bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of an orthotopic non-small cell lung cancer mouse model, with left or right tumor growths, to use in conformal radiotherapy studies
Authors: Wang Li Ming , Yadav Ranjan , Serban Monica , Arias Osvaldo , Seuntjens Jan , Ybarra Norma
Published: April 2023

Orthotopic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) mice models are important for establishing translatability of in vitro results. However, most orthotopic lung models do not produce localized tumors treatable by conformal radiotherapy (RT). Here we report on the performance of an orthotopic mice model featuring conformal RT treatable tumors following either left or right lung tumor cell implantation. Athymic Nude mice were surgically implanted with H1299 NSCLC cell line in either the left or right lung. Tumor development was tracked bi-weekly using computed tomography (CT) imaging. When lesions reached an appropriate size for treatment, animals were separated into non-treatment (control group) and RT treated groups. Both RT treated left and right lung tumors which were given a single dose of 20 Gy of 225 kV X-rays. Left lung tumors were treated with a two-field parallel opposed plan while right lung tumors were treated with a more conformal four-field plan to assess tumor control. Mice were monitored for 30 days after RT or after tumor reached treatment size for non-treatment animals. Treatment images from the left and right lung tumor were also used to assess the dose distribution for four distinct treatment plans: 1) Two sets of perpendicularly staggered parallel opposed fields, 2) two fields positioned in the anterior-posterior and posterior-anterior configuration, 3) an 180° arc field from 0° to 180° and 4) two parallel opposed fields which cross through the contralateral lung. Tumor volumes and changes throughout the follow-up period were tracked by three different types of quantitative tumor size approximation and tumor volumes derived from contours. Ultimately, our model generated delineable and conformal RT treatable tumor following both left and right lung implantation. Similarly consistent tumor development was noted between left and right models. We were also able to demonstrate that a single 20 Gy dose of 225 kV X-rays applied to either the right or left lung tumor models had similar levels of tumor control resulting in similar adverse outcomes and survival. And finally, three-dimensional tumor approximation featuring volume computed from the measured length across three perpendicular axes gave the best approximation of tumor volume, most closely resembled tumor volumes obtained with contours.
Efficacy and safety of Weifuchun tablet for chronic atrophic gastritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Longhua , Ding Xia , Li Ping , Zhang Fuwen , Ru Shuying , Wang Fenglei , Li Lan
Published: April 2023

Background

Chronic atrophic gastritis is a significant premalignant lesion of gastric carcinoma. There is a great need to prevent the progression to gastric carcinoma through early intervention and treatment for chronic atrophic gastritis. Weifuchun, a famous Chinese patent drug, has been widely used for chronic atrophic gastritis in China. However, it remains unclear whether Weifuchun is effective for atrophic gastritis.

Objective

To determine the effectiveness and safety of Weifuchun for chronic atrophic gastritis.

Methods

We systematically retrieved seven databases (Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, and Chinese Biological Medical Database) from their inception to October 5, 2022. Methodological quality was examined using the Cochrane Risk of bias tool. We also used RevMan 5.4 software for statistical analysis to examine the effectiveness and safety of Weifuchun.

Results

Fifteen studies with 1,488 patients were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The study indicated that Weifuchun was more effective (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.41, 1.63; p<0.00001) than Western medicine and other Chinese patent medicine. In addition, Weifuchun was more effective in improving gastric mucosal under gastroscopy, improving histopathologic changes of gastric mucosal, and inhibiting Helicobacter pylori. However, no significant difference in safety was examined between Weifuchun and the control group (RR 2.83; 95% CI 0.85, 9.38; P = 0.09).

Conclusions

The meta-analysis revealed a significant statistical difference with Weifuchun in effectiveness compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in safety. Thus, more high-quality clinical studies are needed in the future.

Trial registration

Registration number CRD42022365703.
Digital health for chronic disease management: An exploratory method to investigating technology adoption potential
Authors: Nittas Vasileios , Zecca Chiara , Kamm Christian P. , Kuhle Jens , Chan Andrew , von Wyl Viktor
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The availability of consumer-facing health technologies for chronic disease management is skyrocketing, yet most are limited by low adoption rates. Improving adoption requires a better understanding of a target population’s previous exposure to technology. We propose a low-resource approach of capturing and clustering technology exposure, as a mean to better understand patients and target health technologies.

Methods

Using Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as a case study, we applied exploratory multivariate factorial analyses to survey data from the Swiss MS Registry. We calculated individual-level factor scorings, aiming to investigate possible technology adoption clusters with similar digital behavior patterns. The resulting clusters were transformed using radar and then compared across sociodemographic and health status characteristics.

Results

Our analysis included data from 990 respondents, resulting in three clusters, which we defined as the (1) average users, (2) health-interested users, and (3) low frequency users. The average user uses consumer-facing technology regularly, mainly for daily, regular activities and less so for health-related purposes. The health-interested user also uses technology regularly, for daily activities as well as health-related purposes. The low-frequency user uses technology infrequently.

