bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Drug-resistant Tuberculosis and HIV Co-infection Using a Supervised Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Hosu Mojisola Clara , Faye Lindiwe Modest , Apalata and Teke
Published: September 2024

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) and HIV-coinfection present a conundrum to public health globally, and the achievement of the global END TB strategy in 2035. A descriptive, retrospective review of medical records of patients diagnosed with DR-TB who received treatment was conducted. Student’s t-test was performed to assess differences between two means and ANOVA between groups. Either the Chi-square test with and without trend or Fischer’s exact test was used to test the degree of association of categorical variables. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of DR-TB treatment outcomes. Also, a decision tree classifier, which is a supervised machine learning algorithm was used. Python version 3.8. and R version 4.1.1 software were used for data analysis. A p-value of 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to determine statistical significance. A total of 456 DR-TB patients were included in the study with more male patients (n = 256, 56.1%) than female patients (n = 200, 43.9%). The overall treatment success rate was 61.4%. There was a significant decrease in the % of patients cured during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Our findings showed that machine learning can be used to predict TB patients' treatment outcomes.
Potential of Using Entomopathogenic Fungi for Controlling Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say.) Populations Under Climate Change
Authors: Abdukerim Rauza , Mussina Meiramgul , Abysheva Gaukartas , Tumenbayeva Nagima , Mombayeva Bekzat , Karabayeva Assel , Amangeldi Nurgul , Amangeldikyzy Zamzagul
Published: September 2024

This article presents the results of isolating and identifying EPF species and screening thermotolerant and highly virulent EPF strains that are promising for controlling Colorado potato beetle populations. Soil samples were collected from southern Kazakhstan for the isolation of fungi used in the experiments. Using the insect bait method, 41 isolates of EPF were obtained from the soils of southern Kazakhstan. PCR analysis based on ITS and TEF loci (elongation factor Ef1a) showed that all the isolates belong to the species B. bassiana. However, analysis of the ITS locus revealed two cryptic species: B. bassiana and B. pseudobassiana. No other fungal species were detected, likely due to the insufficient informativeness of the ITS and TEF loci in distinguishing species. Further studies with other loci are required. As a result of selecting natural isolates for virulence and thermotolerance, the following strains were identified: B13, B14, B15, B22, B23, B24, B25, B23-23, Bc4, Bc7, and Bc8. These strains showed high virulence (100% on the 11th day after treatment) and tolerance to suboptimal temperatures (+15°C and +30°C). Therefore, they are considered the most promising for use in the context of climate change. The data suggest that, despite the source of the isolates, EPF have great potential for controlling Colorado potato beetle populations, as the majority of isolates lead to fatal outcomes. Their geographical origin primarily influences their temperature preferences, which negatively affect their effectiveness in field conditions.
Years-After-Harvesting and Retention Levels Influence over Soil Microbial Activity and Biomass in Southern Patagonian Forests
Authors: Toledo Santiago , Martínez Pastur Guillermo , Rodríguez-Souilla Julián , Peri Pablo Luis
Published: September 2024

Variable retention harvesting (VRH) was designed for timber purposes and biodiversity conservation in natural forests. This system was globally tested, but few studies are related to soil microbial components. The objective was to evaluate different retention types (aggregated and dispersed retention) considering different years-after-harvesting (6, 9, 16 YAH) on soil microbial community attributes compared with unmanaged primary forests (PF) in Nothofagus pumilio forests of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). We also evaluated the influence of climate, soil and understory vegetation. Results showed that aggregated retention increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and soil basal respiration (SBR) compared to dispersed retention, but with similar values than PF. However, harvested areas decreased MBC:MBN values compared with PF. We found an overall decreasing of microbial biomass and activity in 9 YAH stands, with a positive recovery at 16 YAH. Soil pH, mean annual temperature and understory vegetation cover showed a positive relationship with MBC, MBN, and SBR. The recovery after 16 YAH reaching to a different microbial community. Therefore, maintenance of retention components in managed stands for longer periods is needed. Our results highlight some advantages of VRH as a tool for conservation of forest-dwelling soil microorganisms (microbial biomass and activity).
A Novel Tsetlin Machine with Enhanced Generalization
Authors: Anjum Usman , Zhan Justin
Published: September 2024

Tsetlin machine (TM) is a novel machine learning approach that implements propositional logic to perform different tasks like classification and regression. The TM can not only achieves competitive accuracy in these tasks but it is also able to provide results that are explainable and easy to implement using simple hardware. The TM learns using clauses based off the features of the data. Final classification is done using a combination of the clauses. In this paper, we propose the novel idea of adding regularizers to TM, called as Regularized TM (RegTM), to improve generalization. Regularizers have been widely used in machine learning to improve accuracy. We explore different regularization strategies and how they would influence performance. We show the feasibility of our methodology by different experiments on benchmark datasets.
Regional Profiling for the Frequency, Patterns, and Factors of Hearing Loss Reveals, Geriatric Age, Noise, and Inheritance History as Major Potential Predispositions
Authors: Alotaibi1 Abdullah D. , Said Kamaledin B , Bashir Abdelhafiz I. , Ahmed Ruba M. Elsaid , Alonazi Mona S. , Alshammar Bassam E. , Abdulkarim Lama B. , Al-Otaibi Amal S. , Alsuwayt Bashayr N. , Alrashidi Wafi A. , Alsubaie Razan S. Sultan , ALGhaslan Manar A. , Alotaibi Arwa A , Alzughaibi Mohammad S. , Alshammary Fahad M. , Almijrad Salem A. , Almallahi Anwar E.
Published: September 2024

