bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron status at early pregnancy is associated with infectious respiratory and gastric illness in women receiving routine iron supplementation: The NuPED study
Authors: Goodchild Caylin , Symington Elizabeth A , Baumgartner Jeannine , Zandberg Lizelle , Wise Amy J , Smuts Cornelius M , Malan Linda
Published: August 2024

Background
Antenatal iron deficiency (ID) and anaemia, but also elevated ferritin and haemoglobin (Hb) have been associated with morbidity during pregnancy. In South Africa, pregnant women receive routine iron supplementation for anaemia prevention regardless of iron status. Our aim was to assess whether iron status at early pregnancy is associated with infectious morbidity during pregnancy.
Methods
This prospective cohort was conducted in 250 pregnant women at a public maternal and child hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Biomarkers of maternal iron status at < 18 weeks’ gestation were measured. Women kept a symptoms diary throughout pregnancy. Associations were determined using multivariable regression models.
Results
ID women had 2.6 times greater odds for experiencing gastric illness (OR: 2.642, 95% CI: 1.116, 6.255, p = 0.027). Anaemic women (Hb < 10.5 g/dL) tended to have double the duration of respiratory illness [median 15.5 (5.0, 31.0) days] compared to non-anaemic women [median 8.0 (6.0, 12.1) days], (β: 0.167, 95% CI: -0.007, 0.342, p = 0.060) and had more incidences of vomiting throughout pregnancy (p = 0.028). In the partially adjusted models, non-iron deficient erythropoiesis (non-IDE) women tended to have 2.3 times increased odds for respiratory illness (OR: 2.314, 95% CI: 0.939, 5.701, p = 0.068) and there were more incidences of fever during pregnancy in the non-IDE group (p = 0.006).
Conclusion
Anaemic and ID pregnant women in this largely overweight population, receiving ~ 55 mg iron daily, experience more and longer infectious morbidity, potentially related to poor iron absorption. However, although presenting with weaker evidence, iron erythropoiesis sufficient women at early pregnancy receiving the same routine iron supplementation may have twice the risk to contract infectious respiratory illness than IDE women during pregnancy.
Dietary flavonoid intake is negatively associated with accelerating aging: an American population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhong Jintao , Fang Jiamin , Wang Yixuan , Lin Pinli , Wan Biyu , Wang Mengya , Deng Lili , Tang Xiaona
Published: August 2024

Background
Flavonoids are believed to have potential anti-aging effects due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the effectiveness of dietary flavonoids and their subclasses in delaying aging has yet to be confirmed. Our study intends to examine relationship between them.
Methods
Data from three survey cycles (2007–2008, 2009–2010, and 2017–2018) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to investigate the relationship between PhenoAgeAccel and dietary flavonoid intake. Weighted linear regression was conducted to evaluate the relationship between dietary flavonoid intake and PhenoAgeAccel, and the dose-response relationship was investigated by limited cubic spline (RCS) analysis. Mixed effects were explored using weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. Further, the subgroup analyses were also conducted.
Results
A total of 5391 participants were included, after multivariable adjustments, a negative association was found with total dietary flavonoid, flavan-3-ols, flavanone, flavones and flavonols with a β (95% CI) of -0.87 ( -1.61, -0.13), -0.83 (-1.95, -0.08), -1.18 (-1.98, -0.39), -1.64 (-2.52, -0.77) and − 1.18 (-1.98, -0.39) for the higher quintile compared to the lowest quintile. The RCS analysis show a non-linear relationship between flavan-3-ols (P for nonlinear = 0.024), flavanones (P for nonlinear = 0.005), flavones (P for nonlinear < 0.001), flavonols (P for nonlinear < 0.001) and total flavonoid intake (P for nonlinear < 0.001) and PhenoAgeAccel. WQS regression indicated that flavones had the primary effect on the mixture exposures (52.72%). Finally, the subgroup analysis indicated that participants without chronic kidney disease are more likely to benefit from dietary flavanone and flavone intake in mitigating aging, while the benefits of flavanone intake are more significant in participants with a lower body mass index.
Conclusion
Our study suggested that dietary flavonoid intake is negatively associated with accelerating aging in adults of American, and the most influential ones are flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols and flavonols.
Knockout of AMPA receptor binding protein Neuron-Specific Gene 2 (NSG2) enhances associative learning and cognitive flexibility
Authors: Zimmerman Amber J. , Serrano-Rodriguez Antonio , Wilson Sandy J. , Linsenbardt David N. , Brigman Jonathan L. , Weick Jason
Published: August 2024

