bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From “Human versus Machine” to “Human with Machine”
Authors: Simon Gyorgy , Aliferis Constantin
Published: March 2024

This chapter first reviews areas where AI/ML and other automated decision making performs well in hard problems in the health sciences. It also summarizes main results from the literature comparing empirical performance of AI/ML vs humans. The chapter then addresses foundations of human heuristic decision making (and important related biases), and contrasts those with AI/ML biases. Finally the chapter touches upon how hybrid human/machine intelligence can outperform either approach.
Considerations for Specialized Health AI & ML Modelling and Applications: Imaging—Through the Perspective of Dermatology
Authors: Murphree Dennis H. , Choudhary Anirudh , Bhullar Puneet K. , Comfere Nneka I.
Published: March 2024

This chapter focuses on healthcare applications of deep learning in computer vision, specifically in the context of dermatology and dermatopathology.
Approach to concurrent inguinal hernias during laparoscopic appendectomy for early appendicitis
Authors: Dayı Sabriye , Anayurt Meryem , Çınar Fatma , Kırmacı İsmet , Sancar Serpil
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Concurrent inguinal hernia can be a challenge for a pediatric surgeon during a laparoscopic appendectomy in children. We aimed to present our approach to inguinal hernias seen during laparoscopic appendectomy.

Methods

In our pediatric surgery clinic between July 2019 and December 2022, the records of patients aged 0–18 who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy were retrospectively investigated. The clinical findings, surgical procedure, and results of intervened inguinal hernia cases during laparoscopic appendectomy were evaluated.

Results

Between the study dates, 293 laparoscopic appendectomies were performed in our clinic. Patent processus vaginalis was observed in 5 (1.7%) cases. Laparoscopic hernia repair was performed with the Burnia technique in 2 girls. In one case, the omentum was herniated and adhered to the hernia sac seen during laparoscopy. In another case, swelling in the groin occurred during the introduction of air into the abdomen at the beginning of the operation. Patent processus vaginalis seen in 3 asymptomatic cases was not intervened. There were no postoperative complications or recurrences in the two patients who underwent hernia repair.

Conclusion

Hernia repair with the Burnia technique might be safely performed in symptomatic inguinal hernia cases seen during laparoscopic appendectomy for early appendicitis.
Impact of frailty and prefrailty on the mid-term outcomes and rehabilitation course after cardiac surgery
Authors: Honda Tasuku , Murakami Hirohisa , Tanaka Hiroshi , Nomura Yoshikatsu , Sakamoto Toshihito , Yagi Naomi
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study examined the impact of frailty and prefrailty on mid-term outcomes and rehabilitation courses after cardiac surgery.

Methods

A total of 261 patients (median age: 73 years; 30% female) who underwent elective cardiac surgery were enrolled in this study. The Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study Frailty Index classified 86, 131, and 44 patients into frailty, prefrailty, and robust groups, respectively. We examined the recovery of walking ability, outcomes at discharge, mid-term all-cause mortality, and rehospitalization related to major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) across the three cohorts.

Results

The 3-year survival rates in the frailty, prefrailty, and robust groups were 87%, 97%, and 100%, respectively (p = 0.003). The free event rates of all-cause mortality and re-hospitalization related to MACCE were 59%, 79%, and 95%, respectively (p < 0.001), with a graded elevation in adjusted morbidity among patients in the prefrailty (hazard ratio [HR], 4.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–19.4) and frailty (HR, 9.29; 95% CI 2.21–39.1) groups. Patients with frailty also experienced a delayed recovery of walking ability and a reduced number of patients with frailty were discharged home.

Conclusion

Frailty and prefrailty adversely affect the mid-term prognosis and rehabilitation course after cardiac surgery.
Designing for collaborative learning in immersive virtual reality: a systematic literature review
Authors: Paulsen Lucas , Dau Susanne , Davidsen Jacob
Published: March 2024

Immersive learning technologies such as virtual reality have long been deemed as the next generation of digital learning environments. There is a limited number of studies addressing how immersive technologies can be designed, applied, and studied in collaborative learning settings. This paper presents a systematic review of empirical studies reporting on use of immersive virtual reality in collaborative learning within educational and professional learning settings. 11 studies have been grouped and coded in a textual narrative synthesis, outlining the pedagogical concepts behind the learning design, as well as the design of virtual reality environments and the collaborative learning activities in which the technology is employed. The results suggest that collaborative learning in virtual reality can currently be conceptualised as a shared experience in an immersive, virtually mediated space, where there is a shared goal/problem which learners must attend to collaboratively. This conceptualisation implies a need to design technologies, environments, and activities that support participation and social interaction, fostering collaborative learning processes. Based on the outlined conceptualisation, we present a series of recommendations for designing for collaborative learning in immersive virtual reality. The paper concludes that collaborative learning in virtual reality creates a practice- and reflection space, where learning is perceived as engaging, without the risk of interfering with actual practices. Current designs however struggle with usability, realism, and facilitating social interaction. The paper further identifies a need for future research into what happens within virtual reality, rather than only looking at post-virtual reality evaluations.
Estimating the parameters of competitive Langmuir adsorption isotherms from measured responses to rectangular pulse injections exploiting equilibrium theory
Authors: Mutavdžin Ivana , Seidel-Morgenstern Andreas
Published: March 2024

