bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbial Mitigation of Drought Stress in Plants: Adaptations to Climate Change
Authors: Sayyar Khan Mohammad , Zulfiqar Irba
Published: March 2023

The global temperature is constantly increasing due to the phenomenon of climate change. Plants have developed various mechanisms to defend themselves against environmental stresses including drought stress. Apart from indigenous biochemical, physiological, and molecular mechanisms of adaptation to stress, the plant-associated microbes may also play a crucial role in plant drought tolerance. The endophytic and rhizospheric microbes perform various functions and produce different enzymes and compounds that play an important role in plants’ adaptation to various environmental stresses including drought stress. Some of the key mechanisms include production of growth hormones, siderophores, organic acids, induction of the ROS scavenging system, phosphate solubilization, and nitrogen fixation. However, the production of ACC deaminase in the plant-associated microbes has vital roles in reduction of ethylene levels under drought stress, resulting in improved plant growth and stress tolerance. Owing to the complex nature of drought tolerance, a multi-pronged approach would have to be adapted to further enhance the microbial-mediated drought tolerance in plants.
Application of Machine and Deep Learning Techniques to Facial Emotion Recognition in Infants
Authors: Maheswari Pandyan Uma , Mansoor Roomi Sindha Mohamed , Kannapiran Priya , Marimuthu Senthilarasi , Anbunathan Vinora
Published: March 2023

Infant facial expression recognition is one of the most significant areas of research in the field of computer vision and surveillance parental care. It is essential for both the early diagnosis of medical conditions and intelligent interpersonal interactions. Despite recent improvements in face detection, feature extraction techniques, and expression categorization methods, it is still difficult to develop an automated system employing deep learning methods that achieves the goal of recognizing infant emotions. The prime aim of this chapter is to present a comprehensive framework for recognizing infant emotions using machine learning and deep learning algorithms on the dataset for infant emotions currently accessible. The proposed model directs future research on early detection of infant emotions and has the ability to identify emotional-related medical problems. This article will incorporate the findings on infant emotion recognition required to address the parental supervision and enhance intelligent interpersonal relationships.
An Overview of the Recent Developments in the Postharvest Application of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in Horticulture
Authors: Lewis Ngcobo Bonga , Bertling Isa
Published: March 2023

The majority of losses in horticultural produce occur during postharvest storage, particularly due to poor handling. Most fruit, especially climacteric fruit, have a short postharvest life due to an increase in ethylene synthesis which signals ripening and, subsequently, senescence. Traditional practices for preserving the postharvest quality of horticultural crops are chemical-based, a practice which has lately received enormous criticism. Recently, the use of postharvest illumination with LEDs as a nonchemical and environmentally friendly technique to preserve fruit and vegetables has been reported by various authors. Unique properties of LEDs such as low radiant heat, monochromatic nature and low cost have made this lighting gain popularity in the food industry. This paper, therefore, reviews the recent development in the postharvest applications of LEDs in horticultural crops, while focusing particularly on physical characteristics, nutritional value, and overall quality alterations of fruit and vegetables. According to the recently published research, red and blue LED lights are most valuable in terms of usage, while other wavelengths such as purple and yellow are slowly gaining attention. Furthermore, LEDs have been shown to affect fruit ripening and senescence, enhance bioactive compounds and antioxidants in produce, and prevent disease occurrence; however, there are some limitations associated with the use of this novel technology.
Morphofunctional Changes of the Retina and Optic Nerve in Optical Neuropathy of Various Genesis: A Literature Review
Authors: Zhukova Svetlana , Iureva Tatiana , Samsonov Dmitry
Published: March 2023

The retina is part of the central nervous system and has much in common with the brain’s physiological characteristics. Ophthalmological manifestations often precede the symptoms of central nervous system disorders and are used for their early diagnosis. Retinal imaging is simpler and more economical than the available central nervous system imaging methods. In this connection, the search for retinal biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases is relevant. Optical coherence tomography is highly valuable both for routine clinical practice and for research purposes. Different patterns of structural changes of the optic nerve and retina in optical neuropathies of various genesis are due to differences in the pathogenesis of diseases (glaucoma optic neuropathy, non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis, and compression optic neuropathy). The identified biomarkers can be used for screening patients in primary healthcare institutions to provide a preliminary diagnosis of patients at risk.
Pellagra: Down Not Out If Down and Out (and South) – Part 2
Authors: C. Williams Adrian , Wood Christina , J. Hill Lisa
Published: March 2023

