Occupied Areas Research Articles

The Effect of the Root Bark of Lycium chinense (Lycii Radicis Cortex) on Experimental Periodontitis and Alveolar Bone Loss in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Lycii Radicis Cortex (LRC), the dried root bark of Lycium chinese Mill., has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb in East Asia to treat fever and hyperhidrosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of LRC extract on ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and associated alveolar bone loss in rats. Twenty-four hours after ligation placement, LRC was orally administered once daily for 10 days. Firstly, LRC administration inhibited anaerobic bacterial proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration in gingival tissues. Additionally, LRC exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α. LRC treatment also downregulated mRNA expression of these inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Furthermore, LRC showed an antioxidant effect by decreasing the malondialdehyde level and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity in gingival tissues. Moreover, LRC effectively prevented the connective tissue degradation by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-8 expression and the loss of collagen-occupied areas in gingival tissues. LRC also decreased the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) ratio, as well as the number and occupied areas of osteoclasts on the alveolar bone surface, thereby inhibiting alveolar bone loss. In summary, these findings suggest that LRC is a promising medicinal herb for alleviating periodontitis and related alveolar bone loss through its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Energy efficient heating and ventilation of a factory hall by monitoring the indoor air climate

Background Different usage scenarios and design guidelines were considered when planning a factory building and its ventilation system. Accordingly, it often makes sense to analyze the actual operating conditions again during subsequent operations in order to optimally adapt the air supply to the respective conditions in terms of demand-responsive ventilation. The aim is to ensure good indoor air quality and thermal comfort while significantly reducing energy consumption. Methods For this purpose, in addition to the sensors in the building management system, approximately 120 wireless sensors were installed in the occupied areas to measure the air temperature, operating temperature, humidity, and CO2. In this way the spatial and temporal distributions of temperature, humidity, and CO2 in the hall were visualized and evaluated to reduce the volume flows of the ventilation systems. The recorded data and findings were used to optimize ventilation systems by gaining a deeper understanding of indoor air flow. Results As part of the investigation, a considerable reduction in the air volume flows and thus the required energy consumption of the air handling units was achieved while maintaining the same thermal comfort. It was shown that the temperature field and indoor air quality were not negatively affected by the change in the air volume flow over a wide range. Conclusions This was made possible by the well-designed ventilation system, which achieves a low-pulse, slightly stratified indoor airflow, and a structural envelope with very good thermal insulation.

You Shall Not Pass: The Pacific Oxygen Minimum Zone Creates a Boundary to Shortfin Mako Shark Distribution in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean

ABSTRACTAimShoaling of large oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) that form along eastern margins of the world's oceans can reduce habitat availability for some pelagic fishes. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that habitat compression caused by shoaling of the Pacific OMZ in tropical regions creates a boundary to the southern distribution of shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.LocationEastern North Pacific and Western North Atlantic oceans.MethodsWe compared environmental conditions between areas used by satellite‐tagged mako sharks in the Eastern North Pacific, encompassing the world's largest OMZ, to those used in the Western North Atlantic where no OMZ is present. In the Pacific we quantified the effects of temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) on depth use and tested if sharks spent less time in areas with strong habitat compression over the OMZ than expected by chance.ResultsThe southern distribution of sharks in the Pacific corresponded with the apex of OMZ shoaling in the North Equatorial Current. Sharks in the Atlantic occupied areas with warm surface temperatures (≥ 26°C) more often than the Pacific, and waters with these temperatures in the Atlantic had greater DO at depth. Sharks in the Pacific reduced time near the surface in warm temperatures and consistently avoided depths with low DO and spent less time in areas with strong habitat compression than expected by chance.Main ConclusionsThe combination of warm surface temperatures and shoaling of the OMZ creates a soft boundary to mako shark movements in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The expected expansion of OMZs due to climate change could have considerable impact on future distribution of mako sharks and other pelagic fish. As such, development of species distribution models to predict the effects of climate change on pelagic fish distributions should incorporate oxygen availability.

