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Background: Pigment Red 53 is a dangerous synthetic dye that is often added to cosmetics, even though its use in cosmetic products has been prohibited because of possible impacts on health. Faster and more sensitive detection of Pigment Red 53 is needed for onsite analysis to protect the community from illegal cosmetics that contain the dye. Indicator color charts are a kind of analytical method that can be used to detect Pigment Red 53 in cosmetic products, including lipstick, rouge, and eyeshadow. Such charts are practical, fast, and can be used for onsite analysis. Methods: In this study, an indicator for Pigment Red 53 detection was obtained through a reagent reaction that caused a specific color change. An indicator color chart was then produced by setting out in paper form the series of colors which resulted from the reaction of specific chemical reagents and Pigment Red 53 solutions at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 ppm. Results: The testing results showed that the indicator color chart may be used as an initial screening method for the detection of Pigment Red 53 in cosmetic products with a detectable minimum concentration of 10 ppm. Out of nine samples, only one (Eyeshadow 3) tested positive for Pigment Red 53. Further analysis was carried out on the indicator color chart and the results showed good agreement with TLC and UV–Vis spectrophotometry methods. Conclusion: The results reported in this paper demonstrate that the indicator color chart is a good prospective method for onsite analysis to detect Pigment Red 53 in cosmetic samples, with a lower detection limit compared to polymer‐based indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Control of the iron state in iron-containing pharmaceuticals. • Mössbauer spectroscopy of iron-containing pharmaceuticals. • The iron valence state and iron-containing contaminations in pharmaceuticals. Various iron-containing medicaments, vitamins and dietary supplements are used or developed for treatment and prevention of the iron deficiency anemia which is very dangerous for human and may cause various disorders. From the other hand, blood losses, iron poor diet, microelements (co-factors) deficiency, metabolic failures, absorption problems, etc. can change the iron status and affect the health. These pharmaceuticals contain iron compounds in the ferrous and ferric states. It is known that ferrous salts are more suitable for the intestinal intake than ferric ones. On the other hand, pharmaceutically important ferritin analogues contain ferric hydrous oxides and appear to be effective for both injections and peroral administration. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy is a unique physical technique which allows one to study various iron-containing materials including pharmaceuticals. Therefore, this technique was applied to study iron-containing pharmaceuticals for the analysis of the iron state, identification of ferric and ferrous compounds, revealing some structural peculiarities and for detection of aging processes in relation to the iron compounds. This review considers the main results of a long experience in the study of iron-containing pharmaceuticals by Mössbauer spectroscopy with critical analysis that may be useful for pharmacists, biochemists, biophysicists, and physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graduates of Master of Public Health programs may lack appropriate skills in data analysis, and would benefit from practice with research data. Datasets that contain health information relevant to student interests, and that are appropriate sizes for class use can be difficult to locate. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a study that collects both survey and health examination information from a national sample every 2 years. I present a sample of this dataset, with examples of how to use it for human health related questions. Instructions for how to access and create additional, customized datasets are also provided. Instructors may consider investigating this rich data source and providing students with subsets of these data for class assignments, projects and master's theses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes up Nietzsche's contrast between a relatively enduring 'drama' of punishment, which consists in sequences of procedures, and a congeries of often discrepant meanings and purposes of the drama and contrasts it favorably with the distinction between a definition of punishment and a justification for it which received a good deal of attention in the middle of the twentieth century in anglophone philosophical circles. My chief thesis is that the philosophical lesson to be drawn from the widely acknowledge failure of efforts to further the philosophical understanding of punishment by the latter route is Nietzsche's: that the concept in question and the practices that fall under it are fundamentally insusceptible to ahistorical methods. I argue for the thesis proper in the first section of the paper, and explore consequences of it for our understanding of the connection between punishment and justice in the second. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Control of blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requires timely screening and treatment within 48–72 h. Anticipating that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic would disrupt ROP services, we devised strategies ''on-the''-go"" to ameliorate this possiblity. We describe the successful outcomes of this approach in preventing infant blindness during the pandemic. Data on the number of preemies recruited, screened and treated in the Karnataka Internet-assisted Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity (KIDROP) program were collected in a retrospective (2019, interval 1) – prospective (2020, interval 2) manner. We summarize 10 key strategies that were developed as we faced logistic, operational and implementation challenges. These included pragmatic methods of enhancing enrolment, transporting for screening and ensuring timely treatment in the outreach. The total number of ROP screening sessions was 20,598 (7,197 new) and 14,371 (5,773 new) during interval 1 and 2 respectively. Of these, 166 (2.3%) and 157 (2.7%) infants required treatment during interval 1 and 2 respectively. All infants needing treatment during the COVID period, were treated on time which was possible due to successful implementation of the 'on-the-go' strategies throughout the state of Karnataka. The fiscal equivalent of the blindness prevented during this period is USD 15.6 million. The greater decline in the number of ROP screening episodes in neonatal units in government hospitals was because several were converted to 'COVID only" hospitals. KIDROP's multi-zonal, decentralized strategy, which uses non-physician-based imaging in a telemedicine network, ensured that essential ROP services continued even during the lockdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkylresorcinols (ARs) are natural bioactive ingredients produced by: bacteria, fungi, sponges, and higher plants, possessing a lipophilic polyphenol structure with a myriad of biological properties. Focusing on the importance of ARs, several analogs can be extracted from different natural resources. Interestingly, the composition of ARs is usually reflective of their source, with structural differences to exist among ARs isolated from different natural sources. The identified compounds from marine are distinguished by sulfur atom and disulfide bond, while the alkyl chain of bacterial homologs are recognized for their saturated fatty acid chains. ARs occurrence in fungi is still poorly documented however most of the isolated fungal molecules are characterized by a sugar unit attached to their alkylated side chains. The biosynthetic pathway of ARs is postulated via a type III polyketide synthase in which the fatty-acyl chain is elongated and cyclized to generate ARs. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) has gained an increasing interest to mediate for ARs biological activities as discussed herein for the first time from their different resources. ARs extraction procedures showed much progress compared to classical methods compiling organic solvents with supercritical extraction appearing as a potential technique for producing highly purified food-grade of AR homologs. The current review also presents on the rapid qualitative and quantitative determination of ARs to increase accessibility for screening cereals as potential sources of these bioactives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The area of the brain affected by a brain tumour can be identified using the tumour's shape, size, location, and border. This study seeks to develop a novel system of classification for brain tumours through pre-processing, segmentation, feature extraction, and tumour classification. An improved median filter will be applied to the input image in this initial phase to improve it. In this step, the image is segmented using a U-net model. Then, characteristics based on the Median Binary Pattern (MBP), the loop, the modified Local Gabor Directional Pattern (LGDiP), and the tumour size are retrieved. A hybrid model that fuses DBN and Bi-LSTM is presented to classify cancers. The optimal weights for both classifiers will be tuned during training to improve the classification performance. For this, BMEBEO (Blue Monkey Extended Bald Eagle Optimization) is proposed, which is a hybrid optimization technique. The suggested model obtains the maximum F-measure