North-South variation in the supply of meat has always been present. Sharing of meat was the rule but in the multi-centric Neolithic revolution when domestication of animals and plants co-evolved class differences became pronounced-aristocrats and inferior proletariats and “lesser breeds and lower orders” started to form. The distribution of natural domesticates was uneven with the near-east and a temperate band across Europe well off compared with Africa and the Americas. The Columbian exchange changed this as meat became abundant in the New World who then exported to Europe. Wars, expropriations and genocides were over the meat supply and acquiring pastureland or water. Colonial plantation profits paid for meat imports from “settler colonies” indigenous or poor peoples on low meat pro-pellagrous diets were considered inferior whatever their colour and had poorer health and life expectancy. Attempts to correct hunger in the resultant ramshackle “Third world” concentrated on calories fuelling population booms and busts and delaying demographic, epidemiological and economic transitions. High meat variances are narrowing in China and Asia but need help elsewhere in the South. Dangers of not developing with a safe and sufficient meat supply include the emergence of zoonoses and mass migration. Reparations, rehabilitation and rejuvenation should concentrate on reconstituting a meat commons giving us a shot at redemption and survival.
Stereotactic Electroencephalography (SEEG)
Authors: Ka Wing Michael See
Published: March 2023

Drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) is not an uncommon clinical condition. DRE could cause disabling seizures and even sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Pre-surgical evaluation is necessary to for surgical treatment to cure or palliative epilepsy. If feasible, surgical excision of an epileptic focus provides the best chance of cure. However, the standard non-invasive workup could not always identify the epileptic focus. Stereotactic EEG (SEEG) is an invasive EEG that could provide the spatial and temporal progression of epileptic discharge so that we could localize or lateralise the epileptic focus more easily. This chapter aims to illustrate the principle of SEEG, the methods of SEEG electrode insertion, the usual white matter tract pathway that epileptic discharge progresses. It also discusses the therapeutic use of SEEG in lesioning with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), as well as the future potential as part of the brain-computer interface (BCI).
The Effect of Chemical Composition on EN AW 6XXX Series Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Fahri Ozdogru Emrah
Published: March 2023

6XXX Series Aluminum alloy is an Aluminum–Magnesium–Silicon family (6XXX series) alloy which is the most common and widely used in many sectors such as automobile, aircraft, marine and construction, owing to its low cost, high strength to weight ratio, good formability, weldability, excellent corrosion resistance, and higher thermal conductivity. The principal alloying elements in 6XXX series are Silicon (Si) and Magnesium (Mg) and they are controlling the mechanical properties of the alloy with the precipitation on heat treatment process. Considering all elements used in 6XXX alloys, the main objective for alloy development is to get high productivity with superior mechanical properties which means to create alloy chemistry for having easy flow during extrusion, less quench sensitivity, and high mechanical properties with short aging cycle after extrusion process. In this chapter, Alloy developments for aluminum alloys which is mainly used for automotive (6063 and 6082 alloy will be the main target) will be discussed and industrial practice results will be given. Many Optical microscope and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) pictures will be shared coming from the lab and industrial scale works. The characterization method to see the effect of alloy elements will be also one of the focuses on this chapter.
Cortical Columns Computing Systems: Microarchitecture Model, Functional Building Blocks, and Design Tools
Authors: Paul Shen John , Nair Harideep
Published: March 2023

Reverse-engineering the human brain has been a grand challenge for researchers in machine learning, experimental neuroscience, and computer architecture. Current deep neural networks (DNNs), motivated by the same challenge, have achieved remarkable results in Machine Learning applications. However, despite their original inspiration from the brain, DNNs have largely moved away from biological plausibility, resorting to intensive statistical processing on huge amounts of data. This has led to exponentially increasing demand on hardware compute resources that is quickly becoming economically and technologically unsustainable. Recent neuroscience research has led to a new theory on human intelligence, that suggests Cortical Columns (CCs) as the fundamental processing units in the neocortex that encapsulate intelligence. Each CC has the potential to learn models of complete objects through continuous predict-sense-update loops. This leads to the overarching question: Can we build Cortical Columns Computing Systems (C3S) that possess brain-like capabilities as well as brain-like efficiency? This chapter presents ongoing research in the Neuromorphic Computer Architecture Lab (NCAL) at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) focusing on addressing this question. Our initial findings indicate that designing truly intelligent and extremely energy-efficient C3S-based sensory processing units, using off-the-shelf digital CMOS technology and tools, is quite feasible and very promising, and certainly warrants further research exploration.
Virtual Instrumentation Used in Renewable Energy
Authors: Adrian Cotfas Petru , Tudor Cotfas Daniel , Hedesiu Horia
Published: March 2023

The demand of energy increases once with the growth of population, and therefore, the finding of or improvement in the efficiency of renewable energy sources becomes very important for researchers and industry. The conversion of solar energy into electrical energy can be done based on photovoltaic or Seebeck effects. In the first case, photovoltaic panels are used, while in the second case, thermoelectric generators are used. The two can be combined to obtain the so-called hybrid systems, which have the goal to improve the overall conversion efficiency of the system. This chapter is focused on showing how the graphical programing language, called NI LabVIEW, together with a SPICE simulator, called NI Multisim, can be used for studying and understanding the behavior of the photovoltaic and thermoelectric generators as parts of the renewable energy sources. Different simulations developed in LabVIEW or Multisim are presented, and some monitoring and characterization applications are also described. Simple simulations to complex laboratory or industrial-level applications are dealt with in this chapter.
Optimal Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Control and Designs for Load Balancing in Intelligent Wireless Communication Systems
Authors: Mondal Abhishek , Mishra Deepak , Prasad Ganesh , Hossain Ashraf
Published: March 2023

