bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
APLICAÇÃO DA FARINHA DO MARACUJÁ PARA TRATAMENTO DE ÁGUAS DO MUNICÍPIO DE JAÇANÃ-RN.
Authors: Freire José Romildo Cazé , Araújo Ana Maria de Souza , Diniz Ítalo Felipe da Silva , Da Silva Denise Domingos
Published: May 2023

À água, é o elemento central para a existência da vida, dessa forma, necessita de um cuidado especial em relação a sua qualidade e disponibilidade, visto que, embora seja um recurso natural abundante no nosso planeta, a depender do local e época do ano, esse recurso primordial para a sobrevivência, pode se tornar escasso. Uma das alternativas utilizada para enfrentar essa problemática vem sendo a utilização de águas subterrâneas para amenizar essa difícil situação, porém há pouca informação em relação a qualidade dessa água consumida pela população de Jaçanã-RN. O objetivo deste trabalho é determinar algumas propriedades físico-químicas de águas de abastecimento de diferentes fontes de águas de chafarizes do Município de Jaçanã-RN, observando alguns parâmetros como Turbidez, Condutividade Elétrica, Dureza, Alcalinidade, pH, Sólidos Totais Dissolvidos, Identificação de Sódio e Potássio, teor de Cloreto. Após a realização dos estudos das amostras analisadas, foi possível observar que nem todas as águas de chafarizes utilizadas pela população do Município de Jaçanã-RN encontram-se apropriadas para o consumo humano, como determina PORTARIA GM/MS Nº 888, DE 4 DE MAIO DE 2021 do Ministério da Saúde, tornando assim viável a utilização de um adsorvente natural farinha do maracujá para uma tentativa de adequação dessas águas com o que determina o Ministério da saúde com a atual portaria em vigor do MS.
Development of an Illustrated Module for Dental Health Education Enhancement in Islamic Boarding Schools
Authors: Sinaredi Betadion Rizki , Bramantoro Taufan , Firmansyah Fikri Febrian , Cahyaningtyas Carissa Putri , Firdausi Nurul Layly
Published: May 2023

Backgrounds: Dental and oral health problems in adolescents are increasing in Indonesia, as evidenced by the highest dental health problems of 73.5%. Purpose: to develop an illustrated module on dental health education for adolescents at the Isy Karimah Imtaq Islamic Boarding School, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java. Method: The illustrated module socialization activity was held in September 2022 at Imtaq Shighor Isy Karimah, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java with 30 students as participants. Evaluation is done by giving a pre-test and post-test that has been filled out by the participant. Result: Based on the results of the evaluation, it was found that the average pre-test score was 69.2 while the post-test was 78.8, and the increase in participant knowledge was 6.9. Conclusion: students who participated in the socialization of the illustrated module experienced an increase in dental health knowledge for adolescents at the Islamic Boarding School.
The treatment of nerve defects
Authors: Titolo Paolo , Fanecco Andrea
Published: May 2023

Among the many challenges that the hand surgeon has to face in his daily work, nerve defects of the hand represent one of the hardest; unsatisfactory results in their treatment may cause severe limitations for the patient’s social and working life. Many advances have been made over the years in the treatment of such conditions, and at the current state, surgical treatment can achieve satisfactory results. This article aims to review the current concepts in hand innervation and nerve pathophysiology and to describe traditional and novel surgical techniques currently employed to correct these defects.
Dış Basında Fener Rum Patrikhanesi ve Milli Mücadele Dönemi’ne Yansımaları
Authors: ÖZDEMİR ÇİÇEKLİTAŞ Güllühan
Published: May 2023

Fener Rum Patrikhanesi’nin Doğu Roma topraklarında bulunması, Patrikhane’yi Ortodoks Hristiyanları için önemli bir konuma getirmiştir. Patrikhane, Fatih Sultan Mehmet’in İstanbul’u alması (1453) ile birlikte Osmanlı Devleti himayesine girmiş ve uzun yıllar Osmanlı topraklarında Rumların dinî otoritesi statüsünde varlık göstermiştir. Patrikhane, Osmanlı’nın son yüz yılında dinî yetkilerini kullanarak birçok defa Osmanlı hükûmeti ve Devleti aleyhine faaliyetlerini genişletmiş ve Yunan hükûmeti için çalışan bir kurum haline dönüşmüştür. Milli Mücadele Dönemi’nde Fener Rum Patrikhanesi’nin, Yunanlıların Türk topraklarında yaptığı istila hareketini meşrulaştırmak için dünya kamuoyunda Türklerin, egemenlikleri altındaki Rum ve Hristiyanlara karşı zulümlerde bulunduğu yönünde bir algı oluşturma çabası içine girdiği görülmektedir. Patrikhane’nin bu dönemdeki çabaları sonuçsuz kalmamış, ortaya çıkan algının etkisi ile dış basında bu döneme ait birçok habere yer verilmiş ve yapılan haberlerin yankıları olmuştur. Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, özellikle Millî Mücadele döneminde Patrikhane’nin amaçlarını iyi tahlil ederek konu ile ilgili verdiği demeçlerde halkı ve meclisi bu tehlikeye karşı uyarmıştır. Bu çalışmada, Milli Mücadele Dönemi’nde Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’ün demeçleri, döneme ait gazeteler, arşiv belgeleri ve farklı görüşler içeren kaynaklar, doküman inceleme yöntemi ile ele alınarak incelenmiştir. Ayrıca Fener Rum Patrikhanesi’nin dış basında (İngilizce yayın yapan gazeteler) Türklere karşı nasıl bir kamuoyu oluşturduğu ve oluşturulmaya çalışılan kamuoyunun dönemin siyasî ve toplumsal olaylarına etkisi araştırılmıştır.
A Framework for Desktop Virtual Reality Application for Education
Authors:   Asst. Prof. in MCA / The American College, Madurai, India, Jebaraj J. Frank Reuben , E. Kirubakaran ,   AGM / SSTP Systems/ Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Tiruchirappalli, India
Published: May 2023

