bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of a high-calorie diet on the total content of chemical elements and metal-ligand forms of zinc in the blood serum and liver of Wistar rats
Authors: Notova S. V. , Marshinskaia O. V. , Kazakova T. V. , Sheida E. V.
Published: March 2023

Background. Worldwide, there is a rapid increase in the number of people suffering from various forms of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders. Modern studies show that the transport, distribution, excretion and accumulation of chemical elements in these types of metabolic disorders change in different ways and affect the further functional state of the body differently.

The aim. To evaluate the level of macro- and microelements in the blood serum and liver, as well as the content of metal-ligand forms of zinc in the blood serum of a Wistar rat in a high-calorie diet.

Materials and methods. Thirty male rats were selected for the experiment, from which two groups were formed: control (n = 15) and experimental (n = 15). The animals of the control group received the basic diet (270 kcal/100 g), and the animals of  the experimental group received a high-calorie diet. During the  experiment, the caloric content of the diet of the experimental group gradually increased from the caloric content of the total diet. During the study, body weight, biochemical parameters of blood and urine were evaluated. The analysis of macro- and microelements in the samples was carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Determination of the content of individual zinc compounds in blood serum was carried out using a combination of a chromatograph and a mass spectrometer.

Results. It was found that a high-calorie diet led to a decrease in the level of iron, chromium, iodine, zinc, potassium, calcium, and an increase in vanadium in blood serum. In the liver, there was a decrease in the level of lithium and an increase in  the  level of calcium, vanadium, chromium, iron, zinc, cobalt. When assessing the chemical forms of zinc in the blood serum, a percentage increase in the albumin fraction was recorded against the background of a decrease in amino acid complexes and low-molecular-weight forms of zinc.

Conclusion. The data obtained suggest that a high-calorie diet leads to an imbalance of chemical elements, which can serve as one of the triggers for dysregulation of a number of physiological functions of the body.
Using dot-immunoassay in decoding the outbreak of pseudotuberculosis in the Tomsk region
Authors: Zagoskina T. Yu. , Markov E. Yu. , Andreevskaya N. M. , Klimov V. T. , Nikolaev V. B. , Dolgova T. M. , Kolesnikova O. B. , Gavrilova O. V. , Kryukova A. V. , Popova Yu. O. , Starikova O. A. , Doroshchenko A. A. , Chesnokova M. V. , Balakhonov S. V.
Published: March 2023

Background. Pseudotuberculosis remains a serious healthcare problem, which determines the expediency of developing the express methods for its early diagnosis. To detect the pathogen, we designed test system for dot-immunoassay (DIA) based on antibodies labeled with silver nanoparticles (SNPs) isolated from hyperimmune rabbit serum obtained against killed cells of  Yersinia pseudotuberculosis of O:1b serovariant.

The aim. To assess the possibility of using dot-immunoassay for express identification of Y. pseudotuberculosis cultures isolated from clinical material and environmental objects at the initial stage of bacteriological study during laboratory diagnosis of the disease.

Methods. We used the materials from the outbreak of pseudotuberculosis in the Krylovskaya Boarding School of the Bakcharsky district of the Tomsk region in 2021. Specific antibodies from hyperimmune rabbit sera obtained against Y. pseudotuberculosis 3704 particulate antigen of O:1b serotype were labeled with SNPs and used in DIA on nitrocellulose membranes with visualization of reaction results with a solution of a physical developer. The presence of the causative agent of pseudotuberculosis in the test material was inferred by the formation of gray spots of different intensity (from 4+ to 1+).

Results. All Y.  pseudotuberculosis strains isolated using bacteriological method on  the second day of the study from clinical material obtained from sick people and environmental objects were detected in DIA at concentrations ≥ 3.1 × 104 microbial cells per milliliter (m.c./ml).

Conclusion. The designed test system for dot-immunoassay using SNPs as a marker of specific antibodies for the detection of Y.  pseudotuberculosis in cultures isolated from swabs from vegetables and clinical material from patients, including those  with  mixed infection, allows us to  detect a specific corpuscular antigen with a high sensitivity (≥ 3.1 × 104 m.c./ml), providing express identification of isolated cultures at the initial stage of bacteriological study.
Assessment of the psycho-emotional state of patients after COVID-19-associated pneumonia in relationship with laboratory indicators
Authors: Petelina T. I. , Guskova O. A. , Musikhina N. A. , Shcherbinina A. E. , Garanina V. D. , Gapon L. I. , Yaroslavskaya E. I.
Published: March 2023

The aim. To study peculiarities and association of psychological and laboratory indicators in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) who underwent COVID-19 to clarify the factors affecting the possibility of developing delayed psychological and cardiovascular adverse events.