Maintaining reliable wireless connectivity is essential for the continuing growth of mobile devices and their massive access to the Internet of Things (IoT). However, terrestrial cellular networks often fail to meet their required quality of service (QoS) demand because of the limited spectrum capacity. Although the deployment of more base stations (BSs) in a concerned area is costly and requires regular maintenance. Alternatively, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could be a potential solution due to their ability of on-demand coverage and the high likelihood of strong line-of-sight (LoS) communication links. Therefore, this chapter focuses on a UAV’s deployment and movement design that supports existing BSs by reducing data traffic load and providing reliable wireless communication. Specifically, we design UAV’s deployment and trajectory under an efficient resource allocation strategy, i.e., assigning devices’ association indicators and transmitting power to maximize overall system’s throughput and minimize the total energy consumption of all devices. For these implementations, we adopt reinforcement learning framework because it does not require all information about the system environment. The proposed methodology finds optimal policy using the Markov decision process, exploiting the previous environment interactions. Our proposed technique significantly improves the system’s performance compared to the other benchmark schemes.
Magnetic Skyrmions and Quasi Particles: A Review on Principles and Applications
Authors: Abera Kolech Birhanu
Published: March 2023

Skyrmions are topologically nontrivial, magnetic quasiparticles that are characterized by a topological charge. The field of magnetic skyrmions has been actively investigated across a wide range of topics during the last two decades. We mainly reviewed and discussed magnetic skyrmions, and quasiparticles: reviews on principles and applications. We concentrated on theoretical discoveries and advances in magnetic skyrmions, topological effects, the skyrmion Hall effect, and the dynamics of skyrmions. The skyrmion Hall effect causes a transverse deflection of skyrmions when they are driven by currents, whereas the first additional contribution to the Hall effect of electrons in the presence of a topologically non-trivial spin texture may become beneficial for detecting skyrmions. This means that when a current is applied along the racetrack, skyrmions are pushed toward the edge, causing pinning or possibly the loss of data. This is one of the reasons why there is currently no prototype for a spintronic device based on skyrmions. The anti-ferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic skyrmions were then discussed in relation to spintronics. Finally, we reviewed several potential applications based on magnetic skyrmions, including skyrmion race track memory, a skyrmion logical device, a skyrmion magnonic crystal, and skyrmion-based radio frequency devices.
From the Classification of Stem Cells to the Release of Potential in Cell Therapies: Limits, Considerations and Future Aspects in Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Martino Capuzzo Arnaud , Ossanna Riccardo , Alejandra Quintero Sierra Lindsey , Virla Federica , Negri Alessandro , Conti Anita , Sbarbati Andrea , Veronese Sheila
Published: March 2023

Regenerative medicine aims to repair organs or tissues that have congenital abnormalities, or that have been damaged by disease, aging, or trauma, and to restore or at least improve their native function. One of the strategies used in regenerative medicine is stem cell therapy, due to the enormous regenerative potential of stem cells. A staminal cell line is a group of cells that can replicate for an extended period in vitro, that is outside the body. These cells are grown in incubators using a culture medium that should have a temperature and an oxygen/carbon dioxide composition that simulates the desired environment. This chapter describes the main characteristics of stem cells, the main fields of application, and outlines what could be the future developments of their use, also considering the ethical and technical problems that currently limit their use. There is still much to be done in the field of stem cell research, and researchers are working tirelessly to remain leaders and innovators in it. A struggle, step by step, will make it possible to have more information on current knowledge by expanding the scientific literature and push current limits ever further.
Recent Advancements in Phyto Component Based Nanocarriers for Improved Treatment of Brain Disorders
Authors: Sankar Satapathy Bhabani , Pattnaik Snigdha , Keshari Biswal Sangram , Biswal Biswabhusan , Kumar Sahoo Pralaya , Bhusan Samal Himansu , Barik Binapani
Published: March 2023

Effective treatment of brain disorders remains a tough task in medical science. Age-old brain disorders like Parkinson’s (PD) and Alzheimer’s (AD) are yet to be managed effectively in spite of fabulous scientific progress over the last decades. Presently available treatment strategies have been found insufficient to tackle the out bursting cases of AD and PD. Indeed, presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB) highly hijacks success of conventional drug therapy. In this regard, phyto bioactive components delivered through nanocarrier (NCs) systems hold ray of hope in improving treatment benefits in brain disorders. Several NCs including polymeric nanoparticles, nanoliposomes, micelles, dendrimers have now being heavily researched to effectively deliver the phyto active components to brain tissue. NCs owing to their structural and physiological uniqueness have now been evolved with great potential for the treatment of brain disorders. Functionalization of brain specific ligands on the surface of NCs further makes them target specific, which might significantly improve bioavailability or reduce the off-target adverse effects. This chapter primarily focuses on recent advancements in phyto component loaded NCs employed for the treatment of brain disorders. The chapter especially covers existing impediments of phyto component based NCs for Parkinson and Alzheimer’s disease.
Constructed Wetlands Process for Treating Sewage to Improve the Quantitative and Qualitative Management of Groundwater Resources
Authors: Achak Mounia , Barka Noureddine , Lamy Edvina
Published: March 2023

