Fly ash is widely used in the cement industry to improve the performance and durability of concrete. The future availability of fly ash, however, is a concern, as most countries are inclining towards ...renewable energy sources as opposed to fossil fuels. Additional concerns have been raised regarding the impact of strict environmental regulations on fly ash quality and variability. This paper, therefore, evaluates if nano calcium carbonate (nano CaCO3) can be used as an alternative to fly ash. This paper presents comprehensive testing results (fresh, hardened, and durability) for OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement) and PLC (Portland Limestone Cement) concretes with 1% nano CaCO3 and compares them to those for concretes with fly ash (both Class F and C). Compared to concretes with fly ash, OPC and PLC with nano CaCO3 presented improved testing results in most cases, including later age strength, permeability, and scaling resistance. As nanotechnology in concrete is a relatively new topic, more research on the efficient use of nanotechnology, such as for proper dispersion of nano CaCO3 in the concrete, has potential to offer increased benefits. Further, nano CaCO3 is environmentally and economically viable, as it has the potential to be produced within the cement plant while utilizing waste CO2 and generating economic revenue to the industry. Thus, nano CaCO3 has the potential to serve as an alternative to fly ash in all beneficial aspects—economic, environmental, and technical.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Lactobacillus plantarum DK119 (DK119) isolated from the fermented Korean cabbage food was used as a probiotic to determine its antiviral effects on influenza virus. DK119 intranasal or oral ...administration conferred 100% protection against subsequent lethal infection with influenza A viruses, prevented significant weight loss, and lowered lung viral loads in a mouse model. The antiviral protective efficacy was observed in a dose and route dependent manner of DK119 administration. Mice that were treated with DK119 showed high levels of cytokines IL-12 and IFN-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, and a low degree of inflammation upon infection with influenza virus. Depletion of alveolar macrophage cells in lungs and bronchoalveolar lavages completely abrogated the DK119-mediated protection. Modulating host innate immunity of dendritic and macrophage cells, and cytokine production pattern appeared to be possible mechanisms by which DK119 exhibited antiviral effects on influenza virus infection. These results indicate that DK119 can be developed as a beneficial antiviral probiotic microorganism.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background
Some patients with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) are not suitable for surgery or radioiodine therapy. Therefore, minimally invasive alternative treatments, such as ...ethanol ablation or radiofrequency ablation (RFA), are necessary.
Methods
This study included nine patients (4 toxic and 5 pretoxic patients; male to female ratio = 1:8; mean age, 47 ± 17 (range, 25–71) years) who were not eligible for surgery or radioiodine therapy. All of the patients showed hot nodule with suppression of normal thyroid gland in
99m
Tc pertechnetate scintigraphy. RFA was performed using a 17- and 18-gauge internally cooled electrode. Nodule volume, thyroid function, scintigraphy, symptom score (visual analogue scale, 0–10 cm), cosmetic grading score (4-point scale), and complications were evaluated before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months follow-up.
Results
Mean volume of the index nodule was 14.98 ± 25.53 (range, 0.29–82.29) mL. After RFA it decreased at 1 month (12.01 ± 25.97 mL,
p
= 0.015), 3 months (7.27 ± 15.13 mL,
p
= 0.011), 6 months (8.27 ± 21.29 mL,
p
= 0.008), and the last month (7.57 ± 19.99 mL,
p
= 0.008). Initial mean T3, fT4, and TSH were 156.2 ± 42.1 ng/dL, 1.73 ± 0.40 ng/dL, and 0.052 ± 0.087 mU/mL, respectively. A significant improvement of mean T3, fT4, and TSH were observed at last follow-up (T3: 116.8 ± 20.7 ng/dL,
p
= 0.015; fT4: 1.37 ± 0.26 ng/dL,
p
= 0.036; TSH: 1.454 ± 1.756 mU/mL,
p
= 0.012). After ablation, four patients became a cold or normal scan and five remained as a hot nodule. The mean symptom and cosmetic grading score was reduced from 2.4 ± 1.7 to 0.6 ± 0.7 (
p
= 0.011) and from 3.1 ± 1.2 to 1.4 ± 1.0 (
p
= 0.017), respectively. No major complications were encountered.
Conclusions
RFA seems to be effective and safe for the treatment of AFTN.
