bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cicer arietinum L. (Chickpea): A Mini-review
Authors: Mohsenzadeh Saeed
Published: July 2024

Cicer arietinum (chickpea) is an annual herbaceous crop and the world’s third most important food legume, belonging to the genus Cicer. Chickpea is rich in carbohydrates, proteins and bioactive compounds. A variety of climatic and environmental conditions influence chickpea growth, development and grain yield. Its significance and utilization for several health diseases have been cited in ancient manuscripts and the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Determining the origin and dispersal routes of this plant has been one of the most interesting issues among botanists. This review gives an outline of the available literature on morphological characteristics, origin, habitat features, nutritional compositionand medicinal uses of the chickpea. Chickpea is cultivated in a wide variety of agroecological conditions worldwide, especially in arid and semi-arid climates. It is susceptible to soil type, soil pH, waterlogging, temperature (drought and cold), annual rainfall, salinity, high boron, insect and pathogen attacks, herbicidesand weeds, especially broad-leafed weeds. Chickpea originated in the Mediterranean/Fertile Crescent from Cicer reticulatum through mutants and spread to Central Asia and likely in parallel from Central Asia to South Asia (India) and East Africa (Ethiopia). It is a chief source of sustainable, inexpensive protein, also abundant in complex carbohydrates, fatty acids, isoflavones, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Cicer arietinum possesses several medicinally significant activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-hepatotoxicity, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-cancer and nephrolithiasis.
Peran Mediasi Minat dalam Pembelian Produk Rabbani: Perspektif Plan of Behaviour Theory
Authors: Wulandari Wahyu , Ariyani Diyah
Published: July 2024

This research is motivated by the way women dress that is the cause of sexual harassment. So that the research aims to determine the Effect Analysis of Halal Lifestyle, Price, and Word Of Mouth on Purchase Decisions on Rabbani Products in Salatiga with an Interest as an Intervening Variable. This study used a quantitative method by processing primary data through questionnaires which were distributed to users of Rabbani products in Salatiga as many as 193 respondents using a purposive sampling technique. The analytical tool used in this study is SmartPLS 4.The results of this study indicate that: halal lifestyle, price and word of mouth have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions. The interest variable has a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions. Halal lifestyle, word of mouth has a positive and significant effect on interest. The price variable has a positive and insignificant effect on purchasing decisions. The interest variable can mediate the halal lifestyle variable, word of mouth on purchasing decisions. Interest cannot mediate price on purchasing decisions.
Efekt školske klime i otpornosti na svakodnevni akademski stres na dobrobiti i školski uspjeh srednjoškolaca
Authors: Vrdoljak Gabrijela
Published: July 2024

Teorije pozitivnog razvoja mladih gledaju na mlade ljude kroz njihove snage i potencijale. Navode da će ti potencijali biti maksimalno iskorišteni ukoliko postoji podržavajuće i stimulirajuće okruženje. S obzirom da mladi velik dio vremena provode u školama, školsko okruženje je važno za osnaživanje potencijala i zdrav razvoj. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je provjeriti efekt školske klime i otpornosti na svakodnevni akademski stres na dobrobiti i školski uspjeh srednjoškolaca. Istraživanje je provedeno na 3102 učenika drugog razreda srednje škole iz osam hrvatskih gradova. Korišteni su instrumenti: Hrvatski upitnik školske klime za učenike (HUŠK-U), Skala otpornosti na svakodnevni akademski stres (The Academic Buoyancy Scale - ABS), Warwick-Edinburgh upitnik mentalne dobrobiti (Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale – WEMWBS), te procjena školskog uspjeha na kraju prošle školse godine. Upitnici su primijenjeni u online verziji putem platforme SurveyMonkey. U obradi podataka korištena je analiza puta. Prvo je provjereno pristajanje podataka predloženom modelu, te se pokazalo da podatci odgovaraju predloženom modelu. Rezultati su pokazali da školska klima ima značajan pozitivan efekt na: otpornost na svakodnevni akademski stres, dobrobit i školski uspjeh. Otpornost na svakodnevni akademski stres ima značajan pozitivan efekt na dobrobit, te značajan (iako dosta nizak) negativan efekt na školski uspjeh. Otpornost na svakodnevni akademski stres se pokazala značajnim medijatorom u odnosu školske klime i dobrobiti te školske klime i školskog uspjeha. Rezultati ukazuju na važnost škole i školskog okruženja u postizanju pozitivnih ishoda kod srednjoškolaca. Također, je važno za dobrobit adolescenata da nisu pod velikim stresom zbog ispitivanja i ocjena. Ono što je problematično (iako se radi o malom efektu) jest nalaz da oni koji su pod većim stresom oko ispitivanja i ocjena, ostvaruju bolji školski uspjeh.
Qualitative social network analysis in practice: comparison of methods for network maps construction
Authors: Kim Aryuna
Published: July 2024

