bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IMPACT OF HYBRID WARS AGAINST UKRAINE ON THE INFORMATIVE MEDIA UNITS OF THE LITHUANIAN REPUBLIC’S ARMED FORCES (2013-2021)
Authors:   Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy Ukraine, PORONYUK Roman , GAPEYEVA Olga ,   Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy Ukraine
Published: February 2024

The article examines the activities of the information, media and cyber units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania and its Ministry of Defense as constituent components in informing their own population, the international community and enlisting maximum support for their actions, countering information threats through mass media and cyber attacks from unfriendly countries that are trying to influence the Republic of Lithuania. The peculiarities of national legislation regarding national and information security, the functioning of the strategic communications system, the activities of the press services of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania and their mass media, methods of responding to information incidents and the formation of relevant reports are analyzed. The task and structure of the military mass media (newspapers, radio and television, Internet resources), information agencies and press services have been studied. For the first time, the activities and organizational staffing structure of the information and media structures of the Armed Forces of Lithuania were investigated; normative and legal acts on issues of strategic communications and response to information incidents have been introduced into scientific circulation. The article also examines and compares certain differences between the information and media structures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania. In particular, staffing of military mass media with servicemen and independent civilian workers. Thestudy describes how the beginning and subsequent armed and hybrid aggression of the Russian Federation against the Ukrainian people from 2014 until the start of a full-scale war in 2022 affected the activities of the information and media structures of the Republic of Lithuania and the adjustment of the state's regulatory and legal legislation in the information and cyber sphere .
Formula for Load Isolation in the Design and Optimisation of an Electric Integrated Power System
Authors: Nagarajan Krishnamurthy Et al.
Published: February 2024

This research focuses on the development and analysis of an electric integrated power system with load isolation formula. The system incorporates a fuel cell controller, power system central controller, adjustment switches set, main DC/DC converters, energy-storage battery groups, and an electric energy output-controlling device. The objective is to design a system that is simple, safe to use, and highly efficient in energy regeneration. The research involves the optimization of the system structure, operation, and stability. The performance of the system is evaluated in terms of energy utilization ratio, reactive power control, and environmental impact. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system in achieving efficient and environmentally friendly power generation.
Hydrogen-Powered Tramcar Energy Management System
Authors: Nagarajan Krishnamurthy Et al.
Published: February 2024

This research focuses on the development of an Energy Management System (EMS) for a hybrid power tramcar. The proposed system integrates various components, including a drawing bus, super capacitor, battery, fuel cell, and controller. The super capacitor is connected to the traction bus through the first two-way DC/DC converters, while the battery is connected through the second two-way DC/DC converters. The fuel cell is connected to the traction bus through a control module, which includes a diode, first unidirectional DC/DC converters, and a switch. The switch and the first unidirectional DC/DC converters are connected in parallel, with the switch linking the first common node of the converters to the traction bus and the second common node to the diode. The diode is then connected to the fuel cell.
Neuronal Network-Based Multiplicatively Gait Feature Eradication and Detection
Authors: Rajkumar S Et al.
Published: February 2024

The accuracy of gait detection is affected by external influences such as intricate backdrop and coverings. To address this issue, this research presents an artificial neuronal network-based multiplicatively gait feature eradication and detection procedure. The proposed procedure uses a imaging device and a pyroelectric infrared sensor to separately acquire gait data. The skeletal attribute factor, peak variation attribute factor from the imaging device, and frequency spectrum attribute factor from the pyroelectric infrared sensor are extracted and combined for dimensionality reduction and signal processing. Finally, the merged attributes are classified and identified using a BP neuronal network as the classifier. The proposed procedure is evaluated for its detection accuracy.
Technique and Instrument for Effective CPU and GPU Access Request Arbitration Using On-Chip Cache
Authors: O.Pandithurai Et al.
Published: February 2024

This research paper presents a novel on-chip cache procedure and device that effectively handles access requests from both CPUs and GPUs. The proposed procedure involves classification caching based on the access request type, arbitrating different types of access requests for caching, and optimizing access time for CPU requests through cache while bypassing cache for GPU requests. The device includes CPU and GPU request queues, a moderator, and cache performance elements. By considering the distinct access characteristics of CPUs and GPUs simultaneously, this approach offers high performance, simple hardware implementation, and minimal cost.
An Embedded Approach to Hypervisor-Oriented Interruption Virtualization Operation
Authors: R.Kennady Et al.
Published: February 2024

