bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on synthesis of temperature resistant polycarboxylic acid dispersant and its application in oil well cement
Authors: Feng Qian , Li Lang , Peng Zhigang , Zheng Yong
Published: October 2023

Polycarboxylic acid dispersant has the advantages of good dispersion performance and environmental protection, and has a good application prospect in oil well cement. However, the current polycarboxylate dispersant has poor temperature resistance, which limits its application in high temperature formation cementing. In this study, a polycarboxylic acid dispersant (NLPC) that can be applied to high temperature cementing was synthesized by free radical copolymerization of monomer isoprenol polyoxyethylene ether, maleic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. The structure of NLPC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The effects of NLPC on the fluidity, rheological properties, thickening time and mechanical strength of cement paste at different temperatures were tested, and compared with the traditional sulfonated acetone-formaldehyde polycondensate (SAF) dispersant. The mechanism of dispersant and its effect on cement hydration behavior were systematically studied by total organic carbon, Zeta potential, particle size analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of dispersant on the microstructure of hardened cement was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that NLPC has excellent high temperature dispersion performance. At 150 ℃, NLPC can significantly reduce the consistency coefficient of cement paste, increase the fluidity index of cement paste, significantly improve the rheological properties of cement paste, and the paste has excellent thickening performance, and the initial consistency is lower than SAF. In addition, due to the good dispersion of cement particles by NLPC, the early mechanical strength of cement stone after solidification is also improved. The mechanism analysis shows that NLPC improves the dispersion performance of oil well cement paste mainly through electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance effect. In short, NLPC overcomes the shortcomings of low efficiency and heavy pollution of SAF dispersant and low applicable temperature of conventional polycarboxylic acid dispersant, and ensures the smooth progress of high temperature deep well cementing construction.
Compliance with Oral Nutritional Supplements and Its Influencing Factors in Postoperative Patients with Digestive Tract Tumors: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Su Liqing , Zhang Jie , Jia Lei , Dou Wenyue , Li Mengxue , Zhang Yumeng , Chang Jian
Published: October 2023

Background
Oral nutritional supplementation is one of the preferred methods of nutritional support for postoperative patients. This study aims to investigate the current status of oral nutritional supplement compliance in postoperative patients with diges tive tract tumors and its influencing factors.
Methods
Convenience sampling was employed to select 242 patients who underwent surgery for digestive tract tumors at a tertiary hospital in Shanghai from October 2022 to July 2023 as the study subjects. Data following a normal distribution were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, ANOVA single-factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis to determine the factors influencing compliance with oral nutritional supplements.
Results
A total of 252 questionnaires were distributed, with 10 invalid questionnaires excluded, resulting in an effective questionnaire rate of 96.03%. The compliance score for oral nutritional supplements in postoperative patients with digestive tract tumors was (2.40 ± 1.45), General Self-efficacy Scale (GSES) score was (24.72 ± 4.86), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) score was (58.67 ± 11.09), and Belief about Medicines Questionnaire Scale (BMQ) score was (0.17 ± 2.78). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age, adverse reactions, educational level, nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, medication beliefs, and social support were factors influencing compliance with oral nutritional supplements in postoperative patients with digestive tract tumors (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Our study revealed that the compliance to oral nutritional supplements among postoperative patients with gastrointestinal tumors was at a moderate level and was closely associated with age, educational level, adverse reactions to oral nutritional supplementation, medication beliefs, social support, and self-efficacy. Nursing staff should conduct nursing assessments based on the specific circumstances of patients and their families, provide personalized health education management plans based on the patients' educational level, enhance patients' nutrition knowledge, improve patient self-efficacy, and enhance social support for patients, while further improving patient nutrition management.
Leaf trait spectrum of mangroves: across and within species
Authors: Wei Lili , Lin Fang , Gao Jing , Rugema Justin , Akram Waseem , Wang You-shao
Published: October 2023

Mangroves are widely recognized as one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems. However, the impact of different species, especially slow- and fast-growing ones, on carbon stocks can vary significantly1. These findings have generated a strong interest in understanding the diversity of resource-investment strategies among mangrove species. The global leaf economic spectrum holds the potential for identifying these strategies in mangroves2,3. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether leaf economic traits of mangrove species exhibit expected coordination patterns. Through the analysis of 36 widely distributed mangrove species, we demonstrate that the cross-species trait spectrums of mangroves encompassing both true mangroves and mangrove associates align with findings from global vegetation analysis2. The distinct strategies between mangrove groups indicated by trait spectrums are consistent with previous observations4. However, the cross-species trait spectrums are not consistently valid in identifying strategies within or between mangrove species. Through conducting a case study, we provide empirical evidence that a fast-growing species (having a greater photosynthetic capacity and tree height) could be positioned towards the slower end of trait spectrums compared with slow-growing species when living in hyper-saline soils. Contrary to the common assumption5,6, the greater mass per leaf area of the fast-growing species is primarily derived from thicker leaves and a higher phosphorus content per leaf area compared with the slow-growing species. These findings suggest that the cross-species trait spectrum may have limitations in accurately identifying resource-investment strategies in plants with thick leaves.
Reassembling cultural safety education for Korean medical students based on the actor-network theory: Situational analysis of discourses
Authors: Roh HyeRin , Park Kyung Hye , Oh Jina , Choi Hyoseon
Published: October 2023