Knowledge of adsorption isotherms is essential for the design and optimization of chromatographic separation processes. Since the experimental determination of these thermodynamic functions is a complicated and time consuming task, there is a need to develop methods which are fast and easy to apply. An attractive group of methods is based on neglecting in the analysis of measured dynamic elution profiles all kinetic effects. These methods assume the validity of an isotherm model equation and exploit the possibility to solve analytically the column mass balance equations of the equilibrium model. If just the dispersive part of an elution profile is, the method is known as “elution by characteristic point” (ECP). The ECP method has been applied successfully to analyse column effluent profiles of single component dissolved in a mobile phase. This work extends the ECP method to analyse just the shapes of elution profiles recorded after injecting samples that contain two key components to be separated. The extended ECP method requires recording only one overloaded elution profile for the two-component mixture and offers a fast and efficient way to estimate isotherm model parameters. The method is in particular attractive if there is limited access to the pure components, as for example in cases of enantiomers. The underlying theory is presented and applied for the case that the adsorption equilibria can be described satisfactorily by the classical competitive Langmuir model. Core of the theory are the available analytical equations describing the outlet concentration profiles of the two solutes for the equilibrium controlled case the. Considering a case study, it is shown that the extended ECP method can be applied successfully for columns characterized by 2500 or more theoretical plates. However, the method can be useful also for columns with lower efficiency. It provides then a rough estimation regarding the isotherm courses.
A self-supervised learning model based on variational autoencoder for limited-sample mammogram classification
Authors: Karagoz Meryem Altin , Nalbantoglu O. Ufuk
Published: March 2024

Deep learning models have found extensive application in medical imaging analysis, particularly in mammography classification. However, these models encounter challenges associated with limited annotated mammography public datasets. In recent years, self-supervised learning (SSL) has emerged as a noteworthy solution to addressing data scarcity by leveraging pretext and downstream tasks. Nevertheless, we recognize a notable scarcity of self-supervised learning models designed for the classification task in mammography. In this context, we propose a novel self-supervised learning model for limited-sample mammogram classification. Our proposed SSL model comprises two primary networks. The first is a pretext task network designed to learn discriminative features through mammogram reconstruction using a variational autoencoder (VAE). Subsequently, the downstream network, dedicated to the classification of mammograms, uses the encoded space extracted by the VAE as input through a simple convolutional neural network. The performance of the proposed model is assessed on public INbreast and MIAS datasets. Comparative analyzes are conducted for the proposed model against previous studies for the same classification task and dataset. The proposed SSL model demonstrates high performance with an AUC of 0.94 for density, 0.99 for malignant-nonmalignant classifications on INbreast, 0.97 for benign-malignant, 0.99 for density, and 0.99 for normal-benign-malignant classifications on MIAS. Additionally, the proposed model reduces computational costs with only 228 trainable parameters, 204.95K FLOPs, and a depth of 3 in mammogram classification. Overall, the proposed SSL model exhibits a robust network architecture characterized by repeatability, consistency, generalization ability, and transferability among datasets, providing less computational complexity than previous studies.

Graphical abstract
Utilizing the potential of Saussurea lappa in aquaculture industry: a review on immune enhancement and pollution remediation
Authors: Naiel Mohammed Abd-Elhady , Shehata Abdelrazeq Mohamed , Paswan Vinod Kumar , Said Mourad Ben , El-Tarabily Khaled A.
Published: March 2024

Aquaculture and the production of aquatic goods are rapidly growing industries in the world. These industries involve the cultivation of various saltwater and freshwater fish as well as shellfish species, and they undergo regular updates in their manufacturing processes. The increasing popularity of aquaculture is driven by the desire to achieve long-term sustainability in food production. However, the intensification of farming techniques can lead to economic losses due to fish mortality, which is often caused by infectious and stressful conditions. To address this challenge, it is crucial to enhance the immune response of fish as part of sustainable intensification and aquaculture management. Recently, there has been growing interest in eco-friendly and natural bioactive solutions as potential alternatives to synthetic compounds used for disease prevention in aquaculture. Medicinal plants, available as whole plants, plant extracts, or synthetic analogues of natural substances known as phytomedicines or phytopharmaceuticals, have shown high efficacy in disease prevention for humans and animals. One such medicinal plant is Saussurea lappa, which is extensively utilized in various forms of medicine for treating multiple diseases. The bioactive chemicals derived from S. lappa exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, along with immunostimulatory effects. Given the diverse biological activities of S. lappa and its potential to enhance the immune responses of aquatic species, this review focuses on exploring its contributions in this area. By examining the numerous benefits and applications of S. lappa, we aim to shed light on its potential role in improving the immune response of aquatic species.
Comprehensive Analyses of PANoptosome with Potential Implications in Cancer Prognosis and Immunotherapy
Authors: Cai Yonghua , Xiao Heng , Zhou Qixiong , Lin Jie , Liang Xianqiu , Xu Wei , Cao Yongfu , Zhang Xian , Wang Hai
Published: March 2024

