bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a new kappa-carrageenan hydrogel system to study benthic diatom vertical movements
Authors: Rizzo Arianna , Ajò Alessandro , Kang Huixuan , De Cola Luisa , Jesus Bruno
Published: April 2024

Benthic diatom vertical movement has been investigated mainly through indirect measurements based on chlorophyll a fluorescence and spectral reflectance signals. The presence of sediment hinders direct imaging and grazers activity renders the work under controlled conditions very difficult. This study provides a tool to study diatoms movement in a 3D hydrogel matrix. Synthetic and natural hydrogels were tested to find the best 3D transparent scaffold where diatoms could grow and freely move in all directions. Polyamidoamines (PAAm) hydrogels were no-cytocompatible and hyaluronic acid (HA) only allowed diatoms to survive for 2-days. Natural hydrogels made of gelatin/Na-alginate, Na-alginate and kappa-carrageenan (KC) were cytocompatible, with KC showing the best properties for diatom growth and movement on a long term (up to 2 months). Comparing Nitzschia spathulata, Gyrosigma limosum and Navicula phyllepta growth in liquid media vs in KC gels, we found that diatoms reached a significantly higher final biomass in the hydrogel condition. Hydrogels were also useful to isolate large size diatom species e.g., Nitzschia elongata, that did not survive in suspension. Finally, we showed three ways to study diatom species-specific movement in KC hydrogels: 1) controlled species mix; 2) natural diatom assemblages with grazers; and 3) natural diatom assemblages without grazers. With our system, single diatoms could be imaged, identified, and counted. In addition, different stimuli, e.g., light intensity and light composition can be applied and their effects on movement and physiology studied without being masked by sediment or impaired by meiofauna.
Rural and urban differences in the prevalence and determinants of Type-2 diabetes in Bangladesh
Authors: Talukder Ashis , Sara Sabiha Shirin , Hossain Md. Tanvir , Nath Chuton Deb , Rahman Riaz , Hussain Sadiq , Sarma Haribondhu , Huda Md. Nazmul
Published: April 2024

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in urban and rural settings and identify the specific risk factors for each location.

Method

We conducted this study using data from the 2017–18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), sourced from the DHS website. The survey employed a stratified two-stage sampling method, which included 7,658 women and 7,048 men aged 18 and older who had their blood glucose levels measured. We utilized chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression to analyze the association between various selected variables in both urban and rural settings and their relationship with diabetes and prediabetes.

Results

The prevalence of T2D was 10.8% in urban areas and 7.4% in rural areas, while pre-diabetes affected 31.4% and 27% of the populations in these respective settings. The study found significant factors influencing diabetes in both urban and rural regions, particularly in the 55–64 age group (Urban: AOR = 1.88, 95% CI [1.46, 2.42]; Rural: AOR = 1.87, 95% CI [1.54, 2.27]). Highly educated individuals had lower odds of T2D, while wealthier and overweight participants had higher odds in both areas. In rural regions, T2D risk was higher among caffeinated drink consumers and those not engaged in occupation-related physical activity, while these factors did not show significant influence in urban areas. Furthermore, urban participants displayed a significant association between T2D and hypertension.

Conclusion

Our study outlines a comprehensive strategy to combat the increasing prevalence of T2D in both urban and rural areas. It includes promoting healthier diets to control BMI level, encouraging regular physical activity, early detection through health check-ups, tailored awareness campaigns, improving healthcare access in rural regions, stress management in urban areas, community involvement, healthcare professional training, policy advocacy like sugary drink taxation, research, and monitoring interventions. These measures collectively address the T2D challenge while accommodating the distinct features of urban and rural settings.
Serum Nostrin—A risk factor of death, kidney replacement therapy and acute kidney disease in acute kidney injury
Authors: Erfurt Stefan , Lauxmann Martin , Asmus Katharina , Oess Stefanie , Patschan Daniel , Hoffmeister Meike
Published: April 2024

Background

The prediction of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)-related outcomes remains challenging. Persistent kidney excretory dysfunction for longer than 7 days has been defined as Acute Kidney Disease (AKD). In this study, we prospectively quantified serum Nostrin, an essential regulator of endothelial NO metabolism, in hospitalized patients with AKI.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In-hospital subjects with AKI of various etiology were identified through the in-hospital AKI alert system of the Brandenburg University Hospital. Serum Nostrin, and serum NGAL and KIM-1 were measured within a maximum of 48 hours from the timepoint of initial diagnosis of AKI. The following endpoints were defined: in-hospital death, need of kidney replacement therapy (KRT), recovery of kidney function (ROKF) until discharge.

