bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and performance analysis of salinity gradient solar pond under different climatic and soil conditions
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Ihsan , Asim Muhammad , Farhan Muhammad , Sheikh Muhammad Fahad , Ashraf Muhammad Usman , Arshad Hassan , Alghamdi Ahmed , S. Alshahrani Abdullah , Bahaddad Adel A. , Almarhabi Khalid Ali
Published: February 2023

A salinity gradient solar pond (SGSP) is capable of storing a significant quantity of heat for an extended period of time. It is a great option for providing hot water at a reduced energy cost. Additionally, SGSP is used in low-temperature industrial applications such as saltwater desalination, space heating, and power generation. Solar pond thermal performance is dependent on a variety of operational variables, including the soil conditions, the climate of the particular site, the thickness of the solar pond layers, the depth of the water table, and the salt content of the pond. As such, this study examines the thermal performance of a solar pond under a variety of operational conditions. The solar pond model is used to test the thermal performance by simulating two-dimensional heat and mass transport equations. The equations are solved using the finite difference technique utilizing MATLAB® scripts. Salt distributions and temperature profiles are computed for a variety of factors influencing SGSP’s thermal performance. The main distinguishing variables influencing the thermal performance of SGSP are soil conditions, such as soil texture, types, the moisture level in soil, and water table depth. The final findings indicated that the fine sand dry soil performed better than the other soil types owing to its poor heat conductivity. The economic results indicated that the period of return (POR) of the intended system is around 2 years. The solar pond construction costs such as excavation, transportation, salt and lining, were considered based on the local prices. This modeled study extracted the greatest possible energy is 110W/m2, with the fine sand dry at 62.48°C lowest temperature. This study suggested that the climatic conditions of Lahore is better than climatic conditions of Islamabad. Additionally, deeper water tables are suggested for improved thermal performance of the pond.
P/Key: PUF based second factor authentication
Authors: Uysal Ertan , Akgün Mete
Published: February 2023

One-time password (OTP) mechanisms are widely used to strengthen authentication processes. In time-based one-time password (TOTP) mechanisms, the client and server store common secrets. However, once the server is compromised, the client’s secrets are easy to obtain. To solve this issue, hash-chain-based second-factor authentication protocols have been proposed. However, these protocols suffer from latency in the generation of OTPs on the client side because of the hash-chain traversal. Secondly, they can generate only a limited number of OTPs as it depends on the length of the hash-chain. In this paper, we propose a second-factor authentication protocol that utilizes Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) to overcome these problems. In the proposed protocol, PUFs are used to store the secrets of the clients securely on the server. In case of server compromise, the attacker cannot obtain the seeds of clients’ secrets and can not generate valid OTPs to impersonate the clients. In the case of physical attacks, including side-channel attacks on the server side, our protocol has a mechanism that prevents attackers from learning the secrets of a client interacting with the server. Furthermore, our protocol does not incur any client-side delay in OTP generation.
Need for affect, need for cognition, and the desire for independence
Authors: Barceló Joan
Published: February 2023

The last decade has witnessed a significant rise in European secessionist movements leading to considerable political turmoil (e.g., protest, repression, imprisonment of political leaders). While scholars have identified a number of economic and political factors that influence the support for secessionist movements, fewer studies have focused on its psychological roots. Using evidence from Catalonia, this paper investigates the role of two fundamental individual traits, Need for Affect (NFA) and Need for Cognition (NFC), in influencing the support for Catalan independence. It analyzes a large representative sample of adult Catalans in 2013, during the peak of the secessionist movement, to examine the influence of NFA and NFC, and their interaction, on the intention to vote in favor of seceding from Spain. Results indicate that individuals who have high levels in NFA and those who have high levels of NFA and low levels of NFC are more likely to support independence. In other words, individuals who have low levels of both NFA and NFC have the lowest support for independence. In conclusion, these findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences in psychological motives in order to fully understand support for secessionist movements.
Directed acyclic graphs in perioperative observational research–A systematic review and critique against best practice recommendations
Authors: Watson Matthew Lamont , Hickman Sebastian H. M. , Dreesbeimdiek Kaya Marlen , Kohler Katharina , Stubbs Daniel J.
Published: February 2023

The Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) is a graph representing causal pathways for informing the conduct of an observational study. The use of DAGs allows transparent communication of a causal model between researchers and can prevent over-adjustment biases when conducting causal inference, permitting greater confidence and transparency in reported causal estimates. In the era of ‘big data’ and increasing number of observational studies, the role of the DAG is becoming more important. Recent best-practice guidance for constructing a DAG with reference to the literature has been published in the ‘Evidence synthesis for constructing DAGs’ (ESC-DAG) protocol. We aimed to assess adherence to these principles for DAGs constructed within perioperative literature. Following registration on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and with adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting framework for systematic reviews, we searched the Excerpta Medica dataBASE (Embase), the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Cochrane databases for perioperative observational research incorporating a DAG. Nineteen studies were included in the final synthesis. No studies demonstrated any evidence of following the mapping stage of the protocol. Fifteen (79%) fulfilled over half of the translation and integration one stages of the protocol. Adherence with one stage did not guarantee fulfilment of the other. Two studies (11%) undertook the integration two stage. Unmeasured variables were handled inconsistently between studies. Only three (16%) studies included unmeasured variables within their DAG and acknowledged their implication within the main text. Overall, DAGs that were constructed for use in perioperative observational literature did not consistently adhere to best practice, potentially limiting the benefits of subsequent causal inference. Further work should focus on exploring reasons for this deviation and increasing methodological transparency around DAG construction.
A generalized classification and coding system of Human Disease Animal Model Resource data with a case study to show improving database retrieval efficiency
Authors: Li Huiping , Zhang Wenjuan
Published: February 2023

Background

Currently there is no unified data classification and coding standard for the existing human disease animal model resource data worldwide. Different data classification and coding systems produce different retrieval methods. Some of these methods are inefficient and difficult to use. This research investigated the rules for the classification and coding of such data based on theReplication Methodology of Animal Models for Human Disease, the Classification and Coding Rules for Health Information Data Set (WS/T 306–2009), the Science and Technology Resource Identification (GB/T 32843–2016), the Scientific Data Management Measures (000014349/2018-00052), andThe Generic Description Specification for Natural Science and Technology Resources. This research aimed to develop a classification and coding system for data obtained from human disease animal model resource based on the Internet environment to provide a standardized and unified foundation for the collection, saving, retrieval, and sharing of data from this resource.

Results

A complete data classification and coding table compiled in the form of letters and numbers was produced, with a classification infrastructure that expanded layer by layer according to the three dimensions (namely, system diseases, animal species, and modeling methods) and essential attributes. When necessary, it adopted the hierarchy of major, intermediate, and minor categories for certain layer and also one-to-one matched the code and classification result.

Conclusion

Through this study, a sharing and joint construction mechanism for data from this resource can be developed by all research institutes in this field. As a case study, this research also offered technical support for constructing the database for the National Human Disease Animal Model Resource Center. The technological innovation of this paper is to derive a research oriented retrieval method, which provides technical support for the research on the current COVID-19 epidemic and on possible future epidemics.
NorMASS: A normative MAS-based modeling approach for simulating incentive mechanisms of Q&A communities
Authors: Yang Yi , Mao Xinjun , Yang Shuo , Wu Menghan
Published: February 2023

Incentive mechanisms steer users in Q&A communities to achieve community goals, which need to be cautiously reviewed and revised before actual industrial application. Simulating incentive mechanisms is significant for predicting how changes in incentive mechanisms will affect community emergence, such as user answering patterns. However, due to the complexity of Q&A communities, the challenge faced by simulating incentive mechanisms lies in the difficulty of establishing micro-macro connections in the communities to simulate their emergence. To fill this gap, this paper proposes a Normative Multi-Agent System based Simulation (NorMASS) approach to simulate community emergence. The NorMASS models a Q&A community as a normative multi-agent system and adopts agents to formally express community users. Moreover, the approach provides an open-source simulator with a data generator to simulate community emergence. An evaluation of the NorMASS comparing simulation emergence with the counterpart of an actual community demonstrates that the proposed approach provides an effective solution for simulating incentive mechanisms of Q&A communities, with a similarity of 80% or above.
Molecular evidence of parallel evolution in a cyanophage
Authors: Tjendra Jesslyn , Storesund Julia E. , Dahle Håkon , Sandaa Ruth-Anne , Våge Selina
Published: February 2023

Antagonistic interactions between bacteriophage (phage) and its bacterial host drives the continual selection for resistance and counter-defence. To date, much remains unknown about the genomic evolution that occurs as part of the underlying mechanisms. Such is the case for the marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus and viruses (cyanophages) that infect them. Here, we monitored host and phage abundances, alongside genomic changes to the phage populations, in a 500-day (~55 bacterial generations) infection experiment between Synechococcus sp. WH7803 and the T4-type cyanophage S-PM2d, run parallel in three replicate chemostats (plus one control chemostat). Flow cytometric count of total abundances revealed relatively similar host-phage population dynamics across the chemostats, starting with a cycle of host population collapse and recovery that led to phases of host-phage coexistence. Whole-genome analysis of the S-PM2d populations detected an assemblage of strongly selected and repeatable genomic changes, and therefore parallel evolution in the phage populations, early in the experiment (sampled on day 39). These consisted mostly of non-synonymous single-nucleotide-polymorphisms and a few instances of indel, altogether affecting 18 open-reading-frames, the majority of which were predicted to encode virion structures including those involved in phage adsorption onto host (i.e., baseplate wedge, short tail fibre, adhesin component). Mutations that emerged later (sampled on day 500), on the other hand, were found at a larger range of frequencies, with many lacking repeatability across the chemostats. This is indicative of some degree of between-population divergence in the phage evolutionary trajectory over time. A few of the early and late mutations were detected within putative auxiliary metabolic genes, but these generally occurred in only one or two of the chemostats. Less repeatable mutations may have higher fitness costs, thus drawing our attention onto the role of trade-offs in modulating the trajectory of a host-phage coevolution.
Effects of orthoses on muscle activity and synergy during gait
Authors: Hashiguchi Yu , Goto Ryosuke , Naka Toru
Published: February 2023