Conclusions

Only about 10% of our sample has been regularly using (adopting) consumer-facing technology for MS and health-related purposes. That might indicate that many of the current consumer-facing technologies for MS are only attractive to a small proportion of patients. The relatively low-resource exploratory analyses proposed here may allow for a better characterization of prospective user populations and ultimately, future patient-facing technologies that will be targeted to a broader audience.
The case for team-based learning in higher education scriptwriting programmes: A narrative literature review
Authors: Hughes Dee
Published: April 2023

Team-based learning (TBL) is a collaborative learning method that has been successfully adopted across a number of disciplines since its inception in the early 1970s. This article provides an exploration as to how it has been implemented and why it has not been adopted by arts-based disciplines on quite the same scale as those of scientific, medical, engineering and business-related subjects. The findings indicate that the time required to design a TBL course is a major hindrance to adoption. Other factors such as students’ reluctance to engage with the unfamiliar, unsuitable working spaces; the lack of guidance as to how to design the integral problem-solving exercises; an institutional culture not open to adopting new working practices and limited empirical evidence of the impact of TBL in arts and creative disciplines such as scriptwriting are all reasons given as to why TBL has not crossed wholesale into the study of arts-based subjects. Students are changing and it is therefore imperative that as educators we investigate and discover new ways to teach scriptwriting and arts-based subjects that meet the needs of the requirements of future generations.
Prevalencia de obesidad pre-sarcopénica en personas mayores chilenas: Resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2016-2017
Authors: Concha Cisternas Yeny , Díaz Felipe , Catro Piñero Jose , Lanuza Fabian , Laserre Nicole , Leiva- Ordoñez Ana María , Cigarroa Igor , Nazar Gabriela , Parra- Soto Solange , Celis-Morales Carlos , Petermann-Rocha Fanny
Published: April 2023

Introducción: No existen estudio en Chile que cuantifiquen la prevalencia de obesidad pre-sarcopénica.  Por ende, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de obesidad pre-sarcopénica en personas mayores chilenas.

Metodología: Se incluyeron 240 personas ≥ 60 años de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (ENS) 2016-2017 de Chile. La pre-sarcopenia se estimó con la prueba de prensión manual y la obesidad fue definida utilizando la obesidad abdominal través de la medición del perímetro de cintura. Como análisis de sensibilidad, en una submuestra de 129 personas se clasificó la obesidad utilizando el IMC. En función de los criterios de obesidad y fuerza muscular los participantes fueron clasificados en 4 categorías: normal; obeso/ normal; normal/ pre-sarcopenia y obesidad/ pre-sarcopénica.

Resultados: Un 22,6% de la población estudiada presentaba obesidad/pre-sarcopénica usando el perímetro de cintura como parámetro diagnóstico. Además, la prevalencia de obesidad pre-sarcopénica fue mayor en mujeres (22,9%), en personas con mayor edad (33,0%), con residencia urbana (22,8%), y menor nivel educacional (37,3%). Al incorporar el IMC como criterio de obesidad, se identificó una disminución de la prevalencia de obesidad pre-sarcopénica (12,2%) y un porcentaje mayor de mujeres con este fenotipo.

Conclusiones: Se identificó una prevalencia de 22,6% de obesidad pre-sarcopénica en población mayor chilena. Considerando el rol de la obesidad y sarcopenia en el aumento de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, su identificación y detección temprana podría permitir la creación de intervenciones que favorezcan la supervivencia y la salud de las personas mayores.
Inclusive Science Learning for Deaf Students in the Pandemi Era
Authors: Izzatin Kamala  , Tsaqifa Taqiyya Ulfah
Published: April 2023

This study aims to describe online learning in science courses for deaf students and the role of peers in science learning in online learning in the inclusion class of the Bachelor Of Education For Islamic Elementary School Teachers Programme. The problem in this study is that there are obstacles experienced by deaf students due to the transformation of the implementation of learning during the covid-19 pandemic. This study uses qualitative methods with data collection techniques in the form of interviews and observations. The results showed that 1) learning during the covid-19 pandemic was carried out online by utilizing several applications that could help deaf students participate in learning, 2) deaf students in science learning could understand the material through material files that had been shared and accompanied by friends. peers and deaf assistants who serve as sign language translators and notetakers, 3) assignments in science learning for all students, both normal and deaf students in the form of papers, video presentations, and practicums accompanied by the role of peers and deaf assistants, 4) if the learning takes place synchronously deaf students do not have assistants, deaf students understand the material independently and are assisted by the google transcript application which functions to convert oral to written, 5) collaboration between lecturers, deaf assistants, and peers is an important element in the implementation of inclusive science learning.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan pembelajaran daring pada mata kuliah IPA bagi mahasiswa tuli dan peran teman sebaya dalam pembelajaran IPA pada pembelajaran daring di kelas inklusi Prodi PGMI. Masalah dalam penelitian ini yaitu terdapat kendala yang dialami mahasiswa tuli dikarenakan adanya transformasi pelaksanaan pembelajaran di masa pandemi covid-19. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan teknik pengumpulan data berupa wawancara dan observasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa 1) pembelajaran selama  masa pandemi covid-19, dilaksanakan secara daring dengan memanfaatkan beberapa aplikasi yang dapat membantu mahasiswa tuli agar dapat mengikuti pembelajaran, 2) mahasiswa tuli dalam pembelajaran  IPA dapat memahami materi melalui file materi yang telah dibagikan dan didampingi teman sebaya serta pendamping tuli yang bertugas sebagai penerjemah bahasa isyarat dan notaker, 3) penugasan pada pembelajaran IPA bagi semua mahasiswa baik mahasiswa normal maupun tuli berupa makalah, video presentasi, dan praktikum dengan disertai peran teman sebaya dan pendamping tuli, 4) Jika pelaksanaan pembelajaran berlangsung secara sinkronus mahasiswa tuli tidak ada pendamping, mahasiswa tuli memahami materi secara mandiri dan dibantu aplikasi google transkip yang berfungsi untuk mengkonversi lisan menjadi tulisan, 5) kolaborasi antara dosen, pendamping tuli, dan teman sebaya menjadi unsur penting dalam pelaksanaan pembelajaran IPA yang inklusif.
HUBUNGAN KUALITAS INFORMASI AKUN INSTAGRAM @SEPUTAR.AESPA DENGAN PEMENUHAN KEBUTUHAN INFORMASI FOLLOWERS
Authors: Putri Noorallifa Adhienda , Prijana Prijana , Rohman Asep Saeful
Published: April 2023

