bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Climate Change Impact on Hydropower Generation: A Case Study for Três Marias Power Plant in Brazil
Authors: da Silva Benedito Cláudio , Virgílio Rebeca Meloni , Nogueira Luiz Augusto Horta , Silva Paola do Nascimento , Passos Filipe Otávio , Welerson Camila Coelho
Published: October 2023

Study region: The Três Marias 396 MW power plant located on the São Francisco River in Brazil. Study focus: Hydropower generation is directly and indirectly affected by climate change. It is also a relevant source of energy for electricity generation in many countries. Thus, methodologies need to be developed to assess the impacts of future climate scenarios. This is essential for effective planning in the energy sector. Energy generation at the Três Marias power plant was estimated using the water balance of the reservoir and the future stream flow projections to the power plant, for three analysis periods: FUT1 (2011–2040); FUT2 (2041–2070); and FUT3 (2071–2100). The MGB-IPH hydrological model was used to assimilate precipitation and other climatic variables from the regional Eta climatic model, via global models HadGEM2-ES and MIROC5 for scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. New hydrological insights for the region: The results show considerable reductions in stream flows and consequently, energy generation simulations for the hydropower plant were also reduced. The average power variations for the Eta-MIROC5 model were the mildest, around 7% and 20%, while minimum variations for the Eta-HadGEM2-ES model were approximately 35%, and almost 65% in the worst-case scenario. These results reinforce the urgent need to consider climate change in strategic Brazilian energy planning.
Volatilization or Recovery of Fairway Foliar Nitrogen Fertilizer via Time and Spray Oil Inclusion
Authors: Leiby Nathaniel L. , Schlossberg Maxim J.
Published: October 2023

Nitrogen (N) is the essential plant nutrient needed by turfgrass in the greatest quantity. Urea and urea-based liquids are arguably the safest, least expensive, and subsequently most popular soluble N fertilizers. Unfortunately, urea fertilizer application to turfgrass is often subject to NH3 volatilization: a deleterious phenomenon from both environmental and agronomic perspectives. The objective of this research was to quantify the efficacy of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) golf course fairway foliar fertilization by urea-based N fertilizers as influenced by a petroleum-derived spray oil (PDSO) containing Cu II phthalocyanine colorant (Civitas Turf DefenseTM Pre-M1xed, Intelligro LLC, Mississauga, ON, Canada). In 2019 and 2020, a maintained creeping bentgrass fairway received semimonthly 9.76 kg ha–1 soluble N treatment either alone or in combination with Civitas at a rate of 27 L ha–1. In the 48 h following foliar application, fertilizer N loss as NH3 ranged from 1.3 to 5.5% and corresponded directly to fertilizer urea content but not Civitas inclusion. In the 1 to 14 d following semimonthly treatment, Civitas had either a beneficial (methylol urea and UAN) or negligible (urea) effect on canopy mean dark green color index. Once cumulative N inputs exceeded 47 kg ha–1, creeping bentgrass fairway shoot growth and N nutrition were consistently increased by Civitas complementation of commercial liquid N fertilizer. Over the 2-yr study, absolute mean percent fertilizer N recovery from plots treated by Civitas-complemented foliar liquid N treatment exceeded their ’N only’ counterparts by 8.7%.
Fruit Smoothies Enriched in a Honeysuckle Berry Extract—An Innovative Product with Health-Promoting Properties
Authors: Waszkiewicz Marta , Sokół-Łętowska Anna , Pałczyńska Aleksandra , Kucharska Alicja Z.
Published: October 2023

Smoothies are claimed to be an effective way of promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. They are a rich source of bioactive compounds and provide numerous health benefits. Strawberries and apples are among the most popular smoothie ingredients. Additionally, chokeberry presents antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Another interesting fruit with a wide range of health benefits is the honeysuckle berry. In this study, a dry extract from the mentioned fruit was combined to produce a smoothie enriched in bioactive compounds of unique health-promoting properties. The smoothies were rich in anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, flavan-3-ols and iridoids. Smoothies with higher concentrations of a polyphenol-iridoid honeysuckle berry extract (0.50%) were the products of a greater content of bioactive compounds and higher antioxidant activity compared to those with no extract or a lower amount (0.25%). However, the sensory evaluation showed that, according to customers, the least attractive smoothies are those with the greatest amounts of the honeysuckle berry extract. Therefore, the correct balance between taste and bioactivity should be sought in order to obtain an innovative product showing characteristics of functional food.
Income Leakage Regional Effects: Supply and Demand Shocks during the Pandemic in Brazil and Chile
Authors: Fochezatto Adelar , Sanguinet Eduardo Rodrigues , Batistela Patricia , Valdes Rodrigo
Published: October 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, regions were affected by a combination of economic crises: weak demand and constrained supply. Several studies have sought to analyse the heterogeneous effects of supply and demand shocks on the labour market, economic growth, and the environment. This study has a different focus, estimating both direct and indirect effects of demand and supply shocks adopted during the pandemic in Brazil and Chile. Afterwards, the paper compares the degree of regional absorption (leakage) of income resulting from each of these shocks, applying an interregional input–output model for each country. The results of this study show that income absorption by the poorest regions is relatively greater in the case of a supply shock. It can be said, therefore, that this type of shock improves the retention of income generated in the poorest regions, favouring the development of these localities and the reduction in regional inequalities. The main reason for this result is that supply policies have restricted essential sectors to a lesser extent, and these sectors are generally less concentrated in large urban centres in both Brazil and Chile. In other words, much of the interregional leakage is driven by the demand for non-essential products, mainly in the richest urban economy centres. Finally, the geographical dimension of regional inequalities leads to the economic benefit of prosperous areas in the country when shocks occur in vulnerable regions, highlighting the centre–periphery pattern in both countries.
Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Traditional Chinese Version of the Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life (ISYQOL) Questionnaire
Authors: Cheng Ava Ying , Jim Pik Kwan , Kwan Ning Wai , Chan Stephen W. W. , Cheung Jason P. Y. , Cheung Prudence W. H. , Negrini Stefano , Cheung Chelsia K. C. , Wong Arnold Y. L. , Parent Eric C.
Published: October 2023

The Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life (ISYQOL) is a validated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire for teenagers with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). We culturally-adapted ISYQOL to traditional Chinese (ISYQOL-TC) and then recruited 133 conservatively treated teenagers with AIS to complete the ISYQOL-TC and the Chinese version of the Scoliosis Research Society-22 revised (SRS-22r) questionnaire, nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). They repeated ISYQOL-TC two weeks later. The internal consistency, unidimensionality, and test–retest reliability were measured using the Cronbach’s alpha, Rasch measurement models, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC3,1), respectively. The concurrent validity of the ISYQOL-TC with SRS-22r, and its construct validity with other questionnaires were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficients. The ISYQOL-TC demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.90 and 0.89 for items 1–13 and items 1–20), and excellent test–retest reliability (ICC3,1 = 0.95–0.96). The Rasch analysis supported the unidimensionality of all 20 items in ISYQOL-TC. The ISYQOL-TC percentage scores were positively correlated with SRS-22r total scores (r = 0.65; p < 0.05), but were negatively related to PHQ-9, GAD-7, and NPRS scores (r = −0.46 to −0.39; p < 0.01). Collectively, the ISYQOL-TC is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating HRQOL in Chinese teenagers with AIS.
Effect of Household Type on the Prevalence of Climacteric Syndrome among Middle-Aged Men
Authors: Kim Dohhee , Lee Seunghee , Jang Mijung , Kim KyooSang
Published: October 2023

Research on climacteric syndrome among middle-aged men remains scant compared to the research among women. Research is also lacking on climacteric syndrome among older adults living alone, particularly men, who are more vulnerable than females living alone. This cross-sectional study investigated whether the prevalence of climacteric syndrome is associated with the type of household middle-aged men live in and identified the determinants of climacteric syndrome based on the household type. Six hundred middle-aged men living in multi-person households and six hundred living alone were surveyed about general characteristics, diet-related factors, and climacteric syndrome. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression. The risk of climacteric syndrome in single-person households was found to be 1.6 times higher than that among multi-person households (p = 0.006). In multi-person households, income and breakfast frequency predicted climacteric syndrome (p < 0.05), while age, breakfast frequency, dinner frequency, and weekly eating out frequency predicted climacteric syndrome in single-person households (p < 0.05). Thus, dietary factors are more closely linked to the prevalence of climacteric syndrome in single-person households than in multi-person households. This highlights the need for climacteric syndrome interventions for middle-aged men, whose health concerns may persist into older adulthood.
Transformation of Nano-Size Titanium Dioxide Particles in the Gastrointestinal Tract and Its Role in the Transfer of Nanoparticles through the Intestinal Barrier
Authors: Ryabtseva M. S. , Umanskaya S. F. , Shevchenko M. A. , Krivobok V. S. , Kolobov A. V. , Nastulyavichus A. A. , Chentsov S. I. , Sibirtsev V. D.
Published: October 2023

In this work, the size transformation of the TiO2 nanofraction from pharmaceutical grade E171 powder was studied during its transit through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). It was shown that pharmaceutical-grade TiO2 powder contained about 0.68% (w/w) of particles smaller than 240 nm in diameter. In the observed GIT transit process the TiO2 nanoparticles were agglomerated up to 150–200 nm in simulated salivary fluid, with gradual agglomerate enlargement up to 300–600 nm and more than 1 micron in simulated gastric fluid. In the intestinal fluid the reverse process occurred, involving a decrease of agglomerates accompanied by the formation of a small fraction with ~50 nm average size. This fraction can be further involved in the histohematic transport process. The acidity degree (pH) and mineral composition of solutions, as well as the transit speed along the gastrointestinal tract, influence the nature of the particle transformation significantly. The rapid passing between the gastrointestinal tract sections creates conditions for a decrease in part of the TiO2 particles, up to 100 nm, and may be associated with the violation of the structural and functional integrity of the intestinal mucus layer.
Interactions of Clotrimazole with Certain d-Metal Compounds and with Organic Acids
Authors: Skorik Nina , Kurzina Irina , Korostelev Vladislav , Fedorishin Dmitriy , Kozik Vladimir
Published: October 2023

