bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disease Burden and Changing Trends of Kidney Cancer between 1990 and 2021: A Comparative Analysis of China and the World
Authors: Qiao Zhongli , Chen lin , Zhang Shenyu , Wang Jialin , Chen Runze , Xiong Jun
Published: July 2024

Background
Kidney cancer, a prevalent malignant tumor in the urinary system, poses a significant disease burden and remains a crucial public health concern.
Methods
Utilizing GBD2021 data, our study examined the standardized incidence, mortality, prevalence, and DALYs rate of renal cancer. We calculated the (1-MIR) value to assess treatment outcomes and survival rates, employed a joinpoint regression model to determine the AAPC, and conducted comparative and longitudinal analyses between China and global trends. Through the joinpoint regression model, we calculated the AAPC and conducted a comprehensive analysis of the disease burden of kidney cancer, evaluating its current status and changing trends.
Results
From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized incidence rate, age-standardized mortality rate, age-standardized prevalence rate, and age-standardized DALYs rate of kidney cancer in China were lower than those in the world as a whole. However, the growth rate in China was significantly faster than the global average. The age-standardized incidence rate and prevalence rate of kidney cancer in males showed a greater increase compared to females, both in China and globally. Additionally, the age-standardized rate of kidney cancer in males was notably higher than in females, particularly among middle-aged males. The (1-MIR) of renal cancer increased from 0.36 to 0.62 in China and from 0.49 to 0.58 globally. Overall, the treatment effect of renal cancer has shown some successful outcomes.
Conclusions
From 1990 to 2021, there was a noticeable increase in the global incidence of kidney cancer. Specifically, the standardized incidence and prevalence of kidney cancer in the Chinese population saw a more rapid rise compared to the global trend. Additionally, the disease burden of kidney cancer remained significantly higher in males than in females.
Voluntary Participation Mediates the Relationship between Diversified Online Community Engagement and Subjective Life Satisfaction among Chinese Populations: From a gender perspective
Authors: Huang Xiaorui , Fu Mingqi
Published: July 2024

Background: Whether and how might the diversity of engaged online communities relates to subjective life satisfaction remain unclear in Chinese population. This study with a gender perspective examines the role of increased voluntary participation in the relationship above.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study based on 2,558 respondents recruited from the Chinese Social Survey (CSS), wave 2019.
Results: A greater diversity of engagement in online communities associated with better subjective life satisfaction among both males (B=0.31, se=0.11) and females (B=0.10, se=0.02). More detailed, the positive relationship above was partially (6.6%) mediated by increased voluntary participation among females, as individuals involved in a wider variety of online communities were associated with increased likelihood of engaging in voluntary activities (B=0.006, Z=3.910), which in turn contributed to higher levels of subjective life satisfaction (B=0.114, Z=2.760). However, voluntary participation demonstrated nonsignificant mediating role in the relationship between diversified online community engagement and subjective life satisfaction.
Conclusion: Findings of this study provide valuable insights into the nuanced ways in which online interactions can affect voluntary participation and well-being, highlighting the importance of considering gender differences in these dynamics.
Adsorption of drugs on nanoplastics: Modeling challenges and experimental proof
Authors: Dick Leonard , Batista Patrick Rodrigues , Zaby Paul , Manhart Gabriele , Kopatz Verena , Kogler Lukas , Grebien Florian , Bakos Vince , Plósz Benedek , Kenner Lukas , Kirchner Barbara , Hollóczki Oldamur
Published: July 2024

Micro- and nanoplastics can interact with a variety of biologically active compounds forming aggregates of which the effects have yet to be understood. To this end, it is vital to characterize these aggregates of key compounds and micro- and nanoplastics. In this study, we examined the adsorption of the antibiotic tetracycline on four different nanoplastics, made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and nylon 6,6 (N66) through chemical computation. Two separate approaches were employed to generate relevant conformations of the tetracycline-plastic complexes. In the first approach, we folded the plastic particle from individual polymer chains in the presence of the drug through multiple separate simulated annealing setups. In the second, more biased, approach, the neat plastic was pre-folded through simulated annealing, and the drug was placed at its surface in multiple orientations. The former approach was found to be clearly superior to the other, being able to obtain lower energy conformations even with the antibiotic buried inside the plastic particle. Quantum chemical calculations on the structures revealed that the adsorption energies show a trend of of decreasing affinity to the drug in the order of N66 > PS > PP > PE. In vitro experiments on tetracycline-sensitive cell lines demonstrated that, in qualitative agreement with the calculations, in the presence of PS particles the biological activity of tetracycline drops significantly. Preliminary molecular dynamics simulations on two selected aggregates with each plastic served as first stability test of the aggregates under influence of temperature and in water. We found that all of the selected cases persisted in water indicating that the aggregates may be stable also in more realistic environments.
Pd doped tin oxide nanostructured catalysts for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Authors: Tan Shuting , Xiong Zhuo , Xu Zuwei , Zhang Junying , Zhao Yongchun
Published: July 2024

