bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New evidence for content validity of the German version of the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score: cognitive interview study among patients and experts
Authors: Nestler Sophie , Apfelbacher Christian , Özkan Ebru , Naber Kurt , Piontek Katharina
Published: September 2024

Purpose: The Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) is a well-established and clinically validated instrument to assess symptoms and quality of life in women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs). A previous study examining the content validity of the German version of the ACSS has shown some methodological limitations when rated against the criteria for content validity of the COnsensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) initiative. Extending the existing evidence, the present study aimed to assess the content validity of the German version of the ACSS according to the criteria of the COSMIN methodology.
Methods: In individual cognitive interviews following a structured, standardized interview guide, women with a history of uUTI and experts from different medical fields rated the instructions, items, response options and recall period of the ACSS in terms of relevance, comprehensiveness and comprehensibility.
Results: A total of 14 patients and 14 experts participated in two rounds of interviews. Both patients and experts rated the overall relevance and comprehensiveness of the instrument as appropriate. Modifications were primarily made to improve comprehensibility. Ten items underwent minor modifications or were given examples to enhance comprehensibility, and the scales of five items were linguistically revised.
Conclusions Based on comprehensive qualitative assessments, the findings of the present study show that the ACSS is valid for the assessment of symptoms and quality of life in women with uUTIs. Modifications of the instrument concerned comprehensibility issues. Psychometric validation of the modified version of the ACSS is indicated.
Nonlinear vibration analyses of a sandwich beam made of a magnetorheological fluid core and functionally graded material face layers, based on differential quadratic method
Authors: Yari Omid Mirali , Mehrabadi Saeed Jafari , Najafizadeh Mohammad Mahdi
Published: September 2024

Background
Magneto-rheological fluids (MRF) are considered smart materials with the principal characteristic being enhanced viscosity in the presence of magnetic fields. Sandwich MRF beams are able to minimize the effect of external vibrations by changing the structural hardness and damping properties in the presence of magnetic fields. Despite its importance in mechanical engineering, the behavior of such sandwich beams has not been investigated in response to free nonlinear vibration.
Methods
We investigated the behavior of a sandwich beam made of an MRF core and two functionally graded face layers exposed to free nonlinear vibration. Specifically, we examined the magnetic field intensity, power law components, the thickness of the fluid core and boundary layers, and the beam’s length versus the natural frequency and damping coefficient. Our analysis of the natural frequency and loss factor considered the Hamilton's principle, and Euler-Bernoulli (E-B) and Timoshenko (TS) beam theories, based on a generalized differential quadratic method. Finally, the findings were validated by comparison to reputable research publications.
Results
The structure’s natural frequency rose with increases in the beam’s maximal deflection, power law components, and the thickness of MRF core. Conversely, increases in the magnetic field intensity and the beam length reduced the beam behavior, while the effect of magnetic field intensity on the natural frequency and Loss factor was insignificant.
Conclusions
Increases in the maximal rise of the beam and natural frequency were greater based on the TS beam theory than on the E-B theory. Also, the maximal and minimal beam’s natural frequencies were observed based on simple and clamped support models of TS and E-B beam theories, respectively. The opposite was true with respect to the beam’s loss factor.
EEG-Based Emotion Recognition Model Using Fuzzy Adjacency Matrix Combined with Convolutional Multi-Head Graph Attention Mechanism
Authors: Cao Mingwei , Dong Yindong , Chen Deli , Wu Guodong , Xu Gaojian , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2024

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals have been widely studied and applied in the field of human-computer interaction interfaces based on affective computing. However, the remarkable non-Euclidean structure of EEG signals poses a challenge for conventional neural network algorithms to effectively capture their complex dynamic properties. A Fuzzy adjacency matrix combined with convolutional multi-head graph attention mechanism (FCMGAT) is proposed to enhance the ability of graph neural networks to handle complex nonlinear relationships between channels during the adjacency matrix. Firstly, this method optimizes the adjacency matrix through fuzzy logic and achieves adaptive adjustment of the weight relationship between nodes through parameterized learning, thereby preventing model learning instability caused by weight oscillation; secondly, the global dependencies between channels are captured using the multi-head graph attention mechanism, which enhances the potential capturing ability of EEG emotion information. Finally, the obtained multidimensionalized emotional feature expression is input into the full connectivity layer for emotion recognition. Visual analysis of fuzzy adjacency matrices provides effective connectivity insights into affective correlations between channels. We conducted experiments on the SEED and SEED-IV datasets, and the results showed that the FCMGAT model showed significant superiority in the emotion classification of EEG signals. Its average emotion recognition accuracy reached 97.412% and 92.086%, respectively, with standard deviations of 2.385% and 3.69%. This study provides a new approach for EEG emotion recognition.
Preserving Quality of Button Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) Using Nano-chitosan-Aloe Vera Coating with Tomato Seed Protein Hydrolyzate
Authors: Falahati Mahsa , Ariaii Peiman , Khoshkhoo Zhaleh , Asadi Gholamhassan , Hosseini Seyed Ebrahim
Published: September 2024

Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is a widely consumed edible mushroom, but its quality deteriorates rapidly after harvest. Therefore, the use of edible coatings with natural preservative compounds is essential to delay and reduce microbial growth and maintain mushroom quality. This study examined the effects of a nano-chitosan (NC)-aloe vera (AV) edible coating combined with tomato seed protein hydrolyzate (TPH) as a natural preservative on the chemical, microbial, and organoleptic properties of button mushrooms. TPH was initially prepared using the enzyme Alcalase. Five edible films containing NC, NC-AV, and varying concentrations of TPH (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%) were then produced. The shelf lives of coated mushrooms were evaluated during 16 days of refrigerated storage (4 ± 1°C). Results showed that the TPH had high levels of protein (90.16%), hydrophobic amino acids (31.78%), and aromatic amino acids (11.74%). The produced films exhibited high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, with improved results observed at increased concentrations of TPH. Compared to uncoated mushrooms, the nanocomposite coatings significantly reduced physicochemical changes, quality degradation, and microbial spoilage. Increased concentrations of TPH further enhanced browning inhibition, free radical scavenging, and microbial spoilage reduction (p < 0.05). Sensory evaluation indicated that the sample containing 1.5% TPH had the highest overall acceptance. The use of a NC-AV composite coating containing TPH can be an effective method for extending the shelf life of white button mushrooms.
Internal Levin-Wen models
Authors: Mulevičius Vincentas , Runkel Ingo , Voß Thomas
Published: September 2024

Levin–Wen models are a class of two-dimensional lattice spin models with a Hamiltonian that is a sum of commuting projectors, which describe topological phases of matter related to Drinfeld centres. We generalise this construction to lattice systems internal to a topological phase described by an arbitrary modular fusion category \mathcal{C}𝒞. The lattice system is defined in terms of an orbifold datum \mathbb{A}𝔸 in \mathcal{C}𝒞, from which we construct a state space and a commuting-projector Hamiltonian H_{\mathbb{A}}H𝔸 acting on it. The topological phase of the degenerate ground states of H_{\mathbb{A}}H𝔸 is characterised by a modular fusion category \mathcal{C}_\mathbb{A}𝒞𝔸 defined directly in terms of \mathbb{A}𝔸. By choosing different \mathbb{A}𝔸’s for a fixed \mathcal{C}𝒞, one obtains precisely all phases which are Witt-equivalent to \mathcal{C}𝒞. As special cases we recover the Kitaev and the Levin–Wen lattice models from instances of orbifold data in the trivial modular fusion category of vector spaces, as well as phases obtained by anyon condensation in a given phase \mathcal{C}𝒞.
The role of atomic interactions in cavity-induced continuous time crystals
Authors: Johansen Christian H. , Lang Johannes , Piazza Francesco
Published: September 2024

We consider continuous time-crystalline phases in dissipative many-body systems of atoms in cavities, focusing on the role of short-range interatomic interactions. First, we show that the latter can alter the nature of the time crystal by changing the type of the underlying critical bifurcation. Second, we characterize the heating mechanism and dynamics resulting from the short-range interactions and demonstrate that they make the time crystal inherently metastable. We argue this is generic for the broader class of dissipative time crystals in atom-cavity systems whenever the cavity loss rate is comparable to the atomic recoil energy. We observe that such a scenario for heating has several similarities to the one proposed for preheating in the early universe, where the oscillating coherent inflation field decays into a cascade of exponentially growing fluctuations. By extending approaches for dissipative dynamical systems to our many-body problem, we obtain analytical predictions for the parameters describing the phase transition and the heating rate inside the time-crystalline phase. We underpin and extend the analytical predictions of the heating rates with numerical simulations, which also show that the metastable regime exists when the inherent stochastic nature is taken into account.
Systemic sclerosis associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension: Focus on the visceral form of the disease
Authors: Yudkina N. N. , Nevretdinov T. I. , Volkov A. V.
Published: September 2024

Introduction. Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease with the development of obliterating arteriolopathy and active fibrosis formation both in internal organs and in the skin. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life-threatening manifestation of systemic sclerosis, leading to death if diagnosed late. The search for predictors, as well as associated disease phenotypes, can facilitate early diagnosis and improve prognosis.

Aim. To characterize the features of the visceral form in comparison with the limited variant in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic sclerosis.

Materials and methods. 14 patients with visceral and 63 with a limited variant of systemic sclerosis associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension were studied. The diagnosis of systemic sclerosis was established based on the 2013 ACR-EULAR criteria; pulmonary arterial hypertension was verified by right heart catheterization. In all patients, other causes of pulmonary hypertension – heart disease, lung disease, thrombophilia were excluded.

