bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ЧИСЕЛЬНЕ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ НЕІЗОТЕРМІЧНОЇ ТЕЧІЇ РОЗПЛАВУ ПОЛІМЕРУ З ДОПЛАВЛЕННЯМ ГРАНУЛ У КОНУСНОМУ КІЛЬЦЕВОМУ КАНАЛІ ДИСКОВОГО ЕКСТРУДЕРА
Authors: Новодворський Володимир Валерійович , Іваницький Георгій Костянтинович , Швед Микола Петрович
Published: October 2023

На якість розплаву впливає багато  параметрів, таких як тип  обладнання, геометрія робочих органів і конфігурація каналів, у яких відбувається течія. Щоб отримати  хорошу якість розплаву, потрібно підтримувати режим роботи в  заданих межах, контролюючи  ключові параметри, такі як  температура розплаву, від якої  залежать його основні  характеристики. Мета цього  дослідження полягає в тому, щоб визначити закономірності  неізотермічного процесу течії  розплаву в конусному кільцевому каналі з урахуванням нагрівання і плавлення гранул за рахунок енергії дисипації. Попередні розрахунки  каналів зони гомогенізації дискового екструдера вказують на необхідність урахувати те, що частина енергії витрачається на плавлення гранул. Вища частота обертання сприяє  інтенсивному нагріванню розплаву і більш інтенсивному зменшенню об'єму гранул. Показано, що гранули  доплавлюються в конусному каналі, після чого все тепло іде на  нагрівання розплаву. Тангенціальні складові швидкості і швидкості зсуву зменшуються зі зменшенням радіуса конуса, а ефективна в’язкість  розплаву залежить від температури та швидкості зсуву. Перепад тиску в каналі визначається рядом факторів, серед яких ширина каналу,  коефіцієнт консистентності та показник степеня. Надано графічні залежності розподілу температури розплаву, питомого об’єму гранул, тиску, усереднених тангенціальних швидкостей зсуву та зміни  ефективної в’язкості розплаву по довжині каналу при швидкостях диска 120 і 150 об/хв. Для конусного кільцевого каналу застосовується така сама процедура розрахунку, як і для циліндричного кільцевого  каналу. Різниця лише в тому, що для  циліндричного кільцевого каналу застосовується подовжня  координата z , а для конусного кільцевого каналу застосовується подовжня координата z. Тому введення ортогональних координат істотно спростило  загальну процедуру розрахунків  процесів, які відбуваються в зоні гомогенізації.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF OPTIMIZATION DESIGN AND EVALUATION OF TECHNICAL RESOURCE FOR TRACTION GEAR TRANSMISSIONS OF RAILWAY ROLLING STOCK
Authors: Moroz Volodymyr , Hromov Volodymyr , Lohvinenko Oleksandr
Published: October 2023

The article highlights the peculiarities of optimization design for traction gear transmissions of railway rolling stock, aimed at determining the main structural parameters of corresponding paired gears and toothed wheels to increase their technical resource. The recommendations provide a formalized description of such investigations in the form of multidimensional optimization problems with constraints. Significant attention is given to the selection peculiarities of main variable parameters, primary criteria (related to reducing wear on tooth contact surfaces), and secondary numerical criteria (corresponding to functional constraints). The displacement coefficients of the gear and toothed wheel are considered as the main variable parameters, with a decisive impact on engagement parameters and characteristics. The main criterion, taking into account the focus on increasing the technical resource, is the minimization of the difference between the maximum coefficients of specific sliding on the feet of the lateral profiles of contacting teeth. Numerical functional constraints correspond to general design conditions for manufacturing and meshing of gear elements. The article elucidates the peculiarities of searching for optimal solutions using available generalized mathematical models that describe changes in the main criterion and existing functional constraints based on selected main variable parameters. It is also recommended to use constructed blocking contours based on these models to define the region of admissible solutions and find the corresponding optimization solution. For each variant of structural parameters of the paired gear and toothed wheel found during optimization design, the article suggests evaluating the respective changes in the technical resource according to the provided recommendations. The article presents the results of a comprehensive study of traction gear transmissions in various series of locomotives and electric trains, including assessments of increased technical resource achieved by using paired gears and toothed wheels with specified design parameters obtained through optimization design.
The Hymnography in Honour of Saints Constantine and Helena and its Connection with Imperial Ideology
Authors: Nikolaou Anastasia
Published: October 2023

This article presents an overview of published and unpublished Byzantine and post-Byzantine hymnographic texts dedicated to Saint Constantine, founder of Constantinople and first Byzantine emperor, and his mother Saint Helena. Specifically, we cite and comment upon some indicative passages primarily found in canons of the Matins, which refer to historical events from the lives of the saints and attribute to them, especially to Saint Constantine, virtues such as justice, piety, wisdom, and the defense of the true faith. These qualities are directly associated with the imperial political ideology as this was shaped principally by Eusebius of Caesarea in his works Life of Constantine and Tricennial Oration.
Herbs as pharmaka: between Medicine, Astrology and Magic
Authors: Freni Giulia
Published: October 2023

