bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognosis Communication in Heart Failure: Experiences and Preferences of End-Stage Heart Failure Patients and Care Partners
Authors: Shore Supriya , Harrod Molly , Vitous Ann , Silveira Maria J. , McIlvennan Colleen K. , Cascino Thomas M. , Langa Kenneth M. , Ho P. Michael , Nallamothu Brahmajee K.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND:

Patients with heart failure (HF) overestimate survival compared with model-predicted estimates, but the reasons for this discrepancy are poorly understood. We characterized how patients with end-stage HF and their care partners understand prognosis and elicited their preferences around prognosis communication.

METHODS:

We conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with patients with end-stage HF and their care partners between 2021 and 2022 at a tertiary care center in Michigan. Participants were asked to describe barriers they faced to understanding prognosis. All interviews were coded and analyzed using an iterative content analysis approach.

RESULTS:

Fifteen patients with end-stage HF and 15 care partners participated, including 7 dyads. The median patient age was 66.5 years (range, 31–80) and included 9 of 15 (60%) White participants and 9 of 15 (60%) were males. Care partners included 10 of 15 (67%) White participants and 6 of 15 (40%) were males. Care partners were partners (n=7, 47%), siblings (n=4, 27%), parents (n=2, 13%), and children (n=2, 13%). Most patients demonstrated a poor understanding of their prognosis. In contrast, care partners commonly identified the patient’s rapidly declining trajectory. Patients and care partners described ineffective prognosis communication with clinicians, common barriers to understanding prognosis, and similar suggestions on improving prognosis communication. Barriers to understanding prognosis included (1) conversation avoidance by physicians, (2) information inconsistency across different physicians, (3) distractions during prognosis communication due to emphasis on other conditions, and (4) confusion related to the use of medical jargon. Most patients and care partners wanted discussions around prognosis to begin early in the course of the disease, repeated routinely using layperson’s terms, incorporating both quality of life and survival assessments, and involving care partners. Both patients and care partners did not expect precise survival estimates.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with end-stage HF demonstrate a poor understanding of their prognosis compared with their care partners. Patients and care partners are open to discussing prognosis early, using direct and patient-centered language.
Disparities of Mortality Trends Due to Cerebrovascular Diseases and Cerebrovascular Infarction in the United States
Authors: Doddi Sishir , Henkel Nicholas D. , Salichs Oscar , Burgess Richard , Hibshman Taryn , Wright Jonathan , Malik Isa , Kasab Sami Al , Jumaa Mouhammad A.
Published: May 2024

Background

Cerebrovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Understanding demographic differences in mortality rate trends can raise awareness of demographic disparities. We sought to investigate age‐adjusted mortality trends due to cerebrovascular diseases and ischemic stroke for demographic disparities in trend from 1999 to 2020.

Methods

We used the publicly accessible Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database to gather mortality data to determine trends in cerebrovascular diseases and cerebral infarction mortality in the United States from 1999 to 2020. Using the Joinpoint program, temporal trends for cerebrovascular diseases and cerebral infarction mortality were calculated for each demographic group and reported as both annual percentage changes (APCs) or average APC from 1999 to 2020. In addition, trends were compared between groups for significant differences.

Results

We found an overall decrease in mortality rate for cerebrovascular diseases with average APC −1.9%. In 2020, age‐adjusted mortality rates due to cerebrovascular diseases in the Black population was 1031 per 1 000 000 compared with 679 in the White population. Similarly in 2020, cerebral infarction for the Black population had an age‐adjusted mortality rate of 256.3 compared with the White population's 170.4. When assessing overall trends by race and ethnic group: American Indian/Alaska Native had average APC −2.5%, Asian Pacific Americans had 2.4%, White population had −1.9%, and the Black population had −1.8%. We found a statistically significant difference in trend of decline between the Black and White population cerebrovascular diseases age‐adjusted mortality rates. No significant average APCs were found for cerebral infarction. The results of this study showcase disparities in cerebrovascular diseases mortality in the United States and where additional effort, research, and care should be focused.

Conclusion

The results of this study showcase disparities in mortality in the United States and where additional effort, research, and care should be focused.
A Multimodal Fitting Approach to Construct Single-Neuron Models With Patch Clamp and High-Density Microelectrode Arrays
Authors: Buccino Alessio Paolo , Damart Tanguy , Bartram Julian , Mandge Darshan , Xue Xiaohan , Zbili Mickael , Gänswein Tobias , Jaquier Aurélien , Emmenegger Vishalini , Markram Henry , Hierlemann Andreas , Van Geit Werner
Published: May 2024

In computational neuroscience, multicompartment models are among the most biophysically realistic representations of single neurons. Constructing such models usually involves the use of the patch-clamp technique to record somatic voltage signals under different experimental conditions. The experimental data are then used to fit the many parameters of the model. While patching of the soma is currently the gold-standard approach to build multicompartment models, several studies have also evidenced a richness of dynamics in dendritic and axonal sections. Recording from the soma alone makes it hard to observe and correctly parameterize the activity of nonsomatic compartments. In order to provide a richer set of data as input to multicompartment models, we here investigate the combination of somatic patch-clamp recordings with recordings of high-density microelectrode arrays (HD-MEAs). HD-MEAs enable the observation of extracellular potentials and neural activity of neuronal compartments at subcellular resolution.

