bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of LLINs before and after the selection of pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.l. and funestus s.l. in NE Tanzania: a longitudinal meta-analysis of experimental hut studies
Authors: Tungu Patrick K. , Sudi Wema , Batengana Benard , Kisinza William N. , Rowland Mark
Published: August 2024

Background:
The extent to which insecticide resistance is affecting malaria vector control in community and home is not fully understood. This study assessed the implications of insecticide resistance for entomological efficacy of LLINs against wild free-flying field Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestuss.l. in experimental hut trials (EHT) in NE Tanzania before and after the evolution of pyrethroid-resistance.
Methods:
Evaluations of LLIN efficacy were conducted following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in a series of ten trials commissioned by WHO between 2006 and 2017, before and after resistance development.The evaluation criteria were based on mortality, blood feeding inhibition, induced exophily, personal protection, mass killing effect and deterrence. WHO bioassay methods were used to detect resistance while PCR molecular diagnostics detected resistance alleles and identified mosquitoes to species.
Results:
Anopheline mosquitoes were fully susceptible to pyrethroids until 2010-2013 when they began to show resistance. The VGSC L1014S point mutation kdr was detected in An. gambiae s.s. at the allelic frequency of 47%. Synergist tests with PBO restored efficacy, indicating added involvement of metabolic mechanisms. Meta-analysis of the 10 trials showed that mortality of susceptible An gambiae s.l.was 6.7 and 5.2-fold greater on zero-times (z = 6.6, p = 0.001) and 20-times washed LLINs (z = 2.3, p = 0.023) than on resistant An gambiae s.l. The mortality of unwashed and washed LLINs against susceptible An funestus s.l. was 3.3 (z = 2.8, p = 0.004) and 2.6 (z = 2.9, p = 0.004) fold greater than on resistant An funestus s.l. Resistant An gambiae s.l. were more likely to exit the huts as compared to susceptible An gambiae s.l. (z = 2.79, p = 0.005). The transition from susceptibility to resistance on changes to blood-feeding rates was non-significant for either species.
Conclusions:
Reduced mortality induced by LLINs after selection of pyrethroid resistance indicates that resistance may undermine household and community control of vector populations. Personal protection parameters seemed less affected by the transition to resistance. Meta-analysis, comparing the same net brands before and after selection of resistance, reveal which control parameters seem most affected by resistance.
Antibacterial activity and phytochemical screening of Rumex abyssinicus Jacq and Verbascum sinaiticum Benth collected from Debre Markos, northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Lemlemu Agumas , Yeshanew Solomon , Habtamu Asmamaw , Atenafu Getnet
Published: August 2024

Background
The increasing challenge of antibiotic resistance necessitates the need to explore alternative antimicrobial agents derived from natural sources. Rumex abyssinicus Jacq and Verbascum sinaiticum Benth are well-regarded in Ethiopian traditional medicine for their therapeutic potential. This study thus aimed to assess the antibacterial activity and phytochemical screening of extracts from the roots of R. abyssinicus and the leaves of V. sinaiticum collected from Debre Markos, northwest Ethiopia.
Methods
Crude extracts were prepared using a 1:10 w/v cold maceration technique with 80% ethanol and chloroform as solvents. In vivo, toxicity was assessed using Galleria mellonella larvae exposed to extracts at concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 100 mg/ml. Antibacterial activities were evaluated using disc diffusion assays against four strains of human pathogenic bacteria at concentrations ranging from 25 to 200 mg/ml. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were also determined to quantify the potency of the extracts. Phytochemical analysis identified secondary metabolites using standard qualitative tests, while chromatographic techniques: thin layer chromatography (TLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were conducted for fractionation, followed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic (NMR) characterization, and mass spectrometry (MS) of isolated compounds.
Results
Toxicity assessments of the plant extracts on G. mellonella larvae indicated dose-dependent toxic effects, with 100 mg/ml causing 40% mortality, suggesting moderate toxicity. Yet, mortality decreased at lower concentrations. Both plant extracts demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria. The ethanol extract of R. abyssinicus exhibited the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibition zone: 21.3 ± 1.21 mm) at 200 mg/ml. However, chloroform extracts of V. sinaiticum did not exhibit response at concentrations of 50 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml. MIC values for ethanol extracts of R. abyssinicus were consistent at 32 mg/ml across the majority of tested bacteria, while chloroform extracts of V. sinaiticum showed higher MIC values (64 mg/ml), indicating lower potency. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of anthraquinones, saponins, and tannins in R. abyssinicus, and flavonoids and phenols in V. sinaiticum. In addition, chromatographic separation yielded compounds such as chrysophanol and emodin from R. abyssinicus, and luteolin and aucubin from V. sinaiticum extracts.
Conclusion
Ethanol extracts from R. abyssinicus roots and V. sinaiticum leaves exhibit potent antibacterial activity against tested pathogens, supported by their diverse phytochemical profiles. These findings underscore their potential as sources of antibacterial agents, warranting further investigation into their therapeutic applications.
Screening for porcine endogenous retrovirus - C (PERV-C) in pigs
Authors: Jhelum Hina , Kunec Dusan , Papatsiros Vasileios , Kaufer Benedikt , Denner Joachim
Published: August 2024

