bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFD Simulation, Pollutant Analysis and Optimization of a Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Power Plant
Authors: Hajinezhad Ahmad , Rahebi Saeed , Alimoradiyan Hamed
Published: August 2021

Background

Waste incineration is one of the new ways to dispose of municipal solid waste, which greatly reduces the amount of waste and decrease the need for landfilling systems. There are several ways to diminish and eliminate these pollutants like filtration and process optimization of pollutants from waste incineration plants which have been studied comprehensively in the current study. In this study, Kahrizak waste incineration plant has been selected as a case study. The waste incineration process in the mentioned power plant is based on pyrolysis and gasification methods. One of the practical methods to improve the process is numerical modeling; in this way, Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis has been used for numerical solutions. ANSYS Fluent software is one of the applications in computational fluid dynamics that helps significantly in solving the numerical equations governing this study.
Results

The deviation value of the modeling was about 6% compared to the actual data. In addition, using the modeling results, temperature, pressure and velocity distributions, as well as discharge, mass distribution of pollutants were obtained and analyzed in details. The results show that by increasing the inlet air flow rate, the carbon dioxide discharge increases and the methane discharge decreases.
Conclusions

With the change in primary and secondary air flow, the changes of three pollutants were studied in detail. The weighted normalized value of the total pollutants, with the selected index being the minimum for each pollutant which has the lowest value among the studied conditions.
The Antitumor Effect of Capsaicin on Prostate Cancer Cells Depends on AMPK Activation Through LKB1 Kinase and TRPV1 Receptor
Authors: Sánchez Belén G. , Bort Alicia , Diaz-Laviada Ines
Published: August 2021

Recently, natural compounds and their derivatives have been reported to have anti-cancer effects. Herein, we investigated the mechanism whereby the natural vanilloid capsaicin exerts anti-tumor effects on prostate cancer cells. We found that capsaicin activates the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and promotes cell death in the LKB1 expressing prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and PC3 but not in the LKB1-null cell line DU-145. Capsaicin treatment stimulated LKB1 phosphorylation and activated AMPK in LKB1 expressing cells. In addition, overexpression of LKB1 by lentiviral infection in DU-145 cells, induced capsaicin-triggered AMPK activation and apoptosis while LKB1 silencing in LNCaP and PC3 cells, increased capsaicin-promoted cell death. Capsaicin-induced LKB1 phosphorylation, was dependent on the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), since TRPV1 knocked down by shRNA, abolished LKB1 and AMPK phosphorylation and inhibited apoptosis. Altogether, our results show that capsaicin affect AMPK activity in an LKB1- and TRPV1-dependent fashion, linking TRPV1 with cell fate. These data also suggest that capsaicin may be a rational therapeutic option for prostate tumors.
The Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme (Stp) on Knowlegde Regarding Medication Error and Its Prevention Among Staff Nurses Working In A Selected Hospital Bangalore: Pre Experimental (One Group Pre-Test Post-Test Design) And Evaluative Research Approach
Authors: khushi Pokhrel , janu Ramu k , dolma lama
Published: August 2021

Background: A medication error is a failure in the treatment process that leads to, or has the potential to lead to, harm to the patient. However, it is important to detect them, since system failures that result in minor errors can later lead to serious errors. Reporting of errors should be encouraged by creating a blame-free, non-punitive environment. Improving nurse’s knowledge can favorably affect the incidence and outcome of medication error. This study was design to give knowledge regarding medication error and its prevention among staff nurses.Methods: Experimental one group pre-test and post-test study was conducted at Sapthagiri hospital, Bangalore. 60 staff nurses were selected by using Non-Probability Convenience sampling technique. Data was collected over a period of one month by administering structured knowledge questionnaire.Results: In the context of pre-test, a majority 47 (78.3%) had inadequate knowledge, and 13 (21.7%) had Moderately Adequate knowledge and none of them had adequate knowledge. In post test, majority i.e. 48 (80%) had Adequate knowledge and 12 (20%) of them had moderately adequate knowledge and none of them had inadequate knowledge. It evidenced that there is an increase in the knowledge.Regarding over all knowledge the paired mean difference was 15.917 and SE mean difference was 0.603. It was found to be significant ( t=26.38, df=59) at 5% level (i.e. p<0.05). The present study also found there is no significant association between knowledge regarding medication error and its prevention with selected demographic variable.Interpretation and conclusion: The overall findings of the study clearly showed that the structures teaching program was effective in improving the knowledge level of staff nurses regarding medication error and its prevention.
Effect of Soluble Phenolic Compounds From Hydrothermally Pretreated Wheat Straw on Cellulose Degrading Enzymes
Authors: Borisova Anna S. , Pihlajaniemi Ville , Kont Riin , Niemelä Klaus , Koitto Taru , Mikkelson Atte , Väljamäe Priit , Kruus Kristiina , Marjamaa Kaisa
Published: August 2021