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 can convert CO2 into a variety of carbon-based fuels and achieve carbon neutrality. Tin oxide (SnO2) electrocatalytic materials have the advantages of low cost and low toxicity, and the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formic acid is highly selective. In this paper, Pd-doped SnO2 nanoparticle materials were synthesized by flame spray pyrolysis and their properties for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formic acid were explored in a gas diffusion electrolytic cell. The results showed that the Pd/SnO2 catalysts could improve the catalytic activity for the conversion of CO2 to formate, and the most superior 0.5 Pd/SnO2 showed a Faraday efficiency of 63% for formate at -1.20 V vs. RHE and a current density of 90.59 mA.cm− 2, which were 1.4 and 2.7 times higher than that of pure SnO2, respectively. The modified catalyst grains were refined, and the charge transfer resistance at the catalyst interface was reduced and the electrochemically active area was increased, generating more catalytically active sites and increasing the contact between CO2, electrolyte, and electrode-catalyst. Density-functional theory calculations showed that the doping of Pd element changed the local structure of SnO2, and the Pd/SnO2 surface was more favorable for the generation of the intermediate products *HCOO− and formate as well as the inhibition of hydrogen precipitation, which was consistent with the experimental results.
A novel approach to study ascorbic acid oxidation using Cr(VI) species - theoretical and practical perspectives of the use of potentiometric titration technique
Authors: Pilarski Bogusław , Wyrzykowski Dariusz
Published: July 2024

This paper highlights the advantages of using the potentiometric titration technique as a valuable tool for studying the oxidation reaction of ascorbic acid by chromium(VI) in aqueous solutions. Particular attention was paid to the method of determining diagnostic points allowing the quantification of ascorbic acid in the sample under study. Additionally, the influence of experimental conditions, specifically the pH of the system and the concentration of the reactants, on the type of Cr(VI) species involved in the interaction with ascorbic acid was analysed. It has been shown that the method presented provides a simple, cost-effective and rapid tool that can be widely used for the direct determination of ascorbic acid.
Performance Analysis of Uplink Dirs-noma Network for a Group of Two Edge Users
Authors: Nguyen Anh Thai
Published: July 2024

The Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) tech-nique, supported by Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS), is con-sidered a promising solution to enhance the quality of radio com-munication networks. However, as IRS-NOMA wireless networksare increasingly deployed more densely, inter-cell interferencehas become a significant factor limiting system capacity. Thisissue has not been adequately addressed in most existing IRS-NOMA wireless network research. In this paper, we use a randomgeometry approach to model an uplink DIRS-NOMA densewireless system. Specifically, a group of two users (UE) at the celledge communicates with the base station (BS) through a pair ofIRS, without a direct link to the BS. Based on the proposed model,we develop theoretical frameworks and calculate the BS-IRS-UElink channel statistics using a Rayleigh fading distribution. Wederive the probability density function (PDF) and the cumulativedensity function (CDF). Based on statistical data analysis, wederive closed-form expressions for the outage probability (OP),ergodic rate (ER), and bit error rate (BER) of UEs at the BSas functions of the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR).From the obtained results, we evaluate the overall performanceof the system. We also propose an algorithm that optimizesthe sum rate of all users under individual power constraints.This formulated problem requires simultaneous optimization ofpower at the user and phase shift at the IRS and is non-convex.Finally, we verify the mathematical analysis through comparisonswith Monte Carlo simulations. The presented numerical resultsdemonstrate that the proposed solution achieves near-optimalperformance and outperforms the OMA-based solution in termsof sum rate.
Enhancing Quasi Solid-state Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Performance Using Mixed-polymer Gel Electrolytes: the Influence of Low and High Molar-weight Polymers
Authors: Bandara T. M.W.J. , Rajakarunarathne C. B. , Wickramasinghe H. M.N. , DeSilva L. Ajith , Yusuf S. N.F.
Published: July 2024

Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are crucial in quasi solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) due to their chemical and physical stability, enhanced safety, and improved performance, which boosts ionic conductivity. This study presents the enhancing gel polymer electrolyte properties intended for DSSCs by blending low and high-molar weight variants of the same polymer. Using the hot press method, the synthesized polymer blend electrolyte shows notable DSSC performance improvement. The blend incorporates polyethylene oxide (PEO, MW 4,000,000) and its lower molar weight counterpart, polyethylene glycol (PEG, MW 4,000). The ionic conductivities of the GPEs were assessed via impedance analysis. The GPE with 100% PEG achieved the highest ionic conductivity (10.30 mS cm− 1) but was liquid-like, while 100% PEO showed the lowest conductivity (5.23 mS cm− 1) with a solid-state nature. A blend with a 3:1 PEO to PEG ratio exhibited intermediate conductivity and a gel-like consistency. Utilizing this electrolyte in solid-state DSSCs yielded an extremely high 8.76% power conversion efficiency and a short-circuit current density of 13.80 mA cm− 2. The lowest efficiency was observed for the 100% PEO content. The study demonstrated a significant efficiency improvement of 38.17% and 36.45% in blend polymer electrolyte-based DSSCs compared to single polymer electrolytes with PEO and PEG, respectively. Conductivity in the GPEs followed Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher behavior. The DSSCs utilized N719 dye-sensitized TiO2 nanoparticle multi-layer photoanodes and Pt counter electrodes. The results indicate that combining low and high-molar-weight polymers in the electrolyte significantly boosts DSSC efficiency. Current efforts aim to refine polymer composition and understand the mechanisms behind the efficiency enhancement in mixed-phase gel polymer electrolytes.
Emotion regulation strategies as predictors of Japanese female athletes’ abnormal eating behavior
Authors: Eriko Aiba , Kojiro Matsuda , Kosuke Mukai , Kazuto Oda
Published: July 2024