An orthosis is often used in rehabilitation to improve kinetic and kinematic parameters during gait. However, whether changes in neural control depend on wearing an orthosis during gait is unclear. We measured the muscle activity and synergy of the lower limb muscles without orthosis and with two types of orthoses: ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) and knee–ankle–foot orthosis (KAFO). Muscle activity during gait was measured in 15 healthy adults, and muscle synergies were extracted using non-negative matrix factorization. The results revealed that some muscle activities were significantly different among the three conditions. Post-hoc analysis indicated differences between each condition. Knee extensor muscle activity related to the loading response was significantly increased by wearing the AFO. In the KAFO condition, hip abductor muscle activity related to weight bearing was significantly decreased, and ankle dorsiflexor muscle activity was increased to secure clearance during the swing phase. However, the number of muscle synergies and complexity of muscle synergy did not significantly change among these conditions. However, along with changes in muscle activity, the activation pattern and weightings of muscle synergies tended to change with the use of orthoses. Each muscle activity was changed by wearing the orthosis; however, the immediate mechanical constraint did not change the framework of muscle synergy.
Exploring the values, preferences, and information needs of patients with NKX2-1-related disorders: A qualitative study protocol
Authors: Martín-Gómez Carmen , Ortigoza-Escobar Juan Dario , Nou-Fontanet Laia , Molina-Linde Juan M. , Bachoud-Lévi Anne-Catherine , Léger Juliane , Blasco-Amaro Juan Antonio ,   NKX2-1-Related Disorders Guideline Working Group
Published: February 2023

Background

NKX2-1-related disorders have a prevalence of 1:500,000 and are therefore considered a rare condition according to the European Commission’s definition. The European Reference Network of Rare Neurological Disorders is developing the first clinical practice guideline on the management of this condition, with the support of the Andalusian Health Technology Assessment Area, Endo-ERN, ERN-Lung and Imegen, within the framework of the ERNs Guidelines programme (DG SANTE/2018/B3/030). Within the scope of this programme, it becomes necessary to explore the patient perspective in order to include it in the ongoing clinical practice guideline and accompanying patient information booklet.

Methods and analysis

This study will use qualitative methods to explore the values, preferences and information needs of patient with NKX2-1-related disorders and their caregivers. Participants will come from a variety of countries throughout Europe. One focus group and four semi-structured interviews will be conducted. Pairs will analyse the data using Grounded Theory. The Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health’s Ethics Coordinating Committee for Biomedical Research (Sevilla, Andalucía, Spain) has approved this study protocol (29/03/2022).

Discussion

This is the first study to explore the values, preferences, and information needs of patients with NKX2-1-related disorders. The proposed study’s findings will contribute to the generation of useful knowledge that will provide guidance to improve the care given to patients with the studied condition. While this study will provide valuable insights into the perspectives of patients with NKX2-1-related disorders, the findings are unlikely to be generalizable to patients with other conditions.
Theoretical step approach with ‘Three-pillar’ device assistance for successful endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage
Authors: Yoshida Michihiro , Naitoh Itaru , Hayashi Kazuki , Hori Yasuki , Kato Akihisa , Kachi Kenta , Asano Go , Sahashi Hidenori , Toyohara Tadashi , Kuno Kayoko , Kito Yusuke , Kataoka Hiromi
Published: February 2023

Background

Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) has been reported as an alternative procedure for acute cholecystitis but remains a challenging procedure.

Aims

To elucidate the efficacy of a strategic approach for ETGBD that utilizes a four-step classification system and the optional use of ‘Three-pillar’ assistance with the following devices: cholangioscopy (SpyGlass DS, SG), a flex-type guidewire (Flex-GW), and a 3-Fr microcatheter (3-Fr Micro).

Methods

A total of 115 patients undergoing ETGBD were studied retrospectively. Characteristics and technical outcomes were compared between conventional ETGBD technique (Classical ETGBD, N = 50) and strategic ETGBD with optional Three-pillar assistance (Strategic ETGBD, N = 65).

