bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Properties of an Arabic Translation of the older people’s quality of life-brief (OPQOL-brief) scale.
Authors: Khalil Marwa Ibrahim Mahfouz , Hallit Souheil , Fekih-Romdhane Feten , Bitar Zeinab , Shaala Reem Said , Mousa Enas Fouad Sayed , Menessy Reem Farag Mahrous , Elnakeeb Mayar
Published: June 2024

Background:This investigation was undertaken to scrutinize the psychometric qualities of the Arabic Older People's Quality of Life-Brief (OPQOL-brief) scale.Method:A suitable sample of 539 Arabic-speaking older Egyptians—of whom 50.3% were female and 60.7% were aged 65-75 years—were included in the cross-sectional examination.Results:Confirmatory factor analysis validated the goodness-of-fit, which shows that the scale's items accurately measure the desired attributes. The reliability assessments revealed a high degree of internal consistency in the overall score, with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values of .92. Male and female participants did not significantly differ in the measurement features, as indicated by gender invariance tests. The study of concurrent validity demonstrated a strong positive correlation (r=.60, p<.001) between the Arabic OPQOL-brief scale and resilience scores.Conclusion:This research closes a gap in the literature by demonstrating the psychometric qualities of the Arabic OPQOL-brief scale, which is a crucial tool for measuring the quality of life in this group. The results strengthen the validity and reliability of the scale as a means of evaluating the quality of life of older individuals who speak Arabic, hence increasing its suitability for application in a variety of research and therapeutic contexts.
Kinderbetreuung als «Hobby»?
Authors: Cajacob Meret
Published: June 2024

Gemäss der aktuellen Steuerrechtspraxis können Kinderbetreuungskosten nicht als berufsbedingte Kosten (sog. Gewinnungskosten) abgezogen werden, sondern nur betragsmässig beschränkt im Rahmen eines allgemeinen Abzugs. Diese Einstufung geht massgeblich auf die bundesgerichtliche Rechtsprechung sowie daran anschliessende Gesetzgebung zurück. Angesichts der aus dieser Situation folgenden sozialen und wirtschaftlichen Konsequenzen stellt sich die Frage, ob diese rechtliche Wertung noch zeitgemäss ist. Der als Denkanstoss konzipierte Beitrag geht dieser Frage nach und zeigt im Rahmen einer Analyse der Rechtsprechung und Rechtswissenschaft Möglichkeiten zur steuerrechtlichen Qualifikation der Kinderbetreuungskosten als Gewinnungskosten auf.
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Selon la pratique actuelle en droit fiscal, les frais de garde d'enfants ne peuvent pas être déduits en tant que frais professionnels (appelés frais d'acquisition du revenu), mais seulement de manière limitée en termes de montant dans le cadre d'une déduction générale. Cette classification résulte en grande partie de la jurisprudence du Tribunal fédéral et de la législation qui s'en est suivie. Au vu des conséquences sociales et économiques qui en découlent, il convient de se demander si cette appréciation juridique est encore d'actualité. L'article, conçu comme un outil de réflexion, se penche sur cette question et présente, dans le cadre d'une analyse de la jurisprudence et de la doctrine, les possibilités de qualifier fiscalement les frais de garde d'enfants en tant que frais d'acquisition du revenu.
Free energy and metastable states in the square-lattice $J_1$-$J_2$ Ising model
Authors: Abalmasov Veniamin
Published: June 2024

Free energy as a function of polarization is calculated for the square-lattice J_1J1-J_2J2 Ising model for J_2 < |J_1|/2J2<|J1|/2 using the random local field approximation (RLFA) and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Within RLFA, it reveals a metastable state with zero polarization in the ordered phase. In addition, the Landau free energy calculated within RLFA indicates a geometric slab-droplet phase transition at low temperature, which cannot be predicted by the mean field approximation. In turn, restricted free energy calculations for finite-size samples, exact and using MC simulations, reveal metastable states with a wide range of polarization values, but with only two domains. Taking into account the dependence of the restricted free energy on the nearest-neighbor correlations allows us to identify several more metastable states. The calculations also reveal additional slab-droplet transitions at J_2 > |J_1|/4J2>|J1|/4. These findings enrich our knowledge of the J_1J1-J_2J2 Ising model and the RLFA as a useful theoretical tool to study phase transitions in spin systems.
Amor, neoliberalismo y psicopatología
Authors: Hernández Arboleda María Catalina , Londoño Hernández Cristian Daniel
Published: June 2024

