bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE EXPERT EVALUATION METHOD IN FORECASTING THE PROMOTION OF A GASTRONOMIC TOUR AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR MAKING MANAGEMENT DECISIONS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Authors: Postupna Olena , Liader Andrii
Published: July 2024

The article is dedicated to studying the opinions of potential consumers of tourist services regarding the possibilities of forming and promoting a gastronomic tour in Ukraine. Based on the results of an expert survey, the authors present a realistic picture of the formation and promotion of a gastronomic tour in Ukraine, which allows identifying problems and outlining necessary ways to solve them. The obtained data provide a clear view of the state and development of gastronomic tourism in Ukraine, allowing for the study of consumer opinions, understanding their perspectives on this issue, and identifying the major challenges overlooked by public sector representatives. These representatives are capable of making effective management decisions regarding the prospects and opportunities for the development of gastronomic tourism and the promotion of gastronomic tours in Ukraine.
HISTORICAL VARIATION OF THE EXPRESSIVE PERFORMATIVE SPEECH ACT OF APOLOGY IN THE GERMAN-LANGUAGE DIALOGIC DISCOURSE OF THE XVXXI CENTURIES
Authors: Shevchenko Viktoriia
Published: July 2024

The article is devoted to the study of the historical dynamics of expressive speech acts of performative forms in the German dialogical discourse and defining diachronically permanent and variable characteristics of expressive performative acts. Historical changes in expressive performative speech acts include performative verbs and their pragmatic markers. In the discourse of the XX-XXI centuries, the number of explicit performative verbs and markers with the semantics of apology decreases, while the frequency of implicit expressive performatives and expressive performative speech acts of apology in the metacommunicative function increases.
URBAN PLANNING IN UKRAINE FROM THE 19TH TO THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY: INTEGRATION OF SCIENCE AND STATE MANAGEMENT
Authors: Tverytnykova Olena , Gutnyk Maryna , Heinemann Manfred
Published: July 2024

The research is dedicated to analyzing the process of urbanization, particularly the formation and development of cities in northeastern Ukraine at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th cen. Special attention is given to the city of Kharkiv and the activities of its mayor, Oleksandr Kostiantynovych Pohorelko (1848–1912). The importance of urban studies as a key direction of humanities research that determines the development of the nation, community, and state is justified. The main tasks faced by the city during that period, such as the municipalization of the economy and the expansion of the city’s rights to private property objects, are highlighted. The role of scientists and researchers, including D.I. Bahalii and M.F. Sumtsov, in promoting the modernization of the city through active participation in municipal authorities is discussed. As a result of the research, significant contributions of O.K. Pohorelko and his colleagues to the development and improvement of Kharkiv at the end of the 19th cen. are identified. The conclusions of the research emphasize the importance of combining scientific potential and civic activism for the implementation of infrastructure development projects in the city.
ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISES ON REDUCING STRESS AMONG STUDENTS UNDER MARTIAL LAW
Authors: Arabadzhy Tymur , Arabadzhy Anna , Fedoryna Tetiana
Published: July 2024

During the martial law, all people of our country are in conditions of constant psychological tension, which negatively affects the quality of life. At this time, it is very important to maintain physical activity, which helps to reduce the level of the stress hormone, namely cortisol, in the human body. In the study, a questionnaire was conducted, psychological testing was applied, and physiological parameters were measured. Conclusions: in the conditions of martial law, attention needs to be paid to solving the problem of health preservation, physical exercises are a stimulator of the vital activity of the body and an important factor in strengthening human health.
A Matched Comparison of Implant and Functional Outcomes of Cemented and Cementless Unicompartmental Knee Replacements
Authors: Mohammad Hasan R. , Judge Andrew , Murray David W.
Published: July 2024

Background:

Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) is an effective treatment for end-stage medial compartment osteoarthritis, but there can be problems with fixation. The cementless UKR was introduced to address this issue. It is unknown how its functional outcomes compare with those of the cemented version on a national scale. We performed a matched comparison of the clinical and functional outcomes of cementless and cemented UKRs.

Methods:

Using the National Joint Registry for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man (NJR), 14,764 Oxford UKRs with linked data regarding patient-reported outcomes were identified. A total of 6,906 UKRs (3,453 cemented and 3,453 cementless) were propensity score matched on the basis of patient, surgical, and implant factors.

Results:

The 10-year cumulative implant survival rate was 93.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.0% to 95.1%) for cementless UKRs and 91.3% (95% CI, 89.0% to 93.0%) for cemented UKRs. The cementless UKR group had a significantly lower revision risk (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74; p = 0.02). Subgroup analyses showed a stronger effect size (HR, 0.66) among UKRs performed by high-caseload surgeons (i.e., surgeons performing ≥30 UKRs/year). In the overall cohort, the postoperative Oxford Knee Score (OKS) in the cementless group (mean and standard deviation, 39.1 ± 8.7) was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than that in the cemented group (38.5 ± 8.6). The cementless group gained a mean of 17.6 ± 9.3 points in the OKS postoperatively and the cemented group gained 16.5 ± 9.6 points, with a difference of 1.1 points between the groups (p < 0.001). The difference in OKS points gained postoperatively was highest among UKRs performed by high-caseload surgeons, with the cementless group gaining 1.8 points more (p < 0.001) than the cemented group.