Conducting an education program on cultural safety (CS) based on the actor-network theory’s (ANT) translation strategy, this study aimed to investigate changes relating to situations, significant actors, and discourse positions among Korean medical students. This qualitative pre/post study used situational analysis. Participants included 294 fifth-year medical students who attended CS classes between 2017−2019. For successful translation, the CS classes empowered the students as active agents to have direct dialogues with international guests, designing all human and non-human actors in the classroom to support them. The authors collected and coded data from students’ reflective essays, and then conducted organised situational, relational, and positional mapping. Following the classes, the participants reflected more on CS-related situations and actors. They defined culturally safe care as making patients feel at home, tailoring care individually, and providing treatment indiscriminately. Instead of focusing on others, they recognised their own biases, influences of their cultures on patient care, and contradictions in the Korean healthcare system, realising the healer role of doctors and the importance of patient-centeredness. Further, we explored how the students’ confusion about appropriate levels of accepting patients’ cultures might be associated with notions regarding humility rooted in Korean culture. We found that the ANT and situational analysis are applicable in CS education and research, and could be considered in future studies.
Computer Aided Detection of Brain Tumors using Convolutional Neural Network based Analysis of MRI Data
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Kaur Amandeep , Kaur Prabhpreet
Published: October 2023

A significant topic of investigation in the area of medical imaging is brain tumor classification. The manual examination of medical imaging may result in imprecise findings and is also a time-consuming and laborious task. With the emergence of artificial intelligence, the research community has started providing automated solutions for smart detection of different types of brain tumors. So, the present paper also presents a computer-aided diagnostic technique, which makes use of the proposed architecture of a 16-layer convolutional neural network (CNN) model for accurate detection of different brain tumor types through the analysis of MR images. In this approach, the MR images are resized and normalized first. Then, a hybrid method of synthetic minority oversampling technique and edited nearest neighbour has been employed to provide a balanced dataset. Afterwards, these images are fed to the proposed CNN model for classification. In this work, a CNN-based feature extractor has also been used in association with machine learning-based classification, which includes random forest, kNN, support vector machine, naïve Bayes and decision tree algorithms. The thorough analysis of the proposed CNN model and the hybrid models of CNN and machine learning algorithms demonstrate that the proposed CNN model provides an accurate classification of different brain tumor types with maximum accuracies of 98.88% and 97.83% for binary classification of tumor detection and three class classification of meningioma, glioma, pituitary tumor types using two different datasets. From this analysis, it is evident that the proposed 16-layer CNN model appears to be an efficient method for accurate detection of brain tumors as well as identification of different types of tumors.
Cancer stem cells detection and prognosis in early stages NSCLC
Authors: Chandouri Boutaîna , Naves Thomas , Yassine May , Ikhlef Léa , Tricard Jeremy , Chaunavel Alain , Pannequin Julie , Girard Nicolas , Durand Stephanie , Carré Vincent , Lalloué Fabrice
Published: October 2023

BackgroundDespite advances in diagnosis and treatment in lung cancer, therapies still fail to improve patient management due to resistance mechanisms and relapses. As Cancer stem cells (CSCs) directly contribute to tumor growth and therapeutic resistance, their clinical detection represents a major challenge. However specific and additional CSC markers lack. Thus, our aim was to achieve selective detection of CSCs with specific glycan patterns and assess the CSCs burden to predict the risk of relapse in NSCLC tumors.MethodsThe lung CSCs detection and sorting were assessed throughin vitroandin vivoexperiments with a lectin MIX. Then, its clinical significance was evaluated with immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays in a retrospective study with 221 NSCLC patients.ResultsWe showed a significant CSCs enrichment in the MIX+ sorted fraction compared to CD133+ cells and confirmed its high tumorigenic capacity. Retrospective study validated the MIX prognostic value on the overall survival from early stages patients. These results suggest its potential for detecting tumor aggressiveness and complementing the current tumor classification.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that CSCs identified MIX might afford a prognostic tool which enable clinicians to better classify early-stage patients with high-risk of relapse in order to adapt treatment decisions.
Comparison of Emotional and Behavioral Regulation Between Metopic and Sagittal Synostosis
Authors: Almeida Mariana N , Alper David P , Parikh Neil , Debaum Heloise , Kammien Alex , Persing John , Alperovich Michael
Published: October 2023