In this work, we introduce a novel framework to combine patch-clamp and HD-MEA data to construct multicompartment models. We first validate our method on a ground-truth model with known parameters and show that the use of features extracted from extracellular signals, in addition to intracellular ones, yields models enabling better fits than using intracellular features alone. We also demonstrate our procedure using experimental data by constructing cell models from in vitro cell cultures.

The proposed multimodal fitting procedure has the potential to augment the modeling efforts of the computational neuroscience community and provide the field with neuronal models that are more realistic and can be better validated.
Sparse Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis: Distributed Alternating Iteration-Based Approach
Authors: Lv Kexin , Cai Jia , Huo Junyi , Shang Chao , Huang Xiaolin , Yang Jie
Published: May 2024

Sparse canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is a useful statistical tool to detect latent information with sparse structures. However, sparse CCA, where the sparsity could be considered as a Laplace prior on the canonical variates, works only for two data sets, that is, there are only two views or two distinct objects. To overcome this limitation, we propose a sparse generalized canonical correlation analysis (GCCA), which could detect the latent relations of multiview data with sparse structures. Specifically, we convert the GCCA into a linear system of equations and impose ℓ1 minimization penalty to pursue sparsity. This results in a nonconvex problem on the Stiefel manifold. Based on consensus optimization, a distributed alternating iteration approach is developed, and consistency is investigated elaborately under mild conditions. Experiments on several synthetic and real-world data sets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Promoting the Shift From Pixel-Level Correlations to Object Semantics Learning by Rethinking Computer Vision Benchmark Data Sets
Authors: Osório Maria , Wichert Andreas
Published: May 2024

In computer vision research, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have demonstrated remarkable capabilities at extracting patterns from raw pixel data, achieving state-of-the-art recognition accuracy. However, they significantly differ from human visual perception, prioritizing pixel-level correlations and statistical patterns, often overlooking object semantics. To explore this difference, we propose an approach that isolates core visual features crucial for human perception and object recognition: color, texture, and shape. In experiments on three benchmarks—Fruits 360, CIFAR-10, and Fashion MNIST—each visual feature is individually input into a neural network. Results reveal data set–dependent variations in classification accuracy, highlighting that deep learning models tend to learn pixel-level correlations instead of fundamental visual features. To validate this observation, we used various combinations of concatenated visual features as input for a neural network on the CIFAR-10 data set. CNNs excel at learning statistical patterns in images, achieving exceptional performance when training and test data share similar distributions. To substantiate this point, we trained a CNN on CIFAR-10 data set and evaluated its performance on the “dog” class from CIFAR-10 and on an equivalent number of examples from the Stanford Dogs data set. The CNN poor performance on Stanford Dogs images underlines the disparity between deep learning and human visual perception, highlighting the need for models that learn object semantics. Specialized benchmark data sets with controlled variations hold promise for aligning learned representations with human cognition in computer vision research.
Network-level enrichment provides a framework for biological interpretation of machine learning results
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Segel Ari , Feng Xinyang , Tu Jiaxin Cindy , Eck Andy , King Kelsey T. , Adeyemo Babatunde , Karcher Nicole R. , Chen Likai , Eggebrecht Adam T. , Wheelock Muriah D.
Published: May 2024

Machine learning algorithms are increasingly being utilized to identify brain connectivity biomarkers linked to behavioral and clinical outcomes. However, research often prioritizes prediction accuracy at the expense of biological interpretability, and inconsistent implementation of ML methods may hinder model accuracy. To address this, our paper introduces a network-level enrichment approach, which integrates brain system organization in the context of connectome-wide statistical analysis to reveal network-level links between brain connectivity and behavior. To demonstrate the efficacy of this approach, we used linear support vector regression (LSVR) models to examine the relationship between resting-state functional connectivity networks and chronological age. We compared network-level associations based on raw LSVR weights to those produced from the forward and inverse models. Results indicated that not accounting for shared family variance inflated prediction performance, the k-best feature selection via Pearson correlation reduced accuracy and reliability, and raw LSVR model weights produced network-level associations that deviated from the significant brain systems identified by forward and inverse models. Our findings offer crucial insights for applying machine learning to neuroimaging data, emphasizing the value of network enrichment for biological interpretation.
The “limbic network,” comprising orbitofrontal and anterior temporal cortex, is part of an extended default network: Evidence from multi-echo fMRI
Authors: Girn Manesh , Setton Roni , Turner Gary R. , Spreng R. Nathan
Published: May 2024