Cell death resistance significantly contributes to poor therapeutic outcomes in various cancers. PANoptosis, a unique inflammatory programmed cell death (PCD) pathway activated by specific triggers and regulated by the PANoptosome, possesses key features of apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis, but these cannot be accounted for by any of the three PCD pathways alone. While existing studies on PANoptosis have predominantly centered on infectious and inflammatory diseases, its role in cancer malignancy has been understudied. In this comprehensive investigation, we conducted pan-cancer analyses of PANoptosome component genes across 33 cancer types. We characterized the genetic, epigenetic, and transcriptomic landscapes, and introduced a PANoptosome-related potential index (PANo-RPI) for evaluating the intrinsic PANoptosome assembly potential in cancers. Our findings unveil PANo-RPI as a prognostic factor in numerous cancers, including KIRC, LGG, and PAAD. Crucially, we established a significant correlation between PANo-RPI and tumor immune responses, as well as the infiltration of diverse lymphoid and myeloid cell subsets across nearly all cancer types. Moreover, a high PANo-RPI was consistently associated with improved immunotherapy response and efficacy, as evidenced by re-analysis of multiple immunotherapy cohorts. In conclusion, our study suggests that targeting PANoptosome components and modulating PANoptosis may hold tremendous therapeutic potential in the context of cancer.
Bayesian analysis of biodiversity patterns via beam trawl versus video transect—a comparative case study of Svalbard rhodolith beds
Authors: Straube Eileen , Neumann Hermann , Wisshak Max , Mathes Gregor , Teichert Sebastian
Published: March 2024

Knowledge of spatial biodiversity patterns is important for ecosystem assessment. Rhodoliths, free-living calcareous algae, are biotic components that structure the sea floor through their complex calcareous skeletons and their tendency to accumulate in an area to form rhodolith beds. Thereby, rhodoliths are considered to act as ecosystem engineers promoting local biodiversity. In this study, the biodiversity of rhodolith beds in Mosselbukta, Svalbard, was investigated to analyse the proposed link between local biodiversity and the presence of rhodoliths by evaluating beam trawl and underwater video transect data. The comparative analysis of two sampling methods addressing the same research question allowed us to assess the suitability of these two methods. To test our hypothesis and the utility of the two methods, evaluations of the two data sets were carried out separately by using Bayesian statistics. The results confirm a positive relationship between the presence of rhodoliths and local biodiversity with a posterior probability of 70% for the video transects and 85% for the beam trawl data. The similarity of the results of the two methods suggests that both methods are well-suited for the analysis of local biodiversity patterns. The combination of the two methods, with their individual strengths and weaknesses, has provided stronger support for the results and a broader view on different components of the biodiversity in the Svalbard rhodolith beds.
Active Flux Methods for Hyperbolic Systems Using the Method of Bicharacteristics
Authors: Chudzik Erik , Helzel Christiane , Lukáčová-Medvid’ová Mária
Published: March 2024

The Active Flux method is a third order accurate finite volume method for hyperbolic conservation laws, which is based on the use of point values as well as cell average values of the conserved quantities. The resulting method is fully discrete and has a compact stencil in space and time. An important component of Active Flux methods is the evolution formula for the update of the point values. A previously proposed exact evolution formula for acoustics is reviewed and used to construct an Active Flux method for the two-dimensional Maxwell’s equation. Furthermore, the method of bicharacteristics is discussed as a methodology for the derivation of truly multidimensional approximative evolution operators that can be used for the evolution of point values in Active Flux methods. We study accuracy and stability of the resulting methods for acoustics and compare with the Active Flux method that uses the exact evolution operator. Finally, we used the method of bicharacteristics to derive Cartesian grid Active Flux methods for the linearised and nonlinear Euler equations. Numerous test computations illustrate the performance of these new Active Flux methods.
Assessing the applicability of binary land-cover variables to species distribution models across multiple grains
Authors: Gábor Lukáš , Cohen Jeremy , Moudrý Vítězslav , Jetz Walter
Published: March 2024

Context

Species distribution models are widely used in ecology. The selection of environmental variables is a critical step in SDMs, nowadays compounded by the increasing availability of environmental data.

Objectives

To evaluate the interaction between the grain size and the binary (presence or absence of water) or proportional (proportion of water within the cell) representation of the water cover variable when modeling water bird species distribution.