During the interaction of aqueous-ethanol or ethanol solutions AgNO3, H[AuCl4], and CuCl2, as well as aqueous suspensions of slightly soluble copper(II) salts Cu(C6H4NO2)2·H2O, Cu(C7H5O2)2∙3H2O, and CuC7H4O3∙H2O with the ethanol solution of clotrimazole at pH of ~(5.0–5.5), the [Ag(C22H17ClN2)2]NO3·2H2O, [Au(C22H17ClN2)Cl3], [Cu(C22H17ClN2)2Cl2]·5H2O, Cu(C22H17ClN2)4(C6H4NO2)2, Cu(C22H17ClN2)4(C7H5O2)2, and Cu(C22H17ClN2)3(C7H4O3)·2H2O compounds are synthesised. They are characterised by elemental, thermal, thermogravimetric, and IR spectroscopic methods of analysis. The [Ag(C22H17ClN2)2]NO3·2H2O complex was shown to have a higher antimycotic activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae fungi than that of AgNO3 and C22H17ClN2. Cocrystals/salts of the composition C22H17ClN2·C6H5NO2, C22H17ClN2·C7H6O2, 2C22H17ClN2·C7H6O3, and 2C22H17ClN2·C19H19O6N7·H2O are obtained from aqueous and aqueous ethanol suspensions containing nicotinic, benzoic, salicylic, and folic acids and clotrimazole (pH is 4.5–6.0). These cocrystals and salts were studied usin thermogravimetric, IR-spectroscopic methods. Diffraction patterns of the powders were obtained. The influence of the difference in the pKa components on the ability to form cocrystals/salts was assessed.
Application of a Custom Device to Measure Isometric Knee Strength: Possible Injury Correlation in Professional Soccer (Football) Players
Authors: Cigni Paolo , Minuti Tommaso , Mannini Andrea , Cucini Alessandro , Costagli Michele , Rapetti Stefano , Alimonta Luca , Cione Erika , Cannataro Roberto , Ricotti Leonardo
Published: October 2023

Injury in sports is an occurrence that prevents athletes from participating in training and competitions and has an incidence of 8.1 injuries/1000 h of practice. This translates into a cost and also into danger, especially if the event is repeated, for the health of the athlete; the injury certainly has a multifactorial causality. On the other hand, having instruments that can represent an alarm could be helpful for those involved in sports science. We used a specifically designed instrument, presented in a previous work, which shows excellent reliability and repeatability in measuring the strength of the knee flexors and extensors to test 107 players belonging to three different teams playing in the Italian Serie A. We took three measurements, beginning of the season, mid-season, and close to the end of the season. This retrospective study on 107 professional soccer players demonstrates that isometric force-related parameters of the knee extensors and flexors are associated with the risk of injury to lower limbs. Logistic regression evidenced a significant correlation between the parameter indicating the imbalance of the force between the flexors of the two limbs (p≤0.05, OR = 1.089) and the occurrence of injuries. Survival analyses (p≤0.001) evidenced a correlation between the population survival time and the injury incidence. We demonstrated that the analysis of the strength imbalance is correlated with injury occurrence, but it is well known that sports injuries are a multifactorial event; so, they cannot be predicted by only one parameter. However, the method proposed in this paper could represent a useful tool for sport scientists.
Fundamental and Applicative Aspects of the Unfolded Protein Response in Yeasts
Authors: Ishiwata-Kimata Yuki , Kimata Yukio
Published: October 2023

Upon the dysfunction or functional shortage of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), namely, ER stress, eukaryotic cells commonly provoke a protective gene expression program called the unfolded protein response (UPR). The molecular mechanism of UPR has been uncovered through frontier genetic studies using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism. Ire1 is an ER-located transmembrane protein that directly senses ER stress and is activated as an RNase. During ER stress, Ire1 promotes the splicing of HAC1 mRNA, which is then translated into a transcription factor that induces the expression of various genes, including those encoding ER-located molecular chaperones and protein modification enzymes. While this mainstream intracellular UPR signaling pathway was elucidated in the 1990s, new intriguing insights have been gained up to now. For instance, various additional factors allow UPR evocation strictly in response to ER stress. The UPR machineries in other yeasts and fungi, including pathogenic species, are another important research topic. Moreover, industrially beneficial yeast strains carrying an enforced and enlarged ER have been produced through the artificial and constitutive induction of the UPR. In this article, we review canonical and up-to-date insights concerning the yeast UPR, mainly from the viewpoint of the functions and regulation of Ire1 and HAC1.
Ssn6 Interacts with Polar Tube Protein 2 and Transcriptional Repressor for RNA Polymerase II: Insight into Its Involvement in the Biological Process of Microsporidium Nosema bombycis
Authors: Wang Runpeng , Chen Yong , Xu Sheng , Wei Erjun , He Ping , Wang Qiang , Zhang Yiling , Tang Xudong , Shen Zhongyuan
Published: October 2023