Porcine endogenous retrovirus C (PERV-C) is a gammaretrovirus present in the genome of many, but not all pigs. PERV-C is an ecotropic virus, able to infect only pig cells. In contrast, PERV-A and PERV-B are present in all pigs, they can infect cells of numerous host species including humans, and therefore pose a risk for xenotransplantation using pigs as donor animals. Intriguingly, PERV-C can recombine with PERV-A and the resulting PERV-A/C recombinants can also infect human cells and replicate to higher titers compared to the paternal PERV-A. Therefore, only PERV-C-free animals should be used for xenotransplantation. When screening wild boars and German landrace pigs for PERV-C, proviral variants were detected, and to detect these variants, new PCR methods were developed. Furthermore, PERVs are known to be active in living pigs as demonstrated by recombination and by different copy numbers in various organs and different parts of an organ. Copy numbers also increased with the age of the animals. This data was obtained by PCR using primers amplifying the highly conserved polymerase sequence which is identical in PERV-A, PERV-B and PERV-C. Here we screened indigenous Greek black pigs, Auckland Island pigs and German slaughterhouse pigs for the presence of PERV-C, using different PCR-based methods and optimized these detection methods. Auckland Island pigs were PERV-C-negative and represent the optimal donor pigs after genetic modifications.
Flexural Performance of Tunnel lining Segments using Fiber Reinforced Concrete: A Study on Recycled and Industrial Fibers Through Experimental and Numerical Methods
Authors: Ahmadi Alireza , Tohidi Amin , Negahdar Hassan , Shakeri Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the flexural performance of metro tunnel segments reinforced with traditional rebar and fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC). Utilizing a comprehensive experimental approach, the mechanical properties of FRC were determined and compared with ordinary concrete through rigorous laboratory tests. A detailed numerical analysis was conducted using a 3D finite element model (FEM) in ABAQUS 2022, validated with experimental data. The FEM assessed segments reinforced with traditional rebar versus those with a 50% reduction in rebar, supplemented by FRC. The Concrete Damage Plasticity (CDP) model effectively simulated the flexural behavior, revealing a 30% reduction in tensile damage with FRC. Further analysis revealed significant improvements in stress responses, including a 2.6-fold increase in von Mises stress and a 60% reduction in vertical displacement. These findings highlight the enhanced structural performance and economic benefits of incorporating FRC with reduced rebar, as well as the environmental advantages of using recycled fibers. This study provides critical insights into optimizing tunnel segment reinforcement, promoting both structural integrity and sustainability in tunnel construction projects.
AUTOMATING QUALITY CONTROL: REAL-TIME DEFECT DETECTION AND AUTOMATED DECISION-MAKING WITH AI AND DOOSAN ROBOTICS
Authors: chaabani Ameni , Cherif Raef , Yaddaden Yacine
Published: August 2024

In today’s manufacturing industry, there is a growing need for precise and efficient quality control systems. This article proposes a real-time solution for identifying missing or damaged parts in a can by integrating computer vision, deep learning networks, robotics, and artificial intelligence. A collaborative robotic system was used to improve manufacturing efficiency. The system consists of a Doosan robot equipped with a 2.5D vision system and suction end-effectors for accurate object manipulation. The study involved collecting and augmenting a dataset using the Hough Transformation technique to isolate individual cans. Three pre-trained models, namely VGG16, MobileNet, and ResNet101, were used to detect defects on the can top through transfer learning. The performance of the models was evaluated in terms of accuracy, speed, and efficiency. The algorithm was successfully integrated into the robot, enabling it to perform real-time defect detection and classification autonomously. The implementation of this system showcased significant improvements in defect detection, highlighting the potential of automated technologies in industrial applications. The study also explores the implications of these findings for future enhancements, including the potential for increased system precision and the broader application of computer vision and artificial intelligence in manufacturing processes.
GPT-4 versus human authors in clinically complex MCQ creation: a blinded analysis of item quality
Authors: Wu Hannah , Zerner Toby , Lee Daniel , Court-Kowalski Stefan , Devitt Peter , Palmer Edward
Published: August 2024