Contemporary custom in education encourages students to gain exposure in the real world through student visits (field visits) to sites in count to conventional textbooks and lectures. This disclosure helps students to experience real world situations and integrate this experience into knowledge learned in class. This is important to students in various disciplines such as engineering, architecture and transportation. Students, however, have limited on-site access due to issues related to safety concerns, cost and effort. In an attempt to address such issues, Virtual Reality (VR) applications have been developed and implemented. With the growth in the number of VR applications, there is currently a lack of information about the design issues of VR applications from the standpoint of integrating different types of information associated with the real world. This paper aims to bridge this gap by evaluating VR applications with respect to these issues and highlights the lessons learned from the appropriate evaluations. The results demonstrate that VR application, which links different sources of information (as developed in this paper), promotes better learning than conventional printed materials and that students professed it positively as a precious complement to a physical field visit. The design recommendations for the development of similar VR learning applications are further discussed in this paper.
O professor de educação física com deficiência física e sua atuação profissional: um estudo de caso entrelançando preconceitos e estereótipos
Authors: Santos Fabrício de Paula , Franco Marco Antônio Melo
Published: May 2023

Na última década temos visto um aumento da literatura, no campo da Educação Física, abordando casos de pessoas com deficiência, particularmente, casos de alunos. O estudo aqui proposto direciona o foco para o professor de Educação Física objetivando investigar a atuação de uma professora com deficiência física, que atua como personal training em uma academia de ginástica. A partir de uma abordagem qualitativa de investigação, optou-se por desenvolver um Estudo de Caso.  Como resultados foi possível identificar uma profissão e um ambiente de trabalho atravessado pelo preconceito e pelo estereótipo, principalmente, no que diz respeito à estética do corpo. Por outro lado, os resultados também evidenciam a negação, por parte da personal training, sobre esses mesmos aspectos. O estudo considera que há uma tensão entre o preconceito velado e a posição de negação, desse preconceito, pela profissional.
Inflammatory biomarker levels in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome
Authors:   Republican Diagnostic and Therapeutic Centre, Ministry of Health of the Azerbaijan Republic, Baku, Azerbaijan, Sholan R.F.
Published: May 2023

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) are regarded as systemic chronic pain syndrome but no objective marker for determining this disorder has been found yet. Objective. Determination of the levels of cytokines, nerve growth factor and C-reactive protein and their interrelationships in IC/BPS. Patients and methods. We examined 41 women with IC/BSP, the mean age 46.6 ± 14.0 years. The inclusion criteria were the non-ulcerative type of IC/BPS, absence of diabetes mellitus, arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus; the exclusion criteria: presence of a neurogenic lesion, urinary infections. Patients underwent general urological diagnostic tests, cytoscopy and hydrodistension. Serum levels of interleukines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis; nerve growth factor (NGF) by solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent analysis (ELISA), С-reactive protein (CRP) by the immunoturbidimetric method. Results. The average levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in IC/BPS exceeded the controls by 63.2%, 66.0%, 67.1% and 68.9% (р < 0.01), respectively, CRP concentrations by 72.8% (p < 0.01), the average NGF levels by 9.4%. Paired correlation analysis between the parameters showed mainly weak correlations. A noticeable correlation was found between IL-1β and IL-6 (r = +0.584) and between IL-6 and NGF (r = –0.613). Conclusion. These results improve the understanding of the etiology of IC/BPS and can be taken into account when working out treatment regimens. Key words: interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, correlation, blood serum, C-reactive protein, nerve growth factor, cytokines
Kadınların Kariyer Gelişiminde Cam Tavan, Mesleki Öz Yeterlik, Rol-Model ve Güç Mesafesinin Rolü: Ordu İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü Kamu Hastaneleri Örneği
Authors: KARADİREK Gökhan
Published: May 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, kadınların kariyer gelişiminde cam tavan, güç mesafesi, mesleki öz yeterlik ve rol-modelin etkisini belirlemektir. Çalışma, nicel araştırma deseninde ve ilişkisel tarama modelinde tasarlanmıştır. Araştırma, Ordu İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü’ne bağlı kamu hastanelerinde görev yapan kadın çalışanlar üzerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veri toplama işlemi, uygun örnekleme yöntemiyle 2 Mart 2022-11 Nisan 2022 tarihleri arasında toplanmıştır. Örneklemi, 324 kadın sağlık çalışanı oluşturmaktadır. Veriler, SPSS 25 ve PROCESS macro yazılımı ile analiz edilmiştir. Değişkenlerin aralarındaki ilişki korelasyon ve regresyon analiziyle belirlenmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, kadın çalışanların kariyer gelişimi ile mesleki öz-yeterlik ve rol-modeli arasında pozitif bir ilişki olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Kadın çalışanların kariyer gelişimi ile cam tavan ve güç mesafesi arasında ise negatif bir ilişkinin olduğu bulunmuştur. Ayrıca bulgular, kadın çalışanların cam tavan algısı ile güç mesafesi arasında pozitif, rol-model arasında ise negatif bir ilişkinin olduğunu göstermektedir. Öte yandan, kadın çalışanların cam tavan algısı ile mesleki öz yeterliği arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunamamıştır. PROCESS macro ile yapılan aracılık testi sonuçlarına göre kadın çalışanların cam tavan algısı, kariyer gelişimi ile rol-model ve güç mesafesi arasındaki ilişkide aracı etkiye sahiptir.
CRITIC Tabanlı Gri İlişkisel Analiz Yöntemiyle OECD Ülkelerinin Sürdürülebilir Taşımacılık Performanslarının Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: KELEŞ Nuh
Published: May 2023

