bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of University Career Centers in Reskilling
Authors: Tekeli Seda , Kanik Damla
Published: March 2024

This chapter aims to determine the role of university career centers in reskilling in Turkey. Data collection tools are semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The sample of the first phase of this study is fifty-seven career centers. Five of these career centers are chosen for the second phase. The most emphasized activities are career days/fairs and university-industry collaboration. The most expected three skills are communication skills, teamwork, and analytical thinking. The reskilling role of career centers focuses on career counseling activities. Career centers will come into prominence with mentorship roles. Collaboration with industry and training are the most important factors that increase employability. The three important needs of career centers are an increase in the number of employees, budget, and long-term assignments. Factors like corporate identity, corporate sustainable culture, and competency of employees influence career centers' effectiveness. The number of interviewees and time are limitations to conduct a more comprehensive study.
Structural Order-Disorder Analysis of Thermally-Activated Water-Washed Kaolin Particles Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Shakrani Shahrul Azwan , Ayob Afizah , bin Ab Rahim Mohd Asri , Alias Salina
Published: March 2024

During the calcination of kaolin particles, kaolinite is thermally activated at high temperatures, causing the crystal structure to collapse and yielding amorphous metakaolinite through dehydroxylation. This metakaolinite is used as a supplementary cementitious material, and one of the most important factors influencing the pozzolanic properties is calcination conditions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has become useful in distinguishing and obtaining information about structural order-disorder and phase transformation following the calcination process. In this study, water-washed kaolin particles were thermally activated at elevated temperatures ranging from 600 to 800 °C for 3–4 h at a rate of 10 °C/min before being analyzed with FTIR to determine the optimum conditions for calcining kaolin particles by examining functional groups, and also to study structural order-disorder or crystallinity of calcined kaolin particles. The most reactive metakaolinite state of water-washed kaolin particles was achieved after 3 h of calcination at 800 °C. Using both empirical and numerical approaches, variations in the position and relative intensity of O-H stretching and deformation of hydroxyl groups in the infrared spectrum can be used to classify the degree of structural order of water-washed kaolin particles. By increasing the calcination temperatures and period, the well-ordered and partially-ordered structures of kaolin particles were transformed into well-ordered, partially-ordered, and poorly-ordered structures. These structural disorder and crystallinity have a significant impact on pozzolanic activity because well-ordered kaolinite can be transformed into less reactive metakaolinite, whereas poorly-ordered kaolinite with high defects can be transformed into more reactive metakaolinite. However, in this study, the structure of water-washed kaolin particles that achieved complete dehydroxylation was discovered to be partially-ordered to poorly-ordered and can be transformed into highly reactive pozzolans.
Review on Automated Casting Fault Separation Machine
Authors: Muthukumar M. , Bhuvanesh S. , Mahendran B. , Naveen Kumar D. , Priyadarsan R.
Published: March 2024

Currently, the manufacturing industries play an important part in the global economy. I t is critical for the industries to maintain the high standards of goods and products. Various machines / systems have been developed for determining dimensional stability or the lack of filling in a casting product, thereby rejecting the defective products. The existence of the casting product is detected using an infrared or ultrasonic sensor. When a product arrives along the conveyer, the sensor can detect its measurements. If the product has the necessary proportions and dimensions, it is moved to the accepted bin; otherwise, it is denied by a pneumatic actuator and placed in the rejecter bin. Eventually, a profound learning model that categorizes into two different categories has been studied to automate the manual inspection procedure in the casting failure system. This automated casting fault separation machine is accurate, reliable and low cost which makes it suitable for small scale industries with easy segregation of high quality products. The objective of this paper is to review the various automatic systems developed for separating casting fault.
Analysis and Design of Steel Cement Storage Silo
Authors: Annie Sweetlin Jebarani J.P. , Prathiksha K.M. , Kaviya K. , Kavya Dharshini P.M.
Published: March 2024

Storage is an important aspect of any business. All businesses must store goods and materials safely, especially warehouses, factories, shops, food, agricultural, and construction businesses. Leaving materials exposed reduces their overall quality; hence, certain structures are used to safely retain the materials for further use. These are called storage structures. A silo is a commonly used storage structure for the storage of bulk materials such as grain and cement. This paper deals with the design of a steel silo for the storage of pozzolana cement. A storage silo is essentially made up of a cylinder-shaped wall and a hopper bottom. Steel Silos are gaining more popularity in terms of cement storage usage. A 150-ton capacity steel silo has been designed for a seismic zone-2 [1] location in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India (therefore omitting the inclusion of seismic loads). The preliminary design of the silo structure is carried out with the help of Indian Standard code books. Indian Standard code books such as IS 9178-Parts 1,2 & 3 (1979) were used for the basic design. Other necessary code books were used for load calculations. The plan and elevation of the Silo have been drafted by using AutoCAD. The designed Silo is analysed using STAAD Pro. The pile foundation of the Steel Silo has also been designed and analysed using STAAD Foundation.
Germination, Physiochemical, and Morphology Changes of TR10 Rice Seeds Irradiated to Filtered and Unfiltered Neutron
Authors: Baadu Rosina , Chong Khim Phin , Gansau Jualang Azlan , Mohamed Zin Muhammad Rawi , Dayou Jedol
Published: March 2024

