bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thyrotoxicosis as a rare presentation in acute suppurative thyroiditis: a case report
Authors: Seyedjavadeyn Zeynab , Miratashi Yazdi Seyed Amir , Samimiat Alireza , Vahedi Matin
Published: October 2023

Background

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease. A few cases of acute suppurative thyroiditis associated with thyrotoxicosis have been reported in adults. We report a case of acute suppurative thyroiditis that was associated with thyrotoxicosis.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 49-year-old Iranian female presented with a painful neck swelling for a week. Computed tomography showed a well-defined gas-filled collection in the left thyroid lobe with an enhancing margin. The patient underwent two-phase surgery, first left thyroid abscess drainage and then total thyroidectomy. The result of histopathology examination was multinodular goiter with abscess formation without malignancy.

Conclusion

Abscess formation and thyrotoxicosis is a very rare condition that occurs at the same time in acute suppurative thyroiditis. Despite antibiotic therapy being the first line of treatment, surgery is also required when antibiotic therapy fails.
PMF-CPI: assessing drug selectivity with a pretrained multi-functional model for compound–protein interactions
Authors: Song Nan , Dong Ruihan , Pu Yuqian , Wang Ercheng , Xu Junhai , Guo Fei
Published: October 2023

Compound–protein interactions (CPI) play significant roles in drug development. To avoid side effects, it is also crucial to evaluate drug selectivity when binding to different targets. However, most selectivity prediction models are constructed for specific targets with limited data. In this study, we present a pretrained multi-functional model for compound–protein interaction prediction (PMF-CPI) and fine-tune it to assess drug selectivity. This model uses recurrent neural networks to process the protein embedding based on the pretrained language model TAPE, extracts molecular information from a graph encoder, and produces the output from dense layers. PMF-CPI obtained the best performance compared to outstanding approaches on both the binding affinity regression and CPI classification tasks. Meanwhile, we apply the model to analyzing drug selectivity after fine-tuning it on three datasets related to specific targets, including human cytochrome P450s. The study shows that PMF-CPI can accurately predict different drug affinities or opposite interactions toward similar targets, recognizing selective drugs for precise therapeutics.Kindly confirm if corresponding authors affiliations are identified correctly and amend if any.Yes, it is correct.
Challenging treatment of food wastes for cleaner production after the African swine fever outbreak in South Korea
Authors: Moon Heesung , Kwon Junhwa , Choi Jeongwoo , Lee Dongjin , Seo Dong Cheol
Published: October 2023

Food waste is a growing global concern, necessitating effective treatment solutions. South Korea stands out with over 90% of its food waste being recycled, driven by robust resource circulation policies. Across Asia, anaerobic digestion processes are favored for food waste treatment due to their economic and environmental advantages. The South Korean Government aims to expand anaerobic digestion to ensure stable organic waste treatment. However, the 2019 outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in pig farms led to the cessation of wet feed production, comprising 22% of total feed. This has increased the pressure on alternative recycling methods. The handling of food waste leachate, generating around 1080 t/d during treatment, has become a concern due to the discontinuation of wet feed production. The objective of this study is to develop a food waste policy. It begins by assessing food waste and leachate generation through field surveys of 346 treatment facilities engaged in pretreatment, feeding, composting, and biogasification. To mitigate the impact of ASF outbreaks in the short term, a proposed solution involves diverting food waste leachate to existing sewage treatment plant digesters during non-injection weekends and other off-peak times. This measure aims to completely treat the maximum discharge of approximately 2000 t/d during the peak summer ASF outbreak periods. For the long term, a strategy involving anaerobic digestion is suggested in response to the gradual reduction in wet or dry feed production, along with composting, the conventional treatment method. This transition not only curbs greenhouse gas emissions but also enhances biogas production, a renewable energy source. These efforts align with the Korean Green New Deal’s goal of achieving a 20% share of renewable energy by 2030.
First third-generation CAR T cell application targeting CD19 for the treatment of systemic IgM AL amyloidosis with underlying marginal zone lymphoma
Authors: Korell Felix , Schönland Stefan , Schmitt Anita , Jansen Madelaine , Farid Kiavasch , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Dreger Peter , Schmitt Michael , Hegenbart Ute
Published: October 2023

Light chain amyloidosis (AL) is a rare disease caused by the generalized deposition of misfolded free light chains. Patients with immunoglobulin M gammopathy (IgM) and indolent B-cell lymphoma such as marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) may in some instances develop AL amyloidosis. So far, CAR T cells for AL amyloidosis have only been reported utilizing the B cell maturation antigen as target, while CD19 has so far not been used in AL amyloidosis.

We report the case of a 71-year-old male, diagnosed with systemic AL kappa amyloidosis and MZL, receiving third-generation CAR T cell therapy targeting CD19. Prior treatment included bendamustine/rituximab and cyclophosphamide/ dexamethasone with subsequent autologous stem cell transplantation. CAR T application was well tolerated despite heart and kidney amyloid manifestations, and only early low-grade procedure-specific toxicities were observed. A continuous decrease in IgM, kappa light chains and kappa-to-lambda light chain difference was observed in the patient from day + 30 on, resulting in a deep hematological response six months after treatment.

