bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpreting coal component content in logging data by combining gray relational analysis and hybrid neural network
Authors: Bai Ze , Liu Qinjie , Tan Maojin , Bai Yang , Wu Haibo
Published: July 2023

The coal component content is an important parameter during the coal resources exploration and exploitation. Previous logging curve regression and single neural network methods have the disadvantages of low accuracy and weak generalization ability in calculating coal component content. In this study, a gray relational analysis-hybrid neural network (GRA-HNN) method is developed by combining GRA and HNN to predict coal component content in logging data. First, the correlation degree between different conventional logging data and coal components is calculated using the GRA method, and logging curves with a correlation degree of ≥0.7 are selected as the input training data set. Then, a back propagation neural network, support vector machine neural network, and radial basis function neural network of different coal components are constructed based on the selected optimal input logging data, and the weighted average strategy is used to form an HNN prediction model. Finally, the GRA-HNN method is used to predict the coal component content of coalbed methane production wells in the Panji mining area. The application results indicate that the coal component content predicted by the GRA-HNN method has the highest accuracy compared with the logging curve regression method and its single neural network model, with a maximum average relative error of 13.4%. In addition, the accuracy of coal component content predicted by some single intelligent models is not always higher than the logging curve regression method, indicating that the neural network model is not necessarily suitable for all coal component content predictions. Our GRA-HNN method not only optimizes the prediction performance of a single neural network model by selecting effective input parameters but also comprehensively considers the prediction effect of several neural network models, which strengthens the generalization ability of neural network model and increases the log interpretation accuracy of coal component content.
Performance of a Cell-Free DNA-Based Multi-cancer Detection Test in Individuals Presenting With Symptoms Suspicious for Cancers
Authors: Bryce Alan H. , Thiel David D. , Seiden Michael V. , Richards Donald , Luan Ying , Coignet Marie , Zhang Quan , Zhang Nan , Hubbell Earl , Kurtzman Kathryn N. , Klein Eric A.
Published: July 2023

PURPOSE

A multi-cancer detection test using a targeted methylation assay and machine learning classifiers was validated and optimized for screening in prospective, case-controlled Circulating Cell-free Genome Atlas (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02889978 ) substudy 3. Here, we report test performance in a subgroup of participants with symptoms suspicious for cancer to assess the test's ability to potentially facilitate efficient diagnostic evaluation in symptomatic individuals.

METHODS

We evaluated test performance (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of cancer signal origin [CSO] prediction accuracy) in participants with clinically presenting cancers (CPCs) and noncancer with underlying medical conditions and among two subgroups (65 years and older and GI cancers). Overall survival (OS) of participants who had a cancer signal detected/not detected was compared with SEER-based expected survival.

RESULTS

A total of 2,036 cancer and 1,472 noncancer participants were included. Specificity was high in all noncancer participants (99.5% [95% CI, 98.4 to 99.8]). In participants with CPCs, the overall sensitivity was 64.3% (95% CI, 62.2 to 66.4) and the overall accuracy of CSO prediction in true positives was 90.3%. For GI cancers, the overall sensitivity was 84.1% (95% CI, 80.6 to 87.1). In participants 65 years and older, test performance was similar to that of all participants. Individuals with cancers not detected had a significantly better OS than that expected from SEER ( P < .01).

CONCLUSION

This test detected a cancer signal with high specificity and CSO prediction accuracy and moderate sensitivity in symptomatic individuals, with especially high performance in participants with GI cancers. The survival analysis implied that the cancers not detected were less clinically aggressive than cancers detected by the test, providing prognostic insights to physicians. This multi-cancer detection test could facilitate efficient workup and stratify cancer risk in symptomatic individuals.
Ceramide compensation by ceramide synthases preserves retinal function and structure in a retinal dystrophy mouse model
Authors: Qian Xinye , Srinivasan Tanmay , He Jessica , Lu Jiaxiong , Jin Yan , Gu Haiwei , Chen Rui
Published: July 2023

Increasing evidence has supported the role of ceramide as a mediator of photoreceptor dysfunction or cell death in ceramide accumulation and deficiency contexts. TLCD3B, a non-canonical ceramide synthase, was previously identified in addition to the six canonical ceramide synthases (CerSs), and the Tlcd3b−/− mouse model exhibited both retinal dysfunction and degeneration. As previous canonical CerS-deficient mouse models failed to display retinal degeneration, the mechanisms of how TLCD3B interacts with CerSs have not been investigated. Additionally, as the ceramide profile of each CerS is distinct, it is unclear whether the overall level or the homeostasis of different ceramide species plays a critical role in photoreceptor degeneration. Interactions between TLCD3B with canonical CerSs expressed in the retina were examined by subretinally injecting recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 vectors containing the Cers2 (rAAV8-CerS2), Cers4 (rAAV8-CerS4) and Cers5 (rAAV8-CerS5) genes. Injection of all three rAAV8-CerS vectors restored retinal functions as indicated by improved electroretinogram responses, but only rAAV8-CerS5 successfully retained retinal morphology in Tlcd3b−/− mice. CerSs and TLCD3B played partially redundant roles. Additionally, rather than acting as an integral entity, different ceramide species had different impacts on retinal cells, suggesting that the maintenance of the overall ceramide profile is critical for retinal function.
Effectiveness of peer-assisted teaching of medical English skills to non-native English-speaking medical students
Authors: Al Shihabi Ahmad , Mardini Heba , Alkhaledi Ahmad N. , Jarad Lana , Jaber Rama , Jaber Ramez , Naoura Sara , Izzat Mohammad Bashar
Published: July 2023