Results

AKI patients had significantly higher serum Nostrin levels compared to Controls. The level of serum Nostrin increased significantly with the severity of AKI. Within the group of AKI patients (n = 150) the in-hospital mortality was 16.7%, KRT was performed in 39.3%, no ROKF occurred in 28%. Patients who required KRT had significantly higher levels of serum Nostrin compared to patients who did not require KRT. Significantly higher levels of serum Nostrin were also detected in AKI patients without ROKF compared to patients with ROKF. In addition, low serum Nostrin levels at the timepoint of AKI diagnosis were predictive of in-hospital survival. For comparison, the serum concentrations of NGAL and KIM-1 were determined in parallel to the Nostrin concentrations and the results confirm the prognostic properties of serum Nostrin in AKI.

Conclusions

The current study suggests serum Nostrin as novel biomarker of AKI-associated mortality, KRT and Acute Kidney Disease.
Validation of the shortened version of the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) using participants from the Dog Aging Project
Authors: Wilkins Vanessa , Evans Jeremy , Park Christina ,   The Dog Aging Project Consortium, Fitzpatrick Annette L. , Creevy Kate E. , Ruple Audrey
Published: April 2024

The Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) is a 100-item owner-completed survey instrument used for assessing behavior and temperament of companion dogs. The shortened version of the C-BARQ (C-BARQ(S)) consists of 42 items of the long C-BARQ. We aimed to validate the shortened C-BARQ(S) by comparing it with the long questionnaire in the same human-dog pair. We examined data from a nationwide cohort of companion dogs enrolled in the large-scale longitudinal Dog Aging Project (DAP) study. Among 435 participating owners who completed both the long and shortened versions of the C-BARQ within 60 days of each other, agreement between individual questions of the long and shortened C-BARQ using an unweighted kappa statistic and percent agreement was examined. Associations between the two questionnaires for mean behavior and temperament domain scores and mean miscellaneous category scores were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Of 435 dogs in the study, the mean (SD) age was 7.3 (4.3) years and 216 (50%) were female. Kappa values between the long and shortened C-BARQ for individual questions within the 14 behavior and temperament domains and a miscellaneous category ranged from fair to moderate (0.23 to 0.40 for 21 items and 0.41 to 0.58 for 26 items, respectively). Pearson correlation coefficients above 0.60 between both questionnaires for 12 of the 14 mean behavior and temperament domain scores and a category of miscellaneous items were observed. Kappa values for individual questions between the long and shortened C-BARQ ranged from fair to moderate and correlations between mean domain scores ranged from moderate to strong.
Machine learning for prediction of acute kidney injury in patients diagnosed with sepsis in critical care
Authors: Shi Jianshan , Han Huirui , Chen Song , Liu Wei , Li Yanfen
Published: April 2024

Background and objective

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common and severe complication in patients diagnosed with sepsis. It is associated with higher mortality rates, prolonged hospital stays, increased utilization of medical resources, and financial burden on patients’ families. This study aimed to establish and validate predictive models using machine learning algorithms to accurately predict the occurrence of AKI in patients diagnosed with sepsis.

Methods

This retrospective study utilized real observational data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. It included patients aged 18 to 90 years diagnosed with sepsis who were admitted to the ICU for the first time and had hospital stays exceeding 48 hours. Predictive models, employing various machine learning algorithms including Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), EXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Logistic Regression (LR), were developed. The dataset was randomly divided into training and test sets at a ratio of 4:1.

Results

A total of 10,575 sepsis patients were included in the analysis, of whom 8,575 (81.1%) developed AKI during hospitalization. A selection of 47 variables was utilized for model construction. The models derived from LightGBM, XGBoost, RF, DT, ANN, SVM, and LR achieved AUCs of 0.801, 0.773, 0.772, 0.737, 0.720, 0.765, and 0.776, respectively. Among these models, LightGBM demonstrated the most superior predictive performance.

Conclusions

These machine learning models offer valuable predictive capabilities for identifying AKI in patients diagnosed with sepsis. The LightGBM model, with its superior predictive capability, could aid clinicians in early identification of high-risk patients.
MiR-132-3p suppresses peritoneal fibrosis induced by peritoneal dialysis via targeting TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway
Authors: Yin Yangyang , Yang Yuqi , Zhang Yongqiang , Shang Yu , Li Qian , Yuan Jing
Published: April 2024

Background

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is the main complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the most common cause of cessation from PD. There is still no effective therapeutic approach to reserve PF. We aimed to investigate the role of miR-132-3p and underlying potential mechanisms in PF.

Methods

A total of 18 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 6): (i)Control group (ii)PF group (iii)PF+Losartan group; Rats in the PF group and PF+Losartan group received daily intraperitoneal injections of 3 mg/kg chlorhexidine for 14 days, and rats in the PF+Losartan group simultaneously received daily intraperitoneal injections of 2 mg/kg losartan for 14 days. The control group was injected with saline in the same volume. Met-5A cells were treated for 24h with TGF-β1 dissolved in recombinant buffered saline at a concentration of 10 ng/ml, meanwhile, PBS solution as a negative control. The human peritoneal solution was collected for the detection of miR-132-3p.