Conclusions:

The cementless UKR demonstrated better 10-year implant survival and postoperative functional outcomes than the cemented UKR. The difference was largest among UKRs performed by high-caseload surgeons, with the cementless fixation group having an HR for revision of 0.66 and an approximately 2-point greater improvement in the OKS compared with the cemented fixation group.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Fractal Model of Fracture Permeability Considering Morphology and Spatial Distribution
Authors: Zong Peng , Xu Hao , Tang Dazhen , Chen Zhenhong , Huo Feiyu
Published: July 2024

In fractured reservoirs, the fracture system is considered to be the main channel for fluid flow. To better investigate the impacts of fracture morphology (tortuosity and roughness) and spatial distribution on the flow capacity, a fractal model of fracture permeability was developed. Based on micro-computed tomography (CT) images, the 3D structure of the fracture was reconstructed, and the fractal characteristics were systematically analyzed. Finally, the control of permeability by fracture morphology and spatial distribution in different fractured reservoirs was identified. The results demonstrate that the complexity of the fracture distribution in 2D slices can represent the nature of the fracture distribution in 3D space. The permeability fractal prediction model was developed based on porosity (φ), spatial distribution fractal dimension (Df), tortuosity fractal dimension (DT), and opening fractal dimension of the maximum width fracture (Db). The permeability prediction results of the fractal model for Samples L-01 (limestone), BD-01 (coal), BD-02 (coal), S-01 (sandstone), M-01 (mudstone), and C-01 (coal) are 0.011 md, 0.239 md, 0.134 md, 0.119 md, 1.429 md, and 27.444 md, respectively. For different types of rocks, the results predicted by the model show good agreement with numerical simulations (with an average relative error of 2.51%). The factors controlling the permeability of fractured reservoirs were analyzed through the application of the mathematical model. The permeability is positively exponentially correlated with the fractal dimension of spatial distribution and negatively exponentially correlated with the fractal dimension of morphology. When Df < 2.25, the fracture spatial structure is simple, and the morphology and spatial distribution jointly control the seepage capacity of fractured reservoirs. When Df > 2.25, the fracture spatial structure is complex, and the impact of morphology on seepage capacity can be disregarded. This work can effectively lay the foundation for the study of fluid permeability in fractured reservoirs by investigating the effects of fracture morphology (tortuosity and roughness) and spatial distribution on flow capacity.
Rock-Breaking Characteristics of Three-Ribbed Ridge Nonplanar Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Cutter and Its Application in Plastic Formations
Authors: Chen Lian , Peng Xiaoqiang , Li Yong , Wang Xindong , Wang Song , Luo Hua , Gao Qingchun , Song Xiyan
Published: July 2024

To improve the penetration performance of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits in hard-to-penetrate plastic formations, the study of three-ribbed ridge nonplanar PDC cutter technology was carried out. The rock-breaking characteristics of nonplanar cutters are analyzed by comparison with conventional planar cutters and axe-shaped cutters through simulation and indoor experiments. The simulation results show that the planar cutter mainly breaks the rock by shearing and extruding, the axe-shaped cutter mainly breaks the rock by shearing, and the nonplanar PDC cutter mainly relies on its convex ridge structure to penetrate and split the rock. Nonplanar cutter has better penetration performance and cutting stability than planar cutters and axe-shaped cutters. The field test shows that the rate of penetration (ROP) and footage of the developed PDC bit with three-ribbed ridge nonplanar PDC cutters are increased by 133.66% and 176.11% compared with the conventional PDC bit in the hard-to-penetrate plastic formations. The use of nonplanar PDC cutters improves the working stability, rock-breaking efficiency, and service life of the bit. The special three-ribbed ridge structure of the nonplanar cutter has changed the interaction mode between the cutter and the rock. Its successful application in the plastic formation provides a reference for faster drilling of PDC bits in hard-to-penetrate plastic formations.
Embracing Environmentalism By Assessing The Sustainability and Adoption Of Biomass As Boiler Fuel In The Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Oyirifi Naana Tetebea , Abubakar Ruhiya , Effah Emmanuel Kwame , Prempeh Nana Agyeman , Acakpovi Amevi
Published: July 2024

