bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Student Perception of Arabic Language Education Study Program towards PTMT and Hybrid Learning at Jambi University
Authors: Huda Ary Myftakhul , Ningtias Adilia , Lubis Syukron Hidayah , Janah Syifa Farhatul , Mulyadi Mulyadi
Published: February 2023

The background of this research is related to the model of the teaching and learning process at the University of Jambi, especially the Arabic Language Education Study Program. This study aims to determine the students' perception of Arabic Language Education Study Program towards PTMT (Limited Face-to-face Meeting) and Hybrid Learning at Jambi University. This study uses a qualitative descriptive approach, namely data and information retrieval using google forms which are distributed through online student WhatsApp groups, the number of informants is 30 people who are given critical questions and answers to 33 questions with option categories (1. Strongly agree, 2. Agree, 3. Doubtful, 4. Disagree, 5. Strongly disagree).
Nueva traducción de los sonetos 91, 92 y 93 de W. Shakespeare al español. Sobre la aceptabilidad léxica y el uso de los procedimientos técnicos en la traducción de poesía
Authors: Pliego Sánchez Isidro
Published: February 2023

El trabajo presenta una nueva traducción de los sonetos 91, 92 y 93 de William Shakespeare que supone una mejora de la cohesión discursiva presentada en muchas otras traducciones. Los tres sonetos componen una unidad semántica inseparable, como lo demuestran los conectores que los enlazan.  En consecuencia, la coherencia semántica se refuerza con la cohesión gramatical. Para mantener la red semántica del original, se proponen el uso de numerosos procedimientos técnicos, así como la elección cuidada de un léxico genuino y representativo del español. Estos dos elementos ejemplifican el uso del concepto de aceptabilidad. Palabras clave:  Traductología, Procedimientos técnicos, Aceptabilidad, Shakespeare, Sonetos.
Pedro López de Ayala y Pedro Ferruz, o de las falsedades de las novelas de caballerías: mentiras probadas y burlas encantadas
Authors: Cáseda Teresa Jesús Fernando
Published: February 2023

Este estudio analiza la figura del escritor judío del siglo XIV Pedro Ferruz, especialmente su sátira contra Pedro López de Ayala escrita a causa de unos versos del Rimado de Palacio en que este último llamó a las novelas de caballerías “mentiras probadas y burlas encantadas”. Descubre, asimismo, el alcance real de su ataque contra el poderoso canciller de Castilla en dos dezires, el segundo de los cuales ha pasado completamente desapercibido para la crítica. Y busca las razones políticas, religiosas y los orígenes estamentales de su invectiva contra López de Ayala.
Datos arqueológicos inéditos en la sinagoga de Córdoba y su entorno
Authors: Rodero Pérez Santiago , Moreno Almenara Maudilio
Published: February 2023

En este artículo presentamos los resultados obtenidos en los trabajos arqueológicos desarrollados en la sinagoga y en el número dieciocho de la calle Judíos. Quizás los más importantes resultados sean la aparición de la muralla romana, un acueducto medieval y una casa judía que pertenecería al complejo sinagogal.
The role of structural factors for preventing HIV risk practices among adolescents in South Africa: A three-wave analysis of caregiving, education, food security, and social protection
Authors: Rudgard William Edward , Saminathen Maria Granvik , Banougnin Boladé Hamed , Shenderovich Yulia , Toska Elona
Published: February 2023

Background.
Structural interventions are endorsed to enhance biomedical and behavioural HIV prevention programmes for adolescents. Aiming to inform future interventions, we evaluated longitudinal associations between six structural factors and five HIV risk practices in a cohort of adolescents in South Africa.
Methods.
We used three rounds of data between 2014–2018 on 1046 adolescents living with HIV and 483 age-matched community peers in South Africa’s Eastern Cape (Observations = 4402). We used multivariable random effects within-between logistic regression to estimate sex-specific associations between six time-varying structural factors − number of social grants, education enrolment, days with enough food, caregiver supervision, positive caregiving, and adolescent-caregiver communication − and five HIV risk practices − multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, age-disparate sex, condomless sex, and sex on substances. We calculated probability differences, contrasting predicted probabilities at average and maximum values of structural factors associated with multiple risk practices.
Findings.
The sample mean age was 15.29 (SD: 3.23) years and 58% were female. In females, compared to average, maximum positive caregiving scores were associated with lower probability of transactional sex (-1.06 percentage points [ppts], 95%CI=-1.60; -0.52ppts), and age-disparate sex (-0.73ppts; 95%CI=-1.26; -0.19ppts); maximum caregiver supervision scores were associated with lower probability of multiple sexual partners (-3.11ppts; 95%CI=-3.87; -2.35ppts) transactional sex (-1.07ppts, 95%CI=-1.42; -0.71ppts), age-disparate sex (-0.67ppts; 95%CI=-1.08; -0.25ppts), condomless sex (-3.96ppts; 95%CI=-5.65; -2.26ppts), and sex on substances (-0.93ppts; 95%CI=-1.50; -0.37ppts); and, seven days with enough food was associated with lower probability of multiple sexual partners (-1.18ppts, 95%CI=-2.06; -0.30ppts), and transactional sex (-0.91ppts; 95%CI=-1.41; -0.42ppts). Relative to non-enrolment, education enrolment was associated with lower probability of age-disparate sex (-3.18ppts; 95%CI=-5.35; -1.01ppts), and condomless sex (-11.32ppts; 95%CI=-19.15; -3.49ppts). In males, compared to average, maximum caregiver supervision scores were associated with lower probability of multiple sexual partners (-2.83ppts; 95%CI=-3.66; -2.00ppts), transactional sex (-0.90ppts; 95%CI=-1.20; -0.60ppts), age-disparate sex (-0.46ppts; 95%CI=-0.77; -0.15ppts), and sex on substances (-1.42ppts; 95%CI=-2.06; -0.78ppts). No other structural factors were associated with multiple risk practices.
Interpretation.
Structural interventions to improve food security and education enrolment among adolescent girls, and positive and supervisory caregiving among adolescent girls and boys are likely to translate into crucial reductions in HIV risk.
Perceptions of Pregnant Couples to Talking to Baby in the Womb
Authors: Bhamani Shelina , Syed Areeba , Karim Zaibunissa , Faisal Abdullah Bin , Malik Hajra , Abbas Maliha , Attaullah Anita , Sheikh Lumaan
Published: February 2023

