bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delineation of Fresh Groundwater Potentiality Zones in Saline Coastal Aquifers, Southwest Bangladesh using Remote Sensing and GIS Approaches
Authors: Howlader Rakib , Chowdhury Md Mahabub Arefin , Jahan Chowdhury Sarwar , Hossain Md. Arif , Rahaman Md. Ferozur , Ghose Bakul Kumar , Islam Monirul
Published: December 2023

The southwestern coastal zone in Bangladesh faces freshwater scarcity as aquifers are more vulnerable to seawater intrusion resulting increase its salinity level. But here fresh groundwater resource badly needed for drinking, agricultural, and industrial uses to sustain livelihood. The present study has made attempt to demarked available fresh groundwater zones in Khulna district in the southwestern coastal zone using multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tool and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) with remote sensing (RS) and GIS approach. To delineate fresh groundwater potential zones, twelve thematic parameters such as groundwater salinity, groundwater electrical conductivity, groundwater chloride, rainfall, concentration of soil salinity, land slope, geomorphology, surface geology, land use and land cover, drainage density, lineament density, topographic wetness index have processed utilizing ArcGIS overlay analytic tool. Accordingly, the area has classified as very good [18 km2 (0.52%)] - safe for drinking and agriculture; good [858 km2 (25%)] - useful only for agriculture purposes; low [354 km2 (11%) - use for irrigation of certain high salinity tolerate crops having high risk for human consumption; and very low [2148 km2 (64%)] - unsuitable to use due to seawater intrusion or high salinity of the total area. The salinity-prone zone covers 75% of the total area requires especial management approach. Finally, findings will aid in identification of fresh groundwater potential zone for human consumption and agriculture in salinity effected coastal zone of the country to ensure sustainable groundwater use and extraction in this coastal areas, and findings of the present study can be utilized as a guide for addressing groundwater issues for this region.
Ventilated Surface-based Lattice Structures Designed for Polymer Powder-Bed Fusion Process
Authors: Verma Saurav , Kumar Ajeet , Jeng Jeng-Ywan
Published: December 2023

This work addresses the issues of entrapment of polymer powder and the post-processing powder removal challenges in surface-based lattice structures 3D printed with powder-bed based additive manufacturing (AM) technology. A ventilation design approach has been proposed to enhance the powder removability from the widely researched three-dimensional gyroid and two-dimensional honeycomb lattice structure. The flow characteristics and mechanical behaviour of the designed lattices were analysed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA), respectively, followed by experimental powder flow and compression testing. HP jet fusion 4200® industrial 3D printer was used for printing the lattice structures for experimental validation. The results showed a 65–85% improvement in powder flowability, with a minimum to severe reduction in mechanical strength of different lattice structures. The study can be applied to designing products with multi-functional properties with surface-based lattice structures by employing the principle of design for additive manufacturing and post-processing (DfAM&PP).
A Framework of Specialized Knowledge Distillation for Siamese Tracker on Challenging Attributes
Authors: Li Yiding , Shimada Atsushi , Minematsu Tsubasa , Tang Cheng
Published: December 2023

In recent years, Siamese network-based trackers have achieved significant improvements in real-time tracking. Despite their success, performance bottlenecks caused by unavoidably complex scenarios in target-tracking tasks are becoming increasingly non-negligible. For example, occlusion and fast motion are factors that can easily cause tracking failures and are labeled in many high-quality tracking databases as challenging attributes. In addition, Siamese trackers tend to suffer from high memory costs, which restricts their applicability to mobile devices with tight memory budgets. To address these issues, we propose a Specialized teachers Distilled Siamese Tracker (SDST) framework to learn a student tracker, which is small, fast, and has enhanced performance in challenging attributes. SDST introduces two types of teachers for multi-teacher distillation: general teacher and specialized teachers. The former imparts basic knowledge to the students. The latter is used to transfer specialized knowledge to students, which helps improve their performance in challenging attributes. For students to efficiently capture critical knowledge from the two types of teachers, SDST is equipped with a carefully designed multi-teacher knowledge distillation model. Our model contains two processes: general teacher-student knowledge transfer and specialized teachers-student knowledge transfer. Extensive empirical evaluations of several popular Siamese trackers demonstrated the generality and effectiveness of our framework. Moreover, the results on Large-scale Single Object Tracking (LaSOT) show that the proposed method achieve compression rates of up to 8 × and framerates of 252 FPS while achieving a significant improvement of more than 2% – 4% in most challenging attributes. And obtaining outstanding accuracy on all challenging attributes.
Reflection and Transmission of Transverse waves at a corrugated interface of two functionally graded piezoelectric half-spaces
Authors: Hemalatha K , Kumar S
Published: December 2023