This article is devoted to the application of qualitative network analysis on the example of studying the social interactions of young parents in migration. A conceptual description of qualitative network analysis, network visualization features, design of qualitative network research, comparison of two approaches to building network maps and an example of their analysis are presented. Qualitative network analysis is aimed at studying relationships in the network and consists of interpretative and structural components, which are implemented through interviews and building a network map. The two approaches to building network maps differ in that in one case, network maps are built by the researcher based on an interview, and in the other case, the construction of the map is delegated to the informant himself. The first method is limited by the interview data and is their structural visualization. The second method of building a network map by the informant himself creates additional resources for interpretation – contrasting narratives and visual structuring of the informant's interactions.
A microhistory of decline. Attitude of Jews in and around Dzierżoniów towards Poland in the years 1967−1968
Authors: Szajda Marek
Published: July 2024

The article presents the fate of the Jewish population settled in Lower Silesia, Poland, during the anti-Semitic campaign of 1967–1968, focusing on two towns: Dzierżoniów and Bielawa. Through an analysis of archival sources, the text reconstructs the fate of individual members of this community, including its leaders, beginning in 1967 (during the Six-Day War) and continuing through the following months, till the events of March 1968. The paper takes a special interest in the attitudes of Jews towards Poland, as well as in the government anti-Semitic campaign and accusations of disloyalty to Poland. It also presents the experiences of hostility, as well as the consequences of stigmatization by anti-Semitism. The analysis exemplifies the impact of the anti-Semitic campaign on a small, provincial Jewish community, living far from Warsaw and the student protests in 1968 or the centre of communist authority.
An Exploratory Study on Digital Stress in the Middle-Aged
Authors: LEE Woon-Kyoung , LEE Sang-Hee ,   The Association of Korea Counseling Psychology Education Welfare
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study was to explore the digital stress experienced by middle-aged people while using digital devices or products. An online survey was conducted and data from 96 people was analyzed using CQR-M. The research results are as follows. Digital stress was largely divided into 6 areas and 18 categories. Six areas were identified: difficulty in accepting digital change, fear and anxiety about adaptation, information overload and fatigue, invasion of information security and privacy, digital overuse, internal isolation and relationship change. Middle-aged people who have overcome digital stress are reported to have decreased stress in life, and increased in life satisfaction and health satisfaction, so examining their digital-related stress is a practical counseling approach that can help the middle-aged people.
A Grounded Theory of Ineffective Counseling Processes with ADHD Children’s Parents
Authors: OH Ji-Won , SHIN Seo-Won ,   The Association of Korea Counseling Psychology Education Welfare
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study is to explore ineffective counseling processes with ADHD children’s parents and related barriers. Thirteen counselors who had counseling experience with ADHD children and their parents were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. As a result, nine categories and 20 subcategories were identified. Parents’ cognitive or emotional difficulties, family conditions that cause poor parenting, and insufficient social support were found as causal or contextual conditions. Low motivation for changes was identified as a central phenomenon which, in turn, generated negative responses to counseling and poor counseling alliance. Counselors’ competence, counter-transference management, and counseling facility were identified as intervening conditions. Based on these findings, implications to prevent potentially harmful counseling were discussed.
Phenomenological Study of Clients' Gaze Experience in Counseling Settings
Authors: LEE Mi-Mi , CHA Myeong-Ho ,   The Association of Korea Counseling Psychology Education Welfare
Published: July 2024

This study aims to figure out the meaning of clients' gaze experiences when facing the gaze of counselors in counseling settings. Considering the nature and logic of the study topics, it is studied through the qualitative research of phenomenology to explore highly subjective and unique individual experiences. In this research it is showed that clients’ gaze consistently imbues meanings to it, continually build new constructs and reinterpret new meaning as something different. The act of clients facing the gaze of counselors was a subjective movement of a real self to explore their existence. When clients are gazed upon by counselors without leaving anything conditional behind, they engage in a directedness toward themselves by reflecting on their existence through the gaze of observation. Furthermore, it was possible to observe directly their realities out of functional and scientific frame of reference of their experiences.
The Effects of the Group Art Therapy using Reminiscence Therapy on the Aging Attitude and Quality of Life of the Elderly Living Alone
Authors: CHUN Hyung-Jun , JANG Hye-Kyung ,   The Association of Korea Counseling Psychology Education Welfare
Published: July 2024

This study examines the effects of reminiscence-based group art therapy on the attitudes toward aging and the quality of life of elderly individuals living alone. The study participants were 24 elderly individuals living alone, aged 65 and older, who use a senior care facility in K City. They were divided into two groups: an exp. group of 12 and a control group of 12. The experimental group underwent 12 sessions of group art therapy once a week from September 5, 2023, to December 12, 2023. The Aging Attitudes Questionnaire(AAQ-21) and the Quality of Life in Ageing Scale(CASP-19) were used as research tools. Differences between groups were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance. The results are as follows. First, the experimental group showed significant improvements in their attitudes towards aging, particularly in aspects related to social loss, physical and psychological changes, and growth. Second, the quality of life in terms of autonomy, pleasure, and self-realization also significantly improved in the experimental group. These findings suggest that reminiscence-based group art therapy can be an effective intervention for enhancing aging attitudes and quality of life among elderly living alone.
COMPUTER OPTIMIZATION OF SWITCHING FREQUENCY OF TRANSISTOR PULSE-WIDTH CONVERTERS
Authors: Kovalov Viktor , Kovalova Julia
Published: July 2024

