bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social capital and its role to improve maternal and child health services in Northwest Ethiopia: A qualitative study
Authors: Mengesha Endalkachew Worku , Tessema Gizachew A. , Assefa Yibeltal , Alene Getu Degu
Published: April 2023

Background

Social capital is a set of shared values that allows individuals or groups receive emotional, instrumental or financial resources flow. In Ethiopia, despite people commonly involved in social networks, there is a dearth of evidence exploring whether membership in these networks enhances uptake of maternal and child health (MCH) services. This study aimed to explore perspectives of women, religious leaders and community health workers (CHWs) on social capital to improve uptake of MCH services in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

We employed a qualitative study through in-depth interviews with key informants, and focus group discussions. A maximum variation purposive sampling technique was used to select 41 study participants (11 in-depth interviews and 4 FGDs comprising 7–8 participants). Data were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was employed using ATLAS.ti software.

Results

Four overarching themes and 13 sub-themes of social capital were identified as factors that improve uptake of MCH services. The identified themes were social networking, social norms, community support, and community cohesion. Most women, CHWs and religious leaders participated in social networks. These social networks enabled CHWs to create awareness on MCH services. Women, religious leaders and CHWs perceived that existing social capital improves the uptake of MCH services.

Conclusion

The community has an indigenous culture of providing emotional, instrumental and social support to women through social networks. So, it would be useful to consider the social capital of family, neighborhood and community as a tool to improve utilization of MCH services. Therefore, policymakers should design people-centered health programs to engage existing social networks, and religious leaders for improving MCH services.
Numerical simulations on shear behaviour of rock joint network under constant normal stiffness conditions
Authors: Han Guansheng , Xiang Jiahao , Chen Zhijing , Cheng Zhangjianing , Zhou Yu , Tang Qiongqiong , Gao Yuan
Published: April 2023

In this study, the numerical direct shear tests were conducted to investigate the shear mechanical properties of joint networks under constant normal stiffness (CNS) boundary conditions. The influence of random joint number on shear stress (τ), dilation (normal displacement,δv) and normal stress (σn) of rock mass were studied quantitatively with fixed main slip surface. At the same time, the internal stress evolution process and failure process were analyzed. The results reveal that the number of random joints (γ) has little effect on the shear and normal stresses. The normal displacement of the sample generally decreases as the number of random joints increases. In addition, the normal displacement of the specimen is absorbed by the random joints when the number of random joints in the specimen increases to a certain level: whenγis greater than 6 and the shear displacement (μ) reaching 10 mm, the specimen exhibits shear contraction. Therefore, the internal random joints mainly control the failure mode and dilatancy performance of the specimen, while the main joint of the rock controls the shear stress of the specimen.
Prevalence of refractive error in Portugal estimated from ophthalmic lens manufacturing data: Ten-years analysis
Authors: Alves Carneiro Vera L. , González-Méijome José Manuel
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To investigate the prevalence, distribution and trends of refractive error from ophthalmic lens manufacturing data over a ten-year period.

Methods

Fully anonymized data from ophthalmic lenses, for the years between 2010 and 2020, provided by the leading ophthalmic lens manufacturer operating in Portugal were analysed (no human participants were involved in the research). Prescriptions delivered were divided in single vision prescriptions and progressive/multifocal prescriptions and categorized into 14 spherical equivalent ranges. Given the lack of absolute values, indirect estimates and a qualitative analysis of the current situation and trends on refractive error epidemiology was carried out.

Results

Dataset from manufacturer comprises percentage values of ophthalmic lenses dispensed in Portugal. The distribution of ophthalmic prescriptions for single vision prescriptions presents most of the observations in the range [-1.49, -0.50] diopters, in every year from 2010 to 2020. For the progressive prescription’s lenses, most of the observations is in an interval of two ranges, [0.50, 1.49] and [1.50, 2.99] diopters. From 2010 to 2020 the proportion of single vision ophthalmic lens prescriptions for myopia increased from 38.13% to 46.21%; the proportion for high myopia increased from 2.76% to 4.45%; and the proportion for hyperopia decreased from 40.85% to 31.36%.

Conclusions

Ophthalmic lens manufacturing data can be a valuable source for long-term analysis of refractive error prescription and trends over time. It was possible to observe a trend of increasing prevalence of myopia and high myopia from 40.89% in 2010 to 50.66% in 2020. That increase trend has important implications for public health and in the planning of services.
Modelling organophosphate intoxication in C. elegans highlights nicotinic acetylcholine receptor determinants that mitigate poisoning
Authors: Izquierdo Patricia G. , Charvet Claude L. , Neveu Cedric , Green A. Christopher , Tattersall John E. H. , Holden-Dye Lindy , O’Connor Vincent
Published: April 2023

