bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospek Pengembangan Agribisnis Kelapa Sawit di Sumatera Selatan
Authors: Alfisyahr Nina , Efrianti Rini , Oktarina Yetty , Novayanti Novayanti
Published: June 2024

Kelapa sawit merupakan komoditas unggulan bagi negara Indonesia dalam perdagangan internasional. Kelapa sawit termasuk dalam sepuluh komoditas ekspor utama Indonesia dikarenakan daya saingnya yang kompetitif dalam perdagangan internasional. Daya saing tersebut didasarkan pada produktivitas per hektar kelapa sawit di Indonesia yang cukup tinggi. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Provinsi Sumatera Selatan tepatnya di Kabupaten Musi Banyuasin, Banyuasin dan Ogan Komering Ilir. Penentuan lokasi dilakukan secara sengaja (Purposive) dengan pertimbangan bahwa ketiga Kabupaten ini merupakan  Kabupaten yang luas tanamnya paling besar  dibandingkan dengan Kabupaten yang lain di Provinsi Sumatera Selatan. Metode Penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode survei. Metode penarikan contoh yang digunakan dalam penelitian yang berjudul prosfek pengembangan perkebunan sawit di Provinsi Sumatera Selatan yaitu metode acak berlapis. Untuk menjawab rumusan masalah digunakan analisis SWOT dengan menggunakan teknik analisis SWOT dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diketahui bahwa posisi faktor internal berada pada skor pada kekuatan sebesar 4,92 dan 2,00 pada kelemahan, hal ini berarti menunjukan bahwa keadaan faktor internal sangat kuat untuk kegiatan pengembangan usaha perkebunan di Sumatera Selatan. Berdasarkan tabel tersebut dapat dilihat skor tertinggi untuk kekuatan yaitu terdapat pada variabel proyeksi konsumsi CPO. Sedangkan diketahui bahwa posisi faktor eksternal berada pada skor pada peluang sebesar 4,00 dan 2,00 pada ancaman, hal ini berarti menunjukan bahwa keadaan faktor eksternal sangat kuat untuk kegiatan pengembangan usaha perkebunan di Sumatera Selatan. Berdasarkan kurva matriks SWOT prospek pengembangan perkebunan kelapa sawit di Sumatera Selatan yang mengacu pada hasil perhitungan tersebut berada pada kuadran I yaitu strategi agresif, artinya kondisi ini menguntungkan bagi petani di dalam menjalankan perkebunan kelapa sawitnya.
RESEARCH OF THE PROPERTIES OF CERAMIC ORDINARY BRICK BASED ON DRILLING WASTE OF THE OIL PRODUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Romanyuk Valeria , Klimova Lyudmila , Yatsenko Elena , Tretyak Alexander
Published: June 2024

The purpose of these studies is to determine the possibility of using drill cuttings from the oil fields of the Southern Fed-eral District as a source for the production of ceramic ordinary bricks with their maximum content in the initial mixture to take into account their physical and chemical properties. The objects of study were: drill cuttings from the Slavyanskoye oil field (Krasnodar region) and clay (VKV-2) from of the Vladimirskiy quarry (Rostov region). Based on the research results, a working hypothesis has been formulated, which is that complex processing of the composition of the mineral component of drilling waste and plastic clay at the stages of preparation, molding, and drying ensures, under low-temperature firing conditions, compliance of the physical and chemical properties of brick with the requirements of GOST 530–2018 and their preservation during long-term operation
PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF CONSTRUCTION CERAMICS WASTE IN THE PRODUCTION OF BUILDING MATERIALS
Authors: Baruzdin Aleksandr , Zakrevskaya Lyubov
Published: June 2024

The main technological aspects of the production of building ceramics are given. Based on the analysis of literary sources, a comprehensive assessment of the feasibility of using construction ceramic waste as a secondary raw material for the production of new building materials was carried out. Based on the research of modern scientists, it has been established that the waste from the scrap of building ceramics is suitable for use as an aggregate, partial replacement of cement and a reactive additive in concretes and mortars. When using scrap of con-struction ceramics as an aggregate, it is recommended to limit the substitution of natural aggregate at the level of 20-30%, together using various additives: plasticizing and improving rheotechnological and physico-mechanical properties of concrete. Finely ground waste from brick scrap has pozzolan activity and, when used as a reactive additive or partial replacement of cement in concretes and mortars, up to 20-25% can improve the structure of cement stone, increase strength, reduce macroporosity and penetration of chloride ions, and increase sul-fate resistance. This kind of binder is prone to a later set of strength compared to Portland cement. In addition, the waste of building ceramics can be used in the production of alkali-activated cements and slag-alkali binders, as well as s raw materials for the production of new bricks or the construction of road surface bases. It has been revealed that the production of building materials and products based on con-struction ceramics waste is a promising direction for the development of construction production. It is possible not only to obtain materials of equal quality to products based on natural raw materials, but also with improved characteristics.
MODIFICATION OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING CONCRETE PROPERTIES BY ADDITIVES BASED ON HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT COMPOUNDS
Authors: Samchenko Svietlana , Tobolev Pavel
Published: June 2024