Various external factors influence a child's growth in-utero. Recent studies aim to investigate how external stimuli, specifically auditory stimuli, affect an unborn child's development. Data was gathered through an online survey approach, and the investigation was carried out utilizing a descriptive qualitative study methodology. The participants were asked to participate in the research survey and fill out a semi-structured questionnaire at the conclusion of the workshop, which is when the data was gathered. A total of 66 pregnant couples took part in the study. Thematic analysis was used manually to accomplish the analysis. This study investigates how parents feel about conversing with their unborn child. Interestingly, the findings were able to demonstrate that the parents had a fundamental understanding of the significance of such communication in relation to the fetus's cognitive growth elements. According to the participants' comments, there may be a limit to communicating in the womb due to physical and social issues such as household conditions, social taboos, shyness, being judged in public settings like workplaces, and a lack of family incentive to foster this link between mother and baby. The impact of stressors, anxiety, and mental health on foetal growth and development as well as the mother's reactions to the infant were also analyzed. Parents also discussed the obstacles they had during their pregnancy, discussing how communication is one-way and how challenging it is for parents to comprehend the fetus's signals and reactions.
Clusters, determinants, and short- and long-term effects of coexisting multiple high-risk factors in pregnancy on mothers and their children’s health: study protocol
Authors: Zhang Yue , Wang Hui , Ding Weijie , Zhou Yaguan , Dai Xiaochen , Zhu Xiaoqin , Xu Xiaolin
Published: February 2023

Background: Existing studies have identified a wide range of preventable risk factors of adverse pregnant outcomes, including physical and mental conditions before pregnancy, complications and symptoms during pregnancy, and obesity and other risk factors. These risk factors may co-occur simultaneously, resulting in the coexistence of multiple high-risk factors in pregnancy (MHFP). There is a lack of study evaluating the characteristics, determinants, and health outcomes of MHFP.
Methods: This study will be conducted by combing retrospective and prospective cohort studies. Our data will be collected from Huai’an – a prefectural region in Jiangsu province, located in the eastern part of China. In 2010, 2015, and 2022, we conducted three population-based birth surveys from 151 level I-III hospitals; and we have routinely recorded morbidity and mortality data for mothers and their children since 2008. Traditional and statistical machine learning approaches will be conducted to characterize and identify clusters of MHFP and to investigate changes in these clusters over time. Moreover, we will prospectively collect data for participants from 2022 (n=2000) to examine the short-term effects of MHFP during 2023-2025 (0-3 years); meanwhile we will retrospectively collect data for participants from Waves 2010 (n=2000) and 2015 (n=2000) to examine the long-term effects of MHFP on mothers and children during the period from 2010 to 2022 (0-12 years), and from 2015 to 2022 (0-7 years), respectively. Information on pregnant women and their children will be collected through questionnaires, physical examinations, and linkage to hospital information systems.
Discussion: Our project will present a comprehensive understanding of the causes and health outcomes of MHFP on mothers and their children’s health. Examining the association between MHFP and adverse maternal and offspring outcomes can help inform comprehensive prevention strategies that move beyond targeting any single risk factor. Furthermore, these findings will inform the effective clinical interventions for MHFP before, during, and after pregnancy, and inform the necessary upstream public health and policy interventions.
Study funding/competing interests: This study is funded by grant to XX from China Medical Board Open Competition Program (21-416), and XZ from Jiangsu Maternal and Child Health Program (F201932), Key Medical Program of Jiangsu Health Commission (ZD2021044), Huai’an Science and Technology Program (HAB202043).
Trial registration: Not applicable.
A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of an exercise therapy program based on sports towards people with acquired brain injury: DISCOVER study protocol
Authors: Gutiérrez-Suárez Andrea , Perez-Rodríguez Marta , García-Hernández Juan José , Rodríguez-Romero Beatriz
Published: February 2023