Organophosphate intoxication via acetylcholinesterase inhibition executes neurotoxicity via hyper stimulation of acetylcholine receptors. Here, we use the organophosphate paraoxon-ethyl to treat C. elegans and use its impact on pharyngeal pumping as a bio-assay to model poisoning through these neurotoxins. This assay provides a tractable measure of acetylcholine receptor mediated contraction of body wall muscle. Investigation of the time dependence of organophosphate treatment and the genetic determinants of the drug-induced inhibition of pumping highlight mitigating modulation of the effects of paraoxon-ethyl. We identified mutants that reduce acetylcholine receptor function protect against the consequence of intoxication by organophosphates. Data suggests that reorganization of cholinergic signalling is associated with organophosphate poisoning. This reinforces the under investigated potential of using therapeutic approaches which target a modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function to treat the poisoning effects of this important class of neurotoxins.
Mechanistic synergy of hair growth promotion by the Avicennia marina extract and its active constituent (avicequinone C) in dermal papilla cells isolated from androgenic alopecia patients
Authors: Prugsakij Woraanong , Numsawat Sukanya , Netchareonsirisuk Ponsawan , Tengamnuay Parkpoom , De-Eknamkul Wanchai
Published: April 2023

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is associated with an increased production of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by steroid-5α-reductase (5α-R). Crude extracts from Avicennia marina (AM) and its active constituent, avicequinone C (AC), can inhibit 5α-R. We have, herein, explored the potential use of the AM extract and of AC as anti-AGA agents. To this end, we employed human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) isolated from AGA patients’ hair that express 5α-R type-1 as well as the androgenic receptor (AR) at high levels. Our in vitro experiments revealed that the AM extract (10 μg/mL) and the AC (10 μM) exhibit multiple actions that interfere with the mechanism that causes AGA. Beside acting as 5α-R inhibitors, both preparations were able to inhibit either the DHT-AR complex formation or its translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus (the site of DHT’s action). The treatments also increased the gene expression of growth factors in DPCs; these factors play important roles in the angiogenesis associated with hair growth. Moreover, the AM extract suppressed the apoptotic pathway, thereby postponing the initiation of the catagen phase. Taken together, our findings suggest that the AM extract and the AC could serve as natural sources for hair growth promotion and AGA treatment.
FAK downregulation suppresses stem-like properties and migration of human colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Xu Chunyan , Zhang Wenlu , Liu Chengxia
Published: April 2023

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinase, which is overexpressed in colorectal cancer cells. FAK could be activated by phosphorylation to participate in the transduction of multiple signaling pathways and self-renewal of cancer stem cells. Whether the downregulation of FAK inhibits the metastasis in colorectal cancer through the weakening of stem cell-like properties and its mechanisms has yet to be established. CD44, CD133, c-Myc, Nanog, and OCT4 were known to mark colorectal cancer stem cell properties. In this study, AKT inhibitor (MK-2206 2HCl) or FAK inhibitor (PF-562271) decreased the expression of stem cell markers (Nanog, OCT4, CD133, CD44, c-Myc) and spheroid formation in colorectal cancer. Moreover, FAK and AKT protein was shown to interact verified by co-immunoprecipitation. Furthermore, downregulation of FAK, transfected Lenti-FAK-EGFP-miR to colorectal cancer cells, reduced p-AKT but not AKT and decreased the expression of stem cell markers and spheroid formation in colorectal cancer. In conclusion, we demonstrated that downregulation of FAK inhibited stem cell-like properties and migration of colorectal cancer cells partly due to altered modulation of AKT phosphorylation by FAK.
Effects of platelet-rich plasma on corneal re-epithelization and metalloproteinase expression in the cornea of sheep with experimentally-induced infectious keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Piso Dunia Yisela Trujillo , Barreto Mónica Yamile Padilla , Bonilla Maria del Pilar Sanchez , Rincón Analorena Cifuentes , Páez Omar Leonardo Aristizábal , Rengifo Carlos Augusto , de Andrade Alexandre Lima
Published: April 2023

Background and Aim: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis is the most crucial ophthalmic disease among ruminants worldwide. Moraxella is the bacteria generally associated with this disease and leads to keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, or blindness. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) effects in corneal ulcers and different ocular superficial diseases in animals and humans are beneficial and enhance rapid healing and improvement, but the effects in infectious keratoconjunctivitis in ruminants are uncertain. This study aimed to examine the effect of PRP on re-epithelization, corneal tissue, clinical signs, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in sheep with infectious keratoconjunctivitis.

Materials and Methods: Eighteen sheep were divided into three groups and subjected to a disease-induction experiment. Group 1 (G1) was administered 1.0 mL PRP subconjunctivally, Group 2 (G2) was administered 1.0 mL PRP subconjunctivally and 50 μL gentamicin drops, and the control group (CG) was administered 50 μL saline solution topically every 12 h. Clinical ophthalmologic examination, fluorescein staining, and photography were carried out. Ulcerated areas were measured employing J-Image software. Five and eleven days following the procedure, half of the animals from each group were euthanized, and their corneas were evaluated by histopathology and zymography.

Results: Control Group and G2 epithelialized more rapidly. The CG exhibited fewer clinical signs of ocular disease. In histopathological analysis, in G2, alterations were observed only in the epithelium. The CG and G1 exhibited alterations in the epithelium, stroma, and Descemet’s membrane. In zymography, a decline in MMP-2 expression in the animals treated with PRP was detected. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 was significantly expressed in the animals treated with PRP monotherapy, whereas PRP + gentamicin and CG caused a decrease.

