bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A blockchain based solution to improve loyalty program with NFT in agribusiness
Authors: Hosseinalibeiki Hossein , Zaree Mohammad
Published: November 2023

This paper presents the design and preliminary development a new model based on blockchain for improving brand loyalty in agribusiness by customer reward. Using facilities of Ethereum Network and solidity programing, we have created an Agri non-fungible token (NFT) according to ERC-721 protocol that is most widely used protocol for creating NFTs on Ethereum. One of the main advantages of ERC-721 is its flexibility, as it allows developers to define custom metadata for each NFT and customize the attributes. The interaction between Ethereum nodes and the user is established via the frontend, which is developed in Nodejs and connects to the Ethereum network. In previous works on loyalty systems, blockchain-based solutions were proposed that resemble the system developed in this study but there are significant differences between our work and other related works such as: the use of NFT and personalization for customers, the adoption of a new version of Solidity, as well as the adoption of the metadata feature for using media to encourage and assist customer brand awareness and repurchase. We tried to provide a safe and transparent way to use NFTs in the way of increasing brand loyalty in agricultural businesses. Due to characters of NFTs as uniqueness and personalization, customers in a loyalty cycle prefer to shop more in order to earn more AgriNFT, causing retailer to sell more items and manufacturers to generate more goods.
The professionalism of clinical teachers in clinical education
Authors: Keshmiri Fatemeh , Haerizadeh Mehran , Ghelmani Yaser
Published: November 2023

Background: Professionalism has long been recognised as a core competency for clinical teachers as role models and educators. The present study aimed to evaluate the adherence to professionalism of clinical teachers from the perspectives of resident doctors and undergraduate medical students. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. All learners, including undergraduate medical students and residents who were studying in the medical school and teaching hospitals affiliated with Shahid Sadoughi University, were entered into this study as evaluators (n = 311). Of these, 151 clinical teachers were assessed by the learners. The students were asked to assess the two clinical teachers with whom they had interacted during the previous month in the clinical department. The Faculty Professionalism Evaluation Questionnaire was used in this study. Results: The results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the adequacy of the model. The total mean score was 1.98 (standard deviation=0.36, range = 0.96 to 2.82). In addition, the total mean score of the adherence to professionalism among clinical teachers was reported at the level of “met expectations”. The results showed that the teachers’ scores in the domains of “doctor-patient relationship” and “doctor-student relationship” were reported under the “met expectations” level. Their scores in the “inter-professional relationship” and “doctor-self relationship” domains were reported as “below expectations”. The results showed the scores of teachers' professionalism were significantly lower from the viewpoints of residents than in the perceptions of medical students (p=0.0001). Conclusion: The professionalism scores of clinical teachers were evaluated as “below expectations” from the learners’ perspectives.
Healthy Young POLes – HYPOL database with synchronised beat-to-beat heart rate and blood pressure signals
Authors: Guzik Przemysław , Krauze Tomasz , Wykrętowicz Andrzej , Piskorski Jarosław
Published: November 2023

Data sharing in medical research entails making research data available to other researchers for review, re-use, and collaboration purposes. This paper seeks to describe the HYPOL (Healthy Young POLes) database, which has been prepared for sharing. This database houses the clinical characteristics and beat-to-beat cardiovascular time series of 278 individuals of Polish descent, all aged between 19 and 30 years. The data were collected from healthy volunteers who participated in multiple projects carried out at the Department of Cardiology-Intensive Therapy research laboratory, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. The cardiovascular time series data was obtained from non-invasive continuous finger blood pressure and ECG recordings, with sessions lasting up to 45 minutes. The HYPOL database includes an xls file detailing the main clinical characteristics and text files that capture ECG-derived RR intervals, finger systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure values, as well as the duration of interbeat intervals.
There are data from 149 women (53.6% of the total) and 129 men. The median age of all participants studied is 24 years, their BMI was <24 kg/m2, pulse rate and blood pressure were normal. The median duration of the recordings was almost 30 minutes. In addition, we summarise selected parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate asymmetry (HRA).
The HYPOL database is available at hypol.ump.edu.pl. The download of data is free of charge after simple registration. Researchers and engineers can use the database for their purposes, except for selling it. The data can be used for testing various mathematical algorithms for HRV, HRA, blood pressure variability and asymmetry, and baroflex function.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of the Aquatic Fungus, Phialemonium inflatum FBCC-F1546
Authors: Yoon Jonghan , Kim Youngjun , Jang Seol-Hwa , Jeong Haejun , Park Jiyoon , Jeong Min-Hye , Park Sangkyu , Jo Miju , AN Sunmin , Park Jiwon , Jang Seol-Hwa , Goh Jaeduk , Park Sook-Young
Published: November 2023