This paper presents a method for virtualizing interruptions in an embedded hypervisor environment. The method involves the hypervisor taking control of hardware interruptions, providing them to a guest operating system (OS) for virtualization, and simulating interruption events through service threads running on the hypervisor. The guest OS executes a virtualization interruption service program using interruption injection operations provided by the hypervisor, bypassing the need to respond to hardware interruptions. This approach allows interruption service programs to be executed in a conventional stack environment, eliminating the need for copying and preserving the execution context. A comparative analysis with the virtualization scheme in Xen reveals that the proposed method reduces the overhead associated with field preservation, thereby enabling more efficient interruption response.
Analysis of staffing of the regional health system by dental surgeons in 2019–2021
Authors: Shiltsova Tatyana A. , Akhedzhak-Naguze Saida K. , Naguze Adam A.
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND: Providing qualified personnel to medical organizations is one of the priorities of the development of the health system. Improvement of staffing of dentists is relevant, as it enables increased availability and quality of dental care. Accessibility and quality of medical care involves the availability of the required number of medical personnel and level of their qualifications, achieved through the licensing of medical activities and certification and accreditation of medical personnel.
AIM: To analyze the staffing of dental surgeons in medical organizations subordinate to the Ministry of Health of the Krasnodar Territory.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included dental surgeons of state medical organizations of the Krasnodar Territory in 2019–2021. The present study uses statistical data of reporting forms of medical organizations of Krasnodar Krai «Information about medical organization» (N 30) for the studied period. Statistical processing of the material was performed using the Microsoft Office software package applying analytical, logical, and statistical methods of research.
RESULTS: Analysis of the staffing of dental surgeons in medical organizations of the Krasnodar Territory for 2019–2021 showed an increase in established posts in general for organizations and providing medical assistance in ambulatory conditions, a decrease in established posts in the hospital and occupied posts in general by organizations, as in outpatient conditions, and in stationary.
Moreover, a decrease was noted in the number of individuals employed as primary workers in general positions in the medical organizations of the province and in outpatient and inpatient medical care and in the number of individuals employed as primary employees, having the highest category and simultaneously increasing with the first and second categories.
Further, the study found a decrease in the number of persons in the main occupations with professional certification, an increase in the number of persons with accreditation certificates, and a decrease in the number of physical persons and of employed dental surgeons in medical organizations of the Krasnodar Territory, owing to the reduction in both outpatient and inpatient conditions.
CONCLUSION: Analysis of staffing of the regional healthcare system by dental surgeons for 2019–2021 was conducted.
Self-organization of the dental community in Saint Petersburg (historical essay)
Authors: Danilov Egor O.
Published: February 2024

In Saint Petersburg, starting from 1883 and over the next 140 years, various professional dental public organizations (societies, trade unions, associations) were created and functioned, analyzing the activities of which one can find a certain similarity in the tasks they solve. Despite the specific conditions of a particular historical era, almost all of them actively performed essentially the same functions related to the organization of scientific communication of dental specialists, protection of their rights, regulation of dental practice, and development of professional education and social design in the healthcare sector.
Turning to the retrospective of the self-organization of the dental community enables establishing historical continuity between the modern association of dentists and first societies of dentists, to feel the connection of times and understand that people who devoted their lives to the dental specialty and make up this community are united today by the same values that have always united them, regardless of the change in social formations.
SCDetect: A SeisComP Module for Real-Time Waveform Cross-Correlation-Based Earthquake Detection
Authors: Mesimeri Maria , Armbruster Daniel , Kästli Philip , Scarabello Luca , Diehl Tobias , Clinton John , Wiemer Stefan
Published: February 2024

Enhanced earthquake catalogs based on waveform cross correlation (template matching) have become routine when studying regional or sequence specific seismicity. Currently, there is no existing open-source cross-correlation software that is designed to be fully integrated in real-time operations of seismic networks. To fill this gap, we introduce SCDetect, a software that implements real-time earthquake detection based on waveform cross correlation in the time domain. SCDetect with the extension module scdetect-cc is an open-source SeisComP package written in C++. scdetect-cc can be used to process both archived waveform data (playback mode), and real-time data. In the real-time application, waveforms are fetched through one of the SeisComP RecordStream interfaces, and its output (picks, origin times, amplitudes, and magnitudes) are sent to the SeisComP messaging system. The new origins are associated either with existing events detected by other pick-based SeisComP modules, or create new events. Optionally, the hypocenter location can be refined by downstream application of existing SeisComP modules. scdetect-cc offers two magnitude estimation methods that are based on the amplitudes of the template earthquakes and the new detections. In the real-time application, scdetect-cc can be scaled to handle thousands of templates without overloading the application or becoming too latent, unable to keep up with the data flow. In the playback mode, we applied scdetect-cc to three recent earthquake sequences occurring in Switzerland and surrounding regions between 2019 and 2020. Two scenarios are tested to simulate its performance in real time. The first scenario cross correlates the signals of the nearest station, whereas the second requires four stations. In both cases, we successfully detected most of the cataloged events and added hundreds of new detections. Overall, scdetect-cc is a computationally efficient and highly customizable tool to detect earthquakes for regional networks that implement the SeisComP system for earthquake monitoring.
Development of a multi-object tracking algorithm with untrained features of object matching
Authors:   State Research Institute of Aviation Systems, Gorbachev V.A. , Kalugin V.F. ,   State Research Institute of Aviation Systems
Published: February 2024

