bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An in-depth exploration of ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemical profiles, and pharmacological potentials: unveiling Withania somnifera
Authors: Acharya Balkrishna  , Kumud  , Chaurasia Shardesh Kumar , Goswami Pooja , Arya Vedpriya
Published: October 2024

Researchers have extensively studied Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, a woody shrub renowned for its multifaceted medicinal attributes such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, and tonifying properties, because of its medicinal and traditional values. However, comprehensive information about its medicinal uses and pharmacological implications is scattered across various sources. Thus, this study aims to provide a comprehensive review of its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological attributes, consolidating information from diverse data sources. Systematic investigations have revealed the presence of diverse phytochemicals in W. somnifera, including major alkaloids, withanolides, flavonoids, tannins, oils, phytosterols, and amino acids. Extracts, fractions, and bioactive compounds derived from W. somnifera exhibited potent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-analgesic, anti-cancer, antivenom, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities. W. somnifera serves as a valuable source of phytochemicals with diverse biological activities, offering significant therapeutic benefits globally. However, further studies are needed to assess potential side effects. Additionally, while several isolated compounds have demonstrated notable bioactivities, future research should focus on elucidating their mechanistic features to facilitate their integration into drug discovery endeavors.
Preventive strategies for Zoonoses diseases: Rising concerned among the population
Authors: Bidhya Sharma  , Sonam Bhutia
Published: October 2024

Zoonoses are any disease or infection that is naturally transmissible from vertebrate animals to humans. More than 200 types of zoonoses are recognized till date. Zoonoses comprise a large percentage of new and existing diseases in humans. Certain zoonoses, like rabies, can be completely avoided with vaccination and other preventative measures. A few diseases, like HIV, start off as zoonoses before evolving into strains that are exclusive to humans. Disease outbreaks that repeat frequently include salmonellosis and the Ebola virus. Others have the potential to start worldwide pandemics, as the new corona virus that causes COVID-19. It is estimated that over 60% of the western families own a pet as a result reverse zoonoses and zoonoses has become a major problem. Each pathogen has different preventive measures for zoonotic diseases. In this present review work, we have highlighted some of the preventive strategies of these infectious diseases. In the agricultural sector, safe and adequate rules for animal care contribute to a lower risk of food borne zoonotic disease outbreaks through the consumption of meat, eggs, dairy products, and even some plants. Surface water protections in the natural environment, trash removal guidelines, and standards for clean drinking water are very crucial. Campaigns to educate people about the importance of washing your hands after coming into touch with animals and other behavioral changes can help stop the spread of zoonotic diseases in the community. Limiting Transmission Risks, Boosting the Body’s Defences, Understanding Vaccination, promoting veterinary public health at collective scale, Anticipating risks through monitoring and assessment are some of the preventive measures for Zoonoses.
Underutilized wild edible plants (future smart food): A report on its diversity, nutritional properties and importance
Authors: Prachi Baliyan  , Afroz Alam
Published: October 2024

Underutilized wild edible plants (UWEPs) have great nutritional values. Researchers are becoming more and more aware of these plants because of their susceptibility to adverse climatic and environmental conditions. The documentation of the diversity of UWEP species and their potential role in socio-economic activities, as well as Traditional knowledge related to them and threats to them, were highlighted in this report. Additionally, the neglect of UWEPs, which is closely linked to a lack of knowledge about their nutritional and economic value, was also highlighted.
Nurses’ Experiences with the Use of Electronic Nursing Record: A Qualitative Study
Authors: LEE Yul Hee , KIM Min Sun , KIM Hee Jung
Published: October 2024

Background: The electronic nursing record has contributed to improving nursing practice and ensuring nursing quality, but it is still incomplete in supporting nursing workflow. The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of using the electronic nursing record by nurses working in frontline care for trauma, emergency, and infectious disease-exposed patients.Methods: The study employed a qualitative descriptive design and qualitative content analysis. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 nurses working in emergency, trauma, and critical care units in the tertiary hospital.Results: The nurses’ experiences with the use of the electronic nursing record emerged into three subjects (improvements to electronic nursing record implementation, benefits of electronic nursing record implementation, electronic nursing record user factors), five categories (information finding and sharing function, information input function, facilitating efficient communication, ensuring record quality, need for education), and eight subcategories.Conclusions: Electronic nursing record supports the visualization of special information such as emergency and infection, and has the advantage of facilitating communication between medical staff. Both support better clinical decision-making. However, system instability and low nursing friendliness delay nursing work in the process of inputting, confirming, and sharing information. Copy-andpaste practices, poor quality of records, and insufficient electronic nursing record education were identified as factors to be changed on the user side. Improvement of nursing-friendly interfaces, optimization of nursing workflows, and participation of nurses in the improvement process are necessary. We should also focus on developing electronic nursing record education programs.
The Impact of Mothers’ Smartphone Use, eHealth Literacy, Maternal Role Performance Confidence, and Online Social Support on Health Promotion Behavior for Infants and Toddlers
Authors: JUNG Se-Young , PARK So Yeon
Published: October 2024