At the corrugated interface of two different functionally graded piezoelectric materials, reflection and transmission coefficients resulting from incident at the corrugated interface of plane transverse waves are considered. Both piezoelectric materials inhomogeneity is regarded as exponential. Analytically, the solutions are derived for half-spaces. The reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient for the first-order estimate of corrugation are calculated using Rayleigh’s approximation approach. Furthermore, for a specific kind of interface, the reflected coefficient and transmitted coefficient of regularly and irregularly reflected and transmitted waves are determined in closed form. For numerical interpretation of the results, a sets of piezoelectric materials such as PZT-5H ceramic and BaTiO 3 ceramic are considered. The reflection coefficient and transmission coefficient expressions show that they depend heavily on material coefficients with inhomogeneity characteristics, as well as the known wave propagation components, such as the corrugation’s wavelength, and amplitude of corrugation. Graphs representing the results were produced using Mathematica 7 to present the findings. The transmission coefficients and reflection coefficients are graphed versus the incidence angle.
Age, preoperative tumor volume and widening of the internal acoustic meatus are independent factors associated with poor preoperative hearing in vestibular schwannoma patients – results of a single-center retrospective analysis
Authors: Dörner Lorenz , Suhm Elisa-Maria , Ries Vanessa , Goncalves Vitor , Skardelly Marco , Schittenhelm Jens , Tatagiba Marcos , Behling Felix
Published: December 2023

Background:
Preoperative hearing function shows wide variations among patients diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma. In addition to the obvious role of tumor size other factors that influence hearing function are frequently discussed.
Methods:
We analyzed clinical factors, imaging data and the expression of the proliferation marker MIB1 as potential influencing factors on the preoperative hearing function in a retrospective cohort of 523 primary sporadic vestibular schwannomas. The results of the preoperative audiometry were quantified using the Gardner-Robertson Score. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed.
Results:
Serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson class 1 or 2) was documented in 391 patients (74.8%). Factors associated with non-serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson class 3–5) were patients of older age (p < 0.0001), larger preoperative tumor volume (p = 0.0013) and widening of the internal acoustic meatus compared to the healthy side (p = 0.0353). Gender and the expression of the proliferation marker MIB1 were no significant factors. In the multivariate nominal logistic regression older age (OR 27.60 (CI 9.17–87.18), p < 0.0001), larger preoperative tumor volume (OR 20.20 (CI 3.43–128.58), p = 0.0011) and widening of the internal acoustic canal (OR 7.86 (CI 1.77–35.46), p = 0.0079) remained independent factors associated with non-serviceable hearing.
Conclusions.
Widening of the internal acoustic canal is an independent factor for non-serviceable preoperative hearing in vestibular schwannoma patients together with older age and larger preoperative tumor volume.
Studying Nanoscale Fluidic Droplet Separation and Impact of Nanoscale Droplet on Fixed Solid Plate
Authors: Nguyen Van Quang
Published: December 2023

This study employs molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the ejection of nanoscale fluidic molecules through different nozzle apertures under various technology parameters. The model comprises a nozzle plate, a back plate, and water molecules filling the space between them. LAMMPS software and C + + code are used for simulations and data analysis. The research explores the impact of system temperature and nozzle aperture diameter on water droplet separation from the nozzle plate surface. It also delves into the effects of environmental parameters on nano droplet formation. The results indicate that the separation of nanoscale fluidic droplets is performed under the effect of nozzle aperture, the system temperature and ejection time but regardless of pressing forces. Additionally, the study investigates the influence of various pressing forces on the impingement of these droplets onto fixed metal plate’s surface under different system temperatures. The findings provide essential data for experimental and manufacturing processes utilizing this technology, with potential applications in fields like printing, printed circuit board manufacturing, and the development of nanoprinters, nanosprayers, and nanomachining devices.
How Paediatric HIV services weathered the COVID-19 storm in Tshwane District, South Africa: A retrospective review
Authors: Christie Michael , Mazanderani Ahmad Haeri , Sherman Gayle , Feucht Ute
Published: December 2023