Hearing-loss (HL) is a major public health issue albeit data is limited. Objectives: were to determine the frequency and factors. Design: was descriptive cross-sectional using web-based self-administered google-form questionnaire. Data analyzed by-IBM SPSS-V-24-Windows. Results: In 789 responses, 6.6 % reported HL, 62.4% from Eastern-region of which 41.2% were employed and 31.7% students. Despite 36.5% reported HL > 5-years, 21.2% sought treatments. 19.2% reported diabetes and 51.9% had family-history. Ages 11– 50 years showed female predominance (females 59.1%, males 41%). Age was significant in HL (P <0.001) irrespective of gender (males 6.8%, females 6.4%, P value =0.838) reaching peaks at 17.2% 51-60 years and 25% in 71-80 implying a potential risk (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.78-2.81, p = 0.032). 34.6% indicated genetics then noise (26.9%), while infections, stroke, and fevers made 19.2%. Air or sea travels (7.7%) were insignificant (P = 0.628) while head injuries (11.5%), or low- and high-altitudes showed 21.2%. Noise-hazard (P = 0.048) and medications (P = 0.017) were significant in HL. Conclusion: thus, we show geriatric age, noise, and inheritance-history as major predispositions. However, the study was limited by small sampling. Future large cohort multicenter studies on factual clinical data would gain more insights into the HL.
Health-related quality of life of children with systemic lupus erythematosus and well-being of caregivers: a cross-sectional survey in China
Authors: Fei Ling , Wu Yiheng , Guan Lejing , Shao Yifei , Li Fengting , Yu Limin , Liu Zhirou , Rafay Abdul , Ye Lizhen , Lu Meiping , Bai Guannan
Published: September 2024

Objectives
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in children is a chronic and severe illness. We aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with SLE and well-being of their caregivers.
Methods
In total, 173 children with a diagnosis of SLE were recruited from a tertiary children’s hospital. The proxy-reported PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Module (PedsQL GCM) was used to measure the HRQoL of children, and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was applied to measure caregivers’ well-being. Differences in scale scores and total score of PedsQL GCM were assessed by t tests and one-way ANOVA. Effect sizes were calculated for clinical relevance. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the associated factors of children’s HRQoL. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to assess the correlation between children’s HRQoL and the well-being of their caregivers.
Results
Children with SLE were reported lower scores in physical functioning, emotional functioning, school functioning, psychosocial health summary score, and total score of PedsQL GCM compared to healthy children. The multivariate linear regression analysis shows parental employment status, perceived financial burden and the changes in body image were significantly associated with the relatively low HRQoL of children (p values < 0.05). 30.6% of caregivers had depression and 10.4% had major depression as indicated by the score of WHO-5. Scale and overall scores of PedsQL GCM were significantly correlated with the score of WHO-5 (p values < 0.05).
Conclusions
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of SLE children’s HRQoL in China and identified multiple determinants. Caregiver’s well-being was evaluated and was closely related to children’s HRQoL. We emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive support for children with SLE, their caregivers, and extended family members.
Lubricants basestock oil obtained from residual fatty acids: tribological properties and thermo-oxidative stability
Authors: Neta Maria Marliete Fernandes Melo , Tavares Philipe Oliveira , Filho Paulo Roberto Campos Flexa Ribeiro , Cavalcante Célio L. , LUNA F. MURILO T.
Published: September 2024

Organic waste is traditionally used in applications of low economic value, such as incineration and animal supplementation, however, a large part of this waste has the potential to be transformed into products with greater added value. In this study, the physicochemical, thermal and tribological characteristics of biolubricant samples synthesized from a residual fatty acid sample, mainly composed of palmitic acid (~ 43% wt.) and oleic acid (~ 35% wt.), were evaluated. In the thermal stability analysis, the final sample (coined as Biolub) showed the best performance when compared to the other samples, with the following temperatures for mass loss of 50%, in an inert (341.68°C) and oxidative (285.33°C) atmosphere. For the tribological properties, Biolub presented a friction coefficient (FC) approximately 53.85% lower than that of commercial mineral oil (CMO). The results in general suggest that the synthesized product has the potential to be used as a basestock oil for biolubricants, adding value to this industrial waste thus contributing to sustainable and economic development.
Exploring Medical Students' Reflective Skills and Development of Professional Identity through Journals and Interviews
Authors: Avargil Shirly , Saleh Abir , kerem Nogah
Published: September 2024