Background: This study aimed to identify the factors influencing health promotion behaviors for infants and toddler, focusing on the time spent by mothers using smartphone, eHealth literacy, maternal role performance confidence, and online social support.Methods: This study surveyed 136 women who gave birth to a child in 2023. For this study, recruitment announcements were made on popular parenting websites. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting health promotion behaviors.Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.8 years, and the mean age of the children was 13.3 months old. Mothers spent 20.2 hours weekly on smartphone to access health information. A total of 86.7% of the respondents indicated that they primarily used the Internet to make health decisions. Factors that influenced health promotion behaviors were role performance confidence (β=0.54, P<0.001), eHealth literacy (β=0.18, P=0.015), online social support (β=0.16, P=0.022), and time spent on smartphone (β=-0.17, P=0.006), with an explanatory power of 51.3% (F=29.43, P<0.001).Conclusions: To improve the health promotion behaviors of mothers for their infants and young children, it is believed that interventions that increase confidence in their roles, online social support, and eHealth literacy are required, and that smartphone screen time should be limited. These baseline data can guide the development of effective intervention programs to improve healthcare for infants and toddlers.
Виленский базар Подгале: происхождение и бытование названия
Authors: Синочкина Бируте
Published: October 2024

The article is devoted to the Russian name of the oldest Vilnius covered market (lit. Halės turgus), the history of which is directly related to the ups and downs of the political life of Lithuania, important historical events, engineering and technical achievements in the field of civil engineering at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries. The change in the urban landscape and the emergence of a new accent in it, the change of authorities and the dominant language in the country, specific of the motley social and speech environment in the city as a whole and on its trading floors affected the difficult history of the new name.
The immediate subject of analysis was the word Подгале (Podhale), which goes back to the Polish nominative phrase Pod Halą with the reference word hala (← German Halle). Since an important object of urban infrastructure is necessarily displayed on city plans and recorded in signs to them, the article examines in detail these documentary sources from different historical periods and in different languages: Russian — from the time of the Tsarist Empire; Polish — pre-war and inter-war; Lithuanian — after the First World War. Along with the plans of the corresponding time, other sources of information are analyzed — address books and postcards with images of the object of interest to us, which to a lesser extent can claim to be historical evidence, but often reflect the actual existence of naming among townspeople.
The article traces the role of the state Lithuanian language in the fate of the unofficial Russian urbanonym.
Globalization on a crossroad: Fragmentation versus integration at the current crisis of the international constitutionalism
Authors: Medushevskiy Andrei N
Published: October 2024

Globalization opened new perspectives for the legal development and its theoretical reinterpretation. The theory of global law reflected this new reality - postulated convergence of two traditional forms of legal regulation – international and national law, - in a new type of law, defined as global, supranational, transnational constitutional law. But in the current period of the pandemic crisis, followed by economic recession, ecology disputes, migration conflicts and other problems in cross-national relations it become evident, that legal globalization reached its natural borders, and opened the way to quite opposite trend – the growing fragmentation in international relations and legal regulation, producing populist demands to reestablish regional legal identity, national sovereignty and return of control from supranational level to national governments. The author has focused on the concept of Global constitutionalism under the ambit of several dominating jurisdictions –USA, European Union, Russia, China, Post-Soviet region and new trends in some developing countries. He analyses the crisis of the legal globalization as a conflict of competing trends in global constitutionalism – integration versus fragmentation, transnationalism versus nationalism, liberal democracy versus populist “protective state” regarding the theoretical approaches, implicit logic of contested views and narratives as well as possibility to find compromise between them. He shows how the unstable balance between integration and fragmentation of the international legal system in the period of crisis could be used for the promotion of quite different visions of globalization, stimulating the growing competition of the world elites over future global governance design, and demonstrating the importance of the substantiated dialog on a new concept of the global constitutionalism and the coherent policy of law.
Peculiarities of structure formation of copper-doped post-eutectoid steels
Authors:   Physico-Technological Institute of Metals and Alloys of NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Kvasnytska Y. G. , Tarasevich M. I. ,   Physico-Technological Institute of Metals and Alloys of NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Grigorenko S. G. ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of  the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Kostin V. A. ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of  the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Kapitanchuk L. M. ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of  the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Solomiychuk T. G. ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of  the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Kiryakova N. V. ,   Physico-Technological Institute of Metals and Alloys of NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Oleksenko I. V. ,   Physico-Technological Institute of Metals and Alloys of NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: October 2024