This study discusses the quality of Instagram account information @seputar.aespa by meeting the information needs of followers. The purpose of the study is to determine whether there is a significant correlation between the account's relevancy, accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of information with the fulfillment of the information needs of followers. The population of this research is 241 active followers of the Instagram account @seputar.aespa. With a simple random sampling method, the study was able to collect 150 samples. The research method used is a survey with a quantitative approach. Online questionnaires were then spread and conducted to gather the data for this study. The analysis technique used is descriptive data analysis and inferential analysis of the Pearson Product Moment correlation test. The results of the study indicate that there is a significant correlation between the relevancy, accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of information on the Instagram account @seputar.aespa and the fulfillment of information needs of followers. The conclusion is @seputar.aespa Instagram account is considered a good source of information for the followers. The Instagram account @seputar.aespa provides relevant, accurate, timeliness, and complete information to meet followers' information needs.
DORA NKEM AKUNYILI (1954-2014): A PRINCIPLED ANTI-CORRUPTION WARRIOR
Authors: Onyiloha Chiedu A , Obielosi Dominic
Published: April 2023

This paper argues that corruption remains one of the major social evils plaguing the Nigerian nation. The country faces also a range of other socio-economic and infrastructure problems which citizens complain about almost daily. However, the vice of corruption reigns supreme, jeopardising the very foundations of the state. Some ethicists argue that corruption has manifested itself as a universal phenomenon, one which stifles the economy and impedes Nigeria’s progress towards attainment of the Millennium Developmental Goals, let alone the present Millennium Sustainable Goals. Nigeria’s anti-corruption bodies seem incapable of stopping what many have described as the “Nigerian factor” or the “Nigerian way”. This article submits that, notwithstanding this depressing state of affairs, there is a glimmer of hope that public trust is redeemable, especially when having regard to the ethical values that marked the public life of Dora Nkem Akunyili, the erstwhile Nigerian academic and civil servant. It analyses the role she played in the Federal Government of Nigeria, in particular from an ethical perspective. In spite of her human weaknesses, it lauds her exemplary conduct as a crusader to implement anti-corruption international best-practice in Nigeria.
IS IT CYBERFRAUD OR GOOD OL’ OFFLINE FRAUD? A LOOK AT SECTION 8 OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CYBERCRIMES BILL
Authors: Mabunda Sagwadi
Published: April 2023

This paper discusses section 8 of the South African Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill, a section which deals with the crime of cyberfraud. It argues that there are certain fraudulent acts which have been presented incorrectly as examples of cyberfraud when they are classified better as ordinary offline fraud. The mere presence of an internet element in the commission of a fraud crime is not enough to elevate the crime to cyberfraud status. Therefore, for an act to be called a cyberfraud crime, it must meet the minimum requirement of being a computer-dependent crime rather than being merely a computer-enabled crime.
THE ROLE OF MISINVOICING IN THE MONEY LAUNDERING CYCLE
Authors: Iyanda Adebayo E
Published: April 2023

Traditionally, the emphasis of trade-based money laundering policy development has been directed towards financial transactions where the origin of capital is illegal, neglecting private sector companies utilising trade to launder money. Thus, can commercial businesses which engage in trade misinvoicing through crossborder trade be prosecuted for money laundering? With limited understanding of the money laundering cycle in international trade, it will be difficult for prosecutors to bring money laundering charges against commercial businesses operating in this sector.
Book notice: Gold Laundering: The Dirty Secrets of the Gold Trade — And How to Clean Up
Authors: Smart Caroline
Published: April 2023