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigations have provided a view of the default network (DN) as composed of a specific set of frontal, parietal, and temporal cortical regions. This spatial topography is typically defined with reference to an influential network parcellation scheme that designated the DN as one of seven large-scale networks (Yeo et al., 2011). However, the precise functional organization of the DN is still under debate, with studies arguing for varying subnetwork configurations and the inclusion of subcortical regions. In this vein, the so-called limbic network—defined as a distinct large-scale network comprising the bilateral temporal poles, ventral anterior temporal lobes, and orbitofrontal cortex—is of particular interest. A large multi-modal and multi-species literature on the anatomical, functional, and cognitive properties of these regions suggests a close relationship to the DN. Notably, these regions have poor signal quality with conventional fMRI acquisition, likely obscuring their network affiliation in most studies. Here, we leverage a multi-echo fMRI dataset with high temporal signal-to-noise and whole-brain coverage, including orbitofrontal and anterior temporal regions, to examine the large-scale network resting-state functional connectivity of these regions and assess their associations with the DN. Consistent with our hypotheses, our results support the inclusion of the majority of the orbitofrontal and anterior temporal cortex as part of the DN and reveal significant heterogeneity in their functional connectivity. We observed that left-lateralized regions within the temporal poles and ventral anterior temporal lobes, as well as medial orbitofrontal regions, exhibited the greatest resting-state functional connectivity with the DN, with heterogeneity across DN subnetworks. Overall, our findings suggest that, rather than being a functionally distinct network, the orbitofrontal and anterior temporal regions comprise part of a larger, extended default network.
Russia’s Mapping of Critical Infrastructure in the North and Baltic Seas – International Law as an Impediment to Countering the Threat of Strategic Sabotage?
Authors: Schaller Christian
Published: May 2024

Russia is systematically mapping critical infrastructure in the North and Baltic Seas. These activities are intended to unsettle nato countries and prepare the ground for possible sabotage. The problem is that the international law of the sea does not provide coastal States with clear authority to prevent the collection of intelligence on maritime infrastructure within their Exclusive Economic Zones (eez s). This article argues that coastal States must nevertheless be able to exercise their sovereign rights with respect to the exploration and exploitation of the eez and continental shelf. Consequently, they must be allowed to take the necessary measures to protect the infrastructure serving the exercise of those sovereign rights. This argument could help to establish a legal basis for countering Russian mapping operations in the eez s and on the continental shelves of coastal States in the North and Baltic Seas.
Inter-State Cases under icerd as an Avenue to Protect Cultural Heritage
Authors: Keane David
Published: May 2024

The most recent applications before the International Court of Justice (icj) under Article 22 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (icerd), Armenia v. Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan v. Armenia, both claim that the destruction of cultural heritage during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict constitutes a violation of the Convention. The applications have met with enthusiasm that icerd offers a potential new avenue for the protection of cultural heritage, as well as scepticism as to whether these claims fall within the scope of the treaty. Armenia and Azerbaijan bypassed the inter-State communications mechanism under Articles 11–13 before the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (cerd), as they are legally entitled to do. But the cerd perspective remains important. First, the Articles 11–13 mechanism is available in relation to 182 States Parties, whereas due to reservations, the Article 22 mechanism is available only in relation to 157 States Parties. Second, cerd practice in relation to cultural heritage ought to inform the determination of the Court. This article investigates the cerd approach to the protection of cultural heritage. It draws in related questions such as whether religious cultural heritage comes under a treaty on racial discrimination; the applicability of these protections in situations of armed conflict; and icerd’s relationship with other specialised instruments. It offers conclusions as to what extent an avenue for the protection of cultural heritage under icerd exists before the Committee and the Court.
Black soldier fly larvae feed suitability for chicken and prospects for economic valuation and viability aspects
Authors: Batool M. , Tabinda A.B. , Tahir A.
Published: May 2024

Utilization of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) emerges as a promising avenue for organic waste recycling and production of protein rich biomass. The current study explored the suitability of BSFL protein feed for chicken and economic facets associated with BSFL rearing facilities, encompassing costs of goods sold (COGs), operating expenditure (OpExp), and capital costs (CapExp). Research revealed that incorporation of BSFL feed for chicken did not exert discernible influences on overall meat quality. However, the amino acid content variation of chicken meat particularly concerning polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), are correlated with the fatty acid composition of the BSFL feed, showed substrate-specific characteristics. The recommended BSFL dosage ranges up to 13% (defatted larvae), 12% (partially defatted BSFL), 14% (dried larvae), and 48% (for whole larvae), which did not affect the chicken body weight and physiological traits, except for the fatty acids profile. However, complete substitution at 100% proved detrimental to body weight. The establishment of a BSFL rearing facility is deemed economically viable, considering large production scales and supply chain development in collaboration with waste material managers. Such collaboration is envisioned to curtail substantial portions of expenses, primarily attributed to transport and labor costs, which constitute 60-70% of the financial outlay in the developing countries context. Based on the operational, capital, and marketing expenditures, the cost for BSFL rearing setup in Asian countries (Pakistan) ranged from US $50,762 to US $100,000, while the estimated profit was US $10,762 to US $51,121. These figures may vary based on cost per product, net price and profit per product, number of products sold, and market share and growth traction facets.
Dried crickets (Gryllus sigillatus) or black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal for broiler chickens: nutrient composition and digestibility
Authors: Fisher H.J. , MacIsaac J.L. , Mason B. , Rathgeber B.R. , Colombo S.M. , Empey M. , Collins S.A.
Published: May 2024