Purpose
Children with surgically corrected nonsyndromic craniosynostosis have been previously found to have neurocognitive and behavioral difficulties. Children with metopic synostosis have been described to have more difficulties than children with sagittal synostosis. This study aims to characterize the behavioral differences between children with metopic and sagittal synostosis.
Methods
Children with metopic and sagittal synostosis were recruited at school age. Parents completed 4 separated behavioral assessments: Conners-3 (evaluation of ADHD), Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2: evaluation of autism), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2: evaluation of executive function), and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL: evaluation of overall behavioral problems). Children underwent intelligence quotient (IQ) testing using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-II).
Results
There were 91 children (45 with metopic and 46 with sagittal synostosis). More children with metopic synostosis reported requiring supportive services (57.7% vs 34.7%, p=0.02) and more reached or exceeded borderline clinical levels of two executive function subscales of the BRIEF-2 (emotion regulation index: 33.3% vs 17.4%, p=0.05; global executive composite: 33.3% vs 17.4%, p=0.05). Children with sagittal synostosis had higher scores on the rule-breaking and externalizing problem subscales of the CBCL. Increasing age at surgery was associated with worse executive function scores.
Conclusions
A relationship between suture subtype and behavioral outcomes exists at school age. More children with metopic synostosis required social services indicating more overall difficulties. Children with metopic synostosis have more specific problems with executive function, while children with sagittal synostosis had more difficulties with externalizing behaviors.
Dental calculus Methanobrevibacter massiliense-Pyramidobacter piscolens, a millennium-old association
Authors: PILLIOL Virginie , Boualam Mahmoud A. , Terlier Laureline , Drancourt Michel , Aboudharam Gérard , Grine Ghiles , Terrer Elodie
Published: October 2023

Background
The metagenomic study of ancient dental calculus yielded two novel Methanobrevibacter species, TS-1 and TS-2. TS-2 was phylogenetically related to Methanobrevibacter massiliense (M. massiliense), a methanogen previously cultivated in close association with the bacterium Pyramidobacter piscolens (P. piscolens) in the oral cavity.
Results
Comparative genomics, including Average Nucleotide Identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridisation, and genome sequence-derived 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that TS-2 was confused with M. massiliense. Quantifying ancient and modern dental calculus metagenomic read counts yielded a positive correlation between Methanobrevibacter sp. YE315, the proxy-methanogen for M. massiliense in the Kraken2 database and P. piscolens (Pearson correlation test, p = 0.23, P-value = 0.026); whereas no such correlation was found with Fretibacterium fastidiosum (p = -0.04, P-value = 0.69) and Synergistetes phylum (p = -0.0072, P-value = 0.94) used as negative controls. Similar results were obtained with unclassified Methanobrevibacter, and the combined read counts of unclassified Methanobrevibacter and Methanobrevibacter sp. YE315.
Conclusion
Genomic comparisons provide evidence that M. massiliense is the named and cultured representative of Neolithic-old TS-2, suggesting a long-standing association between M. massiliense and P. piscolens. The nature, determinants, and evolutionary significance of this association remain unknown.
A comparative path for photocatalytic action of undoped and s-doped TiO 2 for photodegradation of methylene blue: A study of possible trouble-free synthesis of sulphur doping TiO 2 nano-powder
Authors: Ara Gulshan , Samad Abdus , Rahman Mahfujur , Naher Shamsun , Elias Md , Shajahan Md
Published: October 2023

Photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes carried excessive issues with justifiable progress of environmentally safe technology in the domain of recent science. As a consequence, expansion of innovative photocatalysts with enhanced catalytic effectiveness has gained much attention to contemporary researcher. Hence, loading of TiO2 (semiconductor) with nonmetallic atoms like sulfur (S), has increased much attention because of awarding improved absorbance under UV-visible light irradiation. TiO2 was prepared from Titanium (IV) isopropoxide S-doped TiO2 photocatalyst were prepared using thiourea (CH4N2S) applying hydrothermal technique. The purity, morphology, particle size and crystallinity of the prepared dopped and undoped TiO2 nanoparticles were established with the help of XRD and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope FE-SEM analysis. The presence of sulfur in the modified TiO2 (S-doped) was detected by XRD, and EDX measurements which also lighted on the prevention of crystals aggregation by S-doping. The presence of hydroxyl (OH−) groups was sensed from FTIR spectra. The improved catalytic activity of modified catalyst made up of TiO2 with atomic Sulphur for the removing organic dyes (methylene blue, 5ppm) through degradation was explored by UV-visible spectroscopy. It was found that photoinduced superficial holes (h+) and OH∙ radicals on S-TiO2 catalysts acted a key role in the catalysis. This work holds out a simple and easy preparation of photocatalyst, S-doped TiO2 nanoparticle, avoiding the hassle of preparing structured nanocatalyst like nano-film, nano-tube etc. and advanced noteworthy enhancement (̴ 91%) of the catalytic efficiency of the photocatalyst for degradation of organic dye pollutant. This study offers a method for uncomplicated synthesis of a photocatalyst with improved catalytic efficacy. The synthesized s-doped TiO2 showed significantly better catalytic properties compared to undoped TiO2. The goal of this research work is to offer a simple technique of preparation of a better-quality photocatalyst in terms of cost effectiveness, time demanding, easy application for degradation of organic pollutant without difficulty. The s-doped TiO2 has been synthesized using thiourea as Sulphur source by hydrolysis under thermal condition and characterized. The doping of TiO2 by Sulphur helps to improve catalytic activity of TiO2 forming a new energy level near conduction band and increases the generation of e− which facilitate the degradation process of organic pollutant under solar illumination.
Physiological responses of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) exposed to increased carbon dioxide and reduced seawater salinities
Authors: CANEOS WARREN , Shrivastava Jyotsna , Ndugwa Moses , de Boeck Gudrun
Published: October 2023