Results

SG-assistance (15/65, 23.1%) was as an excellent troubleshooter in Category 1 (failure to identify the cystic duct [CD] orifice) and Category 2 (failure to advance the GW across the CD takeoff due to unfavorable angle). Flex-GW (19/65, 29.2%) worked for Category 3b (failure of GW access to the GB due to multiple tortuosities). 3-Fr Micro (11/65, 16.9%) was effective for Category 3a (failure of GW access to the GB due to CD obstruction) and Category 4 (failure of drainage stent insertion to the GB). The overall technical success rate was significantly higher for Strategic ETGBD (63/65, 96.9%) compared with Classical ETGBD (36/50, 72.0%) (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

Strategic ETGBD, which includes the Three-pillar assistance options of SG in the initial steps, Flex-GW for tortuous CD, and 3-Fr Micro for stenotic CD, achieved a significantly higher success rate than for Classical ETGBD.
Should my automated car drive as I do? Investigating speed preferences of drivengers in various driving conditions
Authors: Delmas Maxime , Camps Valérie , Lemercier Céline
Published: February 2023

Studies investigating the question of how automated cars (ACs) should drive converge to show that a personalized automated driving-style, i.e., mimicking the driving-style of the human behind the wheel, has a positive influence on various aspects of his experience (e.g., comfort). However, few studies have investigated the fact that these benefits might vary with respect to driver-related variables, such as trust in ACs, and contextual variables of the driving activity, such as weather conditions. Additionally, the context of intermediate levels of automation, such as SAE level 3, remains largely unexplored. The objective of this study was to investigate these points. In a scenario-based experimental protocol, participants were exposed to written scenarios in which a character is driven by a SAE level 3 AC in different combinations of conditions (i.e., types of roads, weather conditions and traffic congestion levels). For each condition, participants were asked to indicate how fast they would prefer their AC to drive and how fast they would manually drive in the same situation. Through analyses of variance and equivalence tests, results showed a tendency for participants to overall prefer a slightly lower AC speed than their own. However, a linear regression analysis showed that while participants with the lowest levels of trust preferred an AC speed lower than theirs, those with the highest levels preferred an AC speed nearly identical to theirs. Overall, the results of this study suggest that it would be more beneficial to implement a personalization approach for the design of automated driving-styles rather than a one for all approach.
A Study on the Crime of Unmanned Stores Using Big Data
Authors:   Crisis and Emergency Management: Theory and Praxis, Kim Kun Hee , Jang Cheol Yeung
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data and derive meaningful implications for future studies related to unmanned store crimes. For this purpose, text data was collected and refined from representative portal sites in Korea, and visualized after analysis. As a result of using various analysis techniques, effective crime prevention measures should be prepared as the role of the police is very important to prevent and respond to the increasing number of crimes against unmanned stores. In order to prevent crimes in unmanned stores, it is necessary to provide systematic education for store owners and all citizens, especially juveniles, establish a system that can only enter through self-certification even if it is inconvenient and expensive, and have a system that alerts and broadcasts crimes through artificial intelligence sensors or CCTV. In addition, a plan was proposed to actively utilize elements that can conduct patrol and defense activities by supplementing the police, such as private security companies and autonomous crime prevention units.
An upper bound for the Erd\H{o}s unit distance problem in the plane
Authors: Agama Theophilus
Published: February 2023

In this paper, using the method of compression, we prove a stronger upper bound for the Erd\H{o}s unit distance problem in the plane by showing that\begin{align}\# \bigg\{||\vec{x_j}-\vec{x_t}||:\vec{x}_t, \vec{x_j}\in \mathbb{E}\subset \mathbb{R}^2,~||\vec{x_j}-\vec{x_t}||=1,~1\leq t,j \leq n\bigg\}\ll_2 n^{1+o(1)}.\nonumber\end{align}
THE ROLE OF A PROFESSIONAL BUILDER IN FACILITY MANAGEMENT
Authors: Ezenwa Godfrey Chidozie
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACT

This research studied the role of a Professional Builder in facility management. The researcher chose Awka and Onitsha in Anambra State as the area of study. This study was carried out so as to find out actually, if Professional Builders have a role to play in facility management and identify those roles. In carrying out the study, related literature in the study were reviewed, primary data were collected using questionnaires, while data obtained were analyzed using frequency table and simple percentages and hypothesis were tested using Z-test statistical tools. Some of the findings and recommendations in this research study are: The researcher observed that facility management is not well known and not properly practiced in this part of the world, the issue of which professional should lay claim to facility management service is not properly defined in the minds of people, the role of professionals as a facility manager is not well known. As a result of all these, a proper awareness should be carried out so as to enable organizations engage professional Builders for facility management services, in order to meet organizational goals.
DeutJ: An ImageJ Plugin for Improved Automatic Masking and Segmentation of Images from Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Cui Sunny
Published: February 2023

