bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Energy Efficiency of Industrial Furnaces Based on the Modeling of Fuel Consumption Modes
Authors: Shenets Ya. L.
Published: April 2022

A number of industrial plants that manufacture modern products use industrial furnaces in their technology. During their operation, it is necessary to comply not only with the current 

legislation, but also with the norms of consumption of fuel and energy resources. The growth of tariffs for energy resources has led to a significant increase in the energy component of costs price in the structure of the cost of production. As a result, even a small (several percent) change in the cost price can bring any industrial enterprise, including the most modern ones that use gas processing equipment, into the category of unprofitable. Having referred to technical regulatory legal acts, the present article proposes an energy efficiency indicator that allows monitoring energy efficiency at existing industrial plants with industrial furnaces. The world experience of operating glass industry furnaces is considered, existing approaches to determining the energy efficiency of this technology are presented. Based on the analysis of daily indicators of the operating modes of the technological line, methods have been proposed for estimating the rate of reduction in energy efficiency of a flat glass production line and forecasting the total and specific consumption of fuel and energy resources of industrial furnaces (in terms of a continuous glass furnace). The presented methods and the numerical calculations obtained for reducing the energy efficiency of a glass furnace make it possible to predict fuel consumption and form a correct annual application for its required volume to a gas supply organization, as well as evaluate the energy efficiency of production operating an industrial furnace and calculate the energy consumption rate for the output of a unit of production. Ultimately, more accurate determining of the cost of production of a particular industrial enterprise is achieved.
Compact Passively Q-Switched Tm:KY(WO4)2 Laser
Authors: Kisel V. E.
Published: April 2022

Diode-pumped thulium lasers emitting in the spectral range near 2 μm are attractive for applications in different areas: surgery, rangefinding, and environmental atmosphere monitoring. In this article the latest results of Tm:KYW laser performance with a polycrystalline Cr:ZnSe as the most available saturable absorber for 2 μm spectral region are presented.

A maximum continuous-wave output power of ≈ 0.65 W with a slope efficiency of 55 % was obtained at the wavelength of 1940 nm. Laser pulses with energy of 26 μJ and repetiotion rate of 6 kHz coresponding to 156 mW of average output power at 1910 nm were obtained at 2.2 W of incident puwp power for the Cr:ZnSe saturable absorber with initial transmission of 95 %. By using of saturable absorber with lower initial transmission of 90 % laser pulses with energy of 40 μJ and duration as short as 10 ns were realized. The maximal pulse repetition rate was 2.8 kHz at incident pump power of 2.2 W.

Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that Tm:KYW crystals are promising active media for the compact passively Q-switched lasers emitting in the spectral range near 2 μm for the usage in surgery and rangefinding. Also, described laser is planned to be used as a laser source in laser-induced damage threshold measurements setup for investigation of damage threshold of saturable absorbers as well as nonlinear crystals at the wavelength near 2 μm.
Methods for Accuracy Increasing of Solid Brittle Materials Fracture Toughness Determining
Authors: Lapitskaya V. A. , Kuznetsova T. A. , Chizhik S. A. , Warcholinski B.
Published: April 2022

Method for determining of the fracture toughness of brittle materials by indentation is described. The critical stress intensity factor KIC quantifies the fracture toughness. Methods were developed and applied to improve the accuracy of KIC determination due to atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation. It is necessary to accurately determine parameters and dimensions of the indentations and cracks formed around them in order to determine the KIC . Instead of classical optical and scanning electron microscopy an alternative high-resolution method of atomic force microscopy was proposed as an imaging method.

Three methods of visualization were compared. Two types of crack opening were considered: along the width without vertical displacement of the material and along the height without opening along the width. Due to lack of contact with the surface of the samples under study, the methods of optical and scanning electron microscopy do not detect cracks with a height opening of less than 100 nm (for optical) and less than 40–50 nm (for scanning electron microscopy). Cracks with opening in width are determined within their resolution. Optical and scanning electron microscopy cannot provide accurate visualization of the deformation area and emerging cracks when applying small loads (less than 1.0 N). The use of atomic force microscopy leads to an increase in accuracy of determining of the length of the indent diagonal up to 9.0 % and of determining of the crack length up to 100 % compared to optical microscopy and up to 67 % compared to scanning electron microscopy. The method of atomic force microscopy due to spatial three-dimensional visualization and high accuracy (XY ± 0.2 nm, Z ± 0.03 nm) expands the possibilities of using indentation with low loads.

A method was proposed for accuracy increasing of KIC determination by measuring of microhardness from a nanoindenter. It was established that nanoindentation leads to an increase in the accuracy of KIC determination by 16–23 % and eliminates the formation of microcracks in the indentation.
Method for Increasing of Lens Gluing Technological Process Efficiency and a Reliable Evaluation of Output Controlled Parameters
Authors: Fiodоrtsev R. V. , Metelskaya E. A. , Marchik V. A. , Kuznetsov A. V. , Makarevich A. E.
Published: April 2022

The use of glued lens components in optical devices improves the image quality of telescopic and photographic lenses or inverting systems by eliminating a number of aberrations, and also reduces light losses in the optical system of the device. The traditional production process of lenses gluing involves the sequential execution of a set of technological operations and takes a significant period of time. The purpose of the research was to improve the accuracy and productivity of the technological process of lenses gluing by improving the optical system of the control and measuring device and automating the operation of lenses optical axes combining by introducing an electronic reference system and mechanisms for micro-movements of optical parts.