This study explores the potential of cricket meal and black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as alternative protein sources in broiler chicken diets. With the use of the substitution method, using diatomaceous earth as an external marker, we investigated the nutrient availability and apparent metabilizeable energy content of oven-dried full-fat cricket meal (OD-CM), freeze-dried full-fat cricket meal (FD-CM), and defatted BSFLM in a feeding trial involving 320 Ross 308 broilers housed in 32 pens (8 replicates / treatment; 8 birds / pen). Feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were measured between days 15 and 21. Excreta collected on days 19, 20, and 21 were analyzed for nutrient content. Both cricket treatments were high in crude protein. Additionally, FD-CM demonstrated the highest fat content, surpassing OD-CM. OD-CM displayed a significantly higher apparent digestibility coefficient for crude protein compared to BSFLM (). FD-CM had the highest apparent digestibility coefficient for gross energy (). The nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy of OD-CM and FD-CM were significantly higher than that of BSFLM (). Furthermore, OD-CM exhibited a significantly higher available crude protein content compared to BSFLM and FD-CM (). This research sheds light on the potential of OD-CM and FD-CM as valuable alternative protein sources for broiler chickens, providing critical insights for the poultry industry’s sustainable future. This research is important as the apparent digestibility coefficients, as well as available nutrients calculated for the three ingredients may be used to accurately formulate poultry diets on an available nutrient basis.
The Settler Supernatural: Contemporary Taiwanese Popular Culture, the Environment, and the Nativisation of Han Taiwanese Legends
Authors: Iwasaki Clara
Published: May 2024

This article examines how Han Taiwanese myths and urban legends have been associated with the environment and native fauna in the best-selling popular non-fiction publication Monstrous Taiwan and the hit horror film The Tag-Along. This article also looks at how these works can be considered within the framework of settler colonial studies in East Asia. Both works are interested in intervening in popular culture and genre cinema while reframing the horror or supernatural genre as particularly Taiwanese, drawing on urban legends and traditional folk tales. However, the creators of these works persistently characterise Han Taiwanese legends as interchangeable with the native fauna of Taiwan. This move positions Han Taiwanese as inheritors of the natural environment of Taiwan while minimising or, in some cases, tokenising the presence of indigenous Taiwanese people.
Science in a World of Politics
Authors: Faye Jan
Published: May 2024

The present article discusses scientific research in relation to the norms of representative democracy, arguing that politicians are committed to base their policy on scientific evidence. It is argued that people have both natural interests and social interests and that our natural interests, which we have acquired through natural selection and adaptation, are best taken care of by a representative democracy in which science proliferates. The article also argues why politicians and the public should trust science as the best means to fulfil our natural interests.
A morphological-taxonomic study of Frullania calcarifera Steph. (Frullaniaceae) in Portugal
Authors: SÉRGIO CECÍLIA , SIM-SIM MANUELA , GARCIA CÉSAR AUGUSTO , PORLEY RONALD , FIGUEIRA RUI
Published: May 2024

Frullania is one of the largest genera of liverworts in Europe with morphologically polymorphic species in the Holarctic region, giving rise to reservations regarding the delimitation of some taxa. Initially described by Stephani (1887) from Portugal, Frullania calcarifera is a neglected liverwort in the semi-cryptic F. tamarisci complex. Following years of obscurity, F. calcarifera was eventually resurrected as a good species and reported from the Pyrenees, Italy, Algeria and more recently the Ukraine (Crimean Peninsula). In the present study, based on Portuguese material, distinguishing characters and illustrations of the types and representative specimens of F. calcarifera are presented. An updated distribution of F. calcarifera in Portugal, and a predictive model of its known areas of occurrence in Portugal is presented and discussed in relation to the distribution of its congener F. tamarisci.
The water absorption capacity of 21 Sphagnum species
Authors: YANG RAN-RAN , YANG ZHUO-JUN , MA XIAO-YING , HUANG WEN-ZHUAN , CHENG XIA-FANG , SHU LEI , ZHU RUI-LIANG
Published: May 2024