Background: The aspects of professional identity during medical students' clinical years need further exploration. This study investigates these aspects through a 3-year course, “The Capsule,” at our institution. This study aims to enrich what is known about specific components that constitute medical students’ professional identity and to characterize their reflective expressions as seen from their interviews and reflective journals written during their “Capsule” course.
Methods: A descriptive multiple-case study (N=5) methodology was used. Data were collected from 47 reflective journals and semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was performed to identify recurring categories.
Results: Reflective skills, listening and communication skills, empathy, and facing and discussing challenges within the clinical environment were all key components. Students’ reflective skills developed over time, with variations in the depth of reflection. Three levels of reflective thinking are presented.
Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of reflective practices and peer support in professional identity formation. The findings align with earlier research, emphasizing the role of reflective writing in shaping medical students’ professional identities. Our study elaborates about the most common themes found in the reflective journals of students during their clinical years and highlight the importance of giving students guidance and feedback for reflective practices to encourage them to implement the use of the three levels of reflective thinking.
Exploring teacher articulation gap when teaching map work: A Case study of Geography teachers in South African schools
Authors: Molapo Karabo , MALATJI KHASHANE
Published: September 2024

Geography teachers in South Africa have been trained for four years in teaching Geography. However, they still fail to master the basics of map work to enable learners to interpret the content on maps. The purpose of this study was to explore challenges brought by teacher articulation gap towards the teaching of map work in South African schools. The study followed qualitative approach with a case study design. An interpretive paradigm was used to look at teachers’ day-to-day practices and challenges they experience thereof when teaching map work. Purposive sampling was used to select 15 Geography teachers who performed below 50% during 2023 academic year. Kolb’s experiential learning theory was used as a framework for this study. The results of this study revealed that teacher articulation gap is caused by the lack of theoretical, methodological, and mathematical basics which make teachers fail to interpret the theory on maps due to more adaptation on reading content rather than applying theory on maps. The study concluded a need for foundational knowledge on mathematical literacy to allow teachers interpret map readings during teaching of map work. The study recommended that the Department of Basic Education should organize meteorologists and Geography experts to equip teachers with knowledge on Geography teaching of Map work to close articulation gap. The study contributes to the gap of knowledge identified in the teaching and learning of Geography.
Hybrid catalytic systems employing carbon nanotubes as a support for the solvent-free aerobic oxidation of ethylbenzene
Authors: Azam Shakir Ul , Orlińska Beata , Peckh Kamil
Published: September 2024

Carbon nanotubes have gained significant interest as catalysts and catalytic supports in hydrocarbon oxidation processes. In this study, pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes and copper(II) functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were coated with [bmim] cationic ionic liquids (ILs) containing dissolved N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) to produce novel SILP and SCILL-SILP hybrid catalytic systems, respectively (SILP: supported ionic liquid phase and SCILL: solid catalyst with an ionic liquid layer). The catalytic activities of the produced systems were investigated for the solvent-free oxidation of ethylbenzene (80 oC, 0.1 MPa, 6 h) using molecular oxygen as a green oxidant. Among the SILP systems, the [bmim][Cl]-based SILP system exhibited the highest conversion of ethylbenzene (14.4%) with the highest selectivity (92.1%) towards acetophenone (AcPO). The catalytic activity of the SILP system increased with increasing lipophilicity of the alkyl group in the IL cation. Conversely, among the SCILL-SILP systems, the highest conversion of ethylbenzene (23.4%) was achieved using [bmim][NTf2] as the IL phase. Recyclability and reusability studies showed that the catalytic activities of the SILP and SCILL-SILP hybrid systems generally decreased in subsequent cycles, except for [bmim][OcOSO3]-based catalytic systems.
Decomposition of driving factors and peak prediction of carbon emissions in key cities in China
Authors: Zhang Yuxin , Zhang Yao , chen wei , Zhang Yongjian , Quan Jing
Published: September 2024

Urban areas serve as important sources of carbon emissions, and carbon peaking at the urban level is of great significance for achieving the overall national goals. This article estimates the carbon emissions and intensity changes of 19 cities from 2000 to 2020 based on urban statistical data; Combined with the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) method, the driving factors of carbon emissions in all cities are analyzed; Combined with the multi-scenario prediction method, the carbon peak time and carbon emission intensity trends were predicted under different scenarios. The results showed that during the research period, with an overall upward trend in carbon emissions and a decreasing trend in carbon emission intensity year by year; Population effect and per capita GDP effect play a role in promoting urban carbon emissions in the process of urban development. Reducing energy intensity and energy consumption carbon intensity can effectively inhibit the growth of carbon emissions; Under the low-carbon scenario, all cities will achieve carbon peak before 2030. Under the baseline scenario, the vast majority of cities will achieve carbon peak before 2030, accounting for 89.47%; Under the high carbon scenario, cities with peak carbon emissions before 2030 only account for 63.16%.
Biomass fuel quality from Eucalyptus species in short rotation systems
Authors: Resquin Fernando , Carrasco-Letelier Leonidas , Rachid-Casnati Cecilia , Tancredi Nestor , Hirigoyen Andrés
Published: September 2024