A technique is proposed for centering of two and three-component optical blocks by an autocollimation flare which provides a matching accuracy of less than 0.5 μm. The possibility of constructive modernization of the classic ST-41 autocollimation microscope with parallel separation of the displayed output information in the visual and television channels is shown. An automated system for controlling of the process of convergence of autocollimation points in the device is proposed. Using software methods an electronic grid template is formed on the monitor screen, onto which images of autocollimation points are projected. The decentering value 2Δe is determined and a corrective control voltage is applied to three stepper motors and pushers for transverse movement of the glued optical part.

Specialized software has been developed for automatically bringing the position of the autocollimating crosshair to the center of the measuring scale of the grid based on a combination of two methods of “least squares” and “successive approximation”. Compliance with a number of technological transitions and the accompanying control of geometric parameters make it possible to achieve greater accuracy in determining the eccentricity of the crosshairs of the aligned optical axes of the glued lenses.
Developing a collaborative international partnership for cancer control in Mexico
Authors: Van Loon Katherine , Mohar Alejandro , Unger-Saldaña Karla , Potter Michael B , Sweet-Cordero E Alejandro , Breithaupt Lindsay , Espinosa-Tamez Priscilla , Sepúlveda-Amor Jaime , Lajous Martín
Published: April 2022

In 2014, a partnership was established between the Univer­sity of California and Mexico, which subsequently catalyzed formation of collaborations between cancer researchers at University of California, San Francisco and in Mexico. Over the past two decades cancer burden has dramatically increased in Mexicans on both sides of the California - Mexico border. Together, we face a growing burden of cancer in the context of globalized economies, diverse migration patterns, and dynamic immigration policies. Our partnership aims to: (1) understand the life course impact of cancer risk factors and interactions with changing environments; (2) address cancer disparities within Mexico, in Mexican migrants to the United States, and in naturalized Mexican-Americans; and (3) identify effective cancer screening strategies and cancer control policies that are tailored to existing healthcare systems and social and cultural factors. Herein, we describe the principles of partner­ship and early successes and challenges of this collaboration.
Operation of research ethics committees in Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico: Mesoamerican Project
Authors: Ángeles-Llerenas Angélica , F. Thrasher James , Domínguez-Esponda Rosalinda , López-Ridaura Ruy , Macklin Ruth
Published: April 2022

Objective. To attain a better understanding of the structure and processes of Research Ethics Committees (REC) in the low-and middle-income countries of the Mesoamerican region. The objectives are knowing the operational practices of the RECs regarding project evaluation, training needs, and infrastructure. Materials and methods. The REC training and needs assessment involved an online survey of all the RECs (n=55) identified in Colombia (n=11), Costa Rica (n=5), Guatemala (n=5), and Mexico (n=34). Results. Participants reported inadequate infrastructure for its proper operation (only 49.1 %, or 27/55, have an exclusive office to safeguard files); insufficient administrative staff (47.3%, 26/55), or financial resources to conduct active site monitoring (85.6%, 47/55) toensure the protection of rights and welfare of study participants. Conclusions. Investments in REC member training and infrastructure are needed to ensure compliance of REC evaluations with the standards for ethical conduct of research.
Germline pathogenic variants in Mexican patients with hereditary triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Chavarri-Guerra Yanin , Villarreal-Garza Cynthia , Ferrigno Ana S , Mohar Alejandro , Aguilar Dione , Alvarez-Gomez Rosa M , Gallardo-Alvarado Lenny , Del Toro-Valero Azucena , Quintero-Beulo Gregorio , Gutierrez-Delgado Francisco , Rodriguez-Olivares José Luis , Ochoa-Chavez Maria Fernanda , Gutierrez-Seymour Gubidxa , Castillo Danielle , Herzog Josef , Weitzel Jeffrey N
Published: April 2022

Objective. Describe the prevalence of breast cancer (BC)- associated germline pathogenic variants (PVs) among Mexican patients with triple-negative BC (TNBC). Materials and methods. The spectrum of PVs identified among patients with TNBC who were enrolled in a prospective registry and underwent genetic testing was analyzed. Results. Of 387 patients with invasive TNBC and a median age at diagnosis of 39 years (range 21-72), 113 (29%) were carriers of PVs in BC-susceptibility genes: BRCA1 (79%), BRCA2 (15%), and other (6%: ATM, BRIP1, PALB2, PTEN, RAD51C, and TP53). PV carriers were younger at BC diagnosis (37 vs. 40 years, p=0.004) than non-carriers. Conclusion. A large proportion of TNBC in Mexican patients is associated with germline PVs, the vast majority in BRCA. The incremental yield of PVs in other BC-susceptibility genes was modest, and a stepwise approach starting with BRCA testing may be justified if it is more cost-effective than multigene panel testing.
Cambios en los patrones de consumo de alcohol y tabaco antes y durante la pandemia de Covid-19. Ensanut 2018 y 2020
Authors: Barrera-Núñez David A , Rengifo-Reina Herney A , López-Olmedo Nancy , Barrientos-Gutiérrez Tonatiuh , Reynales-Shigematsu Luz Myriam
Published: April 2022