In summary, we present a novel case of CAR T cell treatment with third generation CD19 directed infusion for AL amyloidosis with an underlying secretory active B cell lymphoma, showing that this is an effective treatment modality and can be applied to patients with subsequent AL amyloidosis.
Neurovirulent cytokines increase neuronal excitability in a model of coronavirus-induced neuroinflammation
Authors: Rajayer Salil R. , Smith Stephen M.
Published: October 2023

Background

Neurological manifestations of severe coronavirus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, are wide-ranging and may persist following virus clearance. Detailed understanding of the underlying changes in brain function may facilitate the identification of therapeutic targets. We directly tested how neocortical function is impacted by the specific panel of cytokines that occur in coronavirus brain infection. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we determined how the five cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p40 and IL-15 for 22–28-h) at concentrations matched to those elicited by MHV-A59 coronavirus brain infection, affected neuronal function in cultured primary mouse neocortical neurons.

Results

We evaluated how acute cytokine exposure affected neuronal excitability (propensity to fire action potentials), membrane properties, and action potential characteristics, as well as sensitivity to changes in extracellular calcium and magnesium (divalent) concentration. Neurovirulent cytokines increased spontaneous excitability and response to low divalent concentration by depolarizing the resting membrane potential and hyperpolarizing the action potential threshold. Evoked excitability was also enhanced by neurovirulent cytokines at physiological divalent concentrations. At low divalent concentrations, the change in evoked excitability was attenuated. One hour after cytokine removal, spontaneous excitability and hyperpolarization of the action potential threshold normalized but membrane depolarization and attenuated divalent-dependent excitability persisted.

Conclusions

Coronavirus-associated cytokine exposure increases spontaneous excitability in neocortical neurons, and some of the changes persist after cytokine removal.
The place of “Southwestern” Khanty among the Khanty dialects: the testimony of phonology and morphology
Authors: Fejes László
Published: October 2023

Southwestern Khanty is a dialect documented only in the 2008 PhD dissertation by Olga Vaysman. A previous study based on lexical data established that South­western Khanty is very close to Obdorsk Khanty. The current study explores the dia­lect’s phonological and morphological features. Although some of these features are typical only of Obdorsk Khanty among the formerly known dialects, some features of Southwestern Khanty are unique among the Khanty dialects. These peculiarities of Southwestern Khanty are numerous and unsystematic, which makes it unlikely that the dialect developed from Obdorsk Khanty or a dialect near Obdorsk Khanty. Taking into account the obscurity of the metadata, it is questionable whether Vaysman’s data on Southwestern Khanty really reflect the linguistic facts of an existing Khanty dialect.

Kokkuvõte. László Fejes: “Edelahandi” paiknemine handi murrete hulgas: tõendid fonoloogiast ja morfoloogiast. Edelahandi murre on dokumenteeritud ainult Olga Vaysmani 2008. aasta doktoritöös. Eelmine, leksikaalsetel andmetel põhinev uuring näitas, et edelahandi on lähedane Obdorski handile. Käesolev uuring analüüsib edelahandi fonoloogilisi ja morfoloogilisi tunnuseid. Kuigi mõned neist tunnustest on varem tuntud murrete hulgas tüüpiliseid ainult Obdorski handile, on mõned omadused handi murrete seas ainulaadsed. Need edelahantide eripärad on arvukad ja ebasüstemaatilised, mistõttu on ebatõenäoline, et edelahandi arenes välja Obdorski handi murdest või selle lähedasest murdest. Võttes arvesse metaandmete hämarust, on küsitav, kas Vaysmani andmed edelahandi kohta kajastavad tõesti olemasoleva handi murde keelelisi fakte.
Hysterectomy with opportunistic salpingectomy during the menopausal transition as a predictor of climacteric disorders
Authors: Proshchenko Olha , Govseev Dmytro
Published: October 2023

Data on ovarian dysfunction after hysterectomy are found in literary sources, but the nature of changes in the hormonal profile, its chronological sequence, the issue of prognosis and possible preventive measures, even in the case of preservation of ovarian tissue, remain contradictory and fragmentary, which prompted the conduct of this research. The aim of the research is to assess the risk of menopausal disorders after hysterectomy with opportunistic salpingectomy during the menopausal transition. Research materials and methods.A comprehensive assessment of the long-term consequences of hysterectomy in 160 women of reproductive age was carried out. Risk factors were identified during a general clinical examination, based on anamnestic data. Indicators were evaluated in the examined women. Inclusion criteria: age of menopause transition, hysterectomy due to benign uterine pathology, patient's consent to participate in the study. Research results. The data obtained by us after 12 months from the moment of surgical intervention demonstrate neurovegetative and psychoemotional manifestations in 87 patients - 46.25%. Conclusions. 12 months after GE with opportunistic salpingectomy, 46.25% of patients have a gradual formation of components of the menopausal syndrome. age older than 45, hysterectomy, hormonal therapy of benign uterine pathology demonstrate a connection with the development of metabolic disorders in the distant postoperative period, and their combined effect increases the risk of their development.
INTEGRATED METHODOLOGY FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRY 4.0 MATURITY LEVEL
Authors: Kılıç Hüseyin Selçuk , Kalender Zeynep Tuğçe , Korkmaz Can , Kaya Betül
Published: October 2023