The aim of the work is to develop algorithm for determining the optimal switching frequency of a transistor pulse-width converter (PWM) to minimize the total electrical losses in a DC drive. Electrical losses in the armature winding and in PWM transistors are divided into two components: static from the direct current component and dynamic. The latter include losses in the armature winding from the harmonic components of the current and losses in transistors from transient switching currents. Since the dynamic losses in transistors increase with increasing frequency, and in the armature winding from current harmonics they decrease, there is an optimal switching frequency value at which the total dynamic losses in the PWM drive will be minimal. This aim is achieved by solving the problem of determining the analytical dependence of dynamic electrical losses in the armature winding on the PWM switching frequency and computer simulation of a transistor DC drive. As a result of the research, an analytical expression was obtained for calculating the relative dynamic electrical losses in the armature winding with polyharmonic power supply. An algorithm is proposed for determining the optimal switching frequency of the PWM: 1) on computer models of the DC motor and PWM, the dependences of dynamic electrical losses on the switching frequency are determined; 2) build a graph of the dependence of the total dynamic electrical losses, on the which determine the point of minimum losses, which corresponds to the optimal value of the switching frequency. The novelty of the work lies in the fact that the theory of electrical losses in the armature windings with polyharmonic power has been further developed.
UNJUK KERJA MESIN LAS GESEK ROTARY PADA BAJA KERBON RENDAH DILIHAT DARI STRUKTUR MAKRO DAN UJI BENDING
Authors: Hafni Hafni , Wardianto Dedi
Published: July 2024

Pengelasan gesek merupakan salah satu dari proses pengelasan yang menghasilkan penggabungan melalui panas yang dihasilkan antara dua permukaan sambungan akibat Gerakan permukaan bergesek  secara mekanik. Panas yang dihasilkan akibat gesekan permukaan .sangat tergantung kepada jumlah putaran putaran dari motor penggerak.
Pengujian mesin las gesek tipe rotary ini dilakukan di laboratotrium Teknik Mesin Institut Teknologi Padang. Mesin las gesek mempunyai mempunyai daya motor 2 HP menghasilkan  putaran pada chuck   3950 rpm dan penekan sambunga menggunakan dongkrak hydraulic dan dilengkapi dengan sistim pengereman yang berfungsi untuk menghentikan putaran motor   setelah terjadi penyambungan dengan waktu pengereman 1.1 detik.
Material uji yang digunakan adalah baja karbon rendah dengan diameter 10 mm dan diameter 8 mm  panjang material uji 8 cm. Jumlah material ujidiamter 10 mm adalah 6 batang. Dan jumlah material uji diameter 8 mm sebanyak 6 batang .  Permukaan material uji yang disambung harus rata dan bersih dari karatan atau zat kimia lainnya yang data merusak penyatuan sambungan.   
Hasil pengujian yang dilakukan pada baja batangan diameter 10 mm dengan Panjang awal 16 cm dengan tiga kali pengujian diperoleh rata rata   Panjang akhir 15, 5  cm dengan waktu total pengelasan rata rata 79 detik.dan waktu timbulnya panas dan penekanan 20 detik, besar  gaya penekanan 196 N. Pada material ujidiameter 8 mm, Panjang awal 16 cm  dengan tiga kali pengujian diperoleh Panjang akhir rata rata 15,5 cm dan total waktu pengelasan 49 detik, waktu panas detik, besar gaya penekanan 157 N     
Dari pengujian struktur makro dan pengujian bending menunjukan sifat mekanik b=yang baik dimana dsampel uji tidak ada yang patah atau retak pada pada sambungan nugget yang terbentuk.
   
Kata kunci :  Putaran, waktu lama panas,
Assisting Directional Drilling by Calculating a Safe Operating Envelope
Authors: Saavedra Jerez L. , Cayeux E. , Sui D.
Published: July 2024

Nowadays, complex 3D trajectories are executed with a succession of circular arcs (CAs). Although they have constant curvature, their tool face is not constant. Consequently, directional drillers must adjust the tool face regularly to reach the target entry within its tolerances. This paper investigates the use of the constant curvature and constant tool face (CTC in short) curve as an alternative to the CA to assist the directional drilling work to reach the target entry within its boundaries.

The problem is addressed by calculating a safe operating envelope (SOE) to reach the boundaries of the target entry and provide a tolerance window for the curvature and tool face to support directional drilling decisions. The target entry tolerance is discretized as a polygon. From the current bit position and its direction, the possible choices of curvatures and tool faces are obtained to reach the edges of the target entry shape. The SOE can be calculated with the CA or with the CTC curve. It is, therefore, possible to compare the advantages and disadvantages of both types of curves to attain the target entry and stay within its boundaries.