Design of ternary reversible Feynman and Toffoli gates in ternary quantum-dot cellular automata

The use of reversible logic gates leads to a reduction in energy loss in logic circuits by preventing information loss. New computing methods, such as quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA), have been offered by nanotechnology emerging with nanoelectronics to make more comprehensive logic circuits. In nanotechnology-based systems, some bits are erased when the system performs any computation, and this causes heat dissipation and energy loss in systems. Adder circuits are the basis of any arithmetic operation and one of the main parts of many circuits for creating complex hardware; therefore, the use of enhanced adder circuits leads to high performance in logic circuits. In irreversible logic, the energy that is transferred from the power supply to the circuit is converted into heat, and energy loss occurs. Power management plays a vital role in modern computational systems, and using ternary logic instead of previous technologies leads to better performance. The main purpose of our study is to design ternary quantum-dot cellular automata (TQCA) reversible logic gates based on ternary quantum-dot cellular technology. Reversible gates are the basis of creating a reversible circuit. In this paper, the Muthukrishnan-Stroud (M-S) gate, which is the basis of all other reversible ternary gates, is implemented in ternary QCA technology, and then, reversible ternary Feynman and Toffoli (C2NOT) gates are designed. More optimal adder circuits can be realized in three-valued technology using Feynman and Toffoli gates. The area, delay, and cell count of the proposed TQCA designs are compared with those of other related works, and the effect of fault on the designs in the presence of cell omission defect is determined. The occupied areas of the proposed Feynman and Toffoli gate designs are 0.069 μm2 and 0.073 μm2, respectively. Moreover, the fault tolerance levels of these TQCA gates are 77% and 92%, respectively.

Managing SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk in workplace COVID-19 outbreaks.

A Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) workplace outbreak is a risk to the health of workers and business continuity. To minimise this risk, companies have implemented risk management measures (RMMs) designed to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission within the workforce. The objective of this work was to gather insights into the application of RMMs in non-healthcare workplaces and to improve understanding of the practical barriers to their implementation. Data were collected using a pre-designed framework from 12 volunteer workplaces through discussions with staff responsible for site safety and during site visits to observe the RMMs and work processes. To evaluate ventilation effectiveness, measurements for carbon dioxide (CO2) were taken during the site visit and logged over an extended period in selected occupied areas. RMMs that were implemented well included working at home for office and other non-production staff, provision, and use of face coverings, provision for hand hygiene, and as methods became commonly available, carrying out testing for infected people. However, maintaining adequate physical distancing in many production areas proved difficult because established factory layouts cannot be easily changed and there is often a need for workers to be close to each other to communicate. A major shortcoming identified was the understanding and application of measures to improve workplace ventilation. Rapidly installing and/or upgrading mechanical ventilation systems during a pandemic may not be practical and ideally should be considered in building design. Measuring CO2 in occupied workspaces proved to be a useful tool for identifying areas with potentially inadequate ventilation. Preventing workplace attendance by identifying infected individuals is challenging, making effective RMMs crucial to mitigating virus transmission. The effectiveness of individual RMMs can be uncertain; therefore, it is necessary to adopt multilayered RMMs. Successful implementation relies on measures that are specific to individual workplaces, identified by accurate risk assessment, regularly reviewed for effectiveness, and worker compliance. Establishing suitable risk mitigation policies and providing staff supervision are vital to ensure the sustained and effective implementation of RMMs. For RMMs that require technical understanding, such as workplace ventilation systems, specialist support may be necessary to ensure effective implementation.