Methods. The study enrolled 350 patients with COVID-19. Group 1 consisted of 92 patients without CVD, Group 2 – of 258 patients with CVD. Indicators of laboratory and psychological parameters were assessed according to the data of psychological questionnaire using GAD-7 (General Anxiety Disorder-7), PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), PSS (Perceived Stress Scale) screening scales and SF-36. Parameters of complete blood count and biochemical blood tests were measured during hospitalization and three months after discharge from the monohospital.

Results. After three months, in the general group of patients, signs of anxiety and depression were detected in more than 30 % of the examined patients, signs of stress – in 10.4 %. In the group with CVD, psycho-emotional disorders were identified in 1/4 of the patients, and severe stress – in 8 % of those included in the study. In addition, it was registered that the indicators of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, fibrinogen, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine and IL-6 remained at a higher level in the second group.

Correlation analysis showed that the psychological component of health is interconnected with the level of neutrophils (p = 0.044) and fibrinogen (p = 0.050); the physical component of health is correlated with the level of erythrocytes (p = 0.030), hemoglobin (p = 0.015), CRP (p = 0.002), creatine phosphokinase (p = 0.036) and glucose (p = 0.017). Regression analysis revealed that in patients with CVD three months after hospitalization, an increased glucose index contributes to deterioration, and increased hematocrit and mean hemoglobin concentration improve the quality of life of patients.

Conclusion. Laboratory markers that maintain the duration of a prolonged vascular reaction, violation of the rheological and metabolic properties of blood, determine the nature of the development of both psychological and cardiovascular complications.
Analysis of body mass and food consumption of university students of the male sex in Brazil
Authors: Luís Paulo Souza e Souza  , José Rodrigo da Silva  , Kevin Serdeira de Lima  , Antônia Gonçalves de Souza
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to characterize food intake, body weight and self-perception about weight among university men of a Higher Education Institution in Brazil. Cross-sectional study, conducted in 2019, with a representative sample of 375 university students, using a validated questionnaire. Regarding nutritional assessment, most of them were classified as eutrophic (61.3%). It is noteworthy that 31.5% were overweight (overweight and obesity). Although most (42.6%) of the students realized that they were at normal weight, when the other categories (below or overweight) are added, 57.4% indicated these options. Asked about attitudes towards the current weight, 33.9% answered that they were not doing something and 14.3% indicated that they were trying to maintain them. Adding to the other options, 48.2% tried to lose or win. Most of them did not diet, exercise, use of weight loss medications in the 30 days prior to the research. Regarding physical activity in the week prior to the survey, 37.1% did not practice. On food intake the previous day, most consumed fruits, vegetables or boiled vegetables at least once. On the consumption of fast food (hamburger, coxinha, snacks or french fries), 53.9% did not make consumption in the previous week. Regarding biscuits, cakes or sweets, 40.8% ate once. It was observed that the interviewees presented good eating habits, however, part of them perceived their weight as not ideal. Although a small frequency indicates that you have done something (diet, exercises, use of medications) to lose weight, attention should be paid to these situations in order to monitor possible risk behaviors, highlighting universities as important spaces for help and promotion of men's health.
Effectiveness of bio- phytoremediation on heavy metal contaminated soils: A review
Authors: CHUKWUMATI J A  , IKIRIKO M
Published: March 2023

The need to restore the environment contaminated with heavy metals to its original ornear original status has become necessary due to the harm high concentration of heavy metals cause to the environment and the food chain. In this review, different remediation approach was considered, their merits and short coming. Focus was more on bio-phytoremediation: use of some selected plants and micro-organisms to decontaminate heavy metals from contaminated sites. . Differentplant species especially hyper accumulative plants were used to decontaminate heavy metals from contaminated site. Vetiver grass (Vetiveriazizanioides) was more effective among all the plant species used. It is environmentally friendly and cost effective. Its ability to accumulate and uptake heavy metals from the soil and translocate same to the shoot was high. Combination of both plants and micro-organisms proved to be more effective with a faster result in remediating a heavy metal polluted soil. Amendment of the soil with organic manures significantly increased the percentage of heavy metals removed from the soil and reduced the uptake of contaminants (heavy metals) from the plant tissues.
Some biological potential of silver nanoparticles synthesized from Ocimum basilicum L.
Authors: Karakaş İ  , Hacıoğlu Doğru N
Published: March 2023

In our study, the ability to produce silver nanoparticles (AgNP) by green synthesis method using Ocimum basilicum L. plant was investigated. The color of the extract changed from yellow to brown, proving the presence of AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersed spectra (EDS) were used to characterized AgNPs. AgNPs ranged from 15 nm to 22 nm in size and were mostly spherical. The antimicrobial potential of AgNPs was tested against four bacterial and one yeast cultures by disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. AgNPs significantly inhibited all test cultures. The highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of plant extract and AgNP were found against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231, respectively. In free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), the higher antioxidant activity were found 56.31±0.73% (plant extract) and 30.71±1.35% (AgNP). The higher 2,2'- Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) cation radical scavenging acitivty were also determined 55.87±1.38% and 39.56±1%, respectively.
Erkek köpeklerde kastrasyonun serum TSH düzeyi ile ilişkisi
Authors: ÇEBİ Çiğdem
Published: March 2023

