bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causal relationship between immune cells and osteoarthritis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Tan Guangcan , Yang Jianfeng , Tang Qian , Liu Haixiao
Published: June 2024

Objective:Little research hasn't been done on the connection between immune cells and osteoarthritis. To investigate the pathogenic and protective roles of immune cells in osteoarthritis risk, Mendelian randomization was employed in this study.Method:The study employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization methodology to determine the causal relationship between 731 immune cells and osteoarthritis. The exposure was genome-wide association research including 731 immune cells, and the outcome was seven distinct osteoarthritis phenotypes: osteoarthritis at any site, knee, hip, spine, hand, thumb, and finger. Causal estimates were calculated using inverse variance weighting. In addition, MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode were used to ensure reliability. In addition, methods including the Cochran Q, leave-one-out, MR-Egger intercept, and MR-Presso tests were used for sensitivity analyses. R software was used for all statistical analyses.Result:166 suggestive relationships between 731 immune cells and various osteoarthritischaracteristics were found in the MR study. Upon applying the Bonferroni correction to the original screening of 166 immune cells, we discovered that eight immune cells had a strong causal relationship with six osteoarthritis phenotypes. Furthermore, a bidirectional causal link between the six immune cells and the six osteoarthritisphenotypes was discovered by a reverse MR analysis.Conclusion:Based on our study, the immune cells and mechanisms identified may be valuable immune markers for clinical screening and prevention of osteoarthritis. They may also be potential targets for future therapeutic drug discovery.
Phyllostomid Bat Diversity of Tree Covers in the Tropical Agricultural Landscape, Ecuador
Authors: Pozo-Rivera Wilmer E. , Martin-Solano Sarah , Carrillo-Bilbao Gabriel
Published: June 2024

Agricultural activities affect tropical forest biodiversity; however, some bat species can survive under these anthropogenic changes. We described the characteristics of phyllostomid bat assemblages in tree covers located in 48 plots among four agricultural landscapes of northwestern Ecuador. Bats were captured with mist nets installed at a ground level reaching three meters’ height. For each of the plots, we installed a mist net in four forms of tree cover (polyspecific live fences, monospecific live fences, cacao plantations, and isolated trees in pastures). We captured 250 phyllostomid bats belonging to 16 species with a trapping effort of 19,200 m2 of net coverage. Polyspecific live fences showed significant differences in relative abundance, richness, and diversity of phyllostomid bats compared to the other three. Frugivorous and nectarivorous guilds were the most abundant, and also exhibited the highest richness among other guilds present in agricultural landscapes. We conclude that living fences composed of various plant species favor the abundance, richness, and diversity of phyllostomid bats. In addition, frugivorous, and nectarivorous guilds increase their abundance and richness in agricultural landscapes, while the animalivorous guild is negatively affected. We recommend installing polyspecific live fences in tropical production systems to support the conservation of phyllostomid bats.
Exploring the Influence of Health and Digital Health Literacy on Quality of Life and Follow-up Compliance in Patients with Primary Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Prospective, Single-Center Study
Authors: Keles Ahmet , Somun Umit Furkan , Kose Muhammed , Arikan Ozgur , Culpan Meftun , Yildirim Asif
Published: June 2024

Objective Given the increasing significance of digital health literacy (DHL) and health literacy (HL) in promoting informed decision-making and healthy behaviors, this study aimed to assess the influence of self-reported HL and DHL on treatment adherence and quality of life among patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TUR-BT) for primary non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).Materials & Methods This observational research involved 107 NIMBC participants. Before the procedure, the patients' DHL and HL were evaluated using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire short version and the eHealth Literacy Scale. Six months after surgery, we surveyed patients’ QoL using the EORTC QLQ-C30. In line with recommendations from the European Association of Urology guidelines, adherence to the treatment plan was assessed along with a follow-up cystoscopy examination for each patient.Results Multivariate analysis revealed that poorer DHL and HL were significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001), lower educational attainment (p < 0.001), and lack of internet access (p < 0.001). Conversely, higher DHL and HL levels were positively correlated with increased treatment adherence, as measured by cystoscopy completion (p < 0.001). Additionally, logistic regression analysis demonstrated significant associations between improved DHL and HL scores and better global health status (DHL, p = 0.022; HL, p = 0.008), higher emotional status (p < 0.001 for both), and social functioning (p < 0.001 for both). Notably, there were no significant differences in the symptom scale scores between the DHL and HL groups.Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the specific effect of HL/DHL on QoL and adherence in this patient population. Our research suggests that there may be a link between self-reported levels of DHL/HL and treatment adherence as well as QoL among patients with NIMBC.
Unlocking the Genetic Diversity and Principal Component Analysis of Selected Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Genotypes Using Morphometric and Biochemical Characteristics
Authors: Paramanik Sourav , Rao M. Subba , Panda Koustava Kumar , Jaishi Ajay , Pati Aditya Kumar
Published: June 2024