The CA is shorter than the CTC curve. However, it requires adjusting the tool face during the navigation, which is not the case with the CTC curve. As a result, the directional driller can control the bottomhole assembly (BHA) direction such that the well lands within the target entry limits by using set points for tool face and curvature inside the calculated SOE. Furthermore, a new way to represent the SOE is introduced. It makes use of a 3D cylindrical representation where the curvature is mapped as the height of a cylinder, while the tool face corresponds to the azimuth in the cylindrical coordinate system, and the length is linked to the radial distance. This provides a visual aid to understand the SOE. Moreover, this visualization helps to appreciate the relationship between the initial bit location and direction in the construction of the SOE and how the margins increase in a particular manner as the bit approaches the target entry polygon.

The CTC curve is the natural one followed by directional positive displacement motors (PDMs) or rotary steerable systems (RSS). Potentially, the CTC curve may be a more straightforward solution to automated directional drilling control because it is easier to be followed by both PDM and RSS.
Single electron transfer between sulfonium and tryptophan enables site-selective photo crosslinking of methyllysine reader proteins
Authors: Wu Mingxuan , Feng Feng , Gao Yingxiao , Zhao Qun , Luo Ting , Yang Qingyun , Zhao Nan , Xiao Yihang , Han Yusong , Pan Jinheng , Feng Shan , Zhang Lihua
Published: July 2024

The identification of readers, an important class of proteins that recognize modified residues at specific sites, is essential to uncover biological roles of posttranslational modifications. Photoreactive crosslinkers are powerful tools for investigating readers. However, existing methods usually employ synthetically challenging photoreactive warheads and their high-energy intermediates generated upon irradiation, such as nitrene and carbene, may cause significant non-specific crosslinking. Here we report dimethylsulfonium as a methyllysine mimic that binds to specific readers and subsequently crosslinks to a conserved tryptophan inside the binding pocket through single electron transfer under ultraviolet irradiation. The crosslinking relies on a protein-templated σ-π electron-donor-acceptor interaction between sulfonium and indole, ensuring excellent site-selectivity for tryptophan in the active site and orthogonality to other methyllysine readers. This method could escalate the discovery of methyllysine readers from complex cell samples. Furthermore, this photo crosslinking strategy could be extended to develop other types of microenvironment-dependent conjugations to site-specific tryptophan.
Flood Assessment for Lower Godavari Basin by using the application of GIS-based Analytical Hierarchy Process
Authors: Kara Reshma , Singh Prabhakar
Published: July 2024

The Godavari River is the principal river in southern India having one of the largest river basins. Several locations in the lower Godavari basin are susceptible to flooding due to the various natural hazards. The region is densely populated and has important land features making it vulnerable to floods. Thus, the combined effect of hazards and vulnerability leads to risk. Considering the strategic importance of the basin, a study is performed to assess flood risk in the lower Godavari basin. There are several methodologies available for flood risk analysis that have been used by various investigators in the past. In the present work, flood risk is assessed using a multiparametric approach known as the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which is one of the most advanced and contemporary techniques for decision-making. In this study, the decision factors are considered for calculating the Flood Hazard Index (Rainfall, Slope, Drainage Density, Distance to Stream, Topographic Wetness Index, Stream Power Index, and Sediment Transport Index) and the Flood Vulnerability Index (Population Density, Land Use Land Cover). A detailed map is generated using Arc-GIS for each decision factor and the risk is classified as ‘Very High’, ‘High’, ‘Moderate’, ‘Low’, and ‘Very Low’ based on parametric values. The calculation of flood hazard and flood vulnerability indices is followed by the Flood Risk Index (FRI). Subsequently, the desired FRI map for the lower Godavari basin is generated by identifying the risk zones.
External Funding and its Effects on Out-of-Pocket Expenditure in SAARC Nations: Global Health Financing Strategies
Authors: CHANDRA YOGESH , Jain Ajai
Published: July 2024

Out-of-pocket health expenditure causes a detrimental impact on health outcomes and also contributes to impoverishment and healthcare catastrophe, a major concern in healthcare financing, prevailing in developing nations. Various components of Current Health Expenditure (CHE) affect the OOPS. This research study focuses on the impact of External Health Expenditure (EHE) on Out-of-pocket health expenditure in South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations.
The objective of this research study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of patterns and trends in external health expenditure and its impact on Out-of-pocket spending in SAARC nations and provide recommendations to optimize global health financing strategies by addressing common challenges, enhancing the understanding and cooperation for mutual benefits. The study follows a descriptive research design depending on secondary quantitative data from the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database for the years 2012 to 2021. Descriptive statistics explore the relationship and trend of external health expenditure and out-of-pocket spending.
The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the external sources of funding and its role in promoting accessibility, and affordability to enhance public health and health outcomes by mutual collaboration for good policies and practices.
The research findings emphasize the noticeable impact of external health expenditure on out-of-pocket spending in SAARC countries. So there is a scope for health diplomacy in India. Further researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers can utilize these findings in developing cost-effective interventions, designing pro-poor financial schemes, and other initiatives to reduce the financial burden on individuals.
Implementation of a Longitudinal Rural, Interprofessional Community-Oriented Primary Care Project (COPC) Curriculum (1997-2023)
Authors: Hinkle Hana E. , Sheppard A. Brianna , Fess Kara , Olson Heidi , Squires Elizabeth
Published: July 2024

