bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and Genetic Features of Dravet Syndrome: A Prime Example of the Role of Precision Medicine in Genetic Epilepsy
Authors: Fan Hueng-Chuen , Yang Ming-Tao , Lin Lung-Chang , Chiang Kuo-Liang , Chen Chuan-Mu
Published: November 2023

Dravet syndrome (DS), also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, is a rare and drug-resistant form of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, which is both debilitating and challenging to manage, typically arising during the first year of life, with seizures often triggered by fever, infections, or vaccinations. It is characterized by frequent and prolonged seizures, developmental delays, and various other neurological and behavioral impairments. Most cases result from pathogenic mutations in the sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 1 (SCN1A) gene, which encodes a critical voltage-gated sodium channel subunit involved in neuronal excitability. Precision medicine offers significant potential for improving DS diagnosis and treatment. Early genetic testing enables timely and accurate diagnosis. Advances in our understanding of DS's underlying genetic mechanisms and neurobiology have enabled the development of targeted therapies, such as gene therapy, offering more effective and less invasive treatment options for patients with DS. Targeted and gene therapies provide hope for more effective and personalized treatments. However, research into novel approaches remains in its early stages, and their clinical application remains to be seen. This review addresses the current understanding of clinical DS features, genetic involvement in DS development, and outcomes of novel DS therapies.
Exposure to Climate Change Information on Affect and Pro‐Environmental Behavioural Intentions: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Greaves Samantha , Harvey Caroline , Kotera Yashuhiro
Published: November 2023

The study aimed to investigate the effect of climate change exposure on affect and pro-environmental behavioural intentions in a randomised controlled trial. An online survey was completed by 100 adult participants and included measures of affect and pro-environmental behavioural intentions pre- and post-exposure. Participants were randomly allocated to a group that saw a climate change video (n=55) or a group that saw a non-climate change video (n=45). The findings showed were that participants in the climate change group showed a significant increase in negative affect and pro-environmental behavioural intention scores post-video exposure compared to the non-climate change video group. This suggests that climate change video exposure negatively influences affect but also potentially increases the intention to act pro-environmentally. These findings have the potential to support policies and societal change, however further investigation into the type of contents, actual behaviour change, and impacts on diverse populations (e.g., minority groups) is needed that influences pro-environmental behaviours is required. Furthermore, to achieve a greater impact, future research should be conducted measuring actual pro-environmental behaviour change, including with those from diverse populations.
Supercritical Antisolvent Precipitation of Corticosteroids/β‐Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes
Authors: Mottola Stefania , De Marco Iolanda
Published: November 2023

In this paper, corticosteroid–β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complexes have been prepared by Supercritical AntiSolvent (SAS) precipitation to enhance the dissolution rate of dexamethasone (DEX) and prednisolone (PRED), which are poorly water-soluble drugs. The processing of the active principles in the absence of a carrier led to the almost complete extraction of the active principle (the small amount of obtained material precipitates in the form of crystals). The coprecipitation of the ingredients in the presence of β-CD was investigated at different concentrations, pressures, and molar ratios. For both the corticosteroids, the optimized operating conditions were 40 °C, 120 bar, an equimolar ratio, and a concentration in DMSO of 20 mg/mL; these conditions led to the attainment of microparticles with a mean diameter equal to 0.197±0.180 μm and 0.131±0.070 μm in the case of DEX and PRED, respectively. The Job’s method confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes in correspondence with the 1/1 mol/mol ratio. Compared to the pure ingredients, the obtained powders have an improved release rate, which is about 3 times faster in both cases.
Comparative Assessment of NeRF and Photogrammetry in Digital Heritage: Impact of Varying Image Conditions on 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Croce Valeria , Billi Dario , Caroti Gabriella , Piemonte Andrea , De Luca Livio , Véron Philippe
Published: November 2023

While Neural Radiance Fields (NeRF) are gaining increasing interest in various domains as innovative methods for novel view synthesis and image-based reconstruction, their potential application in the realm of Cultural Heritage remains unexplored. Purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of applying NeRF to sets of images of digital heritage objects and sites. The study’s findings demonstrate that NeRF could be valuable when used in combination with or as a comparison to other well-established techniques such as photogrammetry, to expand the possibilities of preserving and presenting heritage assets with enhanced visual fidelity and accuracy. Particularly, NeRF show promising results in improving the rendering of translucent and reflective surfaces, objects with homogeneous textures, and elements with intricate details. In addition, we demonstrate that, when considering the same set of input images (with known camera poses), reducing the image quality or the number of images results in significantly less information loss with NeRF compared to photogrammetry. This suggests that NeRF is preferentially suited for scenarios involving sparse information or low-quality photos or videos, which could be especially valuable in risky or challenging situations.
An Efficient and Robust ILU(k) Preconditioner for Steady-State Neutron Diffusion Problem Based on MOOSE
Authors: Wu Yingjie , ZHANG Han , Liu Lixun , Tang Huanran , Dou Qinrong , Guo Jiong , Li Fu
Published: November 2023