Results

In vivo, SD rats were infused with chlorhexidine to establish PF model, and we found that miR-132-3p significantly decreased and the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and Smad2/3 were up-regulated in PF. In vitro, miR-132-3p mimics suppressed TGF-β1/Smad2/3 activity, whereas miR-132-3p inhibition activated the pathway. In human peritoneal solution, we found that the expression of miR-132-3p decreased in a time-dependent model and its effect became more pronounced with longer PD duration.

Conclusion

MiR-132-3p ameliorated PF by suppressing TGF-β1/Smad2/3 activity, suggesting that miR-132-3p represented a potential therapeutic approach for PF.
Identifying a group of factors predicting cognitive impairment among older adults
Authors: Zhao Longgang , Wang Yuan , Bawa Eric Mishio , Meng Zichun , Wei Jingkai , Newman-Norlund Sarah , Trivedi Tushar , Hasturk Hatice , Newman-Norlund Roger D. , Fridriksson Julius , Merchant Anwar T.
Published: April 2024

Background

Cognitive impairment has multiple risk factors spanning several domains, but few studies have evaluated risk factor clusters. We aimed to identify naturally occurring clusters of risk factors of poor cognition among middle-aged and older adults and evaluate associations between measures of cognition and these risk factor clusters.

Methods

We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (training dataset, n = 4074) and the NHANES 2011–2014 (validation dataset, n = 2510). Risk factors were selected based on the literature. We used both traditional logistic models and support vector machine methods to construct a composite score of risk factor clusters. We evaluated associations between the risk score and cognitive performance using the logistic model by estimating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Using the training dataset, we developed a composite risk score that predicted undiagnosed cognitive decline based on ten selected predictive risk factors including age, waist circumference, healthy eating index, race, education, income, physical activity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and annual visit to dentist. The risk score was significantly associated with poor cognitive performance both in the training dataset (OR Tertile 3 verse tertile 1 = 8.15, 95% CI: 5.36–12.4) and validation dataset (OR Tertile 3 verse tertile 1 = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.62–7.08). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for the predictive model was 0.74 and 0.77 for crude model and model adjusted for age, sex, and race.

Conclusion

The model based on selected risk factors may be used to identify high risk individuals with cognitive impairment.
Úton Kamerun függetlensége felé
Authors: Ferwagner Péter Ákos
Published: April 2024

In September 1945 spontaneous revolts broke out in the port city of Douala. In Cameroon, which was a French mandate territory at the time, social unrest and tensions were rising due to colonial oppression and the social crisis. Because local authorities were unable to keep things under control, policing was taken over by the Europeans, and the number of casualties is unknown to this day. An important factor in the events was the large number of poor people moving into the city from the countryside, which changed the social structure of Douala. The Douala Uprising became an important step on the way to Cameroon’s independence.
„Legyenek a mi gyarmataink: Dalmácia, Bosznia, Hercegovina!”
Authors: Erdélyi Mátyás
Published: April 2024

Hungarian imperial thought after the fall of the Habsburg Monarchy became a fantasy of past times, and thus the imperial propaganda of Rezső Havass was long irrelevant by the time of his death in 1927. In spite of this, Havass was called a “wholehearted devotee of Hungarian imperialism” in his obituary, a man who believed in further Hungarian expansion with the faith of prophets, and whose goal was to resurrect the imperium of Louis I of Hungary. Present study analyzes the works of Rezső Havass in order to uncover the specifics of Hungarian imperialism before the Great War. For Havass, the Hungarian Kingdom was undoubtedly a would-be colonial empire with well-defined political goals (the colonization of Dalmatia), and his texts mixed up and vulgarized scientific elements to serve political goals. Research questions concern the modalities of imperial thought before 1914. What did it consist of? How did it compare to other notions of imperialism and economic expansionism? How widespread was it in the public sphere in Hungary?
Magyar protokoloniális kaland a századfordulós Albániában
Authors: Csaplár-Degovics Krisztián
Published: April 2024

Until recently, research of the Austro-Hungarian colonial past was almost a taboo subject
for Austrian and Hungarian historiography. It did not fit into the former self-image of the
Dual Monarchy to present itself as a colonial power. After 1918, the national historiographies and political elites of the successor states of the Danube Empire denied the possibility of a colonial past even more vehemently than the former Kakanian propaganda.

Present study reconstructs the conditions under which Count Imre Keglevich rented
and cultivated thousands of hectares of land in the first half of the 1890s on the Eastern
coast of the Adriatic, in the areas of the Ottoman Empire populated by Albanians. In addition to Keglevich's ambitions, I also present the history of the Albanian landowner Vlora
family, who leased their land, and who later became allies of Austro-Hungarian foreign
policy. I analyze the Albanian adventures of György Berzeviczy, a Hungarian nobleman
who visited Keglevich, and I finally give a colonial interpretation of this series of events explored from three perspectives based on international parallels and archival sources.