Using biomass of forest origin to obtain solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels has demonstrated its potential both at an experimental level and in commercial situations. Where the composition of the biomass used affects the quality of the fuel produced, for example, in thermochemical processes; therefore, it is relevant to know the properties of the different biomass fractions of forest energy crops derived from the different species of Eucalyptus. This framework evaluated the energetic parameters of Eucalyptus benthamii, Eucalyptus dunnii, and Eucalyptus grandis planted at densities of 2220, 3330, 4440, and 6660 trees per hectare and evaluated 56 months after planting. In the wood of the stump, the essential density of the wood, the heating value, and the ash content were determined, with which the fuel value index was calculated. The wood, bark, and leaves and their elemental chemical composition and heating value were evaluated. These results were contrasted by analyzing the variance between species and plantation densities. In addition, models were developed and evaluated to estimate the heating value based on each biomass type's chemical composition. The results showed similarities between the biomass of different Eucalyptus species, the absence of effects due to planting density, and that the carbon, oxygen, and ash contents are essential for more excellent calorific value. The biomass of all species have an interesting potential for pyrolysis and gasification processes, however E. grandis is the species that combines the best results. The prediction models for the heating value of the different biomass fractions have an attractive precision based on the elements above.
Geoinformatics-based prioritisation of natural resources rich regions at disaggregated levels for sustainable management
Authors: Ramachandra T V , Negi Paras
Published: September 2024

Natural Resource Rich Regions (NRRRs) are ecologically and economically vital regions that support the livelihood of people through the sustained ecosystem process involving interaction among biotic and abiotic elements. Identifying NRRRs, considering spatially ecological, geo-climatic, biological, and social dimensions, would help in conservation planning and prudent management of natural resources as per the Biodiversity Act 2002, Government of India. Changes in the landscape structure would lead to alterations in the composition and health of these regions with irreversible changes in the ecosystem process, impacting the sustenance of natural resources. Landscape dynamics is assessed by classifying temporal remote sensing data using the supervised machine learning (ML) technique - Random Forest (R.F.) algorithm. Additionally, predicting likely land use changes in ecologically fragile areas would help formulate appropriate location-specific mitigation measures. Modeling likely land uses through the simulation of long-term spatial variations of complex patterns has been done through the CA-Markov model. Prioritization of NRRRs at disaggregated levels highlights that 12% of the total geographical area of the district is under NRRR 1 and NRRR 2, 54% of the total geographical area under NRRR 3, and the rest of the region under NRRR 4. The current study emphasizes the need for robust decision support systems to aid in effective policy formulation for conserving and restoring natural resources.
Novel Interacting Partners of MGP-40, a Chitinase-Like Protein in Buffalo Mammary Epithelial Cells
Authors: Anand Vijay , Jaswal Shalini , Jena Manoj Kumar , Kumar Sudarshan , Kaushik Jai Kumar , Mohanty Ashok Kumar
Published: September 2024

Background
This study aimed to identify interacting protein partners for Mammary Gland Protein-40 (MGP-40), also known as CHI3L1. MGP-40 is a chitinase-like protein that plays significant roles in inflammation, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. It is highly expressed during the involution phase of the mammary gland and has been implicated in various biological processes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and immune cell infiltration. Understanding the molecular mechanisms through which MGP-40 exerts its effects is crucial, particularly in the context of mammary gland physiology and pathology.
Methods and Results
Buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMECs) were transfected with pCIneo-MGP-40 to overexpress MGP-40. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was performed using an anti-YKL-40 antibody to pull down MGP-40 and its interacting proteins. These proteins were then identified through mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF), and the expression of MGP-40 was confirmed by western blotting. Several interacting partners of MGP-40 were identified, including synaptotagmin-like 3 (SYTL3), Rab 19, RIB34A-like protein with coiled coils, and ATP synthase subunit g (ATP5MG). These interactions suggest novel roles for MGP-40 in vesicle trafficking, cytoskeletal organization, and energy metabolism. Notably, synaptotagmin-like 3 is involved in calcium-regulated exocytosis, crucial for vesicular trafficking and secretion, while Rab proteins regulate vesicle trafficking and are essential for maintaining cell polarity and function.
Conclusions
The identification of interacting partners highlights the multifaceted roles of MGP-40 in mammary epithelial cells, extending beyond its known functions in inflammation and tissue remodeling. These findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of MGP-40 and its potential impact on mammary gland physiology and pathology, particularly during lactation. Further studies are needed to explore the physiological relevance of these interactions and their implications for milk production and mammary gland health.
Visualization of Structural Deformation of Polymer Additives in Oil Under High Shear Flow
Authors: Kusumoto Tatsuya , Kasai Moritsugu , Takenaka Mikihito
Published: September 2024