Sphagnum moss (peat moss) is the dominant land plant in peatlands, and it plays an essential role in peatland ecosystems because its remarkable water-holding capacity helps to conserve water resources and maintain the anoxic environment of peatlands. Sphagnum moss exhibits a super ability to absorb water. However, the water absorption capacity of different species and different parts of the same species is not well understood. In this study, we measured the short-term and saturated water absorption of 21 Sphagnum species from China. The results showed that the water absorption capacity of the investigated peat mosses was much higher than that of other bryophytes. Sphagnum imbricatum had the highest saturated water absorption capacity (about 44 times its dry weight), while the peat moss with the lowest saturated water absorption was Sphagnum flexuosum (about 19 times its dry weight). In addition, we determined the relative volume of hyalocysts of the spreading and pendent branch leaves of 18 Sphagnum species and further measured the water absorption capacity of the pendent branch, spreading branch, and stem of six of them. The results revealed that both pendent and spreading branches had strong water absorption capacity and were the primary water-absorbing parts of peat mosses. The water-absorbing capacity of different Sphagnum species was linearly related to the volume of hyalocysts. The results provide an essential scientific basis for selecting high-quality germplasm resources of peat moss.
Fissidens bassilae (Fissidentaceae, Musci), a new species from Africa
Authors: ALIA BORIS MAHOUSSI HENORCK , REEB CATHERINE , TOSSOU MONIQUE G. , BRUGGEMAN-NANNENGA MARIA ALIDA
Published: May 2024

Fissidens bassilae sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Benin­­. This terrestrial species is characterized by large cells, persistent protonemata and limbidia restricted to the vaginant laminae of some perichaetial leaves. The similar Asian-Australian F. flabellulus Thwaites & Mitt. var. flabellulus has smaller cells, all leaves elimbate and lacks persistent protonemata. The new species belongs to Fissidens subg. Polypodiopsis.
Lejeunea robbertiana (Lejeuneaceae), a new liverwort species from New Caledonia
Authors: LEE GAIK EE , PÓCS TAMÁS
Published: May 2024

The new species, Lejeunea robbertiana G.E. Lee & Pócs, from New Caledonia is described and illustrated. It is characterized by the abundance of ribbon-like propagules, which are usually 4 cells wide and found on the leaf margins. The leaf cells have well-developed trigones and conspicuous intermediate thickenings, up to 3 per cell. The distantly arranged underleaves with deeply bifid lobes, the pyriform perianth with 5 keels, and autoicy are also the distinguishing characteristics of the new species.
Homoplasy rather than intergeneric hybridisation explains mammillose leaf cells in Schistidium mammillosum sp. nov. (Grimmiaceae)
Authors: KIEBACHER THOMAS , YOUSEFI NARJES , MEIER MARKUS , HODGSON ANDREW , BLOM HANS H.
Published: May 2024

We present a peculiar new species in the Grimmiaceae, Schistidium mammillosum, which is distinct in having mammillose leaf cells and pluristratose lamina. These features are rare in mosses but shared by a few Grimmia species including sympatric G. alpestris. Sporophyte characteristics of the new taxon, in contrast, indicated a species of Schistidium and suggested a possible intergeneric hybrid origin. Nuclear ITS and plastid rps4‒trnF sequence data consistently resolved the new taxon within species of Schistidium, thus contradicting the hybridogenic hypothesis. We suggest that the shared feature of mammillose cells evolved independently in the two genera in adaptation to similar environmental conditions, possibly prolonged snow cover. Supported by morphological similarity, our phylogenetic analyses indicate a sister relationship of S. mammillosum and S. marginale in the Confertum clade. Schistidium mammillosum colonises siliceous rocks in the alpine and nival zone and is to date known from the French Alps and a single locality in Switzerland.
Mosses of Coahuila, northern Mexico: The dryland species
Authors: DELGADILLO-MOYA CLAUDIO , PEÑA-RETES ANA PAOLA
Published: May 2024

The moss flora of the state of Coahuila and that in northwestern Mexico is poorly known. Recent exploration in the drylands of Coahuila have yielded findings that bring the number to about 101 species in the state moss flora where the Pottiaceae, Bryaceae, and Grimmiaceae are the families best represented. The lowland moss flora is well represented in the Chihuahuan Desert area in northern Mexico, but also in the southern United States. Species of Crossidium, Pseudocrossidium, and Syntrichia are known desiccation-tolerant mosses; Entodon concinnus and Ephemerum coherens are additions to the moss flora of Mexico.
On the little-known comb-footed spider genus Audifia Keyserling, 1884 (Araneae, Theridiidae)
Authors: RODRIGUES EVERTON NEI LOPES
Published: May 2024

The spider genus Audifia Keyserling, 1884 currently comprises three described species, two species from Brazil and one from Guinea-Bissau and Congo. In this paper the male of an Audifia species is illustrated for the first time and new records are presented for the genus. Audifia laevithorax Keyserling, 1884 is recorded for the first time from Bolivia, and new record from Amazonia, Brazil is reported. The male Audifia semigranosa Simon, 1895 is described and illustrated for the first time and new record from Brazil is presented.
A New Species of the Genus Hybrizon (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae; Hybrizontinae) from Japan and Korea
Authors: KAJIWARA SATSUKI , KONISHI KAZUHIKO
Published: May 2024