The ability to adapt to changes in information and communication technologies is essential for all organizations. Companies that fail to correctly perceive the need for these changes and delay their implementation are doomed to disappear. In this context, the term Industry 4.0 is used to refer to digital improvement studies. It aims to increase profitability by reducing production costs without increasing the focus areas of companies. Determining the level of digitalization is as important as completing the digitalization infrastructure to bring Industry 4.0 to life. In this way, companies can determine their current digitalization status and maintain their competitiveness. They can also decide the steps needed to implement Industry 4.0. Currently, there are many methods and models used to determine the level of digitalization. However, this study takes a distinctive approach by aiming to develop an integrated methodology tailored for quantifying Industry 4.0 maturity in companies. To begin, the dimensions used within the Industry 4.0 maturity assessment were extracted from the literature. Then, a focus group approach was utilized by experts to eliminate the unimportant dimensions. Next, Interval-Valued Spherical Fuzzy AHP (IVSF-AHP) was used to determine the importance weights of the determined dimensions. Finally, the Industry 4.0 maturity level of an aviation/defense company was calculated by applying the proposed methodology based on the data collected via the questionnaire. Therefore, this proposed methodology provides a potent instrument for accurately appraising progress in digital transformation, refining strategies, and securing success in an evolving technology-driven environment.
IMPLEMENTATION OF GIS-AHP-OWA FOR LAND SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PROJECTS: A CASE STUDY IN YUCATÁN, MEXICO
Authors: Merino-Benítez Tatiana , Hernández Victor , Bojórquez-Tapia Luis Antonio
Published: October 2023

This article presents an approach to land suitability assessment (LSA) that accounts for the opposing interests and viewpoints of multiple stakeholders. LSA is a widely used geospatial technique for locating optimal sites for infrastructure investment. The approach described in this paper uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to elicit relative importance weights of a set of geographical attributes, the evaluation of the state of each attribute in spatial units using value functions on a geographic information system (GIS), and the implementation of the Ordered Weighted Average (OWA) as an aggregation operator. The approach is illustrated through the location of potential sites for swine plant investments, taking into consideration environmental conflicts in Yucatán, Mexico. This approach provides a systematic and transparent procedure for analyzing infrastructure projects’ land suitability and developing investment recommendations that promote sustainable development.
Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence and Automatic Morse Code Based Communication Recognition with Eye Tracking
Authors: Medichalam Krishnakanth , Vijayarajan V. , Kumar V. Vinoth , Iyer I. Manimozhi , Vanukuri Yaswanth Kumar , Prasath V. B. Surya , Swapna B.
Published: October 2023

Morse code is one of the oldest communication techniques and used in telecommunication systems. Morse code can be transmitted as a visual signal by using reflections or with the help of flashlights, but it can also be used as a non-detectable form of communication by using the tapping of fingers or even blinking of eyes. In this paper, we develop a computer vision based approach that automatically characterizes the characters conveyed wherein a person can communicate to system or another person through Morse code with eye gestures. We can decode this visual eye tracking based language with the help of our automatic computer vision driven method. Our approach uses a normal webcam to detect the gestures made by the eyes and are interpreted as dots and dashes. These dots and dashes are used to represent the Morse code-based words. Image processing techniques-based blink and pupil detectors are employed. Blink detector helps us to detect a blink and the time that took for each blink. A blink that takes 2 to 4 seconds is acknowledged as a dot whereas a blink that takes more than 4 seconds is represented as a dash. The pupil detector helps us to detect the movement of the pupils, and if pupils move towards right with respect to a person then it is acknowledged as next letter and if the pupils are moved towards left with respect to a person then it is acknowledged as next word. In this way, we decode the Morse code which will be communicated using eyes and establish a non-detectable communication between a person and an automatic system. Our experimental results on an unconstrained visual scene with preliminary greeting words indicate the promise of an automatic eye tracking based system with success rate of 98.25% that can be of use in non-verbal communications.
Measurement and Investigation of HB-UWB Transmission Link for BAN System
Authors: Sanguanpuak Chanidaphar , Promwong Sathaporn , Bunlaksananusorn Chanin
Published: October 2023

The short-range wireless multimedia is consider used a ultra wideband (UWB) technology for human body mobile and multimedia applications shows promise for wireless multi-media systems. Based on IEEE 802.15.6, wireless body area networks (BAN) require understanding the human body’s effects on channel characteristics. This paper presents how to evaluation of human body ulra-wideband (HB-UWB) transmission with line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight scenario. Our research aims to enhance HB-UWB channel propagation on the body media by employing with CLEAN algorithm to eliminate noise. This research leverage findings from previous studies to facilitate performance comparison. Furthermore, for analyze system performance using the CLEAN algorithm at different body positions. The measurement setup covers band the FCC regulated from 3.0 GHz to 11 GHz. It includes the tested with wideband antenna and vector network analyzer (VNA). HB-UWB characteristics are shows in the path loss and power delay profile are discussed as relevant parameters. This research very useful for design and evaluation of human body mobile network and wireless multimedia systems.
High Simulation Scenario Simulation Teaching of Acute and Critical Care Based on Wise Information Technology of Med
Authors: Wang Chunmei
Published: October 2023