Background
The Community Oriented Primary Care Project Model (COPC) has been well studied globally as well as in the United States as a way to provide both community-centered primary care and to engage in community based research. For three decades, medical student trainees through the University of Illinois College Of Medicine Rural Medical Education Program (RMED) and Rural Pharmacy Education Program (RPHARM) students through the University of Illinois Chicago College of Pharmacy have participated in a COPC project as a capstone to a four month longitudinal, immersive community-based experience in a rural primary care setting. RMED students begin working with a dedicated faculty advisor and engage in a full research project plan starting in their M3 year for implementation in their 4th year. The purpose of this study was to identify the themes of presentations related to COPC from the graduating classes 1997–2023.
Methods
A research team reviewed projects on 30 elements; including topic and demographics. Patterns in COPC topics and rurality of the location in which the COPC project were also examined by using 2021 U.S. Census Bureau population data and Rural Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) Code.
Results
COPC projects were categorized into 31 main topic areas with mental health being the most prevalent topic area covered by projects (n = 67, 15.7%) followed by 43 (10.1%) projects that focused on nutrition/exercise, and 41 (9.6%) focused on substance use (presented as a separate category from mental health in this analysis).
Conclusions
Project themes have addressed priority health issues in rural communities for over 30 years. Past COPC projects have also been implemented in highly rural areas where research is not often conducted. Students who have participated in the COPC research process are required to present their work at a peer-reviewed Research Day as well as provide results back to the community and stakeholders to support dissemination of results and provide recommendations for policy or program development. The COPC research process can be easily replicated in other trainee models such as to fulfill ACGME requirements of scholarly activity and can provide a template for trainees of this model to implement community-engaged research in the future.
Effect of surface roughness on rotating fatigue strength of as-built AlSi10Mg produced by laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Hassanin Andrea El , Prisco Umberto
Published: July 2024

ALSi10Mg samples with as-built surfaces characterized by three levels of increasing roughness were fabricated varying the building orientation by laser powder bed fusion. In particular the sample axis was oriented at 0◦, 90◦, and 45◦ with respect to the building direction. It is demonstrated that roughness directly influ ences the fatigue performance of as-built samples, since cracks initiate at surface notches related to features produced by surface roughness. Rougher surfaces gen erate higher concentration stress and show lower cyclic properties. Then the rotating fatigue strength of the samples is non-destructively estimated using the Murakami’s square root area parameter model. The equivalent size of the defect was calculated from the roughness parameters Sz and RSm. The model gives a good correlation with the experimental data, and then it can be applied to evaluate the fatigue strength of as-build ALSi10Mg. These results are important for the reliable design in terms of fatigue strength of selective laser melted AlSi10Mg components.
Allocating the Remaining Global Carbon Budget: A Human Rights-Based Approach on the basis of the Right to Sustainable Development.
Authors: Blasco Pablo , Alcaraz Olga , Sureda Bàrbara
Published: July 2024

Although the adoption of the Paris Agreement has promoted worldwide climate action, much more is needed. Equity plays a pivotal role not only to increase climate action worldwide, by convincing others to contribute with their fair share, but also it assesses the needs and rights of people worldwide from a moral and justice standpoint. The concept of equity appears in official and agreed documents of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement, however it lacks a standardized framework and methodology. The present study aims to promote a human rights based approach to climate change by operationalizing the equity concept, focusing on the right to sustainable development. The operationalization of this is obtained through the application of the Right to Sustainable Development Model (RSDM), comprising past countries' GHG emissions, present economic status, sustainability level and future climate vulnerabilities. The dimensions of the RSDM allows to calculate emissions allocations of the remaining global carbon budget for 1.5°C and 2°C temperature goals for 185 countries, addressing both emissions reduction and the developmental needs of certain nations while fostering sustainable development. The results obtained allow for a better understanding of the past, present and future inequalities that countries have faced, are facing and will face, clearly delineating the division between developed and developing countries. Furthermore, the outcome of the model highlights that under a climate regime that prioritizes the right to sustainable development, developed countries' current emissions would exceed the levels consistent with their assigned quotas, thereby occupying an atmospheric space that rightfully belongs to other countries and further exacerbating global climate change, which, in turn, will disproportionately affect countries around the world. Prioritizing equity in global climate negotiations and decisions is crucial. Actionable frameworks are needed to ensure countries fulfillment of their right to sustainable development. This study presents a comprehensive model for assessing this dimension, emphasizing the imperative of centering climate action on the principles of equity and a human rights based approach.
Sex-specific epigenetic signatures of circulating urate and its increase after BCG vaccination
Authors: Xu Cheng-Jian , Liu Zhaoli , Crișan Tania , Qi Cancan , Gupta Manoj , Liu Xuan , Moorlag Simone , Koeken Valerie A.C.M. , de Bree Charlotte , Mourits Vera , Gao Xu , Baccarelli Andrea , Schwartz Joel , Pessler Frank , Guzmán Carlos , Li Yang , Netea Mihai , Joosten Leo
Published: July 2024

