bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipoprotein(a) is associated with higher DNA damage in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Woźniak Ewelina , Broncel Marlena , Woźniak Agnieszka , Satała Joanna , Pawlos Agnieszka , Bukowska Bożena , Gorzelak-Pabiś Paulina
Published: December 2023

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is a frequent autosomal-dominant inherited disorder associated with premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). HeFH subjects have a higher lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) concentration than the general population. Patients with FH are exposed to elevated levels of LDL from birth and ox-LDL may induce other oxidation pathways. The aim of the study was to determine the levels of markers of oxidative stress, and DNA damage in patients with HeFH and describe the effect of Lp(a) on the resulting damage. Higher DNA damage was identified in patients with HeFH compared the normolipidemic and CVD was associated with higher damage (determined by comet assay). Oxidative stress markers are elevated in HeFH patients (determined by comet assay); however, only ox-LDL was higher in the CVD group and its level correlated with DNA damage. Patients with HeFH show a positive correlation between the levels of DNA damage and Lp(a). Higher levels of Lp(a) are associated with greater DNA damage, especially in patients with HeFH and CVD. In HeFH patients, the optimal cut-off point of Lp(a) level associated with CVD is > 25nmol/L, i.e. much lower than for the general population. However this cut-off point needs validation in a larger group of HeFH patients.
Hydraulic fracturing of specimens with holes by using the fluid-solid coupling method based on the continuum-discontinuum method
Authors: Bai Xueyuan , Wang Xuebin
Published: December 2023

Using the self-developed fluid-solid coupling method base on the continuum-discontinuum method (which combined the Lagrangian element method and the discrete element method) considering element splitting, the seepage with single fracture and the hydraulic fracturing of specimens with holes are simulated, and the influence of the size of the hole and the preset fracture on the hydraulic fracturing is studied. It is found that for the unsteady seepage with single fracture, under different conditions, the flow of fluid from one end with the high pressure to the other end with the low pressure, and the numerical results are consistent with the theoretical results. For the disc with a hole, the propagation of fractures is obtained. With the increase of time steps, the maximum principal stress near the surface of the hole increases; then these positions creaking; four main fractures form gradually and their direction are almost radial. The number of tensile fracture segments-time steps curves show two stages: the number of tensile fracture segments is zero and the number of tensile fracture segments increases rapidly. The lager of the hole is, the time corresponding to the propagation of fractures is earlier. For the square specimen with a hole, under the hydrostatic pressure, the maximum principal stress is negative at first; with the increase the fluid pressure, fractures occur near the hole and propagate into the specimen; the farther away from the hole, the lower the fluid pressure is. Compared with the results no preset fracture, the fractures are prone to cracking; the propagation of fractures from the preset fractures first, then the propagation of fractures shows a symmetrical trend for the preset fractures specimens.
Women's preferred childbirth positions and associated factors among postpartum mothers in public hospitals of South West Shoa Zone,Oromia, Ethiopia, cross-sectional study supplemented by qualitative data
Authors: Kebede Tadele , Wakgari Negash , Kolola Tufa , Abdissa Gizachew
Published: December 2023

Background: maternal birth position is the position a mother assumes during childbirth. Freedom to choose birth positions will benefit the woman, baby, and health system. In Ethiopia, women are still giving birth by the lithotomy position, despite of their preference. The issue of birth position is the most neglected one during childbirth in Ethiopia. This study can provide clues for healthcare providers to respect women’s preferred childbirth position, hence, this study was intended to assess the magnitude of women's preferred childbirth positions and associated factors among postpartum mothers in public hospitals of South West Shoa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Method: Facilities-based cross-sectional study design supplemented by qualitative data was conducted. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 633 mothers. Data was collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaires. Bivariables and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done to identify associated factors.
Results: About391 (64.2%) of study participants gave birth by their preferred birth position. Mother age 21-30years (AOR=0.05;95%CI[0.004-0.75]) and 31-40years (AOR=0.02;95%CI[0.002-0.35]), attending school (AOR=3.88;95%CI[1.38-10.93]), Government employee (AOR=2.33;95%CI[1.08-5.01]), a monthly income of 2500-5000ETB(AOR=2.95;95%CI[1.32-6.56]),previous history of home delivery (AOR=1.96;95%CI[1.02-3.80]) and rural residence (AOR=0.43;95%CI[0.23-0.82]) were associated with women's preferred childbirth position. The qualitative finding depicts that health facility and health care providers-related barriers were the main barriers to women's preferred childbirth position in the study area.
Conclusion: women's preferred childbirth position was not respected for more than one-third of study participants. Mother age, educational level, occupation, monthly income, previous place of birth, and residence were associated with women's preferred childbirth positions. Health facility and health care provider’s related barriers were the main barriers to women's preferred childbirth position.
Plastome structure, phylogeny and evolution of plastid genes in Reevesia (Helicteroideae, Malvaceae)
Authors: Geng Li-Yang , Jiang Tian-Yi , Chen Xin , Li Qiang , Ma Jian-Hui , Hou Wen-Xiang , Tang Chen-Qian , Wang Qin , Deng Yun-Fei
Published: December 2023

