bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and accuracy of intraosseous endoscopy for inspection of thoracolumbar and lumbar pedicle drill tracts in a canine large-breed cadaveric model
Authors: Mullins Ronan A. , Ortega Cristina , Bleedorn Jason , Maurin Marie Pauline , Hoey Seamus , Espinel Ruperez Jorge , Kraus Karl H. , Hetzel Scott , Guevar Julien 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic inspection of thoracolumbar and lumbar pedicle tracts in a canine large-breed model and its accuracy for the detection of breached versus nonbreached tracts.

ANIMALS
2 greyhound cadavers.

METHODS
CT scans of 2 greyhound cadavers from the sixth thoracic vertebra to the sacrum were obtained. Fifty-six pedicles were randomized to have drill tracts with different modified Zdichavsky grades (nonbreached, partial/full medial breach, or partial/full lateral breach) using 3-D–printed guides. Endoscopy was performed on a single occasion from October 9 to 10, 2023, using a 1.9-mm 0-degree needle arthroscope in a randomized blinded fashion. The grading of drill tracts was performed on postoperative CT. Specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, and time to assign endoscopic grade were investigated.

RESULTS
Postoperative CT confirmed 43 nonbreached tracts, 7 medial breaches (partial/full), and 5 lateral breaches (partial/full). One tract was excluded because of guide misplacement. Intraosseous endoscopy was successfully performed in the remaining 55 drill tracts. Sensitivity to detect medial and lateral breaches was 71.4% and 60.0%. Negative predictive value was 93.1%. Specificity was 94.2%. Positive predictive value for detection of medial and lateral breaches was 83.3% and 54.5%. Median (range) time to assign an endoscopic grade was 118 (30 to 486) seconds.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Intraosseous endoscopy of pedicle drill tracts may be a useful adjunct technique during pedicle screw/pin placement in dogs.
Statistically verified methods for determining predictors of development of arterial hypertension depending on endothelial nitric oxide synthase T786C gene promoter polymorphism using lipid profile indicators
Authors: Pidruchna Svitlana , Shmanko Volodimir , Hnizdyukh Roman , Sverstiuk Andrii , Lykhatskyy Petro , Kuzmak Iryna , Yaroshenko Tetyana , Bandas Iryna , Vasylyshyn Nadya , Ostrivka Oksana , Mudra Alla , Palytsia Lylya , Letnyak Nataliya , Tokarskyy Oleksandr 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective. Polymorphism investigation of T786C gene promoter of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS/NOS3) in the arterial hypertension is a promising field for determining the relationship between heredity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, which still remains controversial. The purpose of the study was to investigate the lipid profile, which depends on the NOS3 T786C gene promotor region polymorphism in patients with arterial hypertension.

Methods. The study involved 86 patients with arterial hypertension. The control group consisted of 30 basically healthy individuals. The lipid profile in the blood serum of the studied patients was measured by commercially available kits using Biochem FC-200 analyzer (HTI, USA). The allelic polymorphism of NOS3 T786C gene promoter was studied using a polymerase chain reaction technique with electrophoretic detection of the results.

Results. An increase at the level of all atherogenic fractions in the blood was found in the group of patients carrying the CC genotype compared with carriers of the TT genotype of the NOS3 gene. The total cholesterol serum level in the group of carriers of the CC genotype of NOS3 T786C gene promoter increased by 33.3% compared with carriers of the TT genotype and it was almost twice as high as the control values. In the group of carriers in the CC genotype of the NOS3 gene, the serum level of triglycerides was statistically significantly higher (2.9 times) than in the group of carriers of the TT genotype. The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) serum levels significantly increased in patients with arterial hypertension with the CC genotype by 1.6 and 4.6 times, respectively, compared with the TT genotype carriers. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) serum level, as an antiatherogenic factor, was statistically significantly lower (by 45.8%) in the group of the CC genotype carriers of the NOS3 gene than in the group with carriers of the TT genotype (0.58±0.06 vs. 1.07±0.03 mmol/l.)