Background People with acquired brain injury (ABI) frequently exhibit physical and psychosocial challenges, regarding the ‘body structure and function’, ‘activity’ and ‘participation’ ICF domains. Multidisciplinary approaches oriented to exercise therapy and social leisure activities seem to be fundamental to elicit neuroplastic adaptations to enhance physical recovery, as well as to improve the cognitive and behavioural sequels after ABI. The DIScover trial has been designed to support the development of fundamental movement and participation skills through a exercise therapy program based on racket sports. This program is a tool with a high social component that allows to integrate different body synergies and complex motor strategies that promote functional performance on both lower and upper limbs. Methods This randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups will aim to design and determine the effectiveness of a racket sports-based exercise therapy program in improving upper limb motor function, functional capacity, mobility, balance and quality of life towards people with ABI. Discussion The current study provides an holistic approach that combines exercise therapy and sport-based functional demands that can be easily integrated into participants’ daily life activities. Results from this trial may guide healthcare professionals working with patients with ABI to better guide this population in reaching optimal levels of health and physical activity levels.Trial registration number:NCT05358470
Ensemble Machine Learning Models for Evaluation of Sperm Quality with Respect to Success Rate of Clinical Pregnancy in IVF, ICSI, and IUI Methods
Authors: Mehrjerd Ameneh , Dehghani Toktam , Eslami Saeid , Jajroudi Mahdiyeh , Rezaei Hassan , Ghaebi Nayyereh Khadem
Published: February 2023

Objective: Evaluation of the effect of sperm quality on the success rate of clinical pregnancy and the possibility of infertility. The primary objective was to determine the success rate of clinical pregnancy (CPR). The secondary objective was to evaluate the clinical pregnancy rate (FHR).
Method: This retrospective study evaluated 1929 couples who were treated with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), in Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) was conducted in two infertility centers; while data from donated eggs or sperm and a surrogate uterus along with data from infertile couples with a combination of male and female factors were excluded. In this study, five ensemble machine-learning models were utilized to predict the success rate of clinical pregnancy.
Results:Among the proposed ensemble models, the Random Forest (RF) model achieved the highest mean accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) and outperformed all other models in three procedures. Our results show that in cycles with 1 to 5 retrieved eggs, sperm motility and the count of sperm had a positive effect on the rate of clinical pregnancy. Furthermore, the results indicated that cut-off values of 54 (p-value=0.02, 95%-CIs (1.05, 2.13)) and 35 (p-value=0.03, 95% 95%-CIs (1.06, 2.86)) for the count parameter in IVF/ICSI, and IUI, respectively. In addition, a significant cut-off points of 30 (p-value < 0.001) was obtained for the morphology parameter in all procedures. Sperm parameters were negatively weighted in the model obtained by the RF. In addition, the acquired data illustrated that in each procedure, the morphology parameter demonstrated a significant difference in clinical pregnancy between successful and unsuccessful groups.
Conclusion: The second course of IVF procedure increased success rates in clinical pregnancy in patients with lower-than-average sperm parameters, while the IUI technique was demonstrated to be more effective in patients with above-average of sperm parameters.
Alveolar Branches of Canalis Sinuosus: A Radiographic and Morphometric Assessment by Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Uzun Canan , Çitir Mesude
Published: February 2023

Background: Evaluation of the alveolar branches of canalis sinuosus (ABCS) to analyze its features and whether it is a variation or an anatomical structure.
Methods: ABCS was assessed retrospectively from the ramification site to the end of its trajectory by cone beam computed tomography, considering gender, age, and the voxel size of the images. Descriptive analysis, Pearson Chi-square, Fisher’s exact and Mann-Whitney-U tests, and Spearman’s correlation were used in statistics.
Results: 167 ABCS were identified in 82 (72.6%) of 113 individuals and the incidence of ABCS wider than 1mm was 32.7% per individuals. Presence or number of ABCS was independent of age and gender (P˃.05). Ramification site of ABCS from the main canal was 96.4% below the nasal cavity floor and mostly at the level of central incisors (46.1%). A significant correlation was defined between the origin and the end of ABCS trajectory (P<.000). The end of ABCS trajectory as facio-palatal was 44.9% buccal, then 35.9% palatal surface of the bone. Voxel sizes of images was negatively correlated with ABCS presence (P≤.013) and ABCS number per individual (P≤.002).
Conclusions: ABCS is more likely to be an anatomical structure than an anatomical variation, but many are less than 1mm in diameter and the voxel size is important for radiographic observation.
Heavy-ion induced analog SET impact on inter-stage inductor low noise amplifiers at 10 and 30 GHz frequencies
Authors: Periyasamy Rajendiran
Published: February 2023