Background: Hydrothermal methods are commonly applied in pretreatment of lignocellulose for enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis and further conversion to biofuels and chemicals. The pretreatment partially disassemble and solubilize cell wall polymers. Besides mono- and oligosaccharides, the soluble degradation products include various phenolic compounds, which may affect the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. Results: The phenolic compounds were isolated from pretreatment liquor and their effects on cellulolytic enzymes were investigated. The major enzymes in crystalline cellulose degradation, cellobiohydrolases, were inhibited by the oligophenolics and phenolic-carbohydrate conjugates the latter of which could be mitigated by other enzymes, i.e. xylanases and endoglucanases. Hydrolytic activity of a commercial enzyme cocktail containing lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) was enhanced in presence of low concentrations of phenolics.Conclusions: The effects of the pretreatment liquor phenolics is dependent on enzyme concentration and type of the phenolic compounds. For optimized performance, the pretreatment conditions and enzyme cocktail composition should be designed to promote oxidative activities for enhanced hydrolysis, degradation of the oligosaccharides linked to phenolics and resistance to oligophenolic compounds.
What Caused The Increase of Tropical Cyclones In The Western North Pacific During The Period of 2011-2020?
Authors: Wang Haili , Wang Chunzai
Published: August 2021

Based on satellite era data after 1979, we find that the tropical cyclone (TC) variations in the Western North Pacific (WNP) can be divided into three-periods: a high-frequency period from 1979-1997 (P1), a low-frequency period from 1998-2010 (P2), and a high-frequency period from 2011-2020 (P3). Previous studies have focused on WNP TC activity during P1 and P2. Here we use observational data to study the WNP TC variation and its possible mechanisms during P3. Compared with P2, more TCs during P3 are due to the large-scale atmospheric environmental conditions of positive relative vorticity, negative vertical velocity and weak vertical wind shear. Warmer SST is found during P3, which is favorable for TC genesis. The correlation between the WNP TC frequency and SST shows a significant positive correlation around the equator and a significant negative correlation around 36°N, which is similar to the warm phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The correlation coefficient between the PDO and TC frequency is 0.71, significant at 99% confidence level. The results indicate that the increase of the WNP TC frequency during 2011-2020 is associated with the phase transition of the PDO and warmer SST. Therefore, more attention should be given to the warmer SST and PDO phase when predicting WNP TC activity.
Serum amyloid beta-42 as a noninvasive biomarker for the prognosis and histologic features of glioma
Authors: Hwang Kihwan , Noh Minhee , Park Jay J. , Ahn Kwang-Sung , Kim Junhyung , Ji So Young , Han Jung Ho , Kim Chae-Yong
Published: August 2021

PURPOSE

Glioma is often refractory. Histopathologic examination is essential to establish an initial diagnosis, and multiple imaging studies are conducted to assess the treatment response. However, these conventional approaches are usually accompanied by high risks and costs during treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify a novel, noninvasive, candidate biomarker for the histological prediction and prognostic assessment of glioma.
METHODS

Serum was prepared from blood samples collected preoperatively from 65 patients with WHO grade II–IV glioma between October 2004 and December 2017 in a single tertiary-level institution. The concentration of amyloid beta-42 (Aβ42) was measured by SMCxPRO (Merck) immunoassay. The clinical characteristics and histologic features of the patients, including the molecular subtype, were reviewed. Progression-free survival was evaluated as the primary outcome.
RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 53.7 ± 12.2 years. Thirty-seven (56.9%) patients were male, and 21 (32.3%) patients had primary tumors. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the group with higher serum Aβ42 (> 5.7 pg/ml) showed a poorer outcome (p = 0.014). In multivariate regression analysis, the serum Aβ42 concentration showed a significant association with EGFR expression and the Ki-67 labeling index. A higher serum Aβ42 concentration was associated with wild-type EGFR expression (odds ratio 0.237, p = 0.022), increased cell proliferation (β = 0.339, p = 0.007) and a poor outcome (hazard ratio 0.339, p = 0.046).
CONCLUSION

The serum Aβ42 level would be a good, noninvasive, candidate biomarker for the prediction of histological features and prognosis in glioma patients. Further studies with large cohorts might be required for its clinical use.
Characterization of EPO H131S as a Key Mutation Site in the Hypoxia-adaptive Evolution of Gymnocypris Dobula
Authors: Wang Congcong , Zhang Qin , Liu Yang , Xu Qianghua
Published: August 2021

