bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic and prognostic value of MR-pro ADM, procalcitonin, and copeptin in sepsis
Authors: Cander Basar , Visneci Emin Fatih , Karaoglan Osman , Cakmak Fatma , Tuncar Alpay , Taslidere Bahadir
Published: January 2024

Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. There is a need for biomarkers that can be used for the diagnosis of sepsis and the early identification of patients at high risk of death. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), procalcitonin (PCT), and copeptin in sepsis. A total of 28 sepsis, 32 septic shock, and 30 control patients were included in our prospective study. Patients’ MR-proADM, PCT, and copeptin levels were recorded. Sequential organ failure assessment scores, length of hospital stay, and 30-day mortality were also recorded. These values were compared between the sepsis, septic shock, and control groups. The mean age of all participants was 64.04 ± 15.83 years. In the study, 37 (61.6%) patients were female and 23 (39.3%) were male. There was no statistically significant difference in gender/age between all patient groups and the control group (for all, p > 0.05). We found a significant difference between the survivors and nonsurvivors in terms of MR-proADM, PCT, and copeptin levels. There was a significant difference between the sepsis and septic shock groups in terms of MR-proADM and PCT. A significant correlation was found between the length of hospital stay and MR-proADM and copeptin. MR-proADM, PCT, and copeptin may be useful in the prognosis of sepsis and to predict the length of stay in hospital and mortality.
Investigation on quasi-static axial crushing of Al/PVC foam-filled Al6063-T5 tubes
Authors: Yalçın Muhammet Muaz
Published: January 2024

This study experimentally investigated the energy-absorbing capability of foam-filled 6063-T5 aluminum tubes. Thus, different sample combinations were created with two different foams, PVC (80 kg m−3) and aluminum (200, 350 kg m−3), which were used as filling materials. The first group of samples consisted of uniform foam-filled aluminum tubes. In contrast, tubes were filled with radially graded foams in the second group, which included a ring PVC foam and a cylindrical aluminum foam in the center. Empty tube absorbed 329 J, while it reached the values of 384, 488, and 606 J by using PVC and low- and high-density aluminum foams, respectively. The specific energy absorption value of the empty tube was obtained as 23.2 J g−1. In comparison, it was 19.3 J g−1 in the high-density aluminum foam-filled sample, although it absorbed the highest energy value. This shows that high-density aluminum foam was inefficient in terms of the crashworthiness of the structure. Finally, the best sample regarding the specific energy absorption and crush force efficiency was obtained in the sample where the PVC foam ring and high-density aluminum tube were used together. This sample had 7 % higher specific energy absorption and 34 % higher crush force efficiency than the empty tube.
Radiative cooling textiles using industry-standard particle-free nonporous micro-structured fibers
Authors: Catrysse Peter B. , Fan Shanhui
Published: January 2024

Thermal radiation is a major dissipative pathway for heat generated by the human body and offers a significant thermoregulation mechanism over a wide range of conditions. We could use this in garment design to enhance personal cooling, which can improve the wearing comfort of garments or even result in energy savings in buildings. At present, however, radiative cooling has received insufficient attention in commercial design and production of textiles for wearable garments. Textiles that efficiently transmit the radiative heat were recently demonstrated, but either do not utilize standard weaving and knitting processes for wearable garments or require substantial process modifications. Here, we demonstrate the design and implementation of large-scale radiative cooling textiles for localized cooling management and enhanced thermal comfort using industry-standard particle-free nonporous micro-structured fibers that are fully compatible with standard textile materials and production methods. The micro-structured fibers, yarns and fabrics are part of a hierarchical photonic structure design that renders the textiles highly infrared transparent (up to > 0.8) while assuring visual opacity (up to 0.99). We design radiative cooling textiles with first-principles electromagnetic methods and fabricate them using commercial textile materials and formation facilities. Our “fabless” approach is confirmed by very good quantitative agreement between design and measurements. The resulting fabrics exhibit wearability properties expected of wearable textiles, and lower skin temperature by ≥ 3 °C compared to conventional textiles, which offers the potential for > 30 % energy savings in buildings and increases wearing comfort by significantly reducing the reliance on latent heat dissipation for thermoregulation.
Time-independent three-dimensional flow of a water-based hybrid nanofluid past a Riga plate with slips and convective conditions: A homotopic solution
Authors: Yasmin Humaira , Hejazi Hala A. , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Raizah Zehba , Saeed Anwar
Published: January 2024