of 96.16%%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suction stress is one of the most significant factors affecting the serviceability and stability of soil structures. This study presents a framework for analyzing the stability of geosynthetic reinforced soil (GRS) walls and slopes under unsaturated conditions. An analytical formulation of suction stress-based effective stress was implemented into a limit equilibrium solution, namely, the top-down procedure. The developed framework enables the prediction of the tensile load distribution and connection load between the reinforcement and wall face considering the pullout resistance of reinforcements in GRS walls backfilled with granular and marginal soils under unsaturated conditions. The applicability of the framework was demonstrated by providing an illustrative example followed by three series of parametric studies to understand the effects of pore size distribution, air entry pressure, and infiltration rate on the performance of an unsaturated GRS wall. The results quantify the impact of suction, showing that as it increases, the maximum tensile loads and connection loads decrease while pullout resistance increases. Mostly affected by the suction effect are upper reinforcement layers, where combined effects of reduced tensile load and increased pullout resistance decrease connection load and reinforcement length requirements. The current study strongly discourages counting on the contribution of suction for the design of new GRS walls. The suction value cannot be accurately and reliably determined for the entire lifespan of the GRS wall, and it may decrease or diminish in an uncontrolled and random manner under infiltration. However, by quantifying the effect of suction, the proposed framework in this study provides a valuable tool for analysis purposes, enabling a rigorous interpretation of field-measured reinforcement loads during wall service as well as evaluation of the forensics of failed GRS walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a prototype approach, we assessed people’s lay conceptions of intuition and analysis. Open-ended descriptions of intuition and analysis were generated by participants (Study 1) and resulting exemplars were sorted into features subsequently rated in centrality by independent participants (Study 2). Feature centrality was validated by showing that participants were quicker and more accurate in classifying central (as compared to peripheral) features (Study 3). Centrality ratings suggested a single-factor structure describing analysis but revealed that participants held lay conceptions of intuition as involving two different types of processes: (1) as an automatic, affective, and non-logical processing, and (2) as a holistic processing that can assist in problem-solving. Additional analyses showed that the centrality ratings of intuition’s facets were predicted by participants’ self-reported intuitive style, suggesting intuition is differently perceived by intuitive and non-intuitive people. We discuss the implications of these results for the study of intuition and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyurethane (PU) is a type of polymer, which exists in various forms in the environment. Very few studies are available concerning the structure or enzymatic mechanism of the microbial community, which can degrade PU. Degradation of PU remains a difficult problem with respect to the environmental and biological disciplines. This study mainly focused on identifying the micro-organisms able to degrade polyurethane and confirming the degradation by performing a plate assay, Sturm test and scanning electron microscopy. Optimal culture conditions for maximum PU degradation were also analyzed through classical methods. A soil burial test was conducted by placing polyurethane films in the soil for one month, and the microbe growing on the surface of polyurethane films—with a maximum degradation of 55%—was isolated and identified as Aspergillus versicolor (ARF5). The culture medium was also optimized with different physical and chemical parameters for maximum PU degradation. The presence of CO2 as a by-product of PU biodegradation was confirmed through the Sturm test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contains research on the development of a fault-tolerant six-phase synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) based on the stator adopted from a general-purpose three-phase induction motor. In the design and calculation process, an extended Clarke transformation was developed for a six-phase asymmetrical system. To verify the proposed design approach, a field–circuit model of electromagnetic phenomena in the studied motor was developed and used to study the motor performance. The increased torque value and reduction in torque ripples were confirmed by comparison to the classical three-phase SynRM design. To illustrate fault tolerance capabilities, the operation of the studied three- and six-phase synchronous reluctance motors under inverter-fault conditions was examined. The conducted analysis shows, among other things, that from the electromagnetic performance point of view, only the proposed six-phase machine is able to properly operate under inverter-fault conditions. The results of the winding design calculations, the performed simulations of six-phase motor operation, and the preliminary tests of the prototype motor are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solute-transport parameters are usually determined by fitting solute-transport models to measured solute breakthrough curves (BTCs). But due to different initial and boundary conditions and approximations, the solute-transport models perform with different accuracy levels, making it difficult to select the most appropriate one for a particular type of breakthrough experiment. This study evaluated the performances of four commonly used solute-transport models and two methods by analyzing the BTCs of 81 pulse-type breakthrough experiments with an inert solute (CaCl2) in three different soil-types and identified their strengths and weaknesses. The employed models were: the equilibrium (EQ) and non-equilibrium (NEQ) models of the CXTFIT codes, and analytical solutions of Lapidus and Amundson (LA) and Lindstrom and coauthors (LI), while the two methods were: the method of moments (MOM), and transfer-function (TF) method, the latter still remains less studied. The MOM accurately determined mean velocity (V) and travel time () of the solute but poorly determined its mass-dispersion number (N), dispersion coefficient (D), and dispersivity (); note that, for inert solutes, V is identical to the mean pore-water velocity. The NEQ model always provided inconsistent solute-transport parameters, while the LA and LI models sometimes provided inconsistent parameters; all three models suffered from the problems of convergence during the fitting process. The EQ model and the TF method resulted in the consistent solute-transport parameters, with the latter method performing better. The results of this study will guide to select appropriate model/method to determine reliable solute-transport parameters from pulse-type solute-transport experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metagenomic sequence analysis of the fermentation broth of three fermentation batches of kombucha was carried out, and the database was used for comparison. It was found that there were mainly Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Weisseria sinusosus, Lactobacillus fermentatum, Lactobacillus pentosus, Weisseria fused, Lactobacillus reuteri, Nebulococci citronicum, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lococci lactate and other bacteria with probiotic function in the fermentation broth of tea fungus. A total of 76 512 functional genes were annotated by metagenomes, among which the most functional genes were annotated by metabolic processes. Most of the strains annotated by these metabolic pathways were probiotic strains, which were mainly involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, citric acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, glycolysis and so on related to carbohydrate metabolism. The metabolic pathways of alanine, aspartate and glutamate, glycine, serine and threonine are mainly related to amino acid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, solving the problems of choosing a strategy for managing the process of oil deposits development with fractured-porous reservoirs is associated with a number of difficulties due to changes in the filtration and capacitance characteristics of the formations along the section and area, the presence of nonequilibrium effects, insufficient geological and field information, and the complexity of technological processes of offshore oil production etc. In this regard, increasing attention is being paid to the use of methods that make it possible to analyze the processes occurring in formation systems by processing indirect but accessible information, for example, flow rates of individual wells, production from areas and horizons, etc. The article discusses the problems of diagnosing the state of development of oil deposits with fractured-porous reservoirs and the principles of process regulation based on the cybernetic approach to the analysis of geological field information by an indirect method, such as analysis of the Gini coefficient. The Gini coefficient is used in economics to measure inequality in the distribution of a society's total income and the standard of living of different segments of the population. By