bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of delayed psychomotor development in pediatric patients with congenital heart defects
Authors: Chiperi Lacramioara-Eliza , Tecar Cristina
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most commonly diagnosed group of malformations. CHD are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome across lifespan that can manifest from the first year of life until adulthood. The aim of this study was to screen psychomotor performances of patients with unrepaired CHD.
Methods
This was a prospective study taken between 2020–2024. Children under 6 years with CHD and no previously known psychomotor impairment were dichotomized into two groups based on blood oxygen saturation (SpO2): cyanotic group (SpO2 < 95%) and non-cyanotic group (SpO2 > = 95%). Psychomotor developmental evaluation was done by Denver Developmental Screening Test II.
Results
The psychomotor development of 77 patients was evaluated in 4 domains (personal-social, fine motor, language, gross motor) and revealed that children considered normally developed, following the clinical examination, presented a delay in the neurological development after being evaluated with Denver test in 97% of those with cyanotic CHD and in 54% of those with non-cyanotic CHD. Gross motor and personal-social domains were the most affected in the both groups. General development and functionality scores were lower in the group with cyanotic CHD. Factors that correlated with neurological development were the prenatal diagnosis (p = 0.012) and the type of diet (p = 0.008).
Conclusion
The importance of psychomotor screening in children with CHD is overwhelming, considering that psychomotor delay was detected in a high percentage of children with unoperated CHD, considered normally developed at a clinical exam. Lower developmental scores were observed in those with cyanotic CHD. Prenatal diagnosis and diet were correlated with neurological development.
Production of radiopharmaceuticals to improve access to nuclear medicine departments in island regions: a cost-minimization analysis for four European islands
Authors: Melidis Christos , Noblet Sandrine , Burg Samuel , Bamidis Panagiotis , Iakovou Ioannis
Published: May 2024

Background
One of health inequalities’ major cause is bad accessibility to healthcare services. We focus on nuclear medicine (NM) examinations, which take place via SPECT and PET scanners, both using radiopharmaceuticals which can prove to be expensive and weather dependent to deliver in island regions. Their production requires expensive to install and run equipment, but a recent project has shed light on a 1970s idea: hybrid used cyclotrons (HC), capable of producing radiopharmaceutical types for both camera types.
Methods
Many factors need to be considered when conducting cost-minimization analyses (CMA) for public health purposes in island regions: once we decide on the opportunity to install a cyclotron, we need to choose the cyclotron type being the most suitable for the specific need. We perform an economic evaluation of these scenarios for Corsica, Sardinia, Crete and Cyprus using CMA for a period of 20 years, starting in 2025.
Results
We show that the least costly solution is transport of all radiopharmaceuticals from the mainland for low, normal cyclotron for intermediate and hybrid used cyclotron for sufficiently high number of annual PET examinations. Total costs are quite similar for HC and normal cyclotrons, with HC being the least costly solution for all four islands. The number of years after which either type of cyclotron becomes cost minimizing depends on the total number of PET, rather than SPECT, examinations and varies from <1 to 17 years. Our research shows that if the initial annual number of PET examinations is at least equal to 0.2% of the total population, then cyclotron installation is the most cost minimizing solution.
Conclusions
Radiopharmaceutical production represents an important outcome, since it affects the accessibility to NM services for isolated regions, like islands. Enhancing accessibility to these healthcare services represents a lever for reducing healthcare inequalities for diseases such as cancer. This analysis can be adapted to other island regions, such as Canary Islands, New-Caledonia, etc., but also remote mainland locations. For remote places with expected annual number of PET examinations at least equal to 0.2% of the population, local radiopharmaceutical production is the least costly solution.
Tailoring thermal stability of retained austenite in thermomechanically processed medium- Mn steel via Quenching and Partitioning process
Authors: Kozłowska Aleksandra , Skowronek Adam , Matus Krzysztof , Nuckowski Paweł M.
Published: May 2024

Tailoring thermal stability of austenite through a Q&P thermal cycle is essential for obtaining a beneficial strength-ductility balance. In this study, factors affecting the thermal stability of austenite during the Q&P process applied for thermomechanically processed medium-Mn steel were analyzed. Q&P thermal cycles in which the partitioning steps were carried out in a temperature range from 350°C to 450°C for times from 90s to 900s were investigated. An influence of time-temperature parameters of the partitioning step on the microstructure evolution of 0.17C-4.2Mn-0.98Al-0.87Si-Nb alloy was quantitative and qualitative investigated using techniques with different resolution. The thermal stability of austenite was tailored by optimizing its fraction during a quenching step and by minimizing the undesirable carbides and bainite formation occurred during the partitioning step. As a consequence, the formation of undesired secondary martensite was significantly reduced. Obtained results showed that the thermal stability of austenite was mainly controlled by its carbon content, morphology and lath/grain size.
Factors Associated with Electronic Cigarette Use and Pulmonary Function Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data from 2013 to 2019
Authors: Kim Chi Young , Park Sang Ho , Seong Ye Seul , Choi Yong Jun , Park Hye Jung , Cho Jae Hwa , Byun Min Kwang
Published: May 2024