Results. At the time of inclusion in the study, patients with visceral systemic sclerosis were younger (48 (35; 56) years) than those with limited systemic sclerosis (54 (49; 63) years, but the differences only approached significant (p = 0.057). All patients had the Raynaud’s syndrome, with limited systemic sclerosis, digital ischemic disorders were more often observed (41% compared to 14%, p = 0.11). Anticentromere antibodies caused by pulmonary arterial hypertension predominated; antibodies to topoisomerase-I were detected only in two patients with limited systemic sclerosis. The severity index was significantly higher in patients with limited systemic sclerosis (p < 0.05). The clinical manifestations of pulmonary arterial hypertension in both groups were also the same. When studying central hemodynamics, no significant differences were found. The median follow-up of patients was 68 (39; 111) months. Survival also did not differ: with visceral systemic sclerosis it was 63 (40; 99) months, with limited systemic sclerosis – 69 (36; 116) months.

Conclusion. A comparative analysis demonstrated the similarity of the two systemic sclerosis phenotypes, which suggests the universality of approaches to the early diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Labor Market in Creative Industries
Authors: Antonova Irina , Antonova Irina
Published: September 2024

The article describes a study of the labor market of creative industries in the Tomsk Region in order to substantiate its consideration as a key factor in the development of the local creative industries in the region. The authors systematized the existing problems to improve the selection and hiring of creative specialists. They analyzed various terminological approaches of the concepts of creative industries, human capital, and labor market in terminological interrelation. The supply and demand in the labor market of creative demonstrated its importance for the development of creative industries in the Tomsk Region. The analysis also involved quality of education and professional training in the field, which revealed some potential problems related to non-compliance with labor market requirements. Job interviews should include creative tests, and assignments, team work, and information campaigns about career opportunities. As the creative sector keeps growing, studying the current trends in the labor market of creative industries has become important in the context of economic growth and its impact on the regional development. The research opens up new prospects for regional studies in the sphere of creative labor market and possesses practical application.
Similar Mind Maps in Marketing Analysis
Authors: Loginova Yuliya , Loginov Il'ya
Published: September 2024

High competition requires new methods, tools, and technologies for implementing marketing efforts. Mind maps represent marketing information in a compact way, which facilitates classification and visualization of the marketing phenomenon under analysis. The method of text analysis can be applied to marketing research because mind maps that represent marketing information are a structured text; such an approach makes it possible to subject mind maps to linguistic processing. This research combined the conventional semantic analysis with comparing mind maps as a method of semantic-graph analysis. Initial marketing data were converted into a structured graph of lexical units, which were them compared pairwise to calculate similarity, taking into account the structural-multiple approach. The methods of semantic text analysis proved applicable to marketing data and effective in extracting additional information from a set of heterogeneous sources or different experts. Text analysis tools demonstrated a good potential for broadening the rage of marketing research methods.
A mycorrhizal inoculation strategy that improves the morphology of biofilter plants
Authors: Tian Kanglin , Lintern Anna , Palacios Yussi M. , Winfrey Brandon
Published: September 2024

Mycorrhizal inoculation is widely used to promote plant growth and establishment in the horticultural sector. However, there is no recommended guidance or experiment that shows how often these plants should be inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi to support growth and drought resilience of streetside stormwater biofilter plants. Hence, we evaluated the effect of re-inoculation on three Australian biofilter species by exposing 45 pots inoculated at three levels (control, inoculated, and re-inoculated) to an extended period of drought for 4 weeks. We monitored the water-use indicators during the dry period until evapotranspiration dropped significantly when plants were drought-stressed. This was followed by three weeks of re-watering. We found re-inoculation improved the mycorrhizal colonization, average root diameter, and root surface area. The response to re-inoculation was species-specific; for example, re-inoculated Juncus pallidus developed six times longer thick root lengths compared to the control, but root traits were not affected by re-inoculation in Ficinia nodosa and Gahnia sieberiana. Increasing root density and thickness, facilitated by higher inoculation frequency, may improve pollutant removal and hydraulic conductivity and evapotranspiration in biofilter systems. A direct increase in evapotranspiration can also facilitate reduction in stormwater runoff following a wet season.
Assessment of flash flood risks in the desert cities: a case study on Sabah Al-Ahmad, Kuwait
Authors: Hassan Ahmed , Albanai Jasem A. , Al-Ali Jasem , Fayad Mahmoud , A. Atalla Mohamed , Abdelkarim Ashraf , Badawy Hesham
Published: September 2024

Flash floods from rainstorms pose a severe natural hazard, especially dangerous in arid regions. This has occurred multiple times in Kuwait: in 1967, 1997, 2009, 2013, 2018, and 2020. For example, about 300 mm of rain beset the State of Kuwait on the 14th and 15th of November 2018. Subsequently, Sabah Al-Ahmad City was declared an environmental disaster zone, grappling with extensive water accumulation in its roads, urban zones, and surrounding valleys. This study focuses on (i) monitoring the hydro-geomorphological impacts of the floods on Sabah Al-Ahmad City and (ii) assessing the strategic plan to diminish flood risks, aiming to prevent a recurrence akin to the catastrophic events during rainstorms. (iii) proposing a protection plan for the city. The research employs various methodologies, including drones (UAV), field surveys, hydrological modelling, digital elevation model analysis, and spatial analysis of multi-spectral satellite imagery. These methods are instrumental in comprehending how flash floods impact the sustainable development of urban areas in Kuwait. Our approach is designed to support decision-makers and urban planners, enabling them to proactively identify flood-prone zones before future urban development initiatives in Kuwait.
Preparation, Characterization and Quantification of Mangiferin in Mangiferin-loaded Microspheres
Authors: Yadav Swati , Harwansh Ranjit K.
Published: September 2024

Introduction:

Mangiferin shows great promise as a potent drug for a wide variety of
diseases. Its low bioavailability and poor water solubility, however, restrict its therapeutic use.