The problem of multiple object tracking is one of the most difficult tasks in computer vision. The article is devoted to a task of multiple object tracking on video footage received from an unmanned aerial vehicle. Unlike a static camera platform, the mobile platform causes an accidental camera movement, which leads to sudden changes in the position, angle and scale of objects. Such aspects considerably hinder efficient object tracking. In this paper, we explore the possibilities of improving the tracking quality in the case of camera movements. We significantly outperform ByteTrack algorithm, one of the best tracking algorithms for the MOT Challenge dataset, on the Visdrone 2019 dataset.
Copyright protection of deep image classification models
Authors:   Samara National Research University, Vybornova Y.D. , Ulyanov D.I. ,   Samara National Research University
Published: February 2024

With the growing number of tasks solved using deep learning methods, the need for protection against unauthorized distribution of the intellectual property such as pre-trained models of deep neural networks is growing. To date, one of the most common ways to protect copyright in the digital space is through embedding digital watermarks. When solving the problem of watermark embedding, an important criterion is the preservation of the model prediction accuracy after introducing the protective information. In this paper, we propose a method for embedding digital watermarks into image classification models based on adding images obtained by superimposing pseudo-holograms on images of the original dataset to the training set. A pseudo-hologram is an image synthesized on the basis of a given binary sequence by arranging pulses for bit encoding in the spectral region. Results of the experimental study show that the proposed method allows one to maintain the classification quality, while also retaining its performance regardless of the architecture of the protected neural network. The conducted series of attacks on protected models show that attempts of an attacker to completely remove the watermark will almost inevitably lead to a significant loss in the model prediction quality. The results of the experiments also include recommendations on the choice of method parameters, such as the size of the trigger and training sets, as well as the length of sequences encoded by pseudo-holograms.
Spin angular momentum of Gaussian beams with several polarization singularities
Authors:   IPSI RAS – Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Kovalev A.A. ,   Samara National Research University, Kotlyar V.V. ,   IPSI RAS – Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS,   Samara National Research University
Published: February 2024

We study a paraxial vector Gaussian beam with several polarization singularities located on a circle. Such a beam is superposition of a cylindrically polarized Laguerre-Gaussian beam and a linearly polarized Gaussian beam. It is found that although polarization in the initial plane is linear, alternating regions with the different-sign spin angular momentum density are generated upon free-space propagation, showing that a spin Hall effect arises. For an arbitrary transverse plane, it is shown that the spin angular momentum magnitude is maximal on a certain-radius circle. We obtain an approximate expression for the distance to the transverse plane where the spin angular momentum density is maximal. Besides, we derive an optimal radius of the singularity-containing circle in the initial plane for which the maximal spin angular momentum density can be achieved upon propagation. It is revealed that in this case, the energies of the Laguerre-Gaussian beam and the Gaussian beam are equal to each other. We also obtain an expression for the orbital angular momentum density and find it to be defined by the spin angular momentum density, multiplied by –m/2, with m being the upper index of the Laguerre-Gaussian beam, equal to the number of the polarization singularities. An analogy with plane waves reveals that the spin Hall effect arises due to different divergence rates of the linearly polarized Gaussian beam and the cylindrically polarized Laguerre-Gaussian beam.
Methods, algorithms and programs of computer algebra in problems of registration and analysis of random point structures
Authors:   Institute of Automation and Electrometry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Reznik A.L. , Soloviev A.A. ,   Institute of Automation and Electrometry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: February 2024

An original approach to solving difficult time-consuming problems of registration and analysis of random point images is described. The approach is based on the development and application of high-performance specialized computer algebra systems. Three software packages have been created specifically for carrying out equivalent analytical transformations on a computer. The first software system is designed to calculate formulas describing the volumes of convex polyhedra with parametrically specified boundaries in n-dimensional space. The second system is based on the calculation of multidimensional integral expressions by the method of cyclic differentiation of the integral with respect to the parameter. The third system is based on the accelerated implementation of complex combinatorial-recursive transformations on a computer. Another distinctive feature of the work is the extension of the classical Catalan numbers to the multidimensional case (they were required to solve a number of intermediate probabilistic-combinatorial problems). The implementation of the above computer algebra software systems on a multi-core cluster of Novosibirsk State University, together with the direct use of the explicit form of generalized Catalan numbers, allowed the authors to obtain several new previously unknown probabilistic formulas and dependencies required for solving problems in the field of analysis of random point images.
An algorithm of blood typing using serological plate images
Authors:   The Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Korchagin S.A. ,   Lomonosov Moscow State University, Zaychenkova E.E. ,   The Institute for Information Transmission Problems,   The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Sharapov D.A. ,   The Institute for Information Transmission Problems,   The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Ershov E.I. ,   The Institute for Information Transmission Problems,   The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Butorin Y.V. ,   The Institute for Information Transmission Problems,   Lomonosov Moscow State University,   LLC «SYNTECO», Vengerov Y.Y. ,   The Institute for Information Transmission Problems,   Lomonosov Moscow State University,   LLC «SYNTECO»
Published: February 2024