Ensuring high water resistance, frost resistance and corrosion resistance of hydraulic structures is achieved by creating concrete with a dense structure that can absorb aggressive influences. This is possible by modifying the structure of concrete with polymer additives of new generation. The introduction of polymer additives has a plasticizing effect and contributes to the preservation of technological properties of the concrete mixture, modifies the pore structure of concrete and influences the formation of cement stone strength. The paper presents the results of research on the effect of polymer additive based on polyvinylpyrrolidone on the basic properties of Portland cement binder. It was found that the compressive strength at the age of 2 days increases by 7% at the content of polymer additive in the amount of 0.8%. Also, in-troduction of polymer additive increases the compressive strength at the age of 28 days at its content of 0.6 and 0.8% by 22 and 27%, respectively. The effect of polymer modifier on the formation of the initial structure, manifested in the increase in the time of the beginning and accel-eration of the end of setting has been established. The kinetics of heat release of cement dough in the presence of polymeric modifier in the amount of 0.6 % has been studied. The data on the phase composition of cement stone in the presence of polymer modifier are given. It is established by means of electron microscopic analysis that the introduction of polymeric admixture promotes modification of cement stone microstructure with formation of more dense homogeneous structure. The given research results are taken into account in the development of concrete compositions with a set of specified properties required for the construction of hydraulic structures.
المسؤولية المدنية للطبيب الالي (دراسة مقارنة)
Authors: م.م. فراس مشهل عبد الجبار
Published: June 2024

المستخلص :
تعد مسؤولية الطبيب الآلي موضوعًا هامًا في ظل التطورات التكنولوجية الحديثة، حيث يشغل الروبوتات الطبية دورًا مهمًا في مجال الطب. يتطرق البحث إلى تحديد المسؤولية المدنية للطبيب الآلي والقواعد التي تحكم عمله، مع التركيز على تحليل النصوص القانونية والمقارنة بين التشريعات المختلفة. كما يستعرض البحث الأركان التي تنشأ منها المسؤولية المدنية، والآثار المترتبة على تحقق هذه المسؤولية. تهدف الدراسة إلى فهم أفضل للتحديات القانونية التي قد تطرأ نتيجة استخدام التقنيات الطبية الحديثة، وتحديد الإجراءات اللازمة لحماية المرضى وضمان تقديم خدمات طبية عالية الجودة.
 
الكلمات الرئيسية: مسؤولية مدنية، طبيب آلي، تقنية الذكاء الاصطناعي، التشريعات القانونية، الروبوتات الطبية.
Prevención de riesgos laborales en el sector de la construcción. Paso a paso
Authors: de Iberley Departamento de Documentación
Published: June 2024

Este libro sobre la prevención de riesgos laborales en el sector de la construcción se estructura en ocho secciones principales, abarcando desde el marco normativo hasta las medidas preventivas específicas y la protección individual y colectiva. PRL en el sector de la construcción: introduce el marco normativo relevante y organiza la prevención, destacando la designación de coordinadores de seguridad y salud, la obligatoriedad de estudios de seguridad, y las obligaciones de contratistas, subcontratistas y trabajadores autónomos. Subcontratación en el sector de la construcción: examina la subcontratación, incluyendo conceptos básicos, requisitos para contratistas y subcontratistas, el Libro de Subcontratación, y las infracciones y sanciones relacionadas. Disposiciones específicas de seguridad y salud: se centra en las fases de proyecto y ejecución de obras, abordando estudios de seguridad y salud, el plan de seguridad y salud en el trabajo, y la evaluación de riesgos. Coordinación de actividades empresariales: trata sobre la información y coordinación entre empresarios para la prevención de riesgos, incluyendo la designación de coordinadores y la obligatoriedad de estudios de seguridad. Información y formación a los trabajadores: Detalla la formación en PRL específica para el sector, incluyendo la tarjeta profesional de la construcción y la homologación de entidades formativas. Documentación en materia preventiva: enumera y describe la documentación necesaria en obras de construcción para la gestión de la PRL, incluyendo planes de seguridad y salud, registros de formación, y controles de salud de los trabajadores. Riesgos específicos del sector construcción y medidas preventivas generales: aborda las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y salud, regulaciones específicas en convenios colectivos, y los principales riesgos y medidas preventivas. Protección colectiva e individual: finaliza con un enfoque en la protección colectiva e individual, explicando la prioridad de la protección colectiva y detallando los sistemas de protección colectiva y los equipos de protección individual (EPI) adecuados para el sector. Además, se incluyen formularios de interés en la materia.
MORAL VIEWS OF MUHAMMAD FIZULI
Authors:   Azərbaycan Respublikasının Təhsil İnstitutu, Abbasov Akif
Published: June 2024

Muhammad Fizuli considered the problem of man to be the problem of humanity and considered it important to improve and purify the personality, to preserve honor and dignity. Therefore, the brilliant poet highly valued the role of upbringing and self-education in the development and formation of a person. According to Fizuli, education is a beacon of hope for the hopeless and a sign of salvation for the oppressed. The article discusses the moral views of Fuzuli.
DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AS A FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN'S SUBJECTIVITY
Authors: Jafarova Lalazar
Published: June 2024