The vast majority of gene mutations and/or gene knockouts result in either no observable changes, or significant deficits in molecular, cellular, or organismal function. However, in a small number of cases, mutant animal models display enhancements in specific behaviors such as learning and memory. To date, most gene deletions shown to enhance cognitive ability generally affect a limited number of pathways such as NMDA receptor- and translation-dependent plasticity, or GABA receptor- and potassium channel-mediated inhibition. While endolysosomal trafficking of AMPA receptors is a critical mediator of synaptic plasticity, mutations in genes that affect AMPAR trafficking either have no effect or are deleterious for synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. NSG2 is one of the three-member family of Neuron-specific genes (NSG1-3), which have been shown to regulate endolysosomal trafficking of a number of proteins critical for neuronal function, including AMPAR subunits (GluA1-2). Based on these findings and the largely universal expression throughout mammalian brain, we predicted that genetic knockout of NSG2 would result in significant impairments across multiple behavioral modalities including motor, affective, and learning/memory paradigms. However, in the current study we show that loss of NSG2 had highly selective effects on associative learning and memory, leaving motor and affective behaviors intact. For instance, NSG2 KO animals performed equivalent to wild-type C57Bl/6n mice on rotarod and Catwalk motor tasks, and did not display alterations in anxiety-like behavior on open field and elevated zero maze tasks. However, NSG2 KO animals demonstrated enhanced recall in the Morris water maze, accelerated reversal learning in a touch-screen task, and accelerated acquisition and enhanced recall on a Trace Fear Conditioning task. Together, these data point to a specific involvement of NSG2 on multiple types of associative learning, and expand the repertoire of pathways that can be targeted for cognitive enhancement.
Voices from the Ocean: Human-Wildlife Coexistence Through the Lens of Fishermen’s Knowledge and Lived Experience
Authors: Glickman Molly , Early-Capistrán Michelle María , Ogg Dick , Crowder Larry B.
Published: August 2024

Climate change-related shifts in marine resource availability and species behavior are increasing rates of human-wildlife conflict (HWC). Although this trend poses significant risks to both human livelihoods and conservation efforts, strategies to resolve HWC focus largely on ecological outcomes, overlooking key impacts and contributions of human resource users. Here, we draw on the case study of whale entanglement in the Dungeness crab (Metacarcinus magister) fishery in California, U.S.A. to demonstrate the promise of integrating – and the consequences of neglecting – the voice and expertise of fishing communities. Semi-structured interviews with 27 commercial fishermen across nine towns in California revealed the diverse sociocultural impacts of HWC – often converging on livelihood and identity losses – as well as fishermen’s potential role in addressing HWC as long-time experts in the marine ecosystem. Our findings highlight pathways for achieving human-wildlife coexistence, underscoring the need to engage the knowledge and lived experience of local communities affected by HWC.
Potent SSR markers for the assessment of population structure, genetic diversity, and bioactive compounds in Atractylodis Rhizoma
Authors: Zhong Haotian , Chen Lina , Chen Lei , Huang Xiao , Gong Ling , Hu Juan , Zeng Yuling , Yu Kun , Sen Lin
Published: August 2024

Background: Atractylodes lancea and A. chinensis, commonly referred to as Atractylodes Rhizome (AR), are significant traditional medicinal plants in China. AR exhibits a broad geographical distribution within the country. However, the escalating market demand and depletion of wild resources have led to a pressing need for increased cultivation of AR. Despite this urgency, research on the conservation of AR resources remains limited. Hence, it is imperative to conduct an analysis of the genetic background of the original plant and ascertain the specific variety of medicine AR.
Results:This research utilized transcriptome data from A. lancea to develop SSR molecular markers, assess the population structure and genetic diversity of AR, and employed the mantel test to validate the relationship between volatile oil components and genetic distance among the samples. A set of 29 pairs of highly polymorphic SSR primers yielded a total of 264 different alleles. Clustering analysis identified three distinct populations: Mao Mountain, Dabie Mountain, and samples from other locations. A clear differentiation between A. lancea and A. chinensis was observed, facilitating effective discrimination of AR varieties. Screening based on GC-MS results revealed 24 potential differential metabolites between the two species, with correlation analysis indicating significant associations with 18 previously identified molecular markers.
Conclusions: This study successfully developed SSR molecular markers for the purpose of analyzing genetic diversity in A. lancea and A. chinensis. Furthermore, a method was established for identifying the variety of medicine AR, with the confirmation that T72 exhibits the highest predictive ability for β-eudesmol, hinesol, and atractylon. These findings lay a solid groundwork for future quality control of medicine AR and the selection of superior germplasm.
Identification of glycolysis-related genes in pulpitis by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Liang Chaoran , Wang Qiang , Luan Mengyin , Li Yatong , Zong Jingjing , Wang Xiaoying
Published: August 2024

Background:Pulpitis, a common inflammation of the dental pulp, involves intricate mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. Our study aims to elucidate the alterations in genetic transcription linked to glycolysis in pulpitis and their impact on biological pathways and molecular networks.Methods:Gene expression data was collected from the GEO database. Glycolysis-related genes were identified through databases like GeneCards and MsigDB. To understand the roles of these genes, GO, KEGG pathway enrichment, and GSEA were carried out. The PPI network was constructed with STRING, and central genes were determined using cytoHubba algorithms. mRNA-miRNA and mRNA-TF regulatory interactions were obtained from TarBase, ChIPBase, and hTFtarget. We assessed differential expression of the hub genes between groups, and conducted ROC curve analysis. ssGSEA was used to examine immune cell infiltration, with pheatmap illustrating associations between hub genes and immune cells. All statistical analyses were performed using R.Results:Our analysis revealed 3480 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in pulpitis, comprising 1591 upregulated and 1889 downregulated genes. Among these, 63 glycolysis-related differentially expressed genes (GRDEGs) were predominantly located on chromosome 11. These GRDEGs were enriched in energy metabolism processes, organelle compartments, and molecular functions, implicating key pathways in the pathology of pulpitis. PPI network analysis identified eight hub genes—HIF1A,LDHA,HK2,STAT3,TALDO1,PPARG,ALDOC, andPFKP. Additionally, ssGSEA uncovered notable differences in the infiltration levels of 28 types of immune cells between pulpitis and control samples, suggesting alterations in the immune response related to pulpitis.Conclusion:Our research offers new perspectives into the molecular mechanisms of pulpitis, particularly regarding glycolytic pathways. These results may help identify better diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for managing pulpitis. Future studies should aim to validate these potential biomarkers and investigate their functional roles in the etiology of disease.
Ethnobotanical review of traditional use of wild food plants in Japan
Authors: Osawa Yoshimi
Published: August 2024