Using a powerful synchrotron radiation X-ray source, we developed a cell that can perform Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) measurements under high shear (~ 105 s− 1 ). We successfully and quantitatively visualized the deformation of polymer chains as polymer additives in oil under high shear. We found that poly(alkylmethacrylate) (PMA) with the lowest molecular weight was not deformed by the shear flow and did not show the shear thinning behavior. On the other hand, the other PMAs were deformed and exhibited shear-thinning behaviors. The correlation suggests that the shear thinning behaviors are caused by the elongation of polymer chains under shear. The shear thinning behaviors moderate the temperature dependence of the viscosity at a higher shear rate. We, thus, need to consider the effects of the deformation of the polymer on the effectiveness of modifiers at high molecular weight.
Research on fuel cell stack consistency based on multi-model and multi-dimensional simulation
Authors: Feng Yong , chen juexiao , Lu Siyu , Liu Ziran , gu ziheng , shi lei , wei ding
Published: September 2024

In fuel cells, disparities in individual cell performance can significantly impact various aspects of the overall system, including uneven energy output, accelerated aging, poor system stability, and decreased safety. Hence, enhancing the balance within fuel cells holds paramount importance. Accordingly, this study utilized Matlab and COMSOL to establish a 1D model of the fuel cell stack and a 3D model of individual cells for combined simulation. The aim was to analyze performance discrepancies between individual cells arising from flow distribution issues, investigate how flow rates affect individual cell performance, and ultimately, improve fuel utilization by optimizing individual cell flow channel dimensions. This optimization aimed to address performance deficiencies caused by insufficient gas supply. The research findings indicate that pre-optimization and post-optimization of flow field dimensions, the performance of cells experiencing insufficient gas supply (at the lowest inlet flow rate) improved by 5.59%. Increasing the inlet flow rate enhances individual cell performance, although the degree of performance change gradually decreases with increasing flow rates. Post flow channel optimization, the performance disparity between cells experiencing the maximum and minimum inlet flow rates decreased by 7.7%, consequently improving the overall balance of the stack by 67.3%.
Exploring Novel Inhibitors for Babesia bigemina Lactate Dehydrogenase: A Computational Structural Biology Perspective
Authors: Bostancioglu Safiye Merve , Mutlu Ozal
Published: September 2024

Babesia bigemina is an apicomplexan parasite and causes “Texas fever” in bovines. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is an essential enzyme in regulating anaerobic metabolism. The presence of five amino acid insertion in the active site of many apicomplexan LDH makes a significant difference between the parasitic LDH and the host counterpart. Therefore, apicomplexan LDH is an attractive drug target. In this study, a structure-based drug discovery approach was performed to find novel inhibitor candidates. In the first round, possible candidates were identified by following the virtual screening workflow. Then, the compounds with favourable docking scores were filtered using the QM-polarized ligand docking and induced fit docking methods. As a result, 20 novel compounds that bind to the active site of the BbigLDH and have low affinity with the host LDHs have been identified. Molecular dynamics simulations of the complexes (in total 8.8 µs) were performed and binding free energies were calculated. In conclusion, compounds named C09, C16 and C18 deserve further investigation to better understand their potential therapeutic effects on babesiosis. The findings of this study, elucidating the structural properties of BbigLDH enzyme and discovering its potential inhibitors, might pave the way for further research in developing LDH-targeted therapeutic interventions.
Design a multilevel inverter with a minimized switch count utilizing a modified H-bridge configuration
Authors: Sarathkumar D , Raj Raymon Antony
Published: September 2024

The proposed paper introduces an innovative approach to enhance the efficiency and performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems through the design and investigation of a 15-level multilevel inverter. This inverter topology utilizes a modified H-bridge configuration with 12 switches, aimed at improving voltage control, reducing harmonic distortion, and enabling efficient power conversion. By employing this modified H-bridge architecture, the inverter can achieve 15 distinct voltage levels, which allows for precise control of the output waveform.
The design focuses on optimizing the modulation strategy to manage the switching of the 12 switches effectively, minimizing switching losses, and ensuring an efficient energy conversion process. The resulting voltage levels contribute to better output waveform quality and reduced total harmonic distortion. Additionally, the proposed topology is scalable and adaptable, making it suitable for various applications, including grid-connected PV systems, motor drives, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
The advantages of the modified H-bridge configuration, such as reduced module count and enhanced controllability, contribute to the practicality and feasibility of the suggested inverter topology. Achieving 15 voltage levels with a limited number of switches underscores its applicability and appeal for renewable energy integration and other relevant power electronics applications. Further experimental validation and real-world implementation are recommended to substantiate the theoretical findings and validate the practical advantages of the proposed inverter topology.
Genomic and phenotypic safety assessment of probiotic Bacillus subtilis DC-11 isolated from traditionally fermented Idli Batter
Authors: Chaudhari Deepti N. , Ahire Jayesh J. , Kulthe Amit A. , Ghodke Sujata
Published: September 2024

