bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resource-efficient quantum key distribution with integrated silicon photonics
Authors: Wei Kejin , Hu Xiao , Du Yongqiang , Hua Xin , Zhao Zhengeng , Chen Ye , Huang Chunfeng , Xiao Xi
Published: May 2023

Integrated photonics provides a promising platform for quantum key distribution (QKD) system in terms of miniaturization, robustness, and scalability. Tremendous QKD works based on integrated photonics have been reported. Nonetheless, most current chip-based QKD implementations require additional off-chip hardware to demodulate quantum states or perform auxiliary tasks such as time synchronization and polarization basis tracking. Here, we report a demonstration of resource-efficient chip-based BB84 QKD with a silicon-based encoder and a decoder. In our scheme, the time synchronization and polarization compensation are implemented relying on the preparation and measurement of the quantum states generated by on-chip devices; thus, we need no additional hardware. The experimental tests show that our scheme is highly stable with a low intrinsic quantum bit error rate of 0.50%±0.02% in a 6 h continuous run. Furthermore, over a commercial fiber channel up to 150 km, the system enables the realization of secure key distribution at a rate of 866 bit/s. Our demonstration paves the way for a low-cost, wafer-scale manufactured QKD system.
Machine learning to predict bacteriologic confirmation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in infants and very young children
Authors: Smith Jonathan P. , Milligan Kyle , McCarthy Kimberly D. , Mchembere Walter , Okeyo Elisha , Musau Susan K. , Okumu Albert , Song Rinn , Click Eleanor S. , Cain Kevin P.
Published: May 2023

Diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) among young children (<5 years) is challenging due to the paucibacillary nature of clinical disease and clinical similarities to other childhood diseases. We used machine learning to develop accurate prediction models of microbial confirmation with simply defined and easily obtainable clinical, demographic, and radiologic factors. We evaluated eleven supervised machine learning models (using stepwise regression, regularized regression, decision tree, and support vector machine approaches) to predict microbial confirmation in young children (<5 years) using samples from invasive (reference-standard) or noninvasive procedure. Models were trained and tested using data from a large prospective cohort of young children with symptoms suggestive of TB in Kenya. Model performance was evaluated using areas under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) and precision-recall curve (AUPRC), accuracy metrics. (i.e., sensitivity, specificity), F-beta scores, Cohen’s Kappa, and Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient. Among 262 included children, 29 (11%) were microbially confirmed using any sampling technique. Models were accurate at predicting microbial confirmation in samples obtained from invasive procedures (AUROC range: 0.84–0.90) and from noninvasive procedures (AUROC range: 0.83–0.89). History of household contact with a confirmed case of TB, immunological evidence of TB infection, and a chest x-ray consistent with TB disease were consistently influential across models. Our results suggest machine learning can accurately predict microbial confirmation of M. tuberculosis in young children using simply defined features and increase the bacteriologic yield in diagnostic cohorts. These findings may facilitate clinical decision making and guide clinical research into novel biomarkers of TB disease in young children.
Patient engagement in decision making and associated factors among outpatients with selected non-communicable chronic diseases in public hospitals of West Shoa, Ethiopia
Authors: Emana Desalegn , Kitaba Mulu , Girma Taka , lekassa Shalama , Regea Firaol , Dina Hunduma , Mulgeta Segni
Published: May 2023

Background

Despite the importance of patient engagement in health care decision-making in the care of patients with chronic diseases, there is limited information about it and the factors affecting it in Ethiopia and in the Public Hospitals of West Shoa in particular. Thus, this study was designed to assess the engagement of patients with selected chronic non-communicable diseases in health care decision-making and associated factors in public hospitals of West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Methods

We used an institution -based cross-sectional study design. We used systematic sampling for the selection of study participants from June 7–July 26, 2020. Standardized, pretested, and structured Patient Activation Measure was used to measure patient engagement in healthcare decision-making. We did descriptive analysis to determine the magnitude of patient engagement in health care decision-making. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with patients’ engagement in the health care decision-making process. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was calculated to measure the strength of association. We declared statistical significance at p<0.05. we presented the results in tables and graphs.

Results

406 patients with chronic diseases took part in the study, yielding a response rate of 96.2%. Less than a fifth [19.5% (95% CI: 15.5, 23.6)] of participants in the study area had a high engagement in their health care decision-making. Educational level (college or above) [AOR = 5.2, 95% CI (1.76–15.46)], duration of diagnosis >5 years [AOR = 1.8, 95% CI (1.03–3.2)], health literacy [AOR = 1.15, 95% CI (1.06–1.24)], autonomy preference in decision making [AOR = 1.35, 95% CI (1.03–1.96)] were factors significantly associated with participants’ engagement in health care decision making among patients with chronic diseases.