In the ancient and Byzantine world, natural elements were used to cure a certain disease, as attested by traditional medical sources such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides and Galen. However, the therapeutic properties of these substances are also described in some compilations that transmit another type of knowledge: the Cyranides, a hermetic work that illustrates the usages of vegetable, animal and mineral species for different purposes; Cassianus Bassus’ Geoponica, an important source of the ancient agronomic-botanical tradition; the Hygromanteia Salomonis, a hermetic and esoteric treatise dedicated to planetary divination, which also illustrates the correspondences between plants, planets and zodiac signs. The herbs described in these compilations are suggested as φάρμακα for the treatment of diseases, but also for other purposes such as warding off demons or having luck (e.g. in Monacensis gr. 70, which transmits Hygromanteia Salomonis, Jupiter’s plant is χρυσάγκαθον, capable of causing extraordinary healings). This denotes the development of a parallel medicine, connected with magic and astrology, and in some cases the practices discussed still have folkloric implications today. Therefore, this contribution intends to analyse these three magico- -medical works, highlighting the similarities and differences from traditional medical sources as well as the link between medicine, magic and astrology.
Tissue engineering using scaffolds in cultured meat product development
Authors:   Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, Ianovici Iris , Goldfracht Idit ,   Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, Shaulov Dvir Yana ,   Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, Shoyhat Hagit ,   Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, Levenberg Shulamit ,   Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
Published: October 2023

This chapter focuses on tissue engineering using scaffolds in cultured meat product development. The chapter first provides an overview of the key scaffold properties as 3D meat cultivation platforms, focusing on aspects such as tissue engineering-related criteria and additional scaffold constraints for cultured meat production. The chapter moves on to highlight potential materials for cultivated meat scaffolds. A section on construct types and fabrication techniques is also included, drawing specific attention to micro-carriers, porous constructs, fibrous scaffolds, hydrogels and 3D printing.
Only in Proper Spacetime Does Nature Disclose Her Secrets
Authors: Niemz Markolf H.
Published: October 2023

Today’s physics describes nature from the perspective of one observer at a time. In special (SR) and general relativity (GR), his proper space d1, d2, d3 and his proper time τ are set equal to coordinate space x1, x2, x3 and coordinate time t, respectively. These x1, x2, x3, t span “coordinate spacetime”. Here I show: There is a physical issue in SR/GR, and there is a more powerful concept of spacetime. (1) Rulers and clocks measure di and τ. They are not aware of an observer’s constructs xi and t. Thus, they cannot display xi' and t', which are calculated in SR/GR. (2) SR/GR work well in many respects, but we can describe nature also from the perspective of each observed object. Its d1, d2, d3 and τ span “proper spacetime”, which is equal to 4D Euclidean space (ES) if we interpret cτ as d4. In Euclidean relativity (ER), all energy is moving through ES at the speed of light c. Each observer’s reality is created by projecting ES orthogonally to his proper space d1, d2, d3 and to his proper time τ=d4/c. These four axes are set equal to x1, x2, x3, t in SR/GR and reassembled to a non-Euclidean spacetime. However, the SO(4) symmetry of ES is not compatible with the formation of waves. This is not an issue because waves are a special feature of coordinate spacetime. Only the SO(4) symmetry tells us: What I deem wave, deems itself matter. ER solves 15 fundamental mysteries, such as time’s arrow, the Hubble tension, dark energy, the wave–particle duality, and non-locality. I conclude that proper spacetime improves our understanding of cosmology and quantum mechanics.
Investigating the limitations of fashion research methods in applying a sustainable design practice: a systematic review
Authors: Pedroso-Roussado Cristiano
Published: October 2023

Research is a human activity that needs both scientific rigour and creativity. The need of research is often a complex issue is of difficult comprehension, validation, but it helps scientists test hypothesis within previously defined research questions. The standardization of methodologies, deeply rooted in the scientific method, has allowed humanity to progress. However, we are facing unprecedent challenges at a global scale that are pushing the boundaries of human capabilities. Since the fashion industry represents one of the most problematic industries globally, it is paramount to research its problems through rigorous and validated methodologies that will potentially allow the full comprehension of the issues while paving the way for the development of a wide range of practical and disseminated solutions. The goal of this systematic review is to outline the most used methodologies in the fashion research field that are being explored to achieve sustainability. The findings highlight the fragmentation of the literature in fashion research methodologies pointing out the main limitations of currently used methods. Interviews and case studies are the most used methodologies while other less conventional – like Social Life Cycle Assessment – have been also tried. This work reveals the handicaps of the fashion research methodologies and show an example on how ChatGPT can be assessed to help the fashion practitioners define research plans to achieve sustainable goals.
Deep Neural Network: Predicting Future Prices of Cryptocurency Using LSTM and GRU
Authors: Oladele Segun I. I
Published: October 2023