Jacobian-free Newton Krylov (JFNK) is an attractive method to solve nonlinear equations in nuclear engineering systems, and has been successfully applied to steady-state neutron diffusion (k-eigenvalue) problems and multi-physics coupling problems. Preconditioning technique plays an important role in JFNK algorithm, significantly affecting computational efficiency. The key point is how to automatically construct a high-quality preconditioning matrix that can improve the convergence rate, and perform the preconditioning matrix factorization efficiently. An efficient reordering-based ILU(k) preconditioner is proposed to achieve the above objectives. In detail, the finite difference technique combined with the coloring algorithm is utilized to construct an efficient preconditioning matrix with low computational cost automatically. Furthermore, the reordering algorithm is employed for the ILU(k) to reduce the additional non-zero elements and pursue robust computational performance. A two-dimensional LRA neutron steady-state benchmark problem is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed preconditioning technique, and steady-state neutron diffusion problem with thermal-hydraulic feedback is also utilized as a supplement. The results show that coloring algorithms can efficiently and automatically construct the preconditioning matrix. The reordering-based ILU(k) preconditioner shows excellent robustness, avoiding the effect of fill-in levels k choice in incomplete LU factorization.
Explainable AI and Voting Ensemble Model to Predict the
Results of Seafood Product Importation Inspections
Authors: Khoeurn Saksonita , Lee Kyunghee , Cho Wan-Sup
Published: November 2023

The lack of a generalizable machine learning model for predicting the safety of food for 1

human consumption is a significant challenge for policymakers and responsible authorities. This 2

study provides a step-by-step guide to predict the results of seafood product import inspections, 3

focusing on identifying and understanding the critical factors that influence these results. By compar- 4

ing the performances of an ensemble of machine learning models, this study combines the strengths 5

of multiple algorithms to improve the predictive accuracy and gain insights into the key factors 6

impacting them. The ensemble model based on the soft voting technique achieves superior perfor- 7

mance to that based on the hard voting technique in terms of the recall and area under the curve 8

(AUC) scores. The study discovered that various characteristics, such as the exporting country ratio, 9

major product category, overseas manufacturer ratio, importer ratio, and seasonal variation, had a 10

substantial influence on the models’ decisions. This research guide for predicting seafood product 11

import inspection results could pave the path for other items to follow.
Introduction of Deep Learning Based-IR Image Analysis for Marginal Reflex Distance-1 Measurement Method, Simultaneously Capture Images and Compute the Result: Clinical Validation Study
Authors: Song Bokeun , Kwon Hyeokjae , Kim Sunje , Ha Yooseok , Oh Sang-Ha , Song Seung-Han
Published: November 2023

Measuring Marginal Reflex Distance-1 (MRD-1) is a crucial clinical tool used to evaluate the position of the eyelid margin in relation to the cornea. Traditionally, this assessment has been conducted manually by plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, or trained technicians. However, with the advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, there is a growing interest in the development of automated systems capable of accurately measuring MRD-1.In this context, we introduce novel MRD-1 measurement methods based on deep learning algorithms that can simultaneously capture images and compute the results. This prospective observational study involved 154 eyes of 77 patients aged over 18 years who visited Chungnam National University Hospital between September 1, 2023, and July 29, 2023. We collected four different MRD1 da-tasets from patients using three distinct measurement methods, each tailored to the individual patient. The mean MRD1 values, measured through the manual method using a penlight, the deep learning method, ImageJ analysis from RGB eye images, and ImageJ analysis from IR eye images in 56 eyes of 28 patients, were 2.64 ± 1.04 mm, 2.85 ± 1.07 mm, 2.78 ± 1.08 mm, and 3.07 ± 0.95 mm, respectively. Notably, the strongest agreement was observed between MRD1_deep learning (DL) and MRD1_IR (0.822, p < 0.01). In the Bland-Altman plot, the smallest difference was observed between MRD1_DL and MRD1_IR ImageJ, with a mean difference of 0.0611 and △LOA (limits of agreement) of 2.5162, which is the smallest among the other groups.

In conclusion, this novel MRD1 measurement method, based on an IR camera and deep learning, demon-strates statistical significance and can be readily applied in clinical settings.
Molecular Insights into Hypericin: Unraveling its Theoretical Potential in Alzheimer's Disease Intervention
Authors: FERRARI IVAN VITO
Published: November 2023

BACE1 is involved in the production of beta-amyloid peptides, and inhibiting its activity is a potential therapeutic strategy for managing Alzheimer's disease, as excessive beta-amyloid accumulation is a characteristic feature of the disease.Computational results suggest that hypericin has the potential to act as an inhibitor of BACE1. The Molecular Docking results indicate a high binding affinity between hypericin and BACE1, with a notable binding energy score of -10.3 kcal/mol. Additionally, the formation of various chemical bonds, including hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic bonds, further supports the idea that hypericin may effectively interact with the active site of BACE1. It's important to note that while the in silico Molecular Docking results are promising, further in vitro and in vivo studies would be necessary to validate and better understand the inhibitory potential of hypericin against BACE1. Additionally, the practical application of hypericin as a BACE1 inhibitor in a therapeutic context would require careful consideration of factors such as bioavailability, safety, and efficacy.
Modeling Autonomous Vehicle Responses to Novel Observations using Hierarchical Cognitive Representations Inspired Active Inference
Authors: Nozari Sheida , Krayani Ali , Marcenaro Lucio , Gomez David Martin , Regazzoni Carlo
Published: November 2023

