bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Kids Hitting Each Other Is Okay: Examining U.S. Adult Support for Youth Tackle Football
Authors: Warner Mariah K. , Knoester Chris
Published: March 2022

Football plays a prominent role in American culture. Yet, youth tackle football has become particularly controversial because of the mixture of benefits and health risks that it offers. Using National Sports and Society Survey ( N = 3993) data, this study analyzes public opinion about the appropriateness of children playing tackle football. In the process, we examine how adults’ social structural locations, traditionalist ideologies and group affiliations, and sport-related values and contexts, including football-related interactions and experiences, are associated with beliefs about the appropriateness of youth tackle football. We find that the issue is quite contested. Several prominent social structural locations (e.g., identifying as male, heterosexual) and traditionalist ideologies and group affiliations encourage support for football. Support is also elevated among those (e.g., non-White, poorer, and less educated adults) who may be most apt to view football as a means for social mobility and as relatively meritocratic. Finally, beliefs in the value of sport and immersions within football cultures and interactions seem to enhance support for children playing tackle football. Overall, our results indicate that there is substantial disagreement about the appropriateness of youth tackle football and that social forces are important in justifying and problematizing the (re)construction of it.
Impacts of scheduled desludging on quality of water and wastewater in Wai city, India
Authors: Jaiswal Jigisha , Mehta Dinesh , Mehta Meera
Published: March 2022

The common practice for desludging of septic tanks is ‘demand-based desludging’ rather than a regular service. Such practices have adverse social and environmental impacts. Scheduled desludging is advocated to maintain the performance of septic tanks and avoid adverse effects on the environment. Wai, a small town in the state of Maharashtra, India, is the first city in India to implement scheduled desludging. This paper discusses impact of scheduled desludging on water quality. The quality of water before scheduled desludging and after scheduled desludging is assessed. It describes monitoring the quality of groundwater, river water, effluent from drains and supernatants from septic tanks. It reflects the linkages of scheduled desludging and improved supernatants and drain water quality which as a result improves the river and groundwater quality. The results suggest positive impact of regular desludging on the performance of septic tanks. This has led to improvement in the quality of drain water, ground water and river water.
Making futures that matter: Future making, online working and organizing remotely
Authors: Whyte Jennifer , Comi Alice , Mosca Luigi
Published: March 2022

Future making is the work of making sense of possible and probable futures, and evaluating, negotiating and giving form to preferred ones. Practices of making futures are increasingly online. Yet, as organizational participants come together online – organizing remotely to make offline futures – they lack the shared experiential knowledge that is gained through embodied and situated practices. In this essay, we argue that the lack of experiential knowledge makes future making online difficult to organize and vulnerable to excluding relevant expertise; dialogue may become inward-looking and self-referential within the online environment, with an emotional and cognitive distance from the futures being made outside of such representations. We draw on the pragmatist tradition to theorize online future making, to articulate its dynamics and the challenges that arise, and to suggest remedial actions. By conceptualizing future making as a form of inquiry – as a distributed and reflective process that proceeds through engagement with representations of the future – we identify three remedial actions for online future making: to solicit feedback, juxtapose alternatives and change medium. These remedial actions seek to compensate for the lack of shared experiential knowledge by both sustaining the online involvement of heterogeneous remote participants and by bringing in relevant (offline) places, people and materials to online future making.
The effect of polycarbodiimide chain extender on thermal stability and mechanical properties of biobased poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber blown films
Authors: Akaradechakul Kornchanok , Chanthot Peerapong , Kerddonfag Noppadon , Pattamaprom Cattaleeya
Published: March 2022

This is the first study investigating how polycarbodiimide (PCDI) delays thermal degradation of poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber blends (PLA/NR) during the preparation of PLA/NR masterbatches (MB) and PLA/MB compounds for the film blowing process. The PCDI concentration used in this work was from 0 to 1 wt%. The torque plastograms, FTIR, and 1H-NMR spectra indicated the successful chain extending reaction between the PCDI carbodiimide group and the PLA carboxyl group, and there was no reaction with NR domains. The reaction increased the PLA/MB compounds’ viscosity and improved processability and mechanical properties of PLA/MB blown films. The optimal PCDI content for the highest melt strength, film blowing stability, and mechanical properties was at 0.25 wt% PCDI. Undesirable gel spots were observed in the PLA/MB blown film at PCDI concentrations higher than 0.5 wt%.
Efficacy and safety of CD19-specific CAR T cell–based therapy in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients with CNSL
Authors: Qi Yuekun , Zhao Mingfeng , Hu Yongxian , Wang Ying , Li Ping , Cao Jiang , Shi Ming , Tan Jiaqi , Zhang Meng , Xiao Xia , Xia Jieyun , Ma Sha , Qiao Jianlin , Yan Zhiling , Li Hujun , Pan Bin , Sang Wei , Li Depeng , Li Zhenyu , Zhou Jianfeng , Huang He , Liang Aibin , Zheng Junnian , Xu Kailin
Published: March 2022

