bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ngejuk - Ngakuk dalam bingkai adat perkawinan (Lampung – Jawa)
Authors: Ariyani Farida , Costa Ronaldo Fisda , Ridwan Mohammad
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan prosesi perkawinan adat Lampung dalam perkawinan campuran Lampung-Jawa. Desain penelitian yang digunakan ialah deskriptif kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data yang digunakan ialah teknik dokumentasi sebagai penggalian korpus data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa prosesi perkawinan Lampung-Jawa dimulai dari prosesi muwarei. Prosesi muwarei ialah prosesi pengantin wanita Jawa menjadi masyarakat adat Lampung. Orang Lampung menikah dimulai dari menikah secara agama dan negara kemudian perkawinan secara adat. Perkawinan secara adat merupakan prosesi wajib yang harus dilakukan agar mempelai diakui sebagai masyarakat adat Lampung. Penelitian ini menemukan sebuah pasal yang mengatur muwarei, yakni Pasal 140 dalam Kitab Kuntara Raja Niti. Pasal 140, prosesi muwarei diacu untuk menghindari cepala, hukuman yang diberikan tokoh adat kepada pengantin. Setelah pengantin diakui sebagai masyarakat adat Lampung, kegiatan selanjutnya ialah mesol kibau; canggot muda-mudi; dan nuik kasih. Tahapan setelah muwarei ialah Begawi meliputi pergantian nama (Farida Ariyani menjadi Pujian (Ini Pujian), Ngakuk Muli. Tahapan Ngakuk Muli menunjukkan bahwa wanita resmi menjadi Muli Lampung Tiyuh Telu, Gawi Adat Pepadun. Kegiatan terakhir ialah pengambilan gelar (Pengiran Susunan Ratu) yang mengesahkan pernikahan secara agama dan adat.
Implementasi unggah-ungguh di depan raja dalam Teks Carakabasa pada ketoprak Warok Suromenggolo
Authors: Saputri Ines Ika , Anisa Arifatul
Published: March 2024

Teks Carakabasa adalah salah satu teks yang terdapat pada naskah Kempalan Serat Piwulang. Teks ini berisi tentang ajaran tata krama berbahasa, aturan penggunaan sesuai dengan kedudukan lawan bicara. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuat inventarisasi naskah Kempalan Serat Piwulang, membuat deskripsi naskah Kempalan Serat Piwulang, mentransliterasi teks Carakabasa, menyunting teks Carakabasa, menerjemahankan teks Carakabasa, dan mendeskripsikan implementasi isi teks Carakabasa tentang unggah-ungguh seorang utusan Raja pada ketoprak berjudul Warok Suromenggolo (Suminten Edan). Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian filologi. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan studi pustaka dan pengamatan langsung. Teknik analisis data menggunakan metode deskriptif. Pengesahan data dalam penelitian ini dengan cara validitas semantik dan reliabilitas intrarater. Dalam teks Carakabasa difokuskan pada unggah-ungguh seorang utusan di depan raja, diimplementasikan dengan penggunaaan bahasa yang baik ketika berbicara dengan orang yang derajatanya lebih tinggi, tata cara duduk di depan raja yaitu dengan bersila, menundukan kepala, dan badan tetap tegap, raut muka yang baik, waspada dalam perkataan, mengatakan yang seperlunya dan tidak banyak tingkah.
Cadena de tabaco : anexo 5
Authors: Ramírez Durán Julio , Morales Castañeda Alexis
Published: March 2024

El presente documento se preparó con el fin de proveer información básica sobre el desempeño de la cadena productiva, sus vínculos con la orientación de la ciencia, la tecnología y la innovación y las demandas del sector sobre conocimiento técnico, para superar problemas productivos, mejorar la competitividad, la sostenibilidad, aprovechar oportunidades de mercado, potenciar capacidades y focalizar la inversión pública. Esta información se consolidó a través del proceso de revisión y ajuste de la Agenda Dinámica Nacional de Investigación, Desarrollo Tecnológico e Innovación (Agenda l+D+i), como insumo para orientar las estrategias del PECTIA
Lessons and Untapped Potential of Smartphone-Based Physical Activity Interventions for Mental Health: Narrative Review (Preprint)
Authors: Bernstein Emily E , Wolfe Emma C , Huguenel Brynn M , Wilhelm Sabine
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Physical activity has well-known and broad health benefits, including antidepressive and anxiolytic effects. However, only approximately half of Americans meet even the minimum exercise recommendations. Individuals with anxiety, depression, or related conditions are even less likely to do so. With the advent of mobile sensors and phones, experts have quickly noted the utility of technology for the enhanced measurement of and intervention for physical activity. In addition to being more accessible than in-person approaches, technology-driven interventions may uniquely engage key mechanisms of behavior change such as self-awareness.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to provide a narrative overview and specific recommendations for future research on smartphone-based physical activity interventions for psychological disorders or concerns.