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone involved in proerythropoiesis, antioxidation and antiapoptosis. It also contributes to cellular immune function in high-altitude species, such as the schizothoracine fish Gymnocypris dobula (G. dobula). Six mutation sites previously identified in EPO from G. dobula (GD-EPO) were injected into zebrafish embryos and their effects were compared with EPO from the low-altitude schizothoracine Schizothorax prenanti (S. prenanti). The key mutation site in GD-EPO was identified as H131S. Under hypoxic conditions, the levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde were decreased, whereas that of nitric oxide was increased in zebrafish injected with GD-EPO compared with those injected with S. prenanti-EPO (SP-EPO). The results suggest that EPO in high-altitude schizothoracine species is both antioxidative and antiapoptotic, driven by the H131S mutation site. Thus, this enhanced the ability of this species to adapt to the high-altitude hypoxic environment. These results provide a basis for investigating further the hypoxia adaptation mechanisms of teleosts.
Determination and Statistical Analysis of Atmospheric Deposition of Heavy Metals in Kosovo. A Moss Survey
Authors: Sopaj Flamur , Stafilov Trajče , Tašev Krste , Šajn Robert , Paçarizi Musaj
Published: August 2021

Atmospheric deposition of heavy metals on the territory of Kosovo was studied using the already widely used technique of mosses as biomonitors. This is a very convenient method as it uses natural samples, and thus avoids many difficulties associated with man-made samplers. Nine heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined in 45 moss samples. Statistical analysis was performed to better present and explain the data. High concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Ni were found near industrial sites and near more densely populated areas. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified more polluted sites such as Zveqan, Stanterg, Prapashticë, Siboc, and Lupç. It was also found that Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Ni are the heavy metals that affect these polluted sites the most. The contamination factor (CF) and the polluted load index (PLI) were calculated. CF showed that only Mn, Cu, and Zn, had no or almost no contamination no contamination levels over the range of moss samples, while Cd and particularly Pb gave extremely high values for CF, indicating extreme contamination levels. Pollution load index also showed that only a few samples are slightly polluted, while most of the samples shown considerable and very high levels of pollution.
The Importance of Knowing the Basic First Aid Measures During Social Isolation of the Elderly
Authors: Dolenc Eva , Slabe Damjan , Eržen Ivan , Kovačič Uroš
Published: August 2021

Background: The vulnerability of the elderly population increases with natural and other disasters. Consequent social isolation affects their health. Health problems, which can lead to emergencies, can be an even greater burden during times of social isolation. Early identification and action in terms of first aid for the most common emergencies that threaten an individual’s health or life affect these conditions. We aimed to examine the knowledge of first aid in the most common emergencies that threaten elderly people’s health and life among a Slovenian population, focusing on the elderly people’s knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted on 1079 respondents. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Statistically significant differences in average ratings among different age groups were determined with one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc test. Significant differences between the categories of age groups were determined using the χ2 square test followed by appropriate post hoc testing for multiple comparisons. By regression analysis (Spearman’s rho and Pearson Correlation), we determined the correlations. Results: Our survey results indicated that Slovenes are aware of the importance of first aid knowledge and feel personally responsible for acquiring and developing this knowledge. The most surprising finding of our research is the high level of knowledge of recognising some of the most common conditions that occur in old age and taking action in response to them. Simultaneously, most of the knowledge tested does not depend on the person’s age or the time since that person was last educated in first aid. Nevertheless, out of all age groups, those older than 80 stand out. The respondents’ general opinion is that the elderly over 80 years of age need less first aid knowledge. Furthermore, their first aid knowledge is also somewhat worse, especially when recognising sudden illness. Conclusions: Older than 80 are the most vulnerable psycho physically and socially, especially in natural and other disasters such as a pandemic. In the same time, their disaster preparedness from a first aid perspective is poor. There is a need to raise awareness and provide guidance on emergency preparedness to older people.
New paradigm for configurational entropy in glass-forming systems
Authors: Drozd-Rzoska Aleksandra , Rzoska Sylwester J. , Starzonek Szymon
Published: August 2021

We show that on cooling towards glass transition configurational entropy exhibits more significant changes than predicted by classic relation. A new formula according to Kauzmann temperature TK is given: S=S0tn, where t=(T-TK)/T. The exponent n is hypothetically linked to dominated local symmetry. Such a behaviour is coupled to previtreous evolution of heat capacity Cp(T)=(nC/T)(1-TK/T)n-1 associated with finite temperature singularity. These lead to generalised VFT relation, for which the basic equation is retrieved. For many glass-formers, basic VFT equation may have only an effective meaning. A universal-like reliability of the Stickel operator analysis for detecting dynamic crossover phenomenon is also questioned. Notably, distortions-sensitive and derivative-based analysis focused on previtreous changes of configurational entropy and heat capacity for glycerol, ethanol and liquid crystal is applied.
Using an online intervention to improve menstrual health literacy and self-management in young women: a pilot study
Authors: Armour Mike , Parry Kelly , Curry Christina , Ferfolja Tania , Parker Melissa , Farooqi Toobah , Macmillan Freya , Smith Caroline , Holmes Kathryn
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Menstrual cycle-related conditions, such as dysmenorrhea and heavy bleeding, are common amongst those under 25. Despite having significant impact on work, education and social activities, most do not seek medical advice, preferring to self-manage their symptoms. This pilot pre- and post-test study aimed to determine if a web-based intervention could improve health literacy, reduce menstrual symptoms, and encourage health-seeking behaviour in those at risk of conditions such as endometriosis.
Methods