Background: Peer-assisted learning has been shown to be constructive in numerous aspects of undergraduate medical education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-assisted teaching of medical English skills to non-native English-speaking students.

Methods: A medical English conversation course was conducted at Damascus University by a group of students. Targeted participants were intermediate level fellow students from the same program. A longitudinal study was carried out between 1st to 31st March 2019 to assess changes in self-assessment of English language skills among course participants. Pre- and post-course appraisal involved a review of previous experience with medical English language, a self-assessment of five English language skills, and an objective measurement of medical English knowledge. In addition, participants were requested to respond to a set of statements related to the importance and the usefulness of peer-assisted teaching of medical English skills. Paired-sample Student t-test was used to compare pre- and post-course appraisal results.

Results: 42 students attended the course and completed pre- and post-course appraisals in full. Data analyses showed a statistically significant increase in participants’ confidence in speaking medical English in public (p<0.001) and using English in various medical settings (presenting and discussing cases, writing clinical reports, interviewing patients and reading English medical texts). Objective measurements of medical English knowledge confirmed a significant increase in participants’ knowledge of methods of administration of therapeutics, knowledge of human body parts in English and familiarity with English medical abbreviations. Most participants agreed that peer-education was effective in teaching medical English skills to non-native English-speaking students and in increasing their confidence when using English in real-life medical scenarios.

Conclusions:The present study highlights the effectiveness of peer-assisted teaching of medical English skills to non-native English-speaking medical students. Further validation is required and should compare the effectiveness of traditional versus peer-assisted teaching approaches.
Knowledge of women and men about human papillomavirus infection, HPV–related diseases and the available vaccine
Authors: Dobko Katarzyna , Frącz Gabriela , Glac Agata , Kuliga Klaudia , Musz Kinga , Sejnowska Natalia , Socha Agnieszka , Surowiec Agata , Śnieżek Kinga , Zając Anna
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Worldwide, there are over 660 million men and women who are HPV carriers. This virus is responsible for cancer, i.e. cancer of the anal canal, head and neck region, penis and the most common - cervical cancer, whose early stages are completely curable, and in stage IV, the survival rate does not exceed 10%. That is why prevention is so important and vaccinations for both sexes.

Aim: The aim of the study was to check the awareness of society, both women and men and men, on the HPV virus - the way it spreads, the diseases it causes and the possibilities of preventing infection, as of the date of entry into force in Poland of the program of free preventive vaccinations for girls and boys aged 12 and 13.

Material and methods: The study was conducted in the form of an anonymous online survey containing 21 questions. It was attended by 396 adults.

Results: 80% of the population is unaware of how common HPV infection is. 33% of men believe that it occurs 8 times less often than it actually does, and that having an infection protects against another infection. Only 1/5 of women are aware of the risks. Only 15.15% of the respondents know the correlation between cervical cancer and the presence of the virus. 25% of women are not aware of free cytology. Only half of the respondents know about the free HPV vaccination program. 1/3 of people think that only girls should be vaccinated.

Conclusions: Public awareness of HPV is insufficient. Men showed greater knowledge than women, and in general people with offspring had the lowest knowledge. This shows that the information campaign related to preventive vaccinations should be carried out on a much larger scale, as they are the most effective method of protecting both women and men.
Marketplace Scalability and Strategic Use of Platform Investment
Authors: Li Jin , Pisano Gary , Xu Yejia , Zhu Feng
Published: July 2023

The scalability of a marketplace depends on the operations of the marketplace platform and its sellers’ capacities. In this study, we explore one strategy that a marketplace platform can use to enhance its scalability: providing an ancillary service to sellers. In our model, a platform can choose whether and when to provide this service to sellers and, if so, what prices to charge and which types of sellers to serve. Although such a service helps small sellers, we highlight that the provision of such a service can diminish the incentives of large sellers to make their own investment, thereby reducing their potential output. When the output reduction by large sellers is substantial, the platform may not want to provide the ancillary service, and, even if it does, it may choose to set a price higher than its marginal cost to motivate large sellers to scale. The platform may also choose to strategically delay the provision of the service.