The adventure of Keglevich was a typical proto-colonial story with indirect colonial
consequences. The research of the so-called proto-colonial histories is an integral part of
international colonialism research. The scrutiny of the proto-colonial aspirations and activities is also unavoidable in the case of Austria-Hungary. Present study is a contribution to
this research field.
A modern japán birodalom születése
Authors: Farkas Mária Ildikó
Published: April 2024

Japan represents a special case in the history of colonialism at the end of the 19th century. At the middle of the 19th century, it was a closed East Asian country that was forced by the Western colonial powers to open its doors to the outside world, but in the second half of the 19th century, it started a modernization process following the „Western model”. Japan defined itself as a modern nation-state, and with the successful modernization, economic and military advancements it could acquire territories in Asia through military actions or agreements with the great colonizing powers. By the beginning of the 20th century, Japan had become a colonizing country in Asia, instead of being colonized. In order to understand this process thoroughly and to interpret Japanese colonization and imperialism at the end of the 19th century, it is necessary on one hand to briefly summarize East Asian international relations of the second half of the century, and to review the changing environment in which Japan had to find a place for itself in this era. On the other hand, the internal development of Japan must also be examined, especially the state in which the new challenges of the outside world reached the country, and the political and ideological sources of the response the political leaders of the time gave to them. Understanding Japanese development needs an examination of the characteristics and significance of Japanese cultural traditions and political thoughts, which influenced Japan's modern politics besides the "universal" models of that time (capitalist development, colonization, imperialism). This paper attempts to provide an interpretation of the multifaceted relationship between Japan and colonization with attention to the external and internal factors that influenced Japanese policy at the turn of the 19-20th centuries.
Multiple Barriers Impede Screening for Hepatitis Delta: An Internet-Based Survey of Healthcare Providers
Authors: Rao Sanjana , Qazi Sakina , Lee Debbiesiu , Molliner Carla , Martin Paul , Jones Patricia D.
Published: April 2024

INTRODUCTION:

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) increases risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B; however, HDV screening rates are low. We assessed providers' perceived barriers to HDV screening and management.

METHODS:

We distributed an Internet-based survey to members of 3 gastroenterology/hepatology organizations.

RESULTS:

Most respondents, 69.3%, correctly identified the appropriate HDV screening test. Several reported barriers to HDV care, including uncertainty of screening criteria, 55.5%, and lack of treatment knowledge, 66.7%.

DISCUSSION:

Our findings highlight the need for increased education regarding HDV care. Education should be combined with standardized approaches that increase ease of HDV screening.
Characteristics of Pre-peak Mechanical Damage and Energy Evolution of Typical Hard-rock in Diversion Tunnel under Cyclic Loading-Unloading
Authors:   Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, 232001, China, Yang Rongzhou
Published: April 2024

An in-depth understanding of the pre-peak mechanical damage and energy-evolution characteristics of typical hard-rock in a diversion tunnel under cyclic load is of great significance to promote the safe and efficient construction of the diversion tunnel and the stability of surrounding rock. To study the pre-peak mechanical characteristics and the competition mechanism between energy storage and energy dissipation of typical hard-rock in a diversion tunnel under cyclic loading-unloading, combined with the internal drilling and blasting excavation of the actual engineering rock mass and the external vehicle cyclic load environment of the diversion tunnel, the cyclic loadingunloading tests of typical granite and tuff in diversion tunnel were carried out. Based on the analysis principle of mechanics and energy, the strain variables, modulus variables, energy variables and damage variables of granite and tuff under cyclic loading-unloading test were defined. The cyclic mechanical properties and energyevolution characteristics of granite and tuff under pre-peak load were analyzed. The competition mechanism between pre-peak energy storage and pre-peak energy dissipation of granite and tuff and the evolution law of strain damage variable and energy damage variable were revealed. The selection principle of rock sample size and the limitation of the test scheme were further discussed. The study of the damage evolution of rocks close to failure (pre-peak stage) under cyclic load is helpful to better understand the damage and failure mechanism of rocks in practical engineering problems. Keywords: Diversion tunnel, Cyclic loading-unloading, Granite/Tuff, Blasting cyclic load, Energy evolution.
An Integrated Geophysical Investigation for Detecting Seepage-prone Zones in the Basement of a Building
Authors:   Amity University, Rana Sanjay
Published: April 2024