Objetivo. Examinar los cambios en la prevalencia de con­sumo de alcohol y tabaco antes y durante la pandemia de Covid-19 en México. Material y métodos. Se utilizaron datos de las Ensanut 2018 y 2020 para adolescentes y adultos y se obtuvieron prevalencias de consumo actual y excesivo de alcohol y de fumadores actuales y exfumadores. Resul­tados. El consumo de alcohol en mujeres incrementó de 33.5% en 2018 a 42.5% en 2020, mientras que en los hom­bres no hubo cambios significativos. En el mismo periodo, la prevalencia de consumo excesivo de alcohol disminuyó de 11.1 a 5.5% en mujeres y de 36.7 a 18.3% en hombres. La prevalencia de mujeres fumadoras disminuyó de 9.5 a 7.2%. En adolescentes, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la prevalencia de consumo de alcohol y tabaco. Conclusión. El consumo de alcohol y tabaco continúa siendo elevado en adolescentes y adultos mexicanos. Urge la implementación de las medidas SAFER y MPOWER para abatir sinérgicamente estas epidemias.
Acreditación de servicios y calidad de la atención a neonatos en hospitales mexicanos
Authors: Saturno-Hernández Pedro Jesús , Poblano-Verástegui Ofelia , Flores-Hernández Sergio , Vieyra-Romero Waldo Ivan , Vértiz-Ramírez José de Jesús , Bautista-Morales Arturo Cuauhtémoc , Gómez-Cortez Patricia María , Alcántara-Zamora José Luis
Published: April 2022

Objetivo. Comparar la calidad de atención a neonatos con sepsis neonatal, hipoxia intrauterina, prematuridad y asfixia perinatal en hospitales acreditados (HA) y no acreditados (HNA). Material y métodos. Se evaluaron 28 hospi­tales de la Secretaría de Salud en 11 estados de México; la evaluación incluyó infraestructura, equipamiento e insumos, procesos de gestión de calidad e indicadores de calidad clínica. Se utilizó LQAS y se estimó el cumplimiento promedio de criterios e indicadores en HA y HNA. Resultados. Hubo diferencias significativas en favor de HA en equipamiento e insumos y no significativas en existencia y funcionamiento de los comités hospitalarios. No hubo diferencias consistentes ni significativas en cumplimiento de indicadores clínicos entre los HA y HNA. Conclusiones. La acreditación para la atención de neonatos con los diagnósticos seleccionados no se asocia a diferencias en la calidad de la atención.
Validity and reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long-form in a subsample of female Mexican teachers
Authors: Medina Catalina , Monge Adriana , Denova-Gutiérrez Edgar , López-Ridaura Ruy , Barquera Simón , Romieu Isabelle , Lajous Martín
Published: April 2022

Objective. To evaluate the test-retest reliability and validity of the long-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-long form). Materials and methods. A subsample of 86 teachers underwent telephone interviews and clinic visits in Mexico City. Through 22 months, physical activity (PA) levels were obtained from accelerometers (months 6 and 22) and IPAQ long-form (months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12). Minutes per week of moderate (MPA), walking (WPA), vigorous (VPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were calculated for each intensity and domain. Variables were loga­rithmically transformed. Intra-class and Pearson correlations were used to determine the relationship between instru­ments. Results. Test-retest reliability of the average IPAQs long-form varied across intensities and domains (ranged from r= 0.24 to r= 0.65). Minutes per week of VPA and MVPA ac­celerometer 1 (AC1) were fairly associated to International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form 3 (IPAQ3) (r= 0.60 and r= 0.31, respectively) one week apart. Conclusions. IPAQ long-form is fairly reliable for MVPA and valid for as­sessing MVPA and VPA in a subsample of Mexican teachers.
Cost analysis of drug treatment in hypertensive patients at social security health care family medicine units
Authors: Figueroa-García Juan , Granados-García Víctor , Roldán-Valadez Ernesto , Rojano-Mejía David , Cruz-Toledo Jairo Enoc , Palomo-Piñón Silvia
Published: April 2022

Objective. To estimate the increase of drug treatment costs associated with predictive factors of hypertensive patients in family medicine units. Materials and methods. A generalized linear model was employed to estimate costs with data from a microcosting costing study for a 1-year time horizon. Sources of dada were medical electronic files, phar­macy records and unitary prices updated to 2019. Results. From a total of 864 patients older than 65 years were 67% and women 65%. Factors with most influence on mean drug treatment costs were diabetes, age and complications associ­ated with hypertension. Mean annual cost of antihypertensive treatment was 61 dollars (CI95% 55,67) and median were 32 dollars (IQR 30,35) per patient. Incremental costs for diabetes were 23 dollars (CI95% 13,33) and 10 dollars (CI95% 8.3,12) in the group of ≥ 65 years. Conclusion. Diabetes, age and complications were the factors with largest influence on hypertension pharmacological costs.
Lecciones aprendidas y retos en la integración de cuidados paliativos en oncología. Experiencia en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología
Authors: Allende-Pérez Silvia , Peña-Nieves Adriana , Monreal-Carrillo Edith , García-Salamanca Fernanda , Ascencio-Huertas Leticia , Verástegui Emma
Published: April 2022