This paper was accepted by Hemant Bhargava, information systems.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4522 .
Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of Ruta graveolens (Rutaceae)
Authors: SAEED YOUNIS SAADI , ALI JASSIM FATEHI , MOHAMMED MOHAMMED ARAFAT
Published: July 2023

Abstract. Saeed YS, Ali JF, Mohammed MA. 2023. Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of Ruta graveolens (Rutaceae). Biodiversitas 24: 3162-3168. The present study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of phenolic components isolated from the leaves of Ruta graveolens L. The phenolic compounds were extracted in different organic solvents (hexane, ethanol, and ethyl acetate) and analyzed by column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Three discrete fractions were collected and subsequently examined: one from ethyl acetate extraction (I) and two from ethanolic extraction (II and III). No fractions from hexane were obtained. In particular, the ethanolic fractions were analyzed by HPLC analysis which contained the most bioactive compounds. The major phenolic compounds from the ethanol extracts were catechol and coumarin (1.104966 and 16.612227 mg/kg), followed by catechol and hydroquinone (0.144731 and 1.90781 mg/Kg), whereas, resorcinol and coumarin from the ethyl acetate extracts (14.78298 and 21.75253 mg/kg). The ethanol extract had the highest level of antioxidant activity, and other fractions had antioxidant effects at different levels; because the three fractions' phenolic chemicals have varied redox characteristics, their impacts vary in strength. The highest inhibition zones (mm) of Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus at 24 ?g/mL for fractions II and I were 23 and 22 mm, respectively. At 24 ?g/mL, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris had inhibition zones of 21 and 20 mm, respectively. Fraction I and II did not show Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris inhibition zones (mm) at 1.5 µg/mL. Finally, the study's results suggest that using R. graveolens ethanol extracts may be a natural source of antioxidants and anti-infectious agents.
Morphological responses, biomass production and nutrient of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Pakchong under different planting patterns and harvesting ages
Authors: ERNAWATI AZIB , ABDULLAH LUKI , PERMANA IDAT GALIH , KARTI PANCA DEWI MANU HARA
Published: July 2023

Abstract. Ernawati A, Abdullah L, Permana IG, Karti PDMH. 2023. Morphological responses, biomass production and nutrient of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Pakchong under different planting patterns and harvesting ages. Biodiversitas 24: 3439-3447. Napier grass is one of the most popular grasses in tropical and subtropical regions and is a promising forage crop due to its high biomass production, nutritional quality and wide-range adaptability. An optimal management practice is required to maintain production and quality of Napier grass. This experiment examined the morphological responses, forage biomass production, and nutrient biomass of the Napier grass var Thailand (Pakchong) grown under different planting patterns and harvesting ages. The experiment used a completely randomized factorial design 2 x 2, with the first factor was planting pattern (monoculture and intercropping with Indigofera zollingeriana) and the second factor was the harvesting age (50 and 60 days). Each treatment combination was trialed at 5x5 m plot with four replicates. The results showed that planting pattern and harvesting age had significant effect (p<0.05) on tiller numbers, leaves and stem biomass, stem-to-leaves ratio, fresh and dry weight production, and nutrient biomass, except for ash biomass. The highest tiller number was obtained in the intercropping pattern and harvesting age of 50 days. The highest leaves and stem biomass were produced in both planting pattern and harvesting age of 60 days. The fresh and dry weight production and nutrient biomass of Pakchong in intercropping pattern and harvesting of 60 days were higher than those of monoculture cropping. Nonetheless, effect on stem-to-leaves ratio had inconsistent result. The results of this study imply that the best production and nutrient biomass of Napier grass cv. Pakchong were obtained from the grass intercropped with Indigofera and harvesting age of 60 days.
Live demonstration of an SDN-reconfigurable, FPGA-based TxRx for an analog-IFoF/mmWave radio access network in an MNO’s infrastructure
Authors: Kanta K. , Toumasis P. , Giannoulis G. , Stratakos I. , Lentaris G. , Papatheofanous E. A. , Mesogiti I. , Theodoropoulou E. , Margaris A. , Syrivelis D. , Kyriazi E. , Brestas G. , Tokas K. , Argyris N. , Vagionas C. , Maximidis R. , Bakopoulos P. , Mesodiakaki A. , Gatzianas M. , Kalfas G. , Tsagkaris K. , Pleros N. , Reisis D. , Lyberopoulos G. , Apostolopoulos D. , Soudris D. , Avramopoulos H.
Published: July 2023

This paper presents the end-to-end integration of a software defined network (SDN) reconfigurable real-time analog-intermediate frequency-over-fiber (A-IFoF)/millimeter wave (mmWave) layout into a real mobile network operator (MNO) infrastructure. The key part of the presented infrastructure is the fully programmable gateway array (FPGA)-based A-IFoF transceiver (TxRx), equipped with active SDN functionalities based on constant monitoring of the transport link. This layout was successfully evaluated in the physical data management and application layer. Regarding the physical layer performance evaluation, error vector magnitude values of 7.3% were achieved for quadrature phase shift keying waveforms, while the uninterrupted operation of real-time services such as augmented reality/virtual reality applications was enabled by the reactive SDN-based capacity reconfiguration capabilities.
Optical switching will innovate intra data center networks [Invited Tutorial]
Authors: Sato Ken-ichi
Published: July 2023