One of the most frequently performed operations in small animal clinics is the removal of testicles in male animals. As a result of this operation, the behavior and metabolic activities of the animals may change more or less depending on the changes in the sex hormone activities. Thyroxine hormone secreted from the thyroid gland is the main hormone that regulates the metabolic rate of the body. It has been reported that the risk of hypothyroidism in dogs is increased with sterilization in some studies (Milne and Hayes 1981, Panciera 1994) and not associated with sterilization in other studies. In this study, 24 male healthy dogs aged 2-3 years and weighing an average of 20 kg were used. Blood samples were taken from 24 healthy male dogs (Group 1) and their serums were extracted without any surgical intervention. One month after castration, blood samples were taken from all animals again and the serums were extracted (Group 2). TSH level was measured in animals in all groups using the canine ELISA kit (BT lab canine thyroid stimulating hormone ELISA test kit). The effect of castration on TSH was found to be statistically insignificant. Keywords: Castration, dog, TSH
PERAN VALUE CO-CREATION DALAM MENINGKATKAN MARKETING PERFORMANCE
Authors: Sudarti Ken , Hidayah Nurul
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study is to analyze social value creation and economic creation in relational interaction skills and ethical interaction capabilities with market performance in the beauty salon creative service industry. This type of research is Explanatory Research with the research population, namely customers of beauty salons in Central Java. The sample selected in this study were 150 respondents. Analysis of research data using Partial Least Square (PLS) method with SmartPLS. The results of the study show that this research has succeeded in proving that social value creation and economic value creation are able to mediate between relationships and ethics with market performance.
KOH Activator Concentration Study on The Capacity and Surface Area of Kluwak Carbon for Methylene Blue Adsorption
Authors: HR Yuliani , Todingbu’a Abigael , Astuti Herawati Dewi , Setiawati Haera , Musfirah Adhar Andi , Ayu Ningsih Putri Zainal Isma , Adriani Idris Ida
Published: March 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of KOH concentration on adsorbent performance in the form of adsorption capacity and the surface area of the kluwak shell carbon (CSK) on the uptake of methylene blue (MB). The research variables were variations of KOH 0, 1, 3 and 5M, MB concentrations 80,90,100,120, 130, 140 and 150 ppm at the adsorption process at 30 oC, MB volume 50 ml, the number of activated CSK and without activation 0.15 grams was shaken for 1.5 hours with speed 350 rpm. The solution was filtered to separate the filtrate and the CSK (adsorbent), the absorbance was then measured using the UV-VIS spectrometric at a wavelength of 662 nm, then the absorbance was obtained and then converted using a standard curve to obtain a balanced MB concentration. The test result data was calculated the surface area (A) of the MB adsorption method at 126 ppm and the adsorption capacity (qm) using the Langmuir equation. The results showed that activation could improve the adsorbent performance and the increasing KOH concentration would increase the adsorbent capacity and CSK surface area. CSK activation at 5 M was the highest results then others with A of 151.71m2/ g and qm of 47.05 mg /g compared to CSK without activation in the form of surface area of 70.37 m2/g and adsorption capacity of 15.27 mg /g.AbstrakPenelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh konsentrasi KOH terhadap kinerja adsorben berupa kapasitas adsorpsi dan luas permukaan karbon tempurung kluwak (KTK) pada penjerapan methylene blue (MB). Variabel penelitian yaitu variasi KOH 0, 1, 3 dan 5M, konsentrasi MB 80,90,100,120, 130, 140 dan 150 ppm pada proses adsorpsi suhu 30oC, volume MB 50 ml, jumlah KTK ativasi dan tanpa aktivasi 0.15 gram dishaker selama 1.5 jam dengan kecepatan 350 rpm. Larutan disaring untuk memisahkan filtrat dengan KTK (adsorben) selanjutnya filtranya diukur absorbansi menggunakan spekrometri UV-VIS pada Panjang gelombang 662 nm diperoleh absorbansi kemudian dikonversi mengguankan kurva standar didapatkan konsentrasi MB setimbang. Data hasil pengujian dihitung luas permukaan (A) metode adsorpsi MB pada 126 ppm dan kapasitas adsorpsi (qm) menggunakan persamaan Langmuir. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa aktivasi dapat meningkatkan kinerja adsorben dan semakin meningkatnya konsentrasi KOH maka kapasitas adsorpsi dan luas permukaan KTK meningkat. Aktivasi KTK pada 5 M merupakan hasil tertinggi dengan A sebesar 151.71m2/g dan qm yaitu 47.05 mg/g dibandingkan KTK tanpa aktivasi berupa luas permukaan 70.37 m2/g dan kapasitas adsorpsi senilai 15.27 mg/g.
What Counts as a Minority-Serving Institution? Toward the Utilization of a Standardized and Uniform Definition and Typology
Authors: Nguyen Mike Hoa , Ramirez Joseph J. , Laderman Sophia
Published: March 2023