No disponible.
Inversión en investigación en cáncer en México entre 2002 y 2017
Authors: Muñoz-Aguirre Paloma , Stern Dalia
Published: April 2022

No disponible.
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Mexico: mortality trend analysis, 1998-2018
Authors: Muñoz-Aguirre Paloma , Zapata-Tarrés Marta , Espinosa-Tamez Priscilla , Sánchez-Blas Hugo , Brochier Marion , Lamadrid-Figueroa Héctor
Published: April 2022

Objective. To determine the magnitude of mortality due to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) nationally and by age group, sex, state of residence and insurance status, as well as to evaluate time trends during the period 1998-2018 Materials and methods. We obtained ALL mortality data and estimated age-standardized national, state-level and health insurance mortality rates. We conducted a joinpoint regression analysis to describe mortality trends across the study period and estimate the average annual percent change (AAPC). Results. In a 20-year period, age-standardized ALL mortality rates increased from 1.6 per 100 000 in 1998 to 1.7 in 2018. Nationally, a constant annual increase in mortality was observed for both sexes (1998-2002 AAPC 0.6 in boys, and 1998-2002 AAPC 0.3 in girls). We observed heteroge­neity in childhood ALL at a state level. Conclusion. Our results reflect the social, economic, geographic diversity of the country. Monitoring and surveillance of this disease is crucial to assess quality of care.
Covid-19 after school opening in a population of students in Mexico
Authors: Peña-Vélez Rubén , Cruz-Taboada Gabriel , Castillo-Rodríguez Arlette , Sorcia-Ramírez Miriam , Huerta-Romano José Fernando
Published: April 2022

Not available
Comparing the usefulness of two mortality registries for data-linkage for prospective cohorts in Mexico
Authors: Lozano-Esparza Susana , Zazueta Oscar E , Hernández-Ávila Juan Eugenio , Lajous Martín
Published: April 2022

Objective. To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of two Mexican death registries for the identification of vital status using a publicly available record-linkage tool. Materials and methods. We selected all reported deaths (n=581) and 575 alive participants in an epidemiologic cohort with active follow-up. Individual records were cross-linked to two mortal­ity registries. Results. A sensitivity of 87.2% (95%CI: 84.7, 90.2) and specificity of 99.3% (95%CI: 98.2, 99.8) were jointly achieved with both registries. Major discrepancies in cause of death were observed in 10.8% of deaths. Conclusion. There is initial evidence that Mexican death registries are a valuable resource for mortality follow-up in epidemiologic studies.
Presentación
Authors: Lajous Martín , Mohar Alejandro
Published: April 2022

No disponible.
Casos de estudio ANDI del futuro
Authors: Zuluaga Muñoz William , Guerrero Cabarcas Mauricio
Published: April 2022

Este documento presenta cuatro casos de emprendimiento de diversos sectores, en los cuales se puede evidenciar en buena medida el ingenio de los emprendedores colombianos para identificar oportunidades de negocio con potencial de crecimiento, así mismo, resulta inspirador para quienes están en el camino de hacer empresa, conocer el camino de la transformación de ideas en empresas, los elementos que facilitan estos procesos y la relevancia de la innovación desde la concepción de la idea así como en las estrategias para ponerlas en marcha y potenciar su crecimiento y transformación en empresas de alto impacto.
Geotechnical Design and Performance of a Jacked-in-Place Subway in the First Application of the Rectangular Tunnel Boring Machine Technology in Hong Kong
Authors: Kan H. S. , So Wilfred , Chiang K. M. , Ang Willie , Lee Davis
Published: April 2022

The construction of a 140 m long subway at the Kai Tak Development was faced with aggravated constraints of urban settings –including congested utilities, lack of space, traffic concerns, proximity to structural foundations and existing facilities, etc. Combined use of the rectangular tunnel boring machine (RTBM) technology and segmental jacking techniques provided an innovative solution. This paper gives an overview of the design and construction process, the geotechnical challenges encountered and the measures to tackle them. Specifically, earth pressure balance (EPB) underlying the technology and jacking force assessment will be discussed. The successful completion of this project demonstrated the feasibility of the RTBM technology in typical geological conditions of Hong Kong, and the potential for routine applications for tunnel-type underground facilities particularly in congested urban areas.
A Note on Design of Rock-socketed Embedded Wall
Authors: Li Victor
Published: April 2022

The design of excavation and lateral support works in Hong Kong generally follows the guidelines of GCO Publication No. 1/90. The document provides guidelines for determining the overall factor of safety against kickout failure of embedded walls in soil. There is limited discussion in this document for embedded walls partially socketed in rock. A method is proposed in this paper for determining the required socket length of a rock socketed embedded wall. The method allows the overall factor of safety to be applied consistently to resisting forces in soils and in the rock socket.
Geotechnical Design from the Inside Out- Development of Automation Design Platform and BIM of MRT Geotechnical Engineering
Authors: Liou Chih-Min , Hung Chen-Wei , Chang Cheng-Hsien , Lai Chien-Ming
Published: April 2022

