bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Note from the Field “Potlatch” Advancing a Health Survey: The Pen is Truly Mighty
Authors: Johnson Ralph J
Published: January 2024

Despite vast improvements in chemo-therapeutic interventions extensively extending the life span of patients with chronic and terminal diseases, there also is the unhappy extension of side- effects and adverse events. Thus, Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) becomes equally as important as length of life. Accurately, reliably, validly, and representatively measuring the on-going pulse beat of HR-QoL means ensuring optimal responses and response rates, which in turn means fostering and maximizing Survey Participants’ continued rapport, enlistment, engagement, and participation regarding HR-QoL research survey studies. This is generally true regarding all human subjects’ research. HR-QoL survey work at a nationally renowned Cancer Center recently identified an example of Potlatch or gift-giving (i.e., gifting), and its surrounding nuances, that were calculated and appear to evoke enhanced reciprocal engagement in a HR-QoL survey.

This work involves continuous, iterative marketing study. The intent of this field note is to describe the methodological phenomenon that may have epistemological and theoretical relevance for ubiquitously advancing the interest of health survey research. Specifically, the contention will be that considered, and tactically deployed Potlatch can serve as a mechanism for facilitating and enhancing health survey research as well as enhancing stronger social engagement in research and treatment for patients undergoing medical care for long-term, chronic illness. First, it can rejuvenate and refocus Survey Participants’ involvement. Second, it can serve as an entrée and springboard to further forge a social connection in the interest of research. Lessons Learned and implications are reported.
A Newer Approach in the Management of Cough: A Review on Levodropropizine
Authors: Prasanna K Thomas , Pramod Jog , Nitin R Vohra , Krishna C Veligandla , Anup Petare Uttam
Published: January 2024

Safe and effective antitussive therapy remains a significant area of unmet need for cough management. Antitussive drugs are commonly used cough suppressants and include centrally acting (opioids and non-opioids) cough suppressants and peripherally acting antitussives. Authors searched PubMed, Google Scholar and additional studies from reference lists via cross-referencing to identify studies assessing levodropropizine for the treatment of cough. Of the 748 studies identified, 13 were included. Recent clinical evidence, guideline recommendations and findings from this review suggest that levodropropizine is a peripheral antitussive which reduces cough intensity, frequency, and nocturnal awakenings in children and adults and provides better efficacy outcomes with a more favourable risk/benefit ratio compared to centrally acting antitussive agents which pose greater safety concerns and present an unacceptable risk–benefit profile. This review is aimed at Indian primary care physicians for making effective cough management decisions where the clinical evidence needs to be translated to clinical practice.

Key messages
The usage of currently available centrally acting antitussive agent is greatly limited by their central depressing action and frequent side effect. The findings of this review indicate that levodropropizine is an effective antitussive agent and well tolerated in the management of cough in patients of all ages.
Hemangioma of the Buccal Mucosa of the Cheek Presenting as a Dermoid Cyst: A Case Report
Authors: DMD MD PHD MPH MSEd Cameron Y. S. Lee
Published: January 2024

This case report presents a 73-year old Asian female with a presumed dermoid cyst in the buccal mucosa of the left cheek that was visible and embarrassing to her. Histopathology revealed the mass to be consistent with a cavernous hemangioma. Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors of mesenchymal origin. It is usually present at birth but can develop later in life. It commonly occurs in the head and neck region, but rarely in the oral cavity.
CalliphoraRomantis: Discovery of A New Species in The Field of Forensic Entomology
Authors: Pregonas Elijah , Gowan Josh M. Mc
Published: January 2024

Over the years, different entomological genera have been found for forensic analysis. Their biological cycles and how they interact with decomposing bodies have become known. But it is when it comes to identifying a species that problems arise. Firstly, to analyses a corpse, there is a minimum of ethical laws, without which the study would be impossible. On the other hand, these species vary according to geographical and climatic zones. Therefore, what is studied in one place will not be the same as what is studied in another, which has different characteristics. In this study we want to present one of the recently found species and how it was found.
What is the Level of Empathy in Medical Students of University of Ghana Medical School in Accra Ghana?
Authors: Lawson Henry
Published: January 2024

Empathy has been described as a multi-dimensional construct with cognitive and emotional components, both of which are concerned about responsivity to others. It has been touted as a skill essential for medical practice and thus useful to all healthcare professionals. It has been assessed in several countries and among several healthcare cadres however, there is a yawning gap in Ghana about its level in medical students. This study utilised a cross-sectional design to assess empathy using the ﻿Multi-Dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale in medical students of the University in Ghana. The scale has an alpha reliability of 0.88. One hundred and eleven students, aged 24 years ±1.5 years completed the study. Overall, there were more males than females. The mean empathy score for the cohort was 101SD 13 and this was adjudged to be low. There was no statistical difference between age, gender and clinical year and empathy in this cohort. The authors recommend that empathy, especially its cognitive aspects, should be taught in medical school curriculum of the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra.
Task Shifting in Growth Monitoring: Mother/ Caregivers roles at the Health Facilities
Authors: Oladunni Opeyemi , Oladepo Oladimeji
Published: January 2024