Reevesia is an eastern Asian-eastern North American disjunction genus in the family Malvaceae s.l. and comprises approximately 25 species. The relationship within the genus is little understood. Here, 15 plastomes representing 12 Reevesia species were compared, with the aim of better understanding the species circumscription and phylogenetic relationships within the genus and among genera in the family Malvaceae s.l. The 11 newly sequenced plastomes range between 161,532 and 161, 945 bp in length. The genomes contain 114 unique genes, and 18 of which are duplicated in the inverted repeats (IRs). Gene content of these plastomes is nearly identical. All the protein-coding genes are under purifying selection in the Reevesia plastomes compared. The top ten hypervariable regions, SSRs, and the long repeats identified are potential molecular markers for future population genetic and phylogenetic studies. Phylogenetic analysis based on the whole plastomes confirmed the monophyly of Reevesia and a close relationship with Durio (traditional Bombacaceae) in subfamily Helicteroideae, but not with the morphologically similar genera Pterospermum and Sterculia (both of traditional Sterculiaceae). Phylogenetic relationships within Reevesia suggested that two species, R. pubescens and R. thyrsoidea, as newly defined, are not monophyletic. Six taxa, R. membranacea, R. xuefengensis, R. botingensis, R. lofouensis, R. longipetiolata and R. pycnantha, are suggested to be recognized.
Relationship between minute ventilation and carbon dioxide production in cardiopulmonary exercise test and ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Tuta-Quintero Eduardo , Bastidas-Goyes Alirio , Botero Juan D. , Botero-Rosas Daniel , Prieto Daniel , Rubio Daniela , López Cristian , Hincapié Gustavo A. , Mantilla Barbarita , Brito Abraham , Vargas Tatiana , Forero Stefanía , Villarraga Laura , Giraldo Andrea , Briceño Mónica , Porras Alejandra
Published: December 2023

Background
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is a non-invasive alternative in the evaluation of subjects with heart failure and because it comprehensively evaluates the respiratory and cardiovascular systems under conditions of physical stress. The objective is validity of the values in the ventilatory equivalents in the diagnosis of heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.
Methods
Cross-sectional study in subjects with cardiopulmonary exercise testing and transthoracic echocardiography. The participants had a diagnosis of heart failure according to the American Heart Association, a group with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% and no reduced ≥ 40%, this last group included patients with intermediate or normal ejection fraction.
Results
In the final analysis, 138 patients were included, of whom 88% (122/138) had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and 12% (16/138) not reduce, mean age was 58.9 years (SD: 16.37), 65% were men, and the body mass index was 27.6 (SD: 4.56). In patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, maximum oxygen consumption presented an average of 1.6 l/min (SD: 0.68) compared to 1.7 l/min (SD: 0.66) in the control group (p = 0.513). The ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) during the ventilatory and maximum threshold presented an average of 38.4 (SD: 7.38) and 44.6 (SD: 8.24), respectively. The discriminatory performance of VE/VCO2 versus peak oxygen consumption was 0.737 (95% CI: 0.596–0.878; p = 0.008) in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%.
Conclusions
VE/VCO2 was a reliable predictor of normal or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and performs well against peak oxygen consumption.
Repair of a Fistula between the Aorta and Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Secondary to Infective Endocarditis of a Unicuspid Aortic Valve and Previously Repaired Ventricular Septal Defect
Authors: Karsan Rickesh B. , O’Sullivan Katie E. , Lockhart Christopher J. , Austin Christopher
Published: December 2023

Background: Infective endocarditis of the aortic valve can result in a wide range of destructive pathology beyond the valve leaflets and annulus which require careful surgical planning to provide appropriate debridement and reconstruction. Failure to do so can result in a failure of surgical treatment, recurrent infection and cardiac failure with concomitant high morbidity and mortality.
Case report: We describe the case of a 45-year-old male with previous patch repair of a ventricular septal defect, who was diagnosed with sub-acute bacterial endocarditis of the native aortic valve and found to have a new fistula from the aorta to the right ventricular outflow tract managed surgically.
Conclusion: This unique case highlights another spectrum of infective endocarditis with a unique approach to repair and management.
Students and Instructors Reflections on the Impact of COVID-19 on Computer Science Education after One Year of Remote Teaching
Authors: Toti Giulia , Si Lei , Daniels David , Amoozadeh Matin , Alipour Mohammad Amin , Chen Guoning
Published: December 2023

In May 2020, 2 months after the COVID-19 pandemic caused institutions across the world to move all their courses online, we conducted a survey to evaluate the impact of this transition on a group of computer science students. That first survey highlighted mostly negative effects, with students struggling to perform many class-related activities. About a year later, after a full year of remote teaching, we wanted to see if and how the students' sentiment had changed.
To assess students' perceptions of remote teaching, we conducted a new survey composed of 41 between multiple choice, Likert scale and open ended questions. Additionally, we have also interviewed instructors of computer science courses, to learn about their experience and how they adapted to the new teaching modality.
137 students and 10 instructors have shared their feedback regarding their positive and negative experiences in the new learning format. Our results show that the students' experience has improved significantly, to the point that many of them expressed interest in continuing learning online, at least partially. Conversely, the instructors have concerns that this may not produce the best learning outcomes for the students. Our study also shows that some populations may still be at a disadvantage in this learning format.
The results and considerations included in this report may benefit the conversation on how to conduct computer science higher education in a post-pandemic world.
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Associated Factors toward Neonatal resuscitation among graduating health science students in Hadiya Zone Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Oshine Woldetsadik , Keto Terefe , Mohammed Ezedin , Hassen Mehuba , Bokona Getachew , Abemie Worku , Abebe Fikrtemariam , Murugan Rajalakshmi
Published: December 2023