Predicting the prices of cryptocurrency owing to its volatility, instability, and other factors has been challenging; investors and traders especially in Nigeria have been on a constant look for a more reliable way of knowing market trends and prices and while there has been so many research conducted using deep learning, the results for which has fall short of what investors could called a strong predictor. This research reviewed the results of many works that had been done and proposed two types of recurrent neural network (RNNs) namely Long Short-Term Memory and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) for predicting the future prices of two of the most common crypto assets namely Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), these two were selected based on their popularity, the volume traded and their market capitalization. The experiment was conducted in a GPU Jupyter Notebook environment and the performance of our experiment was evaluated on a test set using root mean square error (RMSE) and based on its values, the LSTM presented a better performance with rsme scores of 654.66, and 80.30 respectively for BTC and ETH as compared to GRU. The paper proceeds further to compare the results of this experiment with other related works and we discovered that its performance is a great improvement.
FPGA-Based Hardware Implementation of a Stable Inverse Source Problem Algorithm in a Non-homogeneous Circular Region
Authors: Oliveros José Jacobo Oliveros , Sánchez José Rubén Conde , Gracidas Carlos Arturo Hernández , Castillo María Monserrat Morín , Mones José Julio Conde
Published: October 2023

This work implements a stable algorithm in Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) for which two architectures (unrolling the loop) were developed and analyzed. The algorithm recovers sources located at the boundary separating two homogeneous media that make up a two-dimensional non-homogeneous region from measurements on the boundary of such region. The problem of recovering these sources is an ill-posed inverse problem as small errors in the measurement can produce important changes in the source location. Inverse source problems have many applications in different areas, such as engineering and medicine, making the proposed implementation important. The first architecture (mode one) allows considering different operating speeds, which is an advantage depending on whether we work with fast or slow signals. The second one (mode two) reduces resource consumption by exploiting the characteristics of the source identification algorithm, which is an advantage for multichannel problems such as inverse electrocardiography or electroencephalography. The architectures were tested on four FPGAs of the 7 Series of Xilinx: Spartan-7 xc7s100fgga484, Virtex-7 xc7v585tffg1157, Kintex-7 xc7k70tfbg484, and Artix-7 xc7a35tcpg236. The two FPGA implementations of the algorithm were validated using synthetic examples implemented in MATLAB. The results presented here can be extended to concentric spheres and complex geometries.
Preoperative Anxiety Impact on Anesthetic and Analgesic Use
Authors: Baagil Hanaa , Baagil Hamzah , Gerbershagen Mark Ulrich
Published: October 2023

Anxiety is a complex emotional state that can arise from the anticipation of a threatening event, and preoperative anxiety is a common experience among adult patients undergoing surgery. In adult patients, the incidence of preoperative anxiety varies widely across different surgical groups, and it can result in a variety of psychophysiological responses and problems. Despite its negative impact, preoperative anxiety often receives insufficient attention in clinical practice. To improve pain management strategies, there is a need for further research on personalized approaches that take into account various factors that contribute to an individual's pain experience. These personalized approaches could involve developing tools to identify individuals who are more likely to experience increased pain and may require additional analgesia. To address this, regular assessments of anxiety levels should be conducted during preoperative visits, and counseling should be provided to patients with high levels of anxiety. Identifying and addressing preoperative anxiety in a timely manner can help reduce its incidence and potential consequences.
Enhancing Tree Health through Improved Microbial Biodiversity in Soil
Authors: Prasad Vinesh , Cole Daniel
Published: October 2023

This article delves into the pivotal role that biodiversity of soil microbes plays in bolstering tree health and overall agroecosystem productivity. With the advent of regenerative agricultural practices, there has been a resurgence of interest in understanding the complex interactions between soil microbiota and plant roots, particularly through processes like rhizophagy. Rhizophagy, the digestion of living root cells by soil microorganisms, stands out as a fundamental mechanism in nutrient cycling and overall tree vitality. By examining the impact of enhanced microbial diversity on tree health, we shed light on the practical applications, such as the utilization of the BEAM Inoculant product, which has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in augmenting soil health and, consequently, tree Vigor
Utilization of Organic Waste on the Growth and Production of Sweet Corn (Zea mays Saccharata. L)
Authors: Lukman Lukman
Published: October 2023

Organic fertilizers are fertilizers made from organic materials which are partly or wholly derived from waste materials, the function of these fertilizers is to improve the physical, biological, and chemical properties of the soil, these fertilizers are processed through the composting process, these fertilizers are very much needed because they are difficult to obtain at a high price. expensive. This study aims to obtain data on the growth and yield of sweet corn, due to the use of agricultural waste as organic fertilizer. The research method was experimentally consisting of 5 treatments and 5 replications; ie P0 = Without organic fertilizer (control) P1 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 2.5 tons/ha, P2 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 5 tons/ha P3 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 7.5 tons/ha, P4 = Dosage of organic fertilizer 10 tons /ha using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) The results showed that organic fertilizer had a significant effect on plant height aged 30, 40 and 50 DAP, had a very significant effect on cob length at a dose of 10 t.ha-1 and, had no significant effect on cob weight, will still have a high weight of 350 g.cob-1 From this description it can be concluded that organic compost can be used as a substitute for chemical fertilizers which provides an increase in the growth and production of sweet corn plants at the use of 10 tons/ha.
Computational-Aided Reproposing Drug(s) and Discovery for Potential Antivirals Targeting Hepatitis B Virus Capsid Protein
Authors: Mohebbi Alrieza , Naderi Malihe , Sharifian Kimia , Behnezhad Farzane , Mohebbi Maryam , Gholami Amytis , Askari Fatemeh Sana , Mirarab Azam , Monavari Seyed Hamidreza
Published: October 2023