In 2020, Sabah’s rice production was 117, 846 metric tonnes with a planted area of 40, 446 ha is relatively low compared to other states such as Selangor, which has 36,004 ha less planted area but can produce up to 159,535 metric tonnes more than Sabah. Low rice production in Sabah has contributed to the shortage of supply. Thus, new varieties could be needed that sufficiently produce yields that comparable to the efforts and cost of rice planting. One of the methods is producing new varieties that probably produce high yields using physical mutagen. From the literature available, gamma and neutrons were found to be the most common agents to increase rice production per unit planting area but used they were used separately. Theoretically, using fast neutron irradiation was found to produce a superior mutant. Thus, this paper aims to study the effect of rice seeds irradiated to both gamma and neutron simultaneous, and compare with neutron alone on the germination rates and physiochemical of rice seeds after the irradiations at different dosages. TR10 rice seeds were irradiated simultaneously to gamma and neutrons in the nuclear reactor core using Pneumatic Transfer System–PTS facility, while irradiation to neutrons alone was performed in a neutron chamber using Beam ports–BP facility at Nuclear Malaysia. The germination study shows a linear decrease as the irradiation doses increase in BP and fail to germinate in PTS. Yet, seeds irradiated in PTS showed no hazardous compounds and a remarkable increase in mineral content in seeds, particularly potassium and magnesium at 14 Gy. Similarly, to the shape of the starch granules in both facilities, the starch structure changes after being exposed to 14 Gy in PTS and 35 Gy in BP. As a result, seeds exposed to neutron alone induced considerably more inclusive effects and may raise growth performance and improve rice quality with optimal neutron dosage range from 7 to 14 Gy.
Factors Affecting Stability of Particle Size in Tocotrienol Emulsion Prepared by Spontaneous Emulsification
Authors: Mustaffa Nabilah Kamaliah , Nang Harrison Lau Lik
Published: March 2024

Incorporation of vitamins into food, feed, and personal care is realised through microencapsulation of their nanoparticle in powder form. Vitamin E consisting of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols and α-, β-, γ-, and δ-tocotrienols, is a powerful antioxidant that has been used in food applications and supplements. However, due to its fat-soluble characteristic, the application of tocotrienol in food and beverages is still limited. Therefore, microencapsulation of tocotrienol via emulsification could help maximise the dissolution of tocotrienols during processing and prolong the product’s shelf lives. In this study, factors affecting the particle size, including surfactant concentration, stirring time and speed, and mixing temperature for the preparation of tocotrienol emulsion, were investigated. Emulsions were prepared using 12 wt% surfactant concentration, 800 rpm stirring for 30 minutes. Emulsions with 190 nm particle size were found stable after 30 days storage at ambient temperature.
Assessing the Groundwater Quality and Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Karst Aquifers in Kinta Valley, Perak
Authors: Khong Ling Xin , Nizar Nur Hidayah Ahmad , Ismail Suhaina , Saad Noor Aida , Kamaruddin Muhammad Azfar , Zabidi Hareyani
Published: March 2024

The rich karstic limestone aquifer in Kinta Valley, Perak is a potential resource of clean water in the future when the surface water resources will deplete and insufficient to support the growing population. A proper preliminary evaluation of groundwater hydrogeochemistry is essential for knowing the proper application and maintaining the available groundwater as a sustainable resource. Four production wells in Kinta Valley are sampled and analyzed for physicochemical parameters from 2018 to 2020. In this study, major chemical compounds, pH, total hardness (TH), and total dissolved solids (TDS) are interpreted to construct Piper’s trilinear diagram and Gibbs plot which describe the hydrochemistry of the samples. Drinking Water Quality Standard from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) National Primary Drinking Water Regulation is used as guideline standards for water quality evaluation. Based on the results from this study, the quality of groundwater in Kinta Valley is healthy and has the potential to be used as drinking water besides using as irrigation water. The predominant hydrochemical reaction of the groundwater is found to be a bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium reaction, which shows the aquifers are in contact with the subsurface karst system as the main ions originated from the dissolution of carbonate bedrocks.
Implementation of 5s Concept to Improve Productivity in a Fabrication Industry
Authors: Muruganantham V.R. , Tharun J. , Baalaje R. Aswin , Thirumalaimuthukumaran M. , Dev Darshan G.R.
Published: March 2024