Background
Neonatal resuscitation is a set of actions taken at the time of birth to help in the reestablishment of breathing and circulation. In the first four weeks of life, more than 2.4 million newborn babies die globally, its main cause was newborn asphyxia. Poor knowledge and skill of neonatal resuscitation by practitioners has a visible negative effect on neonates.
Aim
To assess knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors toward neonatal resuscitation among graduating students of health science college in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods
Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed with 213 graduating students from February 27- March 27, 2023, with systematic random sampling method by using structured interviewer administered questionnaire for data collection to select 213 graduating students in Hadiya zone health science colleges. The data were entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to SPSS version 27 for further analysis. Logistic regression model (AOR, 95% CI and p value < 0.05) was fitted to identify the factors affecting knowledge, attitude and practice of neonatal resuscitation.
Result
The graduating students had 58.2% of good knowledge on neonatal resuscitation, their attitude and practice were 53.1% and 55.9% respectively. Simulation based demonstration teaching was a single factor which has significant effect on the good knowledge and practice of the students in common with [AOR: 0.377, 95%CI: (0.19–0.73)] and [AOR: 0.28, 95%CI: (0.145–0.53)], respectively and educational level on knowledge [AOR: 3.49, 95%CI: (1.24–9.7)] and on the attitude of students towards neonatal resuscitation.
Conclusion and Recommendation:
The knowledge, attitude and practice of graduating health science students toward neonatal resuscitation were poor, therefore practical demonstration room setup must be well-equipped, adequate simulation-based demonstration and return practice is important to improve the participant’s knowledge, attitude practice toward neonatal resuscitation.
Analysis of practical training needs in Primary Care for medical students: an approach based on the mentoring model
Authors: Zaldúa Yoseba Cánovas , Pérez Eduardo Hermosilla , Redon Ermengol Coma , Real Andrés Fernández , Vidal-Alaball Josep , Noguerola Sara Rodoreda
Published: December 2023

Background The aim of the mentoring model is to coordinate a learning model of Family and Community Medicine (FCM) through an individualised and continuous relationship between the student and the family physician assigned as the mentor. It is proposed to work in an environment in which observation, critical dialogue and a timely and continuous approach to clinical practice are emphasised. This study seeks to understand the perception that medical students have of primary care internships based on the mentoring model.
Methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study based on a survey of undergraduate medical students at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in the year 2022-2023.
Results. A total of 337 responses were obtained from medical students out of a total of 1894 enrolled students (17.7%) with representation by course and teaching unit. In relation to the 6 questions of the survey, it is noteworthy that 79.8% of the students (95% CI: 75.1% - 84.0%) consider the implementation of the mentor figure in primary care internships to be suitable. Regarding the extension of internships, 57.9% (95% CI: 52.4% - 63.2%) ask to extend them in primary care and 70.3% (95% CI: 65.1% - 75.2%) in the hospital. Regarding the quality of the internships, 83.4% (95% CI: 79.0% - 87.2%) consider them to be of good quality. Regarding quantity and duration, 58.5% (95% CI: 53.0% - 63.8%) would like to do more and 59.9% (95% CI: 54.5% - 65.2%) would like it to last for 6 or more weeks.
Conclusions. The study shows that the majority of medical students favour the mentoring model in primary care internships. They also positively perceive the quality of the internships but express the need to extend them and to have longer rotations in the last year. These results suggest that mentoring could improve the educational experience of medical students in primary care.
Toward optimal fitting parameters for multi-exponential DWI image analysis of the human kidney: A simulation study comparing different fitting algorithms
Authors: Jasse Jonas , Wittsack H.-J. , Thiel T. A. , Zukovs R. , Valentin B. , Antoch G. , Ljimani A.
Published: December 2023

Purpose: In DWI, multi-exponential signal analysis can be used to determine signal underlying diffusion components. However, the approach is very complex due to the inherent low SNR, the limited number of signal decay data points and the absence of appropriate acquisition parameters and standardised analysis methods.
Methods: Within the scope of this work, different methods for multi-exponential analysis of the diffusion signal in the kidney were compared. To assess the impact of fitting parameters, a simulation was conducted comparing the free non-negative (NNLS) and rigid non-linear least square (NLLS) fitting methods.
Results: The simulation demonstrated improved accuracy for NNLS in combination with AUC estimation. Furthermore, the accuracy and stability of the results were further enhanced utilizing optimized parameters, namely 350 logarithmically spaced diffusion coefficients within [0.7, 300] x 10-3 mm²/s and a minimal SNR of 100.
Discussion: The NNLS approach shows an improvement over the rigid NLLS method. This becomes apparent not only in terms of accuracy and omitting prior knowledge, but also in better representation of renal tissue physiology.
Conclusion: By employing the determined fitting parameters, it is expected that more stable and reliable results for diffusion imaging in the kidney can be achieved. This might enable more accurate DWI results for clinical utilisation.
A new and reliable method to obtain micropore volume in nanoporous solids by gas adsorption based on Dubinin works and the thickness of the adsorbed layer
Authors: Villarroel-Rocha Jhonny , Arroyo-Gómez José J. , Barrera Deicy , Sapag Karim
Published: December 2023