Conclusion

A high number of respondents had a low engagement in their health care decision-making. Preference for autonomy in decision making, educational level, health literacy, duration of diagnosis with the disease were factors associated with patient engagement in health care decision making among patients with chronic diseases in the study area. Thus, patients should be empowered to be involved in decision making to increase their engagement in the care.
Assessing racial bias in type 2 diabetes risk prediction algorithms
Authors: Cronjé Héléne T. , Katsiferis Alexandros , Elsenburg Leonie K. , Andersen Thea O. , Rod Naja H. , Nguyen Tri-Long , Varga Tibor V.
Published: May 2023

Risk prediction models for type 2 diabetes can be useful for the early detection of individuals at high risk. However, models may also bias clinical decision-making processes, for instance by differential risk miscalibration across racial groups. We investigated whether the Prediabetes Risk Test (PRT) issued by the National Diabetes Prevention Program, and two prognostic models, the Framingham Offspring Risk Score, and the ARIC Model, demonstrate racial bias between non-Hispanic Whites and non-Hispanic Blacks. We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, sampled in six independent two-year batches between 1999 and 2010. A total of 9,987 adults without a prior diagnosis of diabetes and with fasting blood samples available were included. We calculated race- and year-specific average predicted risks of type 2 diabetes according to the risk models. We compared the predicted risks with observed ones extracted from the US Diabetes Surveillance System across racial groups (summary calibration). All investigated models were found to be miscalibrated with regard to race, consistently across the survey years. The Framingham Offspring Risk Score overestimated type 2 diabetes risk for non-Hispanic Whites and underestimated risk for non-Hispanic Blacks. The PRT and the ARIC models overestimated risk for both races, but more so for non-Hispanic Whites. These landmark models overestimated the risk of type 2 diabetes for non-Hispanic Whites more severely than for non-Hispanic Blacks. This may result in a larger proportion of non-Hispanic Whites being prioritized for preventive interventions, but it also increases the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment in this group. On the other hand, a larger proportion of non-Hispanic Blacks may be potentially underprioritized and undertreated.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and previous natural disasters on the mental health of healthcare workers in Puerto Rico
Authors: Hernández-Torres Ruthmarie , Martínez Lozano Marijulie , Torres Irma , Rosario-Hernández Ernesto , Ramos-Pibernus Alíxida , Soto Ana , Ortiz Luisa , Mascayano Franco , Rivera-Segarra Eliut
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic worries (e.g., fear of contagion) and previous exposure to natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes) on Healthcare Workers (HCWs) mental health in Puerto Rico. Participants completed a self-administered online survey including items on sociodemographic information, working conditions, fears, and worries about the COVID-19 pandemic, past natural disaster experiences, depressive symptoms, and resilience. Logistic regressions models were performed to explain the relationship between depressive symptomatology and COVID-19 experiences and worries. 40.9% (n = 107) of the sample were classified as having some level (mild to severe) of depressive symptomatology (PHQ-8 ≥5). Results reflect normal to high levels of psychological resilience (BRS; M = 3.7, SD = 0.7). A significant association was found between depressive symptomatology and psychological resilience (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.77). The odds of having depressive symptomatology were almost five times higher (OR = 4.79, 95% CI: 1.71–13.44) among those who reported emotional coping difficulties during the pandemic after experiencing a natural disaster compared to those that did not, when adjusting for psychological resilience and residence region. Despite normal to high psychological resilience levels, HCWs who reported emotional coping difficulties due to previous disasters were at risk of developing depressive symptomatology. Results suggest interventions to address the mental health of HCWs could benefit from considering other individual and environmental factors beyond resilience. Findings could inform future interventions to promote HCWs’ well-being before, during, and after a natural disaster or pandemic outbreak.
Prevalence of mental health problems among children with long COVID: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mat Hassan Nurulhuda , Salim Hani Syahida , Amaran Safiya , Yunus Nurul Izza , Yusof Nurul Azreen , Daud Norwati , Fry Deborah
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The number of children with mental health problems has more than doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the effect of long Covid on children’s mental health is still debatable. Recognising long Covid as a risk factor for mental health problems in children will increase awareness and screening for mental health problems following COVID-19 infection, resulting in earlier intervention and lower morbidity. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the proportion of mental health problems post-COVID-19 infection in children and adolescents, and to compare them with the population with no previous COVID-19 infection.

Methodology

A systematic search was done in seven databases using pre-defined search terms. Cross-sectional, cohort and interventional studies reporting the proportion of mental health problems among children with long COVID in the English language from 2019 to May 2022 were included. Selection of papers, extraction of data and quality assessment were done independently by two reviewers. Studies with satisfactory quality were included in meta-analysis using R and Revman software programmes.

Results

The initial search retrieved 1848 studies. After screening, 13 studies were included in the quality assessments. Meta-analysis showed children who had previous COVID-19 infection had more than two times higher odds of having anxiety or depression, and 14% higher odds of having appetite problems, compared to children with no previous infection. The pooled prevalence of mental health problems among the population were as follows; anxiety: 9%(95% CI:1, 23), depression: 15%(95% CI:0.4, 47), concentration problems: 6%(95% CI: 3, 11), sleep problems: 9%(95% CI:5, 13), mood swings: 13% (95%CI:5, 23) and appetite loss: 5%(95% CI:1, 13). However, studies were heterogenous and lack data from low- and middle-income countries.