Bu çalışmada 2015-2020 yılları arasında 42 ülke için sürdürülebilir taşımacılık; ekonomik, sosyal ve çevresel boyutlarda belirlenen 8 kritere göre incelenmiştir. Küresel düzeyde seçilmiş 42 ülkenin taşımacılık açısından bulundukları durum analiz edilmekte ve karşılaştırma yapılmaktadır. Alternatifleri, seçilmiş kriterlere göre değerlendirmek için OECD verileri kullanılmıştır. Kriterlerin ağırlıklarının değerlendirilmesinde objektif bir kriter ağırlıklandırma yöntemi olan CRITIC yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Alternatiflerin yapısına bağlı olarak en uygun şekilde değerlendirme yapmak için, bazı yıllara ait alternatiflere ait verilerin bulunmaması ve bazı yıllara ait verilerin eksik olması nedeniyle Gri İlişkisel Analiz (GİA) yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Bulgulara göre taşımacılık kaynaklı bir milyon birim başına düşen CO2 emisyonları kriteri ilk sırada (%17,2) yer almış, son sırada ise diğerlerine göre daha az önemli olarak (%8,7) taşımacılık sektörünün katma değer payı kriteri yer almıştır. Alternatifleri değerlendirmek için kullanılan GİA yöntemi bulgularına göre 42 ülke arasından sürdürülebilir taşımacılık bağlamında sırasıyla; Norveç, İsviçre, Rusya, Romanya ve Litvanya ilk beş sırada yer almış, son sırada ise Karadağ bulunmuştur. Sürdürülebilir taşımacılık açısından önde gelen ülkelerin ortak bir coğrafi bölümde olmamaları bu ülkelerin daha çok ülke bazında kendi çabalarıyla bulundukları konumları aldıkları söylenebilir. Türkiye’nin 9. sırada yer alması umut vaat etse de daha kat etmesi gereken yollar olduğu düşünülmektedir.
Finansal Oran Özelliklerinin Nakit Akış Profili Nitelikleri ile İlişkilendirilmesi ve BİST İmalat Sanayi Sektörü İşletmeleri Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Authors: KISAKÜREK Mustafa , SATIR Haluk
Published: May 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, nakit akış tablosu bileşenlerindeki nakit akışlarının pozitif ve negatif yönünün incelenmesi sonucu elde edilen nakit akış profillerinin, finansal oran analizi tekniği ile birlikte kullanıldığında, farklı finansal özelliklerin elde edilebileceğinin ortaya konulmasıdır. Çalışmada öncelikle BİST imalat sanayii sektöründe faaliyet gösteren 70 işletmenin, 2012-2018 yıllarına ait nakit akış tablosu verileri kullanılarak nakit akış profilleri belirlenmiştir. Sonrasın da her bir işletmenin, bilanço ve gelir tablosundaki verileri kullanılarak yıllar itibariyle finansal oran sonuçları tespit edilmiştir. Sonucunda ise, değerlendirmeye alınan toplam sekiz profil ve toplam 490 gözlem sayısı içinde, %10’u geçen profil 2, profil 4 ve profil 6’nın panel logit analiz yöntemine göre, profil nitelikleri ile finansal oran özellikleri arasındaki ilişki analiz edilmiştir. Analiz sonucuna göre, profil 2 ile aktif devir hızı ve aktif kârlılığı oranının pozitif, aktif büyüme oranının ise negatif ilişkili olduğu, profil 4 ile aktif büyüme oranının pozitif, stokların aktiflere oranı ve öz kaynak büyüme oranın ise negatif ilişkili olduğu, profil 6 ile stokların aktiflere oranı ve aktif büyüme oranının pozitif, cari oran, kaldıraç oranı ve aktif karlılığı oranının ise negatif ilişkili olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Velayet Değerlendirme
Authors: KAYMA Derya
Published: May 2023