Few studies have described chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) because of concerns regarding poor response and treatment-related neurotoxicity. Our study included 48 patients with relapsed/refractory B-ALL with CNSL to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CD19-specific CAR T cell–based therapy. The infusion resulted in an overall response rate of 87.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75.3-94.1) in bone marrow (BM) disease and remission rate of 85.4% (95% CI, 72.8-92.8) in CNSL. With a median follow-up of 11.5 months (range, 1.3-33.3), the median event-free survival was 8.7 months (95% CI, 3.7-18.8), and the median overall survival was 16.0 months (95% CI, 13.5-20.1). The cumulative incidences of relapse in BM and CNS diseases were 31.1% and 11.3%, respectively, at 12 months (P = .040). The treatment was generally well tolerated, with 9 patients (18.8%) experiencing grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome. Grade 3 to 4 neurotoxic events, which developed in 11 patients (22.9%), were associated with a higher preinfusion disease burden in CNS and were effectively controlled under intensive management. Our results suggest that CD19-specific CAR T cell–based therapy can induce similar high response rates in both BM and CNS diseases. The duration of remission in CNSL was longer than that in BM disease. CD19 CAR T-cell therapy may provide a potential treatment option for previously excluded patients with CNSL, with manageable neurotoxicity. The clinical trials were registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02782351 and www.chictr.org.cn as #ChiCTR-OPN-16008526.
Functional mapping of PHF6 complexes in chromatin remodeling, replication dynamics, and DNA repair
Authors: Alvarez Silvia , da Silva Almeida Ana C. , Albero Robert , Biswas Mayukh , Barreto-Galvez Angelica , Gunning Thomas S. , Shaikh Anam , Aparicio Tomas , Wendorff Agnieszka , Piovan Erich , Van Vlierberghe Pieter , Gygi Steven , Gautier Jean , Madireddy Advaitha , A. Ferrando Adolfo
Published: March 2022

The Plant Homeodomain 6 gene (PHF6) encodes a nucleolar and chromatin-associated leukemia tumor suppressor with proposed roles in transcription regulation. However, specific molecular mechanisms controlled by PHF6 remain rudimentarily understood. Here we show that PHF6 engages multiple nucleosome remodeling protein complexes, including nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase, SWI/SNF and ISWI factors, the replication machinery and DNA repair proteins. Moreover, after DNA damage, PHF6 localizes to sites of DNA injury, and its loss impairs the resolution of DNA breaks, with consequent accumulation of single- and double-strand DNA lesions. Native chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analyses show that PHF6 specifically associates with difficult-to-replicate heterochromatin at satellite DNA regions enriched in histone H3 lysine 9 trimethyl marks, and single-molecule locus-specific analyses identify PHF6 as an important regulator of genomic stability at fragile sites. These results extend our understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis and leukemia transformation by placing PHF6 at the crossroads of chromatin remodeling, replicative fork dynamics, and DNA repair.
Randomized controlled trial of all-inside and standard single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with functional, MRI-based graft maturity and patient-reported outcome measures
Authors: Lin Rubing , Zhong Qiuwen , Wu Xiao , Cui Lei , Huang Rong , Deng Qianhua , Zuo Jianwei , Jiang Changqing , Li Wei
Published: March 2022

Background

All-inside anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a novel technique that has gained attention due to its minimally invasive and graft-saving properties. However, studies comparing MRI-based graft maturity between all-inside and standard ACLR are lacking.

Purpose

This study focused on the functional, knee laxity, and MRI-based graft maturity characteristics of all-inside and standard single-bundle ACLR.

Study Design

Randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

Fifty-four patients were randomly assigned to an all-inside reconstruction group (n = 27) or standard reconstruction group (n = 27). Using the same rehabilitation strategy. The Tegner, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Lysholm scores were recorded at postoperative months 3, 6, and 12 to assess functional recovery. MRI was conducted to measure the signal/noise quotient (SNQ) of the intra-articular graft to assess the maturity. A higher SNQ indicates lower graft maturity. Knee laxity was assessed using GNRB arthrometer at the postoperative month 12.

Results

The graft SNQ of the all-inside group was significantly higher than that of the standard group at postoperative month 6 (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in graft SNQ between the two groups at postoperative months 3 and 12 (p > 0.05). Both groups exhibited the highest SNQ in the middle region of the graft, followed by the proximal region, and the distal region. Functional scores improved significantly for both groups and had no statistical difference (p > 0.05). The knee laxity was higher in the all-inside group (p < 0.05) at postoperative month 12. There was no correlation between the functional scores and graft maturity in both groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

All-inside and standard single-bundle ACLR show good functional outcomes; however, knee laxity was relatively higher in the all-inside ACLR group than in the standard ACLR group. Moreover, both techniques exhibited poor maturity in the middle graft region and the best in the distal region. Graft maturity with all-inside ACLR is inferior to that with standard ACLR in the early postoperative stages. There is no correlation between knee function and graft maturity.

Trial registration

Clinical trial registration numbers: ChiCTR1800018543.

