bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) disinfection of artificially contaminated seawater seeded with high levels of pathogen disease indicators as an alternative for the shellfish industry depuration systems
Authors: Fehrenbach Gustavo Waltzer , Murphy Emma , Pogue Robert , Carter Frank , Clifford Eoghan , Major Ian , Rowan Neil 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe increase in pathogen levels in seawater threatens the safety of entire aquatic ecosystems. Foodborne pathogens can potentially accumulate in shellfish, especially in filter feeders such as bivalves, requiring an efficient depuration process before consumption. Alternative approaches to promote a cost-efficient purge at depuration plants are urgently needed. A small prototype pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) light recirculation system was designed, and its depuration potential was tested in a seawater matrix artificially contaminated with high levels of microbial pathogens Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus and Candida albicans. The analysis of treatment parameters including voltage, number of pulses and duration of treatment was performed to ensure the highest reduction in contaminant levels. Optimal PUV disinfection was attained at 60 pulses/min at 1 kV for 10 min (a UV output of 12.9 J/cm2). All reductions were statistically significant, and the greatest was observed for S. aureus (5.63 log10), followed by C. albicans (5.15 log10), S. typhimurium (5 log10), B. cereus (4.59 log10) and E. coli (4.55 log10). PUV treatment disrupted the pathogen DNA with the result that S. aureus, C. albicans and S. typhimurium were not detectable by PCR. Regulations were reviewed to address the applicability of PUV treatment as a promising alternative to assist in the reduction of microbial pathogens at depuration plants due to its high efficiency, short treatment period, high UV dose and recirculation system as currently employed in shellfish depuration plants.
Optimal tip shape for minimum drag and lift during horizontal penetration in granular media
Authors: Patino-Ramirez F. , O’Sullivan C. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHorizontal penetration in granular media is ubiquitous, from tunneling and geotechnical site investigation, to root growth and the locomotion of burrowing animals in nature. This contribution couples the discrete element method (DEM) with ant colony optimisation, a heuristic optimisation algorithm, to find the optimal tip shapes to minimise drag and lift forces during horizontal penetration. The tip which minimizes drag has a slender profile with a low tip curvature, to give a drag force that is $$15.6\%$$

15.6
%

lower compared to a conventional CPT intruder, however this shape induces a downwards force that increases with intruder depth. Conversely, the tip that minimizes lift is blunt, with a high tip curvature and short width, and reduces the drag and lift forces by $$4.5\%$$

4.5
%

and $$30.8\%$$

30.8
%

(respectively) compared to the CPT. The lift and drag forces are competing optimisation objectives, thus the tip shape with the optimal trade-off between drag and lift forces can be established using Pareto optimality. The Pareto optimal tip shape reduces the drag and lift forces by $$10.7\%$$