This study was designed to investigate the sustainability of using biomass as fuel for industrial boilers within the manufacturing sector, with particular reference to Cargill Ghana Limited, located within the Free zones enclave of Tema. The research was designed to achieve four specific objectives including; The identification of the social-economic benefits of using biomass as boiler fuel; Examination of the potential environmental impact of biomass as boiler fuel; Determination of the impact of fossil fuel cost on the adoption of biomass as boiler fuel; and Identification of the challenges which hinder sustainability in the adoption of biomass as boiler fuel. Adopting a convenient sampling model, a sample size of 65 was evaluated from Cargill’s population of 187 using sample calculator. The primary data was collected with the aid of interviews and questionnaires administered on suppliers and staff respectively. The acquired data was analysed with tables, pie charts, histograms and mathematical interpretations for the demographics, and tables along with central tendencies of frequencies for the main survey. The findings reveal that an average of 74.1% of the participants agree that biomass as a boiler fuel has some socio-economic benefits. While majority of the participants remained neutral, only 28.6% indicated that the adoption of biomass has environmental consequences. The findings further show that 73.1% of the people agree that the continuous increases in the prices of fossil fuel have triggered high adoption of biomass. Lastly, 54.2% of the participants believe that climatic factors such as, land allocation and land tenure; occupational accidents and illness; deforestation and land degradation; and the level of wood harvest directly affect sustainability of the production and use of biomass. In view of the findings, the research proposed some recommendations to ensure sustainability in biomass fuel. Notable among these is the use of highly efficient boilers to cut down emissions, and the investigation of factors affecting sustainability and finding solutions to them. When the recommendations are effectively implemented, the study would immensely benefit Cargill and the policy makers.
Impact of post-harvest application of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and methyl cellulose based edible coatings on storage life and quality of cold-stored strawberry fruit cv. Winter Dawn
Authors: Patil Vaibhav , BASWAL ARVIND K , Mahajan BVC , Gupta Archi , Gill Karanbir Singh , Poonia Priyanka
Published: July 2024

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of different concentrations of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC; 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0%) and methyl cellulose (MC; 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0%) on quality of strawberry cv. Winter Dawn stored at 11 ± 1°C and 70–75% RH for up to 12 days. Weight loss, decay, firmness, juice content, soluble solids content, total and reducing sugars, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, total phenolics, total flavonoids, total antioxidant activity, total carotenoids content, total anthocyanin content, pectin methylesterase activity and organoleptic sensory attributes were measured. MC at 1.0% was the most effective treatment to maintain fruit quality, maintaining and reducing pectin methylesterase activity compared with untreated fruit. Overall, MC at 1.0% extended the post-harvest life and maintained the quality strawberry cv. Winter Dawn under cold storage conditions for up to 12 days.
Modelling personal temperature exposure using household and outdoor temperature and questionnaire data: implications for epidemiological studies
Authors: Xia Xi , Chan Ka Hung , Niu Yue , Liu Cong , Guo Yitong , Ho Kin-Fai , Yim Steve Hung-Lam , Wang Baihan , Doherty Aiden , Avery Daniel , Pei Pei , Yu Canqing , Sun Dianjianyi , Lv Jun , Chen Junshi , Li liming , Wen Peng , Wu Shaowei , Lam Kin Bong Hubert , Kan Haidong , Chen Zhengming
Published: July 2024

The reliance of outdoor exposure data in epidemiological studies on temperature entails important uncertainties from personal exposure misclassification. We analysed ~88,000 concurrent person-hours of measured personal, household (kitchen and living room), and outdoor temperatures collected in the summer (MAY-SEP 2017) and winter (NOV 2017-JAN 2018) in rural and urban China. The temperatures across microenvironments were strongly correlated (Spearman’s ρ: 0.86-0.92) in summer. In winter, personal temperature was strongly related to household temperatures (ρ: 0.74-0.79) but poorly related to outdoor temperature (ρ: 0.30). Random forest (RF) algorithm identified household and outdoor temperatures and study date as top predictors of personal temperature exposure for both seasons, and heating-related factors were important in winter. Multivariable linear regression and RF models incorporating questionnaire and device data performed satisfactorily in predicting personal exposure in both seasons (R2summer: 0.92; R2winter: 0.68-0.70). Using generalised additive mixed effect models, we found consistent U-shaped associations between measured and predicted personal temperature exposures and heart rate (lowest at ~14.5ºC), but a weak positive linear association with outdoor temperature. Personal and outdoor temperatures differ substantially in winter, but prediction models incorporating household and outdoor temperatures and questionnaire data performed satisfactorily. Exposure misclassification from using outdoor temperature may produce inappropriate epidemiological findings.
Organic-inorganic Hybrid Covalent Superlattice for Temperature Compensated Ratiometric Gas Sensing
Authors: Xu Gang , Li Kefeng , Yu Chen-Hui , Liang Guangling , Chen Jie , Chang Yu , Wang Guan-E
Published: July 2024

Room-temperature chemiresistive sensors are valued for their low power consumption, ease of operation, and real-time monitoring capabilities, making them highly advantageous for various applications. However, the challenge of inaccurate detection due to variations in operating temperature is a significant hurdle for their practical use. To address this, we developed a ratiometric-gas sensing method that leverages the exceptional photoelectric and chemiresistive gas sensing sensitivity of organic-inorganic hybrid superlattice materials AgBDT. This approach can effectively detect NO2 molecules, with a detection limit of 3.06 ppb. Crucially, the ratiometric-gas sensing technique offers robust diminution to temperature interference, with the CV value dropping from 21.81–7.81% within the temperature range of 25 to 65°C, which significantly enhances the stability and reliability of the device. This method would be capable of not only the detecting of gases but also providing rapid, accurate analysis in real conditions through temperature-compensated ratiometric-gas sensing technique.
Live-organismal Transcriptomics
Authors: Shintaku Hirofumi , Torii Kotaro , Watanabe Keiko , Gordon Alissa , Yo Masahiro , Sakaue-Sawano Asako , Miyawaki Atsushi , Nishikawa Kaori , Takeishi Asuka
Published: July 2024