Conclusions. The increase in all atherogenic and decrease in antiatherogenic lipid parameters of the lipidogram of patients with arterial hypertension and the deepening of dyslipidemia in carriers of the CC genotype compared with carriers of the TT genotype of the NOS3 T786C gene promoter is crucial in the development of dyslipidemia.
Bicycle critical mass events 30 years on – are they an urban mobility movement or a bicycle festival?
Authors: Kwiatkowski Michał Adam 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The issue of inequality in the use of urban transport space is particularly important in today’s car-saturated cities. Increasing the convenience, safety and respect for the rights of vulnerable road users, including in particular pedestrians and cyclists, is emerging as a particular challenge. Grassroots initiatives of city residents, who become cycling advocates and cycling activists, are confronting this problem. Among various forms of activism there is also the organisation of ‘critical masses’, which were originally intended to remind us about the rights of this group of road users through a simultaneous passage of multiple cyclists through the streets of the city. From the late 20th century to the present day, such events have undergone change. The aim of this study was to investigate how today’s critical masses differ from their 1990s prototypes. The research analysed bike critical masses organised in Poland, a country with an underdeveloped cycling culture and low cycling modal share. At one such event, a survey was also conducted to determine why participants chose to attend. The study confirmed that contemporary bicycle critical masses are recreational events promoting cycling.
Post-fire dynamics of recolonization by Cistus plants in the Aleppo pine and Cork oak forests in Bejaia region, central north Algeria
Authors: Benzina Imene , Bekdouche Farid , Bachir Abdelkrim Si 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In August 2021, very intense fires swept through various forested areas in northern Algeria, particularly in Kabylia. The population dynamics of Cistus salviifolius and Cistus monspeliensis were studied along a post-fire successional gradient during the first nine months (September 2021 – May 2022), in two forest communities: the Cork oak (Quercus suber) and the Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) forests in the coastal zone of Bejaia province. The Cistus spp. germinations were counted monthly in each forest on 10 plots of 1 m2, evenly distributed along 2 transects of 45 m each. The results showed that the majority of germinations occur in December with 207.5 ± 24.2 seedlings in the Cork oak forest and 171.3 ± 18.0 seedlings in the Aleppo pine forest. Student's t-test does not reveal significant differences for December between the two communities. During the first months following the fire (September and October 2021), germinations were almost absent. The monthly rainfall in September 2021 was estimated at 16.25 mm, an insufficient amount for effective germination. Late germination results in an extension of its period, showed a high rate in January 2022 with 42.2 ± 2.1 and 11.5 ± 0.8 seedlings, respectively, in the Cork oak forest and the pine forest. Beyond January, germination was practically nonexistent in both communities. Therefore, the majority of the seed germination was concentrated in November, December, and January with a unimodal germination pattern.
The dynamics of the taxonomic composition of the alien fraction of the urban flora in the Kyiv urban area, Ukraine
Authors: Koniakin Serhii M. , Burda Raisa I. , Budzhak Vasyl V. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
This article presents the results of an investigation into the recent taxonomic composition of the alien fraction of the urban flora in the Kyiv urban area (KUA). Its main dynamic tendencies over the last 20 years have been highlighted, along with the most probable phytoinvasive threats. The obtained linear regression equation allowed forecasting for the growth in the abundance of alien plant species against the background of the enlargement of the Kyiv urban area (r=0.53) and its human population numbers (r=0.87). The alien fraction of the urban flora of the KUA contains 717 taxa of vascular plants (668 species, 41 subspecies, 6 varieties, 1 form and 1 nothoform). In the past 20 years, the number of species of the urban flora of the KUA has increased by at least 166 alien taxa, some of which are representatives of new genera, families, and orders for our flora. This enrichment of the taxonomic structure of the alien fraction in the urban flora of the KUA has caused changes in the ratio of life forms, ecotypes, invasiveness of species, and other features. We specified probable invasive threats, conditioned by the formation of the group of new woody species, hydrophytes capable of rapidly accumulating their phytomass, some genera complexes involving alien and local species, which are inclined to hybridization.
Selected legal instruments for air protection against low emissions in Poland
Authors: Gałka Pamela 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
A fundamental problem during the heating season is the above-normal concentrations of pollutants, especially particulate matter, which are often exceeded. Currently, the main source of air pollution in Poland is low emissions, which consists of from the inefficient burning of fossil fuels in single-family homes and road transportation. This article discusses the permissible particulate matter standards and identifies the anti-smog resolution as a legal instrument to reduce low emissions. For the purpose of this research, field measurements of particulate matter of various fractions were carried out using the specialist equipment of the University Laboratories for Atmosphere Control of the University of Silesia in Katowice. Field measurements were carried out in early 2023 using the Overhead Mobile Laboratory and the Field Mobile Laboratory in selected districts of Katowice. When conducting the study, attention was paid to the type of development, which determines the specifics of heating and the proximity of roads, which are a source of traffic pollution. Due to the high variability of atmospheric conditions and other components, such as current traffic, the data should be treated as indicative. The results of the study depend primarily on the conditions found and reflect the situation at a particular place and time. The occurrence of low emissions was confirmed by the results of the study, which showed very high concentrations of particulate matter in the southern districts of Katowice, where single-family old buildings predominate and building heating is unsuitable. An impact of automobile traffic on air quality was found.
Ranking of Alternatives Described by Atanassov’s Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets – Reconciling Some Misunderstandings
Authors: Szmidt Eulalia , Kacprzyk Janusz , Bujnowski Paweł , Starczewski Janusz T. , Siwocha Agnieszka 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Atanassov’s intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs) are a very convenient tool for describing alternatives/options while making decisions because they make it possible to naturally represent the pros, cons, and hesitation. The IFSs have attracted a significant interest and have been applied in various fields. Of course, their use poses some challenges. One of the main challenges is the ranking of alternatives/options described by the intuitionistic fuzzy sets, to be called for brevity the intuitionistic fuzzy alternatives. This is a crucial issue, notably for the applications, for instance, in decision making. We first present in detail and analyze the benefits of a method we introduced previously (cf. Szmidt and Kacprzyk [1]). For this method, we augment the original assumptions with an additional assumption, which is justified and inherently reasonable. As a result, we obtain formulas which are better justified than those previously used as they explicitly consider the arguments in favor (pro), against (con), and hesitance. Since the intuitionistic fuzzy alternatives can not be linearly ranked, then the additional assumptions during the ranking process are necessary. We address these issues and analyze examples to clarify our new approach. We examine some other methods discussed in the literature and analyze their results, and show that the new assumptions reconcile some misconceptions raised by those other papers.
Comment dire Dieu à un enfant de rue de Kinshasa ?
Authors: Kabundi Kabengele Célestin 
Published: June 2024