Nosema bombycis is a representative species of Microsporidia, and is the pathogen that causes pebrine disease in silkworms. In the process of infection, the polar tube of N. bombycis is injected into the host cells. During proliferation, N. bombycis recruits the mitochondria of host cells. The general transcriptional corepressor Ssn6 contains six tetratricopeptide repeats (TPR) and undertakes various important functions. In this study, we isolated and characterized Nbssn6 of the microsporidium N. bombycis. The Nbssn6 gene contains a complete ORF of 1182 bp in length that encodes a 393 amino acid polypeptide. Indirect immunofluorescence assay showed that the Ssn6 protein was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus at the proliferative phase of N. bombycis. We revealed the interaction of Nbssn6 with polar tube protein 2 (Nbptp2) and the transcriptional repressor for RNA polymerase II (Nbtrrp2) by Co-IP and yeast two-hybrid assays. Results from RNA interference further confirmed that the transcriptional level of Nbptp2 and Nbtrrp2 was regulated by Nbssn6. These results suggest that Nbssn6 impacts the infection and proliferation of N. bombycis via interacting with the polar tube protein and transcriptional repressor for RNA polymerase II.
Tribological Behavior Characterization and Fault Detection of Mechanical Seals Based on Face Vibration Acceleration Measurements
Authors: Wang Qingfeng , Song Yunfeng , Li Hua , Shu Yue , Xiao Yang
Published: October 2023

A mechanical seal is a common type of rotating shaft seal in rotating machinery and plays a key role in the fluid seal of rotating machinery, such as centrifugal pumps and compressors. Given the performance degradation caused by the wear to the face of the contact mechanical seal during operation and the lack of effective predictive maintenance monitoring methods and evaluation indexes, a method for measuring the acceleration of the mechanical seal face’s vibration was pro-posed. The influence of face performance degradation and rotational speed change on the tribo-logical regime of the mechanical seal was investigated. The proposed fault detection model based on support vector data description (SVDD) was constructed. A mechanical seal face degradation test rig verifies the usability of the proposed method. The results show that in the mixed lubrication (ML) regime, the vibration sensitivity of the face increases with the increase in rotational speed. With the decrease in the face performance, the vibration-sensitive characteristic parameters of the face in-crease and change from the ML regime to the boundary lubrication (BL) regime. The incipient fault detection model can warn about incipient faults of mechanical seals. Here, the axial detection result predicted that maintenance would be required 10.5 months earlier than the actual failure time, and the radial and axial detection results predicted required maintenance 12 months earlier than the actual failure.
Experimental Vibration Data in Fault Diagnosis: A Machine Learning Approach to Robust Classification of Rotor and Bearing Defects in Rotating Machines
Authors: Almutairi Khalid M. , Sinha Jyoti K.
Published: October 2023

This study builds upon previous research that utilised a vibration-based machine learning (VML) approach for diagnosing rotor-related faults in rotating machinery. The original method used artificial neural networks (ANN) to classify rotor-related faults based on optimised vibration parameters from the time and frequency domains. This study expands the application of this vibration-based machine learning approach to include the anti-friction bearing faults in addition to the rotor faults. The earlier suggested vibration-based parameters, both in time and frequency domains, are further revised to accommodate bearing-related defects. The study utilises the measured vibration data from a laboratory-scale rotating test rig with different experimentally simulated faults in the rotor and bearings. The proposed VML model is developed for both rotor and bearing defects at a rotor speed that is above the first critical speed. To gauge the robustness of the proposed VML model, it is further tested at two different rotating speeds, one below the first critical speed and the other above the second critical speed. The paper presents the methodology, the rig and measured vibration data, the optimised parameters, and the findings.
The Open Monopolistic Competition Models: Market Equilibrium and Social Optimality
Authors: Bykadorov Igor
Published: October 2023

We study the monopolistic competition model of Dixit–Stiglitz–Krugman with additive separable utility and transport costs of “iceberg types”. The production costs are not necessary linear. We study two concepts: market equilibrium and social optimality. There are well-known facts in the closed economy under monopolistic competition: (1) “in market equilibrium, the elasticity of revenue equals the elasticity of total costs” and (2) “in social optimality, the elasticity of utility equals the elasticity of total costs”. Moreover, earlier Prof. Sergey Kokovin (HSE University, Russia) generated the idea that (3) “the search for equilibrium is equivalent to the problem of optimization, but revenue, not utility”. For the case of several countries, it turns out that facts (1) and (2) and prediction (3) remain mostly true.
Fecal Microbial Composition and Predicted Functional Profile in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Differ between Subtypes and Geographical Locations
Authors: Garcia-Mazcorro Jose F. , Amieva-Balmori Mercedes , Triana-Romero Arturo , Wilson Bridgette , Smith Leanne , Reyes-Huerta Job , Rossi Megan , Whelan Kevin , Remes-Troche Jose M.
Published: October 2023

Increasing evidence suggests a microbial pathogenesis in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but the relationship remains elusive. Fecal DNA samples from 120 patients with IBS, 82 Mexican (IBS-C: n = 33, IBS-D: n = 24, IBS-M: n = 25) and 38 British (IBS-C: n = 6, IBS-D: n = 27, IBS-M: n = 5), were available for analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Firmicutes (mean: 82.1%), Actinobacteria (10.2%), and Bacteroidetes (4.4%) were the most abundant taxa. The analysis of all samples (n = 120), and females (n = 94) only, showed no significant differences in bacterial microbiota, but the analysis of Mexican patients (n = 82) showed several differences in key taxa (e.g., Faecalibacterium) among the different IBS subtypes. In IBS-D there were significantly higher Bacteroidetes in British patients (n = 27) than in Mexican patients (n = 24), suggesting unique fecal microbiota signatures within the same IBS subtype. These differences in IBS-D were also observed at lower phylogenetic levels (e.g., higher Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus in Mexican patients) and were accompanied by differences in several alpha diversity metrics. Beta diversity was not different among IBS subtypes when using all samples, but the analysis of IBS-D patients revealed consistent differences between Mexican and British patients. This study suggests that fecal microbiota is different between IBS subtypes and also within each subtype depending on geographical location.
Comparison of Antibacterial Activity of Phytochemicals against Common Foodborne Pathogens and Potential for Selection of Resistance
Authors: Sweet Ryan , Booth Catherine , Gotts Kathryn , Grove Stephen F. , Kroon Paul A. , Webber Mark
Published: October 2023