Background
The media’s recent coverage of Japanese female athletes’ announcements that they have eating disorders and amenorrhea has provided an opening for attending to female athletes’ physical and mental health issues. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between emotion regulation strategies and abnormal eating disorders in Japanese female athletes.
Methods
Healthy female athletes (N = 140) who had never had an eating disorder completed the Abnormal Eating Behavior Scale, New Version (AEBS-NV), the Japanese version of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ-J), and the Japanese version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Japanese version CERQ).
Results
The total AEBS-NV score positively correlated with “Rumination” (r = .26, p < .01), “Blaming others” (r = .32, p < .01), and “Catastrophizing” (r = .32, p < .01). In contrast, “Refocus on planning” negatively correlated with the total AEBS‒NV score (r = − .23, p < .01). We also used stepwise multiple regression analysis, with the two-factor ERQ-J and CERQ scores as independent variables and the five-factor AEBS‒NV scores as dependent variables. These results clarified the emotion regulation strategies associated with each type of abnormal eating disorder, that is, “Inappropriate diet behavior,” “Apprehension concerning food intake,” and “Binge eating.”
Conclusions
The findings suggest that emotion regulation strategies can increase and/or decrease each type of abnormal eating disorder and help prevent female athletes’ eating disorders. Future research should consider sport type as a variable and further investigate its relationships with emotion regulation strategies, abnormal eating behaviors, and self-evaluation of body shape.
Phenolic compounds and pectin-rich extracts recovered from peach pomace by sequential pressurized liquid extractions
Authors: Rudke Carla Roana Monteiro , Rudke Adenilson Renato , Germano Amanda Tavares , Vitali Luciano , Zielinski Acácio Antônio Ferreira , Ferreira Sandra Regina Salvador
Published: July 2024

Peach pomace is a by-product from the peach industrial processing, rich in high-value bioactive compounds and pectin. This study aimed to conduct a sequential pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) for the fractionation of peach pomace, recovering phenolics and pectin extracts. These separated fractions were evaluated, and novel functional properties were determined. The alternative high-pressure method (PLE) was compared to low-pressure sequential extractions conducted by Soxhlet (SOX) and heat-stirred extraction (HSE), as standard procedures. The results indicate that PLE at 40 °C provided highest phenolics yield (10.31 mgGAE.g-1), exhibiting antioxidant potential, by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP, of 20.01, 37.57 and 155.15 µmol TE. g-1, respectively. The pectin yield was 20% by HSE, while PLE achieved maximum yield of 14%. Nevertheless, the quality of the pectin fraction indicated higher content of galacturonic acid from the PLE pectin (47 % with 31 % of degree of esterification), compared to the HSE sample (10.90 % galacturonic acid with 22.15 % degree of esterification). Besides, the functional properties of the pectin fraction show high water solubility (96.47%) without significant difference between PLE and HSE samples. The PLE-pectin exhibited low water-holding capacity (0.03 g water/g) but higher oil-holding capacity than HSE-pectin. Both samples showed good emulsification and foaming ability and stability, with a higher value for the HSE sample. The present results suggest peach pomace as a promising by-product for the recovery of phenolic-rich and pectin-rich fractions. This study introduces innovations for the peach pomace fractionation and sheds light on the techno-functional properties of the pectin-rich fraction, which have proven promising attributes for future applications in food formulations.
HSPA12A promotes c-Myc lactylation-mediated proliferation of tubular epithelial cell to facilitate renal functional recovery from kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Li Yunfan , Min Xinxu , Zhang Xiaojin , Cao Xiaofei , Kong Qiuyue , Mao Qian , Cheng Hao , Gou Liming , Li Yuehua , Li Chuanfu , Liu Li , Ding zhengnian
Published: July 2024

Proliferation of renal tubular epithelial cells (TEC) is essential to restore tubular integrity and thereby to support renal functional recovery from kidney ischemia/reperfusion (KI/R) injury. The transcriptional factor c-Myc is activated for TEC proliferation following KI/R; however, the in-depth mechanism of c-Myc activation in TEC following KI/R is incompletely known. Heat shock protein A12A (HSPA12A) is an atypic member of HSP70 family. In this study, we found that KI/R decreased HSPA12A expression in mouse kidneys and TEC, while ablation of HSPA12A in mice impaired TEC proliferation and renal functional recovery following KI/R. Gain-of-function studies demonstrated that HSPA12A promoted TEC proliferation upon hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) through directly interacting with c-Myc and enhancing its nuclear localization to increase expression of its target genes related to TEC proliferation. Notably, c-Myc was lactylated in TEC after H/R, and this lactylation was enhanced by HSPA12A overexpression. Importantly, inhibition of c-Myc lactylation attenuated the HSPA12A-induced increases of c-Myc nuclear localization, proliferation-related gene expression, and TEC proliferation. Further experiments revealed that HSPA12A promoted c-Myc lactylation via increasing lactate generation by activating the Hif1α-mediated glycolysis. The results unraveled a role of HSPA12A in promoting TEC proliferation following KI/R, and this role of HSPA12A was achieved through increasing c-Myc lactylation for its transcriptional effects. Therefore, targeting HSPA12A in TEC might be a viable strategy to promote renal functional recovery from KI/R injury in patients.
Rationally designed universal passivator for high-performance single-junction and tandem perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Jiangzhao , Feng Yinsu , Ding Jike , Ma Quanxing , Zhang Hong , Zhang Jiajia , Zhang Zuolin , Li Mengjia , Geng Taoran , Gao Wenhuan , Wang Yang , Zhang Boxue , pauporte Thierry , Tang Jian-Xin , Chen Hongjian , Chen Cong
Published: July 2024

