bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Predictive Model Utilizing Retinal Microstructural Features for Estimating Survival Outcome in Patients with Glioblastoma
Authors: Smith Rebekah , Sapkota Ranjit , Antony Bhavna , Sun Jinger , Aboud Orwa , Bloch Orin , Daly Megan , Fragoso Ruben , Yiu Glenn , Liu Yin Allison
Published: May 2024

Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive brain tumor with poor prognosis despite surgery and chemoradiation. The visual sequelae of glioblastoma have not been well characterized. This study assessed visual outcomes in glioblastoma patients through neuro-ophthalmic exams, imaging of the retinal microstructures/microvasculature, and perimetry. A total of 19 patients (9 male, 10 female, average age at diagnosis 69 years) were enrolled. Best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/20–20/50. Occipital tumors showed worse visual fields than frontal tumors (mean deviation − 14.9 and − 0.23, respectively, p < 0.0001). Those with overall survival (OS) < 15 months demonstrated thinner retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex (p < 0.0001) and enlarged foveal avascular zone starting from 4 months post-diagnosis (p = 0.006). There was no significant difference between eyes ipsilateral and contralateral to radiation fields (average doses were 1370 cGy and 1180 cGy, respectively, p = 0.42). A machine learning algorithm using retinal microstructure and visual fields predicted patients with long (≥ 15 months) progression-free and overall survival with 78% accuracy. Glioblastoma patients frequently present with visual field defects despite normal visual acuity. Patients with poor survival duration demonstrated significant retinal thinning and decreased microvascular density. A machine learning algorithm predicted survival; further validation is warranted.
Exploring Student Teachers’ Attitudes towards Continuous Internal Assessment: Development of a Comprehensive Questionnaire
Authors: Devi Kangjam Dijita , Singh Chongtham Khogendra , Devi Chongtham Beda
Published: May 2024

In this paper, the concept of continuous internal assessment and a student teacher’s experience with and awareness of continuous internal assessment are introduced. Based on National Council for Teacher Education’s definition of continuous internal assessment, an attitude towards the continuous internal assessment questionnaire (CIAQ) is theoretically and empirically developed. Using the data of 560 respondents from the Indian state of Manipur aged 22–40 years old, the scale is developed for student teachers (B.Ed. trainees). The CIAQ can be used to measure student teachers’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioural aspects of attitudes, in addition to the second- order constructs of the context of continuous internal assessment, benefits of continuous internal assessment for students-teachers, benefits of continuous internal assessment for teacher-educators, and strengthening of continuous internal assessment (ten valid and reliable subscales), as well as the third-order construct, attitude towards continuous internal assessment. The scale presents excellent psychometric quality. Possible applications of the questionnaire instruments in the context of the evaluation of teacher education policies, practises, and stakeholder engagement are discussed.
Evolutionary Dynamics in the Genome of Ocular Chlamydia trachomatis Strains from Northern Tanzania, pre- and post- Mass Drug Administration
Authors: Ghasemian Ehsan , Ramadhani Athumani , Harte Anna , Mafuru Elias , Derrick Tamsyn , Mtuy Tara , Massae Patrick , Malissa Aiweda , Breuer Judith , Pickering Harry , Bailey Robin L. , Mabey David , Burton Matthew J. , Holland Martin J.
Published: May 2024

Trachoma, caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), remains a leading cause of preventable infection induced blindness worldwide. We conducted a four-year longitudinal study in three trachoma-endemic villages in Northern Tanzania, tracking infection dynamics and factors influencing trachomatous scarring progression and persistence pre- and post-Mass Drug Administration (MDA) interventions. We analysed 118 whole genomes of Ct originating from ocular swabs of children. Sample collection was conducted at three-month intervals over four years, encompassing 15 timepoints. We studied Ct phylogeny, patterns of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) accumulation in individual isolates and single nucleotide variation (SNV) in the population, with association of clinical signs of trachoma and scarring progression. Seventy-one (60.2%) samples were classified as serovar A (SvA) and 47 (39.8%) as serovar B (SvB) genomes. Initially, SvB dominated among pre-MDA samples (36/40, 90%), but SvA gradually became dominant after the first round of MDA (67/78, 85.9%) (P < 0.0001). Two distinct subsets of SvA were found: subset_1 (29 sequences) pre-MDA, aligning with Tanzanian reference strain A/2497; subset_2 (42 sequences) post-MDA, showing a mutation rate roughly twice as high as subset_1, a 6 kbp genome reduction in the PZ, and forming a distinct cluster. Similarly, 13 SvB sequences exhibited diverse PZ genome reduction (~ 4 and ~ 10 kbp), yet all grouped with Tanzanian reference strain B/TZ1A828/OT. Importantly, we observed a shift in the types of Ct serovars after the first round of MDA, with the emergence of a unique SvA subset with distinct genetic characteristics compared to those circulating before MDA. The observed decrease in the size of the Ct genome suggests a process where the Tanzanian ocular Ct strains may be streamlining, highlighting ongoing evolution. Further research is needed to understand the factors driving these changes and their impact on Ct biology and response to azithromycin.
Immune profiling-based targeting of pathogenic T cells with ustekinumab in ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis
Authors: Engesser Jonas , Khatri Robin , Schaub Darius P. , Zhao Yu , Paust Hans-Joachim , Sultana Zeba , Asada Nariaki , Riedel Jan-Hendrik , Sivayoganathan Varshi , Peters Anett , Kaffke Anna , Jauch-Speer Saskia-Larissa , Goldbeck-Strieder Thiago , Puelles Victor G. , Wenzel Ulrich O. , Steinmetz Oliver M. , Hoxha Elion , Turner Jan-Eric , Mittrücker Hans-Willi , Wiech Thorsten , Huber Tobias B. , Bonn Stefan , Krebs Christian F. , Panzer Ulf
Published: May 2024