Türkiye’de velayet değerlendirmelerinde kullanılan yöntemlerin belirlenmesi amacıyla yapılan bu araştırma betimsel tarama modelinde tasarlanmıştır. Oranlı örnekleme yöntemi ile belirlenen 292 adli destek görevlisi araştırmaya katılım göstermiştir. Veriler anket tekniği ile toplanmış ve bulgular velayet değerlendirmelerinde görev alan adli destek görevlilerinin mesleki donanımı, velayet değerlendirmelerinin özellikleri, velayet değerlendirmesinde kullanılan yöntemler, ihtiyaç duyulan kaynaklar ve raporlama olmak üzere beş başlıkta ele alınmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre velayet değerlendirmesinde bulunan adli destek görevlilerinin, eğitim seviyesi yurt dışı uygulamalarında velayet değerlendirmesi yapan ruh sağlığı profesyonellerinden daha düşük bulunmuştur. Ayrıca görevlilerin yarıdan fazlası velayet değerlendirme konusunda eğitim almaya ihtiyaç duymaktadır. Bir velayet değerlendirmesi için harcanan ortalama süre adli destek görevlileri için ihtiyaç duyulan sürenin altında olduğu gibi yurt dışı uygulamaların da gerisindedir. Velayet değerlendirmelerinde çoklu bilgi toplama yöntemi kullanan görevliler yurt dışı uygulamalarında sıklıkla kullanılan psikolojik test uygulamalarını en az sıklıkta kullanmaktadır. Velayete ilişkin kararlara bakıldığında ise görevlilerin en sık velayetin bir ebeveyne verilerek diğer ebeveyn ile kişisel ilişki kurulması kanaatinde bulundukları belirlenmiştir. Adli destek görevlilerinin velayet değerlendirme konusunda daha fazla uzmanlaşabilmeleri için eğitimlerin arttırılması, eğitim içeriklerinde psikolojik test uygulamalarına yer verilmesi ve adli sistem içerisinde formel bir konsültasyon yapılanması önerilmektedir. Adli destek görevlilerinin iş yoğunluklarının azaltılabilmesi için de istihdamın arttırılmasına yönelik düzenlemelere ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.
La exclusión de las personas jurídicas como sujetos procesales en el código procesal penal peruano
Authors:   , Salinas Moncada Hansel Javier
Published: May 2023

El proceso penal peruano ha sufrido modificaciones mediante las cuales se instituye la norma de responsabilidad penal de las personas jurídicas; Sin embargo, estas modificaciones se basaron en la importación de directrices facultativas internacionales promovidas por la OCDE, abandonándose la teoría de la imputación penal que ha sido lógicamente construida y desarrollada por el Código Penal. La presente investigación se basó en un enfoque cualitativo bajo la modalidad documental, dirigido al análisis normativo de la pertinencia y validez jurídica de estas modificaciones, bajo la óptica de las particularidades que caracterizan al derecho penal peruano. Y a través de este marco, se demostró la invalidez e impertinencia de dichas modificaciones, así como la importancia de formular una propuesta que establezca la abrogación definitiva de dicho régimen de responsabilidad para las personas jurídicas en el proceso penal, y volver al antiguo sistema de las consecuencias jurídicas accesorias.
Asociación entre Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 y cataratas en la población peruana: análisis de una encuesta nacional, 2019
Authors:   , Fernandez Martinez Alejandra , Lobaton Vicente Gabriela del Pilar
Published: May 2023

Introducción: Las cataratas son la principal causa de ceguera y la segunda causa de discapacidad visual en el mundo. En Perú, la prevalencia de ceguera se estima en 2%, siendo la catarata su causa principal. Objetivo: Determinar la asociación entre diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y cataratas en adultos peruanos mayores de 50 años. Metodología: Estudio observacional analítico transversal correspondiente al análisis secundario de la base de datos Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar 2019. Se consideró la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 como variable independiente y la catarata como variable dependiente. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo mediante frecuencias absolutas y proporciones ponderadas, así como un análisis multivariado mediante modelos lineales generalizados de la familia de Poisson con función de enlace logarítmica para estimar razones de prevalencia sobre la asociación entre diabetes y cataratas. Resultados: Se analizaron los datos de un total de 8775 adultos peruanos mayores de 50 años, de los cuales 1322 autorreportaron el diagnóstico de cataratas. Del total de encuestados, el 9,2% declaró haber sido diagnosticado de diabetes mellitus y el 16,7% de cataratas. El modelo crudo (p<0,001) y los modelos ajustados 1 (p=0,007) y 2 (p=0,029) encontraron una asociación entre tener diabetes mellitus y tener cataratas. Conclusión: Dos de cada diez adultos de 50 años y más en Perú tenían cataratas. Hubo una asociación entre tener diabetes y la presencia de cataratas en la población peruana. El desarrollo de estrategias específicas para la detección y tratamiento de la catarata, incluyendo campañas para el despistaje de catarata en pacientes diabéticos o para su tratamiento, serían de interés en la población peruana.
Vision-Driven Metasurfaces for Perception Enhancement
Authors: Qiu Tianshuo , An Qiang , Wang Jianqi , Wang Jiafu , Qiu Cheng-Wei , Li Shiyong , Lv Hao , Cai Ming , Wang Jianyi , Cong Lin , Qu Shaobo
Published: May 2023

Metasurfaces have exhibited unprecedented degree of freedom (DOF) in manipulating electromagnetic (EM) waves and thus provide fantastic front-end interfaces for smart systems. In this work, we present a framework for perception enhancement based on vision-driven metasurface. Under this framework, human's eye movements are matched up with microwave radiations using metasurface, which synergizes visual information and invisible microwave information to extend the spectrum of humans' perception. By this means, information that cannot be obtained using our eyes can be "sensed", such as physiological signals, hidden motions and speech. Such a framework offloads the vision system to improve information acquisition ability and also allows for other advanced features such as disability healthcare. Several experimental demonstrations are given for specific implementations of this framework, including a physiological-signal-monitoring system, an "X-ray-eye" system, a "glimpse-and-forget" tracking system and a barrier-free speech reception system for deaf people. Both the simulation and experiment results verify the perception enhancement effects of this framework, which exhibits evident advantages in improving acquisition efficiency of visual information. In addition, this framework can be readily integrated into healthcare systems to monitor physiological signals and to offer assistance for people with disabilities. This work provides an alternative framework for perception enhancement and may find wide applications in healthcare, new-generation communication, wearable devices, search-and-rescue and others.
“Flying a plane and building it at the same time”: Lessons learned from the dynamic implementation of mass vaccination clinics in the Region of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Tetui Moses , Tennant Ryan , Adil Maisha , Bala Arthi , Peng Catherine Burns , Waite Nancy , Grindrod Kelly
Published: May 2023