Date of registration: 09/23/2018.
A focus group interview with health professionals: establishing efficient transition care plan for older adult patients in Korea
Authors: Park Chan Mi , Han Seung Jun , Lee Jae Hyun , Lim Jin , do Moon Sung , Moon Hongran , Lee Seo-Young , Kim Hyeanji , Jang Il-Young , Jung Hee-Won
Published: March 2022

Background

Although transition care planning can affect the functional status and quality of life after acute hospitalization in older adults, little is known on problems associated with discharge planning in acute care hospitals in Korea. We aimed to investigate barriers and possible solutions on transfer planning of complex older patients in this study.

Methods

We used focus group interviews with the application of framework analysis. Twelve physicians providing inpatient care from 6 different institutions in Korea participated in the interview. Facilitating questions were extracted from 2 roundtable meetings prior to the primary interview. From transcribed verbatim, themes were constructed from corresponding remarks by participants.

Results

We revealed two main domains of the barrier, which included multiple subdomains for each of them. The first domain was a patient factor barrier, a composite of misperception of medical providers’ intentions, incomprehension of the healthcare system, and communication failure between the caregivers or decision-makers. The second domain, institutional factors included different fee structures across the different levels of care, high barrier to accessing health service in tertiary hospitals or to be referred to, the hardship of communication between institutions, and insufficient subacute rehabilitation service across the country.

Conclusions

Through the interview, physicians in the field recognized barriers to a smooth transition care process from tertiary level hospitals to community care, especially for older adults. Participants emphasized both the patients and hospital sides of adjustment on behaviors, communication, and greater attention for the individuals during the transition period.
Rasmussen’s encephalitis is characterized by relatively lower production of IFN-β and activated cytotoxic T cell upon herpes viruses infection
Authors: Wang Yi-Song , Liu Dong , Wang Xin , Luo Qiao-Li , Ding Ling , Fan Dong-Ying , Cai Qi-Liang , Tang Chong-Yang , Yang Wei , Guan Yu-Guang , Li Tian-Fu , Wang Pei-Gang , Luan Guo-Ming , An Jing
Published: March 2022

Background

The etiology of Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE), a rare chronic neurological disorder characterized by CD8+ T cell infiltration and unihemispheric brain atrophy, is still unknown. Various human herpes viruses (HHVs) have been detected in RE brain, but their contribution to RE pathogenesis is unclear.

Methods

HHVs infection and relevant immune response were compared among brain tissues from RE, temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. Viral antigen or genome, CD8+ T cells, microglia and innate immunity molecules were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining, DNA dot blot assay or immunofluorescence double staining. Cytokines were measured by multiplex flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was visualized by TUNEL staining. Viral infection, immune response and the severity of unihemispheric atrophy were subjected to correlation analysis.

Results

Antigens of various HHVs were prevalent in RE and TLE brains, and the cumulative viral score of HHVs positively correlated with the unihemispheric atrophy in RE patients. CD8+ T cells infiltration were observed in both RE and TLE brains and showed co-localization with HHV antigens, but their activation, as revealed by Granzyme B (GZMB) release and apoptosis, was found only in RE. In comparison to TLE, RE brain tissues contained higher level of inflammatory cytokines, but the interferon-β level, which was negatively correlated with cumulative viral score, was relatively lower. In line with this, the DNA sensor STING and IFI16, rather than other innate immunity signaling molecules, were insufficiently activated in RE.

Conclusions

Compared with TBI, both RE and TLE had prevalently HHV infection and immune response in brain tissues. However, in comparison to TLE, RE showed insufficient activation of antiviral innate immunity but overactivation of cytotoxic T cells. Our results show the relatively lower level of antiviral innate immunity and overactivation of cytotoxic T cells in RE cases upon HHV infection, the overactivated T cells might be a compensate to the innate immunity but the causative evidence is lack in our study and need more investigation in the future.
Moderate phenotype of a congenital myasthenic syndrome type 19 caused by mutation of the COL13A1 gene: a case report
Authors: Kediha Mohamed Islam , Tazir Meriem , Sternberg Damien , Eymard Bruno , Alipacha Lamia
Published: March 2022

Background

Congenital myasthenic syndromes caused by mutations in the COL13A1 gene are very rare and have a phenotype described as severe. We present the first case of congenital myasthenic syndrome described in Algeria and the Maghreb with a new mutation of this gene.

Case presentation

We present an 8-year-old Algerian female patient, who presented with a moderate phenotype with bilateral ptosis that fluctuates during the day and has occurred since birth. During the investigation, and despite the very probable congenital origin, we ruled out other diagnoses that could induce pathology of the neuromuscular junction. The genetic study confirmed our diagnosis suspicion by highlighting a new mutation in the COL13A1 gene.