Acute and critical care nursing is a subject with high requirements covering common emergency and critical care theories, common first aid, and clinical practice in various clinical departments. It involves theoretical knowledge of various specialties and a number of nursing operations. With the continuous updating of equipment and knowledge related to acute and critical care nursing, this discipline has also developed rapidly. However, due to the increasing shortage of medical teaching resources, it cannot effectively meet the teaching needs. In order to alleviate this clinical teaching pressure, this paper introduces the wise information technology of med, Sim Man 3G, a high-simulation simulator, into the teaching of acute and critical care nursing. Using Sim Man 3G can not only adjust the difficulty of treatment according to the needs of teaching, but also break through the clinical limitations, so the operation is very practical. The study found that the use of Sim Man 3G high simulation manikin in acute and critical care nursing could effectively improve the accuracy of case analysis and practical operation, which also improved the efficiency of teaching. In acute and critical care nursing, the highest teaching efficiency of Sim Man 3G was 96%, and the average teaching efficiency was 93.2%. The highest general teaching efficiency was 92%, and the average teaching efficiency was 88.6%. The teaching efficiency of the experimental group was 4.6% higher than that of the common group on average, and the overall quality was also improved. This showed that it is relatively successful to use Sim Man 3G high-fidelity simulator in acute and critical care nursing.
Danger! Do Not Touch: Viral Transmission, Tactile Object Disrecognition, and the Annabelle Series
Authors: Dudenhoeffer Larrie
Published: October 2023

Abstract: Horror films, according to conventional wisdom, excite in their audiences certain tactile or somatic responses: for example, they might make our skin crawl or cause us to flinch. However, the three installments of the Annabelle series represent a class of films with an anti-phenomenological tenor, one that disrupts the sense of community or shared experience that often results from multiple viewers simultaneously screaming or fidgeting in their seats. These films feature a demonic children's doll that figuratively inflicts on the characters in each film three different types of touch disorder, muddling for them the sensual, tangible, and associational dimensions of the objects onscreen. The series, then, warns us not to "touch" these objects (starting with Annabelle), conveying the idea that visually caressing them might endanger us or make us susceptible to demonic influence. For, in the Annabelle films, to engage in these common tactile-kinesthetic modes of cinematic spectatorship is to risk contamination and even insensateness: more than scaring us out of our wits or out of ourselves, the monster scares us out of our usual ways of making sense of the world's material realities.
Real-time OCT feedback-controlled RPE photodisruption in ex vivo porcine eyes using 8 microsecond laser pulses
Authors: Burri Christian , Salzmann Simon , Wandel Jasmin , Hoffmann Leonie , Považay Boris , Meier Christoph , Frenz Martin
Published: October 2023

Selective retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) photodisruption requires reliable real-time feedback dosimetry (RFD) to prevent unwanted overexposure. In this study, optical coherence tomography (OCT) based RFD was investigated in ex vivo porcine eyes exposed to laser pulses of 8 µs duration (wavelength: 532 nm, exposure area: 90×90 µm², radiant exposure: 247 to 1975 mJ/µm²). For RFD, fringe washouts in time-resolved OCT M-scans (central wavelength: 870 nm, scan rate: 85 kHz) were compared to an RPE cell viability assay. Statistical analysis revealed a moderate correlation between RPE lesion size and applied treatment energy, suggesting RFD adaptation to inter- and intraindividual RPE pigmentation and ocular transmission.
Hyperspectral Raman Imaging for Automated Recognition of Human Renal Amyloid
Authors: Kim Jeong Hee , Zhang Chi , Sperati C. John , Barman Ishan , Bagnasco Serena M.
Published: October 2023

In the clinical setting, routine identification of the main types of tissue amyloid deposits, light-chain amyloid (AL) and serum amyloid A (AA), is based on histochemical staining; rarer types of amyloid require mass spectrometry analysis. Raman spectroscopic imaging is an analytical tool, which can be used to chemically map, and thus characterize, the molecular composition of fluid and solid tissue. In this proof-of-concept study, we tested the feasibility of applying Raman spectroscopy combined with artificial intelligence to detect and characterize amyloid deposits in unstained frozen tissue sections from kidney biopsies with pathologic diagnosis of AL and AA amyloidosis and control biopsies with no amyloidosis (NA). Raman hyperspectral images, mapped in a 2D grid-like fashion over the tissue sections, were obtained. Three machine learning–assisted analysis models of the hyperspectral images could accurately distinguish AL (types λ and κ), AA, and NA 93–100% of the time. Although very preliminary, these findings illustrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a technique to identify, and possibly, subtype renal amyloidosis.
Prevalence of Amphistomes and Fasciola in large ruminants reared by smallholders in Lampung and Banten Provinces, Indonesia
Authors: Martindah Eny , Sawitri Dyah Haryuningtyas , Wardhana April Hari , Ekawasti Fitrine
Published: October 2023

Background and Aim: Parasitic diseases, including trematode invasions, result in losses to livestock in Indonesia, hindering the government’s efforts to achieve meat self-sufficiency. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Amphistomes and Fasciola in large ruminants reared by smallholder farmers.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from 192 buffalo and cattle were collected from the districts of East Lampung (Lampung Province) and Lebak (Banten Province). Fecal samples were examined for the presence of trematode eggs using a sedimentation technique.

