bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involvement of DPP3 in modulating oncological features and oxidative stress response in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Arora Mohit , Kumari Sarita , Kadian Lokesh , Anupa Geethadevi , Singh Jay , Kumar Anurag , Verma Deepika , Pramanik Raja , Kumar Sunil , Yadav Rajni , Chopra Anita , Chauhan Shyam S.
Published: August 2023

Resistance to therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a critical clinical problem and identification of novel therapeutic targets is highly warranted. Dipeptidyl peptidase III (DPP3) is a zinc-dependent aminopeptidase and functions in the terminal stages of the protein turnover. Several studies have reported overexpression and oncogenic functions of DPP3 in numerous malignancies. The present study aimed to determine the expression pattern and functional role of DPP3 in ESCC. DPP3 expression was assessed in normal and tumor tissues using quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR and corroborated with ESCC gene expression datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The cancer genome atlas (TCGA). DPP3 stable knockdown was performed in ESCC cells by shRNA and its effect on cell proliferation, migration, cell cycle, apoptosis, and activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway was assessed. The results suggested that DPP3 is overexpressed in ESCC and its knockdown leads to reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, and inhibited migration of ESCC cells. Additionally, DPP3 knockdown leads to down-regulation of the NRF2 pathway proteins, such as NRF2, G6PD, and NQO1 along with increased sensitivity toward oxidative stress-induced cell death and chemotherapy. Conclusively, these results demonstrate critical role of DPP3 in ESCC and DPP3/NRF2 axis may serve as an attractive therapeutic target against chemoresistance in this malignancy.
Abnormal event detection model using an improved ResNet101 in context aware surveillance system
Authors: Kalshetty Rakesh , Parveen Asma
Published: August 2023

Surveillance system plays a significant role for achieving security monitoring in the place of crowd areas. Offline monitoring of these crowd activity is quite challenging because it requires huge number of human resources for attaining efficient tracking. For shortcoming these issue automated and intelligent based system must be developed for efficiently monitor crowd and detect abnormal activity. However the existing methods faces issues like irrelevant features, high cost and process complexity. In this current research context aware surveillance‐system utilising hybrid ResNet101‐ANN is developed for effective abnormal activity detection. For this proposed approach video acquired from surveillance camera is considered as input. Then, acquired video is segmented into multiple frames. After that pre‐processing techniques such as denoising using mean filter, motion deblurring, contrast enhancement using Histogram Equalisation and canny edge detection is applied in this segmented frames. Further, the pre‐processed frame is fetched into hybrid ResNet101‐ANN classifier for abnormal event classification. Here, ResNet101 is used for extracting the features from the frames and Artificial neural network which replaces the fully connected layer of ResNet101 us used to detect the abnormal activity. If once abnormal‐events detected the context aware services generate alert to the user for preventing abnormal‐activities. Accuracy, precision, recall, and error values reached for the proposed‐model on simulation were 0.98, 0.98, 0.98 and 0.017 respectively. Using this proposed model effective crowd monitoring and abnormal activity detection can be achieved.
A security model for smart grid SCADA systems using stochastic neural network
Authors: Rabie Osama Bassam J. , Selvarajan Shitharth , Alghazzawi Daniyal , Kumar Abhishek , Hasan Syed , Asghar Muhammad Zubair
Published: August 2023

Detection of cyber‐threats in the smart grid Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is still remains one of the complex and essential processes need to be highly concentrated in present times. Typically, the SCADA is more prone to the security issues due to their environmental problems and vulnerabilities. Therefore, the proposed work intends to design a new detection approach by integrating the optimization and classification models for smart grid SCADA security. In this framework, the min‐max normalization is performed at first for noise removal and attributes arrangement. Here, the correlation estimation mechanism is mainly deployed to reduce the dimensionality of features by choosing the relevant features used for attack prediction. Moreover, the optimal features are selected by using the optimal solution provided by the Holistic Harris Hawks Optimization (H3O). Finally, the Perceptron Stochastic Neural Network (PSNN) is utilized to categorize the normal and attacking data flow in the network with minimal processing time and complexity. By using the combination of proposed H3O‐PSNN technique, the detection accuracy is improved up to 99% for all datasets used in this study, and also other measures such as precision to 99.2%, recall to 99%, f1‐score to 99.2% increased, when compared to the standard techniques.
Self‐trigger and on‐demand drug delivery system based on TiO2 nanotube arrays and its drug release behaviour
Authors: Zhang Tao , Liu Nannan , Xie Chunling , Xiao Xiufeng
Published: August 2023