In this article, the issues related to the interactions between an individual and the social environment are analysed. The educational environment is seen as a factor for the development of the personality of its subjects. Various approaches to understanding the educational environment as a system of opportunities for developing the subjectivity of preschool children are considered. In the transitional conditions where the State Standards of Preschool Education are applied, the main components of the educational environment of early childhood, the educational environment for the acquisition of the child's subjective position, are in focus. The article contains a description of the results of a study on the influence of the educational environment on the child's mastery of a subjective position. It is proved that the child's subjective position in the activity can be successfully developed already at the preschool age, determining the integrity of his/her development, and the involvement of the preschool child into the surrounding reality and the opportunity to create in it. Analysis of the results of the empirical study has demonstrated that studying the environment affects each subject of the educational process. Its quality affects the personal development of children, including its intellectual, social, and personal components. The educational environment of early childhood enhances the development of subjectivity in preschool children, being a systemic quality of personality and integrating such attributive characteristics as liberty, independence, creativity, constructive interaction with the environment, desire to acquire self-regulation through mastering the motivating, and activating and directing functions of subjectivity.
DEPLOYING BUILT-IN QUALITY TO REDUCE SCRAP IN AN AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT MANUFACTURER
Authors: Dewa Mendon , Makua Edward
Published: June 2024

Automotive component manufacturers face global competitive challenges, and the paradigm has shifted from product price as the determining factor of competitiveness to the quality of the product. An automotive component manufacturer was struggling to manage the outflow of defects, and adding inspectors as quality gates to the rear-step bumper production line had severe cost implications. This study aimed to reduce the number of defects by deploying a strategic path of implementing built-in quality. Quality tools were used, and the study’s results included significant manpower reduction, improved quality capability, and reduced scrap rates and reworks.
A snapshot of fundamental geological knowledge to deal with climate change
Authors:   Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia, Pereira Joy Jacqueline
Published: June 2024

The 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, concluded in December 2023. The meeting discussed the overarching goal of the legally binding Paris Agreement to limit “global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels”. The COP 28 recognised recent findings of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that “limiting global warming to 1.5 °C with no or limited overshoot requires deep, rapid and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions of 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 relative to the 2019 level, and reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050”.
Fracture model and structural history of Gunung Keriang, Kedah
Authors:   Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia, Aznan Muhammad Amzar , Mansor Nasrul Azmin ,   Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia, Choong Chee Meng ,   Digital Geoscience Global, Unit 13-9 Binjai 8, Lorong Binjai, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ab Rahman Siti Sarah ,   Digital Geoscience Global, Unit 13-9 Binjai 8, Lorong Binjai, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Md Yusof Muhammad Aslam ,   Petroleum Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak D.R., Malaysia, Mohamed Muhammad Azfar ,   Petroleum Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak D.R., Malaysia
Published: June 2024

Gunung Keriang is a limestone hill in Kedah, northwest Peninsular Malaysia, with well-bedded limestones that gently dip towards the SW and SE, forming N-S trending gentle folds. Fractures are prevalent at both regional and local scales, with three major fracture sets identified: NW-SE, N-S, and NE-SW, all of which are steep to vertically dipping. These fracture sets and their characteristics have been thoroughly analyzed and summarized in this study. The NW-SE fractures have an average length of 137.2 m with a spacing of 92.3 m, the N-S fractures average 120 m in length with 81.3 m spacing, and the NE-SW fractures average 101.6 m in length with 72.7 m spacing. The limestone deposits in Gunung Keriang were formed in a partially unstable shallow marine environment during the Early Permian to Early Triassic period. Subsequently, the Late Triassic collision between the Sibumasu and Indochina terranes led to the formation of N-S trending gentle folds, N-S tension gashes, and potential conjugate fracture sets (NW-SE and NE-SW direction) due to E-W compression. The ensuing uplift exposed the Gunung Keriang limestone and caused extensive dissolution, particularly along fractures.
Del PIB al cálculo del bienestar: nuevas perspectivas en la medición del progreso económico
Authors: Cortés Rufé Marc
Published: June 2024

En el presente artículo se examina críticamente la adecuación del producto interno bruto (PIB) como indicador exclusivo del bienestar económico y social, proponiendo la necesidad de integrar enfoques más holísticos en la evaluación del progreso. Se argumenta que, si bien el PIB refleja la capacidad económica de una nación, no aborda aspectos fundamentales como los impactos ambientales, los derechos humanos y las variables culturales. Se menciona la adopción de la felicidad nacional bruta (FNB) por países como Bután y Myanmar como un enfoque pionero que evalúa la calidad de vida desde perspectivas holísticas y psicológicas, distinguiéndose significativamente del PIB tradicional. Además, se discute el índice de desarrollo humano (IDH) como un indicador más inclusivo, que incorpora dimensiones como la esperanza de vida, la educación y el nivel de ingresos, proporcionando así una métrica más integral del progreso humano. Este enfoque contrasta con las limitaciones del PIB al ofrecer un panorama más completo del desarrollo humano. Por ende, el artículo aboga por un nuevo paradigma económico que trascienda el enfoque tradicional del PIB y busque una comprensión más exhaustiva y sostenible del bienestar humano, adaptándose a los desafíos y oportunidades del siglo XXI.
¿Por qué ‘Oikonomics’? Radiografía de diez años de transformación
Authors: Baraza Sánchez Xavier , Gomis Joan Miquel
Published: June 2024