Water scarcity limits access to safe water for drinking and communities face some form of water stress, which can be related to insufficient supplies or inadequate infrastructures. Climate change plays a crucial role in water stress worldwide, as rising temperatures lead to more unpredictable weather and extreme weather events. In face of this challenge, the need to seek an alternative to protect groundwater resources and to decrease the use of public water is imposed. Sewage management seems to be a significant treatment of removing contaminants and undesirable components from polluted waters and safely return it to environment for irrigation and other uses. For this consideration, many treatment technologies are discussed in the literature including biological, physical and chemical processes. Among biological processes principally used for the treatment of sewage figured constructed wetlands. Constructed wetland system is considered as an economic, efficient and environmentally friendly sewage treatment method, based on adsorption and retention of pollutants by substrates, sorption by plants, and decomposition by microorganisms. Therefore, the chapter of this book throws will light on the principal mechanisms responsible to organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus removal in different types of constructed wetlands, and provides recommendations concerning the factors affecting pollutants removal performance of constructed wetlands from sewage.
Evaluating the Knowledge and Practice of Physicians Regarding Blastocystis hominis
Authors: Fasihi Karami Maryam , Beiromvand Molouk , Rafiei Abdollah , Cheraghian Bahman , Beigzadeh Ehsan
Published: March 2023

Background: Blastocystis hominis is an enteric protozoan in humans and animals. This survey aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of physicians about B. hominis. Methods: This study was performed on physicians working in Ahvaz County, using a convenience sampling method from January to June 2020. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and an electronic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were calculated for all variables. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Our results showed that of the 352 physicians, 64.2% and 58.0% knew that B. hominis might cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, respectively, but their knowledge was poor about the possibility of extraintestinal clinical symptoms such as urticaria. Regarding the transmission route, 91.8% agreed that the fecal-oral route is the main mode of B. hominis transmission, but only 17.9% were aware of the role of host animals in its transmission. Furthermore, the physicians had poor knowledge of the need to treat symptomatic patients and resistance to metronidazole in some cases. More than two-thirds of the physicians (68%) had good practice treating infected immunocompromised patients but had poor practice treating symptomatic patients. Conclusions: This study emphasizes improving physicians’ knowledge of pathogenicity, clinical symptoms, and treating B. hominis. Since B. hominis is a common protozoan with pathogenic potential, we recommend training sessions for physicians to inform them of new findings about B. hominis.
Management of Lichen Planus in a Post Liver Transplant Patient with Lupus Erythematosus, and Ulcerative Colitis; A Case Report
Authors: Davari Mohaddeseh , Pourshahidi Sara , Shokrian Mohammad Javad
Published: March 2023

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic mucocutaneous inflammatory condition characterized by white striations and plaques or erythematous /erosive lesions in the oral cavity. LP has affected about 0.5 -1% of world population. Apart from the potential of autoimmune origin, the WHO classiﬁed oral LP (OLP) as a premalignant condition, with an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Patients with LP have exhibited a higher susceptibility to other autoimmune diseases (about 25%). Case Presentation: A 51-year-old woman with a history of OLP and concurrent lupus erythematosus, transplanted Liver, and ulcerative colitis was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine Department of Tehran Dental Faculty. A noteworthy point in this study, which was not commonly observed in previous reports, was the existence of OLP with three autoimmune diseases. The lichenoid oral ulcers of the patient were managed by modifying her drug regimen under consultation with a physician using systemic and topical corticosteroids, and, finally, cryotherapy. Conclusions: This case, not the first case of autoimmune diseases, illustrates the management of the challenges of an oral lesion accompanying other systemic diseases and highlights the importance of awareness of the oral manifestations of systemic diseases and their side effects. According to previous studies, the response of oral lesions to different treatments is unique, and the patient's lifestyle and his/her other systemic diseases influence the treatment success or failure. The patient's management protocol and its validity can be re-evaluated in future studies as clinical trial projects.
The Effect of the Teach-Back Method on Illness Perception and Self-efficacy in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Saadatian Mahmoud , Yoosefian Nazanin , Kerman Saravi Fatihe , Yaghoubinia Fariba
Published: March 2023