Background
Japan, which has a diverse climate, is home to 8118 species of wild vascular plants, with more than 1,000 of these species considered edible. However, there are fewer studies on the use of wild food plants in Japan than in other parts of the world. This research aims to provide an ethnobotanical review of the traditional food use of wild plants in Japan. It draws upon the largest database of traditional Japanese foodways, with a specific focus on the period approximately 1930. This occurred prior to Japan’s rapid economic growth, which resulted in significant changes in the use of wild plants.
Methods
The use of wild food plants in Japan was reviewed by studying the collection of Japanese foodways (Nihon no shokuseikatsu zenshu). The review extracted the local and common names, use locations, uses, processing and cooking methods, habitats and other relevant details pertaining to the reported use of wild food plants. This information was subsequently analyzed via Excel.
Results
A total of 268 taxa belonging to 87 families used in Japan approximately 1930 were documented. Asteraceae was the most frequently reported family as well as the most species-rich family. In terms of use, vegetables composed the largest group, followed by dessert fruits. The majority of species have been documented in only a limited number of reports. The review revealed local traditional uses of plants, including the use of plants as binders for making rice cake, the selection of plants according to their sex, and techniques for detoxifying toxic plants.
Conclusion
A comparison with those of previous studies on wild species used in other Asian regions revealed a similar preference for vegetables. However, notably, in Japan, ferns are also consumed in considerable quantities. Conversely, further elucidation is clearly needed with respect to certain matters, including the perception of plant sex and the relationships between diverse ash components and detoxification techniques. It is evident that further ethnobotanical research is needed, both in the form of an examination of ethnographic records and in the field, to gain a deeper understanding of the use of wild food plants in Japan.
Physicochemical Characterization and Effects of Monetite Obtained from Titania-Reinforced Eggshell on Bone Repair: A New Possibility for Tissue Bioengineering?
Authors: Oliveira Laisa Kindely Ramos , Neto Conrado Dias do Nascimento , Silva Amy Brian Costa e , Rocha Stela Maris Wanderley , Bianchi Patrícia Roccon , Galdino André Gustavo de Sousa , Silva Daniela Nascimento
Published: August 2024

Objectives
to carry out physicomechanical characterization of the HA/DCPA/TiO2 and to evaluate the tissue repair in rat calvaria.
Methods
Two bone defects were made in the calvaria of 36 Wistar rats, divided into groups: HA/DCPA, HA/DCPA/TiO2 and sham (blood clot). The animals were euthanized at 30, 60 and 90 days and calvaria slides processed with hematoxylin/eosin. The newly formed bone, connective tissue, biomaterial remnant and total tissue repair percentages were calculated in relation to the total defect area. The HA/DCPA/TiO2 was characterized structurally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemically by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was submitted to apparent density (AD), apparent porosity (AP), water absorption (WA) and compressive strength (CS) physical tests. The ANOVA test was applied, followed by Turkey’s test and Student’s t test (p ≤ 0,05).
Results
The SEM showed biomaterials inside the bone defects and newly formed bone. EDS identified oxygen, calcium, phosphorus and titanium in the sample. The HA/DCPA/TiO2 and HA/DCPA groups presented a total tissue repair area was larger than the sham group (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The physical-mechanical assays showed that HA/DCPA/TiO2 has AD and CS properties within the limits of trabecular bone and with values higher than HA/DCPA.HA/DCPA/TiO2 presented higher densification and compressive strength rates than HA/DCPA.
Clinical Relevance: Both biomaterials are promising as bone defect fillers. The HA/DCPA/TiO2 has potential as a scaffold for bone to application in areas subject to load.
The Relationship of Peri and Para-Renal Fat Tissue with Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Functions in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Isel Isil , Karagulle Mehmet , Karabag Turgut
Published: August 2024