It is known that the use of the Dubinin-Radushkevich method in micro-mesoporous samples does not give adequate values of micropore volumes, unlike when the samples contain only microporous. Based on that, in this work, we propose an easy method to calculate a reliable micropore volume (VμP) of micro-mesoporous (nanopores) samples, separating the microporous region from the experimental isotherm. For this, the original isotherm is modified, estimating the thickness of the adsorbed layer (t) as a function of relative pressure and changing the external surface area (Sext) to obtain a Type I adsorption isotherm in the microporous region; then, the DR method can be applied to the modified isotherm. This proposal, named the DR_t method, allows the calculation of a reliable VμP of any nanoporous material using different adsorbates. Using this method, we analyzed adsorbents of distinct nature (i.e., carbons and silicas) with different adsorbates as N2 and O2 at 77 K, Ar at 87 K, and CO2 at 273 K. We used this method to calculate VμP in different samples and compare them with those obtained with the traditional DR method, highlighting that unlike the latter the DR_t method showed similar and consistent results with the different adsorbates. Therefore, the values of micropore volume calculated using the DR_t method demonstrate consistency across various adsorbates, not only for N2 but especially for CO2, which is suggested to analyze narrow micropore volumes.
A Novel Logistic Model for Predicting Risk Factors and Contribution of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Liu Xuhui , Xu Kaiqiang , Liang Cheng , Li Min mi , Kong XiangfengKong , SaiLiKe HaLaMuJiang
Published: December 2023

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) results in pathological alterations in the small arteries or veins of the brain, thereby significantly impairing brain functionality. This study aimed to examine the causative factors of small vessel disease and ultimately determined the proportion of each risk factor for CSVD by constructing a multivariate model based on stepwise regression.
Methods: A total of 164 hospitalized patients were involved in this study. The study period was from January 2022 to March 2023.The patients were analyzed for the presence of CSVD by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The presence of CSVD in patients was determined by magnetic resonance imaging, and history, coagulation indices, renal function related to CSVD, and serum biochemistry and Hcy results were analyzed.
Results: 164 patients were included in the safety analysis set, 73 ( 44.5% ) cases with CSVD and 91 ( 55.5% ) cases with no. of patients, and the median age of the patients was 66 ( 49 - 86 ) years.. The results of multivariate logistic model showed that yes of hypertension ( OR = 10.94%, 95% CI: 3.80% ~ 35.57%, P ＜0.001 ), HbA1c ( OR = 3.05%, 95% CI: 1.54% ~ 7.51%, P = 0.005 ), HCY ( OR = 1.45%, 95% CI: 1.22% ~ 1.82%, P ＜ 0.001 ), CRP ( OR = 2.21%, 95% CI: 1.25% ~ 4.10%, P = 0.008 ), TG ( OR = 3.80%, 95% CI: 1.62% ~ 10.00%, P = 0.004 ), and TC ( OR = 1.90%, 95% CI: 1.17% ~ 3.25%, P = 0.013 ) were risk factors for CSVD morbidity. The marginal R-squared ( R 2 M ) was 0.467. Among all the determinants, the weight of HCY ( 60.60% ) was maximum, followed by HbA1c ( 27.84% ).The quasi-curves plotted by using bootstrap method (999 times) showed a good agreement between the predictive model and the actual observations.
Conclusion: Hypertension, HbA1c, HCY, CRP, TG and TC were risk factors for CSVD morbidity, and controlling the above indicators within a reasonable range will help to reduce the incidence of CSVD.
Single-port laparoscopy-assisted determining the location of the tunica vaginalis cavity for transcrotal orchidopexy for palpable undescended testis
Authors: Li Yueyan , Yu Xianxian , Liu Shengnan , Chen Qiaolin , Lin Houwei
Published: December 2023

Objective: We report the introduction of a novel Single-port laparoscopy-assisted determining the location of the tunica vaginalis cavity for transcrotal orchidopexy for palpable undescended testis. In this article, we describe the SLDLTO technique and the outcomes.
Methods: 28 male children with confirmed inguinal cryptorchidism who underwent surgical treatment from from December 2022 to October 2023 were selected for this study. All children underwent surgical treatment with SLDLTO, and the operative time, hospital stay, and postoperative results and complications were recorded.
Results: All 28 cases underwent LAT-HSL with minimal perioperative complications, and all children were successfully discharged from the hospital postoperatively. At the postoperative follow-up, there was no retraction or atrophy of the testes, no incisional infection, no inguinal hernia or tunica vaginalis effusion.
Conclusion: SLDLTO allows for rapid and accurate localization of the tunica vaginalis cavity. The method is safe, easy to perform, and adaptable. Additionally, the scar is hidden, and the operation time is short.
Minimally Invasive K-wire Osteotomy versus Open Chevron Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus Correction
Authors: Hu Yao , He Zhitao , Yang Hu , Zhong Qigang , Meng Congpeng , Ma Zhida , Zhan Junfeng , Jing Juehua
Published: December 2023