Conclusion

We report a case with a mutation of the Col13A1 gene, reported in the Maghreb (North Africa), and whose phenotype is moderate compared with the majority of cases found in the literature.
OPTIMAL SITE SELECTION OF A PANDEMIC HOSPITAL USING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING APPROACH
Authors: Ağaç Gökhan , Şimşir İsmail
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly and affected the whole world. During the process of combating the pandemic, it has become apparent that some physical infrastructures such as intensive care units have been insufficient to meet the current demand. The aim of this study is to select the optimal location for a pandemic hospital and determine the critical factors affecting the selection. The Analytical Hierarchy Process approach is implemented in the study with 27 criteria used to evaluate the alternatives. The data of the study are collected from 23 experts. The result of the analysis proposes the optimal location to establish a pandemic hospital. In addition, the three most important criteria that affect the location selection of the pandemic hospital are Risk, Accessibility, and Opportunities and threats, respectively. Moreover, the results of the sensitivity analysis show that the outputs of the proposed model are robust. A location selection problem for a pandemic hospital was addressed and the factors affecting the location selection are discussed in this study. The proposed model is expected to be a guide for health policymakers, healthcare managers, and public and private investment decision-makers as a decision support system.
Intervenciones educativas en conducta prosocial y empatía en alumnado con altas capacidades
Authors: Piñeiro López Sara , Martí Vilar Manuel , González-Sala Francisco
Published: March 2022

INTRODUCCIÓN. En el caso concreto de las altas capacidades, además de desarrollar la capacidad cognitiva de estos alumnos, ha habido una incipiente preocupación por el desarrollo de las habilidades sociales y el desarrollo socioemocional. Se comprende, por lo tanto, que su configuración es multidimensional. MÉTODO. El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática es encontrar diferentes procesos de enriquecimiento que favorezcan el desarrollo socioemocional e integral de los alumnos con altas capacidades. Se pretende conocer de cerca la realidad dentro del contexto educativo con este colectivo. Para la elaboración de esta revisión, se han seguido las directrices de la metodología PRISMA de aquellos artículos encontrados en las bases de datos Web of Science, PubMed, Redalyc, Google Académico, Eric y Dialnet. RESULTADOS. Resultan ser 16 los artículos seleccionados para la investigación, donde la mayoría se sitúan en la mejoría de habilidades sociales gracias a una intervención educativa concreta. En muchos de los artículos se separa el grupo de tratamiento del grupo de referencia. Desde un enfoque dinámico de entender las altas capacidades, estos alumnos no muestran una brecha entre sus niveles cognitivos y emocionales. A pesar de las limitaciones presentadas en los artículos de cada una de las intervenciones, todas ellas concluyen en el progreso de habilidades sociales de los participantes. DISCUSIÓN. Se insiste en la importancia de fomentar programas de inteligencia y educación emocional con el fin de conseguir mayores niveles de bienestar personal y social desde los diferentes ambientes educativos relacionados con los estudiantes con altas capacidades. De esta forma, se recalca la necesidad de desarrollar un aprendizaje integral de todas las áreas de cada uno de los estudiantes.
The Stabilization System of a Ball on Mobile Platform
Authors: Banach Michał , Piotrowski Robert
Published: March 2022

In recent years, tracking systems have been significantly developed. A number of their possible applications have also increased. Their usage was no longer limited to the industrial applications and became more accessible to the everyday appliances. This article covers process of a design and synthesis of a ball stabilization system on a mobile platform. The mechanics and electronics of the platform have been described as well as a mathematical model of the platform and a process of a platform software development. Results of conducted tests of performance quality for step response, square and circle trajectories have been presented.
The Use of RFID Tags in Controlling Washing Devices
Authors: Hubacz Marcin , Pawłowicz Bartosz , Salach Mateusz , Trybus Bartosz , Kołcz Sebastian
Published: March 2022

Modern Textronics RFID transponders open completely new possibilities for designers of household appliances. In particular, these applications can be seen in laundry technology, where the information contained in the RFID transponder sewn into the clothes can be used to select the best washing program for a given type of fabric or to select the appropriate washing program for different fabrics placed in the drum of the washing machine. The work included design and construction of a demonstration station for the demonstration of RFIDtex transponders in the washing machine. A management system for a model of a washing machine equipped with Read-Write Device (RWD) was prepared, which supports decision-making based on data provided by reading of RFIDtex tags integrated with clothes. The laundry device was integrated with cloud computing for garment management based on the unique identifier of the tags and also as an intermediary module for the virtual closet application. The work checked the effectiveness of the station using samples.
The Influence of Airplane’s Dynamics and Its’ State of Flight on Safety of an Evasive Manoeuvre Performed to Avoid Moving Obstacles
Authors: Graffstein Jerzy
Published: March 2022

The exact identification of essential factors affecting the course of evasive manoeuvre, that has been computed to avoid a collision with moving obstacles, is necessary to ensure a safe passing by a moving obstacle. At the same time, during the evasive manoeuvre the pre-defined separation between the airplane and obstacles is required. The matter of presented work is defined as the analysis of influence of factors on execution of anti collision manoeuvre taking into account deformation of flight trajectory and changes of time histories of distance from the airplane to detected obstacles. Attention has been focused on internal interactions, resulting from the essential changes of the airplane’s behaviour. Discussion has been illustrated by selected results of computer simulations, executed for typical manoeuvres performed to avoid obstacles, while affected by adverse impacts of selected factors. The appropriate guidelines have been proposed, that should counteract these adverse effects on realisation of computed manoeuvre.
Support for Perimeter Border Protection Using Unmanned Ground Vehicle UGV
Authors: Kowaliński Jakub , Krakówka Tomasz , Więckowski Rafał , Zarzycki Mikołaj
Published: March 2022