Due to advances to microscopic imaging, there are a plethora of biological molecules that can now be tagged and subsequentially imaged from almost any cell, organism, or tissue. However, the ability for software to analyze these images remains to be a challenge. ImageJ is an open source software that allows for processing of these images, but faces challenges when dealing with images that show weak contrast between objects of interest and background. DeutJ is an ImageJ plugin that color-corrects and brightness-corrects gradients that inhbit segmentation in confocal microscopy images. It can analyze hundreds of images from a given folder and produces binary mask images that are superior to existing ImageJ functions.
Patients With Crohn's Disease and Permanent Ileostomy Are Universally Excluded From Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review
Authors: Vuyyuru Sudheer K. , Rieder Florian , Solitano Virginia , Nguyen Tran M. , Crowley Eileen , Narula Neeraj , Singh Siddharth , Ma Christopher , Jairath Vipul
Published: February 2023

INTRODUCTION:

We performed a systematic review to investigate whether patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and permanent ileostomy (PI) have been included in clinical trials evaluating biologics and small molecules.

METHODS:

MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library (CENTRAL) data bases were searched from inception to May 16, 2022 for placebo controlled induction and/or maintenance randomized controlled trials assessing biologics and oral small molecules in adult patients with active CD.

RESULTS:

Of the 81 induction and maintenance trials assessing biologics and oral small molecules in CD, none permitted the enrollment of patients with PI. Patients with CD and PI have been universally excluded from pharmaceutical trials of biologics and small molecules to date.

DISCUSSION:

There is an urgent need to identify barriers to enrollment and develop eligibility and outcome measures enabling the inclusion of patients with CD and PI into clinical trials.
Appendiceal Fecalith Presenting as a Submucosal Cecal Polyp Removed During Colonoscopy
Authors: Payne Kaitlin , Farha Natalie , Savage Erica , Burke Carol A.
Published: February 2023

Appendiceal fecaliths, also known as stercoliths or coproliths, are rigid masses comprised of fecal material that become lodged within the appendix. They are generally accepted to be a primary etiologic agent of acute appendicitis and appendiceal intussusception in adults. We report a case of an asymptomatic woman undergoing colonoscopy found to have a submucosal appearing mass below the appendiceal orifice. A neoplastic appearing lesion on the orifice of the appendix was resected, after which a fecalith extruded into the colonic lumen. This is the first reported case of appendiceal fecalith discovered and completely removed during colonoscopy in an asymptomatic patient.
Relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and diabetes mellitus (review)
Authors: Artykbaeva G. M. , Saatov T. S.
Published: February 2023

Infections caused by SARE-CoV-2 are complicated with the concurrent pathologies, to name hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. High level of glucose in blood weakens the immunity and increase the SARS-CoV-2 replication. Diabetes mellitus aggravates the COVID-19 outcome. The intrusion of SARS-CoV-2 into a host-cell occurs by means of its association with the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE 2). Stimulating immune responses the COVID-19 infection causes the cytokine storm, and may result in the lethal outcome in the diabetics.

Recent laboratory studies demonstrated that the type1 and type2 diabetes mellitus is the main consequence in 14% of the patients after corona infection. Thus, in 2% of 14% diabetes started progressing due to the corona virus. In the other, diabetes debut occurred as the direct and negative consequence of the disease. Hyperglycemia results in the formation of protein molecules known as the advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The AGEs and their receptors (RAGE) are of high significance in the host-cell’s virus invasion. Consequently, more strict glucose control is necessary for optimal outcome and reduction in mortality. The better control for the COVID-19 course can be provided by the targeted effect on the RAGE axis. The review helps elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the exacerbation of pathophysiology in the diabetic COVID-19 patients.
Evaluation of socio-economic status and cost-return structure of major vegetable crops in Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh (India)
Authors: Mandla Ishita , Vaidya Manoj Kumar , Sharma Nandita
Published: February 2023

The present study was carried out in Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh with the objective of finding out the socio-economic status and cost-return structure of the farmers. The multi-stage random sampling procedure was adopted to select the respondents. The costs and returns structure has been reported for the production of major vegetables, viz. tomato, cauliflower and peas in two vegetable-dominated developmental blocks of the district Kullu (Kullu and Naggar). Primary data has been collected through survey method for the agricultural year 2019-2020. The study revealed that per hectare cost A1 was highest for peas, followed by tomato and was the lowest for cauliflower. However, the per quintal cost of cultivation has been found to be the highest for tomato, followed by peas and cauliflower. Gross returns as well as net returns per hectare have been observed to be highest for tomato, followed by pea and cauliflower. The study suggests that to promote this enterprise, niche areas for off-season vegetable cultivation need to be identified as the vegetables grown in the district enjoy price advantage due to their off-season nature and efforts to tap irrigation potential in those areas should be enhanced. Education of farmers for scientific management of crops and provision of improved tools for efficient use of labour have also been suggested to lower production costs and make the vegetable cultivation more beneficial to farmers, particularly to the small and marginal farmers in the state.
Czy to naprawdę nieważne, jak definiujemy śmierć?
Authors: Norkowski Jacek Maria
Published: February 2023