The effects of increased CO2 on the physiological responses of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) which were progressively acclimated to 32 ppt, 10 ppt and 2.5 ppt were investigated. Following acclimation to different salinities for two weeks, fish were exposed to present-day (400 µatm) and future (1000 µatm) atmospheric CO2 for 1, 3, 7 and 21 days. Blood pH, plasma ions (Na+, K+, Cl-), branchial mRNA expression of NKA, NKCC and ammonia transporters (e.g. Rhesus glycoproteins) were examined to understand the iono- and osmoregulatory consequences of the experimental conditions. A transient but significant increase in the blood pH of exposed fish acclimated at 10 ppt (day 1) and 2.5 ppt (day 21) possibly due to an overshoot of the blood HCO3- accumulation. However, no change was seen at 32 ppt. Additionally, plasma [Na+] of exposed fish reared at 10 ppt was significantly reduced at day 1 relative to control fish. Generally, Na + concentration of control fish was relatively higher at 10 ppt and lower at 2.5 ppt compared to 32 ppt control group at all sampling periods. We also found that NKA was upregulated in gill of juvenile sea bass and NKA Mrna level of control fish was relatively higher when acclimated to lower salinities compared to 32 ppt control group. Elevated expression could be due to increased activity of acid-base transporters, which rely on the Na + gradient created by the NKA enzyme. Meanwhile, a significant reduction of NKCC mRNA level of the exposed fish acclimated at 32 ppt (1–3 days) and 10 ppt (7–21 days) was observed which could be an adaptive response to foster ion retention during hypercapnia in sea bass acclimated at lower salinities. Furthermore, Rhesus glycoproteins were generally upregulated in the fish acclimated at lower salinities. It suggests that increased CO2 may enhance ammonia excretion rate.
In silico analysis of Balsaminol as anti-viral agents targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease, spike receptor binding domain and papain-like protease receptors
Authors: Gaiya Daniel Danladi , Muhammad Aliyu , Musa Joy Sim , Auta Richard , Dadah Anthony John , Bello Rachael Oluwafunmilayo , Hassan Madinat , Eke Samuel Sunday , Sankey Musa
Published: October 2023

Plant-derived phytochemicals from medicinal plants are becoming increasingly attractive natural sources of antimicrobial and antiviral agents due to their therapeutic value, mechanism of action, level of toxicity and bioavailability. The continued emergence of more immune-evasive strains and the rate of resistance to current antiviral drugs have created a need to identify new antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2. This study investigated the antiviral potential of balsaminol from Momordica balsamina against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) COVID-19 approved drugs namely; nirmatrelvir, ritonavir and remdesivir were used as positive control. In silico approaches including molecular docking based virtual screening, protein quality assessment models, pharmacokinetics, drug-like properties, toxicity profiling and Discovery Studio Visualizer were used to predict therapeutic targets on SARS-CoV-2 receptor proteins. All balsaminols used in this study exhibited negative binding energies with 6LU7, 6VW1 and 7CMD, indicating their strong binding affinity to the target proteins. Balsaminol C had the highest binding affinity of -9.3 kcal/mol with the main SARS CoV-2 protease (6LU7), in agreement with molecular interaction studies. Balsaminol E had a binding affinity of -7.8 kcal/mol with the spike receptor binding domain (6VW1) and balsaminol F had a binding energy of -7.8 with the papain-like protease (7CMD) when compared to ritonavir, nirmatrelvir and rem-desivir. However, the ADMET and drug-like profile of Balsaminol F shows it to be a better potential drug candidate and a good inhibitor against the docked SARS-CoV-2 target proteins, thus recommending further preclinical studies.
Mapping Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes Through the Integration of Satellite and Airborne Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Lin Meng-Hsuan , Lin Ying-Tong , Tsai Min-Lin , Chen Yi-Chun , Chen Yi-Ying , Wang Hsueh-Ching , Wang Chi-Kuei
Published: October 2023