The article concerns the most important issues of designing an unmanned vehicle for the implementation of observation tasks in the protection of the perimeter of the state border. An analysis of the terrain conditions necessary for the unmanned vehicle to overcome and a description of the key components of the HUNTeR vehicle responsible for the ability to work in such conditions was presented. Also included were tests verifying the basic assumptions of the project in the field of operation at the maximum speed of travel.
Optical Properties of (PS-TiO2-Al2O3) Nanocomposite Films Injected with Air Nano Bubbles
Authors: Al-Hussein Fatimah T. , Rabee Bahaa H.
Published: March 2022

In this work, the optical properties of (PS-TiO2-Al2O3) nanocomposites films prepared by casting method have studied. To use in different optical fields. The TiO2 and Al2O3 nano particles added with different weight percentages are (1,2, 3 and 4) wt% were injected air bubbles to generate Nano bubbles in the (PS-TiO2-Al2O3) nanocomposites. The results revealed that absorbance, absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient, and refractive index of the optical characteristics of nanocomposites for wavelength range (280-800) nm. Increase with increase TiO2 and Al2O3concentrations, while the Transmittance decreased with increase TiO2 and Al2O3 concentrations. Optical energy values gap from (3.62 – 1.50) eV, where the optical energy gap of produced films reduced as the number of TiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles increased.
The Synthesis of Graphene Oxide/Hydrogel Composites and Kinetic Study Adsorb Eosin B Efficiently
Authors: Hameed Khitam Abdul Ameer , Radia Nadher D.
Published: March 2022

The SA-g-PAA/GO hydrogel superabsorbent was made by free radical polymerizing acrylic acid and sodium alginate monomers with N, N-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linker and potassium persulfate as an initiator. FTIR, FE-SEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to evaluate produced composite hydrogels. The composite hydrogels synthesized during the synthesis process were utilized as adsorbents to remove an anionic dye (EB), from an aqueous solution. The results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicate that the hydrogel is heat stable. Dye adsorption rate was high on the surface due to the increased surface area of the composite. We studied dye adsorption kinetics on the SA-g-PAAc/GO surface using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The results established pseudo-second-order adsorption.
Thermal and Mechanical Behaviour of Heat-resistant Clay-silica Composites
Authors: Watan Anaam W. , Mohammed Intehaa A. , Hameed Hayat K. , Jasim Kareem A. , Shaban Auday H.
Published: March 2022

The ceramic composite with different proportions of clay and silica was prepared with a grain size of 70 μm and the weight percentage was selected for four groups (clayx silica100-x) were x q15, 25, 30 and 50. In this manuscript, for each pressured sample, a sintering procedure was carried out for 3 hours under static air and at various sintering temperatures (1000, 1100, 1200, 1400)°C. After sintering, the density, porosity, water absorption, compression strength and thermal conductivity were measured. The best results were obtained using a mixture of 15% clay and 85% silica which were sintering at 1400°C for three hours under air.
Study of Electrical Properties of PMMA/P3HT Films
Authors: Nassir Lamis Faaz , Shinen Mohammed Hadi
Published: March 2022

The influence of P3HT particles on the electrical characteristics of the polymer PMMA is investigated in this paper. The spin coating process was used to prepare samples of (PMMA-P3HT) thin films, the weight of P3HT are (0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) wt. %. The D.C. electrical conductivity of the (PMMA-P3HT) thin film is revealed by the experimental results increases with rising temperature, whereas the activation energy of the (PMMA-P3HT) thin film decreases with increasing concentrations of the(P3HT)thin films.
Modeling Radiation-Active Gases Content Variability in the Arctic and Subarctic
Authors: Mekhalif Ali Tao'mah , Kadhim Qasim S.
Published: March 2022

In view of the importance of the influence of radiation-active gases on changes in the global and regional climate, a study of their content in the Arctic and Subarctic regions was carried out. The modeling of the concentrations of atmospheric gases was carried out using the continental model of the composition of the lower and middle atmosphere, which describes their space-time distribution. The features of internal and seasonal fluctuations in the content of radiation-active gases (CH4, CO, O3, H2O) and their relationship with temperature variability were studied. The analysis of the obtained results is carried out and an estimate of the concentration variations at the polar and subpolar stations is obtained.
Hydrogen Production from MeOH /H2O Using MWCNT/UV100-TiO2 Catalysts
Authors: Hussein Shaymaa Abed , Lafta Holya A. , Abdulrazzak Firas H. , Alkaim Ayad F.
Published: March 2022

