bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuel Injector Requirements to Achieve Supercritical Flow at the Exit
Authors: Harris Zachary B. , Bittle Joshua A. , Agrawal Ajay K.
Published: November 2023

Advanced engine designs and alternative fuels introduce the possibility of supercritical fuel injection in aviation gas turbines and diesel engines, as is already the case for many rocket engines. Previous studies have focused mainly on fuel–air mixing in the supercritical regime after injection. However, injector requirements to achieve supercritical flow at the exit have not been investigated systematically. In this study, supercritical flow in an injector is analyzed using computational fluid dynamics with a real gas model and fluid properties derived from Helmholtz equations of state. Three operational challenges are illustrated depending upon the fuel: 1) large decreases in pressure and temperature within the injector, 2) injector choking, and 3) supersonic expansion of the supercritical jet. These challenges are addressed by developing and validating a one-dimensional, nonisentropic model of supercritical flow in the injector. This reduced-order model can guide injector designs for different fuels and applications and help decouple the injector supercritical flow from that in the downstream chamber to significantly reduce the computational effort for fuel–air mixing simulations. Results show that larger-diameter injectors are generally required to achieve supercritical injection with a fuel energy injection rate per unit area matching that of a typical diesel injector.
Numerical Study of Circular-Cylinder Disturbance Generators with Rigid Splitter Plates
Authors: Jenkins Michael , Suresh Babu Arun Vishnu , Bryant Matthew , Gopalarathnam Ashok
Published: November 2023

This paper describes the numerical study of oscillating circular cylinders with rigid splitter plates of different lengths. These geometries may be used as disturbance generators for the study of unsteady airfoils and wings operating in highly vortical flowfields. It has been shown that cylinders undergoing forced rotational oscillations at their natural shedding frequency can produce wakes with minimal deviation in cycle-to-cycle vortex strength and position. Adding a splitter plate allows these deviations to be reduced even further. We present cases for oscillating cylinders having splitter-plate lengths up to [Formula: see text] at a Reynolds number of 7600. Frequencies are maintained at the natural shedding frequency, and a rotational amplitude of 45 deg is used. Numerical simulations are performed using a two-dimensional unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) code. Results are presented in the form of vorticity contours and cycle-averaged velocity profiles, as well as the dominant frequencies of cylinder lift force and downstream velocity angles. The results show that splitter-plate lengths shorter than [Formula: see text] adversely affect the ability to generate a coherent vortex wake due to shear layer roll-up near the trailing edge of the plate. Splitter plates longer than [Formula: see text] produced a reverse von Kármán wake with consistent cycle-to-cycle vortex shedding.
Study of Effect of Aerodynamic Interference on Transonic Flutter Characteristics of Airfoil
Authors: Ye Kun , Xie Pengze , Zhan Xu , Qin Liuzhen , Ye Zhengyin
Published: November 2023

Aerodynamic interference occurs when biplane wings are placed close to each other. Investigating aerodynamic interference on the transonic flutter characteristics of these wings is an important issue. A numerical model is configured with the rigid airfoil positioned above the elastic airfoil at different positions to simulate various levels of aerodynamic interference. The flutter characteristics of the elastic airfoil are analyzed using an efficient aeroelastic analysis method based on the reduced order model. The results suggest that when the rigid airfoil is positioned directly above the elastic airfoil the aerodynamic interference accelerates the airflow on the upper surface of the elastic airfoil. This leads to a subsonic [Formula: see text] phenomenon, and the instability mode after the subsonic dip gradually transitions from first order to second order. Furthermore, aerodynamic interference leads to an earlier occurrence of a shock wave on the upper surface of the elastic airfoil, which causes earlier appearances of transonic dip and S-shape flutter boundary. Moreover, the S-shape flutter boundary is widened as a consequence of the interference. Remarkably, the part of the S-shape flutter boundary is solely induced by the first-order mode instability, which is different from the typical alternating instability of the first-order and second-order modes together. When the rigid airfoil is positioned diagonally above the elastic airfoil, aerodynamic interference causes a later occurrence of a shock wave on the upper surface of the elastic airfoil, which leads to later appearances of the transonic dip and S-shape flutter boundary. Additionally, the S-shape flutter boundary is widened.
Issues Related to Children-Faced by Armed Forces Families When Caring for Patients in Palliative Care – A Qualitative Study
Authors: Butola Savita , Butola Damini
Published: November 2023

Objectives:

Access to palliative care is limited, especially in rural India. Children needing care by palliative teams may themselves be patients, or siblings and children of patients. Armed forces families face characteristic lifestyle challenges – frequent transfers, living in difficult and remote areas, serving personnel staying apart from families for long periods – very different from issues faced by civilians. Military service increases the risk of psychosocial burden for serving personnel as well as families. Most depend on private and state medical services for palliative care so it is important for the palliative community to understand their issues. This study aimed to explore the issues related to children – faced by armed forces families when caring for patients in palliative care.

Material and Methods:

Qualitative study based on thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with caregivers – either serving personnel or their dependents, in three centres.