Background
Significant differences exist between the toxicity and adverse outcomes of conventional cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). However, spirometry-based clinical outcomes analyses in the general population have not been widely studied. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with e-cigarette use among individuals with different smoking statuses and pulmonary function test (PFT) results.
Methods
This study was conducted in Korea using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2013 to 2019. Participants who reported baseline clinical information, including smoking status, and underwent a PFT were included.
Results
In total, 19,356 participants, including current smokers, former smokers, and those who had never smoked, were included in this study. Among those who smoked, 5.7% reported current e-cigarette use, including dual users (who use conventional cigarettes and e-cigarettes). Factors associated with e-cigarette use included male sex, younger age, higher education level, higher household income, and current or former heavy smoker. Additionally, cigarette users had the highest prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), followed by dual users and e-cigarette-only users (p < 0.001). Furthermore, individuals with anxiety and depression were significantly more prevalent among dual users compared with those who had never smoked (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
This study indicates an association between e-cigarette use and individual factors, including sex, age, education level, and income level. E-cigarette use, including dual use, is associated with COPD. Additionally, anxiety and depression were highest among dual users, followed by conventional cigarette users.
Development and validation of a new anthropometric equation to predict skeletal muscle mass in a heterogeneous Caucasian population
Authors: Rojano-Ortega Daniel , Moya-Amaya Heliodoro , Molina-López Antonio , Berral-Aguilar Antonio Jesús , Rosa Francisco José Berral-de la
Published: May 2024

Assessment of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is essential to monitor physical performance and health status. The most widely used anthropometric equations have repeatedly demonstrated to overestimate or underestimate SMM in different populations. Herein, we developed and cross-validated a new anthropometric regression equation for estimating SMM, using DXA as the reference method. A group of 206 healthy Caucasian participants aged 18–65 years were included in the final analysis. Participants underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, and body mass, stature, four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, and supracrestal) and four breadths (femoral, humeral, ankle, and wrist) were assessed by an accredited anthropometrist. Accuracy was assessed by mean differences, coefficient of determination, standard error of the estimate (SEE), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland–Altman plots. The proposed equation explained 91.3% of the variance in the DXA-derived SMM percentage, with a low random error (SEE = 1.95%), and a very strong agreement (CCC = 0.94). In addition, it demonstrated no fixed or proportional bias and a relatively low individual variability (3.84%). The new anthropometric equation can accurately predict SMM percentage in a Caucasian population with a wide age range (18–65 years).
Triglyceride-glucose index and colorectal cancer risk and prognosis - a retrospective study
Authors: Wang Haizheng , Wang Sen , Guo Huimin , Feng Li
Published: May 2024

OBJECTIVE
To verify the correlation of triglyceride-glucose index with the incidence of colorectal cancer and to further determine the correlation of triglyceride-glucose index with the prognosis of colorectal cancer, so as to infer whether the TyG index can be predictive of the incidence and prognosis of colorectal cancer.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study that evaluated the link with TyG index and the incidence and progression of colorectal cancer. We discussed the connection among TyG index and colorectal cancer risk using logistic regression modeling, respectively, by adjusting for covariates such as gender, age, level of alcohol consumption, and level of smoking. We depicted the ROC curve by analyzing and comparing the size of the area under the curve (AUC) of each risk factor.And we analyzed the correlation between TyG index and pathological stage and three-year prognostic outcome of colorectal cancer patients, respectively.
RESULTS
Among the 609 participants surveyed, the TyG index was significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer than in those with normal colorectal function (p < 0.001) ).By adjusting for confounders, the OR for TyG index was 2.001 (95% CI 1.367–2.929, p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for TyG in the ROC curve analysis was 0.584 (95% CI 0.539–0.629, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the TyG index was correlated and analyzed with three-year prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer, and the OR for TyG was 2.123 (95% CI 1.014–4.445, p = 0.046).
CONCLUSION
TyG index can be one of the predictors of colorectal cancer incidence. Also TyG index can be one of the indicators to predict poor prognosis of colorectal cancer.
Predictive models and determinants of mortality among T2DM patients in a tertiary hospital in Ghana, how do Machine Learning Techniques perform?
Authors: Kpene Godsway Edem , Lokpo Sylvester Yao , Darfour-Oduro Sandra A.
Published: May 2024