Background: Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern, associated with severe liver diseases, necessitating ongoing research on novel drug candidates. This study aims to identify potential drug candidates targeting HBV core protein (HBcAg) and disrupting capsid assembly, a critical step in the virus's life cycle. Methods: HBcAg in complex with HBV inhibitors were obtained from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). CavityPlus server was used for analysis of druggable cavity. Structure-based pharmacophores were extracted from identified cavities, and potential allosteric ligand binding sites were assessed using CavPharmer, CorrSite, and CovCys. LigandScout was employed for ligand-based pharmacophore screening against an FDA-approved library. The ZINC database was screened with features extracted from CavPharmer. Molecular docking studies were conducted using Autodock Vina. Lead compounds were selected based on docking scores, binding modes, and interactions within the druggable cavity. Results: Strong druggable pockets were found for Ciclopirox, while Compound 24, NVR10-001E2, and others showed medium to weak pockets. Ligand-based pharmacophores varied in size and complexity. Screening revealed potential hits matching these pharmacophores, including Ciclopirox olamine, Voriconazole, Enasidenib, and Statins. A large compound database search yielded additional hits like ZINC86859997 and ZINC63280172. Docking analyses confirmed these hits' potential, highlighting their interactions with critical HBc protein residues, offering promising leads for hepatitis B drug development. Conclusions: Voriconazole, Enasidenib, and Lovastatin have shown promises. These hits displayed favorable interactions with crucial HBc protein residues, indicating their potential as lead compounds The mechanism of action of statins with anti-HBV activities also highlighted. This comprehensive approach offers valuable insights into targeting HBc protein for antiviral drug discovery.
Assessing the Potential Role of Cats (Felis catus) as Generators of Relevant SARS-CoV-2 Lineages during the Pandemic
Authors: Gomez-Romero Ninnet , Basurto-Alcantara Francisco Javier , Velazquez-Salinas Lauro
Published: October 2023

Several questions regarding the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly elucidated. One of these questions is the possible evolutionary impact of SARS-CoV-2 after the infection in domestic animals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role of cats as generators of relevant SARS-CoV-2 lineages during the pandemic. A total of 105 full-length genome viral sequences obtained from naturally infected cats during the pandemic were evaluated by distinct evolutionary algorithms. Analyses were enhanced, including a set of highly related SARS-CoV-2 sequences recovered from human populations. Our results showed the apparent high susceptibility of cats to the infection SARS-CoV-2 compared with other animal species. Evolutionary analyses indicated that the phylogenomic characteristics displayed by cat populations were influenced by the dominance of specific SARS-CoV-2 genetic groups affecting human populations. However, disparate dN/dS rates at some genes between populations recovered from cats and humans suggested that infection in these two species may suppose a different evolutionary constraint for SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, the branch selection analysis showed evidence of the potential role of natural selection in the emergence of 5 distinct cat lineages during the pandemic. Although these lineages were apparently irrelevant to public health during the pandemic, our results suggested that additional studies are needed to understand the role of other animal species in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 during the pandemic.
EDUKASI DAN PROGRAM VITAMIN D DALAM PENCEGAHAN OSTEOPOROSIS
Authors: Karim Ulfah Nuraini , Dewi Aliana
Published: October 2023

Osteoporosis adalah penyakit pengeroposan tulang yang banyak diderita oleh kalangan lanjut usia, terutama wanita.  Upaya pencegahan Osteoporosis di Indonesia sudah dilakukan  dengan peningkatan asupan kalsium termasuk vitamin D, dimana Vitamin D merupakan salah satu zat gizi yang penting untuk tulang.  Tujuan dari kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat ini memberdayakan masyarakat untuk menjaga asupan kalsium termasuk vitamin D selalu adekuat sehingga membantu mengurangi resiko Osteoporosis. Metode yang digunakan pada pengabdian masyarakat ini berupa partisipasi masyarakat dengan indikator kesertaan masyarakat dalam kegiatan melalui sosialisasi dan pelatihan yang dilakukan secara offline. Hasil dari kegiatan ini berupa sediaan asupan kalsium termasuk vitamin D yang dapat dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat dalam hal pemenuhan kebutuhan nutrisi untuk pencegahan Osteoporosis, sehingga kesehatan masyarakat meningkat.
Kata kunci: Osteoporosis, edukasi, program vitamin D.
 
ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis is a disease of bone loss that affects many elderly people, especially women. Efforts to prevent osteoporosis in Indonesia have been carried out by increasing calcium intake, including vitamin D, where vitamin D is an important nutrient for bones. The purpose of this community service activity is to empower the community to maintain adequate intake of calcium including vitamin D so as to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The method used in community service is in the form of community participation with indicators of community participation in activities through outreach and training which are conducted offline. The results of this activity are in the form of preparations for calcium intake including vitamin D which can be utilized by the community in terms of meeting nutritional needs for the prevention of Osteoporosis, so that public health improves.
Keywords: Osteoporosis, Education, Vitamin D Program.
CARACTERIZACIÓN TECNOTIPOLÓGICA DEL YACIMIENTO PALEOLÍTICO DE CUEVA ALLENDE (LIGÜÉRZANA, PALENCIA)
Authors: Gata Rueda Marco Antonio
Published: October 2023

En el presente trabajo de investigación se realiza un estudio tecnotipológico del material arqueológico recogido, a partir del sondeo realizado en el año 2021, en el yacimiento de Cueva Allende (Ligüérzana, Palencia). Además, se atenderá a la contextualización del yacimiento tanto cronológica como geográfica, se formularán hipótesis sobre la funcionalidad del yacimiento, duración de la/s ocupación/es, etc. Desde el punto de vista de las industrias líticas talladas se realiza una lectura tecnomorfológica de los conjuntos, la identificación de los esquemas operativos (variabilidad y complejidad de las cadenas operativas) y un estudio del utillaje retocado.
LOS MOSAICOS COMO FUENTE DOCUMENTAL: NUEVAS PERSPECTIVAS SOBRE MOSAICOS TARDÍOS DE ÉCIJA (SS. III-V)
Authors: Atenciano-Crespillo Jesús
Published: October 2023

En este trabajo se lleva a cabo un estudio de corte socioeconómico e ideológico sobre la élite romana a partir del siglo III d.C., disponiendo en una primera instancia una contextualización general de las mismas, para luego, analizar sus espacios residenciales principales en la ciudad de Écija. Los restos decorativos de estas viviendas, concretamente, los musivos, nos servirán posteriormente para confeccionar un estudio analítico y comparativo con el que interpretar el pensamiento estético, la ideología y el mensaje que este revitalizado grupo quiso transmitir en el momento.
GASTRONOMÍA Y SALUD EN AL-ÁNDALUS (VIII-XV)
Authors: Fernández Reina Daniel
Published: October 2023

La alimentación y la dieta en al-Ándalus fueron esenciales para la vida cotidiana de la población, pero también para la medicina de la época. Además, el acceso a los recursos y el consumo eran heterogéneos. El desarrollo de una agricultura propia y el crecimiento de los zocos como centros de distribución también participaron en el desarrollo de una cultura de los alimentos única en toda la cuenca mediterránea. El objetivo del trabajo es estudiar la caracterización todos estos elementos y la interrelación entre ellos que da forma a uno de los mayores activos del legado andalusí a nuestra sociedad.
The “Smart Home” Heat Supply System Based on District Heating with the Utilization of Secondary Energy Resources Using a heat Pump
Authors: Iokova I. L. , Perekhval M. B. , Migutskii I. E.
Published: October 2023

One of the most important aspects of a “smart home” is its heating system, which should provide comfortable living conditions for residents while also being energy-efficient. This article discusses an innovative approach to heating systems in “smart homes” based on centralized heating with the utilization of secondary energy resources using a heat pump. The proposed heating system combines the advantages of traditional centralized heating and the efficiency of heat pumps. The article presents a calculated scheme, for which a temperature chart was developed. A methodology for calculating heat loads for both the traditional heating scheme and combined heat and power (CHP) with heat pumps is also proposed, and the necessary calculations were carried out. For clarity of the obtained data, a graph depicting the total steam load required for heating as a function of ambient temperature is constructed, as well as a graph showing the steam load as a function of the duration of the ambient temperature. The analysis of the data revealed that the use of heat pumps in CHP schemes reduces electricity generation by eliminating its production in the steam flow in the condenser. This facilitates the coverage of the electricity consumption schedule during periods of low demand for the integrated energy system. Additionally, integrating a heat pump into the heating system of the centralized heating system helps reduce energy dissipation and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, making heating more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Moreover, the proposed heating system for a “smart home” demonstrates high technical and economic performance, ensuring the investment attractiveness of such a project.
Investigation of Heat and Mass Transfer in the Process of Convective Heat Treatment and Drying of Thermal Insulation Materials and Approximate Equation of the Drying Curve
Authors: Ol’shanskii A. I. , Golubev A. N.
Published: October 2023