Methods:

The aim of the study goal was to systematically design a UV-spectroscopy method for
mangiferin quantification in analytical samples that is quick, easy, and very sensitive. In order to
validate the method, UV spectroscopy was used to check for specificity, accuracy, precision, and
linearity. The models were constructed with Design ExpertⓇ V.10 and optimised using Box-
Behnken Design (BBD), a three-factor and three-level procedure.

Results:

The devised method demonstrated good levels of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and
precision, according to the results. The absorbance and concentration showed a strong linear relationship
in the given 5-25 μg/ml range for several wavelengths, with correlation coefficients of
0.989, 0.982, 0.905, and 0.896 at 364.5, 370, 378, and 265nm, respectively. The intraday precision
was 0.788 at 364.5 nm, 0.801 at 370 nm, 0.739 at 378 nm, and 0.721 at 256 nm for the concentration
of 20 μg/ml. Particle size and entrapment efficiency, two dependent variables in the microspheres
formulation, were best suited by the models derived when the observed responses were fitted
to the design. Microspheres had a high entrapment efficiency and were microsized. Interestingly,
drug-encapsulated microspheres containing mangiferin maintained the spherical shape.

Conclusion:

The existence of well-resolved peaks and good recovery of mangiferin in the analytical
method for analysis makes it ideal and acceptable for further use.
Preparation and Characterization of Silver Sulfide Nanoparticle (Ag2S)-Coated Chitosan for the Delivery Of Methotrexate
Authors: Maghami Nazaninzahra , Mokhtary Masoud
Published: September 2024

Background:

The preparation of nanoparticles with the efficiency of treatment and diagnosis
at the same time has received more and more attention in recent years. Metal nanoparticles
are one of the best candidates for this purpose.

Methods:

Silver sulfide nanoparticle (Ag2S) coated with chitosan was synthesized and then
methotrexate was loaded, and then the anticancer property of the synthesized nanoparticles was examined
on the cancer cells. Synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using DLS, TEM, FTIR,
XRD and UV-Vis techniques. Then, the hemolytic activity of synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated
using human red blood cells. Finally, the anticancer effect of synthesized nanoparticles on
4T1 cancer cells was investigated. In this study, Ag2S@CS nanoparticles were synthesized using
the mineralization method. Next, methotrexate was loaded in the synthesized nanoparticles.
Ag2S@CS-MTX nanoparticles have an average size of approximately 24.02 ± 6.5 nm, with a
spherical shape.

Results:

The synthesized nanoparticles showed a hydrodynamic size of 119.9 nm. The size obtained
from DLS analysis is slightly larger than the size obtained from TEM analysis for Ag2S@CS-
MTX nanoparticles. Ag2S@CS-MTX nanoparticles have a negative surface charge and tend to
repel each other, so they do not show a tendency to aggregate, for this reason it can provide colloidal
stability.

Conclusion:

Examining the toxicity effect of synthesized nanoparticles on 4T1 cell line showed
that Ag2S@CS nanoparticles had no significant toxicity effect on 4T1 cell line, but Ag2S@CS-
MTX system showed significant toxicity with increasing concentration.
Maximizing the IRS’s Gains in NLOS Communication through Optimal Positioning
Authors: Munira Anne N. , Muguro Joseph , Njeri Waweru
Published: September 2024

Background:

Recently, an IRS has been proposed as a low-cost and effective solution
for performance improvement in wireless communication. However, the configuration and setup
necessary to derive optimal results have not been identified yet.

Objective:

The paper seeks to build the knowledge by investigating the effects of IRS in the LOS
and NLOS environment to verify the achievable gains from each and examine how different IRS
positions impact the BER.

Methods:

An IRS model was simulated in MATLAB to investigate the channel capacity gain of
an IRS in LOS and NLOS scenarios for the verification of performance gains. Further, the effects
of the IRS positioning (with respect to transmitter and end-user) on the BER were investigated.

Results:

The channel capacity of an IRS system was found to be lower by 12Mbps compared to
that of a direct link in a LOS scenario. This demonstrates that a passive IRS is only beneficial in
the absence of a line of sight. In the case of a NLOS, for an SNR of 50, MIMO transmitter diversity
and receiver diversity had channel capacities of 1.0 Mbps and 4.5 Mbps, respectively while the
IRS system achieved 22 Mbps. As such, it is more beneficial to create an alternative path via the
IRS than to increase the number of transmit or receive antennas. The positioning of the IRS had a
significant impact on the BER. From the results, positioning the IRS mid-way between the AP and
STA led to up to 57.69% improvements in BER compared to close to STA or close to AP arrangements.