Recent studies employing live-cell transcriptomics have demonstrated measurement of the temporal changes in gene expression in single cells cultured in vitro. However, time-series analyses and in vivo applications remain unexplored. Here, we show that nanoelectrokinetic sampling uniquely enables live-cell and organism transcriptomics at multiple time points to uncover the individuality of dynamic gene expression in single cells and organisms. Autoregression with a live-cell transcriptome offers an inference of single-cell gene regulation networks, which provide solid mechanisms for the stochastic behaviour of individual cells. The live-organism transcriptome captured embryo-specific mRNA kinetics during the embryogenesis of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, identifying the core determinant of stochastic bifurcation in organismal life-or-death fates. These results highlight the power of real-time-series transcriptomics for comprehending the dynamic individuality concealed within apparently stochastic process of living things. We anticipate that our study will provide a starting point for understanding the spontaneous individualisation of living matter from single cells to organisms, contributing to the elucidation of fundamental laws in the diversification of life.
Flood Susceptibility Mapping using GIS-AHP method and morphometric analysis in the El Malabiod Watershed N.E of Algeria
Authors: Ramdani Rayene Sirine , Fehdi Chemsedinne , Gueraidia Nour El Houda , Gueraidia Saida , Ramdani rayene sirine
Published: July 2024

This study aims to assess flood susceptibility in the El Malabiod watershed in Algeria, using a combined approach of morphometric analysis, land use/land cover mapping, soil texture mapping, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Morphometric analysis quantified the geomorphological characteristics of the basin, such as slope, drainage density, and relief, which influence the hydrological behavior of the basin. Concurrently, land use/land cover and soil texture maps were integrated to provide a comprehensive view of surface factors affecting infiltration and runoff. The AHP method was applied to weight and combine these different criteria into a flood susceptibility map. This map identifies areas of high, moderate, and low risk, thereby facilitating flood risk planning and management. The results show a significant correlation between high susceptibility zones and historically recorded flood events, confirming the validity of the adopted methodology. This work provides a valuable tool for local decision-makers and water resource managers, assisting in the implementation of flood prevention and management measures, and optimizing land use planning in the El Malabiod basin.
Enhancing Security in Satellite-Based IoT-HPC Cloud Architectures: A Hybrid AI based Security Framework Approach
Authors: Ahmad S Z , Qamar Farhan
Published: July 2024

IoT device security has become a major concern as a result of the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the growing adoption of cloud computing for central monitoring and management. In order to provide centrally managed services each IoT device have to connect to their respective High-Performance Computing (HPC) clouds. The ever increasing deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices linked to High-Performance Computing (HPC) clouds use various medium such as wired and wireless. The security challenges increases further when these devices communicate over satellite links. This Satellite-Based IoT-HPC Cloud architecture poses new security concerns which exacerbates this problem. An intrusion detection technology integrated in the central cloud is suggested as a potential remedy to monitor and detect aberrant activity within the network in order to allay these worries. However, the enormous amounts of data generated by IoT devices and their constrained computing power dose not allow to implement IDS techniques at source and renders towards typical central Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) ineffectiveness. Moreover, to protect these systems, powerful intrusion detection techniques are required due to the inherent vulnerabilities of IoT devices and the possible hazards during data transmission .During the course of literature survey it is revealed that the research work has been done to detect few types of attacks by using the old school model of IDS. The computational expensiveness in ters of processing time is also an important parameter to be considered. This work introduces a novel Embedded Hybrid Deep Learning-based intrusion detection technique (EHID) based on embedded hybrid deep learning that is created specifically for IoT devices linked 1 to HPC clouds via satellite connectivity. Two Deep Learning (DL) algorithms are integrated in the proposed method to improve detection abilities with decent accuracy while considering the processing time and number of trainable parameters to detect 14 types of threats. It segregates amoung the normal and attack traffic. We also modify the conventional IDS approach and propose architectural change to harness the processing power of central server of cloud. This hybrid approach effectively detects threats by harnessing the computing power available at HPC cloud along with leveraging the power of AI. Additionally, the proposed system enables real-time monitoring and detection of intrusions while providing monitoring and management services through HPC using IoT-generated data. Experiments on Edge-IIoTset Cyber Security Dataset of IoT & IIoT indicate improved detection accuracy, reduced false positives, and efficient computational performance.
Self-powered sensing platform for monitoring uric acid in sweat using cobalt nanocrystal-graphene quantum dot-Ti3C2TX monolithic film electrode with excellent supercapacitor and sensing behavior
Authors: Ruiyi Li , Mengyu Wei , Xinyi Zhou , Zaijun Li , Xiaohao Liu
Published: July 2024