10.7
%

and $$19.4\%$$

19.4
%

respectively, and is strikingly similar to the profile of a sandfish. This contribution shows that when a common goal exists, bio-inspired solutions can offer an optimal solution to engineering applications. We also show the potential to integrate DEM simulations within an optimization framework to develop innovative design solutions.
A New Social Conflict on Globalisation-Related Issues in Germany? A Longitudinal Perspective
Authors: Teney Céline , Rupieper Li Kathrin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWe draw on cleavage theory to assess the emergence of a social conflict concerning globalisation-related issues among the German population between 1989 and 2019. We argue that issue salience and opinion polarisation are key conditions for a successful and sustainable political mobilisation of citizens and thus for the emergence of a social conflict. In line with globalisation cleavage theory, we hypothesised that issue salience as well as overall and between-group opinion polarisation on globalisation-related issues have increased over time. Our study considers four globalisation-related issues: immigration, the European Union (EU), economic liberalism, and the environment. While the salience of the EU and economic liberalism issues remained low during the observed period, we found a recent increase in salience for the issues of immigration (since 2015) and the environment (since 2018). Furthermore, our results point to rather stable attitudes on globalisation-related issues among the German population: We did not find any consistent evidence of an increase in overall or between-group polarisation over time. In conclusion, the idea of an emerging conflict around globalisation-related issues among the German population finds very little empirical support.
Microstructural Characterization of Novel ZrO2 Dispersion-Strengthened 9Cr Steel by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Raghavendra K. G. , Dasgupta Arup , Karthiselva N. S. , Jayasankar K. , Bakshi Srinivasa Rao 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTechnologically important Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened steels are synthesized using ZrO2 as a dispersion strengthener instead of conventionally used Y2O3. Powder metallurgical route followed by spark plasma sintering is adopted for synthesizing the material. Detailed microstructural characterization revealed a fine-grained microstructure with finer dispersoids in as-sintered and normalized condition. The stable microstructure is found to be retained even after subjecting the samples at 973 K for as long as 1000 h for long-term thermal aging trials, indicating at a possible superiority of this material over the conventional Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened steels. The yield strength is calculated by making use of microstructural parameters and predictive models, both of which shown a good agreement. Mechanical property analysis through hardness measurements was correlated with microstructural observations and compared with the conventional Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened steels. The collective results indicate ZrO2 as a potential alternate dispersoid for strengthening steel and future scope for vast exploration.
Teachers’ practices and resources in the Hungarian “Guided Discovery” approach to teaching mathematics: presenting and representing “series of problems”
Authors: Gosztonyi Katalin , Varga Eszter 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn the Hungarian “Guided Discovery” approach to teaching mathematics, teachers’ planning work plays a crucial role. Teachers following the approach develop teaching trajectories based on “series of problems”. This work includes the choice, creation, transformation, organization and networking of problems with regard to various teaching objectives. However, most of this planning work remains implicit; the structure and rationale of the teaching trajectories are often inaccessible for an external observer (including, for example, student teachers). An ongoing project based on teacher–researcher collaboration aims to reveal the hidden characteristics and principles of teachers’ work with series of problems through the creation of innovative resources for teachers. In this paper, we present the design of this collaborative work, a process we designate “reverse engineering”, and analyse the development process of resources, focusing particularly on the emergence of new vocabulary and representation tools serving as mediators in the communication between teachers and researchers.
Settling in New Zealand’s Small Towns: Experiences of Minority Ethnic Immigrants
Authors: Alam Ashraful , Nel Etienne , Hill Douglas , Bulloch Hannah 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSmall town New Zealand has, in recent years, experienced an increasing number1 and diversity of immigrants, with visible yet under-researched impacts for less populated regions that historically have been dominated by Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent) and Māori populations. Using qualitative interviews with three ethnic sub-groups in the Clutha District and Southland Region—the Filipino, Samoan, and Malay communities—we investigate their experiences of settling in small towns. While there is considerable variation in the experiences and aspirations of these ethnic minorities, for each community we demonstrate how local and regional contextual factors shape life aspirations, support infrastructures and settlement trajectories. Particularly drawing upon informal networks and social capital immigrants mediate the considerable challenges they face. Our study also demonstrates the limitations of current policy support and initiatives. Indeed, while local authorities clearly have a significant role in creating the conditions for enabling immigrant settlement in small centres in Southland-Clutha, now the role of government services and community-based support also needs to be considered.
A Quality by Design Paradigm for Albumin-Based Nanoparticles: Formulation Optimization and Enhancement of the Antitumor Activity
Authors: Dawoud Marwa H. S. , Abdel-Daim Amira , Nour Mai S. , Sweed Nabila M. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Albumin nanoparticles are promising carriers for therapeutic agents, owing to their biocompatibility, safety, and versatility in fabrication. The formulation of albumin nanoparticles is highly affected by many product and process variables, resulting in a great variation in these nanoparticles. The aim of this work was to formulate and optimize albumin nanoparticles loaded with silymarin, as a model drug with low bioavailability, for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, using quality by design (QbD) approach.