METHODS

In this paper, we summarized early efforts to adapt and test smartphone-based or smartphone-supported physical activity interventions for mental health. The included articles described or reported smartphone-delivered or smartphone-supported interventions intended to increase physical activity or reduce sedentary behavior and included an emotional disorder, concern, or symptom as an outcome measure. We attempted to extract details regarding the intervention designs, trial designs, study populations, outcome measures, and inclusion of adaptations specifically for mental health. In taking a narrative lens, we drew attention to the type of work that has been done and used these exemplars to discuss key directions to build on.

RESULTS

To date, most studies have examined mental health outcomes as secondary or exploratory variables largely in the context of managing medical concerns (eg, cancer and diabetes). Few trials have recruited psychiatric populations or explicitly aimed to target psychiatric concerns. Consequently, although there are encouraging signals that smartphone-based physical activity interventions could be feasible, acceptable, and efficacious for individuals with mental illnesses, this remains an underexplored area.

CONCLUSIONS

Promising avenues for tailoring validated smartphone-based interventions include adding psychoeducation (eg, the relationship between depression, physical activity, and inactivity), offering psychosocial treatment in parallel (eg, cognitive restructuring), and adding personalized coaching. To conclude, we offer specific recommendations for future research, treatment development, and implementation in this area, which remains open and promising for flexible, highly scalable support.
New Approach to Equitable Intervention Planning to Improve Engagement and Outcomes in a Digital Health Program: Simulation Study (Preprint)
Authors: Killian Jackson A , Jain Manish , Jia Yugang , Amar Jonathan , Huang Erich , Tambe Milind
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

Digital health programs provide individualized support to patients with chronic diseases and their effectiveness is measured by the extent to which patients achieve target individual clinical outcomes and the program’s ability to sustain patient engagement. However, patient dropout and inequitable intervention delivery strategies, which may unintentionally penalize certain patient subgroups, represent challenges to maximizing effectiveness. Therefore, methodologies that optimize the balance between success factors (achievement of target clinical outcomes and sustained engagement) equitably would be desirable, particularly when there are resource constraints.

OBJECTIVE

Our objectives were to propose a model for digital health program resource management that accounts jointly for the interaction between individual clinical outcomes and patient engagement, ensures equitable allocation as well as allows for capacity planning, and conducts extensive simulations using publicly available data on type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease.

METHODS

We propose a restless multiarmed bandit (RMAB) model to plan interventions that jointly optimize long-term engagement and individual clinical outcomes (in this case measured as the achievement of target healthy glucose levels). To mitigate the tendency of RMAB to achieve good aggregate performance by exacerbating disparities between groups, we propose new equitable objectives for RMAB and apply bilevel optimization algorithms to solve them. We formulated a model for the joint evolution of patient engagement and individual clinical outcome trajectory to capture the key dynamics of interest in digital chronic disease management programs.

RESULTS

In simulation exercises, our optimized intervention policies lead to up to 10% more patients reaching healthy glucose levels after 12 months, with a 10% reduction in dropout compared to standard-of-care baselines. Further, our new equitable policies reduce the mean absolute difference of engagement and health outcomes across 6 demographic groups by up to 85% compared to the state-of-the-art.

CONCLUSIONS

Planning digital health interventions with individual clinical outcome objectives and long-term engagement dynamics as considerations can be both feasible and effective. We propose using an RMAB sequential decision-making framework, which may offer additional capabilities in capacity planning as well. The integration of an equitable RMAB algorithm further enhances the potential for reaching equitable solutions. This approach provides program designers with the flexibility to switch between different priorities and balance trade-offs across various objectives according to their preferences.
The Paradox of Food Addiction and the Obesity Epidemic: A Public Health Perspective (Preprint)
Authors: McCulloh Ian , Oler Michael , McCulloh Anna
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

The rise in obesity rates presents a grave public health challenge, surpassing even tobacco as the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Much like other forms of substance use disorder, food addiction is a complex, multi-faceted disease involving a number of neurobiological factors associated with addiction, endocrine response, and social-psychological determinants. These interconnected and often competing systems add to the difficulty of treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This article explores the complex neuro-endocrine interplay involved in obesity, the parallels to substance addiction, and the societal factors exacerbating the obesity epidemic.

METHODS

This study employed a non-systematic literature review across various disciplines, including medicine, public health, addiction, neuroscience, psychology, sociology, criminology, public policy, and social networks. Relevant databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched using keywords related to obesity and its multifaceted implications. Data extraction focused on obesity-related health outcomes, societal impacts, and intervention strategies. The synthesis of findings aimed to aggregate insights from the diverse fields to present a holistic understanding of obesity's complexity.

RESULTS

Research has revealed important findings within many diverse disciplines, but few efforts have taken a multi-disciplinary approach. Given the significant interactions across complex biological and societal systems, obesity requires a holistic treatment approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the elevated rates of obesity and its severe impact on both the quality and longevity of life, we argue for more targeted funding and a cross-disciplinary approach to achieve multifaceted, affordable, and equitable health solutions.