Background
COVID-19 and the accompanying restrictions disrupted HIV services to children living with HIV [CLHIV] across South Africa. Prior to COVID-19, updated national HIV guidelines were released and included: a] Additional HIV polymerase chain reaction [PCR] testing at six-months for infants exposed to HIV; b] Universal HIV testing at age 18-months; c] CD4 count monitoring cessation if virologically suppressed [HIV viral load [VL] <1000 copies/mL]. We describe the effects of COVID-19 on paediatric HIV services within Tshwane District, South Africa.
Methods
A retrospective review of National Institute for Communicable Diseases Data Warehouse and District Health Information System data was conducted for Tshwane District from April 2019 to March 2022. Pre-pandemic [2019/20] and pandemic periods [2020/21, 2021/22] were compared. Data included: Early infant Diagnosis [EID], HIV viral load [VL] and CD4 monitoring and HIV management among children [<15 years] living with HIV [CLHIV].
Results
Year-on-year, HIV testing improved at 10-weeks [2019/20: 8498; 2020/21: 8657 [+2%]; 2021/22: 8919 [+3%], six-months [2019/20: 4359; 2020/21: 7992 [+83%]; 2021/22: 9178 [+15%]] and 18-months [2019/20: 11727; 2020/21: 16232 [+38%]; 2021/22: 18750 [+16%]]; birth testing decreased [2019/20: 13881; 2020/21: 14206 [+2%]; 2021/22: 13364 [‑6%]]. The HIV EID case rates were 485 [2019/20], 410 [2020/21] and 454 [2021/22], and HIV EID test positivity was 0.77-1.2%. Antiretroviral treatment initiation initially declined [2019/20: 1692; 2020/21: 1576 [‑7%]] but subsequently improved [2021/22: 1663 [+6%]].
Initial year-on-year HIV VL and CD4 testing declined; but HIV VL testing subsequently increased whilst CD4 test numbers further declined [HIV VL tests: 2019/20: 8008; 2020/21: 6976 [‑12%]; 2021/22: 7359 [+6%]] [CD4 tests: 2019/20: 2370; 2020/21: 1953 [-18%]; 2021/22: 1843 [-6%]]. The HIV VL suppression rate among CLHIV was 69-73%. The absolute number of CD4 results <200 cells/µL or <15% declined but the proportion remained constant [2019/20: 279 [13%]; 2020/21: 223 [11%]; 2021/22: 221 [12%]].
Conclusion
COVID-19 initially resulted in reduced paediatric HIV services as children disengaged from care. Indicators eventually recovered to proximate pre-pandemic levels; however, compensatory increases did not occur. Some disengaged children may not have returned to care.
CTLA4 genetic variants associated with urothelial bladder cancer susceptibility
Authors: Koike Alexsandro , Simão Andréa Name Colado , Ahrens Tainah Mendes , Cardoso Kaue Morais , Espinosa Beatriz Rabello , Gualberto Roberson Henrique Gobanhi , Santos Daniel Felipe Piva , Trigo Guilherme Lerner , Reiche Edna Maria Vissoci , Lozovoy Marcell Alysson Batisti
Published: December 2023

Purpose
The study evaluated the association between urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) susceptibility, stage, prognosis, and responsiveness to treatment and the CTLA4 rs231775 (+ 49A > G) and rs231779 (+ 1822C > T) genetic variants.
Methods
A total of 140 patients with UBC and 145 controls were enrolled. The patients were stratified as having non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle invasive bladder cancer (MICB), metastasis, recurrence, low, moderate, high, or very high risk. Demographic, anthropometric, epidemiological, and clinical data were obtained from all the individuals using a structured questionnaire. The CTLA4 variants were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and the genotypes were tested in the allelic, codominant, dominant, recessive, and overdominant genetic models.
Results
The UBC patients were older and mostly smokers (p < 0.001), with greater waist circumference and systolic and diastolic arterial pressure (p = 0.005, p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively) than controls. Patients with the heterozygote genotypes of CTLA4 rs231775 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.40; 95% confidence interval (IC): 0.16–0.98, p = 0.045] and rs231779 (OR = 0.35; 95% IC: 0.14–0.87, p = 0.024) showed a protective effect against the UBC. Age and smoking were able to explain 89.1% of UBC in the overdominant CTLA4 genetic model for the two variants examined (rs231775 and rs231779), compared to 50.7% if these parameters were missing. Moreover, this model explained about 77.0% for the rs231775 and 77.2% for the rs231779 of the susceptibility to UBC.
Conclusion
The CTLA4 rs231775 AG and rs231779 CT heterozygous genotypes in the overdominant model together with age and smoking may be useful as potential biomarkers for the UBC susceptibility.
Quality of life for patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer randomized to early specialized home-based palliative care – the ALLAN trial
Authors: Bojesson Anders , Brun Eva , Eberhard Jakob , Segerlantz Mikael
Published: December 2023

Introduction:
The primary outcome of specialized palliative care (SPC) is to improve the quality of life (QoL) for patients with a high symptom-burden from a life-threatening disease. This randomized study aimed to assess the impact of early integration of SPC alongside tumor-specific palliative treatment in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers by studying the QoL.
Material and methods
We randomly assigned ambulatory patients with advanced GI cancer to early integration of SPC and palliative tumor-specific treatment or tumor-specific treatment alone. The primary endpoint was QoL assessed at baseline and every 6th week using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General (FACT-G), with points ranging from 0 to 108 points, with a higher score indicating better QoL.
Results
A total of 118 patients were randomized. The difference in the mean total change in FACT-G score between patients assigned to early integration with SPC and controls was 5.2 points (95% CI: -0.1–10.5, p = 0.054), 6.7 points (95% CI: 0.2–13.3, p = 0.043), and 13 points (95% CI: 5.7–20.2, p = 0.001) at weeks 6, 12 and 24 respectively. At the last assessment, at a median of 4.1 weeks (range 0.4–6.7 weeks) before death, the difference between the two groups regarding the mean change in FACT-G score was 3 points (95% CI: -4–9.9, p = 0.395). After adjustment of the p-values, for multiple comparisons, there was a statistically significant difference of 13 points between the mean change in the two groups at week 24 (adjusted p-value = 0.004).
Conclusion
This prospective randomized trial strengthens the argument for early integration of SPC with tumor-specific treatment in patients with advanced GI cancers. We found an improved QoL for patients with advanced GI cancer 24 weeks after randomization to early integration of home-based SPC.
Trial Registration:
Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ref: NCT02246725).
The Distance Between: An algorithmic approach to comparing stochastic models to time-series data
Authors: Sherlock Brock D. , Boon Marko A. A. , Vlasiou Maria , Coster Adelle C. F.
Published: December 2023