The foundation of drug delivery systems based on titanium dioxide nanotube arrays has become an important means to increase the drug release performance of bone implantation materials. However, most of the conventional platforms have some disadvantages, such as large sudden release, uncontrollable, unintelligent, or not on‐demand drug release process. Herein, the authors develop a unique self‐triggering drug release system (SDDS), utilizing the advantages of 1‐Tetradecanol (TD), such as decent biocompatibility, a phase transition temperature of 37.8°C, and the inexistence of complex chemical reaction process. The establishment of the platform can make a large amount of the anti‐inflammatory drug (ibuprofen, IBU) released when the body or the affected area is inflamed, that is, when the temperature rises. Conversely, only a small amount or no drug is released when there is no inflammation, thereby achieving self‐trigger release and on‐demand release. The experimental results show that the system combines good self‐trigger release properties, release sensitivity, drug release cycle, and low selectivity to the loaded drugs.
The nature of the solar wind electron temperature and electron heat flux
Authors: Hubert Daniel , Salem Chadi S. , Pulupa Marc
Published: August 2023

Aims. We aim to analyze the solutions of the solar wind electron energy equation in a spherical expansion with a spiral interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), a radial power law of the electron heat flux with a constant index α, and a constant or a smooth increase of the solar wind speed.

Methods. Generic analytical electron temperature profiles for constant co-latitude of the radial vector r and different power law indices of the electron heat flux are established. We concentrate on the solution of the energy equation for an expansion in the heliospheric equatorial plane. We define a critical electron heat flux that is a fraction of the electron thermal energy convected at the solar wind speed and plays a crucial role in the electron energy equation solution.

Results. When the electron heat flux density is equal to the critical heat flux, the electron temperature is driven by the dissipation of the electron heat flux and the effect of the IMF. This corresponds to a heat dissipation dominated (HDD) expansion of the electrons. When the electron heat flux is not equal to the critical electron heat flux, three effects drive the electron temperature evolution: an adiabatic cooling, the dissipation of the electron heat flux and the spiral IMF effect. These contributions are quantitatively evaluated along the radial expansion. For a same electron heat flux and solar wind velocity, we show an important effect, that the solar wind electron temperature with a spiral IMF is higher than with a radial IMF up to some large radial distances, and that this difference increases with an increasing power law index α up to −2. Based on the phenomenological energy equation, we show that the Spitzer and Härm law is approximately verified in a spiral IMF for moderate radial distances from the Sun lower than 2 AU, with an electron heat flux power law index a little lower than −2.40 and an electron temperature with a power law a little higher than −0.40. A complete study requires the solution of the electron fluid equation for different solar wind speed profiles. The study of data collected on the Ulysses mission, along a portion of a southward high-latitude orbit, needs a specific analysis because a large variation of the co-latitude is observed along that orbit leg. From this study, we conclude that the dissipation of the electron heat flux between 1.52 and 2.3 AU cannot sustain the measured total electron temperature in this distance range; we show that the core-strahl electron population has a temperature driven by the heat flux dissipation between 1.52 and 2.3 AU, and that this core-strahl temperature profile has the property of an HDD expansion.

Conclusions. The results, in Parts 1 and 2, suggest we should study the energetics of the solar wind core-strahl electron population as a whole and revisit the Spitzer and Härm law corresponding to this population while taking into account the spiral IMF.
Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey of the Cygnus-X region (PILS-Cygnus)
Authors: van der Walt S. J. , Kristensen L. E. , Calcutt H. , Jørgensen J. K. , Garrod R. T.
Published: August 2023

Context. Molecular lines are commonly detected towards protostellar sources. However, to get a better understanding of the chemistry of these sources we need unbiased molecular surveys over a wide frequency range for as many sources as possible to shed light on the origin of this chemistry, particularly any influence from the external environment.

Aims. We present results from the PILS-Cygnus survey of ten intermediate- to high-mass protostellar sources in the nearby Cygnus-X complex, through high angular resolution interferometric observations over a wide frequency range.

Methods. Using the Submillimeter Array (SMA), a spectral line survey of ten sources was performed in the frequency range 329–361 GHz, with an angular resolution of ~1″.5, or ~2000 AU at a source distance of 1.3 kpc from the Sun. Spectral modelling was performed to identify molecular emission and determine column densities and excitation temperatures for each source. Emission maps were made to study the morphology of emission. Finally, emission properties were compared across the sample.

Results. We detect CH3OH towards nine of the ten sources, with CH3OCH3 and CH3OCHO towards three sources. We further detect CH3CN towards four sources. Towards five sources the chemistry is spatially differentiated, meaning that different species peak at different positions and are offset from the peak continuum emission. Low levels of deuteration are detected towards four sources in HDO emission, whereas deuterated complex organic molecule emission is detected towards one source (CH2DOH towards N63). The chemical properties of each source do not correlate with their position in the Cygnus-X complex, nor do the distance or direction to the nearest OB associations. However, the five sources located in the DR21 filament do appear to show less line emission compared to the five sources outside the filament.