The structural state of pre-eutectoid steels alloyed with copper in the range of up to 28% was studied. It was established that the alloying of steel with a carbon content of 1.3% with copper in the amount of 8, 12 and 28% leads to the formation of the primary and secondary copper -phase The main metallic component of the structure of the studied copper-alloyed steels is represented by thin-plate copper pearlite with inclusions on the boundaries of the primary austenite grains of secondary cementite and secondary inclusions of the copper -phase. The results of the X-ray spectral microanalysis showed that the primary copperite of the -phase consists of 92.5% of copper and 7.1% of iron. The transition zone between the primary copper precipitate and the matrix, the distribution of chemical elements in it, was studied. The total size of the interphase zone is 0.4 μm. It was established that alloying of steels with 8-28% copper contributes to the formation of a highly dispersed structure of copper thin-plate pearlite, as well as the formation of areas with deformed microvolumes near the primary copper e-phase, which constitute a significant barrier to the movement of dislocations. Thus, a state with increased resistance to dynamic loads has been formed at the micro level. The obtained results open up the possibility of using post-eutectoid steels alloyed with copper in the corresponding highly loaded products Keywords: structure, post-eutectoid steel, alloying, thin-plate pearlite, e-phase, iron, spectrum.
The structure and properties of a multilayer metal deposited by electrode flux-cored wires with a core of ferroalloy powders and granular hard alloy materials
Authors:   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ryabtsev I. O. , Babinets A. A. ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Lentyuhov I. P. ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Schwab S. L. ,   E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Voron M. M. ,   Physical and Technological Institute of Metals and Alloys of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: October 2024

Comparative studies of the possibility of using granulated hard alloy powders as a charge of flux-cored wires for electric arc surfacing have been carried out. In the studies, granulated powder of the PG-R6M5 brand with a fraction of 50...300 μm was used. As a standard, a flux-cored wire was used, in the core of which there was a composition of powders of different ferroalloys of the same fraction. The content of the charge components in the core of the standard wire was selected and calculated so as to obtain a similar chemical composition to the wire containing granulated hard alloy powder. The test samples were obtained by layer-by-layer electric arc surfacing under the flux layer with flux-cored wires on low-carbon steel plates. To obtain identical dependences, the flux-cored wires had the same diameter and filling factor and differed only in the content of the core. The test samples were deposited under the same conditions with strict adherence to the deposition regimes, which were monitored using a high-speed analog-to-digital converter. It was determined that the use of granulated hard alloy powder as a charge of flux-cored wire has a positive effect on the melting characteristics of the wire and the stability of the welding process in general in comparison with the standard reference wire, the charge of which contains ferroalloys. This effect can be explained by the greater chemical purity of the granulated powder and the uniformity of the physicochemical properties of its particles in comparison with the powders of various ferroalloys. The determined features of the melting of the wire with a charge with granulated hard alloy powder have a positive effect on the quality of the formation of the multilayer deposited metal and its structure, leading to an increase in its homogeneity, some grinding of the grain and a decrease in the number and size of microdefects, which should positively affect the operational properties of the deposited metal. Keywords: electric arc surfacing, multilayer deposited metal, tool steels, granular hard alloy powder, ferroalloy, metal structure.
ACESSO, PERSISTÊNCIA E FORMAÇÃO ACADÊMICA: OLHANDO O COMPROMETIMENTO ESTUDANTIL NA EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR (LASA – 2013)
Authors: Lucia Felicetti Vera
Published: October 2024

Atualmente, no cenário educacional brasileiro, em especial na educação superior, temas como avaliação, acesso, permanência e evasão têm permeado espaços de discussão, quer seja dentro das Instituições de Educação Superior (IESs) ou fora delas, em espaços pertinentes à temática, tais como instâncias públicas de educação, congressos educacionais, seminários e na mídia em geral. Assim, junto a esses temas têm-se as políticas de ação afirmativa. Estas “têm como meta tratar de maneira diferente os diferentes, minimizando as formas de discriminação que impeçam o acesso a oportunidades e benefícios, de forma a se atingir a igualdade real” (Tragtenberg; Bastos; Peres, 2006, p. 1).
REDES DE PESQUISA: PARTICIPAÇÃO E POSSIBILIDADES DA RIES NA LASA: A EDUCAÇÃO SUPERIOR COMO FOCO
Authors: Delgado Troncoso Jorge
Published: October 2024

O depoimento aqui apresentado é fruto de uma entrevista realizada com o professor Jorge Delgado. Além de tratar da importância e do papel das redes de investigação, também reflete sobre os desafios que se apresentam para a educação superior no mundo e, particularmente, na América Latina, a partir de seu olhar desde a Latin American Studies Association (LASA) – um espaço privilegiado de interlocução da RIES, com pesquisadores de todo o continente americano.
REDES DE PESQUISA: PARTICIPAÇÃO E POSSIBILIDADES DA RIES NA FORGES – OS DESAFIOS PARA A FORMAÇÃO DE REDES
Authors: Luísa Machado Cerdeira Maria
Published: October 2024