Background: Urate concentration and the physiological regulation of urate homeostasis exhibit clear sex differences. DNA methylation has been shown to explain a substantial proportion of serum urate variance, mediate the genetic effect on urate concentration, and co-regulate with cardiometabolic traits. However, whether urate concentration is associated with DNA methylation in a sex-dependent manner is unknown. Additionally, it is worth investigating if urate changes after perturbations, such as vaccination, are associated with DNA methylation in a sex-specific manner.
Methods: We investigated the association between DNA methylation and serum urate concentrations in a Dutch cohort of 325 healthy individuals. Urate concentration and DNA methylation were measured before and after Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination, used as a perturbation associated with increased gout flares. The association analysis included united, interaction, and sex-stratified analysis. Validation of the identified CpG sites was conducted using three independent cohorts.
Results: 215 CpG sites were associated with serum urate in males, while 5 CpG sites were associated with serum urate in females, indicating sex-specific associations. Circulating urate concentrations significantly increased after BCG vaccination, and baseline DNA methylation was associated with differences in urate concentration before and after vaccination in a sex-specific manner. The CpG sites associated with urate concentration in males were enriched in neuro-protection pathways, whereas in females, the urate change-associated CpG sites were related to lipid and glucose metabolism.
Conclusion: Our study enhances the understanding of how epigenetic factors contribute to regulating serum urate levels in a sex-specific manner. These insights have significant implications for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various urate-related diseases and highlight the importance of personalized and sex-specific approaches in medicine.
A comparative assessment of uncrushed-river concrete mix of Hari-River, and Kamar-kalaq: The two widely used concrete mix in Herat, Afghanistan
Authors: Alkozay Arif , Faqiri Amanollah , Moheb Noman , Ahmadi Khalid Ahmad , Sadat Sayed Naqibullah , Saddeqi Mohammad Yaser , Jamshidi Ahmad Fawad , sayedi Mir mohammad rateb , Mohammadi Safiullah
Published: July 2024

Concrete, as a cornerstone of modern construction, heavily relies on the quality of its constituent materials, particularly aggregates. Among the critical factors contributing to high-quality concrete are proper gradation, absence of clay particles, and angular shape of aggregates. Adhering to these standards typically results in concrete with superior strength. However, aggregates sourced from riverbeds often possess a natural gradation, contain clay particles, and have rounded shapes. This study delves into a comparative analysis of aggregates sourced from two widely utilized riverbed regions, namely Hari-River and Kamar-Kalaq, situated within Herat province, Afghanistan. Given that over 90% of concrete in Herat province is sourced from these two riverbeds, the findings of this study carry immense significance. The research meticulously examines key parameters, including clay content, gradation, aggregate shape, and compressive strength, to determine the optimal choice for concrete production. Methodologically, samples were acquired following ASTM standards, and rigorous testing procedures were conducted, encompassing clay particle analysis, sieve analysis, and strength testing. The results reveal significant disparities between the two regions, with Hari-River demonstrating superior characteristics across various metrics. Particularly noteworthy is Hari-River's lower clay content, superior gradation, and higher compressive strength compared to Kamar-Kalaq.
Distance decay reveals contrasting effects of land-use types on arthropod community homogenization
Authors: Decker Orsi , Muller Jorg , Uhler Johannes , Redlich Sarah , Chao Anne , Steffan-Dewenter Ingolf , Tobisch Cynthia , Ewald Jörg , Englmeier Jana , Fricke Ute , Ganuza Cristina , Haensel Maria , Morinière Jérôme , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2024

Global biodiversity decline with increasing land-use intensity is supposedly linked to the homogenization of species communities across landscapes. However, the contribution of landscape homogenization to insect diversity loss is still largely untested. We compared an indicator for community homogenization, the distance decay slope between four local habitats of increasing land-use intensity, from forests to managed grasslands, to arable lands and to settlements, imbedded in near-natural, agricultural and urban regions. This comparison was based on 12k arthropod species from 400 families, covering an area of 70.500 km2. Distance decay – taking rarity and species traits into account - identified grasslands as the most homogenous local land-use type. In contrast, settlements and arable lands showed the most heterogeneous arthropod communities between locations. Large and low-mobility species communities were the most heterogeneous in space, but distance decay patterns were dependent on local land-use. Regional landscape type modified local land-use patterns: near-natural landscapes lowered, while agricultural landscapes increased the impact of homogenisation. Based on our findings we recommend enhanced conservation efforts particularly in grasslands to reverse current homogenization, while settlements and arable lands could be more strongly considered in insect beta-biodiversity heterogenization.
Relationship between Macronutrients and Energy Intake and Liver Serum Transaminase Levels in Elderly Athletes and Non-Athletes: Findings from the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Bilondi Hossein Taghizade , Arabi Seyyed Mostafa , Mohammadzadeh Fatemeh , Mirhafez Seyed Reza , Ostadrahimi Alireza
Published: July 2024