In this study, we reported genomic and phenotypic safety assessment of probiotic Bacillus subtilis DC-11 isolated from traditionally fermented Idli Batter. The strain was evaluated for probiotic properties, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial compound production. The phenotypic safety was determined by accessing the strain’s ability to produce enterotoxins, degrade mucin, and antibiotic sensitivity. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to identify the strain and determine genetic safety by analyzing the presence of plasmids, antibiotic resistance genes, and virulence factors. In the results, B. subtilis DC-11 showed 88.98% viability in gastric juice, and 98.60% viability in intestinal juice. It showed 18.33 ± 0.44% autoaggregation, 32.53 ± 3.11% adhesion to xylene, 0.98 ± 0.05 OD unit’s adhesion to mucin (crystal violet equivalence at 550 nm), 21.2 ± 2.3% adhesion to Caco-2 cells, and − 22.3 ± 0.65 mV zeta potential. The highest co-aggregation was recorded with Escherichia coli (23.62 ± 0.70%). The strain was found negative for enterotoxin production, mucin degradation, and antibiotic resistance to the commonly used therapeutic antibiotics. It formed a good biofilm and capable of producing antimicrobial peptide subtilosin A with a molecular mass of 3400 Da. The peptide has inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (18.6 ± 0.58 mm). In genetic safety, no plasmids, antibiotic-resistant genes, and virulence factors were detected. Moreover, the strain showed close similarity with B. subtilis ATCC 6051 and proteins involved in probiotic attributes. In conclusion, B. subtilis DC-11 is safe potential probiotic candidate.
Barium nitrate doped Itaconic acid single crystal: A promising third order NLO material for photonic applications
Authors: E Rajasekar , Balaji S , G Vinitha , P Gayathri , Vetrivel S , Gopinath S
Published: September 2024

This research work discusses the effect of doping barium nitrate in itaconic acid on structural, thermal, and optical properties of the itaconic acid crystal. The single crystal of barium nitrate doped itaconic acid (BNIA) was grown by employing the slow evaporation solution growth technique. The investigation has been made by subjecting the title compound to various instrument techniques. The lattice parameters obtained from a single crystal differ from the parent crystal and confirm the formation of the titled crystal. The purity of the crystal is proven from powder X-ray diffraction analysis. Confirmation of the presence of functional groups was done by FTIR analysis. The dependence of hardness number on load indicates the hard nature of the material. The UV-vis-NIR transmission spectrum revealed that the grown crystal is optically transparent and has cut off length of 330 nm. From TGA/DTA investigations, it is observed that the BNIA crystals have thermal stability up to 170° C. The Z – scan technique was employed to understand the third order nonlinear optical nature of BNIA single crystals.
Improvement in growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomato by foliar application of humic and salicylic acids
Authors: Ride Rubyath Sharmin , Ahmed Salma , Monami Sadia Ahmed , Sarkar Md. Dulal
Published: September 2024

Using plant biostimulants to enhance crop productivity and improve fruit quality is an effective, environmentally friendly approach. This research aimed to assess the effects of humic acid (HA) with salicylic acid (SA) on the growth metrics, yield, and fruit attributes of BARI Tomato 16. The current research was conducted with humic acid (H0: 0 mgL− 1, H1: 30 mgL− 1, H2: 60 mgL− 1, H3: 90 mgL− 1) and salicylic acid (S0: 0 mgL− 1, S1: 40 mgL− 1, S2: 80 mgL− 1, S3: 120 mgL− 1) were applied three times at 30, 70, & 90 days after transplanting. Their combined application increased the early flowering and fruiting of tomatoes by 17% and 12%, flower and fruit number by 60% and 40%, and total yield per hectare by 88% respectively to control. Additionally, the brix content, lycopene content, sodium content and vitamin C content resulted in a 10%, 9%, 48% and 48% increase respectively from the control groups. Based on this investigation, it is found that the simultaneous use of HA and SA enhanced production, fruit development, and nutritional content. Furthermore, the tomato plants subjected to a combination of humic and salicylic acids (90 mgL− 1 HA with 80 mgL− 1 SA) exhibited better effects than the other treatment groups.
Perceptions of psychological safety in high-containment laboratories: Mixed method survey of community members and industry experts
Authors: Sargent Moana , Sylvara Ashley , Klos Leah , Gallagher Jacob , Cabrera Kutina , Goff Molly , Luna Jesica , Clavijo Alfonso , Lee Jin
Published: September 2024