El neoliberalismo ha traído consigo la transformación en las formas en que se concibe al ser y todas las esferas en las que se desenvuelve, así mismo, el vínculo con los otros y sus diferentes repercusiones. Desde Freud, se logra concebir el amor como una proyección de una imagen ideal, la imagen que uno siente no poseer pero que cree encontrarla en los demás, es decir, nos complementamos a través del otro (Dessal, 2019), esto logra ser explicado a través del narcisismo primario, en el que el yo se toma a sí mismo como objeto, pero luego, esta toma al otro como destino de pulsión, aquí ella puede o no hacerlo objeto de amor (Freud, 1984), como se logra inferir, el narcisismo da paso al amor, sin embargo, esta transferencia se logra si la imagen representa el propio ideal.
La idolatría en la inculturación del evangelio. Reflexiones filosófico-teológicas sobre la relación entre evangelio y cultura
Authors: González Suárez Lucero
Published: June 2024

En el artículo se ofrece un análisis crítico de la misión como inculturación del Evangelio, desde una perspectiva filosófico-teológica. Para comenzar, se exponen las deficiencias de la evangelización colonizadora en América. Posteriormente, se proponen dos posibles sentidos de la plantatio ecclesiae como meta de la misión. En tercer lugar, se esclarece la manera en la que se entiende la relación entre Evangelio y cultura en la Nueva Evangelización. La tesis por demostrar es que el principal problema al que está expuesta la inculturación del Evangelio es la idolatría.
In situ Preparation of Silver Nanoparticles in Polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) Films over Chemically Patterned Substrates
Authors: Vieira Moyra , de Almeida Camila , Brandão Humberto , Izumi Celly
Published: June 2024

The present work reports the in situ fabrication of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) in polystyreneb-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) over pre-patterned hydrophobic stripes on a hydrophilic glass surface. Microcontact printing (μCP) using octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) as “ink” was used to obtain these chemically modified substrates. A comparison of the results of the PS-b-P2VP self-assembly over a bare glass substrate and a pre-patterned glass substrate demonstrated the influence of the pattern on the film morphology. Polymeric films of Ag+ and PS-b-P2VP were prepared on a pre-patterned substrate and heated at 150 °C to enable the self-reconstruction of the polymeric matrix and the in situ formation of AgNPs (average particle size of approximately 100 nm). The AgNP/PS-b-P2VP thin films were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results demonstrate that the concentration of the solutions of Ag+ /PS-b-P2VP used to prepare the films strongly influences the morphologies and dispersion of AgNPs. Moreover, the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) activity of the fabricated polymer nanocomposites using Nile Blue as a molecular probe shows the importance of the chemical modification of the substrate in the enhancement of the SERS signal.
Prevalence of child malocclusion and its association with time of breastfeeding and/or deleterial habits in children from 2 to 6 years old at public schools in Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil – pilot project
Authors: De Bacco Giovana , Schenato Juliana , Valério Patrícia
Published: June 2024

Knowing that the worldwide prevalence of malocclusion in early childhood is 54 %, we carried out a pilot project in the first half of 2022 at Public Schools in Bento Gonçalves RS, evaluating 1938 children between 2 and 6 years old. The prevalence of malocclusion found was 23 %. Anterior open bite, whether or not accompanied by posterior crossbite, was the most prevalent malocclusion. About 70 % of the children were not breastfed or breastfed for less than 6 months, presenting a non-nutritive sucking habit. Assessing 5 years old children alone, this prevalence rose to 54 %. The results reinforce the need of public health policies that promote and support prolonged breastfeeding, which expand the knowledge of parents or guardians and school staff about the adverse effects caused by the use of pacifiers and baby bottles, with the adoption of transdisciplinary measures for the prevention, interception and treatment of malocclusions in a timely manner.
Gravity wharf failure mechanism and safety analysis considering the wave-structure-soft-soil-foundation interaction
Authors: Xiao Bing
Published: June 2024