This paper describes an in vitro medical express diagnostic system designed to determine the blood group by analyzing the agglutination reaction (gluing of erythrocytes). The medical staff only needs to take a blood sample, put it on a serological plate, placing it in a special scanner for the blood group to be automatically determined. Data digitizing and machine-assisted plate identification allows two critical tasks to be addressed at once: storing the analysis results and controlling the human factor. The proposed recognition algorithm allows the alveolus boundaries to be accurately determined and the agglutination degree to be evaluated using a lightweight convolutional neural network. A unique dataset was collected with the independent assessment of agglutination degree conducted by medical experts. The agglutination estimation accuracy on the collected dataset of 3231 alveole was comparable to the accuracy of an average medical expert and equal to 0.98.
Features of a Gaussian beam near-field diffraction upon variations in the relief height of subwavelength silicon optical elements
Authors:   IPSI RAS – Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Savelyev D.A. ,   Samara National Research University
Published: February 2024

Features of the near-field diffraction of Gaussian beams and Laguerre-Gauss modes by silicon subwavelength optical elements with varying relief height were studied in this paper using a finite-difference time-domain method. Diffractive axicons and subwavelength ring gratings were considered as the optical elements with varying relief height. It was shown that the height of individual rings of the ring grating relief can be selected in such a way that the focal spot size is reduced to 0.26λ, an extended intensity line of length up to 4.88λ is generated and optical traps are formed.
Simulation of the spatial distribution of scattered light under illumination of a resonant diffraction grating with structured light
Authors:   IPSI RAS – Branch of the FSRC “Crystallography and Photonics” RAS, Khonina S.N. ,   Saint Petersburg State University, Kapitonov Yu.V. ,   Saint Petersburg State University
Published: February 2024

In this paper, a comparative theoretical analysis and numerical simulation of the operation of various types of diffraction gratings in the far field is carried out using a Fourier transform. In more detail is discussed the spatial spectrum of binary amplitude gratings, including the diffraction patterns in the far field and in the focal plane and while taking into account variations in the fill-factor. When analyzing characteristics of experimentally created halide perovskite resonant gratings, the influence of the illuminating beam type on the formation of the first three diffraction orders is considered.
Morden Aspects in Chemistry of Condensed 2H-chromen-2-ones
Authors:   Saratov State University, Mazhukina О. А. , Fedotova О. V. ,   Saratov State University
Published: February 2024

The bromination of condensed chromen-2-ones is carried out. The influence of medium on the reaction occurrence has been studied. In the acidic acid solution aromatization of the 4H-pyrane fragment or hydrogen atom substitution at the tertiary carbon atom takes place. In chloroform, addi­ tion of bromine by the double bond occurs. Mixture of tetrachloromethane and propanol-2 promotes the intermolecular dehydration with the formation of ether bond.
Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of Composite Coatings on Aluminum and its Alloys
Authors:   Saratov State University, Nikolaichuk A. N. , Reshetov V. A. ,   Saratov State University, Romadenkina S. B. ,   Saratov State University, Bugaeva T. N. ,   Saratov State University
Published: February 2024

We found that the best way to obtain composites and coatings is nanochemical synthesis using nanopowders. Firstly we were ob­ tained nanostructure composite and ceramic materials on the surface of aluminum and its alloys (duralumin, avialumin, magnaliya, silumin), consisting of metal matrix (titanium, magnesium and aluminum) and ceramic filler (corundum, periclase, rutile).
Stand Linden Phytomass and Productivity of Nation Park «Chvalynskiy»
Authors:   Saratov State University, Polikanov S. N. , Boldyrev V. A. ,   Saratov State University
Published: February 2024

In this article some results of stock phytomass and primary produc­ tion linden forests of nation park «Chvalynskiy» are presented.
Ecological Aspects of the Distribution and Abundance Dynamics of Woodpecker (Dendro­ copos) in the Northern Lower-Volga Region
Authors:   Saratov State University, Zavialov E. V. , Shlyakhtin G. V. ,   Saratov State University, Mosolova E. Y. ,   Saratov State University, Tabachishin V. G. ,   Saratov Branch of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution named after AN Severtsov of the Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: February 2024