Equipping autonomous agents for dynamic interaction and navigation is a significant challenge in intelligent transportation systems. This study aims to address this by implementing a brain-inspired model for decision-making in autonomous vehicles. We employ active inference, a Bayesian approach that models decision-making processes similar to the human brain, focusing on the agent's preferences and the principle of free energy. This approach is combined with imitation learning to enhance the vehicle's ability to adapt to new observations and make human-like decisions. The research involved developing a multi-modal self-awareness architecture for autonomous driving systems and testing this model in driving scenarios, including abnormal observations. The results demonstrated the model's effectiveness in enabling the vehicle to make safe decisions, particularly in unobserved or dynamic environments. The study concludes that the integration of active inference with imitation learning significantly improves the performance of autonomous vehicles, offering a promising direction for future developments in intelligent transportation systems.
Ergodicity Breaking and Self-Destruction of Cancer Cells by Induced Genome Chaos
Authors: Shityakov Sergey , Kravtsov Viacheslav , Skorb Ekaterina V. , Nosonovsky Michael
Published: November 2023

During the progression of cancer cells, the degree of genome instability increases leading to genome chaos in populations of malignant cells. While normally chaos is associated with er-godicity, i.e., the state when the time averages of relevant parameters is equal to their phase space averages, the situation with cancer propagation is more complex. Chromothripsis, a catastrophic massive genomic rearrangement, is observed in many types of cancer leading to increased mu-tation rates. We present an entropic model of genome chaos and ergodicity and experimental evidence that increasing the degree of chaos beyond the non-ergodic threshold may lead to the self-destruction of the tumor cells. We study time and population averages of chromothripsis frequency in cloned rhabdomyosarcoma from rat stem cells. Clones with frequency above 10% result in cell apoptosis possibly due to mutations in the BCL2 gene. Potentially this can be used for suppressing cancer cells by shifting them into a non-ergodic proliferation regime.
Variability of Wood Basic Density and Other Parameters of Trees on a 45-Year-Old Plantation of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
Authors: Sharapov Evgenii , Demakov Yury , Korolev Aleksandr
Published: November 2023

The issue of optimising the initial stand density (ISD) of tree plantations has high practical importance. The objective of this study was to nondestructively evaluate the influence of the initial stand density of Scots pine plantations located in the European part of the Russian Federation on wood basic density (BD), moisture content (MC), ultrasound velocity (UV), latewood content, and drilling resistance (DR). 45-year-old trees with stand densities of 500, 1000, 3000, 5000, and 10000 trees/ha were tested by a 5-cm-long core sample for gravimetric MCGM and BD, by PULSAR-2.2 for UV along the height (UVH) and through the tree trunk diameter (UVD), by the IML-RESI PD-400 tool for DR, and by GANN HT 85T for MC based on the electrical resistance method (MCERM). A significant influence of ISD was found on DBH, UVD, MCGM, and MCERM. ISD had no significant impact on BD, UVH, and DR. The wood BD ranged from 356 to 578 kg/m-3, with a mean value of 434±3.3 kg/m-3, and was restricted by the soil and environmental factors. DBH and 70% MCERM were good indicators of tree vitality. Linear correlations between DBH and MCERM (R2=0.67), DBH and MCGM (R2=0.74), DR and BD (R2=0.71), and the two-factor model MCGM=f(DBH, BD), (R2=0.76) were found.
Investigating Inter-Correlations Using Graph-Based Neural Networks in Aspect-Level Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Soukhanov Keohane , Li Fei , Ali Woods
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we present a groundbreaking methodology in the realm of aspect-level sentiment analysis, which capitalizes on the advanced capabilities of graph-based neural networks. Our approach, distinguished as the Aspect Correlation Graph Network (ACGN), represents a significant departure from conventional models. These traditional models often analyze aspects in isolation, failing to capture the intricate web of sentiment relationships that may exist within a single sentence. ACGN, however, is designed to address this gap by employing a sophisticated bidirectional attention mechanism, integrated with positional encoding. This unique combination not only enhances the model's ability to focus on relevant parts of the sentence but also aids in constructing detailed, aspect-focused representations. These representations are particularly crucial for understanding the nuanced interplay of sentiments associated with different aspects. Central to our model's architecture is the incorporation of a graph convolutional network. This network serves as a pivotal component in mapping and analyzing the complex network of sentiment correlations that can exist among various aspects within sentences. Through this integration, ACGN is able to unearth and interpret the subtle and often overlooked sentiment dynamics that traditional models might miss. Our comprehensive evaluations of the Aspect Correlation Graph Network, conducted using the SemEval 2014 datasets, have yielded promising results. These findings demonstrate a clear and significant advancement over the capabilities of existing models. Particularly, the results underscore the critical importance and utility of recognizing and understanding the connections between sentiments of different aspects in text analysis. This insight opens new avenues in the field of sentiment analysis, suggesting a broader application potential of ACGN in various contexts where understanding nuanced sentiment relationships is key. Overall, our study not only introduces a novel approach in aspect-level sentiment analysis but also sets a new standard for future research in this area. By highlighting the integral role of inter-aspect sentiment connections, ACGN paves the way for more sophisticated and accurate sentiment analysis tools, capable of handling the complexities of natural language with greater finesse and precision.
Black Soldier Meal in Feed Could Adversely Affect Organic Broiler Meat Quality When Used for the Total or Half Replacement of Diet Proteins
Authors: La Mantia Maria Chiara , Calì Massimo , Petrocchi Jasinski Luigi , Contò Michela , Meo Zilio David , Guarino Amato Monica
Published: November 2023