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)–associated vasculitis is a life-threatening autoimmune disease that often results in kidney failure caused by crescentic glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN). To date, treatment of most patients with ANCA-GN relies on unspecific immunosuppressive agents that harbor serious adverse effects and are sometimes only partially effective. By performing spatial and single cell transcriptome analysis, we characterized inflammatory niches in the kidneys of 34 patients with ANCA-GN and identified proinflammatory, cytokine producing CD4+ (Th1 and Th17 subsets) and CD8+ T cells (Tc1 and Tc17-like subsets) as a key pathogenic signature. Digital pharmacology identified ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-12 and IL-23, as the most promising therapeutic drug to target. Based on these findings, four patients with relapsing ANCA-GN were treated with ustekinumab in combination with low-dose cyclophosphamide and steroids. Ustekinumab was given subcutaneously (90 mg) at weeks 0, 4, 12, and 24. Patients were followed up for 26 weeks. This treatment was well-tolerated and induced clinical response in all ANCA-GN patients, including improved kidney function and Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score. Our findings suggest that immune-profiling-based targeting of pathogenic T cells in ANCA-GN patients with ustekinumab is a promising approach and warrants further investigation in clinical trials.
Earnings Management: A Synthesis of a Century of Research
Authors: Al-Asfour Fadi
Published: May 2024

This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of earnings management, synthesizing insights from the 100 most cited studies in this significant field of accounting research. Utilizing a robust methodology, we sourced citation counts as of January 1, 2024, from two leading academic databases: Web of Science and Google Scholar. This approach allowed for the identification and examination of pivotal works that have shaped understanding and discussions in the realm of earnings management. The range of citations for these influential studies is remarkable, reflecting their impact and importance in the academic community. The most cited paper in our analysis boasts a staggering 14,571 citations, indicating its central role in shaping the discourse around earnings management. Conversely, the least cited paper, with 599 citations, still contributes substantially to the field, underlining the depth and diversity of research in this area. Our analysis delves into various themes that emerge from these landmark studies, including the impact of corporate governance on earnings management practices, the influence of global and cultural variations, the role of audit quality, the complex interplay of managerial incentives, market reactions, regulatory changes, and the dichotomy between accrual-based and real earnings management. This thematic exploration not only highlights the nuanced and multifaceted nature of earnings management but also sheds light on the evolving methodologies and analytical approaches adopted by researchers over time. The findings from this synthesis offer critical insights into the mechanics of earnings management, its underlying motivations, and the broad spectrum of strategies employed by firms in different contexts. This paper contributes to the academic literature by providing a consolidated view of the most influential research in earnings management, drawing connections between various studies, and highlighting areas for future research. Our work serves as a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, and policymakers, offering a thorough understanding of the complexities and implications of earnings management in the contemporary financial reporting landscape.
Artificial intelligence applications for enhancing organizational excellence: Modifying role of supply chain agility
Authors: Alnadi Mohammad , Altahat Shadi
Published: May 2024

The study’s goal was to demonstrate the modifying role of supply chain agility in the impact of artificial intelligence applications on organizational excellence in Jordanian e-commerce companies. The analytical and descriptive approach was adopted. The study population consisted of 160 companies operating in the e-commerce sector in Jordan. The sample comprised 400 respondents working in senior and middle management positions. The questionnaire was utilized to collect the data. The results showed an impact of artificial intelligence applications in all dimensions (expert systems and neural networks) on the organizational excellence of e-commerce companies in Jordan. The value of the adjusted coefficient of determination (Adj. R2) was .265%. Based on the model’s F value (4.1190) and its level of significance (P; 0.00), the impact of these techniques on organizational excellence is statistically significant. Additionally, the results displayed an impact of supply chain agility on improving the impact of artificial intelligence applications on organizational excellence. The value of the degree of influence ß after introducing the modified variable supply chain agility and the value of R Square increased by .11 at the significance level (Sig). = 0.000. This study recommended training workers to stay up to date with developments in artificial intelligence, expert systems, and neural networks in their operations, control of searching for this evidence within databases, and knowledge representation.
Jurimetrics in the Reconstruction of the Joint Property Division Model for Wage-Earner Wives in Indonesia
Authors: Rouf Abd.
Published: May 2024

