bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimisation of induction conditions for a bacterial strain producing proinsulin aspart
Authors: Kornakov I. A. , Khasanshina Z. R. , Senichkina D. A. , Filipenko A. A. , Lunev I. S. , Drai R. V.
Published: June 2023

Diabetes poses a serious threat to the health of people around the world. Therefore, in 2021, the World Health Organisation launched the Global Diabetes Compact, an initiative aimed at improving the management and prevention of diabetes. The rapid growth in the number of diabetic patients has increased the need for insulin. Rapid-acting human insulin analogues, including insulin aspart, improve the efficacy of insulin therapy. Methods for insulin aspart production include its biosynthesis in the proinsulin form in Escherichia coli. However, the yield of the recombinant protein largely depends on the optimisation of the production process.

The aim of the study was to optimise the induction conditions for an E. coli strain expressing recombinant proinsulin aspart through applying the Design of Experiment (DoE) approach to enhance bacterial cell productivity.

Materials and methods. The study focused on a strain of E. coli producing proinsulin aspart. The authors planned the experiment using MODDE software and the reduced face-centred central composite design (CCF) enabling the assessment of factor interactions and the creation of design spaces. The authors carried out fermentations of the producing strain in a 5 L Biostat® B bioreactor and measured proinsulin aspart concentrations by capillary gel electrophoresis. The results were analysed using GraphPad Prism 6.

Results. Using the DoE approach, the authors optimised the conditions for the growth of the producer strain and the biosynthesis of proinsulin aspart. Based on data from response surface plots for wet biomass concentration, specific productivity, and volumetric productivity, as well as plotted models, the authors established design spaces for the induction of proinsulin aspart expression in E. coli. The plotted models demonstrated high predictive power and high reproducibility of the results. The authors successfully validated the induction process for the synthesis of proinsulin aspart in a bioreactor under optimised conditions. The volumetric productivity of the strain producing proinsulin aspart increased from 3.06±0.16 g/L (conventional conditions) to 4.93±0.80 g/L (optimised conditions).

Conclusions. The authors achieved a 60% increase in the volumetric yield of proinsulin aspart. The study results may be used to intensify the industrial production of insulin aspart.
Clinical Signs and Medical History as Predictors of Enalapril-Associated Dry Cough in Cardiovascular Patients
Authors: Sychev I. V. , Denisenko N. P. , Kachanova A. A. , Lapshtaeva A. V. , Abdullaev Sh. P. , Goncharova L. N. , Mirzaev K. B. , Sychev D. A.
Published: June 2023

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are among the most prescribed and effective medicinal products for the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases. According to a number of studies, 30% of patients taking ACEIs develop adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and treatment discontinuation is often required as a result. The most common ADR associated with ACEIs is a dry (non-productive) cough. Nevertheless, the clinical signs and medical history predictive of this ADR in cardiovascular patients are still understudied.

The aim of the study was to analyse the clinical signs and medical history predictive of cough in patients with cardiovascular conditions treated with enalapril.

Materials and methods. The study was carried out in 2019–2022 and enrolled 224 patients with essential hypertension (grades 2 and 3) treated with enalapril at a dose of 10–20 mg/day. The patients were assigned to 2 groups: Group 1 included 113 patients with enalapril-associated cough, while Group 2 (control group) comprised 104 patients without this ADR. At screening, all the patients underwent a general examination and a check of their allergy and medication history. Using the data obtained, the authors analysed the association of the clinical signs and medical history with the ADR of interest (dry cough).

Results. In contrast to the control group, the group with ACEI-associated dry cough included more patients with a history of drug-induced toxicoderma (OR=5.639, CI 2.234–14.236, χ2=15.845, and p<0.001) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (OR=3.409, CI 1.461–7.953, χ2=8.7472, and p<0.01), a family history of bronchial asthma (OR=4.141, CI 2.066–8.299, χ2=17.417, and p<0.001), and a close family history of severe allergic reactions (OR=3.714, CI 1.720– 8.018, χ2=12.137, and p<0.001).

Conclusions. A family history of allergy increases the probability of dry cough in patients taking ACEIs. In order to improve the safety of ACEI therapy, patients with cardiovascular conditions should be asked more detailed questions about their personal or first-degree family history of allergy.
Comparative Preclinical Evaluation of the Safety, Antifungal Activity, and Pharmacokinetics of Sertaconazole Products for External Use
Authors: Kosman V. M. , Karlina M. V. , Vavilova V. A. , Borovkova K. E. , Kryshen K. L. , Marchenko N. V. , Kopatko S. A. , Sychkova I. V. , Kargopoltseva D. R. , Makarova M. N. , Makarov V. G.
Published: June 2023

SCIENTIFIC RELEVANCE. The high prevalence of fungal skin infections motivates expanding the range of sertaconazole products for external use.