Background: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in lower and middle – income countries calls for preventive public health interventions. Studies from Africa including those from Ghana, consistently reveal high T2DM-related mortality rates. While previous research in the Ho municipality has primarily examined risk factors, comorbidity, and quality of life of T2DM patients, this study specifically investigated mortality predictors among these patients.
Method: The study was retrospective involving medical records of T2DM patients. Data extracted were analyzed using Stata version 16.0 and Python 3.6.1 programming language. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were done to describe and build predictive models respectively. The performance of machine learning (ML) techniques such as support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, k nearest neighbor (kNN) and logistic regression were evaluated using the best-fitting predictive model of T2DM mortality.
Results: Out of the 328 participants, 183(55.79%) were females. An 11.28% mortality was recorded. A 100% mortality was recorded among the T2DM patients with sepsis (p-value = 0.012). T2DM patients were 3.83 times as likely to die [AOR = 3.83; 95% CI: (1.53-9.61)] if they had nephropathy compared to T2DM patients without nephropathy (p-value = 0.004). The full model which included sociodemographic characteristics, family history, lifestyle variables and complications of T2DM had the best prediction of T2DM mortality outcome (ROC = 72.97%). The accuracy for (test and train datasets) were as follows: (90% and 90%), (100% and 100%), (90% and 90%) and (90% and 88%) respectively for the various classification techniques: logistic regression, Decision tree classifier, kNN classifier and SVM.
Conclusion: This study found that all patients with sepsis died. Nephropathy was the identified significant predictor of T2DM mortality. Decision tree classifier provided the best classifying potential.
Pattern recognition using spiking antiferromagnetic neurons
Authors: Bradley Hannah , Louis Steven , Slavin Andrei , Tyberkevych Vasyl
Published: May 2024

Spintronic devices offer a promising avenue for the development of nanoscale, energy-efficient artificial neurons for neuromorphic computing. It has previously been shown that with antiferromagnetic (AFM) oscillators, ultra-fast spiking artificial neurons can be made that mimic many unique features of biological neurons. In this work, we train an artificial neural network of AFM neurons to perform pattern recognition. A simple machine learning algorithm called spike pattern association neuron (SPAN), which relies on the temporal position of neuron spikes, is used during training. In under a microsecond of physical time, the AFM neural network is trained to recognize symbols composed from a grid by producing a spike within a specified time window. We further achieve multi-symbol recognition with the addition of an output layer to suppress undesirable spikes. Through the utilization of AFM neurons and the SPAN algorithm, we create a neural network capable of high-accuracy recognition with overall power consumption on the order of picojoules.
Implementation of Leaky Integrate and Fire neuron using Trench gate vertical FBFET (TG-V-FBFET) exploiting its Steep Subthreshold slope
Authors: Rasool Zuber , Amin S. , Prasad Dinesh , Kumar Naveen
Published: May 2024

In this work, we have proposed a Trench gate vertical feedback field-effect transistor (TG-V-FBFET) utilizing the positive feedback mechanism. Simulation and result extraction of the device is done using computer aided TCAD tool (ATLAS-SILVACO). Proposed device exhibits Subthreshold swing (SS) of 0.013mV/dec and on state current (Ion) of 0.1mA/µm with overall Ion/Ioff = 1010. Overall on chip area can be reduce up to 66% compared to lateral FBFET counter-part. Further-more, steep subthreshold slope characteristic of the device is exploited for the producing of Leaky Integrate and Fire neuron like spiking behavior. Circuit level simulations consisting proper resetting as well, is also done to properly implement single LIF neuron. Proposed LIF neuron shows a spiking frequency of 0.86GHz/spike and energy of 0.13pJ/spike for input current and threshold potential of 0.9mA and 1.3V respectively.
LPRLC: Linear Predictive Run Length Coding to Improve Energy Consumption of WBANs
Authors: Vakil Mahdieh Hajiloo , Shirmohammadi Zahra
Published: May 2024

The Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) are biosensors placed on the body, inside the body, and around it. Body Area Network (BAN) are designed in micro sizes and have limited resources. Biosensors sometimes have errors in data recording and faced with duplicate and noisy data in real time. Data redundancy causes a significant energy consumption in sending and receiving data in the sensor. One of the most effective ways to reduce data volume is to compress it to save more energy. To solve these problems, the Linear Predictive Run Length Coding method (LPRLC) is presented which is a combination of Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) for data prediction and Run Length Encoding (RLE) for data compression. The signals attained from biosensors include blood pressure systolic (BPsys), blood pressure diastolic (BPdias), Respiration, Oxygen, and Heart Rate, which are recorded as a time series. First, the received signal is predicted continuously, and then the error resulting from the actual signal and the expected signal is calculated. In the last step, the resulting error is compressed by the RLE algorithm and sent to the destination. To compare the criteria of Energy Conservation (EC) and Compression Rate (CR), Huffman, Arithmetic, and Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) algorithms are placed instead of RLE. The results show that the RLE algorithm has an average of 98% energy saving and up to 70 times reduction of data volume compared to other algorithms, which has improved 6% in energy consumption and 9 times reduction of data volume.
Two-phase Analysis of Bifurcation Angle Effect on Blood Heat Transfer in Three-Dimensional Bifurcated Vessels
Authors: Das Siddhartha Sankar , Mahapatra Swarup Kumar
Published: May 2024