Background
Vaccination plays a critical role during pandemics, and mass vaccination clinics are often an imperative public health measure. These clinics usually consist of multi-disciplinary teams, which can pose significant coordination challenges, yet also presents an opportunity for collectively contributing toward mitigating the impact of infection within communities. This study explores the coordination dynamics of the Region of Waterloo’s Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) mass vaccination clinics in Ontario, Canada, between July 2021 to April 2022.
Methods
This qualitative study included sixteen purposively selected participants working in mass vaccination clinics. Participants were individually interviewed for 40–60 minutes. An inductive and iterative thematic analysis was undertaken, including open coding, grouping, labelling, regrouping, and making sense of the themes.
Results
Three interrelated themes were created: (1) Unpredictable Work Environment, which comprised of changing clinic processes and the impact of clinic adjustments to the running of the clinics, (2) Clinic Cohesion Challenges, which included staff role disparities, limited job preparation and clinic system silos, and (3) Adaptable and Supportive Work Environment, which comprised of staff adaptability, dispositional flexibility, and a supportive work environment. While the first two themes created a precarious situation in the clinics, the third countered it, leading to a largely successful clinic implementation.
Conclusions
The rapid evolution and high transmissibility of COVID-19 in communities required a public health response that felt like flying and building a plane simultaneously—a seemingly impossible yet necessary task. However, an adaptable and supportive work environment was critical for establishing an atmosphere that can overcome challenges from a constantly changing pandemic and the guidance of public health officials. Such lessons gained from understanding the dynamic experiences in mass vaccination clinics are essential for improving the development and operation of future immunization campaigns.
Morphological alterations of corneal basal nerves in adult patients with mild to moderate dry eye by in vivo confocal microscopy
Authors: Li Guangwei , Dong Muchen , Zhong Xiaowei , Wang Shuting , Shi Weiyun , Li Suxia
Published: May 2023

Background/Objectives: In previous studies, the morphological differences of corneal basal nerves in dry eye patients may be related to severity and aging.The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological alterations of corneal basal nerves in adult patients with mild to moderate dry eye disease (DED) by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).
Subjects/Methods:Prospective, cross-sectional study.Forty-two adult patients (19-44 years) with mild to moderate DED and 16 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included in this study. All patients had a history of dry eye lasting less than 12 months.The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TBUT), sodium fluorescein staining andSchirmer’s test, and IVCM were used to observe central corneal basal nerve parameters, including nerve density, main number, branch number, width, reflectivity, tortuosity and beading number.
Results: Compared with the 16 healthy subjects (16 eyes), the 42 patients (42 eyes) with DED showed higher nerve density (21.889±3.459 vs. 16.653±1.793, P<0.001) and branch numbers (9.694±2.817 vs. 4.403±1.539, P<0.001). The main nerve numbers (6.720±1.027 vs. 6.328±0.521, P=0.199) were not significantly increased. Moreover, greater nerve width, reflectivity, tortuosity and beading numbers were observed in the DED patients (P <0.001). In the DED group, nerve density was positively correlated with main numbers, branch numbers, width and reflectivity (r=0.513, P<0.000, r=0.790, P<0.000, r=0.420, P=0.006 and r=0.526, P<0.000, respectively) and negatively correlated with tortuosity (r=-0.473, P=0.02).
Conclusions: Adult patients with mild to moderate DED demonstrated higher nerve density, branch numbers, width, tortuosity, reflectivity and beading numbers than normal subjects. IVCM may be a sensitive indicator for assessing mild to moderate DED in the early stage.
Sea Surface Temperature and Current-related Parameters Affecting Local Adaptation of Scalloped Spiny Lobster Population in Indonesia's Archipelagic System
Authors: Pancoro Adi , Indriatmoko Indriatmoko , Wijaya Danu , Karima Elfina
Published: May 2023

Indonesia has one of the largest archipelagic systems in the world, potentially affecting the complex population structures of aquatic organisms. The Scalloped Spiny Ocean (Panulirus homarus, Linnaeus 1758) has been identified widely distributed worldwide. These facts have led to questions regarding spiny lobster harvest and culture management by considering population differentiation and habitat fragmentation on complex and distinct archipelagic islands. Our investigation was conducted using high-density SNPs datasets from several spiny lobsters harvested from five locations in Indonesia. We found strong differentiation among spiny lobster populations clustered into 3 sub-populations. Environment association analysis and Fst analysis revealed outlier loci significantly associated with Sea Surface Temperature variation and potentially correlated with Sea Current-related parameters. These finding were suggested to be implemented as the essential consideration in spiny lobster management.
Harmonization of Multisite Dopamine Transporter Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography Data for Segregation of Patients with Parkinson's Disease from Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Wakasugi Noritaka , Takano Harumasa , Abe Mitsunari , Sawamoto Nobukatsu , Murai Toshiya , Mizuno Toshiki , Matsuoka Teruyuki , Yamakuni Ryo , Yabe Hirooki , Matsuda Hiroshi , Hanakawa Takashi
Published: May 2023

Dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography (DAT-SPECT) can aid in selecting and stratifying participants in large-scale Parkinson’s disease (PD) clinical studies. Whether differences in DAT-SPECT methodology across institutes in multicenter cohort studies affect outcomes remains unclear. We assessed the impact of multisite data harmonization on differentiating patients with PD from healthy older adults. We obtained DAT-SPECT specific binding ratios (SBRs) in 72 healthy older adults and 81 patients with PD from four centers. We evaluated three SBR correction techniques: prospective correction using standard phantom scanning (scanner correction), standardized SBR computation (operation standardization), a combination of the two, and data-driven correction using a statistical method. We examined changes in the SBRs and diagnostic accuracy using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC). Multisite harmonization improved the outcome, although the SBRs without correction effectively distinguished patients with PD from healthy controls (Hedge’s g = 2.82; AUC-ROC = 0.926). Combined scanner and operation correction had the largest improvement, followed by data-driven correction (g = 4.32 and 3.99 and AUC-ROC = 0.992 and 0.987, respectively). Our findings suggest that harmonization further improves outcomes in multicenter cohorts. Prospective correction with phantom scanning and operation standardization is ideal for SBR robustness and interpretability. This data-driven correction is a potential alternative method.
Quantum size effects in ultra-thin YBa2Cu3O7-x films
Authors: Lyatti Matvey , Gundareva Irina , Röper Torsten , Popovic Zorica , Grützmacher Detlev , Schäpers Thomas
Published: May 2023

The d-wave symmetry of the order parameter with zero energy gap in nodal directions stands in the way of using high-temperature superconductors for quantum applications. We investigate the symmetry of the order parameter in ultra-thin YBa2Cu3O7-x (YBCO) films by measuring the electrical transport properties of nanowires and nanoconstrictions aligned at different angles relative to the main crystallographic axes. The anisotropy of the nanowire critical current in the nodal and antinodal directions reduces with the decrease in the film thickness. The Andreev reflection spectroscopy shows the presence of a thickness-dependent energy gap that doesn’t exist in bulk YBCO. We find that the thickness-dependent energy gap appears due to the quantum size effects in ultra-thin YBCO films that open the superconducting energy gap along the entire Fermi surface. The fully gapped state of the ultra-thin YBCO films makes them a very promising platform for quantum applications, including quantum computing and quantum communications.
RAAS-Deficient Organoids Reveal that Delayed Angiogenesis Is The Pathomechanism Underlying Autosomal Recessive Renal Tubular Dysplasia
Authors: Kopan Rapahel , Podd-Shakked Naomi , Slack Megan , Sundaram Nambirajan , Schreiber Ruth , Dekel Benjamin , Helmrath Michael
Published: May 2023

Autosomal Recessive Renal Tubular Dysgenesis (AR-RTD) is a fatal genetic disorder affecting proximal tubule (PT) development in patients harboring mutations in genes comprising the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System (RAAS). To uncover the pathomechanism of AR-RTD, we differentiated ACE and AGTR1 deficient pluripotent stem cells and reprogrammed AR-RTD patient cells into kidney organoids. Marker analyses confirmed that all mutant and control organoids generated PT in room air (21% O2) or under hypoxic conditions (2% O2). Mature (d24) AGTR1-/- and control organoids transplanted under the kidney capsule of immunodeficient mice engrafted and differentiated well, as did renal vesicle stage (d14) control organoids. By contrast, d14 AGTR1-/- organoids failed to engraft due to insufficient pro-angiogenic VEGF-A expression. When grown under hypoxic conditions VEGF-A expression was stimulated and organoids engrafted. Thus, PT dysgenesis in AR-RTD is a non-autonomous consequence of a developmental delay in VEGF-A induction linking ANGII pro angiogenic role to PT dysgenesis.
COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness: A Qualitative Analysis with Opportunities for Action
Authors: Balma Brandon , Vasilakos Lauren , Osman Ingie , Elgonda Asha , O’Brien Janna R. Gewirtz
Published: May 2023

Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) are uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, yet are often excluded from response planning during the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health crises. As part of a larger community- and youth-engaged project through a national network of Prevention Research Centers, our qualitative study sought to describe youth perspectives that influence COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake, and identify youth-driven strategies to guide public health efforts to improve vaccine confidence and access. We conducted focus groups with youth experiencing homelessness (n=20) and semi-structured interviews with staff members (n=10) at youth-serving agencies to solicit youth perspectives about COVID-19 vaccination. Focus groups and interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic qualitative analysis. In partnership with youth and cross-sector partners, we distilled eight salient themes that influenced COVID-19 vaccine uptake and confidence among YEH: 1. historical harms and mistrust of systems, 2. access to reliable health information, 3. prioritization of basic needs, 4. personal health influence, 5. barriers to healthcare, 6. fear and uncertainty of the vaccines, 7. sense of bodily autonomy, and 8. community influence. We also identified three youth-driven opportunities to increase COVID-19 vaccination among this population: emphasizing autonomy, leveraging trusted sources of information, and improving vaccine access.Our study elucidates perspectives of YEH on COVID-19 vaccination, and identifies several opportunities to improve youth vaccine confidence and access. It also underscores the importance of centering youth voice in response planning during current and future public health crises.
Leachate landfill treatment using plasma and Ozone
Authors: Faria Anderson Carlos , Sousa Letícia , Vieira Angela , Pradella José Geraldo da Cruz , Vieira Lucia
Published: May 2023