A steering group of menstrual health experts, young women and teachers developed a web-based resource containing two sections: information on the menstrual cycle, including conditions such as dysmenorrhea; and self-management strategies including yoga, meditation, dietary advice, heat and acupressure. Recruitment was via social media. The intervention was undertaken for three menstrual cycles. Outcomes were collected on health literacy measures, doctors’ visits, symptom severity and self-care usage.
Results

Seventy-five women with a mean age of 20.4 years enrolled in the web-based resource, and 56 (75%) completed the intervention. Forty-three percent visited their doctor regarding their menstrual symptoms during the study period, with 84% indicating that they made the appointment due to the intervention; over half (56%) who visited their doctor received a referral to a gynaecologist. Self-care usage increased with 60% reporting changes in the way they managed their menstrual symptoms. There were clinically relevant improvements in health literacy reflecting improved confidence of participants regarding adequate information and skills to manage their symptoms. Almost half (48.8%) said the intervention had changed what they thought was a ‘normal’ period and over a third (35%) said it corrected previous misunderstandings they had about periods and the menstrual cycle. Ninety-four percent could identify the symptoms of endometriosis after using the intervention.
Conclusion

A low-cost, web-based intervention can improve health literacy, provide effective options for self-management of menstrual cycle-related conditions and motivate young women to see medical advice.
First record of headless mutant in Zaprionus indianus (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Ramniwas Seema , Singh Divya
Published: August 2021

In this work, we are reporting headless mutant in Zaprionus indianus in month of February from (Punjab), India in 2021 for the first time.
No association between previous autoantibody expression and development of SARS-CoV-2.
Authors: Sullivan Frank , Tello Agnes , Rachhaus Petra , Daly Fergus
Published: August 2021

Background: Patients who exhibit the more severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 exhibit activation of immunological and inflammatory cascades. Participants (current or ex-smokers with at least 20 years pack history) in a trial (ECLS) of autoantibody detection to predict lung cancer risk had seven autoantibodies measured five years before the pandemic. This study compared the response to Covid infection in study participants who tested positive and negative to antibodies to tumour associated antigens: p53, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, HuD, MAGE A4 and SOX2. Methods: Autoantibody data from the Early Diagnosis of Lung Cancer, Scotland (ECLS) study was deterministically linked to the EAVE II database which is a national, real-time prospective cohort using Scotland’s health data infrastructure, to describe the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, patterns of healthcare use and outcomes. The strength of associations was explored using a network algorithm for exact contingency table significance testing by permutation.Results: There were no significant differences discerned between SARS-CoV-2 test results and EarlyCDT-Lung test results (positive / negative) (p = 0.734). An additional analysis of ICU admissions detected no significant differences between those who tested positive and negative. Subgroup analyses showed no difference in COVID -19 positivity or death rates amongst those diagnosed with COPD with positive and negative EarlyCDT results.Conclusions: This hypothesis generating study demonstrated no clinically valuable or statistically significant associations between EarlyCDT positivity in 2013-15 and the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in 2020, ICU admission or death in all participants (current or ex-smokers with at least 20 years pack history) or in those with COPD or lung cancer
Particulate Oxidative Potential (OP) Associated with Fireworks Activity during Diwali at a site in the Indo-Gangetic Plain
Authors: Lakhani Anita , Goyal Isha , Verma Puneet Kumar , Kumari Kandikonda Maharaj
Published: August 2021

The potential of the atmospheric fine aerosols (PM2.5) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) during firework activity in Diwali festival was assessed by the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay at a site in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, India. The 12-h mean PM2.5 was found to be 262.9 ±150.7 µg m-3 during the study period which was 4.4 times exceeded the NAAQS limits. Firework activity was also characterized by increased levels of gaseous pollutants (NOx, SO2, CO and O3), and trace metal concentrations like Ba, Pb, Cu, Fe, Mg, K, Al and Mn. Elevated PM2.5-NOx slope for fireworks including traffic emissions suggested significant contribution of fireworks. The highest value of PM ROS activity, volume-based DTT value was 1.37 nmol min-1 m-3 and mass-based DTT value was 11.77 pmol min-1 μg-1, found in the next morning of Diwali, suggesting stronger PM associated ROS activity due to fireworks. A positive association was found between redox-active metals like Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V and DTT activity that could be due to the ability of these metals to catalyze ROS generation in ambient air, while Ba, Be and Se in atmosphere as major constituents of firecrackers were also strongly associated with DTT activity. The ozone levels were strongly correlated (r2 = 0.87) with DTTv activity during daytime due to photochemical activities including chemical species associated with fireworks responsible for forming tropospheric O3. Comparison of the daily DTTv activity and hazard index (HI) suggests that the HI may be a poor metric to measure the health effects by which PM exposure can induce deterioration in human health.
The Utilization of Laundry Wastewater as Liquid Fertilizer for Rice Plants
Authors: Mulyo Sadono , Hadisusanto Suwarno , Setiono Prabang
Published: August 2021