The joint property division in Article 97 of the Compilation of Islamic Law (Kompilasi Hukum Islam/KHI) is one-half (1/2) as long as it is not specified otherwise in the marriage agreement. This is followed mainly by judges because of the legal certainty in it, but not for wives with double burdens who work to earn a living and are also housewives. This research aims to reconstruct the joint property division through jurimetrics analysis to obtain more objective and tested results because it is based on empirical data. This research is a normative law study with a descriptive approach. The data in this study are the Compilation of Islamic Law, and concepts, as well as other laws and regulations related to the joint property division analyzed with jurimetrics to get the ideal formulation and scale of division. The results obtained include several models of joint property division for wage-earner wives (breadwinners) along with the scale of formulation which are divided into two groups, namely the joint property division with a share of one-half for the former husband and wife and the joint property division with a share other than one-half for the former husband and wife according to the role taken by both. This research can be used as a reference by judges in deciding cases of joint property, especially related to the condition that a wife is a wage-earner.
Dampak Politik Islam Terhadap Kebijakan Luar Negeri Indonesia
Authors: Sarjito Aris
Published: May 2024

Kebangkitan politik Islam di Indonesia menimbulkan pertanyaan mengenai dampaknya terhadap kebijakan luar negeri serta konsekuensinya di dalam dan luar negeri.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dampak politik Islam terhadap kebijakan luar negeri Indonesia, dengan fokus pada pengaruhnya terhadap proses pengambilan keputusan di bidang luar negeri.Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif untuk menganalisis dan menafsirkan dampak politik Islam terhadap kebijakan luar negeri Indonesia, dengan memanfaatkan sumber data sekunder.Temuan penelitian adalah politik Islam secara signifikan mempengaruhi kebijakan luar negeri Indonesia, dengan partai-partai Islam, organisasi keagamaan, dan tokoh-tokoh yang menentukan keputusan dan strategi diplomasi; politik Islam berdampak signifikan terhadap tata kelola dalam negeri Indonesia, mempengaruhi peraturan perundang-undangan, wacana publik, dan lembaga-lembaga negara; politik Islam di Indonesia mempunyai dampak positif dan negatif terhadap hubungan Asia Tenggara. Meskipun terdapat tantangan, pemerintah Indonesia telah menyeimbangkan ideologi agama dengan nilai-nilai demokrasi. Untuk menjaga keharmonisan, dialog, nilai-nilai bersama, dan kepentingan nasional sangatlah penting; Politik Islam di Indonesia berdampak pada kedudukan global, kontraterorisme, demokrasi, dan hak asasi manusia. Meskipun terdapat potensi ketegangan, Indonesia menyeimbangkan prinsip-prinsip Islam dengan landasan demokrasi dan pluralistik, sehingga secara efektif menavigasi platform internasional.Penelitian ini mengeksplorasi hubungan antara politik Islam dan kebijakan luar negeri Indonesia, serta menawarkan wawasan mengenai tata kelola dalam negeri, dinamika regional, dan keterlibatan internasional.Katakunci: Kebijakan Luar Negeri, Kedudukan Internasional, Politik Islam
Komunikasi Politik Anies Baswedan Menjelang Pilpres 2024: Perspektif Behavioral Approach
Authors: Devinta Leni , Addiansyah M. Nur Rofiq
Published: May 2024

Seperti yang telah tercantum dalam UU Nomor 7 Tahun 2017 dan UU Nomor 10 Tahun 2016 yang mengamanatkan bahwa pada tahun 2024 akan diadakan pemilu secara serentak dalam satu tahun meliputi pemilu presiden, pemilu legislatif, dan pemilihan kepala daerah. Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk membahas mengenai komunikasi poliik yang dilakukan oleh salah satu calon presiden yaitu Anies Baswedan menjelang pilpres 2024. Adapun pendekatan yang Penulis gunakan dalam menganalisis lebih lanjut adalah melalui pendekatan behavioral approach. Penelitian ini merupakan suatu penelitian dengan menggunakan desain kualitatif. Karena pada dasarnya, penelitian ini dilaksanakan melalui pengamatan mendalam terhadap pola komunikasi politik yang dilakukan oleh suatu aktor politik, Anies Baswedan dalam menyongsong pencalonan dirinya dalam Pilpres 2024. Data yang didapat melalui penelitian kepustakaan intensif tersebut kemudian dianalisis dan dijabarkan dalam pembahasan sebagai temuan dalam penelitian ini. Pada akhirnya dalam tulisan ini ditemukan bahwa sejauh ini, Anies Baswedan telah melakukan berbagai macam komunikasi politik guna menyongsong dirinya menjadi bakal calon presiden dalam Pilpres tahun 2024. Dalam penelitian ini, ditemukan bahwa di antara banyaknya komunikasi politik yang telah dilakukan Anies, terdapat tiga yang paling menonjol, yaitu melalui interaksi langsung dengan massa, jejaring aktor, dan public relations politics.
The Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming Policy in Indonesian Local Government – The Case of Salatiga City 2017-2022
Authors: Takayasa Tika Ifrida
Published: May 2024