Conclusion: Platelet-rich plasma alone did not demonstrate any beneficial effect on re-epithelialization, a decline in clinical signs, tissue alterations, and expression of metalloproteinases. Platelet-rich plasma combined with gentamicin was capable of suppressing MMPs, primarily MMP-9, but do not display positive effects in re-epithelization, reduction of clinical signs, or tissue effects. These outcomes are similar to those discovered in untreated animals, so the use of PRP in patients with infectious keratoconjunctivitis does not offer greater benefits in sheep. Additional research is required to validate the results of PRP use in natural disease presentation.

Keywords: corneal ulcers, experimental model, matrix metalloproteinase, Moraxella spp., pinkeye, platelet-rich plasma.
Blue Brain Technology
Authors: Yadav Mohit , Jain Bhavya
Published: April 2023

Blue Brain Technology refer to first virtual brain that function application of an artificial human brain. Reverse engineering implements human brain and recreate at cellular level inside complete simulation. Major motivation behind the Blue Brain Technology:Treatment of brain disfunctioning,Scientific curiosity,Research related past stories,Neuroscientific research databases.Three main steps involved for blue brain technology implementation are:Dataacquisition,Data simulation, Visualization of results.Scientist researched to create an artificial brain that can think, respond, take decision and store data in memory. Objective is to upload human brain into machine so, that after person death we will not loose knowledge, intelligence, personalities, feelings and memories and use for development of human society. If the blue brain technology become successful, it will shed light on the relationship between genetic, molecular and cognitive function of the brain.
Libyan teachers as transitionalist pragmatists: conceptualising a path out of the peacebuilding narrative in conflict-affected contexts
Authors: Ben Giaber Reem
Published: April 2023

The dominant analytical and programmatic frameworks used when writing about conflict-affected contexts such as Libya in Global Northern academia belong to the interdisciplinary field of peace and conflict studies (PACS). Within this, education is increasingly gaining attention as a tool for building peace and developing social justice. This article is a cautious conceptual exploration of how pragmatism might be a timely intervention in the fields of PACS and peacebuilding education. In particular, the article takes a deeper look at the American philosopher John Dewey’s pragmatist approach to politics and education, and his conceptualisations of a context-specific ‘public’, teachers and enquiry for peaceful and democratic living. Throughout, I argue that a pragmatist philosophy is a worthwhile pedagogical project in a challenging context such as Libya, as it is an internal and ground-up discourse, compared to the often externally initiated and top-down discourses of peacebuilding. I speak as an adjacent and connected critic, because I am both a Libyan and a German researching a problem in my country to which I hope to find possible solutions by engaging with discourses and practices in an academic institution in the Global North.
Clave de accesos múltiples para identificar las familias de Angiospermas de la flora argentina
Authors: Pozner Raúl , Salariato Diego , Zanotti Christian A. , Zavala-Gallo Lucio M. , Zuloaga Fernando O.
Published: April 2023

Considering the progress of the Flora Vascular de la República Argentina project, we introduce the first interactive, multi-access key to the angiosperm families of the Argentinian Flora. The key is an open resource, built under Lucid ™ software, and available through the Flora Argentina site (https://clave.floraargentina.edu.ar/), with an on-line form for the user’s suggestions. We explain the advantages of multi-access keys versus dichotomous keys, briefly describe how the key was built, and how Lucid tools can be applied (Spanish version) for a better use of the key.
Kvindelige arketyper og kompositorisk sammensmeltning. Om nogle paralleller mellem Blixens fortælling ”De standhaftige slaveejere” og Munchs piktoriale model [Female archetypes and compositional fusion. On some parallels between Blixen's short story “De standhaftige slaveejere” and Munch's pictorial model]
Authors: Stahr Radka
Published: April 2023

This article analyses the hitherto unexplored influence of Edvard Munch on Karen Blixen's work. Blixen was a great connoisseur of art and can therefore be assumed to have known Munch's work. In the short story “De standhaftige slaveejere” we find several parallels to the so-called “Munch's pictorial model”, i.e. a set of common features of his work (specifically his expressionist phase). Most striking is the similarity of the characters to those in Munch's painting Kvinden i tre stadier, which Blixen adopts both in terms of their appearance and their archetypal roles. She is particularly inspired by the colour connota­tions associated with the characters portrayed in the painting, and creates the figure of a beautiful and innocent girl in a white dress accompanied by an ascetic governess in black. Even the male character in Blixen's short story recalls Munch's archetype of the weak, melancholic man who is about to be destroyed by women. We also find a significant parallel in relation to the typical composition in Munch's paintings, where the individual figures are merged into one. Blixen makes use of this composition in the concrete description of the figures in her story; at the same time, on an abstract level, it is possible to interpret both figures as one multidimensional figure.
Stepping from College Classrooms to the Political Front. The Emergence of Feminism in the Norwegian Maoist Movement before 1973
Authors: Gęsiarz Michał
Published: April 2023