Results: Parasite invasion rate was 48.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 41.3%-55.2%). Rate of invasion was 63.3% (95% CI: 52.7%-73.9%) in Lampung and 38.3% (95% CI: 29.6%-47.0%) in Lebak-Banten. The prevalence of multiple invasions of both Amphistomes and Fasciola was 20% in buffalo and local cattle, whereas invasion rate was 12.8% in crossbred cattle. Invasion rate of Amphistomes alone was 27.1%, and that of Fasciola was 4.5%. A higher invasion rate of Amphistomes (29.8%) occurred in crossbred animals. There were no significant differences between age groups for trematode invasion. The Chi-square test showed that the prevalence of trematode invasion in females was significantly higher than in males (51.5% and 30.0%, respectively). Amphistomes more commonly infected females than males (29.0% and 16.7%, respectively).

Conclusion: All breeds were vulnerable to invasion by both trematode species and single invasions with different invasion rates. These findings contribute to determining the magnitude of the disease and provide a basis for studies on prevention and treatment of trematode invasion.

Keywords: amphistomes, Fasciola, Indonesia, large ruminants, prevalence.
Effect of coupling on the performance a periodic leaky wave patch antenna
Authors: G.L Charmolavy , Moukengue Nkouka , Mafouna Kiminou Barol
Published: October 2023

This article demonstrates the effect of coupling between two metal strips and the substrate width of a periodic leaky wave patch antenna operating at 80 GHz. Increasing the width of the substrate and the distance between the metal patches results in directional radiation and a good reflection coefficient in the 72-86 GHz band.
Effect of natural dye combination and pH extraction on the performance of dye-sensitized photovoltaics solar cell
Authors: Estiningtyas Indri Wasa , Kusumawati Nita , Setiarso Pirim , Muslim Supari , Rahayu Nunik Tri , Safitri Riska Nur , Zakiyah Nafisatus , Fachrirakarsie Fadlurachman Faizal
Published: October 2023

Dyes are significant components in Dye Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) performance because they act as photosensitizers. Natural dye-based DSSC system fabrication innovations continue to be produced in an effort to improve DSSC performance efficiency. In this study, a DSSC system was developed using double components of natural dyes as natural photosensitizers to enhance DSSC efficiency. This method of making natural dye-based DSSC uses a combination of dye extracts from two different dye sources that have the potential as natural photosensitizers in DSSC. The research aims to investigate the impact of the combined use of two natural dyes and pH variations on DSSC performance. DSSC performance measurements encompass the short-circuit current (Isc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), and DSSC efficiency parameters. The obtained results indicate efficiency values for dyes (a) sappan wood/ethanol and turmeric/methanol; (b) turmeric/methanol and beetroot/ethanol; and (c) beetroot/ethanol and turmeric/distilled water. At neutral pH, the efficiency values are 2.09%, 2.10%, and 2.19%, respectively. Meanwhile, at acidic pH of 2.59%; 2.39%; and 2.71%. Notably, the dye efficiency values at acidic pH surpass those found at neutral pH conditions. The highest efficiency is observed in the combination of dye (c) beetroot/ethanol and turmeric/distilled water with efficiency reaching 2.71% at acidic pH.
Assessment of variability parameters and diversity of panicle architectural traits associated with yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Agalya Jasmin S , Hari Prasanth P , Ramchander Selvaraj , Dinesh Kumar P` , Devesena N , Naveenkumar R , Sugitha Thankappan , John Kingsly N. B.
Published: October 2023

The rice panicle, a pivotal reproductive structure, signifies the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth in plants. Comprising components such as the rachis, primary and secondary branches, seed quantities and branch lengths, panicle architecture profoundly influences grain production. This study delves into the diversity of panicle architecture traits and scrutinizes variability parameters across 69 distinct rice genotypes. Our findings underscore substantial variations in panicle architecture traits among genotypes. Particularly noteworthy are traits with the highest coefficient of variation (CV%), encompassing the count of secondary branches, single plant yield, productive tillers per plant, seeds per secondary branch and panicle weight. Correlation analysis reveals robust positive connections between panicle weight, the number of filled grains per panicle, 1000-grain weight and single plant yield. The number of secondary branches exhibits the most substantial phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV%) at 47.14%, accompanied by a genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV%) of 43.57%. Traits such as days to 50% flowering, plant height and number of filled grains per panicle manifest high heritability (97.04%, 91.24% and 76.22% respectively) and notable genetic advancement (23.11%, 39.62% and 47.49%). The principal component analysis identifies the primary component (PC1) as the principal contributor to variance. Biplot analysis accentuates positive correlations between attributes like the number of filled grains per panicle, panicle length, plant height, primary branch count, panicle weight, seeds per primary branch and the number of secondary branches with single plant yield. By employing Mahalanobis D2 statistics, the classification of genotypes into 6 distinct clusters reveals clusters III and IV as distinguished by their significant inter-cluster and intra-cluster distances. This comprehensive analysis unveils the potential for harnessing panicle architecture traits to enhance grain production and advances our comprehension of intricate relationships within diverse rice genotypes.
Biochar-based organic amendments on soil health, nutrient status and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Authors: Singh Jagmohan , Kumar Prasann , Siddique Anaytullah
Published: October 2023