Growth monitoring activities has been seen as the most effective ways to identify malnutrition and promotes early child development. This has been linked with long term health and social benefits for the child, family and the community. Over the years, the growth monitoring activities have centred round the health workers. Therefore, the study explored task shifting on Mother/ Caregivers capability to undertake growth monitoring roles at the health Facilities in Oyo State Nigeria. Qualitative methods using focused group discussion and Key informant interview guide were used for data collection among 6-8 groups of 10 mothers and 20 health workers providing the service. The data was analysed using inductive coding to generate the themes. The study showed mothers/caregivers low knowledge on growth monitoring and health workers documented some potential challenges encounter during the activities. The mothers/caregivers show low knowledge on growth monitoring. Therefore, mothers/caregivers were willing to take up the role.
Dual Energy Computed Tomography and Effect on the Management of Uric Acid Renal Calculi
Authors: AJ Jahangiri , AM Moghaddam
Published: January 2024

Attenuation differences from 2 x-ray sources allow differentiation and characterization of stone types with similar radiation dose compared to single-energy CT scan. The difference is shown in colours, allowing preoperative prediction and management of stones.

We determined the effect of DECT-KUB on urological management of patients with uric acid stones since it was first introduced in our centre.

50 patients with uric acid stones were selected from 2 year groups, each with 25 patients and their urological managements were reviewed retrospectively.

We concluded that DECT-KUB is an accurate way of determining the chemical characteristics of renal calculi and can alter patients’ management. It has gained wide acceptance among clinicians in our centre and is now widely used to plan urological management of patients with renal calculi. Based on urological management comparison of patients who presented in the year 2011 with uric acid stones and patients in the year 2020, we concluded that patients with uric acid stones based on DECT-KUB findings can start dissolution therapy instead of surgical extraction or lithotripsy prior to biochemical analysis results become available. Although utility of DECT-KUB is widely accepted among clinicians in our centre it may not be available worldwide and this is the limiting factor in its universal use.
Effects of Feedback of Fingertip Force Information with Temporal Coded Vibration Stimulation on Precision Grasping Tasks
Authors: Hayashi Tomoya , Yoshimura Natsue
Published: January 2024

Tactile information plays an important role in human manipulation of objects; however, prosthetic limb placement or teleoperation requires the manipulation of alternative bodies in the absence of tactile sensations. To provide an alternative to tactile sensation, this study proposes and assesses a continuous feedback scheme with temporally coded vibration. This scheme was designed to provide discrete intended tactile information in response to changing object-controlled situations by repetitively presenting time-coded vibration patterns. The effects of the proposed scheme on an object with acatch-and-hold task in virtual reality were confirmed. Compared to the control feedback scheme that provides vibration only when the balance of the virtual grip force and object position is changed, the proposed feedback scheme has a better effect in terms of the success rate of holding on to the object with an appropriate holding force during the task. The effect is larger, especially in the invisible task condition, suggesting that the increased amount of information with coded vibration patterns can be used without any special training, especially without visual information. Considering the existing studies that show the effect of a feedback scheme in response to motion events, the continuous feedback scheme proposed in this study may be more suitable for movements that require sequential coordination and passive responses than stimulation methods based on motion events. This feedback scheme has potential applications not only in tele-technology but also in healthcare, such as rehabilitation.
Thin Film Deposition and Characterization Techniques
Authors: Geremew Temesgen
Published: January 2024

Thin films are everywhere in the modern world, with many of the technologies we depend upon in daily life being, in turn, dependent upon thin film technology. Chemical bath deposition includes principles of chemical bath deposition (CBD) and concept of solubility product, nucleation and film growth, thin film deposition mechanism in chemical bath deposition. The non-metallic ion source (anions) and metal ion source (cations) then react to form the compound.

The nucleation process plays an important role in determining the crystallinity and microstructure of the resultant film.