The current work deals with the synthesis of binary composites MWCNT/UV100 - TiO2 nanoparticles by simple mix method and compares their photocatalytic activates for the pristine and impregnated two ratios of MWCNTs using hydrogen production process under UV- light irradiation. X-ray diffraction, UV-visible reflectance and surface area BET were used to characterize binary synthesized Nano composites. The results in this work were related to two causes; the abilities of MWCNTs towards creating more active species with TiO2-UV100 when dispersion in all the surface, which causing reduce in bandgap, leading to a slight shift in the absorption. The second; the XRD has shown that two samples were did not change in crystallized the anatase phase. According to the results MWCNTs can be used to enhance the activates of UV100 for produce high quantiles of H2 as compare with pristine case without impregnated.
Incidence of Polyneuropathy among Uremic Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: Cross-Sectional Study among Iraqis
Authors: Abdul- Aa'ama Thaier Kareem , Dleikh Fouad Shareef , Al-Saegh Riyadh Muhi Abbood , Al-Ka’abi Basim A. Abd
Published: March 2022

Background: Peripheral neuropathy (PNP) is among the commonest neurological disorders. NP is a disorder of sensory or motor neurons. Peripheral NP impacts around 60-100% of cases admitted for dialysis units due to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In dialysis-dependent patients, a progressive uremic sensorimotor axonal NP is a well-known complication. Nevertheless, the precise polyneuropathy (PNP) among CKD patients has to be further investigated especially in our country. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the incidence of polyneuropathy among Iraqi uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on patients 215 patients (99 women and 116 men). All participants were suffering from ESRD were assessed by expert specialists, aging 17-80 years, attending hemodialysis unit, receiving standardized maintenance hemodialysis. All patients had completed neurophysiological assessment in the same hospital, for sensory and motor nerves including median, ulnar, tibial, peroneal, and sural nerves, regardless of whether they had clinical findings of NP or not. SPSS (V-25) software was used for statistical analysis. A confidence level of 95% had considered significant. Results: Mean age and weight of patients was (48.16 ±13.4 years and 66.9 ± 12.9 kg), respectively, and the mean duration of dialysis was 4.7 ± 1.4 years. The majority of patients (85.1%) had a frequency of dialysis three times/week. The prevalence of UNP was 63.7% among the studied candidates. More than half of patients (51.8%) presented with moderate UPN, (29.2%) with mild UPN, and (19. 0%) with severe UPN (P<0.05). There were significant differences between means of age and frequency of dialysis with the incidence of UPN. Conclusion: Polyneuropathy is a very common complication in patients with uremia undergoing dialysis. Polyneuropathy is not associated with the frequency of dialysis, but with a duration of uremia.
Breakup-Channel Dynamics on the Elastic Scattering Reactions for 8B+58Ni, 9Be+64Zn, and 12C+208Pb Systems
Authors: Abdul-Hamza Eman D. , Majeed Fouad A. , Hussain Fatima M.
Published: March 2022

The dynamic effects of breakup Channel on for 8B+58Ni, 9Be+64Zn, and 12C+208Pb systems in elastic scattering reactions have been studied by calculating two quantities, which are the cross-section of the scattering and the distribution of the scattering barrier as functions of the angle of the center of the block and the energy of the center of the mass of some selected systems whose nuclei are Weakly Bound. The calculations are based on continuum discretized coupled-channel (CDCC) theory using code (CC) full quantum mechanics. The interpretation of the experimental findings was evaluated in the context of the optical model using the Woods-Saxon potential. both real and imaginary. In the context of the optical model of the real and imaginary parts, the interpretation of experimental results was analyzed using Woods-Saxon potential. The uncoupling and coupling channels (CC) have been calculated with the energy center Ec.m. to achieve the maximum consistency with experimental data for the systems being studied. The effect of breakup channel is giving a good description of results to be in agreement with experimental data.
Laser Therapy Stimulation at Red Low-level on Some Human Blood Cells
Authors: Slewa Muna Y. , Bader Ban A. , Hamam Fatin M. , Banoosh Amal M. , Jarjees Balsam Wadullah
Published: March 2022

The purpose of this study is to see how low-power red laser helium-neon and diode lasers with wavelengths of 632.8 nm and 650 nm, respectively, affect some human blood sample factors like viscosity HCT, Platelets PLT, White blood cells WBC, white blood lymphocytes LYM, neutrophilic white blood cells NEUT, red blood cells RBC, and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate ESR. Blood samples were collected from healthy people and placed in EDTA-contained tubes, blood tests were performed on control samples in a blood analyzer, and the samples were divided into two parts and split into two equal tubes to be irradiated with diode and helium-neon lasers for 15 minutes. Using a blood analyzer, measurements were taken immediately after irradiation. The results of this analysis indicated a decrease in the number of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and blood viscosity (HCT), as well as a significant rise in the number of neutrophils (NEUT) and platelets (PLT) and increase in the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate ESR after exposure to both helium-neon and diode lasers. This suggests that It is possible to make recommendations, a low-power laser could be used to stimulate blood cells so a laser could be used to treat blood viscosity. Because of the increasing concentrations of free intracellular Calcium ions and the action of laser on the plasma composition, it is acceptable to suggest that laser irradiation can lower the number of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), and the reason of that is because of a mechanical change in the blood such as a change in the pores of the surfaces and their fixation.
Investigating the Impact of Doping Ratios on the Optical Features of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate)
Authors: Salih Mohammed H. , Shinen Mohammed Hadi , Saleh Maan A.
Published: March 2022