For centuries, humankind has been fascinated by the glitz and glamour of gold. With its multiple uses, ranging from components in mobile phones to medicine, gold remains one of the oldest and most sought after commodities. Regrettably, much like diamonds, this precious metal is mired in conflict. Gold gives rise to significant challenges in various sectors, from mining through industrial applications to retailing. Gold Laundering by Mark Pieth provides us with edifying insights into both the glittering world of the gold industry and the horrific problems caused by the gold trade.
POLICIES TO PREVENT CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: ENFORCEMENT OF THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION
Authors: Olayinka Olaniyi Felix
Published: April 2023

This paper investigates how well Nigeria conforms to international best practices on the right to education. The quality of education that is available to Nigerians is affected by inadequate budgetary allocation, which is compounded by mismanagement of scarce resources and generally by corrupt practices. Education at the level of the primary, secondary and tertiary levels suffers on account of corruption, despite government propaganda that the state provides adequate educational opportunities at the three tiers of education. Attempts to prosecute and punish acts of corruption have failed consistently. Nigeria is a signatory to international and regional instruments which have influenced it to enact national anti-corruption legislation. However, the political will of successive governments to fight corruption remains on the decrease, particularly when a government itself is a product of corrupt practices. Such a government appoints politicians to the councils of the universities as a reward for political patronage and with a view to recouping the huge sums expended on elections. Anti-corruption laws are sidelined, regulations are compromised and the anti-corruption crusade fails. This results in education being the responsibility of unqualified teaching staff working with poor quality teaching infrastructure. The enforcement of the right to education is undermined. In order to salvage the education sector, it is submitted that Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade should emphasise preventive measures. A university should be autonomous in respect of its objectives and finances. When funds allocated to education are safe from misappropriation, the right to education may be enforced properly.
TANZANIA’S POST-INDEPENDENCE ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS: EXAMINING THE PREVENTION AND COMBATTING OF CORRUPTION BUREAU’S (PCCB) ROLE DURING MAGUFULI’S REGIME
Authors: Lukiko Lukiko Vedastus , Kilonzo Claudi , Kimela Hasani
Published: April 2023

During the five years of John Magufuli’s presidency, Tanzania’s anti-corruption efforts yielded significant improvements. This improved performance was associated mainly with the President’s personal anti-corruption stance. Institutions entrusted with fighting corruption, particularly the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), appear to be performing their functions based on the attitude of the incumbent President towards the problem. This creates a risk of personalising anti-corruption instead of institutionalising it. Unfortunately, President Magufuli passed away in March 2021 and the sustainability of his anti-corruption approach is now in question. This article assesses Tanzania’s post-independence efforts to fighting corruption, and specifically examines the role of the PCCB during the reign of President Magufuli. We argue that during Magufuli’s presidency, the anti-corruption approach in the country has been top-down instead of bottom-up. Decisions and directives to investigate and prosecute corruption have emanated from the President and other members of the Executive directed towards the PCCB, which is the primary organ in fighting corruption. The article proposes: the introduction of a constitutional anchor in the establishment and mandate of the PCCB and its staff; the abolition of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) fiat in order to allow the PCCB to prosecute corruption offences without having to obtain consent of the DPP; and adopting various strategies to enlist public support in fighting this vice.
Semito-Hamitic or Afro-Asiatic consonantism and lexicon: Episodes of a comparative research I (Part 2: Marcel Cohen’s Essai comparatif)
Authors: Takács Gábor
Published: April 2023

A retrospective account on past comparative research on Afro-Asiatic (AA) or Semito-Hamitic / Hamito-Semitic (SH / HS, resp.) phonology (first of all consonantism, also root structure) and lexicon, segmented into episodes according to diverse (often overlapping in time) trends is now under way and will be presented part by part in a series of papers. The present paper contains the first ever direction of this research, labelled “Semito-Hamitology” covering studies seeking, in their conception, the “African”, i.e. “Hamitic” kinship of Semitic.
A method of safety monitoring and measurement of overall frost heaving pressure of tunnel in seasonal frozen area
Authors: Cui Guangyao , Xiong Yong
Published: April 2023

Antifreeze design, scientific operation, and maintenance of tunnels with broken surrounding rock in seasonal frozen areas are key factors that affect the safety of tunnel. According to a freezing damage treatment project, theoretical analysis, field monitoring, and numerical simulation are used to study the calculation method of the overall frost-heaving pressure of a tunnel with broken surrounding rock in the seasonal frozen area. Based on the overall frost-heaving model of the broken freeze–thawing lithosphere, a calculation method of the overall frost-heaving pressure of the horseshoe-shaped tunnel with broken surrounding rock in a seasonal frozen area is proposed. The results show that the management grading results based on the freezing depth of the surrounding rock on site are consistent with those based on the minimum safety factor of the lining structure, which indicates that the proposed method for calculating the overall frost-heaving pressure of broken surrounding rock tunnel and management standards for safety monitoring and measurement of tunnel linings can be applied to engineering practice. The research results can provide a reference for the calculation of frost-heaving pressure, operational safety, and prevention of freezing damages in tunnels with broken surrounding rock in a seasonal frozen area.
Poor comparability of plasma renin activity measurement in determining patient samples: the status quo and recommendations for harmonization
Authors: Liu Zhenni , Jin Lizi , Zeng Jie , Zhang Tianjiao , Zhang Jiangtao , Zhou Weiyan , Zhang Chuanbao
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This study aims to investigate and update the consistency and comparability of plasma renin activity (PRA) assays in measuring clinical samples. The contributions of recalibration, blank subtraction, and incubation strategies to interchangeability were also explored.