Background:Ectopic fatty tissues are known to have adverse effects on systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and various metabolic profiles and are associated with cardiovascular risk. Among these fatty tissues, peri-renal fat tissue is located adjacent to the kidney and is active in the secretion of various adipokines in metabolism. The effect of peri-renal and para-renal fat tissue thickness on subclinical atherosclerosis and myocardial functions in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients was investigated in this study.
Methods: The study included 108 patients newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (59 men, 49 women, mean age: 49.8±9.8 years) and 49 individuals without any disease as a control group (15 men, 34 women, mean age: 48.1±7.5 years). After obtaining the demographic data of all patients, laboratory values were measured following an 8-hour fasting. Peri-renal and para-renal fat tissue thicknesses as well as carotid intima media thickness were measured by ultrasonography. Conventional parameters were measured by transthoracic echocardiography and myocardial velocities by tissue Doppler, as well as epicardial fat tissue thickness.
Results: Carotid intima media thickness, epicardial fat tissue thickness, peri-renal, para-renal fat tissue thicknesses were higher in newly diagnosed T2DM patients than in the control group. While the E/A ratio was significantly lower in T2DM patients compared to the control group, the E wave deceleration time (EDT) E/E'septal and lateral ratios were significantly higher. Peri-renal and para-renal fat tissue thicknesses (CIMT) were significantly correlated with epicardial fat tissue thicknesses. Para-renal and peri-renal fat tissue thicknesses were also negatively correlated with EF and E/A ratio, and positively correlated with E/E'septal. Likewise, there was a significant correlation with insulin, HOMA-IR and glucose values.
Conclusion: Peri-renal and para-renal fat tissue thickness measured by ultrasonography in newly diagnosed diabetic individuals is significantly thicker compared to the normal population and is significantly associated with CIMT and epicardial fat tissue, which are indicators of subclinical atherosclerosis. Noninvasively measured peri-renal and para-renal fat tissue thicknesses are related to glycemic parameters as well as deterioration of diastolic functions, which may indicate subclinical cardiac involvement. Peri-renal and para-renal fat tissue may be useful in predicting subclinical atherosclerosis.
Yeast probiotic Saccharomycopsis fibuligera alleviates the colorectal cancer by inhibiting the choline metabolism
Authors: Li# Xinyang , Wang# Chenxu , Wang Xinyue , Wang Tingting
Published: August 2024

The role of the microbiome in disease pathogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects of certain commensal microorganisms support the probiotic-based therapies for tumor treating. Saccharomycopsis fibuligera (S.fibuligera) is the major amylolytic yeast used in food fermentation. As a natural medicine, S.fibuligera has been found to protect the intestinal mucosa, while its role and related mechanisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unexplored. In this study, we found that S.fibuligera could alleviate the development of CRC in mice, inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and induce their apoptosis in vitro. Mechanistically, several metabolic pathways of tumor cells changed after S.fibuligera treatment, among which choline metabolism changed significantly. S.fibuligera inhibited choline metabolism of CRC cells by targeting and inhibiting the Ras/PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby reducing the expression of related metabolites, activating the AMPK pathway and inhibiting the mTOR pathway, which in turn induced apoptosis of CRC cells, ultimately alleviating CRC. Above all, our study has clarified anti-tumor effect of S.fibuligera and demonstrated that S.fibuligera alleviates CRC by inhibiting the choline metabolism, providing a promising new strategy for CRC treatment with high clinical translational value.
Predictors of In-hospital Mortality among Cirrhotic Patients in Ethiopia: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Elias Tamrat Petros , Shewaye Abate Bane , Fisseha Henok , Nur Abdulsemed Mohammed , Berhane Kaleb Assefa , Minyilshewa Asteray Tsige , Kumsa Kibrab Bulto , Seid Biruck Mohammed
Published: August 2024

Background
Cirrhosis is a major global health problem and a leading cause of liver-related mortality. In Ethiopia specifically, cirrhosis is the 6th leading cause of death and is responsible for high hospitalization and mortality rates. However, until now, factors affecting in-hospital mortality in patients admitted due to complications of liver cirrhosis are poorly understood. This study assessed the predictors of in-hospital mortality among cirrhotic patients in Ethiopia.
Methods
A retrospective cross-sectional study using data collected from the electronic medical records of patients who were admitted for complications of liver cirrhosis between January 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, in the medical wards of Adera Medical Center, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, and Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Frequency and cross-tabulation were used for descriptive statistics. Predictor variables with a p-value < 0.25 in bivariate analyses were included in the logistic regression. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to show the strength of the association. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Of the 299 patients included in the final analysis, the majority (79.6%) were males, and the median age of the study participants was 45 (IQR, 36–56) years. Hepatitis B virus (32.1%) was the most common etiology, followed by alcohol (30.1%) and hepatitis C virus (13.4%). More than half (52.9%) of the patients were in Child-Pugh class C, and around a quarter (26.1%) of the patients had comorbidities. Ascites (69.2%), Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (50.5%), and hepatic encephalopathy (44.8%) were the most common forms of presentation. The in-hospital mortality rate was 25.4%. West Haven Grade III or IV hepatic encephalopathy (AOR: 12.0; 95% CI 2.33–61.63; P < 0.01), Hepatocellular Carcinoma (AOR: 9.05; 95% CI 2.18–37.14; P: 0.01), History of previous admission within one year period (AOR: 6.80; 95% CI 2.18–21.18; P < 0.01), Acute Kidney Injury (AOR: 6.47; 95% CI 1.77–23.64; P < 0.01), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease – Sodium (MELD-Na) Score (AOR: 1.17; 95% CI 1.05–1.30; P: 0.02), were found to be predictors of in-hospital mortality.
Conclusion
In-hospital mortality of cirrhotic patients is high in Ethiopia. West Haven grade III or IV hepatic encephalopathy is the leading cause of mortality. Hence, Prompt identification and management of hepatic encephalopathy and its precipitant at an earlier stage is crucial for better treatment outcomes and survival.
Causal Relationship of Nitrogen Dioxides Air Pollution with Risk of Breast Cancer: A Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wei Gang , Liu Lin
Published: August 2024