In the present analysis, we have analyzed the three-dimensional flow of an electromagnetohydrodynamic copper–aluminum/water hybrid nanofluid flow on a Riga plate. The heat and mass flux model proposed by Cattaneo-Christov is deliberated here. Thermal radiation, thermophoretic diffusion, Brownian motion, and chemical reaction phenomena are considered in analyzing the flow problem. Thermal convective, mass convective, and velocity slip conditions are adapted in this analysis. Suitable resemblance variables are implemented for the conversion of the model equations to dimension-free form. The homotopy analysis method is adopted to solve the modeled equations. The obtained results show that the velocity profiles are reduced with an increasing estimation of the slip factors. Additionally, the nanoparticles’ concentration and the temperature of the hybrid nanofluid increase with higher values of thermal and solutal Biot numbers. The Nusselt number is increased with an increase in the radiation factor and thermal Biot number.
Biofabrication of silver nanoparticles using diallyl sulphide (DAS) and comparison of cytotoxic potential of DAS-AgNPs and Kodaikanal Hill garlic in human cervical cancer
Authors: Priya Pranjal , Maheswari Nallal Uma , Razia Muthuswamy , Sivaramakrishnan Sivaperumal , Prabha Kannan , Priya Lakshminarayanan Srimathi , Kabeen Suresh Kumar , Durga Karuppaiya , Ayyar Manikandan
Published: January 2024

Garlic (Allium sativum) exhibit well defined therapeutic properties due to presence of distinct bioactive compounds, specifically organosulphur compounds. Spectral analysis by UV–Vis and FT-IR confirmed interaction of different functional groups and free electrons with the electromagnetic waves showed presence of different bioactive compounds formulated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using diallyl sulphide (DAS) also done for aqueous garlic extract. Different assays performed for confirming the presence of antibacterial and anticancer properties of DAS-AgNPs and garlic extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit Gram negative (Escherichia coli, V. cholera) and Gram positive (S. aureus, B. cereus) were found lesser in DAS-AgNPs followed by garlic extract. Cytotoxicity effect confirmed by DAS-AgNPs and A. sativum towards HeLa cell line by MTT assay. The IC50 values obtained for MTT assay were at 24.09 μg/ml in DAS-AgNPs and 129.22 μg/ml in garlic extract. Anticancer efficacy was found more potent in DAS-AgNPs as compared with aqueous garlic extract.
Microsaccades Track Location-Based Object Rehearsal in Visual Working Memory
Authors: de Vries Eelke , van Ede Freek
Published: January 2024

Besides controlling eye movements, the brain's oculomotor system has been implicated in the control of covert spatial attention and the rehearsal of spatial information in working memory. We investigated whether the oculomotor system also contributes to rehearsing visual objects in working memory when object location is never asked about. To address this, we tracked the incidental use of locations for mnemonic rehearsal via directional biases in microsaccades while participants maintained two visual objects (colored oriented gratings) in working memory. By varying the stimulus configuration (horizontal, diagonal, and vertical) at encoding, we could quantify whether microsaccades were more aligned with the configurational axis of the memory contents, as opposed to the orthogonal axis. Experiment 1 revealed that microsaccades continued to be biased along the axis of the memory content several seconds into the working memory delay. In Experiment 2, we confirmed that this directional microsaccade bias was specific to memory demands, ruling out lingering effects from passive and attentive encoding of the same visual objects in the same configurations. Thus, by studying microsaccade directions, we uncover oculomotor-driven rehearsal of visual objects in working memory through their associated locations.
Tonic NMDAR Currents of NR2A-Containing NMDARs Represent Altered Ambient Glutamate Concentration in the Supraoptic Nucleus
Authors: Shin Hyunjin , Sharma Ramesh , Neupane Chiranjivi , Pham Thuy Linh , Park Su Eun , Lee So Yeong , Kim Hyun-Woo , Bae Young Min , Stern Javier E. , Park Jin Bong
Published: January 2024

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) modulate glutamatergic excitatory tone in the brain via two complementary modalities: a phasic excitatory postsynaptic current and a tonic extrasynaptic modality. Here, we demonstrated that the tonic NMDAR-current (INMDA) mediated by NR2A-containing NMDARs is an efficient biosensor detecting the altered ambient glutamate level in the supraoptic nucleus (SON).INMDAof magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) measured by nonselective NMDARs antagonist, AP5, at holding potential (Vholding) −70 mV in low concentration of ECF Mg2+([Mg2+]o) was transiently but significantly increased 1-week post induction of a DOCA salt hypertensive model rat which was compatible with that induced by a NR2A-selective antagonist, PEAQX (IPEAQX) in both DOCA-H2O and DOCA-salt groups. In agreement, NR2B antagonist, ifenprodil, or NR2C/D antagonist, PPDA, did not affect the holding current (Iholding) atVholding−70 mV. Increased ambient glutamate by exogenous glutamate (10 mM) or excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) antagonist (TBOA, 50 mM) abolished theIPEAQXdifference between two groups, suggesting that attenuated EAATs activity increased ambient glutamate concentration, leading to the largerIPEAQXin DOCA-salt rats. In contrast, only ifenprodil but not PEAQX and PPDA uncoveredINMDAatVholding+40 mV under 1.2 mM [Mg2+]ocondition.Iifenprodilwas not different in DOCA-H2O and DOCA-salt groups. Finally, NR2A, NR2B, and NR2D protein expression were not different in the SON of the two groups. Taken together, NR2A-containing NMDARs efficiently detected the increased ambient glutamate concentration in the SON of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats due to attenuated EAATs activity.
Corticomotor control of lumbar erector spinae in postural and voluntary tasks: the influence of transcranial magnetic stimulation current direction
Authors: Mikaël Desmons , Amira Cherif , Antoine Rohel , Fábio Carlos Lucas de Oliveira , Catherine Mercier , Hugo Massé-Alarie
Published: January 2024