AIM. The study was a preclinical comparison of the safety, antifungal activity, and pharmacokinetics of Sertaverin® 2% medicated shampoo (VERTEX JSC, Russia) with those of Sertamicol® 2% solution for external use (Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, India) and Nizoral® 2% shampoo (Janssen Pharmaceuticals N.V., Belgium) approved in the Russian Federation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. In the toxicity study, the medicinal products were applied to the skin of male and female outbred rats at doses of 0.5 or 1.5 mL/animal for 28 days. The authors evaluated the pharmacokinetics of two sertaconazole formulations (shampoo and solution) following a single administration to adult male rats at the same dose. Nizoral® was not used in the pharmacokinetics study because it contains a different active substance, ketoconazole. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the serial microdilution method in a wide range of concentrations.

RESULTS. The medicinal products did not exhibit any significant toxic effects in laboratory animals after 28 days of repeated dermal application. Plasma sertaconazole concentrations were negligible. Sertaconazole was intensively distributed in the liver, which is a highly vascularised organ, and in the target organ (skin at the site of application). The relative bioavailability of sertaconazole from the shampoo relative to that from the solution for external use was approximately 30% in liver tissues and approximately 363% in skin tissues at the application site. Sertaverin® was comparable to sertaconazole in the active substance form in terms of inhibiting the growth of Malassezia furfur strains. The MICs calculated on the active substance basis were ≤16–64 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS. With its synergistic dual mechanism of action, broad-spectrum antifungal activity, lipophilic properties, and low systemic absorption, Sertaverin® may provide a more effective and safe alternative to marketed medicinal products for scalp diseases.
Russia’s Policy towards Donbas Since 2014: The Nation-Building Process and Its Ideology
Authors: Kiryukhin Denys
Published: June 2023

This study examines the ideology of the nation-building process in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. The key features of this process are uncovered through a discourse analysis of school textbooks published in the People’s Republics and in Transnistria, and of the ‘Russian Donbas’ ideology. This is compared to the history and interpretations of the concept of ‘Novorossiya’. This research demonstrates the difference between Donbas and other the post-Soviet contested states, and highlights the role of the Russian government and Russian radical right-wing intellectuals in the formation of the ‘Russian Donbas’ ideology. It concludes that, although Russia had a decisive influence on the development of the conflict in Donbas, Donbas also affected the ideological transformation of Putin’s Russia.
El arte ante la actual transformación tecnológica
Authors: Cruz Revueltas Juan Cristóbal
Published: June 2023

En este artículo se reflexiona sobre los efectos de la actual revolución tecnológica en el arte y la cultura, así como sobre el futuro a corto plazo de estos cambios. Frente a una tradición que pone en duda la posibilidad de una relación del arte con la tecnología, y ante el relativismo contemporáneo que dificulta el diálogo entre esferas culturales, se recupera la tesis de que la historia del arte puede leerse en clave universal, es decir, en términos de progreso tecnológico, planteamiento que se remonta hasta los pensadores de la Antigüedad clásica, que entendieron el arte como una tékne destinada a la imitación de la naturaleza. Se subraya la necesidad de interrogar esta transformación, así como los modos y efectos de la convergencia entre arte y tecnología.
Frequency of dyspeptic symptoms, anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life among patients with chronic gastritis according to Helicobacter pylori CagA and VacA status: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nikulina L. M. , Solovyova G. A. , Svintsitskyi I. A.
Published: June 2023

Objective — to determine the frequency of dyspeptic symptoms, anxiety and depression and to describe health‑related quality of life in patients with chronic gastritis according to Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin‑associated gene A and vacuolating cytotoxin A status.
Materials and methods. This cross‑sectional study included a total of 84 patients with H. pylori‑associated chronic gastritis (CG). Based on H. pylori virulence factors status patients were categorized into 2 groups: 50 patients with the cytotoxin‑associated gene A (CagA) and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA)‑positive H. pylori strains (Group 1) and 34 patients with CagA‑ and VacA‑negative H. pylori strains (Group 2). The H. pylori virulence factors were determined by the polymerase chain reaction using paraffin stomach biopsies. Serum IgA and IgG antibodies to CagA and VacA were evaluated by solid‑phase enzyme‑linked immunoabsorbent assay. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to identify anxiety disorders and depression. The MOS 36‑Item Short Form Health Survey (SF‑36) questionnaire was used to assess the health‑related quality of life (HRQoL). Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 11 and Statistica 6 software packages.
Results. Patients with CagA‑ and VacA‑positive H. pylori strains were more likely to have epigastric pain than patients with CagA‑ and VacA‑negative H. pylori strains (60% vs. 35.3%, p=0.026). No statistical difference was observed between the frequency of epigastric burning, early satiety, and postprandial fullness in both groups (р >0.05). Anxiety and depression were significantly more prevalent in patients with CagA‑ and VacA‑positive H. pylori strains (p=0.041; р=0.032, respectively). Patients of Group 1 had significantly lower HRQoL in the domains of Role‑Physical (50 vs. 75; p=0.0001), Bodily Pain (57.5 vs. 77.5; p=0.0001), General Health (45 vs. 75; p=0.0001), Vitality (55 vs. 80; p=0.0011) and Mental Health (56 vs. 84; p=0.0001).
Conclusions. H. pylori CagA and VacA‑positive status is an important factor that may have an impact on the clinical course of H. pylori‑associated gastritis. Higher frequency of epigastric pain, anxiety, and depression, as well as lower health‑related quality of life were observed in patients with CagA‑ and VacA‑positive H. pylori strains.
Cytoprotectant Doctovit: perspectives of the use at acid-dependent gastroduodenal diseases
Authors: Fadieienko G. D. , Gridineva S. V.
Published: June 2023

