bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE METHOD OF FORMING THE CREATIVE TEAM OF IT PROJECT
Authors: Blyznyukova Iryna
Published: November 2023

The specificity of project team formation is determined by the development of project management concepts, changes in society and in production. Management processes that are related to the human factor are a constant subject of interest for scientists. For effective management of IT projects, qualified people with certain competencies are needed, who create the core of the team in order to fulfill the assigned tasks. The future of the project will depend on how efficiently and "correctly" the team will be formed. The work offers the author's vision of the team formation procedure based on competence, psychological and quantitative criteria, taking into account the features of IT projects with a high degree of innovation, which require flexible management tools and self-managed, self-organizing teams. The task of forming a minimally viable IT project team is proposed to be solved by expanding the range of competencies of each member of the project team under the condition of minimizing its quantitative composition. The minimum complete team model of Raymond M. Belbin (idea generator, critic, and executor) was adopted as the basis for the formation of the IT project team. The application of a creative approach to the management of innovative IT projects, namely the design thinking technique, requires the allocation of an additional role - an empath. The generalized method of forming an IT project team with a high degree of innovation, which will use design thinking technology as a leading technology for software product development, is presented in the form of an algorithm.
PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF AGILE METHODOLOGIES DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ROUTE NETWORK PROJECT FOR TRANSPORT OPERATOR
Authors: Grinchenko Marina , Svichynska Olha , Grinchenko Evgen
Published: November 2023

The paper considers the features of Agile project management methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, and Lean manufacturing. The experience of their use in transport systems and technologies is studied. During the research, it was determined that these methodologies are often used for the organisation of freight transportation and logistics, and there is almost no information on their implementation in urban passenger transportation. The use of alternative methods for managing road transport enterprises and projects is essential as it will contribute to the effective organisation of passenger transportation and estimation of the rational fleet size, which, in turn, will improve the quality of service for passengers, reduce adverse transport monopoly effects, promote business development and create new jobs. This will allow people to access healthcare and educational services, save time and resources, and reduce travel costs. The paper proposes to combine the principles of the Scrum methodology and the cascade approach by the example of managing the project devoted to improving the route network of a public transport operator. A list of actions and processes necessary to reflect the project sprints is provided. The research results show that implementing the agile management principles will improve the quality of modelling and project development and positively influence the enterprise management culture.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ANTI-RISK METHOD OF OPTIMIZING BUSINESS PROCESSES
Authors: Danchenko Olena , Semko Alexander
Published: November 2023

The introduction of digital transformation projects into the socio-economic management system requires the development of new tools and approaches to information risk management as the main lever of the project's success. In order to solve this problem, the latest scientific achievements in the direction of development and implementation of anti-risk methods for various sectors of the economy were analyzed. This analysis once again confirmed the axiom about the need to manage risks, and today, information risks, which in the era of digitalization are becoming the main problem for many organizations. The purpose of this article is to develop models and an algorithm for the anti-risk method of optimizing business processes in organizations. An anti-risk method of optimizing business processes is proposed, developed on the basis of conceptual and mathematical models of information risk management in projects of digital business transformation. The work demonstrates the concept of the method, the idea of which is the simultaneous analysis of the information risks of the organization, its projects and its environment with the application of uniform countermeasures to them, which leads to a reduction in terms and costs of project implementation. Also given is a mathematical description of the information risk management model in digital business transformation projects, as a manager's toolkit for calculating key project indicators. The proposed anti-risk method of optimizing business processes allows you to eliminate the excessive cost of operations, the time of operations, the inconsistency of actions of participants and take into account information risks. It was concluded that this anti-risk method of optimizing business processes acquires practical significance and value in the process of choosing strategies for further actions in project management.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SELF-ORGANIZING PROCESSES IN BIOLOGY AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Authors: Koreiba Andriy , Teslenko Pavel
Published: November 2023

A bee swarm, termite colony, anthill, mycelia are just a few biological systems that exist in nature for millions of years, survive and evolve. All the biological systems listed above are united by one concept - the concept of self-organization. Evolutionary processes occurring in these biological systems have been studied for decades by various scientists. This article analyzes the similarity of self-organization processes in biological systems and project teams. The relevance of the topic lies in the importance of rethinking the processes of self-organization in project teams and in building a new structure for the further development of the concepts of self-learning and self-management. As you know, the key resource for the development of society and the economy is the human resource, which cannot always be systematically managed under the supervision of the manager. Self-organization is an important aspect of team life in our future, precisely because of the mobility of functions. This process is characterized by the ability to rationally organize work, both one's own and the work of subordinate teams. Thereby, an effectively designed system of self-management, which takes into account the specifics of the organization's work and the current economic situation, is considered one of the key factors contributing to the achievement of the goals set by the organization. A new look at the structures of the synergetic level, which were established by the laws of physics and nature, will allow us to develop and establish new paradigms in the processes of self-organization and self-management.
MODERN APPROACHES TO PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT IN THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Authors: Kulikov Oleh , Zaiats Olga , Oksamytna Liubov
Published: November 2023