This research article investigated the analog single transient (Analog SET) impact on inter-stage inductor low-noise amplifiers (LNA) working in the 10 and 30 GHz frequencies. The impact of a single event is analysed in two different cases; (a) the absence of radio-frequency signal input (i.e., DC voltage alone), and (b) the presence of radio-frequency with the DC voltage. Case (a) is analysed in the time-domain, where as the collected charge (QCol) is estimated by the integration of transient current with time appropriate limits, and Case (b) evaluates the LNA output disturbance by spectrogram(mathematical tool) outcome due to radiation hits on the MOSFET (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor), which is used for formulate the LNA circuit. The article conclusion arrives from estimated collected charge (QCol) on the ion track of the device which is used to formulate the LNA, and their spectrogram results of the disturbed LNA output on the radiation environment. Based on these LNA metrics, the radiation strike disturb the LNA more when working on a low-frequency signal (10 GHz) than the LNA working on a high-frequency signal (30 GHz).
Probiotic potential of Vaginal flora from healthy Indian women against Urinary pathogens
Authors: Nair Veena G , CS Srinandan , Narbhavi Dhiviya , A Anupriya , N Prabhusaran , Nagarajan Saisubramanian
Published: February 2023

The usage of probiotics is becoming more common because of the mounting body of research demonstrating its advantages for human health. Of late probiotics have transitioned to a highly promising prophylactic measure that affords colonization resistance against multitude of pathogens. A crucial defence mechanism in the human body against numerous illnesses, especially urogenital ones, is the vaginal microbiota. The present study focuses on screening and isolation of culturable vaginal commensal microbiota from 54 healthy Indian women, and explore its putative probiotic traits such as coaggregation, antagonistic action against uropathogens, ability to form biofilms, antibiotic sensitivity, adhesion properties, etc. In addition, how oestradiol might affect isolated vaginal probiotics in both planktonic and biofilm states were also explored. The purpose of this work was to build a preliminary probiotics topography, specifically a Lactobacilli cartography, from a healthy Indian women cohort, characterize them at the molecular level, and interpret the key activities which were needed for the design and use probiotics as an antimicrobial sparing therapy to curtail UTI infection on the face of rising antimicrobial resistance. Our long-term goal of this work is to develop feminine hygiene product that is incorporated with probiotics to protect against pathogen colonisation without creating dysbiosis and improve women's quality of life.
Dihydrotestosterone Induces Arterial Stiffening in Female Mice
Authors: Horton Alec C. , Wilkinson Mary M. , Kilanowski-Doroh Isabella , Ogola Benard O. , Lindsey Sarah H.
Published: February 2023

Background: Testosterone is the predominant sex hormone in men and is increased in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. These patients also experience an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and arterial stiffness. Since our previous work shows an important role for the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in arterial stiffness, we hypothesized that other hormones including androgens may impact arterial stiffness in female mice via regulation of GPER.
Methods: The impact of the non-aromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, and the progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (all 100 nM for 24 h) on GPER and ERα expression was assessed in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). To assess the in vivo impact of the DHT-induced downregulation of GPER, female ovary-intact C57Bl/6 mice were treated with silastic capsules containing DHT for 4 weeks, one with a dosage expected to mimic human male DHT levels and another to double the expected human concentration (n=8-9/group).
Results: GPER mRNA was only decreased by DHT (P=0.001), while ERα expression was significantly suppressed by all hormones (P<0.0001). While blood pressure was not different between groups (P= 0.59), there was a dose-dependent increase in body weight (control 22±2 g, single dose 24±2 g, double dose 26±2 g; P=0.0002). Intracarotid stiffness measured via pulse wave velocity showed a more than two-fold increase in both DHT-treated groups (control 1.9±0.3 m/s, single dose 4.3±0.8 m/s, double dose 4.8±1.0 m/s). Histological analysis of aortic sections using Masson’s trichrome showed a significant decrease in collagen between the control group (24 ± 5%) and the double dose group (17 ± 3%, P=0.007), despite no changes in aortic wall thickness or smooth muscle content. Lastly, ddPCR showed that in vivo DHT treatment decreased aortic expression of both GPER (control 20±5, single dose 10.5 ± 5.6, double dose 10±4 copies/ng; P=0.001) and ERα (control 54±2, single dose 24±13, and double dose 23 ± 12 copies/ng; P=0.003).
Conclusions: These findings indicate that testosterone promotes arterial stiffening and cardiovascular damage in female mice and is associated with decreased estrogen receptor expression. These data are important not only for polycystic ovarian syndrome patients but also women using testosterone for fitness, gender transitioning, or reduced libido.
ControlPULP: A RISC-V On-Chip Parallel Power Controller for Many-Core HPC Processors with FPGA-Based Hardware-In-The-Loop Power and Thermal Emulation
Authors: Ottaviano Alessandro , Balas Robert , Bambini Giovanni , Vecchio Antonio del , Ciani Maicol , Rossi Davide , Benini Luca , Bartolini Andrea
Published: February 2023