The paper presents analysis of publications devoted to the use of cytoprotectant Doctovit at acid‑dependent gastroduodenal diseases and prospects of its use at inflammatory and erosive injuries of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. A pathogenetic substantiation of the expediency of using the Doctovit (a complex of vitamins U (methylmethionine) and B5 (dexpanthenol)) is presented for cases of erosive and ulcerative (Helicobacter pylori‑associated) gastroduodenal lesions and at NSAID‑gastropathy, as well as at preservation of inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa after antihelicobacter therapy (posteradication syndrome). The mechanism of action of Doctovit components is described. The review of investigations has been presented that showed normalization of secretory stomach function (in particular due to vitamin U methylation of histamine and its transformation into an inactive form), faster ulcers’ healing, analgesic, gastroprotective, antioxidant and lipotropic effects, which contribute to the stimulation of healing of mucosal erosions and ulcers in the digestive tract, positive dynamics of the histological picture of the gastroduodenal mucosa in patients who received Doctovit as a part of complex therapy. The positive effects included decrease in the severity of inflammatory cellular infiltration of the mucosa own lamina, disappearance of lymphoid follicles due to improvement in the condition of the epithelium due to an increase in its compensatory reparative regeneration, improvement in the condition of the integumentary pit epithelium of the stomach after treatment and strengthening of its mucin‑producing function with improvement in the quality of mucus The expediency of further use of Doctovit in patients with acid‑dependent pathology of the digestive tract is substantiated.
Visual assessment of the Ki67 index in breast cancer using the global scoring
Authors:   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Moscow, Telezhnikova I.M. ,   M.F. Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, Zhukova L.G. ,   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Moscow, Kometova V.V. ,   V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Moscow, Khomeriki S.G. ,   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Moscow, Karnaukhov N.S. ,   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Moscow, Khatkova E.I. ,   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Moscow, Setdikova G.R. ,   A.S. Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center, Moscow,   M.F. Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow
Published: June 2023

Introduction. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) provides an in vivo assessment of primary tumor sensitivity to systemic therapy. However, the data on Ki67 clinical significance as a prognostic factor for the effectiveness of chemotherapy in breast cancer (BC) cause controversy. The International Ki67 Interpretation Workgroup for Breast Cancer (IKWG) meeting held in October 2019, recommended developing a standardized methodology for visual global scoring, which is proposed to be used in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical significance of Ki67 using visual global scoring in BC. Materials and methods. The study included 32 patients with proven BC that received preoperative neoadjuvant therapy. We studied paraffin histological blocks, analyzed the Ki67 expression over time in patients with residual tumors, and assessed the correlations of clinical and morphological signs before treatment. Ki67 was determined as the overall average with global scoring. The Ki67 scoring app for smartphones was used as an auxiliary tool to increase the accuracy. Results. The median value of the Ki67 index before NAT was 75.0% (34.8–85.0) and after the therapy it was 1.0% (0.0–6.2) [p<0.0001]. The Ki67 value was significantly lower (p=0.0077) [36% (30–75)] in the presence of residual tumor compared to that in patients without it [85% (78.8–90)]. Conclusion. The Ki67 index before NAT is a strongly prognostic factor of its effectiveness. The research of the Ki67 marker for concomitant diagnosis, which showed prognostic Ki67 role, can be considered as a correct diagnostic vector, only if strict analytical validity is observed. Keywords: Ki67, breast cancer, neoadjuvant therapy, global scoring, IKWG, Ki67 scoring app
Structural and functional features of mitochondria in neurons and gliocytes of various cerebral regions of laboratory rodents
Authors:   Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Egorova A.V. ,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Voronkov D.N. ,   Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Fedorova E.N. ,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Baranich T.I. ,   Research Center of Neurology, Moscow,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Glinkina V.V. ,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Sukhorukov V.S. ,   Research Center of Neurology, Moscow,   Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow
Published: June 2023

This review considers modern data on the morphology and functions of mitochondria in the neurons and glial cells in various brain structures of laboratory rodents. We discuss the main aspects of intracellular and regional heterogeneity of neuronal mitochondria. The functional differences between mitochondria in different cerebral regions are highlighted. We analyze the structural and functional features of mitochondria in brain gliocytes as well as their role in maintaining glioneuronal interactions. The article presents the latest information on the possibilities of intercellular transportation of mitochondria as a new neuroprotective mechanism illustrated on the functioning of astrocyte-neuron networks. Understanding the structural and functional features of mitochondria in different brain areas may help identify pharmacological targets and develop new strategies for mitochondrial disease management. Keywords: mitochondria, neurons, gliocytes, glio-neuronal interaction
Integrasi Pendidikan Karakter dalam Pembelajaran Kurikulum 2013 di Sekolah Dasar
Authors: nofianti malka
Published: June 2023

