bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Maastrichtian insect assemblage from Patagonia sheds light on arthropod diversity previous to the K/Pg event
Authors: Vera Ezequiel I. , Monferran Mateo D. , Massaferro Julieta , Sabater Lara M. , Gallego Oscar F. , Perez Loinaze Valeria S. , Moyano-Paz Damián , Agnolín Federico L. , Manabe Makoto , Tsuhiji Takanobu , Novas Fernando E.
Published: December 2023

Insect faunas from the latest Cretaceous are poorly known worldwide. Particularly, in the Southern Hemisphere, there is a gap regarding insect assemblages in the Campanian-Maastrichtian interval. Here we present an insect assemblage from the Maastrichtian Chorrillo Formation, southern Argentina, represented by well-preserved and non-deformed, chitinous microscopic remains including head capsules, wings and scales. Identified clades include Chironomidae dipterans, Coelolepida lepidopterans, and Ephemeroptera. The assemblage taxonomically resembles those of Cenozoic age, rather than other Mesozoic assemblages, in being composed by diverse chironomids and lepidopterans. To the best of our knowledge, present discovery constitutes the first insect body fossils for the Maastrichtian in the Southern Hemisphere, thus filling the gap between well-known Early Cretaceous entomofaunas and those of Paleogene age. The presented evidence shows that modern clades of chironomids were already dominant and diversified by the end of the Cretaceous, in concert with the parallel radiation of aquatic angiosperms which became dominant in freshwater habitats. This exceptional finding encourages the active search of microscopic remains of fossil arthropods in other geological units, which could provide a unique way of enhancing our knowledge on the past diversity of the clade.
Enhancing drug delivery with supramolecular amphiphilic macrocycle nanoparticles: selective targeting of CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib to melanoma
Authors: Attia Mohamed F. , Ogunnaike Edikan A. , Pitz Megan , Elbaz Nancy M. , Panda Dillip K. , Alexander-Bryant Angela , Saha Sourav , Whitehead Daniel C. , Kabanov Alexander
Published: December 2023

Drug delivery systems based on amphiphilic supramolecular macrocycles have garnered increased attention over the past two decades due to their ability to successfully formulate nanoparticles.
BrainBike peptidomimetic enables efficient transport of proteins across brain endothelium
Authors: Lucana Maria C. , Lucchi Roberta , Gosselet Fabien , Díaz-Perlas Cristina , Oller-Salvia Benjamí
Published: December 2023

BrainBikes, a new family of bicyclic brain shuttle peptides, can efficiently transport protein therapeutics across brain endothelium.
Future prospects of MXenes: synthesis, functionalization, properties, and application in field effect transistors
Authors: Rahman Maisha , Al Mamun Muhammad Shamim
Published: December 2023

MXenes are a family of two-dimensional (2D) materials that have drawn a lot of interest recently because of their distinctive characteristics and possible uses in a variety of electronic devices.
Understanding the effect of specific adsorption on the vibrational Stark effect of adsorbates on an electrode surface via surface enhanced spectroscopy
Authors: Zhao Kaiyue , Xiong Haocheng , Xiao Yuanhui , Su Haisheng , Wu Deyin , Chang Xiaoxia , Lu Qi , Xu Bingjun
Published: December 2023

Specific adsorption on a surface can substantially enhance the sensitivity of vibrational modes to an interfacial electric field by altering their electronic states.
Encapsulating biomass-derived SiOx with internal conductive channels in nitrogen-doped flexible carbon cages for high performance Li ion-battery anodes
Authors: Kong Xiangzhong , Xi Ziyang , Jiang Yingjie , Li Shi , Chen Xi , Zhang Jing , Wan Zhongmin , Pan Anqiang
Published: December 2023

N-doped flexible porous carbon encapsulated SiOx/C (p-NC/SiOx/C-3) was synthesized using rice husks as both the silicon and carbon source. When utilized as an anode for lithium ion batteries, p-NC/SiOx/C-3 delivers excellent cycling performance.
The preparation and characterization of self-healing hydrogels based on polypeptides with a dual response to light and hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Wang Congwei , Zhao Dinglei , Xie Yongjun , Zhou Qiang , Yang Haiyang
Published: December 2023

An injectable self-healing polypeptide-based hydrogel that is responsive to hydrogen peroxide and light is prepared. The controlled release of hydrophobic drug molecules at specific sites, such as tumor tissues, was accordingly achieved.
A tri(ethylene glycol)-tethered Morita–Baylis–Hillman dimer in the formation of macrocyclic crown ether-paracyclophane hybrid structures
Authors: Saletti Mario , Venditti Jacopo , Paolino Marco , Zacchei Arianna , Giuliani Germano , Giorgi Gianluca , Bonechi Claudia , Donati Alessandro , Cappelli Andrea
Published: December 2023

A tri(ethylene glycol)-tethered MBHA dimer was synthesized and found to react with n-butylamine leading to the formation of macrocyclic crown ether-paracyclophane hybrid structures that could be modulated by light.
Potentiometric planar platforms modified with a multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline nanocomposite and based on imprinted polymers for erythromycin assessment
Authors: Almehizia Abdulrahman A. , Naglah Ahmed M. , Alanazi Mashael G. , El-Galil E. Amr Abdel , Kamel Ayman H.
Published: December 2023

