bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the availability and quality of services for lymphatic filariasis morbidity in Ghana
Authors: Edmiston Melissa , Atinbire Solomon , Mensah Ernest O , Mensah Ernest , Alomatu Bright , Asemanyi Mensah Kofi , Palmer Stephanie 
Published: June 2023

Background and methodology
In districts where lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic, the goal is to provide 100% geographical coverage of the essential package of care. Additionally, countries seeking elimination status must document the availability of services for lymphoedema and hydrocele in all endemic areas. To do this, the WHO recommends conducting assessments of the readiness and quality of services provided to identify service delivery and quality gaps. This study used the recommended WHO Direct Inspection Protocol (DIP), which consists of 14 core indicators related to LF case management, medicine and commodities, staff knowledge and patient tracking. The survey was administered in 156 health facilities across Ghana designated and trained to provide LF morbidity management services. Patient and health provider interviews were also conducted to assess challenges and feedback.

Principal findings
The highest performing indicators across the 156 surveyed facilities were related to staff knowledge; 96.6% of health workers correctly identified two or more signs and symptoms. The lowest scoring indicators concerned medication availability, with the two lowest scoring indicators in the survey being availability of antifungals (26.28%) and antiseptics (31.41%). Hospitals performed best with an overall score of 79.9%, followed by health centers (73%), clinics (67.1%) and CHPS compounds (66.8%). The most commonly reported challenge from health worker interviews was lack of medications and supplies, followed by a lack of training or poor motivation.

Conclusions and significance
The findings from this study can help the Ghana NTD Program identify areas of improvement as they seek to achieve LF elimination targets and continue to improve access to care for those with LF-related morbidity as part of overall health systems strengthening. Key recommendations include prioritizing refresher and MMDP training for health workers, ensuring reliable patient tracking systems, and integrating lymphatic filariasis morbidity management into the routine healthcare system to ensure medicine and commodity availably.
Intermittent Hiatus Hernia on High-Resolution Manometry Associates With Abnormal Reflux Burden Similar to Persistent Hiatus Hernia
Authors: Luther Janki , Zarro Samantha , Sagaram Manasa , Eiswerth Michael , Ganguli Surosree , Rogers Benjamin , Gyawali C. Prakash 
Published: June 2023

INTRODUCTION:
Hiatus hernia is characterized by axial separation between the lower esophageal sphincter and the crural diaphragm, and higher reflux burden. Impact on reflux is unclear if such separation is intermittent rather than persistent.

METHODS:
Reflux burden off antisecretory therapy was compared between no hernia (n = 357), intermittent hernia (n = 42), and persistent hernia (n = 155) after review of consecutive high-resolution manometry and reflux monitoring studies.

RESULTS:
Proportions with pathologic acid exposure was similar between intermittent and persistent hernia (45.2% vs 46.5%, respectively), and both were significantly different from no hernia (28.7%, P ≤ 0.002).

DISCUSSION:
Intermittent hiatus hernias are clinically relevant in gastroesophageal reflux pathophysiology.
Setting 6-minute minimal examination time improves the detection of focal upper gastrointestinal tract lesions during endoscopy: a multicenter prospective study
Authors: Gao Ye , Cai Meng-Xi , Tian Bo , Lin Han , Jiang Zhen-Yu , Yang Xiao-Cui , Lu Lin , Li Li , Shi Li-Hong , Liu Xiao-Yu , Wang Yi-Lin , Li Zhao-Shen , Xin Lei , Wang Luo-Wei 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Background and Aims:
Positive correlation between examination time and neoplasm detection using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) has been described by observational studies, but the effect of setting minimal examination time still requires investigation.

Methods:
This prospective, two-stage, interventional study was conducted in seven tertiary hospitals in China, enrolling consecutive patients undergoing intravenously sedated diagnostic EGDs. In Stage I, the baseline examination time was collected without informing the endoscopists. In Stage II, the minimal examination time was set for the same endoscopist according to the median examination time of normal EGDs in Stage I. The primary outcome was the focal lesion detection rate (FDR), defined as the proportion of subjects with at least one focal lesion among all subjects.