High-Performance Computing (HPC) processors are nowadays integrated Cyber-Physical Systems demanding complex and high-bandwidth closed-loop power and thermal control strategies. To efficiently satisfy real-time multi-input multi-output (MIMO) optimal power requirements, high-end processors integrate an on-die power controller system (PCS).
While traditional PCSs are based on a simple microcontroller (MCU)-class core, more scalable and flexible PCS architectures are required to support advanced MIMO control algorithms for managing the ever-increasing number of cores, power states, and process, voltage, and temperature variability.
This paper presents ControlPULP, an open-source, HW/SW RISC-V parallel PCS platform consisting of a single-core MCU with fast interrupt handling coupled with a scalable multi-core programmable cluster accelerator and a specialized DMA engine for the parallel acceleration of real-time power management policies. ControlPULP relies on FreeRTOS to schedule a reactive power control firmware (PCF) application layer.
We demonstrate ControlPULP in a power management use-case targeting a next-generation 72-core HPC processor.We first show that the multi-core cluster accelerates the PCF, achieving 4.9x speedup compared to single-core execution, enabling more advanced power management algorithms within the control hyper-period at a shallow area overhead, about 0.1\% the area of a modern HPC CPU die. We then assess the PCS and PCF by designing an FPGA-based, closed-loop emulation framework that leverages the heterogeneous SoCs paradigm, achieving DVFS tracking with a mean deviation within 3\% the plant's thermal design power (TDP) against a software-equivalent model-in-the-loop approach. Finally, we show that the proposed PCF compares favorably with an industry-grade control algorithm under computational-intensive workloads.
How much do simple random processes explain species-area relationships? A global synthesis and a new metric
Authors: Silva Marco Aurélio Ferreira , Mendes Clarice Braúna , Prevedello Jayme Augusto
Published: February 2023

Context
The species-area relationship (SAR) is one of the main patterns in Ecology, but its underlying causes are still under debate. The random placement hypothesis (RPH) is the simplest one to explain the SAR: larger areas are more likely to contain more individuals and, as a consequence, more species. However, it is still unclear the degree to which the RPH is supported for different taxa and regions globally.
Objectives
We performed the first global synthesis on the RPH to investigate which variables mediate variation in the degree of support of this hypothesis across taxa and regions.
Methods
We conducted a review of the global SAR literature and created a new integrative metric to estimate the degree of support of the RPH. This metric takes into account the coefficient of determination, the intercept, and the slope of the relationship between observed (empirical) and predicted (according to the RPH) species richness. We analyzed the relationship between this metric and different geographic and ecological factors.
Results
We found a total of 52 independent tests of the RPH. About 42% of these tests confirmed the RPH. Using the new metric, we found that the degree of support of the RPH was significantly higher for plants than animals, and increased consistently with latitude.
Conclusions
Simple probabilistic processes are important to determine SARs, especially for sessile organisms and at higher latitudes. Further tests of the RPH, especially using the new metric introduced here, will be vital to understand the processes underlying the SAR and to advance Landscape Ecology.
Dosimetric characteristics of radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters for proton beams
Authors: Oonsiri Sornjarod , Kingkaew Sakda , Vimolnoch Mananchaya , Chatchumnan Nichakan , Oonsiri Puntiwa
Published: February 2023

Background: The study of radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RGDs) in the clinical usage of proton beams is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the dosimetric characteristics of RGDs for pencil beam scanning proton therapy. The feasibility of using an RGD in end-to-end testing of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans at various treatment sites was also evaluated.
Materials and methods: The dosimetric characteristics of the GD-302M type glass dosimeter were studied in terms of uniformity, short-term and long-term reproducibility, stability of the magazine position readout, dose linearity in the range from 0.2-20 Gy, energy response in 70-220 MeV, MU/spot, dose rate response, and fading effect. The reference conditions of the spot scanning beam from the Varian ProBeam Compact system were operation at 160 MeV, a 2 cm water equivalent depth in a solid water phantom, a 10×10 cm field size at the isocenter, and 2 Gy dose delivery. End-to-end testing of IMPT plans for the head, abdomen, and pelvis was verified by using the Alderson Rando phantom. The overall uncertainty analysis was confirmed in this study.
Results: The relative response of RGDs for the uniformity test was within 0.95-1.05. The %CVs of the short-term and long-term reproducibility were 1.16% and 1.50%, respectively. The FGD-1000 automatic reader showed stable magazine position readout. The dose linearity was found to have an obviously good linear relationship, with R2 = 0.9988. The energy response relative to 160 MeV was approximately within 4.0%. The MU/spot and dose rate had less effect on the RGD readout. The fading effect was relatively stable for 10 weeks of storage, within 2.4%. For the end-to-end test, the maximum difference between the treatment plan and RGD measurement showed a very good result that was within 1.0%. The overall uncertainty of the RGD measurement for the proton beam was 4.6%.
Conclusion: RGDs have confirmed the potential for proton dosimetry, including in end-to-end testing. The appropriate correction factor for the energy response can be applied for dose verification of scanning proton beams.
Incorporating heterogeneity in farmer disease control behaviour into a livestock disease transmission model
Authors: Hill Edward , Prosser Naomi , Brown Paul , Ferguson Eamonn , Green Martin , Kaler Jasmeet , Keeling Matt , Tildesley Michael
Published: February 2023

