bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EMDR Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Adult Inpatient Mental Health Settings: A Systematic Review
Authors: Phillips Rebecca , Pinto Cathryn , McSherry Pamela , Maguire Tess
Published: June 2023

Most research evaluating eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has taken place in community settings, leaving the impact for service users within inpatient environments less clear. This systematic review sought to identify, summarize, and critically evaluate studies that investigated the impact of EMDR on symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within adult inpatient mental health settings. Seven databases were systematically searched to identify published and unpublished articles eligible for inclusion. Eleven studies, published between 1995 and 2020, were included within this review. All studies showed that EMDR improved PTSD symptoms, across a variety of study populations. However, these findings are limited by the (a) preponderance of case study designs (preventing causal attribution); (b) provision of synchronous treatments; (c) poor methodological quality; and (d) high heterogeneity across studies. Prior research has shown EMDR’s effectiveness and safety for vulnerable populations. While the evidence is beginning to support its use with those experiencing PTSD symptoms within adult inpatient settings, it is premature to strongly recommend it as a routine intervention. Future research within this area is recommended.
Taxing Mobile Money in Kenya: Impact on Financial Inclusion
Authors: Diouf Awa , Carreras Marco , Santoro Fabrizio
Published: June 2023

Many people argue that mobile money has the potential to increase financial inclusion and improve the livelihoods of poor people in Africa. However, while many African governments impose specific taxes on mobile money transactions, very little is known about their effect on the use of mobile money services. This study assesses the short- and long-term impact of the tax on money transfer fees that the Kenyan government introduced in 2013. The tax, more specifically an excise duty, was imposed on fees incurred in all money transactions, including mobile money. It was introduced at 10 per cent and increased to 12 per cent in 2018. Our analysis has two parts. We use country-level data to see if the tax affected the use of mobile money – transaction values and volume – and the number of active mobile money agents. In addition, we use four rounds of nationally representative survey data to estimate changes in the use of mobile money after introduction of the tax. We find that the excise duty did not have a significant impact on different aggregated indicators relating to the use of mobile money. However, survey data shows that the tax may have reduced the rate of increase in use of mobile money services affected by the changes in tax, such as sending and receiving money, compared to services that were not, like savings and paying bills. Importantly, while the amounts transacted may not change, users send and receive money within households less regularly. In addition, the tax seems to have a more detrimental impact on poorer households, which were less likely to be financially included before the tax was introduced. Larger households also show more negative effects after the tax. URI
Seven Years of Terror : Jihadi Organisations's Strategies and Future Decisions
Authors: Almohammad Asaad
Published: June 2023

"This paper aims to provide practitioners and academics with an empirical approach for assessing the current state and future directions of the Salafi-Jihadi Movement’s (SJM) member organisations. Making use of available data, it taps into the Islamic State’s (IS) and al-Qaeda’s (AQ) strategic priorities. Then, the article maps and examines various strategies of the broader SJM using game theory. It assigns numerical representations to these strategies based on both the quantitative analysis of AQ’s and IS’s strategic priorities and published assessments of jihadi organisations’ strategies. The findings suggest that Localisation is the most pragmatic approach when compared to global undertaking for winning the hearts and minds of jihadi constituencies or proto-state building. Moreover, the results indicate that to regain hegemony of the SJM, AQ may opt to orchestrate terrorist attacks against the West. The model also shows that IS scores the highest payoffs through using guerrilla warfare methods and sleeper cells—as well as by rebuilding its depleted capacities and carrying out attacks that polarise Sunni communities. The paper concludes by providing implications, limitations, and directions for future research"
Estimation of fuel consumption in a jet engine based on vibration signal parameters
Authors: Szymański Grzegorz Marek , Cywka Bartłomiej , Mokrzan Daniel , Prokopowicz Wojciech
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes the use of vibroacoustic signal parameters to estimate the fuel consumption of a miniature GTM-400 engine. The method for testing engine vibrations is presented, followed by an analysis of the results obtained. Two vibration point measures were selected to build a fuel consumption model. The models obtained were verified, after which those that best describe the real fuel consumption of the engine were selected. The paper proves that the vibration signal, in addition to its applications in jet engine diagnostics, can be used to determine engine performance, which can contribute to reducing the complexity of construction and increasing the economics of engine operation.
Essays on Aggregation With Heterogeneous and Interacting Agents
Authors:   , Schulz-Gebhard Jan
Published: June 2023