Cultivation of quality potatoes ensures a good earning compared to low quality, especially in terms of tuber weight and starch content. Therefore, an experiment was laid out to find out the impact of an organic amendment based on the combinations of biochar, vermicompost, poultry manure, and bone meal for the enrichment of soil health and quality of potato crops at the research farm of Lovely Professional University, Punjab. The parameters of pH, EC, organic carbon, soil microbial biomass, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, labile carbon, and particulate organic carbon (POC) were used to understand the soil health improvement, while starch content and grading systems ranging from A to C were used for the quality of the potato. Among the treatments, most of the parameters were recorded as statistically significant at p>0.05. The highest improvement in terms of pH, EC, organic carbon, soil microbial biomass, nitrogen content, labile carbon, and particulate organic carbon (POC) was recorded in T3 (7.58, 0.39 dSm-1, 0.53 %, 333.3 µg g-1, 198.3 kg ha-1, 3.71 and 7.0 g kg-1 of soil) compared to T0 (7.38, 0.32 dSm-1, 0.44 %, 325.33 µg g-1, 171.5 kg ha-1, 2.33 and 3.0 g kg-1 g kg-1), while the phosphorus and potassium contents were estimated highest in T2 (17.4 and 255 kg ha-1). The quality parameters like starch content and grading quality of potato tubers were also influenced positively and estimated significantly highest in T3 (53.60 % and 153.7 q ha-1 of A grade potato). This study has shown the potential to improve the quality of potato tuber by providing a desirable soil environment to coordinate with potato plants.
Exploration and Practice of Teaching “Engineering Ethic” for Professional Degree Graduate Students Under the Background of “New Engineering”
Authors: He Wei , Cao Jianshu , Zhao Jing
Published: October 2023

Under the background of new engineering and curriculum ideological and political construction, the ethics education of engineering ethics courses for engineering graduate students must be constantly explored and tried. Based on the actual situation of the training of professional degree graduate students in our university, this paper starts from various aspects such as teaching content, teaching methods, textbook cases and comprehensive assessment. This paper probes into the course construction and teaching reform of engineering ethics for engineering graduate students, and explores the mode of engineering ethics education which adapts to the needs of our country’s own development.
HK2 contributes to the proliferation, migration, and invasion of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells by enhancing the ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhao Hongcan , Xiang Guoqian , Shao Tingjun , Wang Minmin , Dai Weijian
Published: October 2023

Hexokinase 2 (HK2) has been associated with carcinogenic growth in numerous kinds of malignancies as essential regulators during the processing of glucose. This study aimed to explore the effects of HK2 on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells via the ERK1/2 signaling. Expressions of HK2 and ERK1/2 were examined in DLBCL cell lines using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. HK2 and ERK1/2 were attenuated through HK2 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and ERK inhibitor FR180204, respectively, in U2932 and SU-DHL-4 cells. Cell Counting Kit-8, clone formation, transwell, and flow cytometry assays were used in evaluating the effects of HK2 and ERK1/2 on cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Moreover, a xenograft model was created to assess the roles of HK2 in vivo. HK2 and ERK1/2 were evidently up-regulated in DLBCL cell lines. HK2 knockdown and FR180204 markedly suppressed the proliferation and clonogenesis of U2932 and SU-DHL-4 cells and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro. We also found that HK2 silencing suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Notably, HK2 knockdown inactivated the ERK1/2 signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo. These data indicate that inhibition of HK2 may suppress the proliferation, migration, and invasion of DLBCL cells, partly via inhibiting the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Identifying individual jaguars from camera-trap images using the HotSpotter program
Authors: Wiig Øystein , da Silva Teixeira Karollyna , Sena Leonardo , Santos de Oliveira Halícia Celeste , Mendes-Oliveira Ana Cristina
Published: October 2023

We identified individual jaguars from a database of camera-trap images collected in the Eastern Amazonian rainforest using the artificial intelligence software HotSpotter. We identified individuals from 131 of 217 images. Twenty-five different individuals were identified based on images of the left side. We compared our results with the results from an undergraduate study that manually identified 18 jaguar individuals from 53 images also used in the present study. One of the 18 individuals was found to be misclassified based on HotSpotter. We found HotSpotter to be useful in identifying individual jaguars in our study area.
Strategies of Adapting to the COVID-19 Pandemic among Contemporary Pagan Groups in Kraków, Poland
Authors: Malita-Król Joanna
Published: October 2023