While mean-field models of cellular operations have identified dominant processes at the macroscopic scale, stochastic models may provide further insight into mechanisms at the molecular scale. In order to identify plausible stochastic models, quantitative comparisons between the models and the experimental data are required. The data for these systems have small sample sizes and time-evolving distributions. The aim of this study is to identify appropriate distance metrics for the quantitative comparison of stochastic model outputs and time-evolving stochastic measurements of a system. We identify distance metrics with features suitable for driving parameter inference, model comparison, and model validation, constrained by data from multiple experimental protocols.
In this study, stochastic model outputs are compared to synthetic data across three scales: that of the data at the points the system is sampled during the time course of each type of experiment; a combined distance across the time course of each experiment; and a combined distance across all the experiments.
Two broad categories of comparators at each point were considered, based on the empirical cumulative distribution (ECDF) of the data and of the model outputs: discrete based measures such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov distance, and integrated measures such as the Wasserstein-1 distance between the ECDFs.
It was found that the discrete based measures were highly sensitive to parameter changes near the synthetic data parameters, but were largely insensitive otherwise, whereas the integrated distances had smoother transitions as the parameters approached the true values. The integrated measures were also found to be robust to noise added to the synthetic data, replicating experimental error. The characteristics of the identified distances provides the basis for the design of an algorithm suitable for fitting stochastic models to real world stochastic data.
Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Hydrogen Bonding between Ascorbic Acid and Cytosine
Authors: Li Tiancheng , Yang Yanfei , Wang Chenguang , Huang Xiaona , Zhou Wei , Zhai Cuiping
Published: December 2023

The intermolecular interactions of DNA/RNA with drugs exhibit important applications in human health and drug design. We investigated the interaction between ascorbic acid (AA), a commonly used drug in clinic, and cytosine, an important base of nucleic acids in DNA/RNA, in aqueous solution by cyclic voltammetry (CV), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), density functional theory (DFT), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), natural bond orbital (NBO) and independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH). The CV and 1H NMR results revealed that the hydroxyl groups on enediol of AA interacted with cytosine, making the electro-oxidation of AA difficult to occur and the downfield shift of H atoms (CH) on cytosine ring. Quantum chemistry calculations further proved the existence of O-H···N, O-H···O, C-H···N, C-H···O and N-H···O hydrogen bonding in the mixed system. It was found that the H atoms (H9 and H11) on enediol of AA, the N atom (N31) and carbonyl oxygen atom (O32) on the cytosine ring were the main action sites, for which H11 and N31 are more prone to be interacted with than H9 and O32.
The Impact of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Consumption on Aggregate Output in Pakistan: Robust Evidence from the RALS Cointegration Test
Authors: Khalid Waqar
Published: December 2023

Pakistan’s energy consumption has significantly increased over the past three decades due to industrialization, population growth, and development activities. Pakistan has initiated short-term energy-oriented plans by establishing thermal power projects to meet the growing energy demands. However, these projects are more costly in terms of financial outlays and environmental harms than hydropower projects. Consequently, Pakistan is vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations and environmental damage. To address this dilemma, this empirical research examines the impact of non-energy factors (labour and capital) and energy-specific factors (renewable and non-renewable) on Pakistan’s aggregate output by considering annual data from 1980 to 2021. The analysis employs the newly established Residual Augmented Least Square (RALS) cointegration test and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) methodology to estimate the long-term cointegrating connection among the variables. The empirical findings demonstrate that non-energy and energy-specific factors positively and significantly impact Pakistan’s long-term aggregate output, except for petroleum consumption (insignificant). The study suggests a diversified energy-supply mix explicitly characterized by hydroelectricity, non-hydroelectric renewables (mainly solar and wind), and natural gas. Furthermore, the study suggests encouraging private sector participation in renewable energy initiatives and implementing effective carbon tax policies to mitigate CO2emissions and improve economic growth.JEL Classification:D24, O47, Q42, Q43, Q48, Q54
Boundary states of three dimensional topological order and the deconfined quantum critical point
Authors: Ji Wenjie , Tantivasadakarn Nathanan , Xu Cenke
Published: December 2023

We study the boundary states of the archetypal three dimensional topological order, i.e. the three dimensional \mathbb{Z}_2ℤ2 toric code. There are three distinct elementary types of boundary states that we will consider in this work. In the phase diagram that includes the three elementary boundaries there may exist a multi-critical point, which is captured by the so-called deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP) with an “easy-axis” anisotropy. Moreover, there is an emergent \mathbb{Z}_{2,d}ℤ2,d symmetry that swaps two of the boundary types, and it becomes part of the global symmetry of the DQCP. The emergent \mathbb{Z}_{2,d}ℤ2,d (where d represents “defect”) symmetry on the boundary is originated from a type of surface defect in the bulk. We further find a gapped boundary with a surface topological order that is invariant under the emergent symmetry.
Non-equilibrium dynamics of dipolar polarons
Authors: Volosniev Artem G. , Bighin Giacomo , Santos Luis , Peña Ardila Luisllu A.
Published: December 2023