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic disease. These patients need a high level of illness perception and self-care behaviors until the end of their lives. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the effect of the teach-back method on illness perception and self-efficacy in patients with CAD. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 patients with CAD hospitalized in the coronary care units (CCUs) of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in southeast Iran in 2021. The patients were selected through convenience sampling and divided into two intervention and control groups using simple randomization. The self-care training program was implemented individually for the patients in the intervention group in three sessions (30 - 45 minutes) on three consecutive days 24 hours after the patient’s admission to the hospital. The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief IPQ) and Cardiovascular Management Self-efficacy Scale (CMSES) were completed by the patients in the two groups before and one month after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed in the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS v.22) software using the independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, regression test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significant level of P < 0.05. Results: In pre-test, the two groups had no significant difference in the mean score of illness perception (P = 0.49). However, the mean score of self-efficacy was significantly higher in the intervention group (P = 0.01). In the post-test, the two groups had significant differences in both illness perception (P = 0.002) and self-efficacy (P = 0.001). The results of ANCOVA showed that by controlling the effect of the pre-test, the mean scores of illness perception (P < 0.001) and self-efficacy (P = 0.007) were significantly different between the two groups after one month of the intervention. Conclusions: The teach-back method improved illness perception and self-efficacy in patients with CAD. Thus, following the insights from this study and given the vital role of nurses in patient education, nurses and medical staff can use the teach-back method to improve illness perception and self-efficacy in these patients.
Quantitative Imaging Analysis Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Validation for Clinical HER2 Testing in Breast Cancer
Authors: Wilcock Diane M. , Moore Kristina H. , Rowe Leslie , Mahlow Jonathan , Jedrzkiewicz Jolanta , Cleary Allison S. , Lomo Lesley , Ruano Ana L. , Gering Maarika , Bradshaw Derek , Maughan Meghan , Tran Phuong , Burlingame Jesse , Davis Richard , Affolter Kajsa , Albertson Daniel J. , Adelhardt Parisa , Kim Jong Take , Coleman Joshua F. , Deftereos Georgios , Gulbahce Evin H. , Sirohi Deepika
Published: March 2023

Context.—

Quantitative imaging is a promising tool that is gaining wide use across several areas of pathology. Although there has been increasing adoption of morphologic and immunohistochemical analysis, the adoption of evaluation of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue has been limited because of complexity and lack of practice guidelines.

Objective.—

To perform human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) FISH validation in breast carcinoma in accordance with the American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) 2018 guideline.

Design.—

Clinical validation of HER2 FISH was performed using the US Food and Drug Administration–approved dual-probe HER2 IQFISH (Dako, Carpinteria, California) with digital scanning performed on a PathFusion (Applied Spectral Imaging, Carlsbad, California) system. Validation parameters evaluated included z-stacking, classifier, accuracy, precision, software, and hardware settings. Finally, we evaluated the performance of digital enumeration on clinical samples in a real-world setting.

Results.—

The accuracy samples showed a final concordance of 95.3% to 100% across HER2 groups 1 to 5. During clinical implementation for HER2 groups 2, 3, and 4, we achieved a final concordance of 76% (95 of 125). Of these cases, only 8% (10 of 125) had discordances with clinical impact that could be identified algorithmically and triaged for manual review.

Conclusions.—

Digital FISH enumeration is a useful tool to improve the efficacy of HER2 FISH enumeration and capture genetic heterogeneity across HER2 signals. Excluding cases with high background or poor image quality and manual review of cases with ASCO/CAP group discordances can further improve the efficiency of digital HER2 FISH enumeration.
Can We Model Floodplain Inundation Patterns in Data-Scarce Areas?
Authors: Hiben Mehari Gebreyohannes , Di Baldassarre Giuliano , Van Griensven Ann
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes a methodology to model floodplain inundation patterns in data-scarce areas by using global remote sensing data. In particular, MODIS data are used for hydraulic model (HEC-RAS) calibration and validation purposes which is coupled with Geographic Information System (GIS) to map flood extent areas, while NASA's SRTM is used to describe floodplain topography. The Fogera floodplain (the upper Blue Nile in Ethiopia) is used as an example application to illustrate the methodology. To this end, parameter and input uncertainty is explicitly taken into account and visualized via probabilistic floodplain maps of the ensemble simulation. In view of that, model performance, reliability, and predictive uncertainties are critically discussed. This approach revealed that abetter characterization and visualization of the flood hazard. Also, the study investigates the impact of land-use changes on floodplain inundation patterns using a SWAT modeling system and the propagation of this land-use change in flood inundation patterns is seen again via probabilistic flood maps. This helps planners to use remote sensing data to model and monitor flooding.
INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF SERVICE DIMENSIONS ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY: A CONTEXT ON EMERGING SERVICE ECONOMY
Authors:   Department of Marketing, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, Islam T. , Habib S. N. , Sharmin R. ,   Department of Management, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh,   Department of Management, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, Islam R. ,   Laxmipur Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Published: March 2023