Lumbar erector spinae (LES) contribute to spine postural and voluntary control. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) preferentially depolarizes different neural circuits depending on the direction of electrical currents evoked in the brain. Based on recent evidence, posteroanterior current (PA-TMS) and anteroposterior (AP-TMS) current would respectively depolarize neurons in the primary motor cortex (M1) and the premotor cortex. These regions may contribute differently to LES control. This study examined whether responses evoked by PA- and AP-TMS are different during the preparation and execution of LES voluntary and postural tasks.

Participants performed a reaction time task. A Warning signal indicated to prepare to flex shoulders (postural, n=15) or to tilt the pelvis (voluntary, n=13) at the Go signal. Single- and paired-pulse TMS (short-interval intracortical inhibition - SICI) were applied using PA- and AP-TMS before the Warning signal (baseline), between the Warning and Go signals (preparation) or 30 ms before the LES onset (execution). Changes from baseline during preparation and execution were calculated in AP/PA-TMS.

In the postural task, MEP amplitude was higher during the execution than preparation independently of the current direction (p=0.0002). In the voluntary task, AP-MEP amplitude was higher during execution than preparation (p=0.016). More PA-inhibition (SICI) was observed in execution than in preparation (p=0.028).

Different neural circuits are preferentially involved in the two motor tasks assessed, as suggested by different patterns of change in execution of the voluntary task (AP-TMS: increase; PA-TMS: no change). Considering that PA-TMS preferentiallydepolarize neurons in M1,it questions their importance in LES voluntary control.

Significance StatementBack muscles fulfill different roles as postural and control involving different neuronal circuits. Manipulating the electrical current direction induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation may allow the examination of different neural circuits contributions to postural and voluntary control of back muscles. In the execution of a postural task, corticospinal excitability was higher for both current directions than preparation. In the voluntary task, the corticospinal excitability was higher during execution than preparation using anteroposterior current only. Neural circuits contribution to back muscles control may depend on their role in the task performed. Our results suggest a minimal involvement of motor cortex neurons (minimally those interacting with posteroanterior current) in voluntary control of back muscles.
Attention Drives Visual Processing and Audiovisual Integration During Multimodal Communication
Authors: Seijdel Noor , Schoffelen Jan-Mathijs , Hagoort Peter , Drijvers Linda
Published: January 2024

During communication in real-life settings, our brain often needs to integrate auditory and visual information and at the same time actively focus on the relevant sources of information, while ignoring interference from irrelevant events. The interaction between integration and attention processes remains poorly understood. Here, we use rapid invisible frequency tagging and magnetoencephalography to investigate how attention affects auditory and visual information processing and integration, during multimodal communication. We presented human participants (male and female) with videos of an actress uttering action verbs (auditory; tagged at 58 Hz) accompanied by two movie clips of hand gestures on both sides of fixation (attended stimulus tagged at 65 Hz; unattended stimulus tagged at 63 Hz). Integration difficulty was manipulated by a lower-order auditory factor (clear/degraded speech) and a higher-order visual semantic factor (matching/mismatching gesture). We observed an enhanced neural response to the attended visual information during degraded speech compared to clear speech. For the unattended information, the neural response to mismatching gestures was enhanced compared to matching gestures. Furthermore, signal power at the intermodulation frequencies of the frequency tags, indexing nonlinear signal interactions, was enhanced in the left frontotemporal and frontal regions. Focusing on the left inferior frontal gyrus, this enhancement was specific for the attended information, for those trials that benefitted from integration with a matching gesture. Together, our results suggest that attention modulates audiovisual processing and interaction, depending on the congruence and quality of the sensory input.
Multidimensional analysis of a social behavior identifies regression and phenotypic heterogeneity in a female mouse model for Rett syndrome
Authors: Mykins Michael , Bridges Benjamin , Jo Angela , Krishnan Keerthi
Published: January 2024

Regression is a key feature of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome and Rett syndrome (RTT). RTT is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene Methyl CpG-Binding Protein 2 (MECP2). It is characterized by an early period of typical development with subsequent regression of previously acquired motor and speech skills in girls. The syndromic phenotypes are individualistic and dynamic over time. Thus far, it has been difficult to capture these dynamics and syndromic heterogeneity in the preclinicalMecp2-heterozygousfemale mouse model (Het). The emergence of computational neuroethology tools allows for robust analysis of complex and dynamic behaviors to model endophenotypes in pre-clinical models. Towards this first step, we utilized DeepLabCut, a marker-less pose estimation software to quantify trajectory kinematics, and multidimensional analysis to characterize behavioral heterogeneity in Het in the previously benchmarked, ethologically relevant social cognition task of pup retrieval. We report the identification of two distinct phenotypes of adult Het: Het that display a delay in efficiency in early days and then improve over days like wild-type mice, and Het that regress and perform worse in later days. Furthermore, regression is dependent on age, behavioral context, and is identifiable in early days of retrieval. Together, the novel identification of two populations of Het suggests differential effects on neural circuitry, opens new avenues to investigate the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of heterogeneity, and design better studies for stratifying therapeutics.