Interfacial trap-assisted nonradiative recombination hampers the development of single junction and tandem perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we report a rationally designed universal passivator to realize highly efficient and stable single junction and tandem PSCs. Multiple defects are simultaneously passivated by the synergistic effect of anion and cation. Moreover, the defect healing effect is precisely modulated by carefully controlling the number of hydrogen atoms on cations and steric hindrance. Due to minimized interfacial energy loss, L-valine benzyl ester 4-toluenesulfonate (VBETS) modified inverted PSCs achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.26% (certified 25.15%) for PSC devices and 21.00% for the modules with an aperture area of 32.144 cm2. The efficiency values both are the record PCEs ever reported for the inverted PSCs using vacuum flash technology in ambition conditions. Further, by suppressing carrier recombination, the perovskite/Si tandem solar cells coupled with VBETS passivation deliver a PCE of 30.98%. This work highlights the critical role of the number of hydrogen atoms and steric hindrance in designing molecular modulator to advance the PCE and stability of PSCs.
Epigenome-wide DNA Methylation Association Study of CHIP Provides Insight into Perturbed Gene Regulation
Authors: Kirmani Sara , Huan Tianxiao , Amburg Joseph Van , Joehanes Roby , Uddin Md Mesbah , Nguyen Ngoc Quynh , Yu Bing , Brody Jennifer , Fornage Myriam , Bressler Jan , Sotoodehnia Nona , Ong David , Puddu Fabio , Floyd James , Ballantyne Christie , Psaty Bruce , Raffield Laura , Natarajan Pradeep , Conneely Karen , Carson April , Lange Leslie , Ferrier Kendra , Heard-Costa Nancy , Murabito Joanne , Bick Alexander , Levy Daniel
Published: July 2024

With age, hematopoietic stem cells can acquire somatic mutations in leukemogenic genes that confer a proliferative advantage in a phenomenon termed “clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential” (CHIP). How these mutations confer a proliferative advantage and result in increased risk for numerous age-related diseases remains poorly understood. We conducted a multiracial meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of CHIP and its subtypes in four cohorts (N=8196) to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying CHIP and illuminate how these changes influence cardiovascular disease risk. The EWAS findings were functionally validated using human hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) models of CHIP. A total of 9615 CpGs were associated with any CHIP, 5990 with DNMT3A CHIP, 5633 with TET2 CHIP, and 6078 with ASXL1 CHIP (P <1×10-7). CpGs associated with CHIP subtypes overlapped moderately, and the genome-wide DNA methylation directions of effect were opposite for TET2 and DNMT3A CHIP, consistent with their opposing effects on global DNA methylation. There was high directional concordance between the CpGs shared from the meta-EWAS and human edited CHIP HSCs. Expression quantitative trait methylation analysis further identified transcriptomic changes associated with CHIP-associated CpGs. Causal inference analyses revealed 261 CHIP-associated CpGs associated with cardiovascular traits and all-cause mortality (FDR adjusted p-value <0.05). Taken together, our study sheds light on the epigenetic changes impacted by CHIP and their associations with age-related disease outcomes. The novel genes and pathways linked to the epigenetic features of CHIP may serve as therapeutic targets for preventing or treating CHIP-mediated diseases.
A Landscape of Genetic and Cellular Hallmarks in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Luo Yonglun , Lin Lin , Araujo Isabela , Kristensen Anders , Haskó János , Madsen Mia , Keller Anna , Olsen Amalie , Zhao Xiaoying , Fang Wenyan , Jessen Niels , Farup Jean , Frøkiær Jørgen , Schiessl Ina , Nørregaard Rikke
Published: July 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects >800 million individuals worldwide, while spatiotemporal inventory of CKD hallmarks is lacking. Here, we comprehensively map the landscape of 18,740 genes, 24,604 genesets, and 19 cell types in a mouse CKD model, using spatial RNA sequencing and in vivo two-photon imaging. Unsupervised transcriptome clustering identifies seven spatially distinguished clusters, which exhibit systemic transcriptome activation in CKD. Comparative pathway analysis across-kidney regions and CKD progression reveals novel genetic hallmarks, such as rapid metabolic reduction, early increase of intracellular stress, chronic inflammation, interstitial angiogenesis and fibrosis. Single-cell deconvolution analysis unravels kidney-wide cellular remodeling, including endothelial cell (EC) and proximal tubule cell loss, immune cell infiltration, and fibroblast activation. Using two-photon imaging, we luminate the progression and interaction between EC and tubule dysfunction, macrophages infiltration, and fibroblast activation in mice CKD kidneys. Furthermore, our comparative genetic analysis shed light on the CKD genetic translatability between mice and human.
Direct Oxygen Insertion into C-C Bond of Styrenes with Air
Authors: Jiao Ning , Qin Qixue , Zhang Liang , Wei Jialiang , Qiu Xu , Hao Shuanghong , An Xiao-De
Published: July 2024