The genetic diversity of rice grains plays a vital role in rice variety selection decisions as it influences consumer preference, market demand and yield potential. The present work was an attempt to study the genetic diversity and multivariate analysis of the 50 selected rice genotypes grown during Kharif, 2022 at the P.G. Research Farm, Ranadevi, CUTM, Paralakhemundi lying in the north-eastern ghat zone of Odisha. The study identified significant variation in grain types among different genotypes with 72% having extra-long slender grains, 18% having long bold grains, 8% having long slender grains and 2% having medium slender grains. The findings of the study reveal significant variability in biochemical traits among the genotypes. The results indicate a positive and significant correlation of iron with both copper and manganese. Similarly, manganese showed positive and highly significant correlation with zinc. The genotypes were clustered into five distinct groups based on genetic divergence and Cluster II had maximum number of genotypes (13). The highest distance among the clusters was recorded between Cluster V with Cluster I and II suggesting that the genetic divergence of genotypes within these clusters is distinct compared to those in other clusters. Copper was found to play a crucial role contributing majorly to genetic divergence of the studied genotypes. The principal component analysis identified three majors out of six components which exhibited eigenvalues surpassing 1.0 contributing to a total cumulative variation of 68.95% across the examined variables. The findings of this study suggest the use of some potential genotypes from specific clusters in hybridization programs with the prime objective of enhancing the nutritional quality as well as yield in rice.
Dynamical Semantic Enhancement Network for Continuous Sign Language Recognition
Authors: WANG SUYANG , GUO LEMING , XUE WANLI
Published: June 2024

In the field of sign language recognition, effective interpretation of semantic information, which is primarily conveyed through facial and hand gestures, poses significant challenges.
Previous methods often struggle to simultaneously capture semantic areas and accurately assess the varying importance of different motion frames, which hampers recognition accuracy.
We propose the Dynamical Semantic Enhancement (DSE) Network which integrates the Long-Short Dependence Attention (LSDA) and Global Interaction Conv2d (GIConv2d) to address these challenges.
LSDA is designed to form long-short-range spatial dependencies by advanced large-kernel convolutions coupled with small-kernel convolutions, which effectively capture synchronous facial and hand semantic contents.
Meanwhile, GIConv2d adaptively learns the motion semantic contents by dynamically generating calibrated weights, focusing on the reasoning of frame-level contributions of rapid movement frames and static frames.
Our DSE achieves competitive performances on three widely used datasets: PHOENIX14, PHOENIX14-T, and CSL-Daily.
Additionally, visualization experiments confirm the DSE's superior capability in reinforcing semantic extraction both spatially and temporally.
Beyond the Norm: Exploring Multimorbidity Risks with Random Survival Forest in India's Aging Demographic
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Singh Bharti
Published: June 2024

India is passing through a parallel phase of demographic and epidemiological transition with the double burden of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Communicable Diseases (CDs). Unhealthy ageing has been identified as the primary driver of the multimorbidity and morbidity burden among older adults in India. This study aims to assess the relative proportional share of morbidities and multimorbidity counts, estimate multimorbidity risk for socioeconomic and demographic factors and further evaluate multimorbidity counts risk conditioned on leading factors.
The study used the data from Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Wave – 1, 2017–18, aged 45 years and above. First, we assessed the relative proportional share of morbidities and multimorbidity over age using the stacked graph. Further, we applied the Random Survival Forest (RSF) model to estimate the risk of multimorbidity associated with socioeconomic and demographic factors over age. Further, conditional plots were utilised to assess the distribution of leading factors on multimorbidity counts.
The prevalence of multimorbidity was 43.20%. Eye disorders, followed by CVDs, had the highest proportional share over age. Endocrine diseases, Gastrointestinal Conditions and Infectious diseases showed a concordant decreasing proportional share in the ageing population. The relative proportion of five or more multimorbidity increased significantly with age. The median expected risk of multimorbidity in females (66 years) was significantly higher than in males (71 years). The study also provides empirical evidence that individuals with higher levels of education, obesity, who are currently working, and who had poor childhood health were more prone to higher risk of multimorbidity at an early age. Further, obesity was significantly associated with early multimorbidity onset and led to a pronounced escalation of complex multimorbidity, particularly in females. Targeted public health interventions are crucial to address diseases early onset and burden disparities to promote healthier aging among older adults in India
Accommodation Crafting as a Partial Mediator of the Effects of Personal Resources and Job Characteristics on Task Crafting by Employees with Hearing Limitations
Authors: Geyer Paul , Baldridge David
Published: June 2024

