bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pituitary disorders in patients with end-stage chronic renal failure
Authors: Markova T. N. , Kosova E. V. , Mishchenko N. K.
Published: January 2024

Disorders in the kidneys lead to disturbance of homeostasis. As the glomerular filtration rate decreases, the metabolism of numerous biologically active substances, including pituitary hormones, decreases. The article presents an overview of pituitary dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and discusses the possible reasons of the pathogenetic mechanisms. Particular focus is being given to the assessment of changes in the concentration of pituitary hormones in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and discusses the pathogenetic mechanisms of their formation. Particular attention is paid to the assessment of changes in the concentration of pituitary hormones in patients receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT). CKD leads to an increase in the level of prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Concentrations of growth hormone (GH), isulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and vasopressin may remain within normal values or increase in this group of patients. RRT does not reduce the levels of prolactin, LH, FSH, while the concentration of growth hormone, IGF-1, TSH tends to normalize. The content of ACTH and vasopressin may remain unchanged or decrease. Kidney transplantation in most cases corrects hormonal disorders. Correction of hormonal changes can improve the clinical outcome and quality of life of patients with end stage CKD.
Evolution of insulin therapy: past, present, future
Authors: Kurkin D. V. , Bakulin D. A. , Robertus A. I. , Kolosov Yu. A. , Krysanov I. S. , Morkovin E. I. , Strygin A. V. , Gorbunova J. V. , Makarenko I. E. , Drai R. V. , Makarova E. V. , Pavlova E. V. , Kudrin R. А. , Ivanova O. V.
Published: January 2024

2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, an event that forever changed the lives of people with diabetes mellitus. At present patients around the world experience the miracle of insulin therapy every day. A disease that used to kill children and teenagers in 2 years in 1920 has become a disease that can be controlled with a possibility to lead a long productive life. Over the past century, the great discovery of Banting, Best and Collip has forever changed the world and saved millions of lives. This review is devoted to the history of the development of insulin and its further improvement: from the moment of discovery to the present days. Various generations of insulin are considered: from animals to modern ultrashort and basal analogues. The article ends with a brief review of current trends in the development of new delivery methods and the development of new insulin molecules. Over the past century, insulin therapy has come a long way, which has significantly improved the quality of life of our patients. But research is actively continuing, including in the field of alternative methods of insulin delivery, which are more convenient for the patient, as well as in the development of «smart» molecules that will have a glucose-dependent effect.
Differential diagnosis and tactics of managing a patient with primary hypophysitis on the example of a clinical case
Authors: Katamadze N. N. , Tskaeva A. A. , Pigarova E. A. , Dzeranova L. K. , Tarbaeva N. V.
Published: January 2024

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of autoimmune endocrinopathies, which are known to affect various levels of the endocrine system, including the pituitary gland. Hypophysitis is a general term used to describe any form of sellar and suprasellar inflammation that leads to structural changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary region and manifests itself in varying degrees of hormonal deficiency of the anterior and posterior pituitary glands. To date, there is a primary form of hypophysitis, which occurs as a result of an autoimmune lesion directly to the pituitary gland, and a secondary form of hypophysitis, which occurs as a result of the presence of a systemic autoimmune disease. Regardless of the etiology, patients with hypophysitis show various signs and symptoms caused by an inflammatory process in the pituitary gland, which can lead to the development of hypopituitarism, compression of the sellar and parasellar structures. MRI is currently the best non-invasive diagnostic tool for diagnosing hypopituitarism, however, the diagnosis can be made with certainty only by histological examination of the pituitary tissue, which requires an invasive approach, which greatly reduces the feasibility of this procedure. In this article, we present a patient with MRI showing signs of hypophysitis in the absence of clear clinical symptoms.
A promising approach for therapy control in congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Problems of Endocrinology
Authors: Tiulpakov M. A. , Nagaeva E. V. , Kalinchenko N. Y. , Bezlepkina O. B.
Published: January 2024

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders requiring lifelong glucocorticoid replacement (GC) therapy. Lack of GC therapy leads to precocious puberty in boys, heterosexual development in girls, accelerated bone maturation and short final height in both sexes. In adolescence, the lack of GC therapy is the cause of menstrual disorders in girls and the development of TART in boys, as a result reducing the reproductive potential in both sexes. On the other hand, an overdose of GC leads to drug-induced Itsenko-Cushing’s syndrome. In order to select adequate doses of GC in childhood and adolescence, multiple determinations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone in blood plasma, and thus multiple venous blood sampling are required. The blood sampling requires specially trained medical staff and can effect on the results due to stress reaction especially in young patients. Hence, the development and implementation of a non-invasive method for determining the steroid profile is extremely important in monitoring GC therapy in children. In addition, the currently used immunofluorescence assay cannot determine other adrenal steroids, has a high variation due to the «cross-reaction» of steroids that are similar in structure, which inflates the results. Unlike immunofluorescence assay, liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry is more preferable method, since it is more specific and accurate. In this literature review, saliva presented as an alternative substrate and the non-invasive method for determining the steroid profile. This method can solve the above disadvantages, simplify and make more accurate the selection of GC therapy in patients with CAH, which is especially important in childhood.
Apropriação da figura do revolucionário pelo grande capital: Uma análise de Marighella (2019)
Authors: Ramos Jailson
Published: January 2024