The decline, fall, and rise of a large urban colonising bird

Context The process of urbanisation results in dramatic landscape changes with long-lasting and sometimes irreversible consequences for the biota as urban sensitive species are eliminated. The Australian brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) is a recent urban colonist despite atypical traits for an urban adapter. Contrary to observed range declines and initial reports of decreased reproductive success in cities, Australian brush-turkeys have increased their range in urban areas. Aims Historical atlas and present citizen science data were used to examine the changing distribution of the Australian brush-turkey at continental and city scales, and the changing land use in urban areas occupied by the species. We assess which environmental and landscape features are driving observed distribution changes over time. Methods We describe and map changes at the continental scale between 1839–2019. We then assessed colonisation of the cities of Brisbane and Sydney (located 900 km apart) over the period 1960–2019. At the city scale, we quantified the changing land use within Australian brush-turkey occupied areas over time using classification of satellite imagery. Key results The Australian brush-turkey’s geographical range has shifted over the last century, with the species receding from the western and southwestern parts of their range, while expanding in the northwest. Areas occupied in the cities of Brisbane and Sydney have expanded, with more recently occupied areas containing less vegetation and more developed land than previously occupied areas. Conclusions Our results confirm that Australian brush-turkeys are successfully colonising urban areas, including major cities, and are likely to continue moving into urban areas, despite declines elsewhere in their natural range. The species is not limited to suburbs with a high proportion of greenspace, as Australian brush-turkeys are increasingly occurring in highly developed areas with limited vegetation. Implications This study highlights that species which were locally extirpated from urban areas, and thought to be unlikely candidates for recolonisation, can successfully occupy human modified habitats. Successful expansion is likely to be associated with key behavioural traits, urban greening, and legal protection from human persecution.

Cost-Efficient Approximation for Magnitude of a Complex Signal

In this paper, a signal model and a mathematical analysis of an efficient approach are derived to acquire the approximate magnitude of a complex signal by inducing a pre-biased or a pre-scaled factor in the design criteria. According to the deductive results, the pre-biased or pre-scaled factor can be 2∼3 dB, which is determined through its application. The numerical evaluations show that the mean square error (MSE) of the proposed efficient approach for the random signal is around −33 dB. Based on the design templates for the considered approaches, the occupied areas of the proposed type-1 and -2 approaches are merely 0.13 and 0.09 times the area of the direct-method, respectively. As a result, the proposed efficient approach is certainly a cost-efficient method for obtaining the approximate magnitude of a complex signal.

Russia's Abduction of Children in Ukraine War and Applicability of UN Genocide Convention

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children falls under the provisions of genocide under international law and to suggest the political implications of Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children. Through this paper, it was pointed out that Russia's policy to annihilate Ukraine's identity in occupied areas before the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, that is, after Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014, has been continuously implemented, and has been rationalized domestically through the Russian media. The policy of kidnapping Ukrainian children to erase their memories of their homeland and change their mother language to Russia is not just a cultural assimilation policy, but a international crime that is equivalent to “genocide” that forcibly transforms the ethnic character of a group. Today, there is little disagreement on the fact that the prohibition of serious, continuous and systematic human rights violations by the state and the prohibition of genocide have developed into norms under common international law. However, it can be said to be exceptional in that there is no precedent for an international court trial on child abduction after World War II, and there has been no opportunity to recognize its seriousness. Nevertheless, the international community should realize the seriousness of the crime of child abduction in the wake of the Ukraine war and not neglect to hold the kidnappers accountable.

Comparative analysis of techniques for estimating radon exhalation from building materials

Evaluating the radon emissions from building structures to determine optimal strategies for either preventing radon infiltration into buildings or decreasing its concentration in occupied areas is essential. This research presents a study of different methodologies for determining the radon exhalation rate in three samples of granite: two techniques based on passive detectors (Electret Ion Chamber (EIC) and Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTD)) and one technique based on the use of a continuous radon detector. The operating principle of the three methodologies is based on the accumulation of radon inside an experimental container, hermetically sealed. Passive detectors offer the concentration measurement, integrated over time, while the continuous detector monitors the increase in concentration hour by hour. In this last case, three mathematical models have been applied to adjust the experimental results.According to a previous radiological characterization of the building material samples, those exceeding the legal limit of the radioactive activity index (I = 1) have been analyzed: Rose Porriño granite, Blue Vizag granite and Julia Cream granite. The obtained results indicate that the five methodologies used present radon exhalation rate values within a consistent range for each sample. Therefore, the protocols detailed in this work could be used interchangeably to calculate the radon gas exhalation rates in building materials, providing flexibility in selecting the most suitable method depending specific experimental requirements or constraints.