Background and Objective:
Bifurcated blood vessels (symmetric and asymmetric) are major contributors to the heat sink effect which causes incomplete tumor cell necrosis during the thermal ablation procedure. This study analyses the effect of bifurcation angle on blood heat transfer using a two-phase numerical model.
Methods:
Three-dimensional bifurcated blood vessels having two different diameters (case 1: diameter = 3 mm and case 2: diameter = 0.6 mm) are being constructed with both symmetric and asymmetric configurations. The Eulerian two-phase model (Granular model along with the application of kinetic theory) is used for blood flow simulation in bifurcated vessels.
Results:
The effect of vessel diameter and bifurcation angle on the blood heat sink is being studied in a three-dimensional bifurcated vessel. Minimum blood temperature at bifurcation which is responsible for the major heat sink effect, is noticed to have a higher value for small vessels compared to large. As the angle ratio (r = α/β) in a small diameter bifurcated vessel with asymmetric configuration increases, blood velocity at the inlet of branch vessel 1 decreases, which lowers the heat sink effect produced due to blood flow at the bifurcation. In a large diameter (Dm = 3 mm) bifurcated vessel with symmetric configuration, with an increase in bifurcation angle (Ωbif), blood heat transfer at the inlet of branch vessel 1 and heat sink effect of blood at bifurcation both increase.
Conclusion:
Both bifurcation angle, symmetricity, and vessel diameter size have pronounced effects on blood heat transfer in a bifurcated vessel. This study concludes that during hyperthermia or cryo-therapy, the nearby vasculature configuration type must be taken into account to achieve maximum efficacy of the ablation procedure.
In-depth histological, lectin-histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural description of the olfactory rosettes and olfactory bulbs of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)
Authors: Torres Dorinda , Villamayor Paula R , Román Albina , García Pablo , Martínez Paulino , Sanchez-Quinteiro Pablo
Published: May 2024

Chemical communication through olfaction is crucial for fish behaviours, particularly in the seabed environment, mediating in socio-sexual behaviours as reproduction. Turbot, a flatfish with significant aquaculture production, possesses a well-developed olfactory system from early developmental stages. After metamorphosis, flatfish undergo significant morphological changes, acquiring the characteristic bilateral asymmetry of the order Pleuronectiformes. This results in the emergence of an ocular side facing the open water column, housing the dorsal olfactory rosette, and a blind side in contact with the sea bottom where the ventral rosette is located. This study aims to address the existing gap in specific histological, lectin-histochemical and immunohistochemical studies of the turbot olfactory rosettes and olfactory bulbs. Additionally, due to the small cell size and high cell density, we enhanced the characterization of the adult olfactory epithelium through transmission electron microscopy. We observed no discernible variations in the olfactory epithelium between rosettes, except for the dorsal rosette being larger in size compared to the ventral rosette. Our study involved the description of the olfactory system in premetamorphic larvae and microdissected olfactory organs of adult turbots using routine histological staining techniques, and a wide array of lectins and primary antibodies against G-proteins and calcium-binding proteins. The results obtained significantly enrich the scarce morphological and neurochemical information available on the turbot olfactory system, revealing a highly complex olfactory epithelium with distinct features compared to other teleost species, especially with regard to olfactory cell distribution and immunolabelling patterns.
Antecedent Neonatal Hypoglycaemic Brain Injury, commonest cause of Early-Childhood Epilepsy in Indian Children
Authors: Gupta Chitra , Narang Bhuvandeep , SJ Thernal , Sharma Rakhi , Chatterjee Sagnik , V Ramprasad , Murugan Sakthivel , Goyal Pradeep , Bansal Rajiv Kumar , Jain Vivek
Published: May 2024

Paediatric epilepsies have diverse etiologies from structural brain lesions to monogenic disorders. Prospective studies from low-middle income countries which had used modern diagnostic methods like 3-T MRI and genetic testing for underlying causes in early-childhood epilepsies, are lacking. Similarly, data on long-term epilepsy outcomes is also not available. In this prospective study, consecutive patients with onset of epilepsy till five years of age were enrolled. Following detailed clinical phenotyping and after ruling out a structural-acquired cause on 3T-MRI, sequential genetic testing with Exome sequencing (ES) as a trio and if required Chromosomal Microarray (CMA)/Multiplex ligand PCR assay (MLPA) were performed. After this evaluation, patients were classified into International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) defined etiological groups. Phenotypic differences between acquired and congenital causes were also evaluated. Epilepsy outcome at 24 months follow-up was ascertained. Two hundred and thirty-one children were recruited over 12 months. The underlying etiology could be confirmed in 176 (76%) patients. The structural group (54%) was the commonest, followed by genetic (19.5%), metabolic (2%), Unknown (19%) and incompletely investigated (5%: Normal MRI, genetic evaluation not consented). Neonatal Hypoglycaemic Brain Injury (NHBI) was the most common single cause (50; 22%). The broad aetiological groups included acquired causes in 47% and congenital causes in 53%. In the acquired cohort, the predominant initial seizure type was a focal seizure (P = 0.01) or an Infantile Spasm (P < 0.001), while generalized seizures were more frequent in the congenital group (P < 0.001). Patients with an acquired cause were more likely to have IUGR, developmental delay, cortical visual impairment, and hypertonia (all P < 0.001). MRI helped confirm the underlying cause in 126 (54.5%) of the patients. A molecular diagnosis was achieved in 61 (54%) of 113 tested. ES as a trio was diagnostic in 50%, while CMA was 3%. Mutation positivity was more likely with seizure onset in infancy, developmental delay or presence of hypotonia (all P < 0.001), or Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (P = 0.01). A total of 57 of 207 (28%) patients at 24 months follow-up had drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). On multivariate regression, only the younger age of seizure onset (P = .027) and developmental delay (P = .025) were associated with DRE. In this comprehensive prospective study of Indian children with early childhood epilepsy, using cutting-edge technology, we could confirm an underlying etiology in a majority of our patients. NHBI, a preventable condition was the commonest underlying cause. It is pertinent, that in India, guidelines on correct postnatal feeding practices are formulated urgently.
Alltagsmobilität in autoarmen Quartieren – Eine Untersuchung in der Lincoln-Siedlung in Darmstadt anhand von Mobilitätstagebüchern
Authors: Stete Gisela , Bonin Fabienne
Published: May 2024

