bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective preparation of environmentally friendly polyglycolic acid (PGA) nanofibrous membrane with antibacterial property for high-efficiency and low-resistance air filtration
Authors: Yin Ni , Zhuge Yina , Ji Haixia , Liu Fujuan
Published: March 2023

In recent years, the antibacterial air filters have been crucial for protecting human health. However, most commercial filters are made of non-biodegradable petroleum polymers, which poses a great challenge for environment protection of recycling after large-scale use. Hence, the air filtration membrane, biodegradable polyglycolic acid loaded with antibacterial ε-polylysine-dialdehyde microcrystalline celluloses (PGA@EPL-DAMCs), was prepared by electrospinning. The incorporation of EPL-DAMCs varied the morphology of the resultant PGA@EPL-DAMCs and endowed them with good antibacterial activity. In addition, it was found that the PGA/EPL-DAMC-24% exhibited the best filtration efficiency (99.83%) and bacterial rate (up to 99.97% and 99.99% forE.coliandS.aureus, respectively). Finally, the degradation performance of the PGA electrospun membrane was also investigated, reflecting a good potential prospect of composite membranes in environmental biodegradable filtration material.
Probing Shannon entropy of semiconductor quantum well qubits using semi-relativistic quantum mechanics
Authors: Tshipa Moletlanyi
Published: March 2023

Electron states in GaAs, GaN and AlN quantum wells are studied by solving a semi-relativistic wave equation within the effective mass approximation. The quantum states are in turn used to probe the properties of two-level qubits formed in the different quantum wells at various temperatures. Results indicated that the period of oscillation between the quantum states increases with increasing width of the quantum wells, with AlN having the longest period and shortest for GaAs. Transition rates were also studied, since their product with the period of oscillation yield important information concerning the feasibility of carrying out a quantum computation. This product is equivalent to the ratio of the period of oscillation between states to the lifetime of an electron in an excited state. From the results, GaAs quantum wells may be preferable as they have the lowest ratio than the other quantum wells of other materials. AlN has the highest ratio of the three semiconductors considered here. Shannon entropy in the different quantum wells was studied also. It was found that the entropy in GaAs quantum wells varies rapidly through the passage of time, while those of GaN and AlN vary relatively slowly.
Continuous Riesz bases in Hilbert C*-modules
Authors: Ghasemi Hadi , Shateri Tayebe Lal
Published: March 2023

The paper is devoted to continuous frames and Riesz bases in Hilbert C*-modules. we define a continuous Riesz basis for Hilbert C*-modules and give some results about them.
Nudging Cooperation in Networks
Authors: Jensen Gorm Gruner , Busch Martin Benedikt , Piovesan Marco , Haerter Jan O.
Published: March 2023

We investigate the development of cooperative behavior in networks over time. In our controlled laboratory experiment, subjects can cooperate by sending costly messages that contain valuable information for the receiver or other subjects in the network. Any message sent can increase the chance that subjects find the information they are looking for and consequently their profit. We find that cooperation emerges spontaneously and remains stable over time. In an additional treatment, we provide a non-binding suggestion about who to contact at the beginning of the experiment. We find that subjects partially follow our recommendation, and this increases their own and others’ profit. Despite the removal of suggestions, subjects build long-lasting relationships with the suggested contacts.
Clinical proof of concept for anti-FGF2 therapy in exudative age-related macular degeneration: phase 1 and phase 2 trials in treatment-naïve and anti-VEGF pretreated patients
Authors: Nakamura Yoshikazu , Pereira Daniel , Maturi Raj , Akita Kazumasa , Bhisitkul Robert , Nishihata Toshiaki , Sakota Eri , Ali Yusuf , Nakamura Emiko , Bezwada Padma
Published: March 2023

Intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents are the first-line treatment for exudative/wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD). Alternative mechanisms of action may be helpful for treatment of this very common disease. Here we investigated an anti-fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) aptamer, RBM-007, a next generation therapeutic for the treatment of wet AMD. First, a phase 1 (SUSHI) study confirmed the safety, tolerability and bioactivity of a single intravitreal injection of RBM-007. Second, a phase 2 (TOFU) study did not show any improvement in patients, who had previously undergone anti-VEGF treatment, however it did prevent disease progression. Third, in a phase 2 (TEMPURA) study patients treated with RBM-007, who had not received any prior anti-VEGF treatment, showed improvement and no further macular degeneration, with striking improvement of visual acuity and central subfield thickness in some of the patients. These results demonstrate clinical proof of concept for aptamer based anti-FGF2 therapy of wet AMD.
Ten-Year Outcomes of IMRT With Chemotherapy Versus IMRT Alone for Stage Ⅱ-Ⅳa Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Xiao-li Wang , Da-qing Sun , Hui Yang , Yang Li , Xiu-feng Li , Xiao-long Chang , Xiang-di Meng , Ya-nan Zhang , Yun-xiang Zhang , Fu-rong Hao , Jian-wen Li
Published: March 2023

