bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Inﬂuence of Site of Co and Holes in PCD Substrate on Adhesive Strength of Diamond Coating with PCD Substrate
Authors: Hao Cen , Liu Guoliang
Published: December 2023

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) prepared by the high temperature and pressure method often uses Co as a binder, which had a detrimental effect on the cutting performance of PCD, thus Co needed to be removed. However, the removal of Co would cause residual holes and also make the cutting performance of PCD poorer. To address this issue, hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) was used. During deposition, the residual holes cannot be filled fully, and Co would diffuse to the interface between CVD diamond coatings and the PCD substrate, which influenced the adhesive strength of the diamond coating with the PCD substrate. In order to investigate the influencing mechanism, both experiments and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been employed. The experimental results demonstrate that Co and the holes in the interface would reduce the interfacial binding strength. Further, we built interfacial structures consisting of diamond (100), (110), (111) surfaces and PCD to calculate the corresponding interfacial binding energy, charge density and charge density difference. After contrast, for Co and the holes located on the (110) surface, the corresponding interfacial binding energy was bigger than the others. This means that the corresponding C-C covalent bond was stronger, and the interfacial binding strength was higher. Based on this, conducting cobalt removal pretreatment, optimizing the PCD synthetic process and designing the site of Co can improve the performance of the PCD substrate CVD diamond coating tools.
A Comparative Study on the Wear Mechanisms of Uncoated and TiAlTaN-Coated Tools Used in Machining AMPCO® Alloy
Authors: Nogueira Francisca R. , Pedroso André F. V. , Silva Francisco J. G. , Campilho Raul D. S. G. , Sales-Contini Rita C. M. , Sebbe Naiara P. V. , Casais Rafaela C. B.
Published: December 2023

A consistent evolution in materials developed for the industry and chip-start cutting processes has been acknowledged over the years. Cutting tool improvement through applying advanced coatings has proven very effective, enabling tool life (TL) extension while ensuring better surface quality. TiAlTaN coating enhances TL and surface quality in machining processes. However, only minimal research has been dedicated to comprehending the interaction between workpieces composed of Cu-Be and diamond tools. AMPCO®, a Cu-Be alloy, plays a crucial role in moulding inserts, offering high wear resistance and contributing to extended mould longevity and improved productivity. The main objective of this work is to assess, identify, and quantify tool wear (TW) mechanisms evaluation while machining AMPCO® with WC-Co uncoated tools and TiAlTaN-coated tools by physical vapour deposition (PVD). Evaluating tool performance while varying cutting length (Lcut) and feed rate (f) at three distinct levels and analysing the surface roughness (SR) produced in the machined surface were the primary purposes of this work. The results obtained with coated tools were distinct from those obtained with uncoated tools. While uncoated tools suffered from substrate abrasion and adhesion, the coated tools suffered mainly from delamination, followed by chipping. Furthermore, f and Lcut significantly influence the quality of the machined surface. TiAlTaN-coated tools performed significantly worse than uncoated tools, proving that the coating needs significant improvements to be considered as an alternative in milling Cu-Be alloys.
Mid-Infrared (MIR) Complex Refractive Index Spectra of Polycrystalline Copper-Nitride Films by IR-VASE Ellipsometry and Their FIB-SEM Porosity
Authors: Márquez Emilio , Blanco Eduardo , Mánuel José M. , Ballester Manuel , García-Gurrea Marcos , Rodríguez-Tapiador María I. , Fernández Susana M. , Willomitzer Florian , Katsaggelos Aggelos K.
Published: December 2023

Copper-nitride (Cu3N) semiconductor material is attracting much attention as a potential, next-generation thin-film solar light absorber in solar cells. In this communication, polycrystalline covalent Cu3N thin films were prepared using reactive-RF-magnetron-sputtering deposition, at room temperature, onto glass and silicon substrates. The very-broadband optical properties of the Cu3N thin film layers were studied by UV-MIR (0.2–40 μm) ellipsometry and optical transmission, to be able to achieve the goal of a low-cost absorber material to replace the conventional silicon. The reactive-RF-sputtered Cu3N films were also investigated by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and both FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. The less dense layer was found to have a value of the static refractive index of 2.304, and the denser film had a value of 2.496. The iso-absorption gap, E04, varied between approximately 1.3 and 1.8 eV and could be considered suitable as a solar light absorber.
Meta-Analysis and Analytical Methods in Cosmetics Formulation: A Review
Authors: Rico Felipe , Mazabel Angela , Egurrola Greciel , Pulido Juanita , Barrios Nelson , Marquez Ronald , García Johnbrynner
Published: December 2023