From the discussion of deposition techniques which are physical and chemical deposition methods. Physical deposition techniques contains sputtering deposition, electron beam evaporation and physical vapour deposition (PVD) process have been known for over 100 years and also fabrication films on the substrate, as well as the increasement of the pressure in the chamber due to operation of the sources indicates directly that gases or vapors are desorbed. Chemical deposition process is economically effective and has been industrially exploited to large scale. It can be summarized that thin film characterization techniques include X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-rays diffraction (XRD) is a rapid and a powerful technique used to study the phase of a crystalline material, information on unit cell lattice parameters, crystal structure, crystal orientation and crystalline size.
Effect of Extracts of Dialium guineense Stem Bark on Lipid Profile and CCl4- Induced Histological Changes in Liver of Wistar Rats
Authors: O.D Abu , A.I Eromosele , E.G Osarhenomase
Published: January 2024

The present study investigated the effect of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Dialiumguineense stem bark on lipid profile and CCl4- induced histological changes in liver of Wistar rats. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 25) weighing 160 – 180 g (mean weight = 170 ± 10 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (5 rats per group): normal control, CCl4 control, silymarin, aqueous extract and ethanol extract groups. With the exception of normal control, the rats were exposed to CCl4 (single oral dose of 1.0 mL/kg body weight, bwt). Silymarin group rats were administered standard hepatoprotective drug, silymarin, at a dose of 100 mg/kg bwt, while those in the two treatment groups received 1000 mg/kg bwt of aqueous or ethanol extract orally for 28 days. Lipid profile parameters were determined in plasma, while rat liver was subjected to histopathological examination. The results showed that the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as well as atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were significantly lower in CCl4 control group than in normal control group, but they were increased by extract treatment (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in atherogenic coefficient (AC) and cardiac risk ratio (CRR) among the groups (p > 0.05). Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) markedly disrupted the structure of hepatocytes and induced steatosis (intra-hepatocyte fat in-growth and inflammation) which was predominantly microvesicular. However, treatment with aqueous and ethanol extracts of D. guineense stem bark showed marked regeneration of hepatocytes (unremarkable hepatic lobular architecture). The toxic hepatic injury induced by CCl4 was significantly blocked by the plant extracts.
Correlations with Congenital Syphilis in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hughes Virginia C.
Published: January 2024

Syphilis is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum and is transmitted from human to human through sexual contact. Congenital syphilis (CS) occurs when the mother transmits the infection to the fetus. Clinical manifestations of CS include anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, blindness, deafness, meningitis, and deformities in bone structure. The number of cases of CS have increased over the past decade in the United States according to the CDC. A study was conducted correlating the number of Medicaid enrollees in 2020, the number of uninsured persons in 2020, and the number of cases of COVID-19 in 2020 to cases of CS in the United States in 2021. A Spearman rank correlation analysis was done using SPSS. Results were statistically significant for all three pairs of variables with positive correlations; Medicaid enrollment and CS cases (r = 0.735, P<.05), uninsured persons with CS cases (r = 0.713, P<.05), COVID-19 cases and CS cases (r = 0.689, P<.05). Reasons for the increase in CS cases are multifactorial, including variations in state laws regarding syphilis screening in the prenatal period, differences in provider processes for persons on Medicaid, persons uninsured, and restrictions to accessing healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future studies should include questionnaires and interviews with women on their experiences during prenatal visits in regards to syphilis screening, particularly women covered by Medicaid, and surveys completed by healthcare providers to gain insight and to identify factors that affect a woman not being tested for syphilis during her pregnancy.
Analysis of Capital Structure and Profitability on Firm Value of Companies Listed on the Sharia Stock List
Authors: Sa’adah Ulfa Ni’matus , Indana Rifaatul
Published: January 2024

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the capital structure and profitability on the firm value on the Sharia Stock List.
Methodology: This study uses independent variables of capital structure, namely Debt to Equity Ratio (DER) and profitability (ROE). The dependent variable is firm value as measured by Tobin's Q variable. The research method is descriptive quantitative research using hypothesis testing.
Findings: The results of this study are the capital structure variable partially has a negative and significant effect on firm value. Profitability variable partially has a negative and significant effect on firm value.
Novelty: Researcher try to identify and further examine the effect of capital structure and profitability on the value of Sharia Stock List.
Social Support and School Climate as Predictors of School Connectedness in High School Students
Authors: YAVRUTÜRK Ali Rıza , İLHAN Tahsin , BAYTEMİR Kemal
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to investigate the extent to which perceived social support score and school climate score in high school students predicted the school connectedness score. The study was carried out with a total of 796 students including 421 (52.9%) girls and 375 (47.1%) boys attending different grades in 10 different secondary schools. Data collection tools included, the Perceived School Experiences Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the School Climate Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Multiple Linear Regression, independent groups t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis H Test. According to the results of the study, all of the variables were found to be significantly correlated with each other. The results of the regression analysis indicated that school climate and family, friends, and teachers variables, which are the sub-dimensions of social support, explained 42.7% of the total variance of school connectedness. As a result of the difference analysis, the school connectedness score was determined to not differ significantly by gender, while it yielded a significant difference by grade level. Also, the school connectedness scores of the students indicated a significant difference by school type and reasons for selecting the school.
An Investigation of Epistemological Beliefs of Physics Teachers According to Different Variables
Authors: TAŞKIN Tuğba
Published: January 2024