La editorial de la primera edición de Oikonomics, ahora hace diez años, describía el entorno en el que nacía la revista. Esta iniciativa se situaba en el marco de una sociedad que se encontraba «en un estadio evolutivo acelerado, en el cual la aplicación de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) está teniendo efectos transformadores que generan interrogantes sobre su devenir». Por esta razón, la nueva publicación se planteaba como objetivo global «el análisis de las intersecciones entre la economía y la empresa en la sociedad actual» a partir de la «propuesta de reflexiones que ayuden a interpretar la dimensión y las consecuencias de esta transformación, especialmente de aquellas transformaciones derivadas de la producción y del intercambio de información y conocimiento».
The impact of surgery and oncological treatment on risk of type 2 diabetes onset in patients with colorectal cancer: nationwide cohort study in Denmark
Authors: Krag Caroline , Svane Maria Saur , Madsbad Sten , Graversen Susanne Boel , Christensen Jesper Frank , Sørensen Thorkild IA , Lehrskov Louise Lang , Laurberg Tinne
Published: June 2024

Background:

Comorbidity with type 2 diabetes (T2D) results in worsening of cancer-specific and overall prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The treatment of CRC per se may be diabetogenic. We assessed the impact of different types of surgical cancer resections and oncological treatment on risk of T2D development in CRC patients.

Methods:

We developed a population-based cohort study including all Danish CRC patients, who had undergone CRC surgery between 2001 and 2018. Using nationwide register data, we identified and followed patients from date of surgery and until new onset of T2D, death, or end of follow-up.

Results:

In total, 46,373 CRC patients were included and divided into six groups according to type of surgical resection: 10,566 Right-No-Chemo (23%), 4645 Right-Chemo (10%), 10,151 Left-No-Chemo (22%), 5257 Left-Chemo (11%), 9618 Rectal-No-Chemo (21%), and 6136 Rectal-Chemo (13%). During 245,466 person-years of follow-up, 2556 patients developed T2D. The incidence rate (IR) of T2D was highest in the Left-Chemo group 11.3 (95% CI: 10.4–12.2) per 1000 person-years and lowest in the Rectal-No-Chemo group 9.6 (95% CI: 8.8–10.4). Between-group unadjusted hazard ratio (HR) of developing T2D was similar and non-significant. In the adjusted analysis, Rectal-No-Chemo was associated with lower T2D risk (HR 0.86 [95% CI 0.75–0.98]) compared to Right-No-Chemo.

For all six groups, an increased level of body mass index (BMI) resulted in a nearly twofold increased risk of developing T2D.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that postoperative T2D screening should be prioritised in CRC survivors with overweight/obesity regardless of type of CRC treatment applied.

Funding:

The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF17SA0031406); TrygFonden (101390; 20045; 125132).
The archerfish uses motor adaptation in shooting to correct for changing physical conditions
Authors: Volotsky Svetlana , Donchin Opher , Segev Ronen
Published: June 2024

The archerfish is unique in its ability to hunt by shooting a jet of water from its mouth that hits insects situated above the water’s surface. To aim accurately, the fish needs to overcome physical factors including changes in light refraction at the air-water interface. Nevertheless, archerfish can still hit the target with a high success rate under changing conditions. One possible explanation for this extraordinary ability is that it is learned by trial and error through a motor adaptation process. We tested this possibility by characterizing the ability of the archerfish to adapt to perturbations in the environment to make appropriate adjustments to its shots. We introduced a perturbing airflow above the water tank of the archerfish trained to shoot at a target. For each trial shot, we measured the error, i.e., the distance between the center of the target and the center of the water jet produced by the fish. Immediately after the airflow perturbation, there was an increase in shot error. Then, over the course of several trials, the error was reduced and eventually plateaued. After the removal of the perturbation, there was an aftereffect, where the error was in the opposite direction but washed out after several trials. These results indicate that archerfish can adapt to the airflow perturbation. Testing the fish with two opposite airflow directions indicated that adaptation took place within an egocentric frame of reference. These results thus suggest that the archerfish is capable of motor adaptation, as indicated by data showing that the fish produced motor commands that anticipated the perturbation.
An integrated machine learning approach delineates an entropic expansion mechanism for the binding of a small molecule to α-synuclein
Authors: Menon Sneha , Adhikari Subinoy , Mondal Jagannath
Published: June 2024