Aggregation is one, if not the fundamental challenge of the social sciences. Whenever agents on the micro level interact and are strongly heterogeneous, macro behavior might exhibit emergent properties and is likely irreducible to an ensemble of isolated actions at the micro level. Given the overwhelming complexity of those actions with myriads of agents interacting based on differing beliefs and along heterogeneous dimensions, any explanatory attempt needs to idealize and simplify to reduce this complexity. While the focus of behavioral macroeconomics is to refine behavioral rules, the interaction and heterogeneity of those sophisticated agents can therefore often only be considered to a limited extent. By contrast, the complexity economics approach typically assumes little sophistication and adaptive behavior and focuses on the impact of the intermediate layer between the micro and macro levels on aggregate outcomes, i.e., on distributional regularities and networks. This is the paradigm in which the thesis at hand is situated. Which approach is more appropriate to understand a specific economic phenomenon naturally depends on the network topology and actual heterogeneity of the empirical target system. Rather than substitutes, the central claim this thesis sets out to defend is thus that both perspectives complement each other and that a complexity perspective offers additional interpretations and implications concerning the same phenomenal domain. Instead of a conceptual discussion, it tries to employ the outlined pre-analytic vision and shows that the proposed parsimonious explanations are often observationally equivalent to attempts that attribute most of the observed macro outcomes to micro origins. In these cases, a complexity economics perspective might offer vastly different additional policy implications, e.g., it might help to identify pivotal agents for aggregate outcomes or show how changing social network topologies might influence mental models that more micro-oriented approaches cannot account for by construction.
Sofonisba Anguissola (1532/38-1625): uma pintora italiana no renascimento espanholl
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Hargrave Isabel
Published: June 2023

Sofonisba Anguissola, nascida entre 1532 e 1538 (data mais aceita hoje), é a mais velha de 7 irmãos, sendo 6 mulheres, entre as quais 4 (Sofonisba, Lucia, Europa e Ana Maria), chegaram a pintar, Elena (que se tornou monja), Minerva (que se dedicou às letras), e um homem, Asdrúbale. A família Anguissola pertencia à pequena aristocracia cremonense, mas era uma família com formação suficiente para que o pai, Amilcar Anguissola e a mãe, Bianca Ponzoni, se preocupassem em oferecer-lhes uma educação completa que passasse pelas artes, pelo ensino do latim, letras e instrumentos musicais, como de resto constava nas indicações de educação de uma gentildonna no O Cortesão de Baltassare Castiglione.
A atemporalidade do vestuário botticelliano e sua recepção na historiografia artística
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Carvalho Larissa Sousa de
Published: June 2023

Uma enorme fortuna crítica envolve a vida e obra de Sandro Botticelli (c.1444/5-1510). No entanto, os significados continuam flutuantes e as interpretações em aberto. Nem mesmo a “crise de explicação excessiva”, observada por Sergiusz Michalski, trouxe respostas que solucionassem os mistérios e ambigüidades que cercam, ainda hoje, o trabalho do artista. Um fator que contribui fortemente para a indefinição de suas figuras é o tratamento reservado às vestimentas e aos acessórios. Sua relevância é sugerida até mesmo pela célebre citação do ator e escritor inglês Peter Ustinov: “Se Botticelli estivesse vivo hoje, estaria trabalhando para Vogue”; ressaltando a relação do artista com um possível campo da “moda”. Porém, antes de adentrar neste tema, caberá resgatar um pouco do que os autores construíram textualmente ao redor das obras, bem como seus modos de aproximação, metodologias e entendimentos gerais sobre suas poéticas.
Avaliação da alimentação escolar
Authors: Fortunato Geisa Juliana Gomes Marques , Monego Estelamaris Tronco , Martins Karine Anusca , Piscoya Mário , Oliveira Giovanna Angela Leonel
Published: June 2023

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a alimentação ofertada pelo Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) nas comunidades remanescentes de quilombos em Goiás, Brasil. Estudo transversal, em 31 escolas localizadas nas comunidades quilombolas. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevista com o nutricionista responsável técnico, o gestor da alimentação escolar nos níveis municipal e estadual e os conselheiros da alimentação escolar. Aplicou-se questionário semi estruturado e solicitaram-se os cardápios mensais. Os dados caracterizavam a alimentação quanto: ao valor per capita, presença de alimentos da agricultura familiar e composição nutricional dos cardápios. Realizou-se análise descritiva e dos componentes principais dos cardápios. Foram identificados que 75,0% dos representantes do Conselho de Alimentação Escolar desconheciam o valor per capita para estudantes quilombolas; 54,8% das escolas compravam gêneros alimentícios da agricultura familiar; quanto aos cardápios, os principais alimentos fornecidos foram 35,6% frutas e hortaliças e 26,7% alimentos fontes de gordura, açúcar e sal; e apenas uma escola apresentou cardápio nutricionalmente adequado às recomendações. Com isso, observou-se que a execução do PNAE nas comunidades quilombolas pesquisadas não segue os parâmetros preconizados na legislação. Será que o Programa é rigoroso o suficiente para torna-se viável na realidade das comunidades quilombolas? Mesmo com tantos avanços, ainda se tem muito a alcançar quanto à inclusão das comunidades tradicionais na garantia da Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional com ênfase na Alimentação Escolar.
MRI for screening and surveillance for hepatocellular cancer in NAFLD and NASH
Authors: Pocha Christine , Choudhry Sabina
Published: June 2023