Conclusion

Anxiety, depression and appetite problems were significantly increased among post-COVID-19 infected children, compared to those without a previous infection, which may be attributed to long COVID. The findings underscore the importance of screening and early intervention of children post-COVID-19 infection at one month and between three to four months.
Acid-base and metabolic parameters and cerebral oxygenation during the immediate transition after birth—A two-center observational study
Authors: Mattersberger Christian , Baik-Schneditz Nariae , Schwaberger Bernhard , Schmölzer Georg M. , Mileder Lukas , Urlesberger Berndt , Pichler Gerhard
Published: May 2023

Objective

The association between blood glucose level and cerebral oxygenation (cerebral regional oxygen saturation [crSO2] and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction [FTOE]) in neonates has already been described. Aim of the present study was to investigate if acid-base and other metabolic parameters have an impact on cerebral oxygenation immediately after birth in preterm and term neonates.

Study design

Post-hoc analyses of secondary outcome parameters of two prospective observational studies were performed. Preterm and term neonates born by caesarean section were included, in whom i) cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurements were performed during the first 15 minutes after birth and ii) a capillary blood gas analysis was performed between 10 and 20 minutes after birth. Vital signs were routinely monitored with pulse oximetry (arterial oxygen saturation [SpO2] and heart rate [HR]). Correlation analyses were performed to investigate potential associations between acid-base and metabolic parameters (lactate [LAC], pH-value [pH], base-excess [BE] and bicarbonate [HCO3]) from capillary blood and NIRS-derived crSO2 and FTOE at 15 minutes after birth.

Results

One-hundred-fifty-seven neonates, 42 preterm neonates (median gestational age [IQR] 34.0 weeks [3.3], median birth weight 1845g [592]) and 115 term neonates (median gestational age [IQR] 38.9 weeks [1.0], median birth weight 3230g [570]) were included in the study. Median crSO2 [IQR] values at 15 minutes after birth were 82% [16] in preterm neonates and 83% [12] in term neonates. Median FTOE [IQR] values at 15 minutes after birth were 0.13 [0.15] in preterm neonates and 0.14 [0.14] in term neonates. In preterm neonates, higher LAC and lower pH and BE were associated with lower crSO2 and higher FTOE. In term neonates, higher HCO3 was associated with higher FTOE.

Conclusion

There were significant associations between several acid-base and metabolic parameters and cerebral oxygenation in preterm neonates, while in term neonates only HCO3 correlated positively with FTOE.
Views from women and maternity care professionals on routine discussion of previous trauma in the perinatal period: A qualitative evidence synthesis
Authors: Cull Joanne , Thomson Gill , Downe Soo , Fine Michelle , Topalidou Anastasia
Published: May 2023

Background

Over a third of pregnant women (around 250,000) each year in the United Kingdom have experienced trauma such as domestic abuse, childhood trauma or sexual assault. These experiences can have a long-term impact on women’s mental and physical health. This global qualitative evidence synthesis explores the views of women and maternity care professionals on routine discussion of previous trauma in the perinatal period.

Methods

Systematic database searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL Plus, APA PsycINFO and Global Index Medicus) were conducted in July 2021 and updated in April 2022. The quality of each study was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. We thematically synthesised the data and assessed confidence in findings using GRADE-CERQual.

Results

We included 25 papers, from five countries, published between 2001 and 2022. All the studies were conducted in high-income countries; therefore findings cannot be applied to low- or middle-income countries. Confidence in most of the review findings was moderate or high. The findings are presented in six themes. These themes described how women and clinicians felt trauma discussions were valuable and worthwhile, provided there was adequate time and appropriate referral pathways. However, women often found being asked about previous trauma to be unexpected and intrusive, and women with limited English faced additional challenges. Many pregnant women were unaware of the extent of the trauma they have suffered, or its impact on their lives. Before disclosing trauma, women needed to have a trusting relationship with a clinician; even so, some women chose not to share their histories. Hearing trauma disclosures could be distressing for clinicians.

Conclusion

Discussions of previous trauma should be undertaken when women want to have the discussion, when there is time to understand and respond to the needs and concerns of each individual, and when there are effective resources available for follow up if needed. Continuity of carer should be considered a key feature of routine trauma discussion, as many women will not disclose their histories to a stranger. All women should be provided with information about the impact of trauma and how to independently access support in the event of non-disclosures. Care providers need support to carry out these discussions.
A study on the influence of personality characteristics on household charitable donation behavior in China
Authors: Zhang Kai , Cao Bin , Zhang Ya , Han Yawen
Published: May 2023