MCQs are a popular assessment format in medical education. Creating clinically complex MCQs can be a time-consuming task for subject matter experts. Large language models such as GPT-4, a type of generative artificial intelligence (AI), are a potential tool for MCQ design. Clinically complex human-generated MCQs, at both novice and expert level, were compared with AI MCQs. A generic prompt for GPT-4 was engineered, which included item-writing guidance, example MCQs, and key learning points. A standardised scoring system was developed for a consensus panel to objectively evaluate each item, blinded to the author, on categories including content validity, scope, item anatomy, cognitive skill level, item-writing flaws (IWFs), feedback comprehensiveness, veracity, adequacy of clinical reasoning, and global impression of fitness for use. Analysis showed that all groups (novice, expert, and AI) were able generate items within scope. Expert items performed better than Novice items in all categories. Expert items performed better than AI in content validity, feedback veracity and clinical reasoning. They also tended to test higher order cognitive skills. There was no difference in the global impressions of Expert and AI items, which suggests they may be comparable overall. With adequate prompt engineering, GPT-4 can produce MCQs testing clinically complex concepts for medical assessment. The quality of AI outputs is comparable to experts, however human validation is necessary to ensure content validity. The AI-generated explanatory feedback was adequate in veracity and clinical reasoning, which may serve as an educational tool for learners.
Joint inference of mutational signatures from indels and single-nucleotide substitutions reveals prognostic impact of homologous recombination deficiency in tumors
Authors: Supek Fran , Ferrer-Torres Patricia
Published: August 2024

Mutational signatures are increasingly used to understand the mechanisms causing cancer, predict prognosis and stratify patients for therapy. However, inference of mutational signatures can be error-prone, particularly in the case of featureless, low-sparsity signatures, which often get confounded. One of them is the homologous recombination deficiency-associated signature SBS3, relevant because of its association with prognosis in ovarian and breast cancer and because of its potential use as a biomarker for synthetic lethality therapies. Here, we present the multimodal method for mutational signature extraction, operating on single-base substitutions (SBS) and indels jointly, and highlight its accuracy signature identification and patient survival prediction. Across four different cohorts of whole-genome sequenced ovarian cancers, the multimodal SBS/indel approach correctly distinguished the commonly confused signatures SBS3, SBS8, SBS39, SBS40 and SBS5. Moreover, we identified two different multimodal m-SBS3 signatures, m-SBS3a and m-SBS3b, with distinct patterns in the indel spectrum. Specifically, the m-SBS3b signature was strongly predictive of better survival in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients, replicating across the four cohorts, with effect sizes greatly exceeding other genetic markers of survival. m-SBS3 further predicted survival in platinum-treated patients with various cancer types, supporting a general utility of the multimodal mutational signatures for generating biologically and clinically meaningful readouts.
Anti-nuclear antibody and enthesitis were frequently detected in female patients with undifferentiated peripheral spondyloarthritis in Japan
Authors: Mokuda Sho , Kobayashi Hiroki , Araki Kei , Ishitoku Michinori , Watanabe Hirofumi , Sugimoto Tomohiro , Yoshida Yusuke , Hirata Shintaro
Published: August 2024

Background The clinical features of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) differ between women and men. Peripheral lesions of SpA are more common in women than in men. Compared with reports on psoriatic arthritis (PsA), while reports on patients meeting the criteria for peripheral SpA or patients with undifferentiated peripheral SpA (upSpA) are scarce. This study aimed to elucidate the detailed manifestations of upSpA and the sex differences in situations of low human leukocyte antigen B27 positivity.Methods This multi-center observational study was conducted between April 2020 and June 2024. Among 38 patients with SpA, participants with concomitant inflammatory bowel diseases or meeting with either axial SpA, PsA or reactive arthritis (ReA) criteria were excluded. We collected physical findings and laboratory data on 29 cases of upSpA (19 women and 10 men; mean age [standard deviation]: 41.6 years [16.3] vs. 60.2 years [11.2]). We primarily analyzed the data to examine the relationship between sex and clinical findings.Results The rate of tenderness of the epicondyles of humerus were 79.0% in women and 40.0% in men (p = 0.047). The prevalence rate of tenderness of the Achilles tendon was 52.6% in women and 10.0% in men (p = 0.029). These areas in the women had a higher prevalence rate of enthesitis than those in men. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) positivity in women (21.1%) were lower than in men (80.0%) (p = 0.004). The positive rate of anti-nuclear antibody, which was defined at a dilution of ≥ 1:160, was higher in women (47.4%) than in men (0%) (p = 0.009).Conclusion Women with upSpA frequently experience enthesitis of the epicondyles of humerus and the Achilles tendon, as well as a lower serum CRP positivity and a higher incidence of positive anti-nuclear antibody, compared to men, in Japan.
Maternal and Newborn Care Continuum Partner Encouragement among a Cohort of Pregnant Women in Ethiopia
Authors: Damtew Solomon Abrha
Published: August 2024