This is an empirical endeavor to find out the impact of service dimensions on customer satisfaction and how customer satisfaction affects customer loyalty. In order to measure service quality SEVQUAL model was used based on five dimensions of quality -tangibility, empathy, responsiveness, reliability and assurance and to investigate which service determinants have direct impact on customer satisfaction correlation between the determinants and customer satisfaction was determined. Primary data was collected from 308 respondents who are customers of financial institutions in Bangladesh and analyzed using SPSS-17. Our empirical findings reveal that independent variables, the five dimensions of service quality is strongly correlated with customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction has positive relationship with customer loyalty. Furthermore, it is found that the most important aspect is the level of assurance for achieving customer satisfaction and customer satisfaction is a strong predictor of customer loyalty.
THE IMPACT OF PACKAGING ON CONSUMER BUYING DECISION: AN APPLICATION ON CONSUMER GOODS
Authors:   Department of Marketing, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, Uddin M. J. , Begum H. ,   Department of Finance and Banking, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh, Rouf M. A. ,   Department of Marketing, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this research was to know the impact of packaging on consumer buying decision process. Both qualitative and quantitative research approach were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Respondents were selected using convenience sampling method for collecting primary data through self administrated questionnaire. 97 completely filled up questionnaires were authentic for research study. Six factors of packaging were considered as independent variables to evaluate the respondents’ opinion. The study result shows that all factors have a positive and significant relationship with buying decision of product with the highest correlation value of packaging color (.810) followed by other factors. Quality of packaging materials has highest positive impact on consumer buying decision process (β=.158, t= 4.215, p=0.001< 0.05), followed by packaging color (β=.116, t= 3.281, p=0.000< 0.05), followed by printed information of package (β=.224, t= 3.211, p=0.000< 0.05) and other factors. R square value shows 58.2% variance in consumer buying decision depends on independent variables.
تقويم الأداء التدريسي لأعضاء هيئة التدريس في كلية التربية جامعة إب من وجهة نظر الطلبة
Authors: عبده عبد الكريم أحمد محمد
Published: March 2023

يهدف البحث إلى التعرف على مستوى الأداء التدريسي لأعضاء هيئة التدريس بكلية التربية جامعة إب من وجهة نظر الطلبة، وقد استخدم الباحث المنهج الوصفي بأسلوبه المسحي من خلال القيام ببناء استبانة تكونت من ( 53 ) فقرة، توزعت على ستة مجالات، هي (العلاقات الشخصية مع الطلبة، الإعداد والتحضير للمقرر الد راسي، إدارة الوقت لتدريس المقرر الد راسي، عرض المقرر الد راسي داخل القاعة، تقويم أداء الطلبة في المقرر الدراسي، إدارة القاعة الدراسية)؛ حيث تم تطبيقها على عينة عشوائية طبقية بلغت (151 ) طالبًا وطالبة.وتوصل البحث إلى العديد من النتائج، أهمها: أَ ن مستوى واقع الأداء التدريسي لأعضاء هيئة التدريس في كلية التربية جامعة إب من وجهة نظر الطلبة بشكل عام متوسط، وبمتوسط حسابي بلغ ( 2.91)، وجاء مجال إدارة القاعة الدرا سية في المرتبةالأولى بمتوسط حسابي بلغ( 3.06 )، يليه مجال تقويم أداء الطلبة في المقرر الد را سي في المرتبة الثانية بمتوسط حسابي بلغ (2.98 )، وجاء مجال عرض المقرر الد را سي داخل القاعة في المرتبة الثالثة بمتوسط حسابي بلغ ( 2.97 )، يليه مجال العلاقات الشخصية مع الطلبة في المرتبة الر ا بعة بمتوسط حسابي بلغ ( 2.89 )، ثم مجال الإعداد والتحضير للمقرر الدرا سيفي المرتبة الخامسة بمتوسط حسابي بلغ ( 2.79) وأخيراً جاء مجال إدارة الوقت لتدريس المقرر الد ا رسي في المرتبة الأخيرة بمتوسط حسابي ( 2.75 )، كما دلت النتائج على أَ نه لا توجد فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية في استجابة العينة على الاستبانة تعزى إلى متغيري الجنس والتخصص.
Investigating the Effect of Carbon Nano Additives on the Adsorption of GR & T Scale Inhibitor
Authors: Al-Mashhor Ahmed Abdullah , Muhsan Ali Saamer
Published: March 2023