Penelitian ini menggunakan metode studi literatur dalam mempelajari integrasi pendidikan karakter dalam pembelajaran kurikulum 2013 di sekolah dasar. Metode ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari dan menyelidiki suatu kejadian atau fenomena secara rinci, tajam, dan mendalam. Data dalam penelitian ini dikumpulkan melalui teknik data pustaka. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Pendidikan karakter dan integrasinya dalam pembelajaran merupakan aspek penting dalam sistem pendidikan di Indonesia. Penelitian dan artikel yang dikemukakan menyajikan berbagai hasil penelitian dan pandangan terkait integrasi pendidikan karakter dalam pembelajaran kurikulum 2013 di sekolah dasar. Dalam konteks ini, nilai-nilai karakter diintegrasikan ke dalam semua mata pelajaran dan kegiatan pembelajaran. Selain itu, strategi penguatan pendidikan karakter dilakukan melalui tiga basis utama: berbasis kelas, berbasis kultur sekolah, dan berbasis komunitas. Guru juga memainkan peran penting dalam mengintegrasikan nilai-nilai karakter dan menjadi contoh yang baik bagi siswa. Melalui integrasi pendidikan karakter dalam pembelajaran, diharapkan siswa dapat membentuk karakter yang baik dan bermoral. Proses ini melibatkan kolaborasi antara guru, sekolah, dan komunitas untuk menciptakan lingkungan yang mendukung dalam pembentukan karakter yang positif pada siswa.
METODE PENYELESAIAN HADIS MUKHTALIF
Authors: noerkholis abdullah
Published: June 2023

Hadis Nabi diganggu oleh sejumlah masalah, beberapa di antaranya melibatkan kesalahpahaman dan masalah kualitas. Beberapa tradisi tampaknya bertentangan satu sama lain. Perlu untuk menunjukkan bahwa hadis ini tidak kontroversial dan tidak dapat diubah sebelum dapat dipraktikkan.Sebuah proses untuk memastikan adanya unsur ikhtilaf dalam hadis sehingga tidak ada yang bisa menemukan cara untuk memperbaikinya kecuali beberapa ulama yang ahli dalam hadis, fiqh dan ushul fiqh. Jadi tujuan dari metode ini adalah untuk mengetahui bagaimana cara melengkapi sebuah hadis mukhtalif. Menggunakan pendekatan studi karakter, mengamati karya dan pemikirannya dalam hadis dan lainnya. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa metode jamak, nasakh dan tarjih digunakan dalam penjabaran hadis-hadis mukhtalif. Dalam hal ini perlu dilakukan penelitian terhadap hadis mukhtalif ini, khususnya yang berkaitan dengan sumber-sumber ajaran Islam yang dijadikan tolok ukur atau tolok ukur standar hukum Islam. Kata kunci: Mukhtalif hadits, metode penelitian dan sumber hukum
MLC1 is a differentially expressed gene in brain metastatic human breast cancer.
Authors: Mamoor Shahan
Published: June 2023

Metastasis to the brain occurs in a significant fraction of patients with breast cancer (1-3). We mined published RNA-sequencing and microarray data (4, 5) to compare primary and metastatic tumor transcriptomes for the discovery of genes associated with brain metastasis in humans with metastatic breast cancer. We found that modulator of VRAC current 1, encoded by MLC1, was among the genes whose expression was most different in the brain metastases of patients with metastatic breast cancer as compared to primary tumors of the breast. MLC1 mRNA was present at increased quantities in brain metastatic tissues as compared to primary tumors of the breast. Expression of MLC1 in primary tumors was correlated with patient distant metastasis-free survival. Modulation of MLC1 expression may be relevant to the biology by which tumor cells metastasize from the breast to the brain in humans with metastatic breast cancer.
Pengaruh motivasi belajar terhadap hasil belajar siswa
Authors: NURAENI HENI
Published: June 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi pengaruh motivasi belajar terhadap hasil belajar siswa di tingkat Sekolah Dasar (SD) dan prestasi siswa di sekolah. Metode yang digunakan adalah kuantitatif dengan pendekatan korelasional. Data tentang motivasi belajar dan hasil belajar siswa akan dikumpulkan melalui survei atau angket yang akan diberikan kepada siswa di SD dan sekolah tersebut. Analisis data akan dilakukan dengan menggunakan teknik statistik seperti uji korelasi dan regresi.Pendidikan memiliki peran penting dalam mengembangkan potensi sumber daya manusia peserta didik dan membentuk karakter serta perkembangan ilmu dan mental mereka. Motivasi belajar merupakan faktor yang memengaruhi minat, ketekunan, keterlibatan, dan prestasi belajar siswa. Dalam proses belajar mengajar, guru dan siswa saling berinteraksi dengan tujuan meningkatkan prestasi belajar. Dalam hal ini, penting bagi guru untuk menciptakan iklim yang merangsang pemikiran dan keterampilan kreatif anak di sekolah,keberhasilan belajar siswa dipengaruhi oleh faktor internal dan eksternal. Faktor internal meliputi faktor psikologis, fisik, dan kelelahan yang ada dalam diri siswa. Sementara faktor eksternal berasal dari lingkungan seperti keluarga, sekolah, dan masyarakat. Motivasi memiliki dampak signifikan terhadap hasil belajar siswa, sehingga motivasi belajar perlu ditingkatkan dalam proses belajar di sekolah.Namun, fenomena yang terjadi di lapangan menunjukkan masih adanya siswa yang terlambat masuk sekolah, tidak berminat belajar, sering bolos, atau mengantuk saat belajar di kelas. Kurangnya motivasi belajar pada siswa dapat disebabkan oleh ketidakmampuan mereka dalam menggunakan kekuatan internal secara maksimal, yang berdampak pada rendahnya prestasi belajar. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan Motivasi belajar memiliki peran penting dalam memahami dan menjelaskan perilaku seseorang, terutama dalam konteks belajar.
inflasi dan pengangguran perspektif islam
Authors: Ali Nurfadilla Nur
Published: June 2023