Conclusions. This work shows how important wide frequency coverage observations are combined with high angular resolution observations for studying the protostellar environment. Furthermore, based on the ten sources observed here, the external environment appears to only play a minor role in setting the chemical environment on these small scales (<2000 AU).
Spectropolarimetry of Type II supernovae
Authors: Nagao T. , Mattila S. , Kotak R. , Kuncarayakti H.
Published: August 2023

We investigate the polarization spectra of hydrogen-rich core-collapse supernovae (Type II SNe). The polarization signal from SNe contains two independent components: intrinsic SN polarization and interstellar polarization (ISP). From these components, we can study the SN explosion geometry and the dust properties in their host galaxies or in the Milky Way. In this first paper, we employ a newly improved method to investigate the properties of the ISP components of 11 well-observed Type II SNe. Our analyses revealed that 10 of these 11 SNe showed a steady ISP component with a polarization degree of ≲1.0%, while one SN was consistent with zero ISP. As for the wavelength dependence, SN 2001dh (and possibly SN 2012aw) showed a non-Milky-Way-like ISP likely originating from the interstellar dust in their respective host galaxies: their polarization maxima were located at short wavelengths (≲4000 Å). Similar results have been obtained previously for highly reddened SNe. The majority of the SNe in our sample had uncertainties in the wavelength dependence of their ISP components that were too large for further consideration. Our work demonstrates that further investigation of the ISP component of the SN polarization, by applying this method to a larger SN sample, can provide new opportunities to study interstellar dust properties in external galaxies.
Influence of environmental factors on the formation of zooplankton communities in a large lake system in Uzbekistan
Authors: Ginatullina E.N. , Kurbanov A.R. , Tuychiev K.S.
Published: August 2023

Currently, the Aidar-Arnasai Lake System (AALS) is of great environmental and commercial importance for Uzbekistan. The article discusses the influence of mineralisation, temperature and diversity of biotopes on the change in the species composition in the lakes. The largest number of species is recorded in oligohaline water in the lakes’ littoral zones. They are dominated by the Rotifera and Cladocera and show a greater number of species in the spring. Areas with mesohaline water are dominated by Copepoda, showing the largest number of species in the winter in both littoral and pelagic zones. Biomass of zooplankton poorly correlates with salinity. Depth impacts reliably the distribution of zooplankton biomass, while the spatial accumulation of zooplankton biomass depends on temperature.
The adventive species community changes in the Cheboksary reservoir during 2001-2021
Authors: Moiseev Alexey V. , Smirnov Andrey A.
Published: August 2023

Generally publications devoted to invasive fish species in the Volga-Kama cascade of reservoirs represents relative indicators and do not provide data on the abundance, numbers and invasive communities’ single species dynamics. It does not allow providing a correct assessment of population’s state and changes in the nonindigenous species composition. In this work, changes in the abundance and species structure of the Cheboksary reservoir’s invasive fish community during 2001-2021 were estimated. The total fish count was determined on data of active fishing gears catches and precise reservoir area. Differentiation into mass, widespread and relatively numerous and locally found with a small average abundance species was noted. A decrease in the species evenness of the invasive community was recorded in consequence of the Black Sea-Caspian sprat Clupeonella cultriventris (Nordmann, 1840) and the round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814) domination rise. The Black Sea-Caspian sprat and the round goby put together for 98.7% of the total number of invasive fish in the current period. Due to this two dominant species there is a tendency to increase the relative abundance of invasive fish species in the reservoir up to 561 unit/ha despite a significant decrease in the abundance of some other invaders.
Impact assessment of Eurasian beaver reintroduction on riparian phytocenosis of the Raifa forest in Volga-Kama Nature Reserve
Authors: Nazarov Nail , Prokhorov Vadim , Andre Cristopher , Quiroa Mack
Published: August 2023

Statistically significant changes in microclimatic environmental factors under the influence of the activity of the European beaver in the territory of the Raifa section of the Volga-Kama Nature Reserve were revealed. The influence of the beaver reintroduction factor on the change in the moisture and illumination regimes of habitats, the richness of soils with nitrogen, the acidity and salt regime of soils has been established. In the conditions of fodder and construction activities of the beaver, an increase in the proportion of groups of aquatic, wetland and boreal plant species was noted, as well as the expansive nature of the change in their activity. There was a decrease in the activity of the distribution of ruderal species in the conditions of beaver activity. Based on phytoindication analysis, it has been shown that the reintroduction of the beaver into the water bodies of the Raifa section of the Volga-Kama Reserve is responsible for maintaining the necessary microclimatic conditions to preserve the natural boreal communities.
Peculiarities of mercury content in the muscle tissue of fish of the Vologda Region
Authors: Pavlova Ekaterina , Ivanova Elena , Bazhenova Daria
Published: August 2023

Mercury is one of the most dangerous toxicants for all living organisms, having a high degree of biomagnification. The determination of mercury concentration in different species of fish is important for evaluation of the state of aquatic ecosystems. The aim of research is study of peculiarities of mercury content in fish of the Sheksna Reservoir, the Sukhona River, Kubenskoye, Borovskoye and Svyatoye lakes. Mercury concentration in fish muscles of the Vologda Region varies from 0.0397 mg/kg to 1.167 mg/kg of wet mass. The highest average of mercury content is established in the muscle tissue of river bass (0.477±0.202), and the lowest average is in the muscle tissue of eastern bream (0.133±0.082). Mercury level does not exceed maximum permissible concentration of heavy metal and weekly norm, harmless for a person weighing 70 kg in most of examined specimens. Сomparison of mercury content in muscles of fish from surveyed water bodies showed a significant difference between river bass and most non-piscivorous species, as well as between individuals of river bass from Svyatoye and Borovskoye lakes. We also revealed a reliable correlation dependence of mercury content in the muscle tissue on mass and length of body for samples of river bass, northern pike and silver bream. Values of mercury concentration in the muscle tissue of river bass from Lake Kubenskoye and the Sheksna Reservoir vary in process of time.
Plants of residential and industrial zones of Cherepovets
Authors: Serova Karina , Baboshina Polina , Troshin Dmitriy , Markelova Dina , Morozova Daria , Pluzhnikova Anna
Published: August 2023