The laundry liquid wastewater contains detergents and phosphates which are nutrients for plant which can also causepollution, explosive growth of aquatic biota, and aquatic ecosystems eutrophication. The great potential of laundrywaste requires an efficient and inexpensive waste treatment model to reduce the phosphate content. This study aimsto examine the effect of wetlands on laundry wastewater, straw soaking water, and the use of effluent as a liquidfertilizer for rice plants. As well as analyzing the fate of toxic detergents (ABS) in rice grains on a laboratory scale.The results showed the wetland was able to reduce the pollutants level in laundry wastewater and toxic organic bondswith the BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, Detergent, Phosphate reduction efficiency between 49% - 95%; has met the PERDADIY no. 7 of 2016 about Quality Standard. The operating conditions that provided the optimum results in this studywere the laundry wastewater treatment model and the utilization of effluent as liquid fertilizer for rice plants withstraw soaking water neutralization with minimum discharge variations resulting in effluent quality and quantity ofharvested products of 75 gr/0.4 m2 and there is a detergent residue content of 24.80 mg/kg; without straw soaking,yields 155 gr/0.4 m2 with detergent residue content of 32.65 mg/kg. Iconic and diagrammatic models of laundrywastewater treatment were obtained based on the quality variable, quantity variable, and the effluent pre-treatmentcapacity variable thus it can be used as liquid fertilizer for rice plants to describe the behavior of the real system. Thefactor that has a high influence on system performance, but the dependence between factors is low, namely the effluent flow discharge into the wetland.
Evidence for the dependence of the SARS-Cov-2 Delta high diffusivity on the associated N:G215C nucleocapsid mutation
Authors: Marchitelli Vito , Troise Claudia , Parisi Antonio , Bianco Angelica , Sambro Laura Del , Somma Renato , Coviello Antonio , Harabaglia Paolo , Ungaro Felice , De Natale Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

The continuous evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome and the consequent substitutions observed in the amino acid sequences, can induce significant changes in parameters such as diffusivity and pathogenicity, and causes constant concern regarding the efficacy of vaccines against the new variants in circulation. In recent months there has been an increase in the number of infections first in India, and more recently in the United Kingdom. The genome sequencing of the samples showed that this increase coincided with the emergence of a new variant, B.1.617.2, also known as VOC Delta. This variant is rapidly becoming dominant in several countries, causing increasing concern for its extreme diffusivity and its ability to often overcome the vaccines. The high diffusivity of this variant is normally ascribed to the Spike protein mutations. However, we will show here that it is rather due to the nucleocapsid substitution N:G215C. This is made clear by comparing, in the genomic sequences available on the GISAID database, the relative increase of the Delta variant with and without the associated N:G215C substitution. Once the extreme diffusivity of the Delta variant with associated nucleocapsid aminoacidic substitution is evidenced, we tentatively explain it as possibly due to the adaptive effect of the highly selective environment in Countries with high levels of vaccination.
The Visual Self
Authors: Riesmeyer Claudia , Hagleitner Amelie , Sawatzki Pauline
Published: August 2021

This article analyzes adolescents’ self-presentation on Instagram, the role influencers might play in such content, and adolescents’ advertising literacy, defined as recognizing and evaluating advertising presented by influencers as well as using advertising knowledge. Based on 32 in-depth interviews and think-aloud protocols, this study identifies five types of self-presentation (staged, natural, covert, changed, and two-sided). Influencers were important benchmarks for almost all the adolescents interviewed; the participants each followed one or more influencers on Instagram and were inspired by the advertised products. Furthermore, they recognized influencers’ commercial interests and presentation strategies. Their positive or negative evaluations of these strategies were linked to their self-presentation and ranged from approval to rejection. A negative evaluation of advertising did not automatically lead to a rejection of the implied advertising message. A discrepancy between the adolescents’ knowledge and actions became clear when they admitted buying advertised products despite being critical of advertising or knowing which advertising mechanisms were being applied.
Pension assets as an investment in economic growth: The case of post-socialist countries and Ukraine
Authors: Kolodiziev Oleh , Telnova Наnna , Krupka Ihor , Kulchytskyy Myroslav , Sochynska-Sybirtseva Iryna
Published: August 2021