The present sensing platform cannot meet the needs of monitoring uric acid because of poor self-powered capacity, operational stability and detection sensitivity. The paper reports synthesis of cobalt nanocrystal-graphene quantum dot-Ti3C2TX monolithic film electrode (Co-GQD-Ti3C2TX) via self-assembly of Ti3C2TX nanosheets induced by protonated arginine-functionalized graphene quantum dot and subsequent reduction of cobalt (III). The resulting Co-GQD-Ti3C2TX shows good monolithic architecture, mechanical property, dispersibility and conductivity. The structure achieves excellent supercapacitor and sensing behavior. The self-charging supercapacitor produced by printing viscous Co-GQD-Ti3C2TX hydrogel on back of flexible solar cell provides high specific capacitance (296 F g-1 at 1 A g-1), high-rate capacity (153 F g-1 at 20 A g-1), capacity retention (98.1% over 10000-cycle) and energy density (29.6 Wh kg-1 at 299.9 W kg-1). The electrochemical chip produced by printing Co-GQD-Ti3C2TX hydrogel on paper exhibits sensitive electrochemical response towards uric acid. The increase of uric acid between 0.01 and 800 µM causes a linear increase in differential pulse voltammetry signal with detection limit of 0.0032 µM. The self-powered sensing platform integrating self-charging supercapacitor, electrochemical chip and micro electrochemical workstation was contentedly applied in monitoring uric acid in sweats and shows one broad application prospect in wearable electronic health monitoring device.
Parasite diversity in sea turtles of the temperate SW Atlantic: a bridge between systematics and ecology
Authors: Palumbo Ezequiel O , Álvarez Karina C , Rodriguez-Heredia Sergio , Rosenthal Alan , Vassallo Martina , Bruno Ignacio M , Loureiro Juan Pablo , Diaz Lucrecia , Faiella A , Werneck Max R , Diaz Julia I , Carman Victoria González
Published: July 2024

Parasite studies can provide insights into important aspects of host ecology, which can be particularly important for species of conservation concern. This research focuses on the parasite diversity of two sea turtle species —the loggerhead Caretta caretta and leatherback Dermochelys coriacea sea turtles— in the temperate Southwest Atlantic, a region and species relatively understudied. Over a 15-year period (2008–2023), 30 sea turtles were sampled from the northern coast of Argentina. Through morphological and molecular tools, we identified five parasite species (the digeneans Pyelosomum renicapite and P. longiusculus, the nematodes Kathlania leptura and Sulcascaris sulcata and the leech Ozobranchus margoi) in loggerheads; and two digeneans (P. renicapite and O. amphiorchis) in leatherbacks. All species constitute the first report of the parasite in Argentina, and O. amphiorchis represents a new host-parasite association for leatherbacks. Comparative biogeographic analysis using the Regional Management Unit framework revealed that parasites could reveal connectivity between RMUs, though there are several information gaps. Increasing parasite studies can help understand sea turtle feeding ecology, ontogenetic shift and health status, and thus enhance conservation strategies for sea turtles globally.
Depth and evenness of sequencing coverage are associated with assembly quality, genome structure, and choice of sequencing platform in archived plastid genomes
Authors: Jenke Nils , Smith Gregory M. , Gruenstaeudl Michael
Published: July 2024

Background: Depth and evenness of sequencing coverage are considered important indicators of assembly quality. In plastid genomics, where new data generation has outstripped the development of suitable assembly quality indicators, these coverage metrics could provide valuable insights into the quality of plastomes of different size, structure, and evolutionary origin. However, the typical variation of sequencing depth and evenness among archived plastid genomes, the differences of these metrics among individual plastome sections, and any association with methodological factors have yet to be evaluated.
Methods: This investigation aims to explore the variation of sequencing depth and sequencing evenness across publicly accessible plastid genomes as well as the potential associations that these metrics have with plastome structure, assembly quality, and methodological provenance. Specifically, we assess if sequencing evenness and reduced sequencing depth have significant correlations with, or significant differences among, individual genome sections, assembly quality indicators, the sequencing platforms employed, and the assembly software tools used. To that end, we retrieve published plastid genomes, their sequence reads, and their genome metadata from public sequence databases, measure sequencing depth and evenness across genome partitions and full-length genomes, and test several hypotheses regarding genome structure, assembly quality, and methodological provenance through non-parametric statistical tests.
Results: The results of our analyses indicate significant differences in sequencing depth across the four structural partitions as well as between the coding and non-coding sections of the plastid genomes, a significant correlation between sequencing evenness and the number of ambiguous nucleotides per genome, and significant differences in sequencing evenness across various sequencing platforms.
Conclusions: Based on these results, we conclude that sequencing depth may exhibit a variation that is associated with the quadripartite structure and the assembly quality of plastid genomes, and that sequencing evenness in plastid genomes is likely influenced by the type of sequencing platform employed.
Asprosin promotes β cell pyroptosis by METTL3-mediated m6A modification
Authors: Fu Qingsong , Hu Wenchao , Zhao Xiaoyun , Wang Rui
Published: July 2024

