bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
X-ray computed tomography and aggregate image system (AIMS) for studying hot mix asphalt and aggregates
Authors: Álvarez Lugo Allex E. , Arámbula Mercado Edith , Caro Spinel Silvia 
Published: August 2022

Achieving reliable pavement design, durable roadway structures and effective maintenance and rehabilitation plans requires the suitable characterisation of the materials used in pavement construction. This paper describes two nondestructive techniques based on image acquisition and analysis and their successful application in pavement engineering: X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) and aggregate imaging system (AIMS). The former has been used for characterising the internal structure of asphalt mixes to analyse and model their performance; it has been particularly used for studying the content, size, distribution and connectivity of air-voids and these variables’ relationship with moisture damage susceptibility, capillarity and permeability within the mixes. AIMS was intended for characterising aggregates’ morphological properties (i.e., form, angularity and texture). This technique provides important advantages regarding the standard methods used for obtaining the same aggregate properties: it is objective, reliable, reproducible and can be carried out quickly. This paper was aimed at describing these two techniques’ theoretical backgrounds, mention some recent applications and provide insight into how existing characterisation of materials used in pavement construction can be improved.
Simulating vulnerability functions and seismic damage probability matrix for reinforced concrete frame buildings
Authors: Maldonado Rondón Esperanza , Gómez Araujo Iván Dario , Chio Cho Gustavo 
Published: August 2022

This paper outlines vulnerability functions and seismic damage probability matrixes being constructed for reinforced concrete frame buildings. These functions and matrixes were based on simulation techniques and experts’ opinion. The proposed functions and matrixes relate a building’s vulnerability to the level of damage which might be incurred, depending on an earthquake’s motion. Vulnerability was defined by estimating an index proposed by expert opinion. Damage was defined by means of a da
mage index depending on nonlinear static analysis. Simulation techniques were used for constructing hypothetical buildings and thereby to building the functions and matrixes. Such buildings represented the typical characteristics of Colombian cities’ reinforced concrete frame system (Bucaramanga for example). A set of tools was made for constructing and applying these functions and matrixes, allowing us to determine the level of seismic damage by using the buildings’ characteristics for specific seismic action.
Falling film reactor for methyl ester sulphonation with gaseous sulphur trioxide
Authors: Torres Ortega Jesús Alfonso , Díaz  Aldana Luís Alejandro , Sánchez Castellanos Francisco José 
Published: August 2022

A set of experiments was carried out for validating a 40 cm long and ½ inch diameter sulphonation falling film reactor for the sulphonation of hydrogenated palm stearine-derived dodecylbenzene (DDB) and methyl esters (ME) compared to oleumderived gaseous SO3. Volumetric titration was used for determining the percentages of sulphonated (active) matter, sulphuric acid content and unsulphonated oil by petroleum ether extraction. The reactor's functionality was tested in the conditions reported by Gutiérrez et al., for DDB sulphonation. The falling film reactor analysis techniques applied to sulphonated DDB in the scale bank reactor were thus validated in Universidad Nacional de Colombia's Chemical Engineering Department Laboratory with the involvement of the Química Básica Colombiana Company (LIQ, Caloto, Cauca, Colombia). The influence of different process variables on the sulphonation of a mixture of methyl esters was then evaluated. The results obtained in the sulphonator were adjusted to empirical equations using multiple linear regression; these expressions showed the direct effect on sulphonation of variables such as SO3/ME molar ratio, SO3 concentration in gas flow and ME mass flow.
Web text corpus extraction system for linguistic tasks
Authors: Cadavid Rengifo Héctor Fabio , Gómez Perdomo Jonatan 
Published: August 2022