: Organic poultry need high-quality proteins in their diet. The EU’s organic regulation forbids synthetic amino acids; therefore, soybean, with its balanced essential amino acid content, has become the most used protein source, though much of it is imported from non-EU countries. Soybean, however, has some important problems related to sustainability and crop competition; therefore, it must be substituted with a high-protein-value alternative such as insect meal. In this study, 900 Aviagen Savanna broilers were reared using three different organic diets. The diets used the following as protein feed material: soybean only (S100), 50% black soldier fly larvae meal (BSL) and 50% soybean (BSL50), and 100% BSL only (BSL100). Broiler performance, welfare, and fatty acids (FA) in the thigh and breast were analyzed. BSL50 and BSL100 negatively affected growth performance, while BSL100 worsened all of the market-related measures of performance. Meat quality was worse in BSL50 and BSL100, with a significant increase in saturated FA (SFA) and a corresponding decrease in polyunsaturated FA (PUFA). Among SFA, lauric acid (C12:0) more notably increased. The increase in SFA represents a negative aspect of BSL meal inclusion, namely the production of lauric acid; however, this trend could have a beneficial effect, which will be more deeply explored with regard to its impact on animal and human health.
Network Approach Identifies the Control Cities of O3 Pollution
Authors: Zhao Zhidan , Xue Demei , Sun Haojun , Wang Weiping , Ying Na
Published: November 2023

In recent years, ozone (O3) pollution has been rapidly spreading, restricting further improvement of air quality in China. Investigating the interaction of O3 concentration and identifying their driven cities are important for the prevention and control of O3 pollution in China. However, the complex interaction between O3 pollution between the cities and their driven cities has not yet been revealed. In this study, we address this gap based on complex network methods. Specifically, an ozone relational network is constructed using an association calculation method. The driven nodes and spatial clusters were analyzed based on the maximum matching algorithm and the Louvain algorithm. The findings of the study reveal an aggregation phenomenon in the ozone network concerning distance. Furthermore, as the threshold Tc varies, the proportion of driven nodes exhibits a positive correlation. Moreover, a closer threshold value corresponds to a higher coincidence ratio of the driven nodes. The results provide scientific guidance for national O3 pollution prevention and regional synergy formatting. Furthermore, the introduced network-based approaches offer a mythological framework for the study of air pollution in key cities and clusters.
[3+2]-Cycloaddition of Nitrile Imines to Parabanic Acid Derivatives – an Approach to Novel Spiroimidazolidinediones
Authors: Kuznetsova Juliana V. , Tkachenko Varvara T. , Petrovskaya Lada M. , Filkina Maria E. , Shybanov Dmitry E. , Grishin Yuri K. , Roznyatovsky Vitaly A. , Tafeenko Viktor A. , Pestretsova Anna S. , Yakovleva Vera A. , Vadim Vadim S. , Kukushkin Maxim E. , Beloglazkina Elena K.
Published: November 2023

1,3 Dipolar cycloaddition of imidazolidine derivatives containing exocyclic double bonds is a convenient method of creating spiro-conjugated molecules with the promising anticancer active. In this work, the derivatives of parabanic acid (2-thioxoimidazolidine-4,5-diones and 5-aryliminoimidazolidine-2,4-diones) were firstly investigated as dipolarophiles in the reactions with nitrile imines. The generation of nitrile imines was carried out either by the addition of tertiary amine to hydrazonoyl chlorides «drop by drop» or using recently proposed diffusion mixing technique, which led to ~5-15% increasing of target compounds yields. It was found that the addition of nitrile imines to C=S or C=N exocyclic double bonds led to 1,2,4-thiazolines or triazolines and occurred regioselectively in accordance to the ratio of FMO coefficients of reactants. The yield of the resulting spiro-compound depended on the presence of alkyl substituents in nitrile imine structure and was significantly decreases at the reactions with imines with strong electron donor or electron-withdrawing groups. Some of the obtained compounds showed reasonable in vitro cytotoxicity. IC50 values were calculated for HCT116 (colon cancer) cells using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test.
Sesame Germination Dynamics: Unravelling Sesame's Response to Salinity and Temperature Variability
Authors: Gholamhoseini Majid , Dolatabadian Aria
Published: November 2023

Sesame (Sesamum indicum), a highly valued oilseed, faces challenges in cultivation, especially in regions susceptible to environmental stressors. This study investigates the interactive effects of salinity and temperature on sesame seed germination. Two cultivars, Darab 1 and Oltan, were subjected to various salinity levels (-3 to -12 bars) and temperatures (15°C, 20°C, and 25°C). Results revealed that at 15°C, salinity levels beyond -3 bars significantly reduced germination, while at 25°C, 40% and 62% germination rates were recorded even at -12 bars for Darab 1 and Oltan, respectively. The study highlights the importance of temperature in mitigating the inhibitory effects of salinity on germination. Germination speed exhibited a decline with increasing salinity, particularly at lower temperatures. Shoot and root lengths and dry weights decreased with rising salinity, but Oltan demonstrated greater tolerance than Darab 1. The research emphasises the species-specific nature of temperature-salinity interactions and the intraspecific variability among sesame cultivars. Notably, Oltan, adapted to arid regions with elevated temperatures, displayed increased tolerance to salinity stress. The findings contribute to understanding sesame's resilience to environmental stressors, aiding in developing resilient cultivars for challenging agricultural landscapes. Overall, temperature is pivotal in influencing sesame seed germination and early seedling growth under salinity stress, offering insights for optimised cultivation practices.
PENGGUNAAN LAHAN PERMUKIMAN PADA WILAYAH RAWAN TSUNAMI DI PERKOTAAN PACITAN JAWA TIMUR TAHUN 2022
Authors: Azzahra Fadhila Firda , Muryani Chatarina , Nugraha Setya
Published: November 2023