Neste depoimento, construído a partir de uma entrevista realizada no contexto da organização deste livro, a professora Luísa Cerdeira faz uma reflexão acerca dos processos de formação de redes de pesquisadores. Ela possui um olhar privilegiado, devido à sua vivência na organização de diversas redes, em especial do Fórum de Gestão do Ensino Superior nos Países e Regiões de Língua Portuguesa (FORGES), como rede de redes e espaço importante de interlocução da RIES com os países de língua portuguesa.
Practices of Grassroots Civic Activity in the Yaroslavl Region: Problems and Results of Implementation
Authors: Sokolov Alexander V. , Frolov Alexander A.
Published: October 2024

Introduction. The relevance of the study is due to the increasing importance and complexity of horizontal public relations in socio-political processes, an increase in the number of practices of grassroots civic activity at the regional and local levels, including the use of new information and communication technologies. The purpose of the article is to identify the causes of initiation, the specifics of the organization and practical implementation of grassroots civic activity, as well as the specifics of the interaction of its key actors in modern socio-political conditions in the Yaroslavl region.
Materials and Methods. The empirical basis of the study is 21 practices of grassroots civic engagement in the Yaroslavl region, the analysis of which was carried out by the case-study method with elements of comparative analysis. The case-study method made it possible to study these practices of grassroots civic engagement in their complexity and integrity, and also identified their key characteristics and factors influencing them.
Results. A comparison of the main practices of grassroots civic engagement that have taken place in the Yaroslavl region in recent years has been made. The main mechanisms and subjects of grassroots civic engagement, processes of interaction between actors are identified. The role of information and communication technologies in the organization of grassroots civic engagement was determined. The problems of grassroots civic engagement organization and interaction of its key actors were also outlined.
Discussion and Сonclusion. The study revealed the key characteristics of grassroots civic activity: significant actors, theirs goals, motives, resources and methods of action, features of media coverage and the use of information and communication technologies. The results of the study will be useful for improving the efficiency of the work of local authorities with various formal and informal organizations and associations of citizens. They will help to build work with these groups, taking into account the identified features in the implementation of practices of grassroots civil initiatives in the Yaroslavl region.
Promising Directions of Economic Development of Rural Areas: The Case of the Republic of Crimea
Authors: Oborin Matvey S. , Novikova Natalya V. , Vinogradova Ekaterina Yu.
Published: October 2024

Introduction. Rural areas represent significant strategic potential for the socio-economic development of the country. In recent years, the role of the state in planning territorial development has increased significantly. This is due to successful experience in designing territorial and sectoral development in difficult periods of macroeconomic and geopolitical crises, financing and monitoring infrastructure projects that are important for the economy and society. The subject of the study are rural areas localized in the space of one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which recently became part of the state – the Republic of Crimea. The purpose of the article is to substantiate promising directions for the economic development of rural areas of the Republic of Crimea based on the construction of a structural and sectoral profile.
Materials and Methods. The research materials were the scientific results of leading scientists studying the problems of the economy of rural areas, structural and sectoral transformations on a regional and municipal levels. The information base of the study was made up of official statistical data of Rosstat and Crimea, official websites of governmental bodies of the Russian Federation, and archival materials. The research was conducted using content analysis of scientific literature, retrospective and structural analysis.
Results. Structural and sectoral profiles of the economy of rural areas of the Republic of Crimea for 2017 and 2022 were developed, which allowed to prove the presence of processes of structural and sectoral changes, identify key factors and justify promising directions for further development. The authors prove that against the background of ongoing changes in the economic space of rural areas of Crimea, the dominance of agricultural production based on the use of unique natural factors, resources and conditions (climate, soil fertility, availability of centuries-old technologies for growing agricultural products, etc) remains.
Discussion and Conclusion. The decrease in the share of agricultural production in the sectoral structure of the economy of rural territories (municipalities) of the Republic of Crimea is the most significant for the period 2017–2022, which is primarily due to the following factors: strengthening of transport, logistics and recreational and resort functions of the region, development of other types of material production. Analysis of the structural and sectoral profile proves the sustainability of the development of rural municipalities of the Republic of Crimea, due to the focus on the needs of both visitors and local population. It is advisable to use the research results in the development of strategies, plans, projects for the socio-economic development of rural territories, municipalities and regions.
State and Possibilities of Strengthening the Labor Potential of Russia (Based on the All-Russian Population Census 2020)
Authors: Lipatova Lyudmila N. , Gradusova Valentina N.
Published: October 2024