Scale deposition is a prominent issue in the flow assurance that needs to be prevented to avoid reduction in the oil production. Scale includes various types of non-organic salts that might deposit in the reservoir and/or in the production tubing under different production conditions. A common practice to prevent scale deposition is to carry on scale inhibitor squeeze treatment. However, conventional squeeze treatment suffers from slow adsorption rate, limited adsorption amount and quick desorption rate. Collectively, the conventional squeeze treatment suffers from short lifetime and the operation must be repeated multiple times a year, which adds more cost. Nanotechnology is an emerging technology which has various applications in the oil and gas industry. Consequently, Nano carbon-based enhanced squeeze treatment (NCEST) was introduced to overcome squeeze treatment shortcomings and enhance the treatment lifetime through coating the nearby area of the wellbore with carbon based nanoparticles. However, the application of recent nanofluid-based coating technology was limited to specific scale inhibitors (EDTA & PPCA) as well as particular nanomaterials (CNT & GO). This work is aimed at investigating the adsorption of a new scale inhibitor (GR&T scale inhibitor) into four different carbon nanomaterials (Graphene Nano plates, Multi-layer graphene, carbon Nanotubes and Functionalized-carbon Nanotubes) under a static condition. Due to time and apparatus constraints, the scope of the work will be limited to investigating the adsorption of (GR & T) scale inhibitor which is provided by Petronas to only four carbon nanomaterials at concentrations within a range of (2000-20,000 ppm). In this research, the adsorption of (GR & T) scale inhibitor into four different carbon Nano additives was tested and screened. Then, the best carbon nanomaterial (Graphene Nano plates which has not been studied before in the zone of Nano carbon-based enhanced squeeze treatment) was selected for the next stages of investigation in which the optimum concentration as well as the optimum condition of dispersion were identified. Also, the role of surfactant addition with the introduction of a new, safer and cut-price surfactant (gum Arabic) on the adsorption and dispersion improvement was approached. Furthermore, the effect of soaking time upon the Nano additive adsorption was detected. On top of that, the maximum adsorption capacity of the carbon nanomaterial with higher concentrations of GR &T scale inhibitor was tested as well.
SOCIOCULTURAL FUNCTION OF THE LIBRARY IN RURAL AREAS (THE CASE OF THE SLAVSK MUNICIPALITY OF THE KALININGRAD REGION)
Authors:   Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Yustratova Veronica O.
Published: March 2023

Being in close proximity to the local community and its needs, a modern rural library in the Russian space is designed to be not only a center for users to access information, but also a place of education, cultural and intellectual activities, adaptation of residents to rapidly changing political, socio-economic, and psychological conditions. The rural library should act as an institution of socialization through developing a system of traditional values and pre­serving local culture, positioning itself as an open platform and involving residents in an active social and business life. In the article, the author considers the socio-economic develop­ment of the Slavsk municipal district based on the array of statistical and analytical data of the Slavsk library network, which is a valuable information resource. It is concluded that the library in rural areas is actively developing the principles of communication, education, me­morialization, and information that are familiar to us, as well as newer ones — consolidation, education, adaptation, and the acquisition of integrity by the community.
TERRITORIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF THE RURAL POPULATION OF THE KALININGRAD REGION
Authors:   Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Saburina Alena A.
Published: March 2023

Rural territories of the Kaliningrad Region are affected by polarization processes, which can characterize all regions of Russia. But at the same time, due to the small size of the region, they have their own features. In particular, they have a higher level of transport connectivity and a more developed infrastructure, compared with an average rural territory of Russia. The purpose of this article is to assess the degree of influence of agricultural development on the rural settlement process (the case of the southeastern part of the Kaliningrad region). The study examines the main economic and ekistical indicators of territory development including the indicators of the share of the rural population in the total regional population and indi­vidual districts and the indicators of the increase/decrease in the rural population. The author differentiates between the municipalities of the region according to specific weight of the rural population. In conclusion, the article defines the polarization processes occurring on the whole territory of the region and its south-eastern part and affecting the dynamics of the rural popu­lation settlement in the studied micro district.
Maritime borders in the Central Mediterranean: Search and Rescue and access to asylum
Authors: Trombetta Isabella
Published: March 2023

The article argues that the border for migrants in the Central Mediterranean can only be identified by intertwining provisions of international maritime law and international humanitarian norms to find that the border is shifted on board of the boats that perform Search and Rescue (SAR) or Interdiction Operations regardless of their position on the map and of the official borders created by International Treaties. By highlighting the discrepancy between the restrictive political/operational trends and the legal commitment towards search and rescue and maritime borders, this article demonstrates how European human rights jurisprudence on search and rescue and non-refoulement shaped the European response at sea and determined the shifting of maritime borders on board of the boats performing rescues or interceptions. As a consequence, this explains the criminalization of SAR NGOs, which become unwanted border outposts at Sea.

El artículo sostiene que la frontera para los migrantes en el Mediterráneo Central sólo puede identificarse entrelazando las disposiciones del derecho marítimo internacional y las normas humanitarias internacionales, llegando a la conclusión de que la frontera se desplaza a bordo de las embarcaciones que realizan operaciones de búsqueda y salvamento (SAR), independientemente de su posición en el mapa y de las fronteras oficiales creadas por los Tratados Internacionales. Al poner de relieve la discrepancia entre las tendencias políticas/operativas restrictivas y el compromiso jurídico en materia de búsqueda y salvamento y fronteras marítimas, este artículo demuestra cómo la jurisprudencia europea de derechos humanos en materia de búsqueda y salvamento y de no devolución configuró la respuesta europea en el mar y determinó el desplazamiento de las fronteras marítimas a bordo de las embarcaciones que realizan operaciones de rescate o interceptación. Circunstancia que explica la criminalización de las ONG SAR, las cuales se instituyen en puestos fronterizos no deseados en el mar.
NIST time and frequency bulletin
Authors: Rodriguez Kelsey
Published: March 2023