Introduction: The World Health Organization strongly recommend partner encouragement on the use of domains of maternal and newborn care continuum.Objective: quantifying the level of husband and/or partner encouragement for antenatal care visit and/or discussion about where to delivery as part of the maternal and newborn care continuum and identifying its correlates.Design: Longitudinal follow up studySetting: Ethiopia.Participants: A cohort of 6 weeks postpartum women.Intervention:Partner encouragement on the first two domains of maternal and newborn care continuumPrimary and Secondary Outcome measures:the primary outcome was Partner and/or husband encouragement on the first two domains of maternal and newborn care continuumMethods:PMA cohort 2 baseline and six weeks postpartum data sets were used for this study. Multinomial logistics regression was run to identify correlates of partner encouragement. Statistical significance was declared at p-value of 0.05.Results:The proportion of partner encouraged for both domains was 68.00% (65.58%, 70.14%). There is regional variation in partner encouragement towards maternal and new born care continuum domains by women age marriage type and whether the index pregnancy and by contraceptive use history and was planned.Conclusions:Region specific age sensitive activities and efforts that empower women to have control over their fertility and which also addressed polygamy are hoped to improve husband and/or partner encouragement. Diversifying access to contraceptive commodities is likely to help the ministry and other developmental parents to address the husband and/or partner CoC encouragement in terms of policy articulation and advocacy.
A Transmission-Error-Based Gear Form-Grinding Method for Electrical Vehicles
Authors: Li Yan , Zhi Geng , Zhu Wenmin
Published: August 2024

A new gear form-grinding method based on a predesigned controllable second-order transmission error function is proposed to obtain stable contact performance of gear tooth surfaces and improve their reliability for electrical vehicles (EVs). The predesigned second-order transmission error function is assigned to a gear drive based on the design specifications of EVs. Mathematical models of modified gear tooth surfaces of the gear pair can be obtained by the predesigned second-order transmission error function. Moreover, a section profile of a form-grinding wheel for cylindrical involute gears can be determined by a coordinate transformation matrix during form-grinding and settings of computer numerical control form-grinding programs for this active design method. The proposed gear form-grinding is ultimately conducted on three cylindrical involute gear pairs to demonstrate its feasibility and effectiveness.
Clinical and radiological evaluation of systemic lupus erythematosus, Research question: Evaluation of lupus cases in corona infection
Authors: KHATTAB KHALID , AYED MOHAMAD AL , SHWEIKI ABDUL MAJD AL , ALLAH BADER KHAIR
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by periods of remission followed by acute attacks. Its diagnosis is based on several criteria, the most recent of which is the European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) criteria, which is based on clinical manifestations in addition to a positive ANA titer.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 patients at Al-Mowasat University Hospital, extending retrospectively from 2020 to the last month of 2023. The study included lupus patients who had pathological radiological findings based on clinical and laboratory signs and according to the international standards adopted in 2019. The focus was on studying lupus patients who developed COVID-19 during 2021-2022, with a total of 95 cases. The sample was selected from patients with proven lupus infection with a positive COVID-PCR, while patients whose study was not fully completed were excluded.
Results: It was noted that clinical symptoms and radiological manifestations worsened in COVID patients who had a previous and chronic infection with systemic lupus erythematosus compared to COVID patients who did not have lupus. The study confirmed parenchymal infection in most cases in lupus and the appearance of typical signs in the stratified layer diagnostic of Corona, which are: the spread of glass-covered densities in the peripheral sections The background of the lungs with multiple focal condensations 92% in patients with Covid with a previous infection with lupus in addition to thickening of the diaphragm 65% with bronchiectasis 33% and enlargement of the mediastinal phlegm nodules 35%
Conclusion: Lupus is a multisystemic disease that requires accurate diagnosis and follow-up, the necessity and use of appropriate radiological methods for diagnosis, not neglecting any complaint in lupus patients, and attention to the areas of Covid in lupus patients.
Impactos da governança e elementos ESG na computação em nuvem: Uma análise teórica e prática
Authors: Ideyama Fernando , Becker João Luiz
Published: August 2024