Background Whether nitrogen dioxides (NO2) air pollution genetically regulate the risk of breast cancer (BC) remains unknown. This study aims to investigate the cause-and-effect relationship of NO2 air pollution with risk of BC.Methods A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method and the weighted median (WM) method were applied to analyze the causal relationship. Cochran's Q statistic method and MR-Egger intercept test were used to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. MR-Egger regression and leave-one-out analysis were performed to assess sensitivity.Results IVW and WM methods demonstrated that NO2 air pollution (with any potential confounders) was significantly associated with higher odds of BC overall [OR (95%CI): 1.69 (1.13, 2.54); 1.70 (1.02, 2.86)] (P = 0.01; 0.04). No significant heterogeneity (P = 0.33) and horizontal pleiotropy (P = 0.19) were present in the correlation analysis of NO2 air pollution and risk of BC overall. After excluding SNPs of NO2 with any potential confounders, IVW model demonstrated that NO2 air pollution was still significantly associated with higher odds of BC overall [OR (95%CI): 4.15 (1.52, 11.31)] (P = 0.005). In the subtype analysis for ER + BC and ER- BC, causal relationship between NO2 air pollution (removing any potential confounders) and estrogen receptor negative (ER-) BC was observed [OR (95%CI): 4.15 (1.52, 11.31)] (P = 0.005).Conclusion Increased exposure of NO2 air pollution causally raises the chance of BC independent of ER, providing a recommendation to reduce NO2 air pollution for future BC prevention.
Bengali Translation and Validation of Academic Resilience Scale in Bangladeshi School-going Students
Authors: Ahmed MD. Faisal
Published: August 2024

Introduction:
The study aimed to translate and validate the Academic Resilience Scale (ARS) into Bengali to assess its applicability among Bangladeshi school-going students. The ARS, originally developed by Martin and Marsh, measures students' ability to cope with academic challenges. Given the lack of a validated Bengali version, this study sought to fill this gap and ensure the scale's reliability and validity in a new cultural context.
Materials and Methods
The research employed a cross-sectional design involving 234 students (111 males, 123 females) aged 12–18 years from two schools in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The ARS was translated through a rigorous process involving two forward translations, two back translations, and a comparison of the original and translated versions. Data were collected using both the original and translated ARS, with a one-week interval between administrations. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, Cronbach’s alpha, and independent sample t-tests were used for analysis, employing SPSS 29.0.
Results
Descriptive statistics indicated similar mean scores for the original ARS (M = 23.78, SD = 7.456) and the translated ARS (M = 23.77, SD = 7.516), reflecting comparable levels of academic resilience. Pearson correlations between items on the original and translated scales were high (r = .909 to .941, p < .01), and Cronbach’s alpha was 0.747 for the original and 0.754 for the translated scale, demonstrating acceptable reliability. No significant gender differences were found in resilience scores for either version.
Conclusion
The Bengali-translated ARS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring academic resilience among Bangladeshi students. This study provides a crucial resource for future research and interventions aimed at enhancing academic resilience in this demographic. Future research should address the study's limitations and explore resilience factors in broader contexts.
The Role of Antecedent Southwest Summer Monsoon Rainfall on Occurrence of Pre- Monsoon Heatwaves over India
Authors: Malasala Murali Nageswara Rao , Joseph Susmitha , Mandal Raju , Tallapragada Vijay , Akhter Javed , Dey Avijit , Chattopadhyay Rajib , Phani R. , Sahai A. K.
Published: August 2024

Global warming increases the risk of heatwaves (HWs) globally. In India, HWs during the summer (March-June; MAMJ) are characterized by prolonged high temperatures, exacerbated by low soil moisture. Speculation suggests that droughts during the Indian summer monsoon (ISM), which provides 80% of India's annual rainfall, may lead to more HWs in the following MAMJ period. In this research, an examination is carried out on the climatic patterns, inter-annual variability (IAV), and coefficient of variation (CV) of maximum temperatures (Tmax) throughout MAMJ across the Indian subcontinent using India Meteorological Department's (IMD) gridded observed Tmax dataset covering 1951 to 2023. The dataset is divided into two periods: an earlier period (1951–1999, P1) and a recent warming period (2000–2023, P2). This study compares Tmax between these periods and evaluates HW duration using IMD criteria, distinguishing between short-duration HWs (SHWs, lasting 2 days) and long-duration HWs (LHWs, lasting 5 days or more). Additionally, it explores the relationship between preceding All India Summer Monsoon Rainfall (AISMR) and various HW types, while analyzing the impact of extreme AISMR events (such as drought or excess rainfall) on heatwave occurrences. This study thoroughly examines how Tmax and HWs are distributed across India, shedding light on notable variations in Tmax patterns and HW occurrences. It finds a clear rise in Tmax across various regions, accompanied by an increase in the frequency of HW days, particularly evident during the MAMJ. The study emphasizes the crucial role of AISMR in shaping HW events, highlighting that drought conditions during AISMR are closely linked to a higher chance of experiencing above-normal HW frequencies. This study is very useful in determining the effects on various sectors in planning of adaptation techniques through appropriate strategies for a sustainable future over India in the present global warming era.
Quantum Mechanical Study of Dealkylation Processes and the Reducing Trifluralin Herbicide
Authors: barzoei majid , Ghanbary ali , Mohassel Mohammad Hassan Rashed , Salemi siroos
Published: August 2024