Background
The treatment of hallux valgus has become increasingly minimally invasive. Following the framework of three generations of minimally invasive hallux valgus techniques, we designed the minimally invasive K-wire osteotomy (MIK) technique. We aimed to compare the radiological outcomes and clinical efficacy of the MIK technique with those of open surgery and to evaluate its clinical value.
Methods
In this retrospective study, we analyzed the data of patients who underwent hallux valgus surgery from July 2018 to July 2021. Patients were divided into the MIK and open groups according to the surgical method. Perioperative data, radiographicmeasurements of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale (AOFAS) scores, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores to assess efficacy were recorded.
Results
Seventy patients (72 feet) with hallux valgus were enrolled in this study, including 36 patients (38 feet) in the MIK group and 34 patients (34 feet) in the open group. The operation time and hospital stay were shorter in the MIK group than in the open group (P﹤0.05). No significant differences were observed in the HVA and IMA between the two groups at 6 weeks post-surgery and at the last follow-up (P﹥0.05). Six weeks post-operatively, the AOFAS and VAS scores of the MIK group were better than those of the open group (P﹤0.05). At the last follow-up, no significant difference was observed in the AOFAS and VAS scores between the two groups (P﹥0.05). The internal fixation was removed in one case in the MIK group and in two cases in the open group due to screw protrusion and skin irritation. No cases of wound infection, deformity recurrence, hallux varus, or metastatic metatarsalgia were observed in the two groups.
Conclusion
The MIK technique demonstrates comparable radiographic results and clinical efficacy to open surgery. It saves operation time and results in less trauma, less pain, faster functional recovery, and improved aesthetics. This technique does not require specialized equipment, making it suitable for application in most hospitals.
Hoist the colours: silviculture impacts butterfly assemblage colours in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Thomas André Nogueira , Richter Aline , Spaniol Ricardo Luís , Mendonça Milton de Souza , Iserhard Cristiano Agra
Published: December 2023

Organismal colours have long captivated and inspired naturalists and scientists. Since colours depend on species' life history, it is expected that they respond to environmental changes, especially in an increasingly anthropized world. Aiming to evaluate how this trait responds to different anthropogenic disturbances, we assess wing colour aspects of fruit-feeding butterflies sampled in Atlantic Forest remnants. These remnants, with well-defined understory and canopy, are crossed by roads and trails acting as artificial edges and besiege exotic pine silviculture areas of different ages, representing landscapes commonly found in the subtropical Atlantic Forest. Through standardised photographs, we obtained colour measurements of brightness, saturation, contrast, colour diversity and heterogeneity, plus the presence of eyespots and iridescence for dorsal and ventral wing surfaces of 47 butterfly species, and evaluated their distribution and abundance in the distinct environments. We hypothesise colour variables will differ in each environment due to their biotic and abiotic differences, being less diverse in anthropized ones due to the pressures generated by disturbances. As expected, different natural environments have diverse and unique colour traits that are not found in anthropized ones; however, artificial edges present brighter and even more diverse colours. Pine silviculture areas, despite differing succession stages, all have decreases in colour diversity. We demonstrate that different anthropogenic actions can lead the most colourful species to disappear. Therefore, we argue butterfly colouration can be seen as a bioindicator, representing a useful form of functional biodiversity, providing conservation status and facilitating communication with the general public.
Gas-induced modulation of the surface structure of a Ni/Al2O3-CeO2 catalyst in CO methanation
Authors: Han Yi-Fan , Li Xinli , Fan Zhihui , Zhang Xiaonan , Zhang Shaokang , Zhang Zhenzhou , Tu Weifeng
Published: December 2023

The gas-induced strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) effects have proved to optimize the electronic states of active sites in heterogenous catalysis. A novel approach to tune the surface structure of a 10Ni/7Al2O3-3CeO2 catalyst has been developed by modulating the composition of the reaction atmospheres in CO methanation. The reaction rate was enhanced nearly eight-folds by gas-induced treatment. Multi-Operando/in situ techniques, such as in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (near ambient pressure, NAP-XPS), in-situ diffraction reflection infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), Operando Raman spectroscopy and H2 uptakes, reveal that the origin of active sites is due to the great exposure of Ni nanoparticles after gas-induction, while the CeOx overlayer was partially reconstrued to yield more oxygen vacancies, which could enhance tracking Ni nanoparticles. Undoubtedly, Gas-induced effects altered the strong SMSI between Ni nanoparticles and the CeO2 support. This easy-to-run gas-induction method may make it possible to retroactively modulate the SMSI state to improve the performance of heterogenous catalysis, especially applied for syngas conversion.
Identification of biomarkers of bronchopulmonary dysplasia by single cell transcriptome sequencing technology and WGCNA：Data from bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Li Rong , Huang Dong
Published: December 2023

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a disease of chronic lung dysfunction. We combined Weighted Gene Co-expression(WGCNA) and single-cell RNA analysis (scRNA-seq) to identify the biomarkers linked to BPD. Two data were obtained by searching the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database with corresponding keywords, GSE190934 and GSE188944, the former for scRNA-seq and the latter for WGCNA. In the GSE190934 data, 10,762 differential genes showed up, with S100a9, S100a8, and Lyz2 being expressed primarily in pericytes. We have found that S100a8 was found to be significantly higher in the hyperoxia model mice. While Ccl5 was mainly located in CD4+ T cells, Ccl4 was mainly expressed in myeloid cells. In addition, the data has revealed that Emp2 is regarded as a marker of type I alveolar cells in BPD. Among the enriched signaling pathways by the GSE188944, several signaling communications were found to exhibit high expression patterns in BPD. The bioinformatics analysis identified some key genes and cellular communication components of BPD. These findings provide insights into the cellular and molecular underpinning of BPD pathological mechanisms.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Coleus forskohlii on Periodontal Pathogenic Bacteria, An experimental in-vitro study
Authors: Faragalla Amel Ibrahim , Bahamdan Ghada Khalid , Abdullah Aseelah , Almoadi Raida , Fadul Mohammed , Majrashi Tagreed , Algarni Hasinah
Published: December 2023