analogy, it was used to determine the inequality in the distribution of oil and water withdrawals among the wells of the field under consideration during different periods of development. It has been established that the use of the Gini coefficient when interpreting geological and field information significantly increases the reliability of diagnosing the current state of the development process, which allows timely to make decisions on regulating the technological process. Based on a dynamic approach to the analysis of geological and field data, the article proposes principles for managing the development process of a fractured-porous reservoir of the oil field in question. The proposed analysis method for managing the process of developing oil deposits with fractured-porous reservoirs had good adaptation in the process of developing the field in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to investigate the frequency of conical-shaped shells, consisting of different materials, based on higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT). The shells are of non-uniform thickness, consisting of two to six symmetric cross-ply layers. Simply supported boundary conditions were used to analyse the frequency of conical-shaped shells. The differential equations, consisting of displacement and rotational functions, were approximated using spline approximation. A generalised eigenvalue problem was obtained and solved numerically for an eigenfrequency parameter and associated eigenvector of spline coefficients. The frequency of shells was analysed by varying the geometric parameters such as length of shell, cone angle, node number in circumference direction and number of layers, as well as three thickness variations such as linear, sinusoidal and exponential. It was also evident that by varying geometrical parameters, the mechanical parameters such as stress, moment and shear resultants were affected. Research results concluded that for three different thickness variations, as the number of layers of conical shells increases, the frequency values decrease. Moreover, by varying length ratios and cone angles, shells with variable thickness had lower frequency values compared to shells of constant thickness. The numerical results obtained were verified through the already existing literature. It is evident that the present results are very close to the already existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to develop a CT-based method for quantifying tracheal shape and evaluating its ability to distinguish between cases with or without tracheal invasion in patients with thyroid carcinoma. Methods: A total of 116 quantitative shape features, including 56 geometric moments and 60 bounding shape features, were defined. The tracheal lumen was semi-automatically defined with a CT threshold of less than − 500 HU. Three contiguous slices with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd smallest trachea lumen areas were contiguously selected, and the appropriate number of slices to be included was determined. Fifty-six patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) invading the trachea and 22 patients with DTC but without invasion were retrospectively included. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to select the representative shape features and determine the optimal threshold. Results: 23.3%, 25.9%, and 24.1% of the features displayed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) ≥ 0.800 when derived from 1, 2, and 3 slices, respectively. Calculating feature values from two slices with the 1st and 2nd smallest tracheal lumen area were considered appropriate. Six final features, including 3 geometric moments and 3 bounding shape features, were selected to determine the tracheal invasion status of DTC and displayed AUCs of 0.875–0.918, accuracies of 0.821–0.891, sensitivities of 0.813–0.893, and specificities of 0.818–0.932, outperforming the visual evaluation results. Conclusions: Geometric moments and bounding shape features can quantify the tracheal shape and are reliable for identifying DTC tracheal invasion. The selected features quantified the extent of tracheal deformity in DTC patients with and without tracheal invasion. Clinical relevance statement: Six geometric features provide a non-invasive, semi-automated evaluation of the tracheal invasion status of thyroid cancer. Key Points: • A novel method for quantifying tracheal shape using 56 geometric moments and 60 bounding shape features was developed. • Six features identify tracheal invasion by thyroid carcinoma. • The selected features quantified the extent of tracheal deformity in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients with and without tracheal invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work-sampling method makes it possible to gain valuable insights into what is happening in production systems. Work sampling is a process used to estimate the proportion of shift time that workers (or machines) spend on different activities (within productive work or losses). It is estimated based on enough random observations of activities over a selected period. When workplace operations do not have short cycle times or high repetition rates, the use of such a statistical technique is necessary because the labor sampling data can provide information that can be used to set standards. The work-sampling procedure is well standardized, but additional contributions are possible when evaluating the observations. In this paper, we present our contribution to improving the decision-making process based on work-sampling data. We introduce a correlation comparison of the measured hourly shares of all activities in pairs to check whether there are mutual connections or to uncover hidden connections between activities. The results allow for easier decision-making (conclusions) regarding the influence of the selected activities on the triggering of the others. With the additional calculation method, we can uncover behavioral patterns that would have been overlooked with the basic method. This leads to improved efficiency and productivity of the production system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study focused on the DNA polymerase β (POLB) gene, which belongs to the DNA polymerase X family involved in DNA replication, repair, recombination, and cell cycle regulation. POLB was identified as a muscle development-related gene through gene screening and gene expression analysis methods. Further validation in bovine primary myocytes showed that overexpression of POLB promoted apoptosis, while gene knockdown had no significant effect. Analysis of related genes revealed that POLB overexpression affected the expression of the CASP9 gene, which is involved in the apoptotic pathway. DNA polymerase β (DNA polymerase beta (POLB)) belongs to a member of the DNA polymerase X family, mainly involved in various biological metabolic processes, such as eukaryotic DNA replication, DNA damage repair, gene recombination, and cell cycle regulation. In this study, the muscle development-related gene POLB was screened by selection signature and RNA-seq analysis and then validated for the proliferation and apoptosis of bovine primary myocytes. It was also found that overexpression of the POLB gene had a pro-apoptosis effect, but interfering with the expression of the gene had no significant effect on cells. Then, the analysis of related apoptotic genes revealed that POLB overexpression affected CASP9 gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric rivers (ARs) serve a narrow, filamentary channels responsible for intense moisture and heat transport, which are vital for the Arctic sea ice loss and surface air warming, particularly in winter. In this study, ERA5 reanalysis data from 1979 to 2020 are used to investigate the evolution of ARs in the Arctic and the corresponding atmospheric circulation patterns in winter. Our findings indicate that atmospheric circulation is a key factor that facilitates the transport and dispersion of ARs. Cyclonic circulation anomalies provide the dynamical support for ARs in the early development stages, while anticyclonic anomalies are essential for maintaining the thermal and moisture conditions of ARs, particularly after their intrusions into the Arctic region. The cooperation between cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies plays a critical role in the infiltration and dispersion of ARs, governed by distinct circulation modes for regional intrusions. A positive Arctic Oscillation‐like pattern manifests as a cyclonic system over the Arctic, increasing the likelihood of AR intrusion into Baffin Bay. Conversely, a negative pattern induces a more intense anticyclonic system over the Arctic, thereby raising the frequency of ARs in the Bering Strait. The Pacific‐North American pattern not only directly affects ARs entering the Arctic via the Pacific but also has downstream impacts on ARs intruding the Arctic through Baffin Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is more accurate than two-dimensional (2D) MRE; however, it requires long-term acquisition. This study aimed to reduce the acquisition time of abdominal 3D MRE using a new sample interval modulation (short-SLIM) approach that can acquire all three motions faster while reducing the prolongation of echo time and flow compensation. To this end, two types of phantom studies and an in vivo test of the liver in three healthy volunteers were performed to compare the performances of conventional spin-echo echo-planar (SE-EPI) MRE, conventional SLIM and short-SLIM. One phantom study measured the mean amplitude and shear modulus within the overall region of a homogeneous phantom by changing the mechanical vibration power to assess the robustness to the lowered phase-to-noise ratio in short-SLIM. The other measured the mean shear modulus in the stiff and background materials of a phantom with an embedded stiffer rod to assess the performance of short-SLIM for complex wave patterns with wave interference. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to assess similarity of elastograms in the rod-embedded phantom and liver between methods. The results of the phantom study changing the vibration power indicated that there was little difference between conventional MRE and short-SLIM. Moreover, the elastogram pattern and the mean shear modulus in the rod-embedded phantom in conventional SLIM and short-SLIM did not change for conventional MRE; the liver test also showed a small difference between the acquisition techniques. This study demonstrates that short-SLIM can provide MRE results comparable to those of conventional MRE. Short-SLIM can reduce the total acquisition time by a factor of 2.25 compared to conventional 3D MRE time, leading to an improvement in the accuracy of shear modulus estimation by suppressing the patient movements. • A new approach to MRE acquisition and processing for fast abdominal 3D elastic imaging. • Technique to reduce the acquisition time of 3D abdominal MRE by a factor of 2.25. • Improvement of accuracy of stiffness estimation by suppressing patient movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Facial cutaneous sporotrichosis presents with diverse clinical manifestations, often leading to misdiagnosis.This study aims to present the clinical characteristics of five misdiagnosed cases of facial cutaneous sporotrichosis, aiming to enhance understanding of this disease and prevent misdiagnosis and mistreatment.Clinical data, histopathology, and fungal culture results of these five cases were comprehensively analyzed.Among these five patients, three presented with lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis, while two had the fixed cutaneous type. Due to misdiagnosis, initial treatments were ineffective for all patients. Upon histopathological examination and fungal culture confirming sporotrichosis, treatment with itraconazole for 3 months led to complete resolution of lesions. While one patient experienced a relapse due to noncompliance with the prescribed medication.Facial sporotrichosis, with its diverse clinical manifestations and obscure trauma history, is prone to misdiagnosis. Timely and thorough examinations are crucial for precise diagnosis and management. Itraconazole treatment demonstrated notable efficacy, and patient compliance is also essential for favorable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used biochemical analysis methods to determine and compare the conventional nutritional composition, amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral element composition and content of the muscles of three breeding populations of Pseudo⁃ crococcheilus bamaensis (Fang), providing reference for the development and utilization of germplasm resources of Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang). The results showed that there was no significant difference in crude protein content in the muscles of the three breeding populations of Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang), but the crude fat content of the Wuming District population was significantly higher than that of the Xixiangtang district population, and the water content was significantly lower than that of the Xixiangtang district population (P< 0.05). The crude fat and crude protein content of Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang) in each population were higher than those of grass carp, Furui carp, Jifu tilapia, and loach. The EAA/NEAA values in the muscles of the three breeding populations of Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang) are between 0.75 and 0.8, and the EAA/TAA is about 40%. The AAS, CS, and EAAI indicators of Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang) in the Wuming District population are higher than those of the other two breeding populations. The contents of unsaturated fat fatty acids and highly unsaturated fat acids in the muscles of three breeding populations of Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang) were not significantly different (P> 0.05), and the Σn-3/Σn-6PUFA ratio is much higher than the recommended FAO/WHO ratio. To sum up, the protein content in the muscle of the three breeding Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang) populations is high, the amino acid content and composition are reasonable, the unsaturated fat acid content is very rich, so Pseudocrococcheilus bamaensis (Fang) is a high-quality freshwater economic fish. The flavor and nutritional value of the muscle of the population in Wuming District is better than that of other populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for robust yet lightweight materials has exponentially increased in several engineering applications. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing technology have the ability to meet this demand at a fraction of the cost compared with traditional manufacturing techniques. By using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF) technique, objects can be 3D-printed with complex designs and patterns using cost-effective, biodegradable, and sustainable thermoplastic polymer filaments such as polylactic acid (PLA). This study aims to provide results to guide users in selecting the optimal printing and testing parameters for additively manufactured/3D-printed components. This study was designed using the Taguchi method and grey relational analysis. Compressive test results on nine similarly patterned samples suggest that cuboid gyroid-structured samples perform the best under compression and retain more mechanical strength than the other tested triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures. A printing speed of 40 mm/s, relative density of 60%, and cell size of 3.17 mm were the best choice of input parameters within the tested ranges to provide the optimal performance of a sample that experiences greater force or energy to compress until failure. The ninth experiment on the above-mentioned conditions improved the yield strength by 16.9%, the compression modulus by 34.8%, and energy absorption by 29.5% when compared with the second-best performance, which was obtained in the third experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the manufacturing uncertainties at a 60 GHz millimeter-wave band for the monolithic hybrid microwave integrated circuits (MHMIC) fabrication process. It specifically deals with the implementation tolerances of thin-film gold microstrip transmission lines, titanium oxide thin-layer resistors, microstrip quarter-wavelength radial stubs, and active device implementation using the gold-bonding ribbons. The impacts of these manufacturing tolerances are assessed and experimentally quantified through prototyped MHMIC circuits. This allows us, on one hand, to identify the acceptable amount of dimensional variation enabling reasonable performances. On the other hand, it aims to establish a relationship between the manufacturing tolerances and the circuit parameters to provide more flexibility for the tolerance compensation and accuracy enhancement of the MHMIC fabrication processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosthetic hands have the potential to replace human hands. Using prosthetic hands can help patients with hand loss to complete the necessary daily living actions. This paper studies the design of a bionic, compact, low-cost, and lightweight 3D printing humanoid hand. The five fingers are underactuated, with a total of 9 degrees of freedom. In the design of an underactuated hand, it is a basic element composed of an actuator, spring, rope, and guide system. A single actuator is providing power for five fingers. And the dynamic simulation is carried out to calculate the motion trajectory effect. In this paper, the driving structure of the ultrasonic motor was designed, and the structural size of the ultrasonic motor vibrator was determined by modal and transient simulation analysis, which replace the traditional brake, realize the lightweight design of prosthetic hand, improve the motion accuracy and optimize the driving performance of prosthetic hand. By replacing traditional actuators with new types of actuators, lightweight design of prosthetic hands can be achieved, improving motion accuracy and optimizing the driving performance of prosthetic hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Environmental factors significantly impact the quality of school open spaces, creating small-scale collective areas that can positively influence student health. Among these factors, thermal health is crucial in promoting well-being. This study aimed to investigate the influence of Sky View Factor (SVF) on physiological and mental thermal health of secondary school girls in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: A quantitative structural research method was applied in this study. Physical health assessment was conducted using Standard Effective Temperature (SET) and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) models based on ASHRAE55 and ISO7730 standards. Mental Thermal Health was calculated using Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD) models with Fanger equation. Digital thermometer, thermo-hygrometer, and anemometer Testo