Methods
A thorough risk assessment for albumin nanoparticles formulation was developed and a complete quality product profile was defined using the QbD approach. A D-optimal design was used to optimize the amount of albumin and drug, which significantly affected the particle size (PS) and the entrapment efficiency (EE%), which was further tested on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Results
A design space was constructed, with an optimized formula showing a PS of 135 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.09, an EE% of 88%, and a zeta potential of − 12.5 mV. The optimized formula (O1) with spherical particles, showed an extended-release rate as compared to free silymarin. Moreover, a pronounced anti-proliferation activity of O1 was observed on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 than the free drug. The flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle showed a significant suppression of the S-phase after treating the HepG2 cell with O1, but not with free silymarin.

Conclusion
Thus, a detailed QbD study has been conducted, with deep product and process understanding, and resulted in a successful formulation of silymarin albumin nanoparticles for the suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Torsion and bending loads on a ski-touring boot shell during uphill and downhill skiing
Authors: Zullo Giuseppe , Cibin Pierluigi , Petrone Nicola 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSki touring is an established winter activity that has experienced a recent increase in popularity. Differently to alpine skiing, skier gains altitude without lifts, thus equipment weight must be minimized. Nevertheless, structural properties of the equipment, such as ski boots, must be adequate to withstand skiing loads. Several studies provided data on flexural stiffness of alpine ski boots in bench and field tests. The present study focused on the torsional properties of ski-touring boots. Indeed, touring bindings design implies a higher torque transmission to the front piece which induces a torsional load throughout the shell. To conduct the study, we prepared a ski-touring boot with strain gage bridges, and we performed bench tests to determine the stiffness of the boot and the bridge sensitivity. We also positioned and calibrated strain gage bridges to measure bending load in the shell and axial load in the ski/walk lever placed between shell and cuff of the boot. Then, we conducted a field test measuring the loads during a ski-touring trip including ascent and descent. Bench tests evidenced linearity of the torsion sensor, and a variation of stiffness depending on dummy leg absence/presence and boot buckle setting. Field tests showed torque ranges of 17 Nm in climbing and of 27 Nm in skiing. Bending moment range on the boot shell was of 150 and 228 Nm, respectively. Maximum force on the ski/walk mechanism reached 570 N. Results could be useful to test ski-touring boot performances and to optimize their design.
Household resilience capacity and food security: evidence from Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Egamberdiev Bekhzod , Bobojonov Ihtiyor , Kuhn Lena , Glauben Thomas 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCommonly, resilience against external shocks is treated as a household or community capacity. Resiliency against food insecurity is of particular importance for rural household under the impression of recent price surges and supply chain disruptions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of household resilience capacity on food security outcomes in Kyrgyzstan, using individual, household and community datasets of the “Life in Kyrgyzstan” panel survey for several waves from 2011 to 2016. Firstly, a resilience capacity index to food insecurity was estimated through key determinants or pillars under the Resilience Index Measurement and Analysis (RIMA) II methodology, while latent analysis was used to classify shocks. The effect of resilience capacity on food security outcomes was estimated along an instrumental variable approach. Our results suggest that resilience capacity serves to improve food security status and decrease the proneness of households to suffering from food insecurity in the presence of shocks. Furthermore, the interaction between resilience capacity and shocks was included to explain whether the negative effect of the shocks is weakened by resilience. The findings confirm that resilience capacity is able to mitigate the adverse effects of shocks on food security outcomes; moreover, it is sufficient to resist a decline in food security. Following the large contributions of social safety nets and adaptive capacity to the resilience capacity index, policy efforts should be focused on increasing income generating capacity, networking, migration, and education level of households to strengthen resilience to food insecurity.