Objective
Asprosin, a recently found adipokine, contributes to β cell dysfunction. Pyroptosis is a novel programmed cell death form. N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been implicated in many pathological processes. The purpose of this research is to ascertain whether asprosin affects the pyroptosis of β cell, as well as the possible role of m6A modification in this process.
Method
Then the MIN6 cells were divided into five groups: the control, high glucose, different dose of asprosin (50nmol/L, 100nmol/L, and 150nmol/L); or divided into four groups: the control, high glucose, vehicle, and asprosin groups. Mouse Fbn1-del pCDH-GFP-Puro vector were transfected into MIN6 cells in the asprosin group. STM2457 was served as METTL3 inhibitor.
Results
The cell viability of MIN6 cells and insulin secretion were decreased after asprosin and high glucose treatment. High glucose and asprosin incubation or transfection contributed to increased expression of caspase-1 which was assessed using immunofluorescence. In addition, the expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and GSDMD, and the concentration of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased after high glucose and asprosin incubation or transfection. Asprosin transfection increased the protein expression of METTL3. Then the effects of asprosin on the cell viability, insulin secretion, the expression of caspase-1 and pyroptosis related proteins were ameliorated significantly after inhibiting METTL3 using STM2457.
Conclusion
Asprosin induces β cell pyroptosis through METTL3-mediated m6A modification.
Heat Transfer in Metallic Nanometre-Sized Gaps
Authors: Agrait Nicolas , Cuevas Juan Carlos , Vilhena Jose , López-Nebreda Rubén , Lopez Oscar Mateos , Martinez Pablo Martinez , Garcia-Esteban Juan , Ibabe Angel , Lee Eduardo
Published: July 2024

Heat transfer in nanoscale gaps is of key relevance for a variety of technologies. Recent experiments have reported contradictory results shedding doubts about the fundamental mechanisms for heat exchange when bodies are separated by nanometre-sized gaps. Here, we aim at resolving this controversy by measuring the thermal conductance of gold atomic-sized contacts with a custom-designed scanning tunnelling microscope that incorporates a novel thermal probe. This technique enables the measurement of the thermal and electrical conductance in different transport regimes. When the electrodes are separated by a nanometre-sized gap, we observe thermal signals whose magnitude and gap size dependence cannot be explained with standard heat transfer mechanisms. With the help of non-equilibrium molecular dynamic simulations, we elucidate that these anomalous signals are due to the thermal conduction through water menisci that form between tip and sample under customary operation conditions. Our work resolves this fundamental puzzle and suggests avenues for the investigation of heat conduction in atomic and molecular junctions.
Magnetic fields generated by directed ionic flow
Authors: Xie Ganhua , Wang Lin , Kong Xiang-Yu
Published: July 2024

Understanding the factors influencing the magnetic fields induced by ionic currents is essential for various applications ranging from biophysics to materials science. In this study, we systematically investigated the magnitude of the ionic-current-induced magnetic field under diverse conditions, including different current intensities, distances, coil numbers, and conduit sizes and shapes. Our experimental results reveal that the magnetic flux density is directly proportional to the current intensity and decreases with larger distances. Furthermore, it increases with the number of effective coils and decreases with larger conduit sizes, demonstrating the significant impact of conduit shape on the generated magnetic field. To complement our experimental findings, we conduct comprehensive data simulations, revealing a close agreement between simulation results and experimental data. This convergence underscores the robustness of our experimental observations and provides further insights into optimizing ionic current-induced magnetic fields. Overall, our study offers valuable insights into the design and optimization of systems utilizing ionic-current-induced magnetic fields for a wide array of applications.
Parental experiences and perceptions of using traditional medicine and biomedical services for their children’s health: A qualitative study in Indonesia
Authors: Fauk Nelsensius Klau , Seran Alfonsa Liquory , Asa Gregorius Abanit , Kustanti Christina Yeni , Arifin Hidayat , Ratu Melkianus , Ernawati  , Ward Paul Russell
Published: July 2024

Background: Traditional Medicine (TM) is a culturally-rooted healthcare practice, and its use, including for treating illnesses among children, has been reported in many countries. Globally, Indonesia is in the top 10 countries with the highest child mortality rates. However, TM usage for treating illnesses among children in Indonesia has received minimal academic attention.
Objective: This study aimed to understand parental beliefs, knowledge, views, and perceptions of TM and the impact on the use of TM and biomedical services in treating illnesses in children in Belu district, Indonesia.
Methods: A qualitative design using in-depth interviews was used in this study. Participants were parents with real-life experiences using TM to treat their children’s illnesses. They were recruited using the snowballing sampling technique. A thematic data analysis was performed and guided by a qualitative data analysis framework.
Results: Findings were grouped into four main themes: (i) parental beliefs, knowledge, views, and perceptions of TM, (ii) the influence of these factors on parental use of TM and biomedical services for treating children’s illnesses, (iii) social and cultural influences on the use of TM and biomedical services among their children, and (iv) the impact of the sole use of TM on children.
Conclusion: The findings show that the use of TM is a common practice in Belu, however, evidence suggests that child mortality remains high in the setting. Thus, there is a need for the development of collaborative models of healthcare programs and service delivery fostering mutual respect and understanding between traditional healers and healthcare professionals.
Harnessing Innovation to Combat Corruption: Effective Assessment of an Official’s Propensity for Corruption
Authors: Boyko Anton , Bozhenko Victoria , Stoyanets Natalia
Published: July 2024