Methods

Five different laboratories were evaluated using forty-six individual plasma samples, including four liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS) assays and one chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). Spearman correlation coefficient (R), Passing–Bablok regression, and Bland‒Altman plot analyses were used to evaluate the consistency among assays. Consistency before and after recalibration, blank subtraction, and incubation strategy unification was compared.

Results

A good correlation was observed among all assays (R>0.93). None of the samples measured by all assays showed coefficient variation (CV) <10 %, and 37 % of samples showed overall CVs >20 %. The 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for slopes did not contain 1 for most assay pairs. Large relative biases (−85.1–104.2 %) were found, and 76 % (52–93 %) of samples had unacceptable biases. Recalibration reduced the calibration bias. Ignoring blank subtraction improved the comparability across all assays while unifying incubation did not.

Conclusions

The interchangeability of PRA measurement was unsatisfying. Harmonization on calibrator and ignoring blank were recommended. Unifying incubation strategy was unnecessary.
Optimized power flow management based on Harris Hawks optimization for an islanded DC microgrid
Authors: Mohan Harin M. , Dash Santanu Kumar
Published: April 2023

This article presents an energy management system (EMS) in a DC microgrid (MG) operating in an islanded mode to control the power flow in the distribution network. The microgrid system considered in this research consists of distributed generation sources like a solar photovoltaic system, a fuel cell energy system, and an energy storage system controlled by an optimized energy management system. As the distributed energy sources used are primarily renewable, unpredictable weather conditions may cause irregular energy generation. These variations impact the power flow in the DC bus, making it challenging to maintain a supply and demand balance. Therefore, an intelligent energy management system using the Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) is implemented to enhance the microgrid’s performance and efficiency. The HHO algorithm is based on the hunting nature of the Harris Hawks, and the EMS is developed to maintain the optimal power flow and to handle the constraints. The performance of the presented system is analyzed with the particle swarm optimization (PSO) based Proportional Integral (PI) controller in different operating scenarios to validate the effectiveness of the DC microgrid system.
Effects of seismic strain rates on the perpendicular-to-grain compression behaviour of Dahurian larch, Mongolian pine and Chinese poplar: tests and stress-strain model
Authors: Zhang Lipeng , Xie Qifang , Wu Yajie , Zhang Baozhuang , Su Ningfen
Published: April 2023

Wood is mainly subjected to transverse compression in many critical parts of Chinese traditional timber structures, e.g. the mortise-tenon and Dou-Gong joints. Seismic is one of the dynamic actions faced by these structures and will cause wood to suffer higher loading speeds than quasi-static loads. The investigation of the seismic strain rates (SSRs) effects of wood under perpendicular-to-grain compression (PTGc) is important. One hundred and forty-four radial small clear wood specimens were prepared using Dahurian larch, Mongolian pine and Chinese poplar. Monotonic and cyclic compression tests were conducted under three SSRs (10−3 s−1, 10−2 s−1, and 10−1 s−1) and the quasi-static strain rate (10−4 s−1). Failure modes, stress-strain curves, yield strengths, elastic moduli and the unloading/reloading moduli were analyzed. Results indicated that the PTGc properties were highly sensitive to SSRs under both the monotonic and cyclic compression. Strengths showed higher sensitivity to SSRs than elastic moduli. The SSRs effects of wood under cyclic compression have greater variability than the monotonic counterparts. The unloading/reloading moduli shows little SSR effects statistically. Comparisons were made between the existing PTG and the parallel-to-grain test results and a fitted general expression was obtained. Furthermore, an SSR-dependent stress-strain model was proposed and verified by tests.
Temperature-dependent analysis of heterojunction-free GaN FinFET through optimization of controlling gate parameters and dielectric materials
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Goyal Amit Kumar
Published: April 2023

This work presents the temperature-dependent analysis of heterojunction-free gallium nitride (GaN) FinFET through optimization of controlling gate parameters and dielectric materials. The temperature-dependent performance evaluation presents in terms of the transfer characteristic, transconductance, subthreshold swing (SS), and drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL). Further, parametric assessment has been performed by gate length (L
g) and oxide thickness (t
ox) variation for optimization. Moreover, the different gate dielectric materials (Al2O3, ZrO2, and Si3N4) have also been used for different temperatures to optimize suitable gate dielectric material for improved performance of the device. Thus, GAN FinFET can be considered a promising component in high temperatures in IC and RF amplifiers.
La

ṣadaqa des chrétiens des Banū Taġlib : un enjeu tribal et administratif d’époque abbasside (v. 153–193/770–809)?
Authors: Pierre Simon
Published: April 2023

