bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between body mass index and posterior spine fusion among patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Chan Carrie T.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Previous studies have found mixed associations between body mass index (BMI) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) incidence and progression. The aim of this study was to examine the association between BMI and the incidence of posterior spine fusion (PSF) among pediatric patients with AIS.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with AIS at a single large tertiary care center between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2020. BMI-for-age percentiles were used to categorize BMI into four categories: underweight (<5th percentile), healthy weight (≥5th to <85th percentile), overweight (≥85th to <95th percentile), and obese (≥95th percentile). Chi-square and t-tests were used to compare distributions of baseline characteristics by incident PSF outcome status. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between BMI category at baseline and incident PSF adjusting for sex, age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, health insurance type, vitamin D supplementation, and low vitamin D levels.

Results

A total of 2,258 patients met the inclusion criteria with 2,113 patients (93.6%) who did not undergo PSF during the study period and 145 patients (6.4%) who did undergo PSF. At baseline, 7.3% of patients were categorized as underweight, 73.2% were healthy weight, 10.2% were overweight, and 9.3% were obese. Compared to those in the healthy weight group, there was no significant association between PSF and being underweight (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.64, 95% CI 0.90–2.99, p = 0.107), being overweight (AOR 1.25, 95% CI 0.71–2.20, p = 0.436), or being obese (AOR 1.19, 95% CI 0.63–2.27, p = 0.594).

Conclusions

This study did not find a statistically significant association between underweight, overweight, or obese BMI category and incident PSF among patients with AIS. These findings add to the current mixed evidence on the relationship between BMI and surgical risk and may support the recommendation of conservative treatment to patients regardless of BMI.
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic and glaucomatous optic neuropathy: Implications for neuroretinal rim remodeling with disease severity
Authors: Eadie Brennan D. , Dyachok Oksana M. , Quach Jack H. , Maxner Charles E. , Rafuse Paul E. , Shuba Lesya M. , Vianna Jayme R. , Chauhan Balwantray C. , Nicolela Marcelo T.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Post-acute non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) and glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) can be difficult to differentiate clinically. Our objective was to identify optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters to help differentiate these optic neuropathies.

Methods

We compared 12 eyes of 8 patients with NAION and 12 eyes of 12 patients with GON, matched for age and visual field mean deviation (MD). All patients underwent clinical assessment, automated perimetry (Humphrey Field Analyzer II; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA), and OCT imaging (Spectralis OCT2; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) of the optic nerve head and macula. We derived the neuroretinal minimum rim width (MRW), peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, central anterior lamina cribrosa depth, and macular retinal thickness.

Results

MRW was markedly thicker, both globally and in all sectors, in the NAION group compared to the GON group. There was no significant group difference in RFNL thickness, globally or in any sector, with the exception of the temporal sector that was thinner in the NAION group. The group difference in MRW increased with increasing visual field loss. Other differences observed included lamina cribrosa depth significantly greater in the GON group and significantly thinner central macular retinal layers in the NAION group. The ganglion cell layer was not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusions

The neuroretinal rim is altered in a dissimilar manner in NAION and GON and MRW is a clinically useful index for differentiating these two neuropathies. The fact that the difference in MRW between the two groups increased with disease severity suggests distinct remodelling patterns in response to differing insults with NAION and GON.
Knowledge of Thai women in cervical cancer etiology and screening
Authors: Khomphaiboonkij Uraiwan , Sreamsukcharoenchai Nattapong , Pitakkarnkul Supakorn , Rittiluechai Kristsanamon , Tangjitgamol Siriwan
Published: May 2023

Knowledge about cervical cancer screening and Human papilloma virus (HPV) influence on their awareness to the cervical cancer screening program. Most previous studies found inadequate knowledge and attitude among healthy women affect the low rate of screening. This study aimed to assess knowledge of cervical cancer screening and HPV in women who had abnormal cervical cancer screening in Bangkok. Thai women, aged ≥ 18 years old, who had abnormal cervical cancer screening and scheduled to colposcopy clinics of 10 participating hospitals were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. The participants were asked to complete a self-answer questionnaire (Thai language). The questionnaire composed of 3 parts: (I) demographic data, (II) knowledge about cervical cancer screening and (III) knowledge about HPV. Among 499 women who answered the questionnaires, 2 had missing demographic data. The mean age of the participants was 39.28 ± 11.36 years. 70% of them had experience of cervical cancer screening, with 22.7% had previous abnormal cytologic results. Out of 14 questions, the mean score of knowledge about cervical cancer screening was 10.04 ± 2.37. Only 26.9% had good knowledge about cervical cancer screening. Nearly 96% of woman did not know that screening should be done. After excluding 110 women who had never known about HPV, 25.2% had good knowledge about HPV. From multivariable analysis, only younger age (≤ 40 years) was associated with good knowledge of cervical cancer screening and HPV. In the conclusion, only 26.9% of women in this study had good knowledge regarding cervical cancer screening. Likewise, 20.1% of women who had ever heard about HPV has good knowledge about HPV. Providing information about cervical cancer screening and HPV should improve the women’s knowledge and better adherence to the screening procedure.
Causal implicatures from correlational statements
Authors: Gershman Samuel J. , Ullman Tomer D.
Published: May 2023