The ever-evolving cosmetic industry requires advanced analytical techniques to explore, understand, and optimize product performance at nano, micro, and macroscopic levels. Nowadays, these insights are crucial for translating microstructure behavior into macroscopic properties. This knowledge is essential to formulate products with a lower carbon footprint and a higher sustainability profile, incorporating, at the same time, natural or biobased raw materials. These raw materials may present challenges for formulators and analytical scientists due to either an inferior performance when compared to their fossil-derived counterparts or higher costs. This comprehensive review covers a spectrum of analytical methodologies employed in cosmetic formulation, including chromatographic analyses, olfactometry, and electronic nose technology. The characterization of product stability involving assessing parameters such as droplet size, zeta potential, viscosity, analytical centrifugation, surface tension, and interfacial tension are also explored. The discussion in this paper extends to the role of rheology in understanding the molecular structure and behavioral dynamics of cosmetic samples. This review concludes with an overview of colorimetric analysis, a crucial aspect related to consumer perception, followed by a discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with using meta-analysis methodologies in cosmetics. The formulation of cosmetics employing biobased feedstocks is included, highlighting the evolving landscape of cosmetic science and the integration of sustainable practices. This review stands at the interface between a meta-analysis of cosmetics and product performance, which is attained through a detailed examination of each analytical method. The know-how shared serves as a valuable resource for formulators, researchers, and industry professionals for real-world applications in the analytical field of cosmetics formulation.
News Waves: Hard News, Soft News, Fake News, Rumors, News Wavetrains
Authors: Vitanov Nikolay K. , Dimitrova Zlatinka I. , Vitanov Kaloyan N.
Published: December 2023

We discuss the spread of a piece of news in a population. This is modeled by SIR model of epidemic spread. The model can be reduced to a nonlinear differential equation for the number of people affected by the news of interest. The differential equation has an exponential nonlinearity and it can be approximated by a sequence of nonlinear differential equations with polynomial nonlinearities. Exact solutions to these equations can be obtained by the Simple Equations Method (SEsM). Some of these exact solutions can be used to model a class of waves associated with the spread of the news in a population. The presence of exact solutions allow to study in detail the dependence of the amplitude and the time horizon of the news waves on the wave parameters, such as the size of the population, initial number of spreaders of the piece of the news, transmission rate, and recovery rate. This allows for recommendations about the change of wave parameters in order to achieve a large amplitude or appropriate time horizon of the news wave. We discuss five types of news waves on the basis of the values of the transmission rate and recovery rate—types A, B, C, D, and E of news waves. In addition, we discuss the possibility of building wavetrains by news waves. There are three possible kinds of wavetrains with respect of the amplitude of the wave: increasing wavetrain, decreasing wavetrain, and mixed wavetrain. The increasing wavetrain is especially interesting, as it is connected to an increasing amplitude of the news wave with respect to the amplitude of the previous wave of the wavetrain. It can find applications in advertising, propaganda, etc.
Validation of Educational Quality as a Tool to Measure the Degree of Satisfaction of University Students
Authors: Olmos-Gómez María del Carmen , Luque-Suárez Mónica , Castán-García María , Portillo-Sánchez Raquel
Published: December 2023

The aim of this research was the creation and validation of a questionnaire to assess education quality in university contexts and to find factors that can help improve the educational system. The questionnaire was validated via a psychometric study through exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) data analyses from a sample of 1302 subjects to find students’ level of satisfaction in the university environment. The results show good reliability and validity, highlighting three factors: access level to computer aspects; different material resources and university students’ degree of satisfaction with the educational community. We concluded that this validated questionnaire provides information regarding students’ opinions about the quality of education in university contexts and can serve as a measurement tool for the educational system’s good functioning in an effective and efficient way.
Experimental Study on No-Load Loss Characteristics of an Alternating Current Excitation Motor
Authors: Xu Weihui , Ruan Yushuai , Wang Weishu , He Xiaoke
Published: December 2023

An AC excitation power supply will produce a series of harmonic currents in motors compared to the conventional power supply, increase the time harmonic component, and then generate a harmonic magnetic field; harmonics will cause motor vibrations and noise in the motor and will produce a corresponding additional loss, increasing the motor temperature rise; these key technical problems need to be solved in domestic pumped storage AC excitation motor engineering applications. Herein, the no-load loss characteristic test of a 3 MW alternating current excited motor was mainly carried out using a test prototype of the 3 MW alternating current excitation motor. Further, with the aid of the finite element method, the numerical study of the no-load loss characteristics of a 3 MW alternating current excited motor was performed. The relationship between the key factors such as the no-load characteristics, no-load loss characteristics, and constant loss and voltage per unit value is analyzed, and the variation law of the no-load core loss of motors under different loads is explored. The results demonstrate that, under no-load conditions, when the applied voltage was less than the rated voltage, the voltage was proportional to the current. When the applied voltage was more significant than the rated voltage, the current increased as the voltage increased, but the relationship between the two was no longer proportional. The constant loss of the motor maintained a linear relationship with the square of the unit value of the voltage scale. When the square of the unit value of the voltage scale was zero, the loss was equivalent to the wind friction loss under no load. The core loss increased with the increase in load, and the greater the load, the faster the increase rate of the motor iron loss. The comparison deviation between the test and simulation results was less than 10%. The simulation and experimental results verified the effectiveness of finite element modeling and the finite element calculation method.
The Study of SRM Sensorless Control Strategy Based on SOGI-FLL and ADRC-PLL Hybrid Algorithm
Authors: Ni Fuyin , Zhang Wenchao , Bi Yuchun , Li Bo
Published: December 2023