Results:
A total of 847 and 1079 EGDs performed by 21 endoscopists were included in stages I and II, respectively. In Stage II, the minimal examination time was set as 6 min, and the median time for normal EGD increased from 5.8 min to 6.3 min (P<0.001). Between the two stages, the FDR was significantly improved (33.6% vs. 39.3%, P=0.011), and the effect of the intervention was significant (odds ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.03-1.52; P=0.022) even after adjusting for subjects’ age, smoking status, endoscopists’ baseline examination time, and working experience. The detection rate of high-risk lesions (neoplastic lesions and advanced atrophic gastritis) was also significantly higher in Stage II (3.3% vs. 5.4%, P=0.029). In the endoscopist-level analysis, all practitioners reached a median examination time of 6 min, and the coefficients of variation of FDR (36.9% to 26.2%) and examination time (19.6% to 6.9%) decreased in Stage II.

Conclusion:
Setting a 6-minute minimal examination time significantly improved the detection of focal lesions during EGDs and has the potential to be implemented for quality improvement.
Narrative Didactics in Mathematics Education: Results from a University Geometry Course
Authors: Brandl Matthias , Vinerean Mirela 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In a Swedish second semester course on Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry in mathematics education at Karlstad University, a bridging teaching strategy comprising elements from Mathematics, Didactics, History, Literature, and Technology was applied by using the concept of Narrative Didactics and Digital Interactive Mathematical Maps developed by the Professorship for Didactics of Mathematics at the University of Passau, Germany. The complete assessment of the teaching strategy comprised both an evaluation of the technological and the narrative didactical scaffolding and was partly analysed previously concerning especially the technology acceptance aspect, while here we broaden and deepen the evaluation analysis of the application of narrative didactic elements. Regarding the latter, at the end of the course, students were asked to formulate a short historical-oriented narrative motivation for a school topic of own choice with the help of information provided by the timeline of the Mathematical Map. A representative example of these art-combining products is presented and evaluated according to elements of narrative didactics. Results indicate a fruitful, promising, and synergetic connection between different fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics that can lead to a richer and more sustainable learning process in mathematics lessons both at university and school level.
TiO2 P25 and Kronos vlp 7000 materials activated by simulated solar light for atrazine degradation
Authors: Moya Murilo Tomazini Munhoz , Araujo Leandro Goulart de , Lopes Fernando Silva , Teixeira Antonio Carlos Silva Costa 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Photocatalysis-based technologies have been proposed for the treatment of wastewater containing atrazine (ATZ), a persistent and recalcitrant pollutant. This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficiency of TiO2 P25 and TiO2 modified with carbon (C–TiO2 Kronos vlp 7000) in the photocatalytic degradation of ATZ in aqueous systems. The experiments were performed in a tubular photochemical reactor equipped with a compound parabolic collector (CPC) irradiated by simulated solar light. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, BET specific surface area, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. For TiO2 P25, ATZ removals varied in the range 86–100 % after 120 min of irradiation, although the total organic carbon (TOC) analyses indicated that no significant ATZ mineralization occurred (<20 %). C–TiO2 Kronos vlp 7000, on the other hand, was not able to completely remove ATZ after 120 min of irradiation. In this case, pesticide removals were 37–45 % over 120 min, while C–TiO2 performed better with regard to ATZ mineralization, with 38 % TOC removal. Given the low mineralization of atrazine, the intermediate compounds formed were identified for each photocatalytic material.
Improving the rheology of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and processability of blown film extrusion using a new binary processing aid
Authors: Ramezan-Nejad Sarah , Mohamadi Somayeh , Sharifi-Sanjani Naser 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
To improve the processability of LLDPE, a binary processing aid composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hydrocalumite was designed. Hydrocalumite containing HPO3
2− was successfully synthesized with co-precipitation of calcium and aluminum hydroxide in the presence of phosphorous acid. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and Ion chromatography were utilized for the characterization of the synthesized hydrocalumite. SEM images showed the layered structure. Ion Chromatography demonstrated the molar ratio of Ca2+/Al3+ was 2:1.3 as an interlayer ion. The influence of PEG/hydrocalumite with the different ratios as a processing aid on the rheological properties of LLDPE was investigated by capillary rheometry. The results obtained showed that PEG/hydrocalumite processing aid with a ratio of 1:3 exhibited the best effect on the reduction of critical stress due to the best coverage of the extruder surface. The measurement of processing parameters in the blown film extruder revealed that hydrocalumite interacted with metallic oxides, created a slippery film layer on the die wall. This leads to a decrease in the die pressure and power consumption by 11% and 21%, respectively. SEM analysis confirmed a delay in Sharkskin instability at a higher shear rate.
Molecular design of soluble poly(amide-imide) with high char yield for flame retardant epoxy resin