Significance StatementA long-standing problem in the field of neuropsychiatric disorders is the reliable identification of heterogeneous endophenotypes in animal models for the disorders. This problem has clear implications in identifying etiology and therapeutic targets. The emergence of accessible computational neuroethology tools is a powerful solution in systematic characterization of animal behaviors in resolving this heterogeneity. Using DeepLabCut and multidimensional analysis of an ethologically relevant social cognition task, we identify two distinct populations exhibiting delay in efficient behavior and regression in a female mouse model for Rett syndrome. The novel identification of two populations in genotypically-identical mice has profound implications on both etiology and personalized therapeutic approaches.
Serotonin Strengthens a Developing Glutamatergic Synapse through a PI3K-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Udoh Uwemedimo G. , Bruno John R. , Osborn Paige O. , Pratt Kara G.
Published: January 2024

It is well established that, during neural circuit development, glutamatergic synapses become strengthened via NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent upregulation of AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated currents. In addition, however, it is known that the neuromodulator serotonin is present throughout most regions of the vertebrate brain while synapses are forming and being shaped by activity-dependent processes. This suggests that serotonin may modulate or contribute to these processes. Here, we investigate the role of serotonin in the developing retinotectal projection of theXenopustadpole. We altered endogenous serotonin transmission in stage 48/49 (∼10–21 days postfertilization)Xenopustadpoles and then carried out a set of whole-cell electrophysiological recordings from tectal neurons to assess retinotectal synaptic transmission. Because tadpole sex is indeterminate at these early stages of development, experimental groups were composed of randomly chosen tadpoles. We found that pharmacologically enhancing and reducing serotonin transmission for 24 h up- and downregulates, respectively, AMPAR-mediated currents at individual retinotectal synapses. Inhibiting 5-HT2receptors also significantly weakened AMPAR-mediated currents and abolished the synapse strengthening effect seen with enhanced serotonin transmission, indicating a 5-HT2receptor–dependent effect. We also determine that the serotonin-dependent upregulation of synaptic AMPAR currents was mediated via an NMDAR-independent, PI3K-dependent mechanism. Altogether, these findings indicate that serotonin regulates AMPAR currents at developing synapses independent of NMDA transmission, which may explain its role as an enabler of activity-dependent plasticity.
GABAergic Inhibition Controls Receptive Field Size, Sensitivity, and Contrast Preference of Direction Selective Retinal Ganglion Cells Near the Threshold of Vision
Authors: Roy Suva , Yao Xiaoyang , Rathinavelu Jay , Field Greg D.
Published: January 2024

Information about motion is encoded by direction-selective retinal ganglion cells (DSGCs). These cells reliably transmit this information across a broad range of light levels, spanning moonlight to sunlight. Previous work indicates that adaptation to low light levels causes heterogeneous changes to the direction tuning of ON–OFF (oo)DSGCs and suggests that superior-preferring ON–OFF DSGCs (s-DSGCs) are biased toward detecting stimuli rather than precisely signaling direction. Using a large-scale multielectrode array, we measured the absolute sensitivity of ooDSGCs and found that s-DSGCs are 10-fold more sensitive to dim flashes of light than other ooDSGCs. We measured their receptive field (RF) sizes and found that s-DSGCs also have larger receptive fields than other ooDSGCs; however, the size difference does not fully explain the sensitivity difference. Using a conditional knock-out of gap junctions and pharmacological manipulations, we demonstrate that GABA-mediated inhibition contributes to the difference in absolute sensitivity and receptive field size at low light levels, while the connexin36-mediated gap junction coupling plays a minor role. We further show that under scotopic conditions, ooDSGCs exhibit only an ON response, but pharmacologically removing GABA-mediated inhibition unmasks an OFF response. These results reveal that GABAergic inhibition controls and differentially modulates the responses of ooDSGCs under scotopic conditions.
Odpowiedzialność odszkodowawcza za zakażenia związane z opieką zdrowotną
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Wydział Prawa, Drozdowska Urszula
Published: January 2024