The inductance model used in traditional sensorless control methods for switched reluctance machines (SRMs) exhibits high-order harmonics. The precision of the motor may be impacted by the buildup of rotor estimate errors caused by these harmonics. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel method for SRMs that employs a hybrid algorithm combining an enhanced second-order generalized integrator (SOGI)-based frequency-locked loop (FLL) and an active disturbance rejection control (ADRC)-based phase-locked loop (PLL). This approach involves coordinate transformation and parameter identification to reconstruct the motor inductance model. Rotor position errors are calculated using the unsaturated inductance difference method. In order to enhance the accuracy of motor position estimation, a hybrid algorithm is employed to efficiently filter out harmonic errors and mitigate the tremor effect caused by the rotor position differential algorithm. This hybrid algorithm enables the estimate of the motor’s speed and rotor position. A sensorless control simulation model was developed using a 12/8 pole SRM to assess the motor’s performance under varying load conditions. Based on the results obtained, it is established that the application of this method can accurately estimate the rotor’s position and rotational speed and thus improve the performance of position sensorless control. Ultimately, a prototype system for a switched reluctance motor was created, and the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed control technique were confirmed through experimental validation. This presents an innovative approach to engineering practice.
Fault Diagnosis of Oil-Immersed Transformers Based on the Improved Neighborhood Rough Set and Deep Belief Network
Authors: Miao Xiaoyang , Quan Hongda , Cheng Xiawei , Xu Mingming , Huang Qingjiang , Liang Cong , Li Juntao
Published: December 2023

As one of the essential components in power systems, transformers play a pivotal role in the transmission and distribution of renewable energy generation. Accurate diagnosis of transformer fault types is crucial for maintaining the safety of power systems. The current focus in research lies in transformer fault diagnosis methods based on Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA). Traditional diagnostic methods directly utilize the five fault gases from DGA data as model input features, but this approach does not comprehensively reflect all potential fault types in transformers. In this paper, a non-coding ratio method was employed to generate 35 fault gas ratios based on the five fault gases, subsequently refined through correlation analysis to eliminate redundant feature variables, resulting in 15 significantly representative fault gas ratios. To further streamline the feature variables and remove non-contributing elements to fault diagnosis, an improved Neighborhood Rough Set (INRS) algorithm was introduced, leveraging symmetrical uncertainty measurement. By resorting to the proposed INRS, eight most representative fault gas ratios were selected as input variables for constructing a Deep Belief Network (DBN) diagnostic model. Experimental results on Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) data confirmed the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed method.
Blockchain-Based E-Voting Systems: A Technology Review
Authors: Hajian Berenjestanaki Mohammad , Barzegar Hamid R. , El Ioini Nabil , Pahl Claus
Published: December 2023

The employment of blockchain technology in electronic voting (e-voting) systems is attracting significant attention due to its ability to enhance transparency, security, and integrity in digital voting. This study presents an extensive review of the existing research on e-voting systems that rely on blockchain technology. The study investigates a range of key research concerns, including the benefits, challenges, and impacts of such systems, together with technologies and implementations, and an identification of future directions of research in this domain. We use a hybrid review approach, applying systematic literature review principles to select and categorize scientific papers and reviewing the technology used in these in terms of the above key concerns. In the 252 selected papers, aspects such as security, transparency, and decentralization are frequently emphasized as the main benefits. In contrast, although aspects like privacy, verifiability, efficiency, trustworthiness, and auditability receive significant attention, they are not the primary focus. We observed a relative lack of emphasis on aspects such as accessibility, compatibility, availability, and usability in the reviewed literature. These aspects, although acknowledged, are not as thoroughly discussed as the aforementioned key benefits in the proposed solutions for blockchain-based e-voting systems, whereas the considered studies have proposed well-structured solutions for blockchain-based e-voting systems focusing on how blockchain can strengthen security, transparency, and privacy, in particular, the crucial aspect of scalability needs attention.
CMBMeTest: Generation of Test Suites Using Model-Based Testing Plus Constraint Programming and Metamorphic Testing
Authors: Castro-Cabrera M. Carmen de , García-Dominguez Antonio , Medina-Bulo Inmaculada
Published: December 2023