Phialemonium inflatum is a useful fungus known for its ability to mineralise lignin during primary metabolism and decompose polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, no functional genetic analysis techniques have been developed yet for this fungus, specifically in terms of transformation. In this study, we applied an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) system to P. inflatum for functional gene analysis. We generated 3,689 transformants using the binary vector pSK1044, which carried either the hygromycin B phosphotransferase (hph) gene or the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene to label the transformants. Southern blot analysis showed that the probability of a single copy of T-DNA insertion was approximately 50% when the co-cultivation time of fungal spores and Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells was performed at 24–36 h, whereas at 48 h, it was approximately 35.5%. Therefore, when performing gene knockout using ATMT, co-cultivation was reduced to ≤ 36 h. The resulting transformants were mitotically stable, and PCR analysis confirmed gene integration into the transformant genome. Additionally, hph and eGFP gene expressions were confirmed by PCR amplification and fluorescence microscopy. This optimised transformation system will enable functional gene analysis to study genes of interest in P. inflatum.
Reviewing the Potential of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Concrete Pavements for Anti-Freezing Capabilities and Urban Heat Island (UHI) Mitigation
Authors: Hashemi Mohammad , Jacobsen Stefan , Baghban Mohammad Hajmohammadian , Maghfouri Mehdi , Asadi Iman
Published: November 2023

The study presents an overview of how phase change materials (PCMs) can enhance the freeze-thaw resistance of concrete pavement and mitigate urban heat island (UHI) effects. It discusses various types of PCMs and methods for incorporating them into concrete pavement, along with the mechanical properties of concrete pavement and its compressive strength when using different PCMs. Also, a Python script was used to simulate the effect of PCMs on the surface temperature of concrete pavement in different cold regions. Previous research suggests that porous aggregates, microencapsulation, and pipelines containing liquid PCM are the most common methods for incorporating PCMs into concrete pavement. The researchers reported that using PCMs in concrete pavement results in beneficial thermal properties, indicating that PCM concrete pavement has the potential for anti-freezing and UHI applications. Additionally, this study's simulation results suggest that local climate conditions should guide the selection of PCM materials.
Identifying and Categorizing the Influencing Factors on the Purchase of dairy Products (Case Study: Customers of Diary Companies in the City of Mashhad)
Authors: Balouchi Hossein , Siahsarani Kojouri Mohammad Ali , Movludian Hadi , Atashparvar Negar
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to identify and categorize the influencing factors on the purchase of dairy products among customers of dairy companies in Mashhad city. This study is a mixed research (qualitative and quantitative), conducted with the aim of identifying and categorizing the influencing factors on consumers’ purchase. Therefore, the theoretical foundations were examined in the initial step, after which the customers and their needs and demands were addressed in terms of the company and its products. In the qualitative part, interviews were conducted in the focus group (23 people in 5 groups) to identify and extract these factors using the theme analysis technique. The reliability of the interviews was confirmed by retesting and the reliability between two encoders. Sixty themes (factors) that affected the purchase of dairy products were collected. In quantitative part, 517 questionnaires were collected from 13 regions of Mashhad city to perform statistic tests. A questionnaire was designed using the extracted themes in the previous (qualitative) stage to assess customers’ feedback. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by content and structure validity (exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis), and its reliability was checked by Cronbach’s alpha. Fourteen components were obtained by exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, after which the variables were labeled as intrinsic, psychological, and personality factors, the identity of the company, production power of the company, competitive power of the company, competitive prices, social awareness, and store capabilities. The construct validity was confirmed using confirmatory factors.
Geochronology, Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of the Late Triassic syenite porphyry from the Western Part of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt
Authors: Li Shuqin , Li Zuochen , Pei Xianzhi , Lin Hao , Qin Li , Ji Shang , Yang Yajie , Ren Jinghong
Published: November 2023

Precise determination of the tectonothermal events at the Qinling-Qilian junction is extremely significant for understanding the tectonic evolution of the eastern branch of the Paleo-Tethys. The Banpo porphyry outcrops in the northern margin of the North Qinling were chosen as the research subject, and its formation and tectonic environment were analyzed using Zircon U-Pb age estimation and geochemical studies. The results indicated the final stage of the Triassic orogeny and the closure phase of the Paleo-Tethys. The weighted average values of 206Pb/238U ages of samples from 3 sites of the Banpo porphyry corresponded to 213.4 ±2.1 Ma (MSWD = 0.56), 213.0 ±1.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.92), and 213.2 ±4.4 Ma (MSWD = 1.6). This study revealed that the Banpo porphyry was formed during the Late Triassic (Norian). The porphyry with high SiO2 and high alkali is typical A-type granite, which belongs to the weak peraluminous shoshonite series. All the samples are rich in low rare earth elements. However, the heavy rare earth elements are low, especially Eu, which exhibits a seagull-type right-leaning partitioning curve. In addition, based on the regional geological data, it can be concluded that the Banpo porphyry was formed during the transition period from a post-orogenic environment to a non-orogenic environment. This study indicated the closure of the Paleo-Tethys-Mianxian-Lveyang Ocean by the Late Triassic as well as the completion of the collision between the North China and Yangtze Blocks along the Qinling orogenic belt.
Equilibrium Figures for a Rotating Compressible Capillary Two-Layer Liquid
Authors: Denisova Irina Vladimirovna , Solonnikov Vsevolod Alexeevich
Published: November 2023