Skeletal editing of single-atom insertion to basic chemicals has been demonstrated as efficient strategy for the discovery of structurally novel compounds. Previous endeavors in skeletal editing have successfully facilitated the insertion of boron, nitrogen, and carbon atoms. Given the prevalence of oxygen atoms in biologically active molecules, the direct oxygenation of C-C bonds through single-oxygen-atom insertion like Baeyer-Villiger reaction is of particular significance. Herein, we present a novel approach for the skeletal modification of styrenes using O2 via oxygen insertion into Ar-C(sp2) σ-bond, resulting in the formation of corresponding aryl ether frameworks under mild reaction conditions. The broad functional-group tolerance and the excellent chemo- and regioselectivity were demonstrated in this protocol. A preliminary mechanistic study indicated the potential involvement of 1,2-aryl radical migration in this reaction.
Suitability assessment of planned landfill site selection using GIS and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach in Boditi city, southern Ethiopia
Authors: Balta Mathewos Muke , Gamo Kataro Galasso
Published: July 2024

Determining the location of facility sites in an area with partial planning and a highly growing city is challenging for decision-making. It is even more difficult when assessing suitable site selection for solid wastes. This study used geospatial data to assess suitable landfill site locations to create a neat city using geospatial data for Boditi city, southern Ethiopia. Geographic information systems (GIS) and a multicriteria approach were used with a number of other criteria to help select possible locations. Biased comparisons and weighted scoring methods were used to evaluate the ten criteria used by the city to determine which site was suitable. The locations are sorted into four groups, stretching from highly suitable to unsuitable, using suitability mapping. Overall, of the 3,040 ha, 138.7 ha (4.56%) was considered highly suitable, while 2414 ha(79.41%) was considered moderatelysuitable for landfill sites. In addition, 476.21 ha (15.66%) was identified as less suitable, leaving the remaining 11.09 ha (0.37%) considered unsuitable. The study selected the best landfill site in terms of accessibility, topography, and compensation cost in addition to ten criteria that will help minimize the risk of adverse impacts on life, land, water, and air environments associated with waste disposal.
Engineering an Improved Hydroponics System
Authors: O'Quinn Alexander , Behera Sonali (Jay) , Kim Ella , Pan Mackinley
Published: July 2024

Much of the food insecurity within the United States is due to urban “food deserts” (large cities where many residents cannot access fresh, nutritious food). Within these cities, fresh food can be expensive to the point where most residents routinely resort to consuming highly processed fast food that lacks important nutritional qualities. In researching this phenomenon, it became clear that one of the solutions to this problem that could address long transportation times, the carbon emissions associated with such transportation, and the general lack of space in cities, would be hydroponic-based systems. Such systems grow crops without soil in compact, urban environments using artificial lighting. In order to test the effectiveness and efficiency of hydroponics-based systems, we developed a hydroponics-based system using already available materials and then tested it to determine if hydroponics could offer a sustainable alternative. Trying to use materials common to an engineering lab so as to be easier to build and replicate findings, we focused on adding PVC parts to a wooden frame to keep it in a 4-foot by 4-foot by 3-foot area. Although the system we created did require more energy than conventional farming, the hydroponics farm was able to successfully grow lettuce plants at a rate faster than Conventional Agriculture, demonstrating the merits of large-scale hydroponics agriculture.
Mitigating the Opioid Epidemic: The Role of Cannabinoids in Chronic Pain Management—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms
Authors: Borges Julian Yin Vieira
Published: July 2024

Background
As the medical community seeks alternative pain management strategies, cannabinoids have emerged as a potential option. This review discusses the role of cannabinoids in chronic pain management and their potential to be an alternative treatment in pain medicine.
Objectives
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cannabinoids in chronic pain management, explore their potential to reduce opioid use, and identify the mechanisms by which cannabinoids exert their analgesic effects. Additionally, the review seeks to highlight the clinical implications and limitations of using cannabinoids as an alternative to opioids.
Methods
A comprehensive review of existing literature was conducted, focusing on various types of studies. Data were extracted and analyzed to assess the efficacy, safety, and potential opioid-sparing effects of cannabinoids. Mechanistic insights were also explored to understand how cannabinoids modulate pain.
Results
Cannabinoids have shown efficacy in managing chronic pain, with evidence indicating their ability to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Studies suggest that cannabinoids can provide significant analgesic effects, although there is variability in efficacy across trials. Findings also show that Cannabinoids modulate pain through the endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in pain perception and inflammation.
Limitations:
The variability in efficacy across studies suggests a need for standardized formulations and dosing regimens. Long-term effects of cannabinoid use are not fully understood, necessitating further research. More high-quality trials are needed to confirm findings and address potential biases.
Conclusion:
Cannabinoids offer a promising alternative for chronic pain management, with the potential to mitigate the opioid epidemic. Integrating cannabinoids into clinical practice, guided by evidence-based protocols, can provide a safer and effective approach to chronic pain management.
Growing Indica and Aus Type Rice till Maturity in Hydroponics under N-Optimum and N-Stressed Condition: A Detailed Account
Authors: Poudel Ankur , Saini Manish Ranjan , Phogat Sachin , Roy Jeet , Chauhan Harsh , Madhavan Jayanthi , Sevanthi Amitha Mithra , Mandal Pranab Kumar
Published: July 2024