Minority-serving institutions (MSIs) are unique in their ability to support the educational advancement of students of color. Approximately one in five postsecondary institutions are eligible for funding under an MSI designation, yet more than half of all undergraduate students of color are enrolled in such colleges and universities. However, there continues to be great disagreement and confusion about how to define MSIs. Researchers, policymakers, advocacy organizations, and even institutions themselves have advanced different and inconsistent definitions as to what might be considered an MSI. Given these contrasting constructions of MSIs, the purpose of this article is to offer a uniform definition and typology as to how MSIs should be defined and to construct an MSI dataset based upon this approach. We assert that this approach will yield more accuracy to the description and study of MSIs, which will greatly benefit and inform the work of institutional leaders, advocates, policymakers, and the broader MSI research community.
BMF CP27: Barriers to secondary school students’ online learning comfortability and effectiveness
Authors: Nguyen Loan
Published: March 2023

The analysis shows that poor internet connection, lack of ICT skills, and psychological issues are associated with lower online learning comfort among secondary school students. Among these effects, the impact of psychological problems, like concentration difficulties, is the strongest. We also find that learning comfortability is positively associated with learning effectiveness.
Hafted stone and shell tools in the Asia Pacific region
Authors: Buckley Christopher
Published: March 2023

Hafted stone tools fell into disuse in the Pacific region in the 19th and 20th centuries. Before this occurred, examples of tools were collected by early travelers, explorers and tourists. These objects, which now reside in ethnographic collections around the world, make up a remarkable record of vanished traditions. In this chapter I assemble the most extensive survey of these tools to date. I discuss their distributions and how these relate to lifeways and cultural histories. In highland New Guinea I propose that hafted stone tool forms trace three waves of agricultural innovation. I also show how convergent evolution has shaped similar tool types in the Asia Pacific region and the European Neolithic. Lastly, I consider the question of how aspects of material culture and language in the region correlate with each other.
The Impact of Corporate Governance on the Financial Performance of Listed Companies: Evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aldaarmi Abdulaziz Adel
Published: March 2023

This study investigates the role of corporate governance regulations on the financial performance within listed companies in Saudi Arabia. 120 organisations were selected from Saudi Stock Exchange, Tadawul, over a period of four years between 2016 to 2019 for 565 observations. The data were gathered about the intendent variable of board independence, board size, board meeting, board interlocking, in addition to firm size and leverage as moderators. The independent variable was Tobin’s q. The result of this study shows that there is a negative relationship between board size and board interlocking on one hand and financial performance of the listed companies on the other hand. Other independent variables of independent directorships and frequency of board meeting were shown to have a positive effect on financial performance. The outcome of this study supports the theoretical foundations of stakeholder theory about the importance of reducing the monopoly of the agents (directors on board) over the decisions of the company. Such reduction of the effect of directors can be done through maximising the number of meetings accompanied by maximising the number of independent directors on board. Also, by reducing board interlocking, the influence of directors will shrink while increasing board size will slow down the process of taking decisions which affect companies’ performance.
Patients with Laryngeal Disorders Who Undergone Microlaryngeal Surgery at The Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya
Authors: Priyambodo Yohanes Dimas Pamungkas , Ardani Diar Mia , Perdana Rizka Fathoni
Published: March 2023

Objective: To describe laryngeal abnormalities undergoing microlaryngeal surgery (MLS).  Material and Methods: A retrospective analytical study by examining the central medical record and electronic medical record of patients with laryngeal disorders in the otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) Outpatient Unit and the Teratai ORL-HNS Surgery Inpatient Care Unit at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, from January 1 until December 31, 2019, utilizing the chi-square test followed by the Wald test.  Results: The number of patient visits from January 1 until December 31, 2019, amounted to 80 patients, most of whom were male and belonged to the 19-60 age group. The histopathology results of patients with neoplasms indicated moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, while the same procedure applied to patients without neoplasms mainly indicated vocal nodules. In this case, the most used technique was a biopsy. Patients with smoking risk factors amounted to 38, while those without smoking risk factors amounted to 42.  Conclusion: MLS is used as a means of diagnosis and therapy, including cases of benign and malignant neoplasms.
Strength properties and microstructure of Portland slag cement for well casings under the influence of high temperatures
Authors: Ovchinnikov V. P. , Rozhkova O. V. , Rozhkova D. S. , Listak M. V.
Published: March 2023

Thermobaric conditions in oil and gas wells require the use of backfill materials with special physical and chemical properties. Cement composites are subject to the requirements of fluidity (to ensure uninterrupted delivery to the cementing site), timely formation of the necessary mechanical strength (to prevent the interaction between the cement glass and reservoir fluids), corrosion resistance, impermeability and durability. Therefore, the composition of the cement slurry should be selected based on the mining and geological characteristics of the well.