Methods

eBird occurrence data with an average number of records of 880,270 per species across the North American continent were used for analysis. Models (via Random Forest) were fitted for 57 water bird species, for two seasons (breeding vs. non-breeding), at four grains (1 km2 to 2500 km2) and using water cover as a proportional or binary variable.

Results

The models’ performances were not affected by the type of the adopted water cover variable (proportional or binary) but a significant decrease was observed in the importance of the water cover variable when used in a binary form. This was especially pronounced at coarser grains and during the breeding season. Binary representation of water cover is useful at finer grain sizes (i.e., 1 km2).

Conclusions

At more detailed grains (i.e., 1 km2), the simple presence or absence of a certain land-cover type can be a realistic descriptor of species occurrence. This is particularly advantageous when collecting habitat data in the field as simply recording the presence of a habitat is significantly less time-consuming than recording its total area. For models using coarser grains, we recommend using proportional land-cover variables.
The impact of energy transition on distribution network costs and effectiveness of yardstick competition: an empirical analysis for the Netherlands
Authors: van Montfoort Floris , Dijkstra Peter T. , Mulder Machiel
Published: March 2024

We assess the impact of regional differences related to energy transition on average costs and allowed revenues for a panel of Dutch electricity distribution system operators (DSOs) subject to yardstick competition. Yardstick competition entails that the allowed revenues of DSOs are based on the average costs of the entire industry, which requires that these DSOs are comparable. This comparability requirement is challenged by the penetration of distributed generation and other distributed energy resources, which may cause regional differences among DSOs. Estimating an average-cost function for the entire population of Dutch DSOs for the period 2012–2020, we find that the installed capacity of solar PV, installed capacity of on-shore wind and number of public electric-vehicle charging points have a significant effect on unit costs of DSOs. If yardstick competition does not take these effects into account, the allowed revenues for some DSOs (having above-average shares of energy-transition variables) are too low, whereas allowed revenues for other DSOs (having below-average shares of energy-transition variables) are too high. We find that taking the impact into account can change the price caps of individual DSOs with a percentage up to around 20%.
Establishing a probability sample in a crisis context: the example of Ukrainian refugees in Germany in 2022
Authors: Steinhauer Hans Walter , Décieux Jean Philippe , Siegert Manuel , Ette Andreas , Zinn Sabine
Published: March 2024

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, more than one million refugees have arrived in Germany. These Ukrainian refugees differ in many aspects from Germany’s past forced migration experiences and there exists an urgent need for sound data and information for politics, practitioners, and academics. In response, the IAB-BiB/FReDA-BAMF-SOEP study was established to provide high-quality longitudinal data following a register-based probability sample. We detail on an approach for sampling refugees in brief time, making use of two different registers—the German population register and the central register of foreigners—and discuss the quality of the final sample with respect to potential selectivity of participation in the panel. Overall, we demonstrate the benefits and feasibility of establishing register-based samples even in the context of a geopolitical crisis and the necessity of sound data within brief time horizons. We provide guidance that can be followed for similar events in the future.
Optimization of Synthesis Reaction Parameters of AgNPs Derived from Laser trilobum Plant for Foodborne Pathogens
Authors: Soyucok Ali , Kabak Burcu , Tosun Bekir
Published: March 2024

In this study, the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs L21, AgNPs L22) produced using aqueous extracts of the Laser trilobum harvested in 2021 and 2022 was optimized. The experimental design and optimization of antimicrobial activity were performed using the response surface method (RSM). Using RSM, independent variables, such as silver concentration, extraction time, and synthesis temperature, were optimized as a result of the inhibition zone diameter against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes. Based on the optimization results, the extraction time, silver concentration, and temperature for AgNP L21 and L22 synthesis were determined to be 60 min, 5 mM, and 25 °C, respectively. When the XRD and TEM results of the nanoparticles synthesized under optimal conditions were evaluated, it was determined that the AgNPs were spherical in shape and had an average size of 30 ± 12 nm. Our study revealed that the year of harvest is unimportant for nanoparticles synthesized from L. trilobum, using a cheap and simple method that does not require toxic substances. Owing to the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles produced under optimal conditions, it is possible to biocontrol and prevent contamination by these bacteria in food science and industry.
The Influence of Lactobacillus spp. Secondary Metabolites Isolated from Immature Egyptian Honey on Human Pathogens, Transcription of Virulence Genes and Lung Cancer
Authors: Elsayed Tarek R. , Nour Eman , Hamed Ahmed A. , Hassan Ashwak Abdel-Moneim , Elenany Yasser Essam
Published: March 2024