Using the data of the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this paper empirically tests the impact of the "Big Five" personality characteristics on household charitable donation behavior. The benchmark regression results show that after controlling the individual characteristics and family characteristics of the household heads, the conscientiousness and openness of the household heads have a significant positive impact on the social donation behavior of the family. On this basis, this paper takes the openness personality as an example, selects the identification strategy of processing effect, and tests the robustness of the causal effect of personality on household donation behavior. The openness personality has a significant positive impact on household external donation behavior. In the further study, it is found that with the improvement of the level of household charitable donation, the positive effect of the household head ’s openness personality on household charitable donation behavior is gradually weakening; The influence of openness personality on household charitable donation has the nonlinear characteristics of "marginal effect" increasing and obvious life cycle characteristics.
The expendables: Bioarchaeological evidence for pauper apprentices in 19th century England and the health consequences of child labour
Authors: Gowland Rebecca L. , Caffell Anwen C. , Quade Leslie , Levene Alysa , Millard Andrew R. , Holst Malin , Yapp Poppy , Delaney S. , Brown Chloe , Nowell Geoff , McPherson Colin , Shaw Heidi A. , Stewart Nicolas A. , Robinson Sally , Montgomery Janet , Alexander Michelle M.
Published: May 2023

Child labour is the most common form of child abuse in the world today, with almost half of child workers employed in hazardous industries. The large-scale employment of children during the rapid industrialisation of the late 18thand early 19thcenturies in England is well documented. During this period, the removal of pauper children from workhouses in cities to work as apprentices in rural mills in the North of England was commonplace. Whilst the experiences of some of these children have been recorded historically, this study provides the first direct evidence of their lives through bioarchaeological analysis. The excavation of a rural churchyard cemetery in the village of Fewston, North Yorkshire, yielded the skeletal remains of 154 individuals, including an unusually large proportion of children aged between 8 to 20 years. A multi-method approach was undertaken, including osteological and palaeopathological examination, stable isotope and amelogenin peptide analysis. The bioarchaeological results were integrated with historical data regarding a local textile mill in operation during the 18th-19thcenturies. The results for the children were compared to those obtained from contemporaneous individuals of known identity (from coffin plates) of comparable date. Most of the children exhibited distinctive ‘non-local’ isotope signatures and a diet low in animal protein when compared to the named local individuals. These children also showed severe growth delays and pathological lesions indicative of early life adversity, as well as respiratory disease, which is a known occupational hazard of mill work. This study has provided unique insights into the harrowing lives of these children; born into poverty and forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions. This analysis provides a stark testimony of the impacts of industrial labour on the health, growth and mortality risk of children, with implications for the present as well as our understanding of the past.
Climate variables are not the dominant predictor of Arctic shorebird distributions
Authors: Anderson Christine M. , Fahrig Lenore , Rausch Jennie , Smith Paul A.
Published: May 2023

Competing theoretical perspectives about whether or not climate is the dominant factor influencing species’ distributions at large spatial scales have important consequences when habitat suitability models are used to address conservation problems. In this study, we tested how much variables in addition to climate help to explain habitat suitability for Arctic-breeding shorebirds. To do this we model species occupancy using path analyses, which allow us to estimate the indirect effects of climate on other predictor variables, such as land cover. We also use deviance partitioning to quantify the total relative importance of climate versus additional predictors in explaining species occupancy. We found that individual land cover variables are often stronger predictors than the direct and indirect effects of climate combined. In models with both climate and additional variables, on average the additional variables accounted for 57% of the explained deviance, independent of shared effects with the climate variables. Our results support the idea that climate-only models may offer incomplete descriptions of current and future habitat suitability and can lead to incorrect conclusions about the size and location of suitable habitat. These conclusions could have important management implications for designating protected areas and assessing threats like climate change and human development.
Fixed vs. variable light quality in vertical farming: Impacts on vegetative growth and nutritional quality of lettuce
Authors: Kong Yuyao , Nemali Krishna
Published: May 2023

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is commonly produced in vertical farms. The levels of nutritionally important phytochemicals such as beta-carotene (precursor to vitamin A) are generally low in lettuce. In this study, we investigated the benefits of variable lighting strategy (i.e., varying the light quality during production) on maintaining plant growth and increasing the biosynthesis of beta-carotene and anthocyanin. We tested two variable lighting methods, using green and red romaine lettuce, namely (i) providing growth lighting (supports vegetative growth) initially (21 days) followed by a high percentage of blue light (supports biosynthesis of phytochemicals) at final stages (10 days) and (ii) providing a high percentage of blue light initially followed by growth lighting at final stages. Our results indicate that the variable lighting method with initial growth lighting and high percentage of blue at final stages can maintain vegetative growth and enhance phytochemicals such as beta-carotene in green romaine lettuce while both variable lighting methods were not effective in red romaine lettuce. In green romaine lettuce, we did not observe a significant reduction in shoot dry weight but there was an increase in beta-carotene (35.7%) in the variable compared to the fixed lighting method with growth lighting for the entire duration. The physiological bases for differences in vegetative growth and synthesis of beta-carotene and anthocyanin in the variable and fixed lighting methods are discussed.
Mental toughness in the Football Association Women’s Super League: Relationships with playing experience, perceptions of club infrastructure, support mechanisms and self-esteem
Authors: Wheatley Clare , Batey Mark , Denovan Andrew , Dagnall Neil
Published: May 2023