Are proactive behaviors like task crafting an answer to the long-sought social goal of leveling the playing field for employees with disabilities? This question is important because, after three decades, legal remedies such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, theoretical and empirical advancements, and skill development interventions have yet to close enough of the well-documented gap in employment opportunities being faced by employees with disabilities. The current study seeks to shed light on this topic by addressing the research question “Does accommodation crafting partially mediate the effects of personal resources (self-efficacy and political skill) and job characteristics (job autonomy and perceived organizational support) on employees with hearing limitations’ decisions to engage in task crafting?” Methods. Employees with hearing limitations (n=225) completed an on-line questionnaire. Participants responded under conditions of anonymity unless they chose to participate in a cash drawing by providing their email address. All participants worked full-time (30 or more hours per week) in the United States. Results. As hypothesized, a significant positive relationship between accommodation crafting and task crafting was confirmed. Accommodation crafting was also found to partially mediate the significant direct effects of political skill, self-efficacy, and job autonomy on task crafting. Perceived organizational support was not found to be significantly related to accommodation crafting and was therefore excluded from partial mediation analyses. Conclusion. This study suggests that an enhanced understanding of task crafting by employees with hearing limitations is conceivable when considering the antecedent effects of personal resources and organizational characteristics. Although personal resources and organization characteristics seem to be direct antecedents of task crafting for employees with hearing limitations, the availability of crafted accommodations seems to be important as a partial mediator of these relationships.
Role of cow dung and sawdust during the bioconversion of swine waste through the rotary drum composting process
Authors: Chhakchhuak Lalthlansanga , Pottipati Suryateja , Mohanty Bijayananda , Kalamdhad Ajay S.
Published: June 2024

This research aimed to assess the outcome of adding cow dung as a microbiological inoculum and sawdust as a bulking agent to swine waste in the invessel-composting process. The biodegradation was conducted using a rotary drum composter (RDC), which raised the feedstock's temperature to > 40°C in just 24 hours, promoting thermophilic decomposition. Surprisingly, the cow dung-amended trial (RDC1) maintained the thermophilic phase for 16 days, whereas the sawdust-amended trial (RDC2) only lasted 7 days. After 20 days, the RDC1 product exhibited superior nutritional characteristics, boosting a total nitrogen content of 2.52%. Moreover, the coliform drastically decreased in RDC1, and the overall weight loss was 25%. These findings highlight that incorporating cow dung (10% w/w) into swine waste and bulking agents through RDC produces high-quality compost in just 20 days. Thus, the livestock industry benefits significantly from this proven method of improving waste management by producing valuable bioproducts employing RDC.
Android Malware Detection using HexCode Features
Authors: Anand Abhishek , Singh Jyoti Prakash , Dhoundiyal Vatsal
Published: June 2024

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, Android has emerged as a preferred and highly targeted platform by malware. The proliferation of malware for Android devices has been exponential and to counter this Android malware detection together with familial classification has to be automated. This paper introduces a dual-pronged approach for Android malware detection and familial classification. The proposed approach employs a static analysis approach to extract Java ARchive (JAR) files from Android application packages (APKs). Our methodology involves utilizing extensive hex strings derived from JAR files and applying n-gram sliding window technique to extract features. To validate the robustness of our model and assess its versatility, we employed both standard and obfuscated malware datasets. A range of machine learning models, including Naive Bayes(NB), Random Forest(RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree (DT) and a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for familial classification, were employed. The experiments encompassed non-obfuscated malware samples (5560), obfuscated malware samples (15479), and benign samples (6200). Additionally, we conducted a comparative analysis of our model's performance against existing methods, including those based on deep learning.
Longitudinal cough frequency monitoring in persistent coughers:Daily Variability and Predictability
Authors: Chung Kian Fan , Chaccour Carlos , Jover Lola , Galvosas Mindaugas , Song Woo-jung , Rudd Matthew , Small Peter
Published: June 2024

Purpose
We determined the cough counts and their variability in subjects with persistent cough for 30 days.
Methods
The Hyfe cough tracker app uses the mobile phone microphone to monitor sounds and recognizes cough with artificial intelligence-enabled algorithms. We analysed the daily cough counts including the daily predictability rates of 97 individuals who monitored their coughs over 30 days and had a daily cough rate of at least 5 coughs per hour.
Results
The mean (median) daily cough rates varied from 6.5 to 182 (6.2 to 160) coughs per hour, with standard deviations (interquartile ranges) varying from 0.99 to 124 (1.30 to 207) coughs per hour among all subjects. There was a positive association between cough rate and variability, as subjects with higher mean cough rates (OLS)have larger standard deviations. The accuracy of any given day for predicting all 30 days is the One Day Predictability for that day, defined as percentage of days when cough frequencies fall within that day’s 95% confidence interval. Overall Predictability was the mean of the 30 One Day Predictability percentages and ranged from 95% (best predictability) to 30% (least predictability).
Conclusion
There is substantial within-day and day-to-day variability for each subject with persistent cough recorded over 30 days. The clinical significance and the impact on the use of cough counts as a primary end-point of cough interventions of this variability need to be assessed.
Machine-Learning-Aided Method for Optimizing Beam Selection and Update Period in 5G Networks and Beyond
Authors: Marenco Ludwing , Hupalo Luiz E. , Andrade Naylson F. , Figueiredo Felipe A. P.
Published: June 2024