Background:
Coleus Forskohlii (C.F.) is a typical indigenous medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family grown widely in India. Coleus gained importance after discovering its therapeutic properties (Bone, 2007) and was reported to have some antibacterial activity. The current study tested the antibacterial effect of (C F) on certain periodontal pathogens.
Methods
An experimental Invitro-study was conducted at King Khalid University, to test the antibacterial activity of Coleus Forskohlii. Thirty plaque samples were collected from gingivitis patients, kept, and transported using nutrient broth to the microbiology lab. The (CF) extract was prepared from the plant's leaves and five solutions were produced (water, methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and hexane). Following the bacterial culturing, the extract solutions were applied and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were measured.
Results
Various activities were demonstrated, indicating the positive inhibitory reactions of ethanolic extracts against many bacteria grown directly from plaque samples. Twenty-five bacterial species have been inhibited at 1g / mL concentrations. Most organisms (82.9%) have been inhibited at 1g / mL, whereas 34.3% were inhibited at 0.25 g/ mL, and only 5.7% were inhabited at 0.15 g/ mL; the latter two concentrations represented the MIC for most of the strains.
Conclusion
The ethanolic extract of Coleus forskohlii demonstrated effective antimicrobial activity. The ethanolic extract and water extracts showed different activities against the selected bacteria, but the ethanolic extract was superior to the water extract.
A Quantized Minimum Kernel Risk Hyperbolic Secant Adaptive Filtering Algorithm
Authors: Yuanlian Huo , Zhiling Hu , Yongfeng Qi , Jie Liu
Published: December 2023

The proposed algorithm in this paper is the Quantized Minimum Kernel Risk Hyperbolic Secant Adaptive Filtering Algorithm, which offers a simplified approach to enhancing the performance and stability of kernel adaptive filtering in non-Gaussian noise environments. The algorithm features a newly developed Minimum Kernel Risk Hyperbolic Secant Cost Function, which harnesses the hyperbolic secant function’s strengths to diminish outlier impacts and expedite convergence. In addition, its convex kernel risk-sensitive loss surface facilitates swift and accurate filtering via gradient-based methods , thus ensuring outlier robustness. This method could effectively manage network size and reduce computational complexity by incorporating vector quantization for inputting spatial data. Simulation tests in Mackey-Glass time series prediction and nonlinear system identification have indicated that the Minimum Kernel Hyperbolic Secant Adaptive Filtering Algorithm and its quantized variant excel in terms of convergence speed, robustness, and computational efficiency.
Öz Uyum ve Kendini Keşfetme Duygusunun Marka Deneyimine Etkisi: Gastronomi Şehri Afyonkarahisar Örneği (Effect of Self-Congruity and Self-Expansion on Brand Experience: The Case of Gastronomy City Afyonkarahisar)
Authors: ÇILGINOĞLU Hakkı
Published: December 2023

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Afyonkarahisar şehrini gastronomi amaçlı ziyaret eden turistlerin öz uyumu ve kendini keşfetme duygusunun marka deneyimi üzerindeki etkisini belirlemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda öz uyum, kendini keşfetme duygusu ve marka deneyimi ölçekleri kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın evreni Gastronomi Şehri Afyonkarahisar ziyaretçileri oluşturmakta olup araştırmada olasılığa dayalı olmayan örneklem türünden kolaydan örnekleme yöntemi tercih edilmiştir. Veri toplama yöntemi olarak anket tekniği kullanılmış ve Şubat ve Mart 2023 tarihlerinde Afyonkarahisar’ı ziyaret eden 387 katılımcıdan veriler toplanmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin çözümlenmesi için SPSS Macro Process analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları, öz uyumun hem kendini keşfetme duygusu üzerinde hem de marka deneyimi üzerinde pozitif ve anlamlı bir etkisi olduğunu, aynı zamanda kendini keşfetme duygusunun da marka deneyimi üzerinde olumlu ve anlamlı bir etkiye sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bunun yanı sıra, öz uyumun marka deneyimi üzerindeki etkisinde kendini keşfetme duygusunun aracılık rolü üstlendiği belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçları temel alınarak çeşitli öneriler ortaya konmuştur.
Examining the Effect of Mega Sports Event and Host City Experience on Destination Image and Behavioral Intention in the Context of the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games
Authors: CELEP Emel , İÇİL Halime Büşra
Published: December 2023

Mega sports events significantly contribute to the promotion, image, and economic development of the destinations in which they are held. It can be stated that mega sports events and host city experience can affect the behavioral intentions of visitors along with the destination image positively or negatively. The research was conducted on foreign visitors who participated in the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games held in Konya City from 9 to 18 August 2022, using the face-to-face survey method. In the research, the effects of mega sports event and host city experience on destination image and behavioral intention have been examined in the context of the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games. Six hypotheses were developed within the context of the research. Examining the data obtained as a consequence of the research, it has been concluded that mega sports event experience has a positive and significant effect on destination image and behavioral intention; host city experience has a positive and significant effect on destination image and behavioral intention; mega sports event experience has a positive and significant effect on host city experience; and destination image has a positive and significant effect on behavioral intention.
İktisat ve Turizm Politikası Kaymalarının Türkiye de Turizm Arzına Etkilerinin Yapısal Kırılmalı Birim Kök Testleri ile Analizi (Examining the Effects of Economic and Tourism Policy Shifts on Tourism Supply in Turkiye Using Structural Break Unit Root Tests)
Authors: ÇİFTÇİ Fırat , COŞKUN İnci Oya
Published: December 2023