Results:

Analysis of the 15 interviews showed that armed forces families face complex challenges related to children when caring for the palliative patient due to frequent movement, lack of paediatric palliative services in far-flung areas, disruption of the continuity of care, social isolation, language, and cultural barriers when living in non-native areas, inability to build and access family and community support and financial burden due to restrictive reimbursement policies.

Conclusion:

Although medical and administrative support within the organisation provides a cushion, wives have to manage alone in the father’s prolonged absence, and safety is a concern for children when living outside the campuses and serving personnel report guilt, anger, and helplessness at not being present when needed. Awareness of these issues can enable palliative workers to provide more meaningful support tailored to the needs of service families.
Computer Aided Recipe Design: Optimization of Polydisperse Chemical Mixtures using Molecular Descriptors
Authors: Massolle Anja , Schneider Jakob , Meyer Jan , Loschen Christoph
Published: November 2023

A workflow has been developed allowing for the computer aided design and optimization of reactive systems using the concept of molecular descriptor-based similarity. Unlike single-molecule models most often used in polymer informatics, an important feature of this approach is to allow for a more realistic description of reaction mixtures by accounting for polydispersity and individual chain topology. Starting from a specific set of ingredients, i.e., a chemical recipe or formulation, simulations based on Gillespie’s kinetic Monte Carlo scheme are used to generate oligo- and polymeric reaction mixtures. By using the distance / similarity in molecular and topological descriptor space as a metric, the initial recipe is then modified iteratively using a Bayesian optimizer. Target of the optimization procedure is either another chemical recipe with different ingredients or alternatively, a set of desirable descriptors and properties. A key step of the process is the transformation of the graph representing individual polymer species as obtained by the kinetic simulation into atomistic species described as SMILES strings, which enables the computation of a rich set of additional descriptors. This rather general mapping is achieved exploiting similarities between the BNGL and the SMILES notation. The workflow is demonstrated on common polyether and polyester oligomeric systems as typically used in polymer industry, but is generally applicable to other polymer chemistries.
Hidden Conversations, Missed Opportunities: Can Artificial Intelligence Capture Social Determinants of Health Discussions in Behavioral Health Sessions?
Authors: Assenheim-Dagan Lee , Jefroykin Samuel , Lev-Ari Hila , Katz Yocheved , Sadeh-Sharvit Shiri
Published: November 2023

Objective: This study examined how often social determinants of health (SDoH) are discussed in therapy and documented in progress notes.Materials and Methods: We randomly sampled 100 treatment sessions, provided by 38 mental health experts in 5 U.S. behavioral health programs. Sessions were captured via a specialized artificial intelligence (AI) platform for behavioral health and segmented into 1,762 therapist-client micro-dialogues. Psychologists then labeled the micro-dialogues and reviewed progress notes to identify SDoH-related topics.Results: SDoH were discussed in 86% of sessions, with the primary topics being economic stability (34.0%) and social and community context (29.1%). However, only 52.3% of progress notes included any mention of SDoH.Conclusions: Most behavioral therapy sessions involve discussions on SDoH, yet only half are adequately documented in the progress notes. Ambient AI shows promise in enhancing SDoH data capture, potentially advancing mental healthcare and informing health policy decisions.
Criteria for the boundedness of a certain class of matrix operators from lpv into lqu
Authors: Temirkhanova A.M. , Beszhanova A.T.
Published: November 2023

One of the main aims in the theory of matrices is to find necessary and sufficient conditions for the elements of any matrix so that the corresponding matrix operator maps continuously from one normed space into another one. Thus, it is very important to find the norm of the matrix operator, at least, to find upper and lower estimates of it. This problem in Lebesgue spaces of sequences in the general case is still open. This paper deals with the problem of boundedness of matrix operators from lpv into lqu for 1 < q < p < ∞, and we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions of this problem when matrix operators belong to the classes O2+- satisfying weaker conditions than Oinarov’s condition.
Вибори до Державної Думи та Державної Ради на Правобережжі: участь польського населення
Authors: Білобровець Ольга
Published: November 2023

The article discusses specifics of the elections in Right-Bank Ukraine to the higher authorities in theRussian Empire – the State Duma and the Sate Council, which resulted from the bourgeois-democraticrevolution of the early twentieth century, and the character of electoral politics in Polish political circles of theregion.
The Role of Spiritual Unit (Chaplaincy) in The Development of Islamization of Health Management in Al-Islam Specialist Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Mohamad Shafi Surina , Awang Mohd Zulkifli , Mas’ud Ishak , Amir Ramli Nurul Aisyah
Published: November 2023

This paper discussed the role of the Spiritual Unit (Chaplaincy) of Al-Islam Specialist Hospital to implement the process of Islamization of health management in the administration. The study will unravel the history and the role of Spiritual Unit (Chaplaincy) on the development of hospital staff as well as the contribution to other health sectors. This research is using qualitative research methods where the research is founded on a comprehensive study of current literature on Muslim chaplaincy and Islamization in healthcare management. Important reviews of these literature studies have resulted in the study that found the role of the Spiritual Unit (Chaplaincy), Al-Islam Specialist Hospital has successfully strengthened the hospital management journey in implementing da’wah bil hal through the concept of Ibadah Friendly Hospital (IFH) and successfully left an impact on health management through the Islamization process that has been implemented. Thus, the Spiritual Unit (Chaplaincy) plays a significant role in transforming the paradigm of health management in a complete and holistic way, in addition to its major role in offering spiritual care to patients.
Examining the effects of additives and precursors on the reactivity of rhodium alkyl nitrenes generated from substituted hydroxylamines
Authors: Noda Hidetoshi , Asada Yasuko , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: November 2023