Striped hyena Hyaena hyaena (Linnaeus 1758): feeding ecology based on den prey remains in a pastoralist landscape, southern Kenya

Abstract Very little is known about the range, diet and eco-ethology of the African striped hyena, compared to its sympatric hyena species; the spotted hyena. Here we present the results of bone assemblages collected in eight striped hyena dens located in a pastoralists’ area in and near the Shompole conservancy, southern Kenya. We present the dens taxonomical representation; comparing domestic and wildlife prey and their prey age structure. This is to aid in making inferences on the striped hyena’s prey acquisition, selection and mode of transportation. Ultimately, this is to highlight the species’ interaction with pastoralists and some eco-ethological features of this little known near threatened species. Total wildlife proportions were higher than livestock. However, both wild and domestic ungulates are the major prey of the striped hyena and carnivores constitute a greater proportion of its non-ungulate prey. Striped hyena appears to predate on younger livestock when their dens are located closer to human settlements than those away from human occupied areas. Juveniles and old adults of wild ungulates dominated the striped hyena dens than the prime adults and this was reversed in the case of livestock ungulates.

A new energy-efficient design for quantum-based multiplier for nano-scale devices in internet of things

An enormous variety of items and things are connected via wired or wireless connections and specific addressing schemes, which is known as the Internet of Things (IoT). However, IoT devices that adopt aggressive duty-cycling for high power efficiency and prolonged lifespan necessitate the incorporation of ultra-low power consumption always-on blocks. The multiplier plays a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of low-power IoT devices, particularly those operating with energy-efficient batteries that offer extended battery life. The previous multipliers have a struggling speed, enormous occupied area, and high energy consumption; therefore, all prior flaws must be fixed by implementing it in a suitable technology, like the quantum computing. Therefore, this paper examines the ultra-low power circuit for nano-scale IoT platforms. It also suggests novel quantum-based adders for multiplier structure. The proposed designs are simulated using the QCADesignerE 2.2 tool by focusing on energy-efficient and occupied areas for miniaturizing IoT systems.

Forging Frontline Russians

This article considers efforts by the de facto authorities of non-governmental-controlled areas (NGCAs) of eastern Ukraine to shape regional identity from 2014 through 2021. It focuses on the paradoxes of top-down identity construction in an environment of mixed popular sentiments, fluid borders, and an uncertain political future. It argues that nascent identity construction projects in the NGCAs were often inconsistent and unclear, emphasizing different layers of “candidate Fatherlands,” be it the individual self-declared republics, the Donbas, Novorossiia, the Russian Federation, or a broader Russian civilization. While internally inconsistent and contradictive, however, the various initiatives often took antemurale political myths as a point of departure. These myths spin around the idea that regional inhabitants constitute a particular brand of “frontline Russians”—hardened warriors protecting a western outpost of the Russian civilization. Even as “candidate Fatherlands” came and went, this ideational core manifested not only in policy and aloof declarations, but also in a persistent growth of so-called military-patriotic education in the region. Militarized ideas of political identity became mainstream within the occupied areas—reflecting both influences from Russia and the ongoing war.

Development of a high-performance arithmetic and logic unit for efficient digital signal processing based on reversible logic and quantum dots

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) finds a wide range of applications in various fields, including telecommunications, audio and video processing, biomedical engineering, radar systems, and image processing. Previous DSP designs faced limitations in available processing power and computational resources. Insufficient processing power could result in slower execution times, an inability to handle complex algorithms, or limited capacity to process high-speed or large-scale signals. As the demand for minimal power consumption in DSP circuits continues to grow, reversible logic and quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) have emerged as promising technologies due to their inherent ability to reduce energy loss. Within this landscape, the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) plays a vital role in complex circuitry, serving as a key component in digital signal processing applications. However, challenges persist, including high quantum cost and the need to limit the number of cells in the ALU design. To address these challenges, our research aims to develop an efficient ALU by integrating reversible logic and QCA technology. Our focus will be on generating essential components, such as Feynman gates, Fredkin gates, and full adder circuits, which serve as foundational building blocks for reversible logic and QCA designs. These components will be combined to construct a comprehensive ALU capable of performing 20 different operations. Our implementation efforts will be centered around QCADesigner, with a specific emphasis on digital signal processing systems that prioritize energy efficiency and optimal utilization of occupied areas.