Conclusion:

The results prove that an IRS is a cost-effective, low-power consumption solution for
overcoming challenges associated with NLOS communication. The work also identified the ideal
positioning of the IRS to be the midpoint between AP and STA, for the WLAN system. Further
research will be needed to verify performance in other systems.
Review on Intrinsic Shape of Elliptical Galaxies
Authors: Singh Arun Kumar , Tripathi Mukta
Published: September 2024

:

Elliptical galaxies, as one of the fundamental types of galaxies, have attracted astronomers
due to their intriguing properties. In this review, we explore the intrinsic shape of elliptical
galaxies, a field that plays a pivotal role in understanding their formation, evolution, and interactions
within the cosmos. Methods for intrinsic shape determination using photometric and kinematic
methods are extensively discussed. The use of photometric data and surface brightness profiles
to derive the intrinsic shapes of elliptical galaxies is examined and triaxial models are reviewed.
Constraining the intrinsic shapes of elliptical galaxies is crucial to understanding their
formation histories. Elliptical galaxies are characterized by their ellipsoidal, rather than disk-like,
shapes, and understanding the underlying factors and their intrinsic shapes of elliptical galaxies
determination provides valuable insights into their formation, evolution, and the broader context
of galaxy morphology. One key aspect of studying the intrinsic shape of elliptical galaxies involves
the analysis of their axial ratios, which describe the flattening of the galaxy along different
axes. The axial ratio is defined as the ratio of the semi-minor axis to the semi-major axis of the
ellipse representing the galaxy's cross-section. The intrinsic shape can vary from nearly spherical
(axial ratio close to 1) to highly elongated (axial ratio significantly different from 1).
Stress and adaptive coping don’t interact in predicting outcomes
Authors: Kohn Paul M. , O'Brien Colleen , Bevington Melanie , Pickering Donna I.
Published: September 2024

In two studies, we tested the combined effects of stress, adaptive coping, and the stress x adaptive coping interaction on outcomes. In Study 1, undergraduates (N = 177) answered questions measuring daily hassles, adaptive coping, and the positive outcomes of personal-emotional, academic, and social adjustment to university. In Study 2, undergraduates (N = 120) answered questions measuring major life events, hassles, adaptive coping, and the negative outcomes of perceived stress, psychiatric symptomatology, and somatization. The complete absence of interactions between stressors and adaptive coping in both studies contradicts our hypothesized moderation of stress-based adverse outcomes by adaptive coping. Strong main effects of both daily hassles and adaptive coping were nonetheless notable for all outcomes in both studies. Theoretically, these results contradict the moderation hypothesis. In applied terms, they nonetheless indicate that adaptive coping is an especially useful personal quality for dealing effectively with stress.
ANALISIS SEISMISITAS DI YOGYAKARTA BERDASARKAN HASIL RELOKASI HIPOSENTER MENGGUNAKAN METODE DOUBLE-DIFFERENCE
Authors: Fitrianingtyas Rahmawati , Firdaus Al Hakim Muhammad , Wibowo Adhi , Nur Aziz Khafidh
Published: September 2024

Aktivitas subduksi di selatan Jawa mengakibatkan terbentuknya sesar-sesar di daerah Yogyakarta. Salah satu sesar aktif yang ada di daerah ini adalah Sesar Opak dengan orientasi Timur Laut - Barat Daya. Aktivitas Sesak Opak diyakini sebagai sumber yang menyebabkan Gempa Yogyakarta 2006, meskipun hingga saat ini masih terjadi perdebatan diantara para peneliti terkait hal tersebut. Penelitian ini mempejari kondisi seismotektonik di Yogyakarta berdasarkan hasil relokasi gempa menggunakan metode double-difference. Data yang digunakan adalah data katalog dari Badan Meteorologi dan Geofisika (BMKG) periode April 2009 sampai April 2017. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa relokasi hiposenter menggunakan metode double-difference berhasil memperbaiki lokasi hiposenter dari data katalog BMKG yang masih dominan pada kedalaman fix depth serta menghasilkan distribusi episenter yang lebih terfokus. Hasil relokasi menunjukkan adanya kluster gempa di daerah Yogyakarta yang berlokasi 15-20 km di sisi timur Sesar Opak dan memanjang 45 km dengan orientasi N42.4oE yang mengindikasikan adanya sesar aktif lain di sisi timur Sesar Opak.
IDENTIFIKASI BAKTERI PENDEGRADASI POLIPROPILEN PADA LIMBAH MASKER DARI TPA PIYUNGAN
Authors: Hidayah Lutfiah Nur , Octavia Bernadetta
Published: September 2024