The aim of this article is to investigate the origins of the Women’s Front, a women’s movement co-founded by Norwegian Maoists in the 1970s. The analysis seeks to capture the dynamics of women’s activism in relation to the broader political landscape and, concurrently, to understand the Women’s Front in a broader temporal perspective. The sources used were newspapers and publications issued by different branches of the Norwegian Maoist movement. Women’s politics are analysed both as a grassroots phenomenon and a part of agitation which emerged under the 1972 anti-EEC campaign. This makes it possible to show how women’s politics found a place on the agenda of Norwegian Maoism and what kind of obstacles it had to face on its way to gaining autonomy. The patterns of feminist mobilisation demonstrated by this analysis can make a contribution to the broader debate on the role and place of feminism in traditional political structures.
'Our happy hour became a hungry hour': logging, subsistence and social relations in Solomon Islands
Authors: Minter T. , van der Ploeg J.
Published: April 2023

Solomon Islands has relied on highly unsustainable industrial logging since the 1980s. While the development narrative around logging emphasizes its macro-economic importance, it structurally overlooks the impacts on local people's lives. Based on 200 qualitative interviews conducted
in 25 villages and 14 logging operations in Malaita Province between 2016 and 2019, this paper demonstrates that the impacts of logging on subsistence and social relations are systemic rather than incidental. By making use of interview quotes, the paper gives voice to rural Solomon Islanders.
The results show that the logging industry fails to generate lasting local benefits, while unsustainable logging practices undermine subsistence livelihoods, especially fisheries. Logging triggers conflict that long outlasts the operations themselves, causes sexual exploitation, facilitates
excessive alcohol use and reinforces gender disparities by stru cturally excluding women from decision-making and benefit-sharing. This paper calls for a stronger focus on the social impacts of logging in forestry science, policy and practice.
Can wild forest foods contribute to food security and dietary diversity of rural populations adjoining forest concessions? Insights from Gabon, DR Congo and Cameroon
Authors: Fungo R. , Tieguhong J.C. , Iponga D.M. , Tchatat M. , Kahindo J.M. , Muyonga J.H. , Mikolo-Yobo C. , Donn P. , Tchingsabe O. , Kaaya A.N. , Ngondi J.L. , Tutu S. , Emeleme R. , Odjo S. , Loo J. , Snook L.
Published: April 2023

The potential of forest foods to address malnutrition, food insecurity and poor dietary intake is increasingly being recognized. However, most existing data presents average results of proximate analysis, overlooking the opportunities to document how forest foods contribute to nutrition, food security and dietary intake. In this study, food security was estimated using the HFIAS score while dietary intake was estimated using FFQ recalls among 720 households in and around six logging concessions in Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon. There was a high diversity of forests foods consumed, with DR Congo (FFCS=16.2) registering the highest number. Cameroon had the highest number of food groups (HDDS=12.5) while Gabon had the highest number of food varieties (FVS=24.5). Despite a highly diverse pool of wild foods in the region, most households (82%) practicing farming on logged land suffered from food insecurity. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the HFIAS score and the FFCS (r 2 =–0.26, P=0.0002), revealing that forest foods can play a role in ensuring food security and nutrition among populations near forest concessions. The chi-square test revealed that age >46 years, and access to income from business or salaries were associated with food security. Further work is required to document how wild forest foods can contribute to improved diets among these populations, including documenting the nutrient composition of more forest foods, integrating them into regional dietary guidelines and encouraging their domestication.
Chinese synthetic verbs: a further challenge to manner/result complementarity on the basis of lexical root meaning analysis
Authors: Li Tianyu
Published: April 2023

This paper introduces Chinese synthetic verbs and analyses their contributions to debates in manner/result complementarity studies and cognitive typology studies. Chinese synthetic verbs simultaneously express manner information and path/result information, but encode them into separate root slots under Beavers and Koontz-Garboden’s (2012. Manner and result in the roots of verbal meaning. Linguistic Inquiry 43(3). 331–369) scopal modifier test, so they differ from English “manner+result verbs” and further challenge the manner/result complementarity hypothesis. Synthetic verbs followed by redundant path/result verbs constitute double-framing structures that twice encode the framing information, and the non-motion case, i.e., the “synthetic verb+result verb” structure, supplements Croft et al.’s (2010. Revising Talmy’s typological classification of complex event constructions. In Hans C. Boas (ed.), Contrastive studies in construction grammar, vol. 10, 201–235. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company) classification that only includes the motion case, so that Chinese synthetic verbs complement the discussion on double-framing structures. This paper thereby further falsifies the manner/result complementarity hypothesis and provides an overall illustration of the double-framing structure in cognitive typology. This paper also illustrates the diachronic changes of manner, which might be universal and await further investigation.
Enhanced design of PI controller with lead-lag filter for unstable and integrating plus time delay processes
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Ajmeri Moina
Published: April 2023

In this work, a proportional–integral (PI) controller with a set point filter is designed using the direct synthesis method for unstable plus time delay process. The Suggested method involves design parameters whose suitable values are recommended based on robust stability and robust performance constraints. The absence of derivative term makes PI controllers less sensitive to noise and, therefore, PI controllers are more preferable than PID in industrial applications. Despite a simple control architecture, the proposed method gives improved or comparable performance to previously presented approaches, which are comparatively complex. Four case studies are considered to evaluate the suitability and superiority of the suggested control technique. Proposed controller may be applied to the integrating plus time delay plants after some elementary transformations in the process model.
Reverse droop control strategy with virtual resistance for low-voltage microgrid with multiple distributed generation sources
Authors: Raj Devaraju Chethan , Prakash Dadadahalli Basavaraju , Lakshminarayana Chaluvaiah
Published: April 2023