We study the out-of-equilibrium quantum dynamics of dipolar polarons, i.e., impurities immersed in a dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate, after a quench of the impurity-boson interaction. We show that the dipolar nature of the condensate and of the impurity results in anisotropic relaxation dynamics, in particular, anisotropic dressing of the polaron. More relevantly for cold-atom setups, quench dynamics is strongly affected by the interplay between dipolar anisotropy and trap geometry. Our findings pave the way for simulating impurities in anisotropic media utilizing experiments with dipolar mixtures.
Structural aortic wall abnormalities following the Nikaidoh operation, which could be reversible and include a healing process
Authors: Yacoub Magdi , Afifi Ahmed , Hosny Hatem , Nahgoub Ahmed , Nagy Mohamed , Vaz Sanida , Sarathchandra Padmini , Latif Najma
Published: December 2023

The Nikaidoh operation continues to be used for patients with transposition of the great arteries, ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We recently reported structural and functional changes in the aortic root during the follow-up of a patient who underwent the Nikaidoh operation. These changes necessitated re-operation. The pathophysiology of these changes and their potential for reversibility have not yet been studied. In this communication, we describe the extensive structural changes in the aortic wall of the same patient.
Influence of cigarette smoking on the Index of Cardiac Electrophysiological Balance in apparently healthy Angolans
Authors: Gonçalves Mauer , Pedro João Mário , Silva Carina , Magalhães Pedro , Brito Miguel
Published: December 2023

Background: Tobacco use accelerates atherosclerosis and is one of the predictors of death from ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden death. A new non-invasive parameter, the Index of Cardiac Electrophysiological Balance (iCEB) between depolarization and repolarization of the action potential, was considered a new biomarker for the identification of patients at increased arrhythmic risk.
Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the iCEB in apparently healthy Angolans with habitual cigarette smoking compared to non-smokers.
Subjects and methods: Data were obtained from the CardioBengo study, a cross-sectional community-based study in which a random sample of individuals aged between 15 and 84 years was selected. In total, 214 apparently healthy subjects, 102 smokers, and 112 non-smokers in the same age group were included in the final analysis.
Results: The average age of the participants was 42.17±13.04 years old and 26.6% of the sample was female. Smoking subjects had higher iCEB and corrected Index of Cardiac Electrophysiological Balance (iCEBc) values compared with non-smoking controls (4.39 vs. 4.25; p=0.024, respectively), and (4.74 vs. 4.57; p=0.030, respectively).

Conclusions: In summary, iCEB and iCEBc were significantly higher in habitual smokers than in nonsmokers, which represents an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmogenesis in healthy habitual smokers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study performed in Africa to evaluate iCEB in smokers, making this type of study very important in low- and middle-income countries in the context of epidemiological transition.
Normatividad y pluralismo en los estudios sobre el razonamiento humano
Authors: Massolo Alba
Published: December 2023

En este artículo, abordo la disputa entre normativismo y descriptivismo centrándome en el problema del arbitraje. Para esto, propongo acercar a esta disputa la discusión sobre el problema del colapso que se ha dado recientemente en el marco de la filosofía de la lógica. Mi propuesta sostiene, por un lado, que el razonamiento humano, en cuanto práctica social, es una actividad esencialmente normada y, por otro lado, que los sistemas formales que se toman de referencia en la psicología del razonamiento son el resultado de diversos procesos de equilibrio reflexivo. Esto permite defender el rol normativo de los sistemas formales como estándar para el razonamiento humano. Además, sostengo que la adecuación de un sistema formal está signada por los contextos específicos de razonamiento. Así, defiendo un pluralismo normativo respecto de los sistemas formales de inferencia en el marco de los estudios empíricos sobre el razonamiento humano.
Using a scenario-neutral approach to assess the impacts of climate change on flooding in the Ba River Basin, Viet Nam
Authors: Tra Tran Van , Hang Van Thi , Thuy Ngo Thi , Phuong Dang Thi Lan , Van Thanh Phan
Published: December 2023

Due to the hydrologic non-stationarity and uncertainty related to the probability assignment of flood peaks under climate change, the use of flood statistics may no longer be applicable. Therefore, a sensitivity analysis (i.e., a scenario-neutral approach) is used to examine the impacts of climate change on flooding in the Ba River Basin. A Delphi method with a set of KAMET rules was used to obtain a representative and a threshold flood event. These inputs are used for hydraulic simulation using a MIKE FLOOD model package. Flood simulations were performed using parametrically varied rainfall and temperature conditions. In total, 22 conditions were explored and are in line with CMIP5 and CMIP6. The results obtained have several implications. Firstly, rainfall change is the primary factor affecting flood impact in the Ba River Basin. Secondly, the flood peak in the Ba River Basin is highly sensitive to an increase in rainfall by up to 10%. Thirdly, the flooded threshold is reached when rainfall increases beyond 20%. Fourthly, the flood extent and depth are expected to increase as rainfall increases. Further research could improve the study using satellite rainfall data, satellite digital elevation models, and stochastic weather generators.
Digital Transformation Challenges to the Tax Security of the State in Russia and Other BRICS Countries
Authors: Ponomareva K.
Published: December 2023