The project approach is successfully implemented in all areas of human activity, in particular in the transport industry, and has proven itself as an effective and efficient tool for managing transport companies. Considering the large number of areas of activity in the transport sector, it is expedient to combine individual projects that are being implemented into programs and portfolios. In this study, an analysis of scientific works in the transport industry was carried out, which showed that the current state of affairs in this field requires the development of strategic management tools and their implementation in their activities. The works of scientists on strategic management and management of project portfolios of companies in various fields of activity were also considered, which showed that the available works can become the basis for developing models and methods of managing project portfolios in the field of road construction, but do not fully take into account the peculiarities of this field. The authors propose the application of a portfolio approach to the company's activities in the field of road construction. In this work, a study of the development directions of the road industry was carried out and the sources of filling the state road fund, from which financing of the specified development directions was provided, were determined, as well as an analysis of the standard of project portfolio management was carried out. In order to improve the quality of project portfolio management in the field of road construction, it is advisable to improve the implementation of strategic management processes, portfolio management, and to introduce those processes that are not yet being implemented. This can also be done by developing and implementing project portfolio management information technology in the field of road construction, which will enable the implementation of strategic management and project portfolio management.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION OF MODULAR HARDWARE COMPLEXES FOR LED THERAPY
Authors: Kipenskyi Andrii , Kulichenko Viacheslav , Voitovych Yurii , Linetska Larysa
Published: November 2023

The industrial production of powerful light-emitting diodes has led to the appearance of devices for therapeutic purposes, where such diodes are used as sources of electromagnetic radiation in the optical range. The development and production of such devices was established in the city of Kharkiv with the participation of scientists and specialists of Kharkiv National University named after V.M. Karazin and National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute". Methods of using devices and hardware complexes in medical practice were created at the Kharkiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. The article analyzes the main principles of building modular hardware complexes for LED therapy, defines structures and options for connecting modules. As a result of the work performed, it was established that the modular implementation of hardware complexes for LED therapy has five main options, which differ in the number and types of emitters connected to the control unit, in the connection scheme of photon emitters, and in their functionality. It was also noted that the modular principle of building hardware complexes for LED therapy makes it quite easy to carry out their modernization and form the necessary configuration of the irradiating system, that is, to significantly expand the functional capabilities of the complex for carrying out phototherapy treatment procedures with the greatest efficiency. The expediency of using microprocessor technology for the implementation of the information part of the control unit of the complex is shown. This makes it possible to ensure the operation of photon emitters in continuous, pulsed and scanning modes, as well as separate operation of the emitters of the irradiation system of the complex and irradiation of the patient in biosynchronization mode.
EVALUATION OF ENERGY BAND STRUCTURE OF HALF-HEUSLER ALLOY LiZnX (X = As, P, and Sb) USING FIRST PRINCIPLE CALCULATION
Authors: Ettah Emmanuel , Ishaje Michael E. , Minakova Kseniia , Asuquo Esther Offiong , Odey Stephen U.
Published: November 2023

The evaluation of energy band structure plays a vital role in understanding the electronic properties of materials. This research, we investigate the energy band structure of Half-Heusler alloys LiZn(X = As, P, and Sb) using a first principle approach based on Density Functional Theory (DFT). These alloys are of particular interest due to their potential applications in thermoelectric and spintronics devices. The corresponding Density of States (DOS) for the tripartite compounds LiZnX (X=As, P, and Sb) have been calculated and the contributions of the Li, Zn, As, P and Sb orbital to the Density of States at ambient pressure. This also confirmed that LiZnX (X=As, P, and Sb) is a semi-conductor with a narrow band-gap between the occupied and unoccupied regions around the Fermi level. The orbitals Li -1s, As-4p, As- 4s, Zn-3d has the highest contributions. The dominant of the orbitals P-1s and P-2p before the Fermi- level and Zn-2p after the Fermi-level are observed. We observed the dominant of the orbitals Sb-1s, Sb-3d, Li-1s, Li-2s, Zn-3d shows weak hybridization and low contribution. This features indicates that the covalent bond between these two atoms is weak, and could be responsible for the mechanical instability observed in the calculation. Meanwhile the band structure calculated and presented has narrow band-gab of 0.625. 0.937 and 0.313 respectively for the tripartite compound LiZnX(X=As, P, and Sb) and its a direct band-gap semiconductor. The obtained energy band structures provide valuable information about the electronic properties of LiZn (X = As, P, and Sb) alloys. The presence of band gaps is crucial for thermoelectric applications, as it indicates the presence of regions where electrons and holes are confined, enabling efficient charge transport.
RECOMMENDED TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMOGRAPHIC INSPECTION IN THE LABORATORY
Authors: Krykun Vadym , Homyak Yuri , Pozniakova Marharyta
Published: November 2023