Since 2011, countries around the world have started digital transformation after industrial revolution through automation and intelligentization. MRT engineering should also be transformed to automated and intelligent design. Owing to the complexity and huge amount of work within a limited time, MRT engineering design usually produces an inferior quality. Besides, geotechnical engineer design is placed at the end of whole MRT design process, so the tight schedule and heavy workload always trouble geotechnical engineers. Therefore, improving work efficiency and design quality by digital methods, preserving technical data, and checking the design accuracy become the main motivations for SINOTECH to develop design platforms.
A BIM-based Ground Information Management (GIM) Framework to Manage Ground Risk for Construction Projects
Authors: Mak D. Y. Y. , Millis S. W. , Li P. , Tang L. C. M.
Published: April 2022

Infrastructure design and construction in Hong Kong typically adopt a project-based process that is highly siloed and labour intensive. However, the successful delivery of construction projects in the digital age demands effective communication of the geological and geotechnical conditions through seamless ground information management and transfer. The requirements for Level 2 Building Information Modelling (BIM) approaches on engineering projects have driven a large-scale digitalization of the construction industry in recent years. However, geotechnical aspects have often remained neglected. To address this, mechanisms are proposed to incorporate ground information in BIM and ensure better ground risk management throughout the project life cycle. This paper reviews the current geotechnical context in terms of existing BIM standards and introduces a BIM-based ground information management (GIM) framework through Common Data Environments (CDE).
Open Cut Excavation Observational Method Associated with 3D Analysis for HKBCF PCB
Authors: Martucci A. , Pickles A.
Published: April 2022

The design of open cut excavations in newly reclaimed land overlying soft soils is often highly sensitive to the undrained strength parameter values. Under such circumstances, the use of the Observational Method may introduce significant programme and quantity savings by allowing the designer to adopt best estimate, rather than moderately conservative parameters. The Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) is located on newly reclaimed land located to the East of Chek Lap Kok Island. The Passenger Clearance Building (PCB) is located in the middle of the HKBCF and provides the customs and immigration facilities for passengers entering Hong Kong from the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link. The construction of the PCB basement required an excavation of approximately 10 m depth over an area of approximately 200 by 200 m. The typical soil profile consists of 15 m of sand fill overlying 20 m of very soft to soft Marine Clay. Ground improvement with prefabricated drains and surcharge was adopted by the reclamation Contractor to improve the Marine Clay strength.
Diaphragm Wall Trench Stability in Recently Reclaimed Land: A Case Study Review
Authors: Sacadura T.M.S. , Lee L. , Haye O.
Published: April 2022

This paper focuses on the design and review of diaphragm wall trench stability using bentonite as the stabilizing fluid on a reclaimed site in Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities. The site geological conditions were challenging for construction of long diaphragm wall panels due to the presence of considerable thickness of soft Marine Deposit and Alluvium Clays. In addition, a special type of diaphragm wall panel (Y-panel) was required for a multi circular cell cofferdam. The applicability of three-dimensional finite element methods software, Plaxis 3D, to model the trench stability is discussed through a comparison with other analytical trench design methods. Two site trials were undertaken, one for a triple-bite panel, 6.8m long and 1.5m thick, and another for the 5-bite panel (Y-panel), 3.6m x 6.5m. The latter required ground improvement, Cutter Soil Mixing, works to ensure both a satisfactory factor of safety against failure and acceptable lateral movements of the trench.
Application of “Big Data” to Engineering Properties of Hong Kong Soils
Authors: Hong-yau Dr WONG
Published: April 2022

In recent years, big data is becoming a very powerful tool in processing extremely large amount of data in such fields as finance, industry, engineering, etc. For geotechnical engineering, large number of laboratory and in-situ tests (mostly SPT) have been carried out in the past few decades. Laboratory testing includes soil classification and most importantly three major engineering properties: shear strength, compressibility and conductivity. In order that these data forming the big data can be useful in engineering design, a lot of processing/analysing works have been carried out and these indicate that soil type is the most dominant parameter affecting all engineering properties. Within each soil type, there are some secondary factors such as fines content, dry density, etc, which have only a secondary effect on these properties. Another dominant primary factor is SPT, which will affect most importantly the shear strength.
Insights on Debris Flow Growth: Collisions and Contractile Skins
Authors: Choi C.E.
Published: April 2022

Soil bed erosion is perhaps the most important momentum exchange process that governs the growth and destructive potential of landslides, such as debris flow. Existing erosion models only consider shear stresses induced by the basal friction of the flow as the driving mechanism and adopt saturated soil mechanics to describe the failure of the soil bed. However, field observations have hinted at the importance of collisional stresses as a major driving mechanism of erosion and soil beds in nature are rarely saturated when landslides occur. In this plenary paper, unsaturated soil mechanics is used to characterize soil bed erosion by flows dominated by collisional stresses. Experiments were conducted to model the erosion of unsaturated sandy beds with a wide range of initial matric suction, which is a measure of the capillary stresses, by gravel flows. Key findings and their implications to the delineation of debris flow hazards are discussed.
Modeling Mechanical Reinforcement of Vegetation to Wall Stability: A Case Study of a Short Retaining Wall in Hong Kong
Authors: Choi Ricky Y.S. , So Arthur K.O.
Published: April 2022