The development of an integrated, remotely sensed approach to assess land-use and land-cover change (LULCC) dynamics is of paramount importance, as it has the potential to alter the natural environment. In this study, we utilized the advantage of land-cover seasonality and computed the vegetation indices from SPOT images. Through analysing monthly Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Near Infrared (NIR) values, the temporal characteristics of each land type are detected and used as indices for the land type classification. A Phenology-based Classification Model (PCM) was established to classify the land into five land-cover types: forest, built-up land (including bare soil), water, agricultural land, and grassland/shrubs. Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) derived from Landsat images and airborne lidar canopy height data were then integrated into the PCM to further improve the classification accuracy. The classification results of the Taoyuan Tableland, from 2013 to 2022 demonstrate fluctuations in land types over the years. The classification results suggest a stable forest, a slight decline in agricultural land and inland water, and an increase in grassland/shrubs. The results also reveal a negative correlation (r=-0.79) in area change between grassland/shrubs and agricultural land, as well as a positive correlation (r = 0.47) between irrigation ponds and agricultural land. The event-based LULCC analysis of Taipei City shows that the number of urbanization events becomes relatively comparable to urban greening events when the spatial extent of LULCC events exceeds 1,000 m2, indicating a balance between urbanization and urban greening. Small-extent of urban greening events are frequently discovered and distributed throughout the metropolitan area of Taipei City. The development of PCM largely reduced the time and effort required for manual classification, and this new implementation successfully captures annual LULCCs over the past decade in our study areas.
ApcE plays an important role in light-induced excitation energy dissipation in the Synechocystis PCC6803 phycobilisomes
Authors: Assefa Gonfa Tesfaye , Botha Joshua L. , Heerden Bertus van , Kyeyune Farooq , Krüger Tjaart P.J. , Gwizdala Michal
Published: October 2023

Phycobilisomes (PBs) play an important role in cyanobacterial photosynthesis. They capture light and transfer excitation energy to the photosynthetic reaction centres. PBs are also central to some photoprotective and photoregulatory mechanisms that help sustain photosynthesis under non-optimal conditions. Amongst the mechanisms involved in excitation energy dissipation that are activated in response to excessive illumination is a recently discovered light-induced mechanism that is intrinsic to PBs and has been the least studied. Here, we used single-molecule spectroscopy and developed robust data analysis methods to explore the role of a terminal emitter subunit, ApcE, in this intrinsic, light-induced mechanism. We isolated the PBs from WT Synechocystis PCC 6803 as well as from the ApcE-C190S mutant of this strain and compared the dynamics of their fluorescence emission. PBs isolated from the mutant (i.e., ApcE-C190S-PBs), despite not binding some of the red-shifted pigments in the complex, showed similar global emission dynamics to WT-PBs. However, a detailed analysis of dynamics in the core revealed that the ApcE-C190S-PBs are less likely than WT-PBs to enter quenched states under illumination but still fully capable of doing so. This result points to an important but not exclusive role of the ApcE pigments in the light-induced intrinsic excitation energy dissipation mechanism in PBs.
Real World Study of Cumulative Absolute Reduction in Axial Elongation after Photobiomodulation Therapy
Authors: Kaikai QIU , Zhou Lei , Coveney David , Zhou Lei , Tong Liyang , Li Ying , He Chao , Liu Dong
Published: October 2023

Purpose
To assess the age and timeline distribution of ocular axial length shortening among myopic children treated with photobiomodulation therapy.
Methods
A retrospective study of photobiomodulation therapy in Chinese children aged 4 to 13 years old with axial length measurements were recorded and assessed to determine effectiveness at each age level and two age goups. Data was collected from myopic children who received photobiomodulation therapy from the same device for 12 months. Effective myopia control was defined as any follow-up axial length < baseline axial length, confirming a reduction in axial length.
Results
342 myopic children were included with the mean age 8.64 ± 2.20 years and with baseline mean axial length of 24.41 ± 1.17 mm. There were 85.40%, 46.30%, 71.20% and 58.30% children with axial length shortening recorded on follow-up at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, respectively. With respect to the axial length shortened eyes, the mean axial length difference (standard deviation) was − 0.039 (0.11) mm, -0.032 (0.11) mm, -0.037 (0.12) mm, -0.028 (0.57) mm at 1, 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up, respectively. Greater AL shortening was observed among older age group who had longer baseline axial length (P < 0.001). In the multi-variable model, although AL shortening frequency was significantly related to baseline axial length and ages (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions
Overall myopia control effectiveness using photobiomodulation therapy was shown to be age and time related, with the maximum absolute reduction in axial elongation being cumulative.
Questionnaire for the Corneal Endothelial Cell Density and Morphology in Healthy Syrian Eyes
Authors: ALkhatib Sarah , Alfawares Maamoun , Haddeh Yusra
Published: October 2023