Epistemological beliefs adopted by individuals determine their knowledge, learning and teaching orientations. For this reason, the purpose of this research is to study physics teachers’ belief levels, as well as the questions about what effect gender, professional experience, and educational background variables have on these levels. Causal-comparative model was used to study these variables. Participants were 205 physics teachers consisting of 106 women and 99 men who work in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. All of the data was collected with the Scientific Epistemological Beliefs Scale developed by Conley, Pintrich, Vekiri & Harrison (2004). This scale was adapted into Turkish by Özkan (2008). The data was analyzed using parametric tests. Ultimately, findings indicated that physics teachers had sophisticated epistemological beliefs. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference between female and male teachers in terms of beliefs. Educational background variable was found not to have any effect on epistemological beliefs of physics teachers. In regards to professional experience variable, teachers with less experience had more sophisticated epistemological beliefs about the source of knowledge, certainty of knowledge and justification of knowledge.
The development of visual expertise in a virtual environment: A case of maritime pilots in training
Authors: Sellberg Charlott , Nordenström Elin , Säljö Roger
Published: January 2024

This study connects to an ongoing discussion about the limits and affordances of simulators as realistic and relevant contexts for professional learning, in this case in the development of visual expertise. Earlier studies of simulator-based maritime pilot training conclude that there are risks associated with so-called negative skills transfer due to a lack of photorealism in simulator environments. The aim of this study is to carefully examine how visual expertise develops in and through training in a simulated environment. Through a practice-based approach to the development of visual expertise, and by using qualitative interaction analysis of video recorded training sessions, the analytical focus is directed towards maritime pilot trainees’ talk about imperfections and inconsistencies in the virtual environment during exercises in a high-fidelity bridge simulator. Considering the multi-layered nature of the maritime pilot’s visual expertise, findings show that the maritime pilots in training noticed and adapted to the specific methodological and technological challenges when manoeuvring a simulated vessel. During such reflection-in-action, they also commented on and explored the differences between, navigating in a simulator, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, navigating on board a ship. Instead of concluding that there is a risk for negative skills transfer that follows from the differences between the two contexts of navigating, we argue that the challenges introduced by representations encountered when training in a virtual environment may add to the expertise of the trainees and lead to enriched conceptual, methodological, and technical knowledge regarding the specificities of visually demanding and ambiguous navigation situations. In this way, this study contributes to advance our understanding of learning in virtual environments to the frontline of learning research.
Reduced estrogen signaling contributes to bone loss and cardiac dysfunction in interleukin‐10 knockout mice
Authors: Alake Sanmi E. , Ice John , Robinson Kara , Price Payton , Hatter Bethany , Wozniak Karen , Lin Dingbo , Chowanadisai Winyoo , Smith Brenda J. , Lucas Edralin A.
Published: January 2024

Characterization of the interleukin (IL)‐10 knockout (KO) mouse with chronic gut inflammation, cardiovascular dysfunction, and bone loss suggests a critical role for this cytokine in interorgan communication within the gut, bone, and cardiovascular axis. We sought to understand the role of IL‐10 in the cross‐talk between these systems. Six‐week‐old IL‐10 KO mice and their wild type (WT) counterparts were maintained on a standard rodent diet for 3 or 6 months. Gene expression of proinflammatory markers and Fgf23, serum 17β‐estradiol (E2), and cardiac protein expression were assessed. Ileal Il17a and Tnf mRNA increased while Il6 mRNA increased in the bone and heart by at least 2‐fold in IL‐10 KO mice. Bone Dmp1 and Phex mRNA were repressed at 6 months in IL‐10 KO mice, resulting in increased Fgf23 mRNA (~4‐fold) that contributed to increased fibrosis. In the IL‐10 KO mice, gut bacterial β‐glucuronidase activity and ovarian Cyp19a1 mRNA were lower (p < 0.05), consistent with reduced serum E2 and reduced cardiac pNOS3 (Ser1119) in these mice. Treatment of ileal lymphocytes with E2 reduced gut inflammation in WT but not IL‐10 KO mice. In conclusion, our data suggest that diminished estrogen and defective bone mineralization increased FGF23 which contributed to cardiac fibrosis in the IL‐10 KO mouse.
Does Excellence Pay Off? Evidence from the Italian Wine Market
Authors: Castriota Stefano , Fedele Alessandro
Published: January 2024

Considering the Italian wine market, we investigate the relationship between product quality, on the one hand, and profits and profitability, on the other hand. Using data from 1052 wineries over the period 2006–2015, we find robust evidence of a positive relationship between product quality, measured by the wineries’ reputation for quality, and profits, measured by the Earnings Before Interest, Depreciation and Amortization. By contrast, we observe no relationship between reputation and profitability, measured by the Return on Invested Capital.
Intrinsic heterogeneity of grain boundary phase transitions in the Cu–Bi system: insights from grain boundary diffusion measurements
Authors: Edelhoff Henning , Esin Vladimir A. , Divinski Sergiy V.
Published: January 2024