CLINICALTRIAL

n/a
Facebook users’ attitudes towards Human papillomavirus vaccination in South Africa (Preprint)
Authors: Mavundza Edison Johannes , Jaca Anelisa , Ndwandwe Duduzile , Cooper Sara
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

On February 28, 2023, the Facebook page of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) South Africa, announced the beginning of the HPV vaccination campaign for 2023. The announcement read: ‘‘Protect your daughter from cervical cancer and make sure she gets her HPV vaccine at school.” The post garnered several comments and reactions from Facebook users.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the attitudes of Facebook users, who commented on the UNICEF South Africa post, towards HPV vaccination to inform the development and implementation of interventions that can increase HPV vaccine acceptance and uptake

METHODS

We used basic thematic analysis approach to analyse the content of the comments. Two authors (EJM and AJ) independently coded the responses through line-by-line readings as pro-vaccination, anti-vaccination or neutral. After labelling the data with the three main codes, we then used an inductive thematic analysis approach to extract emerging themes from the comments within each code.

RESULTS

Several comments were questions regarding the eligible criteria for vaccination, side effects, consent form, and vaccination strategies. Many Facebook users were hesitant towards HPV vaccination due to various reasons including concerns around side effects, religious beliefs, vaccine stock outs, and their distrust in the institutions or systems involved in vaccination programmes. Few users accepted HPV vaccination because they believed that it was a very important thing to do, beneficial for the children’s health, and they have vaccinated their children before.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings of the current study contribute to the promotion of acceptance and uptake of HPV vaccination by developing and implementing social media-based interventions tailored to address identified barriers that are associated with hesitant to HPV vaccination.
Assessing the Performance of Plugin-Integrated ChatGPT-4 in the German Medical Board Examination: An Experimental Study on the Advancements and Limitations of Modern AI Modelling Approaches (Preprint)
Authors: Madrid Julian , Diehl Philipp , Selig Mischa , Rolauffs Bernd , Hans Felix Patricius , Busch Hans-Jörg , Scheef Tobias , Benning Leo
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND

The Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT-4) is a large language model (LLM) trained and fine-tuned on an extensive dataset. After the public release of its predecessor in November 2022, the use of LLMs has seen a significant spike in interest, and a multitude of potential use cases have been proposed. In parallel, however, important limitations have been outlined. Particularly, current LLM encounters limitations, especially in symbolic representation and accessing contemporary data. The recent version of GPT-4, alongside newly released plugin features, has been introduced to mitigate some of these limitations.

OBJECTIVE

Before this background, this work aims to investigate the performance of GPT-3.5, GPT-4, GPT-4 with plugins, and GPT-4 with plugins using pre-translated English text on the German medical board examination. Recognizing the critical importance of quantifying uncertainty for LLM applications in medicine, we furthermore assess this ability and develop a new metric termed 'confidence accuracy' to evaluate it.

METHODS

We employed GPT-3.5, GPT-4, GPT-4 with plugins, and GPT-4 with plugins and translation to answer questions from the German medical board examination. Additionally, we conducted a thorough analysis to assess how the models justify their answers, the accuracy of their responses, and the error structure of their answers. Bootstrapping and confidence intervals were utilized to evaluate the statistical significance of our findings.

RESULTS

This study demonstrated that available GPT models, as LLM examples, exceeded the minimum competency threshold established by the German medical board for medical students to obtain board certification to practice medicine. Moreover, the models could assess the uncertainty in their responses, albeit exhibiting overconfidence. Additionally, this work unraveled certain justification and reasoning structures that emerge when GPT generates answers.

CONCLUSIONS

The high performance of GPTs in answering medical questions positions it well for applications in academia and, potentially, clinical practice. Its capability to quantify uncertainty in answers suggests it could be a valuable AI agent within the clinical decision-making loop. Nevertheless, significant challenges must be addressed before AI agents can be robustly and safely implemented in the medical domain.
Analysis on the Development of One-Stop Service for Spice Industry
Authors: Gao Xinyan
Published: March 2024

At present, China’s spice industry is in a fierce competition stage, and people’s demand for spices is also increasing, residents’ consumption is also improving, and more and more attention is paid to services. With the continuous development of information technology in China, this article with the development situation of the spice industry, proposed the measure of one-stop service, has an economic positive effect on the development of the spice industry, to help it improve its competitiveness in the market.
Reaching Out: Yarning, Sharing, and Learning with First Nations Artists through Social Media
Authors: FIENBERG THOMAS
Published: March 2024

In this article, I examine the potential of social media to meaningfully connect students and educators with First Nations popular musicians. Utilising yarning-as-method under the theoretical frame of storying, I present accounts of attempts to embed the practice in high school classes before exploring how the process was refined for an initial teacher education course under the guidance of Noongar scholar Clint Bracknell. In addition, I share yarns of First Nations artists, who reveal the reciprocal benefits of reaching out and sharing back as a decolonial tool for building relationships and supporting the inclusion of First Nations music. Although centred on an Australian context, I explore themes and pose questions that aim to resonate with a global audience searching for innovative and meaningful ways to embed First Nations cultures into music curricula.
A Review on Widely Used Diagnostic Technique to Rule Out Malnutrition in Children (Under 5 Years)
Authors: Rasheed Shaik Abdul , Poojitha Modepalli , Anusha Uppalapati , Santhi Maddala , Ramesh Yerikala , Chandra Yadala Prapurna
Published: March 2024