Using spin-coating method, the poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) thin films are prepared. The optical features from the band gap, refractive index and optical connectivity are studied. The gap was calculated from the UV-Vis spectra. The superficial structure is examined through the use of the atomic force microscope (AFM) to investigate the dispersion of MWCNT within the polymer matrix.
Laser Irradiation Time Effect on the Optical Properties of Copper Phthalocyanine Solution
Authors: Ejam Ahmed Ali , Wahhab Nihal A. Abdul
Published: March 2022

Copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) solution are prepared with concentration 0.15 gm/l. The samples are irradiated by different laser wavelengths for different irradiation times (0, 4, 8, and 16 mins). The optical properties are investigated to study the effect of the laser irradiation. The absorption spectrum shows decreasing in the solution absorbance with increasing the laser irradiation times. The reflectance spectrum performs the same behavior of the absorbance. The energy gap is also estimated to show that it increase with increasing the irradiation time. The optical constants (absorbitivity, molar absorbitivity, absorption coefficient, refractive Index, extinction coefficient, real dielectric constant, imaginary dielectric constant, optical conductivity) are increased with increasing the laser irradiation time.
Poly-l-lysine-caused cell adhesion induces pyroptosis in THP-1 monocytes
Authors: Yu Chaoping , Zhao Wei , Duan Chujun , Xie Jiangang , Yin Wen
Published: March 2022

Pyroptosis is a kind of cell necrosis mediated by inflammasomes. The caspase 1-induced cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD) is a canonical pathway to cause membrane pores and eventually cell pyroptosis. Poly-l-lysine (PLL) is widely used to enhance cell adhesion during experiments. Human THP-1 cells are a typical cell line used to study pyroptosis due to their monocytic and macrophage-like characteristics. However, it was found that THP-1 cells seeded on the PLL-coated slides died. To figure out the reason, we observed the morphology of THP-1 cells on PLL-coated slides, which showed obvious pore forming on the cell membranes and cell swelling. The indicated pyroptosis-related protein expression was evaluated and it showed that the conventional caspase-1 pathway of pyroptosis was activated through the NLRP3 inflammasome in THP-1 monocytes on the PLL-coated slides. Hence, PLL-guided cell adhesion induces cell pyroptosis in THP-1 monocytes, which calls for THP-1 dominant studies of pyroptosis to avoid the use of PLL-coated slides or PLL-related drugs.
circ-CFH promotes the development of HCC by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and glycolysis through the miR-377-3p/RNF38 axis
Authors: Chen Zengyin , Du Juan , Yang Chen , Si Guangju , Chen Yuxin
Published: March 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have previously been confirmed to function as vital regulators in multiple human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to clarify the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of circ-CFH in HCC. circ-CFH was overexpressed in HCC tissues and cells, and the downregulation of circ-CFH inhibited the development of HCC by repressing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis while enhancing apoptosis in vitro, as well as inhibited tumor growth in vivo. miR-377-3p was negatively regulated by circ-CFH, and silencing of miR-377-3p abolished circ-CFH knockdown-mediated effects on HCC cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-377-3p could impede the HCC process by targeting RNF38. Mechanistically, the circ-CFH/miR-377-3p/RNF38 axis regulated the progression of HCC cells, which might provide new diagnostic markers for HCC.
Influence of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using red alga Corallina elongata on broiler chicks’ performance
Authors: El-Abd Niamat M. , Hamouda Ragaa A. , Al-Shaikh Turki M. , Abdel-Hamid Marwa Salah
Published: March 2022

Poultry meat is a great source of protein and provides lots of nutrients such as iodine, iron, zinc, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that humans require. The positive applications of metal nanoparticles (NPs) in the diets of various poultry species were studied, in relation to their metabolic, antibacterial effects on digestion and regulation of bowel function. This study was carried out to test the effects of fabrication green silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of Corallina elongata extract and/or coating NPs with acetic acid on performance, immune response parameters and micro-flora population in Ross broiler. Chicks’ drinking water was mixed with bio-AgNPs (1 mM) and coating NPs with acetic acid for 35 days. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscope were used to determine the partial physiochemical characterizations of bio-AgNPs and coating ones. EDS analysis was used to determine the presence of AgNP in meat. Results confirmed that coating NPs with acetic acid reduced percentage of the micro-flora population, which were detected by VITEK® 2 system (BioMérieux, France) and identified as Pseudomonas orizihabitain 4211210040000210 and Sphinogomonas paucimobilis 5201210040000210. EDS analysis of meat chicks confirmed disappearance of Ag metals. Coating biogenic AgNPs with acetic acid on modulated intestinal microbial populations of the Ross broiler may be safe, and could be used as alternative antibiotics or antibacterial agents besides their physiological performance in small intestines of broiler chicken.
Effect of post-heat treatment on fire retardant treated wood properties
Authors: Özkan Osman Emre , Temiz Ali , Tor Önder , Vurdu Hasan
Published: March 2022