Antimicrobial resistance is now commonly observed in bacterial isolates from multiple settings, compromising the efficacy of current antimicrobial agents. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement for efficacious novel antimicrobials to be used as therapeutics, prophylactically or as preservatives. One promising source of novel antimicrobial chemicals is phytochemicals, which are secondary metabolites produced by plants for numerous purposes, including antimicrobial defence. In this report, we compare the bioactivity of a range of phytochemical compounds, testing their ability to directly inhibit growth or to potentiate other antimicrobials against Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. We found that nine compounds displayed consistent bioactivity either as direct antimicrobials or as potentiators. Thymol at 0.5 mg/mL showed the greatest antimicrobial effect and significantly reduced the growth of all species, reducing viable cell populations by 66.8%, 43.2%, 29.5%, and 70.2% against S. enterica Typhimurium, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and L. monocytogenes, respectively. Selection of mutants with decreased susceptibility to thymol was possible for three of the pathogens, at a calculated rate of 3.77 × 10−8, and characterisation of S. enterica Typhimurium mutants showed a low-level MDR phenotype due to over-expression of the major efflux system AcrAB-TolC. These data show that phytochemicals can have strong antimicrobial activity, but emergence of resistance should be evaluated in any further development.
Wastewater Surveillance in Europe for Non-Polio Enteroviruses and Beyond
Authors: Bubba Laura , Benschop Kimberley S. M. , Blomqvist Soile , Duizer Erwin , Martin Javier , Shaw Alexander G. , Bailly Jean-Luc , Rasmussen Lasse D. , Baicus Anda , Fischer Thea K. , Harvala Heli
Published: October 2023

Wastewater surveillance (WWS) was developed in the early 1960s for the detection of poliovirus (PV) circulation in the population. It has been used to monitor several pathogens, including non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs), which are increasingly recognised as causes of morbidity in children. However, when applying WWS to a new pathogen, it is important to consider the purpose of such a study as well as the suitability of the chosen methodology. With this purpose, the European Non-Polio Enterovirus Network (ENPEN) organised an expert webinar to discuss its history, methods, and applications; its evolution from a culture-based method to molecular detection; and future implementation of next generation sequencing (NGS). The first simulation experiments with PV calculated that a 400 mL sewage sample is sufficient for the detection of viral particles if 1:10,000 people excrete poliovirus in a population of 700,000 people. If the method is applied correctly, several NPEV types are detected. Despite culture-based methods remaining the gold standard for WWS, direct methods followed by molecular-based and sequence-based assays have been developed, not only for enterovirus but for several pathogens. Along with case-based sentinel and/or syndromic surveillance, WWS for NPEV and other pathogens represents an inexpensive, flexible, anonymised, reliable, population-based tool for monitoring outbreaks and the (re)emergence of these virus types/strains within the general population.
Tools to Enumerate and Predict Distribution Patterns of Environmental Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Authors: Waidner Lisa A. , Potdukhe Trupti V.
Published: October 2023

Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) are water- and foodborne bacteria that can cause several distinct human diseases, collectively called vibriosis. The success of oyster aquaculture is negatively impacted by high Vibrio abundances. Myriad environmental factors affect the distribution of pathogenic Vibrio, including temperature, salinity, eutrophication, extreme weather events, and plankton loads, including harmful algal blooms. In this paper, we synthesize the current understanding of ecological drivers of Vv and Vp and provide a summary of various tools used to enumerate Vv and Vp in a variety of environments and environmental samples. We also highlight the limitations and benefits of each of the measurement tools and propose example alternative tools for more specific enumeration of pathogenic Vv and Vp. Improvement of molecular methods can tighten better predictive models that are potentially important for mitigation in more controlled environments such as aquaculture.
Label-Free Homogeneous Electrochemical Aptasensor Based on Size Exclusion/Charge-Selective Permeability of Nanochannel Arrays and 2D Nanorecognitive Probe for Sensitive Detection of Alpha-Fetoprotein
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Shiyue , Liu Jiyang , Qin Dongyuan
Published: October 2023