A screen-printed potentiometric sensor for the erythromycin macrolide antibiotic (ERY) that is affordable, highly selective, and sensitive is made, described, and used for drug monitoring.
Subnanometric Pt clusters dispersed over Cs-doped TiO2 for CO2 upgrading via low-temperature RWGS: operando mechanistic insights to guide an optimal catalyst design
Authors: Torres-Sempere Guillermo , Blay-Roger Rubén , Luque-Álvarez Ligia A. , Santos José L. , Bobadilla Luis F. , Pastor-Pérez Laura , Centeno Miguel A. , Hernández Willinton Y. , Yousef Ibraheem , Odriozola José A. , R. Reina Tomas
Published: December 2023

Cs-doped Pt/TiO2 advanced catalysts for CO2 conversion via low-temperature RWGS: from operando and mechanistic study to real-catalyst design to combat global warming.
Defect-containing metal–organic framework materials for sensor applications
Authors: An Dahui , Chen Long , Liang Yun , Hou Juan , Chen Jiangzhao
Published: December 2023

Defective MOFs: unique properties and electrochemical sensor applications. Overview of construction principles, mechanisms, and applications.
Harnessing the power of gold: advancements in anticancer gold complexes and their functionalized nanoparticles
Authors: Malik Manzoor Ahmad , Hashmi Athar Adil , Al-Bogami Abdullah Saad , Wani Mohmmad Younus
Published: December 2023

Captivating anticancer properties of gold complexes and functionalized gold nanoparticles.
The effect of oxygen supply using perfluorocarbon-based nanoemulsions on human hair growth
Authors: Park Phil June , Mondal Himangsu , Pi Bong Soo , Kim Sung Tae , Jee Jun-Pil
Published: December 2023

PFOB-NEs incorporate O2, enabling sustained and continuous release for 36 hours. We investigate their potential for creating a favorable environment for hair regrowth.
On-surface growth of transition-metal cobalt nanoclusters using a 2D crown-ether array
Authors: Yamada Toyo Kazu , Nemoto Ryohei , Nishino Fumi , Hosokai Takuya , Wang Chi-Hsien , Horie Masaki , Hasegawa Yuri , Kera Satoshi , Krüger Peter
Published: December 2023

We report an on-surface growth of transition-metal nanoclusters using a 2D self-assembled monolayer (SAM) crown ether ring molecular array prepared on Cu(111).
As cigarrinhas-verdes da vinha na região do Alentejo
Authors: Afonso Renato , Franco José Carlos , Amaro da Costa Cristina , Figueiredo Elisabete
Published: December 2023

As cigarrinhas-verdes (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae) são uma praga de grande importância nas vinhas do Alentejo, particularmente a espécie Jacobiasca lybica. São raros os estudos que envolvem a opinião dos viticultores sobre os problemas com os quais se deparam no combate às cigarrinhas, pelo que este estudo tem como objetivo conhecer as perceções dos viticultores relativamente à importância das cigarrinhas verdes no Alentejo, os respetivos fatores de nocividade e o processo de tomada de decisão no combate a esta praga. Com este objetivo, foi elaborado um inquérito com resposta online pelos viticultores da região do Alentejo. O questionário foi dividido nas seguintes secções: caracterização da exploração; importância das cigarrinhas-verdes na vinha; estratégias de proteção da vinha contra as cigarrinhas-verdes incluindo tratamentos fitossanitários; caracterização do inquirido. Procedeu-se a uma análise descritiva para sistematização dos resultados. De acordo com as respostas dos viticultores, as cigarrinhas-verdes são consideradas pragas-chave na região do Alentejo, particularmente nas explorações com maior área de vinha. A proteção química com recurso a produtos de síntese continua a ser o meio de proteção mais utilizado.
Study on the Impact of Firecrackers on Atmospheric Pollutants during Diwali Festival in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Shankar S. , Abbas G. , Nithyaprakash R. , Naveenkumar R. , Rakesh Mohanty S. , Sabarinathan A. , Karthick S.
Published: December 2023

The current study focuses on the impact of firecrackers emission on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and the noise was analyzed on pre, during, and post-Diwali 2022 period (5 days) in a residential area of Tamil Nadu state of India. The findings demonstrated that, for 24-hour mean values of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations over the study period were consistently higher than the NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standard) permitted limit. On the day of Diwali, the mean CO concentration reaches 2.5 mg/m3, exceeding the NAAQSrecommended allowable limit of 2 mg/m3. The CO2 concentration during Diwali day is 1.8 times higher than the pre-Diwali day. In addition, the 24-hour mean concentration of TVOC during pre-Diwali, Diwali, and post-Diwali was found to be 915.21 µg/m³, 1513.52 µg/m³ and 1617.12 µg/m³ respectively which is quite higher than normal days. Furthermore, the average noise level in the study site during pre, during, and post-Diwali was found to be 57.71 dB (A), 75.5 dB (A), and 63.66 dB (A) respectively which were higher than the safer limit on the residential zone. As a result of the widespread usage of firecrackers during Diwali festivities, these pollutants are significantly increased, which may have a negative influence on the general public’s health.
Sustainable Dairy Farming: Introducing the COW DUNG REMOVER for Eco-Friendly Cleaning and Improved Livelihoods
Authors: Naik Santosh Madeva , Subhani Ali Shaik Meer , Moger Vinod , Mainoddin Md. , Satyanarayana Salava V.
Published: December 2023