A numerical investigation is conducted to examine the effect of mechanical reinforcement of vegetation (trees and shrubs) on the enhanced factor of safety of gravity wall using the Rankine-Bell equation with common geotechnical checking on sliding and overturning. A case study in Hong Kong with a masonry wall and tree groups at the crest is selected for analysis. Results show that the root reinforcement could more than offset the surcharge from the weight of the vegetation and stabilize the wall in normal condition, but the detrimental effects outweigh the benefits under extreme gusts. Parametric studies have also been conducted to assess the sensitivity of wall stability to the variation of vegetation effect (root cohesion and root zone ). A noticeable increase in factor of safety is observed and wall stability is more sensitive to the depth of root zone than root cohesion . Results of the current study encourage practitioners to consider the mechanical reinforcement of vegetation in geotechnical assessments of the stability of wall and it could be useful in solving conventional design problems of wall less than 3m and with less structural measures.
Using UAV-based Technology to Enhance Landslide Investigation: A Case Study in Fei Ngo Shan, Kowloon
Authors: Hou W. , Hart J. R. , Tsui R. , Ng A. , Cheung C.
Published: April 2022

Establishing landslide models plays a critical role in Natural Terrain Hazard Studies (NTHS). Conventional approaches adopted by NTHS practitioners may be subject to temporal and spatial limitations. In particular, landslide volume estimations are prone to inaccuracies using conventional approaches including direct, field-based measurements due to time and access constraints. With the rapid advancement of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and ‘Structure from Motion’ (SfM) technologies in recent years, digital methods are being developed to provide useful and practical tools, which can be applied quickly, to enhance the results of landslide mapping. In this paper, we present a natural terrain landslide case study from a cluster of landslides, which were probably triggered by an intense short-duration rainstorm on 6 June 2020 at Fei Ngo Shan, Kowloon.
Assegurar o ambiente marítimo uma necessidade para além das competências de safety e de security
Authors: Dionisio Daniele , Fernanda Ana , Antunes Allan
Published: April 2022

Este artigo está inserido na área de Ciência Política e Relações Internacionais, no campo de Estudos Marítimos. No artigo buscou-se investigar como a agenda internacional de desenvolvimento sustentável impacta as formas de assegurar o ambiente marítimo. A partir da análise de normativas institucionais e de exemplos, que incluam dentre outros aspectos, ações práticas, verificou- se que as formas contemporâneas de governança oceânica propõem a introdução de aspectos de amplitudes humana, ambientais, sociais e econômicas além do tradicional viés securitário estadocêntrico. De certo modo, ao longo do tempo, os interesses estratégicos dos Estados no ambiente oceânico estão sendo complementados por interesses de organizações internacionais, de empresas e da sociedade civil mundial. Isso permite concluir que a tradicional distinção de competências em maritime safety e em maritime security seria incompleta na realidade contemporânea de assegurar multidimensionalmente o oceano e que, portanto, novas agendas que sejam mais política, social e economicamente participativas e/ou integradas devem ser delineadas.
Matematik Becerileri Ölçeği’nin Türkçeye Uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması
Authors: KARAKUŞ Hilal , AKMAN Berrin
Published: April 2022

Bu araştırmada ilk versiyonu Klein ve Starkey (2004) tarafından geliştirilmiş, daha sonra Starkey ve Klein (2012) tarafından güncellenen orijinal adı “Child Math Assessment”olan Matematik Becerileri Ölçeği’nin Türkçeye uyarlanması, ölçeğin geçerlik ve güvenirliğinin test edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Ölçeği Türk kültürüne uyarlamak için ölçeği geliştiren yazarlardan izin alındıktan sonra ilk aşamada ölçek maddelerinin çeviri ve tekrar çevirisi yapılmıştır. Çeviri aşamasından sonra ölçek, okul öncesi matematik eğitimi alanında uzman olan dört okul öncesi eğitimi alan uzmanının görüşlerine sunulmuş, uzmanlardan gelen görüşler doğrultusunda gerekli düzeltmeler yapılmıştır. Daha sonra ölçeğin pilot çalışması yapılmış, pilot çalışmasından sonra da asıl ölçek çalışması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Ankara’da MEB anaokullarında öğrenimine devam eden 394 okul öncesi dönem çocuğu oluşturmuştur. Uygulama sonrasında elde edilen verilere Açımlayıcı Faktör Analizi (AFA) ve Doğrulayıcı Faktör Analizi (DFA) uygulanmıştır. Analiz sonucunda sonucu 36 maddenin beş farklı alt boyuta ilişkin bağıntıları anlamlı sonuçlar vermiştir. Ölçeğin genel Cronbach Alfa güvenirlik katsayısı .86 olarak bulunmuştur ve bu da ölçeğin yüksek derecede güvenilir olduğunu göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte alt boyutlarının Cronbach Alfa güvenirlik katsayılarının da .62 ile .76 arasında değiştiği bulunmuştur, dolayısıyla alt boyutların güvenirliği oldukça güvenilir olarak yorumlanmaktadır. Uyarlanan ölçeğin Türk kültüründe kullanılabilecek geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracı olduğu ortaya konulmuştur.
Yetişkinlerde Şefkat Korkusu ve Psikolojik Esneklik
Authors: Bakalım Orkide , Şanal Karahan Faika
Published: April 2022