The fiscal tradition regarding the taxation of the “Christians of the Banū Taġlib” is related to a ṣulḥ established by caliph ʿUmar b. al-Ḫaṭṭāb. He is said to have ordered to double the social contribution of Muslims, called ṣadaqa, in return for their renunciation of baptizing their children. This contribution analyzes the chronology of the emergence of this case in Abbasid literature. By studying the isnād on which scholars, beginning with the Grand Qāḍī Abū Yūsuf (d. 182/798), relied, I suggest a new theme at the end of the eighth century CE. On the one hand, all the issues of the ṣadaqa levying, the social bonds with Christian Arabs, and finally, the category of the Banū Taġlib itself, are related to the ongoing construction, and then to the freezing, of two social categories: the ethnical “arabness” and the genealogical tribal organization. On the other hand, Miaphysite ecclesiology confirms a consistent timeline for the rise of the Taglibōyē bishopric. In order to explain this late inrush of information, two events of ca. 153/770 and 171/787, respectively from the Syrian-Orthodox and the Arab-Muslim literatures, refer first to the migration/invasion of pastoralists and farmers of Banū Taġlib towards the north, and second to their anti-ṣadaqa revolt in the steppe of the hinterland of Mosul. The second occurrence takes place amidst numerous local insurgencies whose motivation are in part tribal, khariji, and – perhaps foremost – anti-fiscal. Indeed, the dynamics of formation of this peculiar Mosulian tribe were partly generated by the irruption of the state in Northern Iraq and the Jazīra during the 170s/790s, between al-Mahdī’s founding of Rāfiqa in ca. 154/772 and Hārūn al-Rashīd’s strengthening of administrative pressure. The key factor for state building at this time was the development of a new set of taxation on agricultural incomes of (Muslim) Arabs, called ṣadaqat al-māl or zakāt, whose first traces are attested in Middle Egypt during the late Marwānid period. A generation later, the anonymous author of Zuqnīn, who lived at the beginning of this period, is not only the first Syriac writer to mention the Taglibōyē, but also bears witness of the first extension of the levy of ṣadaqa to Northern Mesopotamia. He even gives data about its ex officio settlement (taʿdīl) as a non-proportional (ʿalā misāḥa) and in-cash tax, exactly the same as for the properties of the (Christian) Syrians. Both kinds of rural landlords probably petitioned against this system during the following decades, aiming to switch to a proportional (muqāsama) and in-kind method of taxation. This resistance perhaps involved the anti-ṣadaqa revolt of the Taġlib in 171/787, as it was decisive to transform the kharāj on the Muslims into a tenth (ʿushr). Whereas Abū Yūsuf suggests an analogical doubling of the tax on a Muslim land to convert it into kharāj for a Christian purchaser, the very idea of a double ṣadaqa as kharāj for Christian Arabs had perhaps been invented a very short time before.
Performance analysis of ICI self-cancellation schemes in OFDM systems
Authors: Goel Ashish
Published: April 2023

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a promising technique in modern high data rate wireless communication system. However, the serious problem in OFDM system is the inter-carrier-interference (ICI) that is produced by the carrier frequency offset (CFO). CFO destroys the orthogonal properties among the sub-carriers and introduces ICI. ICI is a major impairment in OFDM system as it can degrade the bit error rate (BER) performance of the system. In this paper we have proposed an optimal ICI self-cancellation scheme that can maximize the carrier-to-interference-ratio (CIR) of the system. This scheme is based on optimizing the data allocation and combining parameters where, for estimated CFO, the optimized values of these parameters are calculated using Nelder Mead simplex algorithm. An approach to calculate the sub-optimized values of data allocation and combining parameters is also proposed, where the knowledge of CFO estimation can be avoided. In this paper, we have carried out the complete performance analysis of ICI self-cancellation schemes. We have also derived the mathematical expressions for ICI coefficients and presented a comparative analysis of standard OFDM system with different ICI cancellation schemes. The mathematical expressions for CIR and BER performance are further derived. To confirm the validity of the results Monte Carlo simulations using Matlab are also performed. We have also done the comparison of peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of conventional ICI self-cancellation scheme and proposed scheme.
The influence of water vapor on the structural response of asphalt pavement
Authors: Zhang Youhua , Fang Xiaobin , Tan Xianfeng , Li Zhengang
Published: April 2023