In the current unstable economy, every fabricating sector has continuously made attempts to ensure its survival by adopting new and effective procedures to improve productivity. The industry's production issues were brought on by poor equipment handling, a lack of inventory classification, and an unorganized storage area. So, the objective is to reduce the waste, risk of labour, production cost, and time, and increase the workspace and production, thus gradually influencing the industry's overall profit. It can be achieved by implementing the most relevant lean techniques. Lean, an emerging technology, is used in manufacturing sectors to find and eliminate waste and increase efficiency. It is a completely customer-based strategy that concentrates on the value chain and its improvement. In this paper, lean analysis suggests using a 5S for restructuring the storage area, Kanban, and Kaizen for properly handling waste. It is observed that there is a significant improvement after this implementation.
Effect of Roll Diameter on Temperature of Aluminum Alloy Strip during Casting Using a Vertical Type High Speed Twin Roll Caster
Authors: Haga Toshio , Okamoto Toshiaki , Watari Hisaki , Nishida Shinichi
Published: March 2024

The temperature of an aluminum alloy (Al-6%Si) strip cast using a vertical-type high-speed twin-roll caster was measured by inserting a K-type thermocouple into the strip. The effects of the roll diameter on supercooling, cooling rate, and temperature at the roll bite were investigated. It was found that the roll diameter affects the cooling condition of the strip. The thickness of the thermocouple was 0.1 mm and the sampling rate was 100 Hz. Copper rolls with diameters of 300 and 600 mm, respectively, were used. The roll width was 100 mm and the roll speed was 30 m/min. The roll load was 5 or 20 kN.
Use of Domestic Waste Polyethylene as a Bitumen Modifier in Bituminous Pavement Applications
Authors: Saharia Mitali , Singh Kh.Lakshman
Published: March 2024

The present study evaluated the use of domestic waste polyethylene (PE) in the applications of bituminous pavement. This study investigates the performance of the mixes using different waste PE percentages, i.e., 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%. It is observed that the softening point and elastic recovery value increase with PE content increases. The penetration index (PI) and temperature susceptibility of binders were evaluated. Adding PE to bitumen shows an improvement in the temperature susceptibility of the modified binders. The Marshall Stability value of bitumen containing 3% PE is higher at 69.65% than virgin binder stability. When 3% PE modified bitumen to the mixes, its indirect tensile strength (ITS) is 70.44 % higher than the conventional mix. The tensile strength ratio (TSR) value improved from 62% (unmodified binder) to 91.18% (modified binder) at 3% PE content, which is 47% higher than the conventional mixture. It indicates that the moisture susceptibility of mixes using PE is higher than conventional mix. Additionally, the mix deformation resistance with 3% PE was found to be 68.75% higher than the mix made with the unmodified binder. The study found that the bituminous mixes using PE have shown higher effectiveness in the properties such as stability, indirect tensile strength, rutting resistance, etc. of the mixes. It indicates that bituminous mixes with modified binders with PE provide higher resistance to permanent deformation.
Telemedicine in paediatrics
Authors: Lucas G. N.
Published: March 2024

No abstract
Expatriate Adolescents’ Resilience: Risk and Protective Factors in the Third Culture Context
Authors: Holmberg Jorunn Jo , Augustine Lilly , Datta Sahil , Imada Toshie
Published: March 2024

Expatriate children and adolescents typically spend several of their formative years moving from country to country, frequently having to adapt to new cultures, making new friends, and fit into new school systems. It has been established in literature that such frequent changes may cause increased and prolonged risk of developing internalizing behavior problems such as depression and anxiety. However, little is still known regarding which protective factors serve as buffer towards the increased risk within the expatriate demographic. This study examined risk and protective factors among a group of expatriates, adolescents, and their parents, originating from 21 countries on five continents. Adolescent resilience was established through measuring risk and protective factors within three domains (i) individual, (ii) family, and (iii) school/community. In particular, the results indicated that adolescents’ sense of coherence, positive family climate, and satisfaction with school and friends, each predicted resilience significantly above other demographic factors. Interestingly, higher number of international moves did not predict adolescents’ resilience. The results imply that a coherent identity, high self-esteem, sense of “Third Cultural” group belonging, paired with a robust family environment, would promote resilience in the expatriate population. This may in turn serve as a buffer towards the negative effects caused by a stressful, transient upbringing.
The impact of weekly semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist, on kidney outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Algarni Ahmad A. , Alqarni Fahad S. , Shalaby Hanin A.
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with kidney complications. This study aims to investigate the effects of weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, a GLP-1 agonist, on kidney outcomes.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study was conducted in nephrology and endocrinology clinics at KFAFH from March 2022 to February 2023. The sample size was determined based on hospital records, and randomly selected patients who met the inclusion criteria were included. The inclusion criteria included adults with T2DM who were on weekly subcutaneous semaglutide for 6 months or longer. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, pregnant or gestational diabetes patients, individuals who added other antidiabetic medications during the study period, and participants who refused to be involved were excluded from the study.