Reflecting the recent slow-down in Moore’s law and the proliferation of artificial intelligence/machine learning workloads, the performance and energy consumption of networks are becoming barriers in high-performance computing (HPC) and data centers. Optical switches are expected to break these barriers, and indeed their introduction has recently commenced in data centers. This paper discusses how optical switching technologies can innovate future intra data center networks. Hyperscale data centers are much bigger in scale, and network requirements are slightly different from those of HPC. This paper focus on data center networks, since the impact of optical technologies will be more significant in data centers than in HPC. In addition to the scale issue, important metrics to be considered for network design are traffic characteristics and latency, both of which are highlighted in this paper. For hybrid (electrical packet and optical circuit) switching networks, the target latency for the optical circuit switch network (connection setup/teardown time) is shown to be around 10 µs, and the needed technologies are clarified and verified by experiments. The optical switch can simplify the present multi-tier switching network above tier-1 switches into a single tier configuration, which is possible with the development of efficient large port count optical switches. Among the different switching architectures, combining the different dimensions of space and wavelength is shown to be one of the best solutions. Fast switching needs fast device response time. Si photonics devices using Mach–Zehnder interferometers or ring-resonator-based switches and tunable filters are the most promising candidates; they offer cost-effective mass-production and fast operation and so are excellent candidates for the optical switches envisaged. Another critical technology to maximize the benefits of optical switches is a simple and low-latency control mechanism. Different approaches have been suggested as summarized in this work. Among them, harnessing optical switch parallelism is a unique technique that matches recent advances in electrical switch chips. A fast control network is realized by using a fully decentralized and asynchronous control mechanism. A hyperscale data center offers a wide variety of services, and no one system fits all needs. Optimization of parameters is an important task for maximizing the impact of optical switching in different kinds of data centers.
Ge0.92Sn0.08/Ge multi-quantum-well LEDs operated at 2-μm-wavelength on a 12-inch Si substrate
Authors: Wu Shaoteng , Zhang Lin , Wan Rongqiao , Zhou Hao , Lee Kwang Hong , Chen Qimiao , Huang Yi-Chiau , Gong Xiao , Tan Chuan Seng
Published: July 2023

The development of an efficient group-IV light source that is compatible with the CMOS process remains a significant goal in Si-based photonics. Recently, the GeSn alloy has been identified as a promising candidate for realizing Si-based light sources. However, previous research suffered from a small wafer size, limiting the throughput and yield. To overcome this challenge, we report the successful growth of GeSn/Ge multiple-quantum-well (MQW) p-i-n LEDs on a 12-inch (300-mm) Si substrate. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of semiconductor LEDs grown on such a large substrate. The MQW LED epitaxial layer is deposited on a 12-inch (300-mm) (001)-oriented intrinsic Si substrate using commercial reduced pressure chemical vapor deposition. To mitigate the detrimental effects of threading dislocation densities on luminescence, the GeSn/Ge is grown pseudomorphically. Owing to the high crystal quality and more directness in the bandgap, enhanced electroluminescence (EL) integrated intensity of 27.58 times is demonstrated compared to the Ge LED. The MQW LEDs exhibit EL emission near 2 μm over a wide operating temperature range of 300 to 450 K, indicating high-temperature stability. This work shows that GeSn/Ge MQW emitters are potential group-IV light sources for large-scale manufacturing.
Correlations of mobility and Covid-19 transmission in global data
Authors: Bergman Nittai K. , Fishman Ram
Published: July 2023

Assessing the contribution of mobility declines to the control of Covid-19 diffusion is an urgent challenge of global import. We analyze the temporal correlation between transmission rates and societal mobility levels using daily mobility data from Google and Apple in an international panel of 99 countries during the period of March-December 2020. Reduced form regression estimates that flexibly control for time trends suggest that globally, a 10 percentage point reduction in mobility is associated with a 0.05–0.07 reduction in the value of the effective reproduction number, R(t). However, the strength of the association varies substantially across world regions and over time, being initially positive and strong in most world regions during the 2020 spring period, but becoming weaker over the summer, especially in Europe and Asia. We further find evidence that the strength of the association between mobility and transmission rates is reduced where facial coverings rules were implemented.
Poor treatment outcome and associated risk factors among patients with isoniazid mono-resistant tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Alemu Ayinalem , Bitew Zebenay Workneh , Diriba Getu , Seid Getachew , Moga Shewki , Abdella Saro , Gashu Emebet , Eshetu Kirubel , Tollera Getachew , Dangisso Mesay Hailu , Gumi Balako
Published: July 2023

Background

To date, isoniazid mono-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is becoming an emerging global public health problem. It is associated with poor treatment outcome. Different studies have assessed the treatment outcome of isoniazid mono-resistant TB cases, however, the findings are inconsistent and there is limited global comprehensive report. Thus, this study aimed to assess the poor treatment outcome and its associated risk factors among patients with isoniazid mono-resistant TB.