This work aimed to isolate, and identify Lactic Acid Bacteria LAB from Egyptian immature citrus honey, and characterize their secondary metabolites, as well as determine the antibacterial activities and transcription of virulence genes (stx1, stx2, and eae) influenced by these bacterial secondary metabolites. From twenty hives, twenty immature citrus bee honey samples were taken. Traditional cultural and biochemical testing were used, followed by molecular confirmation. Further, LAB isolates' antibacterial and cytotoxic properties were investigated. 16S rRNA gene sequencing were assessed and, two lactic acid bacterial isolates were identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus Ch2 and Levilactobacillus brevis Ch1. Both isolates have good antagonistic action against clinical pathogens, with Levilactobacillus brevis Ch1 exhibiting the best antibacterial activity against all indicator pathogens examined. When compared to untreated cancer cells, the isolates demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity. Ch1 and Ch2 cell viability percentages were 39.5% and 18.76%, respectively. Furthermore, when exposed to Levilactobacillus brevis Ch1 metabolites, Shiga-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) virulence gene expression was suppressed. To identify bacterial secondary metabolites, a high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF) approach was developed. Twenty-seven metabolites from diverse chemical classes were discovered in the crude extracts with antibacterial and anticancer characteristics. This is the first thorough investigation on the metabolic profile of LAB isolated from immature Egyptian honey and the findings suggested that isolates or their secondary metabolites could be used in the food sector as medicinal alternatives or as a biocontrol agent.
The nexus of women and ‘Clan Crime’: unravelling the dynamics and constraints
Authors: Jaraba Mahmoud
Published: March 2024

Despite its prominence in public debate, scholars have given little attention to women’s roles in ‘clan crime’ in Germany. This article aims to bridge this gap through in-depth ethnographic fieldwork and 18 interviews conducted with women from various ‘clans’ throughout the country. These women are part of the al-Rashidiyya community with origins in Mardin, Turkey. Adopting an anthropological perspective, I seek to uncover the underlying historical, cultural, social, and contextual factors shaping women’s participation in ‘clan crime’, whether through indirect support or direct involvement. My findings reveal that women play a crucial, albeit often hidden, role in ‘clan’ dynamics and criminal activities, which frequently go unrecorded by the police. Although they are unlikely to hold leadership positions, women exert their influence through other means, such as shaping their children’s behavior, actively encouraging their sons to engage in criminal activities, or transmitting criminal norms and roles through socialization. Women themselves may also engage in crimes such as money laundering and financial fraud. By shedding light on these dynamics and emphasizing the importance of gender dynamics in the broader study of criminal groups, I expand our understanding of organized crime and similar clan-like mafia structures.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-low advanced or metastatic breast cancer: recommendations from the Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guidelines
Authors: Hattori Masaya , Honma Naoko , Nagai Shigenori , Narui Kazutaka , Shigechi Tomoko , Ozaki Yukinori , Yoshida Masayuki , Sakatani Takashi , Sasaki Eiichi , Tanabe Yuko , Tsurutani Junji , Takano Toshimi , Saji Shigehira , Masuda Shinobu , Horii Rie , Tsuda Hitoshi , Yamaguchi Rin , Toyama Tatsuya , Yamauchi Chikako , Toi Masakazu , Yamamoto Yutaka
Published: March 2024

The Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guidelines are published as timely guidance on clinical issues in breast cancer treatment in Japan. In the recent edition of these guidelines, we addressed a new clinical question 34 (CQ 34, systemic treatment part) “Is trastuzumab deruxtecan recommended for patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low breast cancer?” and a new future research question 7 (FRQ 7, pathological diagnosis part) “How is HER2-low breast cancer diagnosed for the indication of trastuzumab deruxtecan?”. These questions address use of trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low breast cancer who have previously received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. The strengths of evidence and recommendation were determined through a quantitative and qualitative systematic review using multiple outcomes, including efficacy and safety. We conclude that trastuzumab deruxtecan is recommended for this patient population (strength of recommendation: 1; strength of evidence: moderate; CQ34) and that HER2-low expression for the indication of trastuzumab deruxtecan should be diagnosed using companion diagnostics based on appropriate criteria (FRQ7).
“The Yoga of ‘You Go’”: Meher Baba’s “Ascendant Path” to Nonduality
Authors: Beldio Patrick M.
Published: March 2024