Human behaviour is critical to effective responses to livestock disease outbreaks, especially with respect to vaccination uptake. Traditionally, mathematical models used to inform this behaviour have not taken heterogeneity in farmer behaviour into account. We address this by exploring how heterogeneity in farmers vaccination behaviour can be incorporated to inform mathematical models. We developed and used a graphical user interface to elicit farmers (n = 60) vaccination decisions to an unfolding epidemic and linked this to their psychosocial and behavioural profiles. We identified, via cluster analysis, robust patterns of heterogeneity in vaccination behaviour. By incorporating these groupings into a mathematical livestock disease model, we explored how heterogeneity in behaviour impacts epidemiological outcomes. When assuming homogeneity in farmer behaviour versus configurations informed by the psychosocial profile cluster estimates, the modelled scenarios revealed a disconnect in projected distributions and threshold statistics across outbreak size, outbreak duration and health economic measures.
Treatment of a maternal in cardiogenic shock due to bacterial endocarditis combined with Libman-Sacks endocarditis ： a case report and literature review
Authors: Chen ZeLun , Wang Tianguang , Zhou Dexing , Wang MingFa
Published: February 2023

Background

As one of the most common cardiac manifestations of systemin lupus erythematous (SLE), Libman-Sacks (LS) endocarditis is a non-bacterial form of thrombotic endocarditis characterized by sterile vegetations deposited on heart valves consisting of fibrin mixed with immune complexes and platelets. Although patients with LS endocarditis usually have no significant valvular, persistent LS endocarditis may be complicated by bacterial endocarditis, leading to serious complications including acute valve regurgitation, acute heart failure, and even cardiogenic shock, which were rare in maternal. Therefore, such case with atypical SLE manifestations combining with various complications deserves more attention.

Case presentation

We reported a rare case of a maternal without SLE history who progressed to cardiogenic shock resulting in preterm. After delivery of fetus, she was considered as bacterial endocarditis according to the results of lab tests and echocardiography. Then, LS endocarditis was also found after surgery. Moreover, SLE with catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) was also confirmed during the course of treatment. Finally, Combined use of methylprednisolone and human immunoglobulin injection was carried out and the patient’s condition improved and discharged on the 13th post-operative day.

Conclusion

The interference of infective endocarditis with the type of pre-existing lesion in the disease process can influence our judgement and treatment decisions, which is worth noting.
Phase-field based peridynamics implementation to model blast-induced fracture in brittle solids
Authors: Mondal Anirban , Pathrikar Anil , Karekal Shivakumar
Published: February 2023

We propose a non-ordinary state-based (NOSB) peridynamics models for (i) stress concentration in a plate with a hole under static loading, (ii) blast induced dynamic brittle fracture process and (iii) subsurface blast induced damage in steel reinforced concrete. In this model formulation, fractures take their own natural paths. Damage is captured through a scalar damage variable that transits from an intact state of the material to the fully damaged state in a sharp yet smooth manner. The proposed blast formulation considers the effect of conversion of a material state from solid (explosives reactants) to gaseous state (products) during shock wave detonation. The pressure in explosive gas is evaluated using an equation of state. The interaction between gas and rock is modelled using extrapolated stress based on the considerations of stress continuity and numerical stability at the solid-gas interface. The equations that govern the mechanical deformation and damage, are in the form of coupled integrodifferential equations derived based on the Hamilton’s principle. Proposed formulation captures the initial radial cracks and spall fracture in the rock medium under explosive induced both shock energy and gas energy, and the subsurface damaged zone in the steel reinforced concrete medium. The simulation results of all the three peridynamics models are compared and validated with published results.
Suchbewegungen und Ansätze nachhaltiger digitaler Schulentwicklung am Beispiel des Projekts ‹Smarte Schulen› (SMASCH)
Authors: Cafantaris Karola , Brandau Nina , Hartong Sigrid
Published: February 2023

Ausgehend von der Frage, wie das Thema Nachhaltigkeit im aktuellen Diskurs über Schulentwicklung in der digitalen Welt eingebettet ist, schlägt der Beitrag ein alternatives Verständnis von Nachhaltigkeit digitaler Schulentwicklungsprozesse vor. In Rückgriff auf bisherige Programme digitaler Schulentwicklung und bildungspolitische Agenden wird eine Einordnung unterschiedlicher Diskursstränge in Bezug auf Nachhaltigkeit unternommen, um das Schulentwicklungs- und Forschungsprojekt Smarte Schulen (SMASCH, www.smasch.eu) daran anknüpfend vorzustellen. Anhand des Projekts SMASCH wird ein entwicklungsorientierter Forschungsansatz beschrieben, der den Nachhaltigkeitsbegriff im empirischen Feld zum einen zur Diskussion stellt und ihn zum anderen eher als ein Anerkennen nicht auflösbarer Dilemmata nachhaltig-digitaler Schulentwicklung statt eines umfassenden Anspruchs digitaler Schulentwicklung fasst. Einblicke in bisher erhobenes Material beleuchten, dass in Schulen zwar über Nachhaltigkeit gesprochen wird, diese jedoch meist im strukturellen Sinne von Dauerhaftigkeit gefasst wird und ein inhaltliches Verständnis im Sinne eines Abwägens von Spannungsfeldern bisher nur unstrukturiert einfliesst.
Millimetre-wave MIMO FMCW radar architecture towards highly integrated front-ends for high-resolution imaging applications
Authors:   , Mbeutcha Marie
Published: February 2023