Chronic liver disease is an important risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with 80%-90% developing in the background of cirrhosis, primarily due to alcohol abuse and chronic viral infection with hepatitis B and C. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) related HCC is rising due to the global epidemic of obesity and diabetes. NAFLD also potentiates other risk factors of HCC, such as chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver injury. Furthermore, HCC may complicate non-cirrhotic NAFLD, greatly expanding the population potentially at risk. Screening and surveillance for HCC with ultrasonography (US) in this patient population pose challenges related to body habitus, liver morphology, and co-morbidities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applying various image sequence protocols and contrast agents could aid in early detection and improved prognosis of HCC. It is of utmost importance to define the most cost-effective dynamic imaging protocol for use in patients where high-quality ultrasonography images cannot be obtained and for patients undergoing surveillance for lesions identified with US. Furthermore, standardization of MRI protocols will help to define potential unique HCC features in this population. A scoring system including patient-derived factors may help to identify high-risk patients. Standardized protocols as part of prospective cohort studies and randomized clinical trials will help to stratify high-risk patients and to aid the development of professional guidelines for screening and surveillance of HCC in patients with NAFLD and NASH using dynamic imagining techniques.
Identification of PLA2G6 variants in a Chinese patient with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Deng Xinyue , Zheng Wen , Yang Yan , Yang Zhijian , Li Huan , Song Zhi , Wang Jiangang , Deng Hao , Yuan Lamei
Published: June 2023

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a clinical syndrome and a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative conditions with variable pathologies and clinical sub-entities, characterized by motor symptoms and non-motor features. PD represents an outcome of the combination of genes and other risk or protective factors. Patients with variants in the phospholipase A2 group VI gene (PLA2G6) can present complex Parkinsonian phenotypes. This study reported a PD patient with typical motor symptoms of PD, including bradykinesia, gait disturbance, rigidity, and rest tremor, who also suffered from nocturia, constipation, and sleeping problems. Two PLA2G6 variants, c.402C>T and c.2327_2328del, were identified in the patient by whole exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing. The transition c.402C>T was predicted to generate an alternative acceptor splice site, though the minigene splicing assay showed negative in vitro outcomes. The novel variant c.2327_2328del was predicted to result in a truncated protein. These two variants may be pathogenic in PD or increase the susceptibility to PD individually or collaboratively. This discovery may enrich the genetic landscape of PLA2G6-associated PD and confirm the notion of prioritizing whole exome sequencing analysis in patients with PD.
Hepatic Steatosis Detection by Computer Vision During Chest Low-Dose Computed Tomography in Lung Cancer Screening Program
Authors: Zakharova D. К. , Nudnov N. V. , Kodenko М. R. , Reshetnikov R. V. , Gonchar А. P.
Published: June 2023

Background. Chest low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is used in lung cancer screening, but the study data can also be used to assess the liver condition, including the hepatic steatosis (HS) detection. However, radiologists often do not pay attention to liver changes due to the focus on the chest. Objective: to determine the prevalence of HS during chest LDST among lung cancer screening patients using a computer vision (CV) system. Material and methods. For a retrospective study, 300 chest LDCT were taken from Moscow lung cancer screening in 2018–2020. Hepatic attenuation analysis was performed by CV, the values < 40 HU were considered as HS. The text protocols of CT scans were analysed and compared with decreased hepatic attenuation revealed by CV system. Results. 291 patients were analysed, the median age for the sample was 65 [61; 70] years. The mean hepatic attenuation was 55.6 ± 14.8 HU. Hepatic attenuation < 40 HU was found in 13% patients (23 (16.1%) males and 14 (9.5%) females), a statistically significant difference was revealed among these patients (p = 0.04). Six (4.2%) males and 4 (2.7%) females were at risk for HS (40–45 HU). The examination of text protocols showed no pathology discovered in all cases. Conclusion. The prevalence of CT signs for HS among the lung cancer screening group in Moscow was 13%. The absence of HS in text protocols highlights the importance of using CV systems in the routine practice.
Multiple Myeloma with Intracranial Distribution
Authors: Rynda A. Yu. , Pavlov О. А. , Verbitskiy О. P. , Sitovskaya D. А. , Podgornyak M. Yu.
Published: June 2023

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant immunoproliferative disease involving plasma cells, leading to their malignant proliferation and the production of monoclonal paraproteins. Intracranial tumor spread in MM is very rare. This is a unique and infrequent localization, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. We report a rare case of treatment of a patient with MM intracranial spread, whose disease was presumably in remission and recurred as an intracranial plasmacytoma with a clinical picture of acute cerebrovascular accident. Surgical intervention was performed to remove the tumor, a histopathological analysis of the removed tissue was carried out. Even with early diagnosis, the prognosis remains bleak, with median survival rates of 3 to 6 months. However, aggressive multimodal treatment can prolong life by months.
Possibilities of Discriminant Analysis in the Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Aspergillosis and Nonmicotic Lung Lesions
Authors: Nikolaeva N. G. , Shadrivova O. V. , Borzova Yu. V. , Grigoryev S. G. , Itskovich I. E. , Klimko N. N.
Published: June 2023