High population growth resulted in increasingly massive development of settlements even in disaster-prone areas. Indonesia's challenge in building settlements is that most of Indonesia's population lives in disaster-prone areas. Disaster risk reduction, particularly for tsunamis, is important by controlling settlements in tsunami-prone areas. Settlement control is carried out by identifying settlements. The research aims to identify the density of residential land use blocks in tsunami-prone areas in Urban Pacitan. The research method was carried out by spatial analysis by overlaying density maps of residential land use blocks and tsunami hazard maps. For the formulation of tsunami settlement mitigation directives through regulations and existing conditions of the area. Mapping the density of residential land use blocks is obtained through the interpretation of Quickbird Imagery, then calculating the density of settlement blocks. The results of the study show that Urban Pacitan is dominated by low density residential blocks with an area of 989.7 Ha (81%). Each tsunami hazard in Urban Pacitan has three different density classifications of settlement blocks. There are 75% of the area in Urban Pacitan that is safe for settlements and 3% for conditional settlements, with special mitigation given to minimize losses due to the tsunami.
White coat effect in patients with hypertension
Authors: Andreeva G. F. , Gorbunov V. M. , Antipushina D. N. , Platonova E. V.
Published: December 2023

The article is devoted to various aspects of white coat effect (WCE) in patients with hypertension (HTN). WCE is due to the patient’s anxious response to office blood pressure (BP) measurement and is characterized by a BP increase. In patients with HTN, WCE is detected with a high frequency. Pronounced WCE in hypertensive patients is associated with worsening the HTN course and the prognosis of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. In addition, BP increase in these patients during a doctor’s visit may lead to additional prescription of antihypertensive drugs, increasing costs and side effects. To identify WCE, a large number of methods are used, which can be divided into following groups: I – data from clinical and daytime ambulatory blood pressure measurement, II – clinical and home BP assessment, III – only ambulatory BP measurement, IV – clinical and laboratory BP data, and V – only clinical BP measurement. There are following WCE in patients with HTN: female sex, age, never smoking, as well as anxiety, introversion, etc. WCE is due to the patient’s anxiety state during office BP measurement and a conditioned reflex BP increase associated both with the physician presence and medical background. Severe WCE in some groups of patients with HTN may be associated with a worse prognosis compared with other hypertensive patients as follows: in individuals with a significant difference between clinical and ambulatory blood pressure levels or between the first and third BP office data, with a combination of resistant HTN and WCE, with WCE increasing from visit to visit, etc.
Perioperative myocardial injury in patients with coronary artery disease during elective lower limb surgery
Authors: Kudaev Yu. A. , Vorobeva A. V. , Lokhovinina N. L. , Abesadze I. T. , Alugishvili M. Z. , Titenkov I. V. , Chernyavsky M. A. , Panov A. V.
Published: December 2023

Aim. To assess the prevalence of ischemic myocardial injury and the cardioprotective effect of nicorandil by assessing high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) during elective lower limb surgery, as well as to identify predictors of adverse cardiac events.

Material and methods. The study included 70 patients with stable coronary artery disease hospitalized for elective autogenous femoropopliteal bypass (FPB) surgery. After randomization, all patients were divided into two following groups: control group — 35 patients; main group — 35 patients, who, in addition to standard therapy, were prescribed nicorandil (Cordinic, PIQ-PHARMA) in a single dose of 20 mg 2 hours before surgery. In the postoperative period, the incidence of myocardial injury was assessed by hs-cTn increase. The obtained primary data were subjected to mathematical processing using the R-Studio software package (R language).

Results. At baseline, patients in both groups were comparable in clinical characteristics, therapy, and duration of vascular surgery. In the main group of patients receiving nicorandil, a significant decrease in the incidence of perioperative myocardial injury was noted. In 5 patients of the control group, hs-cTn level 24 hours after surgery exceeded the threshold value, which indicated myocardial injury in the early postoperative period. In the nicorandil group, there was no hs-cTn increase (14% vs 0%, p=0,027). Regression analysis identified a predictor of perioperative myocardial injury — left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%. LVEF <50% increases the risk of myocardial injury in the early postoperative period by 7,36 times (p=0,04) and 9,15 times (p=0,048) according to univariate and multivariate regression analysis, respectively.