A series of water damage phenomena of asphalt pavement during service show that water is very important. To comprehensively analyze the influence of water vapor factors on the response of pavement structure, this article first tests the water vapor diffusion coefficient of asphalt pavement materials at different temperatures establishes the water vapor concentration field model of the pavement structure, and analyzes the actual water vapor distribution of the pavement structure; then, the relationship between viscoelastic parameters of the mixture and water vapor concentration is established. Based on this, the finite element model of the pavement structure considering the water vapor factor is established, and the influence of the water vapor factor on the pavement structure response and fatigue life is quantified. It is found that water vapor has an important influence on the mechanical response. On the hottest days in summer, the attenuation of surface modulus caused by water vapor has the greatest impact on the upper layer of the pavement structure. Under the influence of water vapor, the position just below the wheel of the upper layer at the bottom of the horizontal tension strain increases by 108.26%, and the horizontal tension strain of the other layers increases by about 5%, increasing the risk of upper layer cracking. At the same time, water vapor reduces the stress that can be borne by the surface layer, while the rest of the stress is borne by the base. Compared with the fatigue life calculation method in the specification, the actual non-uniform water vapor concentration field reduces the fatigue life of the surface layer by 12.246%. This shows that the current structural calculation does not consider the water vapor factor, which makes the pavement structure more dangerous, and the influence of the water vapor factor should be fully considered.
Das Verhältnis geschriebener und gesprochener Sprache im 18. Jahrhundert am Beispiel der Interpunktion in Sprache und Musik
Authors: Schweitzer Claudia
Published: April 2023

The oral realization of written punctuation basically brings two parameters into play: rhythm and intonation. The former is visualized in writing the typeface by a space, while the latter is determined by conventions and depends on the speaker’s personal means of expression. In the 18th century, the oral realization of punctuation was only marginally addressed in grammars. Additional sources can be found in the area of music history, because the music theorists of the 18th century discussed the connection between language and music with great interest.

In this essay, prosodic models for the oral (audible) realization of punctuation marks are examined by comparing the current prosodic description of German with the musical analyses of Johann Mattheson and the remarks in the grammars of his time. Then baroque music examples are examined from the point of view of the possibility of refining the theoretical models. The aim of this interdisciplinary approach is to make use of ancient sources, both theoretical and practical, for the reconstruction of the prosody of 18th century German.
Wir beide und

мы с вами (‚wir mit Ihnen‘): Strategien zur Vagheitsreduktion im Gebrauch des Personalpronomens der 1. Person Plural in deutschen und russischen Diagnosemitteilungs- und Therapieplanungsgesprächen
Authors: Mostovaia Irina , Fedorovskaya Victoria , Imo Wolfgang
Published: April 2023

This paper examines the strategies doctors use to disambiguate the referential scope of the personal pronoun we. In clinical practice, doctors have to manage the different roles in which they can interact with the patients, – as individuals, as representatives of their clinic or their clinical department or as members of the scientific community of medical experts. These different roles also combine with different degrees of agentivity and responsibility. Patients therefore have to decode whether they are included into the we or not. Based on a corpus of more than 90 therapy planning talks recorded at German and Russian oncological clinical departments, our empirical study analyzes which strategies doctors employ to locally clarify the range of we, e. g., by adding a numeral (we two) or a locative phrase (we in this clinic) in order to ensure mutual understanding.
Berberine may provide redox homeostasis during aging in rats
Authors: Yadawa Arun Kumar , Srivastava Parisha , Singh Akanksha , Kesherwani Rashmi , Bhoumik Sukanya , Kumar Raushan , Arya Jitendra Kumar , Rizvi Syed Ibrahim
Published: April 2023

Aging is a natural phenomenon, which is characterised by progressive physiological changes at cellular and organ level. During aging, the defence mechanism of an organism declines over the period of time. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological efficacy of berberine in D-galactose induced aging rat models. For the study, rats were divided into four groups: Control received only vehicle, BBR received berberine orally, D-Gal received D-galactose subcutaneously and BBR + D-Gal received D-galactose and berberine simultaneously. D-galactose treatment increased the pro-oxidants such as malondialdehyde (MDA) level, protein carbonyl, plasma membrane redox system (PMRS) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in the erythrocytes or plasma. It reduced the anti-oxidant level such as reduced glutathione (GSH), ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), plasma thiols, sialic acid and membrane transporters like Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase activity in the erythrocyte membrane. Co-treatment of berberine in D-galactose induced aging rat models restored pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants in erythrocytes. Berberine also restored the activity of Na+/K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase in the erythrocyte membrane. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that berberine treatment could attenuate erythrocyte aging in rats through stabilisation of the redox equilibrium.
Cross-Platform Synaptic Network Analysis of Human Entorhinal Cortex Identifies TWF2 as a Modulator of Dendritic Spine Length
Authors: Walker Courtney K , Greathouse Kelsey M , Tuscher Jennifer J , Dammer Eric B , Weber Audrey J , Liu Evan , Curtis Kendall A , Boros Benjamin D , Freeman Cameron D , Seo Jung Vin , Ramdas Raksha , Hurst Cheyenne , Duong Duc M , Gearing Marla , Murchison Charles F , Day Jeremy J , Seyfried Nicholas T , Herskowitz Jeremy H
Published: April 2023