Finding the optimal beam pair and update time in 5G systems operating at mmWave frequencies is time-intensive and resource-demanding. This intricate procedure calls for the proposal of more intelligent approaches. Therefore, this work proposes a machine learning-based method for optimizing beam pair selection and its update time. The method is structured around three main modules: spatial characterization of beam pair service areas, training of a machine learning model using collected beam pair data, and an algorithm that uses the decision function of the trained model to compute the optimal update time for beam pairs based on the spatial position and velocity of user equipment. When the machine learning model is deployed in the network comprising one single gNB and one single user equipment in an mmWave scenario, improvement in SINR and throughput up to 4% are observed. Improvements are gathered because of a reduction of 87.5% in beam pair selections because of an increase of approximately 2330% in the effective time between successive beam pair searches. This method could offer real-time optimization of the beam pair procedures in 5G networks and beyond.
An improved fault ride-through strategy for back-to-back MMC-Based VSCs in an inverter-dominated renewable energy system
Authors: Xiong Ping , Liu Dan , Ji Xiaotong , Yang Bingjian , Liu Hongzheng
Published: June 2024

By incorporating back-to-back voltage-source converters between the main grid and the regional grid, asynchronous interconnection of the grids can be formed to achieve a scenario of 100% renewable energy islanding operation of the regional grid. The paper begins by detailing the electrical wiring and structural configuration of the regional grid. It then performs a thorough evaluation of traditional fault current suppression techniques during a single-phase-to-ground fault in transmission lines powered solely by renewable energy. To improve low voltage ride-through capabilities, the study introduces an advanced strategy that employs an adaptive control of positive and negative sequence components, combined with DC bus voltage stabilization. The efficacy of this approach is substantiated through hardware-in-the-loop simulations and empirical field testing. Results show a substantial reduction in the regional grid's negative sequence component and harmonic content by 18.5% and 81.7%, respectively. Moreover, the DC voltage oscillation is effectively suppressed following the initiation and clearance of a single-phase-to-ground fault.
Starting from Zero: A No-Pretraining Object Detectors
Authors: Ye X , Ma T , Xiao B
Published: June 2024

We introduce an innovative object detector that has been trained entirely from scratch , designed to address the shortcomings of contemporary models in terms of scalability and generalization. Unlike state-of-the-art detectors that rely on networks pre-trained on large datasets like ImageNet and COCO, our model steers clear of the potential biases and constraints such training imposes. Building on the foundation laid by DSOD, we present a model that not only improves upon precision but also offers enhanced extensibility, enabling continuous refinement of both accuracy and speed.Our model also introduces a new local attention mechanism that emphasizes salient features while suppressing the less relevant ones, thereby significantly enhancing performance. This plug-and-play module computes tensor weights that can be seamlessly integrated into any network architecture, offering an instant boost in the capability of the model.Starting from ground zero, we trained our model without the crutches of pre-trained weights, an approach that has historically been considered audacious. Yet, our experiments have borne fruit, yielding a model that outperforms DSOD in real-time detection speed while also achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 69.7% on the VOC2007 and 69.8% on the VOC2012 benchmark. This exemplary performance demonstrates the viability and potential of our training paradigm, paving the way for future research into self-sustaining learning frameworks that prioritize adaptability and continuous improvement.
Evaluating salt tolerance in soybean core collection: germination response under salinity stress
Authors: Gobade Aditya , S Arathi , Gijare Shreyash , Pawar Deepak , Patil Abhinandan
Published: June 2024

High levels of soil salinity inhibit the growth of legumes such as soybeans, significantly reducing their productivity. This research aimed to assess the salt tolerance of soybean genotypes by evaluating seed germination at varying salt concentrations (100 mM, 150 mM, and 200 mM NaCl) from two seed source locations. A total of 198 soybean genotypes were analyzed post-germination using ten quantitative traits: germination percentage, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, seedling length, shoot length, root length, seedling vigor index-1, seedling vigor index-2, seedling water content, and salt tolerance. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results indicated significant differences among treatments across both locations. Principal Component Analysis revealed that certain quantitative traits were more prominent at different salt concentrations, confirming varied responses to salt stress. Correlation analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between germination percentages and growth parameters such as fresh weight, dry weight, and vigor index. The study observed a decline in all quantitative traits as salt concentration increased, highlighting the stress experienced by plants during germination and growth under high salinity conditions. Using K-means clustering, the 198 genotypes were categorized into tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible, and susceptible groups. This clustering helped identify genotypes exhibiting high tolerance (≥ 80% germination at 200 mM NaCl) and high susceptibility (≤ 40% germination at 100 mM NaCl) consistently across both seed source locations. Consequently, seven salt-tolerant genotypes (MACS 708, KALITUR, MACS 1037, IC 13050, MACS 1010, PK 1029, and MACS 173) and three salt-sensitive genotypes (HIMSO 1563, EC 391181, and EC 241920) were identified, providing new insights into soybean cultivation under saline conditions.
Nicorandil repurposing in orofacial pain: preclinical findings in adult zebrafish
Authors: de Araújo José Ismael Feitosa , Leite Gerlânia de Oliveira , Vieira-Neto Antônio Eufrásio , Silva-Neto Leonardo da , Campos Adriana Rolim , de Fátima Ângelo
Published: June 2024