The paper proves the existence of a family of axisymmetric equilibrium figures as solutions of a stationary problem with unknown boundaries for the Navier–Stokes equations corresponding to the slow rotation of a viscous compressible two-layer liquid mass about some axis. It is assumed that the liquids are barotropic, capillary and have different viscosities, the internal fluid being bounded by a closed surface. This interface does not intersect with the external boundary of the cloud. The proof is based on implicit function theorem and carried out in the Hölder spaces.
Socio-Emotional Problems and Personal Resources in Spanish Adolescents after COVID-19. Gender Difference.
Authors: Martín-Ruiz Isaías , Herrera-Gallego Ana , García-Pérez Cristina
Published: November 2023

Adolescence is a stage of change and transition, which together with the COVID-19 situation, has been a huge source of vulnerability and facilitated the development of emotional disorders. This study aims to analyse internalising (anxiety and depression) and externalising (anger and aggression) symptoms in adolescence according to gender, as well as personal resources (self-esteem, social competence and integration, and awareness of problems) put in place as a mechanism of protection and coping after the situation of the pandemic. The study population encompassed 445 adolescents, of whom 230 were boys and 215 were girls, between the ages of 12 and 17. A self-reported Likert-type test was used. Findings indicate that girls show greater levels of internalising (anxiety and depression) and externalising problems (anger), finding no differences for the variable aggression between the two groups. Personal resources are closely linked to emotional symptomatology, providing a source of protection in both genders. The findings indicate a maladaptive pattern for adolescents that requires early intervention within the field of education.
Farming System Choice Is Key to Preserving Surface Water Quality in Agricultural Watersheds
Authors: Derossi Fabiola Nunes , Ribeiro Paulo Flores , Santos José Lima
Published: November 2023

Despite much published literature on the impacts of agriculture on water quality, knowledge gaps persist regarding which farming systems are of most concern for these relationships, which could help water resource planners better target water management efforts. This study addresses these subjects, seeking to understand how this relationship varies across different farming systems. We used data on water quality status in watersheds of an agricultural region in southern Portugal and crossed it with a map of farming systems for the same region provided by a previous study. By overlaying both data layers, we characterized the areal shares of the farming systems in the watersheds and inspected how these shares relate with water quality status through logistic regression. Results support that the impact of agriculture on water quality is mostly related with specific farming systems. We believe this type of information can be of high interest for agricultural planners and policymakers interested in meeting water quality standards, and we conclude by suggesting innovative policy options based on payments to farmers operating selected farming systems, as a cost-effective way to reconcile agricultural and environmental policy objectives.
Phenotypic Detection of Carbapenemase and AmpC‐β‐Lactamase Production among Extended Spectrum β‐Lactamase (ESBL)‐Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., Isolated from Clinical Specimens
Authors: Garba Zakaria , Kaboré Berenger , Bonkoungou Isidore , Natama Magloire H. , Toussaint ROUMBA , Haukka Kaisa , Kirveskari Juha P. , Tinto Halidou , Sangaré Lassana , Barro Nicolas , Kantele Anu
Published: November 2023

Background
In many African countries, clinical samples are not routinely tested for carbapenem-resistant bacteria, the resistance data remaining limited.
Material and methods
In March 2020 –June 2022, we collected extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) -producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) isolates from five hospitals in Burkina Faso. The species were identified using API20E and ESBL production confirmed by double-disc synergy test. Production of carbapenemases and AmpC-β-lactamases and phenotypic co-resistance were determined.
Results
Among the 473 ESBL-PE, 356 were ESBL- E. coli (ESBL-Ec) and 117 Klebsiella spp. (ESBL-K). Of the isolates, 5.3% were carbapenemase and 5.3% AmpC-β-lactamase positive Three types of carbapenemases were identified: 19 NDM, 3 OXA-48 like and 1 VIM. Two isolates produced both NDM and OXA48-like carbapenemases. Carbapenemase rates were highest among isolates in tertiary hospitals. Co-resistance rates were up to 85% for aminoglycosides, 90% for sulfonamides, 95% for fluoroquinolones and 25% for chloramphenicol, Fosfomycin resistance was 6% for ESBL-Ec and 49% for ESBL-K (49%).
Conclusion
Many ESBL-Ec and ESBL-K co-produced carbapenemases and/or AmpC-β-lactamases, at all healthcare levels and in various samples, with high co-resistance rates to non-betalactams. Carbapenem resistance is no longer rare, calling for testing in routine diagnostics, vigorous resistance surveillance system, and infection control within healthcare.
KLASIFIKASI CITRA OBJEK WISATA DI KECAMATAN SAWAHAN MENGGUNAKAN DOMINANT COLOR STRUCTURE DESCRIPTOR (DCSD)
Authors: Mahpiroh Nurul , Sahertian Julian , Wulanningrum Resty , Abdul Fatah Doni
Published: November 2023