Conclusion. Perioperative myocardial injury is a common complication in patients with CAD undergoing lower extremity revascularization. The use of nicorandil (Cordinic, PIQ-PHARMA) before elective revascularization surgery helps reduce the incidence of ischemic myocardial injury in the early postoperative period and is not accompanied by adverse reactions, which rationales this approach to improve the clinical outcomes of lower extremity revascularization in patients with stable CAD. A predictor of myocardial injury, determined by hs-cTn, is a LVEF <50%.
Patients with atrial fibrillation in outpatient practice: clinical characteristics and outcomes over a 10-year observation period (data from the REQUAZA AF registrу — Yaroslavl)
Authors: Yakusevich V. V. , Yakusevich V. Vl. , Martsevich S. Yu. , Lukyanov M. M. , Drapkina O. M.
Published: December 2023

Aim. To present clinical characteristics and assess serious adverse outcomes (death, acute cardiovascular events) in outpatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in one of the Yaroslavl clinics for 10 years.

Material and methods. A total of 212 patients with AF aged from 23 to 94 years were included in the REQUAZA AF registrу — Yaroslavl at the first visit to the clinic in 2013. Their health status was monitored over 10,5 years through in-person visits, phone contacts with patients, their relatives, and treating physicians. Recorded data included the AF type, comorbid conditions, extent and quality of examinations and treatments, development of serious adverse events, and mortality. Statistical processing was carried out using the Microsoft Office 365 application software package.

Results. Most patients (66,5%) were diagnosed with persistent AF. Paroxysmal, persistent, and newly detected forms were observed in 26,4%, 3,8%, and 3,3% of patients, respectively. Most AF patients had concomitant cardiovascular diseases, most frequently hypertension (96,7%), heart failure (91,6%), and coronary artery disease (91,2%). A total of 54 patients (25,5%) had prior stroke or transient ischemic attack. Complete information was obtained for 203 patients (95,8%), of which 164 (78,5%) passed away during the follow-up period. The leading death cause was cardiovascular disease, particularly cerebrovascular events (n=111; 67,7%). The highest mortality was recorded within the first two years of follow-up, during which more than a quarter (25,1%) of the registered patients had died. The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly affect the mortality rates. The most common AF complications were stroke and transient ischemic attack, with a total of 74 episodes in the history and follow-up period, including 7 recurrences.

Conclusion. Ambulatory AF patients represent a group with a high frequency of cardiovascular events and fatal outcomes. In the observed group of ambulatory AF patients, annual mortality exceeded 10%, and over 3/4 of patients died within 10 years. The leading death cause was cardiovascular disease, primarily cerebrovascular events.
Efficacy of azilsartan medoxomil in patients with hypertension and stable coronary artery disease in combination with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kochergina A. M. , Barbarash O. L.
Published: December 2023

Aim. To study the effect of azilsartan medoxomil (AZL-M) on the 24-hour blood pressure (BP) profile in patients with hypertension (HTN), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Material and methods.  A total of 183 patients with CAD in combination with HTN and T2D took part in the study (100 men (54,64%), 83 women (45,36%)). All patients were previously prescribed a statin, antiplatelet therapy, a beta-blocker, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB). At baseline,  the proportion of people taking ARBs and ACEIs was 30% and 70%, respectively. All study participants were discontinued from a previously prescribed ARBs or ACE inhibitors and were prescribed 6-month AZL-M (Edarbi®) therapy. During this period, according to the study plan, patients visited the medical center to assess the effectiveness and safety of therapy and blood pressure changes.

Results. The mean age of the patients was 65,0 years (60-69  years), while the mean body mass index (BMI) — 31,24 kg/m2. The mean age of female participants was higher than the mean age of males: 66,35±6,59 vs 62,72±8,82 years (p=0,002). The mean BMI in women was higher and was 33.08 kg/m2, while in men it was 30,74 kg/m2 (p=0,001). Six-month  AZL-M therapy decreased 24-hour BP values. Thus, the time index of systolic blood pressure (SBP) hypertension in the daytime decreased from 63% to 12%, while at night from 70% to 10%, and the time index of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) hypertension  in the daytime from 18% to 10%, and at night from 44% to 8%. The main result is confirmation of AZL-M effectiveness in relation to BP control, as well as good drug tolerability. At the visit after 1-month AZL-M therapy, target BP values  were recorded in 45,4%  of participants, and after six months — the proportion of people with normal 24-hour BP values was 69,9%.

Conclusion. Edarbi® therapy in patients with HTN in combination with T2D and stable CAD leads  to 24-hour BP normalization. At the same time, the drug has a good safety profile, since the reported adverse events were not related to the drug.
Association of breast arterial calcification and carotid atherosclerosis as a marker of cardiovascular risk
Authors: Bochkareva E. V. , Butina E. K. , Bayramkulova N. Kh. , Kim I. V. , Molchanova O. V. , Filichkina E. M. , Yarovaya E. B. , Metelskaya V. A. , Drapkina O. M.
Published: December 2023

Aim. To study the relationship between breast arterial calcification (BAC) and the presence and severity of carotid atherosclerosis.

Material and methods. We analyzed 4274 digital mammograms of women who underwent diagnostic mammography. In addition to the standard diagnosis of breast diseases, BAC was assessed in all mammograms. The study included 198 women aged 40-74 years, who made up 2 groups with and without BAC, each consisting of 99 people, formed on a case-control basis. The severity of BAC was assessed by a 12-point score. Duplex ultrasound of extracranial arteries determined plaque presence, the severity of CA stenosis (in percent) and intima-media thickness (IMT). All women underwent physical and laboratory examinations, electrocardiography, and were interviewed using a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic data, menopausal status, risk factors, and diseases.