purpose: To study corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in healthy Syrian eyes and compare endothelial cell characteristics in the Syrian population with data available in the literature for other populations.
Methods and materials: Specular microscopy was performed in 520 eyes of 260 healthy Syrian volunteers, 18 to 96 years of age, Parameters studied included endothelial cell density (CD), cell area (CA), coefficient of variation (CV) in cell area, and percent of hexagonally (EX)
Results: The mean cell density was 1189 ± 326, the mean percentage of hexagonal cells was 47.75% ± 5.8%, the mean coefficient of variation was 0.4 ± 0.05, and the mean cell area was 452 ± 90, The study showed that there is a difference between the sexes in the mean values of the coefficient of variation and the mean cell area (statistical significance 0.007 and 0.013), respectively, and there is a difference in the endothelial cell density (ESD), the coefficient of variation (CV), the mean central corneal thickness (CCT), and the percentage of Hexagonal cells (EX), where the statistical significance is (0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0,006, 0.000), respectively.
Conclusion: Normative data for the corneal endothelium in the Syrian population are reported. Our data add to the knowledge about endothelial cell parameters in Syrian eyes and serve as a baseline for comparative studies with other populations.
Graphene as a nanomaterial induces apoptosis and hypoxic stress in melanoma cells
Authors: Zhao Wumei , Zhang Chengyun , Fu Wenxing , Wu Binghui , Zheng Nanfeng , Chen Hong-Duo , Shan Shi-Jun
Published: October 2023

Malignant melanoma(MM)is a proliferating skin disease, which is highly lethal and invasive. The current available treatments include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy, but the efficacy of these treatments is not optimistic. When a tumor occurs in a population that is not suitable for surgery, the treatments become extremely challenging. Graphene, as a new type of nanomaterial, possesses unique optical properties, but little is known about its far-infrared effects. Based on what we have achieved, good treatment outcomes in skin conditions using graphene film (GF) therapy previously. Here, we explored the therapeutic effects of GF on MM and investigated the preliminary mechanisms. GF inhibited B16F10 cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner. RNA sequencing revealed several pathways that were affected by GF, such as intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways, regulation of the cell cycle and hypoxic stress. Our experimental results showed that GF induced Bax and AIF expression, accompanied by the upregulation of Caspase-3 and 9 enzyme activities and the elevation of their cleavage substrate RAPR. Both Z-DEVD-FMK and Z-LEHD-FMK, inhibitors of Caspase-3 and − 9, can rescue many apoptotic cells. Interestingly, the expression of hypoxia-related proteins HIF-1α and Higd2a was down regulated, and ROS production was increased after GF treatment. Additionally, it was observed that GF arrests the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Generally, GF induces tumor cell apoptosis, hypoxic stress and cell cycle arrest, providing a new therapeutic strategy for MM.
Kenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe), Ag6(Ag4Fe2)Sb4S12☐: A new tetrahedrite group mineral containing a natural [Ag6]4+ cluster and its relationship to the synthetic ternary phosphide (Ag6M4P12)M6′
Authors: Qu Kai , Sun Weizhi , Nestola Fabrizio , Gu Xiangping , Yang Zeqiang , Sima Xianzhang , Tang Chao , Fan Guang , Wang Yanjuan
Published: October 2023

[Ag6]4+ clusters are extremely rare in nature (only found in Ag-rich tetrahedrite group minerals). Due to their remarkable structures and some promising applications, a few synthesis phases that contain octahedral [Ag6]4+ clusters have been reported. However, the kinds of natural conditions that promote the formation of subvalent hexasilver clusters in tetrahedrite group minerals are still unclear. Kenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe), ideally Ag6(Ag4Fe2)Sb4S12☐ is a new tetrahedrite group mineral containing a natural [Ag6]4+ cluster, found in the Yindongpo gold deposit, Weishancheng ore field, Henan Province, China. This new species occurs at the edges of galena crystals as anhedral grains of 2 to 20 μm in size and is associated with pyrargyrite, pyrrhotite, and siderite. Kenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe) is black in color with metallic luster. It is brittle with conchoidal fracture and has a calculated density of 5.329 g/cm3. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of cation = 16 apfu is M(2)Ag6M(1)(Ag2.41Cu1.20Fe1.84Zn0.71)Σ6.16X(3)(Sb3.82As0.01)Σ3.83S(1)S11.60S(2)☐. It is cubic, with space group I43m, a = 10.7119(6) Å, V = 1229.1(2) Å3, and Z = 2. Since kenorozhdestvenskayaite-(Fe) is a new tetrahedrite group mineral containing a natural [Ag6]4+ cluster, its structure is comparable to the synthetic ternary phosphide (Ag6M4P12)M6′. The presence of the unusual mineral assemblages, i.e., pyrrhotite and pyrargyrite, as well as the other keno-end-member tetrahedrites, indicates a low-fS2 state for the mineralization stage, probably a result of the fluid boiling process in an open system that likely contributed to the formation of S-deficient tetrahedrites.
Dualities and loops on squashed $S^3$
Authors: Thull Charles
Published: October 2023

We consider \mathcal{N}=4𝒩=4 supersymmetric gauge theories on the squashed three-sphere with six preserved supercharges. We first discuss how Wilson and vortex loops preserve up to four of the supercharges and we find squashing independence for the expectation values of these 2/3-BPS loops. We then show how the additional supersymmetries facilitate the analytic matching of partition functions and loop operator expectation values to those in the mirror dual theory, allowing one to lift all the results that were previously established on the round sphere to the squashed sphere. Additionally, on the squashed sphere with four preserved supercharges, we numerically evaluate the partition functions of ABJM and its dual super-Yang-Mills at low ranks of the gauge group. We find matching values of their partition functions, prompting us to conjecture the general equality on the squashed sphere. From the numerics we also observe the squashing dependence of the Lee-Yang zeros and of the non-perturbative corrections to the all order large NN expression for the ABJM partition function.
Identification and mapping of surface irrigation potential in the data-scarce Jewuha watershed, Middle Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Dinku Manamno Beza , Kebede Habtamu Hailu
Published: October 2023