Anthropometric pointers are most effectively used to describe the nutritive status of populations as an expression of the magnitude and distribution of under nutrition. They're less accurate than other styles, still, when it comes to assessing individual nutritive status. In numerous field situations where coffers are oppressively limited, it's possible to use anthropometry as a webbing device to identify individualities at threat of under nutrition. This primary opinion can be followed up with a more elaborate disquisition using other ways. A stubborn continuity of child severe acute malnutrition and continued gaps in program content have made relating styles for expanding the discovery, opinion, and treatment of SAM a critical public health need. There's a growing agreement that making mid-upper arm circumference use more extensively accessible among caregivers and community health workers is an important coming step in farther decentralizing SAM care and adding program content, including the capability of CHWs to treat uncomplicated SAM in community settings.
Keywords: Malnutrition, Nutrition, Moderate acute malnutrition, Anthropometry.
Behavior of Metal Frame of Ribbed-ring Dome with Decrease in Number of Supporting Columns
Authors: Lebed Evgeny V.
Published: March 2024

Investigation of the stress state of the metal frame of a ribbed-ring dome, when the number of supporting columns under it is gradually reduced. With that, the same distances or steps between the columns are maintained along the entire contour of the support ring. The main elements of the dome frame and columns are made of steel I-beams. Frames, the domes of which are supported by a different number of cyclically symmetrical columns, were considered as subjects of research. All the domes are characterized by the same geometric structure and size, the same cross sections of the same type of frame elements and are exposed to the same loads. The research was carried out on computer models by calculating the combined effect of the load from the weight of load-bearing and enclosing structures and an asymmetric snow load. The models with a reduced number of columns are obtained by regularly removing them from the original computer model. During the analysis, the stresses in the elements of the frames of all models were determined, which were compared with each other. Deformation graphs and comparative diagrams of the stress state relationships of the frame elements of the original and transformed models are obtained. An assessment of the change in the stress state of the ribbed-ring dome frame with a decrease in the number of columns is given. Significant changes in the stress state of the support ring were noted.
La Relación entre los conceptos de bienestar y estilo de vida de los habitantes de la Ciudad de México
Authors: Flores-Cano Olga Beatriz
Published: March 2024

ANTECEDENTES: El estilo de vida es un concepto cuyo estudio apoya el bienestar, criterio importante que apoya el éxito de una sociedad. MÉTODO: Definir el bienestar y estilo de vida de habitantes de la Ciudad de México y determinar su relación. La muestra fue de N=201, 52% mujeres y 48% hombres, voluntarios –con consentimiento informado, sin incentivos--, de 20 años y más, Media=39.97 años, D.E.=13.56 años. Los participantes dieron para cada concepto (bienestar, satisfacción, felicidad y estilo de vida). Los análisis fueron descriptivos e inferenciales (IBM SPSS 25) y de distancias geodésicas (Gephi 0.9.5). RESULTADOS: El bienestar y el estilo fueron sistemas sociales complejos, mostrando el fenómeno de mundo pequeño y emergencia. El bienestar fue una evaluación de la vida, con dominios de salud, relaciones significativas y recursos. El estilo de vida tuvo contenidos sobre salud, actitudes, identidad y capital social. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIONES: El bienestar y el estilo de vida mostraron una correlación positiva moderada, sus nodos principales fueron salud y familia, pero mostraron diferentes interrelaciones en sendos conceptos. La organización del estilo de vida conectó lo social con lo individual o personal, así como lo interior con la imagen exterior y los contextos de la vida.
Caracterización de las instituciones de educación superior con programas de salud en el Estado de Puebla, México
Authors: Borromeo Garcia Cesar Augusto , Fernández Pérez Jorge Alejandro
Published: March 2024

El estudio se enfoca en caracterizar las instituciones públicas y privadas de educación superior que ofrecen programas relacionados con la salud en la región, con el objetivo de comprender mejor sus necesidades particulares y comprender de mejor manera la forma en que la tecnología en el área de la salud se lleva hacia la docencia en el área de la salud. Los resultados muestran que existen 100 instituciones de educación superior en Puebla que ofrecen 318 programas relacionados con la salud y atienden a un total de 61,432 estudiantes al año 2022. La mayoría de los estudiantes son atendidos por instituciones privadas, mientras que solo diez instituciones públicas atienden al resto. Los resultados proporcionan una base para el estudio posterior que se centrará en examinar cómo se lleva a cabo la transferencia de tecnología de la práctica médica a la docencia en el área de la salud en la región. En resumen, el estudio proporciona una comprensión más detallada de las instituciones educativas en Puebla que ofrecen programas de salud y sienta las bases para futuras investigaciones sobre la transferencia de tecnología en la práctica médica y la docencia en el área de la salud.
QUARTERLY VARIATION OF TROPOSPHERIC SURFACE REFRACTIVITY IN ILORIN, NIGERIA
Authors: Sani Otto Muhammed , Abimbola O.J. , Falaiye O.A. , Muhammad F.U , Sule A.A
Published: March 2024