Background
Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, a 10-year survival rate was rarely reported.
Methods
Clinical efficacies and acute hematologic toxicities of 177 patients newly diagnosed with locoregionally moderate or advanced NPC and treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups: IMRT alone, CCRT [neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) + CCRT, CCRT, NC + CCRT + adjuvant chemotherapy (AC)], and non-CCRT (NC + IMRT + AC, IMRT + AC).
Results
The median follow-up time was 48.4 months (range, 3.0–178.9 months). The most common acute hematologic toxicities were limited to grade 0–2 (153 cases, 86.4%). The 10-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were 66.6%, 77.9%, 92.9%, and 83.0%, respectively. A significant difference in OS among the three groups was observed (P = 0.01). CCRT and non-CCRT significantly improved OS compared with IMRT alone, with a 29.9% and 25.8% increase in 10-year OS (P = 0.01), respectively.
Conclusions
In the era of IMRT, acute hematologic toxicities were well tolerated with chemoradiotherapy for treating NPC, while distant metastasis was the most common failure pattern, especially for patients with N3 stage disease. Compared with IMRT alone, the CCRT scheme (CCRT, NC + CCRT + AC, NC + CCRT) may improve the OS of patients newly diagnosed with locoregionally moderate or advanced NPC, and non-CCRT (NC + IMRT + AC, IMRT + AC) may be an alternative scheme. Additional randomized trials are warranted to confirm the findings.
Child Tax Credit and Maternal Labor Supply
Authors: Zheng Wei
Published: March 2023

Child Tax Credit (CTC) gives partially refundable tax credit to filers who have children younger than 17 years old and who owe tax. For individuals whose income is within the subsidy range, the trapezoid structure of CTC provides work incentives when the substitution effects outweigh the income effects. In this paper, I examine the effects of CTC on maternal labor supply by difference-in-difference design and simulation method. I show that \$1000 increase in average CTC are associated with 1.13 percentage points increase in labor force participation and 0.37 hour increase in weekly working hours for single mothers. This labor supply effect is driven by mothers whose youngest child is between 3 and 5 years old. I didn't find any impacts on the labor supply of single mothers from higher socioeconomic status, implying no negative effect on employment.
JEL Classification: I12 , I18 , J18
Der Zusammenhang zwischen kognitiver Emotionsregulation, positivem Aufmerksamkeitsbias und Resilienz
Authors:   , Rogall Friederike
Published: March 2023

Der Zusammenhang zwischen kognitiver Emotionsregulation, positivem Aufmerksamkeitsbias und Resilienz
The Problem of Reception of the Machiavelli’s «The Prince» Ideas in Cardinal Richelieu’s «Political Testament»
Authors: Saranov Serhiy
Published: March 2023

The presented article examine the impact of the main ideas of Chapter XVIII of Machiavelli's "The Prince" on the development of socio-political thought in France in the early modern period. The author proposes to consider the indicated problems within the framework of the concept of the dialogue nature of the Italian and French tiled traditions put forward by him. This allows us to see the leading role of the Italian political thought of the Renaissance, its reception in France and the reaction to it within the framework of French social and political thought. From a methodological point of view, this reaction takes on the most significant form in Richelieu's Political Testament. The author of the article, taking into account the assessments made by representatives of the French and American historiography of the issue under study, comes to the conclusion that the eighteenth chapter of The Sovereign had a significant impact on the political thinking of Cardinal Richelieu, who was forced not only to take into account the point of view of Machiavelli, but also to argue with it in the "Political Testament".
UKRAINIANS IN THE FAR EAST: AN EPISTOLARY SOURCE
OF THE SOVIET ERA FOR THE STUDY OF SOCIO-CULTURAL
ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM
Authors: Korol Serhiy , Porfilova Maryna
Published: March 2023

The publication deals with the highlighting the peculiarities of the Ukrainians life in the Far East during the Soviet era. The letter of a Ukrainian guest worker Mykola Havrysh is introduced to scientific circulation in the publication. M. Havrysh worked on the development of oil fields in Western Siberia during the stagnation period and once visited his relatives in the Primorsky Krai. The letter describing the trip was addressed to the author's parents in Sumy Oblast. The source is roughly dated to the second half of the 1970s. The text illustrates the everyday life and leisure activities of Ukrainians in the Far East, mentions facts and details that are examples of their national self-identification.
Hydrodynamics of higher-rank gauge theories
Authors: Qi Marvin , Hart Oliver , Friedman Aaron J. , Nandkishore Rahul , Lucas Andrew
Published: March 2023

We extend recent work on hydrodynamics with global multipolar
symmetries — known as “fracton hydrodynamics” — to systems in which the
multipolar symmetries are gauged. We refer to the latter as “fracton
magnetohydrodynamics”, in analogy to conventional magnetohydrodynamics
(MHD), which governs systems with gauged charge conservation. We show
that fracton MHD arises naturally from higher-rank Maxwell’s equations
and in systems with one-form symmetries obeying certain constraints;
while we focus on “minimal” higher-rank generalizations of MHD that
realize diffusion, our methods may also be used to identify other, more
exotic hydrodynamic theories (e.g., with magnetic subdiffusion). In
contrast to semi-microscopic derivations of MHD, our approach elucidates
the origin of the hydrodynamic modes by identifying the corresponding
higher-form symmetries. Being rooted in symmetries, the hydrodynamic
modes may persist even when the semi-microscopic equations no longer
provide an accurate description of the system.
Photoadsorption and reaction mechanism of periwinkle shell ash in the removal of hazardous dye
Authors: Nkwoada Amarachi , Onyedika Gerald , Oguzie Emeka , Ogwuegbu Martin
Published: March 2023