The underground basement of a building is highly affected by anomalous seepage problems. Detection of seepage-prone regions through and around buildings becomes a need in other to sustain their stability. It is of great importance as well to have targeted remedies. However, traditional methods for examining these areas are often destructive and expensive, compelling the use of non-destructive geophysical techniques. This work aims to utilize and demonstrate the hands-on application of ground penetrating radar (GPR) and self-potential (SP) methods as an innovative combination to study seepage-prone zones in the basement of a building. Simulated responses of various seepage zones have been generated based on several significant factors. For better visualization, all 2D radargrams of a block were combined to produce a 3D model using GPR Slice software to distinguish various features at different depths. Higher positive SP values show the presence of high moisture or seepage-prone regions. Conclusively, the combined geophysical method of GPR and SP is trustworthy for conducting a quick and effective inspection of seepage-prone regions and probable source points for detailed characterization of the basement of a building. Keywords: GPR, SP, Geophysical methods, Seepage, Basement.
On the existence and Ulam-Hyers stability for implicit fractional differential equation via fractional integral-type boundary conditions
Authors: El-Sayed Ahmed Mohamad , Al-Issa Shorouk Mahmoud , El Miari Maysaa Mohamad
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the existence of solutions for implicit fractional differential equations with fractional-order integral boundary conditions. We create the required conditions to ensure unique solution and Ulam-Hyers-Rassias stability. We also give examples to highlight the major findings.
Der ‚digital-öffentliche Raum‘ als kommunikative Figuration und vergemeinschaftungsideologische Imagination
Authors: Spitzmüller Jürgen , Pfadenhauer Michaela
Published: April 2024

This paper assesses the notion of ‘digital public spaces’ and grasps it as a discursive conglomerate which combines multiple ideology-laden concepts: the ‘public sphere’ as an ‘open’ and ‘democratic’ space (as opposed to closed private ‘bubbles’), and ‘digital communication’, which is often strictly divided from the non-digital and perceived as either a threat or the great promise of social assemblage. From the perspective of metapragmatic sociolinguistics and the sociology of knowledge, we follow discursive traces of the ‘the public sphere’ and its suturing with ‘digital communication’ within and outside of our own fields in order to show how the conceptual conglomerate ‘digital public spaces’ is bound to evaluations, expectations and projections which need more critical reflection in media studies in order to escape ideological short circuits and simplifications that haunt the field. On the other hand, we argue that the notion of ‘digital publics spaces’ serves important discursive functions in the lifeworlds of media users, as it fuels into contingency-reducing ideological complexes: ideologies of communication (Kommunikationsideologien) which guide social actors’ interaction, and related ideologies of communification (Vergemeinschaftungsideologien) which guide them in the ways they socially align with each others.
Digitale Live-Öffentlichkeiten: Eine medienlinguistische Analyse von parlamentarischen Live-Tickern auf DerStandard.at
Authors: Pfurtscheller Daniel
Published: April 2024

This paper adopts a media-linguistic perspective to explore how liveblogs, specifically ‘live tickers’, contribute to the formation of episodic publics during parliamentary debates and investigations. Using a dataset of 45,332 journalistic entries from the Austrian online medium DerStandard.at, the mixed-method study unpacks the complex, multimodal dynamics that emerge from the interplay between individual entries and their presentation on the news website. Liveblogs are found to enable users to regularly track parliamentary activities, thereby reflecting the episodic structure of the event and emphasizing an impression of immediacy and collective experience. Importantly, liveblogs demonstrate a strong connection to current events, constantly updating themes and anticipating future developments. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the active engagement of users who are interested not only in the outcomes of parliamentary debates or inquiries but their entire progression. The observed differences in coverage between public and non-public sessions suggest a need for further research into different forms of quotation and recontextualization practices. Ultimately, this research highlights the unique role of liveblogs as venues for political participation and engagement, and offers novel insights into the structure, function and linguistic configuration of live digital publics.
Die öffentliche Aushandlung von Expertise: Wissenschaftsblogs als Ort eristischer Verständigung? Exploratorischer Einstieg in ein Forschungsprojekt
Authors: Bender Michael , Bubenhofer Noah , Janich Nina
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we present a joint research project on communication practices in science blogs that focuses on the negotiation of expertise against the background of potentially divergent expectations of the participants. The object of analysis are the blogposts and comments of the blog portal “SciLogs – Tagebücher der Wissenschaft” (maintained by Spektrum-Verlag since 2000), which will be examined for patterns of language and argumentation using both corpus linguistic and hermeneutic methods of analysis. First explorative approaches, as we present them here in form of a first glimpse on tri-grams, their frequencies and their context, indicate, that – despite the sometimes heated debates – a largely politely conducted communication (distance communication), constructing a kind of stylistic common ground, take place about what is usual, good and right “in der Wissenschaft” [in science] from the different perspectives meeting here and who is (or is not) “in der Lage” [able] to follow the scientific argumentations or to contribute to them constructively.
Maternal and foeto-neonatal characteristics of home childbirth
Authors:   ,   PTE ETK Egészségtudományi Doktori Iskola, Girma Alemu Wami
Published: April 2024