The research was carried out in 2021-2022 in the city of Cherepovets, Vologda region. The aim of the study was to assess the species composition of plants within the administrative boundaries of Cherepovets and to propose measures to restore the biodiversity of the study area. The level of urbanization of the territory is estimated as moderate. For the first time the data on the current species composition of plants of residential and industrial zones of the city of Cherepovets were obtained. In particular, species from the Red Book list as well as those in need of biological control were identified.
The role of the Korean wood mouse (Apodemus peninsulae Thomas, 1907) in mercury transport in ecosystems in the south-east of Sikhote-Alin
Authors: Poddubnaya Nadezhda , Timoshkin Alexandr
Published: August 2023

The role of the Korean wood mouse in mercury transport was studied by total mercury in 2018 and 2022. In 2018, the total mercury content of the Korean wood mouse was generally lower than in 2022. What is the reason for such differences in mercury levels between years is not clear. Total mercury in this rodent ranged from 0.000 mg/kg dry weight (DW, brain, pelage, muscles, liver, kidney) up to 0.576 mg/kg DW (liver). Median distribution decreased as following: kids (0.053 mg/kg DW) → lien (0.048) → chyme (0.047) → pelage (0.045) → gut (0.044) → liver (0.042) → muscles (0.025) → brain (0.015). The Korean wood mouse is the main prey of the leopard cat. The high level of mercury in the leopard cat’s fur (1,736 ± 0,351 mg/kg) is associated with mice. The Korean wood mouse, as a food object of more than 200 vertebrates, accumulates mercury in its body and transfers to the following trophic levels in an amount much larger than true herbivores, for example, water deer. This indicates its significant role in the transport of mercury in the terrestrial ecosystem.
Factors leading to high concentrations of pollutants in surface waters
Authors: Sturman Vladimir I.
Published: August 2023

The dependence of the frequency of excess of hygienic standards in surface waters on individual substances and complex indexes is investigated. It was found that in some cases, there are significant dependencies on production-induced factors (water withdrawal, wastewater discharge, percentage of plowed lands), while in other cases natural factors (climatic humidity, geological structure of catchment areas) are the predominant ones. Technogenic factors are predominate in case of high values of biochemical oxygen consumption, concentrations of petroleum products and nitrogen compounds. Natural factors of high concentrations are more significant for metal ions, chlorides, sulphates and total salt concentrations. With regard to metals, especially copper and zinc, very strict standards have been adopted in Russia, which also contributes to a very high repeatability and multiplicity of their excess. As for phenols and chemical oxygen consumption, the role of natural or man-made factors is less unequivocal.
The first data on methane concentrations in degassing griffins of Lake Baskunchak
Authors: Garkusha Dmitry N. , Fedorov Yuri A. , Talpa Boris V. , Trubnik Roman G. , Kovalev Evgeny A.
Published: August 2023

For the first time, the distribution of methane in the brine and bottom sediments of the Ulan-Blag stream (tributary of Lake Baskunchak), fed by underground degassing springs, as well as directly in Baskunchak Lake at a distance from underground sources. The composition of the main ions in brine, acid-base and redox conditions in bottom sediments have been established. The brine mineralization in Baskunchak Lake is 312 g/dm3, which is 2.1 times higher than the mineralization of the Ulan-Blag stream. The chemical composition of the brine of both stations is classified as chloride type, sodium cationic composition. The concentration of methane in the brine of the studied underground degassing sources in the ravine stream of the Ulan-Blag reaches high values (up to 215 µl/dm3), exceeding by 1–2 orders of magnitude its concentration in the brine of Lake Baskunchak. The low concentrations of methane in the brine of the lake are probably due to its insignificant flow from the bottom sediments into the water due to the presence of a salt crust that prevents gas emission, as well as due to its small concentrations in the upper layers of sediments.
Assessment of salinization of soils and groundwater of the Khojaly district (Southern Aral sea region)
Authors: Izzet Aimbetov , Rakhim Dospanov
Published: August 2023