Objetivo: Identificar se a utilização de tecnologia de computação em nuvem melhora ou atende as contribuições relacionadas ao impacto no ESG. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo exploratório, aplicando pesquisa com 260 respondentes utilizando a técnica estatística de Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Originalidade / Relevância: O artigo discute a relação da utilização da tecnologia de computação em nuvem e a veracidade das informações apresentadas pelas organizações sobre os impactos gerados nas iniciativas do ESG. Resultados: Os resultados demonstraram que existe uma dissonância entre práticas sustentáveis e a utilização de tecnologias de computação em nuvem, pois não há uma concepção no planejamento das organizações em utilizar os serviços de computação em nuvem com assuntos relacionados as iniciativas do ESG. Embora tenha sido importante abordar os impactos positivos sob perspectivas corporativas em nossa pesquisa, foi igualmente crítico abordar as principais partes interessadas na temática do ESG e a transparência das empresas relacionada à publicação de informações. Contribuições sociais / para a gestão: Os benefícios da computação em nuvem do ponto de vista ESG são claros, mas as empresas devem enfrentar os desafios de modo que seja possível colher plenamente os benefícios oferecidos. O gerenciamento adequado dos relatórios de computação em nuvem pode ajudar a apoiar as iniciativas do ESG, automatizando processos e padronizando os dados, proporcionando maior transparência dentro da organização e para a sociedade. As organizações também precisarão adquirir novos talentos com experiência e conhecimento dos princípios de sustentabilidade.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of cerium oxide Salvia veneris nanoparticles on acetamiprid-induced renal and hepatic toxicity in rats
Authors: NUR GOKHAN , CAYLAK EMRAH
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities of S. veneris extract (SvE) and cerium oxide nanoparticles/S. veneris (CeO2-NPs/SvE). The study first analyzed the total polyphenolic, flavonoid, and saponin contents of SvE. The identification of phenolic compounds was determined using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Next, the study investigated the hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects of S. veneris on acetamiprid-induced toxicity in rats. The rats were administered acetamiprid orally for two weeks, alone or in combination with SvE and CeO2-NPs/SvE. Our study found an association between acetamiprid-induced toxicity and significant changes in biochemical, histopathological, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory parameters. The treatment with SvE and CeO2-NPs/SvE resulted in a reduction of malondialdehyde (MDA), TNF-α and IL-6 cytokine levels, while increasing glutathione (GSH) as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), IL-10 and TGF-β levels. Our study suggests that cerium oxide nanoparticles synthesized from S. veneris using the green synthesis method could be a protective and therapeutic agent against various diseases.
Sound source identification of a cylindrical shell by merging near-field acoustic holography with operational transfer path analysis
Authors: Wang Jintao , Zhang Lei , Chen Guobing
Published: August 2024

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new sound source identification method to identify and separate the sound sources generated by the cross-coupled vibration sources inside the cylindrical shell structure. Near-field acoustic holography (NAH) has fundamentally changed sound source identification in that it has enabled the identification of sound sources and the visualization of the 3-D sound field. Nevertheless, the NAH technique is still unable to identify the vibration sources inside a structure and also finds it difficult to identify the contribution of a single sound source to sound fields due to cross-coupling among the vibration sources. To overcome these limitations, a modified operational transfer path analysis (OPA) technique has also been proposed, which can address the cross-coupling between vibration sources. In practice, however, a single identification method often appears to be inadequate. Thus, in this paper, a novel method of merging the NAH technique and the modified OPA technique has been adopted and used to identify the structure-borne sound source of a cylindrical shell. Finally, the adaptability of the proposed method has been demonstrated by numerical simulations and experimentally and it has been shown that the novel method can not only compute the sound field distribution of a cylindrical surface, but also reconstruct other 3-D field distributions, and moreover, can locate a sound source and predict the sound field.
The long shadow of the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement
Authors: Whittington Dale
Published: August 2024

Since 2011 Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have been in continual negotiations over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and more fundamentally the future shape of economic development in the Nile basin. This paper examines two important ways that the terms of the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement continue to shape these negotiations. First, the 1959 Agreement codifies Egypt's historic water rights. Egypt's strategy of trying to protect these historic rights by preventing upstream water use in Ethiopia is increasingly putting its ability to maintain and expand its virtual water trade at risk. Thus, counterintuitively, treating its historic water rights as non-negotiable is putting Egypt's food security in jeopardy. Second, the 1959 Agreement created a strong disincentive for Sudan to participate in any new basin-wide water-sharing plan. It is in Sudan's interest to ignore any modest future water withdrawals by Ethiopia rather than join in a third-party negotiation to determine Ethiopia's share. The paper describes how the current impasse on the Nile may be transformed by either new ideas or events.
Utilizing AfDesign for Developing a Small Molecule Inhibitor of PICK 1-PDZ
Authors: Hendrix Emily , Xia Xinyu , Stevens Amy O. , He Yi
Published: August 2024

Introduction: The PICK1 PDZ domain has been identified as a potential drug target for
neurological disorders. After many years of effort, a few inhibitors, such as TAT-C5 and mPD5,
have been discovered experimentally to bind to the PDZ domain with a relatively high binding
affinity. With the rapid growth of computational research, there is an urgent need for more efficient
computational methods to design viable ligands that target proteins.

Method: Recently, a newly developed program called AfDesign (part of ColabDesign) at https://
github.com/sokrypton/ColabDesign), an open-source software built on AlphaFold, has been
suggested to be capable of generating ligands that bind to targeted proteins, thus potentially facilitating
the ligand development process. To evaluate the performance of this program, we explored
its ability to target the PICK1 PDZ domain, given our current understanding of it. We found that
the designated length of the ligand and the number of recycles play vital roles in generating ligands
with optimal properties.

Results: Utilizing AfDesign with a sequence length of 5 for the ligand produced the highest comparable
ligands to that of prior identified ligands. Moreover, these designed ligands displayed significantly
lower binding energy compared to manually created sequences.