Ülkelerin temelde iktisadi büyüme hedefiyle, gelir dağılımı ve fiyatlar gibi ekonomik değişkenleri istendik düzeye getirebilmek için bir araç olarak kullandıkları iktisat politikaları diğer tüm alanlarda olduğu gibi turizm endüstrisi açısından da belirleyicidir. Türkiye’de Planlı Dönem olarak adlandırılan ve 1963 yılında başlayan merkezi planlama yaklaşımı ile birlikte turizm endüstrisi de ulusal kalkınma planlarında yerini almıştır. Bu araştırmanın amacı Türkiye’de planlı dönem sonrasında uygulanan iktisat politikası yaklaşımlarındaki değişikliklerin en somut yansımalarının görülebildiği turizm arzı ve özellikle konaklama arzı üzerindeki etkilerini incelmektir. Araştırmanın amacı doğrultusunda 1970-2018 dönemine ait yıllık veriler ile konaklama işletmeleri için turizm yatırım belgeli ve işletme belgeli tesis sayıları ile yatak sayılarına ek olarak toplam tesis ve yatak sayıları Bai-Perron (BP) ve Carrion-i Silvestre (CiS) çoklu yapısal kırılmalı birim kök testleri ile karşılaştırmalı olarak analiz edilmiş ve tüm serilerde yapısal kırılmaların varlığı tespit edilmiştir. Analiz bulguları 2634 sayılı Turizm Teşvik Kanunu’nun ve ekonomik kriz dönemlerinin etkilerini açıkça ortaya koymuştur. Türkiye’de Planlı Dönemde turizm politikalarının temelini oluşturan yatırım teşviklerinin turizm arzı açısından ekonomik krizler ve siyasi istikrarsızlıklar gibi faktörlerin gerisinde kalması, yatırım politikalarının yeterli finansman desteği ve küresel turizm eğilimleri çerçevesinde kapsamlı bir bakış açısıyla ele alınması turizm endüstrisinin gelişimi açısından önem arz etmektedir.
Tüketici tercihlerinde Renk ve Görselliğin Lezzet ve Genel Kabul Edilebilirlik Üzerindeki Etkisi: El Yapımı Çikolata Örneği (The Impact of Color and Visuals on Taste and General Acceptability in Consumer Preferences: A Handmade Chocolate Example)
Authors: ERCİK Cevat , İLHAN İbrahim , KESKİN Seda Nur
Published: December 2023

Bu araştırmada, tüketici tercihlerinde renk ve görselliğin lezzet ve genel kabul edilebilirlik üzerindeki etkisi incelenmiştir. Araştırmada deneysel tasarım tercih edilmiş, Çikolata Workshop ortamında gerçekleşen çalışmada, yarı eğitilmiş 24 katılımcıya, renk ve görselliği farklı hazırlanan, 3 farklı el yapımı çikolata tattırılmıştır. Duyusal analizler için tasarlanmış bir ölçeğin yer aldığı anket tekniği ile, tadım sonrasında katılımcılardan veriler elde edilmiş, elde edilen veriler istatistik paket programı yardımıyla analiz edilmiş ve sonuçları yorumlanmıştır. Veriler Friedman S ve Wilcoxon İşaretli Sıra Testi analizleriyle test edilmiştir. Araştırmanın sonucuna göre, tüketici tercihlerinde renk ve görselliğin lezzet ve genel kabul edilebilirlik üzerinde etkisi tespit edilmiştir. Panelistler tarafından en çok tercih edilenin, artizan çikolata (renkli) olduğu bulgulanmıştır. Çalışmanın öneriler kısmında, çikolata yapımında renk ve görselliği dikkate alan öneriler sunulmuştur.
Determinants of employee performance at public hospitals in Indonesia: Examining the moderating role of organizational culture
Authors: Sari Maya , Dahrani  , Aprilyani Sagala Nurul
Published: December 2023

Performance refers to the outcome or overall degree of achievement exhibited by an individual within a specified timeframe in executing duties about a range of potential outcomes, including conventional work outputs, goals, objectives, or mutually established benchmarks. With a moderated organizational culture, this study aims to analyze the effect of good corporate governance, organizational commitment, and internal controls on employees’ performance at public hospitals in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The paper employs an associative approach to the quantitative data type. The sample consists of 102 public hospital employees in North Sumatra, Indonesia. This study used a questionnaire to collect the data and SEM-PLS to analyze the data. The research results show that good corporate governance, organizational commitment, and internal control affect employee performance at public hospitals in North Sumatra, Indonesia (p < 0.05). Good corporate governance affects employee performance moderated by organizational culture (p < 0.05). Organizational commitment affects employee performance moderated by organizational culture (p < 0.05). Internal control affects employee performance moderated by the organizational culture at public hospitals in North Sumatra, Indonesia (p < 0.05). The implication is that organizational culture has a role attached to the individual level of an employee and as a strategy to improve employee performance.
Influencia del apego en la toma de decisiones profesionales durante la adolescencia: una revisión sistemática
Authors: López Pérez Neus , Serrano Rosa Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2023