On the basis of our 1996-2009 field surveys in the Saratov region and adjacent territories, and our analysis of the literature data, the distribution and abundance dynamics of Dendrocopos major, D. syriacus, D. medius, D. leucotos, and D. minor is considered. The present habitation of D. leucotos in the Saratov region has been established to be associated with ripe deciduous woods in the Saratov Right-Volga-bank region; the bird penetrates for nesting up to 51°40* lati­ tude North along the Khopyor and Medveditsa river valleys. D. medius is represented by stable populations, its habitat here is continuous, and the abundance is comparable to those in the central parts of the habitat. D. syriacus' propensity to synanthropization allows predicting further growth of its abundance and penetration in the north Lower-Volga region and in the European Russia as a whole. An increase in the quantitative parameters of abundance and frequency of occurrence in the Trans-Volga areas was observed for D. major and D. minor in the first years of the 21 century.
Investigating the therapeutic potential of Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus rhamnosus postbiotics through apoptosis induction in colorectal HT-29 cancer cells
Authors: Erfanian Nafiseh , Safarpour Hossein , Tavakoli Tahmineh , Mahdiabadi Mohammad Ali , Nasseri Saeed , Namaei Mohammad Hassan
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent form of cancer worldwide. Recent studies suggest that postbiotics derived from probiotic bacteria have the potential as an adjunct therapy for CRC. This study investigates the anti-cancer effects of Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) postbiotics on the HT-29 cell line.
Materials and Methods: Through MTT and scratch assay, we investigated the anti-proliferation and anti-migration effects of B. breve and L. rhamnosus postbiotics on HT-29 cells. Furthermore, postbiotic-mediated apoptosis was assessed by ana- lyzing the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3. We also investigated the effects of B. breve postbiotics on the expression of three important genes involved in metastasis, including RSPO2, NGF, and MMP7. Consequently, we validated the expres- sion of selected genes in twelve adenocarcinoma tissues.
Results: The results demonstrated the significant impact of postbiotics on HT-29 cells, highlighting their ability to induce anti-proliferation, anti-migration, and apoptosis-related effects. Notably, these effects were more pronounced using B. breve postbiotics than L. rhamnosus. Additionally, B. breve postbiotics could inhibit metastasis through upregulation of RSPO2 while downregulating NGF and MMP7 expression in HT-29 cells.
Conclusion: Our research suggests that postbiotic metabolites may be effective biological products for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
In vitro evaluation of inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus reuteri supernatant on the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 and expression of UL54, UL52 and UL27 genes
Authors: Ebneali Faezeh , Shayestehpour Mohammad , Piroozmand Ahmad , Sedaghat Hossein , Yazdani Shaghayegh , Fateminasab Zahrasadat
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives: Human herpes virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a neurotropic pathogen that is infected more than 70% of the world population. The increasing of viral resistance to antiviral drugs and the emergence of side effects has motivated researchers to study the use of probiotics as new antiviral agents. The aim of the present study was to study for the first time the potential antiviral activity of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) supernatant against HSV-1.
Materials and Methods: After measuring the cytotoxicity of L. reuteri supernatant by MTT assay, 1:16 dilution of it was added to HeLa cells before and after HSV-1 infection, after 1.5 hours incubation with HSV-1, and simultaneously with HSV[1]1 infection. After 48 hours of incubation at 37°C, the viral titer and expression levels of UL54, UL52 and UL27 genes were measured by tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID ) and Real-Time PCR methods, respectively.
 Results: HSV-1 titer in the treatment conditions before infection, incubation with HSV-1, simultaneously with infection and after infection was reduced by 0.42, 3.42, 1.83, and 0.83 log 10 TCID /ml, respectively. When the bacterial supernatant was first incubated with the virus and then added to the cell, or when it was added simultaneously with the virus, the expression of the UL27, UL52, and UL54 genes decreased significantly (p0.05).
Conclusion: The study findings indicated that the supernatant of L. reuteri has a potent anti-HSV-1 effect especially if it is incubated with the virus before inoculation into the cell. Its possible antiviral mechanism is to inhibit the virus by binding to it or changing the surface structure of the virus. Metabolites of L. reuteri can be considered as a novel inhibitor of HSV-1in- fection.
Association of polymorphisms in TLR3 and TLR7 genes with susceptibility to COVID-19 among Iranian population: a retrospective case-control study
Authors: Parsania Masoud , Seyed Khorrami Seyed Mahmood , Hasanzad Mandana , Parsania Negar , Nagozir Sina , Mokhtari Narges , Habibabadi Hossein Mehrabi , Ghaziasadi Azam , Soltani Saber , Jafarpour Ali , Pakzad Reza , Jazayeri Seyed Mohammad
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives: Host genetic changes like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are one of the main fac- tors influencing susceptibility to viral infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between the host SNP of Toll-Like Receptor3 (TLR3) and Toll-Like Receptor7 (TLR7) genes involved in the immune system and susceptibil- ity to COVID-19 in a sample of the Iranian population.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-control study evaluated 244 hospitalized COVID-19 patients as the case group and 156 suspected COVID-19 patients with mild signs as the control group. The genomic DNA of patients was gen- otyped for TLR7 (rs179008 and rs179009) and TLR3 (rs3775291 and rs3775296) SNPs using the polymerase chain reac- tion-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.
Results: A significant association between rs179008 SNP in the TLR7 gene and the susceptibility of COVID-19 was found between case and control groups. The AT genotype (Heterozygous) of TLR7 rs179008 A>T polymorphism showed a sig- nificant association with a 2.261-fold increased odds of COVID-19 (P=0.003; adjusted OR: 2.261; 99% CI: 1.117-4.575). In addition, a significant association between TC genotype of TLR7 rs179009 T>C polymorphism and increased odds of COVID-19 (P< 0.0001; adjusted OR: 6.818; 99% CI: 3.149-14.134) were determined. The polymorphism frequency of TLR3 rs3775291 and rs3775296 genotypes were not significantly different between the case and control groups (P> 0.004167).
Conclusion: SNPs in TLR7 rs179008 and rs179009 genotypes are considered host genetic factors that could be influenced individual susceptibility to COVID-19. The SNPs in TLR3 (rs3775296 and rs3775291) showed no significant association with COVID-19 in Iranian population.
Diagnostic precision of Truenat® technique and co-relation of ALT levels with HBV-DNA viral load among HBsAg positive patients at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Kumari Sarita , Gautam Bechan Kumar , Singh Amresh Kumar , Gaur Vivek , Kumar Ankur
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives: In India, it is estimated that there are 40 million people suffering from Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Quantification of the viral burden is an important laboratory tool in the management. However, widespread use of different HBV-DNA assays is still affected by the high cost and variable diagnostic precision. The present study was conduct- ed to evaluate the diagnostic precision and co-relation of ALT levels with HBV-DNA by Truenat®-PCR.
Materials and Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study a total of 567 serums were collected from patients by rapid HBsAg, and processed for liver function tests (LFT). The viral HBV-DNA amplification detection was carried out through by Truenat®-PCR test.
Results: Out of 567 samples, 452 samples were found to be positive by both rapid and Truenat®-PCR and 106 were negative for HBV-DNA followed by 9 invalid. High ALT level found in 73% of positive patients who had HBV-DNA level (>100000 copies/ml) which is significantly higher in 447 patients as compared to those have below ≤100000 copies/ml.
Conclusion: Truenat®-PCR technique is a highly sensitive and can be performed with low resources for effective control of HBV infection. Evaluation of HBV-DNA levels and serum ALT levels showed a significant proportion of patient harbored ongoing viral replication and disease progression.
Predictive Control for PV- Water Pumping System based of Interconnected High Gain Observer
Authors: Zakaria Lamouchi , Abderrahim Allal , Khechekhouche Abderrahmane , Siqueira Antonio Marcos de Oliveira , Campos Júlio Cesar Costa , Lamamra Kheireddine
Published: February 2024