Trifluralin, a widely used herbicide, undergoes complex degradation processes, including dealkylation and reduction, in environmental systems. In this study, we investigate these processes through advanced quantum mechanical calculations and computational analysis, employing density functional theory (DFT) in Gaussian 09 software. The calculations were conducted at two levels: B3LYP/6-311++(d,p) and 6-311G. Our findings indicate that both dealkylation and reduction reactions require energy input and are endothermic processes. However, compared with dealkylation, reduction tends to occur more spontaneously and with lower energy requirements, suggesting that it is a faster process. Additionally, we observed significant molecular changes in trifluralin during reduction, indicating a preference for this pathway, especially in soil conditions where chemical catalysts may enhance the process. In conclusion, investigating herbicide degradation via quantum mechanics elucidates questions regarding herbicide breakdown pathways in the environment and aids in examining their fate and transport more comprehensively through the lens of physical chemistry.
Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy for characterization of interface surface roughness after ELITA femtosecond laser treatments
Authors: Minoguchi Hajime , Teus Miguel , Fu Hong
Published: August 2024

Purpose
To characterize and compare the corneal interface surface roughness of the ELITA femtosecond laser flap and smooth incision lenticular keratomileusis (SILK) to iFS femtosecond laser flap with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Methods
The iFS flap with 700 nJ pulse energy, ELITA flap with 50 nJ, and ELITA SILK with 50 nJ were performed on ex-vivo porcine eyes. After the femtosecond laser treatment and mechanical separation, the posterior surface of the laser treated interface was trephined, fixated, and dehydrated. The corneal interface surface roughness was assessed with AFM in contact mode in air. With AFM, 3 eyes were treated for each treatment method and 5 locations near the corneal center on each eye were evaluated with 20 µm x 20 µm scanning area per location and 512 x 512-pixel resolution. The root-mean-square (RMS) roughness for each treatment method were measured. With SEM, 1 eye was treated for each treatment method and representative images were taken with x100 and x250 magnification.
Results
The RMS roughness of iFS flap, ELITA flap, and ELITA SILK were 236 (mean) ± 64 nm (standard deviation), 114 ± 33 nm, and 203 ± 84 nm, respectively. ELITA flap interface surface roughness was significantly less than that of iFS flap (p < 0.000001) and ELITA SILK (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
ELITA flap produced a smoother corneal interface surface compared to the iFS flap and ELITA SILK, while the iFS flap and ELITA SILK produced similar corneal interface surface roughness.
A Nonasymptotic Analysis of Gradient Descent Ascent for Nonconvex-Concave Minimax Problems
Authors: Li Junchi
Published: August 2024

We present some new convergence results for two-timescale gradient descent ascent (GDA) applied to approximately solve the nonconvex-concave minimax problems in the form of $\min _{\mathbf{x}} \max _{\mathbf{y} \in \mathcal{Y}} f(\mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y})$, where the objective function $f(\mathbf{x}, \mathbf{y})$ is nonconvex in $\mathbf{x}$ but concave in $\mathbf{y}$ and $\mathcal{Y} \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n$ is a convex and bounded set. Historically, the GDA algorithm has been widely used in machine learning, control theory and economics. Despite strong convergence guarantees for GDA in the convex-concave setting, in a more general setting, GDA with equal learning rates can converge to limit cycles or even diverge. In this paper, we revisit the scheme of GDA from the point of view of two-timescale dynamics, showing that, despite the nonconvexity and lack of smoothness, a two-timescale version of GDA can efficiently find a stationary point of the function $\Phi(\cdot):=\max _{\mathbf{y} \in \mathcal{Y}} f(\cdot, \mathbf{y})$. More specifically, we provide theoretical bounds on the complexity of solving both \emph{smooth} and \emph{nonsmooth} nonconvex-concave minimax problems. We further investigate properties of stochastic variants of two-timescale GDA. To the best of our knowledge, this paper provides the first instance of a nonasymptotic complexity analysis for two-timescale GDA in nonconvex-concave minimax problems, shedding light on its performance in training generative adversarial networks (GANs) and in other real-world application problems.
Optimal location of additional facilities and reallocation of service areas
Authors: Sazonova Maryna , Koriashkina Larysa
Published: August 2024

This paper addresses the problem of the optimal location of new facilities within an existing service network to alleviate the burden on current enterprises and meet the increasing demand for services. The study considers two critical aspects: 1) the "capacities" of service centers, which determine the maximum number of services or products each center can offer, and 2) the option for customers to be served by one of the k nearest service centers. Alongside the strategic location of new centers, the model also involves the reallocation of service areas, defining zones of responsibility for all facilities in the network. The primary goal is to minimize the total distance between all customers and the k nearest service centers. Typical "service center–customer" relationships include enterprises and consumers, post offices and clients, or medical testing sites and patients, etc. The mathematical model for territorial segmentation is formulated as an Optimal Multiplex Partitioning of Continuum Sets (OMPCS) problem. This approach enables the creation of overlapping service zones, unlike traditional models that result in first-order partitioning where zones are mutually exclusive and operate as territorial monopolies. We present and implement numerical algorithms for solving OMPCS problems in software. The model examples demonstrate how the strategic location of new facilities and the redistribution of service areas across all network entities can effectively reduce the load on existing centers.
Are there Long Term Consequences to China's Deflationary Bout? Case of the ASEAN
Authors: Eloriaga Justin , Pamittan Carlos , Juan Vince San , Subido Annika
Published: August 2024