Objective: to improve the efficiency of differential diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (СPA) based on the assessment of its probability using a discriminant mathematical model. Material and methods. The prospective study included 74 patients with CPA (57% women, median age 53 years) meeting the ERS/ESCMID criteria (2016). The control group consisted of 35 patients with lung diseases without CPA. Clinical and anamnestic data, the results of computed tomography (CT), laboratory and instrumental methods of research were analysed. By means of stepwise discriminant analysis, the model was created in order to differentiate compared groups. Results. The main forms of CPA were simple solitary aspergilloma (n = 30, 40%) and cavitary CPA (n = 21, 28%). On CT scans, in patients with CPA pulmonary emphysema (n = 50, 74%; 95% CI 63–83), bronchiectasis (n = 42, 56%; 95% CI 44–67), pleura thickening (n = 40, 56%; 95% CI 42–65) were detected with a high frequency. The sensitivity and specificity of typical for CPA air sickle symptom were 66.2% and 74.29%, respectively. The diagnostic informativeness of laboratory methods was characterized by high specificity (85–100%), however, it had sensitivity 40–60%. A discriminant model was worked up. It included five variables: mycological confirmation of the diagnosis (р < 0.001), air sickle symptom on CT (p = 0.03), ground glass opacity sympton on CT (p = 0.017), accompanying rheumatological diseases (p = 0,031), positive Aspergillus antigen in bronchoalveolar lavage (p = 0.036). The resulting model of differential diagnosis is statistically significant (F = (5.102) = 27.291; p < 0.001). Conclusion. CT-patterns of CPA include typical (air sickle symptom) and nonspecific (pleura thickening, emphysema, bronchiectasis) changes. Separately taken laboratory indicators and CT-symptoms are not always the determining criteria for diagnosis; an integrated approach is required to make a diagnosis. The proposed model improves the accuracy of differential diagnosis between CPA and nonmycotic lung diseases: increases sensitivity to 82.43%, specificity to 94.28% in comparison with separately analyzed laboratory data and typical CT-pattern of air sickle symptom. As a whole this model allows to classify the CPA and nonmycotic lung disease in 86,23% of cases.
Side Chain-modified Benzothiazinone Derivatives with Anti-Mycobacterial Activity
Authors: Dongguang Fan , Wang Bin , Stelitano Giovanni , Savková Karin , Riabova Olga , Shi Rui , Wu Xiaomei , Chiarelli Laurent R. , Mikušová Katarína , Makarov Vadim , Lu Yu , Hong Yuzhi , Qiao Chunhua
Published: June 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading infectious disease with serious antibiotic resistance. The benzothiazinone (BTZ) scaffold PBTZ169, an inhibitor of the decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-ribose 2'-oxidase (DprE1) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), showed anti-TB potential in animal model and piloted clinical tests. Although highly potent, the BTZ type DprE1 inhibitors in general shows extremely low aqueous solubility, which adversely affect the drug like property. To improve the compounds physiochemical properties, we generated a series of BTZ analogues. Several optimized compounds had MIC values against Mtb in single digit nanomolar. The representative compound 37 displayed improved solubility and bioavailability compared to the lead compound. Additionally, compound 37 shows Mtb-killing ability in an acute infection mouse model.
Advances in Somatic Embryogenesis of Banana
Authors: Adero Mark , Tripathi Jaindra N. , Tripathi Leena
Published: June 2023

Bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) cultivation holds significant global economic importance, but it faces numerous challenges, which may include diverse abiotic and biotic factors such as drought and various diseases caused by fungi, viruses, and bacteria. The genetic and asexual nature of cultivated banana varieties makes them unattractive for improvement via traditional breeding. To overcome these constraints, modern biotechnological approaches like genetic modification and genome editing have become essential for banana improvement. However, these techniques rely on somatic embryogenesis, which has only been successfully achieved in a limited number of banana cultivars. Therefore, developing new strategies for improving somatic embryogenesis in banana is crucial. This review article focuses on advancements in banana somatic embryogenesis, highlighting the progress, the various stages involved, cryopreservation techniques, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the process. Furthermore, the article discusses the factors that could influence somatic embryogenesis and explores the prospects for improving the process, especially in recalcitrant banana cultivars. By addressing these challenges and exploring potential solutions, researchers aim to unlock the full potential of somatic embryogenesis as a tool for banana improvement, ultimately benefiting the global banana industry.
Cascading One-pot Synthesis of Biodegradable Uronic Acid-based Surfactants from Oligoalginates, Semi-Refined Alginates and Crude Brown Seaweeds
Authors: Pessel Freddy , Noirbent Guillaume , Boyère Cédric , Arnaud Sacha Pérocheau , Wong Tiphaine , Durand Laura , Benvegnu Thierry
Published: June 2023