This article presents a comprehensive evaluation of an integrated photovoltaic (PV) and water pumping system employing both Finite Set Model Predictive Control (FS-MPC) and Deat Beat Predictive Control (DB-MPC) under varying insolation levels (1000 W/m² to 700 W/m²). The system, initially tested at 1000 W/m², rapidly achieves Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), stabilizing PV parameters at the MPP within 0.2 seconds. Notably, DB-MPC demonstrates superior dynamic response and faster settling times compared to conventional methods. The Interconnected High-Gain Observer accurately estimates motor speed, facilitating the attainment of the rated rotor speed in line with the desired reference speed. Transitioning from 1000 W/m² to 700 W/m² insolation, the system exhibits stability in Vpv and rapid Ipv adjustment at MPP. The InC algorithm extends PV array operation, showcasing a decrease in power output to 2204 W at 60% flow rate. These results affirm the efficacy and adaptability of the proposed control strategies in optimizing the performance of the PV-driven water pumping system, offering promising advancements in sustainable energy applications.
Basque Country digital economy and society. DESI 2023
Authors: Franco Susana ,   Universidad de Deusto, Sánchez Ander ,   Universidad de Deusto, Wilson James ,   Universidad de Deusto
Published: February 2024

This edition of the "Basque Country Digital Economy and Society Report. DESI 2023" has adapted the new methodology developed by the European Commission in the context of the Digital Decade to compare the performance of the Basque Country with that of the Member States of the European Union in a dashboard structured in 4 dimensions: (i) digital skills; (ii) digital infrastructures; (iii) digital transformation of enterprises; and (iv) digitalisation of public services. The results of the analysis show that the Basque Country has improved in all indicators, something that reflects the situation of continuous progress in which we find ourselves with respect to the digitalisation of our economy and society. However, improved indicators are a generalised trend in all territories and the positioning of the Basque Country relative to others, as well as the recent evolution in this positioning, presents a mixed and nuanced scenario in each of the dimensions.
Educación y ciudadanización en Colombia
Authors: Espinel-Bernal Oscar
Published: February 2024