Diffusion of Bi and Ag in a series of polycrystalline Cu–Bi alloys is investigated using a radiotracer technique and applying the 207Bi and 110m
Ag isotopes, respectively. Together with the previous measurements (Divinski S., Lohmann M., Herzig C., Straumal B., Baretzky B., Gust W. Grain-boundary Melting Phase Transition in the Cu−Bi System. Phys. Rev. B
2005, 71, 104104), a temperature–concentration interval of strong, by orders of magnitude, enhancements of Bi grain boundary diffusion rates is distinguished and the results are interpreted in terms of a grain boundary pre-wetting/wetting phase transition. Grain boundary diffusivity of Ag exhibits as well a step-wise increase with rising Bi content, mirroring the behaviour observed for the Bi tracer. However, contrary to the Bi tracer atoms for which grain boundary enhancement is observed at about 60 ppm of Bi in Cu–Bi alloys, this transition is revealed by the Ag tracer atoms at a significantly higher concentration, specifically between 90 and 100 ppm of Bi at 1080 K. The Ag diffusion rates in alloys with a moderate Bi content turn out to be not affected by the Bi-induced grain boundary phase transition and the measured grain boundary diffusion coefficients of Ag are nearly the same as those determined for pure polycrystalline Cu. This spectacular result suggests a strong heterogeneity of Bi segregation and Bi-induced phase transition for general high-angle grain boundaries in a given alloy. The behaviour is discussed in terms of the extrinsic grain boundary defects and their impact on mechano-chemical coupling which is accompanying the grain boundary phase transitions.
Spatiotemporal postseismic due to the 2018 Lombok earthquake based on insar revealed multi mechanisms with long duration afterslip
Authors: Kusuma Annisa Rizky , Pratama Cecep , Widjajanti Nurrohmat , Yulaikhah  , Prayoga Oktadi , Kurniasari Evi Dwi
Published: January 2024

The Lombok earthquake in August 2018 triggered a sequential rupture with doublet earthquake up to Mw 6.9. This tectonic activity occurred near the main earthquake due to the decay of residual energy from one event to another. This activity is suspected to be a post-seismic deformation process such as afterslip and viscoelastic. In this paper, we conducted a study to determine the deformation pattern. Each of these processes can be investigated by extracting InSAR observational data. Time series from Sentinel-1 SAR is processed using LiCSBAS as data observation and then compare with the model based on exponential and logarithmic functions. The results of combined logarithmic and exponential fitting suggest the Lombok multi-event earthquakes were influenced by seismic activity from dual-releasing residual energy comprises of afterslip and viscoelastic as a dual mechanism with long duration rather than single mechanism.
Weak beat frequency extraction method for photon Doppler signal with low signal-to-noise ratio
Authors: Sun Ya-Nan , Wu Shen-Jiang , Qin Guo-Sheng , Wang Ke-Xuan , Wang Jia , Li Dang-Juan , Du Yu-Qi
Published: January 2024

In the window function spectrum of the low signal-to-noise ratio photon Doppler signal after the short-time Fourier transform, the weak beat frequency cannot be obtained by extracting the maximum amplitude spectrum frequency of each window because the amplitude of the noise spectrum exceeds the weak beat frequency. In this article, the value of the beat frequency is first estimated by the Kalman filter. Then, a multiple analytical bandpass filter is constructed to refine the spectrum of the high noise signal with the value of the beat frequency estimate as the spectrum band center. This technique extracts only the beat frequencies from the narrowband refinement spectrum by removing the interference spectrum band range. We use this technique to process the photon Doppler signals from the tiny high-speed flying fragments explosion experiment. After data processing, the beat frequency value heavily affected by high-frequency noise can reduce the error by up to 64.9%. The beat frequency value of the low noise signal can be accurate to 106 Hz, equivalent to 0.775 m/s after velocity demodulation. This method fully considers the positioning and protection of the beat frequency characteristics. It makes weak beat frequencies more obvious in the refined narrowband spectrum without changing the signal amplitude. This article describes a method for extracting the weak beat frequency of the photon Doppler signal or a signal optimization algorithm for needing high-precision beat frequencies in a test environment.
A Prospective Comparison of Materials and Structures for Sports Graduated Compression Socks
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Nadeem Muhammad , Jamshaid Hafsa
Published: January 2024