The mis-folding and aggregation of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) such as α-synuclein (αS) underlie the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative disorders. However, targeting αS with small molecules faces challenges due to the lack of defined ligand-binding pockets in its disordered structure. Here, we implement a deep artificial neural network-based machine learning approach, which is able to statistically distinguish the fuzzy ensemble of conformational substates of αS in neat water from those in aqueous fasudil (small molecule of interest) solution. In particular, the presence of fasudil in the solvent either modulates pre-existing states of αS or gives rise to new conformational states of αS, akin to an ensemble-expansion mechanism. The ensembles display strong conformation-dependence in residue-wise interaction with the small molecule. A thermodynamic analysis indicates that small-molecule modulates the structural repertoire of αS by tuning protein backbone entropy, however entropy of the water remains unperturbed. Together, this study sheds light on the intricate interplay between small molecules and IDPs, offering insights into entropic modulation and ensemble expansion as key biophysical mechanisms driving potential therapeutics.
Tumor-infiltrating nerves functionally alter brain circuits and modulate behavior in a mouse model of head-and-neck cancer
Authors: Barr Jeffrey , Walz Austin , Restaino Anthony C , Amit Moran , Barclay Sarah M , Vichaya Elisabeth G , Spanos William C , Dantzer Robert , Talbot Sebastien , Vermeer Paola D
Published: June 2024

Cancer patients often experience changes in mental health, prompting an exploration into whether nerves infiltrating tumors contribute to these alterations by impacting brain functions. Using a mouse model for head and neck cancer and neuronal tracing, we show that tumor-infiltrating nerves connect to distinct brain areas. The activation of this neuronal circuitry altered behaviors (decreased nest-building, increased latency to eat a cookie, and reduced wheel running). Tumor-infiltrating nociceptor neurons exhibited heightened calcium activity and brain regions receiving these neural projections showed elevated Fos as well as increased calcium responses compared to non-tumor-bearing counterparts. The genetic elimination of nociceptor neurons decreased brain Fos expression and mitigated the behavioral alterations induced by the presence of the tumor. While analgesic treatment restored nesting and cookie test behaviors, it did not fully restore voluntary wheel running indicating that pain is not the exclusive driver of such behavioral shifts. Unraveling the interaction between the tumor, infiltrating nerves, and the brain is pivotal to developing targeted interventions to alleviate the mental health burdens associated with cancer.
Vocational didactics based on industrial teachers’ stories
Authors: Asghari Hamid
Published: June 2024

Based on industrial teachers’ narrated experiences of teaching and meeting students at Swedish vocational high schools, this study will provide a definition of the concept of vocational didactics. The study is based on two central pillars: 1) the concept of vocational didactics and 2) narrative research. The concept of vocational didactics is elaborated on the basis of previous research, and stories are further described as the theoretical and methodological starting points. The results show that ten themes about vocational didactics (vocational teaching and vocational learning) emerge from the industrial teachers’ stories. The common denominator in the themes is the concept of occupation, which is related to employability as an industrial worker. The vocational didactics and its constituent themes, which are context-bound and change as a result of technological development and societal changes, are processed and discussed in relation to the workshop environment (master-apprentice tradition) and school environment. The conclusion is that vocational didactics comprises teaching and learning professional skills and enabling students to become professional practitioners in a profession and a labour market that change continuously in step with technological development and social change.
The role of attention bias malleability in experiencing pain and associated disability
Authors: Mac Goris Justine L. , Todd Jemma , Clarke Patrick J.F. , Hughes Alicia M. , Vögele Claus , Van Ryckeghem Dimitri M.L.
Published: June 2024

Background

Attentional processing of pain has been theorized to play a key role in the severity of pain and associated disability. In particular attentional bias towards pain information, resulting in poor pain outcomes, has been extensively researched. Recently, the idea was put forward that attention bias malleability (AM), i.e., the readiness to acquire an attentional bias irrespective of its direction, may be key in predicting poor pain outcomes. We tested this hypothesis in two studies.

Methods

In Study 1, 55 healthy participants completed an AM paradigm, followed by an experimental heat pain paradigm probing pain experience and pain-related task interference. In Study 2, 71 people with chronic pain completed an AM paradigm and questionnaires probing pain experience and associated disability.

Results

In Study 1, including healthy participants, no relationship was found between AM indices and experimental pain outcomes. In Study 2, including chronic pain patients, results indicated that higher levels of overall AM were related to higher levels of pain experience and disability.

Conclusion

This study partially supports the hypotheses that the degree to which individuals can adapt their attentional preference in line with changing environmental conditions is associated with poor pain outcomes. However, future research is needed to clarify inconsistent findings between healthy volunteers and chronic pain patients as well as to determine the causal status of AM in poor pain outcomes.
Effect of oral tryptamines on the gut microbiome of rats—a preliminary study
Authors: Xu Mengyang , Kiss Andor J. , Jones J. Andrew , McMurray Matthew S. , Shi Haifei
Published: June 2024

Background

Psilocybin and related tryptamines have come into the spotlight in recent years as potential therapeutics for depression. Research on the mechanisms of these effects has historically focused on the direct effects of these drugs on neural processes. However, in addition to such neural effects, alterations in peripheral physiology may also contribute to their therapeutic effects. In particular, substantial support exists for a gut microbiome-mediated pathway for the antidepressant efficacy of other drug classes, but no prior studies have determined the effects of tryptamines on microbiota.