Background: Evaluating liver health and influential factors is crucial in the elderly population. Lifestyle factors like nutrition and exercise may impact liver function. This study aimed to investigate the association between macronutrients and energy intake with serum levels of aminotransferases in elderly Iranian athletes and non-athletes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 811 elderly participants (369 athletes, 442 non-athletes) from the Neyshabur Longitudinal Study on Aging (NeLSA). Dietary intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Serum Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were measured. Regression Analyzes evaluated the associations between macronutrient intake and liver enzymes, adjusting for potential confounding variables.
Results: For elderly athletes, higher calorie intake (β=0.0020, 95% CI: 0.0006, 0.0035, p=0.005), protein intake (β=0.0549, 95% CI: 0.0143, 0.0955, p=0.008), and carbohydrate intake (β=0.0107, 95% CI: 0.0033, 0.0181, p=0.005) were significantly associated with increased ALT levels in adjusted models. Higher carbohydrate intake (β=0.0061, 95% CI: 0.0021, 0.0100, p=0.003) and calorie intake (β=0.0009, 95% CI: 0.0001, 0.0017, p=0.018) were also associated with a notable increase in AST levels in elderly athletes. For elderly non-athletes, only higher protein intake (β=0.0411, 95% CI: 0.0046, 0.0777, p=0.027) was significantly associated with increased ALT levels, while none of the nutritional factors were associated with a notable change in AST levels in adjusted models for non-athletes.
Conclusions: This study found higher calorie, protein, and carbohydrate intake were associated with increased liver enzymes ALT and AST in elderly individuals, particularly athletes. For athletes, all three nutrients were linked to elevated ALT, while only carbohydrates and calories impacted AST. For non-athletes, only protein affected ALT. These findings suggest tailored nutritional strategies may be needed to preserve liver health in active aging populations.
Fostering Empathy in Medical Students by "Social Responsibility in Health"
Authors: MALAKCIOGLU CEM
Published: July 2024

Background
Many positive effects of social responsibility topics like volunteerism on students' empathy levels and prevention of social conflicts can be found in the recent literature. In Social Responsibility in Health (SRH) course, stories of people living in different conditions were told to the medical students. They were asked to put themselves in the shoes of people living in difficult conditions and to find solutions for various problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SRH course on the empathy levels of medical students.
Methods
Between October 2022 and February 2023, 136 medical students from İstanbul Medeniyet University voluntarily participated in this intervention evaluation study. Empathy Assessment Scale with three subscales (social interaction, cognitive behavior, and emotional identification) was applied to the intervention (n = 62) and control (n = 74) groups in the beginning (pretest) and the end (posttest) of the course. Due to normal distribution of the data, t-tests were utilized for statistical analysis.
Results
Intervention group had significantly higher total empathy (p < .05) and emotional identification (p < .01) mean posttest scores with respect to pretest. There was no significant difference for social interaction and cognitive behavior empathy dimensions in the intervention group between pretest and posttest. Also, all empathy scores at posttest were significantly higher in the intervention than the control group (p < .01).
Conclusions
SRH course positively affected empathy levels of medical students, especially their emotional identification with others. Including social responsibility-themed courses telling stories of people in difficult situations in the medical curriculum will positively affect the empathic skills of medical students.
Trial registration:
Not applicable
Ruxolitinib in Acute and Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: Real Life Long-Term Experience in a Multi-Centre Study for Adult and Pediatric Patients, on Behalf of GETH-TC
Authors: Pérez-Simón José A , Escamilla-Gomez Virginia , García-Gutiérrez Valentín , Alcalde-Mellado Patricia , Mahillo Beatriz Astibia , Chinea Anabelle , Lopez-Corral Lucia , Acera-Gómez Marina , Ochando Melissa Torres , Borrego Asunción Borrero , Pinedo Leslie González , Zudaire Teresa , Gonz�lez-Vicent Marta , Benzaquén Ana , Izquierdo Isabel , Cantó Pedro Asensi , Montoro Juan , Martin-Dominguez Francisco , Orti Guillermo , Valcarcel David , Benítez-Carabante Maria Isabel , Diaz-de-Heredia Cristina , Giró Eloi Cañamero , Coll Christelle Ferrà i , García-Cadenas Irene , Redondo Sara , Sisinni Luisa , Perez-Martinez Antonio , Mussetti Alberto , Garcia-Mañó Lucia , Palomo Pilar , González-Sierra Pedro , Jurado Manuel
Published: July 2024