In this study, the reactivity of the alkyl nitrenes, generated from the substituted hydroxylamine precursors, was determined using the same rhodium catalyst. The results revealed that in competitive C–H insertion experiments, the regioselectivity between benzylic and tertiary C–H bonds could be modulated by adding Brønsted acids or changing the substituents on oxygen. This study enhances our understanding of the metallonitrene structures and provides valuable insights for further development of selective N-heterocycle syntheses.
Non-invasive detection of anemia using lip mucosa images transfer learning convolutional neural networks
Authors: Mahmud Shekhar , Mansour Mohammed , Donmez Turker Berk , Kutlu Mustafa , Freeman Chris
Published: November 2023

Anemia is defined as a drop in the number of erythrocytes or hemoglobin concentration below normal levels in healthy people. The increase in paleness of the skin might vary based on the color of the skin, although there is currently no quantifiable measurement. The pallor of the skin is best visible in locations where the cuticle is thin, such as the interior of the mouth, lips, or conjunctiva. This work focuses on anemia-related pallors and their relationship to blood count values and artificial intelligence. In this study, a deep learning approach using transfer learning and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) was implemented in which VGG16, Xception, MobileNet, and ResNet50 architectures, were pre-trained to predict anemia using lip mucous images. A total of 138 volunteers (100 women and 38 men) participated in the work to develop the dataset that contains two image classes: healthy and anemic. Image processing was first performed on a single frame with only the mouth area visible, data argumentation was preformed, and then CNN models were applied to classify the dataset lip images. Statistical metrics were employed to discriminate the performance of the models in terms of Accuracy, Precision, Recal, and F1 Score. Among the CNN algorithms used, Xception was found to categorize the lip images with 99.28% accuracy, providing the best results. The other CNN architectures had accuracies of 96.38% for MobileNet, 95.65% for ResNet %, and 92.39% for VGG16. Our findings show that anemia may be diagnosed using deep learning approaches from a single lip image. This data set will be enhanced in the future to allow for real-time classification.
Eye tracking and artificial intelligence for competency assessment in engineering education: a review
Authors: Ndiaye Yakhoub , Lim Kwan Hui , Blessing Lucienne
Published: November 2023

In recent years, eye-tracking (ET) methods have gained an increasing interest in STEM education research. When applied to engineering education, ET is particularly relevant for understanding some aspects of student behavior, especially student competency, and its assessment. However, from the instructor’s perspective, little is known about how ET can be used to provide new insights into, and ease the process of, instructor assessment. Traditionally, engineering education is assessed through time-consuming and labor-extensive screening of their materials and learning outcomes. With regard to this, and coupled with, for instance, the subjective open-ended dimensions of engineering design, assessing competency has shown some limitations. To address such issues, alternative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to massively predict and repeat instructors’ tasks with higher accuracy, have been suggested. To date, little is known about the effects of combining AI and ET (AIET) techniques to gain new insights into the instructor’s perspective. We conducted a Review of engineering education over the last decade (2013–2022) to study the latest research focusing on this combination to improve engineering assessment. The Review was conducted in four databases (Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar) and included specific terms associated with the topic of AIET in engineering education. The research identified two types of AIET applications that mostly focus on student learning: (1) eye-tracking devices that rely on AI to enhance the gaze-tracking process (improvement of technology), and (2) the use of AI to analyze, predict, and assess eye-tracking analytics (application of technology). We ended the Review by discussing future perspectives and potential contributions to the assessment of engineering learning.
Renal complications in chronic hypoparathyroidism – a systematic cross-sectional assessment
Authors: Gronemeyer Karen , Fuss Carmina Teresa , Hermes Franca , Plass Armin , Koschker Ann-Cathrin , Hannemann Anke , Völzke Henry , Hahner Stefanie
Published: November 2023

Context

Although renal long-term complications are acknowledged in chronic hypoparathyroidism (HPT), standardized investigations are scarce.

Objective

To systematically investigate renal complications and their predictors in hypoparathyroid patients compared to matched individuals.

Design

Prospective observational study in 161 patients with chronic HPT.

Methods

Patients received renal ultrasound, clinical and laboratory assessments. An individual 1:3 matching with participants from the German population-based Study of Health in Pomerania was performed.