Methods

Studies that reported the treatment outcomes and associated factors among isoniazid mono-resistant TB were searched from electronic databases and other sources. We used Joana Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool to assess the study’s quality. We assessed publication bias through visual inspection of the funnel plot and confirmed by Egger’s regression test. We used STATA version 17 for statistical analysis.

Results

Among 347 studies identified from the whole search, data were extracted from 25 studies reported from 47 countries. The pooled successful and poor treatment outcomes were 78% (95%CI; 74%-83%) and 22% (95%CI; 17%-26%), respectively. Specifically, complete, cure, treatment failure, mortality, loss to follow-up and relapse rates were 34%(95%CI; 17%-52%), 62% (95%CI; 50%-73%), 5% (95%CI; 3%-7%), 6% (95%CI; 4%-8%), 12% (95%CI; 8%-17%), and 1.7% (95%CI; 0.4%-3.1%), respectively. Higher prevalence of pooled poor treatment outcome was found in the South East Asian Region (estimate; 40%, 95%C; 34%-45%), and African Region (estimate; 33%, 95%CI; 24%-42%). Previous TB treatment (OR; 1.74, 95%CI; 1.15–2.33), having cancer (OR; 3.53, 95%CI; 1.43–5.62), and being initially smear positive (OR; 1.26, 95%CI; 1.08–1.43) were associated with poor treatment outcome. While those patients who took rifampicin in the continuation phase (OR; 0.22, 95%CI; 0.04–0.41), had extrapulmonary TB (OR; 0.70, 95%CI; 0.55–0.85), and took second-line injectable drugs (OR; 0.54, 95%CI; 0.33–0.75) had reduced risk of poor treatment outcome.

Conclusion

Isoniazid mono-resistant TB patients had high poor treatment outcome. Thus, determination of isoniazid resistance pattern for all bacteriologically confirmed TB cases is critical for successful treatment outcome.

PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022372367
The effect of entrepreneurship education on the entrepreneurial intention of different college students: Gender, household registration, school type, and poverty status
Authors: Deng Wanli , Wang Juan
Published: July 2023

Entrepreneurship education (EE) is a crucial link to promoting college students’ entrepreneurship, which reduces unemployment, economic development, and poverty. Based on a sample of Chinese college students, this study uses a logistic model to investigate the effect of EE on entrepreneurial intention (EI). It focuses on evaluating the impact of EE on the EI of different groups of college students from the perspectives of gender, household registration, school type, and poverty status. Benchmark regression results show that EE has a significant positive impact on the EI of students. The heterogeneity analysis has the following findings. First, EE has a more significant impact on women’s EI, which can reduce the entrepreneurial gap between women and men. Second, EE is more effective in improving the EI of urban students, which will further widen the gap between urban and rural students in entrepreneurship. Third, EE has increased the EI of students from private universities, which represent application-oriented universities. This shows that public universities, which represent research-oriented universities, need to increase the training of talent in practical applications to narrow the gap with private universities in entrepreneurship. Fourth, after receiving EE, the EI of nonpoor students improved more than that of poor students. Equal EE increases the gap between poor and nonpoor students, which can easily lead to an intergenerational cycle of poverty in entrepreneurship. This study provides empirical evidence from college students’ entrepreneurship in relatively underdeveloped western China, which supports the development of EE and entrepreneurial activities.
Validation of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) emotional subscale in assessing depression and anxiety across development
Authors: Armitage Jessica May , Tseliou Foteini , Riglin Lucy , Dennison Charlotte , Eyre Olga , Bevan Jones Rhys , Rice Frances , Thapar Ajay K. , Thapar Anita , Collishaw Stephan
Published: July 2023

Emotional disorders are common in childhood, and their prevalence sharply increases during adolescence. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is widely used for screening emotional and behavioural difficulties in children and young people, but little is known about the accuracy of the emotional subscale (SDQ-E) in detecting emotional disorders, and whether this changes over development. Such knowledge is important in determining whether symptom changes across age are due to developmental or measurement differences. This study assessed the validity of the SDQ-E and two individual items (low mood and general worry) in differentiating between cases and non-cases of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and other anxiety disorders across ages 7, 10, 13, 15, and 25 years in a UK population cohort. Analyses showed moderate accuracy of the subscale in discriminating cases of MDD (AUC = 0.67–0.85), and high accuracy for discriminating cases of GAD (AUC = 0.80–0.93) and any anxiety disorder (AUC = 0.74–0.83) compared to non-cases. The SDQ-E performed well across ages and sex, and generally performed better than the two individual items. Together our findings validate the SDQ-E as a screen for emotional disorders during childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, and as a tool for longitudinal research on depression and anxiety disorders.
HIV prevention and the impact of It’s a Sin in Scotland
Authors: Ledin Chase
Published: July 2023