Conclusion: This work demonstrated that AfDesign can potentially be a powerful tool to facilitate
the exploration of the ligand space for the purpose of targeting PDZ domains.
Advancements in Long-Acting Injectable Therapies: Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment
Authors: Patel Vrushali , Panjwani Drishti , Patel Shruti , Ahlawat Priyanka , Dharamsi Abhay , Patel L.D. , Patel Asha
Published: August 2024

This review aims to explore the advancements in long-acting injectable therapies [LAI]
that are revolutionizing cancer treatment. With cancer posing a significant global health challenge,
conventional treatments often come with limitations, including harmful side effects and resistance
development. Long-acting formulations (LAFs), particularly those manipulating medication release
through delivery systems, present a promising alternative. The review delves into various LAF approaches,
such as micro-encapsulation, liposomes, oil-based LAPFs, nanocrystal suspensions, longacting
hydrogels, microneedles, and implantable systems. These approaches offer sustained release,
reduced toxicity, and improved therapeutic efficacy. The review highlights the benefits and disadvantages
of LAIs, emphasizing improved adherence, reduced risk of relapse, and enhanced quality of
life. Evaluation parameters, including pharmacokinetics, biocompatibility, stability, mechanical
properties, and safety, are discussed. The comprehensive assessment underscores the ongoing efforts
in oncological research to develop innovative and effective therapies that address the challenges associated
with conventional cancer treatments.
The Promise and Potential of Graphene Derivatives in Biotechnology
Authors: Wany Aakanksha , Banerjee Sharmistha , Sharma Anish Kumar , Punetha Vinay Deep
Published: August 2024

The extensive range of applications associated with graphene and its
derivatives has captivated the attention of nano biotechnologists due to their
remarkable versatility. The 2D clan of graphene possesses exceptional physical,
chemical, and mechanical characteristics, rendering it an extraordinary material with
unparalleled properties. It is an allotrope of carbon which has a 2-dimensional
hexagonal lattice structure. It has broad applicability in material science, physics,
chemistry, biology, etc. Graphene is advantageous over other materials because (a) it is
the finest and toughest material known to date; (b) It has a monolayer of carbon atoms
that are transparent and also possess flexibility; (c) it acts as an excellent electrical and
thermal conductor. Besides its natural availability, its demand has led to its synthesis
using hierarchical and self-assembly methods. Modification of graphene according to
various biological systems increases its solubility, selectivity, and compatibility.
Graphene is used as a substrate interfacing with different biomolecules and cells as
tissue scaffolds and to generate stem cells for regenerative medicines. Graphene and its
derivatives are applied in drug delivery, gene delivery, biomolecule recognition,
molecular medicine, bioassays, antibacterial compositions, biosensing, energy storage,
and catalysis. Graphene derivatives have been recently used as theranostics in cancer
because of their intrinsic photoluminescent properties and treatment of several
microbial infections. Though graphene has been explored tremendously, studying the
toxicity issues and its interaction with the environment and ecosystem is imperative.
This chapter will uncover the different forms of graphene and its derivatives; its
synthesis approaches, and various applications in biomedicine.
STATUS OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY ON THE LADDER OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THE CASE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN MOJOSARI VILLAGE, BOJONEGORO
Authors:   Brawijaya University, Hidayah Nurul , Meidiana Christia ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Firdausiyah Nailah ,   Brawijaya University, Ghosh Ratan Kumar ,   Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Bangladesh, Amalia Rizky ,   Brawijaya University
Published: August 2024

The success of waste management cannot be separated from the community's participation. The community's involvement in waste management is still not significantly apparent. Community participation in rural waste management program was investigated in this study since the waste reduction activities still involve waste open burning and burying in the yard which is harmful for the environment. A research model was designed, and a questionnaire was distributed among 112 households (HHs) to analyze their participation in rural waste management programs. A semi-structured questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were adopted to acquire qualitative information. The analytical framework includes mass balance analysis (MBA) and Arnstein’s participation (APL) ladder. MBA was applied to measure the current waste reduction rate of each HH, while APL was used to evaluate community participation level in this program. The findings reveal that the average waste reduction is 0.48 kg/HH/day, contributing to a total waste reduction of 17.94 kg/day in the village (24.39% of total waste generation). Measurement using APL unfolds that the extant community participation in Mojosari Village, Bojonegoro Regency, corresponds to a non-participation continuum where villagers are misled by pseudo and tokenistic participation leading to unequal benefit-sharing. Based on these findings, the researchers challenge that communities’ engagement in rural waste management mainly relies on community cadres concerning environmental subjects as well as communities’ economic background. It is concluded where economically weak communities and manipulative figures exist, ensuring a higher community participation level is more challenging
Pesca de moluscos y crustáceos en manglares de Bahía Magdalena-Almejas, Baja California Sur, México
Authors: Félix-Pico Esteban Fernando , Ramírez-Rodríguez Mauricio , Ortega-García Sofía
Published: August 2024