Methods

To address this gap, in this preliminary study, male Long Evans rats were treated with varying dosages of oral psilocybin (0.2 or 2 mg/kg), norbaeocystin (0.25 or 2.52 mg/kg), or vehicle and their fecal samples were collected 1 week and 3 weeks after exposure for microbiome analysis using integrated 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing to determine gut microbiome composition.

Results

We found that although treatment with neither psilocybin nor norbaeocystin significantly affected overall microbiome diversity, it did cause significant dose- and time-dependent changes in bacterial abundance at the phylum level, including increases in Verrucomicrobia and Actinobacteria, and decreases in Proteobacteria.

Conclusion and Implications

These preliminary findings support the idea that psilocybin and other tryptamines may act on the gut microbiome in a dose- and time-dependent manner, potentially identifying a novel peripheral mechanism for their antidepressant activity. The results from this preliminary study also suggest that norbaeocystin may warrant further investigation as a potential antidepressant, given the similarity of its effects to psilocybin.
Construction of two New Second Order Rotatable Designs Using Trigonometric Functions
Authors: Cornelious Nyakundi Omwando , Ogega Japheth Maisiba
Published: June 2024

In this study, two new second order rotatable designs of thirty-five and forty-five points are constructed respectively using transformations of some trigonometric functions. The designs are s rotatable since they satisfy both the outlined moment conditions and the non-singularity conditions. Second-order rotatable designs are useful for optimizing these processes in chemical industries, agriculture and engineering by systematically varying the factors of interest and studying their combined effects on the response variables. This helps in identifying the optimal settings for maximum or minimum responses.
Computation of Heritability for Production and Reproduction Traits in Frieswal Cattle under Field Progeny Testing
Authors: Sarma Olympica , Barwal R S , Singh C V , Singh C B , Ghosh A K
Published: June 2024

Aims: To study the genetic parameter (heritability) for production and reproduction traits in Frieswal cattle under field progeny testing programme.
Place and Duration of Study: G B Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India, between March, 2023 and March, 2024.
Methodology: The present study was conducted on 1163 Frieswal cattle comprised of five different sets maintained at six field units over a period from 2013-2021. The traits considered were age at sexual maturity (ASM), age at first calving (AFC), gestation period (GP), test day peak yield (TDPY), 305 days milk yield (305D-MY), fat percentage (FP), lactation length (LL), calving interval (CI), service period (SP), number of services per conception (NSPC), dry period (DP). The data were analyzed for the estimation of heritability by the software WOMBAT.
Results: The heritability estimates of the traits namely; ASM, AFC, GP, TDPY, 305D-MY, FP, LL, CI, SP, NSPC and DP were 0.469±0.082, 0.467±0.082, 0.259±0.067, 0.248±0.059, 0.354±0.013, 0.413±0.069, 0.389±0.071, 0.394±0.071, 0.452±0.072, 0.072±0.046 and 0.08±0.06, respectively.
Conclusion: Therefore, the heritability estimates were found to be low to high magnitude for different reproduction and production traits and further it has been concluded that, this study will aid breeders in selecting high-performing animals for future generations, taking into account the genetic factors that influence milk production and reproductive traits during early lactation.
Exploring the Rich Diverse: Freshwater Fish Diversity and Bionomics in the Sundarbans, India
Authors: Jana Aritriya , Kumar Atul , Lal Jham , Mandal Sulav , Karmakar Suman , Bhattacharjee Sayantan , Amrutal Tandel Manthankumar , Singh Karmveer , Acharjya Naba Kumar , Vaishnav Anand
Published: June 2024

The Sundarban is a mangrove area in the deltaformed by the confluence of the gangas brahmaputra and meghna river in the Bay of Bengal. The hooghly river in india state of West Bengal to the baleswar river in bangladesh. It comprises closed and open mangrove forests agriculturally used land, mudflats and barren lands. It is intersected by multiple tidal streams and channels. Four protected area in the Sundarbans are enlisted as UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES, Sundarbans national park,Sundarban west, east and south wildlife santuaries. The bengali name Sundarban is beautiful forest. It may have benn derived from the word sundari, the local name of the mangrove sp Heritiera fomes. There many biodiversity like 453 faunal wildlife, including 290 birds,120 fish, 42 mammal, 35 reptiles and 8 amphibians. The goal of this review paper is discussing about freshwater fish diversity and its bionomics in Sundarban delta. Also about the a brief description of study area (Sundarban) encompassing definition of a mangrove ecosystem, importance of mangrove ecosystem, area and distribution of Sundarban; Indian Sundarban – area, location, fisheries related activities; importance of studying fish diversity. And try to generate a data base on some of the life history parameters and their conservation status and atlast study threats associated with fish diversity measures for sustainable fishery.
Robot-Assisted Resection of Exposed Colon With TaTME After Heavy Ion Radiotherapy for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Naito Atsushi , Takahashi Hidekazu , Iwamoto Kazuya , Matsuda Chu , Nishikawa Kazuhiro , Mizushima Tsunekazu
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Heavy ion radiotherapy has shown promising results in treating pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer. We report a case in which a patient underwent robot-assisted low anterior resection with transanal mesorectal excision (TaTME) following heavy ion radiotherapy, owing to challenges associated with spacer placement.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old man was diagnosed with upper rectal cancer. He underwent robot-assisted low anterior resection. Eight courses of CapeOX were administered as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Immediately after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy (8 months postoperatively), computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a 30-mm large nodule on the dorsal surface of the oral anastomotic intestine, which was detected by positron emission tomography–CT. Given that the tumor had an indistinct border with the sacrum and its superior margin extended to the second sacrum, it was concluded that a combined sacral resection was not advisable, and heavy ion radiotherapy was indicated. Robot-assisted low anterior resection combined with TaTME was performed approximately 2 months after heavy particle radiotherapy [73.6 Gy (relative biological effectiveness)/16 sessions]. CT scan conducted 3 months after irradiation revealed substantial shrinkage of the recurrent tumor.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted resection of exposed colon with TaTME after heavy ion radiotherapy is regarded as an effective strategy for treating locally recurrent rectal cancer.
Pharmacologic management of adolescent catatonia: A dual-case series
Authors: Leiby Lauren , Shiplett Lauryn , Lin Wendy , Dick Matthew , Thornton Hannah
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Catatonia is a syndrome characterized by psychomotor and behavioral disturbances and is associated with a substantially increased mortality risk in adolescent patients. There is a dearth of published literature describing treatment strategies for pediatric patients with catatonia. This dual-case series will describe the treatment course of 2 adolescent patients with catatonia at our pediatric inpatient psychiatric facility.