In the following article, I study strategies of adapting to the pandemic-induced restrictions among four different Pagan groups that operate in the city of Kraków––three represent the Slavic Native Faith movement and one modern Druidry. My conclusions are drawn from ongoing field research among contemporary Pagans of Kraków. The ritual modifications developed by the researched groups can be divided into three strategies: first, adjusting to the restrictions during actual rituals onsite; second, relocating rituals to the online sphere; and third, refraining from official public rituals, with secret small rituals instead. The first strategy seems to be crucial for my respondents, as they perceived only the rituals onsite to have “energy,” essential to the quality of the ceremony. The two other strategies were considered as a half measure.
Three Spirit Mediums
Authors: Mikles Natasha L.
Published: October 2023

Based on interviews with three American spirit mediums during the COVID-19 pandemic, this research note serves as a case study on the role of spirit mediumship during the pandemic. Because they serve clients rather than congregations, spirit mediums were able to develop more nuanced and immediate responses to clients’ grief surrounding the loss of a loved one to COVID-19. Spirit mediums also had an important role during the pandemic as interpreters for creating theodicies explaining why a loved one died and individuals experienced grief. In this meaning-making work, spirit mediums sometimes reflected a “conspiritual” perspective, framing the pandemic’s origins and subsequent vaccine development through conspiratorial thinking. This research note ultimately suggests, therefore, that spirit mediums have an important role in American grief that has been largely overlooked and needs further dedicated research.
Multimedia Integration of Mathematical Internet Memes into Mathematics Classrooms in Secondary School Curriculum
Authors: Mutua Dominic Mutuku , Mwangi Waweru
Published: October 2023

Mathematics is a core subject in almost all secondary education curricula. In improving performance in mathematics, there is a need to consider developing new teaching and learning pedagogies that tap the students' interests and enhance the classroom environment. This study focuses on integrating mathematical internet memes into mathematics classrooms to determine their effect on students' performance, understanding, engagement, motivation, and excitement. It also examines memes' impact on learning experiences, the potential to provide alternative formative assessments and investigate students' readiness to learn with memes in the mathematics classroom. The study revealed that integrating mathematics internet memes in the mathematics classroom has no significant impact on student’s performance in mathematics. Moreover, research showed experiment group performance in meme-aided and traditional assessment tests was statistically similar, indicating that both tests provide identical feedback on students' performance. The study further revealed that integrating memes in the mathematics classroom improves students' engagement, motivation, and excitement in the mathematics classroom.
Stakeholder Satisfaction in Long Segment Maintenance Contract: Application to a Hills-Road Network
Authors: Rifai Andri Irfan , Isradi Muhammad , Prasetijo Joewono , . Herman , Mufhidin Amar
Published: October 2023

Hills-road network has an essential role in maintaining the flow of transportation and logistics in mountainous areas. Implementing the Long Segment Maintenance Contract (LSMC) is one step in producing better road services and performance. The success rate of PMS implementation can be seen from the road performance and the level of satisfaction of stakeholders consisting of owners, implementers, supervision consultants, and users. This research was conducted to determine stakeholders' level of interest and satisfaction in the implementation of LSMC in the mountain road network. The methods used are Importance Performance Analysis and Customer Satisfaction Index. As a case study, the hills road network in Cirebon-Kuningan-Ciamis, West Java, Indonesia, was chosen along 103.08 km. Questionnaires were distributed to all stakeholders in the implementation of LSCM in these sections. Data analysis was carried out on questionnaires obtained from the owner as many as three respondents, contractors four respondents, supervised seven respondents, and road users as many as 100 respondents. The results showed that, in general, the level of stakeholder importance was relatively high, with an average of 4.22, an average performance level of 3.70, and a CSI value of 86.9.% or very satisfactory. In comparison, road users' on-road performance is relatively high, with an average of 4.44 with, an average level of performance of 4.41, and a CSI value of 86.83%, or very satisfactory. Furthermore, the importance of road users' on-road response time is relatively high, with an average of 4.42, an average performance level of 4.41, and a CSI value of 86.09%, or very satisfactory. Attributes that greatly influence the opinion of road users and stakeholders on LSCM in the Hill Road Network are related to the control of runoff water and routine road maintenance.
Inhibitors using Aloe Vera to Reduce Corrosion of Carbon Steel HSLA X70 in saline media 3.5 M NaCl
Authors: Quispe-Avilés Janeth Marlene
Published: October 2023

The damage caused by corrosion in saline media affects carbon steel structures, so the use of inhibitors is a great alternative, however, industrial inhibitors have a high environmental impact. In search of sustainable alternatives, the present investigation investigated the inhibitory effect of aloe vera to reduce the corrosion of HSLA X70 steel by means of potentiodynamic polarization techniques and agar-agar gel, complementing microstructure characterization studies, the results show that 10%/V allows an efficiency of 82% to be able to protect X70 steel with great efficiency.
Application of the Electrochemical Impedance Technique for the Study and Evaluation of Corrosion in HSLA X65 Steels in a Simulated Environment of Sour Gas H2S
Authors: Quispe-Avilés Janeth Marlene
Published: October 2023