Combined adsorption and photocatalysis synergy was explored in this research because the porosity of activated carbon and hydroxyl radicals' generation are the main drivers of the adsorption and photodecomposition efficiency of dyes. In this study, periwinkle shell ash (PSA) activated at 800 °C was used for the adsorption of toxic crystal violet (CRV) dyes. The PSA was characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Findings showed that CRV adsorption was dependent on the dosage, pH, contact time, and initial concentration. The adsorption capacity was 46.82 at pH (9) for CRV, dosage amount of 0.2 g/L, and an adsorbate concentration of 70 mg/L. Pseudo-second order gave a perfect fitting-chemisorption mechanism with values >0.98 (R2). Maximum photodegradation (93–98%) was achieved when the catalyst dosage increased to 0.75 g. Thermodynamics confirmed a spontaneous/exothermic process. The photocatalysis process confirmed that the combined process was effective and determined to be the rate-determining step by Langmuir–Hinshelwood. The study concluded that PSA was an efficient adsorbent, and TiO2 was a key factor in the reaction mechanism and recommended for potential synthesis of membrane substrates, high performance, efficiency, and cost reduction.
Variations of residual trihalomethane concentration in pipe-borne water during different in-house practices
Authors: Jayasinghe Nepali Sewwandi , Herath Dilini Chandima , Weerasekara Lalith Indranath , Weragoda Sujithra Kaushalya , Amarasooriya A. A. Gayan Darshana
Published: March 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different in-house practices on trihalomethane (THM) level fluctuations in pipe-borne water. Common in-house practices such as boiling, unboiling, boiling water with headspace/non-headspace, storage vessels materials, storage practices, and storage time were investigated to study residual THM and their percentage. Vessels made of plastic (P), clay (C), stainless steel (SS), glass (G), and aluminium (Al) were used for the study. Prime trihalomethanes of CHCl3, CHBrCl2, CHBr2Cl, CHBr3, and total of those four THMs (TTHMs) were measured, and removal/formation percentages were calculated. Results revealed that the percent change of TTHM varies based on the boiling practice as follows: open boiling TTHM > close boiling with headspace TTHM > close boiling without headspace (CBWH) TTHM. The following order was observed for residual TTHM for 6 h storage in the vessels; for CBWH water storage in open vessels C < G < P < SS < Al and close vessels C < G < P < SS < Al; and for unboiled water storage in open vessels SS < C < Al < P < G and close vessels C < P < Al < SS < G. In conclusion, the lowest concentration of residual TTHM was found in the boiled water stored in a clay pot and recommended as an in-house practice to reduce TTHM.
Effect of orifice plates on the flow over stepped spillways
Authors: Ma Fei , Liu Yuchen , Liu Jin , Li Zihan , Hou Yongchi
Published: March 2023

The reservoir is an important component of hydraulic projects for supplying water to the city. For guaranteeing reservoir safe operation, stepped spillways are often used to discharge the flood from the reservoir. But under large unit discharges, cavitation erosion and low energy dissipation may occur on stepped spillways, which possibly leads to the hydraulic structures being instable and the reservoir outwork for water supply. Herein, an orifice plate is introduced as a pre-aeration device for the stepped spillways to avoid cavitation damage. To detail the effect of orifice plate on the flow over the stepped spillways, experiments were conducted. The results demonstrate that the orifice plate contracted the flow into a jet. Large amounts of air were entrained, and cavitation damage could be avoided according to the air concentration distributions along the stepped spillways. The orifice plate also significantly increased the energy dissipation of stepped spillways. Further, flow depth before the orifice plate increased because of flow block, and was emphatically discussed for providing a calculation formula to estimate the jet trajectory.
Психологические особенности женщин с бесплодием неясной этиологии
Authors: Восканян Яна Ю. , Васильева Ольга С.
Published: March 2023

Введение. С каждым годом число пар с бесплодием неуклонно растет. Увеличение масштабов данной проблемы, повышает исследовательский интерес к психологическим особенностям женщин с бесплодием неясной этиологии. В статье бесплодие неясной этиологии рассматривается как в теоретическом, так и эмпирическом аспекте. Имеющиеся научные данные разрознены и противоречивы. Отсутствует комплексный подход в изучении механизмов формирования психологического бесплодия. Новизна исследования состоит в расширении представлений о жизни и психологических особенностях женщин, имеющих сложности неясного характера в наступлении беременности. В исследовании сравниваются женщины, имеющие проблемы в наступлении беременности,  и фертильные женщины у которых уже есть дети. Методы. В исследовании использованы методы описательной и сравнительной статистики, авторский опросник, методики измерения социальной фрустрированности, удовлетворенности браком, нервно-психического напряжения, астении, депрессии. Исследовательская выборка представлена в количестве 60 человек в возрасте от 20–49 лет. В основную группу вошли женщины с неясным бесплодием. Контрольная группа представлена фертильными женщинами. Результаты. В исследовании не обнаружены выраженные значимые различия особенностей между группами женщин. Однако, выявлена тенденция значимых различий по уровню удовлетворённости браком. Обсуждение результатов. Результаты исследования свидетельствуют о выраженной степени удовлетворенности браком и слабом уровне нервно - психического напряжения у женщин с бесплодием неясной этиологии. У них не диагностированы признаки социальной фрустрированности, депрессии и астении. Однако, в их бессознательном поле визуализируется внутриличностный конфликт. Желание иметь ребенка вступает в борьбу с желанием сохранить привычный образ жизни. Таким образом, наше исследование расширяет представление о возможных психологических причинах бесплодия.
Panóptico Digital e Estruturas Psicopolíticas
Authors: Couto Fabiano Corrêa da Silva
Published: March 2023