Results

Of 161 patients (92% postoperative HPT), prevalence of eGFR <60ml/min/1.73m2 was 21%, hypercalciuria 41%. Compared to healthy individuals, HPT patients had a significantly lower eGFR (74.2 vs. 95.7 ml/min/1.73m², p<0.01). Renal ultrasound revealed calcifications in 10% (nephrocalcinosis in 7% and calculi in 3%). Patients with renal calcifications had higher levels of 24-hour urine calcium excretion (8.34 vs. 5.08 mmol/d, p=0.02), spot urine calcium excretion (4.57 vs. 2.01 mmol/L, p=0.01) and urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio (0.25 vs. 0.16, p<0.01) than patients without calcifications. Albumin-corrected calcium, phosphate, calcium-phosphate product, 25-hydroxyvitamin D in serum, eGFR, daily calcium intake or disease duration were not significantly different between these two groups. Including patients receiving rhPTH therapy, a lower serum phosphate concentration (odds ratio 1.364 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.049-1.776], p<0.05) and a longer disease duration of HPT (odds ratio 1.063 [95% CI 1.021-1.106], p<0.01) were significant predictors for renal calcifications. Excluding patients receiving rhPTH therapy, a higher 24-hour urine calcium excretion (odds ratio 1.215 [95% CI 1.058-1.396], p<0.01) was a significant predictor for renal calcifications but not serum magnesium or disease duration.

Conclusions

Prevalence of impaired renal function among patients with chronic HPT is increased and independent from visible renal calcifications. Depending on exclusion of patients with rhPTH therapy, regression analysis revealed disease duration and serum phosphate or disease duration and 24-hour urinary calcium excretion as predictors for renal calcifications.

Clin Trials Identifier

NCT05585593
International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-based rehabilitation program promotes activity and participation of post-stroke patients
Authors: Wong Mabel Ngai-Kiu , Cheung Mike Kwun-Ting , Ng Yuk-Mun , Yuan Huan-Ling , Lam Bess Yin-Hung , Fu Siu Ngor , Chan Chetwyn Che Hin
Published: November 2023

Background

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model has been applied in post-stroke rehabilitation, yet limited studies explored its clinical application on enhancing patients’ Activity and Participation (ICF-A&P) level.

Purpose

This study gathered evidence of the effects of an ICF-based post-stroke rehabilitation program (ICF-PSRP) in enhancing community reintegration in terms of ICF-A&P of post-stroke patients.

Methods

Fifty-two post-stroke patients completed an 8 to 12 weeks multidisciplinary ICF-PSRP after setting personal treatment goals in an outpatient community rehabilitation center. Intake and pre-discharge assessments were administered for primary outcomes of Body function (ICF-BF; e.g., muscle strength) and ICF-A&P (e.g., mobility), and secondary outcomes of perceived improvements in ability (e.g., goal attainment and quality of life).

Results

There were significantly higher levels in the ICF-BF and ICF-A&P domains, except cognitive function under the ICF-BF. Improvements in the primary outcomes predicted corresponding secondary outcomes. Firstly, expressive and receptive functions (ICP-BF) were mediated by the everyday language (ICF-A&P) which predicted patients’ satisfaction with the language-related quality of life. Secondly, upper extremity function (ICP-BF) was mediated by the lower extremity mobility (ICF-A&P) predicting work and productivity-related quality of life. Content analyses showed that combined ICF-BF and ICF-A&P contents throughout the ICF-PSRP contributed to the positive treatment effects.

Conclusion

The ICF-PSRP was effective in promoting body function, and activity and participation levels of post-stroke patients. Positive treatment effects are characterized by goal-setting process, cross-domain content design, and community-setting delivery.

Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05941078?id=NCT05941078&rank=1, identifier NCT05941078.
Network meta-analysis of first-line thrombectomy strategy for acute posterior circulation strokes: a preliminary evaluation for combined approach
Authors: Ye Gengfan , Cao Ruoyao , Chen Pandi , Wang Hongcai , Wang Dongfeng , Chen Maosong , Li Zhenqiang
Published: November 2023

Objective

Thrombectomy may provide superior results compared to best medical care for acute posterior circulation strokes (PCS). Contact aspiration (CA), stent retriever (SR), and combined SR + CA (SRA) are commonly employed as first-line techniques. However, the optimal strategy and the role of SRA remain uncertain.

Methods

Systematic searching was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane). Network meta-analyzes were performed using random-effects models. The reperfusion and clinical outcomes were compared. Pooled outcomes were presented as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Rankograms with surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) were calculated.

Results

Seventeen studies were included, involving a total of 645 patients who received first-line CA, 850 patients who received SR, and 166 patients who received SRA. Regarding final recanalization outcomes, both first-line SRA (OR = 3.2, 95%CI 1.4–11.0) and CA (OR = 2.1, 95%CI 1.3–3.7) demonstrated superiority over SR in achieving successful reperfusion [modified Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3], with values of SUCRA 91.1, 58.5, and 0.4%, respectively. In addition, first-line SRA showed an advantage in achieving final mTICI 2c/3 compared to CA (OR = 3.6, 95%CI 0.99–16.0) and SR (OR = 6.4, 95%CI 1.3–35.0), with SUCRA value of 98.0, 44.7, and 7.2%, respectively. Regarding reperfusion outcome after the first pass, SRA also achieved a higher rate of mTICI 3 than SR (OR = 4.1, 95%CI 1.3–14.0), while CA did not (SUCRA 97.4, 4.6, 48.0%). In terms of safety outcomes, first-line CA was associated with a lower incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) compared to SR (OR = 0.38, 95%CI 0.1–1.0), whereas the SRA technique did not (SUCRA 15.6, 78.6, 55.9%). Regarding clinical prognosis, first-line CA achieved a higher proportion of functional independence (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0–2) at 90 days than SR (OR = 1.4, 95%CI 1.1–1.9), whereas SRA did not (SUCRA 90.5, 17.4, 42.1%).