Previous research reports a positive association between possession of mental toughness (MT) and high performance in sportspersons. However, the extent to which MT is related to playing experiences and appreciation of club environment in elite women’s football has received only limited research attention. Accordingly, the present study investigated MT in the context of the English Football Association Women’s Super League (WSL). Specifically, this paper examined relationships between level of MT and external (playing experience, perceptions of club infrastructure, and appreciation of support mechanisms) and internal (self-esteem) factors. A sample of 63 elite female professional football players from the WSL, aged between 18 and 35 years (mean = 25.87, SD = 4.03), completed self-report measures. To objectively validate self-ratings, congruence between self and peer-rated was assessed. This revealed a strong degree of consistency. Subsequent analysis found positive correlations between MT, playing experience (number of years playing football, NoY; and highest level of football achieved, HLA), and External Support. Additionally, Self-Esteem correlated positively with MT, NoY, HLA, and External Support. Moderation analysis found MT interacted with NoY and predicted greater levels of Self-Esteem. Players with lower and mean MT, and more years as a professional were more likely to possess higher Self-Esteem (vs. less years). These outcomes indicated important relationships between MT, External Support, and Self-Esteem. Accordingly, WSL clubs can potentially apply the results of this study to enhance positive player mindset.
POWER Up—Improving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among Black cisgender women in the Southern United States: Protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial (SW-CRT)
Authors: Ridgway Jessica P. , Devlin Samantha A. , Friedman Eleanor E. , Enaholo Ososese E. , Pyra Maria , Hirschhorn Lisa R. , Haider Sadia , Ducheny Kelly , Johnson Amy K.
Published: May 2023

Background

HIV disproportionately affects Black/African American cisgender women (hereafter women) in the United States. Despite its proven effectiveness, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention remains vastly under-prescribed to women based on their need. Increasing PrEP uptake and persistence among women is crucial to reducing HIV transmission; however, there have been few studies designed specifically for women. This article describes the study protocol used to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of implementation strategies to improve PrEP uptake and persistence among Black women in the Midwest and South.

Methods

PrEPOptimization amongWomen toEnhanceRetention andUptake (POWER Up) is an evidence-based, woman-focused set of five implementation science strategies that addresses barriers of PrEP utilization at the provider, patient, and clinic levels. POWER Up includes 1) routine PrEP education for patients, 2) standardized provider training, 3) electronic medical record (EMR) optimization, 4) PrEP navigation, and 5) PrEP clinical champions. These strategies will be adapted to specific clinics for implementation, tested via a stepped-wedge trial, and, if effective, packaged for further dissemination.

Discussion

We will utilize a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial (SW-CRT) to measure change in PrEP utilization across diverse geographic areas. Preparation for adapting and implementing the bundle of strategies is needed to determine how to tailor them to specific clinics. Implementation challenges will include adapting strategies with the available resources at each site, maintaining stakeholder involvement and staff buy-in, adjusting the study protocol and planned procedures as needed, and ensuring minimal crossover. Additionally, strengths and limitations of each strategy must be examined before, during, and after the adaptation and implementation processes. Finally, the implementation outcomes of the strategies must be evaluated to determine the real-world success of the strategies. This study is an important step toward addressing the inequity in PrEP service delivery and increasing PrEP utilization among Black women in the U.S.
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES, PHENOLIC CONSTITUENTS AND OF VARIOUS EXTRACTS OF CYCLAMEN COUM TUBERS AND LEAVES FROM TURKEY
Authors: Aydin Cigdem , Mammadov Ramazan , Davidov Mahmudcon
Published: May 2023

The present study evaluated thephenolics composition and biological activities of various extracts of Cyclamen coum. The antioxidant properties of these plant wasdetermined using the scavengingmethods (DPPH andABTS), total antioxidant test systems (β-carotene/linoleic acid), reducing power (FRAP) assays.The antibacterial effect was examined with MIC method. The phenolics were identified using HPLC and the brine shrimp lethality test was used to screen for possible toxicity. Larvicidal activity against Cx. pipienswas assessed.The highest phenolic compound was foundcinnamic acid with 411.6 µg/g. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid were found in the ethanolic extracts with 8.99±3.07 mgGAE/mL and 54.66±3.02 mgQE/g, respectively. The tuber-methanol extract exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity (β-carotene/linoleic acid test, 76.43±3.02%). The radical scavinging activity of the extracts varied from 129.74±0.02 (tuber ethanol) to 336.3±0.02 (tuber acetone) IC50 μg/mL (DPPH assay) and from 118.04±0.07 (tuber ethanol) to 321.96±0.08 (leaves acetone) IC50 μg/mL (ABTS assay). Very strong reduction of Gr (+) S. aureus growth were observed during incubation in tubermethanolic extracts (MIC was 56±0.03μg/mL). The brine shrimp lethality assay of tubermethanol extract has showed good cytotoxic with LC50 of 3.016 μg/mL. The tuber extract of C. Coum showed highest larvicidal activity against Cx. pipiens with value LC50 (296.80 μg/mL). C.coum could be a source to derive the potential antioxidant and cytotoxic agents. However, further studies are needed to determine the mechanism involved in the process.
QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF THE SUM OF FLAVONOIDS OF THE ABOVEGROUND PART OF SCUTELLARIA COMOSA
Authors: Mamatkhanova Munirakhon Akhmathon kizi , Ergasheva Shohida Abdukodir kizi , Botirov Erkin Khozhiakbarovich , Mulyukin Maksim Aleksandrovich , Khalilov Ravshanjon Muratjanovich , Mamatkhanov Akhmatkhon Umarkhanovich
Published: May 2023