Home birth has emerged as a contemporary issue, one of the most controversial and hotly disputed topics in modern maternity care. The debate over home birth involves a wide range of concerns, including safety, accessibility, maternal autonomy, and healthcare system dynamics, revealing a complex interaction of medical, social, and cultural considerations. The studies demonstrate that homebirth can indeed be a safe option for low-risk, healthy pregnant individuals when attended by qualified and licensed birth attendants. While homebirth poses fewer significant health risks for these individuals, it's crucial to acknowledge potential complications such as postpartum haemorrhage and neonatal asphyxia, which may necessitate immediate medical attention. Delayed access to emergency assistance and limited availability of medical procedures in homebirth settings underline the importance of strict risk assessment and preparedness for timely transfer to a medical facility, prioritizing the safety of both the mother and newborn. Analysis of foetal-maternal outcomes suggests that planned home births exhibit consistent safety profiles across different levels of healthcare integration and parity in well developed countries. However, the lack of significant studies from “less-integrated” settings underscores the need for additional studies to draw definitive conclusions. It's imperative to recognize that deliveries with a higher likelihood of complications should still be managed at institutional levels. Achieving safety in homebirth necessitates collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers, and expectant mothers, along with ongoing research, evaluation, and open dialogue to continually enhance practices and overall safety standards in homebirth settings.
Renovation of radio-electronic devices by reengineerin
Authors: Lavrych Yu. M. , Bystrov M. I. , Plaksin S. V. , Pogorila L. M. , Shkil Yu. V.
Published: April 2024

Domestic radio-electronics, which is still incorporated in many electronic devices, has practically exhausted its technical resource. The longer modernization is postponed and the radio-electronic equipment based on outdated elements remains in use, the more its efficiency declines and operating costs increase. This paper analyzes the problems of maintaining the operational efficiency of radio-electronics that has exhausted its technical resource and the production of its elemental base has been discontinued. The authors substantiate the approach to extending the life cycle of technical products by updating the target functions of modules and cells through reengineering. The reengineering was performed for the functional control system 4PK, which is part of the radar 5N86 (“Hen House”), which has been in operation since 1975. To check the possibility of preserving the existing operating principles, simulations of cells and modules on the new elemental base and existing modules were carried out using Tina-Ti software simulation tools (Texas Instruments), Electronics Workbench, Micro Cap. The results of the reengineering of the 2TM modules indicated the problem of choosing a new element base — they use negative logic, which complicates the using a series of modern elemental base, the vast majority of elements of which are designed on positive logic and positive supply voltage. In order not to disturb the power supply architecture of the active radar, a way was found to coordinate different levels. Testing the model showed a positive result, and a number of cells showed the possibility to build a universal cell using reconfigurable electronic microcircuits in its composition.
Using partial charge-discharge cycle of battery to increase its lifespan
Authors: Lipko D. O. , Bondarenko O. F.
Published: April 2024

The work investigates a way to extend the lifespan of electric vehicle battery packs. Currently, there is a notable absence of solutions for recycling and disposal of lithium-based battery packs. Therefore, investigating possible ways to prolong the lifespan of existing electric vehicle battery packs becomes crucial to delay their disposal and allow more time to find new effective recycling solutions. This study analyzes the average daily mileage of vehicles in Ukraine and other countries, revealing that it does not exceed 50 km per day. This mileage is significantly lower than the full charge-discharge cycle range of any electric vehicle traction battery pack. The authors investigated the impact of limiting the depth of discharge of the battery pack on its lifespan and found that by restricting the depth of discharge to 50%, the battery lifespan could increase by 20%. Statistical data from other scientists were gathered and organized to analyze the influence of the depth of discharge on the battery lifespan across different charge levels during the charge-discharge cycle. It was shown that when using battery packs with the same depth of discharge but in different charge-discharge cycle ranges, the batteries degrade differently. In conclusion, it was noted that to increase the battery lifespan, it is essential to keep it in the optimal charge level range for as long as possible. The paper provides recommendations for identifying this optimal charge level range. It proposes ways for upgrading electric vehicle control systems that can increase the lifespan of their traction battery pack without setting substantial restrictions for users.
Influence of the content of impurities and structural defects on the properties of the Cd0.9Mn0.1Te:V-based detector
Authors: Kondrik O. I. , Solopikhin D. А.
Published: April 2024

The paper highlights the results of quantitative studies of the influence of the content of impurities and structural defects on the electrophysical and detector properties of Cd0.9Mn0.1Te:V — resistivity and concentrations of free charge carriers, life time of nonequilibrium charge carriers τ, charge collection efficiency η. The optimal ranges of energy change and deep donor concentration, which ensure a high-resistive state and acceptable values of τ and η, are established. The authors study the compensation of cadmium vacancies with vanadium admixture.
Visualization of vaporization processes and thermal characteristics of a thin flat gravity heat pipe with a threaded evaporator
Authors: Melnyk R. S. , Lipnitskyi l. V. , Nikolaenko Yu. E. , Kravets V. Yu.
Published: April 2024