Hybrizon lunaris sp. nov. is described from Japan and Korea. Photographs and illustrations of the diagnostic characters for both males and females of a new species of the genus Hybrizon from Japan are provided.
Evaluation of the Shortest Route Possible in Distribution of Fish Product in Western Kenya Region
Authors: Kargung’s Vollince , Kweyu Cleophas , Rotich Titus
Published: May 2024

This comprehensive study delves deeply into the intricate process of optimizing fish product distribution routes in the expansive Western Kenya region, with an explicit focus on understanding and refining the operational strategies employed by Victory Farm Limited. Leveraging the Hungarian Method, celebrated for its unparalleled effectiveness in the realm of combinatorial optimization, the research endeavors to meticulously evaluate and fine-tune the shortest and most efficient transportation routes for seamlessly ferrying fish products from Kisumu Logistic Center to a myriad of distribution depots and retail markets scattered across the Western Kenya region's diverse landscape. Through an exhaustive analysis that spans road networks, logistical constraints, and the ever-evolving dynamics of market demand, this study systematically identifies and delineates optimal routes that not only minimize the distance traversed but also significantly mitigate associated transportation costs, all while steadfastly adhering to stringent standards for punctuality and product quality. Furthermore, by synergistically integrating sophisticated mathematical modeling techniques, meticulously executed through Python programming, with a robust foundation of real-world data meticulously sourced from Victory Farm Limited, this research endeavors to provide invaluable insights and pragmatic recommendations aimed at fortifying and enhancing the overall efficiency and profitability of fish product distribution operations throughout Victory Farm Western Kenya depots. In essence, the anticipated outcomes of this study transcend the realm of theoretical conjecture, poised instead to catalyze tangible advancements in the sustainable development of the region's burgeoning aquaculture sector, thereby fostering a lasting legacy of economic prosperity and environmental stewardship for generations to come.
The Maximum Attainable Flow and Minimal Cost Problem in a Network
Authors: Beyi Amanuel , Godana Temesgen
Published: May 2024

This paper, presents an efficient algorithm that solves such a large class of optimization problems. Ford-Fulkerson determines the maximum flow in a network by iteratively augmenting flow paths until no further improvement is possible. On the other hand, Dijkstra's algorithm excels in finding the shortest path in a weighted graph, making it suitable for minimizing costs in network traversal. However, this paper simultaneously optimizes both objectives (flow and cost) dependently in unique iterations by considering all constraints and objectives holistically. The aim of this work is to develop efficient algorithms that can handle complex optimization problems in transportation, network design, and other fields, ultimately improving resource utilization and minimizing costs as its crucial for enhancing decision-making processes, improving efficiency in resource utilization, and achieving cost savings in diverse applications ranging from transportation networks to production planning. This paper deals about formulating the linear programming for the optimizations problems and finding the maximum amount of flow that can be sent from a source node to a sink node while minimizing the total cost of sending that flow by using simplex method (Two phase method). Through computational experiments and case studies, everybody demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach in solving real-world network flow problems. Our method yields efficient algorithms with in smallest numbers of iterations and time that enable the optimal allocation of resources within networks, achieving both maximum flow and minimum cost simultaneously.
Effects of Nicotine on Chicken Embryo Development: A Review
Authors: Federico Ashley , Hidoyatov Muhammadzohir , Nimmagadda Suresh , Geetha-Loganathan Poongodi
Published: May 2024

Background: Studies have shown that 22.3% of the world’s population use tobacco and nicotine exposure during pregnancy remains a concern in embryonic development. Cigarette smoke contains several toxic and carcinogenic chemicals and has been known to cause pregnancy complications including premature births, low birthweights, and stillbirths. Purpose: This review aims to study nicotine exposure in chicken embryo development comprehensively. Methods: PubMed, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Antpedia sites were used to search for studies using chicken embryos as a model. Studies that reported findings on nicotine's effects on various developmental processes were considered for this review. Conclusion: In total, 55 published articles were included in this review to discuss findings of nicotine-induced alterations during chicken embryo development. Findings have shown that nicotine affects angiogenesis, and embryonic and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) growth by inhibiting cell proliferation. Nicotine affects brain and cerebellar cortex development by suppressing tumor protein p53 reactions. Nicotine also causes abnormal axial rotation and incomplete formation and closure of neural tubes. The compounds like green tree extract, vitamin C, and folic acid can reduce the effects of nicotine to suppress femur growth, decrease the contractility of cardiomyocytes, and reduce survival rates. These compounds are not protective measures to completely overcome the teratogenic effects of nicotine.
Words with the Prefix De- in the Ukrainian Online Media: Structure, Semantics, Tonality
Authors: Lebedenko Nataliia , Datsyshyn Khrystyna , Haladzhun Zoriana , Kunanets Nataliia , Veretennikova Nataliia , Artemenko Olga , Shunevych Khrystyna
Published: May 2024