The present article describes a one-pot and cascade mode process using biocompatible/biodegradable reagents, for directly and simply obtaining surfactant compositions of mixtures of D-mannuronic acid and L-guluronic acid directly from oligoalginates or semi-refined alginates (mixtures of alginate, cellulose, hemicellulose, laminaran and fucan). Simple treatments of partial purification of the reaction crudes (elimination of the salts and/or the residual fatty alcohols) or isolation of the surfactant compositions result in derived compounds and in compositions having performance levels appropriate to applications in detergency. In addition, the challenging extension of this cascading one-pot synthesis technology to crude milled brown seaweeds was successfully carried out to provide promising surface-active compositions made up of alkyl uronate and alkyl glycoside monosaccharides.
Injury Prevalence among Young Elite Baseball Players
Authors: Ha Daeho , Nagai Satoshi , Noh Byungjoo , Mukai Naoki , Miyakawa Shumpei , Takemura Masahiro
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to describe the injury profiles of young Korean baseball players according to position and age as the proportion and distribution of injuries based on playing position and age remains unclear. A total of 271 elite youth baseball players aged 8 to 16 years were divided into two groups: elementary school (ES) (n=135) and middle school (MS) (n=136). The participants' basic, baseball practice, and injury information were collected. Injuries in the MS group were not limited to the elbow and shoulder, and the injury prevalence varied by age group and baseball position. The most injured body region in the ES group was the elbow joint, regardless of the position. In contrast, the most injured body region in the MS group was the lower back, except for infielders whose elbows were the most injured. Additionally, the MS group was more likely to experience injuries of the lower back (OR=4.27, 95% CI=2.47–7.40), shoulder (OR=1.93, 95% CI=1.08–3.43; P=0.024), and knee (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.17–3.94; P=0.012). Our findings indicate that excessive practice and lack of rest during MS (growth spurt period) can significantly increase the risk of lower back problems in young baseball players.
A New Data Balancing Approach based Generative Adversarial Network for Network Intrusion Detection System
Authors: Jamoos Mohammad , García Antonio , AlKhanafseh Mohammad , Surakhi Ola
Published: June 2023

The IDS serves as a security system that maintains constant surveillance over network traffic and host systems in order to identify any security breaches or potentially concerning activities. Recently. the rise in cyber-attacks has driven the necessity for the development of automated and intelligent network intrusion detection systems. These systems are designed to learn the typical patterns of network traffic, allowing them to identify any deviations from normal behaviour, which can be classified as anomalous or malicious. Machine learning methods are widely used to exhibit a satisfactory effectiveness in detecting malicious payloads in the network traffic. While the volume of the data generated from IDS is increasing exponentially results in the emergence of substantial security risks, it highlighted the imperative to strengthen network security. The performance of traditional machine learning methods depends on the dataset and the data balance distribution in it. while most of IDS datasets suffer from unbalancing, this limits the performance of the machine learning method used in the system and results in missed detections and false alarms in the conventional IDSs. To address this issue, this paper presents a new model-based Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) called TDCGAN to enhance the detection rate of less of minor class in the dataset while maintaining efficiency. The proposed model consists of one generator and three discriminators with an election layer at the end of architecture. The UGR’16 data set is used for evaluation purposes. In order to demonstrate the efficacy of our proposed model, various machine learning algorithms have been utilized for comparison. The experimental findings have determined that TDCGAN presents an efficient resolution for addressing imbalanced intrusion detection and surpasses the performance of other oversampling machine learning methods.
Resistant Bacteria in Broiler Litter Used as Ruminant Feed Before and After Litter Treatment
Authors: Mabjeesh Sameer J.
Published: June 2023

The use of anti-microbial drugs and coccidiostats in poultry farming is widespread, with a significant proportion of these drugs being excreted and released into the environment. The residues of such drugs in poultry litter (PL) can result in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The impact of different biotic treatments (aerobic, anaerobic, and stacking) on broiler litter (BL) before use as animal feed has not been studied extensively, nor have the differences between antimicrobial-dependent and independent broiler farms been investigated. This study aimed to determine the resistant bacteria in BL used as ruminant feed before and after litter treatment. The results showed that the most resistant bacteria before BL treatment were Enterococcus species. The study also found that the quantity of amoxicillin-resistant Enterococcus detected in samples from antimicrobial-dependent farms was significantly higher than in those from antimicrobial-independent farms. Additionally, 14% of bacteria were multi-resistant to tetracycline, sulfafurazole, and erythromycin in antimicrobial-independent farm litters, significantly lower than those measured in antimicrobial-dependent broiler farm litter. This study highlights the importance of better understanding, regulating, managing, and using animal waste appropriately to reduce the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and minimize the use of antimicrobials that carry high risks for animals, humans, and the environment
Comparative Analysis of Plant Morphological Features and Molecular Genetic Data for Polymorphism Study in Genus Tulipa L. and Determining the Tulip Species
Authors: Semenova Maria V. , Olekhnovich Ludmila S. , Enina Olga L.
Published: June 2023