The paper presents research on the visualization of boiling processes in a flat gravitational heat pipe within a range of thermal fluxes from 5 to 55 W. The main objective of the study is to identify visual patterns during boiling and correlate them with thermal characteristics obtained during research conducted with visual observations. Due to the high-speed nature of the processes, observations were made using a high-speed camera. Temperature values on the heat pipe's surface were also recorded using thermocouples and measurement systems. To obtain a comprehensive picture of the study, experiments were conducted at various inclination angles of the experimental heat pipe sample to the horizon, ranging from 0° to 90°. Visual schemes of boiling and evaporation were obtained and explained simultaneously with thermal performance of experimental sample. The study allowed discovering that, in terms of thermal resistance, 60° is the optimal inclination angle. On the other hand, the lowest evaporator temperature was obtained for 15° and 30° angles. Additionally, it was observed that the experimental sample is able to operate when positioned horizontally. Maximal transferred heat fluxes were extremely low compared to other angles. Nevertheless, even at horizontal orientation, thermal resistance was lower than for vertical position.
Heat transfer characteristics of miniature heat pipes for cooling systems for electronics
Authors: Kravets V. Yu. , Khairnasov S. M. , Romashchenko M. D. , Danilovich A. O.
Published: April 2024

Decrease in mass and dimensional characteristics of semiconductor devices with simultaneous increase in allocated power dissipation creates conditions of heat-loaded operation of the most critical elements of radio-electronic equipment. Such growth of heat flows requires effective small-size systems for maintaining safe temperature conditions of electronic equipment and its reliable functioning. The use of miniature heat pipes (MHP) commensurate in size with the microchip crystals can significantly reduce their temperature level of operation.
The paper presents the experimental results of investigation of thermal resistance and maximum heat fluxes of miniature heat pipes with diameters from 3 to 6 mm and lengths from 150 to 300 mm with metal-fiber capillary structure. The porosity of the capillary structure varied from 70% to 88%. Water and ethanol were used as coolants. The study was carried out at different orientations of MHPs in space: vertical by gravity forces, horizontal, and vertical against gravity forces (+90°, 0°, –90°).
It is shown that the heat transfer characteristics of the MHPs are affected by both geometric and mode factors. It is determined that the minimum thermal resistance and maximum heat flux significantly depend on the diameter of the vapor channel, porosity of the capillary structure and thermal physical properties of the heat transfer medium. The data on the heat transfer intensity in the heating zone depending on the size of the vapor channel are given. It is shown that decreasing the diameter of the vapor space of MHPs worsens their heat transfer characteristics.
Auditory and Visual Gratings Elicit Distinct Gamma Responses
Authors: Gulati Divya , Ray Supratim
Published: April 2024

Sensory stimulation is often accompanied by fluctuations at high frequencies (>30 Hz) in brain signals. These could be “narrowband” oscillations in the gamma band (30–70 Hz) or nonoscillatory “broadband” high-gamma (70–150 Hz) activity. Narrowband gamma oscillations, which are induced by presenting some visual stimuli such as gratings and have been shown to weaken with healthy aging and the onset of Alzheimer's disease, hold promise as potential biomarkers. However, since delivering visual stimuli is cumbersome as it requires head stabilization for eye tracking, an equivalent auditory paradigm could be useful. Although simple auditory stimuli have been shown to produce high-gamma activity, whether specific auditory stimuli can also produce narrowband gamma oscillations is unknown. We tested whether auditory ripple stimuli, which are considered an analog to visual gratings, could elicit narrowband oscillations in auditory areas. We recorded 64-channel electroencephalogram from male and female (18 each) subjects while they either fixated on the monitor while passively viewing static visual gratings or listened to stationary and moving ripples, played using loudspeakers, with their eyes open or closed. We found that while visual gratings induced narrowband gamma oscillations with suppression in the alpha band (8–12 Hz), auditory ripples did not produce narrowband gamma but instead elicited very strong broadband high-gamma response and suppression in the beta band (14–26 Hz). Even though we used equivalent stimuli in both modalities, our findings indicate that the underlying neuronal circuitry may not share ubiquitous strategies for stimulus processing.
Memory Reactivation during Sleep Does Not Act Holistically on Object Memory
Authors: Siefert Elizabeth M. , Uppuluri Sindhuja , Mu Jianing , Tandoc Marlie C. , Antony James W. , Schapiro Anna C.
Published: April 2024

Memory reactivation during sleep is thought to facilitate memory consolidation. Most sleep reactivation research has examined how reactivation of specific facts, objects, and associations benefits their overall retention. However, our memories are not unitary, and not all features of a memory persist in tandem over time. Instead, our memories are transformed, with some features strengthened and others weakened. Does sleep reactivation drive memory transformation? We leveraged the Targeted Memory Reactivation technique in an object category learning paradigm to examine this question. Participants (20 female, 14 male) learned three categories of novel objects, where each object had unique, distinguishing features as well as features shared with other members of its category. We used a real-time EEG protocol to cue the reactivation of these objects during sleep at moments optimized to generate reactivation events. We found that reactivation improved memory for distinguishing features while worsening memory for shared features, suggesting a differentiation process. The results indicate that sleep reactivation does not act holistically on object memories, instead supporting a transformation where some features are enhanced over others.
Optogenetic Determination of Dynamic and Cell-Type-Specific Inhibitory Reversal Potentials
Authors: Burman Richard J. , Diviney Tara , Călin Alexandru , Gothard Gemma , Jouhanneau Jean-Sébastien , Poulet James F. A. , Sen Arjune , Akerman Colin J.
Published: April 2024