Processing and Characterization of Nano Silica and Iron Oxide Coated Silica Composites Extracted from Rice Hulls
Authors: Hanna S. B. , Mansour T. S. , Ajiba N. A. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study examined the effects of adding iron to rice hulls samples (RHs) on the thermal degradation to prepare nano silica and iron oxide-silica mixtures. Iron is precipitated in different amounts within the RH fibers (as hydroxide) by dipping them in a solution of different concentrations of acidic ferrous sulfate and then immersing it in a dilute ammonia solution. The dry RHs were fired at temperatures between 400 °C and 700 °C in a static or limited air atmosphere. Both weight loss and residual weight are determined to follow its thermal degradation. The products of the RH degradation of silica or iron oxide-silica mixtures were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface area, average particle size, and pore diameter of both products were determined. The chemical treatment of RHs before firing accelerates their thermal degradation and leads to obtaining firing products of high purity. Firing RHs in a limited air atmosphere increases thermal degradation and, at the same time, accelerates the catalyst effect of iron on its degradation. Under these conditions, silica and iron oxide bonded silica with an average particle size of 1.31 and 0.07 μm were obtained by firing treated RHs at 600 °C and 500 °C, respectively. Firing in a limited air atmosphere encourages CO2 to react with burned C to form CO, and iron as an accelerator for this reaction completes its degradation. In contrast, iron oxide remained in the ferrous state. Therefore, the bonding between iron and silica was complete.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Are Generated as Organic Contaminants Are Broken Down: SnO2-Doped Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites Are Investigated Under Visible Light Illumination for their Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Kaviyarasu K. , Elshikh Mohamed S , Almutairi Saeedah Musaed , Uthrakumar R. , Muthukumaran Azhaguchamy 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOur aim is to establish a more efficient and reliable method for the bio-fabrication of pure SnO2 and SnO2-doped graphene oxide nanocomposites through a green chelating agent called Moringa Oleifera extract by sol-gel method. A sintered SnO2-doped GO nanocomposite exhibited increased crystallinity and size with increasing temperature, as determined by XRD studies. An FTIR investigation shows that the SnO2-doped GO nanocomposite exhibits two distinct bands at 733 cm−1 and 438 cm−1 due to terminal oxygen vibrations, while samples treated with G-O-Sn-O exhibit bands at 733 cm−1 due to antisymmetric stretching. By increasing the SnO2 peak, SnO2 nanoparticle sizes decrease, which results in a broadened GO, as well as a reduced IR intensity. By SEM and EDAX, the size and morphology of SnO2-doped GO nanocomposites were clearly observed. It was calculated that the optical bandgap of SnO2-doped GO nanostructures is 4.48 eV. It has been demonstrated that SnO2-doped GO nanocomposite can be used as an organic photocatalyst against organic pollutants methyl orange (MO) dye; despite its fast charge recombination when illuminated with visible light, these findings have been reported in detail.
Exosomes and circular RNAs: promising partners in hepatocellular carcinoma from bench to bedside
Authors: Hu Mengyuan , Li Xue , Jiang Zhenluo , Xia Qing , Hu Yaoren , Guo Junming , Fu Liyun 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality, and a low 5-year survival rate. Exploring the potential molecular mechanisms, finding diagnostic biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity, and determining new therapeutic targets for HCC are urgently needed. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to play a key role in the occurrence and development of HCC, while exosomes play an important role in intercellular communication; thus, the combination of circRNAs and exosomes may have inestimable potential in early diagnosis and curative therapy. Previous studies have shown that exosomes can transfer circRNAs from normal or abnormal cells to surrounding or distant cells; thereafter, circRNAs influence target cells. This review summarizes the recent progress regarding the roles of exosomal circRNAs in the diagnosis, prognosis, occurrence and development and immune checkpoint inhibitor and tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance of HCC to provide inspiration for further research.
Analysis of the life cycle environmental impact reductions of remanufactured turbochargers
Authors: Lee Jong-Hyo , Kang Hong-Yoon , Kim Young-Woon , Hwang Yong Woo , Kwon Soon-Gil , Park Hee-Won , Choi Ji-Woo , Choi Hwan-Ho 
Published: May 2023