Paper presents a detailed technology of tomographic inspection in the laboratory. Tomographic inspection is a powerful tool for obtaining high-quality three-dimensional images of the internal structure of objects. The advantages of the method are considered, which include the non-destructive nature of the control, high resolution, measurement accuracy, and the ability to detect defects invisible to the human eye. The main attention is paid to the description of the main stages of tomographic inspection, which are recommended to achieve maximum efficiency. Possible errors that may occur during tomographic inspection in the laboratory are highlighted, and ways to eliminate them are provided. The optimal parameters that should be taken into account during tomographic inspection are considered, including the correct choice of tomograph parameters, setting of lighting conditions, and correct positioning of the object under inspection. The process of processing the obtained inspection data is described in detail, which helps to ensure high-quality information analysis. The authors also analyze the feasibility of the control stages, comparing the results obtained at different stages and considering their impact on the final result. This work is a valuable source of information for specialists involved in tomographic control in the laboratory. The described technology and recommendations will help to improve the quality and efficiency of tomographic inspection in their work. The research results presented in this article can improve the inspection process, reduce errors, and detect even the smallest defects in samples. In general, this paper offers a recommended technology for tomographic inspection in the laboratory, taking into account key aspects such as the advantages of the method, inspection stages, error elimination, optimal parameters, object positioning, and data processing. Taking these recommendations into account, specialists will be able to provide more accurate, efficient and reliable tomographic control in their work. Thus, this article will be a valuable addition to the scientific literature in the field of non-destructive testing, will help improve the quality of tomographic testing and promote the development of this important method in the laboratory.
Referrals to Community and State Agencies to Address Social Determinants of Health for Improving Mental Health, Functioning, and Quality of Care Outcomes for Diverse Adults
Authors: Alegría Margarita , Cruz-Gonzalez Mario , Markle Sheri Lapatin , Falgas-Bague Irene , Poindexter Claire , Stein Gabriela Livas , Eddington Kari , Martinez Vargas Abraham Ezequiel , Fuentes Larimar , Cheng Michelle , Shrout Patrick E.
Published: November 2023

Objectives. To examine whether referral for social determinants of health (SDH) needs decreases psychological distress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and improves level of functioning and quality of care among diverse adults.

Methods. Data are from control participants (n = 503 adults) in a randomized controlled trial testing a mental health intervention in North Carolina and Massachusetts. We fitted multilevel mixed-effects models to repeated assessments (baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months) collected between September 2019 and January 2023.

Results. After referral to services for trouble paying utility bills, participants reported lower PTSD symptoms. Participants reported better quality of care when receiving referrals to mental health care. After adjusting for income and employment status, we found that participants who were referred more often also had lower PTSD symptoms and better levels of functioning.

Conclusions. Referrals for certain SDH needs might decrease PTSD symptoms and improve self-reported quality of care and functioning. However, referrals alone, without ensuring receipt of services, might be insufficient to affect other mental health outcomes. Research is needed on training and providing care managers time for offering interpersonal support, securing services, and understanding agencies’ contexts for addressing high SDH needs. ( Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S3):S278–S288. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307442 )
Capturando a complexidade causal: Uma abordagem qualitativa formal para pesquisas explicativas
Authors: Nascimento Esdras , Simões Freitas Jonathan
Published: November 2023

Este artigo discute a importância da pesquisa explicativa para compreender eventos complexos na área de Administração. A Teoria da Causação por Regularidade é apresentada como uma forma de fornecer critérios precisos para estabelecer relações causais com base em regularidades observadas na ocorrência de fatos/eventos. Além disso, os Métodos Configuracionais Comparativos são discutidos como uma maneira de identificar padrões complexos de relações causais entre valores de variáveis categóricas, levando em consideração a interação entre elas. O artigo destaca a relevância da Análise de Coincidências (CNA), em comparação à Análise Qualitativa Comparativa (QCA), como uma ferramenta metodológica mais robusta para explorar estruturas de causa comum e cadeias causais de maneira configuracional, utilizando-se de um algoritmo próprio do pacote CNA, integrado ao software livre R. As propriedades de conjuntividade, disjuntividade e sequencialidade inerentes à técnica CNA permitem uma compreensão mais aprofundada das complexas relações causais em contextos organizacionais. Estudos realizados com a CNA são descritos para demonstrar a sua aplicabilidade em pesquisas explicativas nacionais e internacionais da Administração. A literatura sobre a metodologia CNA e biblioteca Zotero com informações bibliográficas que envolvem a metodologia CNA são disponibilizadas.
Polymyositis, COVID-19 and Rectal Carcinoma: A Rare Case Presentation
Authors: Risal Ujjwol Prasad , Pandey Suravi , Regmi Pradeep Raj , Shrestha Bigya
Published: November 2023