Various software testing techniques have been shown to be successful in producing high-quality test suites for software where the code is not accessible (black-box approach). Nevertheless, no method has been found to guide combining some of these in a general way. In this study, a test suite generation method for black-box software called CMBMeTest was created to respond to these challenges. It employs several coupled software testing techniques, namely, model-based testing (MBT), constraint programming (CP), and metamorphic testing (MT). CMBMeTest provides step-by-step instructions for using the information available (such as program specifications, inputs and outputs) to create an initial test suite that covers the model obtained, using a combination of MBT and CP (referred to as MBT+CP). Furthermore, using the metamorphic relations (MRs) of MT, a better test suite was produced from that initial test suite. The method allows particular stages to be iterated to improve the results by building new models and new MRs. A comprehensive case study was conducted, employing CMBMeTest to produce encouraging results. Mutation testing was used to evaluate the test suite, and the first round produced a high mutation score. A more detailed model was used to repeat the process, with similar outcomes.
A Review on Quantitative Energy Consumption Models from Road Transportation
Authors: Chen Yanyan , Li Siyang , Li Yanan
Published: December 2023

With the objectives of achieving “peak carbon” and “carbon neutrality”, accurately quantifying the carbon emissions of road transportation becomes crucial. It is challenging to accurately describe the energy consumption of vehicles at both temporal and spatial scales from a macro perspective. Therefore, focusing on the quantitative model of vehicle micro energy consumption and road meso energy consumption, this paper reviewed and summarized the energy consumption model of road traffic in terms of data collection, quantification accuracy, and scope of application. Based on this analysis, this paper identifies the challenges of the current road traffic energy consumption model. Finally, we look forward to future research directions for studying quantitative models of energy consumption from road transportation.
Studies on the Thermochemical Conversion of Waste Tyre Rubber—A Review
Authors: Soprych Piotr , Czerski Grzegorz , Grzywacz Przemysław
Published: December 2023

Waste from scrap tyres, due to its high volume (17 million Mg per year) and durability resulting from the physical and chemical properties, requires innovative approaches for efficient and environmentally friendly management. In many countries, the landfilling of waste tyres is banned (e.g., EU, USA, UK); however, waste tyres can be a source of valuable materials such as carbon black, pyrolysis oil, hydrogen-rich syngas, tyre char, as well as energy. The purpose of this article is to provide a synthesis of the state of knowledge regarding the thermal conversion of waste tyres by pyrolysis and gasification, taking into account the use of different measurement techniques and reactor types. These technologies are forward-looking and have a high degree of flexibility in terms of product sourcing, depending on the process conditions. The properties of waste from used tyres were analysed, i.e., the composition of the content of individual components and the main chemical substances. The results encompassed ultimate and proximate analyses of rubber from tyres, as well as the physical and chemical parameters of the tyre char obtained through pyrolysis. This article compiles available literature data regarding the impact of process and raw material parameters, such as temperature and time conditions, pressure, particle size, and catalyst addition on the pyrolysis and gasification processes. It also explores the influence of these factors on the yield and properties of the products, including pyrolysis oil, gas, synthesis gas, and tyre char.
Analysis of Height Growth Suggests Moderate Growth of Tilia cordata and Acer platanoides at the Native Hemiboreal Stands in Latvia
Authors: Matisone Ilze , Šņepsts Guntars , Kaupe Dārta , Hein Sebastian , Rieksts-Riekstiņš Raitis , Jansons Āris
Published: December 2023

In the Eastern Baltics, climatic changes are expected to alter forest composition favouring broadleaved species. The height growth of trees influences the productivity of stands and the competitiveness of species, particularly in mixed sites, thus emphasising the necessity for accurate projections. Accordingly, height models are paramount for projecting productivity and yields of stands. As tree height growth dynamics vary regionally, regional or even local models are needed. Based upon 214 National Forest Inventory plots and 510 individual canopy trees, dominant height growth for small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata Mill.) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) in Latvia were analysed. Height growth was modelled using a generalised algebraic difference approach, testing several non-linear equations. The Sloboda (for lime) and Hossfeld I (for maple) models showed the best fit and were the most realistic, predicting slower initial and middle-age (maturing period) growth, yet also displayed higher asymptotes compared to Western Europe. The predicted height at the age of 80 years was 14–33 m and 13–34 m for lime and maple, accordingly. A longer establishment period and later growth culmination suggest longer rotation, highlighting the assessment of long-term risks. In this case, supplementation of the models with climatic effects appears advantageous.
Reducing Effects of Whey Protein Hydrolysate on Coloration of Cured Sausages
Authors: Takeda Shiro , Kanda Teppei , Ahhmed Abdulatef M. , Sogawa Kazuki , Umezu Keitarou , Ogata Masaya , Mizunoya Wataru , Sakata Ryoichi
Published: December 2023