Introduction. The most complete information on the size and composition of the population is provided by continuous population censuses, which collect information necessary for the analysis of quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the population and the labor force. The purpose of the study is to identify changes in the numerical composition, age structure, and qualitative parameters of the labor potential of the Russian population in the period between the All-Russian population censuses of 2010 and 2020, and to outline ways to strengthen it.
Materials and Methods. The study was based on the results of the All-Russian Population Censuses of 2010 and 2020, current accounting data and forecast calculations of Rosstat, publications of scientists engaged in research in the field of economic demography. The analysis of changes in the demographic development of the Russian Federation in the intercensal period was carried out using the methods of dynamic and structural analysis, and the generalization of the results of published scientific research was made on the basis of critical analysis. Quantitative parameters of the labor potential were estimated on the basis of indicators of the population of working age, employed in the economy, unemployed citizens and potential labor force.
Results. The main changes in the number and composition of the Russian population by age and education that occurred during the inter-census period have been established. The quantitative and qualitative parameters of the labor force are determined. The outstripping growth of the level of education of unemployed citizens and potential labor force in comparison with those employed in the economy has been revealed, which, with a high degree of depreciation of the active part of fixed assets and a large part of workplaces with harmful and dangerous working conditions, suggests the archaic nature of the Russian economy and the general discrepancy between its requests and the level of education of the population. Calculations have shown that due to the involvement of potential labor in public production, it will not be possible to solve the problem of labor shortage.
Discussion and Conclusion. In order to provide the Russian economy with the necessary labor force, it is suggested to consider the following options for increasing the working time fund: temporary increase in the retirement age for women, temporary decrease in the number of holidays, temporary decrease in the duration of paid leave, temporary increase in the length of the working week. The results of the research can be useful for scientists and representatives of public authorities dealing with demographic development, strategic planning, regional development, migration regulation, as well as for specialists in the field of personnel training.
Calidad de sueño en bomberos urbanos y aeronáuticos de ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela
Authors: Rincon Ortiz Mishel Yohana , Rafaela Sanchez Alejandro Daniel , Guerra Di Bonaventura Paola Estephania , Brito Nuñez Jesús
Published: October 2024

Introducción: Los trabajos nocturnos aumentan el estado de cansancio y el deterioro de las funciones biológicas, afectan la salud mental y física, lo que provoca bajo rendimiento laboral. El objetivo de estudio fue determinar la calidad del sueño y los datos sociodemográficos relacionados con el personal del cuerpo de bomberos urbanos y el cuerpo de bomberos aeronáuticos de Ciudad Bolívar, Venezuela. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio observacional, de corte transversal, con enfoque cuantitativo. La población fue de 60 bomberos urbanos y 20 bomberos aeronáuticos; la muestra se obtuvo por conveniencia. A través de una encuesta autoaplicable se recolectaron datos sociodemográficos y de condiciones de trabajo. Se aplicó el índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh (ICSP), estadística descriptiva y la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: Se encontró que el 61,82 % de bomberos urbanos tenía una calidad de sueño patológica; el género más afectado fue el masculino y la mayor frecuencia de sueño patológico se dio en quienes tenían un tiempo de servicio entre 1 y 11 años. El 83,33 % de bomberos aeronáuticos tenía sueño patológico; la mayor frecuencia de sueño patológico se manifestó en el género masculino. También se observó que la calidad subjetiva del sueño es bastante buena en ambos grupos. Conclusiones: Ambos tipos de bomberos presentan alteraciones en la calidad del sueño, si bien, los más afectados son los urbanos. Existen diferencias en relación con la edad, el género y el tiempo de servicio. Se evidencia la importancia de la adaptación al ritmo de trabajo y las herramientas de afrontamiento.
Epidemiological evolution of dengue in the pre-pandemic to post-pandemic periods in the Americas and Brazil
Authors: Vivi-Oliveira Viviane Karolina , Nascimento Vagner Ferreira do , Terças-Trettel Ana Cláudia Pereira , Terrabuio Bianca Ayne , Vasconcelos Klaucia Rodrigues , Oliveira Elaine Cristina de , Leite-Júnior Diniz Pereira
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Dengue is an asymptomatic infection or present symptoms like low fever to disabling high fever, severe headache, retroocular, muscle and joint pain, in addition to skin rashes, and if associated with COVID-19, it can worsen the illness condition. Objective: investigate the epidemiological evolution of dengue in the pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic periods from an American and Brazilian perspective. Methodology: descriptive study, based on the search for information in epidemiological bulletins, data from DATASUS and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization, in addition to articles available in databases provided by SciELO, ScienceDirect and Pubmed. Results: In the period before the pandemic, the high number of notifications was due to the DENV2 serotype, causing a large epidemic. In the years 2020-2021 there was a drop in the number of notifications due to the introduction of social and public health measures, misdiagnosis between the signs/symptoms of dengue and COVID-19, inaccurate serological tests and underreporting. In 2022 and 2023, the epidemiological scenario again points to increasing notification of dengue cases, mainly due to changes in routine vector control during the pandemic, combined with favorable environmental factors, such as increased rainfall. Conclusion: the neglect of both dengue fever and other diseases has negatively impacted the population today, since in order to mitigate the damage caused by the pandemic, actions to promote and prevent the health of endemic diseases in our territory, when placed in the background, have caused the underreporting of cases, influenced by changes in the political, economic and health spheres of society.
Percepción de riesgo y conocimiento de la infección por el Virus del Papiloma Humano en un grupo de hombres mexicanos
Authors: Sosa-Hernandez Diego , Burgos-Salas Sthepany , Gómez-Carballo Jesús , Conde-Ferráez Laura , Vera-Gamboa Ligia , Kantun-Moreno Nuvia , Gonzalez-losa Maria del Refugio
Published: October 2024