The article considers the solution of the problem of climate mitigation, improvement of the ecological situation of the Khojaly district and protection from salt dust, which is carried out by the wind from the drained bottom of the Aral Sea and salt marshes on the example of the city of Khojaly and its environs. To assess the salinization of the studied territory, the data of engineering and geological surveys necessary for the design of buildings and structures in the studied territory and the results of the analyses of the authors of the article were used. Based on the results of research and the use of GIS technologies, maps-schemes of salinization of groundwater and groundwater of the Khojaly district have been compiled. These maps can be used for more effective landscaping of the territory and the creation of forest protection strips around the city of Khojaly. Maps can be used to select the type of trees depending on the salinity of soils and groundwater, i.e. in the most saline areas it is proposed to create forest strips of salt-resistant trees.
Market dynamics of lithium as a key element for modern energy
Authors: Berezkin Michael , Degtyarev Kirill , Sinyugin Oleg
Published: August 2023

Oil has been and continues to be the “black gold” of the energy industry, and now the “white gold” of the energy industry has appeared - this is the alkali metal lithium. Lithium-ion batteries сharge smartphones, laptops and electric vehicles. Some developed countries have committed to phasing out new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2040. In 2021, global sales of electric vehicles, the main driver of the lithium market, grew 1.5 times. A further increase in demand in 2022 will mean a continued shortage of lithium this year, as consumption of the material outstrips production and depletes stocks. As the world’s car manufacturers shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, the need for new supplies of raw materials increases. The influence of environmental and political motives on the dynamics of supply and demand for lithium in the world is being discussed. Lithium deficiency can become a real limiting factor in achieving energy transition goals.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in fish biota of Guanabara Bay at Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
Authors: Machado Torres João Paulo , Krykhtine Fabio Luiz Peres
Published: August 2023

Fish is present in the Brazilian diet and represents an important participation in protein consumption. The use of highly toxic pesticides is still tolerated in Brazil despite being banned in many parts of the world. This study records traces of contamination by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at Guanabara Bay at Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Our results indicate that local production and the widespread use of such chlorinated compounds in the past decades are being reflected on the edible fish tissue concentrations.
Development of a universal kit for rapid detection of aggressive chemicals, rocket fuel components and uranium components and uranium compounds in various environments
Authors: Pashinin Valery A. , Popov Vladimir G. , Sukhov Philip I. , Ulianova Oksana A.
Published: August 2023

The materials of the article are devoted to the issues of ecology and safety at enterprises and railway transport. The urgency of developing a universal kit for rapid detection of aggressive chemicals, rocket fuel components and uranium compounds in various environments is due to the fact that the presence on the surface and in water can lead to poisoning and chemical burns of working personnel and the public. It is also caused by the need to make managerial decisions when eliminating the consequences of accidents at food and related industries. The article discusses the methods of rapid detection of aggressive chemicals and suggests scientific, methodological and technological approaches to the development of a universal set of tools for group rapid detection of aggressive chemicals and uranium compounds in water and on the surfaces of objects using aerosol devices with original indicator formulations. The place of research is Moscow and the Moscow region
Application of mathematical models in the evaluation of agricultural lands
Authors: Iliychovsky Svetoslav , Filipova Teodora , Yordanova Petya
Published: August 2023

The success of any business is associated with the creation of value for all stakeholders: owners, associates, staff, the environment, and society. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to meet ESG standards. This leads to a review of the strategy that companies follow but also to a change in the valuation of the entire business and individual assets. The present research focuses on the possibility of evaluating agricultural lands through the use of mathematical models based on indicators that characterize them (area, category, and distance from infrastructure). The estimated value of agricultural land is determined based on accumulated statistical data. Two models are attached. In the mathematical model with a matrix, an appraised plot is compared with four analogues based on a proposed algorithm, and an estimated value of the appraised property is derived. The Hierarchical Linkage Analysis method also compares the evaluated parcel with four similar ones and separates the stages in its application, starting with modeling the problem as a hierarchy, building the hierarchy, selecting factors affecting the value of agricultural land, selecting analogues of agricultural land, construction of multiple matrices based on the comparison of individual parameters, and using hierarchical synthesis to weigh the obtained results and determine the market value of the assessed plot.
Analyzing the supply chain sustainability of an internet service provider in Thailand
Authors: Benjarattanapakee Chernbhorn , Ongkunaruk Pornthipa
Published: August 2023

This paper aims to comprehensively analyze the supply chain activities of an Internet Service Provider company in Thailand, focusing on sustainability. The company utilizes the SCOR model and IDEF0 methodology to analyze the supply chain and offer rental equipment services. The major issues identified include inventory management, insufficient data in demand planning, supply chain planning, renewal contact planning, the role of suppliers, and last-minute changes during the installation process. To address these challenges, the paper suggests improvements such as optimizing equipment flow, improving communication with teams, implementing demand forecasting models, considering alternative suppliers, and clarifying technical requirements with customers. By implementing these recommendations, ISPs can enhance the sustainability of their supply chains, reducing environmental impacts, optimizing resource utilization, and meeting customer expectations for sustainable practices. This study highlights the importance of sustainable supply chain practices in the telecommunications industry and offers valuable insights for companies seeking to improve their operations in a more environmentally responsible manner.
Rating of economic entities in the sector as a component of water resources management
Authors: Kovshun Nataliia , Kushnir Nina , Solodkyy Vladyslav , Zhemba Alla , Kliukha Oksana
Published: August 2023