Tulisan ini dibuat untuk memenuhi tugas dari mata kuliah ekonomi makro yang memuat tentang materi yang telah disampaikan dan didiskusikan di kelas bersama dosen kami. Dalam tulisan ini memuat pengenalan singkat mengenai materi "inflasi dan pengangguran dalam islam", Penulis berharap bisa membantu pembaca dalam menambah wawasan dan penulis juga menyadari bahwa apa yang ada didalam tulisan ini masih belum memuat semua informasi yang ada tentang judul materi yang telah disebutkan sebelumnya.
Single-blind test of nine methane-sensing satellite systems from three continents
Authors: Sherwin Evan , El Abbadi Sahar , Burdeau Philippine , Zhang Zhan , Chen Zhenlin , Rutherford Jeffrey , Chen Yuanlei , Brandt Adam
Published: June 2023

Satellite-based remote sensing enables detection and mitigation of large point sources of climate-warming methane. These satellites will have the greatest impact if stakeholders have a clear-eyed assessment of their capabilities. We performed a single-blind test of nine methane-sensing satellites from three continents and five countries, including both commercial and government satellites. Over two months, we conducted 82 controlled methane releases during satellite overpasses. Six teams analyzed the resulting data, producing 134 estimates of methane emissions. Of these, 80 (58%) were correctly identified, with 46 true positive detections (34%) and 34 true negative non-detections (25%). There were 41 false negatives and 0 false positives, in which teams incorrectly claimed methane was present. All eight satellites that were given a nonzero emission detected methane at least once, including the first single-blind evaluation of the EnMAP, Gaofen 5, and Ziyuan 1 systems. In percent terms, quantification error across all satellites and teams is similar to aircraft-based methane remote sensing systems, with 55% of mean estimates falling within ±50% of the metered value. Although teams correctly detected emissions as low as 0.03 metric tons of methane per hour, it is unclear whether detection performance in this test is representative of real-world field performance. Full retrieval fields submitted by all teams suggest that in some cases it may be difficult to distinguish true emissions from background artifacts without a known source location. Cloud interference is significant and appears to vary across teams and satellites. This work confirms the basic efficacy of the tested satellite systems in detecting and quantifying methane, providing additional insight into detection limits and informing experimental design for future satellite-focused controlled methane release testing campaigns.
Global 1km Land Surface Parameters for Kilometer-Scale Earth System Modeling
Authors: Li Lingcheng , Bisht Gautam , Hao Dalei , Leung Lai-yung
Published: June 2023

Earth system models (ESMs) are progressively advancing towards the kilometer scale (k-scale). However, the surface parameters for Land Surface Models (LSMs) within ESMs running at the k-scale are typically derived from coarse resolution and outdated datasets. This study aims to develop a new set of global land surface parameters with a resolution of 1 km for multiple years from 2001 to 2020, utilizing the latest and most accurate available datasets. Specifically, the datasets consist of parameters related to land use and land cover, vegetation, soil, and topography. To demonstrate the capability of these new parameters, we conducted 1 km resolution simulations using the E3SM Land Model version 2 (ELM2) over the contiguous United States. Our results demonstrate that land surface parameters contribute to significant spatial heterogeneity in ELM2 simulations of soil moisture, latent heat, emitted longwave radiation, and absorbed shortwave radiation. On average, about 31% to 54% of spatial information is lost by upscaling the 1 km ELM2 simulations to a 12 km resolution. Using eXplainable Machine Learning (XML) methods, the influential factors driving the spatial variability and spatial information loss of ELM2 simulations were identified, highlighting the substantial impact of the spatial variability and information loss of various land surface parameters, as well as the mean climate conditions. The new land surface parameters are tailored to meet the emerging needs of k-scale LSMs and ESMs modeling with significant implications for advancing our understanding of water, carbon, and energy cycles under global change. The 1 km land surface parameters are publicly available at https://doi.org/10.25584/PNNLDH/1986308 (Li et al., 2023).
Diligent for better or worse: conscientiousness is associated with higher likelihood of suicidal behavior and more severe suicidal intent in later life
Authors: Szücs Anna , Galfalvy Hanga , Alessi Maria G. , Kenneally Laura B. , Valderas Jose M. , Maier Andrea B. , Szanto Katalin
Published: June 2023