Neste artigo, analisamos o filme Marighella (2019), uma cinebiografia do guerrilheiro comunista brasileiro Carlos Marighella (1911-1969), a fim de entender a representação do revolucionário, sabendo que a obra é um produto da O2 Filmes e da Globo Filmes, empresas de maior capital no campo cinematográfico brasileiro. Com base nas premissas de que as obras audiovisuais expressam visões de mundo específicas e que estas têm relação com o grupo produtor, argumentamos que, embora Marighella diga respeito a um famoso revolucionário, a narrativa cinematográfica expressa um discurso anti-revolucionário, que o coloca, inclusive, como terrorista. Argumentamos também que o faz reproduzindo o estilo que o grupo produtor em questão tornou hegemônico na representação da violência no cinema brasileiro, a saber, o estilo do ‘naturalismo cruel’. Discutimos, por isso, as implicações dessa estética na trama, interrogando quais os efeitos que ela tem na representação do revolucionário e da violência, bem como na construção do ponto de vista narrativo e do discurso político.
“Primus inter pares: Fazendo os filmes ou distribuindo-os, éramos todos iguais”: Práticas e discursos da Cooperativa de Cinema Alternatiu (Catalunha, 1975-1981)
Authors: Algarra Navarro Ana
Published: January 2024

O objetivo principal deste texto é dar um primeiro passo na análise das práticas e dos discursos do grupo catalão de produção de cinema militante, Cooperativa de Cinema Alternatiu (CCA), sempre dentro do seu contexto histórico e cinematográfico – a transição para a democracia no Estado espanhol dos anos 70 e 80, e o cinema militante –, colocando especial ênfase na conceção da produção cinematográfica como arma de intervenção política. A análise baseia-se em diversas fontes para reconstruir a história da cooperativa e os seus discursos, começando com as experiências coletivas anteriores que condicionaram o aparecimento da CCA, passando pela sua reestruturação produtiva, e finalizando com a sua gradual desintegração e desaparecimento após a chegada da democracia.
Pensar o Cinema Colonial Português
Authors: Ponte Inês
Published: January 2024

Recensão de A Coleção Colonial da Cinemateca (2020), de Joana Pimentel (1953-2018), obra que reúne textos desta arquivista e investigadora da Cinemateca Portuguesa, centrando-se na coleção que formou e estudou durante mais de duas décadas.
A sociedade sob o olhar de Ida Lupino: Aspetos sociais e suas complexidades
Authors: Silva Lílian
Published: January 2024

O livro Ida Lupino, Filmmaker analisa diversos aspectos da carreira da atriz e realizadora anglo-americana. Os textos reunidos e editados por Philip Sipiora recorrem a um leque de metodologias e análises para dar a compreender a importância da obra de Lupino, por muitos anos esquecida pelos pesquisadores.
Köy Okulunda Etkili Öğretmenlik Davranışları
Authors: BORA Veysel
Published: January 2024

Bu araştırmanın amacı, köy okulunda etkili öğretmenlik davranışlarını ortaya çıkartmaktır. Bu araştırmanın çalışma grubunu araştırmacının kolay bir şekilde ulaşabileceği bir köy okulunda görev yapan 1 müdür, 1 müdür yardımcısı, bu okulda eğitim öğretime devam eden 2 öğrenci ve bu okulda öğrencisi bulunan 2 veli oluşturmaktadır. Veriler görüşme ve gözlem tekniğiyle toplanmıştır. Çalışmada etkili bir köy öğretmeninin meslektaşları, velileri ve öğrencileriyle olan ilişkilerinde sergiledikleri etkili öğretmenlik davranışları ortaya çıkartılmıştır. Veriler, içerik analizi tekniği ile çözümlenmiştir. Veri toplama, işleme ve analiz süreçlerinde geçerlik ve güvenirliği artırıcı önlemler alınmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda katılımcılardan elde edilen verilerden temalar oluşturulmuştur. Araştırma sonucunda etkili bir köy öğretmenin sınıf yönetimi, öğrencilerin akademik başarısı, velilerle ve meslektaşlarıyla olan ilişkilerinde sergilemiş oldukları davranışlara ilişkin görüşleri ortaya çıkartılmıştır.
Çözümleme ve Ses Temelli İlk Okuma Yazma Öğretimi: Sistematik Bir İnceleme
Authors: AKAN Elif
Published: January 2024