One of the most important tasks in managing the activities of public authorities is to prevent corruption among employees and ensure integrity in the performance of their organisational, managerial or administrative duties. The study of the behavioural patterns of officials who make decisions to commit corrupt acts in their professional duties is central to combating corruption. The systematisation of literature sources and approaches to the study of motives for corruption has shown that the main driving forces of corrupt behaviour are the intentions of individual and collective features, namely, the desire to obtain financial gain, job dissatisfaction, a corrupt environment within an organisation, and impunity for corruption offences. A subject-oriented approach to assessing an official’s propensity to engage in corrupt practices is investigated in this article. The peculiarity of the investigated methodology is to determine the behavioural and personal features of an official in professional activity and consider the synergistic effect that arises in the case of a simultaneous positive answer from the respondent to the control questions. The author’s methodology for assessing the propensity of an official to engage in corrupt practices includes 16 key questions in the questionnaire. An important element of the proposed methodology is the formation of an “ideal matrix”, which contains combinations of factors that increase officials’ intentions to engage in corruption. The “ideal matrix” was approved following a brainstorming process with experts. Fifty officials aged 27 to 65 years from institutions and organisations in Sumy (Ukraine) were the subject of the study. According to the assessment, one-third of respondents had a high or medium propensity to engage in corrupt practices. Empirical findings have shown that men are more tolerant of corruption than women are, and people aged 51-65 years have the highest propensity for corruption. This methodology allows for the latent quantification of officials’ propensity for corruption and, accordingly, the introduction of measures for preventing criminal corruption early in public administration.
Strogonoff de frango enriquecido com biomassa de banana verde
Authors: Almeida Jhenyfer Caroliny de , Moreno Lucca Gherardi , Gherardi Sandra Regina Marcolino
Published: July 2024

A biomassa de banana verde é um ingrediente funcional e que pode ser aplicado em uma grande variedade de alimentos por não afetar o sabor. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a aceitabilidade de strogonoff elaborado com biomassa de banana verde.  O estudo foi conduzido com 50 provadores, sendo empregados os testes de intenção de aceitação com escala hedônica de 9 pontos para os atributos aparência, aroma, sabor, textura e impressão global, além do teste de intenção de compra com escala de 5 pontos. Os resultados do teste de aceitação indicaram elevada aceitabilidade, com escores entre 7,82 e 8,5, sendo o atributo sabor o mais apreciado. Quanto à intenção de compra, também foi obtido bons escores, de 4,14, correspondente à “provavelmente compraria”. Assim, neste estudo constatou-se que a biomassa de banana verde na elaboração de strogonoff de frango é viável.
Government spending in the agricultural sector: Optimal ratio with lending and the impact on the agricultural production
Authors: Atashov Bayali , Valiyeva Sabina , Gafarov Nizami
Published: July 2024

An effective government agropolicy should be balanced: To reduce the state budget pressure, it is important to reduce public spending and encourage farmers to use agricultural loans. Reducing public spending should not lead to a shortage in the agricultural market. The paper aims to substantiate the directions of government agropolicy transformation based on the optimal ratio of public expenditures and loans in the agrosector and the dependence of agroproduction dynamics on state financing. The research base is data from 10 countries with different income levels (World Bank), presented in FAOSTAT for 2004–2021. For each country, the optimal (determined by the structural modeling method) and actual proportions between state financing and lending in the agrosector are compared, adjusted for the agroproduction index. The modeling showed that the share of public funds should increase in Germany, Israel, Italy, and the UK and decrease in Azerbaijan and Georgia; the current proportion is optimal in the USA, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Based on a panel regression model with fixed effects, the influence of the actual level of state agrofinancing on the FAO Production Indices of the main types of agroproducts was determined. It is the largest for crops, meat, and milk (a decrease in state funding by USD 1 million threatens to reduce the respective indices by 4.5, 3.47, and 3.79 points), medium for cereals and sugar crops (according to points 2.69 and 2.11), and the smallest for livestock and non-food products (by 1.53 and 0.001 points, respectively).
Investigation of the impact of surface roughness on the flow characteristics of a broad-crested weir
Authors: Idrees Anees Kadhum , Jahad Udai A. , Al-Ameri Riyadh
Published: July 2024

Weirs are a common hydraulic structure. The broad-crested weir's effectiveness depends on its height and surface roughness. The present study investigates the coefficient of discharge (Cd) for various broad-crested weirs in a laboratory flume. Two types of weir geometry were used and outfitted with three types of surface roughness (cement, boulders, and gravel) and the coefficient of discharge. The outcomes showed that the coefficient of discharge reduces as the surface roughness of the broad-crested weir increases for a given (H/H + P). The average value of the discharge coefficient for Group 1 (models 1, 2, and 3) was 0.66, 0.65, and 0.64, respectively. For comparison between models 1 and 2 and between models 1 and 3, the decrease in the coefficient of discharge was approximately 2 and 3.5%, respectively. Group 2 (models 4, 5, and 6) had an average value of the discharge coefficient of 0.63, 0.62, and 0.61, respectively. The decrease in the coefficient of discharge for comparison between models 4 and 5 and between models 4 and 6 was around 1.75 and 3%, respectively. Empirical equations were obtained to accurately fit the data. This study can inform the design of weirs, allowing for improved control and flow regulation in hydraulic systems.
Application of the multi-wavelength UV-LED/chlorine process to improve reverse osmosis membrane performance for reused water treatment in the steel industry
Authors: Liu Z. , Xu M. Y. , Yin H. , Xie C. W. , Liu Q. , Liu H. T. , Liang S. Y. , Li J. K. , Zhang T. Y. , Li T. , Hu H. Y. , Xu B.
Published: July 2024