BackgroundContradictory findings link trait conscientiousness in mid- and late life to increased healthspan and lifespan, as well as to death by suicide. It remains unclear whether conscientiousness is associated with higher odds of attempting suicide or with more severe suicidal behavior among attempters, and whether its relationship to suicide risk varies with aging-related stressors, such as declining health.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study comprising 313 depressed adults (mean age=62.1 years, SD=7.6), we employed logistic and linear regression to test whether conscientiousness was associated with the presence of recent suicidal behavior (≤2 years) and intent severity of most recent attempt (n=84). We further tested whether the above relationships varied based on mental, cognitive, and physical health status, measured as depression severity, cognitive functioning, and the presence/absence of severe physical illness.ResultsRecent attempters (mean age at most recent attempt=61.8 years, SD=8.5) had lower cognitive functioning and were more likely severely physically ill than comparisons. Conscientiousness was positively associated with a higher likelihood of recent suicidal behavior overall (adjusted OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.09, 1.90, p=.010), but not in case of co-occurring severe physical illness (interaction OR=0.54, 95% CI=0.30, 0.97, p=.039). Conscientiousness was also positively associated with suicidal intent at the most recent attempt (adjusted β=1.60, SE=0.62, p=.012), explaining 7% of its variance, although this association lost significance after adjusting for other personality dimensions.ConclusionsHighly conscientious middle-aged and older adults may be at increased risk of resolute suicidal behavior, although conscientiousness may not confer additional suicide risk among those severely physically ill.
Sensitivity to the instrumental value of choice increases across development
Authors: Nussenbaum Kate , Katzman Perri , Lu Hanxiao , Zorowitz Samuel , Hartley Catherine A.
Published: June 2023

Across development, people tend to demonstrate a preference for contexts in which they have the opportunity to make choices. However, it is not clear how children, adolescents, and adults learn to calibrate this preference based on the costs and benefits of agentic choice. Here, in both a primary, in-person, reinforcement-learning experiment (N = 92; age range 10 - 25 years) and a preregistered, online replication study (N = 150; age range 8 - 25 years), we found that participants overvalued agentic choice, but also calibrated their agency decisions to the reward structure of the environment, increasingly selecting agentic choice when choice had greater instrumental value. Regression analyses and computational modeling of participant choices revealed that participants’ bias toward agentic choice — reflecting the intrinsic value of choice — remained consistent across age, while sensitivity to the instrumental value of agentic choice increased from childhood to early adulthood.
How do we approach robots: anthropomorphism, the intentional stance, cultural norms and values, and societal implications
Authors: Marchesi Serena , Wykowska Agnieszka
Published: June 2023

Sharing our social environments with social robots is an experience that is becoming more and more common (Dautenhahn, 2007; Prescott & Robillard, 2021). Thus, it is pivotal to understand how we integrate such artificial agents into our societies and the ethical consequences of this integration. Thus, understanding how we relate to artificial agents should be based on the examination of not only the individual human (Wykowska, 2021), but also cultural contexts and the societal expectations we absorb growing up in our societies.Artificial agents can be considered technologically opaque (Surden & Williams, 2016), meaning that their technological complexity (i.e., the complexity of their hardware and software) makes them perceived as in-between entities: they are clearly man-made artifacts, nevertheless, they can potentially be perceived as social actors. Some authors argue that the potential double nature of social robots can constitute even a new ontological category (NOC) (Kahn, & Shen, 2017), thus, investigating people’s relationship towards them is of high interest to social and cognitive scientists. The purpose of the present chapter is to explore the different factors that contribute to the perception of artificial agents, such as humanoid robots, as potential social agents and how these factors can contribute to the creation and design of social robots that will be accepted as part of our social environments. We focus on three major factors: anthropomorphism, intentional stance, and cultural contexts. Finally, we will discuss the importance of including such factors in the design of social robots and how these choices can affect the ethical and moral implications for our society.
Parenting Stress and its Impact on Parental and Child Functioning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Analytical Review
Authors: Chung Gerard , Tilley Jacqueline L. , Netto Nicholas , Chan Aloysius , Lanier Paul
Published: June 2023

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged periods of physical and social isolation imposed significant challenges on parents and children, disrupting their socioeconomic stability and psychological well-being. This study examined the effects of parenting stress on aspects of parents' and children's functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comprehensive search of studies from eight electronic sources, including the WHO’s COVID-19 database, yielded 42 studies focusing on the associations between parenting stress, as measured by standardized scales, and child and parental outcomes. Multilevel random-effect models were used to analyze weighted effect sizes. Our findings revealed medium to large effect sizes (ranging from r = .29 to .55) in the associations between parenting stress and (1) externalizing child behaviors (r = .41), (2) internalizing child behaviors (r = .48), (3) negative parents’ behavioral engagements (r = .29), (4) parents’ mental health (r = .46), and (5) poor parent-child relationship quality (r = .55). These results underscore the significance of addressing parenting stress during a pandemic. Practice implications suggest that governmental or community support, along with tangible assistance, can alleviate parenting stress and positively impact the well-being and functioning of parents and children in the pandemic and post-pandemic era especially in light of the current global mental health crisis. Furthermore, considering the influence of parenting stress on treatment engagement and motivation, family- or parent-oriented interventions that address parenting stress can be more effective at reducing negative consequences of a pandemic on children and their parents.
The blurring history of intervocalic devoicing
Authors: Begus Gasper , Dąbkowski Maksymilian
Published: June 2023