La primera toma de decisiones profesionales a la que se enfrentan las personas se da en el transcursode la adolescencia. Sin embargo, los cuidadores principales y la relación de apego con ellos parece quepodría influir en este proceso, aunque no está claro en qué forma. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizarcríticamente los estudios que examinan la relación entre el estilo de apego entre cuidadores y adolescentes y la toma de decisiones profesionales. Siguiendo la metodología PRISMA, se obtuvieron 20 estudios de las bases de datos PsycNet, ProQuest, Pubmed y ScienceDirect. Los resultados mostraron que existe una relación entre el estilo de apego y la toma de decisiones profesionales e involucraron otras variables como mediadoras. Concretamente, un estilo de apego inseguro influye de forma negativa en la toma de decisiones, mientras que un estilo de apego seguro funciona como factor de protección y facilitador. Concluimos que fortalecer el apego con los hijos permite tomar mejores decisiones sobre el futuro profesional.
"Né, minha filha?": efeitos de um vocativo no discurso cômico
Authors: Kogawa João , Alves de Leon Marta , de Santana Bassani Indaiá
Published: December 2023

Este artigo analisa o discurso cômico na materialidade de memes cuja emergência se deu pela retomada da formulação-origem “Solidão, né, minha filha?”. Esta estrutura se mantém particularmente estável na regularidade da forma contraída né articulada ao vocativo minha filha em uma estrutura de tag question. A formulação se deu em um episódio do programa televisivo Fantástico, quando o médico Drauzio Varella fez uma reportagem especial para mostrar as condições de vida de mulheres trans em um presídio brasileiro. Do ponto de vista linguístico, o discurso cômico reverbera enunciados clássicos como “O homem é o único animal que ri”, “Se a tragédia eleva, o cômico rebaixa”, “O cômico é um determinado erro”. Do ponto de vista histórico, reaviva a memória do riso em contexto de pandemia. Retornam as cenas de Aristófanes em contexto de guerra e a correlação disso com um dos enunciados mais repetidos em sua obra: “Que a peste o sufoque!” – alusão à peste que devastou Atenas em 430 a.C. Retornam ainda as figuras de Gargântua, de Rabelais, notadamente, nas referências feitas no romance à peste e ao riso ativo e revoltado. É possível concluir, pelos efeitos de sentido produzidos pelo discurso cômico inscrito nos memes – especialmente no que tange ao vocativo minha filha conectado à forma contraída né? –, que o riso tem três formas em nosso corpus, a saber, a desalentada, a inconformada e a revoltada.
O espírito modernista da padaria espiritual e do movimento antropofágico: sob o signo do carnaval
Authors: Costa Gonçalves João Batista , Amaral Marcos Roberto dos Santos , Ponciano Filho José Alberto
Published: December 2023

É interesse deste artigo examinar a carnavalização como elemento animador do espírito literário modernista da Padaria Espiritual, encabeçado por Antônio Sales na capital cearense no final do século XIX, e do Movimento Antropofágico, surgido, sob a influência da Semana de Arte Moderna, a partir das ideias de Oswald de Andrade no final dos anos vinte do século XX. Para isso, tomamos o pensamento bakhtiniano (BAKHTIN, 2010; 2015) a fim de discutirmos os elementos que constituem a literatura carnavalizada e, com base nessa matriz teórica, analisarmos, em especial, a cosmovisão carnavalesca no Programa de Instalação da Padaria Espiritual e no Movimento modernista da Antropofagia. Da análise, constatamos que ambas manifestações literárias têm em comum o elemento subversivo e crítico que se faz presente, carnavalizadamente, através do riso e da ironia na forma de um espírito jocoso e na defesa das identidades locais, procurando desmantelar certas ideias hegemônicas do seu tempo.
Retórica política bolsonarista e o uso de humor ofensivo como estratégia de defesa
Authors: Cabral Scabin Nara Lya , Paganotti Ivan
Published: December 2023

Este trabalho analisa de que forma o discurso bolsonarista adota (de forma intencional ou como um mecanismo de defesa posterior) recursos humorísticos para aumentar sua capacidade de viralização ou para minimizar seus efeitos adversos, quando contestado com resistência. A partir de levantamento sobre a repercussão de falas de lideranças políticas próximas ao governo Bolsonaro em dois jornais brasileiros (Folha de S. Paulo e O Estado de S. Paulo), é possível identificar quais são os insultos e outros conteúdos incômodos que embasam essa retórica ofensiva – atacando minorias, adversários, instituições e o próprio funcionamento do Estado Democrático de Direito – e defensiva – negando a interpretação literal de seu potencial problemático como simples humor –, em uma tática ambígua que atrai a atenção coletiva e permite recuos para evitar resistências.
Analysis of thermal efficiency in Star Energy Gothermal Darajat
Authors: Pratama Muhammad Pashya Rifky , Utomo Teguh , Wibawa Unggul
Published: December 2023

After years of operation, the plant will no longer operate optimally according to its design. The practice of the work cycle shows that the original value of thermal efficiency will always be below 100%, this is because during the cycle process of creating work, the energy received by the system by heat transfer will not be fully received and will be absorbed by the environment. In this research, thermal efficiency analysis was carried out in accordance with the first and second laws of thermodynamic efficiency and thermoeconomic calculations to calculate losses. Based on calculations that have been carried out, the thermal efficiency of the Star Energy Geothermal Darajat unit-3 geothermal power plant system is 21.72% with the largest exergy loss being in the condenser component of 62,219,418 kW with an exergy loss cost of 252,766,682.24 Rp/ days and the smallest is in the cooling tower of 599,362 kW with exergy loss costs of 23,655,907.11. Rp/day from the following results it can be seen that this efficiency value depends on the performance of each component.