This paper presents the implementation of a natural and renewable resource cleaning machine, also known as the cow dung remover, which was developed to solve the cleaning challenges faced by small-scale dairy farmers in the village. The proposed solution aims to simplify the work of the farmers, eliminate the physical strain associated with manual cleaning, and reduce the labour-intensive effort required to clean the dairy farm. The machine is operated using levers and has a scrapping plate connected to it, as well as a water tank. The device was designed to be economical, easy to operate, and environmentally friendly. The paper describes the methodology used to develop the machine, including experiments and simulations conducted. The hardware requirements, results, and findings of the project are presented, as well as the interpretation and discussion of the results in the context of the research area. The paper concludes by summarizing the main findings of the project and suggesting directions for future research. The cow dung remover project contributes to SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 7 by providing a practical solution that enhances the sustainability and affordability of energy use in small-scale dairy farming, while also promoting a cleaner and more efficient approach to waste management and energy utilization.
Enhancing Concrete Sustainability: Assessing the Impact of Construction and Demolished Waste Aggregates on Strength and Rapid Chloride Permeability as a Durability Indicator
Authors: Panghal Harish , Kumar Awadhesh
Published: December 2023

The construction industry is adopting sustainable practices by using Construction and Demolished (C&D) waste aggregates in concrete production. This study investigates the impact of C&D waste on concrete’s compressive strength and rapid chloride permeability (a vital durability Indicator), examining the relationship between aggregate replacements, strength, and chloride permeability. The goal is to guide the creation of robust and eco-friendly concrete formulations. The results show that higher levels of C&D waste aggregate replacement lead to reduced compressive strength and increased chloride ion permeability, compromising concrete’s durability. Notably, a 25% replacement of C&D fine aggregates demonstrates the highest compressive strength at 36.71MPa, while a 100% replacement of C&D coarse and fine aggregates yields the lowest at 19.73MPa. RFA 25%, RCA 25%, and RFA 25% + RCA 25% mixtures experienced significant improvements in compressive strength, with gains of approximately 15.98%, 13.18%, and 12.36% at 7 days, and 15.73%, 12.33%, and 10.80% at 28 days, respectively. Concrete maintains satisfactory durability when replacing up to 50% of C&D fine aggregates, up to 75% of C&D coarse aggregates, and up to 25% of C&D fine + coarse aggregates.
Public Expenditure and Sustainable Health Care in India: Achieving 2030 Agenda
Authors: Dwivedi Richa , Gurpur Shashikala
Published: December 2023

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: Agenda 2030, the government of India has taken several steps to improve healthcare services. Public expenditure plays a crucial role in achieving the agenda of good health and well-being. While the public expenditure on healthcare in India has been quite low around 2.1% of GDP, various financial reforms have been made to improve the fiscal capacity of the states. However, the healthcare expenditure in India has neither been sufficient nor sustainable. The paper highlights that the centralized fiscal federal design in the Indian Constitution poses challenges to revenue generation and mobilization by the States. There has been a huge decline in the revenue-generating ability of the states from 1998-99 to 2020-21 which has reduced the fiscal autonomy of the states by making them dependent for 47% of their resources on the Centre. This declining fiscal autonomy of the states and increasing dependence on the centre for resources affect the public expenditure on healthcare which primarily is the subject matter of the state list. Thus, the paper suggests the need and ways for sustainable healthcare financing in India.
Use of Molecular Marker in Fruit crops for their traits and Genetical Diversity Analysis
Authors: Thakur Ritik , Singh Vikram , Banerjee Dhrubajyoti
Published: December 2023

The introduction of molecular markers has caused a shift in the genetic diversity of fruit crops. They are crucial to a wide range of disciplines, such as taxonomy, gene mapping, phylogenetic analysis, and the assessment of disease resistance. This extensive study looks at various molecular markers, including AFLP, RAPD, SSRs, SCoT, and SNPs, for the purpose of characterizing fruit crop genomes. We examine how they contribute to our understanding of disease resistance, genetic diversity, and evolutionary, dynamics in a wide variety of fruit crops, such as nuts and tropical, subtropical, and temperate fruits. Breeders can now create new cultivars with improved traits, quicker breeding schedules, and better genetic resource conservation. They have made it feasible to perform customized genetic analyses and gain a deeper understanding of genetics and evolution in domains other than agriculture. The sustainable use of genetic resources from fruit crops, conservation initiatives, and the larger scientific and medical fields are all significantly impacted by this historical perspective.
Blueprints for Green Horizons: Sustainable Strategies in Design and Production
Authors: Badhoutiya Arti , Meshram Vishal , Gori Yatika , Yadav Dinesh Kumar , Viswanath G. , Revathi V. , Brayyich Mohammed
Published: December 2023