Banyaknya objek wisata yang berada di Kecamatan Sawahan membuat Kecamatan Sawahan sering dikunjungi oleh wisatawan, terbukti dengan banyaknya unggahan gambar pengunjung di sosial media yang menunjukkan objek wisata tersebut berada di Kecamatan Sawahan. Kemudian, gambar dari sosial media digunakan untuk klasifikasi citra objek wisata. Hasilnya berupa gambar objek wisata dikenali atau tidak. Untuk metodologi penelitian yang digunakan pada penelitian ini menggunakan metode R&D (Research and Development) yang mana menjelaskan analisa sistem, pengumpulan data, perancangan, dan evaluasi yang telah dibuat. R & D sendiri adalah tahap awal dan tahap eksplorasi dengan melakukan riset dan pengembangan serta pengujian pada suatu produk. Metode Dominant Color Structure Descriptor (DCSD) adalah metode yang dapat digunakan untuk ekstraksi fitur warna sehingga data gambar yang digunakan harus memiliki perbedaan warna yang mencolok. Dengan pengujian data gambar cerah, berawan, dan cerah-berawan kemudian dievaluasi menggunakan confusion matrix. Hasil evaluasi diperoleh akurasi sebesar 93% untuk gambar cerah, untuk gambar berawan diperoleh akurasi sebesar 84%, dan untuk gambar cerah-berawan diperoleh akurasi sebesar 80%. Hasil tersebut cukup baik jika digunakan untuk mengenali gambar objek wisata.
Fluid Regime of Crystallization of the Calcite–Quartz Carbonatitoids of the Murun Massif
Authors: Sotnikova I.A. , Borovikov A.A. , Kolotilina T.B. , Alymova N.V.
Published: November 2023

—Primary melt and fluid inclusions in quartz and dalyite of calcite–quartz carbonatitoids of the Murun massif have been studied. They contain CO2, N2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, H2, and H2S as well as sulfates and hydrocarbonates as solid daughter phases. The inclusion solutions contain HS- and chlorides. In addition, disordered carbon and bitumen are present. It is concluded that the magmatic fluid phase that was in equilibrium with quartz was characterized by a predominantly H2O–CO2–H2S composition and a reduced state. This explains the appearance of sulfides at the magmatic stage of crystallization of calcite–quartz carbonatitoids of the Murun massif. We substantiate the hypothesis that the sulfates, hydrocarbons, and H2 detected in the inclusions form at decreasing temperature as a result of shift of the redox equilibrium.
An Exploration of Multimodality and Data Augmentation for Dementia Classification
Authors: Lin Kaiying , Washington Peter
Published: November 2023

Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder that profoundly affects the daily lives of older adults, impairing abilities such as verbal communication and cognitive function. Early diagnosis is essential for enhancing both lifespan and quality of life for affected individuals. Despite its importance, diagnosing dementia is complex and often necessitates a multimodal approach incorporating diverse clinical data types. In this study, we fine-tune Wav2vec and Word2vec baseline models using two distinct data types: audio recordings and text transcripts. We experiment with four conditions: original datasets versus datasets purged of short sentences, each with and without data augmentation. Our results indicate that synonym-based text data augmentation generally enhances model performance, underscoring the importance of data volume for achieving generalizable performance. Additionally, models trained on text data frequently excel and can further improve the performance of other modalities when combined. Audio and timestamp data sometimes offer marginal improvements. We provide a qualitative error analysis of the sentence archetypes that tend to be misclassified under each condition, providing insights into the effects of altering data modality and augmentation decisions.
Long-term outcomes of stereotactic ablative brachytherapy for recurrent aggressive fibromatosis: an eight-year retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Chen Yi , He Chuang , Yan Xiaofei , Ji Zhe , Jiang Yuliang , Sun Haitao , Li Yue , Huang Xuequan , Wang Junjie
Published: November 2023

Background Aggressive fibromatosis (AF) was characterized by a high potential of recurrence even following initial definitive treatment. There were considerable controversies regarding the management of recurrent AF. This study aimed to explore the long-term outcomes of iodine-125 (I-125) seed stereotactic ablative brachytherapy (SABT) for recurrent AF. Methods A multicenter retrospective study reviewed 38 recurrent AF patients receiving I-125 seed SABT from July 2013 to July 2021.The clinical outcomes including overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), local control time (LCT), overall survival (OS), adverse events (AEs), and symptom relief rate were statistically assessed. Results The ORR and DCR reached 76.3% and 100.0% respectively. The 3-, 5 and 9-year LCT rates were 81.0%, 68.6% and 62.3% respectively. The 3-, 5 and 9-year OS rates reached 94.5%, 84.8% and 60.4% respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that smaller tumor volume and higher dose were significantly positive prognostic factors of LCT (P = 0.034, P = 0.047). Prognostic factors of OS were not found. 20 (52.6%) patients presented with various symptoms at diagnosis, of which 90% (18 patients) achieved complete or partial relief after SABT. The AEs were generally graded ≤ 1 and well-tolerated. Conclusions SABT was an effective and safe alternative treatment for recurrent AF with high safety.
Bioinformatics analysis and initial validation of potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19 infection in osteoarthritis patients
Authors: Mao Shuming , Lou Chao , Ma Runxun , Wang Peiran , Liu Haixiao , Yang Lei
Published: November 2023