Perilaku menggunakan masker menjadi salah satu perubahan perilaku dampak dari pandemi COVID-19. Hal tersebut berdampak pula pada peningkatan timbunan limbah masker, terutama masker sekali pakai. Timbunan limbah tersebut dapat menyebabkan terjadinya pencemaran lingkungan, mengganggu organisme hidup, maupun menyebabkan masalah kesehatan. Masker sekali pakai umumnya menggunakan bahan utama yaitu polipropilen yang memiliki sifat sulit terurai. Oleh karena itu diperlukan suatu upaya degradasi yang efisien yaitu dengan biodegradasi yang memanfaatkan mikroorganisme sebagai agen degradasi, salah satunya yaitu bakteri. Penelitian ini menggunakan sampel berupa isolat bakteri limbah masker dari TPA Piyungan. Tahapan yang dilakukan diantaranya yaitu skrining bakteri pendegradasi polipropilen dan identifikasi bakteri yang terseleksi dengan melakukan karakterisasi (morfologi, biokimia, dan uji pertumbuhan). Data karakterisasi digunakan untuk identifikasi bakteri pada tingkat genus menggunakan metode profile matching berdasarkan karakter kunci dengan mengacu pada Bergey’s Manual Determinative Bacteriology serta jurnal ilmiah yang relevan dengan topik penelitian ini. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jenis bakteri yang terdapat pada limbah masker dari TPA Piyungan yang berpotensi dalam mendegradasi polipropilen diantaranya yaitu bakteri Micrococcus sp. dan Streptococcus sp.. Kemudian, bakteri Micrococcus sp. memiliki kemampuan palig baik dalam mendegradasi polipropilen dengan zona bening yang terbentuk sebesar 1,73 mm.
KERAGAMAN BAKTERI YANG BERPOTENSI SEBAGAI AGEN PENDEGRADASI LIMBAH MASKER BERBAHAN POLIPROPILEN YANG DIISOLASI DARI PANTAI PARANGTRITIS DAN TANJUNG PASIR
Authors: Abidin Madda Nur , Rakhmawati Anna
Published: September 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui karakteristik, jenis bakteri yang dapat mendegradasi limbah masker nonmedis duckbill hitam berbahan polipropilen, serta aktivitas degradasi polipropilen oleh 10 isolat bakteri pada limbah masker yang ditemukan di pesisir Pantai Parangtritis, DI Yogyakarta dan Tanjung Pasir, Banten. Penelitian dilakukan dengan pengukuran nilai optical density isolat bakteri, uji degradasi zona bening, karakterisasi secara morfologi, fisiologi, serta profile matching dengan karakter bakteri acuan sesuai Bergeys’s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology dan referensi ilmiah pendukung untuk menentukan dugaan genus isolat. Hasil karakterisasi fenotipik dikonstrusikan dengan dendogram untuk mengetahui indeks similaritas. Hasil penelitian diketahui bahwa kemampuan isolat bakteri limbah masker mendegradasi polipropilen dalam kategori sedang (diamater 1,0 – 2,5 mm). Karakter isolat yaitu bakteri gram positif dan negatif; berbentuk coccus dan basil; bakteri dominan tidak membentuk endospora, bentuk semua koloni circular; elevasi flat dan raised; margin undulate, entire, dan lobate; warna putih susu dan putih kekuningan; dan hasil uji biokimia beragam. Hasil dendogram didapatkan 3 jenis (genus) bakteri yaitu Pseudomonas sp., Rhodococcus sp. dan Halomonas sp.
Protective effect of chemical radiosensitizers on pro- and eukaryotic cells under the action of ultraviolet light
Authors:   A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (A. Tsyb MRRC), Zhurakovskaya G.P. , Kuptsova P.S. ,   Obninsk Institute for Nuclear Power Engineering of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Pereklad O.V. ,   A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (A. Tsyb MRRC)
Published: September 2024

The use of chemical radiosensitizers to increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy and simultaneous reduction of radiation exposure to a patient is known and widely used in cancer therapy. The development of existing and the search for new principles for the use of radiomodifiers is still relevant. The use of the hypothesis of the representation of ionizing radiation by the combined action of ionization and excitation processes of molecules and atoms of the irradiated substance, the ability of some well-known chemical radiosensitizers to exhibit their properties only under the excitation modeled by ultraviolet radiation (254 nm) is investigated. The following radiosensitizers were used as chemicals: metronidazole, methatrexate, endotaxan, carboplatin, fluorouracil and cisplatin. The aim of the study is to determine the characteristics of the action of chemicals known as ionizing radiation sensitizers in relation to ultraviolet light. Bacterial and yeast cells (pro- and eukaryotes) served as an object of influence. All these chemicals turned out to be protectors to the action of ultraviolet light, protecting cells from UV radiation. Thus, the dose modifying factor for metronidazole was more than 45, methotrexate was more than 70, and for other drugs – from 2 to 5. The exception was the drug cisplatin, with the dose modifying factor is 1. The protective effect depends on the irradiation conditions: an aqueous suspension or a cells monolayer. Based on the hypothesis of representing ionizing radiation as a joint action of two physical factors differing in biological effect, it can be assumed that the interaction of sub-damages caused separately by ionization and excitation of molecules and atoms can be additive, synergistic or antagonistic. It follows from this that the nature of modification of excitation processes by chemicals can significantly affect the effectiveness of sensitization by ionizing radiation. To achieve maximum effect, it is necessary to use chemicals that sensitively affect both the excitation processes under the action of ionizing radiation and ionization. It is the approach to the search for new chemical radiosensitizers that will increase the efficiency of ionizing radiation modification.
Potential biological hazard of Curium isotopes in deep burial
Authors:   Joint Stock Company PRORYV, Spirin E.V. , Solomatin V.M. ,   Joint Stock Company PRORYV, Menyajlo A.N. ,   A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (A. Tsyb MRRC), Ivanov V.K. ,   A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Centre – branch of the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (A. Tsyb MRRC),   Joint Stock Company PRORYV
Published: September 2024