Correlation does not imply causation, but this does not necessarily stop people from drawing causal inferences from correlational statements. We show that people do in fact infer causality from statements of association, under minimal conditions. In Study 1, participants interpreted statements of the form “X is associated with Y” to imply that Y causes X. In Studies 2 and 3, participants interpreted statements of the form “X is associated with an increased risk of Y” to imply that X causes Y. Thus, even the most orthodox correlational language can give rise to causal inferences.
The cell envelope of Mycobacterium abscessus and its role in pathogenesis
Authors: Parmar Shweta , Tocheva Elitza I.
Published: May 2023

Mycobacterium abscessus is a nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) that has shown an exponential rise in its ability to cause disease. Due to its ubiquitous presence in the environment, M. abscessus is widely implicated in secondary exacerbations of many nosocomial infections and genetic respiratory disorders, such as cystic fibrosis (CF). Contrary to other rapidly growing NTMs, the cell envelope of M. abscessus harbors several prominent features and undergoes modifications that are responsible for its pathogenesis. Compositional changes of the mycobacterial outer membrane (MOM) significantly decrease the presence of glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) and enable the transition from a colonizing, smooth morphotype into a virulent, rough morphotype. The GPLs are transported to the MOM by the Mycobacterial membrane proteins Large (MmpL), which further act as drug efflux pumps and confer antibiotic resistance. Lastly, M. abscessus possesses 2 type VII secretion systems (T7SS): ESX-3 and ESX-4, both of which have recently been implicated in host–pathogen interactions and virulence. This review summarizes the current knowledge of M. abscessus pathogenesis and highlights the clinically relevant association between the structure and functions of its cell envelope.
Unmasking a fungal fire
Authors: Dambuza Ivy M. , Warris Adilia , Salazar Fabián
Published: May 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy represents a breakthrough cancer treatment by stimulating dysfunctional T cells in the tumour environment to kill cancer cells. Beyond effects on anticancer immunity, ICI therapy may be associated with increased susceptibility to or more rapid resolution of chronic infections, particularly those caused by human fungal pathogens. In this concise review, we summarise recent observations and findings that implicate immune checkpoint blockade in fungal infection outcomes.
Cuerpo, huella y performance
Authors: Lorente Bilbao José Ignacio
Published: May 2023

La técnica gráfica ha puesto tradicionalmente el foco de atención en el papel de los materiales y procedimientos productivos que participan en el proceso de grabado, dejando sin embargo fuera de esta reflexión el papel del cuerpo, en tanto que factor determinante de un trabajo que figura a modo de marginalia en todo el recorrido del proyecto gráfico. Sin embargo, en los años 50, con motivo de la irrupción del body art y de las prácticas performativas, la implicación del cuerpo adquiere un nuevo sentido como objeto de pensamiento, práctica y discurso compartido por una gran diversidad de disciplinas artísticas.
Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of pets: Retrospective study at the veterinary teaching hospital, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
Authors: Ridwan Yusuf , Sudarnika Etih , Dewi Tri Isyani Tungga , Budiono Novericko Ginger
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim: Dogs and cats are popular pets that play integral roles in human societies worldwide. Unfortunately, they can carry potential zoonotic helminths that can be transmitted to humans. However, data on the gastrointestinal helminths affecting dogs and cats in Bogor, Indonesia, are currently lacking. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites in pets from this area using a retrospective analysis.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of IPB University, Bogor. Cat and dog patients from January 2014 to April 2019 were tested for helminth infections and the results as well as their age, sex, and breed data were analyzed using the Chi-square test.

Results: Among the dogs and cats examined for internal parasites, 61.11% (33/51) of the dogs and 53.80% (92/171) of the cats were infected by helminths. Among the dogs, hookworm (37.04%) and Toxocara spp. (24.07%) were detected, while in the cats, hookworm (11.11%), Toxocara spp. (38.01%), and Dipylidium caninum (4.68%) were detected. The prevalence of hookworm and D. caninum was higher in older pets, while Toxocara spp. infected younger cats and dogs (<1 year) more frequently. The prevalence of Toxocara spp. in the Indonesian local dog breed was higher when than other breeds. Sex did not significantly affect the prevalence of parasites in dogs or cats.

Conclusion: The discovery of zoonotic helminth parasites in the cat and dog pets from Bogor raises concerns for the inhabitants. Initiatives will be required to inform pet owners about prevention strategies for these parasitic diseases.

Keywords: Bogor, cat, dog, gastrointestinal helminth, zoonosis.
Effect of modified CEP-3 diluents with aqueous soybean extract on liquid semen quality in Ongole crossbred bull
Authors: Ratnawati Dian , Kuswati Kuswati , Yekti Aulia Puspita Anugra , Ciptadi Gatot , Rahayu Sri , Susilawati Trinil
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim: Egg yolk (EY) is commonly used as an extracellular cryoprotectant in semen diluents but has some negative effects. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of lecithin derived from plants, such as soybeans, as an alternative extracellular cryoprotectant and to characterize liquid semen quality of Ongole crossbred bulls using a modified caudal epididymis plasma-3 [CEP-3 (m)] as a base diluent and aqueous soybean extract (ASE).