Morphological features and composition of ISSR DNA fragments were studied in species of the genus Tulipa L. A comparative analysis of the data obtained was carried out and an attempt was made to clarify the species belonging of plants. Plants obtained from various sources were studied. It was found that representatives of the genus Tulipa L. from the two subgenera Tulipa and Eriostemones are well separated not only morphologically, but also by the composition of ISSR fragments. At the intra- and interspecific level, the results for morphological traits and molecular data differed. Interspecific and intraspecific differences were more clearly traced in the complex analysis of morphological features and ISSR PCR data. All samples obtained in the form of bulbs and renewed vegetatively had an identical set of ISSR fragments. Plants grown from seeds were characterized by a significant variety of molecular markers and had both species-specific and in-dividual genetic variability. It was found that the samples obtained and registered as the Tulipa urumiensis Stapf are the yellow-flowered form of the Tulipa tarda Stapf, and a sample received as the Tulipa turkestanika Regel is the Tulipa bifloriformis Vved. Thus, a comprehensive study of both the data of fragmentary DNA analysis and morphological features, provided a sufficient number of DNA samples, makes it possible to clarify the species of tulip plants, and also allows us to assess the genetic diversity of the genus Tulipa.
Expression Diﬀerences Between the Eutopic Endometrium With and Without Endometriosis and the Ectopic Endome-trium. A Re-Analysis of Arrays
Authors: Riaz Muhammad A , Mecha Ezekiel O , Omwandho Charles O. A. , Zeppernick Felix , Meinhold-Heerlein Ivo , Konrad Lutz
Published: June 2023

In the pathogenesis of endometriosis, the differences between the eutopic and ectopic endometrium as well as between the eutopic endometrium with and without endometriosis are repeatedly pointed out. Various mechanisms have been suggested to explain these changes among them epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Recently, we suggested based on immunohistochemical data that most of the changes occur after and not before implantation of endometrial cells into ectopic locations. Furthermore, the subtle changes between eutopic endometrium with and without endometriosis and maintenance of epithelial cell-to cell contacts only suggest a partial EMT. In this study, we have re-analyzed the mRNA expression array data of eutopic and ectopic endometrium with respect to expression changes and EMT. Especially, we found that the similarity between eutopic endometrium with and without endometriosis is extremely high (~99.1%). In contrast, eutopic endometrium compared to ectopic endometrium only shows an overall similarity of ~95.3%. Analysis of some EMT-associated genes revealed small differences in the mRNA expression levels of some members of the claudin family. The array data suggest that the changes in eutopic endometrium at the beginning of the disease are quite subtle and that the majority of differences occur after implantation into ectopic locations.
Identification Mechanism of BACE1 on Inhibitors Probed by Using Multiple Separate Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Comparative Calculations of Binding Free Energies
Authors: Wang Yinwen , Yang Fen , Yan Dongliang , Zeng Yalin , Wei Benzheng , Chen Jianzhong , He Weikai
Published: June 2023

The β-amyloid cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is regarded as an important target of drug design toward treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, three separate molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and calculations of binding free energies were carried out to comparatively probe identification mechanism of BACE1 on three inhibitors 60W, 954 and 60X. The analyses on MD trajectories indicate that the presence of three inhibitors influences structural stability, flexibility and internal dynamics of BACE1. Binding free energies calculated by using solvated interaction energy (SIE) and molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) methods reveal that the hydrophobic interactions provide decisive forces for inhibitor-BACE1 binding. The calculations of residue-based free energy decomposition suggest that the sidechains of residues L91, D93, S96, V130, Q134, W137, F169 and I179 play key roles in inhibitor-BACE1 binding, which provides a direction for future drug design toward treatment of AD.
Virtual Screening of a Series of Phytocompounds from Lagenaria Siceraria for the Identification of Potential Antidiabetic Drug Candidates, in Silico Study and Drug Design Approaches
Authors: Sultana Arifa , Noushin Fabiha , Ali Md. Liakot , Sultan Md. Zakir , Chowdhury Jakir Ahmed , Chowdhury Abu Asad , Kabir Shaila , Amran Md. Shah
Published: June 2023

Background: Currently, limited number of therapeutic options are available to treat Diabetes mellitus, and to find a potential candidate, laboratory work takes time and also needs animal studies. So, the aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of some natural phytocompounds with the aid of molecular docking, bioinformatics and in silico drug design approaches. Method: Two proteins (Human CYP3A4 linked to metformin and Human dipeptidyl peptidase-IV) were selected and molecular docking studies were conducted using Pymol, AutoDock Vina, PyRx, and Discovery Studio. Different important pharmacokinetic parameters like ADME and toxicity data were obtained from online databases SwissADME and pkCSM program. Results: It was found that human dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (PDB ID: 4A5S) has exhibited a maximal affinity of -9.7 Kcal/mol for bryonolic acid and hesperidin, but only -6.7 kcal/mol for metformin hydrochloride. Similarly, the highest affinity of hesperidin for human CYP3A4 bound to metformin (PDB ID: 5G5J) is -10.7 Kcal/mol compared to metformin hydrochlor (-6.3 Kcal/mol). Besides, all the compounds have been documented outstanding ADMET profile, and accepted by drug-likeness or Lipinski rule. Conclusions: The present study suggested that these compounds can be further investigated in vitro and in vivo to establish them as lead compounds against Diabetes mellitus..
Radiation-Induced Lymphocyte Apoptosis and Chromosomic Aberrations for Prediction of Toxicities in Patients Treated by Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Breast or Prostate Cancers
Authors: Azria David , Haviland Joanne S. , Brengues Muriel , Griffin Clare , Moquet Jayne , Barnard Stephen , Dearnaley David P , Gao Annie , Gothard Lone , Farcy-Jacquet Marie-Pierre , Rothkamm Kai , Yarnold John
Published: June 2023