The study is devoted to the problem of analysing the activities of water management organizations. Such an analysis is an important component of water resources management since many important tasks (technological, environmental, economic, and others) are assigned to water management organizations. It is proposed to use ratings for a comprehensive assessment of the performance of budgetary water management organizations. This methodology involves the use of individual indicators of their activities, which can be grouped into blocks as well as combined into generalized indicators. The initial stage of rating the organization’s activity is its assessment by individual parameters that form the main components of the activity, such as financial, intellectual, personnel, technological, informational, environmental, etc. Based on these data, an integrated assessment of the level of performance of organizations is carried out. The rating result for a separate period is given. The gathered array of data for the year will more objectively reflect the performance of the organization than quarterly data. Dynamic analysis in the context of the years under study will also allow identifying changes that have occurred in the rating of water management organizations as a result of identifying reserves and implementing measures aimed at improving their performance.
Crossover from direct to trap assisted Fowler Nordheim (FN) tunneling in CoFeB/MgO/CoFeB magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Saha Debabrata , Lee Sang Yeol
Published: August 2023

Electron conduction mechanisms in CoFeB (0.8–10 nm)/MgO (3 nm)/CoFeB (4.2 nm) magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) have been investigated in detail. A clear crossover from direct tunnelling to trap assisted Fowler Nordheim (FN) tunneling is observed with increasing bias voltage in all the pristine MTJs. In contrast, FN-like tunneling is completely suppressed in vacuum annealed MTJs, which plausibly indicates diffused interfaces and enhanced trap state density in the MgO barrier. In annealed MTJs, beyond the direct tunneling regime, bulk-limited Pool Frenkel emission followed by interface-limited Schottky emission are found to be the dominant transport mechanisms. Simulations of tunnel current density J(V) and differential conductance (dJ/dV) of MTJs have been carried out using Simmons (symmetric rectangular barrier) and Brinkman (asymmetric trapezoidal barrier) model, which provides valuable insights into the barrier height and interface property at the MgO/CoFeB interface. Results of this study might be helpful to further improve CoFeB/MgO based MTJs for efficient implementation in sensors and memory devices.
Psychotherapie bei funktionellen neurologischen Bewegungsstörungen
Authors: Bolte Christina , Geritz Johanna , Alvarez-Fischer Daniel , Hoheisel Matthias
Published: August 2023

Unser Verständnis der klinischen, pathophysiologischen und therapeutischen Aspekte funktioneller neurologischer Bewegungsstörungen hat sich in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten erheblich weiterentwickelt. In Umfragen mit Behandlern und Patienten wird jedoch deutlich, dass weiterhin erhebliche Versorgungslücken existieren.

Wir stellen in diesem Übersichtsartikel typische Behandlungsprobleme aus Sicht von Behandlern und Patienten dar. Die Schwierigkeiten der psychotherapeutischen Therapieeinleitung bei körperlichen Symptomen werden erläutert. Darauf aufbauend stellen wir spezielle Anforderungen für einen Gesamtbehandlungsplan dar. Schließlich diskutieren wir individualisierte Anpassungen sowie Integrationsstrategien von störungsspezifischen Behandlungsansätzen.
Die intravenöse Applikation von hochdosiertem Vitamin C bei Fatigue – ein Überblick über die aktuelle Datenlage
Authors: Kraft Karin
Published: August 2023

Eine Fatigue tritt nach Virusinfektionen, bei Autoimmun­erkrankungen und auch bei Krebspatienten auf. Hochdosiertes intravenöses Vitamin C wird bei Fatigue aufgrund seiner antioxidativen, entzündungshemmenden, endothelprotektiven und immunmodulierenden Wirkung schon lange empirisch genutzt. Inzwischen wurden auch einige klinische Studien zur Wirksamkeit von intravenös verabreichtem Vitamin C bei Fatigue als Folge eines Herpes Zoster oder eines Asthma bronchiale bzw. als Folge bzw. Begleitsymptom bei Krebs publiziert. Bei 3 der 4 kontrollierten Studien hat die Fatigue in der Vitamin-C-Gruppe im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe signifikant abgenommen, in 4 der 5 Beobachtungs- bzw. nicht interventionellen Studien wurde die Fatigue nach der Vitamin-C-Therapie signifikant reduziert. Auch weitere Symptome wie Schlaf- und kognitive Störungen und Schmerzen, die beim chronischen Fatigue-Syndrom beschrieben werden, wurden häufig gelindert. Aufgrund seiner Wirkungen und der Ergebnisse der bisherigen klinischen Studien könnte hochdosiertes intravenöses Vitamin C auch bei Long Covid bzw. beim Post-Covid-Syndrom, bei dem u. a. sehr häufig eine Fatigue in Kombination mit weiteren Beschwerden vorliegt, eine geeignete Behandlungsoption darstellen.
A Comprehensive Approach to Posttraumatic Lymphedema Surgical Treatment
Authors: Pereira Nicolás , Oñate Vanessa , Roa Ricardo
Published: August 2023

Background Posttraumatic lymphedema (PTL) is sparsely described in the literature. The aim of this study is to propose a comprehensive approach for prevention and treatment of PTL using lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) and lymphatic vessels free flap, reporting our experience in the management of early-stage lymphedema.