La investigación realizada se soporta desde tres ejes de análisis: el sujeto-piadoso, el sujeto-patriota y el sujeto-laborioso. Tres ejes que se amalgaman en la formación de aquella forma de subjetividad que llamamos ciudadano y que se conjuga con la consolidación del proyecto de nación puesto en marcha en las últimas décadas del siglo XIX en Colombia. Además de buenos  cristianos y buenos patriotas, los ciudadanos deben ser sujetos laboriosos, con visión de futuro y regidos por valores como el  ahorro y el esfuerzo personal para contribuir a la prosperidad de la nación en medio de los crecientes cambios en los  mercados y economías mundiales a la entrada del siglo XX. Allí serán capitales las técnicas disciplinarias y biopolíticas para la maximización de la productividad y la regulación de la opinión pública que empieza a aparecer como terreno fértil para el  gobierno de las poblaciones y la cohesión del Estado. Dar una mirada a las formas de constitución de ciudadanos desde la  distancia histórica que propone el libro permite no solo comprender los modos, funcionamientos y características de la formación ciudadana en Colombia, sino también problematizar y trazar nuevos horizontes de posibilidad frente a las prácticas de ciudadanización contemporáneas.
Vías de impacto en contextos de crisis: Aprendizajes en escenarios de intervención e incidencia
Authors: Clark Louise , Carpenter Jo , Taylor Joe
Published: February 2024

El programa Covid-19 Responses for Equity (CORE) fue una iniciativa de tres años financiada por el Centro Internacional de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo (IDRC) de Canadá que reunió 20 proyectos de todo el Sur Global para comprender las repercusiones socioeconómicas de la pandemia de Covid-19, mejorar las respuestas existentes y generar mejores opciones de políticas para la recuperación. La investigación abarcó 42 países de África, Asia, América Latina y Medio Oriente, y buscó comprender de qué manera la pandemia afectó a las personas y regiones más vulnerables y agravó las vulnerabilidades existentes. Los proyectos de investigación abarcaron una amplia gama de temas, incluidas las políticas macroeconómicas para el apoyo y la recuperación; el apoyo a la actividad económica esencial y la protección de las empresas informales, los pequeños productores y las mujeres trabajadoras; y la promoción de la gobernanza democrática para reforzar la rendición de cuentas, la inclusión social y el compromiso civil. El Institute of Development Studies (IDS) prestó su apoyo para la traducción de conocimientos (TC) a los socios investigadores de la iniciativa CORE para maximizar el aprendizaje generado gracias a la cartera de investigación y profundizar la colaboración con los gobiernos, la sociedad civil y la comunidad científica. Como parte de este apoyo, el equipo de TC del IDS trabajó con los equipos del proyecto CORE para reconstruir sus vías de impacto y reflexionar sobre ellas para facilitar el intercambio de conocimientos Sur-Sur sobre estrategias eficaces para el impacto de la investigación, y compartir conclusiones sobre cómo la cohorte de la iniciativa CORE ha influido en las políticas y ha logrado cambios. Este informe presenta una descripción general de estas vías de impacto y las lecciones aprendidas a partir de diferentes proyectos elegidos para representar la diversidad de enfoques utilizados para involucrar a los responsables políticos, la sociedad civil y los medios de comunicación para generar y compartir evidencia sobre el efecto de la pandemia para diversos grupos vulnerables.
Eksistensi Komunitas Musik Metal Di Kota Bandung Tahun 1989-2018
Authors: Bramantio Aditya
Published: February 2024

This study aims to determine (1) the background existence of the metal music communities in Bandung 1989-1994, (2) the existence of the metal music communities in Bandung 1995-2018, (3) the role of the metal music communities in Bandung in preserving the Sundanese cultural values. The results showed the formation of metal music communities in Bandung was initiated by the formation of three metal music groups in 1989 namely Funeral, Orthodox, and Jasad. In 1990 Funeral initiated the formation of the first metal music community in Bandung, namely the Bandung Death Brutality Area (Badebah). The process of maintaining the existence of the metal music communities in Bandung starts from the spirit of creation which results in music festivals, and compilation albums. In 2008, the existence of the metal music community in Bandung faltered due to the AACC Tragedy which made it difficult for metal bands to perform. The metal music communities in Bandung made it a difficult time to carry out international movements by performing abroad. The movement made an outcome through a program called Wacken Metal Battle Indonesia. The metal music communities in Bandung make their collaborate with Sundanese culture through metal music, which is called Sundanese Metal. The results of the Sundanese Metal movement are metal songs in the Sundanese language and traditional Sundanese art performances in metal band performances.
Replication and Injury Associated With SARS-CoV-2 in Cultured Hepatocytes
Authors: Pradhan Suman , Rouster Susan D. , Blackard Jason T. , Dean Gary E. , Sherman Kenneth E.
Published: February 2024