The intervocalic position favors voicing in stops. Yet, some languages have been reported to feature the opposite (unnatural) process of intervocalic devoicing. This paper investigates two such case studies. Pre-Berawan intervocalic *b and *g have developed into Berawan k. Pre-Kiput intervocalic *g, *ɟʝ, and *v have developed into Kiput k, cç, and f, respectively. To account for the data, we invoke Beguš's (2018, 2019) blurring process model of sound change. The model proposes that unnatural phonology derives from a sequence of at least three phonetically motivated sound changes. We argue that the steps involved in intervocalic devoicing are (i) the intervocalic fricativization of voiced stops, (ii) devoicing of fricatives, and (iii) the occlusion of devoiced fricatives. Each of the steps is independently attested and motivated. We demonstrate that our blurring process proposal explains aspects of the historical development unaccounted for by previous approaches, and present new evidence suggesting that a single sound change could not have operated in the prehistory of Berawan. Thus, we maintain the conservative position that unnatural diachronic developments arise from sequences of natural and phonetically grounded sound changes.
(When) do counterattitudinal exemplars shift implicit racial evaluations? Replications and extensions of Dasgupta and Greenwald (2001)
Authors: Kurdi Benedek , Sanchez Alex , Dasgupta Nilanjana , Banaji Mahzarin R.
Published: June 2023

Dasgupta and Greenwald (2001) demonstrated that exposure to positive Black exemplars (e.g., Colin Powell) and negative White exemplars (e.g., Jeffrey Dahmer) can reduce implicit pro-White/anti-Black evaluations, as measured by an Implicit Association Test (IAT). Here we report seven preregistered online experiments conducted with volunteer U.S. participants (N = 6,953) that sought to replicate and probe the boundary conditions of this finding. Contrary to expectations, we found no shift in implicit racial evaluations in two close replication attempts (Exp. 1–2). Exp. 3–4 ruled out the possibility of insufficiently strong exemplar valence and subtyping as explanations for the failures to replicate. In Exp. 5, implicit racial evaluations did exhibit malleability in response to two different procedures relying on repeated evaluative pairings and evaluative statements, suggesting that they are capable of change. With insight from these studies, Exp. 6–7 were mounted with modifications to the Dasgupta and Greenwald (2001) procedure. Significant reductions in implicit pro-White/anti-Black evaluations were now observed when race, valence, and the contingency between the two were highlighted. In addition, across all experiments, the magnitude of shift in implicit racial evaluations was significantly predicted by participants’ ability to recall the Black–positive and White–negative contingencies experienced during the exemplar exposure task. Together, these data suggest that exposure to counterattitudinal exemplars can shift implicit racial evaluations toward neutrality, but such malleability strongly depends on contingency awareness. We discuss implications for social cognitive theory, theoretically informed debiasing interventions, and different paths toward resolving initial replication failures.
When feedback backfires – Explicit performance feedback can impair cognitive strategy choice
Authors: Weis Patrick P. , Kunde Wilfried
Published: June 2023

Frequently, problems can be solved in more than one way. In modern computerized en-vironments, more ways than ever exist. Naturally, human problem solvers do not always decide for the best-performing cognitive strategy available. One underlying reason might be the inability to continuously and correctly monitor each strategy’s performance and make according inferences. Here, we supported some of our participants’ explicit monitoring ability by providing performance feedback. Specifically, participants engaged in an object comparison task, which they were asked to solve with one of two cognitive strategies: an internal strategy (mental rota-tion) or an extended strategy (manual rotation). After receiving no feedback (30 participants), trialwise feedback (30 participants), or blockwise feedback (30 participants) in these no choice trials, all participants were asked to estimate their performance with both strategies and were then allowed to freely choose between strategies in choice trials. Results indicated that explicit feedback improves explicit performance estimates. However, results also indicated that increased awareness does not guarantee improved strategy choice and that explicit feedback might even tamper with more adaptive implicit mechanisms and harm strategy choice. Thus, we advise against prematurely implementing explicit feedback. While it might support adaptive strategy choice in certain environments, it did not in the present setup. We encourage further research that improves the understanding of the interplay between explicit and implicit performance monitoring as it will help create interventions that support human problem solvers in making better cognitive strategy choices in the future.
Drivers of pro-environmental consumer behaviour – Time for new theories?
Authors: Dolnicar Sara , Grün Bettina , MacInnes Sarah
Published: June 2023

Human behaviour has caused an exponential increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change declared consumer behaviour a key target for climate change mitigation, but effective behaviour change interventions can only be developed based on a valid theory of the drivers of such behaviour. Theories shaping our current understanding rely heavily on cognitive constructs. Yet empirical evidence suggests that this focus may limit opportunities to develop new, different, effective behavioural change interventions. We propose an alternative theory based on habit, effort and enjoyment (HEET) and test its predictive validity against the dominant theory of environmentally significant behaviour: value belief norm (VBN) theory. HEET outperforms VBN in predicting self-reported environmentally significant behaviours, pointing to the need for new theories containing currently neglected theoretical constructs as basis for developing new types of behaviour change interventions aimed at contributing to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12: ensuring sustainable consumption.
Exploring the Relationship between the Factors Affecting Consumer Behavior concerning Mobile Phones in Nepal
Authors: Rai Arjun , Bhattarai Mandip
Published: June 2023