HIV prevention services across the United Kingdom received unprecedented requests for home testing kits following the airing of Russell T. Davies’s television series It’s a Sin (IAS) in January and February 2021. Professionals suggested a link between IAS’s retelling of AIDS crisis histories and people’s fears of ongoing HIV transmission, thus leading to increased online searches about HIV/AIDS. Little has been written about this impact of IAS on HIV health promotion practices specifically. Thus, in this article, I analyse a series of interviews with HIV health promoters in Scotland to detail how IAS has influenced HIV intervention techniques and health promotion strategies. I demonstrate how IAS provoked local and national dialogues about the contemporary context of HIV/AIDS in Scotland. I argue that it enabled conversations about the need for new media resources that accurately represent the specific and localized histories of HIV/AIDS. More directly, IAS in small part illuminated differences in intervention strategies between England and Scotland. Hence, it foregrounded the need for re-distributed institutional and material resources to streamline a Scottish agenda for ‘ending HIV’ by 2030.
Extra-Poliical Analysis of Interethnic Relations
Authors: Reshetnikov Mikhail
Published: July 2023

The article discusses the main psychological mechanisms that contribute to the formation of interethnic conflicts. The author describes the following psychological phenomena: historical mental trauma inflicted by a hostile group; narcissism of small differences; identification with the aggressor; transmission of traumatic experiences to the next generations; division of all ideas and all people into ‘we’ and ‘they’; importance of culture and language in the formation and personality’s social functioning. The conclusion substantiates an original hypothesis about the intensification of interethnic conflicts around the world in the twenty-first century.
Evaluating the administrative performance of sports clubs from the viewpoint of the General Authority for Youth and Sports, Libya
Authors: Al-Nafiru Hassan Muhammad Muhammad , Chortane Sabri Gaied , Amar Imen Ben , Amara Sofiene , Khalifa Riadh
Published: July 2023

The study aimed to  identify the evaluation of the administrative performance of sports clubs from the point of view of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Libya, and to identify the level of knowledge of the study sample evaluation criteria in the areas of administrative performance of sports clubs in Libya, and the study population included two functional categories, namely senior management, middle management and sports offices in the regions  of the employees of the General Authority for Youth and Sports previously Ministry of Sports currently, the study sample consisted of (79 ) people. The studied sample  of the role of evaluating the administrative performance of sports clubs from the point of view of the General Authority for Youth and Sports came with  a moderate degree with an arithmetic average of (3.28). The study recommended  the work of time programs to monitor the performance of work within the corridors  of the club in all financial, administrative and technical fields, lectures and workshops in all parts of Libya in order to introduce the evaluation and its importance.
Determining and modeling of density and viscosity of biodiesel-diesel and biodiesel-diesel-butanol blends
Authors: Joshipura Milind H. , Saxena Parag , Shah Nimish , Dwivedi Ankur , Pillai Shibu , Aggrawal Madhu
Published: July 2023

In the present work jatropha, palm, and karanja-based biodiesel and diesel blends, as well as biodiesel diesel and butanol blends, were studied. 112 density data for biodiesel-diesel blends in the temperature range of 30–65 °C were generated. 651 data for viscosity for these blends were generated in the temperature range of 25–65 °C. Blends with butanol were studied only at room temperature. The addition of butanol has not made much of a difference in the density or viscosity of the blends. Empirical models available in the literature were fitted to the data. The linear model in volume fraction and temperature was accurate for density. A generalized model was proposed representing the density for the biodiesel/diesel blend comprising all three biodiesels. A new empirical model for viscosity was also proposed in the study. The proposed model performed well compared to other models, with % an OARD of 3.74 %. A generalized model for viscosity was also proposed. The generalized models could estimate the density and viscosity with % OARD of 0.673  and 5.25 %, respectively.
The Delineation of Rights and China’s Vast Transformation
Authors: ZiRan Yu
Published: July 2023

The transformation of China can be understood as a process of interaction between economic growth and national governance. Given that scientific technology and transaction costs are dominant factors affecting wealth accumulation, the control of transaction costs was the focus of China’s national governance in the premodern history of an agrarian-dominated economy with slow technological progress. China was the world’s most prosperous country thanks to the reduction of transaction costs through a family-based economy lacking property rights, a political structure of the family state, and an ethics-based social governance without law and jurisprudence. However, breakthroughs and progress in science and technology from Western countries brought subversive changes to the comprehensive strength of China. China was forced to transform. To take advantage of advances in science and technology and rapidly accumulate wealth, China moved from delineating human rights to delineating property rights as the main competition-restricting mechanism. The former hierarchical system and its ethics were replaced by a legal system that treated all people fundamentally equally. The revolution accelerated this change by abolishing inelastic customs and ethics that hindered modernization. Paradoxically, the Chinese Communist Party, as the main group that led the revolution, created a functioning system with a human rights structure of horizontal equality and vertical hierarchy for organization and mobilization that has allowed contemporary China to balance reform, development and stability.
Mechanical, Acoustical, and Morphological Characterization of Impact Damage on the Effect of Temperature in Hybrid Polymer Composites
Authors: Chelliah Suresh Kumar , Kannivel Saravanakumar , Vellayaraj Arumugam
Published: July 2023