To construct a radio communication system, there is need for extensive knowledge of the refractivity and its variations. This work aims to determine the change in season with tropospheric surface refractivity of Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria. The refractivity for both dry (1st quarter) and rainy (3rd quarter) seasons for 2000 - 2002 have been calculated using the meteorological data obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Ilorin. The result shows that there is a variation between tropospheric surface refractivity during the dry and rainy seasons. High refractivity during the rainy season than in dry season is observed, mainly due to higher amount of water content in the atmosphere (troposphere) in the rainy season.
NEUTRON INDUCED 55Mn REACTION IN THE ENERGY RANGE 0.001 MeV TO 40 MeV
Authors: Rahman A. K. M. Rezaur , Happy Taslim Hoque , Ovi Mustofa Khalid , Bromuela Abdul Awal, Mark Anthony , Akhand MD. Jubayer Rahman , Chakraborty Shyamal Ranjan , Meaze A. K. M. Moinul Haque
Published: March 2024

Neutron induced 55Mn reactions are evaluated in the energy range 0.001 MeV to 40 MeV using TALYS 1.95 computer code. During this evaluation, local and global parameterisations of Koning and Delaroche are used in nuclear optical model. Comparisons were made with experimental data, collected from EXFOR and other sources. Some optical model parameters (OMP) were needed to be adjusted for better agreement between theoretical calculations and experimental findings. Various evaluated libraries such as ENDF, JENDL etc. are being checked and compared with our evaluation. TALYS evaluation shows better agreement when parameters were adjusted.
Seeing Beyond the Blot: A Critical Look at Assumptions and Raw Data Interpretation in Western Blotting
Authors: DeNies Maxwell , Liu Allen , Schnell Santiago
Published: March 2024

Rapid advancements in technology refine our understanding of intricate
biological processes, but a crucial emphasis remains on understanding
the assumptions and sources of uncertainty underlying biological
measurements. This is particularly critical in cell signaling research,
where a quantitative understanding of the fundamental mechanisms
governing these transient events is essential for drug development,
given their importance in both homeostatic and pathogenic processes.
Western blotting, a technique developed decades ago, remains an
indispensable tool for investigating cell signaling, protein expression,
and protein-protein interactions. While improvements in statistical
analysis and methodology reporting have undoubtedly enhanced data
quality, understanding the underlying assumptions and limitations of
visual inspection in western blotting can provide valuable additional
information for evaluating experimental conclusions. Using the example
of agonist-induced receptor post-translational modification, we
highlight the theoretical and experimental assumptions associated with
western blotting and demonstrate how raw blot data can offer clues to
experimental variability that may not be fully captured by statistical
analyses and reported methodologies. This article is not intended as a
comprehensive technical review of western blotting. Instead, we leverage
an illustrative example to demonstrate how assumptions about
experimental design and data normalization can be revealed within raw
data and subsequently influence data interpretation.
Understanding the role of RBR-E3 ligase in regulation of cellular homeostasis in human malaria parasite
Authors: Kumar Niti , Kumari Varsha , Tripathi Aradhya , Vidyarthi Seema , Chaurasia Nirupa , Noorie Shagufa Nisrat , Anjum Simmi , Anas Mohammad , Ahmed Shakil , Bhati Girdhar
Published: March 2024

E3 ligases constitute an important component of proteostasis machinery
which plays a critical role in the survival of malaria parasite through
post-translational modifications of its proteinsubstrates. In contrast
to humans, parasite E3 ligases have not been extensively studied. Here,
we characterize a unique Plasmodium E3 ligase that has both RING and
HECT-like features with zinc-coordinating domains. Plasmodium encodes a
single RING-between-RING (RBR) E3 ligase that has evolutionarily
diverged from human and other intracellular parasites. This RBR-E3
ligase is expressed throughout the erythrocytic phase of P. falciparum
lifecycle. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Pf RBR-E3 ligase
catalyzes K6, K11, K48 and K63 mediated polyubiquitination hinting
towards its diverse biological roles (DNA repair, proteasomal
degradation, mitochondrial quality control). We observed that Pf RBR-E3
ligase interacts with UBCH5 and UBC13 family of E2-conjugating enzymes.
Through mutational analysis, we identified residues in RING1 and RING2
domains that are critical for ubiquitination activity and protein
stability of Pf RBR-E3 ligase. Our experiments showed that Pf RBR-E3
ligase participates in maintenance of organellar homeostasis and
exhibits differences in immunofluorescence profile upon exposure of
parasite to different genotoxic (MMS) and proteotoxic (MG132, FCCP and
artemisinin derivative) stress. Our study opens up avenues for exploring
the client substrates of Pf RBR-E3 ligase and using this knowledge to
design substratespecific protein degradation based alternative
intervention strategies for malaria.
Sediment core DNA-Metabarcoding and chitinous remain identification: Integrating complementary methods to characterise Chironomidae biodiversity in lake sediment archives
Authors: Blattner Lucas , Lapellegerie Pierre , Mustaphi Colin Courtney , Heiri Oliver
Published: March 2024