The article is devoted to the analysis of the words with the prefix de- used in the language of mass media before the war (basing on the materials of Den newspaper published in September 2021) and during the war (on the example of Den newspaper materials published in October-November 2022 and some other online media). The research provides structural and semantic, etymological, statistical analysis and studies the tone expressed by the examined lexemes found in the texts. The prefix de- originates from Latin and means negation in the new-formed words. In the 51 materials of Den newspaper devoted to the economic and political events of the pre-war period (September 2021), 6 words with prefix de- were found. During the war, 19 units, including 4 units which were often repeated at the beginning of the persiod, were found in the analyzed resources. These lexemes are divided into three semantic groups, namely 1) downward movement, decline; 2) reduction, cancellation; 3) elimination, liquidation. It is marked that since the Russian invasion to Ukrainian, journalists have started to actively use the words directly related with the war: demilitarization, demobilization, demoralization, denazification, denationalization, deoccupation, desatanization, destabilization. The lexemes demilitarization, denazification, denationalization, desatanization express irony in the materials of Ukrainian journalists because these words are used by the aggressor to justify goals of the military invasion to Ukraine. In the majority of words, the prefix de- is used to make a word negative, but if a word is initially of negative meaning, the new-formed word with the prefix de- gets positive semantics. Most lexemes with the prefix de- attribute the text with a positive tone. Nevertheless, there are sentences with a negative, a neutral and an ironic tone. According to the etymology, almost all words with prefix de- are of foreign origin. According to the way of formation, the words with the prefix de- are divided into 1) those formed from nouns by adding the prefix; 2) those formed from verbs by adding the suffix. It is confirmed that lexemes like detoxification, de-shadowing, decommunization, destabilization, deregulation, demonopolization are not found in the Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language in eleven volumes, but are recorded in the Dictionary in twenty volumes. It means that these words have been first used in the 21st century. The lexemes de-Stalinization, desatanization, de-russification, depigmentation, deoccupation, debureaucratization are not found among the words registered in these explanatory dictionaries.
Supervisor-Field Engineering Approach (S-FEA) of Determining Tyre Failures in the Haul Trucks at Newmont Ahafo Mine
Authors: Kunkyin-Saadaari Festus , Gyebuni Richard , Asamoah-Danquah Clifford
Published: May 2024

Surface mining operations depend critically on the durability and performance of haul truck tyres, as achieving optimal operational hours directly influences cost-effectiveness and productivity. This study delves into the causes of premature tyre failures, which prevent mining companies from reaching their operational targets. Among the most frequent types of tyre damage are bead damage, separation, punctures, heat separation, impacts, liner, tube, or rust band failures, radial cracks, and failures due to repairs. Additional issues include seized brakes, shoulder and sidewall cuts, tread chunking, and tread cuts, as well as wear from normal operations. To systematically identify and analyse these failures, the study employed the Supervisor-Field Engineering Approach (S-FEA) during the period from January 2020 to December 2020. The findings indicate that the predominant causes of significant tyre failures are multifaceted, including poor underfoot conditions, presence of water, operator negligence, and incorrect tyre inflation. Other critical factors contributing to tyre deterioration are excessive heat generation, and mechanical stress such as spinning, skidding, or sliding. Additionally, external factors such as rocks becoming lodged between dual wheels, underinflation, and overloading were identified as contributing to tyre failures. The study strongly recommends that mining operations adhere to the specified Ton Mile Per Hour (TMPH) ratings, which are designed to optimize tyre performance by matching tyre capabilities with the operational demands. By adhering to these guidelines, mines can enhance tyre longevity, reduce downtime due to tyre failures, and ultimately achieve a more efficient and cost-effective mining operation. This approach not only addresses immediate operational challenges but also contributes to sustainable mining practices by reducing waste and increasing the reuse of resources.
Screening of Maize Inbred Lines Under Artificial Epiphytotic for Their Reaction to Grey Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis)
Authors: Dida Midekssa
Published: May 2024

Maize (Zea mays L) is one of the most widely cultivated crops and it is the basis for food security in many developing countries in Africa, and is an important food crop in Ethiopia. Despite of, its importance the crop it is affected by many biotic stresses such as pest and diseases attack. Grey leaf spot, caused by Cercospora Zeae maydis is the most important foliar disease of maize. The disease is characterized by relatively rapid leaf necrosis and premature death of foliage which eventually reduces grain yield. Development of host resistance to this disease can provide an important component of integrated disease management; which is the most effective and practical method of managing maize disease. The study was conducted to evaluate the reaction of maize inbred lines to GLS in the main cropping season during 2020. The inbred lines were obtained from Bako National Maize Research Center, breeding program, and it was arranged using alpha-lattice design with two replications. The inbred lines were evaluated in GLS screening field under artificial inoculation at Bako West Shewa, Ethiopia. Plot based Disease severity scores (1-5 scale) was used to assess at ten days intervals from disease onset to maturity. All the inbred lines showed disease symptom during the season, but the intensity of the diseases differed significantly at (P<0.05) among the inbred lines. Out of 72 genotypes screened for GLS, 20 inbred lines viz. BKL002, BKLOO4, CML 165, MBRC5BCF108-2-3-1, TZMI746, TZMI719, TZMI733, CML547, CML543, CML536, CZLQ1, CZLQ2, CML511, ILO'00E-5-5-3-1-1, 30H83-7-1-3-1-1-1-1, TZMI750, TZMI763, 30H83-7-1-2-1-1-1-#-#, DE-38-Z-126-3-2-2-2-1-1-#, TZMI407-short-#-#-# were identified to be resistant whereas TZMI746 and CML536 inbred lines are suitable candidates for utilization in both grain yield and GLS resistance, thus recommended for inclusion in hybrid development programs.
A Study on Feminism and Female Consciousness in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Sharma Jitendra
Published: May 2024