This study investigated the orofacial antinociceptive activity of nicorandil in adult zebrafish and explored the involvement of TRP channels in this effect. Nicorandil, a known antianginal drug, reduced nociceptive behaviors induced by capsaicin (TRPV1 agonist), cinnamaldehyde (TRPA1 agonist), and menthol (TRPM8 agonist) without altering the locomotor activity of the zebrafish. Pre-treatment with specific TRPA1 and TRPV1 antagonists prevented the antinociceptive effects of nicorandil, indicating its action on these channels. Molecular docking studies supported these findings, demonstrating high chemical affinity and specific binding of nicorandil to the TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels, leading to stabilization and reduced biological activity of these channels. In contrast, the antinociceptive effect of nicorandil on menthol-induced nociception was not affected by a TRPM8 antagonist, suggesting that TRPM8 modulation is not involved in nicorandil’s mechanism of action. The study highlights the potential of nicorandil as an analgesic through its interaction with TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels, providing a molecular basis for repositioning nicorandil as an effective analgesic drug.
Evaluation of Ventilation System Alternatives for Sustainable Buildings With an It2 Fuzzy-integrated Dematel-anp and Fanp Methodology
Authors: Nalbant Kemal Gokhan
Published: June 2024

In the early 20th century, advancements in technology facilitated greater accessibility to data, thereby revealing the extent of human-induced harm to the ecosystem. The revelation of environmental resource depletion has led to a rise in international agreements, sanctions, and regulations as a precautionary measure. The notion of sustainable development has given rise to novel concepts, including eco-friendly, green, and smart buildings. The primary objectives of green buildings are to ensure safety, health, comfort, longevity, and cost-effectiveness for both occupants and the environment. In this paper, a novel integrated model is proposed by Interval Type-2 Fuzzy DEMATEL-ANP (DANP) - FANP for the evaluation of ventilation system alternatives for sustainable buildings. The ranking of the criteria was established using the DANP approach. Then, the FANP method was integrated into the DANP technique for the ranking of the alternatives. To implement pairwise comparison matrices of alternatives within sub-criteria using the DANP methodology, it is imperative to create a square matrix with the intention of producing a normalized direct relation matrix. The problem was solved through the utilization of the FANP methodology. Sensitivity analysis was performed in the last step to ascertain the method's sensitivity.
Flexibility evaluation of a new distribution system based on cooperative game-Gaussian cloud model
Authors: Xinyin Dai
Published: June 2024

Scientific and reasonable evaluation of the flexibility of the new distribution system is of great significance for the construction of the new distribution system. Firstly, based on the characteristics of the new distribution system, a flexibility evaluation index system with 4 first-level indicators and 12 secondary-level indicators is established from the four levels of power supply side, grid side, load side and energy storage side. Secondly, the cooperative game idea is used to combine and assign the three objective assignment methods, namely, entropy weight method, CRITIC method and coefficient of variation method, to ensure the accuracy of the weighting results. Finally, the Gaussian cloud model is used to analyze the distribution system in a region of China, and the calculation results of the Gaussian cloud model in the example are compared with the results of the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model to verify the reliability and accuracy of the method. The results show that the proposed evaluation method can identify the weak links of the new distribution system and provide theoretical reference for accelerating the construction and sustainable development of the new distribution system.
An ecoacoustic dataset collected on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Mammides Christos , Ieronymidou Christina , Papadopoulos Harris
Published: June 2024

There is growing interest in using novel technologies for large-scale biodiversity monitoring. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) represents a promising approach for surveying vocalizing animals. However, further development of PAM methods is needed to improve their accuracy. The availability of extensive ecoacoustic datasets from biodiverse areas can facilitate this development. In this study, we present a large ecoacoustic dataset (1.58 TB) collected at sixty-one study sites on the island of Cyprus between March and May 2023. The dataset comprises > 310,000 audio files, representing over 5,200 hours of recordings. It can be used for a range of applications, such as developing and refining species identification algorithms, acoustic indices, and protocols for processing acoustic data to exclude non-focal sounds, e.g., those produced by human activities. It can also be used to explore fundamental ecological questions. To facilitate its use, the complete dataset has been made available on the Hugging Face repository and the ARBIMON platform, operated by Rainforest Connection™, which offers a range of free tools for ecoacoustic analyses.
Chemerin, Visfatin: Key Markers of Diabetes Associated-chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Ahmed Chaudhari Mohammed Juned , Vasanthan M. , Vinodhini V.M. , P Renuka. , Banerjee Swapnaneel ,   Vedang Parth6, K Sri Sakthi , Soni Nainsi , Janathan S.
Published: June 2024