Para determinar cambios en las capturas de moluscos y crustáceos asociados a zonas de manglar en el complejo lagunar Bahía Magdalena-Almejas y el posible impacto de la variabilidad ambiental a mediano plazo, se analizaron tendencias de producción derivadas de datos registrados por la Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca de 1992 a 2021. Además, se establecieron posibles relaciones con las condiciones ambientales asociadas con los periodos de presencia del El Niño-La Niña basados en valores de temperatura superficial del mar. Las pesquerías incluidas aprovechan las siguientes especies: almejas pata de mula (Anadara tuberculosa), catarina (Argopecten ventricosus), chocolata (Megapitaria squalida) y roñosa (Chione californiensis); callos de hacha (Pinna rugosa y Atrina maura), y caracoles murex negro y rosa (Hexaplex nigritus y Phyllonotus erythrostomus). También se consideraron las de camarón azul (Penaeus stylirostris), camarón café (P. californiensis) y jaiba verde (Callinectes bellicosus). Los resultados muestran variabilidad entre las series de cada pesquería, con tendencias positivas para almeja pata de mula, roñosa y caracol chino y negativas para almeja catarina, chocolata y camarón. Los cambios que suceden con mayor frecuencia parecen cíclicos y aparentemente relacionados con variaciones en las condiciones ambientales. Sin embargo, se concluye que es difícil diferenciar y cuantificar los posibles efectos en la disponibilidad de recursos por causa de la pesca o de modificaciones en los manglares, las condiciones del hábitat y su impacto en procesos biológicos como reproducción, alimentación, crecimiento, movilidad y reclutamiento.
Keeping Your Head: Remembering to Think in Mindfulness Practice
Authors: Marx Robert
Published: August 2024

It is an axiomatic in secular mindfulness that to become present is to direct attention away from thinking to physical sensation. While this can be a useful strategy to manage depressive rumination, as an automatic default position, it risks demonising our fundamental human capacity to purposefully think about the causes of suffering and how to reduce it. Many approaches within Mahayana Buddhism in particular explicitly use reflection on key ideas as necessary pre-requisites to meditation, and in these traditions, thinking is fundamental to our ability to move beyond limiting notions of ourselves and others into a more liberating vision.
Perceptions of HIV-Related Comorbidities and Usability of a Virtual Environment for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Education in Sexual Minority Men With HIV: Formative Phases of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Ramos S Raquel , Reynolds Harmony , Johnson Constance , Melkus Gail , Kershaw Trace , Thayer Julian F , Vorderstrasse Allison
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND

Sexual minority men with HIV are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and have been underrepresented in behavioral research and clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore perceptions of HIV-related comorbidities and assess the interest in and usability of a virtual environment for CVD prevention education in Black and Latinx sexual minority men with HIV.

METHODS

This is a 3-phase pilot behavioral randomized controlled trial. We report on formative phases 1 and 2 that informed virtual environment content and features using qualitative interviews, usability testing, and beta testing with a total of 25 individuals. In phase 1, a total of 15 participants completed interviews exploring HIV-related illnesses of concern that would be used to tailor the virtual environment. In phase 2, usability testing and beta testing were conducted with 10 participants to assess interest, features, and content.

RESULTS

In phase 1, we found that CVD risk factors included high blood pressure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and diabetes. Cancer (prostate, colon, and others) was a common concern, as were mental health conditions. In phase 2, all participants completed the 12-item usability checklist with favorable feedback within 30 to 60 minutes. Beta-testing interviews suggested (1) mixed perceptions of health and HIV, (2) high risk for comorbid conditions, (3) virtual environment features were promising, and (4) the need for diverse avatar representations.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified several comorbid conditions of concern, and findings carry significant implications for mitigating barriers to preventive health screenings, given the shared risk factors between HIV and related comorbidities. Highly rated aspects of the virtual environment were anonymity; meeting others with HIV who identify as gay or bisexual; validating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and others (LGBTQ+) images and content; and accessibility to CVD prevention education. Critical end-user feedback from beta testing suggested more options for avatar customization in skin, hair, and body representation. Our next phase will test the virtual environment as a new approach to advancing cardiovascular health equity in ethnic and racial sexual minority men with HIV.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04061915; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05242952

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.2196/38348
Study on the Application of POA Teaching Model in Intermediate Chinese as a Foreign Language Oral Courses
Authors: Duan Yufei
Published: August 2024

This study aims to explore the application and effectiveness of the POA (Process-oriented Approach) teaching model in intermediate Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) oral courses. The POA teaching model focuses on process orientation, emphasizing interaction and task-driven learning, which is significant for improving the oral proficiency of CFL learners. The paper first provides a detailed explanation of the definition, development, and core concepts of the POA teaching model, followed by an analysis of the current state of intermediate CFL oral teaching, including teaching objectives, methods, and existing issues. Based on this, the research investigates the specific application of the POA teaching model in intermediate CFL oral courses, including implementation steps, strategies, and case studies. Through an evaluation of the POA teaching model's effectiveness, the paper summarizes its advantages in enhancing oral skills and motivating learners while discussing its limitations. Finally, the paper proposes future research directions, including optimization of the POA model, application of new technologies, and cross-cultural adaptability. The study indicates that the POA teaching model has a significant positive impact on intermediate CFL oral teaching but requires further exploration of its applicability and optimization strategies in different cultural contexts.
Emotional Analysis of First Division Football Referees in Burkina Faso during Matches
Authors: Nana Brigitte, , Kaboré André, , Ziba Gnynayen Xavier,
Published: August 2024