The Montreal conference (2012) adopted the definition of death as „permanent loss of conscious- ness and permanent loss of all brainstem functions”. This definition aspires to cover with its scope all types of death that could be reduced to this definition as a phenomenon. This definition is based on the assumptions contained in the Harvard Report of 1968, which defined death as an irreversible coma. This approach to death has been criticized by some doctors, philosophers, theologians, lawyers, journalists and religious circles. In most countries, these protests were ignored by state legislation and the influential media, resulting in no apparent social opposition to the neurological criteria for death and the later introduced cardiac death criteria. In some countries, however, the legislation provides for the possibility of objecting to these death criteria, which allows them to be avoided for declaring death by anyone who disagrees with them. Japan and the state of New Jersey in the United States have developed statutory solutions for this purpose that could be an example for other countries. Meanwhile, this is not the case and the societies of most countries in the world have in effect imposed definitions and criteria of death with which 20–40% or even more citizens do not agree. This undermines their civil rights and therefore needs to be changed, especially since there is a desire for further legal changes that would legalize consent to death by organ donation (death by organ donation). This in turn would mean an open questioning of the principle that we do not kill some patients in order to save others, and the mission of doctors is only to heal patients, not to kill them.
RELATIONS BETWEEN ACTIVISTS AND CITIZENS, THE INTERNAL DRIVING FORCE OF THE SOCIAL MOVEMENT AS A FESTIVAL: A CASE STUDY OF THE 2016 – 2017 CANDLELIGHT VIGILS
Authors: LEE Doo Hyeong
Published: February 2023

The 2016-2017 candlelight vigil was a very important event because it led to the impeachment of an incumbent president for the first time in South Korea’s constitutional history. Above all, it was a remarkable phenomenon in that it unfolded peacefully and acted like a festival even though many citizens gathered on the streets to demand the president’s impeachment, which is essentially an extreme argument under institutional democracy. Violence, which was common in previous mass movements, was impossible in the 2016-2017. Some emphasized the heightened sense of citizenship, while others understand it in a historical context, but it does not see the dynamics of change that exist within the mass movement. Moreover, peaceful and festive gatherings have received a lot of attention, especially in the 2000s. And this is highlighted as a strategy for citizens who voluntarily come out on the street to keep their distance from activists. The existence of a movement dealing with various political agendas was seen as a risk of distorting the purpose of the manifestation. For citizens, distancing from them is an important strategy to preserve the purity of the movement. Therefore, the ‘flag’, which is a symbol of the movement, was excluded from the square. However, the so-called ‘Any Flag Festival’ that appeared at the 2016-2017 candlelight vigils bridges the gap between the movement represented by the flag and the general participants. The group play using flags relieved the tension between the movement’s organization and the citizens, which was an internal conflict factor in the manifestation, which coincidentally led them to be together. As a result, this formed an important social context for mass movements such as festivals, which became important in the 2000s, to be completed in 2016 and 2017.
Paradoxes of the Canadian mosaic: “being, feeling and doing Canadian”
Authors: Nystrom Gloria
Published: February 2023

This autoethnographic narrative shows how discourses of belonging for racialized identities within Canada’s mosaic are bounded by history, cultural politics, and attendant social struggles. Using an intersectional framework of Asian Critical theory, politics of location, and cultural capital, this paper demonstrates how ideologies of belonging are sustained by processes of cultural and institutional socialization which maintain hierarchies privileging some social groups over others and produce racial/ized difference and inequities within Canadian citizenry. As a second-generation of Chinese ancestry born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, my lived experiences in a predominantly white English-speaking environment illustrate how my status as “model minority” or “honorary white” has been a precarious position. Bonilla-Silva warns us that “honorary white” positioning may be revoked in times of economic, racial or ethnic tension. Dramatic increases in anti-Asian hate incidents during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic—earning Vancouver, BC, the title of the “anti-Asian hate capital of North America”—is an example of how these racialized statuses are paradoxical designations which deny the existence of social inequities. Critical research must interrogate how the continued use of mis-aggregated data that essentializes diverse population groups and perpetuates harmful distortions of Canadian citizenry contribute to, rather than dismantle, discourses of race in “multicultural” Canada.
Compton scattering geometry: a tool to study radiation interaction characteristics of rare earth compounds doped in low-Z organic compound
Authors: Singh Mohinder , Tondon Akash , Sandhu Balvir S. , Singh Bhajan
Published: February 2023