AbstractRecently, remanufacturing approach/technology, which includes a series of the processes of disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, repairing/reconditioning, reassembling components for resale, is becoming more popular as companies look for a way to combat the current climate crisis, and as it allows companies to reduce environmental impacts and to save energy and resources. This study analyzed the reduction effect of six environmental impacts and the savings effect of energy and resources by turbocharger remanufacturing compared to its newly manufacturing using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results show that the most significant benefit of the turbocharger remanufacturing related to environmental impacts was the global warming potential (GWP), which could be reduced by 52.2%, followed by the abiotic depletion potential (ADP), terrestrial ecotoxicity potential (TETP), human toxicity potential (HTP), freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity potential (FAETP) and marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (MAETP) which could be reduced by 51.9%, 44.8%, 44.2%, 42.6%, and 36.7%, respectively. Also, its resource saving could be obtained from 21.7 to 73.5% depending on the type of resources. Furthermore, turbocharger remanufacturing offered a significant energy saving of 83.9%. The results obtained from this study could be used for national policy-making to a net-zero carbon transition.
Tri-Rotor Propeller Design Concept, Optimization and Analysis of the Lift Efficiency During Hovering
Authors: Piancastelli L. , Sali M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study introduces the simulation of a tri-rotor contra-rotating propeller for thrust force and hover lift efficiency during vertical take-off. Vertical take-off or landing is a method used by many aircraft and makes the vehicle more convenient and easier to use. The second rotor revolved in the opposite direction of the first and third rotors. The proposed multi-rotor system has NACA 0012 untwisted and symmetric airfoil and includes three rotors with two blades for each. The airflow analysis was optimized with computational fluid dynamics simulation by using different pitch combinations to achieve the highest hover lift efficiency with sufficient overall thrust value. The critical angle of attack for the chosen airfoil gave the boundary conditions for the pitch of rotors. The results showed us that the most efficient combinations for three rotors work better with an increase of pitch angle from top to bottom so that there is a difference of at least two degrees between propellers. Experiments with angles of attack within the boundary conditions showed that the blade combinations starting from three degrees and increasing values gave positive and adequate results in many cases. In addition, the results showed that a regular increase in the angle of attack does not relate to a regular increment in thrust force.
Assisted Reproductive Techniques and Risk of Congenital Heart Diseases in Children: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Gullo Giuseppe , Scaglione Marco , Laganà Antonio Simone , Perino Antonio , Andrisani Alessandra , Chiantera Vito , Cucinella Gaspare , Gitas Georgios , Barra Fabio , Riemma Gaetano 
Published: May 2023

AbstractInfertility is a growing phenomenon and leads to an increased use of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). In recent years, concerns about the safety of these procedures emerged and ARTs were hypothesized to be a risk factor for developing congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in offspring. Our aim is to investigate the association between ART and CHD, specifying results according to various subtypes of defects. We performed a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched from January 2011 to May 2022. Data about incidence of CHD in ART were tabulated and extracted from all the studies included. Twenty-four studies were included. Pooled incidence of CHDs after IVF pregnancies was 3% (95% CI 0.3–0.4; I2 = 99%), decreasing to 1% (95% CI 0.00–0.01; I2 = 93%) for major CHDs only. An increased risk of CHDs, especially minor (i.e., not requiring surgical correction), seems to occur in ART compared with non-ART pregnancies [RR 1.71 (95% CI 1.25–2.34; I2 = 99%)]. For major CHDs, not enough evidence is available to assess the real risk. Moreover, some confounding factors (i.e., maternal age and male infertility) seem to play a critical role to determine an increased risk of CHDs. Conflicting results emerged among the studies, setting the need for further research to validate the actual evidence and state the real risk of CHD following ART pregnancies.