Authors: Wang Yanbin , Zhang Weiwei , Zhuang Changlong , Xu Shengang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In this study, a noncoplanar diimide diacid monomer (DIDA) was synthesized by direct condensation of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) with m-tolidine. The noncoplanar unit was incorporated into poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) main chain by Yamazaki-Higashi phosphorylation of DIDA with various aromatic diamines. Encouragingly, all of the PAIs show good solubility in some common solvents such as N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), and m-cresol. In addition, the soluble PAIs show good optical transmittances of beyond 85 % at 500 nm due to the decreased crystallization ability. On the other hand, PAIs possess good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 72–90 MPa and tensile moduli beyond 2 GPa. Meanwhile, the designed PAIs also exhibit excellent thermal properties: their glass transition temperatures (T
g) range from 278 to 314 °C, initial decomposition temperatures (5 % weight loss temperatures, T
5wt%) are beyond 470 °C, coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) are below 10 ppm/°C. The excellent mechanical and thermal properties are due to the strengthened hydrogen bonding interaction among the amide groups. Therefore, it is believed that incorporating noncoplanar unit and amide group into the polymer main chain at the same time can simultaneously improve processability, optical transparency, mechanical and thermal properties. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the char of PAI at 800 °C is as high as 72.5 %, which is one of the highest known values. When PAI was incorporated into epoxy resin, the blend passed UL94 V-0 rating due to the high charring capability of PAI.
A multimodal analysis of Piggyvest’s animated advertisement videos
Authors: Odedeyi Toluwani Deborah , Ajayi Temitope Michael 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis study examines the persuasive strategies in selected animated advertisement videos by Piggyvest, the first and one of the fastest-growing online savings platforms in Nigeria, whose modus operandi is quite different from those of the conventional banking system. Drawing insights from Kress and van Leeuwen’s (2006.Reading images: The grammar of visual design, 2nd edn. New York: Routledge) Multimodal Discourse Analytic framework, 12 samples of Piggyvest’s animated videos (for advertisements) were randomly sampled out of the 30 videos initially purposively sampled. Findings reveal metaphorisation of financial management and discipline, playing around gender-related ideas on finances, foregrounding of aspirations and financial decisions, depiction of cognitive strength and weakness on money matters, and striking a connection between money and relationships are persuasive strategies deployed in the animated advertisement videos by Piggyvest to appeal to their target audience.
Durability and microstructure study on concrete made with sewage sludge ash: A review (Part Ⅱ)
Authors: Ahmad Jawad , Alqurashi Muwaffaq , Alanazi Hani , Deifalla Ahmed Farouk , Yosri Ahmed M. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The quantity of carbon dioxide gas released during the manufacturing and acquisition of raw ingredients determines the sustainability of concrete. Industrial garbage dumping is a critical difficulty that humanity is experiencing because of globalization and the increasing population. Through the efficient use of industrial by products, efforts are being undertaken to lower carbon discharges in the concreting process. It has been recommended by sustainable development goals and standards to use byproducts that have lower embodied energy and carbon emissions. Ash from sewage sludge demonstrates its suitability for use in concrete. However, a compressive assessment is needed to determine the past, present, and future research aspects of using sewage sludge ash (SSA) as a construction material. Therefore, this research is carried out on using SSA as a construction material. All the essential properties such as the physical and chemical properties of SSA, its effect on durability properties, and morphology structure study are the main aspect of this review (Part II). The analysis also highlights the research gap for upcoming exploration which further improved its performance.
A probability characteristic of crack intersecting with embedded microcapsules in capsule-based self-healing materials
Authors: Lv Zhong , Shi Mengyan , Yuan Jing , Chen Depeng , Guo Minglei , Xiang Tengfei , Chen Huisu 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The micro-cracks in a material lead to a reduction in its overall strength and service life. The emerging capsule-based self-healing system provides a new strategy for repairing the cracks, effectively delaying the potential damage of the matrix, and prolonging the service life of composite materials. Determining the optimal size and dosage of microcapsules required to repair cracks in the matrix is essential for the development and design of capsule-based self-healing materials. This paper presents a novel two-dimensional capsule-based self-healing model composite material whose surface is paved by reproducible and random cells and some microcapsules are randomly dispersed in those cells to investigate the rupture behavior of microcapsules forced by growing cracks. An analytical model is proposed from the viewpoint of geometrical probability to express the probability characteristics of the embedded microcapsules stimulated by linear cracks in a two-dimensional capsule-based self-healing model composite. Additionally, the effect of the size and dosage of the embedded microcapsules on the intersection probability is analyzed, and the maximal probability is also found to improve the self-healing efficiency. Finally, the accuracies of these probability values and theoretical solutions are verified via computer simulation, and the results show that the developed model of the geometrical probability of the crack intersection with microcapsules randomly distributed in the cells of the matrix will help to provide a theoretical basis for the quantitative design of capsule-based self-healing materials.
„Existenz ist eine selektive Blindheit“: Gegenstandsphilosophische Motive der Mathematik George Spencer-Browns
Authors: Schaller Nicolas 
Published: June 2023