Post-socialist governments are looking for the best options to implement a fully funded pension system along with a pay-as-you-earn pension scheme. The paper aims to establish the impact of pension assets on economic growth using the example of post-socialist countries (Hungary, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Poland, and the Czech Republic). The use of methods of correlation and regression analysis allows determining the type of dependence (linear, exponential, gradual, and logarithmic) of countries’ economic growth indicators on pension assets and patterns for their investment (deposits, securities of public and private sectors). The obtained economic growth indicators of the studied post-socialist countries show a strong logarithmic dependence on the size of pension assets: Gross fixed capital formation depends on changes in the pension asset amount by 76.44% and GDP by 71.01%. The economic growth of the studied post-socialist countries is most significantly influenced by pension assets invested in deposits. Investing pension savings in public and private sector securities is less effective. The proved provisions determine the expediency of moving from the predominant pay-as-you-earn pension scheme to the predominant fully funded pension system for Ukraine. Such a transformation requires a stable and efficient construction of the country’s banking system, a developed policy for reforming the pension system while considering the criteria of the internal demographic, social, and financial situation.
En búsqueda de los desfiladeros de la familia (consideraciones psicoanalíticas y antropológicas)
Authors: Cossio Romero Pascual Andrés
Published: August 2021

Es menester ver la familia desde diferentes perspectivas. En este caso, el psicoanálisis y la antropología prestan elementos conceptuales para pensar la emergencia del sujeto en la sociedad. La clínica psicoanalítica y la etnografía evidencian un más allá de lo estructural en las dinámicas familiares y muestran esa funcionalidad de cada miembro (sujeto), y es necesario decir que la historia de cada uno marca una singularidad, un deseo y un fantasma que diseña la sociedad tal cual la conocemos hoy. En otras palabras, la socialidad está constreñida por un ordenamiento familiar. La imagen del padre, de la madre son indispensables para entender la sociedad, pero es imperativo desde una perspectiva clínica comprender las historias individuales, personales y del sujeto en la llamada sociedad moderna. Este libro es un paso en esa dirección.
CT-MRI Dual Information Registration for the Diagnosis of Liver Cancer: A Pilot Study Using Point-based Registration
Authors: Rahimi Aisyah , Khalil Azira , Faisal Amir , Lai Khin Wee
Published: August 2021

Background:

Early diagnosis of liver cancer may increase life expectancy. Computed
Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) play a vital role in diagnosing liver
cancer. Together, both modalities offer significant individual and specific diagnosis data to physicians;
however, they lack the integration of both types of information. To address this concern, a
registration process has to be utilized for the purpose, as multimodal details are crucial in providing
the physician with complete information.

Objective:

The aim was to present a model of CT-MRI registration used to diagnose liver cancer,
specifically for improving the quality of the liver images and provide all the required information
for earlier detection of the tumors. This method should concurrently address the issues of imaging
procedures for liver cancer to fasten the detection of the tumor from both modalities.

Methods:

In this work, a registration scheme for fusing the CT and MRI liver images is studied. A
feature point-based method with normalized cross-correlation has been utilized to aid in the diagnosis
of liver cancer and provide multimodal information to physicians. Data on ten patients from an
online database were obtained. For each dataset, three planar views from both modalities were interpolated
and registered using feature point-based methods. The registration of algorithms was carried
out by MATLAB (vR2019b, Mathworks, Natick, USA) on an Intel (R) Core (TM) i5-5200U
CPU @ 2.20 GHz computer. The accuracy of the registered image is being validated qualitatively
and quantitatively.

Results:

The results show that an accurate registration is obtained with minimal distance errors by
which CT and MRI were accurately registered based on the validation of the experts. The RMSE
ranges from 0.02 to 1.01 for translation, which is equivalent in magnitude to approximately 0 to 5
pixels for CT and registered image resolution.

Conclusion:

The CT-MRI registration scheme can provide complementary information on liver
cancer to physicians, thus improving the diagnosis and treatment planning process.
Anti-Cancer and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Furanocoumarins from Ammi majus L.
Authors: Balkrishna Acharya , Arya Vedpriya , Sharma Ishwar Prakash
Published: August 2021

:

Secondary metabolites have potential benefits to human being. They are used in the food, agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. The secondary metabolite of furanocoumarins from different plant sources is essential in various skin-related ailments. Biologically, these chemicals are isolated from different plants in the Apiaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae and Moraceae families. Ammi majus L. is one of the most common plants in the family of Apiaceae with a large quantity of derivatives. The furanocoumarin derivatives defend the plant by fighting external enemies by Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). Via suppressing or retarding microbial growth in infected parts, these derivatives, along with SAR, help to alleviate inflammation in the human body. Latest evidence of these compounds has been established in the treatment of cancer, but the mechanism that needs to be elaborated is not yet understood. Recent studies have shown that furanocoumarin derivatives bind to DNA base pairs and block DNA replication. This may be a potential pathway that helps to regulate the growth of cancerous cells. This article reflects on the pharmaceutical data of furanocoumarins and their different mechanisms in these cases.
Protective Effect of Monoisoamyl-2, 3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid against Manganese-induced Neurotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Mishra Awanish , Dahia Anjali , Jaiswal Amit
Published: August 2021

Background:

Apart from being an essential heavy metal, Manganese (Mn) serves as an
important component of the antioxidant enzyme system in humans. Overexposure to manganese
leads to the development of manganism, which is characterized by motor dysfunction along with
neurodegeneration. The management of manganism often utilizes chelation therapy. In this regard,
Monoisoamyl-2, 3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid (MiADMSA) has been reported as a novel arsenic
chelator, due to the presence of vicinal sulfhydril group. MiADMSA has been reported to reduce
the level in divalent ions (like copper) therefore, it may be hypothesized that MiADMSA would be
helpful in Mn-induced neurotoxicity.