As a result of pharmacological studies, it was revealed that the sum of flavonoids from the aboveground part of the plant Scutellaria comosa (Lamiaceae family) has adaptogenic and antihypoxic effects. For the introduction into medical practice of a drug based on the sum of flavonoids, studies have been conducted on the standardization of raw materials – the aboveground part of the crested helmet. The analysis of plant raw materials by TLC and HPLC methods showed that the dominant flavonoid of the aboveground part of the crested skullcap is isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.

A differential spectrophotometric technique has been developed for the quantitative determination of the sum of flavonoids of the aboveground part of the crested helmet in terms of isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. The optimal parameters for the extraction of vegetable raw materials are: extraction with 70% ethyl alcohol in a boiling water bath for 60 minutes in the ratio "raw material – extractant" – 1 : 100, the degree of grinding of raw materials – 2 mm. It was found that with the differential version of spectrophotometric analysis, the flavonoids – AlCl3 system reaches equilibrium after 40 minutes. The maximum of the differential absorption spectrum of the alcohol extraction of Scutellaria comosa is observed at 346 nm and can be used to analyze this group of compounds.

The content of the sum of flavonoids in the aboveground part of the crested helmet varies from 9.72% to 10.27%. In order to establish the optimal harvesting time of plant raw materials, the content of the sum of flavonoids was determined by the vegetation periods of the plant in terms of isoscutellarein 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and it was determined that the maximum accumulation of the sum of flavonoids is observed during the flowering period (10.13% of the weight of air-dry raw materials).
Moisture Buffering and Mold Growth Characteristics of Naturally Ventilated Lime Plastered Houses.
Authors: Paralkar Vismaya , Damle Rashmin
Published: May 2023

Lime plaster is well known for its moisture buffering capabilities but is also susceptible to mould growth. This work focusses on the hygrothermal performance of lime plaster in naturally ventilated residential spaces. Surveys are carried out for 45 traditional buildings of Ahmedabad in India with measurements of ambient variables, such as temperature, relative humidity, wall moisture content, etc. Mould growth patterns of these spaces are related to the measured variables and wall characteristics. Hygrothermal simulations of some spaces are also carried out to observe the moisture buffering of lime plaster. Experimental observations are contrasted with simulation results to see if numerical predictions are realistic.
The interactions between inflammation and insulin resistance: prospects of immunoregulation as a potential approach for the type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment
Authors: Stafeev I. S. , Yudaeva A. D. , Michurina S. S. , Menshikov M. Yu. , Shestakova M. V. , Parfyonova Y. V.
Published: May 2023

In the modern world the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly increases. In this light the risks of obesity-associated complications also grow up. The crucial linkage between obesity and its complications is inflammation, which is a convenient target for potential anti-diabetic therapy. There are some anti-inflammatory therapy strategies: action on secreted cytokines, circulating lipids or intracellular signaling cascades. Canakinumab (antibody to IL-1b receptor) and colchicine (IL-6 secretion blocker) have the most balanced anti-diabetic and cardioprotective action among cytokine anti-inflammatory therapy. Lipid-lowering therapy is very diverse, but bempedoic acid nowadays has the best combination of anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects. Salicylate is an inhibitor of IKK-dependent inflammatory signaling cascade and significantly lowers glycated hemoglobin and C-reactive protein levels among obese patients. The future of anti-inflammatory T2DM therapy can be related with anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-37), chimeric engineered cytokines (IC7Fc), novel inhibitors of inflammatory and cytokines signaling cascades (imatinib, CC90001) and cell-based therapy (mesenchymal stem cells). In summary, despite on the limitations of current clinical trials, anti-inflammatory drugs have a potential to become a part of modern combined T2DM therapy with anti-diabetic and cardioprotective properties. Novel findings in potential anti-inflammatory T2DM therapy have great perspectives in protection against T2DM and related complication prevention.
Role of Digital Library as Knowledge Sharing Tool to Promote Electric Vehicles in India
Authors: Deepa N , Sharma Reeta , Priya Saloni , Kalia Shweta , Mitra Indradip , Bhattacharya P K , Das Dr Anup Kumar
Published: May 2023