High-resolution, compactness, scalability, efficiency – these are the critical requirements which imaging radar systems have to fulfil in applications such as environmental monitoring, cloud mapping, body sensing or autonomous driving. This thesis presents a modular millimetre-wave frequency modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radar front-end solution intended for such applications. High-resolution is achieved by enlarging the operating frequency band of the radar system. This can be realized at millimetre-wave frequencies due to the large spectrum availability. Furthermore, the size of components decreasing with increasing frequency makes millimetre-wave systems a good candidate for compactness. However, the full integration of radar front-ends is a challenge at millimetre-wave frequencies due to poor signal integrity and spectral purity, which are essential for imaging applications. The proposed radar uses an alternative technique and tackles this limitation by featuring highly-integrable architectures, specifically the Hartley architecture for signal conversion and enhanced push-pull amplifier for harmonic suppression. The resolution of imaging radars can be further improved by increasing the number of transmitters and receivers. This has spurred the investigation of spectrum, time and energy-efficient multiplexing techniques for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) radar systems. The FMCW radar architecture proposed in this thesis is based on code-division technique using intra-pulse, also called intra-chirp modulation. This advanced scalable and non-complex solution, made possible by the latest achievements on direct digital synthesis for signal generation, guarantees signal integrity and compact size implementation. The proposed architecture is investigated by a thorough system analysis. A transmitter module and a receiver module for a 35 GHz imaging radar prototype are designed, fabricated and fully characterized to validate the feasibility of our novel approach for high-resolution highly-integrated MIMO front-ends.
Determinants of agricultural companies’ financial performance: The experience of Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine
Authors: Lehenchuk Serhii , Chyzhevska Lyudmyla , Meluchová Jitka , Zdyrko Nataliya , Voskalo Volodymyr
Published: February 2023

The purpose of the study is to conduct a comparative analysis of the determinants affecting the financial performance of agricultural enterprises in Poland, Slovakia and Ukraine. As the main research method, panel data regression analysis was used to analyze data from 34 Polish, 123 Slovak, and 305 Ukrainian agricultural companies for the period 2017–2020. To analyze the links between financial performance measures and its determinants, nine models were developed based on three selected dependent variables (Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Return on Sales) in each of the countries studied. Seven independent variables were used, such as Leverage, Long-Term Debt to Assets, Short-Term Debt to Assets, Debt to Equity, Current Ratio, Asset Tangibility, Capital Intensity, and two control variables such as Size and Dummy variable for legal form. The most significant impact on the financial performance of agricultural enterprises has: for Polish enterprises – Return on Assets – Leverage and Asset Tangibility, Return on Equity – Debt to Equity and Dummy variable for legal form, Return on Sales – Current Ratio, Capital Intensity, and Size; for Slovak enterprises – Return on Assets – Current Ratio, Return on Equity – Debt to Equity, Return on Sales – Current Ratio, and Capital Intensity; for Ukrainian enterprises – Return on Assets – Leverage and Size, Return on Equity – Debt to Equity, and Current Ratio, Return on Sales – Capital Intensity.
Organization-Managerial Mechanism of Shaping Human Capital in Organization Based on Knowledge Management
Authors: Gorina I. G.
Published: February 2023

Today organization competitiveness depends mainly on the development of HR potential and the process of labour resource management. In personnel training the process of knowledge management is on the foreground, its introduction can render positive effect both on production process and HR management of the organization. The article pays special attention to the definition of such notions as ‘knowledge’, ‘knowledge management’, ‘development of HR potential’, shows academic activity in this field in 2018–2022 on the part of home authors and finds interconnection between the process of knowledge management and development of HR potential. The author analyzed and systematized key trends of the subject area. Findings of the research demonstrate that for home scientists the problems of attracting highly-qualified personnel and adaptation of HR potential to organizational transformations are especially acute. According to Elibrary.ru data the biggest number of studies dealing with knowledge management and development of HR potential during the last 5 years were carried out in the field of education, digitalization and HR management.
Assessment of the Demand of Scientific and Technical Support Tools in the Sustainable Development Strategy of Modern Organizations
Authors: Sheloumov D. V.
Published: February 2023