The optimal utilization of nitrogenous fertilizer in agriculture is essential for reducing nitrogen (N) induced pollution and minimizing production costs. While studies have been conducted on the performance of rice genotypes under N-stresses, there remains a lack of detailed protocols for screening them during both seedling and maturity stages without absolute control of N, which is conveniently possible in hydroponics. Here we report a detailed protocol for growing of rice plants till maturity under N-stress (as well as N-optimum condition) in the hydroponics system. This protocol provides comprehensive details on requirements, experimental setup, media, growing conditions, parameters to be observed, and management practices for the hydroponics system and troubleshooting. Apart from the growing condition, we also detail the procedures for recording the observations during the growth phase of the plants. Two contrasting rice genotypes for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), IR64 (Indica rice) and Nagina 22 (Aus type rice), were grown under optimum as well as N-stressed condition till the complete maturity of the plants for validation of this protocol. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two genotypes were observed on various parameters including the morphological parameters and N uptake, from seedling to maturity stages. We also observed the effect of aeration in the hydroponics system for rice and found that non-aerated conditions were preferable. This comprehensive protocol offers an efficient, easy, low-cost, and low-maintenance system for hydroponic studies under N stress conditions, enabling precise phenotyping and non-destructive examination of roots.
From Data to Decisions: Portfolio Topology Optimization Framework Case study: Automotive Industry
Authors: faridnia rashid
Published: July 2024

Portfolio management in the automotive industry plays a crucial role in optimizing resource allocation, risk management, and financial performance. This article presents an integrated optimization framework that combines the Markowitz model, multi-discipline optimization, and deep learning techniques to enhance portfolio decision-making in the automotive sector. By leveraging advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, companies can develop data-driven strategies to maximize returns, minimize risks, and achieve competitive advantage. A comprehensive methodology for implementing the integrated optimization framework in Python is provided, including data preprocessing, model development, performance analysis, and practical implementation. Empirical results using a real-world dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in improving portfolio management practices in the automotive industry.
Improving Multimodal Reasoning in Large Language Models via Federated Example Selection
Authors: Fawcett Beatrice , Ashworth Felix , Dunbar Harriet
Published: July 2024

Large language models have experienced a significant transformation with the advent of powerful models capable of generating, translating, and summarizing text. However, effectively integrating and reasoning with multimodal data, which includes text, images, and audio, continues to pose a formidable challenge. The novel concept of federated example selection, as proposed in this paper, is significant because it addresses critical issues of data privacy, diversity, and representation, thus enhancing multimodal reasoning capabilities in AI models. By modifying the open-source LLM, Llama, with a federated example selection algorithm, this research demonstrates substantial improvements in model performance across various tasks. The methodology involves a comprehensive approach that includes secure data collection, algorithm design, and iterative model refinement, all within a federated learning framework. The experimental results indicate notable advancements in accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score, outperforming state-of-the-art models and showcasing the algorithm's efficacy. Additionally, scalability analysis confirms the algorithm's ability to handle large-scale datasets efficiently, while ablation studies highlight the importance of each algorithmic component. The findings suggest that the proposed methodology not only enhances the integration of diverse data types but also paves the way for future developments in multimodal AI, demonstrating the transformative potential of federated learning approaches.
Análise da Eficácia de Três Sistemas Automatizados na Remoção de Material Obturador Endodôntico: Estudo In Vitro
Authors: Paradela Carolina Almeida , Lima Hyan Gonçalves Chaar , Silva Lyncoln Eduardo Alves , Vianna Thiago Cardoso , Cancian Pamela Daiana , Belém Manuella Dias Furtado , Prado Laís Cunha , Araújo Priscila Xavier de , Silveira-Sabbá Amanda da Costa
Published: July 2024

