting K71 phagocytosis and TLR3. Furthermore, transfection using K71 RNAs significantly increases IL‐10 production.

Conclusion

These results indicate that K71 may alleviate UVB‐induced skin barrier dysfunction by attenuating inflammation via increasing IL‐10 production and that K71 RNAs may induce IL‐10 production in macrophages. Therefore, K71 may be beneficial for preventing skin barrier dysfunction.
Development of a synthetic biosensor for chemical exchange MRI utilizing in silico optimized peptides
Authors: Fillion Adam J. , Bricco Alexander R. , Lee Harvey D. , Korenchan David E. , Farrar Christian T. , Gilad Assaf A.
Published: July 2023

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI has been identified as a novel alternative to classical diagnostic imaging. Over the last several decades, many studies have been conducted to determine possible CEST agents, such as endogenously expressed compounds or proteins, that can be utilized to produce contrast with minimally invasive procedures and reduced or non‐existent levels of toxicity. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the generation of genetically engineered CEST contrast agents, typically based on existing proteins with CEST contrast or modified to produce CEST contrast. We have developed an in silico method for the evolution of peptide sequences to optimize CEST contrast and showed that these peptides could be combined to create de novo biosensors for CEST MRI. A single protein, superCESTide, was designed to be 198 amino acids. SuperCESTide was expressed in E. coli and purified with size exclusion chromatography. The magnetic transfer ratio asymmetry generated by superCESTide was comparable to levels seen in previous CEST reporters, such as protamine sulfate (salmon protamine) and human protamine. These data show that novel peptides with sequences optimized in silico for CEST contrast that utilize a more comprehensive range of amino acids can still produce contrast when assembled into protein units expressed in complex living environments.
Preparation and properties of Schiff base fluorescent hydrogels with high strength and toughness based on multiple hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic association
Authors: Lu Weineng , He Jinde , Zhang He , Qu Jinqing
Published: July 2023

The preparation of hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties by the synergistic interaction of various non‐covalent bonds is one of the research focuses. However, the emerging applications put forward requirements on the function, in addition to the mechanical properties. Therefore, we prepared a physically cross‐linked Schiff base fluorescent hydrogel Poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate‐co‐(Z)‐N‐(4‐(2‐((1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methylene)hydrazino‐1‐carbonyl)phenyl)methacrylamide) (P(MAA‐PEGA‐IHPMA)) by solvent exchange method, which greatly improved the mechanical properties of the hydrogel, and realized the versatility of the hydrogel. The hydrogel improved the binding energy and crosslinking density through the synergistic effects of non‐covalent bonds such as hydrophobic association, hydrogen bonding and metal complexation. Therefore, the hydrogel had excellent mechanical properties (the maximum tensile fracture stress and strain are 1.45 MPa and 401%, respectively, and the maximum toughness was 3.41 MJ/m3), and could be regulated by changing the content of IHPMA. Moreover, its fluorescence properties could be controlled by the concentration of Zn2+. In addition, P(MAA‐PEGA‐IHPMA) hydrogel also showed temperature response, solvent‐responsive fluorescence, antibacterial properties and shape memory function. The fluorescent hydrogel with high strength and toughness had potential applications in temperature control materials, anti‐fatigue materials and flexible sensors.
Turbulence near a sandbar island in the lower Missouri River
Authors: Li Geng , Elliott Caroline M. , Call Bruce C. , Sansom Brandon J. , Jacobson Robert B. , Wang Binbin
Published: July 2023

River turbulence is spatially variable due to interactions between morphology of rivers and physical mechanics of flowing water. Understanding the variation of turbulence in rivers is important for characterizing transport processes of soluble and particulate materials in these systems. We present an exploratory effort to understand ecologically relevant flow patterns using measurements of mean flow and turbulence in a highly engineered river channel around an island in the lower Missouri River. Specifically, the profiles of mean river velocities were investigated to examine the logarithmic relation and associated parameters, including shear velocity and bed roughness. Turbulence intensity and Reynolds shear stress were compared with classic open‐channel profiles and previously reported river data in the hydraulics literature. With the capability of pulse‐to‐pulse coherent Doppler velocity profiling in high spatial resolution, we estimated the profiles of turbulence dissipation rate using resolved one‐dimensional velocity spectra. These measurement data allow us to examine the validity of turbulence production‐dissipation balance and the classic open‐channel profiles of turbulence statistics, including turbulence intensity, Reynolds shear stress, dissipation rate, and eddy viscosity. The field data show a strong variation of turbulence profiles in close vicinity of the river island. In shallow water depths close to the island, turbulence is substantially enhanced in comparison with classic open‐channel profiles. Such turbulence enhancement is likely attributed to non‐uniformity of the flow structures.
Advanced Hybrid Ceramics for Nuclear and Hydrogen Energy Applications
Authors: Sadiq Iqra , Asim Ali Syed , Ahmad Tokeer
Published: July 2023

Global energy crisis has encouraged the need for sustainable energy resources, which is the viable alternate of providing effective energy operations and considered as remedy for the ongoing energy crisis. Development in the science and technology eases out plenty of issues that were once thought to be uphill. Presently, earth is being subjected to several grave issues which need to be addressed as soon as possible. Nuclear and hydrogen energy are the important areas which promise the optimistic way of handling the existential energy crisis due to cost, scarcity of resources and unavailability of considerable feedstock. Ceramics are the diverse inorganic materials which offer tremendous chemical and physical characteristics. Due to their structural, compositional and morphological versatility, advanced ceramics based hybrid materials can be exploited in nuclear and hydrogen energy applications as discussed in this review. Extensive survey outlined the applicability of ceramics in various nuclear science based applications as they include fissionable species and possess higher thermal conductivity, their enormous resistance towards radiation and refractoriness in fuels and in waste residuals due to their potential to hold radio nuclides and surveyed the scope of several metal oxides ceramics in carrying out hydrogen energy operations via overall water splitting.
Concentrated Laminate Structure in Dense MXene Monoliths Promises High‐Capacity Sodium Storage
Authors: Niu Boyang , Zhang Yibo , Long Yu , Zhao Juan , Li Qi , Zhang Boya , Tao Ying , Yang Quan-Hong
Published: July 2023