Results:

The study included participants aged between 42 and 85 years, with a mean age of 65.38 years, and the majority (58.7%) were males. There was a significant weight and BMI reduction observed in all patients, with P values <0.001 for both. The average weight reduction was 2.97 kg (SD = 2.34, 95% CI 1.65–3.30), and the average Body (BMI) reduction was 1.16 (SD = 0.91, 95% CI 1.03–1.29). A vast majority of participants (98.5%) reported a weight loss of at least 1 kg, and 13.8% of participants experienced a change in BMI category from higher to lower. No patients reported an increase in the BMI category. There was a significant reduction in glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements from 9.18 pretreatment to 8.13 posttreatment, with an average reduction of 1.05 units (SD = 1.84, 95% CI 0.79–1.31). The majority of participants (70.9%) reported a reduction in HbA1c of at least 0.1 unit. Although there was a slight decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values on average (1.35 units), the change was not statistically significant (P = 0.059). More than half of the participants (51.5%) reported an increase in eGFR, 45.4% reported a decrease, and 3.1% reported no change. There was a statistically significant reduction in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) values from a median of 5.97 pretreatment to a median of 5.60 post-treatment. The median decrease was 0.72 units, with one-third (33.3%) reporting an increase and two-thirds (66.7%) reporting a decrease in values. The correlation analysis revealed no significant association between the total quantity of semaglutide taken and the magnitude of changes.

Conclusion:

Our study on the impact of weekly semaglutide in adults with T2DM reveals positive effects on kidney outcomes, including weight loss, glycemic control and improved urine albumin creatine ratio, and a reduced risk of nephropathy. These findings highlight the potential of semaglutide as a safe and effective treatment option for improving renal health in individuals with T2DM.
A comparison between effects of sudoku and mandala painting on anxiety of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Authors: Cheraghi Parvaneh , Hekmatpour Davood , Rafiei Fatemeh , Ansari Jamshid
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Once diagnosed with breast cancer, many women may experience psychological complications, such as anxiety. The grueling treatments that such patients may undergo, for example, chemotherapy, not only cause specific complications for them but also increase their anxiety level. A technique to manage these psychological consequences in patients with breast cancer is to play Sudoku or do Mandala painting.

Purpose:

This study aimed to compare the effects of Sudoku and Mandala painting on the anxiety level of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Methodology:

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 patients with breast cancer in Arak, Iran. The patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected through purposive sampling, and then they were assigned to one of the Mandala painting or Sudoku groups using block randomization. The data were collected using a demographics form and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). All participants in both groups completed the research questionnaires before the intervention. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS-26.

Results:

The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test anxiety scores in both Sudoku and Mandala painting groups (P = 0.0001). The difference between the pre-test and post-test mean anxiety scores was 6.09 ± 4.02 in the Sudoku group and 48.93 ± 13.8 in the Mandala painting group. The results of the inter-group comparison also showed a significant difference between the two groups in post-test mean anxiety score (P = 0.0001), proving that Mandala painting was more effective in reducing the anxiety of patients.

Conclusion:

Mandala painting was more effective than Sudoku in reducing the anxiety level of patients with breast cancer. It can be hence concluded that Mandala painting can be used as a relaxing art therapy technique in these patients.
Quality of maternal and newborn health services and their impact on maternal–neonatal outcome at a primary health center
Authors: Vyas Himanshu , Mariam Odayjakkal J. , Bhardwaj Pankaj
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The utilization of the maternal and newborn health services has increased, but mere increase in utilization of services does not ensure that quality services are being provided. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of maternal and newborn services and their impact on maternal and neonatal outcome at a primary health center of Western Rajasthan in India.

Materials and Methods:

An exploratory study was undertaken at a conveniently selected primary health center providing 24-hour delivery services. Information regarding the availability of services was collected from the available medical officer in charge using an Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) Proforma. Assessment of quality of services was performed by using WHO standards of care based on assessment of quality of maternal and newborn services tool by the perspectives of the provider as well as the mothers utilizing the services. 36 mothers who delivered at the selected PHC were interviewed.

Results:

All basic obstetric care services were available at the selected primary health centers including the 24 × 7 delivery services. The assessment of quality by provider’s perspective revealed that the system of referral could be improved. Quality of maternal and newborn services assessment revealed that the practice of skin to skin contact between the mother and newborn just after the delivery was not being followed and few (30%) mothers informed that they could not start breastfeeding within 1 hours of birth. 47% mothers reported that they were not given the freedom to ask questions during delivery. Maternal and newborn outcome revealed that all mothers (100%) had a normal vaginal delivery, and 22% mothers had an episiotomy. All (100%) newborns cried immediately after birth, and average birthweight was 2.89 kg.