Curing produces a characteristic pink color during meat processing through the production of nitrosyl myoglobin (NOMb), which requires nitric oxide (NO). Nitrites and nitrates in coloring agents are crucial NO sources; however, a reducing agent is necessary to facilitate their chemical conversion to NO. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the reducing properties of whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on the reddening of cured meat products. Cured and cooked sausage models were treated with WPH, which enhanced the reddening of the meat color and increased the a* value in the models compared with that of the controls. Additionally, ethanol-extracted WPH induced Fe3⁺ reduction, lowered oxidation–reduction potential, and decreased nitrite (NO2−) levels. Moreover, ethanol-extracted WPH promoted the formation of NOMb in myoglobin solution. This effect was also observed when ethanol-extracted WPH treated with maleimide was used, implying that certain peptides rather than the thiol group of WPH are involved in promoting NOMb formation. Furthermore, the peptides that decreased NO2− levels were isolated from ethanol-extracted WPH, identified, and synthesized. These synthesized peptides, particularly the FFVAPFPEVFGK peptide, showed NO2−-reducing activity. Hence, WPH may promote the coloration of cured meat products through the reducing potential of the peptides contained within.
Impact of High-Pressure Processing (HPP) on Listeria monocytogenes—An Overview of Challenges and Responses
Authors: Wiśniewski Patryk , Chajęcka-Wierzchowska Wioleta , Zadernowska Anna
Published: December 2023

High-pressure processing (HPP) is currently one of the leading methods of non-thermal food preservation as an alternative to traditional methods based on thermal processing. The application of HPP involves the simultaneous action of a combination of several factors—pressure values (100–600 MPa), time of operation (a few–several minutes), and temperature of operation (room temperature or lower)—using a liquid medium responsible for pressure transfer. The combination of these three factors results in the inactivation of microorganisms, thus extending food shelf life and improving the food’s microbiological safety. HPP can provide high value for the sensory and quality characteristics of products and reduce the population of pathogenic microorganisms such as L. monocytogenes to the required safety level. Nevertheless, the technology is not without impact on the cellular response of pathogens. L. monocytogenes cells surviving the HPP treatment may have multiple damages, which may impact the activation of mechanisms involved in the repair of cellular damage, increased virulence, or antibiotic resistance, as well as an increased expression of genes encoding pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. This review has demonstrated that HPP is a technology that can reduce L. monocytogenes cells to below detection levels, thus indicating the potential to provide the desired level of safety. However, problems have been noted related to the possibilities of cell recovery during storage and changes in virulence and antibiotic resistance due to the activation of gene expression mechanisms, and the lack of a sufficient number of studies explaining these changes has been reported.
Evaluation of Long-Read Sequencing Simulators to Assess Real-World Applications for Food Safety
Authors: Counihan Katrina L. , Kanrar Siddhartha , Tilman Shannon , Gehring Andrew
Published: December 2023

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes are routinely responsible for severe foodborne illnesses in the United States. Current identification methods utilized by the U.S. Food Safety Inspection Service require at least four days to identify STEC and six days for L. monocytogenes. Adoption of long-read, whole genome sequencing for food safety testing could significantly reduce the time needed for identification, but method development costs are high. Therefore, the goal of this project was to use NanoSim-H software to simulate Oxford Nanopore sequencing reads to assess the feasibility of sequencing-based foodborne pathogen detection and guide experimental design. Sequencing reads were simulated for STEC, L. monocytogenes, and a 1:1 combination of STEC and Bos taurus genomes using NanoSim-H. At least 2500 simulated reads were needed to identify the seven genes of interest targeted in STEC, and at least 500 reads were needed to detect the gene targeted in L. monocytogenes. Genome coverage of 30x was estimated at 21,521, and 11,802 reads for STEC and L. monocytogenes, respectively. Approximately 5–6% of reads simulated from both bacteria did not align with their respective reference genomes due to the introduction of errors. For the STEC and B. taurus 1:1 genome mixture, all genes of interest were detected with 1,000,000 reads, but less than 1x coverage was obtained. The results suggested sample enrichment would be necessary to detect foodborne pathogens with long-read sequencing, but this would still decrease the time needed from current methods. Additionally, simulation data will be useful for reducing the time and expense associated with laboratory experimentation.
Lithological Investigation of The Drill Core from a Sedimentary Cover in the Area of the Siljan Ring, Central Sweden
Authors: Kutcherov Vladimir , Sivalneva Olga , Buzilov Alexandr , Postnikov Alexandr
Published: December 2023