Membrane fouling is a prominent issue that affects the stable and efficient operation of reverse osmosis (RO) in reused water treatment. In this study, a zero-discharge RO system was adopted to treat the ultrafiltration permeate from a steel plant with the combined multi-wavelength UV-LED/chlorine process, focusing on organic structure modification and membrane fouling control. The results showed that the UV-LED/chlorine process could not only efficiently remove the dissolved organic carbon and the total nitrogen of the RO influent but also alter the organic substances from large molecules to small ones. In addition, the longer wavelength of a 295 nm UV-LED/chlorine process exhibited a greater RO permeate flux of 158 LMH, as compared to the shorter wavelength of 255 nm with the flux of 152 LMH. Moreover, compared to the single-wavelength, the dual-wavelength UV-LED/chlorine process played a more significant role in RO filtration performance, which induced a looser and thinner foulant structure, resulting in an 8% larger permeate flux and recovery at 275 + 295 nm than at 295 nm. This study demonstrated that the combined UV-LED/chlorine process could effectively alleviate RO membrane fouling. Our findings can provide theoretical and technical support for the sustainable development of membrane-based reused water treatment in the steel industry.
Exploración minera en la región norte de Chiapas
Authors: Beristain Horacio , Guízar Vázquez Jr. Francisco , Prieto Díaz Sergio
Published: July 2024

En este artículo se analiza el encuentro entre hombres de Pantepec (ejidatarios y avecindados) y geólogos de Linear Gold en el contexto de la exploración minera del período 2003-2008; además, se abordan los impactos y alcances de tal actividad en la región norte de Chiapas (México). El trabajo de investigación se guió teórica y metodológicamente por la perspectiva orientada al actor y por la noción de interfaz. Se recabó y sistematizó información de fuentes secundarias, que se trianguló con entrevistas y otras fuentes primarias. Como resultado, se identificó una red de actores formada por 12 geólogos, ocho empresas, cuatro organizaciones y dos instituciones públicas. La memoria de los actores locales da cuenta de las relaciones de poder en las prácticas de exploración minera. Aunque otras relaciones no fueron documentadas, fue posible saber sobre eventos y situaciones que explican el fin de la interfaz con la expulsión de los geólogos. La identificación de la red de actores del sector minero aporta una visión compleja que trasciende la dicotomía público-privado. La interfaz de exploración minera contribuyó a reposicionar en el interés del sector minero los yacimientos de oro del norte de Chiapas, ya que se le han otorgado más concesiones mineras en la región.
Motivaciones racionales e irracionales de la participación política juvenil en Colima (México)
Authors: Pérez-Verduzco Germán
Published: July 2024

El objetivo de la investigación fue analizar la influencia de las motivaciones racionales e irracionales en la participación política de la juventud colimense. Este tema, poco estudiado desde la mirada de la psicología política, se examinó concretamente a través de la teoría amplia de la racionalidad, que constituye una de las perspectivas teóricas más importantes en las ciencias sociales. Con un enfoque cualitativo de investigación, se utilizó la técnica de grupos focales para analizar el discurso de jóvenes colimenses pertenecientes a distintas organizaciones de la sociedad civil y con un rol activo en ellas. Los resultados muestran que la participación ciudadana juvenil puede generarse tanto por motivaciones racionales derivadas de una evaluación costo-beneficio como por motivaciones irracionales vinculadas a emociones sociales o morales, y que las organizaciones de la sociedad civil son espacios idóneos para que las personas se desarrollen y aprendan a canalizar necesidades y voluntades de manera institucionalizada.
poética del desvío
Authors: Taboada Hernández Marco Polo
Published: July 2024

En este artículo se analiza la forma específica en que Ramal (2011), de Cynthia Rimsky, utiliza y subvierte lugares comunes de la literatura de viajes, al mismo tiempo que se sirve de diferentes recursos semióticos para problematizar la posibilidad de encuentro, ya sea entre los personajes o entre los recursos narrativos congregados en la ficción novelesca. La perspectiva narrativa elegida (una instancia exterior que relata las vicisitudes de un forastero contratado para realizar un proyecto capaz de vivificar la actividad en los pueblos que recorre una línea férrea periférica), la tensa y compleja yuxtaposición de fotografías y texto o la figuración del tiempo en el relato dan cuenta de que el viaje ya no es más esa experiencia armónica tras la cual el sujeto (el protagonista y también el lector) vuelve enriquecido o con certezas sobre sí mismo y los otros.