Conclusion:

PHCs are the first point of contact of mothers and healthcare delivery system. Assessment of quality of services is an important tool for quality assurance. Inclusion of evidence-based practices like skin-to-skin contact and early initiation of breastfeeding is important to improve the maternal and newborn well-being.
Robot-assisted Foley Tie Ureteric Tapering and Reimplantation
Authors: Ansari M. S. , Yadav Priyank , Chakraborty Anwesa , Shandilya Gaurav , Karunakaran Prabhu K. , Pathak Abhishek , Srivastava Aneesh
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Objective:

This study aimed to introduce and evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of a novel surgical technique, robot-assisted Foley tie ureteric tapering (RAFUT) and reimplantation, specifically designed for intravesical ureteral tapering during pediatric robotic-assisted ureteric reimplantation.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients diagnosed with primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR), who underwent RAFUT between January 2019 and July 2021. Patient records were reviewed to assess preoperative characteristics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes. RAFUT involved meticulous patient positioning, precise port placement with a 6 mm separation, and bladder anchoring to maintain pneumovesicum. Ureteric tapering was performed with the Foley tie technique to enhance surgical precision. The primary outcome measures included operative time, complications, and postoperative VUR resolution.

Results:

All four patients underwent successful intravesical RAFUT without any intraoperative or postoperative complications. The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 12 years, with varying bladder capacities (range: 210–550 mL). The operating times ranged from 180 to 210 min, and the estimated blood loss was 35–50 mL. None of the patients required conversion to open surgery. Patients demonstrated resolution of VUR on postoperative imaging, and none experienced recurrent urinary tract infections during follow-up, which ranged from 1.5 to nearly 4 years.

Conclusion:

RAFUT represents a safe and effective surgical technique for intravesical ureteral tapering during pediatric robotic-assisted ureteric reimplantation. This innovative approach addresses the challenges posed by intravesical surgery for dilated ureters, maintains anatomical orientation, and offers precise excision and suturing capabilities.
Extragonadal Germ Cell Tumor with Hepatic Infiltration in a Child: Aberrant Somatostatin Receptors and the Diagnostic Conundrum
Authors: Peters Nitin James , Behera Saswati , Gupta Parikshaa , Jain Richa , Singh Harmandeep , Madan Renu , Mahajan Jai Kumar
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Extragonadal germ cell tumors (GCTs) are challenging to diagnose. We present a case of suprarenal GCT, with hepatic infiltration where differential diagnosis included neuroblastoma and hepatoblastoma. The positive positron emission tomography scan further obfuscated the situation. The diagnosis was clinched by fine-needle aspiration cytology and cell block immunohistochemistry.
Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis in a Neonate Masquerading as Renal Mass
Authors: Sahu Avilash , Thanneeru Suresh Kumar , Gupta Amit , Ahmad Reyaz
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP), a variant of chronic obstructive pyelonephritis, is a very rare diagnosis in neonates with three reported cases to date. It is often misdiagnosed in infancy as it mimics the features of renal mass. Herein, we report a case of 20-day-old neonate with XGP presenting as a renal mass.
Assessment of Serum C-reactive Protein Level in Patients with Radiographically Diagnosed Apical Periodontitis Pre- and Post-root Canal Treatment – An In vivo Study
Authors: Nejiya P. K. , Simon Elsy P. , Raveendran Chandini , Mohammed Nasrin
Published: March 2024

Aim:

Apical periodontitis (AP) is a sequel to endodontic infection. AP may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation associated with a generalised increase in systemic inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-2, IL-6 and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG and IgM) levels. This study aimed to assess the changes that may occur in the relative serum high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) levels in patients with AP, before and after root canal therapy.

Methodology:

Twenty-six healthy individuals aged 20–50 years with radiographically diagnosed AP took part in this prospective observational study. Patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis, systemic diseases and cardiac risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and smoking) were excluded from the study. The serum hs-CRP of these patients was assessed before root canal treatment (RCT). The RCT was completed in two appointments with an inter-appointment calcium hydroxide intracanal medicament. After 3 months, the healing of AP was evaluated clinically and radiographically, and serum hs-CRP levels were recorded. The values obtained were statistically analysed.