Over time, feminism has evolved with varying interpretations, including a focus on gender equality across societal domains and as a political movement supporting women's rights. Feminism has historically challenged patriarchal norms, promoting sexual equality and personal freedom for women. Alice Walker, a prominent African American feminist, has made significant contributions to literature and activism. Born in 1944, Walker's works highlight the struggles faced by Black women in a racist and sexist society. Her acclaimed novel, The Color Purple (1982), explores themes of Black womanhood during the Civil Rights era, illustrating the resilience and empowerment of female protagonists. Walker's writings emphasize the intersectionality of race, gender, and class, portraying characters who transcend oppression to achieve self-acceptance and empowerment. Through her literature, Walker advocates for women's liberation and denounces societal injustices like sexual assault and domestic violence. The Color Purple, a pivotal work in Walker's oeuvre, showcases the transformation of protagonist Celie from subjugation to independence, reflecting themes of female consciousness, resilience, and liberation. The novel underscores the importance of sisterhood and solidarity among women in the fight for equality. In conclusion, Walker's exploration of feminist themes in The Color Purple resonates with the experiences of Black women, highlighting their historical and contemporary struggles. Her literature serves as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of Black feminist thought and practice, inspiring readers to confront societal inequalities and envision a more equitable future.
Software Project Management Teaching Case System Development
Authors: Zhiqing Zheng , Changshun Yan
Published: May 2024

With the rapid development of Internet technology, online learning platform has gradually become an important part of education. The teaching case management system aims to provide a platform for communication and sharing of teaching resources, solve the problem of scattered and fragmented teaching resources, improve resource accessibility and utilization efficiency, and support centralized management of teaching resources and interaction and cooperation among users. This paper develops a fully functional teaching case management system based on the needs of modern Internet technology and education informatization. The system integrates the web page development technology of the Internet, through the standardized and procedural design concept, and based on in-depth analysis of educational practice needs. The system mainly includes user management module, teaching case management module, and teaching case forum module, providing a convenient, efficient, interactive, and quality oriented platform for teachers and students to share and access teaching case resources. The final output of the project can support the centralized management of teaching resources and the cooperation between users, and can help teachers and students choose teaching resources more pertinently, at the same time, optimize the management, sharing and utilization of teaching cases, and promote the sharing and interaction of resources. This project not only implements a fully functional teaching case management system, but also explores the development practice of modern web applications, which has important theoretical and practical significance for promoting educational informatization and improving teaching interactivity.
D-dimer Level Is Non-Specifically Elevated Post-Living-Related Liver Transplantation in Children
Authors: Darwish Hadil , Adawy Nermin , Saber Magdy , Radwan Noha
Published: May 2024

Background/Objective: D-dimer, a soluble fibrin degradation product, is used to be a marker of vascular thrombosis. However, it has been reported to be elevated in different pathological conditions other than thrombosis. Moreover, its pattern post-liver transplantation (LT) in children is not known. So, we aimed to report its pattern within the first-month post-LT in children and its level in different early post-LT complications. Methods: It is a retrospective observational cohort study in which 52 children who underwent living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) were included. All the available clinical, imaging, and laboratory data including D-dimer level were collected from the patients' files. Those who developed complications within the first post-LT month were assigned to the complication group (n=41), and others were assigned to the non-complication group (n=11). Results: D-dimer level pre-LT ranged from 0.12-16.41 mg/l, with no significant difference between the complication and non-complication groups. Postoperatively, the D-dimer levels were elevated and did not normalize till the postoperative day (POD) 30. The minimum reported level was 1.2 mg/l on POD0 while the maximum one was 33.12 mg/l on POD12. There were no significant differences between the complication and non-complication groups about the D-dimer level from the pre-LT day till the POD30 (p>0.05). The D-dimer level at the onset of the different complications showed no significant difference among the thrombotic, ACR, and the other complication subgroups (p=0.748). Moreover, the vascular thrombosis subgroup didn’t show a significant difference between the D-dimer level before- and at the onset of thrombosis (p=0.480). Conclusion: D-dimer is non-specifically elevated within the 1st-month post-LRLT in children with no clear trend. Moreover, it doesn’t normalize till the end of the 1st post-LT month. Being high early postoperatively doesn't necessarily indicate vascular thrombosis or other complications but rather the nature of the transplantation circumstances.