Conclusion

For acute PCS, a first-line CA strategy yielded better results in terms of final successful reperfusion and 90-day functional independence compared to SR. As the combined technique, first-line SRA was associated with superior first-pass and final reperfusion outcomes compared to SR. However, no significant difference was observed in functional independence achieved by first-line SRA compared to the other two strategies. Further high-quality studies are warranted.
Associations of phase angle with platelet-activating factor metabolism and related dietary factors in healthy volunteers
Authors: Detopoulou Paraskevi , Fragopoulou Elizabeth , Nomikos Tzortzis , Antonopoulou Smaragdi
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Phase angle (PA) is derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). It reflects cell membrane function and decreases in disease. It is affected by inflammation, oxidative stress, and diet. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent inflammatory lipid mediator. Its levels, along with the activity of its metabolic enzymes, including CDP-choline:1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-cholinephosphotransferase, acetyl-CoA:lyso-PAF-acetyltransferases, and PAF-AH/Lp-PLA2 are also related to dietary factors, such as the dietary antioxidant capacity (DAC). The aim of the study was to estimate whether the PAF metabolic circuit and related dietary factors are associated with PA in healthy volunteers.

Methods

In healthy subjects, PAF, its metabolic enzyme activity, and erythrocyte fatty acids were measured, while desaturases were estimated. Food-frequency questionnaires and recalls were used, and food groups, macronutrient intake, MedDietScore, and DAC were assessed. Lifestyle and biochemical variables were collected. DXA and BIA measurements were performed.

Results

Lp-PLA2 activity was positively associated with PA (rho = 0.651, p < 0.001, total population; rho = 0.780, p < 0.001, women), while PAF levels were negatively associated with PA only in men (partial rho = −0.627, p = 0.012) and inversely related to DAC. Estimated desaturase 6 was inversely associated with PA (rho = −0.404, p = 0.01, total sample). Moreover, the DAC correlated positively with PA (rho = 0.513, p = 0.03, women). All correlations were adjusted for age, body mass index, and sex (if applicable).

Conclusion

PA is associated with PAF levels and Lp-PLA2 activity in a gender-dependent fashion, indicating the involvement of PAF in cell membrane impairment. The relationship of PA with DAC suggests a protective effect of antioxidants on cellular health, considering that antioxidants may inhibit PAF generation.
Maternal autoimmune disease and risk of offspring autism spectrum disorder – a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Chen Ching-Chu , Lin Ching-Heng , Lin Ming-Chih
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which cause long term social and behavior impairment, and its prevalence is on the rise. Studies about the association between maternal autoimmune diseases and offspring ASD have controversial results. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal autoimmune diseases increase the risk of ASD in offspring from a population-based perspective.

Methods

The data sources were Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) and Taiwan’s Maternal and Child Health Database (MCHD), which were integrated and used to identify newborns whose mothers were diagnosed with autoimmune disease. Newborns were matched by maternal age, neonatal gender, and date of birth with controls whose mothers were without autoimmune disease using a ratio of 1:4 between 2004 and 2019. Data on diagnoses of autoimmune disease and autism spectrum disorders were retrieved from NHIRD. Patients who had at least 3 outpatient visits or at least 1 admission with a diagnosis of autoimmune disease and autism spectrum disorders were defined as incidence cases. The risks of ASD in offspring were compared between mothers with or without autoimmune disorders.

Results

We identified 20,865 newborns whose mothers had been diagnosed with autoimmune disease before pregnancy and matched them at a ratio of 1:4 with a total of 83,460 newborn whose mothers were without autoimmune disease, by maternal age, neonatal gender, and date of birth. They were randomly selected as the control group. The cumulative incidence rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) were significantly higher among the offspring of mothers with autoimmune diseases. After adjusting for cofactors, the risk of ASD remained significantly higher in children whose mother had autoimmune diseases. Regarding to specific maternal autoimmune disease, Sjögren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis were both associated with elevated risks of ASD in offspring.

Conclusion

Mother with autoimmune disease might be associated with increasing the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring.
The impact of Chinese COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of peripheral facial nerve paralysis after optimizing policies
Authors: Yu Erhui , Jin Fanyuan , Zhou Wenhui , Chen Junkang , Cai Huafeng , Hu Jinhua , Xuan Lihua
Published: November 2023

Objective

To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the occurrence of Peripheral Facial Nerve Paralysis (PFNP) in Chinese patients, identify contributing factors, and explore the relationship between COVID-19 and PFNP.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study covering the years 2020 to 2023, categorizing patients into three groups based on their visit dates: Group 1 (December 8, 2020 to February 28, 2021), Group 2 (December 8, 2021 to February 28, 2022), and Group 3 (December 8, 2022 to February 28, 2023). We collected and compared data on disease onset and patient characteristics among these groups.