Ce livre aborde la problématique des enfants injustement accusés de sorcellerie par des pasteurs dans la République démocratique du Congo, puis rejetés par leurs parents. Comment ces enfants survivent-ils dans les rues de Kinshasa ? Quelle idée se font-ils de Dieu ? Et comment parler de Dieu à un enfant des rues qui s’est retrouvé dans cette situation à cause d’un pasteur ? Pour répondre à ces questions, Célestin Kabundi Kabengele fonde son enquête sur les témoignages de nombreux enfants et pasteurs recueillis à Kinshasa. Il confronte non seulement ses résultats à des textes bibliques, mais formule également des propositions concrètes pour la pastorale sur place. Enfin, en plus de retracer l’histoire du christianisme en République démocratique du Congo, ce livre formule des recommandations à l’attention de l’État, des partis politiques, des parents et des médias.
Bioactivity of two plant products against Tribolium castaneum infesting wheat grains and their impact on some biological parameters in Japanese quail
Authors:   Pesticides Chemistry and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt, HOSNY ABD EL-AZIZ H. , ABO ARB RAAFAT B. ,   Stored Product Pests Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt, IBRAHIM SAHAR I. ,   Pesticides Chemistry and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt, KHALIL REHAB. M. M. ,   Pesticides Chemistry and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt, SAADALLAH MOUSTAFA S. ,   Pesticides Chemistry and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt, ELMADAWY ALZAHRAA A. ,   Stored Product Pests Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), Dokki, Giza, Egypt
Published: June 2024