The labeling-free and immobilization-free homogeneous aptamer sensor offers advantages including simple operation, low cost, and high sensitivity, demonstrating great potential in rapid detection of tumor biomarkers in biological samples. In this work, a labeling-free and immobilization-free homogeneous aptamer sensor was conveniently fabricated by combining size exclusion and charge-selective penetration of a nanochannel-modified electrode and two-dimensional (2D) nanorecognition probe which can realize selective and highly sensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in serum. Vertically ordered mesoporous silica film (VMSF) with ultra-small, uniform, and vertically aligned nanochannels was easily grown on the simple, low-cost, and disposable indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. Through π-π interaction and electrostatic force, the AFP aptamer (Apt) and electrochemical probe, tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+), were coloaded onto graphene oxide (GO) through simple incubation, forming a 2D nanoscale recognition probe (Ru(bpy)32+/Apt@GO). Owing to the size exclusion effect of VMSF towards the 2D nanoscale probe, the electrochemical signal of Ru(bpy)32+/Apt@GO could not be detected. In the presence of AFP, the specific binding of AFP to the aptamer causes the dissociation of the aptamer and Ru(bpy)32+ from GO, resulting in their presence in the solution. The efficient electrostatic enrichment towards Ru(bpy)32+ by negatively charged VMSF allows for high electrochemical signals of free Ru(bpy)32+ in the solution. Linear determination of AFP ranged from 1 pg/mL to 1000 ng/mL and could be obtained with a low limit of detection (LOD, 0.8 pg/mL). The high specificity of the adapter endowed the constructed sensor with high selectivity. The fabricated probe can be applied in direct determination of AFP in serum.
Red Kale (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. acephala L. var. sabellica) Induces Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells In Vitro
Authors: Rachwał Kamila , Niedźwiedź Iwona , Waśko Adam , Laskowski Tomasz , Szczeblewski Paweł , Kukula-Koch Wirginia , Polak-Berecka Magdalena
Published: October 2023

This article presents the results of studies investigating the effect of red kale (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. acephala L. var. sabellica) extract on cancer cells (HT-29). The cytotoxicity of the red kale extract was assessed using MTT and LDH assays, while qRT-PCR was employed to analyze the expression of genes associated with the p53 signaling pathway to elucidate the effect of the extract on cancer cells. Furthermore, HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS was applied to identify bioactive compounds present in red kale. The obtained results indicated that red kale extract reduced the viability and suppressed the proliferation of HT-29 cells (the IC50 value of 60.8 µg/mL). Additionally, mRNA expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of several genes, i.e., casp9, mapk10, mapk11, fas, kat2 b, and ubd, suggesting the induction of cell apoptosis through the caspase-dependent pathway. Interestingly, the study revealed a decrease in the expression of genes including cdk2 and cdk4 encoding cell cycle-related proteins, which may lead to cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the study identified certain bioactive compounds, such as sinigrin, spirostanol, hesperetin and usambarensine, which could potentially contribute to the apoptotic effect of red kale extracts. However, further investigations are necessary to elucidate the specific role of these individual compounds in the anti-cancer process.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin Content in 21 Plant Species from a Very Humid Premontane Forest in Colombia Palatable for Free-Range Laying Hens
Authors: Aguillón-Páez Yandy J. , Díaz Gonzalo J.
Published: October 2023

Xanthophylls, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, have several functions in both plants and humans, including detoxification of oxidants (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other radicals), maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of biological membranes, and photoprotection from intense light damage. The objective of the present study was to investigate the lutein and zeaxanthin content of 21 species of plants from a very humid premontane forest in Colombia during both dry and rainy seasons. The plants were selected based on being voluntarily eaten by laying hens under free-range conditions. Lutein and zeaxanthin were identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that all plants tested contained lutein, at levels ranging from 65.7 to 350 µg/g. Zeaxanthin levels were much lower (2.2 to 26.2 µg/lg) and were detected in only 5 of the 21 plants analyzed. Given that the lutein content of the plants tested in the present study was found to be comparable to that reported in marigold flowers (4–800 µg/g), it is possible that these plants can be used as a source of lutein in free-range laying hen production systems.
Finding Freire: Punk, Praxis and the Quest for Spirituality in Krishnacore
Authors: Dines Mike
Published: October 2023

Building upon earlier research, this paper unpacks the complex relationship between punk and Krishna Consciousness, in this instance through the lens of Paulo Freire’s notion of praxis. Here, the intersection between punk, the Hare Krishna movement and the corresponding relationship between auto-didacticism and spirituality are examined as a means of interrogating subcultural participation and the hegemonic dominance of the anti-religious sentiment within punk. Freire’s approach is examined within the context of this relationship, specifically regarding the inquisitiveness of the individual as they begin the process of engaging with Krishna Consciousness and spirituality, especially from the standpoint of punk. The importance here lies in the learning process being in a state of flux, where the continual re-creation of knowledge and inquiry becomes a means of consolidating the dialectical relationship between the self and the world around it. Here, punk becomes a valuable space in which to discover new ideas, a means of developing an aesthetic and subcultural/religious/spiritual membership within a framework of auto-didacticism; of illuminating the dialectical, hermeneutic relationship between consciousness and the world around us, central to Freire’s concept of praxis.
Effect of PLGA Concentration in Electrospinning Solution on Biocompatibility, Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Nonwoven Scaffolds
Authors: Badaraev Arsalan D. , Tran Tuan-Hoang , Drozd Anastasia G. , Plotnikov Evgenii V. , Dubinenko Gleb E. , Kozelskaya Anna I. , Rutkowski Sven , Tverdokhlebov Sergei I.
Published: October 2023