Case Series

This case series presents 2 adolescent patients (a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old female) who initially presented with worsening agitation and paranoia, later developing catatonia. Both patients required long durations of hospitalization and were treated with high-dose lorazepam before requiring the addition of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Discussion

Treatment of pediatric patients with catatonia creates a significant burden on patients, families, and the healthcare system. Treatment with high-dose benzodiazepines is high risk, while ECT is both difficult to access and comes with its own risks. Both patients discussed are transitional age, meaning they will soon be young adults who will continue to require high-level psychiatric care. Psychiatric pharmacists have a large role to play in ensuring safe medication management for these complex patients.

Conclusions

This case series of 2 adolescent patients with catatonia demonstrates marginal reduction in symptoms with high-dose lorazepam in conjunction with ECT, with minimal side effects. This case series adds to the limited available literature regarding treatment of catatonia in pediatric patients and highlights the need for further study into effective treatment alternatives.
The potential influence of estrogen-containing oral contraception on clozapine metabolism in a patient with known pharmacogenomic status
Authors: Kuhn Alyssa K. , Determan Meina L. , Wright Jessica A. , Matey Eric , Leung Jonathan G.
Published: June 2024

Clozapine is primarily metabolized via cytochrome P450(CYP)1A2 and to a lesser extent CYP3A4, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6. Metabolic inhibitors of clozapine, such as fluvoxamine and ciprofloxacin, are important to recognize to avoid adverse drug events. Estrogen-containing oral contraceptives (eOCPs) are weaker CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 inhibitors but are associated with a 2-fold increase of clozapine concentrations. The potential for phenoconversion due to a CYP genetic polymorphism can add additional complexities when considering drug interactions. A case report is presented of a suspected interaction between newly initiated clozapine and a prescribed eOCP for which the patient’s pharmacogenomic status was known. A 17-year-old, nonsmoking, White female with a history of schizophrenia was initiated on clozapine 12.5 mg at bedtime with a plan to increase by 25 mg every 4 days in the outpatient setting. The patient was a known rapid CYP1A2 metabolizer without identified sources of CYP1A2 induction and a CYP2C19 rapid metabolizer. Based on pharmacogenomic testing, there was no suspicion for significant gene-drug interactions. Yet, as the patient was prescribed an eOCP, a clozapine concentration was obtained after reaching 150 mg at bedtime. This steady-state clozapine concentration was found to be 560 ng/mL, correlating with worsening sedation and constipation. Given ongoing side effects, clozapine was lowered to 100 mg at bedtime; however, ongoing intolerance ultimately led to clozapine discontinuation. This case highlights the potential interaction between clozapine and eOCP in a CYP1A2 and CYP2C19 rapid metabolizer, leading to clozapine intolerance and discontinuation. The concomitant use of clozapine and eOCPs should be undertaken judiciously.
Overpredicting and Underprofiting in Pricing Decisions
Authors: Shen Luxi , Hsee Christopher K. , Wu Qingsheng , Tsai Claire I.
Published: August 2011

This research examines sellers' price‐setting behavior and discovers a naturally occurring mismatch between sellers and buyers: Sellers who make a price decision often consider alternative prices and engage in the joint evaluation mode, whereas buyers who make a purchase decision see only the finally set price and are in the single evaluation mode. This mismatch in evaluation modes leads sellers to overpredict buyers' price sensitivity and underprice their products. However, these effects apply only to products unfamiliar to buyers and without salient reference prices and can be alleviated if sellers are encouraged to mimic single evaluation when making pricing decisions. These propositions are empirically tested and verified. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Government responses to the impact of the global crisis on finance for young and small enterprises
Authors: Potter Jonathan , Thompson John
Published: August 2011