This offers a thorough examination of sustainable practises within the domains of design and production. This seminal study explores the pivotal convergence of environmental awareness and inventive thinking, offering a strategic guide towards a more ecologically responsible and enduring trajectory. In the current epoch characterised by pressing global environmental issues, this book presents a pertinent and indispensable resource for individuals in professional, scholarly, and educational domains who aspire to effect constructive change. By utilising a diverse range of case studies, expert perspectives, and current research, “Blueprints for Green Horizons” offers a comprehensive framework for achieving sustainable design and production. The manuscript illustrates the seamless integration of sustainability into design and production processes, emphasising the importance of environmental responsibility across the entire lifecycle, from initial concept to end customer. It examines the significance of responsible consumer behaviour in promoting sustainable production, urging readers to make well-informed decisions that contribute to the advancement of a more sustainable global environment. This manuscript advocates for the integration of diverse academic fields, such as design, engineering, economics, and environmental science, to foster successful collaboration in addressing intricate sustainability issues.
Investigation on Acoustic Parameters of Monosodium Glutamate Food Preservative in an Aqueous Solution of PolyEthylene Glycols (400 and 600)
Authors: Firdaus Ansari Ammara , Juglan K.C.
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to examine the impact of social media on mental health. Aqueous monosodium glutamate (MSG) was mixed with polyethylene (PEG400 and PEG600), and the resulting mixture was weighed and subjected to acoustic density and velocity measurements. These combinations ranged from 0.01-0.03 mol.kg−1 in concentration. The Anton Paar DSA 5000 M was used to take the readings, which showed a temperature range of 288.15K to 318.15K. The experimental data was used to derive several acoustic and thermodynamic properties, such as intermolecular free length, acoustic impedance, adiabatic compressibility, Wada’s constant, Rao’s constant, and Vander Waal’s constant. To better comprehend the intermolecular processes occurring in a ternary mixture of monosodium glutamate (MSG), polyethylene glycols (PEG400, and PEG600), these simulations were carried out. The goal of these calculations was to produce this result.
Landslide Hazard Zonation of Tehri Reservoir Rim Area Using Modified LHEF Rating Scheme
Authors: Kumar Rohan , Anbalagan Rathinam , Agarwal Ankita , Khusulio K.
Published: December 2023

The study aimed to utilize the capabilities of geospatial technology for landslide hazard evaluation factor (LHEF) scheme recorded in the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) code to prepare a landslide hazard zonation (LHZ) map of the Tehri reservoir rim area at the macro-scale. Multisource remote sensing data were visually and digitally interpreted to produces thematic layers and slope facet as recorded in BIS method. LHEF method is suited for meso and macro scale mapping thus, to broaden the scope of LHEF scheme, novel approaches were adopted namely, the mapping unit ‘slope facet’ was more precisely extracted through digital and visual interpretation of remote sensing data, the structural favorability map was extracted using photo-lineament density criteria. Additionally, two external factors, rainfall and seismicity were incorporated in LHEF rating scheme and used a matrix-based system to propose their combined rating. With the modified LHEF rating scheme, we have succeeded in identifying LHZ with reasonable accuracy. The bar chart method used to validate LHZ results that clearly indicated a high number of landslides falling in high to very high hazard zone conversely, very few landslides observed in low to very low hazard zone identified from current approach.
Thermodynamic investigation of glycol ethers in aqueous sugar alcohol at multiple temperatures
Authors: Chakraborty Nabaparna , Thakur Priya , Juglan K.C.
Published: December 2023

Understanding the molecular dynamics and intermolecular interaction of liquid mixtures can be greatly aided by ultrasonic study. Sound speed and Density of glycols ethers (phenoxyethanol and butoxyethanol) in solutions of a well-known sugar alcohol (d-Mannitol), were measured using the AntonPaar (DSA 5000 M) at concentrations of (0.02, 0.06, and 0.10) mol.kg−1 and fixed experimental pressures (0.1 MPa) over the entire temperature range (288.15, 293.15, 298.15, 303.15) K. With the experimental data of velocity and density, a number of additional dependent basic acoustic-thermodynamic parameters, namely Vander Waal’s constant (b), intermolecular free length (Lf), acoustic impedance (Z), adiabatic compressibility (β), Rao’s constant (R), and Wada’s constant (W) have been evaluated. Through these parameters, interactions between solutes and their solvents are expressed in terms of solute-solvent interactions. Research is also done on the solute’s capacity to create or destroy structures in a solvent. The inter-molecular interactions amidst the ternary mixture of glycols ethers and d-mannitol in aqueous medium were analyzed.
Green Finance and Sustainable Development: Exploring Dynamic Causal Links and Global Implications
Authors: Swaty
Published: December 2023

This research investigates the potential causal relationship among sustainable development and green finance on a world level, using data from 2011 to 2023. In this study, the researcher utilized the bootstrap rolling-window Granger causal relationship test to investigate the contributions of different stakeholders to sustainable development by participating in green finance initiatives. The results of the analysis demonstrate that green finance has a positive impact on sustainable development across different time periods. While green finance represents a crucial financing mechanism for advancing sustainable development goals, its direct influence on SD remains unproven. Additionally, this analysis identifies distinct causal relationships in different sub periods, emphasizing the importance of context-specific causality. Moreover, in specific contexts, the direction of causality holds significant implications. Therefore, we propose that governments and international organizations play a pivotal role in guiding high-quality green investments and implementing risk mitigation strategies within the established system framework. Furthermore, enhancing the standards for categorizing green finance, developing comprehensive evaluation systems, and promoting transparent information disclosure related to GF can foster greater contributions by countries to sustainable development initiatives.
Opening up high-performance laser science to the world at the extreme light infrastructure (ELI)
Authors: Harrison Andrew , Malka Victor , Margarone Daniele , Varjú Katalin
Published: December 2023