In this work, the effects of weight concentration on the properties of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymeric scaffolds prepared by electrospinning are investigated, using four different weight concentrations of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) for the electrospinning solutions (2, 3, 4, 5 wt.%). With increasing concentration of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) in the electrospinning solutions, their viscosity increases significantly. The average fiber diameter of the scaffolds also increases with increasing concentration. Moreover, the tensile strength and maximum elongation at break of the scaffold increase with increasing electrospinning concentration. The prepared scaffolds have hydrophobic properties and their wetting angle does not change with the concentration of the electrospinning solution. All poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds are non-toxic toward fibroblasts of the cell line 3T3-L1, with the highest numbers of cells observed on the surface of scaffolds prepared from the 2-, 3- and 4-wt.% electrospinning solutions. The results of the analysis of mechanical and biological properties indicate that the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds prepared from the 4 wt.% electrospinning solution have optimal properties for future applications in skin tissue engineering. This is due to the fact that the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) scaffolds prepared from the 2 wt.% and 3 wt.% electrospinning solution exhibit low mechanical properties, and 5 wt.% have the lowest porosity values, which might be the cause of their lowest biological properties.
Heurisztikák a vállalati hitelezésben : Kockázatkezelők és hitelreferensek viselkedéstani vizsgálata
Authors: Kádár Béla , Romanoczki Dorisz , Jáki Erika
Published: October 2023

A vállalati hitelezési folyamatban résztvevő két kulcsszereplő: az üzleti oldalon dolgozó hitelreferensek, illetve a kockázatelemzők kognitív gondolkodását vizsgáljuk és hasonlítjuk össze. A kutatásunk során négy különböző heurisztikát – kockázatkerülés, túlzott önbizalom, túlzott optimizmus és reprezentatív gondolkodás – vizsgáltunk pszichológusok által kifejlesztett kísérletek segítségével, kérdőíves adatfelvétellel. A vizsgálatba vont nyolc bank a mérlegfőösszeg alapján Magyarország legnagyobb 12, a nagyvállalati szegmens finanszírozásában is jelen lévő bankja közé tartozik. A válaszadók a nagyvállalati szegmens területén dolgozó hitelreferensek és kockázatelemzők. A kutatás feltáró, összehasonlító jellegű, kvalitatív kutatási módszerek alkalmazásával. A vizsgálat eredménye: banki kontextusba helyezve igazoltuk, hogy a hitelreferensek és a kockázatelemzők döntéseit kognitív torzítások jellemzik. A kutatás egyik limitációja, hogy fiktív helyzetekben vizsgálta a döntéshozatali folyamatot, nem valós hitelbírálati folyamaton keresztül. A kutatás újszerű, mivel banki hitelezési kontextusban kifejezetten hitelreferensekre és kockázatelemzőkre még nem vizsgálták a kognitív torzításokat. Az eredmények hasznosak a banki döntéshozatali folyamatok optimalizálása szempontjából.
An Educational CRM Chatbot for Learning Management System
Authors: Snekha S. , Ayyanathan N.
Published: October 2023

An educational customer relationship management (CRM) Chatbot is a learner support service automation tool that enhances the human computer interaction and user experience in higher education institutions through effective online conversation and information exchange. The machine with embedded knowledge is trained to identify the sentences and taking a right decision itself in response to answer a question. An E-learning platform is a web-based platform designed to streamline the administration, delivery of online educational courses and training programs. It serves as a centralized hub where educators, learners, and administrators can interact, collaborate, and access learning resources anytime, anywhere. The research objective is to design and build a E-Learning Management System with CRM chatbot for effective user interaction. A website is developed for managing course materials in the form of videos, flip-books and quiz using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL. Students can access the course materials from anywhere and anytime. The queries may arise from user at any moment. In this case, the chat bot will primarily assist students and will respond to queries by guiding them through the functionalities and features of this application at any time. Chatbot will enhance customer service. This proposed CRM-chatbot uses natural language processing (NLP) and Feed forward Neural Network model to understand students questions and automate responses to them.
A Biocentric Reading of Farley Mowat’s A Whale for the Killing
Authors: Raja Durai K. Denish
Published: October 2023

Biocentrism is a highly multidimensional phenomenon whose scope extends beyond aesthetics, anthropology, ecology, ethnography, linguistics, politics, philosophy, psychology, semiology, and sociology. It began with philosophy and deep ecology but quickly expanded to become eco-centric as well as anthropocentric and linguistic. “Biocentrism is a life-centered outlook that rejects the view that humanity alone matters in ethics and accepts the moral standing of (at least) all living creatures” (Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy 97). While Arne Nases intended his version of biocentrism to be a sort of ‘radical egalitarianism’, John Rodman’s viewpoint of biocentricity is ‘ecological sensibility, and Paul Taylor argues ‘respect for Nature’ is one of the prevailing forms of biocentrism. This study proposes a biocentric interpretation of Mowat’s A Whale for the Killing, which depicts life and death in an inconceivable catastrophe involving a voiceless giant species.
Learning Ourselves
Authors: Ponmalar S.K
Published: October 2023