Several experiments were carried out in the current study to assess the efficacy of Caraway seed (Carum carvi) and petitgrain lemon (Citrus aurantium) plants against the stored product insect Tri­bolium casteneum. To measure some factors, various plant preparations (powder, oil, extract, and new formulation) with concentrations of 5-10-15- and 20% oils and extracts and 5-10-20- and 40% powder and their formulations were used (biological effect, insect mortality rate). Furthermore, to assess the negative effects of tested materials on certain biochemical parameters of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). There have been no significant effects of oral treatment on creatinine level while significant effect were noticed on total protein, total anti-oxidants and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) levels in quail. In every treatments for quail, caraway was more effective than petitgrain lemon on some biological parameters. The determination of some biological parameters revealed that treatment after two weeks was affected in comparison to treatment four weeks later. The findings suggest that the tested plant products could be used to protect wheat grains from T. castaneum adults in Egyptian storage facilities.
Study the Effect of Copper Oxide Nanorods Enhanced by Silver Nanoparticles on the Highly Sensitive Gas Sensor
Authors: Dhiab Shahad , Hassan Nadim Khalid 
Published: June 2024

In this paper, ammonia (NH3) gas sensitivity was enhanced by the development of highly dense copper oxide (CuO) nanorods on glass substrates. The layer of copper (Cu) was deposited using a vacuum thermal evaporation method. The grown layer of Cu was sequentially inserted into an oxidation furnace at (400 °C) for (120 min) under atmospheric pressure to produce copper oxide (CuO) nanorods. Silver (Ag) nanoparticles- deposited copper oxide nanoparticles were successfully enhanced via a photo assisted spray pyrolysis technique. A metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) NH3 gas sensor with aluminum (Al) contact electrodes was fabricated on CuO nanorods. The structure of the crystal as well as the morphology of the CuO nanorods were evaluated with field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction, and UV-visible spectroscopy respectively. In order to create a high-performing MSM NH3 gas sensor, silver nanoparticles (NPs) were sprayed by the photo-assisted spray pyrolysis technique on the CuO nanorods, which are produced via the vacuum thermal evaporation method. The results showed that the modified CuO nanorods by Ag nanoparticles demonstrated great sensitivity to NH3 gas might be much improved, and the sensitivity rises from (376.4 to 700 %) , fast response and recovery times about (10.4 and 9.5 s) respectively to NH3 gas.
Understanding Negative and Positive Feelings About Telerehabilitation in People With Chronic Knee Pain: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Lawford Belinda J. , Bennell Kim L. , Kimp Alexander , Campbell Penny K. , Hinman Rana S. 
Published: June 2024

OBJECTIVES: To explore (1) initial feelings of people with knee osteoarthritis who are unexpectedly offered telerehabilitation, and (2) if their experiences met their expectations, and their willingness to use telerehabilitation in the future. DESIGN: Mixed-methods study of 122 people with knee osteoarthritis who were randomized to receive physiotherapist-delivered telerehabilitation in a clinical trial. METHODS: At enrollment in the trial, participants were unaware care would be delivered via telerehabilitation. At completion, quantitative (Likert scales, analyzed descriptively) and qualitative (open-text, underwent content/thematic analysis) questions asked participants about their initial feelings when randomized to telerehabilitation, if experiences met expectations, and willingness to use telerehabilitation in the future. RESULTS: Data were collected between October 2021 to March 2023. At enrollment, 44 (36% of 122) participants initially felt negative toward telerehabilitation ( doubts about effectiveness, physiotherapist can’t see/touch, believe in-person is better, can’t communicate effectively, not good with technology), 18 (15%) were neutral, and 60 (49%) felt positive. After experiencing telerehabilitation, 43 (72%) people who were initially positive and 27 (61%) who were initially negative believed telerehabilitation exceeded their expectations ( easier than expected, surprised by benefits/effectiveness, strong rapport with physiotherapist, convenience). Twenty-eight (23% of 122) people were not at all or slightly willing to use telerehabilitation in future ( prefer hands-on, doesn’t allow adequate assessment/observation, prefer in-person, don’t like telerehabilitation). CONCLUSION: One in 2 people were positive about telerehabilitation from the outset, and 6 in 10 people who initially felt negative about telerehabilitation found that their experiences were better than expected. One in 4 people were unwilling to use telerehabilitation in the future, even after they had experienced it. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(9):594-607. Epub 11 June 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12383
PENDAMPINGAN GURU DALAM PENGEMBANGAN MULTIREPRESENTATION MOBILE BASED ASSESSMENT UNTUK MENDUKUNG MERDEKA BELAJAR
Authors: Amiroh Dewi , Masrifah Masrifah 
Published: June 2024

Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan guru SMA mengembangkan mobile based assessment MBA sesuai mata pelajaran yang diampu yaitu Fisika, Kimia, dan Matematika dengan pengembangan soal pilihan ganda. Kegiatan ini bermitra dengan guru SMA Negeri 4 Ternate yang berjumlah 15 guru yang dikelompokkan menjadi tiga sesuai mata pelajaran yang diampu. Pengabdian dilaksanakan pada bulan Oktober 2023 berupa pelatihan serta bimbingan praktis melalui metode diskusi interaktif dengan penugasan. Instrumen pengabdian berupa lembar observasi, angket, serta lembar tugas. Hasil observasi menunjukkan bahwa seluruh peserta menjalin komunikasi dengan baik serta membantu dalam penyelesaian tugas, bertanggung jawab dalam menyelesaikan tugas pengembangan penilaian multirepresentasi dengan mobile based serta seluruh anggota kelompok berperan aktif. Hasil angket disimpulkan semua guru peserta mengikuti kegiatan pengabdian memperhatikan serta meninjau kembali materi ajar saat penyusunan soal multirepresentasi. Sebagian guru sudah pernah menggunakan penilaian mobile based dengan google form dan mengetahui ragam soal multirepresentasi, sedangkan sebagian yang lain belum pernah menggunakan penilaian mobile based dan belum mengetahui cara mengembangkan soal multirepresentasi. Hasil akhir pengabdian menunjukkan bahwa semua guru telah berhasil mengembangkan multirepresentasi MBA berupa soal pilihan ganda. Pelatihan pengembangan multirepresentasi MBA ini perlu dilanjutkan dan disebarluaskan kepada seluruh guru di sekolah tersebut mupun pada sekolah lainnya.
Artificial Neural Network-Based Prediction of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete Containing Glass Aggregates
Authors: Maraqa Faroq , Yasin Amjad A. , Al-Sahawneh Eid , Alomari Jamal , Al-Adwan Jamal , Al-Elwan Ahmad A. 
Published: June 2024

This comprehensive study analyzes the use of crushed glass as both fine and coarse aggregate in concrete, as well as the prediction accuracy of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The primary objectives are to understand the interactions between concrete’s constituents and to assess the accuracy of ANN models in predicting concrete’s mechanical and physical properties. This is achieved using a two-decade experimental results dataset of concrete’s compressive and tensile strengths, slump, density, and the corresponding mix design proportions, including waste glass aggregate. A series of 70 concrete samples were carefully built and tested, with compressive strengths varying from 12 to 71 MPa and glass aggregate percentages ranging from 0-100%. These samples served as the basis for the creation of an input dataset and ANN targets. The ANN model underwent intensive training, validation, testing, and statistical regression analysis. The ANN models are exceptionally accurate, with a continuously low error margin of roughly 2%, highlighting their usefulness in matching experimental and predicted results. Validation techniques highlight the models' dependability, with consistently high coefficients of determination (R-values), including 0.99484, demonstrating their robustness in replicating complicated concrete properties. The data analysis shows a unique pattern, with optimum glass aggregate percentages in the range of 10–20%. Beyond this range, there is a noticeable decline in concrete properties. Finally, the study confirms the efficacy of ANN in predictive modeling while also validating the potential of crushed glass to replace natural aggregates in concrete. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-05-018 Full Text: PDF