Background
The emergence of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its ensuing complications presents a substantial challenge to human safety. Osteoarthritis (OA) stands as the most common degenerative joint disease, while the intricate molecular relationship between OA and COVID-19 remains enigmatic. In this investigation, we employed systematic bioinformatics analysis to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with these two diseases. Additionally, we identified potential therapeutic drugs with the potential to aid in the treatment of patients afflicted with both COVID-19 infection and osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods
Datasets for both COVID-19 and OA were sourced from the GEO database. Subsequently, a differential expression analysis was executed to procure Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs). Co-expressed genes shared between OA and COVID-19 were identified through the intersection of differential gene sets, employing a Venn diagram. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed by Metascape. The hub genes were identified through protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis carried out in Cytoscape, and their validity was subsequently affirmed through brief experiment. Finally, transcription factor-gene interactions, microRNA (miRNA) candidate identification and drug candidate identification were identified by co-expression of genes.
Results
A total of 94 co-expressed DEGs were obtained. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of DEGs showed that they mainly affect inflammation, cytokine and immune-related functions, and inflammation-related signaling pathways. Through the analysis of the PPI network, we obtained 9 hub genes, and validated them with brief experiments. In addition, the top ten drug candidates ranked by P-value were screened, which may exhibit potential for providing therapeutic benefits in the context of treating individuals affected by both COVID-19 infection and OA.
Conclusion
This study reveals a shared molecular mechanism between osteoarthritis (OA) and neocoronary pneumonia. Additionally, it clarifies potential mechanisms linked to synovial lesions in both neocoronary pneumonia and osteoarthritis. These shared pathways and hub genes might offer insights for future investigations.
Analysis of EUR to USD Exchange Rates with Uncertain Time Series Model and Uncertain Differential Equation
Authors: Hao Xuguang , Wu Nanxuan , Li Hao
Published: November 2023

As a crucial theory and method to analyze and interpret data in practice by means of uncertainty theory, uncertain statistics is composed of some mathematical tools, and the two most important tools are uncertain time series analysis and uncertain differential equation. For the sake of predicting the future EUR to USD exchange rates, this paper uses the tools of uncertain time series analysis and uncertain differential equation to model the EUR to USD exchange rates from January 2018 to May 2023. Following that, the fitness of the estimated uncertain statistical models to the data set is also verified by using the uncertain hypothesis test. Finally, by means of testing the stochastic hypothesis of the estimated statistical model based on the specific residuals of the EUR to USD exchange rates, the inappropriateness of the stochastic statistical model is also pointed out in this paper.
A novel monitoring in endoscopic sedation: Oxygen Reserve Index
Authors: Yağar Seyhan , Bölülbaşı Demet
Published: November 2023

Purpose: To assess whether ORi guided pre-oxygenation and ORi monitoring in addition to capnography and pulse oximetry is more effective than standard monitoring alone to prevent cardio-respiratory events in endoscopic sedation.
Methods: This prospective, randomized, single blinded study included 200 endoscopy patients which randomized to two groups. All the participants had ORi, SpO2, ETCO2, non-invasive blood pressure and heart rhythm monitoring. In Group I anesthesiologist was blinded to ORi. Five min pre-oxygenation (5 L/min via nasal cannula) applied to all participant in sitting position, with ORi guidance to reach steady state in ORi. Propofol boluses were applied for sedation. Mild and moderate desaturation, and hypoventilation were recorded.
Results: Seventeen per cent moderate desaturation (SpO2<90%) observed in Group I whereas rate was 7.6% in Group II (p:0.06). Hypoventilation rate was 23% and 12% in Group I and II respectively (p:0.057). Low ORI rate was statistically significantly higher in Group I (19%) compared to Group II (4.3%)(p:0.002).
Conclusions: Our results showed that ORi has ability to diminish hypoxemic events and putting patients in a mild hyperoxemic state and endeavor to keep this state can be alternative and reliable method for endoscopic sedation.
Astrocytic Neuroligin 3 Regulates Social Memory and Synaptic Plasticity through Adenosine Signaling
Authors: Jia Zhengping , Dang Rui , Liu An , Zhou Yu , Li Xingcan , Wu Miao , Cao Kun , Meng Yanghong , Zhang Haiwang , Xie Wei
Published: November 2023

Social memory impairment is a key symptom of many brain disorders, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Neuroligins (NLGs) are a family of cell adhesion molecules essential for synapse development and function and their dysfunctions are linked to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism and schizophrenia. Although NLGs are extensively studied in neurons, their role in glial cells is poorly understood. Here we report that astrocytic NLG3 in the adult brain regulates social memory and synaptic plasticity through regulating glutamate homeostasis and adenosine signaling pathway. We show that astrocytic deletion of NLG3 in the ventral hippocampus impairs social recognition memory, attenuates experience-dependent astrocytic Ca2+ signals, enhances the expression of glutamate transporter EAAT2 and prevents long-term potentiation, and these impairments are rescued by increasing astrocyte activity, reducing glutamate transporter function or enhancing adenosine/A2a receptor function. This study has revealed the critical roles of NLG3 in astrocyte function, glutamate homeostasis and social memory and identified the glutamate transporter and adenosine signaling pathway as potential therapeutic strategies to treat brain disorders.
DeepN4: Learning N4ITK Bias Field Correction for T1-weighted Images
Authors: Kanakaraj Praitayini , Yao Tianyuan , Cai Leon Y. , Lee Ho Hin , Newlin Nancy R. , Kim Michael E. , Gao Chenyu , Pechman Kimberly R. , Archer Derek , Hohman Timothy , Jefferson Angela , Beason-Held Lori L. , Resnick Susan M. , Garyfallidis Eleftherios , Anderson Adam , Schilling Kurt G. , Landman Bennett A. , Moyer Daniel
Published: November 2023