In the island operation mode of the microgrid, the rated capacity and feeder impedance of each parallel distributed generation inverter are different and the output power is difficult to be reasonably distributed when the traditional droop control strategy is adopted, which reduces the stability of the system. In order to solve this problem, the power transmission characteristics of low-voltage microgrid are analyzed and the leading factors affecting the reasonable power distribution are obtained. A control strategy of virtual resistor is proposed and the difference between the actual output power and the expected output power is used to control the power compensation coefficient and proportional integration to adjust the reference voltage of each DG inverter. The control strategy can automatically adjust the change in the output power of the distributed power supply in real time, adjust the voltage change caused by the line impedance mismatch in time, improve the power quality, reduce the system circulation, and realize the reasonable distribution of power. Finally, the simulation model verifies the effectiveness of the strategy.
On the survival of the Spanish absolute construction: a qualitative diachronic study based on a corpus of translations from Latin
Authors: Molenaers Marie
Published: April 2023

This article studies the diachronic behaviour of the non-finite verbal (participial, gerundial) absolute construction (AC) in (pre)classical and modern Spanish translations from Latin, written between the 15th and the 18th centuries. It focuses on the convergence of and divergence between the ACs of the Spanish target texts and those of the Latin source texts, drawing on three types of translations: (i) Latin absolute constructions translated as Spanish absolutes (translated ACs), (ii) Latin absolute constructions translated as Spanish constructions other than absolutes (non-translated ACs) and (iii) Spanish absolute constructions that do not stem from Latin absolutes (ex-novo ACs). The article traces a diachronic evolution of the AC in terms of formal and functional equivalence, or creativity, and links the results to the cultural-historical context. The analysis shows that the nearly extinct, (pre)classical participial AC developed from a ‘marked’ Latin calque situated at the far end of the Communicative Distance pole to a less formal, gerundial AC, moving in the direction of Communicative Immediacy. This process of syntactic elaboration concurred with the AC’s increased frequency and was caused by language-internal mechanisms such as structural priming and form/function overlap with gerundial free adjuncts (FAs). From the 15th century onwards, a growing tendency towards unbounded construals enabled the gerundial AC to become fully entrenched in early modern Spanish, which guaranteed the survival of this construction.
Investigating willingness to communicate in synchronous group discussion tasks: one step closer towards authentic communication
Authors: Nematizadeh Shahin , Cao Yiqian (Katherine)
Published: April 2023

This study employed a mixed-method approach to investigate L2 WTC as a dynamic variable in synchronous group discussion tasks. Data were collected from a group of Farsi-speaking ESL students in six online discussion tasks. The participants rated their WTC level every 5 min during the discussions and then provided explanations for changes in WTC in follow-up written stimulated recall procedures. The results indicate that participants’ WTC levels fluctuate significantly during the online discussion tasks, lending support to viewing online WTC as a fluid dynamic variable. The results also show that WTC changes are triggered by complex interactions between a range of internal and external forces. Pedagogical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Bit slicing approaches for variability aware ReRAM CIM macros
Authors: Bengel Christopher , Dixius Leon , Waser Rainer , Wouters Dirk J. , Menzel Stephan
Published: April 2023

Computation-in-Memory accelerators based on resistive switching devices represent a promising approach to realize future information processing systems. These architectures promise orders of magnitudes lower energy consumption for certain tasks, while also achieving higher throughputs than other special purpose hardware such as GPUs, due to their analog computation nature. Due to device variability issues, however, a single resistive switching cell usually does not achieve the resolution required for the considered applications. To overcome this challenge, many of the proposed architectures use an approach called bit slicing, where generally multiple low-resolution components are combined to realize higher resolution blocks. In this paper, we will present an analog accelerator architecture on the circuit level, which can be used to perform Vector-Matrix-Multiplications or Matrix-Matrix-Multiplications. The architecture consists of the 1T1R crossbar array, the optimized select circuitry and an ADC. The components are designed to handle the variability of the resistive switching cells, which is verified through our verified and physical compact model. We then use this architecture to compare different bit slicing approaches and discuss their tradeoffs.
Narrow bandpass filter using Octonacci photonic quasicrystal
Authors: Abohassan Khedr M. , Daher Malek G. , Taya Sofyan A. , Panda Abinash , Prajapati Yogendra K.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we propose structures for tunable narrow bandpass optical filters covering the visible range of 400–800 nm. The transmittance spectra of s-polarized (TE mode) light in one-dimensional photonic crystals are obtained by using a theoretical calculation based on the transfer matrix method. Here, photonic crystals and photonic quasicrystals composed of Si and SiO2 are organized according to some generations of the Octonacci sequence. The number of output channels and their central wavelengths are found to be dependent on the generation number and the angle of incidence. The results show an increase in the quality factor as the angle of incidence increased. Therefore, the proposed structures are believed to be suitable for efficient narrow bandpass filters operating in the visible range.
Turner Syndrome: results of the first Tunisian study group on Turner Syndrome (TuSGOT)
Authors: Essaddam Leila , Zitouni Ons , Kraoua Lilia , Trabelsi Madiha , Sassi Hella , Kmiha Sana , Charfi Fatma , El Guiche Dorra , Kebaïli Raoudha , Jaballah Nesrine , Rjeb Maroua , Zouari Noura , El Aribi Yasmina , Hizem Syrine , Wannes Salmen , Fkih Romdhane Ibtihel , Sfar Mohamed Tahar , Ben Hamouda Hechmi , Hadj Salem Radhia , Khlayfia Zied , Khmiss Tarek , Monastiri Kamel , Siala Nadia , Chouchane Slaheddine , Souaa Habib , Khochtali Inès , Mahjoub Bahri , Sfar Habib , Ben Jemâa Lamia , Abroug Saoussen , Boughamoura Lamia , Kamoun Inès , Kamoun Thouraya , Mrad Ridha , Ben Becher Saayda
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Early diagnosis in Turner syndrome is desirable to optimize growth and puberty and yet, it is often made late. Here, we aim to identify age at diagnosis, clinical features at presentation and potential strategies to improve the care of TS girls.

Methods

Retrospective study, including patients from 14 care centers across Tunisia including neonatal and pediatric care units, adult endocrinology and genetics departments.

Results

We identified 175 patients with TS, karyotype showing 45, xmonosomy in 83(47.4 %) with mosaicism in 37(20 %). Mean ± SD, median (range) age at diagnosis available in 173 patients was 13 ± 9.2,12 (birth-48) years. The diagnosis was antenatal in 4(2.3 %), from birth-2 years in 14 (8 %)with lymphoedema (8)and dysmorphic features (9),2–12 years in 53 (35.5 %) including 35 with short stature, 13–18 years in 43(28.8 %) with short stature(28) and delayed puberty(14) and 35(23.5 %) after 18 years, related to ovarian insufficiency (20) and short stature (11). The associated malformations were cardiac in 14 (12.8 %), renal in 22 (19.6 %). A total of 56 girls (32 %) had proven gonadal dysgenesis and 13 (7 %) had otological problems. Parental height was available in 71 girls (40 %) of whom 59 were below the lower end of parental target range (LTR) (83 %).

Conclusions

This first Tunisian multicenter study, the first African of its kind, reveals that more than half of Turner syndrome cases are diagnosed after the age of 12 years. Subsequently, national strategies for an earlier TS diagnosis are needed such as measuring and plotting parental heights as well as introducing a systematic height screening at 5 years in Tunisia with a view to carrying out a re-audit in five years’ time.
Impact of tool rotational speed on the microstructural transitions and tensile properties of the dissimilar AZ80A-Mg – AA6061-Al joints fabricated by friction stir welding
Authors: Lokesh Kumar P. J. , Sevvel P. , Loganathan T. G.
Published: April 2023

Distinct AZ80A-Mg alloy with AA6061-Al alloy plates were joined using friction stir welding and investigation regarding the weld features of the fabricated joints, related to microstructural attributes and mechanical properties was carried out by employing distinctive tool rotational speeds (1600, 1400, 1200, 1000 and 800 rpm). Tool possessing cylindrical pin with tapered profile was employed at constant traverse speed of 30 mm/min and was inserted towards AA6061 alloy plate at 0.5 mm offset distance. Experimental observations revealed that employment of tool rotational speed of 1200 rpm have generated ideal amounts of frictional heat, which have softened the ingredients of both the parent metals and have contributed for the transition of the grains into dynamically recrystallized, finely refined structures being distributed evenly in nugget zone. Moreover, this joint exhibited a tensile strength of 224 MPa (nearly 77.78 % of the tensile strength of AZ80A and 72.26 % of AA6061 alloy). Presence of river like patterns, rifts, tear crinkles at the middle portions of fractured surfaces, announced the brittle category of fracture of the flaw free joint and exhibited fracture at the horizon of the thermomechanically influenced zone and the nugget zone on retreatment side, where the warped structures have fused together.
The effects of Hericium erinaceus extracts on cell viability and telomerase activity in MCF-7 cells
Authors: Gençalp Rüstem Duygu , Aydin Hikmet Hakan , Kalmis Erbil , Kayalar Husniye , Ak Handan
Published: April 2023

Objectives

This study aims to determine the effects of Hericium erinaceus extracts on cell viability and the effects of H. erinaceus water extract on the telomerase activity of MCF-7 cells. H. erinaceus is an edible mushroom widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Although its various therapeutic properties, the literature has not yet submitted evidence about H. erinaceus for its effects on the telomerase activity of MCF-7 cells.

Methods

MCF-7 cells were treated with ethanol, ethanol-water, ether, ethyl acetate, methanol-water, and water extracts to determine the effects on cell viability using the WST8 method. The TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISA kit was used to assess telomerase activity.

Results

The water extract was determined to be the most efficient extract to decrease cell viability. The water extract’s half-maximal inhibitory concentration was 250 μg/mL at 72 h. It is found that H. erinaceus has no statistically significant effect compared to positive control on reducing telomerase activity. We found a statistically significant difference in telomerase activity % between H. erinaceus water extracts and negative control (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Consequently, these differences in telomerase activity are a significant association rather than inferring action. It is considered that water extract shows its cell viability inhibition effects through different mechanisms.
Synthesis, characterization and kinetics of polymeric stabilized nanoparticles for Eosin Y degradation: a review
Authors: Ali Faisal , Ameen Maryam , Younas Umer , Pervaiz Muhammad , Saeed Zohaib , Ashraf Adnan , Hassan Faiza , Manzoor Qaisar , Iqbal Shahid , Iqbal Munawar
Published: April 2023

Eosin Y (EY) is a toxic dye and has adverse effects on human beings as well as on aquatic organisms. During the last few decades, various methods such as physio-chemical and biological methods have been reported for the degradation of this toxic dye. Many researchers reported degradation of EY using different polymer stabilized metal nanoparticles synthesized employing green methods. Mono-metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) stabilized by polymeric systems are the most widely used tools for the degradation of many toxic dyes including EY. Characterization as well as morphology assessment of the nanoparticles is done by different analytical techniques including UV-visible, FTIR, SEM, TEM and XRD. In this review article, synthesis, characterization, chemistry of the polymeric stabilized nanoparticles has been reported. In addition, mechanism, kinetics and thermodynamics of catalytic degradation of EY using polymeric stabilized nanoparticles, have been discussed. This review also carries the discussion on various nano catalytic systems which have been used for the degradation of EY to link the most recent work on water purification from EY dye. This review will be helpful in understanding the spectrum of already published work describing role of polymeric stabilized nanoparticles for EY degradation. It will also motivate researchers to design their future work and commercial applications of polymeric stabilized nanoparticles.
Regulation of adipose tissue development and energy metabolism by VEGFB isoforms
Authors: Chen Yang , Li Xin , Zhang Jing , Zhang Mingjiao , Adlat Salah , Lu Xiaodan , Li Dan , Jin Honghong , Wang Chenhao , Mar Oo Zin , Hayel Farooq , Chen Quangang , Han Xufeng , Chen Renjin , Feng Xuechao , Zhang Luqing , Zheng Yaowu
Published: April 2023

Obesity is caused by imbalanced energy intake and expenditure. Excessive energy intake and storage in adipose tissues are associated with many diseases. Several studies have demonstrated that vascular growth endothelial factor B (VEGFB) deficiency induces obese phenotypes. However, the roles of VEGFB isoforms VEGFB167 and VEGFB186 in adipose tissue development and function are still not clear. In this study, genetic mouse models of adipose-specific VEGFB167 and VEGFB186 overexpression (aP2-Vegfb167
tg/+and aP2-Vegfb186tg/+) were generated and their biologic roles were investigated. On regular chow, adipose-specific VEGFB186 is negatively associated with white adipose tissues (WATs) and positively regulates brown adipose tissues (BATs). VEGFB186 upregulates energy metabolism and metabolism-associated genes. In contrast, VEGFB167 has a nominal role in adipose development and function. On high-fat diet, VEGFB186 expression can reverse the phenotypes of VEGFB deletion. VEGFB186 overexpression upregulates BAT-associated genes and downregulates WAT-associated genes. VEGFB186 and VEGFB167 have very distinct roles in the regulation of adipose development and energy metabolism. As a key regulator of adipose tissue development and energy metabolism, VEGFB186 may be a target for obesity prevention and treatment.
PROYECTO BIOAPRENDIZAJE: DESDE Y EN LA ESPIRAL DE LA VIDA
Authors: Castro Flores Kattia Isabel , De Lima Silva Silvia Regina
Published: April 2023

The following article shares the experience of the Biolearning project - learning from life, a training process of an inter-institutional initiative between the Ecumenical School of Religious Sciences of National University and the National Children’s Board (PANI), Costa Rica. Concepts such as self-care, collective care and revitalization are woven around this process. The main lines of the experience that will be shared, recover the learning obtained in these years (2015-2022). Finally, we want to record the challenges that are glimpsed in the future.
Unabhängigkeit der Finanzmarktaufsicht
Authors: Gurlit Elke
Published: April 2023

Das deutsche Modell einer ministeriell gesteuerten Verwaltung gerät zunehmend unter Druck. Denn im europäischen und internationalen Vergleich ist der Typus der „independent agency“, die allein dem Parlament verantwortlich ist, weit verbreitet. Nachdem das Unionsrecht schon die politische Unabhängigkeit der mitgliedstaatlichen Datenschutzaufsicht und der Bundesnetzagentur erzwungen hat, erteilte nunmehr das BVerfG in seinem Urteil zur Bankenunion der unionsrechtlich geforderten Entlassung der BaFin in den ministerialfreien Raum seinen verfassungsrechtlichen Segen, soweit die Bundesanstalt im Rahmen des Einheitlichen Europäischen Aufsichts- und Abwicklungsmechanismus tätig ist. Der Beitrag analysiert die unions- und verfassungsrechtlichen Vorgaben zur Rechtsstellung der europäischen und deutschen Finanzmarktaufsichtsbehörden und bewertet die Leistungsfähigkeit der divergierenden Modellannahmen. Im Ergebnis plädiert er dafür, die BaFin vollständig von der Rechts- und Fachaufsicht durch das Bundesfinanzministerium zu befreien.
Competitive interactions of NH3 and toluene with biochar modified by pre- and post-treatments of H3PO4 in dual adsorption systems
Authors: Su Mingxue , Li Ning , Huang Ting , Zhu Bing
Published: April 2023