Este artigo discute o conceito de "panóptico digital" e seu papel na sociedade contemporânea. O filósofo Byung-Chul Han introduz a idéia do "panóptico" - inicialmente desenvolvido por Jeremy Bentham no século 18 - para descrever uma forma de controle e vigilância presente na sociedade moderna. São discutidos os efeitos das tecnologias digitais no acompanhamento e controle do comportamento individual, bem como a ameaça que isso representa para a privacidade e a autonomia. Também discute o conceito de "psicopolítica" e como ele está relacionado ao uso das tecnologias digitais para vigilância e controle. Por fim, destaca a importância de proteger a liberdade e a privacidade individual, ao mesmo tempo em que considera os impactos potenciais das tecnologias digitais nas relações sociais.
Comunidade e biblioteca pública
Authors: Gomes Bezerra Calheiros Amanda , Aparecido Rodrigues do Prado Marcos
Published: March 2023

A função social da biblioteca pública está estreitamente vinculada a um determinado espaço geográfico para desenvolver ações que integrem demandas de informação, educação e cultura na comunidade. Essa noção fundamental outorga o rol de atributos operacionais das competências políticas legitimadas em processos históricos para essas instituições. Com o objetivo de analisar o contexto teórico qualificado ao sentido de comunidade é que o presente artigo estabeleceu uma reflexão sobre o papel social da biblioteca pública na contemporaneidade. Metodologicamente foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica que se orientou pela revisão de literatura guiada pelos questionamentos apresentados por Rabello (1987), Sperry (1993), Pinheiro (2009) e Milanesi (2013). Como resultado, verificou-se que atualmente as bibliotecas públicas estão perdendo espaços norepertório de interesses de sua comunidade. Failla (2021) constatou essa tendência em duas pesquisas realizadas sucessivamente no Brasil, nos anos de 2015 e 2020. Com isso, o presente estudo recomendou mudanças consistentes de aproximação efetiva da biblioteca pública com a comunidade pela articulação sistemática e propositiva da sua estrutura institucional, envolvendo adequação de conceitos e estudos de comunidade para alinhamento com as necessidades informacionais dos novos tempos.
Seroprevalence of SARS-Cov-2 Virus Infection In Kermanshah, Iran: A Population-based Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Shadmani Fatemeh Khosravi , Najafi Farid , Mansori Kamyar , Moradi Mahmoud Reza , Rezaei Mansor , Rezvani Nayebali , Darbandi Mitra , Yoosefi Moein , Laghei Zahra , Bozorgomid Arezoo , Salahshoor Pegah , Shakiba Ebrahim
Published: March 2023

Background:

The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a general population from Kermanshah province, Iran.

Methods:

The present study was a population-based cross-sectional design conducted in Kermanshah province in 2020. Sampling was performed in a multi-stage process, and 1967 participants were considered, and also 174 interviewers were assigned to collect data online. Then, 5 mL of blood sample was taken from every participant. The blood samples were centrifuged with the ELISA method to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgM antibodies in serum samples. Seropositive prevalence was adjusted by means of survey analysis. Case fatality rate (CFR) and infection fatality rate (IFR) were estimated.

Results:

A total of 1967 people from 14 cities of the province participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 35.7±16.9, and 50.4% were female. The lowest and highest seroprevalence was found in the cities of Paveh (2.3% [0.3- 4.2]) and Harsin (61.6% [54.7–68.5]), respectively. The CFR and IFR in men and women were 3.4 vs. 3.3 and 0.1 vs. 0.3. The aged 60 years or older had the highest CFR and IFR with 11.2 and 3.7%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and IFR among the general population of Kermanshah province was 18.3 and 0.3%, respectively. The results of this study can assist the policymaker in assessing risk factors, and transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in a population and implementing preventive and control interventions.
Parkinson's Disease: A Phytotherapeutic Prospective
Authors: Deka Bhargab , Bhattacharjee Bedanta , Shivavedi Naveen , Kumar Singh Gireesh , Raj Bhat Hans , Kumar Ghosh Surajit , Shakya Anshul
Published: March 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex multi-factorial, neurodegenerative disease characterized by neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) of the ventral midbrain area. Loss of dopamine (DA) supply induces an imbalance of multiple neurotransmitter networks in different parts of the brain. This contributes to many motor and non-motor symptoms in PD. The main goal of modern allopathic medicine is to restore DA function with synthetic levodopa (L-DOPA) and DA agonist, which has been partially effective; however, there are still several inadequacies and adverse effects that patients often cannot cope with. In the field of herbal medicine, extensive studies on bioactive phytocompounds have shown that it has immense potential as a neuroprotective therapy for neurodegenerative disorders, such as PD. Bioactive phytocompounds are very promising because they have minimal side effects and very high anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anticholinesterase activity. Recent preclinical studies suggest that several bioactive phytocompounds can be developed into pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of PD. Ayurvedic medicines have been used in many countries and particularly in India since ancient times to prevent or cure PD. This article focuses on the recent evidence-based neuroprotective activity of medicinal plants like Mucuna pruriens, Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Bacopa monnieri, Nardostachys jatamansi, Withania somnifera, and Silybum marianum in in vivo and in vitro PD research models.
Book Review. Ross Tangedal, 'The Preface: American Authorship in the Twentieth Century' (2021)
Authors: Gonch William
Published: March 2023

Book review: Ross K. Tangedal's The Preface: American Authorship in the Twentieth Century (2021).
Pharmacodynamic Modeling Identifies Synergistic Interaction Between Chloroquine and Trastuzumab in Refractory HER2- positive Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: FRANCO YESENIA L. , KHAN CHRISTINE , AIT-OUDHIA SIHEM
Published: March 2023

Background/Aim: Despite improvements in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) patients’ outcomes with trastuzumab, the occurrence of intrinsic or acquired resistance presents a clinical challenge. Here, we quantitatively assess the combinatorial effects of chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, with trastuzumab on JIMT-1 cells, a HER2-positive BC cell-line primarily resistant to trastuzumab. Materials and Methods: The temporal changes in JIMT-1 cellular viability were assessed using the CCK-8 kit, where JIMT-1 cells were exposed for 72-h to trastuzumab (0.007-17.19 μM) or chloroquine (5-50 μM) as single-agents, in combination (trastuzumab: 0.007-0.688 μM; chloroquine: 5-15 μM), or control (no drug). Concentration-response relationships were built for each treatment arm to determine drugs’ concentrations inducing 50% of cell-killing (IC50). Cellular pharmacodynamic models were built to characterize the time-trajectory of JIMT-1 cellular viability under each treatment arm. The nature of trastuzumab and chloroquine interaction was quantified by estimating the interaction parameter (Ψ). Results: The IC50 were estimated at 19.7 and 24.4 μM for trastuzumab and chloroquine. The maximum killing effect was about thrice higher for chloroquine than trastuzumab (0.0405 vs. 0.0125 h-1), validating chloroquine’s superior anti-cancer effect on JIMT-1 cells compared to trastuzumab. The time-delay for chloroquine cell-killing was twice longer than that for trastuzumab (17.7 vs. 7 h), suggesting a chloroquine time-dependent anti-cancer effect. The Ψ was determined at 0.529 (Ψ<1), indicating a synergistic interaction. Conclusion: This proof-of-concept study on JIMT-1 cells identified chloroquine and trastuzumab synergistic interaction, warranting further in vivo investigations.
Perineural Invasion Predicts Unfavorable Prognosis in Patients With Invasive Breast Cancer
Authors: HOSOYA KEIKO , WAKAHARA MAKOTO , IKEDA KOHEI , UMEKITA YOSHIHISA
Published: March 2023

Background/Aim: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a poor prognostic factor in a variety of cancers. However, the frequency of PNI in invasive breast carcinoma varies among studies, and the prognostic significance of PNI remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the prognostic value of PNI in breast cancer patients. Patients and Methods: The cohort included 191 consecutive female patients who underwent surgical resection of invasive carcinoma of no special type (NOS). The correlations between PNI and clinicopathological characteristics including prognosis were investigated. Results: The frequency of PNI was 14.1% (27/191) and the PNI-positive status was significantly correlated with large pathological tumor size (p=0.005), lymph node metastasis (p=0.001), and lymphatic invasion (p=0.009). The log-rank test showed that PNI-positive patients had shorter distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (p=0.002) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (p<0.001). According to the multivariate analysis, PNI had a significant adverse effect on DMFS (p=0.037) and DSS (p=0.003). Conclusion: PNI could be used as an independent poor prognostic indicator in patients with invasive breast carcinoma.
Liver Fluke Species Identification Isolated From Humans and Animals Using PCR-RFLP and DNA Sequencing
Authors: Othman Vilya Shwan , Hama Abdullah Ahmed , Garib Dana Taib , Zorab Rostam Hama
Published: March 2023