The ring structure of Siljan, located in the central part of Sweden, is considered by many researchers to be a meteorite (impact) crater. Impact craters are among the most complex geological objects on the Earth. The origin and formation of these structures still raises many questions. To find answers to these questions we need reliable geological information about the structure of the crater and the composition of the rocks. Information about the thickness and geological structure of the Siljan Ring area sedimentary cover will help to understand the process of the Siljan Ring structure’s formation as well as other similar geological formations on the Earth. Here, we present the results of laboratory studies of sedimentary rock samples taken from four exploration wells drilled in the vicinity of the Siljan Ring crater, which made it possible to compile their detailed lithological description. The laboratory studies included a structural analysis of the samples, and a texture and mineralogical analysis in thin sections. A structure analysis was carried out visually, while structural and mineralogical analyses were carried out on thin sections using a polarizing microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The main components of the rocks (minerals and fragments), along with their ratio and secondary transformations, were determined. The results of the structural analysis of the samples, and the textural and mineralogical analysis of the rocks in thin sections, showed that the sediments’ composition in the sedimentary cover near the Siljan Ring structure changes in different areas in accordance with their facies and stratigraphic characteristics. Furthermore, a change in the thickness of the sections and the succession sequences of rock units was established. A change of this nature is presumably caused by tectonic disturbances of an endogenous or impact source.
Effectiveness of Self-Affirmation Interventions in Educational Settings: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Escobar-Soler Carolang , Berrios Raúl , Peñaloza-Díaz Gabriel , Melis-Rivera Carlos , Caqueo-Urízar Alejandra , Ponce-Correa Felipe , Flores Jerome
Published: December 2023

School and university can be stressful contexts that can become an important source of identity threats when social prejudices or stereotypes come into play. Self-affirmation interventions are key strategies for mitigating the negative consequences of identity threat. This meta-analysis aims to provide an overview of the effectiveness of self-affirmation interventions in educational settings. A peer-reviewed article search was conducted in January 2023. A total of 144 experimental studies that tested the effect of self-affirmation interventions in educational contexts among high school and university students from different social and cultural backgrounds were considered. The average effect of self-affirmation interventions was of low magnitude (dIG+ = 0.41, z = 16.01, p < 0.00), with a 95% confidence interval whose values tended to lie between 0.36 and 0.45 (SE = 0.0253). In addition, moderators such as identity threat, participants’ age, and intervention procedure were found. Through a meta-analysis of the impact of self-affirmation interventions in educational contexts, this study suggests that interventions are effective, resulting in a small mean effect size. Thus, self-affirmation interventions can be considered useful, brief, and inexpensive strategies to improve general well-being and performance in educational settings.
Mental Healthcare through Cognitive Emotional Regulation Strategies among Prisoners
Authors: Choi Younyoung , Kim Mirim , Park Jeongsoo
Published: December 2023

Prisoners are exposed to a deprived environment, which triggers mental illness and psychological problems. Abundant research has reported that mental illness problems, suicide, aggression, and violent behaviors occur in incarcerated people. Although the mental healthcare system for incarcerated people is emphasized, little research has been conducted due to their limited environment. In particular, the regulation of negative emotion is significantly associated with mental illness and anti-social and violent behaviors. However, mental healthcare through cognitive emotional regulation based on cognitive behavioral therapy has not been fully investigated. This study identified four different patterns in cognitive strategies for regulating negative emotions. Cognitive emotional regulation strategies (i.e., self-blame, other-blame, rumination, catastrophizing, putting into perspective, positive refocusing, positive reappraisal, acceptance, and refocus on planning) were examined and addressed their vulnerable psychological factors. We analyzed a total of 500 prisoners’ responses to the cognitive emotional regulation questionnaire (CERQ) by latent class profiling analysis. A four-class model was identified based on the responses of CERQ. In addition, the significant effect of depression on classifying the four classes was found. Furthermore, differences in the average number of incarcerations were also shown across four classes. In conclusion, Class 2 (Negative Self-Blamer) uses dysfunctional/negative strategies that may place the group at a high risk of psychological disorder symptoms, including depression and post-traumatic stress. Class 3 (Distorted Positivity) uses positive/functional strategies but seems to utilize the positive strategies in distorted manners to rationalize their convictions. Class 1 (Strong Blamer) and Class 4 (Moderator Blamer) showed similar patterns focused on the “other-blame” strategy for regulating negative emotion, but they are at different levels, indicating that they attribute incarceration to external factors. These findings provide useful information for designing mental healthcare interventions for incarcerated people and psychological therapy programs for clinical and correctional psychologists in forensic settings.
Efficiency of Obstetric Services in Germany—The Role of Variation and Overheads
Authors: Flessa Steffen
Published: December 2023