The present measurements comprise of Compton scattering technique at six energies from 0.242 MeV to 0.402 MeV (not available from conventional radioisotopes) by scattering of primary gamma photon beam of 0.662 MeV energy from cylindrical aluminium target at different scattering angles. Two inorganic (rare-earth) compounds, Lanthanum (3+) nitrate hexahydrate and Samarium (3+) nitrate hexahydrate in a Low-Z organic solvent (acetone), have shown certain radiation interaction characteristics are the subject of study. The collimated beam of scattered gamma rays impinges on the plastic container having solution of rare earth compounds in the acetone of different concentrations. The transmitted gamma ray beam is detected by a well-collimated 2″ × 2″ NaI(Tl) scintillation detector and is analysed by a PC-based ORTEC Mastero-32 MCA. Attenuation coefficients along with some shielding parameters i.e. molar extinction coefficients, half value layer, tenth value layer and mean free path are evaluated. Besides this, Computed Tomography numbers and photon interaction cross-sections (photoelectric, coherent and incoherent) are also determined. The measured values of these parameters are compared with WinXCom software package’s values and are found to be in good agreement. The available data on rare earth salts’ solutions, in the current measurements, is scientifically important in nuclear and radiation physics, bridging the gap in which radiation workers do not have access to such data.
Hybrid magnesium matrix composites: A review of reinforcement philosophies, mechanical and tribological characteristics
Authors: Khatkar Sandeep Kumar
Published: February 2023

Magnesium hybrid composites are a new class of lightweight metal matrix composites having excellent physical, mechanical, wear and corrosive properties. Hybrid magnesium matrix composites are fabricated using different combinations of reinforcements having basics properties like wear resistance and high strength of ceramics, self-lubricating of graphite, MoS2, CNT, and graphene, high thermal conductivity of carbon, diamond, and cubic boron nitride, and low cost of fly ash. This article presents an overview of different combinations of reinforcements used for fabrication of hybrid magnesium matrix composites and their effects on the mechanical and tribological properties of the hybrid materials. The major issues like agglomeration, interfacial phenomena, reinforcement–matrix bonding, and problems related to uniform distribution of particles are discussed in this article. Magnesium hybrid composites have the potential of satisfying the recent demands of aerospace, automobile, biomedical, defense, marine, and electronics industries. The future directions and potential research areas in the field of magnesium hybrid composites are also highlighted.
The SCALEX facility – an apparatus for scaled fluid dynamical experiments
Authors: Sharifi Ghazijahani Mohammad , Kästner Christian , Valori Valentina , Thieme Alexander , Täschner Kerstin , Schumacher Jörg , Cierpka Christian
Published: February 2023

The working conditions of the Scaled Convective Airflow Laboratory Experiment (SCALEX) at Technische Universität Ilmenau and sample experiments are reported. The SCALEX facility is a pressure vessel which allows for downscaling of laboratory experiments up to a factor of 20 by compression of gaseous working fluids, air or sulfur hexafluoride, to change the material properties of the fluid. The requirements and conditions for downscaling of fluid dynamical problems are discussed in detail. Long-term high and low pressure tests are conducted to screen the stability of the experimental environment inside the vessel against pressure and temperature fluctuations. Finally, a Rayleigh–Bénard convection experiment at an aspect ratio 10 is performed inside the SCALEX facility as a proof of concept. The reference experiment was conducted under 4.5 bar pressure for Ra = 1.9 × 105. However, the Rayleigh number could be varied in a wide range of Ra = 104 … 108. The flow investigation was pursued with stereoscopic particle image velocimetry in horizontal mid-plane through the convection cell. To improve the image quality the cameras were placed inside the pressure cell and tested up to 6 bar. Thus the feasibility of optical flow measurements at elevated pressures is shown.
Time for Brexit? Temporalities in the 2019 UK European election campaign
Authors: Breeze Ruth
Published: February 2023

Although the importance of time in political discourse cannot be denied, few recent studies address the representation of time as a factor in election campaigns. This discourse analytical study focuses on the role of time in the campaign literature produced by the nine main parties in the 2019 EU election in the UK, which resulted in a landslide victory for the newly-formed Brexit Party. The corpus consisted of the manifestos or leaflets produced specifically for this election by the nine parties in question, amounting to 57,226 words. The timelines of the different parties are analysed, showing how the parties envisioned different timelines: some capitalized on public frustration by offering immediate satisfaction, while others legitimized their aspirations through timelines that reached across and beyond the uncertainties of the Brexit phase. Representations of linear time, cyclical time and radical rupture are contrasted, and the key significance of time in the populist performance of crisis is discussed.
A New Tool for Quantifying Mouse Facial Expressions
Authors: Le Moëne Olivia , Larsson Max
Published: February 2023