Compression socks have an effective role in the performance activity of athletes. This study aims to quantify the effect of fiber materials and structure on physical, mechanical, thermo-physiological, sensorial, and ergonomic comfort on sports graduated compression socks (SGCS). Two natural fibers, cotton and viscose, and two synthetic fibers, Coolmax and acrylic, were used to develop three different types of SGCS. Data have been analyzed by full factorial design of experiment. The finding exhibited that Coolmax-based socks have better moisture management and dimensional properties as compared with other materials. Acrylic-based SGCS are better to use in winter because of their higher thermal resistance, besides moderate moisture management. Moreover, it is verified that higher bursting strength is achieved by using higher-strength fibers. Additionally, it was observed that the effect of structure and material on desired properties without compromising compression/interface pressure is statistically significant. The overall properties of the developed stockings are better in terms of properties than market stockings. For all the socks, compression pressure between 15 and 20 mmHg, as per requirements of sports socks, was maintained. The effect of materials and structure on the aforementioned responses were examined using analysis of variance statistical analysis. The functional properties are greatly influenced by the material and structure. In this study, the comfort properties are considered to play a major functional role regarding usage by the end user. Its use not only maintained blood circulation by applying external pressure but also defended against unexpected harm or damage of vessels because of high pooling of blood during sports, running, or performance. This study will help to select suitable structure and materials for comfortable SGCS and is expected to fulfill the potential requirements of the athletes.
Improvement on Strength, Durability, and Crack Closure Behavior of Bacteria Concrete under Marine Soil Exposures
Authors: Rajesh A. , Sumathi A.
Published: January 2024

In the concrete industry, bacteria-precipitated calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can be used to repair cracks. If cracks in concrete are not repaired in a timely manner, other durability problems arise, necessitating expensive crack repair methods. Bacteria can be isolated from an appropriate physical environment so that they continue to function effectively in concrete. In this study, suitable self-healing bacteria are isolated from a concrete dump yard and incorporated into concrete specimens. After 3 days of normal curing, the specimens were pre-cracked and kept in marine exposure conditions for a period of 56 days. Strength and durability properties such as compressive strength regain, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and dynamic Young’s modulus were studied, and a water absorption test was carried out for cubes exposed in marine soil conditions. Marine soil treated with a bacteria and nutrient solution (1:9) exhibited improved crack-healing behavior as well as increased strength and durability. Compressive strength regain of 45.98 %, an increased modulus of 54.04 %, and crack healing of 83.05 % were reached with a 60 % reduction in water absorption and 32.49 % increment in UPV values. A microstructure study demonstrates the presence of CaCO3 compounds in healed crack surfaces and treated marine soil, which is primarily due to bacterial action under marine exposures conditions.
IMPROVEMENT OF FLAME RETARDANT AND ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF COTTON-POLYESTER BLEND FABRICS
Authors: HOROKHOV IHOR , KULISH IRINA , ASAULYUK TATYANA , SARIBYEKOVA YULIA , SEMESHKO OLGA , MYASNYKOV SERGEY
Published: January 2024

The fire retardant and antibacterial characteristics of cotton-polyester blend fabric have been improved. A composition has been developed for complex finishing of fabric using a phosphorus-containing substance on a biological basis, which, due to its high phosphorus content, can provide a fire-retardant function to textile material, as well as increase its antimicrobial properties. The thermal characteristics of treated textile materials have been studied and it has been established that the presence of phytic acid at the initial stage of destruction shifts the temperature towards lower values due to the activation of phytic acid degradation before the decomposition of the main substrate. The maximum temperature at which the final destruction of the cotton-polyester fabric occurs shifts to higher temperatures from 507°C for the untreated fabric to 565°C for the treated fabric, and the presence of dry residue increases by more than 2.5 times, which proves an increase in the heat resistance of the textile material. The length of the damaged area in the vertical combustion test was 6.5 cm, and the absence of drop formation of the polyester component was also noted, which eliminates the potential destructive effect due to the possible formation of additional fire areas. An increase in fabric antimicrobial activity is confirmed by a zone of inhibition of 2 – 4 mm around the sample using the diffusion method with gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus pyogenes, as well as a pronounced growth inhibition of microorganisms around fabric samples examined by the method of inoculation of microflora from the environment. Treatment with the studied composition improves washing resistance and does not impair the mechanical properties of the textile material by increasing the degree of crosslinking of the polymer components used in the finishing composition.
The Vulnerable Harvest
Authors: Pitt Kristin E.
Published: January 2024

This essay explores contemporary literary and artistic strategies to reframe discourses of immigration in the United States, which have frequently represented immigrants as terrifying and disruptive threats or, alternatively, as defenseless and abject victims. The essay analyzes two artistic representations of undocumented Mexican laborers in the US dairy industry, the art exhibition The Golden Cage: Mexican Migrant Workers and Vermont Dairy Farmers (2008), by Caleb Kenna and Chris Urban, and the young adult novel Return to Sender (2009), by Julia Alvarez. Both the exhibition and the novel draw on the same poetics of vulnerability that the United Farm Workers’ Take Our Jobs campaign employs and that Judith Butler theorizes, serving as artistic representations of the ways in which immigrant farm laborers, farmers, and the national food supply are all exposed to risks as a result of unsustainable immigration policies. The essay posits that this artistic focus on the shared vulnerabilities of all residents functions as a strategic disruption of other portrayals of immigration, offering a counternarrative of interconnectedness and mutual responsibility to define the boundaries of our national and international communities.
Ruiz de Burton’s Contemporary Novel
Authors: Murrah-Mandril Erin
Published: January 2024