Miniaturized filtering equal/unequal Wilkinson power dividers

In this paper, two miniaturized Wilkinson power dividers with equal and unequal power division ratios capable of suppressing spurious harmonics over a wide frequency range are presented. First, an asymmetric high-low impedance resonator with coupled open-stubs and folded structure is employed to design the equal power divider. Then, how connecting an inductor in series with the introduced resonator can lead to affecting the transmission coefficient of the power divider branch and achieving an unbalanced power division ratio at output ports, is analytically clarified. In the third step, a combination of the resonator with folded structure and the inductor is utilized to design an unequal 2:1 divider. To validate the performed analysis, two equal and unequal Wilkinson power dividers at 900 MHz are fabricated and measured. Regarding S31, both dividers can suppress the 4th to 13th spurious frequencies and with respect to S21 of the unequal case, the 2nd-harmonic to 14th-harmonic are omitted. The occupied areas of the equal and unequal structures are 7.35 mm × 18.9 mm and 7.5 mm × 17.9 mm, respectively, which indicate almost 84 % size reduction in each case.

The northern wheatear is reducing its distribution in its southernmost European range and moving to higher altitudes

Under the current pattern of climate change, mountain bird populations are generally shifting their ranges to higher elevations, tracking their climatic optima. Nevertheless, space limitations at high altitudes constrain mountain species' resilience to climatic change, making them particularly vulnerable. In extreme cases, the climatic niche of some species can move beyond mountaintops, ultimately driving such species to extinction. This study presents the case of the northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe in mainland Spain and compares its breeding distribution from 2003 to 2022. Spain, where the species mostly occupies mountain areas, represents its southernmost distribution limit in Europe. We built environmental favourability models using information from the two most recent Spanish bird atlases and a set of climatic, topographic, human activity and lithological variables to determine the factors affecting the occurrence of the species. The influence of climate compared to all other factors was obtained using variation partitioning analysis. The northern wheatear has suffered a strong reduction (67%) in occupied areas and also in favourability throughout mainland Spain (especially in the south) where climate change may have far‐reaching consequences, including local extinctions. Climate explained more than 90% of the variation in the model obtained for 2022. Interestingly, the occupied areas were, on average, 100 m higher in 2022 than in 2003. If the effects of climate warming persist, the northern wheatear will likely disappear in its southernmost distribution limit, being the Sierra de las Nieves National Park population the most vulnerable in mainland Spain. For this reason, it is necessary to implement monitoring programmes for northern wheatear populations, with priority for mountain systems wherein they already occupy higher elevations, as well as further studies on other mountain species.

The Tenth Wartime Graduation of the Pavlovsk Military School. In the Faces and Destinies of the Natives of the Caucasian Military District

This publication continues a series of publications on the interim results of the personal identification of cadets of the tenth accelerated wartime graduation of the Pavlovsky Military School, one of the most prestigious military educational institutions of the Russian Empire of its time. In this article we are talking about the cadets of the designated school, who were born in the territories that were part of the Caucasian Military District of the Russian Empire. The data on the occupied areas and the confessional composition of the regions that made up the Caucasian Military District at the end of the XIX century are given. The presented material presents the collected biographical information and porter images on some of the named persons who chose the military path, becoming officers during the First World War, at the same time, eyewitnesses and direct participants in the landmark events of the first half of the twentieth century in the history of our country, such as revolutions, wars, emigration and repression. The life path of some of the mentioned persons is briefly described. The research was carried out on the basis of work with the funds of federal and regional archives. This publication serves as an example of the answers to which questions can be found in the personal files of students of the Russian Empire. In addition, the publication is designed to help find the descendants of the people mentioned in the article, as well as to attract the attention of historians, local historians and just not indifferent people who are able to provide additional information about these persons.