The digitization of the economy creates new challenges that affect the tax security of a state. These challenges have both positive and negative effects on the economy. This study is devoted to the challenges brought about by a digital economy that result in the necessity of responses from governments and international organizations. First and foremost, there is a lack of necessity for physical presence in the digital state. Second, there is a significant need to offer incentives for IT companies that are, on the one hand, the key leaders of the economy in the modern world and, on the other hand, have been most affected by the conditions of economic crises since 2020. This article is part of a project that is aimed at solving the problem of forming the concept of tax security in order to prevent or neutralize the influence of negative geopolitical and foreign economic factors on the development of the various economic sectors with the help of economic and legal instruments. Thus, this article sheds light on the experiences of the BRICS member states, especially those of the Russian Federation, in facing and addressing the challenges that result from the rise of a digital economy.
Application of Blockchain in Corporate Governance: Adaptability, Challenges and Regulation in BRICS
Authors: Kanojia S.
Published: December 2023

The digital revolution has changed many facets of daily life over the past few decades. Think about how personal computers and smartphones are becoming more powerful and smaller, how the Internet has spread throughout the world and led to the emergence of new forms of social interaction, and how there is always access to massive volumes of automated algorithms processing cloud-based data that is utilised in a number of settings. Similarly, it has been observed that blockchain technology has the potential to provide clever fixes for traditional inefficiencies of corporate governance, particularly in the dynamically evolving paradigm in the emerging economics like BRICS nations i.e., Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This paper aims to explore the possibilities of adopting blockchain technology within the arrays of internal governance mechanisms while emphasizing on the redressal to legal and regulatory challenges. The paper also critically analyzes the implication and utility of this evolved technology in the corporate governance systems of BRICS nations.
Eficacia, eficiencia y efectividad de la tutela jurisdiccional: un ensayo para reorientar sus conexiones funcionales
Authors: Martínez Zúñiga Pablo Andrés
Published: December 2023

En el presente trabajo se pone de manifiesto la atípica recepción que ha tenido el vocablo tutela jurisdiccional en Chile, generalmente acompañado de los calificativos comunes sin una orientación teórica clara: eficacia, efectividad y eficiencia. Se propone para integrarlos y redefinirlos, una lectura en clave funcionalista, que permita a esta triada de voces comunicarse y hacerse recíprocamente condicionantes. Así, para que sea eficaz el derecho material, la tutela jurisdiccional debe que ser efectiva, materializadora de esos derechos sustantivos. A su vez, para que podamos constatar esa efectividad en la realidad, es necesario que el instrumento procesal sea eficiente en términos funcionales a las dos categorías anteriores. Se propone y justifica entonces, la revalorización de una de las variables concretas para la eficiencia procesal; la técnica procesal idónea o adecuada.
As políticas e os currículos de formação de pedagogos(as) após 2015
Authors: Richter Leonice Matilde , Borges Maria Célia
Published: December 2023

As políticas de formação de pedagogos após 2015 têm passado por embates e recebido orientações permeadas de rupturas e padronizações. Neste artigo, objetiva-se discutir as disputas nas orientações normativas para a formação de professores(as), especialmente no curso de Pedagogia, e a preocupação com os currículos no período de 2015 a 2019. A metodologia utilizada para a fundamentação teórica corresponde à pesquisa bibliográfica, à busca por legislação pertinente e à consulta documental sobre a temática. Os resultados explicitaram que o debate atual sobre a formação docente se faz tenso, com a possibilidade de retrocesso nos avanços conquistados, mediante um olhar mais conservador e tecnicista da legislação e de interesses políticos orientados pelos preceitos do neoliberalismo. Desse modo, a luta para a manutenção e o avanço das conquistas na área da formação se tornaram imprescindíveis.
Gamma-mangostin Protects S16Y Schwann Cells Against tert-Butyl
Hydroperoxide-induced Apoptotic Cell Death
Authors: Charoensuksai Purin , Arunprasert Kwanputtha , Saenkham Audchara , Opanasopit Praneet , Suksamrarn Sunit , Wongprayoon Pawaris
Published: December 2023

Background:

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication that affects individuals with diabetes.
Its development involves an excessive presence of oxidative stress, which leads to cellular damage in
various tissues. Schwann cells, which are vital for peripheral nerve conduction, are particularly susceptible to
oxidative damage, resulting in cell death.

Materials and Methods:

Gamma-mangostin (γ-mangostin), a xanthone derived from Garcinia mangostana,
possesses cytoprotective properties in various pathological conditions. In this study, we employed S16Y cells
as a representative Schwann cell model to investigate the protective effects of γ-mangostin against the toxicity
induced by tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP). Different concentrations of γ-mangostin and tBHP were used to
determine non-toxic doses of γ-mangostin and toxic doses of tBHP for subsequent experiments. MTT cell viability
assays, cell flow cytometry, and western blot analysis were used for evaluating the protective effects of
γ-mangostin.