Plasma discharge in liquid was used, and a combination system with plasma and ozone was tested looking for an effective reduction of organic material, cell growth, and discoloring process of leachate landfill. The treatments were divided into four groups and operated on three samples for leachate dilution using distilled water. The diluted samples were submitted to Ozone, plasma, plasma followed by Ozone, and Ozone, followed by plasma treatments. Microbiological and chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyses were performed for the initial leachate landfill and the products obtained after the treatments. The microbiological analyses showed that adding Ozone was most effective in reducing the bacterial load while using the plasma positively reduced COD. The best treatment strategy was first the application of plasma, followed by the addition of Ozone, which resulted in a 71% reduction of COD and an 81% decrease in bacteria growth. In comparison to results reported in the literature, the benchtop tests performed in this work demonstrated the effectiveness of the developed strategy.
The control of external and internal canopy structural heterogeneity on diversity and productivity relationship in a subtropical forest
Authors: Xu Yaozhan , Chen Han. Y. H. , Qiao Xiujuan , Zhang Yani , Jiang Mingxi
Published: May 2023

Forest canopy structure is closely related to species diversity, crown packing efficiency and ecological processes including competition and local disturbance, and influences ecosystem functions. However, our understanding of how canopy structural diversity mediates species diversity and productivity relationships remains limited. We used tree architecture measurements and repeated census data within the Badagongshan 25 ha species-rich forest dynamics plot. We created a new index-canopy surface rugosity (CSR) to represent the external heterogeneity of a forest canopy, and quantified internal heterogeneity by crown complementarity index (CCI) and crown size variations. We then calculated species diversity, functional diversity, annual forest productivity (ANPP), soil fertility, and water availability, and subsequently examined their casual relationships and their relative importance on ANPP using structural equation models. CSR significantly varied among quadrats (20 m×20 m) and decreased with species diversity and ANPP. Species diversity increased with ANPP, primarily through direct effect, CSR and CCI. CSR contributed 6 times and almost 2 times more explanations than CCI in mediating the effect of species and functional diversity on ANPP, respectively. Soil fertility affected ANPP mainly by positive direct effect and indirectly through species richness and CCI, while water availability affected ANPP mainly by negative indirect effect through CSR, CCI and species richness. A new index- CSR successfully captured the heterogeneity of external- canopy structure, which provided strong support for a space-based niche partitioning mechanism regulating species diversity-ANPP relationship. Further, CSR was sensitive to gap dynamics and successional stages, suggesting a mechanism of local disturbance- structural diversity- species diversity-ANPP relationships.
Genome-wide Association Study for Stalk Lodging Resistance Related Traits in Maize(Zea mays L.)
Authors: Wang Bangtai , Yang Meili , Guo Hua , Wang Jing , Wang Zhihong , Lu Hongwei , Qin Guiwen , Chen Jiafa
Published: May 2023

Background
The stalk traits (stalk diameter (SD), stalk length (SL), rind penetrometer resistance (RPR), and dry matter content (DMC)) are important indicators for measuring lodging resistance.
Results
In this study, 377 inbred lines were used as four stalk-related traits, including SD, SL, RPR and DMC, were investigated at the tasseling, grain filling, and maturity stages in the third segment of maize. 461053 high-quality SNPs which were obtained by whole genome resequencing was used for genome-wide association study. The results showed that 29 significant SNPs related to traits were detected by MLM analysis (P < 9.77×10− 6), related to stalk correlation explaining 7.19% -15.03% of phenotypic variation, among which 4, 1, 4 and 20 SNPs were found related to RPR, SD, SL, and DMC respectively. Most candidate genes are related to plant element structure, signal transduction mechanisms, inorganic ion transport and metabolism, nucleotide transport and metabolism, and transporter enzyme families. Comparing MLM and GLM statistical models, a total of 12 candidate genes were detected repeatedly, with candidate gene Zm00001d014449 being detected 5 times, with a phenotypic variation interpretation rate of 9.95% -10.84%. This gene is mainly expressed in cells with active cell division and tissue differentiation, and is involved in the formation of stalk vascular bundles and the synthesis of cell walls. Another candidate gene Zm00001d005300 encodes the transcription factor MYB44, which regulates the dependence of salt stress signal phosphorylation, can effectively inhibit the accumulation of destructive reactive oxygen species, and has a certain resistance to non-Biotic stress. In addition, this study also found that 10 unknown functional genes can be further Functional verification.
Conclusions
This study helps to deepen the understanding of the genetic basis of maize stalk lodging resistance related traits, and provides theoretical guidance for future maize lodging resistance breeding.
Acacia senegal and Acacia mellifera: A novel mutant with a reduced dormancy period through silver nanoparticles
Authors: Abdalkreem Ibrahim , Yacout Mohamed , Shetta Nader , Zayed Mohamed
Published: May 2023