Bu çalışmanın amacı, ilk okuma ve yazma öğretim yöntemlerinden çözümleme ve ses temelli yöntemin ele alındığı çalışmalardan; okuma becerileri, öğrenme ve yöntemsel özellikler açısından elde edilen sonuçların sistematik inceleme yöntemi aracılığıyla ortaya konmasıdır. Çalışmanın amacı kapsamında belirlenen anahtar kelimeler doğrultusunda Web of Science, Eric, Ulakbim (Tr-Dizin) ve Google Scholar veri tabanlarında alanyazın taraması yapılmıştır. Tarama sonucunda 40 makale bilgisayar destekli nitel veri analiz programında okuma becerileri, öğrenme ve yöntemsel özellikler temelinde analiz edilmiştir. Okuma becerileri kategorisindeki çıktılara göre ses temelli yöntem ile okuma öğrenen bireylerin vurgu, tonlama ve noktalama işaretlerine uygun bir şekilde okuma gerçekleştiremedikleri, hatalı okudukları ve ses temelli yöntemden ziyade çözümleme yönteminin okuma hızı ve anlama açısından daha etkili bir yöntem olduğu saptanmıştır. Öğrenme kategorisindeki çıktılara göre çözümleme yöntemiyle okuma öğrenen bireylerin bütünü algıladıkları fakat ses temelli yöntemle öğrenenlerin bütünü algılama konusunda sorun yaşadıkları sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Yöntemsel özellikler kategorisine bakıldığında, çözümleme yönteminin diğer yönteme nazaran öğrencilerin gelişim özelliklerine daha uygun olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Araştırmaların ağırlıklı olarak nitel çalışma olduğu görülmektedir. Ancak okuma hızı, okuduğunu anlama, doğru okuma ve prozodik okuma becerilerinin daha iyi bir şekilde ölçülebilmesi için nicel ve karma çalışmalara ihtiyaç olduğu düşünülmektedir.
Erratum - Multielemental Chemical Analysis of Elements in Mandibular Bone and Teeth in the Rat
Authors: Němec Ivo , Smrčka V. , Mahaljevič M. , Mazánek J. , Pokorný J.
Published: January 2024

The original article was published in Folia Biologica (Praha) Volume 64, No. 3 (2018), 84-96. https://doi.org/10.14712/fb2018064030084.
Non-local BV functions and a denoising model with L
1 fidelity
Authors: Bessas Konstantinos , Stefani Giorgio
Published: January 2024

We study a general total variation denoising model with weighted

L
1

{L^{1}}

fidelity, where the regularizing term is a non-local variation induced by a suitable (non-integrable) kernel K, and the approximation term is given by the

L
1

{L^{1}}

norm with respect to a non-singular measure with positively lower-bounded

L
∞

{L^{\infty}}

density.
We provide a detailed analysis of the space of non-local

BV

\mathrm{BV}

functions with finite total K-variation, with special emphasis on compactness, Lusin-type estimates, Sobolev embeddings and isoperimetric and monotonicity properties of the K-variation and the associated K-perimeter.
Finally, we deal with the theory of Cheeger sets in this non-local setting and we apply it to the study of the fidelity in our model.
EFLM Working Group Accreditation and ISO/CEN standards on dealing with ISO 15189 demands for retention of documents and examination objects
Authors: Meško Brguljan Pika , Thelen Marc H.M. , Bernabeu-Andreu Francisco A. , Kroupis Christos , Boursier Guilaine , Vukasović Ines , Barrett Edward , Brugnoni Duilio , Lohmander Maria , Šprongl Luděk , Vodnik Tatjana , Ghiţă Irina , Vanstapel Florent , Vaubourdolle Michel , Huisman Willem
Published: January 2024

Many aspects of the activity of a medical laboratory have to be documented so as to facilitate the maintenance of the ongoing quality of service. As a consequence, many documents, forms and reports are generated. The retention time for each of these has to be specified. In addition to medical laboratory reports as part of the patient’s medical record, the medical laboratory has to retain many documents and specimens according to national legislation or guidance from professional organizations, if these exist. If not, the laboratory management needs to define a retention schedule, which shall define the storage conditions and period of storage, according to ISO 15189:2022 requirements for retention of general quality management documents and records. The EFLM Working Group on Accreditation and ISO/CEN standards provides here a proposal on retention periods of documentation and specimens based on a failure-mode-effects-analysis (FMEA) risk-based approach, a concept of risk reduction that has become an integral part of modern standards.
Robust Multigrid Methods for Discontinuous Galerkin Discretizations of an Elliptic Optimal Control Problem
Authors: Liu Sijing
Published: January 2024

We consider discontinuous Galerkin methods for an elliptic distributed optimal control problem, and we propose multigrid methods to solve the discretized system.
We prove that the 𝑊-cycle algorithm is uniformly convergent in the energy norm and is robust with respect to a regularization parameter on convex domains.
Numerical results are shown for both 𝑊-cycle and 𝑉-cycle algorithms.
Discontinuous Galerkin Methods for the Vlasov–Stokes System
Authors: Hutridurga Harsha , Kumar Krishan , Pani Amiya K.
Published: January 2024

This paper develops and analyses a semi-discrete numerical method for the two-dimensional Vlasov–Stokes system with periodic boundary condition.
The method is based on the coupling of the semi-discrete discontinuous Galerkin method for the Vlasov equation with discontinuous Galerkin scheme for the stationary incompressible Stokes equation.
The proposed method is both mass and momentum conservative.
Since it is difficult to establish non-negativity of the discrete local density, the generalized discrete Stokes operator become non-coercive and indefinite, and under the smallness condition on the discretization parameter, optimal error estimates are established with help of a modified the Stokes projection to deal with the Stokes part and, with the help of a special projection, to tackle the Vlasov part.
Finally, numerical experiments based on the dG method combined with a splitting algorithm are performed.
Products of primes in arithmetic progressions
Authors: Matomäki Kaisa , Teräväinen Joni
Published: January 2024