Association of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) with malignancy has been well- recognized for a long time. However, its association with COVID-19 which is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is rare. Here we report a case of a 73-year-old male under treatment for rectal carcinoma who was admitted for mild COVID-19. He developed progressive bilateral upper and lower limb weakness which was finally diagnosed as polymyositis. He was given high dose steroid along with methotrexate to which he responded very well. This case highlights the fact that Inflammatory myopathy should be suspected in elderly patients who present with generalized weakness especially in the background of malignancy. The association of COVID-19 with myositis needs further studies.
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of WRKY Gene Family in Nelumbo nucifera
Authors: Liu Yidan , Xu Yingchun , Liu Huan , Wang Bei , Zhang Xiao , Wang Yanjie , Jin Qijiang
Published: November 2023

WRKY transcription factors play important roles in various stress responses in diverse plant species. We identified a total of 54 WRKY genes (NnWKRY) in the lotus genome. All NnWRKY genes were found to scattered in 14 of 50 scaffolds. A phylogenetic tree was constructed and 54 NnWKRY genes were classified into 5 separate monophyletic groups. Gene structure analysis indicate that WRKY IIa might be the most ancestral in lotus WKRY gene family. dN/dS ratios were always less than 1 for both WKRY domains and higher than 1 in amino acid sequence outside the domain, implying the relaxed purifying or positive selection on this region. Six amino acid residues were identified in the NnWKRY domain, which presumably have contributed to the functional divergence of lotus WKRY genes. We tested two pairs of codon substitution models to test positive selection using likelihood ratio test and one positive selection site (625G, corresponding to NNU_013102) were identified. Moreover, gene conversion events might have played significant role during the evolutionary history of lotus WRKY family. Expression profiling revealed that NnWRKY genes might primarily have functions in sink tissues. Several NnWRKY genes were found to be changed obviously and might have roles in rhizome development, energy metabolism and stress responses. The present study provides a foundation for further functional studies of NnWKRYs in lotus.
Pose-NET: Spatial-Temporal Graph Learner in Human-Object Interaction Detection
Authors: Fanuel Mesafint D. , Qingge Letu , Roy Kaushik
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we adopt an original off-the-shelf spatial-temporal graph learner and incorporate it into the task of Human-Object Interaction (HOI) detection. We note that previous HOI models did attempt to account for pose data and some even used shallow graph nets on this input. Nevertheless, such works never utilized state of the art nets (with their advances in pose learning) proposed in skeleton-based activity recognition. This work intends to address this deficiency and evaluate the effect of having a dedicated pose-learner in existing HOI models. Most spatial-temporal nets where, of course, developed for learning temporal data as well as spatial. Nevertheless, in practice, we can run them in still images wherein the T-Conv layer will play no part in the scoring mechanism. Our work builds upon [11, 18] to build a quadruple cue learner for image datasets and improves upon previous performance by leveraging the strong pose learning capabilities of ST-GCN. The incorporated changes are tested on the V-COCO dataset.
Sex hormone-binding globulin may explain sex differences for glucose homeostasis and incidence of type 2 diabetes: The KORA study
Authors: Raeisi-Dehkordi Hamidreza , Amiri Mojgan , Rathmann Wolfgang , Zeller Tanja , Adamski Jerzy , bano Arjola , Schouw Yvonne T. van der , Thorand Barbara , Muka Taulant , Nano Jana
Published: November 2023

Background: Research has indicated that sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is associated with glucose homeostasis and may play a role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D). While it is unclear whether SHBG may mediate sex differences in glucose control and subsequently, incidence of T2D.
Methods: We used observational data from the German population-based KORA F4 study (n =1937, mean age: 54 years, 41% women) and its follow-up examination KORA FF4 (median follow-up 6.5 years, n = 1387). T2D was initially assessed by self-report and validated by contacting the physicians and/ or reviewing the medical charts. Mediation analyses were performed to assess the role of SHBG in mediating the association between sex (women vs men) and glucose- and insulin-related traits (cross-sectional analysis) and incidence of T2D (longitudinal analysis).
Results: After adjustment for confounders, (model 1: adjusted for age; model 2: model 1 + smoking + alcohol consumption + physical activity), women had lower fasting glucose levels compared to men (b = -4.94 (mg/dl), 95% CI: -5.77, -4.11). SHBG levels were significantly higher in women than in men (b = 0.47 (nmol/l), 95% CI:0.42, 0.51). Serum SHBG may mediate the association between sex and fasting glucose levels with a proportion mediated (PM) of 30% (CI: 22-41%). Also, a potential mediatory role of SHBG was also observed for sex differences in incidence of T2D (PM= 95% and 63% in models 1 and 2, respectively).
Conclusions: Our novel findings suggest that SHBG may partially explain sex-differences in glucose control and T2D incidence.
Identification and Validation of Nicotinamide metabolism-Related Gene Signatures as a Novel Prognostic Model for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Sijia , Li Ang , Lv Lihong , Duan Jinxin , Zheng Zhihua , Yang Weibang , Zhuo Wenfeng , Min Jun , Wei Jinxing
Published: November 2023