The Digital Library on Green Mobility (DLGM) aims to provide a platform for sharing ideas, knowledge, and documents among stakeholders of various organizations and institutions involved in Low Carbon Transport in India. It provides full-text access to national and state-level policies, regulations, reports, articles, books, standards, case studies, etc., on green mobility. Following a case study approach, the study highlights the process of developing a knowledge-sharing platform and success of DLGM in meeting the critical objectives. The usage trend and user behaviour of DLGM was analyzed to draw inferences to improve website usability. We briefly discuss how different insights from DLGM can be obtained to benefit a diverse set of stakeholders such as policymakers, practitioners, private companies, and researchers for evidence-based gap identification, decision making, and way forward in various green mobility topics. The study contributes to the original findings based on users’ and website accessibility surveys undertaken by authors.
Exploring Factors Affecting Media Information Literacy
Authors: Gupta Sangita , Sharma Diksha , Thakur Reenu Arti
Published: May 2023

This paper is intended to investigate the determinants of media information literacy by examining the skills of students belonging to the University of Jammu in July 2022. The focal point of the study is to identify the predictors of MIL, by knowing the student’s familiarity with the various concepts of MIL, and their level of MIL skills. MIL is studied through a scale having four parameters, with a 0.741 interclass correlation and a total reliability of.81. The majority of respondents assessed poor MIL skills and distinct from the self-reported MIL (W= 2386.5, p<0.001, and rB = 0.8). It was found that information literacy, computer literacy, and freedom of expression are indirectly affecting the MIL, and is mediated by the capacities to create and evaluate information.Nevertheless, it is directly affected by information literacy.
WORKPLACE SAFETY IN NURSING
Authors:   University Medical Centre Maribor, Erjavec Donna
Published: May 2023

Workplace safety is one of the main concerns of health institutions. Work environment is complex on every level of health care. Health organizations are a challenging work environment. Health care system is faced with many challenges including staff, supplies, and organization. Dominating elementary determinants of safe workplace environment is key to well-balanced workplace safety. Elementary determinates are communication, leadership, cooperation, organization, and legislation. With education health care workers can develop their knowledge on workplace safety as well as personal responsibility that contributes to workplace safety
THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP IN DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING A SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION
Authors:   Celje General Hospital, Lužar Katja , Šincek Andreja ,   University Medical Centre Ljubljana
Published: May 2023

Leadership in nursing is a commonplace concept today. Yet few think about what it even means. Is it just a word, just an unwritten rule? Or is it a process that requires not only the whole person, but also daily learning and the ability to adapt in terms of specific skills? The role of the lead nurse has become a very important element in the nursing process, upon which a great deal of responsibility has fallen over time. Ultimately, senior nurses are the ones responsible for organizing the work in a particular area. This may not yet be a major challenge, but in the literature review, it quickly becomes clear that leadership is not just about organizing work in the sense of distributing certain tasks to others. Leadership is not a stand-alone issue, but is composed of many skills. All elements of leadership, the right communication and at the same time the success of the work team must be put into practice. In this process, their evaluation is also of great importance. It requires close hand-in-hand cooperation, all the way to the top of the organization. Within this circle, each link must function properly, otherwise the chain flow will be broken, and the goal of cooperation will not be achieved. The main purpose of the article is to find out, with the help of a lite- 18ZBORNIK POVZETKOV IN RECENZIRANIH PRISPEVKOV maj 2023 rature review, how the segments of leadership, the personality traits of the leader himself, teamwork and communication are intertwined in the whole process and what influence they consequently have on the formation of a successful organization.
Assessment of Drying Temperature and Initial Moisture on Beans and Corn Seeds Drying Kinetics and Transport Properties
Authors: Raimundini Aranha Ana Caroline , Lopes Ferrari Andressa , Mosella Nascimento Flavio , De Matos Jorge Luiz Mario , Oliveira  Defendi Rafael
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study is to assess the drying temperature and initial moisture content on beans and corn seeds drying kinetics and transport properties. It was verified that the best empirical lumped models fitting whereas obtained by Approximation of Diffusion and Hii, Law and Cloke models. This was expected because the fitting tends to improve as the model has more parameters. However, despite having only two parameters, the Page model showed good fitting in all conditions analyzed, therefore, this generalized model could predict experimental data with a maximum global deviation of around 10.0 %. The distributed parameter model assessed moisture content distribution inside the grain, which could predict experimental data with an overall deviation of around 10.0 %. Results indicated that both drying temperature and initial moisture have a significant influence on drying rates and mass transfer coefficients and verified that it is not advisable to neglect the influence of the initial moisture content and its distribution along the position inside the material for beans and corn seeds drying studies.
Design of a novel hybrid soft computing model for passive components selection in multiple load Zeta converter topologies of solar PV energy system
Authors: Hole Shreyas Rajendra , Goswami Agam Das
Published: May 2023