The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) is a research facility that provides for a wide range of scientists access to the largest and most diverse set of high-performance laser systems in the world.
Opportunities for new science at ELI
Authors: Arefiev A. , Cernaianu Mihail , Condamine Florian , Major Balázs
Published: December 2023

The technology that ELI provides and is developing at a very rapid pace, so the opportunities to study new phenomena in a wide range of scientific areas are also advancing very quickly (Scientific publications at http://www.eli-np.ro/scientific_papers.php).
Hand-Held Personal Digital Assistant Program for the HEMOCHRON® RxDx® Heparin and Protamine Dosing System
Authors: El Rouby Soumaya , Rinehart Kristin , Zucker Marcia L. , LaDuca Frank M.
Published: December 2023

The use of in vitro dosing assays for heparin and protamine during cardiac surgery has significantly improved overall postoperative patient outcome. The HEMOCHRON® RxDx® system (International Technidyne Corp, Edison, NJ) is widely used for anticoagulation management. Based on a series of consecutive in vitro tests, the RxDx system is used to quantify the patient's heparin requirement (heparin response test, HRT), measure the activated clotting time (ACT), calculate the blood heparin concentration and the required protamine dose (protamine response test, PRT), as well as determine the efficacy of heparin reversal (protamine dose assay, PDA-O). A hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) program has been developed that performs the RxDx calculations used for anticoagulation management during cardiac surgery. The Palm™ m505 handheld device (Palm, Inc., Santa Clara, CA) is used in concert with any standard Hemochron blood coagulation system. The Palm m505 device has been programmed to perform all the calculations required for the RxDx test system. Patient's body weight, height, and gender are entered into the program using the onscreen keypad and the template provided in the Hemochron program. The calculator automatically provides the patient's blood volume and the recommended heparin dose upon entering the baseline ACT and HRT values and a target ACT. At the end of the case, the optimal protamine dose is determined, and the total heparin level is calculated and displayed upon entry of ACT and PRT clotting times. Following protamine administration, the program calculates any additional protamine required to neutralize residual heparin using the data from a PDA-O test. The RxDx hand-held PDA is accurate, quick, simple, and easy to use, patient data are saved and can be retrieved. The inclusion of this rapid computing technology into the Hemochron RxDx system serves to expand the applications of the Hemochron RxDx system during cardiac interventions.
Unique Considerations for the Spinal Cord Injured Patient Undergoing Cardiac Surgery Utilizing Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Benak Arnold M. , Vocelka Craig R. , Verrier Edward D.
Published: December 2023

A 37-year-old male with mitral valve regurgitation presented for mitral valve replacement. He has been a C5 quadriplegic for 13 years. The patient had been discharged 2 months before to this admission after a complicated hospital course for Staphylococcus aureus infection of the left hip. His course was complicated by adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) requiring prolonged intubation, acute renal failure (ARF) requiring dialysis, 10-day coma, and bacterial endocarditis now requiring mitral valve replacement. After initial stabilization with antibiotics and gradual improvement of the multiorgan system failure, the patient presented for valve replacement and worsening congestive heart failure (CHF). Para- and quadriplegic patients rarely undergo cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The explanation for this low incidence of heart surgery in this patient population ranges from physiologic changes from the spinal cord injury to their relatively short life span. Therefore, there is no vast knowledge of how these patients with spinal cord injury will physiologically respond to CPB. Chronic paraplegia presents unique anesthetic and perfusion challenges. General anesthesia for a patient with prolonged spinal cord damage can be difficult because of dysreflexia, muscle wasting, and potassium changes with depolarizing muscle relaxants. For the perfusionist, chronic paraplegia also accentuates hemodynamic responses to nonpulsatile flow with low peripheral vascular resistance common and difficult to treat. Dramatic increases in circulating catecholamine levels are a secondary result of the initiation of CPB that can cause a hypo- and hypertensive state. Depending on the level of spinal cord injury, one might expect acute hypo- or hypertension with the various phases of open-heart surgery and CPB. A viscous circle may occur because the hypertensive state is exaggerated because of inhibitory signals not passed below the spinal cord lesion and, therefore, the vasoconstrictive reflex continues unabated. The attack usually occurs abruptly and can lead to cerebrovascular hemorrhage and death if not controlled. Fortunately, we found this patient did not develop mass autonomic dysreflexia and was not difficult to wean from CPB. The problems associated with spinal cord injury present potential complications to this patient population. Numerous triggering mechanisms may lead to a variety of clinical complications. Consideration of a response/treatment management plan for potential problems must be exercised by the surgical team.
Singular perturbation decomposition-based ride quality control of elastic aircraft
Authors: LI Zhaoxing , WANG Xia , WANG Minwen , SHEN Jian , XU Bin
Published: December 2023