Materials and Methods: A bull with progressive motility (PM) of fresh semen >70% was used. Two soybean extracts were also used, namely, ASE 1 and ASE 2, obtained by extraction procedures 1 and 2, respectively. The study was conducted using an experimental design with 11 treatments and ten replications, with diluents comprising different levels of ASE 1 and ASE 2, as well as a positive control with 10% EY. The parameters measured were motility (M) and its kinetic parameters, including PM, M, velocity curve linear, velocity straight linear, velocity average pathway, linearity, straightness, wobble, amplitude lateral head beat cross frequency, and hyperactivity using computer-assisted sperm analysis, viability, and spermatozoa abnormalities.

Results: The CEP-3(m) diluent formula and ASE 1 at a 30% level maintained the PM of spermatozoa up to day 5 (40.7% ± 16.1%) of cold storage. Meanwhile, the CEP-3(m) diluent formula and ASE 2 could only maintain PM >40% until day 3 (42.1% ± 13.5%) of cold storage at a 30% level. The CEP-3(m) diluent and ASE 1 at a level of 25%–30% supported spermatozoa life (viability) up to day 5 with a value >80% (81.8 ± 3.5; 86.4 ± 2.6). The abnormality value of spermatozoa in various diluents during cold storage on days 0–5 was below 20%.

Conclusion: Soybean extracts 1 and 2 can substitute EYs as extracellular cryoprotectants in modified CEP-3 basic diluents. Soybean extract 1 can support the life of spermatozoa up to day 5 but may cause the viscosity and movement of spermatozoa to be hyperactive. Soybean extract 2 can support the life of spermatozoa up to the 3rd day of cold storage and produces progressive (non-rotating) movement patterns. Further, research is recommended with higher levels of extract 2.

Keywords: aqueous soybean extract, liquid semen, Ongole crossbred cattle.
BONE ARROWHEADS FROM THE EARLY TAGAR (BIDZHA) ASSEMBLAGES OF THE SAGAYSKAYA PROTOKA-4 KURGAN CEMETERY
Authors:   The Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal-Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, P. German , S. Leontiev ,   The Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal-Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, I. Valkov ,   The Federal Research Center of Coal and Coal-Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: May 2023

The article deals with the results of an instrumental and contextual study of the bone arrowheads found during urgent excavations on the Sagayskaya Protoka-4 kurgan cemetery (Khakassia, the Askiz district). The morphological characteristics of the artifacts and the results of their traceology study are presented as well as the circumstances in which the arrow points were found in burial assemblages. The material for studied in the present article artifacts were long bone walls of big animals. The study of changes on the points’ surface allowed us to determine the main peculiarities of their production technology. All studied artifacts were shaped with a metallic knife. In one case, polishing was used. The obtained data allow us to continue the database of technologies of production not only of bone arrow points but also Tagar bone objects in general. The materials of an assemblage (tomb 2 in kurgan 3) with a dead body with tools in situ pushed us to turn to the bone arrowheads in Tagar burials. It is noted, that the consistent presence of this category of tools in burial practice is connected to the Bidzha group of the Early Tagar burial assemblages (the 8th –6th centuries BC). Based on analogies, it was stated that the arrow points sets were always put on the left of the body. Compact arrangement and the same orientation of the points indicate that they were in a quiver (wrappage). The found regularities are specific to Bidzhin assemblages of the whole Tagar culture area.
DESIGN OF SEYMA-TURBINO BRONZE PRODUCTS OF THE MIDDLE IRTYSH REGION
Authors:   LLC Scientific and Production Association “ArcheoPolis”, Yu. Mikhailov
Published: May 2023

Various combinations of the two main technical and stylistic techniques — corrugation and openwork were used to decorate the Seima-Turbinsky bronze products. A variety of textural and constructive solutions corresponded to the leading design principle — variability. Without reducing the functional characteristics of the form, the craftsman could selectively use its structural elements. A stable system of parameters can be terminologically defined as a dimensional standard that the craftsman followed. The formation of design solutions can presumably be associated with the territory of the Middle Irtysh. Having originated in the conditions of mass production, the design of bronze castings served the purposes of group identification, but at the same time, materially embodied the symbols of a special social status within the group. The appearance and wide distribution of new types of items (spearheads with a narrow nib, daggers with a spear-shaped blade profile) suggests a functional conditionality of the development of the Seima-Turbino design.
ELEMENTS OF THE BELTS OF THE NORTHERN ALTAI POPULATION IN THE ROURAN PERIOD (ON THE MATERIALS OF THE CHOBURAK-I NECROPOLIS)
Authors:   Altai State University, N. Seregin , A. Tishkin ,   Altai State University, S. Matrenin ,   Barnaul Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, T. Parshikova ,   Altai State University
Published: May 2023