The Time and Frequency Bulletin provides information on performance
of time scales and a variety of broadcasts (and related information) to users of the
NIST services.
Lineage-specific differences and regulatory networks governing human chondrocyte development
Authors: Richard Daniel , Pregizer Steven , Venkatasubramanian Divya , Raftery Rosanne M , Muthuirulan Pushpanathan , Liu Zun , Capellini Terence D , Craft April M
Published: March 2023

To address large gaps in our understanding of the molecular regulation of articular and growth plate cartilage development in humans, we used our directed differentiation approach to generate these distinct cartilage tissues from human embryonic stem cells. The resulting transcriptomic profiles of hESC-derived articular and growth plate chondrocytes were similar to fetal epiphyseal and growth plate chondrocytes, with respect to genes both known and previously unknown to cartilage biology. With the goal to characterize the regulatory landscapes accompanying these respective transcriptomes, we mapped chromatin accessibility in hESC-derived chondrocyte lineages, and mouse embryonic chondrocytes, using ATAC-sequencing. Integration of the expression dataset with the differentially accessible genomic regions revealed lineage-specific gene regulatory networks. We validated functional interactions of two transcription factors (TFs) (RUNX2 in growth plate chondrocytes and RELA in articular chondrocytes) with their predicted genomic targets. The maps we provide thus represent a framework for probing regulatory interactions governing chondrocyte differentiation. This work constitutes a substantial step towards comprehensive and comparative molecular characterizations of distinct chondrogenic lineages and sheds new light on human cartilage development and biology.
Selection of HIV-1 for resistance to fifth-generation protease inhibitors reveals two independent pathways to high-level resistance
Authors: Spielvogel Ean , Lee Sook-Kyung , Zhou Shuntai , Lockbaum Gordon J , Henes Mina , Sondgeroth Amy , Kosovrasti Klajdi , Nalivaika Ellen A , Ali Akbar , Yilmaz Nese Kurt , Schiffer Celia A , Swanstrom Ronald
Published: March 2023

Darunavir (DRV) is exceptional among potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors (PIs) in high drug concentrations that are achieved in vivo. Little is known about the de novo resistance pathway for DRV. We selected for resistance to high drug concentrations against 10 PIs and their structural precursor DRV. Mutations accumulated through two pathways (anchored by protease mutations I50V or I84V). Small changes in the inhibitor P1'-equivalent position led to preferential use of one pathway over the other. Changes in the inhibitor P2'-equivalent position determined differences in potency that were retained in the resistant viruses and that impacted the selected mutations. Viral variants from the two pathways showed differential selection of compensatory mutations in Gag cleavage sites. These results reveal the high level of selective pressure that is attainable with fifth-generation PIs and how features of the inhibitor affect both the resistance pathway and the residual potency in the face of resistance.
Inactivation of Invs/Nphp2 in renal epithelial cells drives infantile nephronophthisis like phenotypes in mouse
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Xu Wenyan , Makova Svetlana , Brueckner Martina , Sun Zhaoxia
Published: March 2023

Nephronophthisis (NPHP) is a ciliopathy characterized by renal fibrosis and cyst formation, and accounts for a significant portion of end stage renal disease in children and young adults. Currently, no targeted therapy is available for this disease. INVS/NPHP2 is one of the over 25 NPHP genes identified to date. In mouse, global knockout of Invs leads to renal fibrosis and cysts. However, the precise contribution of different cell types and the relationship between epithelial cysts and interstitial fibrosis remains undefined. Here, we generated and characterized cell-type-specific knockout mouse models of Invs, investigated the impact of removing cilia genetically on phenotype severity in Invs mutants and evaluated the impact of the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) on Invs mutants. Epithelial-specific knockout of Invs in Invsflox/flox;Cdh16-Cre mutant mice resulted in renal cyst formation and severe stromal fibrosis, while Invsflox/flox;Foxd1-Cre mice, where Invs is deleted in stromal cells, displayed no observable phenotypes up to the young adult stage, highlighting a significant role of epithelial-stromal crosstalk. Further, increased cell proliferation and myofibroblast activation occurred early during disease progression and preceded detectable cyst formation in the Invsflox/flox;Cdh16-Cre kidney. Moreover, concomitant removal of cilia partially suppressed the phenotypes of the Invsflox/flox;Cdh16-Cre mutant kidney, supporting a significant interaction of cilia and Invs function in vivo. Finally, VPA reduced cyst burden, decreased cell proliferation and ameliorated kidney function decline in Invs mutant mice. Our results reveal the critical role of renal epithelial cilia in NPHP and suggest the possibility of repurposing VPA for NPHP treatment.