were used to collect temperature, humidity, and wind data on the 15th day of April until June 2022. Additionally, the radiation temperature was determined using Energy Plus v8/7. SVF for each station was determined through spherical photography with Nikon Coolpix 4500 camera. Thermal health simulations were carried out using Raymanv1.2. The correlation between SVF and thermal health values was examined using SPSS version 26. Results: Among the six stations, Station 3 had the highest SVF (0/853) and was the warmest, while Station 2 had the lowest SVF (0/442) and was the coolest throughout the studied period. As SVF decreased, both physiological and mental thermal health values increased. Conclusions: Resting areas near shady trees showed reduced SVF and improved students' thermal health. Moreover, our results indicated that the impact of SVF on physiological thermal health was more significant than mental thermal health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on Hector‐Neri Castañeda's significant contributions to metaphilosophy. In his 1980 work, On Philosophical Method, Castañeda articulates a unique perspective, characterizing philosophy as fundamentally a dia‐philosophical activity. By asserting the supremacy of synthesis over analysis within the metaphilosophical hierarchy, his account provides a purely theoretical defense of philosophical pluralism devoid of any relativistic inclinations. Despite Castañeda's enduring influence and profound impact on ongoing discussions in ontology, logic, and the philosophy of language, his metaphilosophical insights have largely been neglected. In the context of today's increasingly diverse philosophical landscape, this paper posits that Castañeda's pluralist metaphilosophy retains substantial theoretical relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The vulnerable perioperative period is prone to the development of a heterogeneous group of conditions characterised by abnormal electrical activity in the heart, termed as cardiac dysrhythmias. Aim: To determine the incidence of dysrhythmias in the perioperative period, identify predisposing factors, evaluate the effect of anaesthesia, analyse haemodynamic consequences, and document the treatment provided. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study involving 9666 adult patients undergoing non cardiac surgery was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, Maharsahtra, India from January 2012 to December 2013. Parameters studied included preoperative clinical data (history, examination, and relevant investigations), type of anaesthesia, occurrence of dysrhythmias, and clinical outcomes of persistent dysrhythmias or those requiring treatment. Data was collected prospectively and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 15.0. Results: The overall incidence of dysrhythmias was 1.2%. Consistent factors included age over 40 years (68.1%), male gender (52.59%), gastrointestinal and orthopaedic procedures (65.5%), preoperative hypertension (25%), and patients receiving general anaesthesia (61.2%). Most patients were classified as American Soceity of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class-I and II (93.97%) and underwent elective surgery (61.21%). The majority (81.89%) of dysrhythmias occurred intraoperatively and were ventricular in origin (68.97%). Unstable haemodynamic conditions [Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) <90 mmHg, Heart Rate (HR) <50/min and/or Ventricular Premature Contraction (VPCs) >5/min or multifocal VPCs)] were observed in 56.9% of patients. Of patients with ventricular dysrhythmias, 57% exhibited unstable haemodynamics. Treatment was provided to 84.48% of patients, with 74.14% responding positively, leading to the termination of dysrhythmias. Anticholinergics were used in 40.52% of treatment modalities. The majority of dysrhythmias were transient 80 (68.9%) patients, and 83 of patients had a favourable outcome. Unfortunately, 5 (6.9%) of patients could not be revived, with three patients 3 (2.5%) succumbing in the operating room. Mortality was not directly linked to the dysrhythmia but was due to underlying causes. Conclusion: Transient intraoperative ventricular cardiac dysrhythmias are common in adult patients undergoing noncardiac surgeries. Therefore, it is crucial to identify highrisk patients, analyse contributing factors, and promptly correct issues under expert medical guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles, especially gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have emerged as promising tools for biomedical applications due to their unique properties and ability to be functionalized. However, quantitative analysis of biomolecules conjugated to nanoparticles remains a challenge. Here we report a method to conjugate a synthetic hybrid‐type N‐glycan to GNPs and quantitatively analyze the glycan content. The glycan was first conjugated to N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)‐ester activated GNPs and confirmed qualitatively by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and flow cytometry. The glycan conjugated‐GNPs were then treated with neuraminidase to release terminal sialic acid from the glycan, which was labeled with 1,2‐diamino‐4,5‐methylenedioxybenzene and quantitatively analyzed by Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). The amount of the sialic acid released was equivalent to the glycan content on GNPs. This method enabled a precise quantification of glycans conjugated to gold nanoparticles and should facilitate its biomedical applications, including studies of multivalent receptor‐glycan interaction, cell targeting and sorting, and immunization. Overall, this work provides an effective approach to synthesize and characterize nanoparticles conjugates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiological image analysis using machine learning has been extensively applied to enhance biopsy diagnosis accuracy and assist radiologists with precise cures. With improvements in the medical industry and its technology, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems have been essential in detecting early cancer signs in patients that could not be observed physically, exclusive of introducing errors. CAD is a detection system that combines artificially intelligent techniques with image processing applications thru computer vision. Several manual procedures are reported in state of the art for cancer diagnosis. Still, they are costly, time-consuming and diagnose cancer in late stages such as CT scans, radiography, and MRI scan. In this research, numerous state-of-the-art approaches on multi-organs detection using clinical practices are evaluated, such as cancer, neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular and abdominal imaging. Additionally, numerous sound approaches are clustered together and their results are assessed and compared on benchmark datasets. Standard metrics such as accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and false-positive rate are employed to check the validity of the current models reported in the literature. Finally, existing issues are highlighted and possible directions for future work are also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical hyponatremia guidelines, protocols and flowcharts are a convenient means for clinicians to quickly establish an etiological diagnosis for hyponatremia, and facilitate its often complex analysis. Unfortunately, they often erroneously attribute multifactorial hyponatremia to a single cause, which is potentially dangerous. In this manuscript, a novel criterion is proposed to quickly determine the physiological relevance of non‐osmotic arginine vasopressin (AVP) release, and to add nuance to hyponatremia analysis. While analyzing hypotonic hyponatremia, it is imperative to not only verify whether or not a certain degree of inappropriate AVP release is present, but also to ascertain whether it—in itself—could sufficiently explain the observed hyponatremia, as these two are not always synonymous. Using well‐known concepts from renal physiology to combine the electrolyte‐free water balance and solute‐free water balance, a novel physiological criterion is derived mathematically to easily distinguish three common hyponatremia scenarios, and to further elucidate the underlying etiology. The derived criterion can hopefully facilitate the clinician's and physiologist's interpretation of plasma and urine parameters in a patient presenting with hyponatremia, and warn against the important clinical pitfall of attributing hyponatremia too readily to a single cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, pollution levels have increased to dangerous levels in several Indian cities. These levels are posing a severe threat to human's health. Using the data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the current work focuses on highlighting the primary air pollutants in various regions such as Visakhapatnam (VSK), Hyderabad (HYD), Amaravati (AMV), and Tirupati (TPTY). Data from the Zoo Park area were used to study the location of HYD. Sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter with particles less than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5), particulate matter with particles less than 10 µm in diameter (PM10), and ozone (O3) are the air pollutants used for analysis in this work. An attempt was made to research the meteorological factors that contribute to the rising levels of air pollution between 2019 and 2022. Wind speed (WS), temperature (TEMP), relative humidity (RHUM), rainfall (RF), and solar