The article presents the results of studying the collection of belt sets from the burials of the Bulan-Koby culture necropolis of Choburak-I, completely excavated by the expedition of Altai State University. This site is located in the Chemal district of the Altai Republic, on the right bank of the Katun river. The published materials come from eleven undisturbed objects. The analyzed series is represented by iron objects: 17 buckles, 90 plaques, four tips, one distributor, five “blocks”, 14 fasteners. They find numerous analogies in the burial complexes of the Bulan-Koby culture of Altai in the 2nd – 5th centuries AD. A comparative study of the morphological features of the preserved metal parts made it possible to determine their relative chronology within the designated period. The study of the mutual occurrence of fixed categories of equipment became the basis for identifying several types of typesetting belts found in six burials. It has been established that the difference in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the belt sets is not related to the age and social status of the deceased men and, apparently, reflects the personal preferences of their owners. Belts from the graves of women, a teenager and a child were equipped with a minimum number of elements. The considered products demonstrate the variability in the design of belts by the population of the Northern Altai in the Rouran period. Archaeological data from the excavations of the Choburak-I site confirm the previously identified trends in the evolution of the equipment of the population of Altai at the turn of late antiquity and the early Middle Ages.
FISHING IN THE LATE BRONZE AGE (BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF SITES NEAR THE V. ELOVKA, TOMSK REGION)
Authors:   Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography SB RAS, S. Tikhonov
Published: May 2023

The article considers materials on the fishing of the population of the Late Bronze Age, who left a complex of sites near the village of Elovka, Tomsk Region. In the excavations of V.I. Matyushchenko 1960–1961 and 1982, fishing tools and ichthyological materials were found. Their analysis allows us to conclude that the ancient population used various methods of catching fish: with hooks, nets, possibly harpoons, and fixed and removable traps. Clay and stone sinkers for nets are most widely represented. The presence of a sinker with a through hole suggests the use of bottom nets. Fishing grounds were reservoirs near the settlement: sands along the banks of the Siman duct, possibly the mouths of its small left tributaries. Ancient fishermen mainly hunted ide, nelma, and pike. Sturgeon, muksun were not the main object of fishing. The roach was not an object of catching, and was, most likely, a by-catch. The fish was harvested, since there are about a lot of places of accumulation of ichthyological materials, and one pit.
THE DATING OF TILES AND TILE-ENDS COLLECTED DURING THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PRE-HAN “LONG WALL” IN THE NORTH OF THE SHAANXI PROVINCE
Authors:   Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Science, A. Kovalev
Published: May 2023

The article is devoted to the problem of dating a segment of a long (or “great”) wall built in the pre-Han time within the borders of the present Shaanxi province. Traditionally, the construction of this fortified line, going to the North across the Ordos plateau (including the north of Shaanxi), is attributed to the reign of the Qin Zhao-hsiang-wang (after 272 BC). However, the author previously formulated a hypothesis that the wall of Zhao-hsiang-wang ended no further than the Suide county, and the northern section of the wall across the Jingbian, Hengshan, Yulin and Shenmu counties was subsequently built by order of Qin Shi-huang, which, thus, in 214–210 BC did not hold the entire Ordos, but only a narrow strip of land on its eastern outskirts. The article deals with dating finds (tile fragments) obtained from the first archaeological survey of these long walls in Shaanxi (published in a two-volume report in 2015). The author concludes that all found fragments of tile-ends find analogies in the antiquites of the Qin and Han periods, including two tile-ends made by craftsmen resettled from the Qi kingdom conquered by Shi-huang in 221 BC. Technological imprints on tile gutters either have a wide dating within the 4th–2 nd centuries BC, or unambiguously date back to the Han time. This refutes the assertion of the authors of the 2015 report that the tile finds allegedly indicate the construction of walls in the pre-Qin period.
Wsie o istotnych walorach krajobrazowych. Przypadek województwa łódzkiego
Authors: Wójcik Marcin
Published: May 2023

Kwestie przemian krajobrazu kulturowego wsi w województwie łódzkim są nieczęsto podejmowanym zagadnieniem badawczym. O ile proces ewolucji układów morfogenetycznych jest stosunkowo dobrze rozpoznany, o tyle problematyka materialne- go dziedzictwa kulturowego wsi pozostaje sprawą otwartą, której należy poświęcić więcej zainteresowania. Podjęte prace nie dotyczyły kwestii zachowania obiektów zabytkowych oraz dziedzictwa kulturowego traktowanego fragmentarycznie, ale odnosiły się do próby całościowej oceny krajobrazowej wybranych osiedli wiejskich. Autor podejmuje się identyfikacji istotnych walorów krajobrazowych wsi na podstawie 10 wyróżnionych aspektów. Istotność całościowego (ogólnego) waloru krajobrazowego utożsamiana jest z pojęciem zasobu rzadkiego. Rzadkość zasobu wynika przede wszystkim z reliktowego charakteru materialnego dziedzictwa kulturowego, tj. koncentracji pozostałości krajobrazu czasów minionych w określonym miejscu. Wyniki prac pozwalają stwierdzić, że wsie, w których występują istotne walory krajobrazu kulturowego, są nieliczne i należy je traktować jako relikty minionych czasów. Stan zachowania takich walorów w województwie łódzkim jest w większości przypadków niski oraz następuje zanik ostatnich tradycyjnych krajobrazów osadnictwa wiejskiego.
An unusual ectopic thymoma clonal evolution analysis: A case report
Authors: Zhang Sijia , Wu Lu , Li Zhenyu , Li Qianwen , Zong Yan , Zhu Kuikui , Chen Leichong , Qin Haifeng , Meng Rui
Published: May 2023

Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are rare and primary tumors of the mediastinum which is derived from the thymic epithelium. Thymomas are the most common primary anterior mediastinal tumor, while ectopic thymomas are rarer. Mutational profiles of ectopic thymomas may help expand our understanding of the occurrence and treatment options of these tumors. In this report, we sought to elucidate the mutational profiles of two ectopic thymoma nodules to gain deeper understanding of the molecular genetic information of this rare tumor and to provide guidance treatment options. We presented a case of 62-year-old male patient with a postoperative pathological diagnosis of type A mediastinal thymoma and ectopic pulmonary thymoma. After mediastinal lesion resection and thoracoscopic lung wedge resection, the mediastinal thymoma was completely removed, and the patient recovered from the surgery and no recurrence was found by examination until now. Whole exome sequencing was performed on both mediastinal thymoma and ectopic pulmonary thymoma tissue samples of the patient and clonal evolution analysis were further conducted to analyze the genetic characteristics. We identified eight gene mutations that were co-mutated in both lesions. Consistent with a previous exome sequencing analysis of thymic epithelial tumor, HRAS was also observed in both mediastinal lesion and lung lesion tissues. We also evaluated the intratumor heterogeneity of non-silent mutations. The results showed that the mediastinal lesion tissue has higher degree of heterogeneity and the lung lesion tissue has relatively low amount of variant heterogeneity in the detected variants. Through pathology and genomics sequencing detection, we initially revealed the genetic differences between mediastinal thymoma and ectopic thymoma, and clonal evolution analysis showed that these two lesions originated from multi-ancestral regions.
Managing abductions in working memory: the influence of percepts
Authors: West Donna E.
Published: May 2023

This inquiry addresses how working memory underpins abductive inferences, given their means to objectify meanings. Binding experiences in WM: integrates features with objects, makes obvious object situatedness, and determines impingement of objects upon other objects. These meaning chunks verify how events affect consequences, tracing episodic profiles. WM binding is essential to the evolution of sign meanings, when hatching inferences about which objects/events should be included in the same image, illustrating how WM bindings are implicated in constructing Percepts. Percepts mark the starting point when new meanings are attributed to objects (7.671). These new meanings materialize consequent to implied predicative alterations. WM chunks consist in locative and/or descriptive predicates; they can be implicit in Terms, or explicit in Propositions (1908: 8.373). As Terms with implied predicates, percepts provide the building blocks to attribute new meanings to event profiles, complying with Peirce’s proviso that interpretants “have to be much widened” (1906: 4.538).
Pitching strategy evaluation via stratified analysis using propensity score
Authors: Nakahara Hiroshi , Takeda Kazuya , Fujii Keisuke
Published: May 2023

Recent measurement technologies enable us to analyze baseball at higher levels of complexity. There are, however, still many unclear points around pitching strategy. There are two elements that make it difficult to measure the effect of a pitching strategy. First, most public datasets do not include location data where the catcher demands a ball, which is essential information to obtain the battery’s intent. Second, there are many confounders associated with pitching/batting results when evaluating pitching strategy. We here clarify the effect of pitching attempts to a specific location, e.g., inside or outside. We employ a causal inference framework called stratified analysis using a propensity score to evaluate the effects while removing the effect of confounding factors. We use a pitch-by-pitch dataset of Japanese professional baseball games held in 2014–2019, which includes location data where the catcher demands a ball. The results reveal that an outside pitching attempt is more effective than an inside one to minimize allowed run average. In addition, the stratified analysis shows that the outside pitching attempt is effective regardless of the magnitude of the estimated batter’s ability, and the proportion of pitched inside for pitcher/batter. Our analysis provides practical insights into selecting a pitching strategy to minimize allowed runs.
Assessing University Students’ Satisfaction with Web-Based Library Services Based on SERVQUAL Model: A Case of a Pakistani University
Authors: Butt Kiran , Arif Muhammad , Rafiq Muhammad
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the service quality of Pakistani university libraries in the context of the user satisfaction. A quantitative survey was conducted to collect data from postgraduate students. The multi-dimensional modified SERVQUAL structured questionnaire consisting of 23 statements was used as a data collection instrument. The results revealed that users were satisfied with the “Empathy” dimension, showing that users were satisfied with the behavior of library staff and the friendly environment between the users and the library personnel. However, there was a gap in the expected service quality and perceived service quality in the four dimensions of SERVQUAL (“Tangible,” “Reliability,” “Responsiveness,” and “Assurance”). The findings of the study would support university library professionals to improve web-based library services. The study would be a useful addition to the body of knowledge.
Expression of eIF6 and its relationship with cell proliferation in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Liming , Pang Jiuling , Dong Huajiang , Qu Bo , Yang Tao , Ma Xi , Liu Qi , Liu Aidong
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) are genes related to tumor formation. They selectively translate some mRNAs, regulate protein synthesis, promote cell proliferation, and effectively control the progression of some tumors. As a member of this family, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 6 (eIF6) plays a crucial role in tumor formation and progression. Exploring the expression characteristics of eIF6 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a proliferation-associated factor, in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC) and analyzing their correlation and clinical significance can provide a theoretical basis for the study of CRAC and objective biological indicators for the clinical judgment of tumor formation and progression.