Results

In Group 3, following the widespread COVID-19 outbreak, there was a significant increase of 22.4 and 12.1% in PFNP cases compared to the same periods in the preceding 2 years (p < 0.001). Group 3 patients were more likely to be aged between 30 and 60 years, experience onset within 7 days, present with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and have a higher H-B score of VI compared to the previous 2 years (p < 0.017). Logistic regression analysis revealed a strong association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the incidence of Ramsay Hunt syndrome in PFNP (OR = 3.30, 95% CI 1.81–6.03, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The incidence of PFNP increased in China after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in patients with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, indicating that COVID-19 infection can trigger and worsen PFNP.
Variability analysis of muscle activation symmetry to identify indicators of individual motor strategy: a case series on elite Paralympic powerlifters
Authors: Rum Lorenzo , Romagnoli Ruggero , Lazich Aldo , Sciarra Tommaso , Balletti Nicoletta , Piacentini Maria Francesca , Boraschi Alessandro , Bergamini Elena
Published: November 2023

Introduction

In Paralympic powerlifting competitions, movement execution symmetry is a technical requirement influenced by individual athlete characteristics and motor strategies. Identifying the elements associated with individual motor strategies can offer valuable insight for improving sport performance. Therefore, this case series study aimed to explore muscle activation symmetry and its intra- and inter-individual variability to determine the muscles mostly related to individual motor strategies in elite Paralympic powerlifters.

Methods

Bilateral electromyographic activation of the anterior deltoid (AD), pectoralis major (PM), latissimus dorsi (LD), triceps (TRI) and external oblique (EO) muscles were analysed in five elite Paralympic powerlifters while performing four sets of one-repetition maximum of Paralympic bench press. Muscle activation symmetry indexes (SI) were obtained and transformed to consider individual-independent evaluation. The coefficient of variation (CV), variance ratio (VR), and mean deviation (MD) were computed to assess inter- and intra-individual variability in electromyographic waveforms and SI.

Results

Both transformed and non-transformed SI indicated overall symmetric activation in DA, PM, TRI, and LD. Transformed SI revealed asymmetrical muscle activation of EO when grouping data (mean bilateral difference: 10%). Athletes exhibited low intra-individual SI variability in all analysed muscles (CV < 10%) and low inter-individual variability in DA, PM, LD, and TRI (CV < 10%; VR: 4%–11%; MD: 29%–43%). In contrast, higher inter-individual variability was observed in EO (CV: 23%; VR: 23%; MD: 72%–81%).

Conclusion

The highest variability and asymmetry in abdominal muscle activation among athletes emphasize the importance of personalized training approaches for targeting these muscles due to their role in individualizing motor strategies.
Accurate Thermodynamic Properties of Ideal Bosons in a Highly Anisotropic 2D Harmonic Potential
Authors: Cheng Ze
Published: November 2023

One can derive an analytic result for the issue of Bose–Einstein condensation (BEC) in anisotropic 2D harmonic traps. We find that the number of uncondensed bosons is represented by an analytic function, which includes a series expansion of q-digamma functions in mathematics. One can utilize this analytic result to evaluate various thermodynamic functions of ideal bosons in 2D anisotropic harmonic traps. The first major discovery is that the internal energy of a finite number of ideal bosons is a monotonically increasing function of anisotropy parameter p. The second major discovery is that, when p≥0.5, the changing with temperature of the heat capacity of a finite number of ideal bosons possesses the maximum value, which happens at critical temperature Tc. The third major discovery is that, when 0.1≤p<0.5, the changing with temperature of the heat capacity of a finite number of ideal bosons possesses an inflection point, but when p<0.1, the inflection point disappears. The fourth major discovery is that, in the thermodynamic limit, at Tc and when p≥0.5, the heat capacity at constant number reveals a cusp singularity, which resembles the λ-transition of liquid helium-4. The fifth major discovery is that, in comparison to 2D isotropic harmonic traps (p=1), the singular peak of the specific heat becomes very gentle when p is lowered.
Optimized Packing of 3D Objects Bounded by Spherical and Conical Surfaces
Authors: Chuhai Andrii , Romanova Tetyana , Yaskov Georgiy , Gil Mykola , Shekhotsov Sergiy
Published: November 2023

Introduction. Optimizing the packing of arbitrary geometric objects in additive manufacturing opens up new possibilities for increasing the efficiency of additive manufacturing of parts of a complex configuration due to the saving of energy, material and time resources. Additive manufacturing, a cornerstone in fields such as space engineering, medicine, mechanical engineering, and energy, has its efficiency hinging on the optimization of the 3D printing process. Given its widespread application, refining this process is of utmost importance.
The purpose of the paper. The paper aims to develop an approach for packing assembled parts of complex geometry in the working area of a 3D printer, while adhering to the standards of 3D printing.
Results. For the analytical description of the complex shaped industrial products, a, so called, “composed spherical cone” is used. This generates a family of such objects as spheres, cylinders, spherical cylinders, cones, truncated cones and spherical discs. Using the normalized quasi-phi-function of composed spherical cones, a mathematical model of the problem is presented in the form of a nonlinear programming problem. A solution strategy is developed, encompassing three primary stages: generation of feasible starting points, search of local minima and search of a better local minimum. Numerical examples of packing various industrial products in a 3D printer chamber is provided. 3D-parts are approximated by composed spherical cones with different metric parameters.
Conclusions. The conducted numerical simulation confirms the effectiveness of the proposed optimization approach. This study emphasizes the importance of further research and innovation in the field of 3D printing and its optimization, and also demonstrates the potential of using mathematical models to solve practical problems in a production environment. Keywords: packing, assembled spherical cone, mathematical modeling, optimization, additive manufacturing.
Using of Artificial Intelligence Methods in Judicial Proceedings
Authors: Milev Maksym , Tretynyk Violeta
Published: November 2023