Książka obejmuje prezentację i analizę problematyki łączącej w sobie elementy klasycznego prawa cywilnego (odpowiedzialność odszkodowawcza) z zagadnieniami prawa medycznego (zakażenia związane z opieką zdrowotną). Autorka książki we wstępie wprowadza czytelnika w zagadnienie zakażeń związanych z opieką zdrowotną i stawia klika kluczowych pytań o rodzaj i charakter odpowiedzialności za szkody wynikłe z powodu zachorowania związanego z udzielaniem świadczeń zdrowotnych. W ten sposób zarysowuje podstawowy cel pracy, którym jest weryfikacja hipotez dotyczących zasad i przesłanek odpowiedzialności odszkodowawczej w przypadku zakażeń związanych z opieką zdrowotną. W pierwszym rozdziale wprowadza czytelnika w materię dotyczącą zakażeń oraz szczególnej ich postaci zakażenia związanego z opieką zdrowotną w perspektywie zarówno prawa polskiego, jak i prawa międzynarodowego oraz europejskiego. Podobnie, w rozdziale drugim na wspomnianym tle, szczegółowo przedstawia przyjmowane rozwiązania prawne w sferze publicznoprawnej, określając standard prawny ochrony przed tego typu zakażeniami na gruncie polskiej ustawy o zapobieganiu i zwalczaniu zakażeń i chorób zakaźnych u ludzi. Ewolucji odpowiedzialności odszkodowawczej w zakresie jej zasad dotyczy rozdział trzeci pracy. W swej treści materia tego rozdziału uwzględnia różnorodne systemy odszkodowawcze i zróżnicowane podejście do kwestii odpowiedzialności prawnej za zakażenia. Rozdział czwarty z kolei w znacznej mierze skupia się na istniejących modelach odpowiedzialności ubezpieczeniowej, charakteryzowanych w piśmiennictwie jako modele odpowiedzialności typu no fault. To szerokie ujęcie pozwala Autorce osadzić pracę badawczą w dość rozległym kontekście prawnoporównawczym oraz umożliwia przejście do badań nad rodzimym systemem odpowiedzialności odszkodowawczej za zakażenia związane z opieką zdrowotną (rozdz. V i VI). Przy tym autorka przedstawia zarówno tradycyjny model sądowy, jak i alternatywny model postępowania pozasądowego. Przyjęta perspektywa umożliwiła przedstawienie modelu odpowiedzialności odszkodowawczej w prawie polskim, zarówno w ujęciu de lege lata jak i de lege ferenda. Ten ostatni prezentowany jest w zakończeniu.
Factors associated with disease control failure in acromegaly patients treated with pegvisomant: an ACROSTUDY analysis
Authors: Giampietro Antonella , Chiloiro Sabrina , Urbani Claudio , Pivonello Rosario , Carlsson Martin Ove , Dassie Francesca , Prencipe Nunzia , Ragonese Marta , Gomez Roy , Granato Simona , Cannavò Salvatore , Grottoli Silvia , Maffei Pietro , Colao Annamaria , Bogazzi Fausto , Bianchi Antonio
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the probability of achieving acromegaly disease control according to several patient-, disease- and treatment-related factors longitudinally.

Methods

We analyzed data from ACROSTUDY, an open-label, noninterventional, post-marketing safety surveillance study conducted in 15 countries. A total of 1546 patients with acromegaly and treated with pegvisomant, with available information on baseline IGF-1 level, were included. Factors influencing IGF-1 control were assessed up to 10 years of follow-up by mixed-effects logistic regression models, taking into account changing values of covariates at baseline and at yearly visits. Twenty-eight anthropometric, clinical and treatment-related covariates were examined through univariate and multivariate analyses. We tested whether the probability of non-control was different than 0.50 (50%) by computing effect sizes (ES) and the corresponding 95% CI.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that age <40 years, normal or overweight, baseline IGF-1 <300 µg/L or ranged between 300 and 500 µg/L, and all pegvisomant dose <20 mg/day were associated with a lower probability of acromegaly uncontrol. Consistently, in multivariate analyses, the probability of uncontrolled acromegaly was influenced by baseline IGF-1 value: patients with IGF-1 <300 µg/L had the lowest risk of un-controlled acromegaly (ES = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.23–0.36). The probability of acromegaly uncontrol was also lower for values 300–500 µg/L (ES = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.32–0.43), while it was higher for baseline IGF-1 values ≥700 µg/L (ES = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.53–0.64).

Conclusion

Baseline IGF-l levels were a good predictor factor for long-term acromegaly control. On the contrary, our data did not support a role of age, sex, BMI and pegvisomant dose as predictors of long-term control of acromegaly.

Significance statement

Among factors that could influence and predict the efficacy of pegvisomant therapy in controlling acromegaly, a central role of baseline IGF-1 values on the probability of achieving a biochemical control of acromegaly during the treatment with pegvisomant was identified, in a real-life setting.
In vivo models of gestational and type 2 diabetes mellitus characterized by endocrine pancreas cell impairments
Authors: Szlapinski Sandra K , Hill David J
Published: January 2024