Die Lincoln-Siedlung in der Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt ist sowohl bundesweites Modellprojekt in Sachen nachhaltiger Mobilität als auch Gegenstand verschiedener Forschungsprojekte. Im Projekt NaMoLi II wird die Zufriedenheit der Bewohnenden in der Lincoln-Siedlung mit dem Mobilitätskonzept und seiner Umsetzung analysiert. Des Weiteren wird geprüft, ob und in welcher Form die vorhandenen Rahmenbedingungen eine nachhaltige Mobilität fördern und wie sich die im Quartier bzw. im Umfeld vorhandenen Angebote der Versorgung und sozialen Infrastruktur auf das Mobilitätsverhalten insbesondere neu Zugezogener auswirken. Hierzu hat eine ausgewählte Bevölkerungsgruppe aus der Lincoln-Siedlung über einen Zeitraum von einer Woche Tagebuchprotokolle ihrer täglichen Mobilität geführt. Teilgenommen haben 14 Haushalte mit insgesamt 28 Personen, die zum Zeitpunkt der Erhebung maximal 15 Monate im Quartier gelebt haben. Die Protokolle wurden von allen Haushaltsangehörigen ab dem Grundschulalter geführt, jüngere Kinder sind in den Tagebüchern der Eltern erfasst. Notiert wurden Wegezwecke und Wegeziele, das genutzte Verkehrsmittel, Start- und Ankunftszeit sowie die (geschätzte) Entfernung. Des Weiteren wurden Kennwerte zur Haushaltsstruktur erhoben, zu geänderten Gewohnheiten nach dem Umzug in die Lincoln-Siedlung sowie nach Problemen in der Alltagsmobilität gefragt. Die Ergebnisse der Mobilitätstagebücher bieten einen interessanten Einblick in den Mobilitätsalltag einer spezifischen Teilnahmegruppe, die ein besonderes Interesse an Mobilitätsthemen gezeigt hat und die sich weitgehend nachhaltig in ihrem Alltag bewegt. Das Fahrrad ist das wichtigste Verkehrsmittel, gefolgt von den eigenen Füßen. Die Mehrzahl der Wegeziele liegt innerhalb eines Radius von bis zu zwei Kilometer. Die multimodalen Angebote im Quartier werden gut genutzt. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass die Methode der Tagebuchprotokolle über einen längeren Zeitraum zielführend ist, um Hinweise für die Alltagstauglichkeit des Mobilitätskonzeptes sowie zu dessen Weiterentwicklung bzw. Nachsteuerung zu erlangen.
Irrigation Scheduling Impacts Vegetative Growth, Seed Yield, and Fungal Diseases of Spinach Seed Crops in a Maritime Mediterranean Climate
Authors: Varner Harmony , Myhre Liz , Schacht Betsy , Pupo Jessica , A. Spawton Kayla , du Toit Lindsey J. , LaHue Gabriel T.
Published: May 2024

Although irrigation scheduling has been studied for diverse vegetable crops, much less attention has been given to irrigation scheduling for the seed crops on which these production systems rely. In spinach, for which irrigation scheduling needs are likely to vary greatly between seed and leaf production, this leaves seed producers without adequate resources to make irrigation scheduling decisions. Our research sought to fill this gap by evaluating two alternative irrigation scheduling strategies (a publicly available decision-support tool and soil moisture sensors) and four soil moisture thresholds for irrigation for their impacts on vegetative growth, marketable seed yield, seed quality, and the severity of Stemphylium leaf spot (caused by Stemphylium vesicarium and Stemphylium beticola), a common foliar disease of spinach, under sprinkler irrigation. We found that in all 3 years of the study, earlier and more frequent irrigation increased vegetative growth. However, marketable seed yield only increased relative to the control treatment based on farmers’ standard irrigation practices in 1 of the 3 years—a year with an abnormally late planting date. This indicates that vegetative growth is more responsive than seed yield to earlier and more frequent irrigation, and that increases in vegetative growth do not translate directly to increased marketable seed yield. Contrary to the expected increase in Stemphylium leaf spot severity with increasing irrigation, the severity decreased in both years it was measured, likely as a result of the small stature of the spinach seed parent lines used in our study and opportunistic pathogenicity on moisture-stressed plants. These results provide a useful foundation from which spinach seed producers can make irrigation management decisions for their crops that underpin a valuable global industry.
Selected Beneficial Microbes Alleviate Salinity Stress in Hydroponic Lettuce and Pak Choi
Authors: Hirst Angela Karen , Anee Sanzida Akhter , Housley Matthew Joseph , Qin Kuan , Ferrarezi Rhuanito Soranz
Published: May 2024