The soft soil foundations of gravity wharves are subject to the wharf weight and wave forces, and the deterioration of the wharf soil foundation strength under such cyclic loading affects the structural safety of gravity wharves. This study investigated the weakening characteristics of soft soil strength. Undrained triaxial tests were conducted on undisturbed saturated soft soil specimens under isotropic consolidation conditions, and a dynamic finite element model of the wave–gravity-structure–soft-soil-foundation interaction was established. The results indicated that the shear modulus of the soil was related to the effective confining pressure and shear strain; this relationship was fitted using the Van Genuchten equation. As the internal friction angle of the soft-soil foundation decreased, its stability decreased nonlinearly, the strength decreased, and the sliding failure surface expanded. Simply increasing the riprap layer thickness had a limited effect on the overall wharf stability. These findings will guide the design of gravity wharves with foundations on soft soils in port areas that are subjected to intense wave actions.
Seismic performance of building structures based on improved viscous damper seismic design
Authors: Guo Yingfei , Wang Sen , Zhang Shuyuan
Published: June 2024

Earthquakes have serious destructive effects on building structures, and effective seismic design is the key to building design. In order to reduce the damage of earthquakes to building structures, seismic design of buildings is based on improved viscous dampers. First, the displacement seismic design was studied and a displacement-based structural seismic model was constructed. In addition, analyzing traditional viscous dampers, an improved viscous damper is adopted based on it. Through equivalent damping expression, a displacement seismic model based on the improved viscous damper is constructed. Finally, two targets, frequent and rare earthquakes, were selected for experimental analysis. In frequent earthquake experiments, the improved viscous damper structure increased the shock absorption rate by 35.65 % compared to the no-structure design. In the shear force comparison, the maximum shear force of the improved viscous damper structure in the HB wave X direction is 2186 KN, which is the smallest shear force among the three structural designs. In a rare earthquake experiment, the maximum value of the floor shear force in the X-direction of the Humbolt bay wave of the proposed improved viscous damper structure was 8696 KN. Compared with other structures, the floor shear force was the smallest. In the comparison of floor displacements, the maximum inter-story displacement in the Humbolt bay wave Y-direction of the proposed improved viscous damper structure is 162 mm, which is the smallest inter-story displacement compared with other structures. In addition, the structure apex displacement was also compared. The structure apex displacement value of the improved viscous damper structure was lower than that of other structures and was in the slight damage range. The overall seismic effect was significantly better than other structural designs. The research content is conducive to optimizing the application effect of viscous dampers and provides technical reference for the seismic design of building structures.
Solidão, comunicação parental-filial e envolvimento em comportamentos de cyberbullying em adolescentes e jovens adultos
Authors: Pereira Mónica , Carvalho Relva Inês , Monteiro Fernandes Otília
Published: June 2024

A Internet é utilizada como ferramenta para colmatar a sensação de solidão, ao permitir a comunicação com os outros, mas pode ser, também, um contexto de risco para o desenvolvimento dos jovens. O presente estudo tem como objetivo explorar a relação entre a solidão, a comunicação parental-filial e a cibervitimização. O estudo foi feito com uma amostra de 401 adolescentes e jovens adultos, com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 24 anos. Recorreu-se à Escala de Solidão (UCLA), à Escala de Avaliação da Comunicação na Parentalidade (COMPA-A) e ao Questionário de Cibervitimização (CYVIC) para a recolha dos dados. Os resultados indicam uma prevalência total de 78.3% foi vítima de, pelo menos, um comportamento de cyberbullying. Sugerem que a solidão se correlaciona positivamente com a cibervitimização e negativamente com um padrão de comunicação positivo com os pais. Por fim, constatou-se que a cibervitimização e o padrão comunicacional negativo predizem positivamente a solidão e a expressão de afeto e apoio emocional da figura materna prediz negativamente a solidão. Estes resultados indicam que é necessário ter em conta as consequências psicológicas decorrentes do cyberbullying, e dotar estilos parentais que favoreçam a comunicação parental-filial direcionada para o uso problemático da Internet.
La carga de procesamiento no facilita el acceso a la cantidad en tareas de codificación
Authors: García-Orza Javier , Calviño Ana , Carratalá Cepedal Patricia
Published: June 2024