Background: In trials using normofractionated regimen, the radiation-induced lymphocyte apoptosis (RILA) and the chromosomal damage assays (CDA) have shown prognostic roles of radiation-induced adverse events. The main objectives here were to validate RILA and CDA in extreme and moderate hypofractionation regimens for breast (FAST) and prostate (CHHiP) cancers.
Methods: Blood samples were collected from 400 volunteers included in FAST and CHHiP trials. The primary endpoints (PE) were first change in photographic breast appearance and first grade ≥2 RTOG bladder or bowel toxicity (BBT) in FAST and CHHiP, respectively. The secondary endpoints was first grade ≥2 breast clinical changes (BCC) in FAST and BBT using different scales in CHHiP.
Results: 103 FAST and 297 CHHiP patients with lab and clinical data were included. In FAST trial, no significant association of RILA with the primary endpoint was observed. A significant association of higher RILA levels with lower risk of any RIAE was found. The risk of developing grade ≥2 RIAE decreased significantly for patients with RILA≥24% compared to those with RILA≤16% with a HR of 0.50 (95%CI 0.25-1.00, p=0.012). Concerning chromosomic aberrations, no significant associations were found with change in photographic breast appearance nor with the secondary endpoint of any RIAE.
In CHHiP trial, a decreased risk of grade≥2 RTOG bladder or bowel RIAE was observed for increasing values of RILA (HR 0.97, 95%CI 0.94-1.01, p=0.11) but did not reach statistical significance. Concerning chromosomic aberrations, we found significant association of higher levels of micronuclei per cell with lower risk of gr2+ RTOGAE (p=0.021 for trend test across tertiles; p=0.023 for upper vs lower tertile).
Conclusions: This study is the first to evaluate RILA and CDA as predictors of late effects after breast and prostate RT in the “hypofractionation” era. Development of toxicity biomarkers whatever the RT fractionation are urgently needed.
Antimicrobial Action of Oregano (Origanum vulgare) and Rose-Mary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Essential Oils on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Inoculated in “Minas Frescal” Cheese
Authors: Cortez Marco , Cruz Juliana , Duarte Maria Carmela , Gomes Aline , Carvalho Evelyn
Published: June 2023

“Minas Frescal” cheese is a high moisture product, subject to the proliferation of several microorganisms. Essential oils are natural antimicrobial alternatives that can increase the quality of dairy products. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial action of oregano (Origanum vulgare) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oils against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. An antimicrobial test by diffusion and microdilution was performed to calculate the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration). The behavior of E. coli in “Minas Frescal” cheese added with oregano oil was evaluated. The MIC of oregano oil was 0.25% against E. coli and 1% against S. aureus. For rosemary essential oil, the MIC was 8% of against E. coli. There was no activity of rosemary oil against S. aureus. The MBC observed for oregano essential oil was 1% and 0.25% respectively for S. aureus and E. coli. Bacterial analysis during cheese storage with E. coli indicated inhibition of microorganisms by oregano essential oil at a concentration of 0.25%. No alterations were observed regards to physical-chemical attributes. The use of essential oil as an antimicrobial agent has potential for industrial use, and type of microorganism, oil and sensory reflexes in the product must be observed.
Rapid In-Field Volatile Sampling for Detection and Quantification of Botrytis cinerea Infection in Wine Grapes
Authors: Jiang Liang , Dumlao Morphy C. , Donald William A. , Steel Christopher C. , Schmidtke Leigh Mervyn
Published: June 2023

Fungal infection of grape berries (Vitis vinifera) by Botrytis cinerea frequently coincides with harvest, impacting both the yield and quality of grape and wine products. A rapid and non-destructive method for identifying B. cinerea infection in grapes at an early stage prior to harvest is critical to manage loss. In this study, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) crystal was applied as an absorbent material for volatile extraction from B. cinerea-infected and healthy grapes in a vineyard followed by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The performance of ZIF-8 to absorb and trap targeted volatiles was evaluated with a standard solution of compounds and with a whole bunch of grapes enclosed in a glass container to maintain standard sampling conditions. Results from sampling methods were then correlated to B. cinerea infection in grapes as measured and determined by Genus specific antigen quantification. Trace levels of targeted compounds reported as markers of grape B. cinerea infection were successfully detected with in-field sampling. Peak area counts for volatiles 3-octanone, 1-octen-3-one, 3-octanol, and 1-octen-3-ol extracted using ZIF-8 were significantly higher than values achieved using Tenax®-TA from field testing and demonstrated good correlation with B. cinerea infection severities determined by B. cinerea antigen detection.
Исследование устойчивости модели машинного обучения для обработки сигнала прибора ориентации по Земле
Authors: Синютин Сергей Алексеевич , Sinyutin Sergei Alekseevich , Синютин Евгений Сергеевич , Sinyutin Evgeniy Sergeevich , Ярцев Артeм Викторович , Yartsev Artem Viktorovich
Published: June 2023