Chironomidae, so-called non-biting midges, are considered key
bioindicators of aquatic ecosystem variability. Data derived from
morphologically identifying their chitinous remains in sediments
documents chironomid larvae assemblages, which are studied to
reconstruct ecosystem changes over time. Recent developments in
sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) research have demonstrated that molecular
techniques are suitable for determining past and present occurrences of
organisms. Nevertheless, sedDNA records documenting alterations in
chironomid assemblages remain largely unexplored. To close this gap, we
examined the applicability of sedDNA metabarcoding to identify
Chironomidae assemblages in lake sediments by sampling and processing
three 21 – 35 cm long sediment cores from Lake Sempach in Switzerland.
With a focus on developing analytical approaches, we compared an
invertebrate-universal (FWH) and a newly designed Chironomidae-specific
metabarcoding primer set (CH) to assess their performance in detecting
Chironomidae DNA. We isolated and identified chitinous larval remains
and compared the morphotype assemblages with the data derived from
sedDNA metabarcoding. Results showed a good overall agreement of the
morphotype assemblage-specific clustering among the chitinous remains
and the metabarcoding datasets. Both methods indicated higher chironomid
assemblage similarity between the two littoral cores in contrast to the
deep lake core. Moreover, we experienced a pronounced primer bias effect
resulting in more Chironomidae detections with the CH primer combination
compared to the FWH combination. Overall, we conclude that sedDNA
metabarcoding can supplement traditional remain identifications and
potentially provide independent reconstructions of past chironomid
assemblage changes. Furthermore, it has the potential of more efficient
workflows, better sample standardisation and species-level resolution
datasets.
Isolation and antimicrobial profile of staphylococcus aureus from dairy cows in the two selected farm of Bishoftu town, Ethiopia
Authors: Kenei Felmata , Zenu Nezif
Published: March 2024

Staphylococcus aureus is a common causative agent of bovine mastitis in
dairy herds worldwide causing huge economic losses to the dairy
industry. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021 to
September 2021, with the objective of isolating and identifing of
S­.aureus from dairy farms in the milk samples of Bishoftu town
in the Oromia region, Ethiopia. The samples were transported to a
microbiology laboratory where, isolation and identification of an
organism was based on morphological, cultural and biochemical
characteristics, Clinical examinations, gram stain, catalase test,
oxidase test and bacteriological culture methods were used as diagnostic
tools to carry out the study. Accordingly, a total of 53 milk samples of
where checked, 43 from teat and 10 samples from milk tankers. Milk
samples were collected and cultured in parallel on both blood and
nutrient agars. Of the total samples, 30/53 was well grown on both media
and sub_ cultured on nutrient agar for further identification using
primary and secondary biochemical tests. Accordingly, 30 milk samples
showed typical large, round, golden yellow colonies of Staphylococcus
aureus that frequently surrounded by zones of clear beta-hemolysis when
grown on blood agar, round shaped grape like clusters we observed under
a microscope after staining with gram stain, catalase­_ positive
Staphylococcus aureus with bubble formation was observed and typical
yellow pigmentation was observed on mannitol salt agar which is a
selective medium for the genus Staphylococcus. Finally, 30(56.6 %) case
of Staphylococcus aureus were identified with the coagulase test
and a clumping result observed. Hence, implementing hygienic conditions,
creating awareness of control and prevention of subclinical mastitis in
dairy farms and conducting drug sensitivity tests for Staphylococcus
aureus are recommended.
O3 formation sensitivity to precursors and lightning in the tropical troposphere based on airborne observations
Authors: Nussbaumer Clara Maria , Kohl Matthias , Pozzer Andrea , Tadic Ivan , Rohloff Roland , Marno Daniel , Harder Hartwig , Ziereis Helmut Alois , Zahn Andreas , Obersteiner Florian , Hofzumahaus Andreas , Fuchs Hendrik , Künstler Christopher , Brune William H. , Ryerson Thomas B. , Peischl Jeff , Thompson Chelsea , Bourgeois Ilann , Lelieveld Jos , Fischer Horst
Published: March 2024

Tropospheric ozone (O) is an important greenhouse gas
that is also hazardous to human health. O is formed
photochemically from nitrogen dioxide (NO) (with oxygen
and sunlight), which in turn is generated through oxidation of nitric
oxide (NO) by peroxy radicals (HO or
RO). The formation of O can be
sensitive to the levels of its precursors NOx (≡ NO +
NO) and peroxy radicals, e.g., generated by the
oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A better understanding
of this sensitivity will show how changes in the levels of these trace
gases could affect O levels today and in the future,
and thus air quality and climate. In this study, we investigate
O sensitivity in the tropical troposphere based on in
situ observations of NO, HO and O from
four research aircraft campaigns between 2015 and 2023, namely, OMO
(Oxidation Mechanism Observations), ATom (Atmospheric Tomography
Mission), CAFE Africa (Chemistry of the Atmosphere Field Experiment in
Africa) and CAFE Brazil, in combination with simulations using the
ECHAM5/MESSy2 Atmospheric Chemistry (EMAC) model. We use the metric
α(CHO) together with NO to show that
O formation chemistry is generally
NO-sensitive in the lower and middle tropical
troposphere and in a transition regime in the upper troposphere. By
distinguishing observations, which are either impacted by lightning or
not, we show that NO from lightning is the most important driver of
O sensitivity in the tropics. Areas affected by
lightning exhibit strongly VOC-sensitive O chemistry,
whereas NO-sensitive chemistry predominates in regions
without lightning impact.
Flow and deformation in Earth's deepest mantle from geodynamic modeling and implications for seismic anisotropy
Authors: Li Mingming , Wolf Jonathan , Garnero Edward J. , Long Maureen D.
Published: March 2024