Characterizing emerging companies in computational drug development.

Computation promises to accelerate, de-risk and optimize drug research and development. An increasing number of companies have entered this space, specializing in the design of new algorithms, computing on proprietary data, and/or development of hardware to improve distinct drug pipeline stages. The large number of such companies and their unique strategies and deals have created a highly complex and competitive industry. We comprehensively analyze the companies in this space to highlight trends and opportunities, identifying highly occupied areas of risk and currently underrepresented niches of high value.

The simulation study of high-performance micro-inductors Based on MEMS 3D coils

With the development of flexible electronics and microsystems, the demand for the miniaturization of electronic components is becoming increasingly urgent. Due to the advantages of miniaturization, low power consumption, and easy integration, the micro-inductors fabricated by microfabrication technology get more and more attention. However, the traditional two-dimensional inductors are no longer able to meet the growing needs of today’s society in terms of occupied areas, inductance values, and packaging costs. So, this paper proposes a three-dimensional structure thin film solenoid micro-inductor based on MEMS and analyzes it by using finite element method (FEM). The simulation focuses on recording the inductance values and quality factors of the micro-inductors with varying parameters in the frequency range of 0-2, 000 MHz. Additionally, the maximum current values corresponding to the micro-inductors with different parameters are recorded at the operating temperature of polyimide, specifically addressing the current-carrying capacity. The simulation result has certain theoretical guidance for high-performance micro-inductors design.

Optimization of shielding barriers for feasible exposure to medical X-ray radiation

Despite the importance of X-ray facilities in medical practices, adequate shielding is required to reduce exposure to patients, workers and members of the general public. The importance of adequate shielding barriers in attenuating the intensity of X-rays to recommended limits thus cannot be over-emphasized. An evaluation of the shielding barrier in a public hospital was carried out with the aim of optimizing radiation protection of the general radiology department of specialist hospital Sokoto with the X-ray facility unit of the department as a case study. XRAYBARR software was used to evaluate the primary and secondary barriers using the X-ray tube Specification, distance of the various occupied areas, workload distribution, and use factor. An area survey was carried out using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD). Values from XRAYBARR and measured values from TLDs, the ratio of the software calculated to the designed barrier thickness and the ratio of measured to the designed dose were all compared. The ratio of the software calculated barrier thickness to designed barrier thickness was greater than 1 except in 4 positions. Results of the study also indicated that the ratio of the measured to design dose was greater than 1 for all the positions. This indicates that the barrier put in place except at 4 positions is not adequate to protect individuals from harmful effect of radiation. The result also shows that radiation dose beyond the barrier is greater than the design dose limit at all positions. Therefore, the need for reinforcement of the existing shielding barrier.

Monte Carlo Simulation of Prompt Dose in the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is the world’s largest and most powerful laser system for inertial confinement fusion. The NIF is a 192-laser beam facility that produces more than 2 MJ and 500 TW of ultraviolet light. The facility is expected to generate shots with varying fusion yield (up to 20 MJ or 7.1x1018 neutrons per shot) and a maximum annual yield of 1200 MJ. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed to estimate prompt dose values (neutrons and photons) inside the facility as well as at different locations outside the facility shield walls. The Target Chamber shielding, along with Target Bay and Switchyard walls, roofs, and doors will reduce exposures in occupied areas to acceptable levels. The thicknesses of the different shield doors in the facility were optimized such that prompt dose in occupied areas is limited to < 50 μSv per 20 MJ shot and < 1 mSv for 1200 MJ of annual fusion yield. Most of the normally occupied areas experience limited prompt dose values of < 50 μSv per shot. Low dose values are also expected outside the NIF facility. The maximum annual off-site dose to a maximally exposed individual is small and estimated at 24 μSv for 1200 MJ of fusion yield.