Wellbores wall are reinforced with protective pipes, which are attached to the well with cement or cement slurry. It is needed to protect wellbores wall from rock falls, gas, oil and water shows and to isolate productive formations. If this operation is carried out qualitatively, then the outer part of the casing string will be protected from the impact of the formation fluid. Otherwise, pipe corrosion may occur, which can lead to the destruction of the cement stone and, as a result, to accidents.
From Descriptive to Prescriptive Analytics: Turkish Airlines Case Study
Authors: AKPINAR Musab Talha , HIZIROĞLU Kadir , SEÇKİN CODAL Keziban
Published: March 2023

Recent years, evolving technologies have increased importance of data analytics and have extended the potential of using data-driven for decision-making process in different sectors as it has also been shown in civil aviation. The aviation industry supports $2.7 trillion (3.5%) of the world’s GDP thus, it has always been seen to have an inherently strategic role. Propose of this study is an integrated model that combines descriptive analytics (multidimensional analytics) predictive analytics (data mining and more) and prescriptive analytics (MCDM and DEMATEL) in order to extract the critical factors for the improvement of airline baggage optimizations. The data has taken from Turkish Airlines which is one of the biggest 10 airlines in terms of the passenger number. Descriptive analytics results have set a precedent implication of multidimensional reports for service sector. In addition, rules that arise as outcomes of predictive analytics have really significant knowledge for marketing and planning department in civil aviation. Furthermore, they will help to solve some optimization problem in air transportation sector. Owing to prescriptive analytics, displayed results supported by the MCDM and DEMATEL methods. Therefore, all stages of the analytics have been shown step by step on the real-world data implementation.
Spinal epidural tuberculoma with osseous involvement: illustrative case
Authors: Cannon Hershel W. , Weaver Michael , Kaul Anand , Lazim Ahmed
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

A tuberculosis infection of the central nervous system can present as a localized, intraspinal tuberculoma. These lesions may cause spinal cord compression requiring early identification and surgical decompression to limit deleterious neurological sequelae.

OBSERVATIONS

A 28-year-old female with a history of opioid use disorder presented with low-back pain in the setting of trauma with progressive bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and paraparesis. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences of the spine demonstrated a heterogeneously hyperintense extra-axial epidural mass at T11 with mass effect. Biopsy of the lesion revealed benign soft tissue with necrosis and caseating granulomatous inflammation consistent with tuberculoma. The patient underwent laminectomy and debulking of mass for decompression and was subsequently began antitubercular treatment with good neurological outcome.

LESSONS

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there are only a handful of microbiologically and radiographically confirmed cases of spinal epidural tuberculoma in English literature. These lesions are rare and difficult to clinically and radiographically characterize in the absence of systemic pulmonary TB symptoms. Tuberculoma is an important differential for a spinal epidural mass, particularly because resection with systemic antitubercular treatment results in symptom resolution.
The Polyfollicular Anovulatory Hyperandrogenic Syndrome: A New Label for an Old Syndrome
Authors: Kandil Mohamed
Published: March 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. The affected women may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual cycles or excess male hormone levels with manifestations of hyperandrogenemia. The ovaries may fail to ovulate with many arrested follicles at the primordial stage. There was a time when the medical profession honored its members by naming diseases after them and that was the case with Stein and Leventhal syndrome which was later changed to the polycystic ovary syndrome. Since then, our understanding to the syndrome had changed dramatically. It is now not just a mere association of symptoms with some ultrasonographic features, but rather a complex hormonal and metabolic abnormalities with a wide spectrum of variable clinical presentations. Hence, there is an obvious need for a new name to reflect these abnormalities. This article explains the existing problem with the current name and suggests a new system to rename the syndrome.
Psychometric Properties of the Persian Kessler Psychological Distress Scale Among Iranian Older Adults
Authors:   Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran., Lotfalinezhad Elham , Barati Fatemeh ,   Vice-Chancellery for Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran., Sahaf Robab ,   Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran., Shati Mohsen ,   Mental Health Research Center, Tehran Institute of Psychiatry, School of Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Abolfathi Momtaz Yadollah ,   Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran.,   Malaysian Research Institute on Aging (My Ageing), University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia., Forughan Mahshid ,   Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran., Amini Fatemeh ,   Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran., Bhalla Devender ,   Nepal Interest Group of epilepsy and Neurology (NiGEN), Kathmandu, Nepal., Papi Shahab ,   Department of Public Health, School of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, sari, Iran., Hosseinnataj Abolfazl ,   Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose: We measured the psychometric properties i.e., validity, reliability, and stability of the Persian 10-item Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) among older adults in Iran. Materials and Methods: We recruited elderly (60+ years) subjects (20 per item of the questionnaire) from various sampling units in the general population of Gorgan district, Golestan, Iran. After the translation/back-translation process, the questionnaire underwent various forms of validity and reliability, including Cronbach alpha (overall, by items, and by group of yes to an item and no to an item). The intra-class correlation coefficient was measured at a two-week interval, and inter-rater agreement was also determined. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were also conducted, along with receiver-operator characteristics vis-à-vis hospital anxiety and depression scale. Results: In total, 190 subjects (47.3% males, mean age: 70.3, 95% CI: 69.2-71.4) participated in the study. A total of 35.8% had psychological distress (PD) (i.e., score >20). The alpha coefficient was 0.88 with no item below 0.86. The alpha coefficients to report a yes to an item (α=0.85) or no to an item (α=0.90) were similar to each other. The intra-class coefficient for test-retest at a two-week interval was 0.90. Exploratory factor analysis showed a one-factor structure of the underlying construct, with a cumulative variance of 97.1%. Confirmatory factor analysis showed high fit indices for the questionnaire (0.91) and a low standardized residual of 0.05.
Expression of miR-106a-5p, miR-106b-5p, and TGFβ1I1 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) of Chemical Veterans Exposed to Sulfur Mustard With Long-term Pulmonary Complications
Authors:   Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran., Sepehrnia Saeed , Mohseni Majd Ali Mohammad ,   Immunoregulation Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran., Ghazanfari Tooba ,   Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran., Talebi Farideh ,   Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
Published: March 2023