This work focuses on the investigation of impact damage resistance of basalt/epoxy, hemp/epoxy, and hybrid/epoxy composites under different temperatures of 30°C, 50°C, and 65°C. Unidirectional basalt and nonwoven hemp fibers were reinforced with LY556 epoxy resin using a hand layup technique. Mechanical, acoustical, and morphological analyses were performed to study the impact damage behaviors of composites. To start with, the specimens were subjected to a drop weight impact test with an impact velocity and incident energy of 1.5 m/s and 2.17 J, respectively. Subsequently, the three-point bending test was conducted on the impacted specimens with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring to evaluate the residual flexural strength and failure modes. The mechanical results showed that the hybrid/epoxy composites impacted at 50°C have better impact damage resistance attributed to low absorbed energy, deformation, residual dent, and higher residual strength. AE results showed that the matrix cracking failure modes were reduced with increasing temperature, whereas other failure modes were increased. Furthermore, the different damage mechanisms were correlated with the scanning electron microscopy images. The results provided evidence that the hybridization of natural fiber composites can be a suitable material for the application of impact loading at elevated temperatures.
Comparative Geometrical Analysis of In Situ Mechanical Performance of 2-D Woven In-Plane Auxetic Structures
Authors: Waseem Ullah Khan Raja Muhammad , Nawab Yasir , Mubeen Safdar Muhammad , Ayub Asghar Muhammad , Umair Muhammad
Published: July 2023

Recently, the production of auxetic textiles using conventional yarns and equipment has captured the attention of researchers. Yet only uni-stretch 2-D woven auxetic structures and auxetic knitted textiles have been produced using conventional yarns. This paper reports a comparative analysis of auxetic and mechanical performance (tensile strength, tear strength, and stretch and growth %) performance of auxetic foldable and auxetic honeycomb (AHC) structures using common elastic and nonelastic yarns and conventional weaving technologies. For this purpose, five different auxetic weave designs including α-vertical pointed twill (S1), β-vertical pointed twill (S2), α-horizontal pointed twill (S3), β-horizontal pointed twill (S4), and honeycomb structure (S5) were selected, and their corresponding woven fabrics were developed with equal thread density at the weaving stage. Auxeticity of woven structures was measured in both the warp and weft directions. The results showed that when the developed fabrics were stretched along the warp and weft directions, the foldable geometry showed −1 and −0.07 maximum negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR), respectively. Although the AHC structure showed maximum NPR −0.94 and −0.21 along warp and weft directions, respectively. AHC showed better mechanical performance as compared with foldable geometry and has higher dimensional stability. AHC structure showed the highest tensile strength as compared with the others. S3, S4, and S5 remained untorn along the warp direction because these have longer float lengths that produce a bunch having a greater number of yarns, whereas S1 and S2 showed tear strength of 47 and 43.2 N, respectively. In the weft direction, only S1 remained untorn, whereas the other four samples showed the tear strength value.
Reorganization of Corticospinal Projections after Prominent Recovery of Finger Dexterity from Partial Spinal Cord Injury in Macaque Monkeys
Authors: Sawada Masahiro , Yoshino-Saito Kimika , Ninomiya Taihei , Oishi Takao , Yamashita Toshihide , Onoe Hirotaka , Takada Masahiko , Nishimura Yukio , Isa Tadashi
Published: July 2023

We investigated morphologic changes in the corticospinal tract (CST) to understand the mechanism underlying recovery of hand function after lesion of the CST at the C4/C5 border in seven macaque monkeys. All monkeys exhibited prominent recovery of precision grip success ratio within a few months. The trajectories and terminals of CST from the contralesional (n = 4) and ipsilesional (n = 3) hand area of primary motor cortex (M1) were investigated at 5–29 months after the injury using an anterograde neural tracer, biotinylated dextran amine (BDA). Reorganization of the CST was assessed by counting the number of BDA-labeled axons and bouton-like swellings in the gray and white matters. Rostral to the lesion (at C3), the number of axon collaterals of the descending axons from both contralesional and ipsilesional M1 entering the ipsilesional and contralesional gray matter, respectively, were increased. Caudal to the lesion (at C8), axons originating from the contralesional M1, descending in the preserved gray matter around the lesion, and terminating in ipsilesional Laminae VI/VII and IX were observed. In addition, axons and terminals from the ipsilesional M1 increased in the ipsilesional Lamina IX after recrossing the midline, which were not observed in intact monkeys. Conversely, axons originating from the ipsilesional M1 and directed toward the contralesional Lamina VII decreased. These results suggest that multiple reorganizations of the corticospinal projections to spinal segments both rostral and caudal to the lesion originating from bilateral M1 underlie a prominent recovery in long-term after spinal cord injury.
Initial ablation ratio predicts the recurrence of low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinomas treated with microwave ablation: a 5-year, single-institution cohort study
Authors: Ren Yujie , Han Xue , Li Yujiang , Chen Guofang , Jiang Lin , Liu Chao , Xu Shuhang
Published: July 2023

Objective

To assess the long-term efficacy and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) in treating low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC) and to identify predictive factors for the postoperative local tumor progression of PTMC.