Methods A retrospective observational study was performed between October 2017 and July 2022. Functional assessment with magnetic resonance lymphangiography and indocyanine green lymphography was performed. Patients with lymphedema and functional lymphatic channels were included. Cases with limited soft tissue damage were proposed for LVA, and those with acute or prior soft tissue damage needing skin reconstruction were proposed for superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator lymphatic vessels free flap (SCIP-LV) to treat or prevent lymphedema. Primary and secondary outcomes were limb volume reduction and quality of life (QoL) improvement, respectively. Follow-up was at least 1 year.

Results Twenty-eight patients were operated using this approach during the study period. LVA were performed in 12 patients; mean reduction of excess volume (REV) was 58.82% and the improvement in QoL was 49.25%. SCIP-LV was performed in seven patients with no flap failure; mean REV was 58.77% and the improvement QoL was 50.9%. Nine patients with acute injury in lymphatic critical areas were reconstructed with SCIP-LV as a preventive approach and no lymphedema was detected.

Conclusion Our comprehensive approach provides an organized way to treat patients with PTL, or at risk of developing it, to have satisfactory results and improve their QoL.
Effect of Chlorhexidine and Tea Tree Oil on Reducing the Number of Oral Microorganisms
Authors: Moreno André Luiz de Melo , de Moraes Melo Neto Clóvis Lamartine , Coelho Goiato Marcelo , Moreno Nathaly Vilene de Araujo , dos Santos Daniela Micheline , de Lima Cássia Cunha , Lopes Motta Rogério Heládio , Ramacciato Juliana Cama
Published: August 2023

Objectives Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of using two preoperative mouthwashes (0.12% chlorhexidine and 0.2% tea tree oil) on the number of colonies of oral microorganisms.

Materials and Methods Forty participants who needed to be rehabilitated with dental implants were included in this study. They were randomly divided into two groups (chlorhexidine group and tea tree group; n = 20, each). For each group, saliva samples were collected at four different times: T0 (initially)—before using the mouthwash, T1—after 1 minute of using the mouthwash, T10—after 10 minutes of using the mouthwash, and T60—after 60 minutes of using the mouthwash. At T0 and T1, saliva samples were collected before implant placement surgery, and at T10 and T60, saliva samples were collected during surgery. In each group, one saliva sample was collected at each evaluated time point for each patient, totaling 4 saliva collections per patient. MSB agar (Mitis-Salivarius-Bacitracin) and BHI agar (Brain Heart Infusion) culture media were used in each group. Microbial colony counts were performed using a magnifying glass and recorded in CFU (colony forming units)/mL. Statistical analyses were performed using the Friedman, Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests (p < 0.05).

Results Based on MSB agar culture medium, at T0, the number of Streptococcus mutans colonies in the chlorhexidine group was significantly higher compared with the tea tree group (p <0.05; MSB agar). The chlorhexidine group showed significantly lower CFU/mL values for Streptococcus mutans at T1, T10, and T60 compared with the tea tree group (p <0.05; MSB agar). Based on BHI agar culture medium, at T0, the chlorhexidine group showed a significantly lower value of CFU/mL compared with the tea tree group (p < 0.05; BHI agar). At T1, T10, and T60, the chlorhexidine group showed significantly lower CFU/mL values compared with the tea tree group (p <0.05; BHI agar).

Conclusion Chlorhexidine is more indicated as a preoperative mouthwash than tea tree oil, due to its significantly more effective antimicrobial action.
Uptake of a Cervical Cancer Clinical Decision Support Tool: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Huguet Nathalie , Ezekiel-Herrera David , Gunn Rose , Pierce Alison , O'Malley Jean , Jones Matthew , Marino Miguel , Gold Rachel
Published: August 2023

Objectives Clinical decision support (CDS) tools that provide point-of-care reminders of patients' care needs may improve rates of guideline-concordant cervical cancer screening. However, uptake of such electronic health record (EHR)-based tools in primary care practices is often low. This study describes the frequency of factors associated with, and barriers and facilitators to adoption of a cervical cancer screening CDS tool (CC-tool) implemented in a network of community health centers.

Methods This mixed-methods sequential explanatory study reports on CC-tool use among 480 community-based clinics, located across 18 states. Adoption of the CC-tool was measured as any instance of tool use (i.e., entry of cervical cancer screening results or follow-up plan) and as monthly tool use rates from November 1, 2018 (tool release date) to December 31, 2020. Adjusted odds and rates of tool use were evaluated using logistic and negative-binomial regression. Feedback from nine clinic staff representing six clinics during user-centered design sessions and semi-structured interviews with eight clinic staff from two additional clinics were conducted to assess barriers and facilitators to tool adoption.