Hydroponics is widely used in greenhouse and vertical farming production because these facilities can precisely control environmental conditions such as lighting, temperature, and vapor pressure deficit. However, the fertilizer solutions have a short life span, and they often do not have adequate microbial populations to enhance plant growth. Previous studies have shown the potential of beneficial microbes to promote plant production and alleviate abiotic and biotic stressors in the field, and studies on their use in controlled environments such as greenhouses and vertical farms are limited in the literature. In this study, we selected several plant growth promoting microbes (PGPMs) and tested their effects on alleviating salinity stress in ‘Rex’ lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and ‘Red Pac’ pak choi (Brassica chinensis) grown in deep water culture hydroponics. Our goal was to use one stressor, salinity, that induces profound symptoms in plant morphology. A three-cycle study was conducted using five PGPMs [Bacillus, Glomus, Lactobacillus, Trichoderma, and Bacillus/Pseudomonas/Trichoderma (B/P/T) mix] and two salinity levels [no salinity and salinity treatment, with 120 mM, 40 mM, and 80 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) solution used for the first, second, and third cycles, respectively]. We measured the effects of PGPMs and salinity on plant growth and quality and the solution pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Salinity stress decreased lettuce and pak choi leaf area and shoot fresh weight and increased plant leaf chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents with increased solution EC. Under high-salinity stress (120 mM NaCl), the addition of Trichoderma reduced pak choi leaf area and fresh weight but increased solution pH, whereas under low salinity stress (40 mM NaCl), Trichoderma increased pak choi leaf chlorophyll content. Under moderate-salinity stress (80 mM NaCl) condition, the addition of Glomus sp. increased lettuce fresh weight and leaf area, and B/P/T mix increased pak choi leaf area. In conclusion, using the selected PGPMs in low to moderate-salinity stress could increase lettuce and pak choi growth and quality parameters. These results have some practical applications in the future when more saline water is used for production.
Construction of a DNA Fingerprint Map and a Core Collection of Platycladus orientalis
Authors: Guo Liqin , Liao Ting , Wang Ye , Cao Jun , Liu Guobin
Published: May 2024

Platycladus orientalis is one of the main species used in afforestation projects in the arid mountains of north and northwest China, meaning that the species has high ecological and economic value. Studying its genetic diversity and obtaining a core germplasm base and genetic fingerprint data are important for the screening, development, and utilization of the species. This can provide the core materials for the preservation and evaluation and mining of germplasm resources and can provide superior gene resources for breeding programs. In this study, the genetic diversity among 104 P. orientalis germplasm resources was examined using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, and a core germplasm containing 31 accessions was constructed that represents the most genetic diversity of P. orientalis accessions. Each of 20 pairs of primers showed polymorphism, and 117 alleles were identified. The average number of alleles at each locus was six, and the mean effective allele number was 2.607. The average Shannon’s information index was 0.983, and the average polymorphism information content was 0.445. There is thus a significant amount of genetic variation within P. orientalis germplasm, yielding a rich genetic diversity. The constructed core germplasm accounted for 30% of the original germplasm. There was no significant difference in genetic diversity between the core germplasm and the original germplasm resources, indicating that the obtained core germplasm resources could fully represent the original germplasm. Using 17 SSR primers with high polymorphism, the DNA fingerprints of 104 P. orientalis germplasm resources were constructed. The results showed that 98 had specific DNA fingerprints. The results of this study provide a valuable basis for the collection, preservation, and utilization of P. orientalis germplasm resources, and the methods adopted in this study have important reference value for the construction of core germplasm of other perennial woody plants.
Unravelling the complex interplay: environmental mixtures and breast cancer risk
Authors: Jabran M. , Rangraze I.
Published: May 2024