Fasciola species are a member of flatworms belonging to the trematodes (flukes), commonly known as liver fluke, they are extremely pathogenic parasites that affect the liver of humans and animals, nowadays, most laboratories and research facilities use molecular-based techniques for identifying and describing Fasciola species. The molecular diagnostic markers such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and PCR-RFLP methods are accurate and more specific than the immunological and microscopical methods. The identification of the species of liver flukes will give a new clue for the treatment and control of fascioliasis. The aim, of this study, is to find the molecular characterization of Fasciola spp. isolated from humans and animals in Sulaimani city. The flukes were isolated from humans using endoscopic techniques and from slaughtered livestock at the new slaughterhouse of Sulaimani, 48 liver flukes were collected from different hosts; human (n = 3), cattle (n = 20), sheep (n = 20), and goats (n = 5) from October 2021 to April 2022. The uinversal primers ribosomal Deoxy Ribo Nuclic Acid (rDNA) were used, then the PCR products were subjected to restriction fragment polymorphism (RFLP) assay and The PCR Product was digested with restriction enzymes DraII, also the DNA sequencing was used for the PCR product of the primer Cytochrome Oxidase subuint 1 (COX1). The results of the PCR-RFLP of the 28s rDNA show the genetic polymorphisms among the flukes and two patterns of RFLP were observed F. hepatica, and F. gigantica, also the sequence analysis of the partial gene of the COX1 showed the isolated flukes belonged to F. hepatica and F. gigantica with some genetic variation, and the result of the sequences was deposited in the Gene Bank under the following Accession numbers; F. gigantica (OP718780 and OP718781) and F. hepatica (OP718782, OP718783, and OP718784). The present study concludes thatF. hepatica and F. gigantica are both responsible for human and animal Fasciolasis in Kurdistan-Iraq, Therefore, RFLP techniques and DNA sequencing are a reliable, and differential method for species and genotyping identification of liver fluke.
Extracción asistida por ultrasonidos de licopenos con capacidad antioxidante provenientes de residuos agroindustriales de tomate de árbol
Authors: Proaño, Jennifer Karolina
Published: March 2023

El presente trabajo de investigación tuvo como objetivo la extracción de licopenos con capacidad antioxidante por medio de ultrasonidos, utilizando los residuos agroindustriales del tomate de árbol (Solanum betaceum Cav.). Se realizó la extracción a partir de los residuos vegetales previamente secos y molidos utilizando como disolvente etanol y se aplicó un diseño experimental 33. Se estudió la influencia de los factores relación material vegetal/volumen de disolvente (1/2.5; 1/5; 1/10), temperatura de extracción (20, 30 y 40 oC) y tiempo de extracción (15, 30 y 60 minutos) sobre el porcentaje de eficiencia de extracción. Loa resultados óptimos se alcanzaron con una relación de material vegetal/volumen de disolvente de 1/10, una temperatura de extracción de 40 oC y un tiempo de extracción de 60 minutos. Se realizaron pruebas in vitro a través de la técnica de DPPH (2,2-diphenil-1-1picrylhydrazyl) e in vivo utilizando Saccharomyces cerevisiae como modelo, para verificar la actividad antioxidante del extracto de licopenos. Se obtuvo mediante la prueba in vitro un porcentaje de inhibición de radicales libres de 60,23 % lo que representa 693,81 μmol/l de Trolox. La célula logró superar el estrés oxidativo en presencia del extracto de licopenos al ser expuesta a una concentración de 3 mmol/l de peróxido de hidrógeno presentando valores de crecimiento celular muy similares a los obtenidos con la vitamina C.
An Evidence-Based Digital Prevention Program to Improve Oral Health Literacy of People With a Migration Background: Intervention Mapping Approach
Authors: Weil Marie-Theres , Spinler Kristin , Lieske Berit , Dingoyan Demet , Walther Carolin , Heydecke Guido , Kofahl Christopher , Aarabi Ghazal
Published: March 2023

Background

Studies in Germany have shown that susceptible groups, such as people with a migration background, have poorer oral health than the majority of the population. Limited oral health literacy (OHL) appears to be an important factor that affects the oral health of these groups. To increase OHL and to promote prevention-oriented oral health behavior, we developed an evidence-based prevention program in the form of an app for smartphones or tablets, the Förderung der Mundgesundheitskompetenz und Mundgesundheit von Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund (MuMi) app.

Objective

This study aims to describe the development process of the MuMi app.

Methods

For the description and analysis of the systematic development process of the MuMi app, we used the intervention mapping approach. The approach was implemented in 6 steps: needs assessment, formulation of intervention goals, selection of evidence-based methods and practical strategies for behavior change, planning and designing the intervention, planning the implementation and delivery of the intervention, and planning the evaluation.

Results

On the basis of our literature search, expert interviews, and a focus group with the target population, we identified limited knowledge of behavioral risk factors or proper oral hygiene procedures, limited proficiency of the German language, and differing health care socialization as the main barriers to good oral health. Afterward, we selected modifiable determinants of oral health behavior that were in line with behavior change theories. On this basis, performance objectives and change objectives for the relevant population at risk were formalized. Appropriate behavior change techniques to achieve the program objectives, such as the provision of health information, encouragement of self-control and self-monitoring, and sending reminders, were identified. Subsequently, these were translated into practical strategies, such as multiple-choice quizzes or videos. The resulting program, the MuMi app, is available in the Apple app store and Android app store. The effectiveness of the app was evaluated in the MuMi intervention study. The analyses showed that users of the MuMi app had a substantial increase in their OHL and improved oral hygiene (as measured by clinical parameters) after 6 months compared with the control group.