The rise in women’s representation as public officials in Salatiga City is a crucial indicator of democracy. This progress must be accompanied by supportive knowledge about gender mainstreaming (PUG) in policymaking. There are many studies on women's representation, yet few are directed to examine how increasing women's representation as public officials is related to the improvement of gender-responsive development policies. This study uses a qualitative approach with a single instrumental case study in Salatiga City Government 2017-2022. The increase of women’s representation as public policymakers has achieved remarkable achievements nationally as stated in the Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Development Index (IPG) of Salatiga City. However, qualitatively, the understanding of gender- responsive policies that ensure access, participation, control, and benefits has not been owned by the women representatives. Accordingly, despite its rising number, women are still lagging behind men in development. Then, having the fact that the Priority of 2017- 2022’s RPJMD (Regional Medium Development Plan) of Salatiga City is gender mainstreaming, it is found that the formulation of women's involvement in decision- making at the local level is not explicitly mentioned. Although the implementation of PUG has been outlined in PERWALI Regulation No. 5 of 2021, the policy must be carried out by recognizing problems and listening to the voices of local women to ensure that no one is left behind in development.
The complex association between drinking water consumption and endemic gastrointestinal illness as shown by Swedish cohort studies
Authors: Säve-Söderbergh Melle , Toljander Jonas , Simonsson Magnus
Published: May 2024

It is well known that municipal drinking water may be the cause of gastrointestinal illness (GII) outbreaks, but it is still unclear to what extent drinking water contributes to endemic GII. To explore this, we conducted a prospective cohort study among 6,955 adults in five municipalities in Sweden, collecting monthly GII episodes and mean daily cold drinking water consumption through SMS (Short Message Service). When the association between drinking water consumption and GII (all symptoms) and acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI, vomiting and/or three loose stools during a 24-h period) were assessed, there were indications that the association departed from linearity, following a unimodal shape. Among consumers in surface water areas, the highest risk of GII and AGI was generally seen among the average consumers, while the opposite was seen among groundwater consumers. The association however also seemed to be affected by neighbouring communities. The results of the study indicate that there is indeed an association between drinking water consumption and endemic GII, but the nature of this association is complex and likely affected by multiple factors, for example, water source type in the home and degree of exposure to drinking water from additional sources.
Enhanced removal of ciprofloxacin and associated antibiotic-resistant genes from wastewater using a biological aeration filters in combination with Fe3O4-modified zeolite
Authors: Ye Minzhi , Jiang Yiping , Qian Laying , Qiu Feng , Liu Zhiquan , Wang Zhu , Hu Chun
Published: May 2024

Antibiotics release into the water environment through sewage discharge is a significant environmental concern. In the present study, we investigated the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in simulated sewage by biological aeration filter (BAF) equipped with Fe3O4-modified zeolite (Fe3O4@ZF). Fe3O4@ZF were prepared with impregnation method, and the Fe3O4 particles were successfully deposited on the surface of ZF in an amorphous form according to the results of XPS and XRD analysis. The modification also increased the specific surface area (from 16.22 m²/g to 22 m²/g) and pore volume (from 0.0047 cm³/g to 0.0063 cm³/g), improving the adsorption efficiency of antibiotics. Fe3O4 modified ZF improved the treatment performance significantly, and the removal efficiency of CIP in BAF-Fe3O4@ZF was 79%±2.4%. At 10ml/L CIP, the BAF-Fe3O4@ZF reduced the relative abundances of antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) int, mexA, qnrB and qnrS in the effluent by 57.16%, 39.59%, 60.22%, and 20.25%, respectively, which effectively mitigate the dissemination risk of ARGs. The modification of ZF increased CIP-degrading bacteria abundance, such as Rhizobium and Deinococcus-Thermus, and doubled bacterial ATP activity, promoting CIP degradation. This study offers a viable, efficient method to enhance antibiotic treatment and prevent leakage via sewage discharge.
CPIA DO CERES E A INCLUSÃO DE ESTUDANTES COM NECESSIDADES ESPECÍFICAS NO CONTEXTO DA POLÍTICA DE INCLUSÃO E ACESSIBILIDADE DA UFRN
Authors: Batista de Almeida Vieira Francileide , Ferreira Alves Isabela
Published: May 2024

A inclusão de estudantes com deficiência ou outras necessidades específicas no ensino superior é resultado de lutas e debates desencadeados durante muitas décadas e intensificados nos últimos anos do século XX. Seguindo esse escopo de discussão, o presente trabalho apresenta informações referentes a uma pesquisa caracterizada como pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo Estudo de Caso, fundamentada em Brasil (1997), Brasil (2008), Chizzotti (2006), UFRN (2022), Freire (2019), dentre outros. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida através do Programa Institucional de Iniciação Científica – PIBIC/UFRN e foi norteada pelos seguintes objetivos: compreender o processo histórico de organização das políticas educacionais inclusivas no ensino superior; analisar como se configura a Comissão Permanente de Inclusão e Acessibilidade – CPIA do Centro de Ensino Superior do Seridó – CERES, no contexto da Política de Inclusão e Acessibilidade da UFRN e identificar as ações realizadas pela CPIA visando à inclusão de estudantes com necessidades específicas no âmbito do CERES, no ano de 2022. Para o alcance dos objetivos, foi realizada pesquisa bibliográfica e análise de documentos, sendo o principal deles o Relatório Anual CPIA do CERES, correspondente ao ano de 2022. Os resultados mostram que a CPIA do CERES vem desenvolvendo um papel importante no processo de inclusão de estudantes com necessidades específicas no referido centro, em observação à atual política de inclusão e acessibilidade da universidade. Destacamos o seu papel na promoção do diálogo entre professores e alunos, assim como na promoção de formação e troca de experiências para a construção de posturas e práticas inclusivas.
Protective Effects of the Aqueous Extract of Malva sylvestris Plant against the
Lethality and Histopathological Damage in Experimental Envenoming of
Hemiscorpius lepturus Venom in Balb/c Mice
Authors: Ahmadi Sayyed Matin , Yousofpour Mohammad , Kamalinejad Mohammad , Otroshi Arman , Amiri Fereshteh Talebpour , Alipour Abbas , Zareinejad Mohammad Reza , Shahbazzadeh Delavar
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Hemiscorpius lepturus envenomation is a serious health problem in the southern
provinces of Iran. The antiserum produced in Iran to counteract this scorpion venom is not entirely effective
due to the risk of anaphylactic shock and other adverse effects.