A conjecture of Erdős states that, for any large prime q, every reduced residue class

(

mod
⁡
q

)

{(\operatorname{mod}q)}

can be represented as a product

p
1

⁢

p
2

{p_{1}p_{2}}

of two primes

p
1

,

p
2

≤
q

{p_{1},p_{2}\leq q}

. We establish a ternary version of this conjecture, showing that, for any sufficiently large cube-free integer q, every reduced residue class

(

mod
⁡
q

)

{(\operatorname{mod}q)}

can be written as

p
1

⁢

p
2

⁢

p
3

{p_{1}p_{2}p_{3}}

with

p
1

,

p
2

,

p
3

≤
q

{p_{1},p_{2},p_{3}\leq q}

primes. We also show that, for any

ε
>
0

{\varepsilon>0}

and any sufficiently large integer q, at least

(

2
3

-
ε

)

⁢
φ
⁢

(
q
)

{(\frac{2}{3}-\varepsilon)\varphi(q)}

reduced residue classes

(

mod
⁡
q

)

{(\operatorname{mod}q)}

can be represented as a product

p
1

⁢

p
2

{p_{1}p_{2}}

of two primes

p
1

,

p
2

≤
q

{p_{1},p_{2}\leq q}

.
The problems naturally reduce to studying character sums. The main innovation in the paper is the establishment of a multiplicative dense model theorem for character sums over primes in the spirit of the transference principle. In order to deal with possible local obstructions we establish bounds for the logarithmic density of primes in certain unions of cosets of subgroups of

ℤ
q
×

{\mathbb{Z}_{q}^{\times}}

of small index and study in detail the exceptional case that there exists a quadratic character

ψ

⁢

(

mod

⁡
q

)

{\psi~{}(\operatorname{mod}\,q)}

such that

ψ
⁢

(
p
)

=

-
1

{\psi(p)=-1}

for very many primes

p
≤
q

{p\leq q}

.
Algebraic results on rngs of singular functions
Authors: Fernandez Arran , Saadetoğlu Müge
Published: January 2024

We consider a Mikusiński-type convolution algebra

C
α

{C_{\alpha}}

, including functions with power-type singularities at the origin as well as all functions continuous on

[
0
,
∞
)

{[0,\infty)}

. Algebraic properties of this space are derived, including its ideal structure, filtered and graded structure, and Jacobson radical. Applications to operators of fractional calculus and the associated integro-differential equations are discussed.
Bi-parameter and bilinear Calderón–Vaillancourt theorem with critical order
Authors: Chen Jiao , Huang Liang , Lu Guozhen
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we establish the sharp Calderón–Vaillancourt theorem on

L
p

L^{p}

spaces for bi-parameter and bilinear pseudo-differential operators with symbols of critical order by deriving a sufficient and necessary condition on its symbol. This sharpens the result of [G. Lu and L. Zhang,
Bi-parameter and bilinear Calderón–Vaillancourt theorem with subcritical order,
Forum Math. 28 2016, 6, 1087–1094] which was only proved for symbols of subcritical order.
Performance comparison of Duobinary, AMI, CNRZ and CSRZ for next generation FSO communication system
Authors: Ejaz Sidra , Shafqat Sawaiba , Qureshi Kainat , Qamar Farhan , Shahzadi Romana , Ali Mudassar
Published: January 2024

FSO, known as free-space optics, is a competent technology in wireless communication for providing license free spectrum, bandwidth, and high efficiency in next-generation networks. In this paper, an experimental approach is used to deploy FSO channel communication using different intensity modulation schemes such as CSRZ, chirped NRZ, duobinary and AMI. The performance of FSO link is adversely affected by weather conditions like haze, rain, and fog. By using different techniques, it is possible to overcome the effect of atmospheric turbulences. Therefore, four different modulation formats are compared and analyzed by testing different parameters like laser power, range, attenuation, and data rates. Quality of received signal is judged by taking Q-factor, bit error rate (BER), and eye-diagrams. An operating wavelength of 850 nm has been used to simulate the system designs. This paper aims to conclude the best intensity modulation scheme for its use in next generation networks such as 5G where direct deployment of optical fiber is not possible or feasible.
A modified bandwidth allocation algorithm for XGPON network
Authors: Patel Mehul C. , Mandloi Abhilash S.
Published: January 2024

In the current era of everything online, home-users are demanding high speed internet access at their figure tip. The giga-bit (XGPON) fiber based network has proven its capacity to provide higher speed internet at a light-speed. However in such network effectiveness is directly relies on the bandwidth allocation to the each of the user in timely manner. In this paper, modified bandwidth allocation algorithm is proposed to prove its capacity to support larger user with effective bandwidth allocation. The throughput result of this proposed DBA is carried out in network simulator-3 (NS-3), which is improved by 3 % over the existing DBA like Giant, Proportional DBA etc., at little increase in the delay performance of the TCONT-4 based traffic.
Medical malpractice liability in large language model artificial intelligence: legal review and policy recommendations
Authors: Shumway David O. , Hartman Hayes J.
Published: January 2024