Insulin resistance contributes to the development of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Even though gestational diabetes is specific to pregnancy, it can result in long-term glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes after delivery. Given the substantial health and economic burdens associated with diabetes, it is imperative to better understand the mechanisms leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes so that treatments targeted at reversing symptoms can be developed. Considering that the endocrine cells of the pancreas (islets of Langerhans) largely contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes (beta-cell insufficiency and dysfunction), the elucidation of the various mechanisms of endocrine cell plasticity is important to understand. By better defining these mechanisms, targeted therapeutics can be developed to reverse symptoms of beta-cell deficiency and insulin resistance in diabetes. Animal models play an important role in better understanding these mechanisms, as techniques for in vivo imaging of endocrine cells in the pancreas are limited. Therefore, this review article will discuss the available rodent models of gestational and type 2 diabetes that are characterized by endocrine cell impairments in the pancreas, discuss the models with a comparison to human diabetes, and explore the potential mechanisms of endocrine cell plasticity that contribute to these phenotypes, as these mechanisms could ultimately be used to reverse blood glucose dysregulation in diabetes.
Application of remote sensing methods for statistical estimation of organic matter in soils
Authors: Belenok Vadym , Hebryn-Baidy Liliia , Bіelousova Natalyya , Zavarika Halyna , Kryachok Sergíy , Liashenko Dmytro , Malik Tetiana
Published: January 2024

The availability of reliable information on the physicochemical properties of soils is a necessary tool for maintaining and improving fertility and effective optimization of agricultural land management in many countries. However, ground-based research methods require significant financial and time resources. It has been established that methods based on remote sensing data are an efficient, accurate, and less costly solution for studying different types of soil cover parameters. This work aims to determine the predicted indicator of humus content in soils in selected regions of the Kyiv region (Ukraine) with the corresponding soil types. For this, the spectral properties of chernozem soils were investigated based on Landsat 8 OLI satellite images. A mosaic of the mean spectral reflectance values for the study period (2013-2015) was created using the Google Earth Engine. The vegetation indices NDSI, NDWI, NDBI, MSAVI, and NDVI were used to identify bare soils. Using multiple linear regression, an optimal F-Comparing Nested Model was created for predicting humus content in soils, including seven parameters. The model's accuracy was estimated with such indicators R=0.95, R2= 0.90, σy = 0.16 %. The approach based on the proposed model can be used to support the adoption of the necessary management decisions to improve soil fertility and maintain balanced land use.
Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) seedlings formation under different intensities of violet, blue and red LED light
Authors: Ruiz Nieto Jorge Eric , Mireles Arriaga Ana Isabel , Hernández Ruiz Jesús , Laguna Estrada María Isabel , López Núñez Adolfo Rafael , Zárate-Castrejón José Luis
Published: January 2024

Introduction. Seedlings formation under controlled conditions is essential for growing species of importance as strawberry. Since the artificial LED lighting technologic has allowed greater control of light, the variation of components such as the wavelength and intensity can be manipulated to form seedlings with different characteristics. However, it is necessary to generate original scientific information for the development of precise and efficient practices on light control. Objective. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the strawberry seedlings formation under different intensities of violet, blue and red LED light. Material and methods. The study was performed in 2020 at the Plant Genetics Laboratory of the Agronomy Department of the Universidad de Guanajuato, in the municipality of Irapuato, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. Seeds were recovered from San Andreas cultivar fruits and seedlings were formed under violet, blue and red LED light at high, medium, and low intensities. Color determination of cotiledon area, chroma saturation index and Hue angle were performed. Physiotechnical variables, chemical and antioxidant activity were measured. Results. The most suitable treatments were violet light of high and medium intensities; as well as blue light of high intensity, due to the germination percentage exceeded at least 60 %. Seedlings did not lengthen or thin, presented the largest cotyledons areas and the highest chlorophyll concentrations. In addition, these light treatments consumed 31.2 % less electrical energy on average. Conclusions. Besides the white light, the most suitable treatments for strawberry seedlings formation were violet light at high and medium intensities, as well as blue light at high intensity. It is suggested that the violet and blue light treatments be evaluated in other cultivars to confirm the beneficial effect on the strawberry seedlings. Red light limited germination and the highest antioxidant activity was observed in this treatment.
BAYESIAN MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MORTALITY RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Tamburini Andrea , Wiśniowski Arkadiusz , Yildiz Dilek
Published: January 2024

Even though mortality differentials by socio-economic status and educational attainment level have been widely examined, this research is often limited to developed countries and recent years. This is primarily due to the absence of consistently good-quality inherent data. Systematic studies with a broad geographical and temporal spectrum that engage with the link between educational attainment and mortality are lacking. In this paper, we propose a mortality rates reconstruction model based on multiple patchy data sources, and provide mortality rates by level of education. The proposed model is a hierarchical Bayesian model that combines the strengths of multiple sources in order to disaggregate mortality rates by time periods, age groups, sex and educational attainment. We apply the model in a case study that includes 13 countries across South-East Europe, Western Asia and North Africa, and calculate education-specific mortality rates for five-year age groups starting at age 15 for the 1980-2015 time period. Furthermore, we evaluate the model’s performance relying on standard convergence indicators and trace plots, and validate our estimates via posterior predictive checks. This study contributes to the literature by proposing a novel methodology to enhance the research on the relationship between education and adult mortality. It addresses the lack of educationspecific mortality differentials by providing a flexible method for their estimation.
Establishing regression and artificial neural network model in predicting the performance of recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Murugan Karthiga , Palaniappan Meyyappan , Baranitharan Balakrishnan
Published: January 2024