Methods:

Therefore, more efficient alternatives to treat patients deserve attention, and plants are extensively
good candidates to be studied. This study aimed to assess the potential of the aqueous fraction of Malva
sylvestris in inhibiting the toxic effects of H. lepturus venom. Injection of sub-lethal dose of H. lepturus venom
leads to severe tissue damage in vital organs including the kidney, liver, heart and intestine, after 24 hours.

Results:

By injecting 80 mg of the aqueous extract of M. sylvestris into the peritoneum helped treat the damaged
tissues caused by H. lepturus venom in mice.

Conclusion:

Thus, Malva sylvestris could serve as an alternative treatment for scorpion sting envenomation
and may be used as a drug to neutralize relevant toxic effects in patients stung by H. lepturus.
Bioinformatics Approaches in the Development of Antifungal Therapeutics and Vaccines
Authors: Ahlawat Vaishali , Sura Kiran , Singh Bharat , Dangi Mehak , Chhillar Anil Kumar
Published: May 2024

:

Fungal infections are considered a great threat to human life and are associated with
high mortality and morbidity, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Fungal pathogens
employ various defense mechanisms to evade the host immune system, which causes severe infections.
The available repertoire of drugs for the treatment of fungal infections includes azoles, allylamines,
polyenes, echinocandins, and antimetabolites. However, the development of multidrug
and pandrug resistance to available antimycotic drugs increases the need to develop better treatment
approaches. In this new era of -omics, bioinformatics has expanded options for treating fungal
infections. This review emphasizes how bioinformatics complements the emerging strategies,
including advancements in drug delivery systems, combination therapies, drug repurposing, epitope-
based vaccine design, RNA-based therapeutics, and the role of gut-microbiome interactions
to combat anti-fungal resistance. In particular, we focused on computational methods that can be
useful to obtain potent hits, and that too in a short period.
The Trend of Cesarean Hysterectomy in Hamadan, Iran, between 2009-2022
Authors: Radnia Nahid , Talebi-Ghane Elaheh , Tavilani Heydar , Garousian Maryam , Alimohammadi Neda , Ghorbani Marzieh
Published: May 2024

Background and Objectives:

Hysterectomy is the emergency removal of the uterus after
a cesarean section (CS), usually performed after vaginal or cesarean deliveries, as a life-saving
measure to control heavy bleeding during childbirth. This surgery has many complications. However,
it has been increasing recently. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of hysterectomy
over time and to explore factors associated with hysterectomy.

Methods:

All patients with emergency hysterectomies following vaginal or cesarean delivery at the
Fatemieh Medical and Educational Center were included in this study. Risk factors and indications
for hysterectomy were recorded based on the study purpose.

Results:

The data indicated that out of 114175 deliveries, there were 60 hysterectomies over 14
years with the age range of 20-45 years. The incidence of hysterectomy increased from 0.34/1000
during 2009-2015 to 0.71/1000 deliveries in 2015-2022, with an overall incidence of 0.53 per 1000
deliveries during 14 years. The results indicated that the mean rate of hysterectomy (0.95% CI) increased
significantly by 0.059 yearly, and by adjusting other variables, the history of CS (0.95% CI)
and placenta accreta previa significantly increased the hysterectomy mean rate by 0.291 (0.053-
0.529) and 0.284 (0.074-0.494), respectively.