Results:

The results indicated that tBHP (50 μM) significantly reduced S16Y cell viability and induced apoptotic
cell death by upregulating cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP protein levels and reducing the Bcl-
XL/Bax ratio. Notably, pretreatment with γ-mangostin (2.5 μM) significantly mitigated the decrease in cell viability
caused by tBHP treatment. Furthermore, γ-mangostin effectively reduced cellular apoptosis induced by
tBHP. Lastly, γ-mangostin significantly reverted tBHP-mediated caspase-3 and PARP cleavage and increased
the Bcl-XL/Bax ratio.

Conclusion:

Collectively, these findings highlight the ability of γ-mangostin to protect Schwann cells from
apoptotic cell death induced by oxidative stress.
Diverse Pharmacological Potential of Various Substituted Pyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: Alsharif Abdulaziz , Allahyani Mamdouh , Aljuaid Abdulelah , Alsaiari Ahad Amer , Almehmadi Mazen Mohammed , Asif Mohammad
Published: December 2023

In many significant bioactive heterocyclic compounds, the six-membered ring pyrimidines play a major role as bioactive components. There is a lot of room for innovation in the fields of medicinal chemistry and the chemical industries because of the numerous pyrimidine synthesis methods and their varied reactions. The pharmacological effects of pyrimidine derivatives include anticonvulsant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antitubercular, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antioxidant, analgesic, sedative, anti-depressive, antipyretic properties, etc. The synthetic adaptability of pyrimidine has made it possible to create a wide range of structurally different analogs, including analogs from substitution on the pyrimidine ring at various places, which has aided the design of a wide variety of therapeutic targets. This review's goal is to examine the pharmacological effects of numerous pyrimidine derivatives. This review provides an overview of pyrimidine compounds for biological activities and examines the novel pharmacological molecules containing pyrimidine rings in the future.
An Overview of Chemistry and Bioactivity of Non-diterpenoid Alkaloids in the Genera
Aconitum and Delphinium (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: Yin Tianpeng , Jiang Hongjun
Published: December 2023

Tribe Delphineae in the family Ranunculaceae is composed of the genera Aconitum
and Delphinium and is a resource plant group with important medicinal value. Alkaloids
are the main active ingredients in these two genera, with previous studies primarily focusing
on diterpenoid alkaloids. Recent comprehensive studies of the chemical components have
uncovered numerous non-diterpenoid alkaloids of diverse structural types, such as amides,
isoquinolines, pyridines, phenethylamines, and diazines. These compounds exhibit various
biological activities, including cardiotonic, antitumor, and antibacterial effects. In this paper,
the structural characteristics and biological activities of 156 non-diterpenoid alkaloids reported
in Aconitum and Delphinium are reviewed for the first time to provide references for
the efficient utilization of plant resources of these two genera.
Dynamic Constitutive Model and Numerical Simulation of S32760 Duplex
Stainless Steel Based on Dislocation Theory
Authors: Yang Lin , Zhang Heqing , Zheng Minli , Zhang Xiangyuan , Liu Jialiang , Liu Yinfeng , Gong Fukang
Published: December 2023

Background:

To describe the complex mechanical behavior of S32760 duplex stain-less steel under high strain rate and high-temperature loading conditions.

Objective:

The constitutive model of S32760 duplex stainless steel suitable for high strain rate was constructed from the micro-scale.

Methods:

Based on the theory of dislocation dynamics, the effects of different strain rates and strains on the plastic deformation of ferrite and austenite were analyzed, and the thermal stress term and non-thermal stress term of ferrite and austenite phases were coupled.

Results:

The simulation results of the model show that the S32760 dual-phase constitutive model has a high degree of fit with the experimental data at high strain rates.

Conclusion:

Compared with the classical J-C model, the results show that the constitutive model of this patent has more accurate predictability than the J-C model in describing the mechanical behavior of duplex stainless steel in the high strain range of 5000s-1 to 10000s-1.
Design and Control of Ultrasound Image-guided Prostatic Brachytherapy
Robot
Authors: Sun Yue , Dai Xuesong , Yin Qihao , Ju Linfeng , Tang Xiaolan , Li Miao
Published: December 2023

Background::

With the continuous development of medical robots, they have become a powerful
tool for surgery and treatment. A prostate brachytherapy robot is a kind of robot widely used in
prostate cancer treatment; its main function is to accurately implant radioactive seeds into prostate tissue
to kill cancer cells. Using prostate brachytherapy robots for surgery can reduce damage to surrounding
tissue during surgery, thereby reducing the risk of external electrolysis and metastasis of tumor cells.

Objective::

This study aimed to design a prostate brachytherapy robot that is more in line with practical
usage needs, based on the method of manually performing prostate brachytherapy surgery in clinical
practice. Finally, its feasibility has been demonstrated through brachytherapy experiments.

Methods::

Firstly, the actual requirements for prostate particle implantation surgery have been analyzed,
which has been followed by reviewing previous literature and patents to determine the design
scheme of the robot. Finally, SOLIDWORKS software has been used for mechanical design of the
robot, and the control system of the robot has been designed based on Arduino.