Conclusions

The intervention mapping approach provided a transparent, structured, and evidence-based process for the development of our prevention program. It allowed us to identify the most appropriate and effective techniques to initiate behavior change in the target population. The MuMi app takes into account the cultural and specific determinants of people with a migration background in Germany. To our knowledge, it is the first evidence-based app that addresses OHL among people with a migration background.
Explainable predictions of a machine learning model to forecast the postoperative length of stay for severe patients: Machine Learning Model Development and Evaluation (Preprint)
Authors: Cho Ha Na , Jun Tae Joon , Kim Young-Hak , Kang Hee Jun , Ahn Imjin , Gwon Hansle , Kim Yunha , Seo Hyeram , Choi Heejung , Kim Minkyoung , Han JiYe , Kee Gaeun , Park Seohyun
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Understanding the length of stay of severe patients who require general anesthesia is key to enhancing health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we aim to discover how machine learning can support resource allocation management and decision-making resulting from the length of stay prediction.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2018 to October 2020. A total cohort of 240,000 patients’ medical records was collected. The data were collected exclusively for preoperative variables to accurately analyze the predictive factors impacting the postoperative length of stay. The main outcome of this study is an analysis of the length of stay (in days) after surgery until discharge. The prediction was performed with ridge regression, random forest, XGBoost, and multi-layer perceptron neural network models. The XGBoost resulted in the best performance with an average error within 3 days. Moreover, we explain each feature’s contribution over the XGBoost model and further display distinct predictors affecting the overall prediction outcome at the patient level.

RESULTS

The risk factors that most importantly contributed to the stay after surgery were as follows: a direct bilirubin laboratory test, department change, calcium chloride medication, gender, and diagnosis with the removal of other organs. Our results suggest that healthcare providers take into account the risk factors such as the laboratory blood test, distributing patients, and the medication prescribed prior to the surgery. We successfully predicted the length of stay after surgery and provide explainable models with supporting analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, we demonstrate the interpretation with the XGBoost model presenting insights on preoperative features and defining higher risk predictors to the length of stay outcome. Our development in explainable models supports the current in-depth knowledge for the future length of stay prediction on electronic medical records that aids the decision-making and facilitation of the operation department.
In Vitro Effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana as a Control Agent against Invasive Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) Larvae
Authors: Purwanti Eny Wahyuning , Mulyasari Julisa Ginti , Budianto Budianto
Published: March 2023

Fall armyworm or Spodoptera frugiperda is one of the main pests of corn. It can caused up to 28.08% yield loss. Pest control efforts with broad-spectrum insecticides can cause negative impacts that disrupt ecosystems, non-target biotic factors and the surrounding environment. Beauveria bassiana is an alternative biological control agent that is target-specific. This study was conducted to determine toxic and antifeedant activities of B. bassiana application on third to fifth-instar S. frugiperda larvae. B. bassiana isolates were propagated using corn flakes media and resulted in colonies with conidia density of 1.1×108conidia.g-1. This study used a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 5 replications. Treatments consisted of P1 namely B. bassiana propagation with a concentration of 60 g.L-1, P2 = 70 g.L-1, and P3 = 80 g.L-1. P0 was a negative control (untreated with B. bassiana) and P4 was a positive control (diazinon with concentrations of 2 ml.L-1). The variables observed were mortality and weight of the leftover feed. The results showed that the formulation of B. bassiana with concentrations of 80 g.L-1 was able to infect armyworms with a mortality percentage of 53.5% which was statistically similar as the effect of chemical insecticides. In addition, inhibition of feeding activity due to treatment could prevent leaf damage up to 68.21%.
Effect of Biocontrol Agent (Bacillus and Mycorrhizal Fungi) Application against Twisted Disease (Fusarium spp.) in Off-Season Shallot Production
Authors: Wibowo Eko Prasetyo , Widiastuti Ani , Joko Tri , Suryanti Suryanti , Priyatmojo Achmadi
Published: March 2023

The demand for shallots has increased along with the Indonesian population. To achieve shallot production goals, farmers began to plant shallots outside usual planting season. However, unfavourable environmental conditions and pest attacks are obstacles faced by farmers. The use of Biological Control Agents (BCA) is a way to improve plant growth and protect plants against plant pathogens or even abiotic stresses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of shallot plants after BCA (Bacillus and Mycorrhizal Fungi) application, especially against twisted disease during off-planting season. This research was conducted by preparing BCA isolates, applying BCA, measuring disease incidence and intensity, observing plant growth development, analyzing phenol content, and analyzing phosphate content. Results showed BCA Bacillus and mycorrhizal fungi did not inhibit Fusarium spp. infection. Agronomic measurements showed no significant difference in crown weight and root weight, but isolate B8 significantly increase the number of leaves while isolate M significantly decreased plant height. Isolates B6, B7, and M significantly reduced the total phenol content in shallot plants. Phosphate analysis on isolate M did not have significant effects on shallot plants, while BCA Bacillus and Mycorrhizal fungi application could not suppress twisted disease. Nevertheless, B8 treatment has the potential to increase shallot growth; therefore, further research must be conducted.
Sustainable Innovation Model for Science and Technology-Based SMEs: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Liuyi , Chen Pujun , Lv Xiaohuan
Published: March 2023