Background: Sulfur mustard as a chemical warfare agent causes short and long-term pulmonary complications in its victims. MicroRNAs are known to act as remarkable regulators of biological pathways, monitoring, and treatment of diseases including respiratory problems. In this study, we investigated the expression of miR-106a-5p and miR-106b-5p, two regulators of TGF-β signaling, as well as their target molecule, TGFβ1I1, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from SM-exposed individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 veterans with SM-induced pulmonary complications were examined and compared to 35 gender and age-matched healthy controls. After clinical examination and pulmonary function tests, the severity of pulmonary complications was classified. Total RNA was extracted from PBMCs and the purity of extracted RNA samples was evaluated by a NanoDrop 2000. The miR-106a-5p, miR-106b-5p, and TGFβ1I1 expression levels were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Results: The miR-106a-5p expression levels were significantly increased in both mild (P=0.015) and severe groups compared with the control group. The miR-106b-5p expression levels were considerably elevated in the severe group TGFβ1I1 expression levels were notably reduced in the severe group compared with the control group. Although, a slight decrease in TGFβ1I1 expression levels was observed in the mild group compared with the control. Conclusion: Our results indicate that exposure to sulfur mustard affects the expression of miR-106a-5p, miR-106b-5p, and their target gene, TGFβ1I1, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Considering the role of TGFβ1I1 in the regulation of TGF-β signaling, the mentioned changes might point to a potential mechanism by which SM exposure causes chronic pulmonary complications. In a ROC analysis, miR-106a-5p and miR-106b-5p potentially turned out to be a suitable diagnostic biomarker in the mild and severe categories of patients. Although, miR-106a-5p could be considered a better biomarker than miR-106b-5p.
A Review of Current Perspective and Propensity in Reinforcement Learning (RL) in an Orderly Manner
Authors: Shweta Pandey  , Rohit Agarwal  , Sachin Bhardwaj  , Sanjay Kumar Singh  , Dr. Yusuf Perwej  , Niraj Kumar Singh
Published: March 2023

Reinforcement learning is an area of Machine Learning. The three primary types of machine learning are supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning (RL). Pre-training a model on a labeled dataset is known as supervised learning. The model is trained on unlabeled data in unsupervised learning, on the other hand. Instead of being driven by labels, RL is motivated by assessing feedback. By interacting with the environment and choosing the best course of action in each circumstance in order to maximize the reward, the agent learns the best way to solve sequential decision-making issues. The RL agent chooses how to carry out tasks on its own. Furthermore, since there are no training data, the agent learns by gaining experience. In order to make subsequent judgments, RL aids agents in efficiently interacting with their surroundings. In this essay, the state-of-the-art RL is thoroughly reviewed in the literature. Applications for reinforcement learning (RL) may be found in a wide range of industries, including smart grids, robots, computer vision, healthcare, gaming, transportation, finance, and engineering.
Calcium Signaling in Neurodegeneration : A Review
Authors: Rijul Mahesh Kharat
Published: March 2023