Considering the reduction of ride comfort under wind disturbance, the ride quality control method based on singular perturbation decomposition is proposed. For the dynamic model of elastic aircraft, the singular perturbation theory is used to decouple the model into the rigid-slow subsystem and the flexible-fast subsystem. Considering the additional time-varying disturbance and aerodynamic uncertainty of the rigid subsystem, the disturbance observer is designed to estimate disturbance effect and the neural network is used to deal with model uncertainty. The adaptive robust control is constructed using the composite estimation information as feedforward compensation and the tracking error of pitch rate and normal overload as feedback design. For the flexible subsystem, a nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller is designed to achieve active vibration suppression. The ride quality control law of elastic aircraft is obtained by combining the control inputs of the rigid and flexible subsystems, and the additional normal overload and elastic mode can be quickly restrained and converged. Based on Lyapunov stability analysis, the uniformly ultimate boundedness of the system is proved. The simulation results show that the proposed method can reduce the additional normal overload at the key positions of the aircraft under discrete gust and atmospheric turbulence, and the riding quality of elastic aircraft is effectively improved.
Numerical simulation study on hydrodynamic time-delay characteristics of supercavitating vehicle
Authors: LIU Xiyan , YUAN Xulong , LUO Kai , DU Zhaoxing
Published: December 2023

Due to the existence of the time-delay effect of the supercavity, the fluid dynamics of the supercavitating vehicle in the maneuvering will exhibit extremely strong unsteady characteristics, which will bring great challenges to the hydrodynamic acquisition, motion performance analysis and control scheme design and evaluation of the vehicle. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the hydrodynamic characteristics and formation mechanism of the vehicle in supercavitating state. In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model for continuous motion of the supercavitating vehicle at varying angles of attack is established by using the dynamic mesh technique. The accuracy of the model is verified by using the water tunnel test results. Through simulation, the unsteady cavitation development and hydrodynamic characteristics of the supercavitating vehicle at different speeds, swing frequencies and preset rudder angles are obtained. The results show that the hydrodynamics of the supercavitating vehicle under unsteady motion has time-delay characteristics, and the prediction results of the conventional hydrodynamic calculation method of the vehicle have large errors. The cavitation time-delay effect and the dynamic development of the attached cavitation are the fundamental reasons for the formation of the unsteady hydrodynamic time-delay characteristics of the supercavitating vehicle. The hydrodynamic time-delay characteristics of the supercavitating vehicle is significantly enhanced with the increasing of velocity and weakened with the increasing of swing frequency. The preset rudder angle of the cavitator results in different time-delay characteristics when the vehicle swings at positive and negative angles of attack.
A fatigue crack quantification model for metallic structure based on strain monitoring data
Authors: LI Kunpeng , LI Biao , ZHANG Yanjun , ZHOU Yan , ZHANG Teng , LI Yazhi
Published: December 2023

Obtaining the real-time fatigue crack length of a metallic structure is the prerequisite of the fatigue life monitoring and residual life estimation for an aircraft. This paper proposed a metallic structure's fatigue crack prediction model using strain monitoring data based on deep learning method. A cycle consistent adversarial network was developed to map the strain monitoring data from experimental measurement with those from finite element modeling. A crack size classification model and a crack length quantification model were proposed to classify the crack size range and identify the exact crack length, respectively. The proposed model was applied to predict the fatigue crack growth in centeral hole metallic plates subjected to random loading spectrum. The results showed that the prediction is effective and accurate.
Lightweight design of piezoelectric linear displacement accumulation actuator for airfoil deployment
Authors: LU Huanhuan , HU Kaiming , ZHENG Xiaoya , XIAO Jinyou , SONG Hongzhou
Published: December 2023

The electromagnetic servo steering gear commonly used in the modern small guided aircraft has parasitic electromagnetic fields that affect the navigation and guidance accuracy, and its deceleration mechanism will increase the volume and mass, and the operating temperature range of the electromagnetic steering gear is small. A recently developed piezoelectric linear displacement accumulating high-power density actuator can solve those problems effectively. A virtual prototype model of piezoelectric linear displacement accumulating high-power density actuator is established, and the reliability of the virtual prototype model is verified by comparing with the experimental data. In order to make the actuator with the lightest weight under the requirements of wing deployment, Isight and Adams co-simulation were used to optimize the parameters of the piezoelectric actuator, such as the outer diameter, length, and excitation frequency. Finally, the output power of 50.8 W/kg is achieved, which is comparable with the power density of the existing servo motor.
Cognitive processes and strategies of bilingual students when attempting assessments in an L2
Authors: Teng Xing San , Hsiao Janet , Lo Yuen Yi
Published: December 2023

In bilingual education programs, students learn content knowledge through an additional language (L2). Their
content knowledge is also assessed through their L2, which raises concerns about underestimating their actual learning. This study
addresses such concerns by investigating the cognitive processes and strategies of bilingual learners when being assessed in their
L2. 49 university students, divided into more proficient and less proficient L2 learners, participated in an eye-tracking
experiment which captured their eye movements when attempting a biology assessment. They then reported their thinking processes
and strategies during the assessment process in a stimulated recall. In general, the participants engaged in more cognitive
processes when attempting questions that were more cognitively demanding and required productive language skills. The less
proficient group had more and longer fixations and regressions than their more proficient counterparts, but the two groups
reported similar strategies. These findings have implications for assessment design in bilingual education programs.
“We Invite You for Lunch”: Post/Colonial Subjectivities and Performances of Tourism in Puducherry, India
Authors: Chakraborty Aindrila
Published: December 2023