The number of obstetric departments in German hospitals has declined in the last decades. In particular, rural hospitals are challenged to sustain their delivery services. In this paper, we analyse the role of variation and overheads of obstetric departments from the perspective of current and future German hospital financing. For this purpose, we develop a Monte Carlo simulation model that analyses the workload of the labour room and the obstetric ward. The results show that a hospital with less than 640 deliveries per year cannot break even. In order to offer services 24 h per day, 365 days per year, five nurses, five midwives, and five gynaecologists are needed. This results in high fixed costs. At the same time, the variation coefficient of the labour room and the obstetric ward declines with an increasing number of deliveries. Consequently, small hospitals have a higher risk of over- and under-utilization in the course of the year. This paper acknowledges that economics is not the only decision dimension. The quality of the institution and the transport to the hospital have to be considered, as well as the population’s wish for nearby services. However, the simulations clearly demonstrate that unless the hospital financing system is changed fundamentally, the decline in the number of hospitals offering delivery services will continue.
The Effectiveness of a Single Dry Needling Session on Gait and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis: A Double-Blind Randomized Sham-Controlled Pilot Trial
Authors: Javier-Ormazábal Alberto , González-Platas Montserrat , Jiménez-Sosa Alejandro , Herrero Pablo , Lapuente-Hernández Diego
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Gait disorders are a major cause of disability and reduced health-related quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Dry needling (DN) has demonstrated positive results to improve gait parameters in patients with stroke. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single session of DN in the gait performance of pwMS. Methods: A double-blind parallel randomized sham-controlled pilot trial was conducted. Study participants received a single session of active DN or sham DN in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle. Pre-treatment and immediately post-treatment measurements were taken, as well as at one and four weeks after the intervention. Outcomes related to gait performance (Timed 25-Foot Walk), self-perceived walking capacity (Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale), risk of falls (Timed Up and Go test), disability level (Expanded Disability Status Score) and quality of life (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 questionnaire and Analogic Quality of Life scale) were evaluated. Results: 18 patients who had multiple sclerosis participated in the study. The group who received active DN showed within-group significant statistical differences immediately after treatment for gait performance (p = 0.008) and risk of falls (p = 0.008), as well as for self-perceived walking capacity at one week (p = 0.017) and four weeks (p = 0.011) and quality of life at four weeks (p = 0.014). Regarding the comparison between groups, only significant results were obtained in the physical domain of the quality of life at four weeks (p = 0.014). Conclusions: DN seems to be a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of gait disorders in pwMS. However, when results were compared with sham DN, no differences were found.
Assessing the Defensibility of Medieval Fortresses on the Mediterranean Coast: A Study of Algerian and Spanish Territories
Authors: Oulmas Mohand , Abdessemed-Foufa Amina , Avilés Angel Benigno Gonzalez , Conesa José Ignacio Pagán
Published: December 2023

This study focuses on assessing the defensiveness of medieval fortresses situated along the Mediterranean coast, including the Northern Algerian coast and Southeastern Spain. The proposed methodology involved a two-fold process comprising identification and evaluation. Initially, we identified and geolocated our case studies, deriving their locations from archival sources. We then seamlessly integrated them into a Geographic Information System (GIS) for precise georeferencing on a rasterized landscape. Subsequently, we conducted assessments of visibility, intervisibility, and elevation, which we consider pivotal in determining the degree of defensibility of the fortified sites. Specifically, the aim of this research was to investigate the intricate relationship between natural landscapes and architectural defensive features, with a focus on discerning the influence that the chosen location has on the strategic and defensive significance of the studied fortresses. Our findings reveal that the evolution of those defensive systems within our study context is intricately tied to the physical elements comprising the landscape. These natural constituents have served as a foundation for the architectural and defensive characteristics adopted by medieval builders. Furthermore, we delineated two distinct typologies: the isolated type, intentionally designed to obscure visibility, and the exposed type, characterized by a higher visibility index.
Semantic Modelling Approach for Safety-Related Traffic Information Using DATEX II
Authors: Samper-Zapater J. Javier , Gutiérrez-Moret Julián , Rocha Jose Macario , Martinez-Durá Juan José , Tomás Vicente R.
Published: December 2023

The significance of Linked Open Data datasets for traffic information extends beyond just including open traffic data. It incorporates links to other relevant thematic datasets available on the web. This enables federated queries across different data platforms from various countries and sectors, such as transport, geospatial, environmental, weather, and more. Businesses, researchers, national operators, administrators, and citizens at large can benefit from having dynamic traffic open data connected to heterogeneous datasets across Member States. This paper focuses on the development of a semantic model that enhances the basic service to access open traffic data through a LOD-enhanced Traffic Information System in alignment with the ITS Directive (2010/40/EU). The objective is not limited to just viewing or downloading data but also to improve the extraction of meaningful information and enable other types of services that are only achievable through LOD. By structuring the information using the RDF format meant for machines and employing SPARQL for querying, LOD allows for comprehensive and unified access to all datasets. Considering that the European standard DATEX II is widely used in many priority areas and services mentioned in the ITS Directive, LOD DATEX II was developed as a complementary approach to DATEX II XML. This facilitates the accessibility and comprehensibility of European traffic data and services. As part of this development, an ontological model called dtx_srti, based on the DATEX II Ontology, was created to support these efforts.
Circadian Rhythms of Locomotor Activity Mediated by Cryptochrome 2 and Period 1 Genes in the Termites Reticulitermes chinensis and Odontotermes formosanus
Authors: Gao Yongyong , Xu Huan , Jia Bao , Liu Yutong , Hassan Ali , Huang Qiuying
Published: December 2023