Conclusion:

The mean rate of hysterectomy represented an annual increase, especially during the
last 7 years. In summary, the main reason can be the history of CS that leads to placental disorders
and, thus, hysterectomy.
Polymeric Materials as a Promising Platform for Suppressing Protein
Aggregation Process
Authors: Ghosh Pooja , Mondal Anushree , De Priyadarsi
Published: May 2024

The idea of designing novel anti-amyloid therapeutic agents has generated a lot of scientific interest and the potential for treating a variety of
human pathophysiologies, such as neurodegenerative and non-neuropathic diseases linked to amyloid protein aggregation. To address this,
different small molecules, peptides, surfactants, nanomaterials, etc., have been thoroughly investigated to learn more about their antiamyloidogenic
capabilities, offering a great deal of potential for them to show up as future anti-amyloidogenic agents. In contrast to existing smallmolecule
analogues, polymers have been envisaged as promising anti-amyloid agents for treating these diseases because of their enthralling
physicochemical features and simplicity of functionalisation. This review article emphasises the latest developments in the design of synthetic
polymers such as amino acid-conjugated polymers, glycopolymers, zwitterionic polymers and so on reported in the last decade in modulating
amyloid aggregation process. Additionally, the structural function and mechanism involved in modifying the aggregation process are highlighted in
order to inspire the researchers even more and provide insight into this important field of study.
A Systemic Review of Pre-clinical Studies of Herbal Plants having Anti-Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Activity: A PAN-India Study
Authors: Karmakar Manashi , Chakraborty Binita , Hussain Amisha Sultana , Barbhuiya Pervej Alom , Chang Noksensangla Y. , Warjri Ireenia , Wankhar Wankupar , Barman Utpal , Basak Mrinmoy , Sen Saikat , Pathak Manash Pratim
Published: May 2024

Background:

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic
condition seen in premenopausal women. A number of pharmacological agents like metformin,
oral contraceptives, and anti-androgen agents have been used to treat PCOS and its associated implications,
but it has been associated with numerous negative effects like fatal and nonfatal lactic acidosis,
weight gain, cardiovascular, and hepatic toxicity.

Methodology:

This study considered the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-
Analysis (PRISMA) guideline where a vast number of article sources from different scientific databases
like Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/), PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/),
and Web of Science (https://mjl.clarivate.com/search-results) were screened out.

Results:

From a total of 154 studies, 24 studies were screened out following the inclusion and exclusion
criteria, which reported 24 different plants that were used against PCOS preclinically. Details of
various plants used, including their respective families, plant parts utilized, extraction methods employed,
formulations developed, animal models of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) utilized, and
the geographical locations within India where the research has been conducted are all documented.

Conclusion:

This systematic review is the first in India to report the pre-clinical studies of medicinal
plants against PCOS, and it provides a thorough summary of the application of medicinal plants for
the management of PCOS. Nonetheless, molecular level investigations on the plants utilized, their
bioactive phytoconstituent responsible for the anti-PCOS activity, the probable mechanism of action
and the pathway through which they conserve their effect, the effective dose, and the potential adverse
effects are the need of time.
Ideologies in outdoor public signs in Bali: A critical pragmatic and linguistic landscape study
Authors: Widiatmika Putu Wahyu , Sosiowati I Gusti Ayu Gde
Published: May 2024

Outdoor public signs found in Bali contain ideologies and messages that can be mistakenly understood, potentially triggering conflicts.  This study aims to identify and analyze the underlying ideology and the language functions in outdoor public signs found in Bali from the perspective of critical pragmatics and linguistic landscape. The data of this study were outdoor public signs that contain power relation from government and private stakeholders. The data were collected through observation and photography. The data were analyzed through referential and pragmatic identity methods with descriptive-qualitative approach. The theories applied were Halliday’s context of situation, Yule’s speech act, Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis, and Saussure’s signifier and signified. The results show that outdoor public signs in Bali have underlying ideologies, such as ethnocentrism, xenocentrism, and ecologism. The language functions are directive, commisive, and expressive.  The ideologies represented by the language used can potentially cause conflicts as they may be sensitive to certain ethnic groups.  The findings highlight the significance of critically examining public signage to understand its influence in shaping social dynamics and potential for unintended consequences.
Ascle—A Python Natural Language Processing Toolkit for Medical Text Generation: Development and Evaluation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Yang Rui , Zeng Qingcheng , You Keen , Qiao Yujie , Huang Lucas , Hsieh Chia-Chun , Rosand Benjamin , Goldwasser Jeremy , Dave Amisha , Keenan Tiarnan , Ke Yuhe , Hong Chuan , Liu Nan , Chew Emily , Radev Dragomir , Lu Zhiyong , Xu Hua , Chen Qingyu , Li Irene
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND

Medical texts present significant domain-specific challenges, and manually curating these texts is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. To address this, natural language processing (NLP) algorithms have been developed to automate text processing. In the biomedical field, various toolkits for text processing exist, which have greatly improved the efficiency of handling unstructured text. However, these existing toolkits tend to emphasize different perspectives, and none of them offer generation capabilities, leaving a significant gap in the current offerings.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the development and preliminary evaluation of Ascle. Ascle is tailored for biomedical researchers and clinical staff with an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution that requires minimal programming expertise. For the first time, Ascle provides 4 advanced and challenging generative functions: question-answering, text summarization, text simplification, and machine translation. In addition, Ascle integrates 12 essential NLP functions, along with query and search capabilities for clinical databases.

METHODS

We fine-tuned 32 domain-specific language models and evaluated them thoroughly on 27 established benchmarks. In addition, for the question-answering task, we developed a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) framework for large language models that incorporated a medical knowledge graph with ranking techniques to enhance the reliability of generated answers. Additionally, we conducted a physician validation to assess the quality of generated content beyond automated metrics.