The results of the study of heat treatment in the drying processes of thin thermal insulation materials based on the most general laws of convective drying of wet bodies with the establishment of the equation of the drying curve are presented. The numerical values of heat and mass transfer Biot numbers for the period of decreasing drying rate are established, too. Based on the study and analysis of numerous sources, the ranges of changes in the Lykov, Posnov, and phase transformation criteria for the processes of heat treatment of ceramics, asbestos, felt, and clay plates have been approximately determined. It is demonstrated that for values of Biot numbers less than one, for Lykov criteria value of 0.05–0.13 and for Posnov criteria value of 0.03–0.08 for drying modes with a temperature of 90–120 ° C, the task of drying, as a heat and mass transfer process, is external, and internal transfer does not affect the conditions of interaction of the material surface with the environment. It is also shown that the drying of thin materials takes place when the Biot number is less than one and, under the conditions of an external problem, the similarity criteria do not affect convective drying. The intensity of moisture evaporation from the body surface is determined by the value of the heat transfer coefficient in the Biot number and the regime parameters of the process. It has been established that the processes of drying materials are low-intensity processes. Based on the elements of the theory of thermal regular regime, the rate of heating of a wet body and the rate of decrease in moisture content are determined. The problem of constructing drying curves without conducting experiments to determine the duration of drying of thermal insulation materials based on approximate equations is considered; this problem is of interest for the practice of drying. The constructed drying curves do not coincide with the actual curve with an error of 4–5 %.
Aprendizagem Baseada em Projetos e Problemas na Educação Infantil e a Base Nacional Comum Curricular
Authors: Araújo Gilvan
Published: October 2023

As aprendizagens por problemas e projetos fazem parte de um momento atual de propostas de inovação didático-pedagógica. No Brasil, a Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC), de 2017, orienta que sejam trabalhados campos de experiência na Educação Infantil, que podem ser considerados na implementação de metodologias ativas de ensino e aprendizagem. Neste estudo, propõe-se uma reflexão sobre estes temas, envolvendo a BNCC, as aprendizagens por problemas e projetos e a Educação Infantil. A metodologia utilizada foi uma revisão e análise do referencial teórico e normativo, com vistas à confluência didático-pedagógica destas temáticas.
Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery Rate as a Quality Indicator Compared to Cesarean Delivery Rate: A Quantitative Analysis of a Population Database
Authors: Cundiff Geoffrey W. , Kaur Paramdeep , Hanley Gillian E. , Janssen Patti
Published: October 2023

Background:
Cesarean Delivery rate is a commonly used performance indicator to assess the quality of maternity care, and yet efforts to objectively define the optimal rate have foundered. The Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery rate was developed as an alternative approach. The Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery includes all vaginal deliveries, without an adverse labour outcome, whether or not forceps or vacuum were used. By assessing both mode of delivery as well as the absence of maternal and neonatal adverse delivery outcomes, it combines process and outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery rate as performance indicator, compared to the Cesarean Delivery rate.
Methods:
This is a retrospective cohort analysis of a higher risk obstetrical population drawn from the British Columbia Perinatal Data Registry, including all term deliveries by an obstetrician in 2015 in British Columbia, Canada. We excluded proscriptions for active labour, specifically transverse lie, active herpes, placenta previa, and vasa previa. Most obstetricians in this jurisdiction practice consultative obstetrics, focused on supporting primary maternity care. We investigated the association of Adverse Delivery with Cesarean Delivery and Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery rates.
Results:
We report 16,620 deliveries by 210 obstetricians, with a vaginal delivery rate of 39.6%, of which 36.6% were operative vaginal delivery. The overall Adverse Delivery rate was 9.9%, and the overall Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery rate was 34%. While the Cesarean Delivery and Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery by definition were correlated with mode of delivery, only the Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery rate was correlated to the Adverse Delivery rate.
Conclusions:
Quality assurance in obstetrics must balance the needs of two patients based on limited data. Our data suggest that the prevailing performance indicator, Cesarean Delivery rate, fails in this respect because, it does not correlate with birth outcomes for the pregnant patient or infant. The Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery rate, provides an alternative that correlates with both mode of delivery as a traditional indicator and labour outcomes. Shifting the quality lens to focus on Vaginal Uncomplicated Delivery rate will provide a better metric that measures optimal outcomes for pregnant people, and their babies.
Clinical analysis of 23 cases of neonatal Omicron (a variant of SARS-CoV-2) infection in Suzhou
Authors: Zhang Jie , Ma Yan , Xu Liang , Ji Yiding , Gu Lan
Published: October 2023

Objective
To analyze the clinical characteristics of neonatal cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection in Suzhou since December 2022.
Methods
In this retrospective case series study, the clinical data of 23 neonates with SARS-CoV-2 infection at our hospital from December 10, 2022, to January 10, 2023, were collected, and the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations and outcomes, laboratory changes, etc., were analyzed.
Results
Among the 23 infants, there were 9 males and 14 females, 22 full-term infants, and 1 premature infant (35 weeks+ 1). The oldest was 27 days old, and the youngest was premature. Age at diagnosis was 14(9.0,19.0) days. The mothers were all prenatally diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All 22 full-term infants lived with their mothers in the same room. Among them, 8 were exclusively breastfed, 14 were mixed-fed, and 1 was a preterm infant who was not breastfed. Twenty-two neonates were infected by horizontal transmission, and 1 was infected by suspected vertical transmission from mother to child. The clinical classification included 1 asymptomatic infection, 20 mild infections, 2 moderate infections. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (21 neonates), and the fever duration was 1–6 days. Other clinical manifestations included respiratory symptoms(18 neonates), digestive tract symptoms(12 neonates) and abdominal distension (2 neonates). Neurological symptoms included mild drowsiness, irritability, and crying (3 neonates). The other symptoms included 4 cases of jaundice and 2 cases of rash. The white blood cell count was lower than 4.0*109/L in 1 neonate. The lymphocyte count was lower than 1.0*109/L in 1 neonate. Interleukin-6 was normal in 3 neonates, slightly elevated in 11 neonates, and greater than 200 pg/ml in 2 neonates. Procalcitonin was slightly elevated in 1 neonate. The creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) was slightly elevated in 4 neonates. Two neonates had flocculent high-density shadows in chest X-ray. 21 patients were cured and discharged, while another 2 patients were discharged after improvement; the length of hospitalization was 3.8 (4.0,5.0)days. Twenty-one patients were followed up and no repeated clinical manifestations were reported.
Conclusion
SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates in this area was mainly transmitted horizontally and mainly mild cases, with mild clinical symptoms and mildly increased inflammatory indicators. The short-term prognosis was good.
Deciphering the Influence of AP1M2 in Modulating Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Mobility through JNK/ErK Signaling Pathway control
Authors: Wang Huan , Xie Xin , Du Minwei , Wang Xintong , Wang Kunyuan , Chen Xingyuan , Yang Hui
Published: October 2023