Introduction: First division (D1) referees in Burkina Faso suffer emotional violence when refereeing football matches.Objective: The aim was to analyse the emotions felt by these referees during D1 national championship matches. Method: The survey was conducted by interviewing 30 first division football referees. The content analysis method was used to analyse the data.Results: Insults, threats and physical assaults are situations of violence experienced by D1 referees in Burkina Faso. Fear, anger and sadness were the negative emotions most frequently experienced. Discussion: This study made it possible to describe situations of violence and to identify the negative emotions felt by these D1 referees.Conclusion: As a determinant of sporting performance, it seems imperative to include emotion management in referee training in Burkina Faso.
Replacing Noug Seed Cake with Alfalfa Hay in the Diet of Yearling Arsi-Bale Sheep
Authors: Dadi Ganet , Gudeto Aman
Published: August 2024

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of substituting noug seed cake with alfalfa hay on the growth performance and carcass parameters of yearling Arsi-Bale sheep. The experimental diets were formulated based on iso-nitrogenous rations and included wheat bran, noug seed cake, and alfalfa hay. The alfalfa hay was incorporated into the diets at proportions of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. A total of 30 one year old Arsi-Bale sheep were purchased and treated for anti-parasites before being allocated to treatments in a randomized complete block design with five treatments, each replicated six times. The feeding trial lasted for 100 days, followed by slaughtering. The final body weight, total body weight gain, average daily weight gain, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and most non-carcass trait of the sheep did not vary significantly among the treatments. All treatments positively affected the sheep growth performance and carcass traits. The partial budget analysis indicated that animals fed a higher proportion of alfalfa hay generated more income. Therefore, demonstrating the use of alfalfa hay as a protein feed supplements for yearling Arsi-Bale sheep is recommended.
Bleeding Stubs and the Evolution of African Writing: Navigating Standard English and Uncertain Linguistic Futures
Authors: Edochie Okafor Williams
Published: August 2024

Several African novels and short stories have been analysed linguistically. The authors of those analytical articles found that some of the stories employed the linguistic style set by the authors Chinua Achebe and Flora Nwapa. A major characteristic of this writing style is the use of African English or a blend with standard English. Language evolves regionally, so for this article, standard English refers to any English used by the VOA, BBC, British Royal Family, or even Brits in a pub, including UK and US slang relevant to the novel’s setting. It excludes English spoken by learners. The researcher considers this definition broad and lenient. African English refers to varieties of the English language spoken and written across Africa, often influenced by local languages and cultures, resulting in unique expressions and idiomatic usage. It encompasses different forms, including Nigerian English, Kenyan English and South African English, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of the continent. African literary researchers often show a strong interest in novels written in African English because these works reflect the linguistic diversity, cultural identity, and lived experiences of African communities. Nevertheless, many African authors write in Standard English. The academic discussion reveals that the debate on language choice in African literature is ongoing. This paper provides an overview of the English styles used by African authors and highlights the uncertainty regarding the future of African literature due to a lack of credible sources on current trends. The paper then analyses the style of African works in standard English alongside African English. For the purposes of this article, the researcher chooses Donald Besong’s Bleeding Stubs, which has not been analysed previously, to represent standard English works. The selection of Bleeding Stubs is based on its brevity, recent publication, and its setting in Cameroon—a country with limited representation in fiction. The paper concludes that the preferred language style for African authors remains fluid. Finally, it recommends fostering improved reading habits on the continent, encouraging greater engagement with the global reading community. This would lead to better career progression in various fields, create more internationally marketable writers, and enable them to use their incomes to support the development of African languages, reducing the reliance on English for expressing African pride.
De villanos, enemigos y abominaciones en la imaginería moderna
Authors: de la Luz García Jael , Lamoso Adriana , Clériga Morales Javier , García Rojas Héctor , Cassigoli Salamon Rossana , Galíndez Ortegón Iván , Avendaño Amador César , Santillán Camacho Sara , Soriano Hernández Silvia , Rendón Christian Casildo , Reding Blase Sofía , Luna Zarama Karol , López Esquivel Ángela
Published: August 2024

Las imágenes de villanía que figuran en este libro son recurrentes y representativas del modo en que construye el enemigo para afianzar ideas sobre la maldad humana. Se trata de elementos que deseamos desmontar para poder comprender los símbolos de la enemistad socialmente construida. En esta obra nos hemos acercado a explorar los procesos y manifestaciones de la proyección imaginaria condenatoria, que permite a una comunidad -a veces con razón y otras visceralmente- la exclusión antagonista de un adversario imaginado.