The emergence of generative large language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) represents one of the most profound developments in healthcare in decades, with the potential to create revolutionary and seismic changes in the practice of medicine as we know it. However, significant concerns have arisen over questions of liability for bad outcomes associated with LLM AI-influenced medical decision making. Although the authors were not able to identify a case in the United States that has been adjudicated on medical malpractice in the context of LLM AI at this time, sufficient precedent exists to interpret how analogous situations might be applied to these cases when they inevitably come to trial in the future. This commentary will discuss areas of potential legal vulnerability for clinicians utilizing LLM AI through review of past case law pertaining to third-party medical guidance and review the patchwork of current regulations relating to medical malpractice liability in AI. Finally, we will propose proactive policy recommendations including creating an enforcement duty at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to require algorithmic transparency, recommend reliance on peer-reviewed data and rigorous validation testing when LLMs are utilized in clinical settings, and encourage tort reform to share liability between physicians and LLM developers.
Study on the mechanical properties and microstructure of recycled brick aggregate concrete with waste fiber
Authors: Wang Ting , Cui Shenao , Ren Xiaoyu , Zhang Weishen , Yang Xuechao , Gong Shangwei , Yang Deqiang , Li Bangxiang , Zhang Wengang , Su Tian , Mei Xuefeng , Dong Xiaoming , Duan Liancheng , Ma Zhiyuan , Cao Xueyun , Yu Xiyao
Published: January 2024

Recycled concrete technology can promote the sustainable development of the construction industry, but the insufficient mechanical properties of recycled concrete have become a key constraint on its development. By adding waste fibers, the mechanical properties of recycled concrete can be improved, and the problem of disposing of waste polypropylene fibers can be solved. In this article, the effects of recycled brick aggregate content and waste fiber content on the mechanical properties and microstructures of recycled brick aggregate concrete through macroscopic mechanical experiments and microstructure experiments are investigated. The results show that the addition of recycled brick aggregate reduces the mechanical properties of concrete; when the content of recycled brick aggregate is 100%, the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength decrease by 22.04 and 20.00%, respectively. The addition of waste fibers can improve the mechanical properties of recycled brick aggregate concrete, but it is necessary to control the contents of waste fibers in a certain range. When the content of waste fibers is 0.08%, the best improvement effect on the mechanical properties of concrete is achieved; the compressive strength of concrete with a 50% (100%) recycled aggregate replacement rate increases by 6.06% (8.90%), while the splitting tensile strength of concrete with a 50% (100%) recycled aggregate replacement rate increases by 2.30% (6.16%). Through microstructural analysis, the mechanism by which waste fiber improves the mechanical properties of recycled brick aggregate concrete is revealed. The addition of waste fibers has the effect of strengthening the framework inside the recycled brick aggregate concrete, forming a good structural stress system and allowing the recycled brick aggregate concrete to continue to bear loads after cracking. In this study, waste brick aggregate and waste fiber are effectively utilized, which can not only reduce pollution to the environment but also realize the sustainable utilization of resources.
Green chemistry and its implementation in pharmaceutical analysis
Authors: Al-Shatti Bashayer J. , Alsairafi Zahra , Al-Tannak Naser F.
Published: January 2024

The expanding progression of industrial development has been a pioneer for world economic growth. Green chemistry has been defined as ‘the employment of techniques and methodologies that reduce or eliminate the use or production of feedstocks, products, by-products, solvents, and reagents that are harmful to human health or the environment’. The quality-by-design approach is well-known in the pharmaceutical industry, and it has a great influence on analytical methods and procedures. In the green method of chemistry, the core consideration is directed towards the design of a material or the chemical procedure; four of twelve principles are associated with design, e.g. designing fewer hazardous chemical syntheses, designing harmless chemicals and products, designing for energy effectiveness, and designing for degradation. One of the most active fields of research and development in green chemistry is the establishment of analytical methodologies, leading to the beginning of so-called green analytical chemistry. The influences of green chemistry on pharmaceutical analysis, the environment, the population, the analyst, and companies are discussed in this review, and they are multidimensional. Every selection and analytical attitude affects both the end-product and everything that surrounds it.
The application of epoxy resin polymers by laser induction technologies
Authors: Yu Chao , Yang Weiwei , Meng Fanxing , Zhao Zhonghai , Cao Fubao , Xing Chengcheng , Du Jingxuan
Published: January 2024

The fabrication of robust and high-performance graphene-based electrodes on engineering plastics has garnered significant attention in recent years. In this study, we present a novel methodology to produce porous graphene structures derived from epoxy resin (EP) utilizing a straightforward laser direct-scribing process. Under the influence of a CO2 laser in an ambient atmosphere, EP undergoes a transformation to yield laser-induced graphene (LIG-APP/EP). Furthermore, this LIG-APP/EP was employed to construct an electrode for lithium-ion batteries, which exhibited outstanding electrochemical performance. Notably, the initial charge and discharge capacities of the LIG-APP/EP electrode material were recorded at 976 and 1,452 mAh g−1, respectively, with a coulombic efficiency of 67.2%. Such impressive performance can be ascribed to the hierarchical porous architecture of LIG-APP/EP and the concurrent doping with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) atoms. Given these findings, LIG-APP/EP demonstrates significant potential for applications in advanced electrochemical systems. This innovative approach also offers profound implications for the sustainable recycling of discarded engineering plastics.
Multiscale water diffusivity prediction of plain woven composites considering void defects
Authors: Wang Meng
Published: January 2024