Рассматривается решение задачи распознавания артефактов Солнца и Луны в сигнале фотоприемного устройства прибора ориентации по Земле. Разработанную ранее модель машинного обучения, обученную на чистых сигналах (реальных и сгенерированных), необходимо проверить на устойчивость к реальным сигналам, которые могут быть зашумлены, и при необходимости произвести корректировку модели. Проведено исследование устойчивости модели машинного обучения к зашумленным сигналам, выявлено снижение качества классификатора нормальных и артефактных сигналов фотоприемного устройства прибора ориентации по Земле. Для
коррекции модели применен метод аугментации исходных данных с помощью искусственно зашумленных сигналов, выбраны типы характерных для электроники
шумов (тепловой, дробовый и фликкер-шум), выбраны уровни отношения сигнал--
шум для устройств данного класса. Выбраны методы генерации шумовых сигналов
и разработаны алгоритмы для корректного смешивания чистых сигналов с шумом.
Выявлены недостатки имеющейся линейной модели, которые проявились только
при использовании различных уровней отношения сигнал--шум. Ошибки линейной
модели оказались существенны для области применения. Была выбрана новая модель классификатора на основе деревьев решений. Для новой модели также проведена проверка устойчивости, показана необходимость расширения диапазона отношения сигнал-шум для обучающей выборки. Примененный метод классификации
артефактов и повышения устойчивости модели может применяться в фотоприемных устройствах в случае, если необходимо обеспечить встроенную обработку сигнала в вычислительном ядре устройства.
Когда неявная схема монотонна
Authors: Гордин Владимир Александрович , Gordin Vladimir Aleksandrovich
Published: June 2023

Получен критерий для проверки монотонности неявных схем, аппроксимирующих линейные эволюционные уравнения в частных производных. В некоторых случаях его можно применять и к нелинейным уравнениям. Рассмотрено применение этого критерия к простейшим схемам. Критерий может использоваться при построении схем, обладающих улучшенными свойствами точности и устойчивости при обязательном выполнении свойства монотонности.
Implementing competence about vision disturbances in Tanzania’s teacher education: A contextual analysis
Authors: Vågenes Vibeke , Ludvigsen Kari , Melting Arne Jacob
Published: June 2023

Around the world, schoolchildren suffer from vision disturbances that may challenge their ability to learn to read and write. Often teachers lack the competences to identify and help children who struggle with vision problems. This study is a part of a Norwegian-Tanzanian research project with intentions to strengthen teachers’ competences on identifying and improving pupils’ vision problems.  With a qualitative research design, we analyse how contextual factors of task, time, scale and direction provided possibilities and barriers for implementing the new competence in Tanzanian special needs teacher education, and for scaling up the competence to mainstream teacher education. The task, timing, and direction of the capacity building meant that the efforts were well received in special needs teacher education. The core ideas of the competence building corresponded with the national education strategies for inclusive education and may spread awareness on learning difficulties amongst teachers. Teachers’ knowledge and awareness of vision disturbances and other learning problems may contribute to enhancing inclusive educational goals. However, further scaling up of the competence to ordinary teachers and into mainstream classrooms is hindered by factors related to task and scale, in particular a dual-track educational system and lack of teacher competencies.
Prevalence and Correlates of Substance Use among Samoan Adolescents
Authors: Obeng Paul , Amoadu Mustapha , Cobbinah Godfred , Sarfo Jacob Owusu
Published: June 2023

Background: This study aimed at determining the current prevalence and predictors of substance use (Cigarette, amphetamine, alcohol and marijuana) among in-school adolescents in Samoa.
Methods: We analysed the 2017 Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) on Samoa to estimate the prevalence and determinants of substance use among in-school adolescents. The GSHS was a cross-sectional survey which used cluster and simple random sampling techniques to select 7,116 in-school adolescents aged 13-17 years in Samoa. Frequency counts, percentages, chi-square statistics and binary logistic regression were the statistical tests used in the data analysis.
Results: We found a prevalence of 13.2% (alcohol), 6.6% (amphetamines), 11.6% (cigarettes) and 7.9% (marijuana) of substance use among in-school adolescents in Samoa. The results from the multivariate logistic regression indicate that being a boy and with multiple sexual partners were associated with substance use. Also, truants and adolescents who engaged in physical fights were more likely to use alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana. Furthermore, bullied and physically attacked adolescents were more likely to use amphetamines. Moreover, in-school adolescents with serious injuries were likelier to smoke cigarettes and marijuana. Besides, cigarette smoking and marijuana usage were more likely to be used in adolescents who had planned suicide, whiles suicide attempters were more likely to use alcohol, amphetamines and marijuana. Again, an adolescent whose parents use tobacco is more likely to use alcohol and amphetamines. However, adolescents whose parents checked their academic performance were less likely to use alcohol and amphetamines.
Conclusion: Policies and interventions should target drug policy and create a decent, healthy and safe school environment where mental health, bullying, truancy, parental/caregivers’ involvement in children’s education, sexual risk behaviours and violence among students are prioritised.