Background: Liver dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The mechanism(s) of hepatic injury in SARS-CoV-2 infection remains controversial with some reporting viral replication and cellular injury and others suggesting lack of replication and injury due to non-cytopathogenic etiologies. To investigate this further, we evaluated SARS-CoV-2 replication in immortalized hepatic cell lines and primary hepatocytes, examined whether cell injury was associated with apoptotic pathways, and also determined the effect of the antiviral remdesivir on these processes.
Methods: Immortalized hepatocyte cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7.5), as well as primary human hepatocytes, were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 at a multiplicity of infection of 0.1 PFU/mL. Viral replication was evaluated by plaque assays, immunohistochemical staining for the viral spike protein, and caspase-3 expression evaluated with and without exposure to remdesivir. 
Results: All hepatocyte cell lines and primary hepatocytes supported active replication of SARS-CoV-2. Significant cytopathic effect was observed by light microscopy, and caspase-3 staining supported activation of apoptotic pathways. Remdesivir abrogated infection in a dose-dependent fashion and was not independently associated with hepatocyte injury.
Conclusion: Hepatocytes appear to be highly permissive of SARS-CoV-2 replication which leads to rapid cell death associated with activation of apoptotic pathways. Viral replication and hepatocytes injury are abrogated with remdesivir. We conclude that active viral replication is most likely a key contributor to liver enzyme abnormalities observed in the setting of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Empirical and Theoretical Relations between the Nano Size and Some Optical and Electrical Properties of Perovskite Cells
Authors: Saad Zoalnoon Ahmed Abeid Allah
Published: February 2024

This work is concerned with studying the change of some Optical and Electrical Properties of BaxFe(1-x)TiO4 thin films due to the change of the nano crystal size. Simple theoretical explanation based on the string theory was developed. The empirical results obtained indicated that the absorption coefficient, electrical conductivity, and the magnetic permeability increase upon decreasing the nano crystal size. However, the transmission coefficient, and the refractive index increase upon increasing the nano crystal size. All these changes are explained using a simple string model with the aid of Newton's laws. The capability of the string theory to explain this nano quantum behavior comes from the fact that the string theory recognize both the particle and the wave nature of the nano system. This is similar of course to the quantum approach which is based mainly on the dual wave particle nature of atomic systems and entities.
Uremic Toxins and Inflammation: Metabolic Pathways Affected in Stage 5 Kidney Disease
Authors: Peris-Fernández María , Roca-Marugán Marta , Amengual Julià L , Balaguer Angel , Viejo-Boyano Iris , Soldevila-Orient Amparo , Devesa-Such Ramón , Sánchez-Pérez Pilar , Hernández-Jaras Julio
Published: February 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 12% of the global population posing a significant health threat. Inflammation plays a crucial role in the uremic phenotype of CKD contributing to elevated cardiovascular and overall mortality in affected individuals. This study aimed to explore novel metabolic pathways in non-dialysis dependent stage 5 CKD patients using semitargeted metabolomics. In a prospective observational design involving 50 patients, blood samples collected before the initial hemodialysis session underwent liquid chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometer analysis. Univariate (Mann-Whitney test) and multivariate (logistic regression with LASSO regularization) methods identified metabolomic variables associated with inflammation. Notably, adenosine-5’-phosphosulfate (APS), dimethylglycine, pyruvate, lactate, and 2-ketobutyric acid exhibited significant differences in the presence of inflammation. Cholic acid, homogentisic acid, and 2-phenylpropionic acid displayed opposing patterns. Multivariate analysis indicated increased inflammation risk with certain metabolites (N-Butyrylglycine, dimethylglycine, 2-Oxoisopentanoic acid, and pyruvate), while others (homogentisic acid, 2-Phenylpropionic acid, and 2-Methylglutaric acid) suggested decreased probability. These findings unveil potential inflammation-associated biomarkers related to defective mitochondrial fatty acid beta oxidation and branched-chain amino acid breakdown in CKD, shedding light on cellular energy production and offering insights for further clinical validation.
Detection of Booroola Polymorphism of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor 1b and Embrapa Polymorphism of Growth Differentiation Factor 9 in Sheep in Thailand
Authors: Sae-Foo Poothana , Triwutanon Supawit , Rukkwamsuk Theera
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to investigate the appearance and frequencies of the booroola polymorphism of the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1b (BMPR1B) gene (FecB) and the embrapa polymorphism of the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) gene (FecGE) in sheep in Thailand. A total of 454 cross-bred sheep blood samples were collected from four provinces in Thailand during August 2022 to July 2023. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to identify the FecB and FecGE genotype. The history of ewe birth types was collected from the owners to analyze the association between Fecundity (Fec) genotypes and the history of birth types. The genotypic frequencies of FecB for homozygous genotype (B/B), heterozygous genotype (+/B) and wild-type (+/+) were 0.22%, 1.54%, and 98.24%, respectively. Meanwhile, the genotypic frequencies of FecGE for homozygous genotype (E/E), heterozygous genotype (+/E), and wildtype (+/+) were 0.00%, 2.42%, and 97.58%, respectively. Furthermore, three ewes exhibited both FecB and FecGE genotypes. Fisher’s exact test revealed that the possessor of FecB genotype was associated with multiple births (p<0.01). Both FecB and FecGE mutations were identified in crossbred sheep in Thailand. Sheep containing FecB allele is a better candidate to be selected to improve the prolificacy of crossbred sheep in Thailand.