The potential biological hazard (PBH) of radionuclides from the decay chains of Curium (Cm) isotopes in the pore water of sandy rocks has been investigated. The effect of the Pu isotopes from the Cm fraction after reprocessing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and storage during 70 years on the PBH has been estimated. The effects of radionuclides toxicity and malignant neoplasms development in people were estimated as lifetime attributable radiation risk of cancer caused by oral consumption of radionuclides. It was found that, according to the fraction isolated from SNF with isotopes, Cm decreases by 10 times after the removal of Pu isotopes with a 0.1% residue in radioactive waste. It is shown that the processing of Cm with the release of Pu allows to reduce the time of occurrence of the radiation-migration balance with uranium raw materials for nuclear fuel, as well as to reduce the amount and danger of radioactive waste for deep burial.
Approach to assessing monitoring operational intervention levels after an accident at a nuclear power plant using the RODOS system
Authors:   Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, Spiridonov S.I. , Mikailova R.A. ,   Russian Institute of Radiology and Agroecology of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”
Published: September 2024

The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the IAEA's methodology for calculating the operational intervention levels (OILs) to protect the public in the aftermath of a radiation disaster based on monitoring data. Developing the OILs assessment approach involves outlining specific indicators based on accident scenario characteristics, geographical location of nuclear power plants, timing after releases, and dose criteria established by the Russian regulatory documents. The paper highlights the feasibility of using a unified computation tool to solve interconnected tasks, such as "prediction of radiological consequences" and "development of monitoring OILs". A methodological approach to assessing monitoring OILs using RODOS models, designed for predicting the consequences of a radiation accident, has been developed. This approach includes three stages: assessing the radiological significance of a scenario, evaluating monitoring OILs for different generic criteria, and justifying the recommended values of OILs. Calculations were performed to show how the new methodology can be used based on the data for the most severe possible accidents at VVER-440, VVER-1000, VVER-1200, and BN-800 reactors. The results showed that the maximum radiation doses for the prospective BN-800 and VVER-1200 reactors do not exceed the dose criteria for evacuation of the public. The dynamics of OILs were computed for the most severe accident scenario at the VVER-440 reactor, using the "ambient dose rate" metric and "evacuation" dose criteria for effective and thyroid exposure, which are justified in the Russian NRB-99/2009. The OILs obtained through the presented methodology have been compared to the aggregated values of the same indicator calculated using the IAEA methodology in a "ground scenario". Further research is needed to validate monitoring techniques for potential accidents at Russian nuclear power plants. The research should consider regional conditions and the Russian regulatory framework.
Associations Among Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Sleep Duration, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Southeastern US Rural Community: Cross-Sectional Analysis From the SLUMBRx-PONS Study
Authors: Knowlden Adam P , Winchester Lee J , MacDonald Hayley V , Geyer James D , Higginbotham John C
Published: September 2024

Background

Short sleep and obstructive sleep apnea are underrecognized strains on the public health infrastructure. In the United States, over 35% of adults report short sleep and more than 80% of individuals with obstructive sleep apnea remain undiagnosed. The associations between inadequate sleep and cardiometabolic disease risk factors have garnered increased attention. However, challenges persist in modeling sleep-associated cardiometabolic disease risk factors.

Objective

This study aimed to report early findings from the Short Sleep Undermines Cardiometabolic Health-Public Health Observational study (SLUMBRx-PONS).

Methods

Data for the SLUMBRx-PONS study were collected cross-sectionally and longitudinally from a nonclinical, rural community sample (n=47) in the southeast United States. Measures included 7 consecutive nights of wrist-based actigraphy (eg, mean of 7 consecutive nights of total sleep time [TST7N]), 1 night of sleep apnea home testing (eg, apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]), and a cross-sectional clinical sample of anthropometric (eg, BMI), cardiovascular (eg, blood pressure), and blood-based biomarkers (eg, triglycerides and glucose). Correlational analyses and regression models assessed the relationships between the cardiometabolic disease risk factors and the sleep indices (eg, TST7N and AHI). Linear regression models were constructed to examine associations between significant cardiometabolic indices of TST7N (model 1) and AHI (model 2).