Various developing countries are confronted with serious environmental difficulties due to excessive resource utilization and insufficient waste management system. In particular, construction and demolition waste poses a grave threat to the environment, contributing to escalating energy consumption, the depletion of landfill capacities, and the generation of harmful noise and dust pollution. Consequently, the research community is tasked with the daunting challenge of devising effective strategies to incorporate this waste material in producing concrete, without compromising the critical strength and durability characteristics. The investigation aims to attain the aforementioned objective by examining the effects of using recycled aggregates as a distinct partial replacement of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% on the compressive and split tensile strength traits, contingent upon 7 and 28 days of age of curing. Experimental test results show that the optimal concrete production is achieved when 10% of coarse aggregate is replaced with recycled aggregate, maintaining 98% of the materials compressive and split tensile strength. To further validate the obtained experimental data, model equations were derived through regression analysis and the framed model equation is further assessed for accuracy using error analysis. In this study, a MATLAB program was utilized for prediction of compressive and split tensile strength with five distinct network types and the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is used for optimization. A comparative analysis was conducted between the regression analysis values and the performance of the ANN modelling. The findings demonstrate that the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) serves as a highly effective model, offering significantly improved accuracy in predicting the optimal correlation between compressive strength and split tensile strength of concrete.
Theorists of Postcolonialism Critique on the Eurocentric understanding of ‘history’
Authors: Abdulrahman Karwan Fatah , Mohammed Adnan Amin
Published: January 2024

Centuries ago, Eurocentric ideas asserted Europe's centrality in world history, positing Western civilization as the inevitable guide for humanity. However, postcolonial theorists from the late twentieth century critically challenged Eurocentrism, arguing against its biased categorization of 'others' at the margins of global history. Through key postcolonial historical writings, these scholars have deeply probed Eurocentric understandings, striving to decentralize Europe's narrative in three main fields: Subaltern studies, Orientalism, and Race. To enhance the breadth and depth of this critique, the present research employs a rigorous historical research methodology. In Subaltern studies, primary sources and oral histories are meticulously examined to recover the voices of marginalized groups, contributing to a nuanced understanding of historical events. Orientalism is scrutinized through the analysis of historical texts, artworks, and cultural artifacts, revealing the constructed nature of Eurocentric interpretations. The study of Race involves archival research and critical analysis of historical documents to trace the evolution of racial ideologies. By applying these historical research methods, this study aims to extend the postcolonial critique beyond theoretical discourse, emphasizing its engagement with historical realities obscured by Eurocentric perspectives. The research seeks to underscore the significance of a methodologically rigorous approach in reshaping historical narratives, acknowledging the integral role of non-European nations in shaping the course of history and fostering a more inclusive historiography.
Role of Government Institutions in Promoting Sustainable Development in Bangladesh: An Environmental Governance Perspective
Authors: Hossain Imran , Haque A.K.M. Mahmudul , Ullah S.M. Akram
Published: January 2024

This research examines the complex relationship between environmental governance, sustainable development, and the role of government institutions in Bangladesh. The study extensively examines the evolution of environmental governance, focusing on the establishment and functions of key institutions such as the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Department of Environment, the Department of Forest, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the Forest Research Institute, etc. Relying solely on secondary sources, the methodology involved a comprehensive review and analysis of scholarly literature, policy documents, and reports to explore the nation's environmental trajectory. The findings underscore the commendable socio-economic progress achieved by Bangladesh compared to pressing environmental challenges. Rising carbon emissions, limited forest coverage, water resource mismanagement, and threats to biodiversity underscore the urgency for balanced and sustainable development. Government institutions, through policy formulation, implementation, research, and conservation efforts, play pivotal roles in addressing these challenges. However, the research highlights the imperative for a paradigm shift, emphasizing the need to integrate environmental considerations into development policies comprehensively. Bridging the gap between economic growth and environmental sustainability requires concerted efforts, policy reforms, and public engagement. This study emphasizes the pivotal role of government institutions, collaborative efforts, and policy reforms in leading the nation towards a more sustainable future.
Development Of A Small Tile Craft Industry In An Effort To Increase The Welfare Of Crawings In Islamic Economic Perspective
Authors: Pabeta Firda Angelia Mutiara , Adinugraha Hendri Hermawan
Published: January 2024

This study aims to analyze the development of the small tile craft industry in Pragak, Pekalongan Selatan, Pekalongan City, from the perspective of Islamic economics, with the primary goal of enhancing the welfare of craftsmen. Adopting a field research approach, the researcher directly engages with the industry and collects data to gain comprehensive insights into the existing challenges and potential solutions. The process of business development is viewed as a gradual and systematic means to improve the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and overall performance of those responsible for managing the craft industry. Central to this approach are key Islamic principles such as honesty, trust, friendliness, fairness, and patience, which guide the formulation and implementation of strategies that ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders involved. The study emphasizes the significance of aligning the tile craft industry's activities with the needs and aspirations of the community, contributing to humanitarian causes, and promoting prosperity within the society. By adhering to Islamic values and positively impacting the community, the small tile craft industry has the potential to thrive while fostering the well-being of craftsmen and society as a whole.
New results over Zappa-Szép products via a recent semigroup
Authors: Urlu Özalan Nurten
Published: January 2024