Background
Nicotinamide (NAM) regulates redox and metabolic activities in the mitochondria. The intention of the research was to identify key genes that relate to nicotinamide in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods
Relevant clinical information were collected as well as RNA-seq data using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differential analysis was used to discover the genes that were differently expressed. On the key genes associated with NAM, functional enrichment analysis were carried out. Next, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and prognosis Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curve analyses were used to evaluate the importance of important gene expression, respectively. The immune cell signatures were estimated using the CIBERSORT algorithm. The key genes were validated using clinical RT-qPCR finally, and experiments were performed to verify inhibitory effect of NAM on HCC.
Results
Six prognostic key genes (NAXE, NADSYN1, NT5C, NT5C3A, PNP and NT5E) were identified. There is an association between the level of key gene expression and the clinical prognosis. Four key genes (NAXE, NADSYN1, NT5C and NT5C3A) have statistical significance of survival prognosis. Finally, the expression of NAM-related genes and the inhibitory effect of NAM on HCC were verified by experiments.
Conclusion
The study first found some Nicotinamide metabolism-related differentially expressed genes (NMRDEGs) that are related to HCC can contribute to predicting survival and monitoring the treatment.
Adapting to climate change: Long-term impact of wind resource changes on China's power system resilience
Authors: XU ZHAO , Ruan Jiaqi , Meng Xiangrui , Zhu Yifan , Liang Gaoqi , Sun Xianzhuo , Wu Huayi , Xiao Huijuan , Lu Mengqian , Gao Pin , Li Jiapeng , Wong Wai-Kin , Zhao Junhua
Published: November 2023

Modern society's reliance on power systems is at risk from the escalating effects of wind-related climate change. Yet, failure to identify the intricate relationship between wind-related climate risks and power systems could lead to serious short and long-term issues, including partial or complete blackouts. Here, we develop a comprehensive framework to assess China's power system resilience across various climate change scenarios, enabling a holistic evaluation of the repercussions induced by wind-related climate change. Our findings indicate that China’s current wind projects and planning strategies could be jeopardized by wind-related climate change, with up to a 12% decline in regional wind power availability. Moreover, our results underscore a pronounced vulnerability of power system resilience amidst the rigors of hastened climate change, unveiling a potential amplification of resilience deterioration, even approaching fourfold by 2060 under the most severe scenario, relative to the 2020 benchmark. This work advocates for strategic financial deployment within the power sector aimed at climate adaptation, enhancing power system resilience to avert profound losses from long-term, wind-influenced climatic fluctuations.
Incidence, Pattern and Mortality of Traumatic Abdominal Injury: A Three-Year Study at the Largest Trauma Center in Southern Iran
Authors: Yadollahi Mahnaz , Fazeli Hosein , Karajizadeh Mehrdad , Farajpour Hanie
Published: November 2023

Background and objective:
Trauma is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The abdomen is the third most frequently injured body area, and about 25% of all abdominal trauma cases require surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine the type of abdominal trauma, characteristics associated with injuries, and the independent mortality risk factors in patients referred to a level-one trauma center in southern Iran.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at the largest trauma center in southern Iran from June 2018 to June 2021. All adult patients with abdominal trauma diagnosed according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale guidelines were included. We collected data on patients’ age, sex, injury anatomy, injury mechanism, hospitalization duration, blood pressure level, injury severity, and outcome.
Results
A total of 4,755 trauma patients were admitted to the emergency department during the study period, among whom 844 had traumatic abdominal injuries. The abdominal injury rate was 17.75%, and the mortality proportion was 18.40% (155 patients). Most injured people with abdominal injuries (80.30%) were men. Blunt trauma was the predominant type (80.70%). Most (61.10%) injuries were from road traffic accidents, followed by falls (16.40%). In most cases, the abdominal injury was associated with a lumbar region injury (n = 345) as the extra-abdominal organ injury; liver injury (n = 210), splenic bleeding (n = 158), and retroperitoneal bleeding were the predominant associated intra-abdominal complications.
Conclusion
The results of this study showed that the mortality proportion was high in abdominal trauma patients. The injury severity was high, usually associated with damage to other body organs. People injured due to road accidents, falls, and stabbings were more prone to abdominal injuries. Considering the high mortality among these patients, the injured should be immediately examined regarding internal organ damage, especially in the abdominal, lumbar, and head areas.
Different flowering strategy likely responsible for higher heat stress susceptibility in C3 cereals compared to legumes
Authors: Cohen Itay , Sieradzki Ella
Published: November 2023

Global food sources focus on key crops from two crop families: cereals and legumes. Crop yield declines with heat stress, which is projected to increase in intensity and duration with global climate change. We compiled 67 studies ranging in heat intensity and duration and analyzed the combined effect of these factors on crop performance and yield in legumes and C3 cereals. We show that photosynthesis in legumes is more sensitive to heat intensity. The yield of cereals and legumes responds similarly to heat intensity, but the synergy between heat intensity and duration drives a greater decrease in the yield of cereals than that of legumes. As this result contrasts with photosynthetic rates, we suggest that prominent yield reduction in cereals stems from their short-term, synchronous flowering strategy. Hence, due to their extended flowering period, legumes would likely be more resistant to climate change and would therefore become more important food sources. # Address correspondence to: itay.h.cohen@gmail.com
Clinical utility of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in diagnosis of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Zheng Yanfen , Shi Yu , Xiao Tongyang , Liu Yan , Jiang Guanmin
Published: November 2023