While María Amparo Ruiz de Burton’s The Squatter and the Don: A Novel Descriptive of Contemporary Occurrences in California has been read as a contestation of Californio land dispossession, I assert that Anglo American colonization of time is central to the novel’s form and content. I historically locate the novel within transformations of time consciousness in the late nineteenth-century United States, produced by the advent of standard time and the dissemination of a colonial ideology based on sociological scales of development. The novel undermines colonizing ideas of time as empty, homogenous, and linear by situating Californios within multiple forms of time, and it exposes the way that Anglo American discourses of linear progressive time conceal practices of political and economic dispossession. The Squatter and the Don questions the possibility of justice within a linear time of economic development or judicial progress because neither economy nor law acts linearly in relation to colonized subjects. The novel’s multifarious temporality extends into the time of its recovery, when the text itself became a site of conflict for literary scholars looking to amend the historical erasure of Mexican Americans in the United States. In this way, Ruiz de Burton’s novel truly is “contemporary” in its joining of disparate temporalities as it navigates the Anglo American colonization of California.
Nos/otras las Chamanas
Authors: Ruiz-Alfaro Sofía
Published: January 2024

Este ensayo explora la relevancia del discurso espiritual indígena y la figura del chamán en dos personajes destacados de nuestra cultura popular contemporánea: Gloria Anzaldúa y Chavela Vargas. En este trabajo, analizo la narrativa de la vida de la cantante usando como marco teórico el proceso de escritura en Anzaldúa como un discurso curativo. En particular, mi discusión muestra la imaginación y específicamente la metáfora como herramientas discursivas en el relato de Chavela, y el significado que tiene el chamán como personaje y protagonista de su historia de vida. Más importante aún, propongo que el discurso espiritual indígena es para Chavela un elemento fundamental y fundacional de su (re)construcción identitaria como sujeto marginal.
Znaki i symbole w cyberprzestrzeni
Authors:   Uniwersytet Jana Kochanowskiego w Kielcach, Kotowski Bartłomiej
Published: January 2024

Social communication as well as virtual space is constantly developing and anchoring in popular culture. It is an indispensable element of everyday life of young people. The lack of limitations in mediated communication in virtual worlds, the Internet is conducive to the possibility of exemplifying graphics, emoticons, which can take various forms of signs and symbols. The aim of the text is to present an anthropological reflection embedded in the educational context and concerning the phenomenon of expressing a purposeful, created, reproduced exhibition and symbolic replication enabling quick, easy communication between individuals. The main means of communication between individuals are primarily widely available and easy to use social media, where peculiar signs and symbols are used. The denotations and connotations mediated in virtual spaces are heterogeneous, fluid, which means that they may not be properly understood outside of them. The subject of consideration are virtual exhibitions of signs and symbols used by young people in communication.
Czy to, co bliskie, można badać z daleka? Rozterki dotyczące wywiadów online z dawcami szpiku kostnego
Authors:   Uniwersytet Jana Długosza w Częstochowie, Motyl Karol
Published: January 2024

The article was written on the basis of the experience of conducting individual interviews using the Internet. The aim of the text is to present reflections on the possibilities, opportunities and dilemmas regarding the threats and limitations of this form of data collection. Interviews were conducted with three actual bone marrow donors and covered their experiences throughout the donation procedure. The remote form was chosen due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and difficulties with setting the date of the meeting. Constructed conclusions are based on the observations and experiences of the researcher and the statements of the Narrators themselves regarding participation in the online interview conducted in this way.
Znaczenie ofiary w życiu kapłana według nauczania Benedykta XVI
Authors:   Akademia Katolicka w Warszawie, Wyższe Seminarium Duchowne w Drohiczynie, Piotrowski Daniel
Published: January 2024

This article presents the sacrificial nature of a priest’s life by elucidating the concept of sacrifice through the offerings of the Old Testament. The division of imperfect offerings by Old Testament priests is portrayed as a foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross, as well as the offerings of the New Testa-ment and the connection of every priest to Jesus’s sacrifice. The sacrificial char-acter of a priest’s life is underscored. Firstly, the concept of sacrifice is defined, followed by an exploration of the Old Testament offerings, which provides an image of the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial worship. The conclusions draw attention to the priest’s role as a servant of God, ready for sacrifices, an unblemished individual adhering to divine law. The archetype of sacrifice in the Old Testament, according to Benedict XVI, is Abraham’s offering, a precursor to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The New Testament sacrifice offered by Jesus on Golgotha remains relevant today, enacted in every Mass as an unbloody offering. Every priest is incorporated into this sacrifice by celebrating it during the Eucharist. The entirety of a priest’s life bears a sacrificial nature. Priests offer the unbloody sacrifice on their own behalf and on behalf of all believers. They do so by the authority and command of Christ, who selects priests and empowers them through ordination to perform the unbloody sacrifice.
Co św. Tomasz z Akwinu miałby do powiedzenia o sztucznej inteligencji?
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Trzęsicki Kazimierz
Published: January 2024

The article examines what views Saint Thomas Aquinas might have had on the topic of artificial intelligence. While the question may seem paradoxical, the author discusses the connections between theology, science, and tech-nology. The article emphasizes that the idea of artificial intelligence has roots in ancient times and addresses ethical issues related to its use. Ultimately, it suggests that the philosophy of Saint Thomas could offer valuable insights to contemporary discussions on this subject.
Analyzing Subjective Defects in a Civil Tortious Lawsuit: Inconsistencies between Posita and Petitum in the Control Assumption of the Testator’s Estate (Case No. 415/Pdt.G/2022/PN.Jkt.Brt)
Authors: Ansyari Azmi , Hafiz Syahwir , Harahap Shabrina , Sufiarina Sufiarina
Published: January 2024

Referring to a civil case number 415/Pdt.G/2022/PN.Jkt.Brt, the plaintiffs who are the testator’s wife and daughter file a Tortious lawsuit against the defendant for an unlawful act. The plaintiffs describe the unlawful act as taking control of the estate by the testator sibling who has a mutual agreement between the defendant and the testator’s wife. This has happened prior to the distribution of the estate among the rightful heirs. The panel of judges who have reviewed the case in question, give a verdict of ‘an inadmissible lawsuit claim.’ The point of interest that the writers want to bring up and research on is the reason behind judges’ verdict that has made the case as a “niet onvankelijke verklaard'' case. To elaborate further, doctrinal research is done on the principles of civil procedural law, especially the relationship between the type of civil litigation with its legal arguments (‘posita’) and the legal claims (‘petitum’). The research results show that there are major inconsistencies between the type of civil litigation that has been filed with the content of ‘posita’ and ‘petitium.’ The plaintiffs file a tortious lawsuit at the district court while their ‘posita’ are mixing between undistributed testator’s estate and the defendant’s action of taking over the estate that is based on an agreement. Besides that, the legal claims have a few mix-ups, including demanding to state a tortious act by the defendant, petitioning the court to invalidate the mutual agreement, and seeking the court’s determination of heirs. In a tortious lawsuit, the plaintiffs shall seek compensation for their losses. As an advocate, it is expected to have an awareness in preparing a good and proper legal argument and claims in a civil lawsuit. These inconsistencies yield an inadmissible lawsuit; hence the plaintiff’s legal interests cannot be served through civil legal proceedings.
Pure Electric Vehicle using Hybrid Energy Storage System
Authors: Singh Ojaswa pratap , Yadav Rakesh Kumar
Published: January 2024

The improvement of energy storage capability of pure electric vehicles (PEVs) is a crucial factor in promoting sustainable transportation. Hybrid Energy Storage Systems (HESS) have emerged as a promising solution to address the energy storage limitations of PEVs. HESS combines two or more energy storage devices with complementary characteristics to optimize the power and energy density of the system. The use of HESS in PEVs allows for efficient energy management, reducing the overall weight, cost, and volume of the system while improving its performance. Additionally, HESS can be integrated with advanced energy management systems to further optimize the energy consumption of the vehicle. This paper reviews the use of HESS in PEVs and its potential to improve the energy storage capability of these vehicles. It discusses the advantages of using HESS, such as reducing the battery size and improving the energy efficiency and driving range of the vehicle. The paper also presents several studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of using HESS in PEVs, especially when combined with energy-saving strategies. The results of these studies show that HESS has the potential to significantly improve the performance of PEVs, which can help to accelerate the adoption of EVs and promote sustainable transportation.
A Study on Enhancing the Properties of Geopolymer Concrete Using Hybrid Fibers
Authors: Varouqa Ibrahim Farouq
Published: January 2024

Alkali is present in significant quantities in geopolymer concretes. Due of this, their ductility and flexural strength are also low. The flexural strength of concrete is enhanced by the addition of fibers. Flexural strength has been a challenge for geopolymer concretes, thus researchers have tried using fibers to strengthen them. On the other hand, geopolymer concretes have never before utilized hybrid fibers. This study is an effort to incorporate hybrid fibers in geopolymer concrete to prevent its brittle fracture. Experiments are conducted to learn more about the geopolymer concrete's different mechanical characteristics, and then the settings are fine-tuned. Mechanical qualities of geopolymer concrete are improved by determining the optimal molarity of sodium hydroxide, the optimal ratio of sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide, and the optimal proportion of addition of fibers.