Şefkat korkusu kişinin kendisine ve diğerlerine şefkat göstermeye karşı direncidir. Bu direnç, başkalarına şefkat gösterme, başkalarından gelen şefkate karşılık verme, kendimize şefkat gösterme korkusu olarak üç boyutta kendini gösterebilir. Bununla birlikte psikolojik esnekliğe sahip olan bireyler bu korkuyu daha az hissedebilir. Bu araştırmada yetişkin bireylerde psikolojik esneklik alt boyutlarının (değerler ve değerler doğrultusunda davranma, anda olma, kabul, bağlamsal benlik, ayrışma) şefkat korkusunun alt boyutları olan başkalarına sefkat gösterme korkusu, başkalarından gelen şefkate karşılık verme korkusu ve kendimize anlayış ve şefkat gösterme korkusunun anlamlı yordayıcıları olup olmadığı ve şefkat korkusu puanlarının cinsiyet ve ilişki durumuna göre anlamlı düzeyde farklılaşıp farklılaşmadığı araştırılmıştır. Veriler için Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Şefkat Korkusu Ölçeği ve Psikolojik Esneklik Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Analizler psikolojik esnekliğin tüm alt boyutlarda şefkat korkusunun anlamlı yordayıcısı olduğunu, erkeklerin şefkat korkusunun kadınlara oranla daha yüksek düzeyde olduğunu ve evli bireylerde başkalarından gelen şefkate karşılık verme korkusunun bekar bireylere göre anlamlı düzeyde yüksek olduğunu göstermiştir.
WITHDRAWN: Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1 Secreted by Cancer-
Associated Fibroblasts Promotes lncRNA Xist through CXCR4 and Facilitates
Invasion and Metastasis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhao Hongguang , Wang Lifang , Chen Wenhu , Li Xiaoyan
Published: April 2022

Since the authors are not responding to the editor’s requests to fulfill the editorial requirement, therefore, the article has been
withdrawn.

Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorial-policies-main.php

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of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.
Comparison of Liver Fibrosis and Function Indices with Extracellular
Volume Using Dual-energy CT: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kokubo Reiji , Saito Kazuhiro , Yamada Takafumi , Tanaka Taro , Tajima Yu , Suzuki Kunihito
Published: April 2022

Background:

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) enables the direct measurement
of iodine accumulation in the extracellular space.

Objective:

To compare measures of liver fibrosis and function with extracellular volume (ECV) from
iodine/water images using DECT.

Methods:

Data was obtained from 119 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal DECT. A region
of interest was set in the right lobe of the liver, pancreas, spleen, and aorta on iodine density images.
ECV was calculated using the following formula: ECV = (1 − hematocrit) × [iodine concentration
in the liver (or pancreas, spleen) / iodine concentration in the aorta]. The severity of liver fibrosis
was estimated using the aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI) and the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index.
Liver function was assessed by the Child-Pugh classification and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade. Data
were analyzed by the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, one-way analysis of variance, and post
hoc analysis.

Results:

The correlation between ECV and fibrosis indices (APRI and FIB-4) was only significant,
with a weak magnitude for liver ECV quantification at the equilibrium phase (r=0.25 and r=0.20, respectively).
The correlations between liver function index and ECV quantification were more robust
than with fibrosis index. The highest correlations (r=0.50) were found between ALBI grade and liver
ECV at the equilibrium phase. Liver ECV values at the equilibrium phase had a significant difference
between ALBI grade 1 vs. 2 and grade 1 vs. 3.

Conclusion:

Liver ECV quantification by DECT is more suitable for evaluating liver function than
liver fibrosis severity.
The importance of vocabulary in teaching and learning in applied linguistics
Authors: Rashid Md. Harun , Lan Yu , Hui Wang
Published: April 2022

The importance of teaching and learning vocabulary and presenting a comprehensive survey of modern English vocabulary, focusing on various linguistic descriptive frameworks and pedagogical contexts. The linguistic approaches to the analysis of the modern lexicon in English are discussed in detail, emphasising vocabulary and language learning, dictionaries and lexicography, and the literary and stylistic study of vocabulary. The perspective of this study is a vital resource for students and researchers to investigate the terminology of vocabulary within English language learning and its importance.
Use of modern technology and innovations to increase the productivity of oil palm smallholders
Authors:   Developmental Science Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, The National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia, et al. Andrew
Published: April 2022