Self-learning comes from a personal desire to gain knowledge which paves way to success. If we learn to find more information about a topic, and it is used for a particular purpose it is enjoyable, leading to good results. Self-learning must occur naturally and it happens out of curiosity. If one is motivated to learn oneself rather than outside sources there is a possibility of acquiring knowledge . Among many mode of learning such as you tube tutorials, webinars, books, we can choose one that suits best for us and most engaging. Though it is challenging, it requires lots of discipline. If we get ready to learn, have clear learning goals, ability to decide which tools are best for us, clear idea of deciding to the suitable assessment, Self-learning enables us to learn what we want and tends to be more effective than instructional learning.
The Social Hierarchy of India through the Lens of Capitalism from Aravind Adiga's "The White Tiger"
Authors: Sethupathi Kumara
Published: October 2023

This research article will focus on the socioeconomic and political conditions of present India through the lens of Capitalism from the work of Aravind Adiga’s “The White Tiger”. The main character in this book comes from a lower social level and works intelligently to become well-known in society. With the help of the figure Balram Halwai, the postcolonial period of India’s class inequalities was depicted. The current approach of introducing equality in the social structure is required to address the capitalism issue in contemporary India. The social hierarchy needs to be eliminated from society. By elaborating on Indian philosophical notions of living, Aravind Adiga also included philosophical elements in this work. He also discussed the state of Indian education, which forced many low-income students to drop out in the middle of their studies to care for their families. Children who receive an Indian education also acquire incomplete knowledge. The social hierarchy and structure of postcolonial India are discussed in this article.
La construcción del discurso pedagógico en la clase de Inglés de la Escuela Secundaria de Jóvenes y Adultos: prácticas y estrategias de negociación, desde la reproducción hacia la transformación
Authors:   , Helver Adriana María
Published: October 2023

El espacio de la modalidad denominada Educación de Jóvenes y Adultos ha desplegado, en el nivel de la Enseñanza Secundaria de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, un contexto educativo sumamente complejo debido a la diversidad de su matrícula y a los diferentes formatos (CENS, Bachilleratos de Adultos, CEBAS, plan FiNes) que se han establecido como oferta en estos últimos años. Sin embargo, esta relevancia que dicha modalidad ha adquirido en toda la región, no se ve reflejada en una exploración de estos contextos en el campo de la investigación de la enseñanza de las lenguas, ni en la reformulación de los diseños curriculares correspondientes, los que datan de la década del noventa. Dentro de la dimensión de la enseñanza de la lengua extranjera, la complejidad de este contexto descripto se acentúa aun más, ya que se ponen en juego cuestiones no sólo de índole pedagógico-didácticas, sino también políticas e ideológicas con respecto a la construcción de los diferentes discursos pedagógicos que se despliegan en el espacio de un aula marcada por la interculturalidad. En este marco referencial, el objetivo de este trabajo de investigación es explorar e interpretar las prácticas y estrategias de negociación en la construcción del discurso pedagógico en la clase de inglés en tres formatos de la Escuela Secundaria para Jóvenes y Adultos durante los ciclos lectivo 2016-2017 con el fin de delinear cómo la estructuración de estas redes discursivas pueden crear condiciones de aprendizajes muy variadas que van desde la reproducción social hacia la posibilidad de auténtica transformación de los sujetos.
МОДЕЛЮВАННЯ ТА ВИГОТОВЛЕННЯ ТРУБЧАСТИХ ВИРОБІВ З ВНУТРІШНІМ ПРОФІЛЕМ ГВИНТОВОЇ ГЕОМЕТРІЇ ПЛАСТИЧНИМ ДЕФОРМУВАННЯМ
Authors: ТИТОВ В. А. , СЄЛІВЕРСТОВ І. А. , ГУДЗЕНКО С. І. , РУСАНОВ С. А. , ДМИТРІЄВ Д. О.
Published: October 2023

У даній роботі, розглянуто комп’ютерне моделювання геометрії гвинтового профілю довгомірних трубчастих деталей у вигляді спряжень різних кривих, як повторюваний регулярний контур, що описано аналітично з визначенням точок дотику кожного спряження та переходу від однієї кривої до іншої. За допомогою програмного забезпечення “Profile Generator” виконано параметричне генерування ряду профілів в періодичному спряженні кривих евольвента – пряма – коло (дуга). Для обраних видів профілю застосовано технологічне устаткування для виготовлення довгомірних трубчастих виробів з внутрішнім каналом гвинтової геометрії та обраними видами геометричних спряжень кривих профілю. Застосовано внутрішню оправку, що забезпечує виготовлення довгомірних трубчастих виробів методами холодного пластичного деформування шляхом зовнішнього обтиснення на ній циліндричної заготовки повздовжнім та поперечним обкатуванням роликами за різними технологічними схемами. Виявлені преваги та недоліки кожного запропонованого методу, встановлені основні закономірності, які впливають на механічні властивості готових виробів. Уточнені силові фактори для процесу обробки де розглянута модель «оброблювана деталь – інструмент» в цілому. Запропоновано та реалізовано обробку шляхом зовнішнього обкатування на профільній оправці чотирьох, трьох та одно роликовим навантажувальним пристосуванням. Розроблено класифікацію найбільш поширених у застосуванні в різних галузях промисловості та побутовому використанні профільованих трубчастих виробів з складною геометрією як внутрішньої так і зовнішньої поверхні та наведено існуючі методи їх виготовлення з відповідним технологічним обладнанням, деформаційними властивостями матеріалу та структурою.