Internet content, used as text corpus for natural language learning, offers important characteristics for such task, like its huge volume, being permanently up-to-date with linguistic variants and having low time and resource costs regarding the traditional way that text is built for natural language machine learning tasks. This paper describes a system for the automatic extraction of large bodies of text from the Internet as a valuable tool for such learning tasks. A concurrent programming-based, hardware-use optimisation strategy significantly improving extraction performance is also presented. The strategies incorporated into the system for maximising hardware resource exploitation, thereby reducing extraction time are presented, as are extendibility (supporting digital-content formats) and adaptability (regarding how the system cleanses content for obtaining pure natural language samples). The experimental results obtained after processing one of the biggest Spanish domains on the internet, are presented (i.e. es.wikipedia.org). Such results are used for presenting initial conclusions about the validity and applicability of corpus directly extracted from Internet as morphological or syntactical learning input.
Evaluation of repeated sprint test protocols used in soccer with a global positioning system
Authors: Kaya Kaan , Gürol Barış 
Published: August 2022

Background and Study Aim. The aim of the research is to evaluate the 7x34.2 m Repeated Straight Sprint Test (RSST) and 7x34.2 m Repeated Change of Direction Sprint Test (RCST), which are used for improvement, measurement, and evaluation of repeated sprint ability, by using Global Positioning System (GPS).
Material and Methods. Twenty-two professional soccer players participated in the research voluntarily. Internal and external load data were examined comparatively by using data as before and after the repeated sprint tests. External load data measured by 10 Hz GPS.
Results. When the findings of the research are examined, it is seen that values of blood lactate concentrations which are taken after three and five minutes of the RCST are significantly higher than RSST protocol (p < 0.001***, p = 0.042*, respectively). In the study, the value of lactate which is taken five minutes after the RSST was measured as 9.60 ± 2.65 mM, while the value which is taken three minutes after RCST was measured as 9.75 ± 2.51 mM. Nevertheless, whereas there was a difference between the two tests in terms of lactate values, no significant difference was found in terms of perceived exertion.
Conclusions. As a conclusion, according to the analyzes made after the RCST and RSST, we can say that the internal and external load performances of the athletes were very different. It has been observed that coaches, athletes, and practitioners can use two different test protocols for different objectives according to the purposes they set.
Effect of Physical Exertion on the effect of physical exertion on the concentration of copper and blood pressure in athletesn the Concentration of Copper and Blood Pressure in Athletes
Authors: Shalaby Mohammed N. , Sakoury Mona M.A. , Akl Haitham F.M. , Hassan Rasha H.A. , Ababtain Hana A.S. , Alghamdi Ahmad 
Published: August 2022

Background and Study Aim. Several mineral elements are necessary for the athlete's body, which significantly impact the development of sports achievements because of their active role in bringing internal balance to the athlete's body. The study aims to determine the concentration of copper in the blood before and after the implementation of physical exertion at a level of 180 pulse/min on middle-distance runners.
Material and Methods. Twelve athletes who are team members at Egyptian clubs were chosen deliberately as a research sample. The study participants were at the end of their special preparation. The experiment was conducted between July 12, 2021, and July 14, 2021, on the research sample, resting after exerting physical effort by running on a treadmill at a speed of 10 km / h. The runner continued at this speed for 3 minutes, after which the device's speed increased by 2 km / h every minute until reaching a heart rate of 180 pulse/ min.
Results. The mineral differences in the copper element are attributed to the immediate induced by physical exertion by increasing the copper element in the blood within the normal level. This causes many changes and responses within the body cells. The copper element plays a significant role in oxidation and reduction processes via enzymes that require the copper element to produce energy in the cells and tissues due to the body's exposure to physical exertion. Athletes' exposure to physical exertion causes copper-dependent enzymes to produce energy in cells and tissues due to the element's requirement.
Conclusions. Copper affected the physical effort of middle-distance runners at a heart rate of 180 pulse/min. In addition, Middle-distance runners' blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) was affected by the physical exertion at a heart rate of 180 rpm.
CRYAB reduces cigarette smoke-induced inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress by retarding PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways in human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Xie Shiliang , Wang Xiaofeng 
Published: September 2022