This comparative theological article explores Meher Baba’s written Vedāntic teaching he once called “the yoga of ‘you go’” within a cosmological scheme he named “The Divine Theme,” which features in his books God Speaks and The Nothing and the Everything. Following his Vedāntic master, Upasni Maharaj and Sri Rāmakṛṣṇa, Meher Baba innovated on what scholars call the Yoga Advaita traditions. The important features of these lineages that impact his version are mental annihilation or manonāśa and the destruction of impressions or vāsanākṣaya (what he called “unwinding saṃskāras”) in order to liberate the soul while living in a body or jīvanmukti. Further, I map the total arc of Meher Baba’s work and how it fits historically within the Yoga Advaita lineages as they developed from the tenth century CE to the present. There are two basic sides to his work: his written teaching, which consolidates what one commentator calls “the ascendant path of return” to the nondual Self, and his active ministry, which I can only introduce here, which charts new territory for the future in what this commentator calls “the descendant path” of God-realization. I also constructively explore the ways that in The Nothing and the Everything the story of Gaṇeśa’s decapitation and recapitation is used to express, in narrative form, the philosophical treatment in God Speaks. In terms of salvation, Meher Baba’s teaching yields a theology of religious diversity I call “exhaustivism.” This refers to an “exhaustive” scope of learning literally all there is to learn in creation as each form in creation, including every kind of religious possibility in the human phase of reincarnation, a use of energy in each stage of the cosmic growth process that is “exhausting,” and finally, it refers to a difficult final stage of return to the divine that is marked by safely disposing of the saṃskāric “exhaust” generated in this evolution. Lastly, I offer some topics for further study in his Divine Theme that include the nature of human life and death, as well as the role of religions, God-realized masters or “Man-Gods,” and Meher Baba himself as the “God-Man” or Avatāra.
Engineering experimental study on mechanical and durability properties of banana leaves ash as partial cement replacement in hollow concrete blocks
Authors: Yayena Esubalew , Hareru Werku Koshe
Published: March 2024

This engineering study investigates the mechanical properties and durability of Hollow Concrete Blocks (HCBs) made with banana leave-ash-replaced cement. This study focused on analyzing the physiochemical composition of banana leaf ashes (BLAs) and their impact on the mechanical and durability properties of these blocks. HCB production requires binding materials such as cement, and BLAs, a byproduct of agricultural waste containing Pozzolana, serve as an alternative. This study experimented with alternative mixtures to evaluate the influence of BLAs on the strength and durability of blocks, particularly their resistance to acid and sulfate attacks. The test was conducted by partial replacement of Dangote Ordinary Portland cement 42.5R with 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% BLAs for Class “A,” “B” and “C” HCBs. The test results indicated that HCBs produced by BLAs can replace cement HCBs to achieve better strength and durability properties with respect to standards. Statistical results show that BLAs have a significant effect on the compressive strength of HCBs. Chemically acidic and sulfate-attack-resistant HCBs were examined, and the results showed that HCBs with BLAs had good resistance. The results of an experimental study on the mechanical and durability properties of BLAs blended with cement HCBs showed that replacing BLAs by up to 20% improves the durability and strength of blocks, resulting in better performance than the standards. The optimum percentage of partial replacement of BLAs with cement to produce HCBs is 20%.
Investigation of debinding sintering strategy and analysis of different structure properties of printed ceramic clay materials based on liquid deposition molding technology
Authors: Chen Shenggui , Xiao Chuang , Liu Kejiang , Li Nan , Khan Sadaf Bashir , Wu Junchao , Su Chengdong
Published: March 2024

The emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) technology for ceramic clay materials has greatly impacted the traditional pottery manufacturing industry. However, there are still limitations in post-processing and structural design for ceramic clay materials in the current field. To address these challenges, in this study, we first used orthogonal experiments to investigate the impact of the heating rate during debinding, the final sintering point, and the insulation time at the sintering point on the performance of the fabricated parts. It was further concluded that the optimal debinding sintering strategy consisted of a debinding heating rate of 0.5 °C/min, a final sintering point of 1300 °C, and a sintering point insulation time of 3 h. Under these conditions, the compressive strength of the specimens reached a maximum of 38.75 ± 4.57 MPa. Herein, we accomplished the printing of two different structures based on liquid deposition molding (LDM) technology. Through comparative analysis of the experimental results, the research solved the buckling phenomenon of flexural specimens and concluded that the octet structure exhibited superior performance. Additionally, we successfully prepared various pottery specimens, further demonstrating this study's application prospects.
Comprehensive analysis of Seriphidium kurramense: GC/MS profiling, antibacterial and antibiofilm activities, molecular docking study and in-silico ADME profiling
Authors: Khatoon Narjis , Alam Zubair , Hussain Imtiaz , Khubaib Bushra , Javed Muhammad Arshad , Ali Qurban
Published: March 2024