Governments responded appropriately to a tightening of access to entrepreneurial finance during the global financial and economic crisis by introducing new and expanded programs focused on loans and loan guarantees, export facilitation and credit mediation, but attention now needs to shift to meeting structural small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) and entrepreneurship finance challenges in the recovery.
Financial constraints, human and social capital, and risk‐taking attitude in the foundation of new firms
Authors: Fourati Hedia , Affes Habib
Published: August 2011

Financial capital plays an important role in firm creation for the more rich entrepreneurs and risk‐taking attitude predicts new ventures for the entrepreneurs in the median of wealth distribution, but appropriate human capital and age of the entrepreneurs are critical in the case of new business creation.
Fabrication and characterization of electrospun silk fibroin/TiO2 nanofibrous mats for wound dressings
Authors: Jao Win‐Chun , Yang Ming‐Chien , Lin Chien‐Hong , Hsu Chi‐Chuan
Published: August 2011

Silk fibroin (SF) nanofibrous mats were fabricated via electrospinning process. These fibers were blended with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). The influence of TiO2 NPs on the nanofibrous matrices was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, and thermogravimetric analysis. The SEM images revealed that the average diameter of the SF/TiO2 fibers was 385 ± 63 nm when the concentration of SF was up to 10% (w/v). Infrared spectra showed that the β‐sheet structure of the silk fibroin increased after acetone treatment. These SF/TiO2 nanofibrous mats exhibited higher equilibrium water content and water vapor transmission rate than hydrocolloid dressing. The hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility of SF/TiO2 nanofibrous mats were evaluated by complete blood count, cell attachment, and the spreading of L929 fibroblasts. These SF/TiO2 nanofibrous mats exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli under UV irradiation. Thus, these novel nanocomposite mats may be used for biomedical applications such as wound dressing. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Motivation as a Mediator of Social Disparities in Academic Achievement
Authors: Steinmayr Ricarda , Dinger Felix C. , Spinath Birgit
Published: August 2011

The present study aimed at contributing to the understanding of social disparities in relation to students‘ academic achievement in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics domains. A sample of n = 321 German 11th graders completed measures of their family socio–economic status (SES), general intelligence, domain–specific ability self–concepts and subjective scholastic values in math, physics and chemistry. Students‘ grades in these subjects received four months after testing served as criteria. Significant mediation effects were found for all motivational variables between fathers‘ SES and students‘ achievement, whereas for mothers‘ SES, only children's academic self–concept in chemistry was a significant mediator. These results also held when students‘ general intelligence was controlled. Additionally, we controlled for students‘ grades before testing to investigate which variables mediated the influence of SES on change in school performance. Motivational variables significantly mediated the influence of fathers‘ SES on change in school performance in math but not in chemistry and physics. Intelligence significantly mediated the influence of fathers‘ SES on change in school performance in physics and chemistry but not in mathematics. The impact of mothers‘ SES on change in grades in chemistry was mediated by intelligence. Among others, the reasons potentially accounting for the differential influences of fathers‘ and mothers‘ SES are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Release of Thymol, Cinnamaldehyde and Vanillin from Soy Protein Isolate Films into Olive Oil
Authors: Hu Chang‐Ying , Chen Mo , Wang Zhi‐Wei
Published: August 2011

This study investigates the release of thymol, cinnamaldehyde and vanillin from soy protein isolate (SPI) films into olive oil. The SPI‐based films were casted with thymol, cinnamaldehyde and vanillin to obtain antimicrobial packaging films. The release of thymol, cinnamaldehyde and vanillin from the SPI films into olive oil at temperatures of 5°C, 20°C, 40°C and 60°C was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The partition coefficients of thymol, cinnamaldehyde and vanillin between the SPI film and the olive oil were obtained. They decreased linearly with the increase of temperature. The diffusion coefficients of thymol, cinnamaldehyde and vanillin were determined by fitting the mathematical model to the experimental data. The Arrhennius equation could adequately describe the relationship between the temperature and the diffusion coefficients of thymol, cinnamaldehyde and vanillin, respectively. The activation energies for the release of thymol, cinnamaldehyde and vanillin were obtained, and they were respectively 55.92, 57.34 and 18.32 kJ mol−1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An exploratory examination of the social capital and FDI linkage and the moderating role of regulatory quality: A cross‐country study
Authors: Zhao Hongxin , Kim Seung H.
Published: August 2011

Despite the urge for broader macro‐level examinations of the distinct social constructions within which economic activities take place, numerous national‐level studies of the determinants of foreign‐invested firms have paid little attention to the roles played by social capital and its contingent value in affecting foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. Drawing on the logic of social capital and institutional theory, this article seeks to offer a complementary, rather than a substitutional, explanation of FDI by examining empirically the national‐level impacts of social capital (trust and associative activity) on FDI and the moderating role of regulatory quality in this relationship. Based on the data of 165 country series from the World Value Survey and the World Bank, our analytical results supported the hypotheses that the rich endowments of social capital positively contributed to the attraction of FDI and such effects are also contingent on the regulatory quality that further strengthened such relationships. These findings also suggest strong implications for managers implementing an FDI and market entry strategy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.