This paper presents a new approach to improve the performance of Zeta converters, which are commonly used in cost-sensitive circuits to manage unregulated power supply. The converters are designed to produce positive output voltages based on input voltages, and they use a buck controller to power a PMOS-based FET for high-side control. Compared to other converters, such as SEPIC, Zeta converters are smaller and more scalable for micro applications due to the use of coupled inductor circuits. The performance of Zeta converters is heavily influenced by the ratings of their passive components. To optimize component rating choices, researchers have developed several pattern analysis models. However, these models often require context-specific ratings and lack a parameter selection method for continual reconfigurations, making them difficult to deploy in practice for different use cases. To address these limitations, the authors propose a hybrid soft computing methodology for passive component selection in multiple load Zeta converters. The proposed approach combines Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to determine initial component ratings and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) to improve conversion efficiency, output gain, and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). This is achieved by modeling a fitness function that incorporates output metrics and optimizes them incrementally for real-time deployments. The results show that the suggested methodology can reduce THD by 6.5 %, increase conversion efficiency by 3.4 %, and maintain a gain improvement of 1.5 % across numerous use cases. These improvements make the model suitable for real-time use applications. Overall, the proposed approach provides a promising solution to the challenges of passive component selection in Zeta converters, which can lead to more efficient and cost-effective power management in various circuits.
Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Callisia fragrans leaf extract and its anticancer activity against MCF-7, HepG2, KB, LU-1, and MKN-7 cell lines
Authors: Nguyen Lan Anh Thi , Van Mai Bay , Van Nguyen Din , Nguyen Ngoc Quyen Thi , Van Pham Vuong , Pham Thong Le Minh , Le Hai Tu
Published: May 2023

This article presents a simple, eco-friendly, and green method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from AgNO3 solution utilizing an aqueous extract of Callisia fragrans leaf. The effects of C. fragrans leaf extraction conditions were evaluated. Parameters affecting the synthesis of AgNPs, such as the volume of extract, pH, temperature, and reaction time were investigated and optimized. The obtained AgNPs were analyzed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and FTIR techniques. TEM and DLS analyses have shown that the synthesized AgNPs were predominantly spherical in shape with an average size of 48 nm. The zeta potential of the colloidal solution of AgNPs is −27 mV, indicating the dispersion ability of AgNPs. The results of GC–MS and FTIR analyses show the presence of biomolecules in the aqueous extract of C. fragrans leaf that acts as reducing and capping agents for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs demonstrate anticancer activity against MCF-7, HepG2, KB, LU-1, and MKN-7 cell lines, with inhibitory concentrations at 50% (IC50 values) of 2.41, 2.31, 2.65, 3.26, and 2.40 µg·mL−1, respectively. The obtained results in the study show that the biosynthesized AgNP from C. fragrans leaf extract can be further exploited as a potential candidate for anticancer agents.
Sémiotique destextscapes: quelle contribution dutextscapelinguistique à la mise en scène des langues dans un corpus de sites web ?
Authors: Hermand Marie-Hélène
Published: May 2023

Cet article propose une réflexion théorique et méthodologique permettant de décrire et d’interpréter lestextscapesà des fins d’analyse communicationnelle. L’objectif consiste à tester le concept sémiotique detextscapelinguistique pour analyser la mise en scène des langues dans la communication des organisations sur le web. Le cadre théorique fait appel aux études du paysage linguistique (Linguistic Landscape Studies) et à la théorie des paysages textuels (textscapes). Le corpus est composé de 100 sites web d’organisations économiques (chambres de commerce,clusterséconomiques, entreprises) qui revendiquent un positionnement à l’échelle transfrontalière européenne. L’étude est menée d’un point de vue statistique (analyse de métadonnées) et qualitatif (analyse sémiotique dutextscapelinguistique) en vue de préciser la place et les fonctions communicationnelles dutextscapelinguistique dans la communication multilingue. Les résultats ont permis de dégager les profils d’expression, un scénario sémiotique typique des sites web observés et surtout de localiser les (dés)équilibres communicationnels.
Signifyin' the Unsayable Past in Toni Morrison's Beloved: The Case of the Newspaper Cutting
Authors: Kovács Ágnes Zsófia
Published: May 2023

The essay surveys how Morrison’s Beloved rewrites African American history and the legacy of slavery by exposing racism encoded in language use through the example of the “newspaper cutting” in the novel. Beloved reverses existing accounts of the slave experience both from the perspective of the characters’ interactions and from the perspective of literary tropes used in it. The novel places oral and indirect communication over the formal system of writing, and by doing this produces a hybridized account of the slave experience. The paper focuses on how the contrast between written and oral storytelling is played out in the several uses of the newspaper cutting in the novel. The newspaper cutting tells Sethe’s story from the perspective of a white man, replete with images, while its several reproductions represent its chain of oral interpretations by the diverse racialized characters, eventually resulting in a hybridized story.