El presente estudio analiza hasta qué punto las representaciones de cantidad asociadas a los números arábigos (e.g., 7) influyen en su propio reconocimiento. La existencia de respuestas más rápidas cuanto mayor es la distancia numérica entre pares de dígitos en tareas perceptivas (e.g., ¿son iguales 5 y 9?; ¿es 9 un 5?) ha sido la principal evidencia a favor de la automaticidad del acceso a las representaciones de cantidad y, por tanto, de la influencia de procesos top-down sobre el reconocimiento de dígitos. Sin embargo, estudios recientes han demostrado que cuando se incluye como predictor la similitud perceptiva entre los dígitos, el efecto de distancia deja de ser predictor válido en tareas que analizan procesos visuales tempranos como la codificación e identificación, siendo la distancia relevante sólo cuando la tarea es más tardía y demanda conocimiento cuantitativo (e.g., ¿qué número es mayor/menor entre 5 y 9?). Añadiendo una nueva variable a la cuestión, la carga de procesamiento, se ha encontrado que las representaciones de cantidad intervienen en la etapa de identificación, pero sólo cuando aparecen múltiples estímulos. La presente investigación plantea si aumentar la carga de procesamiento en la fase más temprana del proceso perceptivo, la codificación, concederá también un papel a la distancia numérica. Veinte participantes debían decidir si dos dígitos presentados simultáneamente eran iguales o diferentes bajo dos condiciones, una con carga perceptiva (dígitos flanqueados por símbolos) y otra sin carga (sólo los dígitos). Los resultados muestran que en ambas condiciones el factor predictivo era la similitud perceptiva. La carga de procesamiento perceptivo, a pesar de aumentar los tiempos globales de respuesta, no modificó el valor de los predictores.
Relación entre indicadores objetivos y subjetivos de la clase social desde una perspectiva psicológica
Authors: Correa Pablo , Brussino Silvina , Reyna Cecilia
Published: June 2024

En las últimas décadas, ha crecido el interés en el campo de la Psicología Social sobre los aspectos objetivos y subjetivos de la clase social y su asociación con otras variables psico-sociales. Así, en este trabajo nos propusimos analizar la relación entre el nivel socioeconómico (NSE), indicadores singulares del NSE (nivel educativo y ocupación), el nivel de ingresos familiares y el estatus social subjetivo (ESS), e indagar las diferencias en el ESS según el género, en una muestra de 442 ciudadanos del Gran Córdoba, Argentina de 18 a 64 años (M = 38.61, DE = 14.23). Mediante un estudio de tipo transversal, ex post facto retrospectivo, se condujeron análisis descriptivos, de asociación entre variables, de regresión y de comparación de grupos. Los resultados evidenciaron que, independientemente de su NSE, las personas percibieron tener un ESS medio (79%). Además, hallamos que la relación entre el NSE, el nivel de ingresos familiares, el nivel educativo, el tipo de ocupación con el ESS es estadísticamente significativa. En cuanto al modelo de regresión, el nivel de ingresos resultó ser el único indicador que se relacionó con el ESS. También, encontramos que las mujeres con un NSE bajo (Mdn = 5.00, R = 6.00) percibieron tener un ESS más elevado que los varones con NSE bajo (Mdn = 4.00, R = 6.00).  En conclusión, las personas tienden a posicionarse en los niveles medios de la escala de MacArthur aun cuando su condición socioeconómica objetiva no refleja esa posición. Además, las mujeres con un NSE bajo tienden a posicionarse en niveles más altos en la escala de MacArthur que los varones con NSE bajo.
The Place of Rus’ / Russia in the eschatological concepts in Muscovite state of the late 16th – mid 17th centuries
Authors:   HSE University, Stefanovich Petr Sergeevich
Published: June 2024