Casos de insucesso na terapia endodôntica ocorrem e o retratamento não cirúrgico continua sendo a primeira escolha na tentativa de restabelecimento da saúde dos tecidos periapicais. Para um efetivo retratamento endodôntico a remoção do material obturador (MO) é necessária. O objetivo do presente estudo in vitro é avaliar a eficácia e comparar três sistemas automatizados, ProTaper Universal de Retratamento (PTUR), Reciproc e ProDesign Logic RT na remoção de MO em canais radiculares achatados, por meio de Radiografias Periapicais (RP) e Tomografia Computadorizada de Feixe Cônico (TCFC) e cronometrar o tempo operatório. Foram selecionados 30 incisivos inferiores uniradiculares extraídos, que foram instrumentados e obturados com cimento AH Plus. Os dentes foram selados, colocados em estufa durante 30 dias à 37ºC e foram divididas aleatoriamente em 3 grupos (n=10). Radiografias e tomografias foram realizadas, em seguida a remoção de MO foi realizada de acordo com as recomendações de uso de cada fabricante e o tempo operatório foi cronometrado. Novas radiografias e tomografias foram realizadas, as imagens foram analisadas e comparadas quanto a frequência de remanescentes de MO nos terços radiculares e classificadas de acordo com scores pré-estabelecidos. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados e a análise estatística entre os terços de cada grupo foi realizada pelo teste de Fridman e entre os grupo o teste de Kruskal-Wallis (p<0,05). Observou-se na análise radiográfica e tomográfica que todas as amostras mostraram uma redução significante, com pouco ou sem MO. Quanto análise radiografica, não houve diferença estatística na comparação de cada terço entre os três sistemas, houve diferença estatisticamente significante somente na análise intragrupo, entre o terço cervical e apical do grupo Reciproc. Na análise tomográfica, não houve diferença estatística significante entre os sistemas e nem nos terços intragrupo. O sistema ProDesign Logic RT foi estatisticamente mais rápido na remoção do MO que o ProTaper Universal de Retratamento. Conclui-se que os três sistemas automatizados apresentaram desempenho satisfatório na remoção de MO por apresentar pouco ou sem remanescente de MO no canal radicular e o sistema ProDesign Logic RT removeu mais rápido.
Impact of brand name and pricing on Kazakhstan Gen Z consumer behavior
Authors: Mouly Potluri Rajasekhara , Zulpaidar Zhanaidar , Kurmangazin Sultanamir
Published: July 2024

The objective of the research is to examine the impact of brand name and pricing on Kazakhstan Gen Z consumers’ buying behavior, spending patterns, and other buying motives. Adopting a quantitative approach, the study administers a structured questionnaire following a comprehensive analysis of the relevant literature and gleaned responses from 300 Generation Z consumers after checking the reliability and validity of the instrument using Cronbach’s alpha. The selected hypotheses were tested using the Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation, which revealed that brand name significantly impacts Kazakh women, and price greatly influences both genders. The results observed that price has the most significant effect on the buying behavior of female and male Gen Z consumers in Kazakhstan, with 25 and 28 percent, respectively. Brand name and authenticity considerably influence female consumers, with 16 and 15 percent, whereas innovation, technology, and customization, with 20 and 14 percent, influence male consumers. The significant influence of branding and pricing on the buying behavior of Kazakhstan Gen Z customers is displayed, and the findings provide a focal context for developing marketing plans in this first-of-its-kind research article.
Mobile-Based Car Diagnostic Application Using Onboard Diagnostic-II Scanner
Authors: Iskandar Karto , Tambayong Alfred , Mulya Muhammad Rafif Fawwaz , Elfanlie Steven Cendra , Herlina Maria Grace
Published: July 2024

Mobile applications today serve as versatile tools across diverse sectors, enhancing human productivity through specialized software on electronic devices. Implementation of the mobile application can also be applied to vehicles, with inspection and checking functions assisted by the Onboard Diagnostic-II (OBD-II) scanner. The research aimed to develop an integrated mobile application that utilized the OBD-II scanner and Data Acquisition System (DAS) to monitor vehicle health and provide timely service reminders. Vehicle information was taken by the DAS process into a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) from the vehicle itself. The method applied the waterfall model, which consisted of communication, planning, modeling, construction, and evaluation. The problem analysis and requirements gathering for developing the application involves the interview method and Google Forms-generated questionnaires with 101 responses. Then, the research used OBD-II series ELM327 and ELM 327 IC devices for testing. The research results in an application developed for vehicle diagnostics using a recommendation system through notifications that provide vehicle health information and service time reminders to users. This application consists of eight modules, with the main module being able to provide recommendations for vehicle owners. These recommendations are helpful for users to maintain the health of their vehicles regularly. Further research is recommended to enhance the development of the application, aiming to create a more comprehensive user interface.
Psychological Stress Detection Using Transformer-Based Models
Authors: Suhartono Derwin , Saputra Irfan Fahmi , Pratama Andhika Rizki , Nathaniel Gabriel
Published: July 2024

Stress is a significant mental health problem that results in a lack of concentration. It has been more widely identified through social media since people who are under stress usually post about their physical pain and tiredness. However, stress assessment through social media by professionals can be expensive and time-consuming. The research aimed to produce a stress detection system trained using a Twitter dataset to predict stress using the user’s input sentence. The experiments that were done in the research used transformer-based models such as Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) and Robustly Optimized BERT (RoBERTa). The research involved data pre-processing, model training, and model evaluation to ensure high-quality train data. Since the data were imbalanced, data trimming was performed in pre-processing to select data randomly until the balance matched. This process ensured the model’s effectiveness in the training and evaluation stages. The features used in these experiments were features from each pre-trained model. In evaluating the model, accuracy, loss, and F1 score were used as metrics. In the result, for BERT, accuracy reaches 0.848 with an F1 score of 0.847. Meanwhile, RoBERTa has an accuracy of 0.837 and 0.834. The results prove that BERT and RoBERTa can be used to classify stress with accuracy and an F1 score above 0.8. The experiment result shows that the BERT deep learning model can detect stress using the Twitter datasets.
INVESTIGANDO O PROCESSO DE CRIAÇÃO DA PINTURA “COSTUREIRAS” DE TARSILA DO AMARAL, DE 1950, POR IMAGENS UVL, IR E MA-XRF
Authors: Kajiya Elizabeth , Pimenta Andre , Felix Valter , Junior Nilton , Liarth Roberto , de Souza Claudia , Barbosa Márcia , Muniz Lucas , dos Santos Robson , Pereira Leandro , Gonçalves Elicardo , de Freitas Renato
Published: July 2024