RESULTS

The fine-tuned models and RAG framework consistently enhanced text generation tasks. For example, the fine-tuned models improved the machine translation task by 20.27 in terms of BLEU score. In the question-answering task, the RAG framework raised the ROUGE-L score by 18% over the vanilla models. Physician validation of generated answers showed high scores for readability (4.95/5) and relevancy (4.43/5), with a lower score for accuracy (3.90/5) and completeness (3.31/5).

CONCLUSIONS

This study introduces the development and evaluation of Ascle, a user-friendly NLP toolkit designed for medical text generation. All code is publicly available through the Ascle GitHub repository. All fine-tuned language models can be accessed through Hugging Face.
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Authors: Authors No
Published: May 2024

No abstract
Changes in the indicators of hemodynamics and oxygen transport in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension depending on their survival
Authors: Botsiuk Yu.A. , Sirenko Yu.M.
Published: May 2024

Background. Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a severe disease that affects the vessels of the pulmonary circulation and leads to right ventricular failure and death of patients. Indicators of hemodynamics and oxygen transport play central role in the progression and development of the disease. Objective: to evaluate indicators of hemodynamics, oxygen transport. Materials and methods. The study included 124 patients with IPAH. They were divided into two groups: alive patients (group 1) and those who died (group 2). All of them underwent general clinical examinations, a 6-minute walk test, transthoracic and speckle tracking echocardiography, right heart catheterization, blood gas analysis and calculation of hemodynamic parameters. Results. We calculated and compared the right (RVSWI) (19.93 ± 7.84 vs. 16.47 ± 4.67 g·m·m–2, p = 0.009) and left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) (39.47 ± 10.53 vs. 35.92 ± 11.19 g·m·m–2, p = 0.036) and their ratio (RVSWI/LVSWI) (0.59 ± 0.16 vs. 0.46 ± ± 0.13, p = 0.008), right (RVPC) (97.00 ± 2.16 vs. 1.82 ± 1.04 g·m, p = 0.001) and left ventricular pump coefficient (LVPC) (5.36 ± 4.84 vs. 4.41 ± 2.15 g·m, p = 0.04) and their ratio (RVPC/LVPC) (0.54 ± 0.19 vs. 0.44 ± 0.11, p = 0.05) in both groups of patients. Also, we found differences in partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) of venous blood (34.5 ± 5.1 vs. 40.2 ± 6.9 mm Hg, p = 0.02), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) of arterial blood (90.2 ± 15.1 vs. 78.9 ± 11.2 mm Hg; p = 0.01), arteriovenous oxygen difference (A-vO2) (4.5 ± 1.2 vs. 5.0 ± 0.8 ml/dL, p = 0.02) between both groups. Conclusions. RVSWI, LVSWI, RVSWI/LVSWI, RVPC, LVPC, RVPC/LVPC were significantly different between the groups. The use of the above hemodynamic parameters can help in a deeper understanding of the prognosis in IPAH patients. Performance of oxygen transport indicators (PaCO2, PaO2) and A-vO2 in IPAH patients provides a broader understanding of the status and prognosis of this disease.
Content-based Recommender System Using Cosine Similarity
Authors: Singh Karan , Mishra Mayank , Singh Er. Sarika
Published: May 2024

Abstract: In the quest for a more tailored cinematic experience, this paper presents a Movie Recommender System that harnesses the power of Cosine Similarity within a machine learning framework. The system’s cornerstone is its ability to discern nuanced user preferences and suggest films that resonate on a personal level. Employing Python, the research delineates a methodology that encompasses data collection, preprocessing, and feature extraction from a comprehensive dataset of movies. The crux of the system lies in its application of the cosine similarity algorithm, which calculates the affinity between movies and users based on shared characteristics such as genre, director, plot, title and cast. This approach is rigorously evaluated using metrics like precision, recall, and accuracy, ensuring the recommender’s reliability. The experimental design bifurcates the dataset into training and testing subsets, fortifying the system’s robustness. The paper’s findings illuminate the system’s efficacy in delivering precise and individualized recommendations, thereby augmenting the user’s movie selection process. It underscores the potential of the system to revolutionize content discovery and consumption in the entertainment domain. The conclusion encapsulates the project’s ambition to refine the recommender system further by integrating diverse machine learning algorithms and scaling its capabilities.
Study of Supply Chain Performance in Food Processing Unit
Authors: Dhirwani Santosh
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This study investigates the performance of the supply chain within a food processing unit, aiming to identify key factors influencing its efficiency and effectiveness. A survey questionnaire was employed to gather insights from employees across different levels in the chain of procurement, manufacturing, distribution, and operations. The questionnaire was designed to different features of SCM, such as management of inventory, vendor relationships, transportation efficiency, and overall operational performance. The findings of the study highlight several crucial factors affecting the supply chain performance in the food processing unit. Firstly, the analysis reveals the significance of effective inventory management practices in reducing stockouts, minimizing holding costs, and improving order fulfilment rates. Secondly, the study emphasizes the importance of establishing strong and collaborative relationships with vendors to guarantee on-time delivery of material required, as well as mitigates risks associated with supply disruptions
Video Manipulation Detection Using DenseNet and GoogLeNet
Authors: KP Anamika
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Recent advancements in video technology have democratized facial manipulation techniques, such as FaceSwap and deepfakes, enabling realistic edits with minimal effort. While beneficial in various applications, these tools pose societal risks if misused for spreading disinformation or cyberbullying. The widespread availability of this technology through web and mobile apps has heightened the threat, making the detection of manipulated content a critical challenge. It aims to address the ethical and societal risks associated with the widespread avail- ability of user-friendly facial manipulation tools, such as deepfakes, by focusing on detecting deepfake manipulation in videos. This emphasizes the significance of dataset selection and training methodology for optimal results, employing ensemble learning with DenseNet and GoogLeNet models. The proposed methodology involves training models from scratch and with pre-trained weights, using Celeb- DF (v1) and Face Forensics++ datasets to enhance model generalization, and analyzing video frames to extract features for detecting manipulated faces in videos. The overall goal is to fortify societal defenses against the misuse of facial manipulation tools and promote responsible technological innovation.
IN-VIVO ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIALS AND TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECT OF DENNETTIA TRIPETALA SEEDS ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC MALE ALBINO RATS
Authors: Alaebo Prince Ogochukwu , Egbuonu Anthony Cemaluk Chinedum , Achi Ngozi Kalu , Obike Chiemeziem Adanma , Ukpabi-Ugo Jacinta Chigozie , Ezeigwe Obiajulu Christian , Chukwu Uchechukwu Daniel , Wisdom Chukwuka Enyinna
Published: May 2024