Objective:

This study is envisaged to explore the protective effect of MiADMSA on Mn-induced
neurotoxicity.

Method:

Mn exposure was carried out by intraperitoneal administration of Mn (as manganese
chloride, 10 mg/kg; i.p.). The animals were treated with MiADMSA (50 mg/kg; p.o.) either alone
or in combination with Mn. The effect of different treatments on neurobehavioral functions was observed
by assessing spontaneous locomotor activity, motor rotarod test, and depression-like behavior
in the forced swim test. After behavioral evaluations, all the animals were sacrificed and the
brain and liver were isolated for metal estimations.

Results:

Mn exposure leads to loss of motor coordination as observed in spontaneous locomotor activity
and rotarod test. However, treatment with MiADMSA significantly improved motor impairments
as compared to Mn exposed animals. Accumulation of Mn in the liver and brain has been recorded
with Mn exposure; however, MiADMSA treatment significantly reduced the Mn content
from the liver and brain.

Conclusion:

The outcome of the study suggests that treatment with MiADMSA reversed Mn-induced
neurotoxicity by reducing Mn load. Therefore, the use of MiADMSA may be suggested in
manganese toxicity, after careful investigation.
The Effectiveness of Weed as Beetle Bank Against Abundance of Soil Arthropods on Corn (Zea mays. L)
Authors:   University of Jember, Sa'adah Anis , Haryadi Nanang Tri
Published: August 2021

Conservation of natural enemies on maize can be done by utilizing grass weeds as Beetle banks. Natural enemies of shelter and get food from the weed grasses that are in the land irrigated corn. Natural enemies observed in this research were the predator of ground arthropods in the form of ground beetles, tomcat, and predators arthropods in other lands. The trap used is the Pitfall trap. The percentage of arthropod predators was 69%, and arthropods herbivore was 31%. The abundance of soil arthropods in the treatment of weeds grass is higher than the control treatment It is because of the treatment of weed grass soil arthropods get habitat for a place to stay. Weed grasses provide food sources for the arthropods and get protection from an environment that is less supportive. The use of weed grasses in addition to Beetle banks also serves as a place to breed. The highest abundance of arthropods was situated on the treatment Eleusine indica that has a lush lawn and has a characteristic odor favored by arthropods. Arthropods that acts as a predator in the land are the family of Formicidae, Philodromidae, Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Pentatomidae. Some Arthropods from the Pentomidae family have a role as a pest and others as natural predators or predators. Arthropods found in the research was an arthropod that had a role as natural enemies or predator. The Pentomidae family that has a position as a predator is Picromerus Bidens. Ground beetles were found in the C. fossor and Pheropsophus sp. Ground beetles are dominant picking weeds Setaria sp. and Eleusine indica as habitat and place in search of food and life’s survival. Keywords: Beetle bank, soil arthropods, weeds.
Paradigmas y experiencias de aprendizaje en la educación militar: Una respuesta a los desafíos de la educación contemporánea
Authors: Méndez Velásquez Wendy Vanessa , Contreras Gutiérrez Diana Carolina
Published: August 2021

Esta obra presenta los resultados de diversos proyectos de investigación realizados por docentes de la Escuela de Armas Combinadas del Ejército (ESACE), la Escuela de Aviación del Ejército (ESAVE) y la Escuela Militar de Cadetes “General José María Córdova” (ESMIC) en torno a cuatro ejes temáticos: las experiencias y los retos de la educación mediada por las nuevas Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) durante la emergencia sanitaria por la Covid-19; el perfil pedagógico de los docentes y los estudiantes para la formación por competencias, la inteligencia emocional en la educación militar y los procesos de autoevaluación institucional en las escuelas de formación del Ejército Nacional. De esta manera, los lectores militares y civiles podrán conocer las estrategias didácticas, curriculares e institucionales que las escuelas mencionadas han desarrollado para afrontar con calidad y pertinencia el principal desafío de la educación militar: integrar los más altos estándares académicos y éticos de la educación contemporánea con una formación militar idónea que le permita al personal militar cumplir su misión constitucional en los diversos teatros de operaciones del contexto colombiano.
Data Collection Instrument in Designerly Intuition Study
Authors: P. Toyong Natrina Mariane , Zainal Abidin Shahriman , Mokhtar S’harin
Published: August 2021