Background Diabetes Mellitus is defined as a consistent hyperglycemia occur due to deficiency of insulin or insulin resistance by the insulin-dependent cell of the body. Persistence hyperglycemia leads to accumulation of advance glycosylated end product (AGEP) which founds to damage glomerular basement membrane of the nephrons leading to kidney damage causing diabetes - associated CKD. CKD is defined as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60ml/min/1.73 m2 for a minimum of three month irrespective of etiology. This not only affect the patient’s normal life but also decrease the life expectancy. This study aims to provide pro-inflammatory markers for earliest diagnosis and hence the treatment planning of the diabetes – associated CKD.
Method An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at tertiary care center in south India (Chennai, SRM MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE). The total sample size was calculated to be 120, which was further divided in two equal group. Group I involve 60 diabetes-associated CKD participants (25-65 years) and Group II involved aged (25-65 years), sex matched healthy controls. Serum Chemerin and Visfatin levels were quantified among both the group. Spearman’s correlation was performed to find the correlation of these markers with e-GFR and study participants.
Findings Significant elevated levels of serum Chemerin was found in diabetes-associated CKD participants [4618.875 (1650.795, 9173.230)] as compare to control participants [1566.273 (666.948, 2601.144)]. Similarly, significantly elevated levels of serum Visfatin was found in diabetes-associated CKD participants [46.450 (31.458, 100.733)] as compare to control participants [14.226 (8.865, 18.619)]. Significant negative correlation was observed between serum Chemerin and e-GFR (r = -0.413, p = 0.000003), similarly Significant negative correlation was observed between serum Visfatin and e-GFR (r = -0.647, p = 0.000000). This clearly suggests the role of these adipokines in kidney damage, hence they can act as potential pro-inflammatory markers in diabetes-associated CKD.
Interpretation Above findings clearly suggest the potential of these pro-inflammatory markers in earliest diagnosis and thus treatment planning in diabetes-associated CKD.
Study of cystic and cavitary lung lesions at Al-Mowasat University Hospital
Authors: Khattab Khalid , Alkhattab Haytham , Hamad Abdullah
Published: June 2024

In this research, some cases of cavernous and cystic lung lesions were studied in both Al-Mouwasat Hospital and Damascus during the year 2023. The practical study of this research was based on a retrospective study of clinical cases, by studying patient files and records, relying on spectroscopic radiological diagnosis, and comparing the findings. With surgical reports and biopsies for patients. The research aimed to compare the results of a simple chest scan in the clinical cases studied, with the results of a CT scan, in addition to determining the most accurate method of diagnosis. The results showed that CT scanning is the most accurate and reliable radiological method that confirms clinical results. Therefore, it is the most important in evaluating and discovering cysts and caverns to give an accurate idea and diagnosis about the characteristics of the lesions that may be present, which may include: location, shape, edges, walls., content, differences as well as monitoring.
Low-cost Light-emitting Diode Lights Reduce Production Cost of Bibb Lettuce Grown in Aquaponic Systems
Authors: Lohman Andrew , Hager Janelle V. , Ward J. Christopher , Fleckenstein Leo , Tidwell James H.
Published: June 2024

In temperate climates, aquaponic producers must use artificial lighting; however, purchasing light-emitting diode (LED) grow lights can be cost-prohibitive. Two aquaponic trials evaluated low-cost LED lighting for the growth of bibb lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata). In trial 1, seven low-cost LED lights were screened and compared with a high-end LED grow light. The three best-performing lights in terms of total plant biomass produced (grams) and total plant biomass per unit of electricity (grams per square meter per kilowatt-hour) were more intensively evaluated in trial 2. These lights included Spider Farmer SF-2000 [SPI ($300)], Fluence RAZRx [FLU ($364)], Designers Fountain 6-Light 5000 K LED High Bay Light [DES ($100)], and the control NeoSol DS [NEO ($1400)]. After 17 days, lettuce grown under NEO achieved higher (P ≤ 0.05) total biomass (939 g) than DES (812 g). There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the average individual plant weights in any treatment. Plant production efficiency (grams per square meter per kilowatt-hour) was higher in DES than NEO (P ≤ 0.05) but was not different from SPI and FLU (P > 0.05). Results indicate that low-cost LEDs are a viable option for producers looking to reduce investment costs while maintaining adequate plant growth. To further describe potential cost savings for producers, a partial budget analysis evaluated the net change in profits and benefit/cost ratio (BCR) of the experimental lights. All showed improved economic results compared with the control (NEO). These studies indicate that low-cost LED lights can support similar plant growth, at higher energy efficiencies, with better economic viability than more expensive grow lights.
Cutting Propagation of ‘Coy’ Alder-leaf Mountain Mahogany
Authors: Paudel Asmita , Sun Youping , Oladejo Atanda
Published: June 2024

‘Coy’ alder-leaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) is a new cultivar developed from a species native to the western United States with potential for use in xeriscaping, rock gardens, and water-efficient landscaping. However, efficient propagation methods are not well developed for it. In this study, cutting propagation of ‘Coy’ alder-leaf mountain mahogany was investigated over 3 years to evaluate the effects of wounding method, rooting hormone, type of cuttings collected, and time for cutting collection on rooting. In May, Jul, and Sep 2020, 2021, and 2022, nondormant hardwood subterminal cuttings and/or semihardwood terminal cuttings were collected for wounding studies. Before the treatment with 3000 mg·L−1 indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) in powder, cuttings were wounded either by scraping one side (scrape) or by perpendicular cuts around the base (cut), and cuttings without additional wounding were used as the control. Similarly, subterminal and terminal cuttings of ‘Coy’ alder-leaf mountain mahogany were collected during the same time and were used for hormone treatments. Cuttings were treated with 1000 or 3000 mg·L−1 IBA in powder or 1000/500 or 3000/1500 mg·L−1 IBA/NAA (1-naphthaleneacetic acid) in solution. Wounding by cut or scrape increased the rooting percentage. In addition, most cuttings wounded by the scrape method had better rooting than those wounded with cuts. On the basis of hierarchical cluster analyses, cuttings treated with 3000 mg·L−1 IBA in powder had greater rooting than those treated with other hormones. Therefore, our research showed that successful rooting of subterminal or terminal stem cuttings of ‘Coy’ alder-leaf mountain mahogany can be achieved through wounding using scrape method and by treatment with 3000 mg·L−1 IBA in powder.
Challenges of resilience training for military personnel in the Lithuanian Armed Forces
Authors: Prakapienė Dalia , Kazlauskaitė Markelienė Rolanda
Published: June 2024