Ruxolitinib has been approved for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients ≥ 12 years with steroid refractory graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). However, real-life studies are needed to confirm the results of clinical trials and further assess its efficacy in special populations. We performed a descriptive, retrospective, multi-centre study of 352 adults and 42 pediatric patients treated with ruxolitinib for steroid-refractory acute or chronic GvHD. Among 119 and 233 adult patients with acute and chronic GvHD, overall response rate (ORR) was 58.8% (CR 33.6%) and 65.7% (CR 18.5%), respectively. Corticosteroids were withdrawn in 59.2% and 40.1%, and ruxolitinib in 47.2% and 34.8% in the acute and chronic groups of responders. Among 29 and 13 pediatric patients with acute and chronic GvHD, ORR was 82.7% (CR 51.7%) and 100% (CR 23%), respectively. Among responder patients, corticosteroids were withdrawn in 72.7% and 50%, and ruxolitinib in 75% and 30.7% in both groups respectively. Ruxolitinib in the real world setting, showed similar results as compared to clinical trials. Its efficacy is maintained in subsequent lines of treatment. In the pediatric population, the data are more favourable. In the long-term follow-up, corticosteroids, ruxolitinib and other inmunosuppressive drugs could be eliminated in a remarkably proportion of patients.
Policy Design and Enactment in a Federalist School System: Understanding Contextual Responsiveness in Educational Governance
Authors: Jutzi Michelle , Wicki Thomas , Grgic Marina , Hostettler Ueli
Published: July 2024

This article examines the design and enactment of a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) curriculum within the decentralized, federalist Swiss education system. It explores how power dynamics between federal and state actors shape education policy. In Switzerland, cantons possess significant autonomy in interpreting national policy, leading to diverse approaches in response to societal shifts such as the growing need for digital skills. The data shows that the design of the national curriculum involved stakeholder dialogue and aimed for inclusivity. The expert interviews highlight this collaborative process behind national policy design. Furthermore, the article profiles six sub-unit governments (cantons) revealing varied strategies in MIL policy enactment. Qualitative data integration and the formulation of vignettes illustrates the iterative nature of policy design and enactment, demonstrating that not all cantons align with national policy. The Swiss case underscores how societal demands often precede national policy, emphasizing the importance of contextual responsiveness in educational governance. Overall, the analysis provides insights into the complex interplay between national authority, sub-unity governments, and societal needs in shaping education policy, particularly in the area of MIL.
Comparison Studies on Mechanical Properties, Microstructural Changes and Heat-Affected-Zone (HAZ) of Tig- And Laser Welded en AW 6082-T6
Authors: Fauzi Elfi Rahayu Imam , Mokhtar Mohd Najib Ali
Published: July 2024

During fusion welding of aluminium alloy, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) reduces mechanical strength of component, particularly in 6000 series alloys, where the reduction can be 30%-50%. This softening phenomenon is not adequately addressed in current design standards such as Eurocode 9 and the British Standard Institution (BSI) Standard. In the present study, comprehensive experimental work is conducted to investigate the influence of welding methods and parameters on the occurrence of HAZ. Through experimental analysis of tungsten inert gas (TIG) and laser welding coupons, the severity and extension of HAZ were compared using tensile strength, hardness values and microstructure distribution. From this study, it is evident that tensile strength and hardness values of welded components significantly depended on heat input, welding speed, and welding method. The strength reduction in laser-welded components was inconsistent with that of TIG-welded components. However, the extent of HAZ was much narrower in laser-welded components than in TIG welding. In terms of microstructural analysis, the grain size was significantly increased after the welding processes. The orientation of the grain was found to be different for each welding method and was greatly influenced by the welding speed and temperature gradient of the weld pool. From this work, a comparison of mechanical properties and microstructural changes in TIG and laser-welded components can provide a basis to further improve the current design standards, particularly on the softening factor of welded joining. The results will significantly contribute to the enhancement of welding quality in the industrial joining practice.
YOLO-ESFM:A Multi-scale YOLO Algorithm for Sea Surface Object Detection.
Authors: Yan Fei , Chen Keyu , Cheng En , Qu Puhui , Ma Jikang
Published: July 2024

Environmental perception and object detection are pivotalresearch topics in the marine domain. The sea surface presents unique challenges, including harsh weather conditions, wave interference, and multi-scale targets, often resulting in suboptimal detection results. To address these issues, we present an innovative solution: integrating the Efficient Scale Fusion Module (ESFM) into the advanced YOLO architecture, resulting in the enhanced model, YOLO-ESFM. The ESFM serves as both the backbone and detection head of the network, significantly improving performance compared to the baseline models in YOLOv5s, YOLOv7-tiny, and YOLOv7. Furthermore, to tackle the limitations of the CIOU in YOLOv7, we introduce an improved method, ZIOU, which has been rigorously evaluated and proven effective on the Sea Surface Target Dataset. Comparative studies demonstrate that YOLO-ESFM not only maintains efficiency in terms of parameters and FLOPs but also surpasses YOLOv7 in detection accuracy on both the Sea Surface Target Dataset and the PASCAL VOC 07+12 Dataset.