This study was conducted to identify and map the surface irrigation potential in the data-scarce Jewuha watershed of the Awash Basin, Ethiopia. The suitability of the land, based on the soil characteristics and slope, was first assessed by the parametric evaluation technique. The overall suitability of the land was then evaluated considering additional factors including land use land cover, proximity to a water source and road using weighted overlay analysis through the analytic hierarchical process (AHP). Water diversion sites as the source of water supply points were selected based on theoretical site selection criteria with the help of a geographic information system (GIS) and physical observation. The surface water available at the diversion sites was estimated using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model combined with the spatial proximity regionalization technique. The land suitability analysis revealed that 16.7% (11,359 ha) of the study area is suitable for surface irrigation. Five diversion sites were identified as sources of water supply and the total flows at these sites were 12.92 Mm3. It was found that only 27.3% (3,098 ha) of the suitable land, 5% of the total area of the watershed, can be effectively developed by surface irrigation.
A comparative evaluation of streamflow prediction using the SWAT and NNAR models in the Meenachil River Basin of Central Kerala, India
Authors: Saranya M. S. , Vinish V. Nair
Published: October 2023

Reliable and accurate modelling of streamflow is still a challenging task due to their complex behaviour, need for extensive parameter for development as well as lack of complete or accurate data. In this study, the applicability of an emerging data-driven model, specifically a neural network autoregression (NNAR) model, was evaluated for the first time as a substitute to the physically based hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for predicting streamflow under data-scarce conditions and for immediate high-quality modelling results. The inputs to the NNAR model were the lagged values of the daily streamflow time series data, and the output was the predicted value for the next day. Using streamflow data that was windowed by 20 days, the NNAR model produced the best prediction. The results of the statistical metrics used to evaluate the performance of the NNAR model were satisfactory (R = 0.90, RMSE = 28.27, MAE = 11.92, R2 = 0.83), indicating a high degree of agreement between the predicted and observed streamflow. The NNAR model outputs demonstrated its ability to accurately predict streamflow in the river basin, even without an explicit understanding of the physical processes that govern the system.
THE DIGITAL MARKETING TO INFLUENCE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION MEDIATED BY PURCHASE DECISION
Authors:   Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia, Bachri Syamsul , Putra Setiawan Mandala ,   Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia, Farid Erwan Sastrawan ,   Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia, Darman Darman ,   Tadulako University, Palu, Indonesia, Mayapada Arung Gihna ,   Otago University, Dunein, New Zealand
Published: October 2023

Consumer satisfaction and purchasing decisions made by consumers have always been a concern of marketers, taking into account these two aspects can encourage businesses to develop. Digital marketing is one of the factors that can shape consumer satisfaction and purchase decisions. For this reason, this study aims to prove whether there is an influence between digital marketing on purchasing decisions and consumer satisfaction, the influence of purchasing decisions on consumer satisfaction, and to prove whether purchasing decisions can mediate the relationship between digital marketing and customer satisfaction. This study, using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis to test the hypothesis. This study also using a non-probability sampling method through a judgmental sampling technique. The minimum number of samples in using SEM is 100-200 samples, and this study uses a sample of 100 respondents. The results of the study show that digital marketing influences purchasing decisions and also influences consumer satisfaction. Other findings show that purchasing decisions have a positive effect on consumer satisfaction. The research findings also show that purchasing decisions can positively mediate the relationship between digital marketing and consumer satisfaction. The findings of this study have practical implications especially transformations in digital-based marketing strategies. The use of various digital marketing strategies such as email marketing, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, etc., can help companies or marketers to increase consumer decisions in making purchases which at the last can build their satisfaction.
A DIGITAL MARKETING STRATEGY USING SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING TO INCREASE CONSUMER PURCHASE DECISIONS MEDIATED BY BRAND PERCEPTION
Authors:   Pakuan University, Bogor, Hannan Sufrin , Piramita Santi ,   Pakuan University, Bogor, Purba Jan Horas Vervady ,   Institut Bisnis dan Informatika Kesatuan, Bogor
Published: October 2023