Results:

The data obtained from patients were statistically analysed. Reduction in serum hs-CRP values was noted after 3 months following RCT. However, it was not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

The results of the present study indicate that RCT reduced the levels of hs-CRP in the serum of patients with radiographically diagnosed AP.
MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons
Authors: Sharma Bhupender , Torres Melissa M. , Rodriguez Sheryl , Gangwani Laxman , Kumar Subodh
Published: March 2024

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202412000-00026/figure1/v/2024-05-29T122840Z/r/image-tiff

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons, the most abundant inhibitory neurons in the human brain, have been found to be reduced in many neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia. Our previous study identified the upregulation of microRNA-502-3p (miR-502-3p) and downregulation of GABA type A receptor subunit α-1 in Alzheimer’s disease synapses. This study investigated a new molecular relationship between miR-502-3p and GABAergic synapse function. In vitro studies were performed using the mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 and miR-502-3p agomiRs and antagomiRs. In silico analysis identified multiple binding sites of miR-502-3p at GABA type A receptor subunit α-1 mRNA. Luciferase assay confirmed that miR-502-3p targets the GABA type A receptor subunit α-1 gene and suppresses the luciferase activity. Furthermore, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, miRNA in situ hybridization, immunoblotting, and immunostaining analysis confirmed that overexpression of miR-502-3p reduced the GABA type A receptor subunit α-1 level, while suppression of miR-502-3p increased the level of GABA type A receptor subunit α-1 protein. Notably, as a result of the overexpression of miR-502-3p, cell viability was found to be reduced, and the population of necrotic cells was found to be increased. The whole cell patch-clamp analysis of human-GABA receptor A-α1/β3/γ2L human embryonic kidney (HEK) recombinant cell line also showed that overexpression of miR-502-3p reduced the GABA current and overall GABA function, suggesting a negative correlation between miR-502-3p levels and GABAergic synapse function. Additionally, the levels of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease were high with miR-502-3p overexpression and reduced with miR-502-3p suppression. The present study provides insight into the molecular mechanism of regulation of GABAergic synapses by miR-502-3p. We propose that micro-RNA, in particular miR-502-3p, could be a potential therapeutic target to modulate GABAergic synapse function in neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia.
Research of IoT Technology Based Online Status Monitoring on Hydropower Station Equipment
Authors: Ma Yuanjiang , Lu Xudong , Hong Liang , He Xuan , Qiu Mianqian , Tang Mingliang , Chen Lei
Published: March 2024

The rapid proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the field of status monitoring for electrical equipment such as hydropower station equipment, offering enhanced efficiency and reliability in maintenance and operations. In this paper, we investigate the utilization of IoT transmission technology enhanced by multiple relays, denoted as $M$ relays, to augment the monitoring of hydropower station equipment. To further optimize the performance of the system, we employ partial relay selection, commonly referred to as selection combining. This study delves into the analysis of the system performance by deriving analytical data rates, with a focus on quantifying the benefits of employing partial relay selection in IoT transmission for electrical equipment status monitoring. Our analytical approach enables a comprehensive evaluation of system efficiency, considering factors such as data rate, reliability, and power consumption. Through our analysis, we aim to provide valuable insights into the trade-offs and advantages of incorporating partial relay selection into IoT systems, ultimately assisting in the development of more effective and efficient solutions for status monitoring on electrical equipment. By examining the impact of $M$ relays and partial relay selection on IoT transmission technology, this research contributes to the ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability and robustness of status monitoring for electrical equipment, ultimately advancing the capabilities of IoT-based solutions in the context of electrical systems and equipment maintenance.
Effects of different agricultural systems on organic matter and aggregation of a medium-textured soil in subtropical region
Authors: Ozório Jefferson Matheus Barros , Rosset Jean Sérgio , Carvalho Laércio Alves de , Gonçalves Andrea dos Santos , Santos Wesley Vieira dos , Oliveira Naelmo de Souza , Monteiro Felipe das Neves , Panachuki Elói
Published: March 2024

This work evaluates the impact of different agricultural systems on the humic fractions of organic matter (SOM) and soil aggregation in a medium-textured soil in a subtropical region of Brazil. Three managed areas and a reference area were evaluated: permanent pasture (PP), no-till (NT), no-till+Brachiaria (NT+B) and native forest (NF). Deformed soil samples were collected in the layers 0-0.05; 0.05-0.10; 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m, and unformed soil samples in the layers 0-0.05 and 0.05-0.10 m. After collection, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, chemical fractioning of SOM and aggregate stability analysis were performed. The PP area presented the highest TOC and C-FA contents in the first three layers evaluated. In the 0.10-0.20 m layer, the C-HUM contents in the NT+B area were 1.9 times higher than in the NT area, and in 0.20-0.40 m they were 6.6 times higher. The PP area obtained the best structural indicators, especially higher WMD, GMD and % of macroaggregates. The two areas using direct seeding presented a percentage of macroaggregates higher than 37.28% in the superficial layer. The PP management provided increases in TOC levels and, consequently, humic substances, besides the formation of more stable aggregates. The NT+B system showed promise in increasing TOC and humic substances, especially at depth, even with a short implementation period. The increase in TOC and humic substances provided by the grasses contributes to the formation of more stable aggregates and, consequently, to the improvement of the quality of medium-textured agricultural soils.
Keywords: aggregate stability, carbon fractions, climate change, humic substances.
Chronic Hepatitis B in Women of Childbearing Age and Pregnant Women in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhou Liyang , Liu Xitao , Ou Xueting , Sheng Qiongyu , Situ Bing , He Fang , Pan Xingfei
Published: March 2024