radiation (SR) are the meteorological variables used in the analysis. The prediction of PM2.5 and PM10 was done using artificial neural network (NN) method. The NN method's outcomes show strong correlation in the forecasting of air pollution across four locations. The VSK station exhibited a high correlation of 91.29%, whereas TPTY station had a low correlation of 82.1%, based on CPCB PM2.5 observation and NN technique. The VSK station revealed a high correlation of 90.30%, whereas TPTY station had a low correlation of 81.61%, based on CPCB PM10 observation and NN technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of the statistical values of wear of brake pads in operation, based on which a wear model was developed, is presented in this paper. This model can be used for predicting the remaining service life of brake pads according to the wagon mileage. The distribution function of wear on the upper and lower parts of the pad was determined, which made it possible to find the main qualitative characteristics, namely, the wear intensity, the γ-percentage wear, and the average pad wear at a specified wagon mileage. The results of the study can be factored for solving complex engineering problems of excessive wear of composite brake pads used for freight rolling stock; they could also help to extend the guaranteed overhaul period and improve the railway traffic safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, computed tomography (CT) is used for risk profiling of (asymptomatic) individuals by calculating coronary artery calcium scores. Although this score is a strong predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events, this method has limitations. Sodium [18F]fluoride (Na[18F]F) positron emission tomography (PET) has shown promise as an early marker for atherosclerotic progression. However, evidence on Na[18F]F as a marker for high‐risk plaques is limited, particularly on its presentation in clinical PET/CT. Besides, the relationship between microcalcifications visualized by Na[18F]F PET and macrocalcifications detectable on CT is unknown. Purpose: To establish a match/mismatch score in the aorta between macrocalcified plaque content on CT and microcalcification Na[18F]F PET uptake. Methods: Na[18F]F‐PET/CT scans acquired in our centre in 2019–2020 were retrospectively collected. The aorta of each low‐dose CT was manually segmented. Background measurements were placed in the superior vena cava. The vertebrae were automatically segmented using an open‐source convolutional neural network, dilated with 10 mm, and subtracted from the aortic mask. Per patient, calcium and Na[18F]F‐hotspot masks were retrieved using an in‐house developed algorithm. Three match/mismatch analyses were performed: a population analysis, a per slice analysis, and an overlap score. To generate a population image of calcium and Na[18F]F hotspot distribution, all aortic masks were aligned. Then, a heatmap of calcium HU and Na[18F]F‐uptake on the surface was obtained by outward projection of HU and uptake values from the centerline. In each slice of the aortic wall of each patient, the calcium mass score and target‐to‐bloodpool ratios (TBR) were calculated within the calcium masks, in the aortic wall except the calcium masks, and in the aortic wall in slices without calcium. For the overlap score, three volumes were identified in the calcium and Na[18F]F masks: volume of PET (PET+/CT‐), volume of CT (PET‐/CT+), and overlapping volumes (PET+/CT+). A Spearman's correlation analysis with Bonferroni correction was performed on the population image, assessing the correlation between all HU and Na[18F]F vertex values. In the per slice analysis, a paired Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to compare TBR values within each slice, while an ANOVA with post‐hoc Kruskal–Wallis test was employed to compare TBR values between slices. p‐values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: In total, 186 Na[18F]F‐PET/CT scans were included. A moderate positive exponential correlation was observed between total aortic calcium mass and total aortic TBR (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation (r = 0.77, p < 0.0001) was observed between CT values and Na[18F]F values on the population image. Significantly higher TBR values were found outside calcium masks than inside calcium masks (p < 0.0001). TBR values in slices where no calcium was present, were significantly lower compared with outside calcium and inside calcium (both p < 0.0001). On average, only 3.7% of the mask volumes were overlapping. Conclusions: Na[18F]F‐uptake in the aorta behaves similarly to macrocalcification detectable on CT. Na[18F]F‐uptake values are also moderately correlated to calcium mass scores (match). Higher uptake values were found just outside macrocalcification masks instead of inside the macrocalcification masks (mismatch). Also, only a small percentage of the Na[18F]F‐uptake volumes overlapped with the calcium volumes (mismatch). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The consumption of alcohol-based hand sanitizers has increased significantly after the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Despite the conclusion of the health emergency declared by the WHO in 2023, the habit of sanitizing hands with ethanol-based gel sanitizers has been globally adopted by the population. Since general methods described in official compendia for ethanol determination such as gas chromatography or distillation are laborious and not-specific to carbomer-containing gels, this work proposes an alternative method based on digital image colorimetry. Method: The digital image (provided by ethanol-phenolphthalein reaction) was captured and transformed into an analytical signal based on the Red-Green-Blue system. The image acquisitions were performed using a Samsung Galaxy J6 smartphone, and the signals were generated using the Photometrix Pro® free program. The method was validated in accordance with ICH and applied in commercial samples. Additionally, the proposed method was evaluated for its environmental impact using the Green Analytical Process Index (GAPI) tool. Pictograms were generated using the ComplexGAPI® free program. Results: Green channel exhibited a linear response in the calibration curves for ethanol concentrations ranging from 5 to 40 % (w/w) in acidic medium. The method showed linearity, precision, accuracy, and robustness. Conclusions: The proposed method presented as main advantages the use of low-cost and easy-to-handle devices and reduced reagent consumption, in accordance with green analytical chemistry principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maskwio'mi (Mi'kmaw language for "oil made from birch bark") is a traditional topical skin medicine of the Mi'kmaq people of Atlantic Canada and is produced in a torrefaction process by heating birch bark (Betula papyrifera, paper birch) inside a metal container in a fire. The resulting viscous, oily mixture is traditionally mixed with goose fat or bear grease to create a topical salve that is subsequently applied to affected skin areas. When birch bark is exposed to high temperatures, pyrolytic chemical processes produce a complex mixture of pharmacologically active compounds, including potentially harmful side products such as ortho-, meta-, and para-cresol. This study discusses the qualitative and quantitative GC-MS analysis of cresols found in maskwio'mi and the challenges of the complex organic matrix. Using caffeine as an internal standard, ortho-, meta-, and para-cresol in birch bark extract were determined to be in the approximate order of 50–1500 ppm range with 3.24 ± 0.09 × 102 ng mg−1 (324 ppm), 8.7 ± 1.0 × 102 ng mg−1 (87 ppm), and 12.4 ± 1.6 × 102 ng mg−1 (1240 ppm), respectively, and thus suitable by Health Canada and FDA cosmetics regulation standards when the extract is co-formulated in creams to concentrations of 0.1–5 wt.% for topical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes to the emerging literature on the employee work passion appraisal (EWPA) model, by replicating structural equation modeling across three samples (total n = 4,613). We examine passion for work as a mediator of employees' work environment characteristics and work intentions. Our data fit the structure of the EWPA model in three samples. As expected, work environment characteristics were strongly and positively correlated with harmonious passion, but contrary to our expectations, work environment characteristics were moderately and positively correlated with obsessive passion. Harmonious passion was positively correlated with work intentions, but the connection between obsessive passion and work intentions yielded mixed results. The overall results support harmonious passion, and less so obsessive passion, as partial mediators of employees' perceptions of their work environment characteristics and favorable work intentions. This study has limitations in that it uses a cross-sectional, single-source, self-report design. Practical implications of the study are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue of the Journal Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences on the topic of Modelling, Analysis, and Applications is devoted to the development of mathematical modelling, analysis, and applications, from theoretical and numerical perspectives, involving different applied sciences and engineering. It collects invited contributions, from selected quality full papers submitted to the International Conference on Mathematical Analysis and Applications in Science and Engineering (ICMA2SC2022). The conference took