Results

Correlational assessment in model 1 identified significant associations between TST7N and AHI (r=–0.45, P=.004), BMI (r=–0.38, P=.02), systolic blood pressure (r=0.40, P=.01), and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.32, P=.049). Pertaining to model 1, composite measures of AHI, BMI, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure accounted for 25.1% of the variance in TST7N (R2adjusted=0.25; F2,38=7.37; P=.002). Correlational analyses in model 2 revealed significant relationships between AHI and TST7N (r=–0.45, P<.001), BMI (r=0.71, P<.001), triglycerides (r=0.36, P=.03), and glucose (r=0.34, P=.04). Results from model 2 found that TST7N, triglycerides, and glucose accounted for 37.6% of the variance in the composite measure of AHI and BMI (R2adjusted=0.38; F3,38=8.63; P<.001).

Conclusions

Results from the SLUMBRx-PONS study highlight the complex interplay between sleep-associated risk factors for cardiometabolic disease. Early findings underscore the need for further investigations incorporating the collection of clinical, epidemiological, and ambulatory measures to inform public health, health promotion, and health education interventions addressing the cardiometabolic consequences of inadequate sleep.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/27139
Clinical epidemiology of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in overweight and obese children
Authors: Starets O.O. , Khimenko T.M. , Shapovalenko I.Y.
Published: September 2024

Background. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver diseases in overweight/obese children. The aim was to study the frequency of MAFLD and to identify the risk factors that are potentially associated with this disease in overweight/obese children. Materials and methods. The study was conducted in 2020–2023. Inclusion criteria were body mass index > 85th percentile for age/gender, child’s age from 6 to 18 years. We used screening criteria to diagnose MAFLD: an increased level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 80 U/L at the first visit, or a persistently elevated (> 3 months) ALT level to twice the upper limit of normal (in girls, ALT ≥ 44 U/L, in boys, ALT ≥ 52 U/L). At the second stage of the study, we analysed factors potentially associated with MAFLD. All stages of the work were carried out taking into account the bioethical norms of the Declaration of Helsinki. Results. MAFLD is a common metabolic condition in overweight/obese children and its frequency in the studied cohort was 22 %. The development of MAFLD in overweight/obese children is associated with the following factors: male gender (odds ratio (OR) = 2.06), intrauterine growth restriction (OR = 4.09), formula feeding (OR = 2.54), family history of type 2 diabetes (OR = 2.55), high consumption of foods rich in carbohydrates (OR = 3.31), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 10.16), obesity (OR = 48.15), prehypertension (OR = 4.41), prediabetes/type 2 diabetes (OR = 2.37), vitamin D deficiency (OR = 2.40). Conclusions. The inclusion of the above-mentioned risk factors in the screening algorithm for overweight/obese children will help in early detection, treatment and prevention of MAFLD in this age cohort.
Risk factors associated with the incidence of asthma among adolescents in Ukraine
Authors: Mozyrska O.V. , Iemets O.V.
Published: September 2024

Background. Asthma is a common disease among children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to describe the detailed characteristics of adolescents with asthma, identify risk factors associated with the development of asthma and to evaluate medical care for patients with asthma. Materials and methods. Asthma patients (n = 80) aged 12 to 18 years from the Allergology Department of the Kyiv City Children’s Clinical Hospital 2, the clinical base of the Department of Pediatrics 2 of the Bogomolets National Medical University, were included in the study. The control group consisted of 120 children without asthma. In the group of interviewed children, asthma was diagnosed based on clinical data and objective measurement of lung function. All children underwent spirometry and skin prick test with aeroallergens. During the clinical examination, weight and height were measured, and body mass index was calculated. The survey was conducted by a research doctor using a Google form. Results. Parents of 80 children with asthma were involved in our survey between September 2023 and May 2024. Asthma occurred more often in boys than in girls: odds ratio (OR) = 7.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.84–14.16, P < 0.0001). 31.25 % respondents reported a history of atopic dermatitis, 26.25 % had atopic dermatitis at the time of the study. Food allergy was detected in 25 % children. 48.75 % children had concomitant allergic rhinitis, of which 33.75 % had seasonal, 15 % had perennial. We found that children living in the city had asthma more often: OR = 7.3 (95% CI 3.26–16.62, P < 0.0001). Having an older sibling was associated with a lower risk of asthma: OR = 3.6 (95% CI 1.86–6.92, P < 0.0001). Also, we found that cat owners were significantly more likely not to have asthma: OR = 7.7 (95% CI 3.96–14.99, P < 0.0001). Such data are most likely related to the refusal to own a cat due to the prevalence of cat allergy among children with asthma or at risk of cat allergy. We have not found a statistically significant difference in the group of children with asthma and in the control group in relation to the exposure to tobacco smoke in the atmosphere (passive smoking): OR = 1.4 (95% CI 0.79–2.59, P > 0.05). Conclusions. Treatment of allergies and atopic conditions should be considered an important component of asthma treatment, which may affect the frequency and severity of the disease. In adolescents and adults, smoking cessation, in particular, as a factor in the impact of passive smoking on a sick child can also significantly reduce the number of hospitalizations. Confirming the diagnosis of asthma, demonstrating good inhaler technique, and emphasizing adherence to preventive therapies such as inhaled glucocorticosteroids can improve asthma control and reduce overreliance on short-acting bronchodilators.