In this study, Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana) was treated with fire retardants of 10, 20, and 30% aqueous solutions composed of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), borax, boric acid, and glucose to determine the effectiveness of these chemicals in preventing the spread of fire. The treated wood was subjected to post-heat treatment at 120, 150, and 180 °C for 1 h to examine the effects of the post-heat treatment on pH changes, anti-swelling efficiency, water absorption, mechanical strength, accelerated weathering, leaching resistance, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UL-94 vertical burning test and crystallinity index. The post-heat treatment of fire-retardant treated wood reduced water intake and increased dimensional stability, while also improving mechanical and thermal properties in general. DAP/glucose complexes promote phosphorus fixation in wood and reduce leaching, resulting in long-term fire protection of wood in service. Because of these improvements in the post-heat treated wood by impregnated fire retardant, it can potentially be used as a reliable engineering material in a wide range of structural applications.
No association of the common Asian mitochondrial DNA haplogroups with lung cancer in East Indian population
Authors: Saha Tania , Bhowmick Bismoy , Sengupta Debmalya , Banerjee Souradeep , Mitra Ritabrata , Sarkar Abhijit , Chaudhuri Tamohan , Bhattacharjee Gautam , Nath Somsubhra , Roychoudhury Susanta , Sengupta Mainak
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Mitochondrial dysfunction has long been associated with the pathogenesis of lung cancer (LC). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups have been reported to modify the risk of LC in a few different populations; however, no study has been done among the Indians. Here, we explore the relationship between mtDNA haplogroups and LC in a representative eastern Indian sample set.

Methods

Different combinations of six mtDNA SNPs, which define the major Asian mtDNA haplogroups M and N, and their sub-haplogroups D, G, M7, R, and F were genotyped via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) – sequencing approach in 94 smoker LC patients and 100 healthy smoker controls from an eastern Indian cohort.

Results

The distribution of 7 mtDNA haplogroups did not show any significant differences between patients and controls (p<0.05). We did not find sub-haplogroup M7 in our study population.

Conclusions

Our study is the first to indicate that the major Asian mtDNA haplogroups have no significant (p<0.05) association with LC in East Indian population.
An Experimental Investigation of Dimple-Texturing on the Tribological Performance of Hardened AISI H-13 Steel
Authors: Vignesh G. , Barik Debabrata
Published: March 2022

The fabrication of dimple-texture is essential for reducing friction and wear in frictional interaction pairs. The tribological characteristics of the frictional interaction pairs can be improved by controlling the dimple pattern, the depth to diameter ratio, and the area density ratio. In this study, the tribological characteristics of tungsten carbide discs with various dimple-texture patterns and hardened AISI H-13 steel pins are tested experimentally using a pin on disc wear tester to identify the wear mechanism. Laser marking technology was utilized to fabricate the dimple-textures such as circular arrays of the honeycomb pattern and spherical dimple-texture pattern with varying area density ratios. The impact of dimple-texture patterns is examined experimentally under dry testing conditions. Dimple-textured surfaces have a positive influence as compared to non-textured smooth surfaces. Particularly, the spherical dimple-textured pattern reduces frictional coefficient and wear rate by 45% and 51%, respectively, compared to non-textured smooth surfaces. The dimple-texture pattern and area density ratio control are essential features in dimple-texturing.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Metallic Body during Quenching in Saturated Nanofluids
Authors: H. Ismail  , SULAIMAN MUHAMAD ZUHAIRI , T. Okawa
Published: March 2022

Heat transfer characteristics (HTCs) of a metallic rod during quenching were investigated in saturated water-based nanofluids and the results were compared to distilled water. In this study, a 50 mm length of cylindrical copper rod with a diameter of 15 mm was rapidly quenched at an initial temperature of 600 ℃ in saturated water-based nanofluids under atmospheric pressure. Three different types of nanoparticles (Al2O3, SiO2 and TiO2) were used to obtain water-based nanofluids with 0.001% particle volume fraction. In this experiment, heat transfer rates were evaluated using the cooling curves (temperature vs time) of the copper rod quenched in different quenching media. Results showed that the quenching heat transfer in nanofluids was stochastic during the first quenching, with SiO2 showing a deterioration in HTC, enhancement was observed in Al2O3 and TiO2 compared to distilled water in the present work. However, after successive quenching, from second to seventh, all nanofluids demonstrated enhancement in the cooling time, with quenching in TiO2 nanofluid showing the most significant enhancement compared to distilled water. Some deposition of nanoparticles on the surface of the rod was noticed, due to oxidation in distilled water quench, and mixed oxidation and nanoparticles deposition in the nanofluid quench. The present work suggested oxidation lead to deterioration of HTC, but a mixed effect of oxidation and nanoparticles deposition during the quenching process, altered the surface roughness of the rod surface and improved wettability. Hence, it was possible that the effect of surface structure vapour during film boiling influenced the dynamics of the bubbles in nucleate boiling and therefore enhanced the rapid cooling of the rod.