Results The CC-tool was used ≥1 time in 41% of study clinics during the analysis period. Clinics that ever used the tool and those with greater monthly tool use had, on average, more encounters, more patients from households at >138% federal poverty level, fewer pediatric encounters, higher up-to-date cervical cancer screening rates, and higher rates of abnormal cervical cancer screening results. Qualitative data indicated barriers to tool adoption, including lack of knowledge of the tool's existence, understanding of its functionalities, and training on its use.

Conclusion Without effective systems for informing users about new EHR functions, new or updated EHR tools are unlikely to be widely adopted, reducing their potential to improve health care quality and outcomes.
ChatGPT in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Sharma Sanjeev Chaand , Ramchandani Jai Parkash , Thakker Arjuna , Lahiri Anindya
Published: August 2023

Background Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a versatile large language model-based generative artificial intelligence. It is proficient in a variety of tasks from drafting emails to coding to composing music to passing medical licensing exams. While the potential role of ChatGPT in plastic surgery is promising, evidence-based research is needed to guide its implementation in practice.

Methods This review aims to summarize the literature surrounding ChatGPT's use in plastic surgery.

Results A literature search revealed several applications for ChatGPT in the field of plastic surgery, including the ability to create academic literature and to aid the production of research. However, the ethical implications of using such chatbots in scientific writing requires careful consideration. ChatGPT can also generate high-quality patient discharge summaries and operation notes within seconds, freeing up busy junior doctors to complete other tasks. However, currently clinical information must still be manually inputted, and clinicians must consider data privacy implications. Its use in aiding patient communication and education and training is also widely documented in the literature. However, questions have been raised over the accuracy of answers generated given that current versions of ChatGPT cannot access the most up-to-date sources.

Conclusions While one must be aware of its shortcomings, ChatGPT is a useful tool for plastic surgeons to improve productivity for a range of tasks from manuscript preparation to healthcare communication generation to drafting teaching sessions to studying and learning. As access improves and technology becomes more refined, surely more uses for ChatGPT in plastic surgery will become apparent.
Key competencies acquired from STEM education: gender-differentiated parental expectations
Authors: Zhan Zehui , Li Yuanmin , Mei Hu , Lyu Siyuan
Published: August 2023

Parents’ expectations affect children’s key competencies acquired from STEM education, and influence their future career development. This study aimed to determine the influence of parents’ expectations on children’s key competencies gained through STEM education, with a particular focus on gender difference. A total of 736 parents (44% fathers and 56% mothers) of children aged 3–12 (50.4% boys and 49.6% girls) participated in a two-section survey and rated the degree of importance of each key competency. Subsequently, exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the potential structure of the STEM-related competencies, and ANOVA was used to gain further insights into the gender difference tendency. Results targeted 10 most emphasized competencies which were clustered into four categories, namely the Innovation factor (Inquiring competency, Creativity competency), the Social factor (Cooperative competency, Expressing competency), the Making factor (Hands-on competency, Problem-solving competency, Anti-frustration competency), and the Learning factor (Thinking competency, Knowledge acquisition competency, Concentration competency). Results also indicated that the parents had significantly different expectations for boys and girls regarding the expressing, thinking, knowledge acquisition, concentration, and hands-on competencies. Fathers’ and mothers’ expectations only differed for children’s anti-frustration competency. These findings provide deeper insights into STEM-related competencies from parents’ viewpoints, and contribute a greater understanding of gender difference in STEM education.
Spatio-temporal evolution and future simulation of urban agglomeration expansion in the Guangdong–Hongkong–Macau Greater Bay Area
Authors: Liao Zhenjie , Zhang Lijuan
Published: August 2023

Urban agglomerations are growth poles that promote regional economic development; however, rapid expansion exerts an increasingly negative influence on regional ecosystem security, restricting sustainable urban development. Therefore, predicting the impact of future expansion on regional ecological security can guide regionally coordinated development. In this study, we used land-use data to determine the spatiotemporal evolution of urbanization and land use in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) urban agglomeration from 1990 to 2020 and employed the artificial neural network–cellular automata (ANN–CA)–Markov model to simulate future expansion under three different scenarios for 2025 and 2035. From 1990 to 2020, the overall development level of the GBA urban agglomeration was relatively high, with the area of construction land following a pattern of first increasing rapidly and then gradually transitioning to a slower rate of growth. Land use was consistently dominated by forest land, which accounted for more than 50% of the total land area, followed by arable land (30.56%) and construction land (7.92%). The most intense expansion in the GBA occurred in the main urban areas of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Dongguan, and other cities. The expansion sources were mainly farmland, water, and other ecological land types. The spatial structure and characteristics of simulated future regional land-use changes in 2025 and 2035 differed significantly under the three different scenarios. Under the natural development scenario, urban expansion was unconstrained, and rapid growth occurred over a large area of ecological land. Conversely, the addition of ecological constraints effectively controlled the occupation of forest land and cultivated land. Under the economic development scenario, urban expansion incorporated more unused and cultivated land. The results of this study provide a reference for policy decision-making in regional planning, urban planning, and regional ecological protection under multiple future scenarios.