Zusammenfassung
Philosophische Arbeit an der Form bedeutet zunächst, nicht die Idee der Unterscheidung als gegeben anzunehmen, sondern den Unterschied zwischen unserer Kenntnis von der Innen- und jener von der Außenwelt. Denn ihr Inhalt mag asymmetrisch sein, ihre Form aber scheint durchaus vergleichbar. Während sich nach Überzeugung Spencer-Browns die Kenntnis der Außenwelt in den physikalischen Wissenschaften zeige, erbringe von der Innenwelt allein die Mathematik Kenntnis von vergleichbarer Form. Das aber bedeute, so Spencer-Brown, dass uns ein gewisses mathematisches Einsehen eigen sei, nämlich das in die ursprünglichste arithmetische Operation; in die Operation der Unterscheidung. Die philosophische Arbeit an der Form hat dabei, das soll im Folgenden deutlich werden, nicht mit den „Laws of Form“ begonnen. Während Spencer-Brown mit der „Idee der Unterscheidung“ in Widerspruch zu Bertrand Russells Logizismus die Arithmetik als fundamentale Disziplin auszeichnete und vor ihm Edmund Husserl im „Akt der Unterscheidung“ das Primat der Psychologie bestätigt sah, war Alexius Meinong der Überzeugung, dass der „Akt“ selbst eine neue Wissenschaft, die Gegenstandstheorie, unverzichtbar mache. Dabei war Spencer-Brown wohl zunächst nicht von philosophischen, sondern durchaus praktischen Motiven geleitet.
Die Spencer-Brown-Transformation
Authors: Baecker Dirk 
Published: June 2023

Zusammenfassung
Der Beitrag versteht unter der Spencer-Brown-Transformation die Interpretation einer (aristotelischen) Identität als eine (hegelsche) Differenz. Mit George Spencer-Browns cross wird eine Unterscheidung notiert, deren beide Seiten bezeichnet werden können. Die Form der Unterscheidung wird als reflexive Negativität verstanden, die die beiden Seiten der Unterscheidung, die Unterscheidung selbst und den Raum, der mit der Unterscheidung hervorgebracht wird, als eine mehrwertige Mannigfaltigkeit mit sich in ein einschließend-ausschließendes Verhältnis setzt. Der Beitrag diskutiert dieses Konzept im Anschluss an Niklas Luhmanns These, dass jede Kommunikation eines sozialen Systems nur als Prozessieren der Differenz von Form und Medium möglich ist. Entsprechend sind die beiden Begriffe der Form und des Mediums zu klären und in ein Verhältnis sowohl zum Begriff des Systems als auch des Netzwerks zu setzen. Es deutet sich eine allgemeine Theorie der Digitalisierung an, die beschreiben kann, wie in einem analog-kontinuierlichen Material diskret-digitale Unterscheidungen gesetzt werden, die ihrerseits ein analog-kontinuierliches Material für weitere Anschlussoperationen konstituieren. Aktuelle Phänomene einer elektronischen Digitalisierung sind ein Sonderfall einer allgemeinen Digitalisierung, verstanden als kognitive Erschließung von Welt.
Die Gewalt der Zwei-Seiten-Form: Von der Kritik der Zwei-Seiten-Form zur Viel-Seiten-Form der Kritik
Authors: Fuhrmann Jan Tobias 
Published: June 2023