To reveal the effects of void defects on the diffusivities of plain woven composites, a multiscale analysis framework considering the microscale and mesoscale voids is developed in this study. Different void modeling methods and analysis strategies are used to reveal the effects of void size, void shape, and void modeling assumptions on the equivalent diffusivities of the tows and plain woven composites. The analysis results show that the transverse or longitudinal diffusivities of tows predicted with an element-based modeling method are larger than those with void shapes considered. Considering void shape results in the variation of the predicted diffusivities. Based on the uniform assumption used for modeling the voids in the tows, the through-thickness and in-plane diffusivities are found to be dependent on the transverse and longitudinal diffusivities, respectively. Based on the element-based void modeling method for the tows, the predicted values are larger than those based on the uniform assumption. These tow void modeling methods cannot result in variation within predicted values. The effects of void shapes in the pure matrix on the diffusivities are also revealed, and the variation is observed.
Mobilising the Masses: Explaining the Rapid Rise of Worker Activism in Transnistria in the Late 1980s
Authors: Harrington Keith
Published: January 2024

Between August and September 1989, Russian-speaking workers in Moldova went on strike against a series of laws that made Moldovan the sole official language of the republic. While workers from across the republic participated, it was only in the Transnistrian region that a group such as the United Soviet of Work Collectives (OSTK) was able to use the strikes to usurp power. This article questions why the strikes destabilised the Transnistrian region but not the other predominantly Russian-speaking regions that participated. The author argues that there were three reasons for this. Firstly, local political elites in Transnistria were largely inactive, creating a power vacuum the OSTK was willing and able to fill. Secondly, the OSTK launched an effective propaganda campaign aimed at undermining people’s trust in existing institutions. Finally, the Russian-speaking inhabitants of Transnistria were more hostile to Moldovan cultural demands than their counterparts elsewhere in the republic.
Generalized lower characteristic involving measures of non-strict singularity
Authors: Baraket Sami , Ghorbal Anis Ben , Jeribi Aref
Published: January 2024

This work establishes a connection between the class of generalized lower characteristic operators and[⋅]a{\left[\cdot ]}_{a}acting on a Banach space involving measures of non-strict singularity. This study presents findings on the Jeribi essential spectra of the sum of two bounded linear operators and the Jeribi essential spectra of each operator. The results are based on certain requirements related to the measure of non-strict singularity of Fredholm inverses on a Banach space X. A particular application is provided.
The Effect of Notch Depth on the Absorbed Energy of High-Toughness Steels in the DWTT
Authors: Majidi-Jirandehi Ali Akbar , Seifoori Sajjad , Khoshgoftar Mohammad Javad , Hojjat Hashemi Seyyed
Published: January 2024

Because of the larger specimen dimensions and more significant ligament for crack growth, the drop-weight tear test (DWTT) has become more widely used than other impact tests. On the other hand, very little information is available from DWTT experiments on weld metal (WM). In the present study, in addition to the standard chevron notch (CN) DWTT specimen with a notch depth (ND) of 5.1 mm, API X65 specimens with 10- and 15-mm ND were tested on the WM and also the base metal (BM). Fracture energies versus the ND were plotted, based on which tests can be performed successfully with lower-capacity DWTT machines to predict the absorbed energy for each ND, by specimens with increased ND and reduced absorbed energy. The standard requires thickness reduction for specimens thicker than 19 mm. With the method proposed in the present study, high-grade specimens can be tested with their original thickness. In the DWTT, regardless of specimen materials (BM or WM), about 44 % of the absorbed energy is spent on crack initiation, and 56 % is spent on crack growth. In all specimens, the BM absorbed energy was more than that of the WM. Therefore, this study proposes that the API standard, which does not include DWTT on the WM, should require performing DWTT on WM specimens. Hence, the results of the current study can form the basis for further studies that can initiate the development of new standards on the WM.
The Development of Ventricular Assist Devices over the Past 30 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Liu Zhou , Zheng Siyue , Zhang Yazhe , Wang Maozhou , Jiang Wenjian , Gong Ming , Zhang Hongjia
Published: January 2024

Background: A large gap exists between the needs of patients with end-stage heart failure and the number of gold-standard heart transplants. Over the past 30 years, a revolutionary treatment strategy using ventricular assist devices (VADs) has rapidly developed and become widely used in clinical practice. However, few analyses have assessed the application and publication trends in the VAD field.

Method: We used the Web of Science core collection to identify VAD research published between 1992 and 2022. We performed analysis and data visualization with CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica, and VOSviewer.

Results: We identified 13,274 articles published in 1129 journals, describing work from 6351 institutions in 86 countries. Among them, the United States contributed the most to VAD research, and almost all the top ten authors and institutions contributing to VAD research were from the United States.