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a familiar airway disease characterized by chronic immune response in the lungs. More and more evidences have assured that cigarette smoking is the primary reason for the progression of COPD, but its related regulatory mechanism requires further clarification. The α-B-crystallin (CRYAB) has been identified to exhibit vital functions in different diseases, and is down-regulated in the alveoli of mice mediated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE).
Methods: The messenger RNA expression of CRYAB was assessed by reverse transcription--quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The proteins’ expressions were tested using Western blot method. The cytotoxicity was measured by lactate dehydrogenase assay. The levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were assessed through enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay (ELISA).
Results: In this study, it was discovered that the expression of CRYAB was markedly decreased with the increased time of cigarette smoking. Moreover, CRYAB overexpression increased cell viability and decreased cell apoptosis induced by cigarette smoke. In addition, the strengthened oxidative stress and inflammation mediated by CSE treatment was relieved after overexpression of CRYAB. Eventually, results OF Western blot method confirmed that CRYAB retarded the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–Ak strain transforming (PI3K–Akt) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways.
Conclusion: Our results manifested that CRYAB reduced cigarette smoke-induced inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in normal and diseased bronchial epithelial (NHBE) and human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells by suppressing PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways, which highlighted the functioning of CRYAB in preventing or treating COPD.
Crocin ameliorates peritoneal fibrosis in rat induced by peritoneal dialysis via Wnt5a/β-Catenin pathway
Authors: Lu Jingyuan , Shi Danye , Zhao Xinhui , Xi Minhui , Qi Hualin , He Qiang 
Published: September 2022

Peritoneal dialysis is used in the treatment of patients with kidney diseases. Long-term peritoneal dialysis could result in peritoneal fibrosis and recurrent peritonitis, thus leading to failure of ultrafiltration. Crocin is a bioactive carotenoid and isolated from stigma of Crocus sativus, and ameliorates pulmonary and myocardial fibrosis. The role of crocin in peritoneal fibrosis was assessed. Firstly, rats model with peritoneal dialysis was treated with 4.25% peritoneal dialysate. Results showed that injection with peritoneal dialysate induced obvious hyperplasia and increased thickness in peritoneum structure. Rats with peritoneal dialysis were injected with increasing concentrations of crocin at 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg. Crocin ameliorated the pathological changes in the peritoneum of peritoneal dialysate-induced rats. Secondly, crocin attenuated peritoneal dialysate-induced decrease of E-cadherin, increase of fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen I. Moreover, crocin enhanced ultrafiltration volume and reduced glucose transport in rats model with peritoneal dialysis. Thirdly, crocin also reduced levels of Interleukin (IL)-1β, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF –α), and IL-6 in peritoneal tissues of rats model with peritoneal dialysis. Lastly, protein expression of Wnt5a and β-Catenin in rats model with peritoneal dialysis were also downregulated by crocin. In conclusion, crocin exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects on rats model with peritoneal dialysis through inactivation of Wnt5a/β-Catenin pathway.
THE MECHANISMS OF FORMATION OF FOAM GLASS STRUCTURE AS AN EFFECTIVE INSULATOR FOR ENCLOSING STRUCTURES IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES
Authors: KRASNYUK A. V. , HROMOVA O. V. , SHCHERBAK A. S. , ZIBROV I. F. 
Published: September 2022