REVEALING THE ARTISTIC PROCESS OF TARSILA DO AMARAL’S “COSTUREIRAS”, 1950 BY UVL, IR, AND MA-XRF IMAGING. In last decades, technical-scientific investigations into cultural heritage assets have increasingly become part of analysis methodologies accessible to professionals from different areas for a broad understanding of the complex material and historical nature of objects. In this interdisciplinary word, the painting “Costureiras” by Tarsila do Amaral (1886-1973), from 1950, was studied by ultraviolet-induced visible luminescence (UVL), infrared image (IR) and macro X-ray fluorescence scanning (MA-XRF) techniques. UVL and MA-XRF images enabled the exploration of the conservation status of the artwork, the creative process of the artist, and areas featuring materials distinct from the original painting. By combining the results of IR and MA-XRF images, it was confirmed that changes occurred in the creative process during the composition of the artwork. MA-XRF images further allowed the inference of the primary pigments employed by the artist, revealing that, during canvas priming, Tarsila do Amaral utilized pigments based on lead and zinc.
Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange and methyl violet dyes by UV/Cu2+/PDS process
Authors: Ali Adnan , Khan Qaiser , Rehman Faiza , Gul Ikhtiar , Gohar Faryal , Zohaib Muhammad , Sayed Murtaza
Published: July 2024

This research is focused on the application of the UV/Cu2+/peroxydisulfate (PDS) system for the successful decolorization of methyl orange (MO) and methyl violet (MV) dyes in aqueous media. The effects of different parameters such as the equilibrium time, initial catalyst amount, PDS concentration and pH of the media in terms of MO and MV degradation were studied. Furthermore, the photocatalytic performance of the UV/Cu2+/PDS system was also investigated by performing the degradation of MO and MV in different water systems including distilled water, synthetic wastewater and industrial wastewater samples. The results revealed 94 and 89% degradation for MO and MV dyes in the UV/Cu2+/PDS system, respectively. The radical quenching experiments showed sulfate radicals (SO4·-) as the prominent species involved in the degradation of MO and MV dyes. Overall, it was concluded that the UV/Cu2+/PDS process has the ability to be adopted for the effective elimination of contaminants from the aquatic system.
Ingress of municipal solid waste into water resources: an environmental assessment and monitoring tool near dumpsites in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Authors: Inyang Nsikak , George Nyakno , Ehibor Imo-owo , Ekot Anietie , Udo Itoro
Published: July 2024

Municipal solid waste (MSW) dumping sites are only used for trash discarding. Beyond the reek that the dumpsites generate, which defiles the milieu, the primary issue is the spreading of fluid from the landfills. The thrust of this research is to utilize the contiguous data from geophysics and laboratory analysis of groundwater samples to decipher the influence of MSW on aquifer systems in Uyo and Eket Counties. Geo-electrical studies featured vertical electrical sounding (VES) and constant electrode separation techniques to generate 1D and 2D electrical resistivity models. The analyzed field data were integrated with water sample analysis to deduce the influence of leachate on groundwater. The VES curve types conformed to A (7.1%), HK (21.4%), Q (21.4%), and K (50.0%). The created 2D image maps for MSW locations lay bare the fact that leachate dispersal between source and sink obeys the inverse square rule. The heavy ions, which were all higher than the approved standards have, chromium as the highest and nickel as the least. The anionic average relative abundance has hydrogen trioxocarbonate ion concentration as the highest and fluoride ions as the least. The survey demonstrates that leachate has a considerable impact on groundwater.
Enhancing the membrane bioreactor efficiency: The impact of rotating membrane modules and aeration strategies on the transmembrane pressure
Authors: Mahdariza Fathul , Georg Wilhelm , Pronold Henri , Morck Tobias
Published: July 2024

The study analyses the performance of a pilot plant using a rotating hollow fibre (HF) membrane bioreactor system. The experiments evaluated the effect of operational parameters such as rotational speed, aeration strategies, and maintenance cleaning (MC) procedures on the efficiency of the system, in particular transmembrane pressure (TMP) and filtrate quality. The results indicate that the rotating membrane module reduces TMP increase and can operate for 48 days with satisfactory performance, even without aeration. This has the potential to significantly improve efficiency, resulting in significant energy savings. In addition, two MC methods, clean in air and clean in place, were tested and found to be efficient for weekly MC. It was observed that operating without aeration during colder seasons may not be effective. Therefore, adaptive strategies are needed to address seasonal temperature variations.
Inclusive Education
Authors: Zakirova Regina Raisovna
Published: July 2024

The author of the article writes about all aspects of inclusive education. She tries to explain how this education can influence different people and children as a whole. Also, the author suggests her methods that can be used in inclusive education.