Conclusions: In the past 5 years, VAD research has focused on right heart failure, outcomes, effects and risk factors, societies of surgeons, and clinical guidelines. Because of the large number of patients with heart failure, we expect VAD development to peak in the next decade.
Brazil’s Rule-of-Law Regression
Authors: Taylor Matthew M.
Published: January 2024

The rule of law in Brazil suffered mightily during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro. His pugnacious public-security rhetoric, antagonism to environmental and indigenous issues, and connivance with corruption contributed to deepening long-standing problems of Brazilian democracy, while setting a number of traps that his successor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is now forced to navigate. Despite the apparent success of political institutions in blocking Bolsonaro’s most damaging threats to democracy, they have not emerged unscathed. The high court, in particular, has been tarnished by its increasing politicization and the clear evidence that it continues to fail to deliver the most basic foundations of a democratic rule of law.
Bioengineered in vitro three-dimensional tumor models in endocrine cancers
Authors: Skardal Aleksander , Sivakumar Hemamylammal , Rodriguez Marco A , Popova Liudmila V , Dedhia Priya H
Published: January 2024

Graphical abstract

Endocrine tumors are a heterogeneous cluster of malignancies that originate from cells that can secrete hormones. Examples include, but are not limited to, thyroid cancer, adrenocortical carcinoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. Many endocrine tumors are relatively slow to proliferate, and as such, they often do not respond well to common antiproliferative chemotherapies. Therefore, increasing attention has been given to targeted therapies and immunotherapies in these diseases. However, in contrast to other cancers, many endocrine tumors are relatively rare, and as a result, less is understood about their biology, including specific targets for intervention. Our limited understanding of such tumors is in part due to a limitation in model systems that accurately recapitulate and enable mechanistic exploration of these tumors. While mouse models and 2D cell cultures exist for some endocrine tumors, these models often may not accurately model nuances of human endocrine tumors. Mice differ from human endocrine physiology and 2D cell cultures fail to recapitulate the heterogeneity and 3D architectures of in vivo tumors. To complement these traditional cancer models, bioengineered 3D tumor models, such as organoids and tumor-on-a-chip systems, have advanced rapidly in the past decade. However, these technologies have only recently been applied to most endocrine tumors. In this review we provide descriptions of these platforms, focusing on thyroid, adrenal, and neuroendocrine tumors and how they have been and are being applied in the context of endocrine tumors.
Impacto financiero y resiliencia en negocios tipo bar en una localidad Colombiana
Authors: Valencia Cárdenas Marisol , Galarcio Doria Juan Fernando , Bustamante Restrepo Yury
Published: January 2024

Uno de los sectores afectados por la llegada del virus COVID-19, fue bares, entre 2020 y 2021. El objetivo es describir el impacto financiero de la pandemia y pospandemia, en negocios tipo Bares del municipio de Itagüí, así como las estrategias de recuperación para enfrentar la crisis económica, mediante datos empíricos, con base en un muestreo aplicando un instrumento de encuesta a los dueños y gerentes de bares y similares en dicho municipio. Entre los resultados más relevantes, se mostró que un 47% de los negocios cayó a una mala rentabilidad por el cierre, y 35% regular, sin embargo, se muestran indicadores de innovación, el 63% de negocios diseñaron la venta por internet, y por domicilios, continuando en la pospandemia, ayudando a mejorar significativamente su rentabilidad. Las ventas por internet muestran alrededor de 43% de beneficios, además, 49.4% permanecen con dichas innovaciones en canales de ventas a 2023 (78 de 158).
Mantenimiento productivo total en la eficiencia productiva de las empresas industriales: una breve revisión de literatura
Authors: Guillen-Sanchez Jhoseline Stayce , Depaz - Paucar Angela Mariel
Published: January 2024

El objetivo de esta investigación es identificar el impacto del mantenimiento productivo total (TPM) en la eficiencia productiva de las empresas industriales en la última década. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura de los últimos diez años utilizando fuentes de información especializadas y siguiendo la metodología cualitativa se seleccionaron 30 artículos para su análisis. El TPM ofrece varias ventajas, como mayor eficiencia en la operación de los equipos y mejora en la calidad del producto. Sin embargo, es importante considerar que requiere una inversión significativa de tiempo y recursos, así como un cambio cultural dentro de la organización. Se concluye que, tiene un efecto favorable en las empresas y es ampliamente utilizado en diversas industrias, especialmente en grandes corporaciones.
Artificial Intelligence as Author of Scientific Publications
Authors: Serpa Sandro , Wang Fuzhou , Zhou Longjun , Keleş Özgül
Published: January 2024

Ascribing authorship of scientific publications to artificial intelligence is a complex and controversial issue. However, it is a challenging and uncertain problem that, given the growing development of artificial intelligence-based technologies that go beyond the performance of purely technical tasks and even contribute to the development of aspects such as the incorporation of scientific research information published in languages other than English, also contributing to potential insights in research, is becoming unavoidable when considering scientific publishing. This paper aims to add to this discussion by arguing that, although this is a challenging and even controversial position, it is inevitable and even ethically desirable to accept artificial intelligence, if it subsidizes sufficiently, as a (co-)author of any scientific publication. It is a matter of starting to think about how this attribution can be controlled and achieved with increasing respect for the ethics of scientific publication.
Professional Learning Community (PLC) in STEAM Education: A Hands-On Workshops Sample
Authors: Gülhan Filiz
Published: January 2024