Introducción.  La infección por el virus de papiloma humano es la infección viral de transmisión sexual más frecuente, que puede ser prevenida con conocimiento y actitudes que promuevan el sexo seguro. Los hombres son un importante eslabón en la transmisión al ser portadores asintomáticos del virus, situación que ignoran.   El objetivo del estudio es determinar si los conocimientos y la percepción de riesgo para VPH se asocian a la infección subclínica.
Metodología. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, transversal y analítico que incluyó a 164 varones entre 18 y 45 años, que se autoseleccionaron para participar.  Se utilizó un instrumento autoaplicable para medir la percepción de riesgo y el conocimiento hacia el VPH que constó de 10 reactivos tipo escala Likert, los cuales 5 midieron percepción de riesgo y 5 conocimientos.  La identificación del virus en genitales se realizó con biología molecular. Resultados. La media de edad fue de 29 años, la prevalencia del Papilomavirus fue del 24 %, el 68 % de la población estudiada presentó una alta percepción de riesgo para adquirir el virus; 30 % medio y solamente el 2 % tuvo una percepción de riesgo baja. Respecto a los resultados de conocimiento el 88 % tiene un nivel alto y el 12 % medio. No se encontró asociación entre el nivel de conocimientos (p = 0.53299) y la percepción de riesgo (p = 0.53299) con la infección. Conclusión. No se encontró asociación entre conocimiento y percepción de riesgo con la infección asintomática por VPH.
Bacteria encapsulation into polyethylene glycol hydrogels using Michael-type addition reactions
Authors: Gutierrez Moises M. , Reed Jeffrey A. , McElroy Robby A. , Hansen Ryan R.
Published: October 2024

Hydrogel materials can be used to integrate bacteria cells into biohybrid systems. Here, we investigate the use of polyethylene glycol-based hydrogels that employ different Michael-type addition crosslinking chemistries, including thiol-acrylate, thiol-vinyl sulfone, and thiol-maleimide click reactions, for covalent hydrogel network formation and bacteria encapsulation. All crosslinking chemistries generated hydrogels that provided stable encapsulation and culture of Bacillus subtilis; however, significant differences in cell viability and cell morphology after encapsulation were identified. Thiol-acrylate hydrogels provided the highest cell viability and favored encapsulation of single cells, while thiol-maleimide hydrogels had the lowest cell viability and favored encapsulation of larger aggregates. These findings demonstrate the impact of crosslinking strategies for encapsulation of microorganisms into hydrogel networks and suggest that thiol-acrylate chemistries are favorable for many applications.

Graphical abstract
Antibacterial Effects of Crude Venom from Aegaeobuthus gibbosus (Brulle, 1832)
Authors: Çorak Öcal İlkay , Yiğit Kayhan Nazife , Amucaoğlu Tuba
Published: October 2024

Scorpion venom, found in the telsons of scorpions, is a neurotoxic secretion consisting of numerous proteins, peptides, and biologically active compounds, and it is commonly used in catching and digesting prey. The peptides within scorpion venoms hold significant pharmacological importance, particularly in the fields of cancer treatment, analgesics, and anesthesia. In recent years, bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics drew a significant level of interest. The present study investigates the antibacterial activity of the venom obtained from Aegaeobuthus gibbosus (Brulle, 1832). The antibacterial effects were observed by applying crude venom by using the dripping method on Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria in suitable environments. As a result, it was determined that the venom of Aegaeobuthus gibbosus is effective against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria.
On the recent-$k$-record of discrete random variables
Authors: Li Anshui
Published: October 2024