T1-weighted (T1w) MRI has low frequency intensity artifacts due to magnetic field inhomogeneities. Removal of these biases in T1w MRI images is a critical preprocessing step to ensure spatially consistent image interpretation. N4ITK bias field correction, the current state-of-the-art, is implemented in such a way that makes it difficult to port between different pipelines and workflows, thus making it hard to reimplement and reproduce results across local, cloud, and edge platforms. Moreover, N4ITK is opaque to optimization before and after its application, meaning that methodological development must work around the inhomogeneity correction step. Given the importance of bias fields correction in structural preprocessing and flexible implementation, we pursue a deep learning approximation / reinterpretation of the N4ITK bias fields correction to create a method which is portable, flexible, and fully differentiable. In this paper, we trained a deep learning network “DeepN4” on eight independent cohorts from 72 different scanners and age ranges with N4ITK-corrected T1w MRI and bias field for supervision in log space. We found that we can closely approximate N4ITK bias fields correction with naïve networks. We evaluate the peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) in test dataset against the N4ITK corrected images. The median PSNR of corrected images between N4ITK and DeepN4 was 47.96 dB. In addition, we assess the DeepN4 model on eight additional external datasets and show the generalizability of the approach. This study establishes that incompatible N4ITK preprocessing steps can be closely approximated by naïve deep neural networks, facilitating more flexibility. All code and models are released at https://github.com/MASILab/DeepN4.
Somatosensory Stimulation on the Wrist Enhances the Subsequent Hand-Choice by Biasing Toward the Stimulated Hand
Authors: Hirayama Kento , Takahashi Toru , Koga Takayuki , Osu Rieko
Published: November 2023

Hand choice is an unconscious decision frequently made in daily life. The state of brain activity before target presentation correlates with hand choice for the target, where hand choice probability reaches equilibrium. However, whether the neural state before target presentation affects hand choice remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether instantaneous somatosensory electrical stimulation administered to the unilateral wrist at 0, 300, or 600 ms before the target presentation facilitates or inhibits stimulated hand choice for targets around the hand selection equilibrium point. A single electrical stimulation comprised five trains of 1 ms electrical pulses, with a 20 ms inter-pulse interval. The stimulus intensity was set at 80% of the motor threshold. This study included 14 right-handed healthy adults (five females, nine males; mean age, 25.1 ± 4.64 years). Unilateral wrist stimulation significantly increased the probability of choosing the stimulated hand and led to a faster reaction time than bilateral wrist stimulation and no-stimulation conditions. The results suggest that prior somatosensory stimulation significantly affects the hand-choice process, effectively promoting selection of the stimulated hand. These findings highlight the potential application of this stimulation method in stroke rehabilitation to facilitate use of the paretic hand.
Mathematical Modelling and Analysis of Stochastic Malaria and COVID-19 Co-infection Model
Authors: Pobbi Michael A. , Naandam Samuel M. , Moore Stephen E.
Published: November 2023

In this article, we formulate and analyze a stochastic mathematical model for the co-infection of malaria and COVID-19. We study the dynamics and the effect of these diseases in a given population.
We establish the basic reproduction number of the disease-free equilibrium point of the stochastic model by means of a suitable Lyapunov function. Moreover, we provide sufficient conditions for the stability of the model around the disease free equilibrium points. Finally, using a few simulation studies we demonstrate our theoretical results.
Particularly, we derive threshold values for Malaria only R0Ms, COVID-19 only, Rs0C and co-infection Rs0MC model at the disease-free equilibrium point using the next generation matrix method. Next the conditions for stability in the stochastic sense for Malaria only, COVID-19 only sub models, and full model are established. Further, we devote with full strength our concentrated attention to sufficient conditions for extinction and persistence using each of these reproductive numbers. Finally, by using the Euler-Murayama scheme, we demonstrate the dynamics of the co-infection by means of numerical simulations.
Tall Fescue Mowing Height Effects under Simulated Athletic Field Traffic
Authors: Thoms Adam W. , Dalsgaard Tim O. , Lindsey Alex J. , Christians Nick E.
Published: November 2023