The main sources for primary energy generation are oil and natural gas, high demand requires the use of pipelines that guarantee transportation in large quantities. Increased use of pipelines, for which it was necessary to develop high-strength steel tubes for long-distance transportation. High-strength, low-alloy steels (HSLA) are a great alternative for transportation, they mechanically resist high pressures and the reduction in manufacturing and maintenance costs is important for large industries. However, in sour gas (H2S) media it may be susceptible to corrosion, therefore studies to assess corrosion resistance are important. The present investigation evaluated the HSLA X65 steel in sour gas media through electrochemical and microstructural characterization techniques, showing its resistance to corrosion in aggressive media and showing that it can be used reliably for the transportation of oil and natural gas.
A Centrally Driven Place-Based Economic Development Strategy: A Local Perspective of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor
Authors: Kamnuansilpa Peerasit , Timofeev Andrey , Lowatcharin Grichawat , Laochankham Sirisak
Published: October 2023

We contrast place-based economic development strategies (PBEDS) in Thailand and in economically advanced countries. Through government initiatives, PBEDS focuses on improving economically underdeveloped areas' economic conditions. Thailand's PBEDS began in 1959 to develop the impoverished Northeast region, focusing on agricultural improvements. Since 1970, infrastructure and industrial development zones have been the main strategies to attract foreign investment for export-oriented growth. In economically advanced countries, the primary purpose of PBEDS is to reduce regional economic disparity. However, as they are implemented in Thailand, they increase regional inequality as development is concentrated in and around Bangkok. Thailand's latest PBEDS is the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project in three eastern provinces. The national government oversaw the EEC and granted the EEC Office special powers to streamline investment approvals, although local governments have no formal role. We contrast Thailand's top-down PBEDS with approaches in other countries that emphasize local decision-making and leveraging regional assets. Thailand's policies focus on national growth, while international evidence suggests that locally-led PBEDS more effectively address regional disparities and increase national output.  Thailand should empower local governments, coordinate with them, and invest in poorer regions. At the same time, the EEC may promote growth, but its centralized approach risks misaligning with local needs. A balanced strategy accounting for local contexts could better lift Thailand economically.
Association Between Visceral Adiposity Marker with Diabetic Kidney Disease: An Analysis of Data from National Diabetes Registry Malaysia
Authors: Kamarudin Syaharatul Patimah , Samsudin Ely Zarina , Ismail Zaliha , Ibrahim Khalid , Bukhary Noriklil Bukhary Ismail , Suddin Leny Suzana
Published: October 2023

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) causes significant morbidity and mortality and an economic burden to the country. New visceral adiposity assessment and measurements have gained much attention as a surrogate marker to screen pathogenic visceral fat among patients with chronic kidney disease. This study aims to determine the association between visceral adiposity markers and DKD among T2DM patients. A cross-sectional study to analyze Putrajaya Diabetes Clinical Audit 2018 data from the National Diabetes Registry Malaysia was conducted. A universal sampling method was performed to include all T2DM patients in the dataset. Logistic regression analyses were utilized for three visceral adiposity markers, which were the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HW) phenotype, visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product index (LAPI). A total of 1,297 T2DM patients were included in the analyses. The majority of them were of Malay ethnicity, male and aged between 40-64 years. The overall prevalence of DKD was 24.1%. VAI was significantly associated with DKD among males but not in females. Compared to males in the first VAI quartile group, both second and fourth quartile groups had increased odds of DKD [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 1.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09, 3.34) and AOR 2.29 (95% CI: 1.03, 5.09) respectively)]. There was no significant association between HW phenotype and LAPI with DKD. VAI could predict DKD only in male T2DM patients. Thus, it might be a useful clinical indicator of DKD in male T2DM patients in primary care.
Design of a Potato Stick Cutting Machine: Improving Production Efficiency and Reducing Cutting Waste
Authors: . Nasrullah , Nur Ansiha , . Nofriadi , . Nasirwan , Fauzi Mhd.
Published: October 2023

The designed of potato stick-cutting machine is a tool for cutting potatoes into long pieces. This machine is capable of cutting potatoes quickly and consistently. The aim of this research is to design a potato stick-cutting machine that can increase production efficiency and reduce cutting waste. The advantage of this machine lies in its ability to produce uniform potato pieces quickly compared to manual cutting. The design stages start with a field review, literature study, determining the design, calculating all machine components, making working drawings, component manufacturing process, assembling components, and finally testing the machine. This machine consists of a frame, knife, pully, v belt, knife body, and electric motor with a capacity of 214.2 Kg/hour. This potato stick cutting machine has dimensions of length x width x height respectively of 810 x 400 x 385 mm. By using a ½ HP motor as the driving force. The way this machine works is that the motor rotation is forwarded to the gearbox to reduce the rotation using a type A belt with a length of 32 inches and a pulley diameter of 3 inches and 4 inches. The operation of this potato stick-cutting machine is very simple inserting the peeled potatoes into the funnel in a horizontal position. Turn on the motor by pressing the start button, then the piston/pusher will push the potato towards the knife.