Recent deflationary episodes in China, particularly observed in early July 2023, have prompted concerns about their potential impact on global economies. This study specifically examines the influence of China’s deflation on select ASEAN economies. Unlike prior research that primarily focuses on inflationary spillovers, this study focuses on the critical yet less explored area of deflation spillovers and its effect on key macroaggregates. The findings reveal that the deflationary shocks are relatively muted, with limited long-term impacts on the ASEAN-5 economies. Notably, while some countries like Malaysia show immediate responses, overall effects remain minimal. These insights inform policymakers about the resilience of ASEAN-5 economies and guide the development of strategies to maintain regional economic stability amidst potential deflationary challenges
JEL Classification. C32, D83, E52, E58, E66
Development of a latex microsphere-based lateral flow immunoassay for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica
Authors: Tabilin Emmanuel John , Gordon Catherine A. , Mu Yi , Jiz Mario , Inobaya Marianette , Avenido-Cervantes Eleonor , Gray Darren , Mationg Mary Lorraine , McManus Donald P , Egwang Thomas G. , Adriko Moses , Sako Yasuhito , Sato Marcello Otake , Sato Megumi , You Hong , Kelly Matthew , Cai Pengfei
Published: August 2024

Background: Zoonotic schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum, remains prevalent in China, the Philippines and small foci of Indonesia. Rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tools are attractive and promising tools for evaluating the efficacy of intervention strategies against schistosomiasis.
Methodology: The diagnostic potential for five recombinant antigens was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using sera from individuals with a positive Kato-Katz (KK) result for S. japonicum (n=28) and non-endemic controls (n=12). A latex microsphere (LM)-based lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) incorporating the recombinant SjSAP4 (rSjSAP4) antigen was developed for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica. The testing conditions including diluent, dilution factor, and reaction time, were optimised for the developed LFIA. Under the optimised conditions, serum samples from individuals living in an S. japonicum endemic area (n=549) and non-endemic controls (n=50) were tested with the established LFIA cassettes. Results were imaged by a smartphone and analyzed by the ImageJ program. An R-value, which was the intensity ratio of the test line vs. control line, was calculated for each strip, converting the results into quantitative data.
Main findings: ELISA assays confirmed that the SjSAP4 was the optimal candidate for serological diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica. Under the optimised testing conditions, the LM-based LFIA strips showed a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 98.0% at a cut-off R-value of 0.1031. Meanwhile, the developed LFIA showed a significant positive correlation with the rSjSAP4-ELISA assay (r=0.8269, 95% CI, 0.8127-0.9446; p<0.0001). The schistosomiasis prevalence determined by the LFIA strips was about 1.8 times higher than that obtained with the 6-slide KK procedure.
Conclusions/Significance: The study indicated that the LFIA assay established here represents a POC diagnostic tool that is suitable for on-site screening of human S. japonicum infection, using minimal equipment and adhering to the ASSURED criteria for POCs from the WHO.
O Projeto São José e seu impacto sobre a pobreza rural no estado do Ceará
Authors: Silva Laura Costa , Khan Ahmad Saeed , De Souza Júnior Moacir , Holanda Ana Karina Cavalcante , Lima Filipe Augusto Xavier
Published: August 2024

Com o intuito de combater a pobreza e impulsionar o desenvolvimento rural, o governo do Ceará reformulou o Programa de Apoio ao Pequeno Produtor (PAPP) em 1995, transformando-o no Projeto São José (PSJ). O principal objetivo era aumentar o acesso das populações rurais mais carentes a oportunidades de emprego e renda. Este estudo visa avaliar o êxito ou fracasso parcial do PSJ em alcançar os resultados para os quais foi concebido. Para tanto, além da análise dos relatórios de avaliação interna e externa do PSJ em suas três fases, foram examinados os indicadores socioeconômicos do Instituto de Pesquisa e Estratégia Econômica do Ceará (IPECE). Os principais resultados apontaram que os projetos de infraestrutura, como abastecimento de água e eletrificação rural, tiveram um impacto positivo na melhoria da qualidade de vida das famílias, enquanto os projetos produtivos influenciaram positivamente a criação de empregos e a geração de renda nas propriedades rurais dos beneficiários do PSJ. No entanto, o desempenho das associações ou organizações de agricultores na prestação de serviços não foi considerado satisfatório.
Práticas, vantagens e desafios para a construção e manutenção de uma cooperativa agrofamiliar
Authors: Gnoato Fabiano , Scheffer Rafael Santin , Barichello Rodrigo , Vogt Mara , Leite Mauricio
Published: August 2024