In [16], the authors established a new semigroup ${\mathcal N}$ as an extension of both the Rees matrix and completely zero-simple semigroups. In this paper, by taking into account the Zappa-Szép product obtained by special subsemigroups of ${\mathcal N}$, we will expose some new distinguishing theoretical results on this product.
On non-regular semigroups: $\lambda$-semidirect products, Zappa-Szép products and representations
Authors: ZAMAN Baddi Ul
Published: January 2024

This article encompasses the study of non-regular semigroups. First, we show that the $\lambda$-semidirect product $M \rtimes^{\lambda} W$ of a left $P$-Ehresmann semigroup $M$ and a left restriction semigroup $W$ is a left $P$-Ehresmann semigroup. We explore the behavior of generalized Green's relations on $M \rtimes^{\lambda} W$, and investigate some properties of $M \rtimes^{\lambda} W$. Second, the Zappa-Szép product of a right Ehresmann semigroup and its distinguished semilattice is studied. Lastly, the theory of representations of left Ehresmann semigroups with zero via homomorphisms of left Ehresmann semigroups with zero into Clifford restriction semigroups with zero is presented.
Quarter-symmetric connection on an almost Hermitian manifold and on a Kähler manifold
Authors: Lj Zlatanovic Milan , Maksimovic Miroslav
Published: January 2024

The paper observes an almost Hermitian manifold as an example of a generalized Riemannian manifold and examines the application of a quarter-symmetric connection on the almost Hermitian manifold. The almost Hermitian manifold with quarter-symmetric connection preserving the generalized Riemannian metric is actually the Kähler manifold. Observing the six linearly independent curvature tensors with respect to the quarter-symmetric connection, we construct tensors that do not depend on the quarter-symmetric connection generator. One of them coincides with the Weyl projective curvature tensor of symmetric metric $g$. Also, we obtain the relations between the Weyl projective curvature tensor and the holomorphically projective curvature tensor. Moreover, we examine the properties of curvature tensors when some tensors are hybrid.
Torsion pairs and related modules over trivial ring extensions
Authors: Mao Lixin
Published: January 2024

Let $R\ltimes M$ be a trivial extension of a ring $R$ by an $R$-$R$-bimodule $M$. We first study how to construct torsion pairs over $R\ltimes M$ from torsion pairs over $R$. Some characterizations of finitely generated (presented) modules, flat modules and coherent rings relative to a torsion pair over $R\ltimes M$ are obtained. Then we discuss the transfers of torsion pairs over $R\ltimes M$ to $R$. Finally, some applications are given in Morita context rings.
Construction of a new generalization for $n$-polynomial convexity with their certain inequalities
Authors: Kadakal Mahir , İşcan İmdat , Kadakal Huriye
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we first construct a new generalization of $n$-polynomial convex function. That is, this study is a generalization of the definition of "$n$-polynomial convexity" previously found in the literature. By making use of this construction, we derive certain inequalities for this new generalization and show that the first derivative in absolute value corresponds to a new class of $n$-polynomial convexity. Also, we see that the obtained results in the paper while comparing with Hölder, Hölder-İşcan and power-mean, improved-power-mean integral inequalities show that the results give a better approach than the others. Finally, we conclude our paper with applications containing some means.
Health-related Physical Fitness, Blood Pressure, and Body Mass Index among People with Intellectual Disability, Visual Impairment, and Hearing Impairment
Authors: Kim Young Hoon , Kim Su Hyun , Kim Taegyu , Ma Rui
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE: A low physical fitness level is one of the major health problems to be addressed among people with disabilities; this issue has not been spotlighted much in the public. This study was performed to determine the health-related physical fitness (HRPF) and blood pressure of people with intellectual disability (ID), visual impairment (VI), and hearing impairment (HI) and the differences in these parameters according to each type of disability and its severity.METHODS: Data of 11,802 participants with ID, VI, and HI who underwent standard physical fitness tests were analyzed. Differences in the proportion of participants with high blood pressure (HBP), body mass index (BMI) group, and HRPF parameters according to the severity of each type of disability were analyzed using the χ2 test or one-way analysis of variance. The odds ratio for HBP after adjustments for age, sex, severity of disability, and BMI group was also analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: There were significant differences in all HRPF parameters according to the disability type as well as the severity of disability in each group of individuals with ID, VI, and HI. Those with ID had the lowest values in the hand grip strength, sit-up, and sit-and-reach tests, and these values were significantly lower in the most severely disabled group for individuals with ID. The odds ratio for HBP was 1.211 (95% confidence interval: 1.069–1.371) for grade 1 ID.CONCLUSIONS: Participants with ID had generally lower HRPF parameter values than those of participants with VI and HI. In addition, significant differences in HRPF parameter values, the proportion of participants with HBP, and BMI were found among participants with disabilities according to the severity of their disability, indicating opportunities for improving the health in these groups.