Background
HCC is the most common digestive system malignancy, with unclear pathogenesis and low survival rates. AP1M2 is associated with tumor progression, but its role and molecular mechanisms in HCC remain poorly understood and require further investigation.
Methods
We utilized the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Expression Analysis Interactive Hub (XENA) databases to assess AP1M2 mRNA expression levels in HCC patients. Additionally, we employed the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to identify pathways associated with both AP1M2 and HCC development. To evaluate the effect of AP1M2 on hepatocellular Carcinoma cell proliferation and migration, we employed various techniques including EdU, CCK8, Colony formation assay, and Transwell assays. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the signaling pathways influenced by AP1M2.
Results
AP1M2 expression was significantly increased at the mRNA level in HCC tissues(P < 0.001). Importantly, overall survival (OS) analysis confirmed the association between higher AP1M2 expression and a poorer prognosis in HCC patients compared to those with lower AP1M2 expression (P < 0.019).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that AP1M2 was an independent prognostic factor and a valid predictor for HCC patients. Furthermore, GSEA results indicated differential enrichment of lipid, bile acid, metal metabolism, and coagulation processes in HCC samples demonstrating a high AP1M2 expression phenotype. In vitro experiments supported these findings by demonstrating that AP1M2 promotes HCC cell proliferation and migration, while activating the JNK/ERK pathway.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that AP1M2 expression may serve as a potential molecular marker indicating a poor prognosis for HCC patients. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that AP1M2 significantly influences HCC cell proliferation and migration, with the JNK/ERK signaling pathway playing a key role in AP1M2-mediated regulation in the context of HCC.
The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Chronic Kidney Disease (iCKD) System Programme: Implementation within a Primary Care Network
Authors: Rizvi Fahad , Lakhani Niraj , Omuri Lydia , Roshan Simran , Kapasi Tariq , Wilson Philippe B. , White Samuel J
Published: October 2023

Background: The optimisation of patients in primary care is a prime opportunity to manage patient care within the community and reduce the burden of referrals on secondary care. Herein we report a quality improvement clinical programme taking place within an NHS Primary Care Network as part of the wider Leicester Leicestershire Rutland integrated chronic kidney disease programme.
Method: Patients are optimised to guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, supported by a primary care clinical team who are in turn supported by nephrology consultants and nephrology pharmacists. The secondary care specialists undertake monthly multidisciplinary team meetings with the primary care staff where learning is passed to the community clinicians for better patient treatment locally.
Results: A total of 526 patients were reviewed under this project and following upskilling of the local clinician team in nephrology and medicine management, the total number of referrals to secondary care which were discharged following first outpatient appointment reduced from 42.9% to 10%. This reduction of 32.9% represents the sifting and optimisation of patients cases through this quality improvement programme by allowing many patients to be optimised and managed within the community and reducing the number of unnecessary referrals to secondary care, instead referring the difficult and complex cases which benefit the most from care within the Trust.
Conclusion: This programme has the potential to offer significant improvement in patient outcomes when expanded to a larger patient base, whilst optimising both the medicine management and the use of clinical staff in both primary and secondary care.
Synergistic effect of nano strontium titanate (SrTiO3) coating and ultraviolet C photofunctionalization on osteogenic performance and soft tissue sealing of poly (ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK)
Authors: Chen Tianjie , Jinno Yohei , Atsuta Ikiru , Tsuchiya Akira , Obinata Sora , Iimori Riku , Kimura Takashi , Ayukawa Yasunori
Published: October 2023

Background

Poly (ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) is regarded as a potential dental implant material. However, PEEK’s biological inertness hinders its osseointegration and soft tissue sealing properties, thereby limiting the application of PEEK. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the bioactivity of PEEK after surface modification by persistent photoconductive strontium titanate (SrTiO3) magnetron sputtering and ultraviolet (UV) C irradiation.