Let $X_1,~X_2,\cdots$ be a sequence of independent and identically distributed random variables which are supposed to be observed in sequence. The $n$th value in the sequence is a $k$-record value if exactly $k$ of the first $n$ values (including $X_n$) are at least as large as it. Let ${\bf R}_k$ denote the ordered set of $k$-record values. The famous Ignatov's Theorem states that the random sets ${\bf R}_k(k=1,2,\cdots)$ are independent with common distribution. We introduce one new record named recent-$k$-record in this paper: $X_n$ is a $j$-recent-k-record if there are exactly $j$ values at least as large as $X_n$ in $X_{n-k},~X_{n-k+1},\cdots,~X_{n-1}$. It turns out that recent-k-record brings many interesting problems and some novel properties such as prediction rule and Poisson approximation are proved in this paper. One application named "No Good Record" via the Lov{\'a}sz Local Lemma is also provided. We conclude this paper with some possible extensions for future work.
A hard re-descending hybrid robust regression estimation technique using direct weights
Authors: . Greeshmagiri , T Palanisamy
Published: October 2024

A hybrid approach of M and R estimators using an iterative procedure is proposed to detect outliers and estimation of regression parameters for linear models. We consider the deviation of each residual from its median to measure the likelihood of the corresponding data point to be an outlier. Also, the proposed work develops a reliable algorithm to estimate parameters of regression model that is unaffected by outliers. The significance of the proposed work is a novel hybrid approach of weighing the observations based on the order of residuals and is computationally simpler. Our proposal is illustrated using Monte Carlo simulation and analysed for few empirical benchmark data sets.
A Procedure for the Preparation of Some Natural Dietary Supplements Based on Coenzyme Q10 from Chicken Hearts and Oil Press Cakes
Authors: SEMENIUC Cristina Anamaria , PODAR Andersina Simina , RANGA Floricuța , IONESCU Simona Raluca , SOCACIU Maria-Ioana , FOGARASI Melinda , FĂRCAȘ Anca Corina , VODNAR Dan Cristian , SOCACI Sonia Ancuța
Published: October 2024

This study proposes a procedure for preparing some natural dietary supplements based on CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) from lyophilised chicken hearts, respectively, oil press cakes of sunflower, rapeseed, walnut, and pumpkin. It consists of homogenising the powders obtained from these matrices with 2-propanol, succeeded by sonication, overnight maceration, collecting the liquid phase and filtering it under vacuum, removing the solvent by rotary evaporation, eliminating the 2-propanol traces under a nitrogen stream, and, finally, packaging in 10-mL amber glass bottles. Five dietary supplements were prepared using the above-described procedure and kept at room temperature for 9 months to evaluate their storage stability. To this end, CoQ10, TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity), and PV (peroxide value) levels were determined initially and every 3 months of storage. The highest levels of CoQ10 were found in the dietary supplements from lyophilised chicken hearts (18.12 mg/10 mL) and pumpkin press cakes (5.48 mg/10 mL). However, those from rapeseed and walnut press cakes had the highest levels of TEAC (19.23 µmol TE/g and 15.31 µmol TE/g, respectively). Exceeding the maximum permissible level for PV revealed a shelf-life of 3 months for the dietary supplements from pumpkin and walnut press cakes and less than that for the others.
Functional validation of mungbean LEA protein coding gene in bacterial expression system confers salt stress tolerance
Authors: SUBRAMANIAN Rajesh , PANDI Nandhini U. , THANGAVEL Radhamani , SWAMY Likhith R.K. , LAKSHMINARAYANAN Srimathi Priya , SANTHAMANI Shenbagavalli , M. RAVALAN Backiyavathy , JACOB Rajangam
Published: October 2024

Mungbean (Vigna radiata R. Wilczek) is a major tropical food grain legume that is widely cultivated in tropical part of the world. Mungbean like other plants, tolerate and survive limited water situation owing to expression of stress associated proteins that offers membrane stability and cell protection. Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins are among the group of low molecular weight proteins, that play diverse roles in stress protection in several species of plants and animals. A LEA protein coding gene VrLEA2 was isolated from mungbean and its role in stress tolerance has been demonstrated using a bacterial expression system. VrLEA2 gene isolated was of size 893 bp and characterized as a group 1 LEA protein based on the sequence signature motif with presence of hydrophilic domain and a characteristic 20-mer conserved amino acids motif. VrLEA2 gene was cloned into a bacterial expression vector, pET 28a (+), transformed into the E.coli BL21 (DE3) cells for recombinant protein expression and subsequently subjected to antibiotic selection with kanamycin. Functional validation of the VrLEA2 for salt stress tolerance with varied concentration of NaCl (0 mM to 600 mM) showed alteration in colony morphology and reduction in the number of colonies in control compared to the transformed cells demonstrating the improved survival rate of cells expressing VrLEA2 protein. These findings indicate the best use of bacterial expression system for functional validation of plant proteins under stressed environments.
Assessment of phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of fermented Andean blackberry beverage enriched with medicinal plants of Ecuador
Authors: MIHAI Raluca A. , LOPEZ GUERRA Nicolas J. , CATANA Rodica D.
Published: October 2024