Resilience is a complex phenomenon that results from the natural human response to adapt to change through the ability to cope with or respond to threats. In today’s security challenges, military personnel are responsible for the defense of their country, and exposure to unfamiliar situations can harm the ability of military personnel to perform successfully. Therefore, this study aims to identify the challenges in resilience training for the Lithuanian Armed Forces military personnel. The study uses a qualitative research method and an in-depth interview. Eight military psychologists participated in the study. The selection criteria for the informants were currently employed/serving in the military with at least five years of experience and participating in resilience training. The results revealed that there has been significant recent attention to and need for resilience training in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, but that resilience development is fragmented. The findings show that the lack of a unified concept of resilience in the Lithuanian Armed Forces complicates the development of a unified resilience training system. Summarizing the organizational aspects of resilience training for military personnel in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the following key challenges were identified. There is a lack of leadership support for resilience education; the need for the development of trainers or responsible persons involved in resilience education; the lack of a clear perception of the value of resilience education among trainers; the need for unification and systematization of the education system through the updating/creation of the use of a system for feedback and evaluation.
AcknowledgmentWe acknowledge General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania for financial support in publishing this article.
ORPHANHOOD AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS OF SYRIAN CHILDREN IN TÜRKİYE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRE- AND POST-CONFLICT PERIODS (2006-2018)
Authors: Yumlu Seda , Koç İsmet
Published: June 2024

This article examines how armed conflicts influence orphanhood and living
arrangements of children and specifically compares Syrian orphan children’s living
arrangements in the pre-conflict period in Syria and the post-conflict period in Türkiye by
using the data of the 2006 Syrian Arab Republic Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (SMICS)
and 2018 Türkiye Demographic and Health Survey Syrian Migrant Sample (TDHS-S). The
study aims to understand the prevalence and magnitude of orphanhood among Syrian refugee
children, to investigate the social consequences of orphanhood and to reveal how various
living arrangements of orphaned Syrian children differ in pre- and post-conflict periods. The
research employs a comparative analysis based on the descriptive statistics of two datasets.
The results of the study indicate that orphanhood among Syrian children has increased in
the post-conflict period for all age groups and both sexes. A key finding shows that paternal
orphanhood is more prevalent in the post-conflict period among all orphanhood types with a
4.8%. The incidence of not living with a biological parent is highest for the 15-17 age group in
Türkiye reaching 17%. The increase in percentages of working children, the general decline in
school attendance ratios and high percentages in early marriages are other prominent findings
observed in the post-conflict period.
Sonradan Kazanılmış Bedensel Engeli Olan Bireylerde Yaşam Doyumu, Benlik Saygısı ve Sosyal Dışlanma Arasındaki İlişki ve Sosyal Katılımın Engellenmesine Yol Açan Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Peker Fatma , Köroğlu Özlem , Yazicioglu Kamil
Published: June 2024

Engelli bireyin fiziksel farklılıkları beraberinde ekonomik ve çevresel engeller
yaşatmakta ve toplum içerisinde sosyalleşme sürecinde dışlayıcı süreçlere maruz kalarak
dezavantajlı konuma düşebildikleri görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada bedensel engelli bireylerin
sosyal dışlanma algı düzeyi, benlik saygısı ve yaşam doyumunun çeşitli değişkenler açısından
incelenmesi ve benlik saygısı ve yaşam doyumu ile sosyal dışlanma algı düzeyi arasındaki
ilişkinin tespit edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel türde olan bu çalışmada
ilişkisel tarama yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonradan kazanılmış 5 yıldır bedensel
engelli 76 birey ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Verilerin toplanmasında Sosyo-Demografik Bilgi
Formu, Sosyal Dışlanma Ölçeği, Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği, Yaşam Doyum ölçeği
kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular incelendiğinde benlik saygısı ve yaşam doyum yüksek
olduğu değerlendirilmiştir. Sosyal katılımcılık sosyal dışlanmanın en yüksek olduğu boyuttur.
Gazi engelli bireylerin sosyal haklara ulaşma uygun ve güvenli çevre boyutu ve benlik saygısı
genel sağlık sigortalı engelli bireylerden anlamlı bir farklılık göstermektedir. Ampute engelli
bireylerin yaşam doyumu omurilik hasarlı bireylere göre yüksektir. Sosyal dışlanma ölçeğinin
sosyal katılımcılık boyutu ile sosyal haklara ulaşma ve maddi yoksunluk boyutları arasında
anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Sosyal katılımda zorluk arttıkça maddi yoksunluk ve sosyal
haklara ulaşmada daha çok dışlanmışlık olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır Toplam gelir ve benlik
saygısı ile sosyal dışlanma maddi yoksunluk alt boyutu arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur.
Gelir düzeyi arttıkça maddi yoksunluk boyutunda daha az sosyal dışlanmışlık hissine sahip
olunduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
GAZİLERDE VATANSEVERLİK VE MANEVİYAT: GAZİLER ÜZERİNDE NİTEL BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: Tosun Muhammed
Published: June 2024