Background In high-reliability organizations (HROs), where safety is paramount, psychological safety is crucial for maintaining operational integrity and mitigating potential risks. The interdependence between HROs and surrounding communities necessitates examining the perceptions of conditions for safe and transparent operation from both community residents and subject matter experts (SMEs). This study aims to understand community residents’ perceptions of psychological safety in the operation of A high-containment laboratory (HCL), how incident reporting reflects the psychological safety of a facility, and the alignment in community residents and SMEs’ assessments of psychological safety in these laboratories. Methods A mixed methods approach was used to collect data from community residents and a high containment laboratory SMEs. Community residents evaluated the potential impact of inadequate psychological safety on safe operations in high containment laboratories and two incident reporting formats for their association with PS. Both community residents and SMEs provided open-ended responses regarding the role of psychological safety in a high containment laboratory. Results Community members emphasized that psychological safety plays a key role for safe and reliable operations within High containment laboratories, and solution-oriented incident reports that focus on corrective actions appeared to indicate higher levels of psychological safety than problem-oriented reports focused on identifying the root cause of the incident. Thematic analysis showed overlap in key themes from community residents and SMEs, suggesting that psychological safety is important for safe operations, safety culture, and communication. Uniquely, SMEs offered more detailed insights into risk management, preparedness, and the impact on community and reputation. Conclusions Findings underscore the importance of psychological safety in promoting safety culture and effective communication within HROs, which is recognized by the surrounding community of residents. Transparent reporting with a focus on corrective action may be perceived as more indicative of psychological safety than reports centered on root cause analysis. Lastly, there is a shared understanding of the importance of psychological safety between community residents and SMEs, with SMEs providing a more nuanced perspective on improving psychological safety in HROs.
Spatial-Aware and Load Balancing Distributed Data Partitioning Strategies for Content-Based Multimedia Retrieval
Authors: Pereira Gabriel , Barreiros Willian , Ferreira Renato , Teodoro George
Published: September 2024

Content-Based Multimedia Retrieval (CBMR) has become very popular in several applications, driven by the growing routine use of multimedia data. Since the datasets used in real-world applications are very large and descriptor’s dimensionality is high, querying is an expensive, albeit important functionality. Further, exact search is prohibitive in most cases, motivating the use of Approximate Nearest Neighbour Search (ANNS) algorithms, trading accuracy for performance. These have been mainly developed targeting a sequential execution in a single node. However, the large and increasing datasets used and the high query loads submitted to those systems typically surpass the memory and computing resources available in a single node. This motivated the development of parallel distributed memory ANNS solutions to meet the computing capabilities required by those applications. A common problem that must be handled when using distributed memory systems is data partitioning and its impact on load imbalance. Several data partitioning approaches have already been proposed, including elaborated spatial-aware strategies. However, little effort has been put into carefully analyzing the performance of those strategies at scale. Here, we evaluated the commonly used data partitioning strategies in ANNS and identified their limitations to propose a novel class of partitioning algorithms that can minimize load imbalance while improving data locality to attain high performance on the distributed memory search. Experimentally, we found that our proposed algorithms (SABBS and SABBSR) improved search performance by up to 1.64× compared to the best previous solution. In a distributed memory weak scaling evaluation, with up to 12 billion 128-dimensional descriptors and 60 compute nodes, the gains were maintained as the system scaled with our novel approaches. These results demonstrate the efficiency of our new algorithms for billion-scale ANNS and the importance of considering not only data locality but also data and load imbalance in the data partitioning.
Scalable networks of wireless bioelectronics using magnetoelectrics
Authors: Robinson Jacob , Woods Joshua , Alrashdan Fatima , Chen Ellie , Tan Wendy , John Mathews , Jaworski Lukas , Beranrd Drew , Post Allison , Moctezuma-Ramirez Angel , Elgalad Abdelmotagaly , Steele Alexander , Barber Sean , Horner Philip , Faraji Amir , Sayenko Dimitry , Razavi Mehdi
Published: September 2024

Networks of miniature bioelectronic implants would enable precise measurement and manipulation of the complex and distributed physiological systems in the body. For example, sensing and stimulation nodes throughout the heart, brain, or peripheral nervous system would more accurately track and treat disease or support prosthetic technologies with many degrees of freedom. A main challenge to creating this type of in-body bioelectronic network is the fact that wireless power and data transfer are often inefficient when communicating through biological tissues. This challenge is typically compounded as one increases the number of implants within the network. Here, we show that magnetoelectric wireless data and power transfer enable a network of millimeter-sized bioelectronic implants where the power transfer efficiency of the system improves as the number of implanted devices increases. Using this property, we demonstrate networks of wireless battery-free bioelectronics ranging from 1 to 6 implants where the wireless power transfer efficiency for the system increases from 0.2% to 1.3%, with each node in the network receiving 2.2 mW at a distance of 1 cm. We use this system for efficient and robust wireless data and power transfer to demonstrate proof-of-concept networks of miniature spinal cord stimulators and cardiac pacing devices in large animals. The scalability of this network architecture enabled by magnetoelectric wireless power transfer provides a platform for building wireless closed-loop networks of bioelectronic implants for next-generation electronic medicine.
Exploring the Foreign Language Book Borrowing Habits of University Instructors and Prospective Teachers (2012–2022)
Authors: Liu Jiexuan
Published: September 2024