The implementation of the sustainable development goals, together with the need to change the technological structure based on the support of innovations, require diverse assessments based on expertise conducted within the framework of scientific and technical support (STS). The existing STS framework, defined by industry legislation in the field of nuclear energy, is becoming narrow for solving the tasks of breakthrough technological development of the Russian industry. For the management of organizations, scientific and technical expertise should serve as a justification for decisions made as part of a risk-oriented approach to management. The article presents the results of an expert survey of representatives of industrial organizations involved in the implementation of the sustainable development goals, concerning the assessment of the demand and need for the implementation of expertise of STS in their activities. The results of the survey show us the functional areas of activity of industrial organizations that are most in need of STS. The survey results set forth the tasks of forming the institute of scientific and technical support in the economy of sustainable development of Russia and serve as the basis for the need for modeling the activities of organizations providing scientific and technical support.
The Origin of Territory Marketing
Authors: Azaryan E. M. , Voziyanov D. E. , Beketov A. N. , Kaderova V. A.
Published: February 2023

Today’s world is subjected to fast and deep changes, which is caused both by global transformations, their local specific features and profiles and wide proliferation of digitalization affecting all spheres of life for individuals, society and whole territories. Nowadays territories themselves need marketing so that entities of management could attain goals of different level. The goal of the article is to substantiate conceptual approach to territory marketing as a factor of social and economic city development in conditions of economy digitalization. The research used such general academic methods as analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction; specific methods – from abstract to concrete; systematization and generalization; economic-logical analysis; modeling. The proposed conceptual approach of territory marketing within the frames of social and economic development of territorial structures does not contradict to current views on theory and practice of managing social and economic development of territories but acts as their logical extension. Its implementation could provide continuous improvement of managerial processes in view of new comprehension of territory essence as a self-organizing system and as a summarizing, exhaustive resource identified on the basis of finding new signs of territorial product in the marketing-mix complex.
Salvia miltiorrhiza Extract Prevents the Occurrence of Early Atherosclerosis
in Apoe -/- Mice via TLR4/ NF-kB Pathway
Authors: Wu Ruoyu , Zhang Linqi , Xu Hongjun , Chen Hongxu , Zhao Wei , Zhou Yongjie , Zhou Luyang , Wu Jiangli , An Shengjun
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) contains four major aqueous active ingredients, which have been isolated, purified and identified as danshensu (DSS), salvianolic acid A (Sal-A), salvianolic acid B (Sal-B) and protocatechuic aldehyde (PAL), A mixture of these four ingredients is called SABP. Although aqueous extract from Salvia Miltiorrhiza has been traditionally used to treat cardiovascular diseases, the efficacy and function of the optimal ratio of SABP in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases remain unknown. This study aims to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying the attenuation of atherosclerosis development by aqueous extract from Salvia Miltiorrhiza.

Methods:

Male ApoE-/- mice (6 weeks) were randomly allocated into three groups: the model group (Model), the SABP group (SABP), and the rosuvastatin calcium group (RC). Male C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks) were used as a control group. All mice were fed with an ordinary diet. After 8 weeks of treatment, the lipid profiles in serum and the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) in heart tissue were measured using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Alterations of the thoracic aorta and the heart were assessed using Hematoxylin and eosin staining. The protein expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), TGF beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the heart tissue were determined though immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis.

Results:

The serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels were increased, and the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level was decreased in ApoE-/- mice. SABP significantly decreased serum lipid levels and improved histopathology in the thoracic aorta. In addition. SABP treatment inhibited the expression of TLR4, TAK1, NF-κB, IL-6 and TNF-α in the heart in ApoE-/- mice. The LDH and CK in the heart did not differ significantly among different groups, and the heart did not have obvious pathological changes.

Conclusion:

These findings indicated that SABP may exert an anti-atherosclerotic effect by lowering blood lipids and inhibiting inflammatory response via TLR4/ NF-κB signaling pathway.
Therapeutic and Health Promoting Potential of Bakuchiol from Psoralea
corylifolia: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Chopra Bhawna , Dhingra Ashwani Kumar
Published: February 2023

Bakuchiol, is a principal bioactive component present in seeds of Psoralea corylifolia.
It is one of the important monoterpene phenols and has been reported to possess extensive
pharmacological properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective.
Bakuchiol also plays a significant role in mental disorders. With an aim to explore the
pharmacological potential of plant Psoralea corylifolia and its bioactive constituent, Bakuchiol;
which may act as a lead to develop new molecular entities as drugs. A substantial literature
survey was performed by scientific search engines like PubMed, Scopus,Web of Science,
Science Direct, etc., and were reviewed with particular emphasis on their scientific impact and
novelty. The study concludes that both Psoralea and bakuchiol possess innumerable pharmacological
potentials to treat multiple disorders. Altogether, the promising pharmacological activities
of bakuchiol may open new probes for therapeutic invention in the management of numerous
ailments. Thus, the present review gives the erudition of bakuchiol as d foundation for
further studies on the molecular mechanisms of BXXXD in the treatment of T2DM.