There is an increasing application of technology in the agriculture industry as more innovative inventions become available. The Malaysian government, through MPOB, renders assistance to oil palm smallholders in the adoption of suitable modern technology while providing them technical advisory services either directly or indirectly. Nonetheless, the question remains as to whether the application of such technology has achieved its objective of increasing smallholder productivity in terms of crop and labor input requirements. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the use of modern technology and innovation in increasing the productivity of smallholders in Banting, Selangor. This study employed a quantitative method based on correlation analyses. A total of 167 respondents were sampled. The results showed that the first questionnaire statement, namely ‘Application of modern technology eases work in palm oil production’ attained a mean score of 4.32, corresponding to an opinion ‘Strongly agree’ reached by 77 or 46.1% of the respondents. The analysis of this statement clearly shows that the application of modern technology in the oil palm plantation sector facilitates most of the work in oil palm plantations. This study is different from the other study because it shows which statement makes smallholders accept modern technology in their oil palm plantations to increase the productivity of yields and incomes. Therefore, the use of technology should be practiced by all smallholders in Malaysia to increase their productivity of smallholders.
The role of innate immunity in the formation of various variants of the course of seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Sizyakina L. P. , Andrreeva I. I. , Semenova N. I. , Kharitonova M. V.
Published: April 2022

Purpose: to study the functional parameters of the innate immune response in various clinical courses of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Materials and methods: a comparative prospective study was conducted. 62 participants (patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis) were divided into subgroups with mild (34 people) and moderate (28 people). Th e parameters of the innate immune response were studied. Th e assessment was carried out during the exacerbation period, before the appointment of therapy and in remission, outside the palination season.

Results: changes in the cells of the innate immune response in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis are formed at the earliest stages of clinical manifestation, aff ect the functional potential of natural killer cells and the oxygen-producing activity of the neutrophilic link, and are stable outside the palination season. Increased production of proinfl ammatory and immunoregulatory mediators is a key manifestation of the progression of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Conclusion: inhibition of the functional resources of innate immunity cells and cytokine dysregulation can play a significant role in the development of complications of seasonal allergic rhinitis caused by secondary immune defi ciency.
Basophil activation test in the diagnosis of allergic reactions to local anesthetics
Authors: Chibisova O. N. , Lugovskaya G. I. , Khabarova O. V.
Published: April 2022

Objective: to evaluate the detection of in vitro hypersensitivity to local anesthesia drugs by fl ow cytometry.

Materials and methods: in the test of activation of basophils, the determination of the hypersensitivity reaction to local anesthetics of groups I, II (154 preparations) in 106 patients and T-lymphocytes of type 2 immune response (CD3 + CD294 +) was carried out by fl ow cytometry using the Allergenicity kit test system. In the history of the examined patients, there was a certain food and/ or drug intolerance.

Results: Th e levels of sensitization to diff erent groups of local anesthetics were compared in the basophil activation test. Th e highest levels of hypersensitivity were observed to local anesthetics containing vasoconstrictors, stabilizers. In patients with hypersensitivity to drugs for local anesthesia, an increase in the number of T-lymphocytes of type 2 of the immune response was observed.

Conclusions: based on the identifi ed hypersensitivity in the basophil activation test to local anesthesia drugs, the safest anesthetics were established. Th e diagnostic signifi cance of determining the level of T-lymphocytes of type 2 of the immune response in drug hypersensitivity is shown.
Promising developments in the fi eld of diff erential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules
Authors: Vorokhobina N. V. , Baranov V. L. , Fogt S. N. , Kuznetsova F. V. , Balandina K. A. , Galakhova R. K.
Published: April 2022

In recent years, the ability to determine the nature of thyroid nodules has been signifi cantly improved both through the improvement of traditional methods, such as ultrasound examination (ultrasound) and fi ne needle aspiration biopsy (TAB), and through the creation of fundamentally new approaches. Th e review contains the most relevant achievements of recent years. Th e literature search was carried out in the bibliographic base of the Russian Science Citation Index for the words «node», «thyroid gland», «diagnosis», «cancer» on the site «https://www.elibrary.ru», as well as in the database of medical and Biological publications of the US National Center for Biotechnology Information on «nodule», «thyroid», «diagnostics», «cancer» at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Th e analysis of sources for the last 5 years has been carried out.
Methods for assessing insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Volkova N. I. , Davidenko I. Yu. , Sorokina Yu. A. , Degtyareva Yu. S. , London E. M.
Published: April 2022

Among all endocrine diseases complicating pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GSD) is the most common. Th is violation of carbohydrate metabolism poses a serious threat to the health of the mother and fetus, associated with a high risk of perinatal complications. At the same time, the eff ective achievement of normoglycemia in a woman suff ering from GSD can signifi cantly improve the prognosis. Th e choice of GSD therapy depends on a number of factors and is decided individually in each case. One of the factors determining the eff ectiveness of non-drug therapy and the need for pharmacological correction may be related to the pathophysiological aspects of the formation of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. Currently, they talk about the heterogeneity of GSD and distinguish its various subtypes depending on the predominance of pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance (IR) or a combination of these factors in the pathogenesis. Since the prevailing criterion for the verifi cation of GSD subtypes is the presence and severity of IR, various methods of its verifi cation are considered in this review. It is shown that the currently available methods for detecting IR have a number of disadvantages, consisting both in the complexity and complexity of implementation (hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp) and in the absence of clear reference intervals (mathematical models). It is necessary to continue research aimed at studying IR methods for the subsequent identifi cation of GSD subtypes.