Pregnant women and women of childbearing age were enrolled in our study and their knowledge about the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was evaluated. A questionnaire was distributed to every woman in the cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was answered by all participants before they received health education and advice about HBV and CHB from the doctors visited. Data collected from all answers were analyzed using the χ2 test and logistic regression models. A total of 206 pregnant women and women of childbearing age with CHB infection were enrolled in the study during their first visit to the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Some women of childbearing age (40.8%) and pregnant women with CHB infection (30.6%) still believed HBV could be transmitted through diet and/or mosquito bites. Some women of childbearing age and pregnant women with CHB infection had limited knowledge of the prevention of HBV transmission (111 of 206, 53.9%). Women with higher levels of education had more knowledge about HBV (senior middle school, P = 0.02; university, P <0.01). The majority of participants were willing to take antiviral medicine to decrease the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate of HBV. Some women of childbearing age and/or pregnant women with CHB infection have relatively limited knowledge about HBV or CHB. This situation contributes to the timeliness, or lack thereof, of these women with CHB to see a doctor and receive antiviral therapy. As a result, the morbidity and mortality of HBV-related complications could increase along with the rate of MTCT of HBV.
Prevalence of Maternal Chagas Disease and Vertical Transmission Rates in Bolivia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tinajeros Freddy , Rodríguez-Olguin Beatriz Amparo , Cutshaw Melissa Klein
Published: March 2024

Bolivia has one of the highest burdens of Chagas disease in the world. Vertical transmission from mother to infant accounts for a growing number of cases. We performed a systematic review of articles assessing the prevalence of Chagas disease in pregnant women and rates of vertical transmission to infants in Bolivia. Studies were not excluded based on year of publication or language. Random-effects analyses were performed to estimate a pooled prevalence of maternal Chagas disease and pooled vertical transmission rate. Our search yielded 21 articles describing over 400,000 cases of Chagas disease among pregnant women in Bolivia. The reported prevalence of maternal Chagas disease ranged from 17.3% to 64.5%, with a pooled prevalence of 33.0% (95% CI, 27.4–38.7%). The prevalence of maternal Chagas disease trended down over time (P = 0.006), decreasing by approximately 25% to 30% over the last 40 years. Vertical transmission rates ranged from 2.0% to 13% with a pooled average of 6.2% (95% CI, 4.4–7.5%); rates did not significantly change over time. Our study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of Chagas disease maternal prevalence and vertical transmission in Bolivia. Our findings indicate that maternal Chagas disease has fallen in prevalence but still affects 20% to 30% of pregnant women and poses a considerable risk of vertical transmission. Pregnant women and infants are an important target for public health interventions to limit the mortality and morbidity of Chagas disease and to reduce intergenerational spread.
Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Cerebral Alveolar Echinococcosis in the Tibetan Region of Sichuan, China
Authors: Li Tao , Zhang Wei , Shen Liangwei , Wang Xiang
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to examine the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis in the Tibetan region of Sichuan, China. A retrospective analysis of hospitalized cases of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis from six medical units in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, from January 2016 to June 2021 was conducted. The study focused on the characteristics, clinical presentation, and imaging features of the disease. Of 119 cerebral alveolar echinococcosis patients, 76 were male and 43 were female. Occupationally, 62 were farmers, 46 were herdsmen, nine were monks, and two were students. The mean age was 43.9 (± 13.9) years. The primary clinical manifestations were dizziness, headaches, and epilepsy. The incidence of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis was most concentrated within 4 years after the diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (77/119, 64.7%). There were 86 cases (72.3%) with multiple intracranial echinococcosis lesions, with an average size of 2.0 cm × 2.5 cm. The imaging features showed that the lesion was mainly concentrated in the anterior circulation blood supply area, and the lesion had multiple aggregated small vesicular structures as its unique imaging feature. Among 98 follow-up cases, 62 could live independently (63.3%); 18 deaths were recorded (18.4%), with an approximate 5-year survival rate of 81.6%. Regular examination of patients with first diagnosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis without a combination of echinococcosis in other parts of the body can help monitor and prevent the occurrence of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis, improve the understanding of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis in Tibetan areas of Sichuan.
Low-Cost Throttle-by-Wire-System Architecture for Two-Wheeler
Vehicles
Authors: Kreß Jannis , Rau Jens , Hebert Hektor , Schmidt Karsten , Perez-Peña Fernando , Morgado-Estévez Arturo
Published: March 2024