The aims of the study are to perform green synthesis of AgNPs and assessed the variability and differences in the effects of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on seed germination and seedling vigor in Acacia senegal and Acacia mellifera. The structural properties of the synthesized AgNPs were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, were average particle size ranging from 26.51 ± 8.72 nm in transmission electron microscopy (TEM), The sharp color change and the emergence of a characteristic peak at 415 nm in the (UV-Vis) spectrum confirm the formation of the AgNPs, The surface topology by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), morphological properties, size and shape were visualized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). A completely randomized design (CRD) was used for the experiment with four replicates and four treatments consisted of silver nanoparticles at different concentrations of (control, 25, 50, and 75mgL− 1) to improve seed germination characteristics. AgNPs treated seeds showed a high germination rate with normal seedling growth at concentrations (75mgL− 1) in A. mellifera (100%) and A. senegal (72.5%) at the greenhouse, compared to the control set, which recorded (50%) and (27%) A. mellifera and A. senegal at laboratory conditions, respectively. Silver nanoparticles were successfully improved seed germination and seedling growth in the two studied acacia species.
Enabling CPS and simulation-based multi-objective optimisation for material handling of reconfigurable manufacturing systems
Authors: Flores-García Erik , Díaz Carlos Alberto Barrera , Wiktorsson Magnus , Ng Amos , Aslam Tehseen
Published: May 2023

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS), cyber-physical systems (CPS) and simulation-based multi-objective optimisation (SMO) are essential for addressing the dynamic behaviour of materials and information in manufacturing. However, the lack of consideration for material handling jeopardises recent advances in these fields. Accordingly, this study proposes the use of CPSs including SMO to address the dynamic allocation of resource of material handling in the configuration analysis (CA) of RMSs and enhance operational performance. We focus on CA because of its influence on the arrangement of machines, equipment selection, and operational assignments, influencing the performance of RMS. The study presents a proof-of-concept CPS and SMO in a laboratory environment for evaluating trade-off solutions including throughput, buffer capacity, lead-time, and resources in material handling. This study contributes to the existing literature in three ways. First, it proposes a CPS architecture that includes physical, cyber, and digital service layers for applying SMO in the CA of RMS. Second, it presents a procedure for SMO, including initialization, environment, optimisation engine, and outputs, and applies NSGA-II to improve the existing calculations of the CA of RMS. Third, it shows benefits the operational performance of applying CPS and SMO to address the dynamic behaviour of material handling in the CA of RMS.
LncRNA TYMSOS is a novel prognostic biomarker and associated with immune infiltration in prostate cancer
Authors: Xia Zhongyou , Wu Ji , Yuan Xinzhu , Sun Jing , Lv Chen , Huang Peng
Published: May 2023

LncRNA TYMSOS plays an important role in cancers; However, its impact on prostate cancer (PCa) is still unclear. Thus, we analyzed the relationship between TYMSOS expression and PCa using the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) TCGA and Genotype Tissue-Expression (GTEx). Wilcoxon rank serum test and logistic regression were used to compare TYMSOS expression in PCa and normal tissues, and evaluated its correlation with clinicopathological features. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was used to evaluate the prediction accuracy of TYMSOS. Correlation between TYMSOS expression and prognosis was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and ImmuCellAI platform were performed to determine biological function, signal pathways, and immune cell infiltration for TYMSOS in PCa. By analyzing the online data, we found that TYMSOS was highly expressed in PCa and associated with T stage , Gleason score, age, and primary therapy outcome. The results of ROC curve showed that TYMSOS has a significant diagnostic ability. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analyses suggested that TYMSOS plays an important role in progression-free survival (PFS). Increased TYMSOS expression was an independent risk factor correlated with PFS in PCa patients. GSEA and GSVA indicated that TYMSOS was involved in cell cycles, neurodegenerative diseases, oxidative phosphorylation, spliceosomes, and adaptive immune system pathways. Additionally, TYMSOS expression was also associated with immune cell infiltrates and tumor mutational burden in PCa. The functional experiments were further conducted, and we verified that TYMSOS played an oncogenic role in regulating PCa aggressiveness. Specifically, silencing of TYMSOS suppressed cell proliferation, division and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), whereas promoted cell apoptosis in the PCa cells, and conversely, TYMSOS overexpression had opposite effects. In summary, our study revealed that TYMSOS could be a biomarker and therapeutic targets in PCa and a participant in tumor-immune cell infiltration.
Nationwide Demographic Characteristics of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in South Korea between 2010 and 2021
Authors: Lee Nam-Hun , Oh Hyeon-Muk , Jeong Seok-ju , Cho Jung-Hyo , Ahn Yo-Chan , Son Chang-Gue
Published: May 2023

This study aimed to explore the demographic characteristics of NAFLD in South Korea. Using nationwide medical records provided by the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), we analyzed the entire dataset of patients with NAFL (ICD10 - K76.0) and NASH (ICD10 - K75.8) from 2010 to 2021. The annual incidence of NAFL/NASH increased significantly from 9.71/0.37 in 2010 to 13.95/5.52 per 1,000 persons in 2021 (P < 0.01). The annual prevalence of NAFL increased from 15.69 in 2010 to 34.23 per 1,000 persons in 2021, while the annual prevalence of NASH increased from 0.49 to 9.79 per 1,000 persons between 2010 and 2021(P < 0.01). Regarding the sex-dimorphic feature of NAFLD, there was male predominance < 50 years old but female predominance ≥ 50 years old for the incidence and prevalence of NAFL and the incidence of NASH. The incidence of NAFL increased by 3–4% every year, while the incidence of NASH increased 14.91-fold from 2010 to 2021. The increasing trend is noteworthy compared with previous reports.