The dynamics of Earth’s D” layer at the base of the mantle plays an
essential role in Earth’s thermal and chemical evolution. Mantle
convection in D” is thought to result in seismic anisotropy; therefore,
observations of anisotropy may be used to infer lowermost mantle flow.
However, the connections between mantle flow and seismic anisotropy in
D” remain ambiguous. Here we calculate the present-day mantle flow
field in D” using 3D global geodynamic models. We then compute strain,
a measure of deformation, outside the two large-low velocity provinces
(LLVPs) and compare the distribution of strain with previous
observations of anisotropy. We find that, on a global scale, D”
material is advected towards the LLVPs. Strain is highest at the
core-mantle boundary (CMB) and decreases with height above the CMB.
Material outside the LLVPs mostly undergoes lateral stretching, with the
stretching direction often, but not always, aligning with mantle flow
direction. Strain generally increases towards the LLVPs and reaches a
maximum at their edges, although models that consider recrystallization
suggest that anisotropy may actually be weaker near LLVP edges. The
depth-averaged strain in D” is >1.5 in almost all regions,
consistent with widespread observations of seismic anisotropy. The
mantle flow field and strain in D” outside of LLVPs are not very
sensitive to LLVP density but are strongly controlled by local density
and viscosity variations outside the LLVPs. Flow directions inferred
from anisotropy observations often (but not always) align with
predictions from geodynamic modeling calculations.
Resolving heterogeneity in CO2 uptake potential in the Greenland coastal ocean
Authors: Henson Henry C. , Sejr Mikael Kristian , Meire Lorenz , Sørensen Lise Lotte , Winding Mie HS , Holding Johnna M.
Published: March 2024

The oceans play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change by
sequestering approximately 25% of annually emitted anthropogenic carbon
dioxide (CO2). High-latitude oceans, especially the Arctic continental
shelves, emerge as crucial CO2 sinks due to their cold, low saline, and
highly productive ecosystems. However, these heterogeneous regions
remain inadequately understood, hindering accurate assessments of their
carbon dynamics. This study investigates variation in pCO2 levels during
peak ice sheet melt, in the Greenland coastal ocean and estimates rates
of air-sea exchange across 6° of latitude. The East and West coast of
Greenland displayed distinct regions with unique controlling factors.
Though, both coasts represent CO2 sinks in summer. Geographical
variation in pCO2 and air-sea exchange was linked intricately to
freshwater export from the Greenland ice sheet and levels of primary
production in these ecosystems. CO2 uptake ranged from 0.17 to -38 mmol
m-2 day-1. However, we found that flux estimation faces substantial
uncertainties (up to 770%) due to wind product averaging and gas
exchange formula selection. Despite these considerations, we report a
first order estimate that Greenland coastal ocean takes up -9.5 ± 9.0 Tg
C year-1, corresponding to nearly 4% of global coastal CO2 uptake.
Obtaining a reliable assessment of air-sea CO2 exchange necessitates
data collection across seasons, and, even more so, refinement of the gas
transfer velocity estimations in the Arctic coastal zone.
Trends, Challenges and Opportunities of Engaging Digital Forensics for Cybercrime Investigations
Authors:   School of Technology Graduate Programme in Cyber Security & Digital Forensics Ghana Institute for Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Green-Hills, Accra, Ghana, Adams Terence Addey
Published: March 2024

The use of digital forensic tools and techniques has continued to evolve as the security community makes efforts to stay ahead and mitigate cyber crimes. These tools and techniques are assisting cybersecurity experts and law enforcement in identifying fraudsters and protecting data by utilizing techniques such as digital traces left by data processing and storage. This paper identifies the peculiarities of digital forensics as a field of study, explores trends, challenges and opportunities presented by digital forensic tools in investigating cyber crimes. We carried out a systematic literature review of applicable tools and techniques. Our research identified challenges affecting the use of digital forensics in investigating cybercrime, and capture comprehensively the pulse of the domain. Recommendations were made that digital forensics lack a unified formal representation of standardized procedures and knowledge for analyzing and gathering digital artifacts. This inevitably causes incompatibility and conflict within various digital forensics tools. This leads to errors in the interpretation and analysis of digital artifacts due to lack of standardized or formalized procedure for analyzing, preserving, and collecting digital evidence is absent. Keywords: Cybercrimes, Police, Cyber Security, Challenges, Techniques CISDI Journal Reference Format Adams Terrence Addey (2024): Trends, Challenges and Opportunities of Engaging Digital Forensics for Cybercrime Investigations – A Review. Computing, Information Systems, Development Informatics & Allied Research Journal. Vol 15 No 1, Pp 1-.8. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/CISDI/V15N1P1x. Available online at www.isteams.net/cisdijournal
Comparing Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Blood Glucose Monitoring in Adults With Inadequately Controlled, Insulin-Treated Type 2 Diabetes (Steno2tech Study): A 12-Month, Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lind Nanna , Christensen Merete B. , Hansen Dorte L. , Nørgaard Kirsten
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVE

To compare the 12-month effects of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) versus blood glucose monitoring (BGM) in adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a single-center, parallel, open-label, randomized controlled trial including adults with inadequately controlled, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes from the outpatient clinic at Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Denmark. Inclusion criteria were ≥18 years of age, insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, and HbA1c ≥7.5% (58 mmol/mol). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to 12 months of either CGM or BGM. All participants received a diabetes self-management education course and were followed by their usual health care providers. Primary outcome was between-group differences in change in time in range (TIR) 3.9–10.0 mmol/L, assessed at baseline, after 6 and 12 months by blinded CGM. The prespecified secondary outcomes were differences in change in several other glycemic, metabolic, and participant-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

The 76 participants had a median baseline HbA1c of 8.3 (7.8, 9.1)% (67 [62–76] mmol/mol), and 61.8% were male. Compared with BGM, CGM usage was associated with significantly greater improvements in TIR (between-group difference 15.2%, 95% CI 4.6; 25.9), HbA1c (−0.9%, −1.4; −0.3 [−9.4 mmol/mol, −15.2; −3.5]), total daily insulin dose (−10.6 units/day, −19.9; −1.3), weight (−3.3 kg, −5.5; −1.1), and BMI (−1.1 kg/m2, −1.8; −0.3) and greater self-rated diabetes-related health, well-being, satisfaction, and health behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with inadequately controlled insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, the 12-month impact of CGM was superior to BGM in improving glucose control and other crucial health parameters. The findings support the use of CGM in the insulin-treated subgroup of type 2 diabetes.
A Novel Data Imputation Method (M-CBRI) for Industrial Analytic Applications
Authors: Şahin Mehmet Alper , Üresin Uğur
Published: March 2024

Data analysis is mainly based on understanding and preprocessing the data coming from various sources for various applications. Missing values might play a critical role to reflect to characteristic of datasets; thus, imputation of missing values is a valuable process to not only handle reducing deviation but also avoid loss of data. There are different approaches to filling missing values. One of them is correlation-based imputation method. This approach is based on the high correlation between the parameters, these parameters are variables of linear equation, the linear equation enables to predict missing values. In this study, improvements were made to the correlation-based imputation method to predict missing values. The proposed method was performed on three various datasets which are related to the automotive industry. Missing values are handled in a manual process, and these values are picked randomly from the real data. After generating missing values, missing values are predicted using the correlation-based imputation method; furthermore, the margin of error between the estimated value and actual value was calculated. The results were compared to different methods which are arithmetic mean assignment, median value assignment, k- nearest neighbor assignment, and multivariate imputation by chained equations; consequently, much more successful results were obtained with the proposed method for three datasets.
Sero-Detection of HEV in Cancer Patients and Healthcare Workers, Sudan
Authors: Elsharif Yousif Elnour , Nour Bakri Yousif Mohamed , Alfaki Khidir Osman , Elawad Samah Abdelrahim , Ebraheem Ahmed Alsiddiq , Abakar Nassir , Ahmed Elhadi Abdalla
Published: March 2024

Background: Sudan, as a developing country, suffers from most of the risk factors related to the transmission of the hepatitis E virus (HEV).
Objective: This study aimed to determine the sero-frequency of HEV in cancer patients and healthcare workers and its associated risk factors.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was followed, recruited populations were 120 cancer patients and 120 healthcare workers. Sociodemographic data and risk factors of the study subject were collected using a questionnaire and patient records. HEV-specific anti-HEV IgM and IgG antibodies screened by a competitive ELISA technique. A Chi-square test was determined for the association between HEV IgG sero-positivity andsubject information.
Results: The percentage of cancer patients positive for anti-HEV IgG and IgM antibodies was 50% (60/120) and 6.7% (8/120) while for the healthcare workers group was 25.8% (31/120) and 4.2% (5/120) respectively. The most documented risk factors for HEV among cancer patients were consumption of raw meat 94.2% (113/120), contact with animals 88.3% (106/120), and history of blood transfusion 81.7% (98/120) while raw meat consumption was commonly found in 94.2% (113/120) of healthcare workers group. A significant association was observed between IgG sero-positive healthcare workers and consumption of raw meat (p-value = 0.005).
Conclusion: The HEV sero-positivity was found at a high rate in both study groups, which requires further studies on its prevalence, epidemiology, and prevention.