The paper discusses the development of interview and focus group instruments to uncover the intuition occurrences in Designerly practices. The two data collecting method forms data source triangulation through in-depth interviews of eight experts and eight senior-level designers with four focus group sessions involving thirty-two novice-level designers. The instrument development took into consideration its reliability and validity for the triangulation analysis stage to follow. The result from four pilot interviews and one focus group discussion provides recommendation and refinement for the researcher’s guide as well as various data collection methods within the Design and Designerly research area.
Keywords: Designerly, Intuition, Design Thinking, Research Instrumentation
eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6iSI5.2925
Cognitive Ergonomics of Formgiving as Unstructured Approaches in Furniture Design Practice
Authors: Chumiran Mohd Hasni , Zainal Abidin Shahriman , Rahim Wan Nuraini , Vermol Verly Veto
Published: August 2021

This paper discusses how designers formulate ideas through unstructured approaches in furniture design. The problem arose from a logical analysis of the strategies, methods, and hermeneutics in designing within the state-of-the-art interpretation principle. The goal is to understand how designers interpret the visual concept of subjectivity. In the designers’ cognitive ergonomics, verbal protocol analysis approaches methodologically analyzed. The 15-minute memorizing-based videotapes observe the designer reflection using several form properties, namely a characteristic of the uncertain objects has practiced. The findings showed the embodiment of metaphorical forms for designers to visualize unstructured visual forms as significant tangible forms.
Keywords: Cognitive ergonomics; formgiving; furniture design; visual protocol 
eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6iSI5.2927
GIS-based MCDM Approach for Wind Farm Site Selection - A Case Study
Authors:   Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 5 Iroon Polytechniou, 15780 Athens, Greece, Feloni Elissavet ,   Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos Str., Egaleo, 12243 Athens, Greece, Karandinaki Evgenia ,   Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics Engineering, University of West Attica, Ag. Spyridonos Str., Egaleo, 12243 Athens, Greece
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study is the development and implementation of a geographic information system (GIS)-based methodology to determine suitable sites for wind farms by using multicriteria decision making (MCDM) techniques. Many eligibility criteria are considered in this approach, such as GIS analysis is performed in combination with MCDM techniques, both for the criteria weighting process (using the analytical hierarchical process) and for the standardization/classification of the criteria values into a common scale, in order to finally apply the weighted linear combination technique. The MCDM output is a suitability map, which provides the spatial distribution of the final score, showing zones ranging from non-suitable locations to highly suitable areas after categorizing them into five classes. Furthermore, three scenarios regarding the criteria selection and their hierarchy are investigated: technical, techno-economic, and techno-economic-environmental. For each of these scenarios, different criteria are assigned different levels of importance, and the corresponding results are compared and evaluated. The proposed approach is presented through a case study for the regional unit of Chania (Crete Island, Aegean Sea, Greece), for which the necessary geospatial data were collected, created, and processed. This analysis highlights the capabilities of GIS in performing site selection for onshore wind farms while considering the regulations, legislations, and other constraints.
Homeopathy and Photobiomodulation for Healing Diabetic Wounds in vitro
Authors:   Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, South Africa, 2028, Wurz Jana ,   Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, South Africa, 2028, Houreld Nicolette Nadene ,   Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, South Africa, 2028, Pellow Janice ,   Complementary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, South Africa, 2028
Published: August 2021

Photobiomodulation (PBM), as well as plant extracts of Calendula officinalis (Calen), Hypericum perforatum (Hyper), and Echinacea purpurea (Echi-p), have been used to accelerate wound healing. However, the use of homeopathic preparations of these medicinal plants, in combination with PBM, is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined wound healing potential of these therapies in vitro. Various cell models were created in vitro in commercially available human skin fibroblasts (WS1). PBM was administered using a diode laser at a wavelength of 660 nm and an energy density of 5 J/cm2. For homeopathic treatment, a 5% ethanolic complex containing Calen, Hyper, and Echi-p in 3cH potency was added to the culture medium. For combination therapy, cells were first treated with the homeopathic remedy and then irradiated. The controls included non-treated/irradiated cells and an alcohol control group. Cellular morphology was visualized 0, 24, and 48 h post-treatment. Post-treatment, cells were incubated for 48 h, and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined by ELISA, cellular viability was determined by the Trypan Blue exclusion assay and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was determined by the luminescence assay, and cytotoxicity was determined by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) membrane integrity assay. Morphological changes showed that, individually, PBM and the homeopathic complex hastened cellular migration in diabetic wounded cells, and combining these therapies had an even greater effect. Cellular viability remained unchanged in both treatments, but the combination therapy increased ATP (p = 0.05). Cytotoxicity was decreased by the homeopathic complex (p = 0.01) and the combination therapy (p = 0.004). TNF-α levels remained unchanged with PBM and the homeopathic complex as independent treatment interventions but combining them increased the TNF-α levels in diabetic models (p = 0.01). PBM decreased IL-6 levels, indicating an anti-inflammatory effect (p = 0.007). These cellular changes indicated that combining PBM and a 3cH homeopathic solution of Calen, Hyper, and Echi-p is promising for treating diabetic foot ulcers.