Methods

The GEPIA database was used to predict the trend of eIF6 and PCNA in CRAC. Sixty-four patients diagnosed with CRAC and undergoing surgical treatment were selected from January 2017 to November 2022. CRAC tissues and normal mucous tissues (>3 cm away from the tumor margin) were retained. The expression of eIF6 and PCNA was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Colon cancer cell lines SW480, HCT15, and SW620 and normal colon cell line NCM460 were selected, and the expression of eFI6 and PCNA in these cells was detected by Western blot.

Results

A trend of elevated expression of eIF6 and PCNA was predicted in CRAC by the GEPIA database. The expression levels of eIF6 (65.63 % vs. 9.38 %, X2=43.2000, p<0.0001) and PCNA (84.38 % vs. 46.88 %, X2=19.9481, p<0.0001) were higher in CRAC tissues than that in normal mucosa as indicated by IHC. Significant difference in eIF6 and PCNA expression was found among different maxim tumor diameters and depths of infiltration in colon adenocarcinoma (p<0.05). No statistical difference in eIF6 and PCNA expression was observed among different genders, ages, degrees of differentiation, LNMets, intravascular cancer thrombosis, TNM stages, and numbers of lymph node metastases (p>0.05). A positive correlation was found between eIF6 and PCNA in CRAC (X2=5.05, r=0.77, p=0.0283). Their expression was significantly higher in SW480, HCT15, and SW620 than in NCM460 (p<0.05).

Conclusions

eIF6 is highly expressed in CRAC, participates in tumor formation and progression, and has a positive correlation with PCNA.
Impact of Physical Fitness on Reasons for Academy Release in Firefighter Trainees
Authors: Lockie Robert G. , Orr Robin M. , Montes Fernando , Ruvalcaba Tomas J. , Dawes J. Jay
Published: May 2023

Lockie, RG, Orr, RM, Montes, F, Ruvalcaba, TJ, and Dawes, JJ. Impact of physical fitness on reasons for academy release in firefighter trainees. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2022—Firefighter trainees require a certain level of fitness to be admitted to and to complete a fire training academy. There is no research detailing whether there are fitness differences between trainees who graduate (GRAD) or those released due to either injury (RELI) or skills test performance failures (RELP). Archival data from 305 trainees (274 males and 31 females) were analyzed. Trainees completed the following fitness tests at the start of academy: Illinois agility test, metronome push-ups, pull-ups, leg tucks, multistage fitness test, backward overhead medicine ball throw (BOMBT) with a 4.54-kg ball, 10 repetition maximum deadlift, and a farmer's carry with 18-kg kettlebells over a 91.44-m course. Trainees were split into GRAD (245 males and 16 females), RELI (9 males and 1 female), and RELP (20 males and 14 females) groups. Kolmogorov-Smirnov data indicated most data were not normally distributed. Accordingly, Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, with Bonferroni post hoc, calculated between-group fitness test differences. Effect sizes were also derived. Except for the leg tuck and farmer's carry, the RELP group performed significantly poorer in all fitness tests compared with the GRAD group (p ≤ 0.032). The largest effects were seen for the BOMBT (d = 1.02), Illinois agility test, and 10 repetition maximum deadlift (both d = 0.78). There were no significant fitness test differences for the GRAD and RELI groups. Trainees with poorer fitness were more likely to be released from academy due to skills test failures. Multiple fitness components, but particularly muscular strength and power, should be developed in trainees to aid their ability to perform academy firefighting tasks.
Questions of the Foreigner: Metoikia and Democracy in Aeschylus’ Suppliants
Authors: Dougherty Carol
Published: May 2023

The question of the foreigner, especially as elaborated by Jacques Derrida in the first of his two essays Of Hospitality, is at the heart of Aeschylus’ Suppliants, a play in which the fifty daughters of the Egyptian king Danaus appeal to the Argive king Pelasgus for asylum. Indeed, Aeschylus structures much of the initial encounter between the Danaids and Pelasgus in the interrogatory mode: as an exchange of questions to the foreigner, of the foreigner. Beginning with queries about identity, the play moves quickly to pose questions about authority, ultimately running aground upon Pelasgus’ inability to decide what to do about these Egyptian-Argive women whose demands for hospitality threaten his control over the city. Where previous scholarship on the play has focused on its representation of foreignness or its introduction of democratic rule, a close reading in light of Derrida’s work on hospitality elaborates the important relationship between hospitality and democratic sovereignty that the play develops. For the real question of the foreigner asks how the people can wield power in a city; in response, the play imagines the origins of democracy as an act of civic hospitality or metoikia.
Qabyo
Authors: Bakaari Farah
Published: May 2023