Background: Hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are hallmarks of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by disturbances in carbohydrates, protein, and lipid metabolism due to insufficient insulin production.
Aim: Present study was aimed to estimate the effects of Dennettia tripetala seed methanol extract (DTSE) on blood sugar and toxicological effect in alloxan-induced diabetes models using male wistar rats.
Methods: A total of thirty (30) male albino rats were divided into six distinct groups. Group A served as normal control group, where rats were neither induced nor treated. Group B acted as the negative control group, where rats were induced but not treated. Group C served as the positive control group, where rats were induced and treated with glibenclamide. Group D consisted of rats that were induced and treated with 100 mg of DTSE. Group E included rats that were induced and treated with 200 mg of DTSE. Lastly, group F comprised rats that were induced and treated with 400 mg of DTSE. Liver and kidney functions were determined using established analytical procedures. Blood samples were collected through ocular puncture for the evaluation of biochemical parameters.
Results: Blood glucose level in all the alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with DTSE showed a relative significant (p<0.05) reduction when compared with the controls. Histological investigation of diabetic rat’s liver and kidney indicated degradation of normal tissue architecture, however after the treatment with DTSE minor reparative alteration were seen.
Conclusions: The study suggests that DTSE possesses a hypoglycemic effect, hepatoprotective and anti-atherogenic effect but has toxicological effect on the kidney of the rats treated with high dose of DTSE as pathological changes were elicited in the organ of the rats.
                    
Peer Review History:
Received 6 February 2024;   Revised 9 March 2024; Accepted 20 April; Available online 15 May 2024
Academic Editor:  Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, amaka_mgbahurike@yahoo.com
Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10
Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10
Reviewers:
Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia, ahmad.najib@umi.ac.id
Dr. Sangeetha Arullappan, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia, sangeetha@utar.edu.my
Mayada M. El-Azab, Phytochemistry Unit, Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. drmayadaelazab2020@gmail.com
DENTAL CARIES AND TREATMENT NEEDS AMONG CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES IN DHAMAR CITY, YEMEN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: Al-Subbary Iman Abdulkarim , Obeyah Ahmed Ali , Al-Mogahed Naela Mohamed , Al-Ammari Maher Hassan
Published: May 2024

Background and objective: A child with disability is a child who, for any reason, has a problem with learning, communication, or using their physical, and social activities. There are a lot of people with different disabilities around world which forms an important section of the community. The Objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs among children with and without physical disabilities in Dhamar City, Yemen.
Study design: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among physical disability children (n=101) and control children (n=101), their age ranged from 6 to 12 years old in Dhamar City, Yemen. WHO Oral Health Assessment Form for children, 2013 was used for assessment of dental caries and treatment needs.
Results: The findings of this study indicate a statistically significant difference in dt (decayed teeth) between children with physical disabilities and the control group (p=0.013). Among children with physical disabilities, 55.4% exhibited decay in their primary teeth, whereas the prevalence was 72.3% among the control children. The highest mean dmft scores were observed in the 6-7 years age group. Additionally, a significant difference in dmft values was found in the control children (p=0.001). It is essential to highlight that only 14.4% of the children evaluated in this study had no treatment needs identified.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the prevalence of dental caries was lower among physical disability children than control. Control children have a significantly higher dental caries in primary teeth than physical disability children. Additionally, both groups exhibit a considerable proportion of unmet treatment needs.
                     
Peer Review History:
Received 5 February 2024;   Revised 13 March 2024; Accepted 24 April; Available online 15 May 2024
Academic Editor: Dr. Marwa A. A. Fayed, University of Sadat City, Egypt, maafayed@gmail.com
Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10
Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10
Reviewers:
Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, sansan4240732@163.com
Prof. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye