bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid measurement of liquid diffusion coefficients for different concentrations based on compound liquid-core cylindrical lenses and the finite element method
Authors: Li Zhiwei , Zeng Rui , Yue Qing , Yu Xinyu , Wu Rui , Sun Licun
Published: August 2024

Liquid diffusion coefficients are usually concentration-dependent (D(C)), and current methods for measuring the D(C) relationship suffer from long measurement times and large repetitive experimental workloads. This paper consequently proposes a new method for rapid measurement of D(C), which can eliminate the need to measure uncalibrated diffusion coefficients corresponding to concentration by comparing the theoretical concentration distribution of diffusion solution obtained by the finite element method and the experimental concentration distribution. The core diffusion and imaging setup is a compound liquid-core cylindrical lens, which can offer the advantages of high refractive index resolution and imaging quality, guaranteeing the accurate measurement concentration distribution. The D(C) relationship can be obtained by simply gathering an appropriate diffusion image in one experiment profiting from taking full use of the solution concentration spatiotemporal distribution information using the finite element molding fitting method, reducing the measurement time greatly from several days in traditional methods to within 2 hours, characterized by short measurement time, high measurement accuracy and small experimental workload. The D(C) relationship of NaCl solution at 25 °C was measured using this method, and the result was in accord with the instantaneous image method and the literature values.
Flat-topped optical spectrum as a specific marker of multi-pulse grouping in a soliton fiber laser
Authors: Korobko Dmitry , Ribenek Valeria , Itrin Pavel , Fotiadi Andrei
Published: August 2024

We report the experimental observation of a stable generation regime in a soliton fiber laser, characterized by a distinct flat-topped optical spectrum. Notably, in multi-pulse generation, this specific spectrum shape prevents the harmonic mode-locking state, instead connecting the solitons into bound complexes or tight chaotic bunches. Physically, this suggests that in the observed regime, long-range attractive forces dominate over the inter-pulse repulsion across the entire laser cavity. Our experimental findings align with numerical simulations, which demonstrate that the predominance of a long-range inter-pulse attraction is due to a complex interaction mechanism. This mechanism combines the generation of dispersive waves with dissipative forces arising from gain depletion and recovery.
Single-shot calibration method based on Fourier transform profilometry
Authors: Seok Jin-Hyuk , An Yatong , Hyun Jae-Sang
Published: August 2024

This Letter introduces a novel, to the best of our knowledge, calibration method for structured light systems that simplifies the calibration process and reduces time consumption. We combine vertical and horizontal fringe patterns into a single composite pattern and retrieve the bidirectional phase based on Fourier transform profilometry (FTP). The entire calibration process becomes faster and more simplified by capturing only a single-shot pattern. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves high accuracy and robustness, comparable to the conventional method that requires capturing numerous fringe patterns for the typical phase-shifting algorithm.
Fluorescence collection efficiency of atoms in dipole traps
Authors: Chen Guang-Jie , Wang Jun-Jie , Lv Ya-Nan , Fan Hong-Jie , Wang Zhu-Bo , Li Gang , Dong Chun-Hua , Zhang Yan-Lei , Guo Guang-Can , Zou Chang-Ling
Published: August 2024

The fluorescence collection from single atoms and emitters has been extensively utilized in quantum information and quantum optics research. Here, we investigated the collection efficiency of an objective lens by drawing an analogy between the free-space beam (FSB) and a waveguide mode. We explored how efficiency is influenced by their thermal motion within a dipole trap. Furthermore, we introduce an effective energy fraction ratio to quantify potential imperfections in the focusing of the objective lens. Our results provide valuable insights for optimizing the fluorescence collection in single-atom experiments and highlight the importance of considering realistic experimental conditions when estimating achievable efficiencies.
Spatial kinetics and immune control of murine cytomegalovirus infection in the salivary glands
Authors: Byrne Catherine M , Márquez Ana Citlali , Cai Bing , Coombs Daniel , Gantt Soren
Published: August 2024

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common congenital infection. Several HCMV vaccines are in development, but none have yet been approved. An understanding of the kinetics of CMV replication and transmission may inform the rational design of vaccines to prevent this infection. The salivary glands (SG) are an important site of sustained CMV replication following primary infection and during viral reactivation from latency. As such, the strength of the immune response in the SG likely influences viral dissemination within and between hosts. To study the relationship between the immune response and viral replication in the SG, and viral dissemination from the SG to other tissues, mice were infected with low doses of murine CMV (MCMV). Following intra-SG inoculation, we characterized the viral and immunological dynamics in the SG, blood, and spleen, and identified organ-specific immune correlates of protection. Using these data, we constructed compartmental mathematical models of MCMV infection. Model fitting to data and analysis indicate the importance of cellular immune responses in different organs and point to a threshold of infection within the SG necessary for the establishment and spread of infection.
Information work and digital support during the perinatal period: Perspectives of mothers and healthcare professionals
Authors: Kemp Emma , Sillence Elizabeth , Thomas Lisa
Published: August 2024

During pregnancy and early motherhood, the perinatal period, women use a variety of resources including digital resources to support social interactions, information seeking and health monitoring. While previous studies have investigated specific timepoints, this study takes a more holistic approach to understand how information needs and resources change over the perinatal period. Furthermore, we include the perspective of maternity healthcare professionals to better understand the relationship between different stakeholders in the information work of perinatal women. A total of 25 interviews with 10 UK based mothers and 5 healthcare professionals (3 Midwives and 2 Health visitors) were conducted. Perinatal women were asked about their information and support needs throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period, healthcare professionals were asked about information and support provision to perinatal women. Information work activities were grouped along stages of the perinatal timeline from pre-pregnancy to the postanal period to illustrate the work and perspectives of the women and the healthcare professionals. Information work varies considerably over the timeline of the perinatal period, shifting back and forth in focus between mother and baby. information work during this period consists of many information related activities including seeking, monitoring, recording, questioning, sharing and checking. The importance of the HCPs as stakeholders in this work is notable as is the digital support for information work. Importantly, paper-based resources are still an important shared resource allowing reflection and supporting communication. Information work for women varies across the perinatal timeline. Particular challenges exist at key transition points, and we suggest design considerations for more integrated digital resources that support information work focused on mother and baby to enhance communication between perinatal women and healthcare professionals.
An autoregulatory poison exon in Smndc1 is conserved across kingdoms and influences organism growth
Authors: Belleville Andrea E. , Thomas James D. , Tonnies Jackson , Gabel Austin M. , Borrero Rossi Andrea , Singh Priti , Queitsch Christine , Bradley Robert K.
Published: August 2024

Many of the most highly conserved elements in the human genome are “poison exons,” alternatively spliced exons that contain premature termination codons and permit post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA abundance through induction of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). Poison exons are widely assumed to be highly conserved due to their presumed importance for organismal fitness, but this functional importance has never been tested in the context of a whole organism. Here, we report that a poison exon in Smndc1 is conserved across mammals and plants and plays a molecular autoregulatory function in both kingdoms. We generated mouse and A. thaliana models lacking this poison exon to find its loss leads to deregulation of SMNDC1 protein levels, pervasive alterations in mRNA processing, and organismal size restriction. Together, these models demonstrate the importance of poison exons for both molecular and organismal phenotypes that likely explain their extraordinary conservation.
Isoniazid preventive therapy during infancy does not adversely affect growth among HIV-exposed uninfected children: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cherkos Ashenafi Shumey , LaCourse Sylvia M. , Enquobahrie Daniel A. , Escudero Jaclyn N. , Mecha Jerphason , Matemo Daniel , Kinuthia John , Iribarren Sarah J. , John-Stewart Grace
Published: August 2024

Background

Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) decreases risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease; impact on long-term infant growth is unknown. In a recent randomized trial (RCT), we assessed IPT effects on infant growth without known TB exposure.

Methods

The infant TB Infection Prevention Study (iTIPS) trial was a non-blinded RCT among HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants in Kenya. Inclusion criteria included age 6–10 weeks, birthweight ≥2.5 kg, and gestation ≥37 weeks. Infants in the IPT arm received 10 mg/kg isoniazid daily for 12 months, while the control trial received no intervention; post-trial observational follow-up continued through 24 months of age. We used intent-to-treat linear mixed-effects models to compare growth rates (weight-for-age z-score [WAZ] and height-for-age z-score [HAZ]) between trial arms.

Results

Among 298 infants, 150 were randomized to IPT, 47.6% were females, median birthweight was 3.4 kg (interquartile range [IQR] 3.0–3.7), and 98.3% were breastfed. During the 12-month intervention period and 12-month post-RCT follow-up, WAZ and HAZ declined significantly in all children, with more HAZ decline in male infants. There were no growth differences between trial arms, including in sex-stratified analyses. In longitudinal linear analysis, mean WAZ (β = 0.04 [95% CI:-0.14, 0.22]), HAZ (β = 0.14 [95% CI:-0.06, 0.34]), and WHZ [β = -0.07 [95% CI:-0.26, 0.11]) z-scores were similar between arms as were WAZ and HAZ growth trajectories. Infants randomized to IPT had higher monthly WHZ increase (β to 24 months 0.02 [95% CI:0.01, 0.04]) than the no-IPT arm.

Conclusion

IPT administered to HEU infants did not significantly impact growth outcomes in the first two years of life.
The impact of Internet use and involvement on residents’ attitudes to healthcare in China: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Li Xinyue , Zhang Song , Song Xiaokang
Published: August 2024

The recent surge in Internet growth has significantly altered how residents obtain health information and services, underscoring the need to investigate its impact on healthcare perceptions. However, current studies often fail to distinguish between Internet use and involvement, as well as the diverse range of healthcare stakeholders, resulting in incomplete and inconsistent understanding. To address this, this study utilized data from the 2018 China Family Panel Study (CFPS 2018), categorizing attitudes toward healthcare into three dimensions: doctor trust, satisfaction with medical institutions, and perception of systemic healthcare issues. Employing propensity score matching (PSM) to control for thirteen confounding variables, this study examined the Internet’s impact on public attitudes toward healthcare among similar demographic, psychological, and health-related variables. Results revealed that both Internet use and involvement affect residents’ attitudes toward healthcare to some extent, with involvement having a more pronounced effect. While Internet use increased the perception of systemic healthcare issues, Internet involvement enhanced doctor trust, yet reduced satisfaction with medical institutions and exaggerated the perception of systemic healthcare issues. These findings have significant theoretical and practical implications. They enhance the comprehension of diverse levels and purposes of Internet use, thereby advancing our knowledge of its multi-faced influence on public attitudes toward healthcare. Furthermore, they offer insights for medical institutions to improve service quality, assist Internet media in optimizing information delivery, and illuminate the implications for residents who effectively use the Internet to assess health information.
The application and implications of science and technology innovation in the management of education for Chinese students studying abroad in China in the epidemic era
Authors: Zhu Tiejun , Gu Mengzhen
Published: August 2024

Background

Although COVID-19 has brought serious disasters to all mankind, it has also accelerated the innovation and application of educational science and technology. China is the first to bear in COVID-19, and in order to minimize the impact of the field of education and teaching involving a large number of students, educational technology has entered a stage of continuous innovation and large-scale application, especially in higher education institutions.

Purpose

Firstly, it introduces the progress and achievements of China’s educational science and technology innovation during the COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the in-depth application of it in education for studying abroad in China. Secondly, the problems and gaps of STI in education for studying abroad in China are analyzed. Once again, it puts forward the solution countermeasures and future development strategies for the science and technology innovation of education abroad in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 258 international students from 20 universities was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire entitled "Research on Innovation and Application of Science and Technology in China’s International Education under the Situation of Conventional COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control".

Results

It will put forward opinions and suggestions to promote the deepening and improvement of China’s education science and technology innovation and application, as well as to provide a commentary and theoretical contribution to similar issues and phenomena around the world.

Conclusion

Through in-depth research and analysis, it is found that the application of science, technology and innovation has played a great role in China’s study abroad education, which not only improves the quality and effect of teaching, but also enriches the means and methods of teaching.
The impact of official recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical activity and business turnover of manual therapists in Sweden–The CAMP cohort study
Authors: Aboagye Emmanuel , Skillgate Eva , Weiss Nathan , Axén Iben
Published: August 2024

Background

This study examined manual therapy business owners’ perception of official recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on their clinics’ economic performance, including clinic activity hours and business turnover.

Materials and methods

In a longitudinal study design, data were collected in November 2021 (baseline), and after three months, six months, and 12 months. Participants were manual therapists who were business owners. A growth curve model was used to analyze differences in clinical activity trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between perceived disruptions in business and turnover. Qualitative text analysis was used to examine participants’ responses to open-ended questions concerning economic measures taken to sustain their business during the pandemic.

Results

This study of 443 manual therapy business owners found that clinics were initially active with minimal variation, but activity changed following COVID-19 recommendations. Business owners perceived that the disruptions had no significant impact on turnover during the initial stages of the official recommendations. Economic support and the previous decrease in turnover increased the likelihood of experiencing a decreased turnover at 12 months. Business owners implemented cost-cutting measures and diversified income sources to navigate COVID-19 challenges and sustain their businesses.

Conclusion

The official recommendations in Sweden had an impact on manual therapists’ businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic lingered. Some business owners were concerned at the early stages about lower turnover but showed financial resilience by cutting costs and finding new revenue sources to overcome COVID-19 challenges.
A scalable blockchain-enabled federated learning architecture for edge computing
Authors: Ren Shuyang , Kim Eunsam , Lee Choonhwa
Published: August 2024

Various deep learning techniques, including blockchain-based approaches, have been explored to unlock the potential of edge data processing and resultant intelligence. However, existing studies often overlook the resource requirements of blockchain consensus processing in typical Internet of Things (IoT) edge network settings. This paper presents our FLCoin approach. Specifically, we propose a novel committee-based method for consensus processing in which committee members are elected via the FL process. Additionally, we employed a two-layer blockchain architecture for federated learning (FL) processing to facilitate the seamless integration of blockchain and FL techniques. Our analysis reveals that the communication overhead remains stable as the network size increases, ensuring the scalability of our blockchain-based FL system. To assess the performance of the proposed method, experiments were conducted using the MNIST dataset to train a standard five-layer CNN model. Our evaluation demonstrated the efficiency of FLCoin. With an increasing number of nodes participating in the model training, the consensus latency remained below 3 s, resulting in a low total training time. Notably, compared with a blockchain-based FL system utilizing PBFT as the consensus protocol, our approach achieved a 90% improvement in communication overhead and a 35% reduction in training time cost. Our approach ensures an efficient and scalable solution, enabling the integration of blockchain and FL into IoT edge networks. The proposed architecture provides a solid foundation for building intelligent IoT services.
Regional differences, distributional dynamics and convergence of multidimensional food security levels in China
Authors: Cheng Jing , Yu Xiaobin
Published: August 2024

Food security is one of the important issues in the current world development process. The article takes 31 provinces (districts and cities) in China as the research object and constructs a multidimensional food security level evaluation index system from four dimensions: quantitative security, nutritional security, ecological security, and capacity security. Using the entropy method, China’s food security index was calculated for the ten-year period from 2013 to 2022. Overall, China’s food security level showed an upward trend during the decade, with the provinces of Shandong, Heilongjiang, and Henan having the highest level of security. The distribution dynamics of food security and its spatiotemporal evolution in the seven regions were examined using the Dagum Gini coefficient and its decomposition, and the absolute and conditional convergence of food security in the different areas was verified. The results of the study show that the provinces within East China have the largest gap in food security levels between them, and there is absolute β-convergence. Looking at China as a whole, the development of its food security level is characterized by significant convergence, which means that provinces with a low level of food security will have a faster rate of growth than those with a high level of food security, resulting in a gradual narrowing of the gap in food security levels between provinces.
Barcamps or unconferences as an emerging paradigm in medical education: Insights from a pilot and feasibility mixed methods study
Authors: Romeike Bernd F. M. , Lang Johannes , Stosch Christoph , Moritz Sören , Behrends Marianne , Lemos Martin , Mink Johanna , Tolks Daniel
Published: August 2024

Medical education is experiencing a paradigm shift towards more interactive and collaborative pedagogical approaches. Barcamps, also known as unconferences, offer an interactive, participant-driven learning approach. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using barcamps as an educational model in medical education. Furthermore, the possibility of establishing barcamps in medical education as a pedagogical tool is discussed. The study integrates two evaluations to achieve a multifaceted understanding: a pilot study conducted in 2022 and a subsequent feasibility study in 2023. Participation in the barcamps and their evaluations was voluntary. We combined quantitative data, primarily from post-event evaluations, and qualitative data from open-ended survey questions. These methods were designed to capture a broad range of participant experiences and perceptions. The pilot study in 2022 included 11 participants and produced a response rate for the evaluations. The feasibility study in 2023 had 34 participants but a lower evaluation response rate of 53%. Both barcamps were generally positively evaluated by the participants, indicating a high level of satisfaction and perceived value. Regarding the active participation of participants, the wide range of presented topics highlights the adaptability and flexibility of the barcamp model. Attendees at the pilot mentioned a significantly higher previous experience with barcamps. The study suggests that barcamps are generally well received as an interactive and collaborative educational tool in medical education, reflected by high participant evaluation scores. The wide range of topics presented and discussed indicates that barcamps can accommodate diverse educational needs and interests. However, the study also identified areas for improvement, most notably in the structure of topic plans and the overall learning environment. Finally, the principals for barcamps might adapt to other educational methods by adding more interaction, choice, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, and caring to the learning process.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence in food-producing animals and food products in Saudi Arabia: A review
Authors: Alkuraythi Dalal M. , Alkhulaifi Manal M.
Published: August 2024

In Saudi Arabia, the occurrence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in food and livestock represents a major public health hazard. The emergence of livestock-associated MRSA has heightened the risk of human infection with comparable virulence traits. The lack of information about MRSA transmission in our region hinders accurate risk assessment, despite its detection in food animals and retail foods. Adopting a One Health approach is essential for effectively combating MRSA in Saudi Arabia. This method unites actions in the human, animal, and environmental spheres. To combat MRSA contamination, surveillance measures need strengthening; interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, veterinarians, and environmental scientists is crucial, and targeted interventions must be implemented in local food chains and animal populations. Through a holistic strategy, public health and sustainable food production in the region are protected. This review aims to improve public health interventions by increasing understanding of MRSA prevalence and related risks in local food chains and animal populations.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, food-producing animals, livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Saudi Arabia.
Improving Spiritual Quotient (SQ) in PAI Curriculum Development at MAN 2 Pamekasan
Authors: Mabnunah Mabnunah , Kahfi Shohibul , Nafilah Anis Khofifatun , Jannah Wakilatul
Published: August 2024

This study aims to determine the improvement of Spiritual Quotient (SQ) in the development of the Islamic Religious Education (PAI) curriculum at MAN 2 Pamekasan. This research uses qualitative methods. Data was collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. This study describes that the development of the PAI curriculum has basic principles, namely a holistic approach, an experiential approach, and ethical values that are applied in every aspect of life. The aspects developed in the curriculum include the development of knowledge and faith, morals and ethics, and the integration of SQ and EQ. These aspects are developed through main strategies that include the integration of religious subjects with social sciences, the development of extracurricular activities with religious themes, and the study of religious moderation. This approach aims to help students understand religion deeply and practice it in daily life, as well as help students develop their spiritual potential optimally.
Pembelajaran Berbasis Masalah (PBM): Peningkatan Motivasi dan Hasil Belajar Peserta Didik di MTs Negeri 4 Kulon Progo
Authors: Suryaningsih Ambar
Published: August 2024

This study aims to analyze the increase in motivation and learning outcomes of learners using problem-based learning (PBM). This study uses classroom action research methods carried out in two cycles including planning, implementation, observation, and reflection activities. The subjects of the study were students of class XI-A MTs Negeri 4 Kulon Progo. Data collection techniques are carried out by observation, documentation, and tests. Data analysis uses qualitative descriptive analysis techniques. The results showed that the application of problem-based learning can increase the motivation and learning outcomes of students with a percentage increase in motivation and learning outcomes reaching 78.18%. The data obtained for aspects of learning motivation were 78.79% (persevering), 78.69% (tenacious), 84.09% (achievement drive), 76.82% (material hinterland), 77.27% (increased achievement), 77.65% (interest in learning), 77.84% (happy learning), 77.84% (enthusiasm for learning), and 77.27% (responsible).
Discovery Learning: Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar IPA Materi Pencemaran pada Siswa di MTs Negeri 4 Gunungkidul
Authors: Muzari Isfi
Published: August 2024

This study aims to improve student learning outcomes by applying a discovery learning model. This study used the Action research method with two cycles. The subjects of the study were students of Class A Semester 2 of MTs Negeri 4 Gunungkidul SKS Service for the 2021/2022 academic year. The results of research in cycle I and cycle II showed an increase in student learning outcomes. In cycle I, the results of student attitude observations obtained an average score of 2.63 with completeness of 59.37%, increasing to 2.77 with completeness of 75% in cycle II. The results of observing students' skills obtained an average score of 65.93 with a completeness of 43.75% in cycle I, increasing to 70.2 with completeness of 75% in cycle II. The results of knowledge observation obtained an average value of 60 with a completeness of 43.8% in cycle I, increasing to 66.3 with completeness of 52.3% in cycle II. Based on data from observations of attitudes, skills, and knowledge assessments, it can be concluded that the results of science learning for grade A students in Semester 2 MTs Negeri 4 Gunungkidul SKS Services through the application of the discovery learning learning model have increased significantly.
Metode PjBL: Strategi Pengembangan Modul Ajar Berdiferensiasi untuk Meningkatkan Keaktifan dan Kreativitas Siswa Pada Mata Pelajaran Sejarah
Authors: Nur Fuadi Hilal , Harmanto Harmanto
Published: August 2024

This research aims to develop differentiated teaching modules combined with the project-based learning model to increase students' activeness and creativity in participating in history learning at SMA Negeri 1 Gondang Bojonegoro in the chapter on the Hindu-Buddhist maritime kingdoms in Indonesia. The teaching modules developed will be validated by several experts. The results of this research were that the validation value from material experts obtained a percentage of 82.53% with very appropriate criteria, the validation value from media experts was 78.37% so this teaching module was declared valid. Plus, results the attractiveness test from educators obtained a percentage of 86.80% and from students 88.25% so this teaching module was declared attractive. Based on these results, the differentiated teaching module can be declared suitable for use.
Tackling bribery in accessing kenyan citizenship: towards implementing and enforcing anti-corruption measures
Authors: Lugulu Julie
Published: August 2024

Every Kenyan citizen has the right to acquire civic identification documents pursuant to article 12 of the Kenyan Constitution, 2010. This right allows Kenyans to apply for birth certificates, national identification documents and passports. These identification documents are crucial in proving that a person has a genuine link with Kenya which in turn unlocks their enjoyment of socioeconomic and political rights. Conversely, without identity documentation, a person’s access to socioeconomic and political rights is limited. Consequently, one may face challenges in accessing education, adequate healthcare, opening a bank account, travelling abroad, owning property, voting and vying for political posts, among others. The Department of Civil Registration Services has the mandate of registering births and deaths, while the National Registration Bureau is tasked with providing national identification documents. Reports conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicate that some applicants seeking civic identification documents were asked for bribes by some registration officials in order to acquire the documentation or expedite the process. Kenya has made positive strides towards combating corruption through enacting extensive domestic anti-corruption legislation and ratifying international and regional legislation on anti-corruption. This paper argues that, successful implementation and enforcement of the existing anti-corruption laws by anti- corruption agencies will play a major role in curbing bribery that is experienced while accessing identification documents in Kenya.
COMBATING CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT: AN APPRAISAL OF NIGERIA’S DEBARMENT SYSTEM
Authors:   Ajayi Crowther University, Ayinde Dare
Published: August 2024

This article examines the provisions of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) on debarment, an administrative sanction that is used in fighting corruption in the procurement process, in Nigeria. The article concludes that courts can debar juristic persons convicted of any offence in the PPA for a minimum of five years, on the one hand. While on the other hand, the Bureau can debar both natural and juristic persons that are convicted of any offence in the PPA. Similarly, it identifies the weaknesses in the provisions of the PPA on debarment, which includes the following: First, only an individual or firm that contravenes the PPA and Procurement Regulations can be debarred. An individual or firm convicted of procurement corruption under any other federal law cannot be debarred; Second, the PPA does not state for how long an individual could be debarred; and Third, the scope of debarment does not extend to affiliate companies, such as parent or subsidiary companies, of the debarred firms. The article concludes with recommendations on how to make debarment an effective anticorruption measure in Nigeria.
Vitamin E Treatment Enhances Erythrocyte Deformability in Aged Rats
Authors: Kucukatay Vural , Bor-Kucukata M. , Gundogdu G. , Erken G. , Ozcan T. O. , Miloglu F. D. , Kadioglu Y.
Published: August 2024

The harmful effects of aging on blood rheology have been well known. These effects in the aging have been found to be associated with an increase in oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to seek whether treatment of vitamin E as a potent antioxidant could improve the age-related haemorheological abnormalities. For this purpose, male Wistar rats at the age of 3 and 24 months were used. The following parameters were evaluated: red blood cell (RBC) deformability, aggregation, plasma viscosity, vitamin E level, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI), and the following results were obtained. First, aging was associated with a decrease in RBC deformability and increase in RBC aggregation and plasma viscosity. Second, compared with the young group, while plasma TOS levels and OSI were found to be significantly increased in aged rats, there was no significant change in their plasma TAS level. Third, vitamin E administration produced significant improvement in RBC deformability and decrement in TOS and OSI values in aged rats with respect to young and aged control groups. We did not find any significant effect of vitamin E treatment on RBC aggregation in both young and aged rats and finally, we found a significantly lower plasma vitamin E level in aged rats than in young rats. In conclusion, these findings suggest that blood rheology impairs with age and vitamin E has ameliorating effects on age-induced haemorheological abnormalities especially in RBC deformability, probably by reducing the increased oxidative stress in old age.
Resveratrol Inhibits Proliferation of Primary Rat Hepatocytes in G0/G1 by Inhibiting DNA Synthesis
Authors: Rubiolo Juan A. , López-Alonso H. , Martín-Vázquez V. , Fol-Rodríguez N. M. , Vieytes M. R. , Botana L. M. , Vega F. V.
Published: August 2024

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation of several cancer cell lines. In some cases this inhibition was specific for the transformed cells when compared with normal cells of the same tissue. To test whether this was the case in rat hepatocytes, we exposed primary rat hepatocytes in culture and transformed rat hepatic cells to this compound and studied its effect on cell proliferation, measuring deoxy-bromouridine incorporation and total DNA. We also studied the effect of resveratrol on the cell cycle of normal and transformed rat hepatocytes. We observed that resveratrol inhibited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both cases, with no differential action in the transformed cells compared to the normal ones. This compound arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 in primary hepatocytes, while it arrested the cell cycle in G2/M in transformed cells. Transformed hepatocytes showed accumulation of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle.
TRPC6 Gene Variants in Czech Adult Patients with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis and Minimal Change Disease
Authors: Obeidová L. , Reiterová Jana , Lněnička P. , Štekrová J. , Šafránková H. , Kohoutová M. , Tesař V.
Published: August 2024

Blood filtration and formation of primary urine in the kidney glomerulus is provided by a specialized membrane called slit diaphragm located between well-branched pedicels of podocytes. Actually, the slit diaphragm is a protein supercomplex, whose disruption can cause failure of renal filtration, and patients usually manifest nephrotic syndrome. Recently, familial forms of nephrotic syndrome have been described which arise from malfunction of mutated proteins making up the slit diaphragm. In 2005 it was found that one of the proteins present in this complex was non-selective cation channel TRPC6. The aim of this work was to screen mutations and polymorphisms of the TRPC6 gene in a group of 64 Czech patients with nephrotic syndrome and subsequently, on the basis of these data, evaluate the role of mutations in the TRPC6 gene in Czech population. The analysis was performed by the PCR method followed by direct sequencing and high-resolution melting method. We have not identified any mutations in our group of patients. Two additional single nucleotide polymorphisms – p.P15S and p.A404V – were detected along with nucleotide changes that did not result in amino acid changes and with a few intronic changes. P.P15S heterozygotes were more frequent in patients with steroid-resistant FSGS than in steroid-sensitive patients (29 % versus 12.1 %). To conclude, we did not find any probable disease-causing mutation in the TRPC6 gene in the cohort of 64 Czech patients. The p.P15S polymorphism might have some influence on the therapeutic response of FSGS patients.
The Impact of the Social Insurance System on Chinese Adults’ Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Guan Jing , Zhang Jingyu , Zheng Wei
Published: August 2024

Previous studies have shown that a single social insurance project may improve subjective well-being. Yet, the effect of the overall social insurance system and the underlying mechanism are unknown. This study investigates the impact of the social insurance system on individuals’ subjective well-being and the impact mechanisms using the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) conducted in four consecutive waves (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020). By applying the structural equation modeling approach, we construct a focused longitudinal path model and find that the social insurance system has a direct positive effect on individuals’ subjective well-being, measured by life satisfaction and job satisfaction. We explored three longitudinal mediation patterns including self-rated health, household income, and trust in the government, however, none of them are significant mediators. Through subgroup analysis, it is found that the male group and the age over 60 group benefit more from the social insurance system regarding life satisfaction improvement.
Chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of alginate: a review
Authors: Noach Matthew N. , Mampana Richard L. , Van Rensburg Eugene , Goosen Neill J. , Pott Robert W. M.
Published: August 2024

Alginate is a brown seaweed-based linear polysaccharide of D – mannuronic acid and L – guluronic acid residues. Hydrolysis products of the polysaccharide, specifically oligosaccharides, have been receiving increasing interest, due to their significant bioactivity and potential utilisation routes. The bioactivity of alginate oligosaccharides is closely linked to structural characteristics, namely: molecular weight, degree of polymerisation, and ratio of the monomers (the M/G ratio). Hence, potential applications (such as utilisation as a biostimulant fertilizer) depend on these parameters. This review focuses on recent advances in producing alginate oligosaccharides using chemical or enzymatic methods. The literature survey includes utilisation of these methods at both laboratory and industrial scale. For the chemical methods, we assessed the standard laboratory scale procedures of alginate oligosaccharide production, the potential of scaling up to an industrial level, and the subsequent challenges. For the enzymatic route, we provide an overview of alginate lyases and the application perspectives of enzymatic hydrolysis of alginate.
Ordinary modules for vertex algebras of 𝔬𝔰𝔭1|2𝑛
Authors: Creutzig Thomas , Genra Naoki , Linshaw Andrew
Published: August 2024

We show that the affine vertex superalgebra

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(

o
⁢
s
⁢

p

1
|

2
⁢
n

)

V^{k}(\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2n})

at generic level 𝑘 embeds in the equivariant 𝒲-algebra of

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

\mathfrak{sp}_{2n}

times

4
⁢
n

4n

free fermions.
This has two corollaries:
(1) it provides a new proof that, for generic 𝑘, the coset

Com
⁡

(

V
k

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

,

V
k

⁢

(

o
⁢
s
⁢

p

1
|

2
⁢
n

)

)

\operatorname{Com}(V^{k}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n}),V^{k}(\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2n}))

is isomorphic to

W
ℓ

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

\mathcal{W}^{\ell}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})

for

ℓ
=

−

(

n
+
1

)

+

(

k
+
n
+
1

)

/

(

2
⁢
k

+

2
⁢
n

+
1

)

\ell=-(n+1)+(k+n+1)/(2k+2n+1)

, and
(2) we obtain the decomposition of ordinary

V
k

⁢

(

o
⁢
s
⁢

p

1
|

2
⁢
n

)

V^{k}(\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2n})

-modules into

V
k

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

⊗

W
ℓ

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

V^{k}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})\otimes\mathcal{W}^{\ell}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})

-modules.
Next, if 𝑘 is an admissible level and ℓ is a non-degenerate admissible level for

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

\mathfrak{sp}_{2n}

, we show that the simple algebra

L
k

⁢

(

o
⁢
s
⁢

p

1
|

2
⁢
n

)

L_{k}(\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2n})

is an extension of the simple subalgebra

L
k

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

⊗

W
ℓ

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

L_{k}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})\otimes{\mathcal{W}}_{\ell}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})

.
Using the theory of vertex superalgebra extensions, we prove that the category of ordinary

L
k

⁢

(

o
⁢
s
⁢

p

1
|

2
⁢
n

)

L_{k}(\mathfrak{osp}_{1|2n})

-modules is a semisimple, rigid vertex tensor supercategory with only finitely many inequivalent simple objects.
It is equivalent to a certain subcategory of

W
ℓ

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

\mathcal{W}_{\ell}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})

-modules.
A similar result also holds for the category of Ramond twisted modules.
Due to a recent theorem of Robert McRae, we get as a corollary that categories of ordinary

L
k

⁢

(

s
⁢

p

2
⁢
n

)

L_{k}(\mathfrak{sp}_{2n})

-modules are rigid.
Essential questions in earth and geosciences according to large language models
Authors: Hatvani István Gábor , Mudelsee Manfred , Kern Zoltán
Published: August 2024

Can large language models (LLMs) capture a trustworthy global snapshot of the current issues and top-priority questions facing Earth and Geoscience? This article discusses the 100 most important questions facing Earth and Geosciences in the twenty-first century according to the largest of the LLMs. The study uncovered a discrepancy in responses using the synonymous terms earth sciences and geosciences; as such, users of publicly accessible LLMs must account for this bias and exercise caution in interpretation. Eight fundamental topics irrespective of the query terms earth sciences/geosciences were found: while two of them originate from fundamental research in extraterrestrial geoscience and Earth’s interior, the remaining six address geoscientific questions, important due to the associated societal challenges and environmental issues. The outlined eight fundamental topics strongly resonate with eight Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, in certain cases with not just one.
Progressive Taxation and Social Welfare: Quantifying the Effects of the “German Tax-Reform 2000”
Authors: Jung Benjamin , Walter Timo
Published: August 2024

The German “Tax-Reform 2000” involved a strong reduction in the progressivity of labor income taxation. It led to a rise in overall labor income, but also increased income inequality. Utilizing data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP. 2016. Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), Data for Years 1984–2016, Version 33) for the years 1998–2007, we employ a general equilibrium framework à la Antràs et al. (Antràs, P., A. De Gortari, and O. Itskhoki. 2017. “Globalization, Inequality and Welfare.” Journal of International Economics 108: 387–412) characterized by heterogeneous individuals. The model imposes a constant rate of tax progressivity and allows for a theory-consistent decomposition of social welfare that highlights the equity-efficiency trade-off, namely into (i) the fundamental social welfare level that would arise in a Kaldor-Hicks economy with lump-sum transfers, (ii) a correction term that accounts for the social cost of inequality à la Atkinson (Atkinson, A. B. 1970. “On the Measurement of Inequality.” Journal of Economic Theory 2 (3): 244–63) or Sen (Sen, A. 1970. Collective Choice and Social Welfare. Harvard University Press), and (iii) a correction term for the social cost of distortionary taxation. Our estimations show that the German tax system can be well approximated by the imposed tax schedule and that the reform implied a fall in the degree of tax progressivity. Under the baseline calibration, the numerical analysis yields the following results: First, the main driver of growth in social welfare from 1998 to 2007 was fundamental social welfare. Second, the counterfactual analysis shows that the reform resulted in an annual average income growth of 0.62 % and an increase in income inequality of 0.32 %, indicating an only modest increase in social welfare of 0.07 %. Third, the actual tax progression converged to its social welfare maximizing level.
How Gaussian mixture modelling can help to verify reference intervals from laboratory data with a high proportion of pathological values
Authors: Hoffmann Georg , Allmeier Nina , Kuti Modupe , Holdenrieder Stefan , Trulson Inga
Published: August 2024

Objectives

Although there are several indirect methods that can be used to verify reference limits, they have a common weakness in that they assume a low proportion of pathological values. This paper investigates whether a Gaussian decomposition algorithm can identify the non-pathological fraction even if it is not the main subset of mixed data.

Methods

All investigations are carried out in the R programming environment. The mclust package is used for Gaussian mixture modelling via the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. For right-skewed distributions, logarithms of the original values are taken to approximate the Gaussian model. We use the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) for evaluation of the results. The reflimR and refineR packages serve as comparison procedures.

Results

We generate synthetic data mixtures with known normal distributions to demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of our approach. Application of the algorithm to real data from a Nigerian and a German population produces results, which help to interpret reference intervals of reflimR and refineR that are obviously too wide. In the first example, the mclust analysis of hemoglobin in Nigerian women supports the medical hypothesis that an anemia rate of more than 50 % leads to falsely low reference limits. Our algorithm proposes various scenarios based on the BIC values, one of which suggests reference limits that are close to published data for Nigeria but significantly lower than those established for the Caucasian population. In the second example, the standard statistical analysis of creatine kinase in German patients with predominantly cardiac diseases yields a reference interval that is clearly too wide. With mclust we identify overlapping fractions that explain this false result.

Conclusions

Gaussian mixture modelling does not replace standard methods for reference interval estimation but is a valuable adjunct when these methods produce discrepant or implausible results.