The reversal potential refers to the membrane potential at which the net current flow through a channel reverses direction. The reversal potential is determined by transmembrane ion gradients and, in turn, determines how the channel's activity will affect the membrane potential. Traditional investigation into the reversal potential of inhibitory ligand-gated ion channels (EInh) has relied upon the activation of endogenous receptors, such as the GABA-A receptor (GABAAR). There are, however, challenges associated with activating endogenous receptors, including agonist delivery, isolating channel responses, and the effects of receptor saturation and desensitization. Here, we demonstrate the utility of using a light-gated anion channel, stGtACR2, to probe EInhin the rodent brain. Using mice of both sexes, we demonstrate that the properties of this optically activated channel make it a suitable proxy for studying GABAAR receptor-mediated inhibition. We validate this agonist-independent optogenetic strategy in vitro and in vivo and further show how it can accurately capture differences in EInhdynamics following manipulations of endogenous ion fluxes. This allows us to explore distinct resting EInhdifferences across genetically defined neuronal subpopulations. Using this approach to challenge ion homeostasis mechanisms in neurons, we uncover cell-specific EInhdynamics that are supported by the differential expression of endogenous ion handling mechanisms. Our findings therefore establish an effective optical strategy for revealing novel aspects of inhibitory reversal potentials and thereby expand the repertoire of optogenetics.
FLNA overexpression promotes papillary thyroid cancer aggression via the FAK/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Liang Weiwei , Zhang Yilin , Guo Yan , Zhang Pengyuan , Jin Jiewen , Guan Hongyu , Li Yanbing
Published: April 2024

Background

Filamin A (FLNA) is a member of the filamin family and has been found to be critical for the progression of several cancers. However, its biological function in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains largely unexplored.

Methods

Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were utilized to analyze the FLNA expression level and its influence on the clinical implications of patients with PTC. Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and qRT-PCR was used to verify the expression levels of FLNA in PTC. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was conducted to evaluate the prognostic value of FLNA in PTC. Transwell assays and wound healing were performed to examine the biological function of FLNA knockdown in PTC cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and Western blotting were conducted to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the role of FLNA in PTC progression. In addition, the relationship between FLNA expression and the tumor immune microenvironment (TME) in PTC was explored.

Results

FLNA was significantly upregulated in PTC tissues. High expression levels of FLNA was correlated with advanced TNM stage, T stage, and N stage, as well as poor disease-free interval (DFI) and progression-free interval (PFI) time in PTC patients. Moreover, we found that FLNA knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion of PTC cells. Mechanistically, FLNA knockdown inhibited epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in PTC and affected the activation of the FAK/AKT signaling pathway. In addition, FLNA expression was associated with TME in PTC.

Conclusion

FLNA may be regarded as a new therapeutic target for PTC patients.
Las metas académicas según escalas de aprendizaje, logro y refuerzo social: un estudio desde las percepciones según género
Authors: Saborío-Taylor Silvia , Álvarez Chaves Alejandra
Published: April 2024

Several studies emphasize differences in the perception of academic goals in learning processes concerning the gender variable. This study investigates disparities in academic goals among eighth-grade students in a private school in Alajuela, Costa Rica, based on this variable. The research approach is quantitative and exploratory, following principles of the positivist paradigm. A random sample of 20 students was selected, evenly divided between males and females, aged 12 to 13 years old. A Likert-scale questionnaire called the “Academic Goals Scale” was used to collect data. The statistical analysis, using a T-Student test, did not find significant differences in academic goals based on gender. This suggests that, in this specific context, both boys and girls have similar perceptions of their academic goals in terms of learning, achievement, and social reinforcement. Although this study did not find significant differences, it highlights the importance of conducting periodic follow-up studies of a similar nature to identify potential variables that may eventually influence academic goals. This could contribute to optimizing the learning processes and gaining a deeper understanding of the factors that may influence students’ academic goals.
Existentialism through the Literary Images in the Short Stories of V. Pidmohylny and M. Yatskiv
Authors: Karivets Ihor , Kadykalo Andrii
Published: April 2024

This article analyses little-known short stories of modern Ukrainian writers Valerian Pidmohylny and Mykhailo Yatskiv in the context of the 20th century existentialism. It can be considered as a cultural phenomenon which combines philosophy with literature. Pidmohylny’s short stories were significantly influenced primarily by the ideas of the European philosophers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Therefore, we can search for similar motives in the works of Pidmohylny and the existentialists, which developed under the influence of the ideas of Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. Also, the authors consider Yatskiv’s short stories through the prism of the core concepts of existentialism, namely, fate and death. Pidmohylny and Yatskiv can be assigned to existential writers on the basis of retrospective analysis of the themes of their short stories and the thematic areas of 20th century existentialism.