Facial expressions are an increasingly used tool to assess emotional experience and affective state during experimental procedures in animal models. Previous studies have successfully related specific facial features with different positive and negative valence situations, most notably in relation to pain. However, characterizing and interpreting such expressions remains a major challenge. We identified seven easily visualizable facial parameters on mouse profiles, accounting for changes in eye, ear, mouth, snout and face orientation. We monitored their relative position on the face across time and throughout sequences of positive and aversive gustatory and somatosensory stimuli in freely moving mice. Facial parameters successfully captured response profiles to each stimulus and reflected spontaneous movements in response to stimulus valence, as well as contextual elements such as habituation. Notably, eye opening was increased by palatable tastants and innocuous touch, while this parameter was reduced by tasting a bitter solution and by painful stimuli. Mouse ear posture appears to convey a large part of emotional information. Facial expressions accurately depicted welfare and affective state in a time-sensitive manner, successfully correlating time-dependent stimulation. This study is the first to delineate rodent facial expression features in multiple positive valence situations, including in relation to affective touch. We suggest using this facial expression assay might provide mechanistic insights into emotional expression and improve the translational value of experimental studies in rodents on pain and other states.
Diminished Repetition Suppression Reveals Selective and Systems-Level Face Processing Differences in ASD
Authors: D'Mello Anila M. , Frosch Isabelle R. , Meisler Steven L. , Grotzinger Hannah , Perrachione Tyler K. , Gabrieli John D.E.
Published: February 2023

Repeated exposure to a stimulus results in reduced neural response, or repetition suppression, in brain regions responsible for processing that stimulus. This rapid accommodation to repetition is thought to underlie learning, stimulus selectivity, and strengthening of perceptual expectations. Importantly, reduced sensitivity to repetition has been identified in several neurodevelopmental, learning, and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors and restricted interests. Reduced ability to exploit or learn from repetition in ASD is hypothesized to contribute to sensory hypersensitivities, and parallels several theoretical frameworks claiming that ASD individuals show difficulty using regularities in the environment to facilitate behavior. Using fMRI in autistic and neurotypical human adults (females and males), we assessed the status of repetition suppression across two modalities (vision, audition) and with four stimulus categories (faces, objects, printed words, and spoken words). ASD individuals showed domain-specific reductions in repetition suppression for face stimuli only, but not for objects, printed words, or spoken words. Reduced repetition suppression for faces was associated with greater challenges in social communication in ASD. We also found altered functional connectivity between atypically adapting cortical regions and higher-order face recognition regions, and microstructural differences in related white matter tracts in ASD. These results suggest that fundamental neural mechanisms and system-wide circuits are selectively altered for face processing in ASD and enhance our understanding of how disruptions in the formation of stable face representations may relate to higher-order social communication processes.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA common finding in neuroscience is that repetition results in plasticity in stimulus-specific processing regions, reflecting selectivity and adaptation (repetition suppression [RS]). RS is reduced in several neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Theoretical frameworks of ASD posit that reduced adaptation may contribute to associated challenges in social communication and sensory processing. However, the scope of RS differences in ASD is unknown. We examined RS for multiple categories across visual and auditory domains (faces, objects, printed words, spoken words) in autistic and neurotypical individuals. We found reduced RS in ASD for face stimuli only and altered functional connectivity and white matter microstructure between cortical face-recognition areas. RS magnitude correlated with social communication challenges among autistic individuals.
Numerical investigation of polarization-insensitive multiband metamaterial for terahertz solar absorber
Authors:   Center for Space Science, Institute Perubahan Iklim, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Hossain I. , Samsuzzaman M. ,   Dept. of Computer and Communication Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh, Singh M. S. J. ,   Dept. of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Bais B. B. ,   Dept. of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Islam M. T. ,   Dept. of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
Published: February 2023

This study presents a nanostructured multiband metamaterial absorber for the optical regime application. The proposed structure is exhibited 0° to 90° polarization insensitivity and up to 45° angular stability with more than 90% peak absorption in between 300 THz800 THz frequency range. Proposed MMA structure is acquired perfect absorption of 99.99% at 571THz, 99.50% at 488.26 THz, 99.32% at 598 THz frequency by adjusting geometrical parameters. Due to perfect impedance matching with plasmonic resonance characteristics, these structures achieved an average absorption of 95.30%, 91.96%, 97.25%, 97.65%, 91%,90%,90.23% in between (337.5 THz-346.5 THz), (471 THz-478 THz), (497.5 THz-505 THz), (519 THz-530.5 THz), 564.5 THz-577 THz), (604 THz-673 THz), (686 THz-708 THz), respectively. The near field pattern of proposed MMA is used to explain the absorption mechanism at resonance frequency point and the geometric parameters are explored and analyzed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed structure. Moreover, CST-HFSS interference is validated the simulation data with the help of the finite element method (FEM). Polarization insensitivity and wide angular stability in terahertz (THz) frequency regime make this structure suitable for the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), color images, thermal imaging and solar cell applications like exploitation of solar energy.