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease (HD), and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), pose a significant medical, social, financial, and scientific challenge. Recent data suggests that many of these illnesses have aberrant neuronal calcium (Ca2+) transmission. Normal aging causes alterations in neuronal Ca2+ signaling that are similar but less drastic. Here, we address the dysregulation of calcium in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Also noted is the potential effectiveness of Ca2+ blockers in the treatment of various illnesses.
Effect of KOH Concentration on the Optical and Structural Properties of Perovskite CaZnO3 Thin films
Authors: Raed H. AL-saqa  , I. K. Jassim
Published: March 2023

A scanning electron microscope, X-ray spectrum, and UV spectrometer have been used in the examination of CaZnO3 perovskite thin films. Chemical Spry Pyrolysis (CSPD) technique was used in the preparation of the films from a mixture including different concentrations of KOH and a constant substrate temperature. The effect of KOH concentration was clear on the film’s transmittance, absorbance, and energy gap. The energy gap varied from 2.75 eV with 0.6 gm of KOH, up to 2.95 eV for 1.2 concentration, and finally, the energy gap became 3.1eV with 1.8 gm of KOH. In addition, the average grain size also decreased with KOH concentration, from 116 nm to 92 nm.
The Relationship between Postpartum Depression and Postpartum Support : Expatriate and Non-Expatriate Comparisons
Authors: Samantha Banbury  , Joanne Lusher  , Isabel Henton
Published: March 2023

Poor social support is a known risk factor in the development of postpartum depression. Expatriate women may be at increased risk of experiencing lower levels of social support due to cultural and language barriers. Currently, research examining postpartum depression and levels of social support in expatriate women is sparse. The aim of this preliminary study was therefore to determine whether postpartum support is a predictor of postpartum depression in expatriate women. Sixty-five women based in the United Kingdom took part in an online cross-sectional survey consisting of a series of questionnaires gathering demographic information and measuring postpartum depression and postpartum social support. Of the total sample, 42 were expatriate and 23 were non-expatriate women, with a mean age of 33 years. Higher levels of depression were reported by the expatriate group. A significant negative correlation was identified between postpartum depression and postpartum support; perceived lack of social support was a significant predictor of postpartum depression. Levels of perceived emotional, material, informational and comparison support were reportedly lower in expatriate women compared to non-expatriate women. This study offers an early understanding of the potential risk factors associated with postpartum depression in expatriate women. Future studies are encouraged to develop interventions that aim to increase social support for expatriate women.
An Injection Molding Process in Plastic- A review
Authors: Anil R. Saradva
Published: March 2023

A growing sector of the plastics industry, the term “plastic” encompasses a broad range of materials. In addition, each has its own special properties and variations when it comes to properties such as hardness, heat tolerance, and resiliency. Each of them is made of organic condensation or addition polymers and can be made into fibers, films, or objects. Plastic injection molding is the most common process used to produce plastic parts. The process of plastic injection molding is fast, meant to produce large quantities of the same plastic product in a short time span. Now a days, the materials used are for instance thermoplastic, thermoset, elastomer, and/or metal(s). High-performance plastics that can withstand high temperatures are replacing the metals that are traditionally used in plastic manufacturing.
Facilitação entre plantas e o uso de espécies facilitadoras como estratégia de restauração ecológica
Authors: Ribeiro Izabela Ferreira , Menezes Luis Fernando Tavares de , Nascimento Marcelo Trindade
Published: March 2023

Ecossistemas sujeitos a fatores abióticos extremos são locais privilegiados para estudos de interações positivas entre plantas, como os mecanismos de facilitação, que, a partir de modificações bióticas ou abióticas, geram benefícios ao meio. Devido ao aumento do número de artigos sobre facilitação nas últimas décadas e a indicação do uso de espécies facilitadoras em projetos de recuperação e restauração ecológica, o presente estudo apresenta uma revisão da literatura sobre facilitação entre planta-planta e sua aplicabilidade entre os anos de 2011 e 2020. Foram considerados um total de 64 estudos que englobam o tema facilitação, e o texto foi composto por uma introdução e duas seções: i) estudos sobre o mecanismo de facilitação – avanços na última década e ii) facilitação como estratégia para restauração ecológica. Esta revisão indica que a melhor compreensão dos mecanismos de facilitação ocorre a partir da junção de conhecimentos em diferentes níveis, como conhecimento das espécies, organização ecológica, filogenética e condições ambientais. Assim, esta abordagem possibilita um melhor entendimento da dinâmica da comunidade e demonstra como o uso de espécies facilitadoras em áreas de restauração, principalmente em regiões com condições ambientais severas e/ou mais vulneráveis às mudanças climáticas, tem sido considerada uma estratégia eficaz no processo de restauração ecológica.
The Significant Transboundary Harm Prevention Rule and Climate Change: One-Size-Fits-All or One-Size-Fits-None?
Authors: Campbell-Duruflé Christopher
Published: March 2023