Improving customer impressions of non-subsidized mortgages is one of the challenges facing banks today, and the use of digital marketing media has become necessary to win the competition. This study attempts to examine the roles of brand perception in mediating the interactions between social media marketing and customer purchase decisions in the non-subsidized mortgage setting since consumer perception is still a problem in non-subsidized mortgages in Indonesia. Three hundred twenty participants from non-subsidized mortgage debtors who have had new credit agreements for more than three months and who follow Bank XYZ on Instagram were used in this study. PLS-SEM, or partial least square structural equation modeling, was used in this study's data analysis. According to the findings, brand perception significantly and positively mediates the influence of social media marketing on customer purchasing decisions. The study's findings suggest that Bank XYZ has to improve its social media marketing approach, focusing on producing engaging, interactive, and educational content for users. Building a brand relationship with customers is extremely important for improving brand perception. Consumers will find it simpler to use a mortgage at Bank XYZ because of the perception connected to their minds.
Illuminating Tradition Through Innovation: Transforming Traditional Woven Tourism in Smart Tourism in Central Lombok Regency
Authors: Fitri Suci Emilia , Pranasari Melati Ayuning , Indarti Dian Martha , Savira Evi Maya , Andari Tania , Aprilani Triana Lidona , Utami Karina Juniarti , Putri Nadia , Manoby Worry Mambusy , Putra Imam Radianto Anwar Setia , Saksono Herie
Published: October 2023

This study aims to explore the challenges that have long hindered the progress of traditional weaving tourism in Central Lombok Regency and unravel the role of innovation as a breakthrough and solution. The study's focus centered on the importance of innovation as a transformative factor for traditional weaving tourism within the framework of smart tourism in Lombok Tengah Regency. It is known that the distinctive traditional weaving of Lombok has a long history and is an integral part of local life and culture, passed down through generations. However, realistically, traditional weaving must contend with challenges such as the low prices of woven fabric products, the lack of interest among the younger generation to learn weaving, and the limited capacity of weavers to respond to local, domestic, and even global market demands. This study employs a qualitative-exploratory approach, with the research taking place in the villages of Rembitan and Sukarara in Lombok Tengah Regency. The study finds that the challenges faced by traditional weaving can only be overcome through innovation. Innovation has the ability to overcome various obstacles by developing products and creating new designs that align with tourists' interests, utilizing digital technology to market and sell traditional woven products, imparting new skills and techniques to weavers, and promoting traditional weaving as a cultural heritage through digital platforms. Innovation has successfully transformed the traditional weaving tourism industry, even though this transformation is still partial. The dodeca-helix approach within the Tourism Hub can synergize stakeholders to create innovation for transforming the industry despite challenges that must be overcome for this transformation to materialize. In the effort to change the traditional weaving tourism industry through innovation, it is recommended that the Government, private sector, and local community collaborate to address challenges and create innovations to guide the development of traditional weaving in the future.
Odbudowa zachodniej pierzei Placu Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego – czy specustawa jest potrzebna?
Authors: Wieczorek Anna , Gorzelak Magnolia
Published: October 2023

W 2021 r. uchwalono ustawę o przygotowaniu i realizacji inwestycji w zakresie odbudowy Pałacu Saskiego, Pałacu Brühla oraz kamienic przy ulicy Królewskiej w Warszawie. To kolejna z wielu tzw. specustaw, które zawieszają stosowanie powszechnie obowiązujących przepisów. Pałace Saski i Brühla oraz kamienice przy ulicy Królewskiej w 1939 r. tworzyły zachodnią pierzeję Placu, który podobnie jak dzisiaj nosił nazwę Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego. Celem artykułu jest wykazanie, że do zorganizowania odbudowy, w szczególności do ustalenia lokalizacji powyższych budynków, wystarczają przepisy ogólnie obowiązujące. Słowa kluczowe: Plac Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego, Pałac Saski, Pałac Brühla, kamienice przy ulicy Królewskiej, odbudowa
A Curriculum on Digital Psychiatry for a US-Based Psychiatry Residency Training Program: Pilot Implementation Study
Authors: Noori Sofia , Khasnavis Siddharth , DeCroce-Movson Eliza , Blay-Tofey Morkeh , Vitiello Evan
Published: October 2023

Background

Digital psychiatry, defined as the application of health technologies to the prevention, assessment, and treatment of mental health illnesses, is a growing field. Interest in the clinical use of these technologies continues to grow. However, psychiatric trainees receive limited or no formal education on the topic.

Objective

This study aims to pilot a curriculum on digital psychiatry for a US-based psychiatry residency training program and examine the change in learner confidence regarding appraisal and clinical recommendation of digital mental health apps.

Methods

Two 60-minute sessions were presented through a web-based platform to postgraduate year 2-4 residents training in psychiatry at a US-based adult psychiatry residency program. Learner confidence was assessed using pre- and postsession surveys.

Results

Matched pre- and postsession quizzes showed improved confidence in multiple domains aligning with the course objectives. This included the structured appraisal of digital mental health apps (P=.03), assessment of a patient’s digital health literacy (P=.01), formal recommendation of digital health tools (P=.03), and prescription of digital therapeutics to patients (P=.03). Though an improvement from baseline, mean ratings for confidence did not exceed “somewhat comfortable” on any of the above measures.

Conclusions

Our study shows the feasibility of implementing a digital psychiatry curriculum for residents in multiple levels of training. We also identified an opportunity to increase learner confidence in the appraisal and clinical use of digital mental health apps through the use of a formal curriculum.