Bireyin manevi değerleri vatan sevgisinin temelini oluşturur ve vatana duyulan sevgi, manevi
değerlerle beslenerek derinleşir. Öyle ki bu bağ, bireyin vatanına olan bağlılığını, sorumluluğunu
ve duygusal aidiyetini güçlendirir. Bu çalışmanın amacı gazilerin vatanseverlik ve maneviyat
algıları üzerine derinlemesine bir analiz sunmaktır. Araştırmanın hedefi gazilerin vatanseverlik
duyguları ile maneviyat algıları arasındaki ilişkiyi inceleyerek bu kavramların gazilerin yaşamlarındaki
rolünü ve etkileşimini anlamaktır. Çalışma 32 asker gazisiyle gerçekleştirilen nitel bir araştırmayı
içermekte olup katılımcılar amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle seçilmiştir. Çalışma fenomenolojik
bir bakış açısıyla yürütülmüştür. İçerik analizi sonucunda 3 ana tema ve bunlara bağlı toplamda 9 alt
tema oluşturulmuştur. Çalışmanın sonuçları gazilerin vatanseverlik duygularının manevi değerlerle
iç içe geçerek vatan sevgisinin bireysel ve toplumsal düzeylerdeki derin etkilerini ortaya koymaktadır.
Gazilerin deneyimleri vatan sevgisinin temel dayanaklarını, manevi değerlerin, ideallerin ve
tarihsel bağlamın nasıl bütünleştiğini gözler önüne sermektedir. Manevi değerler gazilerin vatanları
için özveride bulunma, zorlukları aşma ve sorumluluklarını yerine getirme konusunda güçlü bir
motivasyon kaynağı olarak öne çıkmaktadır.
Development of temperature and mass transfer-based empirical models for estimating reference evapotranspiration in Nigeria
Authors: Awhari Dauda Pius , Jamal Mohamad Hidayat , Muhammad Mohd Khairul Idlan , Kamai Matthew Boniface , Yaseen Zaher Mundher , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: June 2024

The empirical models commonly employed as alternatives for estimating evapotranspiration provide constraints and yield inaccurate results when applied to Nigeria. This study aims to develop novel empirical models to enhance evapotranspiration (ET0) estimation accuracy in Nigeria. The coefficients of non-linear equations were optimised using the particle swarm optimisation (PSO) algorithm for the development of the two new ET0 models for Nigeria, Awhari1 (temperature-based) and Awhari2 (mass transfer-based). ERA5 reanalysis data with a 0.1° × 0.1° resolution was used. The models were rigorously assessed against the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith method, resulting in Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) and percentage bias (Pbias) values of 0.75, 6.49, and 0.92, 5.67, respectively. The spatial distribution analysis of performance metrics showed both equations exhibited superior accuracy in estimating ET0 across diverse climatic zones in Nigeria. The incorporation of PSO in model development, coupled with spatial analysis, highlights the study's multidimensional approach. The spatial performance of the models indicates that they can be valuable tools for water resource management, irrigation planning, and sustainable agriculture practices in Nigeria.
EFFECT OF LONG-TERM SPACE MISSION ON FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN T-CELL IMMUNIITY
Authors:   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Kutko O.V. , Rykova M.P. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Antropova E.N. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Shmarov V.A. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Zhirova E.A. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Orlova K.D. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Sadova А.А. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Vlasova D.D. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Shulguina S.M. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Lysenko E.А. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Utkin К.V. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Ponomarev S.А. ,   Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
Published: June 2024

The authors present the results of studying the processes involved in maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) derived from CD14+-monocytes and TCR-activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 9 ISS Russian crew members. It was demonstrated that long-term habitation on low Earth's orbits brings about disorders both in DCs and Т-lymphocytes evidenced by reductions in mature DCs expressing the В7 family of co-stimulating molecules and also Т-lymphocytes expressing the molecules of positive CD28 co-stimulation. The investigation found an increased number of tolerogenic DCs with the CD80+CD86- immunophenotype and T-cells expressing the negative co-stimulation molecules CD152. TCR-stimulation of lymphocytes in vitro enabled detection of changes in the processes of associated with T-lymphocyte differentiation and synthesis of cytokines. The immune system reaction to prolonged exposure to the aggregate of spaceflight factors was distinctively individual.