This study proposes a sustainable innovation model for science and technology-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using grounded theory in the Chinese context. Five SMEs, referred to as ‘science and technology small giants’, were chosen as sampling cases to gather information for the grounding procedure to provide insights into successful science and technology-based SMEs. The model illustrates possible development paths for science and technology-based SMEs seeking to progress towards sustainable innovation and is potentially generalisable to SMEs in other industries, offering empirical insights to corresponding enterprises that seek innovative enhancement especially in developing countries. The results suggest that the innovation team, innovation principles, and an innovation base are indispensable elements to consider. Building teams with innovative human resources under the guidance of a clear system of principles can largely maximise the efficiency of creative talent and thus advance continuous innovation outcomes. An innovation base is also indispensable to reduce primary defects in initial investment, networking, supply chains, and market reputation.
A Captcha-Based Graphical Password with Strong Password Space and Usability Study
Authors: Sapkal Medha , Sarulkar Ninaad , Shaikh Kaif , Sarode Prathmesh , Shirode Prof. A. A
Published: March 2023

stract: Security for authentication is required to give a superlative secure users’ personal information. This paper presents a model of the Graphical password scheme under the impact of security and ease of use for user authentication. We integrate the concept of recognition with re-called and cued- recall based schemes to offer superior security compared to existing schemes. Click Symbols (CS) Alphabet combine into one entity: Alphanumeric (A) and Visual (V) symbols (CS-AV) is Captcha-based password scheme, we integrate it with recall- based n×n grid points, where a user can draw the shape or pattern by the intersection of the grid points as a way to enter a graphical password. Next scheme, the combination of CS-AV with grid cells allows very large password space (2.4 × 104 bits of entropy) and provides reasonable usability results by determining an empirical study of memorable password space. Proposed schemes support most applicable platform for input devices and promising strong resistance to shoulder surfing attacks on a mobile device which can be occurred during unlocking (pattern) the smartphone
Study of Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in South Chennai Population.
Authors: Nivedhini V. P. , A.Jamuna Rani Dr.
Published: March 2023

Diabetes Mellitus is caused by the decreased utilization of glucose by tissues and is attributed either to hypoinsulinemia or hyperinsulinemia induced by the overstimulation of insulin-secreting beta cells. Patients with diabetes mellitus, obesity and dyslipidemia are prone to Metabolic syndrome. The study aims to estimate and compare the lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy individuals. This case-control study was undertaken in type II Diabetic patients, where 48 were male, and 45 were female. The diabetic subjects were compared with 33 male and 55 Healthy female subjects who volunteered as controls. Venous blood samples from healthy and diabetic subjects were collected and used to measure routine parameters such as fasting blood sugar (FBS), post-prandial blood sugar(PPBS), Total cholesterol, HDL, and TGL. The Fasting Plasma Glucose and post-prandial glucose were significantly increased among diabetic subjects than the healthy controls. The triglyceride levels in cases had elevated levels in comparison to controls. HDL showed a marginal decrease in the diabetic group than the control group. Mean LDL levels in people with diabetes increase compared to the healthy controls. Besides, the VLDL levels also significantly increased among people with diabetes. There was a substantial increase in FBS and PPBS levels among the diabetic subjects compared to the healthy controls. The lipid profile constituting Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL levels showed the following changes: There was a significant increase in Total cholesterol, TGL, VLDL, and LDL levels, whereas the HDL levels were decreased among the diabetic subjects. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus must keep their blood sugar levels under control through follow-ups because uncontrolled diabetes mellitus leads to lipid dysfunction, which ultimately increases the risk of coronary artery disease. Keywords: , , Triglyceride (TGL), Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL).
Output-feedback H∞ control for IT-2 T-S fuzzy system with hybrid attacks via switching-like adaptive event-triggered mechanism
Authors: Tang Xiaoming , Xia Zidi , Lv Xiao , Yang Mingchuan , Wei Na
Published: March 2023

In this article, the switching-like adaptive event-triggered dynamic
output feedback H ∞ control for the interval type-2 (IT-2) Takagi-Sugeno
(T-S) fuzzy system over networks with hybrid attacks and Markovian
packet losses is investigated. The switching-like adaptive
event-triggered mechanism (SAETM) is involved with the characteristic of
dynamically adjusting trigger threshold according to the change of the
system states and appropriately selecting the event-triggered scheme in
the light of the packet loss process is creatively proposed. The hybrid
attack which is consisted of deception attack and aperiodic
Denial-of-Service (DoS) attack is considered, and the deception attack
is expressed as the Bernoulli random variable, while the aperiodic DoS
attack is characterized by the frequency and duration in view of the
average dell-time (ADT) technique. By applying the packet loss dependent
multiple Lyapunov function technique and iterative method, the
sufficient condition is derived to address the stability of NCS, and the
existence condition is established to guarantee the prescribed
performance of the H ∞ controller. Finally, two simulation examples are
applied to show the availability of the provided algorithm.