Tourism is contested, as Edward Bruner suggests. These contestations may not always take the form of overt conflicts between actors and/or institutions. They may operate in silent pauses and gaps, performances of the actors involved, their identifications and agencies and constructed meanings. In my research, I focus on the town of Puducherry, a French colony merged with India in 1962, to engage with the discourse of authenticity in which the hosts take part. By positioning myself as both tourist and ethnographer, I delve into the complexities of post/colonial subjectivities and performances of identity in Puducherry, with a focus on the Franco-Pondicherrian community who, through their performances reproduce the authentic and reclaim their collective identity. In the process, the members of the community, who are also the hosts in this context, become both the gatekeepers of authenticity and the toured. Using the idea of staged authenticity in a social constructionist frame, I engage with how hosts stage cultural performances in the intimate space of their home which works to make the tourist aware of their cultural heritage and abets their identity practices.

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© The Author 2023
Business Strategy and Development toward Sustainability: A Story of Ban Bo Chet Luk Community Entrepreneurship, Thailand
Authors: Ditta-Apichai Morakot
Published: December 2023

Community-based entrepreneurship has been acknowledged to be an essential instrument for the socio-economic development of rural communities and social upliftment, especially in developing countries such as Thailand. This case study covers community background, management history, business strategy, ecotourism, and sustainable development in the Ban Bo Chet Luk community. It analyses community-based tourism initiatives, business strategy, and entrepreneurial activities to share ecotourism experiences with visitors and raise awareness about preserving the natural resources and environment of the region.

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© The Author 2023
Conservation, peasants and class: critical reflections on the political economy of climate change strategies in West Senegal
Authors: Hiraldo Rocío , Böhm Steffen
Published: December 2023

Environmental conservation has become a key climate mitigation strategy in the last two decades. Through the multiplication of ‘conservation’ projects, Africa is one of the main centres of this kind of intervention. While scholars have shown conservation to be a vehicle for the advancement of capitalist interests, scarce attention has been paid to agrarian labour and class dynamics in the African countryside sustaining this development. Drawing on the authors’ research in West Senegal, this article develops a conceptual framework for integrating class and peasant labour in the study of capitalist conservation. It shows how conservation-related climate mitigation strategies in Africa nurture and are nurtured by neoliberal and imperialist processes of agrarian change, reinforcing the economic and political vulnerability of African peasants. Alternative, anti-imperial climate change mitigation strategies need to be centred around peasant environmentalisms and their liberation from labour oppression.
Selenium and zinc supplementation mitigates metals-(loids) mixture- mediated cardiopulmonary toxicity via attenuation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic mechanisms in female Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Antia Mfoniso , Ezejiofor Anthonet N , Orish Chinna N , Cirovic Ana , Cirovic Aleksandar , Orisakwe Orish E
Published: December 2023

This study evaluated the cardiopulmonary protective effects of essential elements (Zn and Se) against heavy metals mixture (HMM) exposure. Twenty five female Sprague Dawley albino rats, divided in to five groups: controls were orally treated only with distilled water; next, group 2 was exposed to HMM with the following concentrations: 20 mg/kg of Pb body weight, 0.40 mg/kg of Hg, 0.56 mg/kg of Mn, and 35 mg/kg of Al. Groups 3, 4 and 5 were exposed to HMM and co-treated with zinc chloride (ZnCl2; 0.80 mg/kg), sodium selenite (Na2SeO3;1.50 mg/kg) and both zinc chloride and sodium selenite, respectively. The experiment lasted for 60 days. Afterwards animals were sacrificed, and we conduced biochemical and histopathological examination of the heart and lungs. HMM only exposed animals had an increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO), increased IL-6 and TNF-α, attenuated SOD, GPx, CAT and GSH and caspase 3 in the heart and lungs. HMM affected NF-kB and Nrf2 in the heart muscle with histomorphological alterations. Zn and Se attenuated adverse effects of HMM exposure. Essential element supplementation ameliorated heavy metal cardiopulmonary intoxication in rats.
Duration and Magnitude of Opioid Use After Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
Authors: Benson Dillon , Litvak Audrey , Zhang Douglas , Johnson Christopher , El Dafrawy Mostafa , Lee Michael
Published: December 2023

Study Design.

Retrospective cohort study performed in a nationwide insurance claims database.

Objective.

To evaluate the duration and magnitude of post-operative opioid prescriptions after minimally invasive surgical sacroiliac joint fusion (MIS SIJF) as compared to other common spine surgeries.

Summary of Background Data.

MIS SIJF has been reported to significantly improve quality of life and reduce pain. However, there is a paucity of reported data on post-operative opioid use in patients undergoing MIS SIJF for sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Methods.

A nationwide insurance claims database was queried to identify 4,666 patients who underwent MIS SIJF. Patients were stratified by pre-operative opioid use: Opioid naïve, sporadic use, or chronic use were respectively defined as 0,1, or≥2 opioid prescriptions filled within 6 months prior to surgery. Duration of opioid use was defined by the time between MIS SIJF and last opioid prescription filled while magnitude of opioid use was determined by milligram morphine equivalents filled by 30 days post-operation. This opioid use data was compared to that of other common spine surgeries.