O estudo teve por objetivo analisar as práticas, as vantagens e os desafios enfrentados para a construção e manutenção de uma cooperativa agrofamiliar. Realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva por meio de estudo de caso qualitativo, triangulando as entrevistas com agentes da cooperativa, documentos e os questionários respondidos por cooperados. Para tanto, utilizou-se a técnica da análise de conteúdo. Dentre os principais achados destacam-se os desafios relacionados às dificuldades de alinhamento de objetivos dos cooperados e a dependência de programas governamentais. Com relação às práticas se destacaram o incentivo à produção orgânica e o fornecimento de assistência técnica e capacitações aos cooperados. Já considerando as vantagens, são relevantes os impactos positivos com relação ao contato direto do cooperado com o consumidor, o aumento da renda familiar e qualidade de vida, além da manutenção das famílias no campo. O trabalho traz benefícios sociais para a criação e consolidação de cooperativas de pequenos agricultores de forma mais eficiente e traz elementos importantes para o campo acadêmico relacionado ao estudo de cooperativas agrofamiliares. O trabalho abre uma oportunidade de pesquisa considerando que foram apontadas dificuldades relacionadas à questão de gênero no campo bem como a manutenção e profissionalização dos agricultores através de agroindústrias familiares e estudos adicionais relacionados à produtos orgânicos.
The impact of minority extremism on Islamic economics in multicultural Indonesia
Authors: Sarpini Sarpini , Mawardi Kholid
Published: August 2024

Indonesia, characterized by its rich cultural diversity, faces significant challenges from transnational extremist movements that threaten its harmonious coexistence. This study investigates the impact of minority extremism within a multicultural society on the development and implementation of Islamic economics in Indonesia. Using qualitative methods, the research collects descriptive data through observations and secondary sources, including documents, journals, and previous studies. Findings reveal that minority extremism disrupts the objectives of Islamic economics, which aims to balance material prosperity with spiritual well-being. Extremist ideologies, often lacking nationalism and intolerant of non-Islamic elements, hinder Indonesia’s goal to become a leading center of Islamic economics by 2024. These movements undermine national unity and pose significant challenges to achieving the economic, social, and spiritual goals outlined in the maqāṣid sharia. The study underscores the critical need for fostering tolerance and inclusivity to protect and promote Islamic economics in a multicultural society. Addressing the ideological roots of extremism is essential for safeguarding Indonesia's diverse and harmonious societal fabric. This research contributes to policy discussions on strengthening the resilience of Islamic economic frameworks against extremist threats, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity and promoting inclusive growth.Keywords: minority extremism; multicultural societies; Islamic economics; maqāṣid sharia; national unit.
Evaluating the impact of fiscal and monetary policies on Indonesia’s macroeconomic stability and growth (2015-2019)
Authors: Muzayyanah Muzayyanah , Triyana Ega , Nawang Aura Ken Agastya
Published: August 2024

Effective management of Indonesia’s macroeconomic variables –production, inflation, money supply, aggregate demand, and interest rates– is crucial for economic stability and growth. This study examines the fiscal and monetary policies implemented by the Indonesian government from 2015 to 2019 and assesses their impact on key macroeconomic variables. Utilizing a qualitative research approach and comprehensive literature review, the study analyzes the principles and implementation of these policies. Fiscal policies, including infrastructure development, social protection, and tax amnesty, significantly contributed to economic growth and reduced unemployment. Monetary policies, such as interest rate adjustments, open market operations, and reserve requirements, maintained inflation around 3% and improved liquidity. However, economic growth fluctuated, indicating the need for better policy coordination. The study highlights the importance of strategic fiscal and monetary policies in achieving macroeconomic stability and offers insights into optimizing these tools for addressing economic challenges and promoting long-term development in Indonesia.Keywords: Indonesian government; macroeconomic management; fiscal policy; monetary policy; economic growth
Mediatization of cognitive terms: A corpus study
Authors:   HSE University, Kulikova Valentina A.
Published: August 2024

The problem of mediatization of cognitive terms in modern Russian socio-political media is considered. The study examines various approaches to the mediatization studies, which is comprehended at various levels: as a social process, discursive process, as well as the resulting transformation of lexemes in media texts. Thus, the mediatization of terms is considered as a consequence of global social and discursive processes, manifested in the semantic and pragmatic transformations of terms in the media. The object of the study is 22 terms that are relevant in scientific discourse and denote cognitive processes and phenomena, as well as approaches to their study. The functioning of the terms was studied on the material of 6704 contexts in the newspaper subcorpus of the National Corpus of the Russian Language. The aim of the study is to compare the semantics, pragmatic functions of cognitive terms in the media and scientific discourses, to identify factors that influence the features of mediatization of terms. To achieve this aim, N-grams, the frequency of use in media and scientific discourses were studied using the corpus statistics. The use of terms in the concordance lists of the NCRL were studied with semantic, contextual analysis. The semantics of terms in media texts is compared with the semantics in scientific discourse according to specialized dictionaries of cognitive terms. Discursive, pragmatic features of these lexemes are also analyzed to identify atypical functions, expressive contexts of use. As a result, the terms are divided into 4 groups depending on the characteristics of their use in media texts and the mediatization specific: 1) terms that are not mediatized; 2) terms with wider semantics in the media discourse; 3) terms that have differential semes in comparison with scientific discourse; 4) terms that function in non-standard combinations, expressive contexts.