Proteomic studies utilizing postmortem human brain tissue samples have yielded robust assessments of the aging and neurodegenerative disease(s) proteomes. While these analyses provide lists of molecular alterations in human conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), identifying individual proteins that affect biological processes remains a challenge. To complicate matters, protein targets may be highly understudied and have limited information on their function. To address these hurdles, we sought to establish a blueprint to aid selection and functional validation of targets from proteomic datasets. A cross-platform pipeline was engineered to focus on synaptic processes in the entorhinal cortex of human patients, including controls, preclinical AD, and AD cases. Label-free quantification mass spectrometry data (n=2,260 proteins) was generated on synaptosome fractionated tissue from Brodmann area 28 (n=58 samples). In parallel, dendritic spine density and morphology was measured in the same individuals. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to construct a network of protein co-expression modules that were correlated with dendritic spine metrics. Module-trait correlations were used to guide unbiased selection of Twinfilin-2 (TWF2), which was the top hub protein of a module that positively correlated with thin spine length. Using CRISPR-dCas9 activation strategies, we demonstrated that boosting endogenous TWF2 protein levels in primary hippocampal neurons increased thin spine length, thus providing experimental validation for the human network analysis. Collectively, this study describes alterations in dendritic spine density and morphology as well as synaptic proteins and phosphorylated tau from the entorhinal cortex of preclinical and advanced stage AD patients.

Significance Statement:

Proteomic studies can yield vast lists of molecules that are altered under various experimental or disease conditions. Here, we provide a blueprint to facilitate mechanistic validation of protein targets from human brain proteomic datasets. We conducted a proteomic analysis of human entorhinal cortex samples spanning cognitively normal and Alzheimer's disease cases with a comparison of dendritic spine morphology in the same samples. Network integration of proteomics with dendritic spine measurements allowed for unbiased discovery of Twinfilin-2 as a regulator of dendritic spine length. A proof-of-concept experiment in cultured neurons demonstrated that altering Twinfilin-2 protein level induced corresponding changes in dendritic spine length, thus providing experimental validation for the computational framework.
Multiple Subthreshold GPCR Signals Combined by the G-Proteins Gαqand GαsActivate theCaenorhabditis elegansEgg-Laying Muscles
Authors: Olson Andrew C. , Butt Allison M. , Christie Nakeirah T.M. , Shelar Ashish , Koelle Michael R.
Published: April 2023

Individual neurons or muscle cells express many G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, yet it remains unclear how cells integrate multiple GPCR signals that all must activate the same few G-proteins. We analyzed this issue in theCaenorhabditis elegansegg-laying system, where multiple GPCRs on muscle cells promote contraction and egg laying. We genetically manipulated individual GPCRs and G-proteins specifically in these muscle cells within intact animals and then measured egg laying and muscle calcium activity. Two serotonin GPCRs on the muscle cells, Gαq-coupled SER-1 and Gαs-coupled SER-7, together promote egg laying in response to serotonin. We found that signals produced by either SER-1/Gαqor SER-7/Gαsalone have little effect, but these two subthreshold signals combine to activate egg laying. We then transgenically expressed natural or designer GPCRs in the muscle cells and found that their subthreshold signals can also combine to induce muscle activity. However, artificially inducing strong signaling through just one of these GPCRs can be sufficient to induce egg laying. Knocking down Gαqand Gαsin the egg-laying muscle cells induced egg-laying defects that were stronger than those of a SER-1/SER-7 double knockout, indicating that additional endogenous GPCRs also activate the muscle cells. These results show that in the egg-laying muscles multiple GPCRs for serotonin and other signals each produce weak effects that individually do not result in strong behavioral outcomes. However, they combine to produce sufficient levels of Gαqand Gαssignaling to promote muscle activity and egg laying.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTHow can neurons and other cells gather multiple independent pieces of information from the soup of chemical signals in their environment and compute an appropriate response? Most cells express >20 GPCRs that each receive one signal and transmit that information through three main types of G-proteins. We analyzed how this machinery generates responses by studying the egg-laying system ofC. elegans, where serotonin and multiple other signals act through GPCRs on the egg-laying muscles to promote muscle activity and egg laying. We found that individual GPCRs within an intact animal each generate effects too weak to activate egg laying. However, combined signaling from multiple GPCR types reaches a threshold capable of activating the muscle cells.
Die Bedeutung von Kundenengagement für die Medienbranche im digitalen Zeitalter
Authors: Kleer Nicola
Published: April 2023

Medienunternehmen nutzen vermehrt die Angebote der sozialen Medien, um mit ihrer Kundschaft zu interagieren, ihre Reichweite zu erhöhen und somit den Herausforderungen der Digitalisierung zu begegnen. Das Kundenengagement ist in diesem Kontext eine zentrale Kennzahl, die sowohl in der Praxis, aber auch in der Literatur zunehmend an Bedeutung gewinnt. Ziel dieses Beitrages ist es, die Bedeutung von Kundenengagement für die Medienbranche herauszuarbeiten und aufzuzeigen, wie Medienunternehmen die sozialen Medien effektiv nutzen können. Hierfür wird ein umfassender Überblick über den bisherigen Stand der Forschung zum Thema Kundenengagement erstellt, indem die Einflussfaktoren und Auswirkungen des Konzeptes aus der Literatur herausgearbeitet werden. Zusätzlich wird die Relevanz von Kundenengagement für die Medienbranche anhand ausgewählter Medienunternehmen exemplarisch dargestellt.