Methods

A total of 154 low-risk PTMC patients treated with MWA who were followed up for at least 3 months were retrospectively recruited. Ultrasonography was performed after MWA to assess the local tumor progression. Adverse events associated with MWA were recorded. The ablated volume (Va) and initial ablation ratio (IAR) were measured to assess their influences on the recurrence risk of PTMC.

Results

The mean tumor volume of PTMC before MWA was 0.071 (0.039, 0.121) cm3, with a maximum diameter of 0.60 ± 0.18 cm. All PTMC patients were followed up for 6 (3, 18) months. Va increased immediately after MWA, then gradually decreased over time, till significantly smaller at 12 months than that before MWA (P < 0.05). The median volume reduction ratio at 24 months reached 100%, which was maintained during a 60-month follow-up. A total of 7 (4.55%) cases of local tumor progression were recorded during the follow-up. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that the rate of local tumor progression was significantly lower in PTMC patients with a maximum tumor diameter < 0.70 cm than in those with ≥0.70 cm (P = 0.031). A significant better prognosis was achieved in PTMC patients with IAR ≥ 15 than in those with IAR < 15 (P = 0.015). Sex, age (<55 years) and preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone (>2.0 mU/L) of PTMC patients were not correlated with local tumor progression.

Conclusion

MWA is an effective therapeutic strategy for low-risk PTMC with high safety. The maximum tumor diameter and IAR are predictive factors for the local tumor progression of PTMC after MWA.
Roztwory ponadtlenkowe w leczeniu ran – przegląd piśmiennictwa
Authors: Szkiler Elżbieta
Published: July 2023

Streszczenie: W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono doniesienia naukowe dotyczące przebiegu leczenia ran zakażonych oraz wyniki przeprowadzanych badań in vitro, dotyczących działania roztworów ponadtlenkowych. Biologicznie zgodne z tkanką preparaty są jednymi z niewielu produktów stosowanych w leczeniu ran, które łączą w swoim działaniu likwidację wolnych rodników, hipoksji, podniesienie poziomu tlenu w tkankach, redukcję aktywnych metaloproteinaz, szybką eradykację drobnoustrojów oraz innych zanieczyszczeń tkanek w łożysku rany bezpiecznie dla pacjenta, nie wywołując oporności. Do najlepiej przebadanych roztworów ponadtlenkowych zaliczyć można Microdacyn® (Oculus Innovative Sciences).
Artificial pancreas control using optimized fuzzy logic based genetic algorithm
Authors: Abougarair Ahmed J , Abujarir Mosab JA , Tilamon Hana Tarek
Published: July 2023

The aim of this paper is to develop an artificial pancreas that can automate the process of monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin to diabetic patients. The device incorporates a fuzzy controller that is optimized through a genetic algorithm and designed using MATLAB. The system comprises three key components: a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, an insulin pump, and the fuzzy controller. The CGM measures blood glucose levels in real-time, and the insulin pump administers insulin doses to maintain blood glucose levels within a specific range. The fuzzy controller adjusts the insulin delivery rate based on the patient's blood glucose levels and their target range. To enhance the system's performance, a genetic algorithm is used to fine-tune the parameters of the fuzzy controller, seeking the optimal set of parameters that minimize the difference between the patient's blood glucose levels and the desired target range. The system is implemented in MATLAB, and simulation results indicate its effectiveness in maintaining blood glucose levels within the desired target range, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. In summary, the proposed artificial pancreas system provides an effective automated solution for monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin to diabetic patients, with the fuzzy controller and genetic algorithm optimization enhancing the system's performance.
THE LIVING QURAN STUDY (Analysing the Participation of University Students’ Parents in Learning during The Covid -19 Pandemic)
Authors: Hasan Hamka
Published: July 2023

Online learning in the Covid-19 pandemic era was a new experience for lecturers, teachers,educators, and parents. Online learning in kindergarten, elementary school, junior highschooll, and senior high school levelss relied on the parents’ involvement and guidance itoptimal. This article responded to the absence of a study about the role of universitystudents’ parents in online learning in covid 19 pandemic. This study aimed to explain therole of parents of university students in online learning during covid 19 pandemic, whichwas conducted from home. It is qualitative research with a survey method involving 34students of the Faculty of Dirasat Islamiyah, State Islamic University of Syarif HidayatullahJakarta, on September 2021 on the subject of Al-Quran Memorization. The Faculty usedArabic language specializing it from other faculties. A questionnaire using g-form was usedas the data collection instrument considering that the study was carried out when theacademic activities were arranged in covid 19 pandemic era. The data we obtained werethematically grouped based on the research questions. They were then analyzed throughthree stages: data restatement, description, and interpretation. The study found that manyparents were involved in online learning during the Covid -19 pandemic. Their roles areclassified into academic, material, and motivational. The study was limited to one Faculty ina university and only investigated the parents’ role in guiding their children in onlinelearning of Alquran memorization subject. Further study should be carried out in a widerscale with more various variables.