Background. Globally, breast cancer ranks as the fourth most frequent reason for mortality when it comes to fatalities from cancer. The worrisome increases in rates of occurrence and death observed during the previous thirty years or more can be linked to several factors, such as changes in risk factor profiles, advancements in cancer registration, and the development of more effective detection technology. A strong association exists between the progression of metastasis and the mortality rate in breast cancer, with environmental pollutants seemingly contributing to this phenomenon. This association prompts a significant inquiry into the mechanisms that regulate the formation of metastases due to environmental and chemical contaminants. The impact of pollutants and chemical substances on communication pathways, which are essential for the growth and spread of tumor cells, among the numerous possible risk factors is gaining increasing focus. Material and methods. scientific research on environmental variables and additional factors linked to breast carcinoma was located and reviewed using engines such as the PubMed database, the MEDLINE database the Scopus database, and Google Scholar, among others, with search terms like “Breast Cancer”, “Risk components”, “Chemical exposures”, “Environmental toxic exposure”, “Disease progression”, “Bisphenol-A”, “Heavy metallic materials”, and “Food preparations”. Results. This literature aimed to present a thorough overview of the existing data on the impact of environmental and chemical toxins on breast cancer and as a result, a significant relationship between these toxins and breast cancer and its metastatic potential was discovered in more depth. Conclusion. In conclusion, breast cancer's complexity demands a holistic approach encompassing genetic, environmental, and early detection strategies. advancements in stem cell biology and gene identification enhance our understanding. Yet, dissemination remains a key challenge. Environmental toxins play a significant role, necessitating further epidemiological and molecular investigations to mitigate breast cancer's global impact.
Peranan Perwakilan Substantif Ahli Parlimen Wanita dalam Parlimen Malaysia ke-13
Authors:   Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia, Muhamad Rosyidah , Ahmad Zakuan Ummu Atiyah ,   International Studies, UUM College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia, Aziz Nazli ,   Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
Published: May 2024

This study analysed the substantive role of women parliamentarians in the House of Representatives of the 13th Malaysian Parliament from 2013 to 2017. Previous studies conducted in Western countries have shown that women parliamentarians are more responsive to women’s interests compared to male parliamentarians. However, women participation in the policy-making as legislators are low and has not achieved the quota that has been set up in Malaysia. The number of women parliamentarians do not reflect the number of women voters that are higher than the male voters. The aim of this study is to analyse the extent to which the role of women Parliamentarians represents women’s issues using Hanna Pitkin’s theory of representation and Anne Philips’s politics of presence. This study uses a qualitative approach through content analysis to examine the Parliament Hansard and interviews with the women parliementarians. The result indicates that the women Parliamentarians formed 10.36% of members in the House of Representatives but they raised the women’s issues higher than the male parliamentarians did. This shows that the women parliamentarians were able to impact policy-making even with a small number in Malaysia.
Konsep Pemakanan Halalan Tayyiban: Kajian Terhadap Penerima Anugerah Keluarga Mithali Peringkat Kebangsaan Malaysia
Authors:   School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia, Shaary Khairudin , Baharuddin Ahmad Syukran ,   Centre of Research for Fiqh Forensics and Judiciary (CFORSJ), Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Wan Harun Mohammad Amir ,   School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Published: May 2024

Building a mithali family is a challenge that requires practical guidance and reallife examples that can be emulated. Based on the Islamic perspective, as explained theoretically by previous Islamic scholars, the halalan tayyiban dietary concept is one of the important factors in family development. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the actual practice of the halalan tayyiban dietary concept by recipients of the Anugerah Keluarga Mithali (AKM) at the national level. This study adopted a qualitative approach and used the interview method with the focus group discussion technique to collect data. The analysis of this interview data was done using the qualitative data analysis software NVivo version 10. A total of 11 respondents from two nuclear families that had won the AKM at national level in 2014 (7 family members) and 2017 (4 family members) were involved in this research. The results found that the AKM families practised six dietary principles; namely, food and income should be clean and halal, safe for consumption, satisfies the natural disposition of a prosperous soul, free from syubhah (elements of a guideline for the formation of modules for Islamic family building by Islamic bodies, preachers, parents and also Muslim individuals with related interests. Future studies should be done by involving more nuclear families to further improve the reliability of this study and to touch on other undiscussed aspects in this study.
Tribal differences in hypertension and cholesterol profiles in Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Desiana Desiana , Muchlisin Zainal Abidin , Suhud Khairi , Gani Basri A.
Published: May 2024

Background: One of the factors that contributes to coronary heart disease and stroke is high blood pressure, or hypertension. Hypertension is influenced by race and sex. The objective of this study was to assess the hypertensive population in Aceh by tribal community and to examine the relationship between cholesterol history and hypertension.Methods: This study used incidental sampling as a non-probability sampling method, in which 152 participants were evaluated for the profile of hypertension with a history of cholesterol. Blood pressure was measured using a blood pressure measuring device. HDL, LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were measured using LIPID Pro. Data analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests with p<0.05.Results: The study population (N=152) consisted of 81 males (53%) and 71 females (47%) across the ethnicities of Aceh (64:42%), Gayo (19:13%), Alas (33:22%), and Aneuk Jamee (36:24%). In the male group, hypertension was associated with total cholesterol (r=0.03; p=0.78), HDL (r=0.20; p=0.07), and LDL (r=0.21; p=0.07) levels, whereas in the female group, hypertension was primarily correlated with LDL levels (r=0.20; p=0.09).Conclusion: In general, hypertension in males and females in the four tribes in Aceh is associated with HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels.
Probability of random vector hitting in a polyhedral frustum of a cone: Majorization aspect
Authors:   St. Peterburg Department of the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (POMI RAS), Revyakov Mikhail I.
Published: May 2024