The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria poses a substantial threat to global healthcare, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Seriphidium kurramense, a well-known aromatic, medicinal, and culinary herb, has garnered attention due to its potential medicinal properties. In this study, we investigated the chemical composition, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities of Seriphidium kurramense plant extract. The coupled analysis of GC/MS (Gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry) has identified seventeen components in the extract, with major constituents including α-santonin (42.2%), eucalyptol (3.04%), and bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one (10.1%). The research encompassed four bacterial strains (E. coli, Bacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella), all involved in biofilm formation. The results indicated that the plant extract exhibited varying efficacy against the tested bacterial strains. Additionally, the ADME profiling of the identified phytocompounds supported their potential as drug candidates with promising pharmacokinetic properties. In-silico molecular docking studies revealed that among the 17 identified phytocompounds, lumisantonin displayed the highest effectiveness as an antibiofilm and antibacterial agent. It was closely followed by n-Hexadecanoic acid, ß-Copaene, and other compounds examined in the docking studies. These compounds exhibited high binding scores with target proteins, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents. This comprehensive investigation not only sheds light on the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of Seriphidium kurramense compound but also presents a promising avenue for developing innovative drugs against drug-resistant bacterial strains. The results of this investigation provide valuable insights to the ongoing efforts in addressing the pressing issue of drug-resistant bacteria in global healthcare.
Physicochemical properties and health risk assessment of selected heavy metals from soil and borehole water in Ifite-Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Okorie Maureen N. , Okechukwu Victor U. , Omokpariola Daniel O.
Published: March 2024

Urbanization and industrialization's influence on heavy metal contamination in soil and surface/groundwater resources warrant ongoing attention to protect public health and the environment, especially in Nigeria. Soil samples from different depths (0–10 cm, 15–25 cm, 25–40 cm) and borehole water samples were studied for physicochemical properties and heavy metal content. The result showed that borehole water pH ranged from 5.6 to 6.8, while soil pH ranged from 5.0 to 7.5 which is below WHO limits of 6.5–8.5. Other soil properties such as soil organic matter, cationic exchange capacity, and heavy metals (zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) were assessed for fertility and pollution indicators. The concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cr were within WHO standards, but As in Sample C exceeded the limits. Heavy metals concentration order in soil was Zn > Cr > As > Pb. Pearson correlations (r) showed positive and negative relationship between variances in soil and water samples ranging − 0.17–0.99 with diverse chemical interactions across all variables analysed. Risk assessment showed average daily intake dominated through ingestion, with low risks through dermal contact. Hazard quotient and index values for all metals were below one (1), indicating minimal non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children via different pathways (inhalation, ingestion, and dermal pathways). However, cancer risk slightly exceeded USEPA levels, especially for children due to prolonged soil exposure. The analysis further revealed that children are more at risk compared to adults from soil exposure (ingestion and dermal) over a long period. The study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and environmental regulations to ensure sustainability.
Expressive quantum supervised machine learning using Kerr-nonlinear parametric oscillators
Authors: Mori Yuichiro , Nakaji Kouhei , Matsuzaki Yuichiro , Kawabata Shiro
Published: March 2024

Quantum machine learning with variational quantum algorithms (VQA) has been actively investigated as a practical algorithm in the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era. Recent researches reveal that the data reuploading, which repeatedly encode classical data into quantum circuit, is necessary for obtaining the expressive quantum machine learning model in the conventional quantum computing architecture. However, the data reuploading tends to require a large amount of quantum resources, which motivates us to find an alternative strategy for realizing the expressive quantum machine learning efficiently. In this paper, we propose quantum machine learning with Kerr-nonlinear parametric oscillators (KPOs), as another promising quantum computing device. We use not only the ground state and first excited state but also higher excited states, which allows us to use a large Hilbert space even if we have a single KPO. Our numerical simulations show that the expressibility of our method with only one mode of the KPO is much higher than that of the conventional method with six qubits. Our results pave the way towards resource-efficient quantum machine learning, which is essential for the practical applications in the NISQ era.
Histologic Subtypes in Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Arising in Endometriosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chiaffarino Francesca , Cipriani Sonia , Ricci Elena , Esposito Giovanna , Parazzini Fabio , Vercellini Paolo
Published: March 2024

The definition of the association between ovarian cancer and endometriosis was first reported by Sampson in 1925. He identified the following criteria: (a) clear evidence of endometriosis in proximity to the tumour, (b) exclusion of a metastatic tumour to the ovary, (c) presence of tissue resembling endometrial stroma surrounding epithelial glands. The naming of these cancers is “endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer” (EAOC). Scott proposed an additional stringent criterion: evidence of histological transition from endometriosis to cancer is to define “ovarian cancer arising in endometriosis” (OCAE). The aim of this systematic review is to analyse the distribution of different ovarian cancer histotypes in EAOC and OCAE to understand their similarities and differences. A total of 31 studies were included. Four studies added data for both EAOC and OCAE. Twenty-three studies were selected for EAOC, with a total of 800 patients, and 12 studies were selected for OCAE, with a total of 375 patients. The results show no significant differences in the distribution of histotypes in the two populations analysed. Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) and endometrioid carcinoma (EC) were the most common subtypes and were less frequent in EAOC compared to OCAE; the odd ratios were 0.58 (0.26–1.29) and 0.65 (0.33–1.26) respectively, although the difference was not statistically significant. The other histotypes were present in small proportions. This analysis shows that the histological profiles of EAOC and OCAE are similar, suggesting a similar aetiopathological mechanism, which requires further research to investigate whether EAOC and OCAE may be in the same way but at different points of the process to malignancy or have different pathways of progression to malignancy.
Assessment of plastic waste generation and management in residential locations, Ilorin, Nigeria: DPSIR analysis and circular economy pathway
Authors: Oladipupo Sunday Blessing , Ayanshola Ayanniyi Mufutau , Adeleye Aderemi Timothy , John Kingsley Igenepo
Published: March 2024