This article investigates the performance of a low-cost throttle-by-wire-system
(TbWS) for two-wheeler applications. Mopeds/scooters are still restricted as
environmentally harmful. TbWSs can contribute to environmental protection by
replacing conventional restrictors. Its consisting of an anisotropic
magnetoresistance (AMR) throttle position sensor and a position-controlled
stepper motor-driven throttle valve actuator. The decentralized throttle
position sensor is operating contactless and acquires redundant data. Throttle
valve actuation is realized through a position-controlled stepper motor, sensing
its position feedback by Hall effect. Using a PI controller, the stepper motor
position is precisely set. Both units transmit and receive data by a CAN bus.
Furthermore, fail-safe functions, plausibility checks, calibration algorithms,
and energy-saving modes have been implemented. Both modules have been evaluated
through hardware-in-the-loop testing in terms of reliability and
measuring/positioning performance before the system was integrated into a
Peugeot Kisbee 50 4T (Euro 5/injected). Finally, the sensor
unit comes with a measurement deviation of less than 0.16%, whereas the actuator
unit can approach throttle valve positions with a deviation of less than 0.37%.
The actuators’ settling time does not exceed 0.13 s in the case of stable, step
loss free, and noiseless operation.
On the $\operatorname{rix}$ statistic and valley-hopping
Authors: Lafrenière Nadia , Zhuang Yan
Published: March 2024

This paper studies the relationship between the modified
Foata$\unicode{x2013}$Strehl action (a.k.a. valley-hopping)$\unicode{x2014}$a
group action on permutations used to demonstrate the $\gamma$-positivity of the
Eulerian polynomials$\unicode{x2014}$and the number of rixed points
$\operatorname{rix}$$\unicode{x2014}$a recursively-defined permutation
statistic introduced by Lin in the context of an equidistribution problem. We
give a linear-time iterative algorithm for computing the set of rixed points,
and prove that the $\operatorname{rix}$ statistic is homomesic under
valley-hopping. We also demonstrate that a bijection $\Phi$ introduced by Lin
and Zeng in the study of the $\operatorname{rix}$ statistic sends orbits of the
valley-hopping action to orbits of a cyclic version of valley-hopping, which
implies that the number of fixed points $\operatorname{fix}$ is homomesic under
cyclic valley-hopping.
A CORRELATIONAL STUDY OF ERGONOMIC KNOWLEDGE AND LEVEL OF MSK DISCOMFORT DURING ONLINE CLASSES OF 1ST-4TH YEAR UST-CRS PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS
Authors: Siy Warrick T. , Sicat Zyra Mae V. , Bautista Trisha Mae S. , Formalejo Andrei B. , Gatdula Marx Emmanoelle L. , Ico Ayhessa Ann M. , Julian Carl James E. , Pabion Ma. Cazandra S. , Reyes Juan Lorenzo M. , Santander Nicholai Marian E.
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The pandemic's shift to remote learning in 2020 resulted in increased musculoskeletal (MSK) discomfort among physical therapy students, despite their familiarity with ergonomics, a knowledge-practice gap exists, with a significant proportion reporting MSK discomfort during online classes. This study, focusing on the University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences (UST-CRS) Physical Therapy students, aims to determine the correlation between ergonomic knowledge and MSK discomfort.

Introduction: The pandemic's shift to remote learning in 2020 resulted in increased musculoskeletal (MSK) discomfort among physical therapy students, despite their familiarity with ergonomics, a knowledge-practice gap exists, with a significant proportion reporting MSK discomfort during online classes. This study, focusing on the University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences (UST-CRS) Physical Therapy students, aims to determine the correlation between ergonomic knowledge and MSK discomfort.

Introduction: The pandemic's shift to remote learning in 2020 resulted in increased musculoskeletal (MSK) discomfort among physical therapy students, despite their familiarity with ergonomics, a knowledge-practice gap exists, with a significant proportion reporting MSK discomfort during online classes. This study, focusing on the University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences (UST-CRS) Physical Therapy students, aims to determine the correlation between ergonomic knowledge and MSK discomfort.

Discussion: The study uncovered an association between higher ergonomic knowledge and increased reports of MSK discomfort. Notably, this observed association does not imply causation but signifies a partial link. Furthermore, integrating ergonomic knowledge into the ITE model offers a comprehensive understanding of its association with MSK discomfort. This holistic approach informs strategies for mitigating and preventing discomfort in diverse settings. Overall, there is a direct weak correlation between level of ergonomic knowledge & level of MSK discomfort signifying that there may be various other factors likely influencing the level of MSK discomfort observed in the students therefore, further research is needed to explore underlying factors contributing to this correlation.