The article presents conditions under which the probability of a linear combination of random vectors falling into a polyhedral oblate (from above) cone, in particular, into frustum of a cone is a Schur-concave function of the vector corresponding this linear combination. It is required that the oblate cone is convex, it contains the point 0, its edges are parallel to the coordinate axes, and the distribution density of vectors is a logarithmically concave sign-invariant function. In addition, the characterization was obtained in differential form functions that preserve one known pre-order, which is inside the majorization pre-order.
Damping oscillations of a cylinder with a coaxial disc and a stabilizer
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kaufman Daniil V. , Ryabinin Anatoly N. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: May 2024

The damped rotational oscillations of the cylinder, which is equipped with a coaxial disk in the head part, and has a stabilizer in the tail part, are studied. The elongation of the cylinder (the ratio of length to diameter) is nine. The cylinder is mounted in the test section of the low velocities wind tunnel with a wire suspension containing steel springs. In the equilibrium position, the axis of the cylinder is horizontal and parallel to the velocity vector of the incoming flow. Under the action of the air flow, the attenuation of rotational oscillations of the cylinder changes. A semiconductor strain gauge is attached to one of the suspension springs, which measures the dependence of spring tension on time during oscillations. The voltage at the output of the strain gauge is transmitted to the PC oscilloscope. The digital signal of the oscilloscope is transmitted to the computer. After calibration of the device, the frequency and amplitude of damped rotational oscillations around a horizontal axis passing through the center of the cylinder and perpendicular to the velocity vector of the incoming flow are determined. The effect of the air flow is described by analogues of rotational derivatives, which in the case of bluff bodies depend on the amplitude of the oscillations of the angle of inclination of the body and on the amplitude of the angular velocity. A simple model of the stabilizer’s effect on rotational derivatives is proposed.
Implementing a systemic approach to water management: piloting a novel multi-level collaborative integrated water management framework in east London
Authors: Whaley Matthew E. , Benton Laura , Bromwich Brendan , Mijic Ana , Rousseau Eloise , Whaley Marie-Pierre , Dobson Barnaby
Published: May 2024

To address urban growth, resource competition, and environmental degradation, effective integrated water planning is crucial. In the UK, policy frameworks like the 25-Year Plan for the environment and the National Framework for Water Resources stress the need for a systemic approach. Despite efforts in stakeholder engagement and meta-models, integrating physical and human aspects in water management remains a challenge. This paper introduces a multi-level framework for regional water planning, demonstrated through London's Sub-Regional Integrated Water Management Strategy (SIWMS). The framework, depicted as an inverted triangle, starts with conceptual analysis, gathering stakeholder insights and data. Integrated modelling creates a baseline for scenario assessment, providing evidence through metrics and simulations. Integrated planning focuses on collaboration for option selection and implementation. Results show the framework's effectiveness for systems-level analysis at the river basin scale. The logical progression facilitates stakeholder engagement, enhancing shared understanding. The Water Systems Integration Modelling (WSIMOD) Framework allows simultaneous assessment of interventions on various indicators, aiding in prioritising multi-benefit schemes and identifying potential negative impacts. The study supports the prioritisation of schemes like Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) and emphasises the importance of a multi-level collaborative approach for robust, stakeholder-supported regional water planning to achieve effective implementation of planning and environmental policies.
Evaluation of hydrological responses to climate change in the Gibe Gojeb catchment, southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Kuma Hailu Gisha , Chinasho Ermias Mekonnen , Tolke Abrham Asha
Published: May 2024

The expected influences of climate alteration on hydrological responses in the Gibe Gojeb catchment, southwestern Ethiopia, were evaluated using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and regional climate models (RCMs). This study emphasizes the evaluation of the climate change impact on hydrological responses. The RCM data were downloaded from CORDEX-Africa. Power transformation and delta change methods were used for bias correction of precipitation and temperature, respectively. The calibration and validation of the SWAT model showed good agreement, and climate change impact was simulated. Accordingly, precipitation, soil water content, percolation, water yield, and groundwater are projected to decrease by 28.18, 7.5, 9.1, 5.4, and 9.2%, respectively, under RCP4.5 in the future (2021–2050). Besides, surface runoff and potential and actual evapotranspiration are projected to increase by 17.4, 11.32, and 5.06%, respectively. Soil water content, percolation, water yield, and precipitation are projected to decrease by 10.51, 5.63, 2.76, and 21.57%, respectively, under RCP8.5 in the future. Rain-fed crop production and hydropower generation in the catchment would be vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The results help to develop effective adaptation measures to reduce the impacts of climate change and draft long-term water resource management plans in the Gibe Gojeb catchment.