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) offers an alternative to kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) for use on athletic fields. Tall fescue has the ability to withstand athletic field traffic, but little is known about the best management practices such as optimal height of cut (HOC). A 2-year study was conducted on established ‘Snap Back’ tall fescue grown over a native soil root zone to determine optimal HOC under simulated athletic field traffic. Plots were maintained at various HOC treatments (1.5, 2, or 3 inches) for the duration of the growing season. Twenty-five simulated traffic events were applied each fall with a modified Baldree traffic simulator. The percentage of green cover (GC) loss per traffic event by HOC varied between years. In 2017, the 1.5-inch HOC improved traffic tolerance (–1.7% GC per event) compared with the other HOC treatments (–2.6% GC per event) in terms of percentage of GC. In 2018, the HOC did not have an impact on traffic tolerance. Differences in traffic tolerance between years could be a result of differences in precipitation (78 mm in 2017, 6 mm in 2018) during the period when traffic occurred, which suggest that the lower HOC performs better under wet conditions compared with the greater HOC. There were no differences among treatments for the safety variables measured (surface hardness, rotational resistance, and soil moisture).
Experiencing work in the fourth industrial revolution: a qualitative study on work identity and new ways of work
Authors: Stofile Palesa , De Braine Roslyn , Dhanpat Nelesh
Published: November 2023

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) disrupts the world of work, as new technologies alter the nature of employees' tasks and responsibilities. Consequently, it is crucial to understand how employees navigate these changes and how it impacts their work identity. However, there is a lack of research specifically focusing on the work identity of employees during the 4IR. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the New Way of Working (NWOW) on work identity among employees in a South African insurance company. To achieve this, an exploratory qualitative approach was adopted, involving semi-structured interviews with 12 employees from junior, middle, and senior job levels within the insurance company. The data, obtained from the interviews, were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings from the data analysis indicate that the majority of the employees demonstrated an understanding of the impact of the 4IR and its implications on their career development, work environment, and the adoption of 4IR and NWoW practices. These findings suggest that the 4IR and NWoW have influenced the work environment and how employees perceive and identify with their work. Based on the results, it is recommended that employees receive adequate training and education to support them in adapting to these changes. Change management initiatives should be tailored to meet both employee and organisational needs. The small sample size and data collection during the pandemic, along with variations in work schedules, should be considered when interpreting the findings. To enhance the generalisability of the findings, future studies should aim to replicate this research in different settings with a larger sample size. Future researchers should explore how organisations implement change management initiatives that positively influence work identity.
Persistensi Sistem Nilai Dalihan Na Tolu dalam Ruang Rumah Tinggal Masyarakat Batak Perantauan di Yogyakarta
Authors: Nainggolan Freddy Marihot Rotua , Panjaitan Irwin
Published: November 2023

Title: The Persistence of the Value System of Dalihan Na Tolu within Residential Spaces of the Overseas Batak Communities in Yogyakarta
 
The research begins with a community entity moving from old to new residential space. This study focuses on the overseas Batak community who migrated with the urge to achieve hagabeon, hamoraon, and hasangapon. Yogyakarta has become one of the destinations for the migration of the overseas Batak community. The study aims to discover how the Dalihan Na Tolu value system is reflected in the architectural patterns of the Batak community's homes in Yogyakarta. The data sources included physical evidence found in residential homes, reconstructed spatial arrangements based on observations and interviews with individuals who have been displaced from their homeland (specifically Tapanuli, North Sumatra), as well as notes and writings about the history, social, and cultural conditions of the Batak community in Yogyakarta. The gamma map technique was used to analyze the spatial depth level and position of the three functional groups in Dalihan Na Tolu. The principle of Dalihan Na Tolu persists through spatial adaptation, placing hula-hula positions in areas with high connectivity and away from circulation pathways. The persistence of the Dalihan Na Tolu value system is an attitude of respect for hula-hula.
Nevanlinna.jl: A Julia implementation of Nevanlinna analytic continuation
Authors: Nogaki Kosuke , Fei Jiani , Gull Emanuel , Shinaoka Hiroshi
Published: November 2023

We introduce a Julia implementation of the recently proposed Nevanlinna analytic continuation method. The method is based on Nevanlinna interpolants and inherently preserves the causality of a response function due to its construction. For theoretical calculations without statistical noise, this continuation method is a powerful tool to extract real-frequency information from numerical input data on the Matsubara axis. This method has been applied to first-principles calculations of correlated materials. This paper presents its efficient and full-featured open-source implementation of the method including the Hamburger moment problem and smoothing.
PROGNOSTIC IMPORTANCE OF HYPONATREMIA OCCURING AT VARIOUS TIME POINTS DURING HOSPITALISATION IN PATIENTS WITH ST ELEVATION MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION - AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors:   Professor and Head, Department of Cardiology, SMS Medical College and Attached Group of Hospitals., Agrawal V.V , Sharma Narendra ,   Senior Resident, Department of Cardiology, SMS Medical College and Attached Group of Hospitals., Ajmera Prashank ,   Senior Resident, Department of Cardiology, SMS Medical College and Attached Group of Hospitals., Pachori Rajat ,   Senior Resident, Department of Cardiology, SMS Medical College and Attached Group of Hospitals.
Published: November 2023

ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and heart failure (HF) are common, big-budget, debilitating andexpanding diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, especially STEMI and heart failure have been known to cause17.3 million deaths worldwide annually. Hyponatremia, delineated as a serum sodium (sNa) concentration<135mmol/l, is a frequently seen electrolyte disturbance in practice and the prevalence, clinical impact theprognostic factor of low SNa in STEMI/heart failure patients vary widely. The aim of this review is to assessits existence and comparing survival difference between hypo and normonatremic patients.Hyponatremia is the most frequently encountered electrolyte abnormality in clinical practice and has a poorprognosis in both STEMI and heart failure patients. It exacerbates both short and long term mortality,rehospitalization rates, as well as the average length of stay in the hospital. Although it is still a mysterywhether hyponatremia is just a marker of iller patients or the core of poor prognosis in patients with STEMIand HF, one thing is certain: timely recognition of patients at risk for developing hyponatremia could help tocommence early treatment.
A CASE OF HEADACHE TURNING INTO MYELOPROLIFERATIVE NEOPLASM-A CASE REPORT
Authors:   Senior Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Govt. TD Medical College, Alappuzha., H. Sreeraj
Published: November 2023

Headache is an important clinical symptom commonly encountered by practising physicians. Thorough history and physical examination is a must for arriving at differentials of headache. Headache is divided into-primary and secondary. Myeloproliferative neoplasm induced hyper viscosity and associated headache is an important though a rare entity in clinical medicine. This is the case report of a 60 yr. old female who presented with history of chronic headache which was induced by polycythemia vera, an important myeloproliferative neoplasm. Treatment of MPN associated headache is different from that of normal headache, as it involves treatment of underlying disorder. Main treatment modality involve phlebotomy, cytoreductive therapy-hydroxy urea, low dose aspirin, JAK -1/2 inhibitor-Ruxolitinib. Splenectomy is rarely indicated in present clinical scenario.
DIVERSITY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS FROM MELGHAT FOREST OF AMRAVATI DISTRICT (MS) INDIA
Authors:   Department of Botany, Shri Vasantrao Naik Mahavidyalaya Dharni, Dist Amravati., A. Khandare Nitin
Published: November 2023

Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years in developing countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traditional healthcare systems serve 70-80% of the population in India. Medicinal plants (MPs) and herbal remedies play an essential role in indigenous medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. The Melghat region is known for its rich biodiversity and cultural value. The present survey was carried out to document the traditional uses of medicinal plants among the korku triable community which are located in Melghat region of Amravati disrict, India. The Melghat forest has great diversity in medicinal plants. More than 769 naturalised plant species are listed in the Flora of Melghat belonging to about 400 genera representing 97 families. Local people are aware of medical cures produced from different plant species belonging to various families to treat a wide range of ailments.
Biogas production from water lilies, food waste, and sludge: substrate characterization and process performance
Authors: Khaja Mohammad Aasif , Shah Shagoofta Rasool , Ahmad Abas , Khursheed Asiya , Malani Shiv
Published: November 2023

The potential of water lilies, food waste, and sludge as substrates for biogas production through anaerobic digestion was investigated. We thoroughly characterized these substrates and found that water lilies had a pH of 6.4, total solids (TS) of 18.42%, volatile solids (VS) of 81.46%, and a moisture content of 87%. Food waste exhibited a pH of 7.6, TS of 27.23%, VS of 90.6%, and a moisture content of 75%. Sludge had a pH of 6.5, TS of 6%, VS of 60%, and a moisture content of 95%. Biogas production exhibited variations among the reactors. Reactor 1 reached a cumulative production of 2,527 mL, while Reactor 4 achieved 3,404 mL, with different lag phases. Reactor 4 displayed the highest biogas yield at 262 mL/g VS. Post-digestion tests confirmed efficient digestion, with volatile fatty acids ranging from 140 to 300 mg/L acetic acid and alkalinity levels between 800 and 1,500 mg CaCO3/L. Our study estimated a significant methane content, with the potential to produce 94.32 L of methane from 1 kg of TS.
How suitable is the gold-labelling method for the quantification of nanoplastics in natural water?
Authors: Pirade Februriyana , Lompe Kim Maren , Jiménez-Lamana Javier , Bandyopadhyay Sulalit , Zürbes Katharina , Bali Nesrine , Materić Dušan , Foppen Jan Willem
Published: November 2023

Nanoplastics are detected in surface water, yet accurately quantifying their particle number concentrations remains a significant challenge. In this study, we tested the applicability of a gold-labelling method to quantify nanoplastics in natural organic matter (NOM) containing water matrices. Gelatin-coated gold nanoparticles (Au-gel NPs) form conjugates with nanoplastics via electrostatic interaction which produces peak signals which can be translated into particle number concentration using single-particle inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS). We used water samples with various NOM concentrations, with and without the addition of 1 × 107 particle–1 nanoplastics. Our results indicate that nanoplastics in low NOM samples (<1 mg·C L−1) could be successfully quantified. However, in high NOM samples (>15 mg·C L−1), only 13–19% of added nanoplastics were successfully quantified. Further digestion to remove NOM yielded only 10% of spiked nanoplastics. This discrepancy in high NOM samples could likely be attributed to the competition between nanoplastics and NOM existing in the water sample to bind with Au-gel NPs. Our study highlights the suitability of the Au-gel labelling method for quantifying nanoplastics in low NOM water samples. Nevertheless, further optimization, including pre-digestion steps, is essential to apply this method for high NOM water samples effectively.