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EMUNI, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Introduction Bone-borne palatal expansion relies on mini-implant stability for successful orthopedic expansion. The large magnitude of applied force experienced by mini-implants during bone-borne ...expansion may lead to high failure rates. Use of bicortical mini-implant anchorage rather than monocortical anchorage may improve mini-implant stability. The aims of this study were to analyze and compare the effects of bicortical and monocortical anchorages on stress distribution and displacement during bone-borne palatal expansion using finite element analysis. Methods Two skull models were constructed to represent expansion before and after midpalatal suture opening. Three clinical situations with varying mini-implant insertion depths were studied in each skull model: monocortical, 1-mm bicortical, and 2.5-mm bicortical. Finite element analysis simulations were performed for each clinical situation in both skull models. Von Mises stress distribution and transverse displacement were evaluated for all models. Results Peri-implant stress was greater in the monocortical anchorage model compared with both bicortical anchorage models. In addition, transverse displacement was greater and more parallel in the coronal plane for both bicortical models compared with the monocortical model. Minimal differences were observed between the 1-mm and the 2.5-mm bicortical models for both peri-implant stress and transverse displacement. Conclusions Bicortical mini-implant anchorage results in improved mini-implant stability, decreased mini-implant deformation and fracture, more parallel expansion in the coronal plane, and increased expansion during bone-borne palatal expansion. However, the depth of bicortical mini-implant anchorage was not significant.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
While organizations have increasingly engaged in corporate social advocacy (CSA) for sexual and gender diverse populations, transgender people have often been overlooked in LGBTQ advocacy campaigns. ...Among the different strategic communication tactics that can be used in CSA, advertising is an important channel for organizations to send their prosocial messages as well as to publicly demonstrate their support of particular causes and populations. Given the tension between growing social acceptance of gender diverse populations and anti-transgender political landscape in the USA, only a handful of organizations have recently shown transgender advocacy advertising campaigns. This study explores corporate transgender advocacy advertising campaigns as one contemporary CSA program, attending to the role of authenticity in CSA effectiveness. Findings show cisgender people perceive authenticity from transgender advocacy advertising campaigns regardless of their gender, which in turn, mitigates consumer skepticism and increases the willingness to engage with the campaign on social media and, further, to engage with other transgender advocacy campaigns. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
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BFBNIB, NUK, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Neopentyl glycol (NPG) diester is a biodegradable lubricant used in the machinery industry as it is suitable for the low‐temperature environment. NPG diester was successfully synthesized with fatty ...acid and NPG using immobilized lipase. Immobilization was carried out with a liquid enzyme, Eversa® Transform 2.0 (from Thermomyces lanuginosus) and Lewatit VP OC 1600 as a carrier. The Eversa immobilized lipase prepared in this study was compared with commercial lipases, such as Novozym 435, Lipozyme RM IM, and Lipozyme TL IM. The Eversa immobilized lipase was the most effective biocatalyst for the synthesis of NPG diesters. The effects of enzyme loading and temperature on conversion were explored at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa. And then, the effect of reduced pressure was investigated in the range of 1.3 to 40.0 kPa under optimum conditions obtained at standard pressure. The maximum conversion of ca. 63% was achieved at the optimal temperature of 50°C and the enzyme loading of 5% (based on the total weight of the substrate) at standard pressure after 10 h. However, the conversion to NPG diester increased markedly up to 97% after 10 h, even though reduced pressure as low as 26.7 kPa was applied. No significant differences in the conversion to NPG diester between the reactions at constant reduced pressure and the combined reaction of reduced pressure and standard pressure were observed. This pressure combination method employed in this study demonstrated a novel, energy‐saving strategy for the synthesis of NPG diester.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Metalenses have revolutionized optical technologies with their superior ability to manipulate light and the potential to replace conventional, bulky optical components. However, their ...commercialization is hindered by limitations in conventional manufacturing techniques, such as small patterning areas, low throughput, and high cost. In this study, two methods are introduced for scalable and wafer‐scale manufacturing of metalenses operating in the near‐infrared region, aimed at overcoming the abovementioned challenges. The first type of metalens is polarization‐independent and constructed using hydrogenated amorphous silicon cylindrical structures fabricated through direct photolithography. This metalens has a diameter of 1 cm and numerical aperture (NA) of 0.53. The focusing efficiency is confirmed at a 940 nm wavelength, and the focal spot profile approaches the diffraction limit. The second metalens is polarization‐dependent and fabricated using silicon nanoparticle‐embedded‐resin rectangular structures through a cost‐effective nanoimprinting method. This process can produce metalenses with a diameter of 5 mm and an NA of 0.53. Both types of metalenses demonstrate high‐resolution capabilities when imaging a 1951 USAF resolution test target and bioimaging. This research offers innovative pathways for the mass production and large‐scale fabrication of metalenses. It is believed that the work will accelerate the industrialization of metalenses, fostering further advances in optical technology.