The growing problem of plastic waste in Nigeria is one of the major environmental issues, primarily influenced by population growth, urbanization, and industrialization. To tackle this problem, this study assessed plastic waste generation and management in Ilorin township, focusing on Gaa-Akanbi and Tanke Oke-Odo residential locations. The study revealed that the average plastic waste generated per capita was estimated at 0.16 kg/cap/day in Gaa-Akanbi and 0.29 kg/cap/day in Tanke Oke-Odo. Furthermore, the composition of plastic waste differed in these areas, with Gaa-Akanbi having a majority of Polyethylene (PE) at 57.05%, followed by Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at 12.83%, Polystyrene (PS) at 12.25%, Polypropylene (PP) at 11.08%, and other types at 6.76%. On the other hand, Tanke Oke-Odo's plastic waste composition consisted of PE (56.28%), PET (15.73%), PS (12.21%), PP (9.65%), and other types (6.12%). Alarmingly, the study found that most residents were using unsustainable waste disposal practices, with 28% handing their waste to collectors, 11% relying on municipal collection bins, 10% resorting to open dumping, and a significant 51% burning their plastic waste, all of which contribute to environmental pollution. Furthermore, excluding investigations on the household waste generation rate for Gaa-akanbi and the generation rate for plastic waste, all other studies showed that p values > 0.05 as confirmed with the aid of statistical evaluation. Therefore, taking urgent action based on these insights is crucial to mitigate the adverse impacts of plastic waste on the environment and human well-being in the region. Therefore, adopting circular economy principles and utilizing the DPSIR framework is practically suitable to address this issue effectively.
Psychological implications and quality of life after cosmetic rhinoplasty: a systematic review
Authors: Katamanin Olivia , Saini Shivani , Jafferany Mohammad
Published: March 2024

Background

Cosmetic Rhinoplasty is one of the most common facial plastic surgeries. Recognition of patients with psychological problems may affect the outcome of surgery. Carefully chosen cases may improve the patients’ well-being.

Objective

To analyze the existing literature for clinical studies and investigate the psychological implications and Quality of Life after Cosmetic rhinoplasty.

Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, Mendeley and FindIt@MSP were searched between 2008 and 2023 in English text only. Included articles assessed the comparison between preoperative and postoperative psychological outcomes of cosmetic rhinoplasty as well as impact on QOL.

Results

Of the 53 articles selected for screening, 16 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Based on the literature, surgical intervention appears to have a positive effect on various psychological factors such as self-esteem, body image, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, evidence suggests significant improvements in QOL, mental health, social function, and postoperative satisfaction, accompanied by a reduction in psycho-social distress.

Limitations

Factors such as monetary incentives for participation, lack of blinding, and self-reported measures within studies decrease the validity of results. Additionally, in some of the studies examined, there was an inability to isolate rhinoplasty procedures performed solely for cosmetic concerns.

Conclusions

Cosmetic rhinoplasty has been long regarded as a transformative intervention with beneficial effects on self-esteem, body image, and mental well-being, encompassing reductions in depression and anxiety. The present study highlights the substantial improvements in QOL and social functioning post-rhinoplasty, accompanied by heightened overall satisfaction with appearance and diminished levels of psycho-social distress. These findings contribute valuable insights into the broader implications of cosmetic rhinoplasty beyond physical changes, emphasizing its potential for positively influencing psychological and emotional well-being.
Which factors contribute to standardized test scores for prospective general science teachers: an analysis of the PraxisⓇ general science content knowledge test
Authors: Ndembera Rachel , Ray Herman E. , Shah Lisa , Rushton Gregory T.
Published: March 2024

Effective science instruction and associated student learning is reliant upon a strong foundation of teacher content knowledge. This study of thePraxisⓇGeneral Science Content Knowledge Test from May 2006 to June 2016 investigates content knowledge of 28,688 general science teacher candidates. Examinees performed well onLife Sciencetopics whileEarth & Space Sciencewas identified as an area in need of support. Analysis of the assessment revealed differences in achievement associated with undergraduate major, gender, and ethnicity. Test-takers with STEM majors demonstrated stronger content knowledge than their out-of-field counterparts, that men outperformed women in the study, and White test-takers lost fewer scaled points than Black and Hispanic candidates. To strengthen recruitment and retention efforts, recommendations include reviewing our findings for alignment with state standards. This will facilitate development of comprehensive content knowledge professional learning experiences that will be used as an anchor for focused support on those topics where test-takers tend to demonstrate lowest proficiency.