Biochar modified by H3PO4 treatment can be used to purify malodorous gases during bio-drying of sludge, but the current understanding of multi-component adsorption of malodorous gases through biochar is limited. This study examined the adsorption mechanism of mixed malodorous gases including toluene and ammonia (NH3) on two kinds of biochar modified via H3PO4 pretreatment before and after pyrolysis. The biochar obtained by H3PO4 pretreatment of biomass before pyrolysis (C550) preferred to adsorb NH3 whether in the single or the dual system. In contrast, the biochar obtained by H3PO4 reprocessing after pyrolysis of biomass (C350-550) tended to adsorb toluene in the dual system but was more efficient in absorbing NH3 in the single system. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model indicated the synergistic adsorption between NH3 and toluene for all biochar samples. In-situ DRIFTS of C350-550 during adsorption demonstrated the formation of amino functional groups caused by NH3 chemical adsorption with -OH (or -COOH) in the dual system. These increases in basic groups on C350-550 could enhance the surface zero potential point of C350-550, thereby improving the non-polarity of C350-550 and benefit the adsorption of weak polar toluene.
The use of artificial intelligence in health care. Problems of identification of patients' conditions in the processes of detailing the diagnosis
Authors:   Shupyk National Healthсare University of Ukraine, Ukraine, O Mintser
Published: April 2023

The problems of using artificial intelligence in health care were discussed. The aim of the study. Assess the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in medicine right now. Most studies comparing the performance of AI and clinicians are not valid because the tests are not large enough or come from different sources. This difficulty could be overcome in the era of an open healthcare system. Indeed, open data and open methods are sure to attract a lot of attention as new research methods. It also highlights the idea that AI technologies can improve accuracy by incorporating additional data for self-updating, but automatically incorporating low-quality data can lead to inconsistent or inferior algorithm performance. The conclusion made is that the introduction of artificial intelligence into clinical practice is a promising field of development that is rapidly developing along with other modern fields of precision medicine. One of the fundamental issues remains the solution of ethical and financial issues related to the introduction of artificial intelligence
Amazon Textract and artficial intelegence system at banking document managment system
Authors:   Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Kyiv, Ukraine, S Ustenko , T Ostapovych ,   Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: April 2023

Electronic document management systems have a great prospect of use in the banking sector, all information stored in electronic document management systems requires further analysis and processing, this involves the use of a machine learning service to build a semantic search result, which implies the presence of a search service with the thinking of artificial intelligence and the ability provide links to clearly reasoned answers. Such a service that satisfies the needs of semantic search is the Amazon Kendra service, the question of using such a service is more relevant than ever for the construction of modern banking products. Under such conditions, an important area of research is the assessment of the efficiency of Amazon Kendra in the banking sector, which necessitates the development of a conceptual model for assessing the efficiency of banks for making management decisions aimed at improving the efficiency of individual banks and the banking system as a whole. Objectives: The purpose of this work is to improve the work of electronic document flow in the banking sector using Amazon Kendra and Amazon Textract to design an innovative banking product and develop the banking sector of Ukraine. Methods/Approach Scientific research methods – both comparative and analytical – is used in the process of drawing up of this article. Results: A semantic search system based on the bank's electronic document flow system was designed
The method of the real-time human detection and tracking
Authors:   Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine, L Rusakova , N Shapoval ,   Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ukraine
Published: April 2023

Today, data collected from video surveillance systems require processing. Video content analysis (VCA) or video analytics (VA) has found applications in security systems, retail, the automotive industry, smart home technologies, etc. The tasks of video analytics include the detection and tracking of objects. Usually, video analytics systems are specialized software for analyzing video data collected from webcams and intelligently assessing the situation. There are also separate video surveillance cameras with built-in video analytics functions. Software approaches to human detection and tracking are quite diverse, special applications and web applications or separate software modules are created. This work presents an approach to solving these problems using convolutional neural networks. The aim of the study is to increase the efficiency of human detection and tracking in video sequences. For this purpose, an overview of existing methods of detecting objects in images was conducted, in particular: the Viola-Jones algorithm, the histogram of oriented gradients. The choice of convolutional neural networks for solving the subtask of object detection is substantiated. The working principles, advantages and disadvantages of Faster R-CNN, YOLO, SSD and RetinaNet networks are considered. Their comparative analysis was carried out according to the indicators of speed and accuracy of recognition on the HABBOF dataset. A hybrid neural network for human detection and tracking has been developed: a convolutional neural network of the YOLO type has been improved. The created network achieved an accuracy of 39.2% at 43 frames per second. Experiments were carried out with the created network in order to evaluate the operation of the network in various conditions. It has been established that it works well in poor lighting conditions, but the issue of detecting small objects remains open.