place in Porto, Portugal in 27–29 June 2022 (https://www.isep.ipp.pt/Page/ViewPage/ICMASC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music is ubiquitous in our everyday lives, and lyrics play an integral role when we listen to music. The complex relationships between lyrical content, its temporal evolution over the last decades, and genre-specific variations, however, are yet to be fully understood. In this work, we investigate the dynamics of English lyrics of Western, popular music over five decades and five genres, using a wide set of lyrics descriptors, including lyrical complexity, structure, emotion, and popularity. We find that pop music lyrics have become simpler and easier to comprehend over time: not only does the lexical complexity of lyrics decrease (for instance, captured by vocabulary richness or readability of lyrics), but we also observe that the structural complexity (for instance, the repetitiveness of lyrics) has decreased. In addition, we confirm previous analyses showing that the emotion described by lyrics has become more negative and that lyrics have become more personal over the last five decades. Finally, a comparison of lyrics view counts and listening counts shows that when it comes to the listeners' interest in lyrics, for instance, rock fans mostly enjoy lyrics from older songs; country fans are more interested in new songs' lyrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel hydroxy benzothiazole based yellow fluorescent powder (labelled as 2‐SiO2) was prepared by adsorption of 2 on silica (4 % w/w) for visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) and glove prints using powder dusting method. The solid‐state spectrum of 2‐SiO2 shows emission peak at 550 nm with CIE‐1931 coordinates (x,y ${x,y}$) of 0.42, 0.50 and yellow colour purity is 58.6 %. The high fluorescence of 2 in the solid‐state could be attributed to AIE+ESIPT features. Due to high fluorescence (ϕ=0.422) ${(\varphi{} =0.422)}$ of 2‐SiO2 (4 % w/w) powder, fluorescence imaging of LFPs on a variety of porous and non‐porous substrates including glove prints, up to levels 1–3, without any post‐treatment has been achieved. The 2‐SiO2 showed strong interaction with D‐Glucose, urea and lactate components present in sweat. The practical applications of 2‐SiO2 powder have been demonstrated by analysis of LFPs, development of LFPs at different temperatures; aged, stained fingerprints and preservation of developed fingerprints for documentation purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This technical note reviews the plethora of concentration units used to report blood‐alcohol concentration (BAC) and breath‐alcohol concentrations (BrAC) for legal purposes in different countries. The choice of units sometimes causes confusion when scientific papers originating from a certain country might be introduced into evidence via expert testimony, such as when alcohol‐related crimes are prosecuted. The concentration units are also important to consider when blood/breath ratios (BBRs) of alcohol are calculated and compared between countries. Statutory BAC limits for driving in most nations are reported in mass/volume (m/v) units, such as g/100 mL (g%) in the United States, mg/100 mL (mg%) in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, or g/L (mg/mL) in many EU nations. By contrast, Germany and the Nordic countries report BAC as mass/mass (m/m) units, hence g/kg or mg/g, which are ~5.5% lower than m/v units, because whole blood has an average density of 1.055 g/mL. There are historical reasons for reporting BAC in mass/mass units because the aliquots of blood analyzed were measured by weight rather than volume. The difference between m/m and m/v is also important in postmortem toxicology, such as when distribution ratios of ethanol between blood and other biological specimens, such as urine, vitreous humor, and cerebrospinal fluid, are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Methods Main Contribution Conclusion What this paper adds What is already known on this subject What this paper adds to existing knowledge What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? It is important to capture a comprehensive language profile from speakers with aphasia. One way to do this is to evaluate spoken discourse, which is language beyond a single simple clause used for a specific purpose. While the historical trend in aphasiology has been to capture performance during isolated language tasks, such as confrontation naming, there is a demonstrated need and benefit to collecting language information from tasks that resemble everyday communication. As a result, there has been an increase in discourse analysis research over time. However, despite clinicians’ and researchers’ desire to analyse spoken discourse, they are faced with critical barriers that inhibit implementation.To use scoping review methodology to identify transcription‐less tools developed to analyse discourse from individuals with aphasia. The review addressed the following question: ‘What transcription‐less tools and analysis procedures are available to assess discourse in people with aphasia?’ and included several sub‐questions to further characterise the type of discourse and tool being used, participants on whom the tool was used to rate discourse abilities, tool users (raters), and psychometric properties.The scoping review was conducted between the months of October 2022 and January 2023, concluding 30 January 2023, on PubMed/NCBI, Academic Search Complete and Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts. Major inclusion parameters included peer‐reviewed papers written in English; that the tool was used to analyse discourse elicited by individuals with acquired aphasia; and that the tool was not a part of a standardised battery or assessment. Perceptual discourse analysis was defined as any analysis which primarily relied on listener impressions and did not numerically quantify specific language behaviours. ‘Transcription‐less’ analysis was defined as any discourse analysis which did not require a written record of the discourse sample in order to be completed. A total of 396 abstracts were screened and 39 full articles were reviewed, yielding 21 papers that were included in the review.An overview of the state of transcription‐less tools for aphasic discourse analysis is provided, and next steps are identified to facilitate increased implementation of discourse analysis in clinical and research settings.Transcription‐less tools have many benefits for analysing multiple levels (e.g., linguistic, propositional, macrostructural, pragmatic) of discourse, but require more research to establish sound psychometric properties and to explore the implementation of these tools in clinical settings. Individuals with aphasia prioritise treatment outcomes at the discourse level such as being able to engage in conversations with friends and family about important topics and participating in social and leisure activities. However, discourse is rarely used as a treatment outcome measure in clinical practice due to multiple barriers. When speech‐language pathologists do assess discourse, they often make perceptual judgements without transcribing the discourse sample. Transcription‐less analysis procedures may improve clinical implementation of discourse assessment, which would better match treatment outcome measurement to clients’ desired outcomes. However, little is known about the current state of transcription‐less discourse analysis, blocking progress. This study provides an overview of currently available transcription‐less discourse analysis procedures that are not part of published standardised aphasia assessments. Transcription‐less measures are available to evaluate discourse at all levels (i.e., lexical, propositional, macro‐structural/planning, and pragmatic) and most measures include items that assess discourse abilities across multiple levels. Additionally, there are transcription‐less measures available for both structured (e.g., picture scene description) and spontaneous (e.g., conversation) discourse tasks. However, current transcription‐less procedures are lacking psychometric data including information about validity and reliability. Transcription‐less analysis methods may provide an avenue for increased implementation of discourse measurement into clinical practice. Further research is needed to determine the clinical utility of transcription‐less discourse analysis to better monitor clients’ desired treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the work of air conditioners for new powerful cars, the author created a heat pump air conditioner with various functions, such as cooling and heating passengers, cooling and preheating the battery, defogging, defrosting, and PTC heating. Developed basic components of AC heat pumps such as scroll compressor model, running condenser model, combined evaporator model, plate evaporator extended valve model, and radial basis function neural network model for predicting compressor volumetric efficiency and isentropic efficiency. The accuracy of the gas-flow, gas-flow, and plate evaporator simulation model was verified. The maximum error between the experimental and simulated values of compressor power, heat exchanger, and system COP in various operating models is 0.34~10.09, which is consistent with the experimental results. correct and can be used for ventilation pump research. Also, an operational simulation analysis platform was used to analyze the performance of the heat pump and study the system characteristics. It is clear that this system provides more warmth to the occupants in the defrost mode, and current research on the operation of the air conditioning pump is based on the first law of thermodynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis sativa is one of the oldest plants utilized by humans for both economic and medical purposes. Although the use of cannabis started millennia ago in the Eastern hemisphere, its use has moved and flourished in the Western nations in more recent centuries. C. sativa is the source of psychoactive cannabinoids that are consumed as recreational drugs worldwide. The C21 aromatic hydrocarbons are restricted in their natural occurrence to cannabis (with a few exceptions). Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the main psychoactive component in cannabis, with many pharmacological effects and various approved medical applications. However, a wide range of side effects are associated with the use of Δ9-THC, limiting its medical use. In 1966, another psychoactive cannabinoid, Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) was isolated from marijuana grown in Maryland but in very low yield. Δ8-THC is gaining increased popularity due to its better stability and easier synthetic manufacturing procedures compared to Δ9-THC. The passing of the U.S. Farm Bill in 2018 led to an increase in the sale of Δ8-THC in the United States. The marketed products contain Δ8-THC from synthetic sources. In this review, methods of extraction, purification, and structure elucidation of Δ8-THC will be presented. The issue of whether Δ8-THC is a natural compound or an artifact will be discussed, and the different strategies for its chemical synthesis will be presented. Δ8-THC of synthetic origin is expected to contain some impurities due to residual amounts of starting materials and reagents, as well as side products of the reactions. The various methods of analysis and detection of impurities present in the marketed products will be discussed. The pharmacological effects of Δ8-THC, including its interaction with CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors in comparison with Δ9-THC, will be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the preservation approach chosen for a selected group of born-digital artworks connected to the web, here categorized under the term internet art. The three first cases that are part of the project Infrastructuur Duurzame Toegankelijkheid Digitale Kunst (Collaborative Infrastructure for Sustainable Access to Digital Art) researched by LIMA (a platform for media art based in Amsterdam) focused on how to analyse internet artworks. This case study-based research was conducted in collaboration with 16 collecting institutions based in The Netherlands. The growing number of internet artworks in collections has pushed the development of preservation initiatives that consider these works’ fleeting nature, a consequence of their technical build and time-sensitive characteristics. The project aims to produce and share knowledge for these artworks’ preservation and overall sustainability while making it available for other similar works. This paper addresses the research steps while assessing its rationale and utility. It starts by describing the case study and assesses how the methodology serves conservation standards. The paper documents an overall evaluation of methods and results, pointing out the applicability and practical relevance of this initiative, here evaluated with positive conclusions. This paper fits the project’s mission concerning knowledge sharing and raising awareness for the preservation of internet artworks and is authored by a short-term PhD fellow at LIMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the extraordinary and extensive journals of Naomi Nir, this two-part article describes her experience in analysis with two seminal figures in Jungian psychology: Erich Neumann and Emma Jung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data represents a compendium of information that perpetually expands with each passing moment, contributed by individuals worldwide. Within the domain of medical science, this reservoir of data accumulates at an almost exponential rate, doubling in volume annually. The emergence of advanced machine learning tools and techniques, subsequent to a substantial evolution in data mining strategies, has bestowed the capacity to glean insights and discern concealed patterns from vast datasets, thus enabling extensive analytical pursuits. This study delves into the application of machine learning algorithms to enhance societal well-being by harnessing the transformative potential of machine learning advancements in the domain of blood glucose concentration estimation through regression analysis. The culmination of this investigation involves establishing a correlation between glucose concentration and hematocrit volume. The dataset employed for this research is sourced from clinically validated electrochemical glucose sensors (commonly referred to as glucose strips). It encompasses diverse levels of both glucose concentration and hematocrit volume, the latter being furnished by an undisclosed source to ensure copyright compliance. This dataset comprises four distinct variables, and the aim of this research involves training the dataset using regression techniques to predict two of these variables. Our results indicate that when utilizing linear regression, the R2 score for GC is approximately 0.916, whereas for HV, it reaches around 0.537. In contrast, employing the support vector regressor yielded R2 scores of about 0.961 for GC and 0.506 for HV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues for three aspects of tolerance with respect to QCA research: tolerance with respect to different approaches to QCA; producing QCA research with tolerance (work that is resistant to criticism); and for QCA researchers to be clear about the tolerance of the solutions they present – especially in terms of calibration and truth table construction. Giving examples that are based on macrocomparative research, the paper organises its structure around how this approach would apply in terms of QCA research design, calibration, analysis, and interpretation, presenting the dilemmas that can result at each stage, along with the choices they require of researchers. It concludes by advocating for greater acceptance of different approaches to QCA ('perspectivalism') but also being clear about what researchers using it should expect from one another in producing high-quality research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate assessment of vitamin A in animal feed and tissues is vital for safeguarding animal well-being and ensuring high-quality nutritional feed. However, challenges in achieving precise results persist, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the influencing factors. This review delves into the historical progression of analytical techniques, from colorimetric assays and spectrophotometry to advanced chromatographic methods and non-destructive spectroscopic approaches. Factors influencing analytical precision are scrutinized, encompassing sample preparation, storage conditions, interfering substances, and human errors. The crucial role of quality control and standardized protocols in ensuring the reproducibility and reliability of results is emphasized. Moreover, this review highlights the need for tailored analytical approaches to account for the complexities of sample matrices and the significance of cutting-edge technologies, including on-site analysis and data science integration, in enhancing analytical precision. By acknowledging the challenges and prospects in vitamin A analysis, this paper provides insights for optimizing analytical methodologies and promoting animal welfare and product safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disinformation is currently one of Europe's greatest challenges. In the past years, the European continent in general and, more precisely, the European Union have been suffering from various disinformation campaigns: such as the one that led to Brexit; the parallel health and disinformation pandemic; or the hybrid propaganda strategy following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In this context, the death of Queen Elizabeth II of England has also been marked by disinformation practices that went viral throughout Europe. Therefore, this research aims to delve into the nature of disinformation regarding the death of the Queen in the timeframe between 8 and 22 September 2022, focusing in three European countries, namely Spain, the United Kingdom and France. For that purpose, the study is based on a content analysis of 76 publications published by fact-checking organisation, as well as open-ended surveys with specialised agents on disinformation. Overall, results show that social networks were the main platform through which misinformative content was disseminated, with Twitter occupying the first position- whereas other previous studies have shown the primacy of Facebook as a source of disinformation. The hoaxes, which generally included images, mainly responded to the typology of misleading and fabricated content established by Wardle (2017). Likewise, the main subject matter of the viral hoaxes was conspiracy theories, focusing on Elizabeth II as the main protagonist. Moreover, the frequency of hoax dissemination was significantly higher during the first week after the death of the monarch and responded to a transnational trend in which the spread of disinformation was adapted to national contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]