Understanding the widespread adoption of foreign language books (FLBs) is imperative for language learners and educators, as it facilitates evaluating the efficacy and caliber of language resources. Using MARC-based bibliography analysis, the researcher uncovers publishing and subject information of popular FLBs and utilizes survival analysis to calculate the FLBs’ survival index. After conducting factor analysis, the researcher applies linear regression prediction and Bayesian estimation to determine the total number of FLBs borrowings and borrowers. The borrowing index of FLBs collected in the past five years surpasses that of books collected for more than five years, and staff members demonstrate higher borrowing activity compared to undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and other readers. Acceptance emerges as the most critical factor influencing the total number of FLBs borrowings and borrowers, while cultural dominance has a relatively minor impact, and personal background is found to be less negatively influential. The estimates of the total number of FLBs borrowings reveal that acceptance is restricted by cultural dominance, which in turn is limited by personal background. Similarly, the estimates of the total number of FLBs borrowers indicate that acceptance is constrained by personal background, which in turn is limited by cultural dominance.
Social Trust and Support Networks: A Regional Analysis of Italy
Authors: Arnone Massimo , Leogrande Angelo , Drago Carlo , Costantiello Alberto
Published: September 2024

This research explores how regional socioeconomic variables affect the perception of social trust and support networks (PYCC) in Italian regions, and examines the implications for public policy designed to strengthen social cohesion. This study examines the variable "People You Can Count On" (PYCC) from the ISTAT-BES dataset, focusing on its distribution across Italian regions between 2013 and 2022. Using clustering through a k-Means algorithm optimized with the Silhouette coefficient and the Elbow method, three distinct clusters of regions emerged, highlighting significant differences in social support networks. An econometric model was employed to estimate the PYCC variable, factoring in socioeconomic indicators such as employment rates, income inequality, and social participation. The results indicate a complex interplay between socioeconomic conditions and social trust, with regions in the South and Islands showing increased community support, while many Northern regions experienced declines. The study suggests that areas with lower economic conditions often foster stronger social networks, driven by necessity. These findings underline the importance of targeted public policies aimed at fostering social cohesion, particularly in regions facing economic challenges. Policy implications include enhancing education, supporting small enterprises, and promoting social housing and welfare initiatives. Strengthening community participation and volunteering are also highlighted as critical strategies to build resilient support networks. Overall, the research provides valuable insights into the regional disparities of social trust and the role of socioeconomic factors in shaping community support across Italy.
JEL Classification: D6, D64, D9, J21, D63
Charting the Proteins of Oropouche Virus
Authors: Thomas Sunil
Published: September 2024

The Oropouche virus (OROV) is responsible for the disease Oropouche fever, also known as sloth fever. This virus is currently endemic to the Americas and is transmitted primarily through midges and mosquitoes. Recently, an increase in cases has been noted among American and European tourists visiting Cuba, likely due to environmental changes that have led to a rise in midge populations. These climatic shifts have exacerbated the spread of the virus. OROV is classified as an enveloped virus with a tripartite genome, which consists of three distinct single-stranded, negative-sense RNA segments. Despite its growing significance, there are no vaccines available to protect against OROV, and human-to-human transmission has not been documented to date. However, the absence of effective diagnostics and preventive measures poses a significant public health challenge. This paper seeks to address this critical gap by providing a detailed analysis of the structure and epitopes of OROV's major proteins. By elucidating these molecular features, the study aims to lay the groundwork for the development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines. Such advancements could play a crucial role in controlling the spread of OROV and reducing its impact on both human and animal populations.
Experiencias de la sexualidad de mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer ginecológico: una aproximación desde la teoría de los holones
Authors: Mejía Hernández Carolina , Castillo Ramírez Betty Luz , Ojeda Lopeda Pablo César
Published: September 2024

La investigación tuvo como objetivo comprender las experiencias alrededor de la sexualidad desde la teoría de los holones en un grupo de mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer ginecológico en la ciudad de Pereira, Colombia. Se implementó un diseño cualitativo y fenomenológico, con la participación de seis mujeres entre 30 y 60 años, a quienes se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas explorando los holones de reproductividad, género, erotismo y vinculación afectiva interpersonal. Las entrevistas fueron transcritas y analizadas de forma manual, mediante codificación abierta y axial para identificar categorías emergentes. En los discursos de las mujeres se evidenciaron elementos relacionados a los holones de la sexualidad. En el holón de reproductividad, se encontró una resignificación del rol reproductivo como madres; en el holón de género, se presentaron actitudes positivas hacia el cuerpo y amenazas a la identidad de género por causa de los cambios provocados por la enfermedad; en el holón de erotismo, las mujeres relataron experiencias sexuales marcadas por el dolor y el apoyo erótico de la pareja; y en el holón de vinculación afectiva interpersonal, se evidenciaron situaciones de estabilidad conyugal, separación temporal con la pareja y sostenimiento de vínculos abusivos durante el proceso de tratamiento oncológico. Estos hallazgos muestran una amplia reconfiguración integral de la sexualidad femenina en cada uno de los holones y realizan un aporte significativo a la comprensión de las subjetividades de las mujeres en el proceso de afrontar el cáncer ginecológico. Se recomienda realizar nuevas investigaciones con mayor cantidad de participantes y en otras regiones de Colombia.