This work presents two scalable manufacturing methods of near‐infrared metalenses. The first method produces a 1 cm diameter, 0.53 numerical aperture (NA) polarization‐independent metalens with hydrogenated amorphous silicon. The second method creates a 5 mm diameter, 0.53 NA polarization‐dependent metalens with silicon nanoparticle‐embedded‐resin. Both metalenses exhibit high‐resolution imaging capabilities, making significant progress in metalens production and further metaphotonics technology.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
There is a lack of studies comparing the effects of different exercise types in patients with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Twenty-four subjects were divided into three groups: corrective exercise, ...resistance exercise, and physical therapy. The groups performed their respective interventions, two times per week for three months. Clinical outcomes, including the value of Cobb's angle, cervical muscle strength and endurance, and the cross-sectional area of the cervical deep muscles were measured pre- and post-intervention. There was a significant difference in the changes in the thoracic Cobb's angle between the groups (P < 0.001). The corrective exercise group revealed a significantly superior increase in muscle strength and endurance between pre- and post-intervention (P < 0.012). There was a significant difference in the cross-sectional area of the cervical deep muscles included longus capitis and multifidus between the groups (P < 0.036 and 0.007, respectively). The corrective exercise group showed the most significant increase in cross-sectional area between pre- and post-intervention (P < 0.012). A corrective exercise program is a more effective intervention than traditional resistance exercise and physical therapy for improving the thoracic Cobb's angle, cervical muscle strength and endurance, and the cross-sectional area of the deep muscles in patients with thoracic hyperkyphosis.Trial registration: KCT0005292.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose This study aims to examine the role of different forms of corporate social advocacy (CSA) in shaping individuals’ attitudinal and behavioral intentions towards companies taking their public ...stand on controversial socio-political issues. With an online experiment as the research method, this study tests whether depicting nonpolitical or political behaviors in CSA messages increases individuals’ positive behavioral intentions. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a single factor between subject online experiment. A total of 135 US young adults were recruited through a Qualtrics online panel. Three social media mockups were created to manipulate three levels of actions in CSA messages (no action, nonpolitical action and political action). Participants viewed one of those social media posts depicting presented actions to counter anti-LGBTQ + legislation in the USA and answered questions about values-driven motives behind CSA, brand preference and positive word-of-mouth (WOM) intention. Findings Participants displayed higher levels of brand preference when they viewed CSA messages depicting the company’s political action intended to repel anti-LGBTQ + legislation. Participants showed more positive WOM intentions towards the company when they perceived its political actions as more values-driven. Practical implications The findings of this study offer practical insights to companies when designing CSA messages and strategies. The results of this study indicate that the presence of political actions in CSA communication increases individuals’ positive behaviors towards companies. The results also suggest that depicting altruistic motives behind CSA leads individuals to talk about companies more in positive ways. Originality/value This study is one of the early studies investigating the impact of various forms of CSA on individuals’ attitudinal and behavioral intentions to companies practicing CSA. This study provides practical implications on how to effectively appeal individuals’ favorable attitudes and behaviors towards CSA. In particular, this research presents the importance of action aspects in individuals’ attitudes toward corporations’ CSA messages.
Although numerous studies have explained the flow of misinformation, finding studies that theoretically examine the psychological factors related to individuals’ information behaviours is difficult. ...Social media data or meta-level analyses have limitations in providing an understanding of behaviours and processes at the individual level. Accordingly, this study aims to construct a predictive model for biased information seeking and sharing as a response to misinformation, which is information without the certainty of its truth, through a survey ( N = 602). Applying social psychological concepts (i.e. social identity theory), two types of social identities were proposed as key factors of biased information seeking and sharing in the research model. Our model allows forecasting of what types of individuals are more likely to skip the fact-checking process and share misinformation.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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