This study examined the relationship between publicity, company website, advertisement, brand ambassador, friends' recommendations, and social media while making buying decisions by consumers concerning mobile phone purchases. The population of the study comprised university students of Nepal. A structured questionnaire was sent to respondents. Out of the returned responses, 165 responses were selected for this study. A correlation test was employed to examine the relationship between the stated variables of the study. The finding demonstrated positive correlations between the variables of the test. All the variables had a statistically positive correlation with each other at <.001, except (friends' recommendation and company website; and friend recommendation and brand ambassador).
Consumers' Attitudes and Behavioural Intentions on Internet Banking in Nepal
Authors: Sah Gunja Kumari
Published: June 2023

Banks and financial institutions have huge opportunities to capture high market share by satisfying customers' transforming attitudes and behaviour towards Internet banking. This paper examines customers' attitudes toward Internet banking and evaluates behavioural intentions regarding technology accessibility in Nepal. Based on the descriptive research design,  384 respondents were considered a sample for the survey. Information about customers' attitudes was gained by analyzing descriptive statistics. Mean, Standard deviation and cross-tab analysis were utilized to examine results. The result declared that 93% of Internet bank users felt it was more effective than traditional service, while the remaining users believed conventional banking was more efficient.  It also found 51% of respondents used it for funds transfer and home banking via the Internet, and 71.6% of respondents agreed that online banking could access from anywhere. Organizing reports, scheduling payments, and transferring money from one account to another is extremely important. The output also indicates that 68 % of respondents were satisfied with Internet banking.
Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Some Fish Species Available in Local Fish Markets of Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Tamang Garima Lo , Adhikari Bijaya , Shrestha Mahesh , Pradhananga Achut Ram , Shakya Bindra Devi , Pant Dipesh Raj , Shakya Ramesh Kaji , Maharjan Jasana , Shakya Sudarshana , Shakya Pawan Raj
Published: June 2023

In this study, concentrations of Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb, and Zn were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS) in edible muscle tissues of a total of 25 fish samples belonging to five fish species viz., Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Bighead), Wallago attu (Buhari), Catla catla (Catla), Clarias batrachus (Mugree), and Labeo rohita (Rohu) marketed in Kathmandu, Nepal and evaluated potential health risks for adults using USEPA deterministic approaches. The average metal accumulation in all fish species followed the order of Zn (27.89) > Mn (5.36) > Pb (2.37) > Cr (1.12) > Cd (0.44) mg/kg, exceeding the FAO/WHO guidelines except for Zn. Likewise, the sum of average metal concentrations (∑5HM) followed the descending order of C. catla (49.61) > C. batrachus (44.49) > W. attu (34.51)> H. nobilis (32.10) > L. rohita (25.18) mg/kg. The correlation matrix showed significant correlations among some HMs indicating their common sources of origin in the examined fish species. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of HMs were lower than the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The target hazard quotients (THQs) of a single element in all fish species were less than 1.0 while the total target hazard quotients (TTHQs) in C. batrachus, C. catla, and H. nobilis exceeded the safe limit of 1.0 suggesting a potential non-carcinogenic risk. Moreover, the target cancer risks (TRs) of Cd and Cr were higher than the acceptable risk limit (10−4) in all fish species suggesting that their consumption might pose a lifetime cancer risk for adults. Therefore, the study recommends regular monitoring of HMs in commercial fish to ensure the safety of consumer health.
Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 11(2): 85-98.
Drug Prescribing Pattern among the Inpatients in the Surgery Department of Tertiary Hospital of Eastern Nepal
Authors: Panday Dipesh Raj , Rauniar Gajendra Prasad , Rai Dillisher , Shah Rupesh , Pandey Karishma Rajbhandari
Published: June 2023

Background: Prescription is a written instruction by a health care personnel to pharmacist to dispense drug(s). Irrational drug prescribing is a global problem, particularly in developing and transitional countries. This study was conducted to see the status of World Health Organization (WHO) core prescription indicators, complementary indices and prescription errors.
Methods: It was a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study carried out among inpatients of general surgery of tertiary hospital in eastern Nepal. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee. It was a convenience sampling. Calculated Sample size was 224. Enrollment of patients started on 16 May 2018 with the last case being enrolled on 1 Oct 2019 after obtaining informed consent. Relevant data was entered in a semi-structured proforma. Microsoft excel 2016 and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v. 21 were used for descriptive statistics.
Results: Median age of inpatients was 40 (24 - 54) years with male: female ratio being 1.05. Total 1492 drugs were prescribed in 224 prescriptions. Mean number of drugs prescribed was 6.66 ± 2.33. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 25.60%. Prescriptions with at least one antimicrobial agent was 89.3%. Prescriptions with at least one injection was 92.9%. Percentage of drugs prescribed from the WHO Essential Medicine List was 66.48%. Other complementary prescribing indicators and prescription errors were also calculated.
Conclusions: Most prescription indicators were inadvertently deviated away from WHO standards. Prescription errors were comparable to other studies.