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of Metagenomic Next-Generation sequencing (mNGS) on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in diagnosis of Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTIs).
Methods: This retrospective study included 186 hospitalized patients with suspected LRTIs who visit The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from March 2023 to August 2023. Among them, each patient had undergone mNGS (DNA) testing; 155 patients had undergone both conventional culture and mNGS (DNA) testing. The detecting rate of mNGS was compared to the paired culture testing. The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated between mNGS and conventional culture.
Results: The positive detection rates of pathogens between mNGS and conventional culture were significant different (81.29% vs 39.35%, P<0.05). The detection rate was still significantly different (70.32% VS 39.35%, P <0.05) with regard to bacteria and fungi detection. The sensitivity of mNGS in diagnosis of LRTIs was much higher than that of conventional culture (88.41% vs 43.48%; P <0.05), the specificity was opposite (76.47% vs 94.12%; P >0.05). Among 155 patients with paired conventional culture result, 77.54% and 35.51% of cases were detected as definite or probable pathogens by mNGS and culture respectively. Importantly, mNGS directly led to a change of treatment regimen in 58 (37.42%) cases, including antibiotic adjustment (29.68%) and ruling out active infection (7.74%). Moreover, treatment regimen remained unchanged in 97 (62.58%) cases as the current antibiotic therapy already covered the detected pathogens (36.13%) or empirical treatment was effective (11.68%).
Conclusion: mNGS can identify a wide range of pathogens in LRTIs, with improved sensitivity and being more superior at diagnosing LRTIs etiologically. mNGS has the potential to enhance clinical outcomes by optimizing the treatment regimens.
Fully determined three-dimensional velocity field in a divergence-free convection experiment with rigid boundary conditions
Authors: Walbecq Arthur , Samuel Henri , Limare Angela
Published: November 2023

Various velocity measurements techniques for fluid dynamics experiments have been developed over the last four decades. These include Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV), both of which rely on imaging the flow with passive particles. While these techniques now allow for an accurate determination of velocity fields at high particle densities, they still suffer from significant inaccuracies when it comes to measurements near boundaries, due to smaller particle concentrations and imaging difficulties in these regions. To improve such measurements, we developed a correction technique for measured velocity fields. Using a PTV approach, we reconstructed the 3D velocity field from an experimental setup designed to study Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a tank. We corrected the obtained velocity field to ensure its accurate, rigid boundary conditions corresponding to the tank walls, while keeping the flow divergence-free. We then assessed the quality of the corrected velocity fields by comparing them with the outputs of 3D numerical simulations that reproduced the exact experimental conditions. The experimentally obtained divergence-free velocity fields with exact boundary conditions compare well with the results of the numerical simulations, which validates our approach. This correction technique could be useful for a wide range of fluid dynamics experiments where accurate measurements near the walls are needed. These include the advection of passive tracers, where the boundary conditions need to be exact, or turbulence measurements, where the flow gradient at the walls must be precisely determined.
Estimation of the Mineral Composition of Wild Jackfruit and its Comparison with Other Artocarpus Fruits
Authors: Mathew Abin P , A Gangaprasad
Published: November 2023

Impoverished nations are suffering from malnutrition due to a lack of access to nutrient-rich food. Lack of information about the nutrient rich endemic fruits is one of the major reason for malnutrition, rather than a real shortage. The present study focused on the estimation of the mineral composition of the fruit constituents of Artocarpus hirsutusLam. by ICP-MS, followed by a comparative study of the mineral composition of A. hirsutus fruits with values obtained from fruits of other Artocarpus species. Of the estimated 16 minerals analysed, the flesh, seed and seed coat of Artocarpus hirsutus have a high amount of magnesium compared to other minerals (153.8, 148.8 and 128.6 mg/100g, respectively). Calcium (9.564 mg, 9.195 mg, and 4.69 mg respectively) and iron (6.03 mg, 2.815 mg and 7.77 mg respectively) are the two minerals found comparatively higher than other minerals. The content of heavy minerals such as vanadium, arsenic, cobalt, cadmium and mercury was very low, less than 0.005 mg/100g. A comparative study also shows that wild jackfruit contains a high amount of magnesium than other selected Artocarpus fruit species and hence can be recommended as a source of magnesium for the diet.
Blockchain-based Business Model: Open Innovation Strategy for Smart Edge Data Flow
Authors: Liu Chunyan , Feng Tao
Published: November 2023