Purpose. The article considers the processes of formation of foam glass as insulation, obtaining different types of glass by using different gas generators and modifying additives. Production processes and technological methods for obtaining foam glass products to increase the energy efficiency of buildings and structures in modern architectural design are considered. Methodology. Resource-saving technologies for the production of foam glass in industrial conditions, namely one-stage and two-stage methods of production of foam glass products have been studied. The most effective method of production of foam glass of optimum structure and low density is chosen. The optimal chemical compositions of glasses are determined, according to which the optimal structure and physical and mechanical properties of foam glass for industrial production are formed. Findings. The analysis of different types of gas generators is carried out, their advantages and disadvantages are investigated. It has been established that glass containing sulfur trioxide always gives the highest quality and most homogeneous foam glass, and since SO3 is the cheapest oxidant, its use is appropriate in the production of foam glass. It is established that the higher the fineness of grinding and the purer the carbon will be used, the less it will be needed, and the better will be the appearance of foam glass and lower density and thermophysical properties. Developed modified foam glass based on glass and fly ash has higher compressive strength and lower thermal conductivity compared to foam glass without the use of modifiers, at the same density, and can be recommended for implementation in production by two-stage technology. Originality. The development of research on the formation of the optimal structure, composition and improved physical and mechanical properties of foam glass, made with the use of structure modifiers in the form of fly ash and plasticizers by effervescent industrial technology. Practical value. The results of the work allow in industrial conditions to obtain foam glass of optimal structure, composition and with physical and mechanical properties that meet the energy efficiency requirements of modern buildings and structures. As a result of the conducted researches products from the modified foam glass with the following characteristics were developed: density – 160 … 220 kg/m3; thermal conductivity – 0.055 … 0.074 W/(mK); water absorption – 1.95 … 2.43 % (volume); compressive strength – 1.5 … 2.1 MPa.
CALL Project-Based Program to Enhance Student-Teachers’ TEFL Skills
Authors: Milad Marine 
Published: September 2022

Students-teachers are students who study to become Teaching English as a Foreign language (TEFL) teachers. They receive teaching trainings, observe certified teachers’ teachings performance, and do some supervised teaching practices in EFL classrooms for the elementary and secondary stages. The current study aims at presenting a supplementary program to support a practical course on methods of teaching English as a foreign language for the elementary stage. The supplementary program has been developed by the researcher to enhance Arab Open University (AOU) student-teachers’ skills of teaching listening, speaking, reading, writing, and vocabulary for elementary stage pupils through a language project that focuses on instilling social values in these young pupils. This was mainly done with samples of practical examples, interactive discussions and tasks of practical nature posted on Learning Management System (LMS) following Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) methodology in accordance with the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) of the course. The study has adopted the Constructoactive Model developed by Sahakian and Ghoneim (2007) to promote pupils’ knowledge of different methods of teaching English as a foreign language and to familiarize young pupils with good social values and their related vocabulary items. In addition, the supplementary program has adopted Stoller's (1997) model for developing project work. The model has proved to be helpful in promoting the student-teachers’ performance in teaching different language skills, writing lesson plans and giving demo class presentations for the developed lesson plans by using PowerPoint/Prezi presentations, open-source video/audio links and a number of software programs (such as Kahoot, Quizlet, and Grammarly).
The Syntactic Argumentation of the Word / le: š / in Jordanian Arabic
Authors: Qaisiya Fatima M. Al , Qaisiya Maha M. Al 
Published: September 2022

This study aims at investigating the syntactic status of the word /le:š / in question formation in Jordanian Arabic (JA). It is argued that this word has two syntactic functions in JA questions. The first of which is that it works as interrogative operator, meaning ‘why’, which moved to the [Spec C] position in one type of wh-question. However, the second role of this word is found in other types of questions, wh-questions and yes-no questions. In these types of questions /le:š/ is realized as an interrogative complementiser formed within the C position and giving the interrogative force for the question. To this end, empirical evidence is given and discussed to distinguish between the two syntactic representations of this word especially in ambiguous cases of having two different types of questions sharing the same surface structure.
Characteristics of Seismogenic Structures and 3D Stress State of the Delaware Basin of West Texas as Constrained by Earthquake Source Mechanisms
Authors: Huang Guo-chin Dino , Horne Elizabeth , Kavoura Florentia , Savvaidis Alexandros 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Seismicity in the Delaware basin is suggested to be associated with oilfield operations. To better characterize the seismogenic structures revealed by the induced seismicity, in this study we determined source mechanisms for the Delaware basin of Texas and leveraged the obtained source mechanisms to perform stress inversion for evaluating the region’s stress state. Based on the seismogenic patterns and seismicity distribution, we identified seven distinctive seismogenic zones. Within each zone, earthquakes form several parallel-trending linear clusters. Most notably, there is an observable change in the seismicity trend on either side of the basin-bisecting Grisham fault zone. In addition, the extent of hypocentral depths vary drastically across the fault zone, with events located below the basin–basement interface north of the fault zone and more shallowly to the south. We also see spatial variations of source mechanism patterns and the direction of the maximum horizontal stress across the Delaware basin. A vast majority of seismic moment release can be attributed to the basement-rooted tectonic faults in the Culberson–Mentone seismogenic zone. A statistic deficit present in the magnitude–frequency distribution suggests that earthquakes with Mw 3.8–4.7 are needed to fulfill this scaling law. It indicates a strong possibility for future occurrence of earthquakes within this magnitude range.
Gebelik Kolestazı Olan Kadınların Gebelik Deneyimlerinin İncelenmesi: Nitel Bir Çalışma
Authors: AYDIN Ruveyde 
Published: August 2022