This chapter debates the relevance of customary law to climate law. In climate-law discussions, most attention focuses on the treaties (the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement) rather than on custom. Views differ as to the relevance or applicability of customary international law to state responsibility for responding to climate change. Sandrine Maljean-Dubois makes the case that norms of customary international law can meaningfully be applied to climate change mitigation, Christopher Campbell-Duruflé, by contrast, argues that those norms are too vague to address the problem in any meaningful way. This debate has important implications for determining the level of mitigation ambition that states must implement.
Canada’s Treatment of Non-Citizens through the Lens of the United Nations Individual Complaints Mechanisms
Authors: Atak Idil , Giffin Lorielle
Published: March 2023

The United Nations (UN) human rights treaty bodies play an important role in defining the scope and the nature of non-citizens’ rights. This article offers a critical overview of the UN human rights case law from 2008 to 2018 pertaining to non-citizens — notably undocumented migrants, refused asylum seekers, and permanent residents ordered deported — in Canada. It examines the jurisprudence of the three UN human rights treaty bodies recognized by Canada as having competence to receive and consider individual complaints — namely, the UN Human Rights Committee, the Committee against Torture, and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The purpose of this examination is two-fold. First, it intends to foster a better understanding of the cases lodged by non-citizens before the UN human rights treaty bodies. The second aim is to explore the substantive issues that the UN committees’ jurisprudence on non-citizens reveals about Canada’s immigration decision-making and enforcement. It is argued that some groups of non-citizens in Canada are at risk of being deported to persecution or hardship in violation of the non- refoulement principle and Canada’s international human rights obligations. The article illuminates several loopholes identified by the UN treaty bodies in Canada’s immigration and refugee protection system that heighten the risk of refoulement.
Risk Management in the Enterprise: The Essence, Approaches, and Methods
Authors:   Bohdan Khmelnytsky State Pedagogical University of Melitopol, Zakharova Natalia Yu.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the features of risk management at the enterprise in conditions of uncertainty of the situation to increase its adaptive capabilities and maneuverability, as well as to outline the basic principles and methods allowing to quickly respond to existing and potential threats and to limit the negative impact of risks on the activities of the enterprise. The author identifies the transformation of the approach to the formation of a risk management system from financially-oriented to personnel-oriented. It is found that in the process of risk management, a register of risks along with a risk map should be formed and appropriate management measures should be worked out, which should not formally, but actually improve the quality of management. Based on the changing circumstances of business functioning, the basic principles of risk management in the enterprise are identified, including the following: systematicity, integratedness, comprehensiveness, efficiency, dynamism, prevention, consistency, multi-variateness. The stages of risk management in the enterprise are allocated, the quality of which affects the overall result that will be obtained in the end. Approaches to risk management in the enterprise are substantiated and attention is focused on the need for their regular review and adaptation to the conditions, which will ensure compliance with the requirements of dynamism and flexibility of business decision-making. The methods of risk management in the enterprise are systematized. It is proved that the methods can be applied both at the stage of preliminary elaboration of risks and managerial decision-making regarding them, and in the process of their transformation consequently to a certain level of uncertainty inherent in both the external and the internal environment.
‘Because people here are ignorant’: The failure of a community intervention to prevent mycetoma in Sudan
Authors: Nasr Elsheikh Mohamed , Ackley Caroline , Hall Victoria , Zaman Shahaduz
Published: March 2023

Background: This study is based on fieldwork conducted amongst a community in Sudan where the neglected tropical disease (NTD), mycetoma, is endemic. In 2018 government officials attempted an unsuccessful intervention and we examine what caused this to fail. This intervention was a collaborative project building animal enclosures, designed specifically to counteract some principal causes of mycetoma, i.e., scratches and cuts common in disease transmission. It was a carefully researched, privately funded, and government-endorsed project, which was almost unequivocally rejected by the community.  

Methods: Data collection took place in July 2018. Eight interviews and two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with village residents. One FGD was conducted with government officials in charge of the implementation and enforcement of the project; three key-informant interviews with officials from the State Ministry of Health and three interviews with community leaders in the village were conducted, including those responsible for allocation of the new enclosures. The data was analysed using framework analysis.

Results: The village residents explained that they didn’t use the enclosures for three reasons: (1) it interferes with the relationship they have with their livestock, (2) the function and design are not practical, and (3) they continually feel let down by government officials. The government officials and representatives from the State Ministry of Health identified two reasons the project failed: (1) ignorance of the people in the village, and (2) poor enforcement.

Conclusions: This study shows that government enforcement isn’t a viable intervention to reduce disease burden without considering community ways of life, values, and priorities. We revealed that government officials and villagers have contrasting views on the failure and original necessity of the project. Future behaviour-change interventions need to show respect for different ways of life and the values, beginning with the open facilitation of communication between divergent perspectives.