Results. The groups did not differ in lipid levels, blood glucose, body mass index, incidence of hypertension, diabetes, or smoking. Women with BAC had a higher incidence of menopause (94,9% vs 84,8%, p=0,033), coronary artery disease (13,1% vs 4,2%, p=0,039) and osteoporosis (18,2% vs 6,1%, p=0,016) in       history. In women with BAC, at least one carotid plaque was observed significantly more often than in those without BAC — in 79,8% and 60,6% of cases, respectively (p=0,005). Women with BAC compared with women without BAC had a greater plaque number (1,0 [1,0; 3,0] vs, 1,0 [1,0; 2,0], p<0,001) and a more severe carotid stenosis, assessed by maximum (25,0 [17,5; 35,0] vs 20,0 [0,0; 27,5], p=0,001), total (30,0 [20,0; 92,5] vs 25,0 [0,0; 50,0], p<0,001) and mean arterial stenosis (25,0 [17,5; 30,0] vs 20,0 [0,0; 25,0], p=0,001). For the first time, a positive relationship was revealed between the severity of carotid atherosclerosis and BAC as follows: women with greater severity of maximum and total carotid stenosis had more severe BAC (p=0,018 and p=0,003, respectively). There was no association between BAC and IMT (p=0,115).

Conclusion. BAC is associated with a higher incidence and severity of carotid atheromatosis. A positive relationship was found between the severity of BAC and carotid stenosis. The data obtained confirm the prospects of mammography as a screening technique for identifying individuals with an increased cardiovascular risk.
AKSI PEMBERDAYAAN DAN EDUKASI SECANTING (SEMANGAT CEGAH STUNTING) DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS 4 ULU PALEMBANG
Authors: Resy Asmalia  , Putri Rizki Amalia Badri  , Anggina Dientyah Nur Anggina , Oktarina Rizki , Habiburrahman M. Dzaky , Memo Naufal Othman
Published: November 2023

Stunting is a condition of growth failure in children due to malnutrition for a very long time. The prevalence of stunting in South Sumatra reached 28.98%. Interventions that need to be done to reduce the prevalence start from the first 8000 days of life starting (HPK) from toddlers to adolescents. The purpose of this activity was to increase knowledge and improve the health of mothers, toddlers and adolescents so as to reduce the prevalence of stunting. The targets of this activity were mothers who have stunted toddlers, stunted toddlers and adolescent girls in the working area of Puskesmas 4 Ulu Palembang. The methods used were anthropometric measurements on toddlers and adolescents, haemoglobin measurements on adolescents, SECANTING education using snakes and ladders game media and crossword puzzles. Evaluation of the activity was carried out by giving a pretest-posttest questionnaire. The service team involved were the lecturers of FK UMPalembang, UMPalembang’s cross-program students and the PERMAHUM Organisation of South Sumatera. The results of this activity were that participants understood the efforts of providing high protein supplementary food for toddlers and preventing anaemia in adolescent girls as a form of stunting prevention. Suggestions that can be given are to conduct stunting education routinely to reduce the prevalence of stunting and improve the health status of the Indonesian people.

 

Abstrak

Stunting adalah kondisi gagal tumbuh pada anak akibat kekurangan gizi dalam waktu yang sangat lama. Prevalensi stunting di Sumatera Selatan mencapai 28.98%. intervensi yang perlu dilakukan untuk menurukan prevalensi tersebut dimulai dari 8000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan dimulai dari balita hingga remaja. Tujuan dari kegiatan ini adalah untuk menambah pengetahuan serta meningkatkan kesehatan ibu, balita dan remaja sehingga dapat menurunkan prevalensi stunting. Sasaran pada kegiatan ini adalah ibu yang memiliki balita stunting, balita stunting dan remaja putri di wilayah kerja Puskesmas 4 Ulu Palembang. Metode yang dilakukan adalah pengukuran antropometri pada balita dan remaja, pengukuran hemoglobin pada remaja, edukasi SECANTING menggunakan media permainan ular tangga dan teka-teki silang. Evaluasi kegiatan dilakukan dengan pemeberian kuesioner pretest-posttest. Tim pengabdian yang dilibatkan adalah dosen FK UMPalembang, mahasiswa lintas prodi UMPalembang dan Organisasi PERMAHUM Sumatera Selatan. Hasil dari kegiatan ini adalah peserta memahami upaya pemberian makanan tambahan tinggi protein bagi balita dan pencegahan anemia pada remaja putri sebagai bentuk pencegahan stunting. Saran yang dapat diberikan adalah melakukan edukasi stunting secara rutin untuk menurunkan prevalensi stunting dan meningkatkan derajat kesehatan masyarakat Indonesia
Prestasi Akademik Siswa Sekolah Dasar Tingkat Awal: Tinjauan Kesiapan Sekolah Dasar dan Motivasi Berprestasi
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Sidoarjo, Maryati Lely Ika , Affandi Ghozali Rusyid
Published: November 2023