STEAM education puts professional learning communities on the agenda by requiring teacher collaboration along with disciplinary integrity. In this study, a professional learning community in STEAM education was investigated by observing 49 teachers from different disciplines working in different districts during 16 weeks of interdisciplinary training and their practice with students. Teachers’ perceptions of skills teaching self-efficacy, design self-efficacy and perceptions of interdisciplinary teaching were assessed using pre-post tests. The research concluded that the STEAM professional learning community study positively improved teachers’ perceptions of skill teaching self-efficacy and interdisciplinary teaching, but was not sufficient to develop design self-efficacy. It was found that teachers’ views of practice were positive and that interdisciplinary collaboration contributed to this. In light of the research findings, it was suggested that the use of professional learning communities in STEAM education may be an effective example of the interdisciplinary functioning of hands-on workshops.
Fabrication of surface embedded silver cellulose-based flexible transparent electrodes by self-assembly
Authors: Zhang Wentao , Wang Tianhao , Zhu Ying , Gao Yanan , Liu Lin , Li Mengling , Zhang Liping
Published: January 2024

Developing eco-friendly, degradable, and flexible electronic devices using renewable cellulose, such as waste agricultural straw, is increasingly vital. This approach tackles the growing issue of nondegradable electronic waste. In this study, flexible transparent electrodes (FTEs) were created using cellulose from waste corn straw, embedding silver nanowires (AgNWs) networks within the surface layer. This method is suitable for reel-to-reel processing. These sustainable FTEs had high transparency and conductivity, with a film resistance of 45.4 Ω/sq and light transmittance of 86.2% at 550 nm. The “dissolution–regeneration” self-assembly process harnesses cellulose’s hydrogen bond network to stabilize the AgNWs network, providing the FTEs with excellent electromechanical stability. Resistance changes were less than 3% during bending, folding, and 1,000-time cyclic bending tests. Furthermore, these electrodes showed remarkable environmental stability, with only a 2.5% resistance increase after 16 days at room temperature. This research demonstrates a new application for agricultural straw cellulose in flexible electronics, offering a sustainable alternative in electronic materials.
The mortality of patients with sepsis increases in the first month of a new academic year
Authors: Lee Sukyo , Kim Sungjin , Ahn Sejoong , Cho Hanjin , Moon Sungwoo , Cho Young Duck , Park Jong-Hak
Published: January 2024

Objective Many studies have examined the July effect. However, little is known about the July effect in sepsis. We hypothesized that the July effect would result in worse outcomes for patients with sepsis. Methods Data from patients with sepsis, collected prospectively between January 2018 and December 2021, were analyzed. In Korea, the new academic year starts on March 1, so the “July effect” appears in March. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included adherence to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign bundle. Outcomes in March were compared to other months. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to adjust for confounders. Results We included 843 patients. There were no significant differences in sepsis severity. The 30-day mortality in March was higher (49.0% vs. 28.5%, P<0.001). However, there was no difference in bundle adherence in March (42.2% vs. 48.0%, P=0.264). The multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression showed that the July effect was associated with 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.925; 95% confidence interval, 1.405–2.638; P<0.001). Conclusion The July effect was associated with 30-day mortality in patients with sepsis. However, bundle adherence did not differ. These results suggest that the increase in mortality during the turnover period might be related to unmeasured in-hospital management. Intensive supervision and education of residents caring for patients with sepsis is needed in the beginning of training.
A multicenter, randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial of amantadine to stimulate awakening in comatose patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest
Authors: Coppler Patrick J. , Gagnon David J. , Flickinger Katharyn L. , Elmer Jonathan , Callaway Clifton W. , Guyette Francis X. , Doshi Ankur , Steinberg Alexis , Dezfulian Cameron , Moskowitz Ari L. , Donnino Michael , May Teresa L , Seder David B , Rittenberger Jon C.
Published: January 2024

Objective We hypothesized that the administration of amantadine would increase awakening of comatose patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest. Methods We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot trial, randomizing subjects to amantadine 100 mg twice daily or placebo for up to 7 days. The study drug was administered between 72 and 120 hours after resuscitation and patients with absent N20 cortical responses, early cerebral edema, or ongoing malignant electroencephalography patterns were excluded. Our primary outcome was awakening, defined as following two-step commands, within 28 days of cardiac arrest. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, awakening, time to awakening, and neurologic outcome measured by Cerebral Performance Category at hospital discharge. We compared the proportion of subjects awakening and hospital survival using Fisher exact tests and time to awakening and hospital length of stay using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results After 2 years, we stopped the study due to slow enrollment and lapse of funding. We enrolled 14 subjects (12% of goal enrollment), seven in the amantadine group and seven in the placebo group. The proportion of patients who awakened within 28 days after cardiac arrest did not differ between amantadine (n=2, 28.6%) and placebo groups (n=3, 42.9%; P>0.99). There were no differences in secondary outcomes. Study medication was stopped in three subjects (21.4%). Adverse events included a recurrence of seizures (n=2; 14.3%), both of which occurred in the placebo group.