Results.

Patients undergoing MIS SIJF continued to fill opioid prescriptions 1-year post-operatively at significantly higher proportions than those undergoing other common spine procedures assessed by prior literature within each of the pre-operative opioid use cohorts (chronic: 73% vs. 49-62%; P<0.0001, sporadic: 39% vs. 23-28%; P<0.0001, opioid naïve: 22% vs. 15-18%; P<0.0001). Chronic users filled the highest opiate dosages during the 30-day post-operative period, filling on average 64.75 MME/d compared to 19.75 MME/d and 24.25 MME/d by the opioid naïve and sporadic users, respectively.

Conclusion.

After MIS SIJF, opioid naïve patients use fewer opioids and for a shorter period of time compared to patients with sporadic or chronic pre-operative opioid use. MIS SIJF may result in less effective pain reduction when compared to other common spine surgeries evaluated via identical methodology.

Level of Evidence:

3
Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Statin Usage Are Associated With Rates of Pseudarthrosis Following Single-Level Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Lavu Monish S. , Eghrari Nafis B. , Makineni Pratheek S. , Kaelber David C. , Savage Jason W. , Pelle Dominic W.
Published: December 2023

Study design.

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective.

To investigate the relationships of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and statin usage with pseudarthrosis following single-level posterior or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF/TLIF).

Summary of background data.

Hypercholesterolemia can lead to atherosclerosis of the segmental arteries, which branch into vertebral bone through intervertebral foramina. According to the vascular hypothesis of disc disease, this can lead to ischemia of the lumbar discs and contribute to lumbar degenerative disease. Yet, little has been reported regarding the effects of cholesterol and statins on the outcomes of lumbar fusion surgery.

Materials and Methods.

TriNetX, a global federated research network, was retrospectively queried to identify 52,140 PLIF/TLIF patients between 2002 and 2021. Of these patients, 2137 had high cholesterol (≥130 mg/dL) and 906 had low cholesterol (≤55 mg/dL). Perioperatively, 18,275 patients used statins, while 33,415 patients did not. One-to-one propensity score matching for age, sex, race, and comorbidities was conducted to balance the analyzed cohorts. The incidence of pseudarthrosis was then assessed in the matched cohorts within the six-month, one-year, and two-year postoperative periods.

Results.

After propensity score matching, high-cholesterol patients had greater odds of developing pseudarthrosis six months [odds ratio (OR): 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28–2.33], one year (OR: 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–2.10), and two years (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.20–2.05) following a PLIF/TLIF procedure. Patients with statin usage had significantly lower odds of developing pseudarthrosis six months (OR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.69–0.79), one year (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.71–0.81), and two years (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.72–0.81) following single-level PLIF/TLIF.

Conclusions.

The findings suggest that patients with hypercholesterolemia have an increased risk of developing pseudarthrosis following PLIF/TLIF while statin use is associated with a decreased risk. The data presented may underscore an overlooked opportunity for perioperative optimization in lumbar fusion patients, warranting further investigation in this area.
Anterior Chest Wall Reconstruction After Separation of Thoraco-Omphalopagus Conjoined Twins With Cadaveric Rib Grafts and Omental Flap
Authors: Hashemi Ammar S.A. , Gimenez Alejandro , Yim Nicholas , Bay Caroline , Grush Andrew E. , Heinle Jeffrey S. , Buchanan Edward P.
Published: December 2023

Background

Anterior chest wall defects have a wide range of etiologies in the pediatric population, ranging from infection, tumor, and trauma to congenital diseases. The reconstructive goals include restoring skeletal stability, obliterating dead space, preserving cardiopulmonary mechanics, and protecting vital underlying mediastinal organs. Although various reconstructive methods have been described in the literature, selecting the optimal method is challenging for the growing pediatric skeleton. Here, we report a case of previously thoraco-omphalopagus twins who underwent successful separation and reconstruction and presented for definitive anterior chest wall reconstruction.

Methods

A pair of previously thoraco-omphalopagus conjoined twins underwent definitive anterior chest wall defect reconstruction using cadaveric ribs and omental flap. Twin A received 2 cadaveric ribs, whereas twin B had a much larger sternal defect that required 3 cadaveric ribs combined with an omental flap for soft tissue chest coverage. Both twins were followed up for 8 months.

Results

Twin A's postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on postoperative day 6. Twin B's course was complicated, and she was discharged on supported ventilation on postoperative day 10. At 8 months postoperatively, both twins healed well, and chest radiographs confirmed the stability of the chest reconstructions. The rib grafts in the twin with a tracheostomy were not mobile, and the patient had a solid sternum with adequate pulmonary expansion. The construct initially did not facilitate pulmonary functioning, but after a healing process, it eventually allowed for the twin with the tracheostomy who required pulmonary assistance to no longer need this device.

Conclusions

Cryopreserved cadaveric ribs and omental flaps offer safe and reliable reconstructive methods to successfully reconstruct congenital anterior chest wall skeletal defects in the growing pediatric population. The involvement of multidisciplinary team care is key to optimizing the outcomes.