Maandeeq, or she-camel, is the most recognizable and dominant metaphor for the Somali nation-state, a symbol conceived and institutionalized through classical pastoral poetry. This article examines how Somali poets of the twentieth century made use of another metaphor to consider the anxieties of independence and the founding paradoxes of the Somali state: the metaphor of qabyo. Unlike the binary offered by the stable figure of maandeeq—she’s either dead or alive, stolen or reclaimed, shared or contested—qabyo attends to the incongruent, overlapping, and cyclical forms of ruination and repair that subtend the makings of the Somali state. Moreover, by contesting the determinism of failure narratives and instead focusing on the daily labor required to conduct a life in the ruins of history, qabyo poetics, I argue, advances a sociopolitical theory of the Somali subject as one who must learn to survive ruinous time.
EXTRACTION OF MALAY ROOT WORD THAT STARTS WITH LETTER P IN MALAY E-KHUTBAH USING RULE BASED
Authors: Abu Bakar Zamri , Anuar Nurhilyana , Kamal Ismail Normaly
Published: May 2023

Stemming is an important process in text processing especially in Natural Language Processing (NLP). It could extract root word from the affix words in the text. In addition, it helps in extracting useful information that contributes to many area of research study such as Information Retrieval. Several stemming algorithms have been discussed in previous studies. However, there are limited studies on Malay stemming process and the number of experimental data used. In this study, we focus on stemming process of Malay stemming algorithm by using rule-based algorithm for a larger dataset of Malay language text. The syntatic linguistic rule-based method was used in the stemming process involves of removing prefixes, suffixes and, prefixes and suffixes. Training dataset was used in this study which consisted of 3233 sentences from e-khutbah text. The result of the experimental evaluation was done by measuring the precision, recall and f-measure. It was found that the algorithm used in this study showed a promising result based on total of dataset used for each test. The value of precision, recall and F-measure icrease to 95%, 97% and 97% respectively. The enhancement of the stemming process has shown a significant impact on Malay text processing which in general improved the performance of NLP applications.
Adsorption of toxic metals from landfill leachate onto guinea fowl eggshells in the era of green chemistry
Authors: Duwiejuah Abudu Ballu , Ayine Elijah Yinigani , Payne Joseph
Published: May 2023

One of the best and most affordable ways to remove harmful metals from water is by adsorption. This study investigated the efficiency of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) eggshells as a low-cost adsorbent for cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) removal from landfill leachate. In replicas, 100 mL wastewater was added to each of the weighed adsorbent dosages (1 g, 1.5 g, 2 g, 2.5 g, 3.0 g, and 3.5 g) in a flat-bottom flask and agitated for 60 minutes at pH of 7.82 and temperature 24 °C. The adsorption efficacy of cadmium and nickel by guinea fowl eggshells were 90.5% to 96.5% and 96.1% to 99.3%, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of cadmium was 4.89 × 10-2 mg/g and an adsorption equilibrium (KL) 22.74 mg/L. The Langmuir isotherm model was better fitted to the results of the experiment than the Freundlich isotherm model.
BIOSURFACTANTS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS AND PRODUCTIONS
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine, Yanvarov Y.B.
Published: May 2023

Surfactants are widely used in many areas of our life. However, synthetic surfactants have a serious negative impact on the environment. They do not decompose well and can accumulate in ecosystems. Microbial biosurfactants can be an alternative to synthetic surfactants. They are characterized by a diverse structure, stable at critical temperatures, pH and can be obtained from various renewable raw materials. Goal: analysis and generalization of the available information on the main characteristics and features of the synthesis of surface-active substances of microbial origin. Results. The article describes the structure of the most important groups of biosurfactants of microbial origin, such as rhamnolipids, trehalolipids, and sophorolipids. The main producers of biosurfactants, as well as the areas of their application were characterized. Information about the main ways of their biosynthesis is discussed. Special attention in the review is paid to factors that are essential for the cultivation of microorganisms - the main producers of biosurfactants.
STANDARDIZATION OF THE PROTEIN CALIBRATORS ISOLATION METHODOLOGY FOR THROMBOPHILIA MARKERS DETECTING IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC TEST SYSTEMS
Authors:   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences, Kyiv, Ukraine, Korolova Daria Korolova
Published: May 2023