Buku ini disusun berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang berjudul “Peran Kesiapan Masuk Sekolah Dasar dan Motivasi Berprestasi terhadap Prestasi Akademik pada Siswa SD Kelas Satu”, buku ini mengulas keterkaitan atau hubungan antara variable kesiapan sekolah dan motivasi berprestasi dengan prestasi akademik. Dalam penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji hipotesa adanya hubungan positif antara variable kesiapan sekolah dan motivasi berprestasi dengan prestasiak ademik Siswa Sekolag Dasar awal (kelas 1). Kami ucapkan terimakasih kepada semua pihak yang turut membantu dalam pelaksanaan penelitian
Job satisfaction of fisheries extension professionals: An exploratory study in Tripura, North-east India
Authors: Debbarma Shiba Prasad , Ghosh Amitava , Debnath Raja , Lahiri Biswajit , Singh Yumlembam Jackie , Pal Prasenjit , Upadhyay A. D.
Published: November 2023

Shortage in different cadres of Fisheries extension professionals in Tripura led the presentstudy to identify their perceived level of job satisfaction and also to probe into the constraintsfaced by such professionals and put forth probable suggestions. The research methodologypremised on structured interview schedule, with factors of job satisfaction as well as a scalewith 20 statements, filled by respondents and those were rated in a five-point continuum.Results revealed that 71.46% fisheries extension professionals confessed to “medium” levelof job satisfaction. Multiple stepwise logistic forward regressions made it clear that proximityto job location, health status, service duration and caste were possible factors, which appearto have significant influence over perceived job satisfaction. Weighted average scores ofdifferent ‘organisational’ and ‘work environmental’ factors of job satisfaction were 2.61and 2.89 respectively, indicating ‘medium’ level of satisfaction whereas, ‘job content’, ‘jobroles and responsibility’ and ‘personal factors’ of job satisfaction scored 3.32, 3.39 and 3.74respectively, suggesting ‘high’ level of satisfaction. Values of Rank Based Quotient revealedthat financial crunch in the Fisheries Department (98.72), delayed sanction in procuringessential official items (97.58), insufficient quality inputs and untimely supply to the fishfarmers (87.89) were the three major constraints associated with their job. Study suggeststhat adequate budget allocation, timely recruitment of staff with proper job specificationand capacity building may significantly improve the level of job satisfaction for sustainablegrowth of fisheries sector in the state.
Keywords:Extension professionals, Fisheries, Jobsatisfaction, Tripura
Toxic Industrial Chemical / Material Intelligence Tool (TICMINT) user guide
Authors: Clement Michael , Broderick Sage , Garton Marty
Published: November 2023

The Toxic Industrial Chemical / Material Intelligence Tool (TICMINT) is a web application that provides critical chemical and toxicological information to users quickly and efficiently for the purpose of enacting safe maneuvers in areas of operations. It provides an in-depth look at the makeup, properties, and hazardous effects of nearly 400 toxic chemicals of interest. It also provides background on the chemical makeup of a bevy of building materials, enabling soldiers in areas of operation to determine the toxicological risks associated with the combustion of those materials in their environment. This document’s purpose is to demonstrate the functionality of the TICMINT web application and provide instructional material for those managing its content.
IS ISLAMIC BANKING PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA TRULY BETTER THAN INDONESIA?
Authors: Naja Abdul Hakam
Published: December 2023

This article analyzes the performance of Islamic banking in Malaysia and Indonesia using a comprehensive evaluation framework. Malaysia is known for its leading role in Islamic finance, while Indonesia has faced criticism for slower growth. The study argues that assessing Islamic banking performance solely based on financial metrics is insufficient and proposes a broader framework based on the Maqasid Shariah (objectives of Islamic law) for a more objective standard. Using data from 2010 to 2019, the study constructs a Maqasid Shariah Index of Islamic Bank (MSI-iB) and adopts a T-test as well as a panel data model to evaluate their performance. The index includes five sub-indices representing different aspects of the Maqasid Shariah framework. Results show varied scores among Islamic banks in both countries with no statistical difference between the two countries, but with Indonesia leading in religiosity and intellectuality dimensions and Malaysia leading in the posterity dimension. These results challenge the perception that Malaysia's Islamic banking performance is inherently superior to Indonesia's based solely on financial metrics. Considering the Maqasid Shariah framework is crucial to evaluating Islamic banking performance, highlighting the significance of non-financial indicators. The study concludes that a comprehensive perspective is necessary, incorporating both financial and non-financial factors, to assess overall performance.
INDONESIAN LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS’ ACCEPTANCE OF MICROTAKAFUL IN EAST JAVA
Authors: Rapi Muh Zul Hazmi , Kassim Salina
Published: December 2023

This research investigates the inclination of economically disadvantaged households in East Java, Indonesia, towards microtakaful adoption, utilizing an extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Analyzing data from 304 respondents through online and face-to-face surveys, the study reveals a significant demand for microtakaful among low-income households. Behavioral intention is positively influenced by factors such as attitude, subjective norms, price, and knowledge, with price being the most critical determinant. Notably, a substantial number of respondents from low-income backgrounds express positive intention toward microtakaful. The study underscores the importance of microtakaful providers raising awareness, offering affordable structures, and highlighting microtakaful's value as a risk management tool. By employing an advanced TPB model, this research offers profound insights into the perceptions and behavioral tendencies of East Java's low-income households regarding microtakaful. The findings suggest actionable strategies for providers to enhance outreach and participation among this vulnerable group, contributing to improved financial inclusion and resilience.