Introduction. The judicial system in today's world is faced with a large number of cases that require efficient and fair resolution. Thanks to the development of information technologies, the automation of the process of conducting court cases and the introduction of intelligent systems have become urgent tasks for improving judicial justice.
The justice sector has been slower than other sectors to adopt artificial intelligence and information technology (IT) in general. However, in most countries the amount of digital information resulting from the use of IT in legal proceedings is increasing. In this regard, the possibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) in the work of judicial bodies, prosecutor's offices and other specialized judicial bodies around the world is increasingly being investigated.
Jurisprudence includes a wide range of problems and, accordingly, different sources of data for their solution. Using legislation, materials of criminal and administrative cases, concluded contracts and other legal documents, relevant specialists make decisions. In turn, artificial intelligence technologies, according to examples in other domains, can become assistants for specialists or make decisions in an autonomous mode..
The purpose of the article. To review the existing approaches to the application of artificial intelligence in the judicial system, to find out the shortcomings, advantages and limitations of machine learning algorithms in the judicial system. Determine the goals and methodology for further research.
Results. In this work, the application of machine learning methods for solving problems arising in the field of jurisprudence is considered, algorithms, data sets and goals for further work are defined. Keywords: recurrent neural networks, machine learning, vectorization, text classification.
Пошук і аналіз чутливості часових оптимальних планів постачання енергетичних ресурсів із застосуванням надбудови SolverTable
Authors: Кузьмичов А. І. , Чернецька Ю. В. , Шестаков В. А.
Published: November 2023

Розглянуто проблематику практичного застосування оптимізаційного моделювання для задач енергетичного менеджменту. Запропоновано підхід до формування оптимізаційної моделі розподілу ресурсу у середовищі Excel, що враховує фактор часу, адже енергоспоживання має знач-ну нерівномірність протягом доби, тижня, року, і відповідно рішення щодо оптимального плану постачання енергетичних ресурсів приймаю-ться на підставі прогнозованих обсягів їхнього споживання у наступних часових періодах та з урахуванням особливостей функціонування джерел енергії. Для аналізу чутливості часових оптимальних планів до зміни вхідних даних моделі застосовано спеціалізовану надбудову SolverTable, що доповнює функціонал стандартної надбудови Розв’язувач (Excel Solver) і допомагає в інтерпретації результатів багаторазових обчислювальних експериментів для прийняття раціональних управлінських рішень. Модель апробовано на реальних даних для визначення оптимального плану закупівлі електричної енергії, у публікації наведено ілюстративний приклад.
Violenza ed emarginazione nei reportages dall’America di fine Ottocento: Impressioni d’America di Giuseppe Giacosa
Authors: Petrocchi Alice
Published: November 2023

Il saggio offre una ricostruzione delle rappresentazioni della violenza
presenti nei reportages dall’America di fine Ottocento. I testi presi in esame, redatti da scrittori e giornalisti, hanno come oggetto l’emigrazione italiana verso il continente
americano e descrivono, in differenti forme, atteggiamenti di emarginazione e violenza.
Particolare attenzione è rivolta a Impressioni d’America di Giuseppe Giacosa, testo che si
caratterizza per uno spiccato sguardo realistico.
La morte come portatrice di senso in Uomini e no di Elio Vittorini
Authors: Pivetta Chantal
Published: November 2023

ll seguente articolo si focalizza sull’opera Uomini e no di Elio Vittorini (Bompiani, 1945), ambientata nella città di Milano negli anni della Resistenza. Il motivo indagato è il ruolo della morte violenta e la conseguente ricerca del suo significato in un contesto caotico in cui è difficile decifrare un ordine, un senso. Attorno alle morti violente, che nel romanzo raggiungono l’apice con l’ultimo estremo suicidio-omicidio del
protagonista, si installano ampi scenari interpretativi lasciati alle parole dei personaggi, ma anche dubbi e domande sul senso della vita, sul valore della felicità, sulla resistenza e sul suo dopo. La parola chiave che scaturisce dalla morte è liberazione, non solo sul piano della Storia, ma anche nel suo aspetto esistenziale e intimo, non solo per una città libera, ma per un mondo intero libero per sempre.
Phasenspezifische Orientierungen von angehenden Primarlehrpersonen im Studienverlauf – Befunde einer dokumentarischen Längsschnittstudie
Authors: Košinár Julia
Published: November 2023

Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit praktikums- und lehrberufsbezogenen Orientierungen von Studierenden und deren Wandlungen über den Studienverlauf. Die SNF-geförderte Interview-Längsschnittstudie untersucht den Umgang von Primarschulstudierenden mit Anforderungen, die sich in den verschiedenen Praxisphasen und mit den beteiligten Akteurinnen und Akteuren konstituieren. Mit der Dokumentarischen Methode wurde je Erhebungswelle eine Querschnittstypologie zum Studieneintritt, nach dem einjährigen Partnerschuljahr und kurz vor dem Berufseinstieg rekonstruiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Anforderungen nicht nur typen-, sondern auch phasenspezifisch unterschiedlich wahrgenommen und gerahmt werden. Sind zum Studieneintritt schulbiografische Erfahrungen und Passungsfragen noch relevant, wird im Studienverlauf zunehmend die Fähigkeit der Bewältigung beruflicher Anforderungen zentral. Die ermittelten Phasenspezifika deuten auf die Notwendigkeit einer adaptiven und zugleich entwicklungsphasenadäquaten Lehrpersonenausbildung hin, die auch biografische Hintergründe berücksichtigt.
Microplastics in commercial fish digestive tracts from freshwater habitats in Northern Thailand
Authors: Seetapan Kriengkrai , Prommi Taeng On
Published: November 2023

Microplastics (MPs) contamination in fish species was one of the emerging environmental issues as a result of the widespread presence of plastic pollution in the environment. The presence of MPs in Thailand's freshwater was scant, and in contrast to other countries, little was known about the presence of this contaminant in freshwater fish. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the abundance, characteristics, and variation of MPs in various Thai commercial freshwater fish species. In order to compare the differences in MP ingestion rates across different feeding zones, 166 fish representing 24 species from various feeding zones were collected. MPs were found in the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of all fish samples tested, which was a substantially larger number than previously reported in other locations. Of all the fish species, Anabas testudineus, Labeo rohita, and Oreochromis mossambicus had the highest concentration of MPs (34.90 ± 21.43, 34.50 ± 7.78, 34.10 ± 11.15 items/individuals). Microscopical examinations showed that the majority of MPs were fiber-shaped and blue in color. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) showed that the polymers found in fish GIT were polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl acetate, poly (methyl vinyl ether), poly (methyl vinyl ether), polybutadiene, poly (ethylene-co-propylene), poly (ethylene glycol) tetrahydrofurfuryl ether, poly (methyl phenyl siloxane), poly (styrene-co-divinylbenzene), and polyvinylidene fluoride. The results of this study demonstrate that demersal fish had a higher concentration of MPs than benthopelagic and pelagic fish, indicating that plastic ingestion in fish may be related to the feeding habitat. However, it was not discovered that differences in the fish's body weight and length affected the MPs' ingestion. Our findings will help people in Thailand understand which freshwater fish and fish from which feeding zones are more contaminated with MPs for human consumption.
Multimodal Semantic Knowledge Assessment –Standard and Preliminary Data in Semantic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia and Alzheimer’s Disease in Comparison with Vascular Aphasia
Authors: Basaglia-Pappas Sandrine , Bourgey Romane , Boulangé Anne , Amiot Pauline , Champeaux Élise , Rendón de la Cruz Aurelia , Lefebvre Laurent , Simoes Loureiro Isabelle
Published: November 2023

Les troubles lexico-sémantiques sont connus pour être l’une des manifestations majeures de l’aphasie, qu’elle soit d’origine vasculaire (comme l’aphasie sémantique -AS-) ou dégénérative (comme l’aphasie sémantique progressive primaire -APPvs- et la maladie d’Alzheimer -MA-). En pratique clinique, ces troubles sont principalement évalués par des tests verbaux, alors que, selon la littérature, le déficit doit être observé dans plusieurs modalités. Le but de cette étude était de créer une batterie française d’évaluation sémantique multimodale appelée EMCS (Évaluation Multimodale des Connaissances Sémantiques), qui étudie, en un temps plus court que les outils existants, l’efficacité de la mémoire sémantique à travers plusieurs tâches multimodales. Quatre-vingt-sept participants témoins français ont été recrutés. Ils ont subi les 10 tâches de la batterie EMCS, à savoir les modalités verbales et non verbales. Pour explorer la sensibilité de la batterie, trois patients AS, deux APPvs et deux MA au stade débutant de la maladie ont réalisé l’EMCS. Analyses et résultats : Les analyses statistiques ont permis d’établir des données normatives, avec des scores en percentiles, et ont mis en évidence, pour les témoins, un effet du niveau d’éducation pour la majorité des tests, un effet d’âge pour plusieurs tâches, mais pas d’effet de sexe. Pour chaque patient, les résultats se sont montrés discriminants par rapport au groupe témoin de référence pour plusieurs tâches, à savoir la dénomination d’images, les connaissances sémantiques sur les célébrités et l’épreuve gustative (p < 0,05). Discussion / Conclusion : La batterie EMCS peut contribuer à identifier, en un temps relativement court, des troubles sémantiques multimodaux chez des patients souffrant d’aphasie vasculaire et dégénérative. Ainsi, cet outil peut être une aide au diagnostic clinique et offre au clinicien la possibilité de déterminer, à un stade précoce, la nature de l’atteinte sémantique (accès ou centrale).