The most accurate laboratory methods for thrombophilia diagnostics are based on the quantitative determination of the blood plasma specific markers that appear as a result of the coagulation cascade activation. Soluble fibrin and D-dimer belong to the main of the last ones. An alteration in the concentration of such markers can indicate thrombin concentration growth and the formation of soluble oligomeric fibrin. It should be pointed out that simultaneous detection of these markers can establish the correlation between the accumulation of soluble fibrin and fibrinolysis and nowadays is provided only by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Thus, the usage of immunodiagnostic test systems for the detection of thrombophilia markers is highly relevant today. The important components of immunodiagnostic test system are protein calibrators, the isolation standardization of which plays a key role for accurate construction of a calibration curve and obtaining objective results as a consequence. Aim. The objective of this study was to develop the soluble fibrin and D-dimer isolation methodology and its standardization for their further use as the protein calibrators for thrombophilia markers detecting immunodiagnostic test systems. Materials and Methods. Soluble fibrin and D-dimer were isolated from collected human blood by fibrinogen salting out with further fibrin polymerization with thrombin and hydrolysis with plasmin. Quality control of the obtained proteins was carried out using SDS-PAGE and turbidimetric measurements with further checking of the proteins as calibrators for the thrombophilia markers detecting immunoassay. Results. Obtained proteins meet the necessary specifications and can be used as calibrators for immunodiagnostic test systems. Soluble fibrin and D-dimer were checked by SDS-PAGE for the absence of impurities. Turbidimetric measurements showed the polymerization capability of the soluble fibrin and the inhibition of the polymerization by D-dimer. Conclusion. The standardized isolation methodology of soluble fibrin and D-dimer can be used to obtain protein calibrators for appropriate immunodiagnostic test systems.
IN VITRO ANTILEUKEMIC ACTIVITY OF EUPHORBIA ECHINUS EXTRACT
Authors:   Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar University, Istanbul, Turkey., Houda Sbayou
Published: May 2023

Aim. Cancer continues to pose a serious threat to human health. Euphorbia plants are rich in phenolics, aromatic esters, steroids and several bioactive compounds. Studies have shown the presence of a large number of bioactive compounds in E. echinus including flavonoids, phenolics, and proanthocyanins. Method. There it was investigated cytotoxic effects of E. echinus methanolic extract on K562, HL60, Ishikawa, Raji and SH-SY5Y cells. Results. The E. echinus extract was found to be highly cytotoxic against HL60 and K562 (79.78 and 76.44% cytotoxicity, respectively). DNA fragmentation was exclusively observed in K562 cells indicating that the reduction of viable cells following treatment with E. echinus extract is due to apoptosis. Conclusions. Our results suggest that E. echinus extract might have a drug potential against leukemic cells.
Did address influence whether gods answered prayers? Preliminary overview of Vulgar Latin names of deities in the Roman Empire
Authors: Vágási Tünde
Published: May 2023

This paper offers a preliminary linguistic analysis of votive texts with particular reference to their use of and variation in Latin. The aim of the linguistic analysis is to identify variation in the context of votive texts. In those votive inscriptions which contained a request, precise wording was considered crucial for the request to reach the gods. Therefore, schematic, formulaic wording is common. The epigraphic corpus under study shows various Vulgar Latin traits. The incorporation of ‘non-Roman’ or pre-Roman cults into Latin caused the greatest problems, with most variations occurring in the names of such gods. Since the names of these gods are not included in literary sources, our primary sources for these cults are inscriptions and they show characteristics of Vulgar Latin.
Social Economy 2021. Social entrepreneurship and social capital: importance-education-development
Authors: Śliwa Renata , Murzyn Dorota
Published: May 2023

This paper reviews the conference Social Economy 2021. Social entrepreneurship and social capital: importance – education – development. The event was around the issue of social entrepreneurship and its ability to mobilize social capital and expand the labour market by including previously excluded people in its participation.
The Trust Facing Chilean Law: An Approach from the Perspective if the "Rights Against Rights´ Theory
Authors:   Universidad de Chile, Vergas Weil Ernesto
Published: May 2023

Understanding the common law trust has traditionally posed mayor difficulties for civilian lawyers. This article submits that, to a relevant extent, these difficulties stem from attributing excessive importance to metaphors that describe the trust as a form of "double" or "divided” ownership. As an alternative, it proposes using theories that explain the trust as a case of "rights against rights", arguing that this is as conceptually more precise and adequate to explain this institution to a Latin American audience. Based on this, the article analyzes some classic functional equivalents of the trust in the civilian tradition, such as companies and agency, and two specific institutions of Chilean law: pension funds and investment funds.
General Interest as a Differentiating Criterion Between the Chilean and Spanish Appeal for Cassation on the Merits
Authors:   Universidad del Alba, León Montero Constanza
Published: May 2023

This paper is a microcomparative study of the appeal for cassation on the meritsbased on Spanish and Chilean regulations. First, a genealogical analysis of theinstitution referred to is made in order to find a common root. Next, the main pointsregulated by Spanish and Chilean legislation in relation to the figure under study arementioned. On the basis of the above, it is examined whether it is pertinent totransplant the appeal in cassation interest in our legal system. It is concluded that itis not advisable to incorporate this figure, since neither the uniformity of thejurisprudence nor the nomofilaxis ensures a fair result, since this depends on thefairness of the rule. On the other hand, it affects the right of the litigant, since itprioritizes the creation of doctrine over the resolution of conflicts, which is the mainfunction of the jurisdiction.