Open business model in MEC is conductive to resources sharing of consumer electronic products. However, there are risks in the process of business mode opening , such as, the protection and smart management of data and knowledge flow. Based on the blockchain, smart contract and DAC (Distributed Autonomous Corporation) technologies, we propose the Blockchain-based business model (called BM-ICB) of open innovation strategy for smart edge data flow. Based on the DPoS consensus mechanism of blockchain technology, we research the smart and dynamic management mechanism to realize the detection, monitoring and classification of enterprise behaviors of consumer electronic products, besides, the interaction process between the users and Consortium chain is improved through the DAC technology. The theoretical analysis estimates strong security and high performance of the BM-ICB model, and the experimental evaluation testifies the high performance.
Peg-IFNα combined with hepatitis B vaccination contributes to HBsAg seroconversion and improved immune function
Authors: Liu Yisi , Ren Shan , Ma Lima , Lin Xiao , Lu Junfeng , Cao Zhenhuan , Zheng Sujun , Hu Zhongjie , Xu Xiaoxue , Chen Xinyue
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Anti-HBs seroconversion and high levels of antibody are closely associated with lower HBsAg recurrence rates. Some studies have shown that the relapse rate can be reduced by increasing anti-HBs levels by injecting hepatitis B vaccine, but the changes in immune function after vaccination are unclear.
Methods
Twenty-eight people who obtained HBsAg seroclearance based on Peg-IFNα treatment were enrolled and divided into two groups according to whether hepatitis B vaccine was used during consolidation treatment. The proportion of lymphocyte subpopulations, cytokines and immunoglobulin levels at different time points were detected.
Results
The proportions of total B cells, plasma cells and Tfh cells in the Vaccine group were significantly increased compared with baseline (p < 0.05). And CD80 + B cells and ICOS + Tfh cells were significantly higher than the baseline (p < 0.05). In the Vaccine group, both types of Breg cells decreased significantly (p < 0.05). None of the above changes in the Non-vaccine group reached statistical significance (p > 0.05). Total IgG increased significantly in the Vaccine group, and among cytokines, IL-2, IL-5, and IL-6 concentrations increased significantly at week 24 (p < 0.05). The changes in various types of cytokines and immunoglobulins in the plasma of the Non-vaccine group were not significant (p > 0.05). In addition, anti-HBs titers were positively correlated with Th1/Th2 cells at 24 weeks (r were 0.448 and 0.458, respectively, p values were 0.022 and 0.019, respectively), and were correlated with CD24 + CD38highBreg cells showed a negative correlation (r = -0.402, p = 0.042).
Conclusions
Our study suggests that hepatitis B vaccination in individuals with HBsAg seroclearance significantly enhances anti-HBs seroconversion rate and increases antibody levels. Peg-IFNα combined with hepatitis B vaccination contributes to HBsAg seroconversion and improved immune function Therefore, we believe that concomitant hepatitis B vaccination to increase anti-HBs levels in the late stage of Peg-IFNα treatment may be an effective measure for preventing recurrence.
Intron–hairpin RNA Derived from Helper Component proteinase (HC-Pro) Gene Confers Immunity to Papaya Ringspot Virus Infection in Transgenic Tobacco Plants
Authors: Tak Kheta Ram , Peter Anitha , Vidyashankar Deepika
Published: November 2023

Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) is the most destructive disease of papaya which limits its production and cultivation worldwide. Pathogen-derived resistance (PDR) approach as a popular strategy has been utilized previously to develop resistant cultivars in papaya. However, the pathogen has already overcome the resistance which necessitates an alternative strategy for PRSV disease management. RNAi is an effective method of obtaining resistant transgenic plants against viruses by inducing RNA silencing via expressing virus-derived double-stranded RNA in plants. The current study deals with the isolation and characterization of the HC-Pro gene from PRSV, the development of intron hairpin RNA construct followed by transformation and confirmation in the T1 generation of Nicotiana benthamiana. The partial coding region of the helper component (HC-Pro) gene of PRSV was used to design hairpin RNA which includes a spliceosomal intron inserted between the hairpin RNA arms (HC-Pro ihpRNA). Designed HC-Pro ihpRNA was introduced into the plant expression vector (pBI121) and the recombinant plasmids were transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens (LBA4404) followed by transformation into Nicotiana bennthamiana as a model plant. Gene expression analysis of transgenic T1 plants infected with PRSV showed reduced NbPOD, NbAPX and NbCAT compared to inoculated control plants. Results revealed that the suppression of the HC-Pro gene has an effect similar to that of non-infected control plants and hence confers resistance to PRSV infection. We have demonstrated that transgenic tobacco plants expressing partial PRSV HC-pro gene in the form of an intermolecular intron-hairpin RNA exhibited complete resistance to PRSV infection.
Trends in the Incidence and Survival of Women with Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer from 1990–2019: A Large Population-Based Analysis
Authors: Huang Hong bo , Wei Tingting , Zhang Aijie , Zhang Heng , Kong Lingquan , Li Yunhai , Li Fan
Published: November 2023

Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent subtype of BC and is generally correlated with a favorable prognosis. This study aimed to determine the incidence and survival trends among women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive BC between 1990 and 2019. Female patients with hormone receptor-positive BC for calendar years 1990–2019 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and categorized into six diagnostic groups according to the year of diagnosis. Age-adjusted incidence rates (IRs) were calculated using joinpoint regression. We used the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox regression analyses to determine the association between diagnostic groups, and overall survival (OS) and BC-specific survival (BCSS). The final analysis included 370729 women, among whom 37943 (10.2%), 49266 (13.3%), 55652 (15.0%), 64451 (17.4%), 77127 (20.8%), and 86290 (23.3%) were diagnosed between 1990–1994, 1995–1999, 2000–2004, 2005–2009, 2010–2014, and 2015–2019, respectively. Within the overall cohort, IRs gradually increased from 70 per 100,000 in 1990 to 113 per 100,000 in 2019 (average annual percent change, 1.59%; 95% CI, 1.18-1.99). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the survival outcomes gradually improved over nearly three decades among hormone receptor-positive BC patients, with a 0.8% and 1.3% decrease in risk for all-cause and BC-specific mortality each year, respectively. Compared to 1990–1994, hormone receptor-positive BC patients diagnosed in 2015–2019 had a 22% lower risk of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.76–0.81) and a 27% lower risk of BC-specific death (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.70–0.76). The development of treatment strategies within the past three decades, especially endocrine therapy, may contribute to the continuous improvement of clinical outcomes in patients with hormone receptor-positive BC.
In silico approach towards the Anti-Obesity effects of Flaxseed Components Alpha Linolenic Acid and Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside by the inhibition of SOCS3 – The inhibitor of Leptin Signalling Pathway
Authors: Akila Manickam , Sasikumar Saran , Malgija Beutline , Rachael Mohanmaran Soumya , Freddy Allen J
Published: November 2023

Objective
- Medications used as adjuncts to assist obese and overweight individuals in losing weight often come with numerous adverse effects and primarily target absorption and hormone levels, without addressing the underlying signalling issue. The aim of this paper is to focus on studying the potential role of flaxseed compounds, particularly Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and α-Linolenic acid in obesity prevention and management.
Methods
- Molecular docking studies using Glide were performed to assess the interactions of with the target protein SOCS3. The stability of the binding was evaluated through Molecular Dynamics Simulation studies using Desmond.
Results
- The study revealed that the compounds Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) and α-Linolenic acid shows high binding affinity with the target with a lest docking score of -9.00 and − 8.32 Kcal/mol respectively when compared with the control ligand Zoledronic acid which has a binding energy of -6.03 Kcal/mol.. The SOCS3-SDG complex exhibited a higher number of hydrogen bonds compared to the control complex, SOC3-Zoledronic acid complex, indicating greater stability of the complex.
Conclusion
- In- silico studies conducted demonstrate that both SDG and ALA exhibited favourable and stable interactions with the target protein SOCS3. This suggests that these compounds may impede the binding of leptin to SOCS3 by binding to the SH2 domain of the protein, hence exhibiting promising potential as nutraceuticals for obesity prevention
Fracture injuries in elite Korean taekwondo sparring athletes
Authors: Yoo Sangcheol , Song Munku
Published: November 2023

The aim of the study was to analyze fracture injuries and post-fracture management in elite taekwondo sparring athletes, with a specific focus on weight classes. Data were collected through a survey of 182 Korean taekwondo athletes using convenience sampling and self-administration methods. Approximately 58% of participants experienced taekwondo-related fractures, with heavyweight players having a significantly higher rate than lightweight players (χ²=3.87, p = .049). Overall, taekwondo-related fractures were most common in the hand region, during defensive maneuvers and caused by a player contact mechanism. Heavyweight players were more likely to sustain fractures during competition, while lightweight players were more likely to sustain fractures during training (χ²=6.39, p = .011). Heavyweight players were more likely to have surgery after fractures, whereas lightweights were more likely to have conservative treatment (χ²=4.270, p = .039). About half of the players (51.4%) returned to play without a diagnosis of bone union after their fractures, and the greatest psychological distress for players after fractures was concern about re-injury (57.2%). The current findings suggest that the fracture injury characteristics of elite taekwondo sparring athletes differ by weight class, highlighting the importance of a weight class-specific injury prevention and management program.
Which Words Predict a Recommendation: Using Ml & Nlp to Find Out
Authors: Thatte Toshi
Published: November 2023

According to a 2021 study by Juniper Research, 96% of surveyed retail Executives plan to invest in AI soon. In 2018, Reuters reported that the Spanish apparel retailer Zara was incorporating artificial Intelligence (AI) into its business strategy and supply chain to keep up and beat its competitors.
Seeing these statistics, many retailers may now feel compelled to find out how they can implement Artificial Intelligence and Data Science to their business operations – and with good reason. From Inventory Optimization to Trend Forecasting, the practical cases of Machine Learning in the fields of Fashion are varied and ubiquitous.