In recent years there has been a great interest in functional beverages with antioxidant capacity that impart various health implications upon consumption due to the presence of various bioactive components, like phenols. Fruit juices are excellent matrices for the delivery of active components for these functional beverages. This research was focused on developing and testing the biological activity of a new fermented blackberry (Rubus glaucus Benth) beverage enriched with different plants as a new product on the functional food market. Several Ecuadorian species (spices, aromatic, and medicinal) have been tested for the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Methods like Folin Ciocalteu, α-diphenyl-α-picrylhydrazyl free-radical-scavenging method (DPPH), free-radical-scavenging activity (ABTS), and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were used. Among the tested plants, arrayán (Myrcianthes hallii), plantain (Plantago major), ishpingo (Ocotea quixos), and ataco (Amaranthus quitensis) were selected. The study demonstrates the ability of medicinal plants to improve the total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, but also the sensory properties of the functional drink compared to the blackberry fermented drink. The highest values of the analyzed characteristics (total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, sensory evaluation), were obtained in the case of the treatment consisting of fermented blackberry beverage enriched with 4 g of medicinal plants.
Antimicrobial activities and metabolites profiling of Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk. methanolic extract
Authors: ABDELKHALEK Ahmed , ELSHAER Moustafa , AL-ASKAR Abdulaziz , KOWALCZEWSKI Przemysław , BEHIRY Said
Published: October 2024

In the present study, Heliotropium bacciferum Forssk. methanolic extract was tested for its antibacterial activities against Pectobacterium carotovorum, P. atrosepticum, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Streptomyces scabiei bacterial strains. The plant extract was also tested for its antifungal properties against strains of Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea, and Rhizoctonia solani. The potent antibacterial activities were recorded against R. solanacearum after treatment with the extract at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL with an inhibition zone of 9.67 ±0.57 mm. The methanolic extract also showed promising antifungal effects against B. cinerea and F. oxysporum, with fungal growth inhibition percentages of 86.22 ±0.33% and 82.00 ±0.55%, respectively, which were higher than the standard antifungal drug. The plant extract’s HPLC analysis identified 12 phenolic compounds and 6 flavonoid compounds, with HPLC peaks matching the used standards. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, coffeic acid, ellagic acid, coumaric acid, syringic acid, methyl gallate, ferulic acid, vanillin, pyrocatechol, and cinnamic acid were the phenolic compounds that were identified. The flavonoid compounds found in the extracts were daidzein, naringenin, quercetin, kaempferol, hesperetin, apigenin, and rutin, arranged from high to low abundance. Furthermore, according to the GC-MS analysis, the most abundant compounds detected in the plant extract were n-hexadecanoic acid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (z,z), á-sitosterol, betulin, phorbol, cis-13-octadecenoic acid, and octadecanoic acid. These compounds in HPLC and GC-MS analyses were proven to have antibacterial as well as antifungal properties. Based on the obtained antimicrobial results, H. bacciferum methanolic extracts could be recommended as a promising antibacterial and antifungal agent, as well as a safe alternative to many antimicrobial pesticides for the environment and human health.
Ameliorating the response of slow-releasing nitrogen fertilizer on sustainable maize growth
Authors: FEROZ Fatima , RIAZ Husnain , AMJID Muhammad , AHMAD Ali , MAJEED Muhammad D. , REHMAN Attiq Ur , IQBAL Javed , ALHARBI Sulaiman A. , ANSARI Mohammad J. , QAYYUM Abdul
Published: October 2024

The extensive utilization of nitrogen (N) fertilizers within maize cultivation systems has resulted in diminished nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and contributed to nitrogen pollution on a global scale. To assess the ecological repercussions of excessive fertilization, it is imperative to elucidate both the nitrogen use efficiency and the fate of nitrogenous fertilizers upon application. The current research evaluated the potential of a newly developed slow-release nitrogen fertilizer on maize growth and its behavior in soil under controlled conditions. Six different levels of urea fertilizer (UF) and slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) were administered within the field, representing 100%, 85%, and 70% of the recommended application rates. The slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) exhibited superior performance regarding growth, yield and nutrient retention in comparison to urea fertilizer (UF). Moreover, minimal ammonia emissions were detected with the employment of the slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF), while other urea-based fertilizers proved inefficient in mitigating ammonia emissions, despite enhancing various growth and yield parameters. The efficiency in nutrient recovery followed a distinct pattern, with polymer-coated fertilizers demonstrating superiority. The plots treated with SRNF displayed significantly higher growth and yield characteristics compared to those treated with urea fertilizer. In terms of NH3 volatilization, the urea fertilizer (UF) treatment at 100% application rate showed higher emissions (1.99 mg g-1) after a 27-day incubation period, as opposed to the slow-release nitrogen fertilizer (SRNF) treatment (1.68 mg g-1). Leaching data indicated that urea fertilizer treatments led to greater losses of NO3-N (2.01 mg L-1) compared to SRNF treatments (0.88 mg L-1).