Amaç: Gebelik kolestazı fetal ve maternal sağlığı olumsuz etkilemesi ve fetal mortalite riski açısından gebelikte görülebilen önemli bir sağlık problemidir. Bu araştırmada, gebelik kolestazı yaşayan kadınların yaşadığı deneyimlerin kendileri tarafından açıklaştırmaları amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Araştırma nitel araştırma tasarımında olup, gebelik kolestazı olan 12 kadının deneyimlerini anlamak için yapılmıştır. Veriler yarı yapılandırılmış bireysel görüşme formu kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Bu çalışmada CORE-Q rehberi temel alınmıştır.
Bulgular: Kadınların gebelik kolestazı deneyimleri olumsuz gebelik deneyimi, yaşam kalitesinde bozulma, prenatal bağlanma, gebelik planı ve baş etme yöntemleri olmak üzere beş ana tema ve sekiz alt tema altında incelenmiştir.
Sonuç: Gebelik kolestazı kadınların kaşınmasına neden olarak uyku problemi yaşamalarına, sosyal yaşamlarının bozulmasına, beden imajından memnuniyetsizliğe ve psikolojik problemlere neden olarak gebeliğin olumsuz deneyimlenmesine ve yaşam kalitesinin bozulmasına neden olmuştur. Ayrıca bebeğini kaybetme korkusu ya da bebeğin sağlığının olumsuz etkilenmesi düşüncesi prenatal bağlanmanın bozulmasına neden olmuştur. Sağlık profesyonelleri kolestazı olan gebelere kaşıntısını hafifletecek uygulamalar konuşunda bilgilendirme ve danışmanlık yapmalıdır.
Examination of the effects of reactive agility and planned change of direction skills on Self Defense techniques in private security and protection program students
Authors: Söyler Mehmet 
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study is investigate the impact of reactive agility, reaction-based planned change of direction training on the practice of self defence methods among students enrolled in the Private Security and Protection program of Vocational Schools. Twenty male volunteer students, 21.20±1.28 years, height 177.37±6.18 cm, weight 75.56±5.50 kg, voluntarily participated in the study. While the volunteer research group received reactive agility, response speed training for 2 hours 4 days a week for 8 weeks, the control group continued to receive self defence skills instruction as usual. Measurements of body composition Body analyzer Inbody 270 (Japan), reactive test Fitspeed (Turkey) gadget for measuring agility performance, as well as other agility planned change of direction tests Fusion Smart (Australia) with an integrated system of photocell doors, T Test digital integrated system stopwatch (Belgium), Reaction time Speed test was measured using a Performanz Spark test equipment (Turkey). The SPSS 22 software was utilized to analyze the data. First, the data distribution was evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk test, it was discovered that it did not have a normal distribution. Mann Whitney U Tests were used in this manner to find the difference between the pre-test and post-test results of the nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test across groups in order to determine the difference between the pre-post-test data within the group. The level of significance in the study was determined at p>0.05. According to the statistical analysis, the 8-week planned change of direction, reactive agility training improved the response speed, agility performance of the work group students (p>0.05).