MXenes have great potential as fast‐charging anodes for sodium storage due to their excellent electrical conductivity, high pseudocapacitive charge storage, and large interlayer distance. The intercalation pseudocapacitance provided by the active sites within the laminate MXene nanosheets is generally the major contributor to their sodium‐storage capacity. Thus, it is highly preferred to construct porous materials with abundant laminate structures to overcome the ion‐diffusion limitation in MXene multilayer films and increase the accessible interlayer sites. Herein, the enhancement of laminate structures in a pre‐assembled Ti3C2Tx network is achieved, under the effects of interlayer slipping of MXene nanosheets during capillary densification, and finally obtained a dense monolith with both high density (2.37 g cm−3) and high porosity (87.3 m2 g−1). This MXene anode material delivers a high capacity of 185 mAh g−1 and a superior rate performance of 55 mAh g−1 (5 A g−1). With improvement of both density and gravimetric capacity, this monolith has a high volumetric capacity of up to 200 mAh cm−3 at 1 A g−1 even after 2000 cycles. Herein, new insights are provided into the design of high‐capacity MXene anodes for sodium‐ion batteries and control of different 2D materials in compact structures.
Decentralized robust control of building structures based on sliding mode theory
Authors: Dong Gang , Wang JianGuo , Dong XiaoTian , Geng ShuWei
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a decentralized control algorithm is proposed for actively controlling the response of the flexible tall building structures under earthquake excitations. In the proposed approach, tall building structure was divided into some substructures in the form of state equation. The interaction of the subsystems and external excitations is conducted as bounded generalized force acting on the subsystems. A decentralized control algorithm of tall building structures is established based on the sliding model control theory. The control structure is described based on unit vector control. The control law consists of two parts: a linear control law uL and a nonlinear law uN. The linear control is merely a linear state feedback controller, whereas the nonlinear feedback controller incorporates the discontinuous or continuous nonlinear elements of the control law. Using the advantage of match conditions of sliding mode theory and the bounded feature of generalized force, the overall stability of decentralized control is also investigated. The actuator arrangement and matching conditions are discussed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by the numerical simulation of the decentralized control of a 20‐story benchmark structure under seismic excitations.
Visual biofeedback for shortening second stage of labor: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Preuss E. , De Porto A. , Zisman I. , Bason H. , Ron‐Tal O. , Tovbin J. , Barzilay E.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To determine whether visual biofeedback can be used during labor as an effective tool for shortening the second stage of labor and reducing the need for instrumental delivery.

Methods

This was a single‐center randomized controlled trial. Nulliparous women under epidural anesthesia were randomized at the point of full dilation into the biofeedback group (n = 50) or the control group (n = 50). Both groups received coached maternal pushing during four consecutive contractions, while an experienced obstetrician performed transperineal ultrasound. Only women in the biofeedback group observed the ultrasound display screen. Following this intervention, labor was managed routinely by the obstetric team. Angle of progression (AOP) was measured at rest and while pushing, before and during the first and fourth contractions. Second‐stage duration and delivery outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

Visual biofeedback did not affect the duration of the second stage, which lasted for a median of 2.28 (interquartile range (IQR), 1.25–3.10) h in the biofeedback group vs 2.08 (IQR, 1.58–3.02) h in the control group (P = 0.981). AOP was significantly higher in the biofeedback group compared with the control group, both at rest before the fourth contraction (mean ± SD, 142.6° ± 15.9° vs 136.8° ± 13.1°; P = 0.049) and while pushing during the fourth contraction (mean ± SD, 159.3° ± 19.2° vs 149.4° ± 15.1°; P = 0.005). The increase in AOP was significantly higher in the biofeedback compared with the control group between rest and pushing at the last push (mean ± SD, 16.6° ± 11.0° vs 12.6° ± 8.3°; P = 0.041) and between the first rest and last push (mean ± SD, 24.4° ± 13.6° vs 17.9° ± 11.3°; P = 0.011). The rate of intact perineum was similar between groups (12% vs 8%; P = 0.505).

Conclusions

Visual biofeedback during the second stage of labor may facilitate descent of fetal head during maternal pushing without affecting second‐stage duration, possibly due to the short duration of the intervention. Future studies should focus on continuous intervention throughout the second stage of labor. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
What drives population ageing? A cointegration analysis
Authors: De Santis Gustavo , Salinari Giambattista
Published: July 2023

While “classical” demography imputes population ageing to low fertility, a recent “revisionist” line of thinking signals the emergence of ageing “from the top” (i.e., due to low mortality), starting slightly after World War II. We join this debate proving that, in the long run, mortality affects the population age structure, and therefore also ageing, more than customarily believed. With data taken from the Human Mortality Database on eight populations located in Europe, North America and Oceania, and for as far back as possible (up to 1820 in some cases), and applying cointegration analysis, we show that most of the historical change observed in the proportions of young, adult and old people in these countries can be derived solely from changes in survival, ignoring fertility and migration.