Zusammenfassung
Im Folgenden werden Operationen sozialer Systeme als Vollzug von différance (Derrida) aufgefasst. Um das zu plausibilisieren, muss die Interpretation der Laws of Form (Spencer-Brown) seitens Luhmann zurückgewiesen werden. Das erfolgt, indem davon ausgegangen wird, dass eine Indikation statt notwendig eine Distinktion zu vollziehen, eine Unbestimmtheit produziert. Die Stabilität von Zwei-Seiten-Formen wird erst durch die Wiederholung einer sie herstellenden Gewalt produziert. In einem ersten Schritt werden die Laws of Form als eine Abfolge von Befehlen im Medium des Visuell-Simultanen rekonstruiert und die Übertragung Luhmanns auf sequenziell vollzogene Kommunikationsereignisse zurückgewiesen (I). Dadurch wird es möglich, différance als konstitutive Unbestimmtheit sozialer Operationen zu markieren (II). Die Einschränkung der radikalen Unbestimmtheit der différance in Zwei-Seiten-Formen wird mit der Operation der Kompensation nachvollzogen und als epistemic violence (Spivak) markiert (III). Diese Gewalt gewinnt ihre Autorität maßgeblich aus der Wiederholung (IV). Die Unterbrechung dieser Wiederholung kann durch Kritik gelingen. Der Beitrag schließt, indem er der Systemtheorie der Kritik den Vorschlag macht, Kritik als Unterbrechung der Autorität der Wiederholung aufzufassen (V).
Acetate is a beneficial nutrient for E. coli at low glycolytic flux
Authors: Millard Pierre , Gosselin‐Monplaisir Thomas , Uttenweiler‐Joseph Sandrine , Enjalbert Brice 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAcetate, a major by‐product of glycolytic metabolism in Escherichia coli and many other microorganisms, has long been considered a toxic waste compound that inhibits microbial growth. This counterproductive auto‐inhibition represents a major problem in biotechnology and has puzzled the scientific community for decades. Recent studies have however revealed that acetate is also a co‐substrate of glycolytic nutrients and a global regulator of E. coli metabolism and physiology. Here, we used a systems biology strategy to investigate the mutual regulation of glycolytic and acetate metabolism in E. coli. Computational and experimental analyses demonstrate that decreasing the glycolytic flux enhances co‐utilization of acetate with glucose. Acetate metabolism thus compensates for the reduction in glycolytic flux and eventually buffers carbon uptake so that acetate, rather than being toxic, actually enhances E. coli growth under these conditions. We validated this mechanism using three orthogonal strategies: chemical inhibition of glucose uptake, glycolytic mutant strains, and alternative substrates with a natively low glycolytic flux. In summary, acetate makes E. coli more robust to glycolytic perturbations and is a valuable nutrient, with a beneficial effect on microbial growth.
PERK signaling promotes mitochondrial elongation by remodeling membrane phosphatidic acid
Authors: Perea Valerie , Cole Christian , Lebeau Justine , Dolina Vivian , Baron Kelsey R , Madhavan Aparajita , Kelly Jeffery W , Grotjahn Danielle A , Wiseman R Luke 
Published: June 2023

AbstractEndoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are linked in the onset and pathogenesis of numerous diseases. This has led to considerable interest in defining the mechanisms responsible for regulating mitochondria during ER stress. The PERK signaling arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR) has emerged as a prominent ER stress‐responsive signaling pathway that regulates diverse aspects of mitochondrial biology. Here, we show that PERK activity promotes adaptive remodeling of mitochondrial membrane phosphatidic acid (PA) to induce protective mitochondrial elongation during acute ER stress. We find that PERK activity is required for ER stress‐dependent increases in both cellular PA and YME1L‐dependent degradation of the intramitochondrial PA transporter PRELID1. These two processes lead to the accumulation of PA on the outer mitochondrial membrane where it can induce mitochondrial elongation by inhibiting mitochondrial fission. Our results establish a new role for PERK in the adaptive remodeling of mitochondrial phospholipids and demonstrate that PERK‐dependent PA regulation adapts organellar shape in response to ER stress.