Results::

A robotic arm type prostate particle implantation robot has been successfully designed. We
have installed a visual module on the prostate particle implantation robot, which has enabled the robot
system to have image transmission monitoring function to assist in the calibration of the puncture position
before surgery. Finally, we have employed other sensors to complete the particle implantation
experiment, and successfully confirmed its superiority through comparing errors.

Conclusion::

This work has analyzed and studied the clinical process of prostate particle implantation
surgery, and designed a prostate particle implantation robot, including the mechanical design and control
system design of the robot. We have also simulated the scene of prostate particle implantation surgery
in the human body through particle implantation experiments, and successfully and accurately
implanted radioactive particles to the target. The experimental results have proven the feasibility of the
robot. We have made improvements in execution efficiency by using a parallelogram-based robotic
arm as the representation of the prostate particle implantation robot and equipped it with a visual module.
The visual module collects a video stream of the puncture needle's perspective and provides feedback
to the control end to assist in the calibration of the puncture position before surgery, greatly reducing
the probability of secondary injury to patients.
Optimization of Control Factors Influencing the Wear Behaviour of Inflorescence Fibril Fortified Epoxy Composites
Authors: Karthik S. , Abinav R. , Kumaar N. Arjun , Hariharan M. , Induprakash S. , Akilesh V. , Tripathy D. Bajpai
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

Augmenting concern towards effective utilization of agro
waste into useful products has formented the scientific community to look for alternate
sources of materials. On a circular economy contemplation, natural fibers extricated
from agro waste have a potential headway towards the evolution of newer materials.

Methods:

The current research activity is focused on the optimization of influential
parameters, namely fiber volume, load, sliding distance and sliding velocity on the
wear characteristics of inflorescence fiber-fortified epoxy composites. Coconut Inflorescence
fiber is selected as reinforcement material for the present work. NaOH
treatment at 5% wt/vol for 1 hour towards removal of amorphous contents present in
the fibers. Taguchi-inspired L16 orthogonal array is used for the design of experiments
using Minitab software. The control factors chosen for the optimization study
are namely fiber content (10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm and 25 mm), a load of (5 N, 10N,
15 N and 20 N), a sliding distance of (200 m, 400 m, 600 m and 800 m) and sliding
velocity of (6 m/s, 12 m/s, 18 m/s and 24 m/s).

Results:

The optimal combination of parameters, namely fiber content of 20 wt%,
load of 5N, a sliding distance of 600 m and sliding velocity of 24 m/s, contributed to
the merest wear rate of 4.328 m3/N.m. Morphological evaluation of the composites
revealed agglomeration of fibers in the matrix, thereby, the matrix was not able to
transfer load uniformly.

Conclusion:

Leading to failure of composites as a result of wear rate increase. Thus,
inflorescence fiber-fortified epoxy composites fabricated on the above-mentioned
control factors will have better wear rate for futuristic applications.
Smoke Points: A Crucial Factor in Cooking Oil Selection for Public Health
Authors: Roychowdhury Prasun , Chatterjee Moumita , Bhattacharjya Anindita , Lahiri Shibani
Published: December 2023

:

Cooking oils and fats play a significant role in our daily diet and culinary practices by
enhancing flavours, textures, and nutritional value. However, overheating these fats can compromise
the quality and safety of cooked foods. When oils and fats exceed their smoke points, they undergo
chemical breakdown, producing volatile compounds, off-flavours, and undesirable odors, including
harmful substances like small chain fatty acids, trans fats, acrylamides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It is crucial to avoid overheating oils to mitigate the formation of these toxic substances
and instead opt for those with higher smoke points for high-temperature cooking methods. The
smoke point, indicating the temperature at which visible smoke is emitted, serves as a critical indicator of thermal stability and suitability for various cooking oils and fats. Therefore, understanding
and considering the smoke points of different oils and fats are essential for maintaining food quality
and safety in culinary practices. This review consolidates existing knowledge on the smoke points
of various oils and fats and methods for determining smoke points, providing a list of fifty-one oils
and fats with their respective smoke points and highlighting their applications in cooking. By considering the smoke point, chefs, cooks, and food manufacturers can select oils that optimize cooking,
frying, taste, texture, flavour enhancement, salad dressings, marinades, baking, and overall safety in
their culinary practices. Mindfulness of the smoke point helps prevent the degradation of nutritional
value and the generation of harmful compounds during the cooking process.
Magnetic Topological Insulator
Authors: Rizwan M.
Published: December 2023

In condensed matter physics, global band topology and its importance have been recognized unambiguously such as the discovery of topological insulators (TIs). Massless dispersion having spin momentum locking has been possessed by 3D topological insulators because of their bulk band topology at the surface. In Dirac band dispersion the exchange gap formation is caused by broken TRS or by the beginning of spontaneous magnetization, even though the time-reversal invariable system is the origin of 3D TIs. In such magnetic TIs, at zero magnetic fields in the exchange gap, the appearance of quantum hall effect (QHE) is the result of Fermi level tuning, and QHE at zero magnetic fields is the quantum anomalous hall effect (QAHE). In this chapter, the experimental realization and basic concepts of magnetic TIs have been discussed. The origin of magnetization in topological insulators is the main idea, which leads to QHE, and QAHE and different materials have also been discussed.