Methods

According to the different modification, the PEEK specimens were randomly divided into five groups (n = 38/group): PEEK, Sr100-PEEK, Sr200-PEEK, UV/PEEK, and UV/Sr200-PEEK. Then, the specimens of Sr100-PEEK and Sr200PEEK groups were respectively coated with 100 nm and 200 nm thickness photocatalyst SrTiO3 on the PEEK surface by magnetron sputtering. Subsequently, UV-C light was photofunctionalized the specimens of PEEK and Sr200-PEEK groups to form UV/PEEK and UV/Sr200-PEEK groups. The specimens were characterized by a step meter, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy
(AFM), energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX) and a water contact angle meter. The release test of Sr ion was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In vitro study, osteogenic activity (MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells) and epithelial and connective tissue attachment (gingival epithelial cells GE1 and fibroblasts NIH3T3) were analyzed in five groups.

Results

Surface morphology of the specimens was changed after coating and the Sr content on the Sr-PEEK surface was increased with increasing coating thickness. In addition, the contact angle was increased significantly after magnetron sputtering. After UV-C photofunctionalization, the content of surface elements has changed and the contact angle was decreased. The release of Sr ion was sustained and the final cumulative release amount did not exceed the safety limit. In vitro experiments showed that SrTiO3 improved the cell activity of MC3T3-E1, UV-C irradiation further enhanced the osteogenic performance of PEEK. Besides, UV-C irradiation also significantly promoted the cell viability, development and expression of adhesion proteins of GE1 and NIH3T3 on PEEK.

Conclusions

The present investigation demonstrated that nano SrTiO3 coating with UV-C photofunctionalization synergistically enhanced the osteogenic properties and soft tissue sealing function of PEEK in vitro.
Analysis of the incidence and influencing factors of abdominal distension in postoperative lung cancer patients in ICU based on real-world data: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Yan , Tang Tingting , Wang Chunyan , Wang Chunmei , Zhu Daxing
Published: October 2023

Background: Abdominal distension is a relatively common complication in postoperative lung cancer patients, which affects patients' early postoperative recovery to varying degrees. However, the current status of the incidence of abdominal distension in postoperative lung cancer patients and the affecting factors are not well understood. This study aims at exploring the incidence of abdominal distension in postoperative lung cancer patients in ICU based on real-world data and analyzing its influencing factors.
Methods : A retrospective cohort study was conducted, included in which were patients who underwent surgical resections in lung cancer center of West China Hospital of Sichuan University between April 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021. Nevertheless, patients younger than 18 years and those whose information was limited in medical records were excluded. All data were obtained from the hospital HIS system. In this study, the influencing factors of abdominal distension were analyzed by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression methods.
Results: A total of 1317 patients met eligibility criteria, and were divided into the abdominal distended group and the non-distended group according to whether abdominal distension occurred after surgery. Abdominal distension occurred in a total of 182 cases among them, whose proportional value was 13.8%. The results of the univariate analysis showed that, compared with the non-distended group, the abdominal distended group had these features as follows: more women (P=0.021), younger age (P=0.000), lower BMI (P=0.000), more patients with open thoracotomy (P=0.000), more patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P=0.000), more days of hospitalization on average (P=0.000), and higher costs of hospitalization on average (P=0.032). Multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that sex (OR=0.521; 95% CI=0.376～0.722) and surgical methods (OR=3.874; 95%CI=2.731～5.534) were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of abdominal distension in patients after lung cancer surgery in ICU.
Conclusions: The incidence of abdominal distension was higher in postoperative lung cancer patients in ICU, and female patients and patients with open thoracotomy were more likely to have abdominal distension.
Trial registration:The study was approved by the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (registration number was ChiCTR2200061370).
Development and validation of clinical predictive models for differentiated thyroid carcinoma and cervical lymph node metastasis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Xiao , Wang Han-yu , Lu Qing , Wang Yu , Hu Qin-yu , Sun Hui
Published: October 2023

Background: For differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), the main negative prognostic factor is
cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM). Two clinical prediction models were established based on the preoperative characteristics of thyroid nodules to provide a more individualized guidance for predicting DTC and CLNM.
Methods: Altogether, 679 hospitalized patients with DTC and 294 patients with benign thyroid nodules were retrospectively included, and patients with DTC were further distinguished as having CLNM. Two multiple logistic regression models were established in this retrospective cohort. The considered predictors mainly included ultrasound features of thyroid nodules and lymph nodes, as well as clinical characteristics, including body mass index, age, sex, and thyroid-related laboratory parameters. All cases were used as a training set and internally validated using bootstrap resampling.
Results: The receiver operating curve (ROC) of the model for diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules corresponded to an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.873 in the training set and a Brier score of 0.116 for calibration. After bootstrap internal validation, the adjusted AUC was 0.858, and the Brier score was 0.122. The model had better performance than the only ultrasound grading for diagnosing DTC. The ROC of the model for predicting CLNM had an AUC value of 0.745 in the training set, and the Bbrier score was 0.203. After bootstrap internal validation, the adjusted AUC value was 0.720, and the Brier score was 0.214.
Conclusion: The two clinical prediction models have good predictive efficacy for diagnosing DTC and assessing its metastasis, providing new diagnostic tools.