Locomotor activity rhythms are crucial for foraging, mating and predator avoidance in insects. Although the circadian rhythms of activity have been studied in several termite species, the molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms in termites are still unclear. In this study, we found that two termite species, R. chinensis and O. formosanus, exhibited clear circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in constant darkness along with rhythmically expressed core clock genes, Cry2 and Per1. The knockdown of Cry2 or Per1 expression in the two termite species disrupted the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity and markedly reduced locomotor activity in constant darkness, which demonstrates that Cry2 and Per1 can mediate the circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in termites in constant darkness. We suggest that locomotor activity in subterranean termites is controlled by the circadian clock.
Females May Have Less Severe Acne, but They Suffer More: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study on Psychosocial Consequences in 104 Consecutive Polish Acne Patients
Authors: Szepietowska Marta , Stefaniak Aleksandra A. , Krajewski Piotr K. , Matusiak Lukasz
Published: December 2023

Acne is a common skin condition affecting both adolescents and adults, and it can profoundly impact patients’ quality of life and mental well-being. This prospective cross-sectional study aims to explore the differences in psychosocial aspects between male and female acne patients in Poland. A total of 104 consecutive acne patients were included in this study. Clinical severity, patients’ quality of life, stigmatization levels, and psychiatric disturbances were evaluated using the following instruments: Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), 6-Item Stigmatization Scale (6-ISS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This study found that female patients exhibited significantly less severe acne and experienced significantly decreased quality of life and increased levels of stigmatization. Furthermore, anxiety levels among female patients exceeded those observed in their male counterparts. Notably, no disparities in the severity of depression were observed between the two gender groups. Correlations were discerned among all psychosocial parameters in the entire study cohort and in the female subgroup, while such correlations were not uniformly observed among male participants. This study underscores the importance of considering psychosocial aspects and implementing routine measurements in the management of acne to improve patients’ well-being.
Dynamic Evaluation of Vitamin D Metabolism in Post-Bariatric Patients
Authors: Povaliaeva Alexandra , Zhukov Artem , Tomilova Alina , Bondarenko Axenia , Ovcharov Maksim , Antsupova Mariya , Ioutsi Vitaliy , Shestakova Ekaterina , Shestakova Marina , Pigarova Ekaterina , Rozhinskaya Liudmila , Mokrysheva Natalia
Published: December 2023

Background: findings from the previously conducted studies indicate altered regulatory mechanisms of calcium and vitamin D metabolism in obese patients and a role for bariatric surgery in regulating vitamin D metabolism; however, the available data is controversial and does not provide an adequate understanding of the subject. Methods: we evaluated serum parameters of vitamin D and mineral metabolism (vitamin D metabolites (25(OH)D3, 25(OH)D2, 1,25(OH)2D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and 24,25(OH)2D3), vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), free 25(OH)D, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), parathyroid hormone (PTH), total calcium, albumin, phosphorus, creatinine, magnesium) in 30 patients referred for bariatric surgery in comparison with 30 healthy volunteers of similar age, sex and baseline 25(OH)D3. Patients were also followed up with repeated laboratory assessments 3 months and 6 months after surgery. During the first 3 months, patients were prescribed high-dose cholecalciferol therapy (50,000 IU per week), with subsequent correction based on the results of the 3-month visit examination. Results: Preoperatively, patients with morbid obesity were characterized by a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (median 25(OH)D3 level 11.9 (6.8; 22.2) ng/mL), significantly lower levels of active vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 (20 (10; 37) vs. 39 (33; 50) pg/mL, p < 0.001), lower serum albumin-adjusted calcium levels (2.24 (2.20; 2.32) vs. 2.31 (2.25; 2.35) mmol/L, p = 0.009) and magnesium levels (0.79 (0.72; 0.82) vs. 0.82 (0.78; 0.85) mmol/L, p = 0.043) with simultaneous similar PTH levels (p = 0.912), and higher DBP levels (328 (288; 401) vs. 248 (217; 284) mg/L, p < 0.001). The 25(OH)D3 levels remained suboptimal (24.5 (14.7; 29.5) ng/mL at the 3-month visit and 17.9 (12.4; 21.0) ng/mL at the 6-month visit, p = 0.052) despite recommended high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation. Patients also demonstrated an increase in 1,25(OH)2D3 levels (38 (31; 52) pg/mL at the 3-month visit and 49 (29; 59) pg/mL at the 6-month visit, p < 0.001) without a change in PTH or calcium levels during the follow-up. Conclusion: our results of a comprehensive laboratory evaluation of vitamin D status and mineral metabolism in patients undergoing bariatric surgery highlight the importance of improving current clinical guidelines, as well as careful monitoring and education of patients.