This article examines how eschatological ideas which circulated in the late 16th – mid 17th century Muscovite State, described the place of Rus’ / Russia in the world and in the world history. The starting point for the analysis is the model of the God-chosen exclusivity of the Muscovite tsardom, which is often called a special Muscovite mythology. Eschatological ideas, first of all, the idea of «Moscow—Third Rome», developed by the Pskov monk Philotheus in the 1520s, were a necessary element of this model, which created the image of «shining Russia» (or «holy Rus»), preserving the true faith up to the End of the world. In the first half of the 17th century, eschatological ideas described by Orthodox Ruthenian authors working in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth began to be warmly received in the Muscovite State. Adaptions of their works appeared primarily in two anthologies of polemic writings published in Moscow — Cyril’s Book (1644) and The Book of Faith (1648). As this article demonstrates, the eschatological schemes featured in these texts envisaged Rus’ as a nation united by an ancient history and by true faith rather than by any political structures. At the same time, in the 1640s–1650s, prophecies of Greco-Byzantine origin popularised in Moscow assigned a key role to Russia in reviving the universal empire. These new concepts fundamentally diverged both from the idea of «Moscow—Third Rome» and from the entire Muscovite mythology of exceptionality. As the author concludes, the popularity of these ideas coincided with fundamental societal changes in Russia, marked by the incorporation of Ukraine in 1654 and the Church Schism.
Old Russian Ladoga in the context of the Varangian legend: Revision of sources and interpretations
Authors:   Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Platonova Nadezhda Igorevna
Published: June 2024

The Chronicles contain limited information about Ladoga in the 9th–10th centuries. Epic and toponymic legends are visible in these news. The first news is found under the year 862 in the copies of the «Povest’ vremennykh let» of the Ipatiev tradition. It belongs to the text of the Varangian legend from the «Ladoga» version. The second news about Ladoga is discovered in 922. This year, the First Novgorod Chronicle reports the death of Prince Oleg the Prophet and his grave, preserved in Ladoga. The political relevance of both news in the historical context of the 11th – early 12th centuries can be clearly seen. An article by N. I. Platonova deals with the problems of sources, meanings, genre and chronology of various versions of the Varangian legend in the Primary Chronicle. The types of oral sources, which became the basis of the earliest texts, and the cultural mechanisms for the preservation and transmission of information about the past in the Old Russian society are briefly characterized. The author supports the N. Lopatin’s hypothesis about the emergence of the «Novgorod» version in the early 11th century and its historical context. Particular attention is paid to the chronology of the «Ladoga» version and the political situation that gave rise to it, as well as the problem of the existence of a princely residence in Ladoga in the 9th–10th centuries. The article demonstrates that both the original and editorial versions of the Varangian legend are, first of all, sources for studying the history of the period when they were created. It is impossible to consider any of them — as a direct reflection of the 9th century events. Nevertheless, this text contains indirectly important information about the early stage of Old Russian history, which can be extracted analytically.
Morphology and mythology of Leningrad textiles
Authors:   Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Shirokovskikh Margarita Sergeevna
Published: June 2024

The article is devoted to the Leningrad artistic textiles, created in the 1960s–1990s. It is well known, that tapestry was actively developing during this period, however, this article discusses both original and industrial designs, which were represented by printed and shaft weaving fabrics, and textile haberdashery. Unique and industrial textiles have evolved with varying degrees of intensity, while fabrics and scarves remain the least explored area of design practice. In most cases, patterns for scarves had a souvenir design. The author gives data on the main industrial enterprises which produced them, points to the inseparable connection with the Leningrad school of textiles, which was based at the department of textiles at the Vera Mukhina Leningrad Higher School of Industrial Art. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the development of tapestry in the Leningrad school of textiles became possible after the opening of internships in Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Latvia. The experience of learning about modern European tapestry formed two main trends in Leningrad: traditional and relief-plastic. In each of them were created outstanding works. This article provides information about tapestries and curtains made in the Leningrad Decorative and Applied Arts Factory and Research Experimental Workshops. The scale and high quality of the works are noted, the prominent artists who worked by the «order of the state» (goszakaz) are listed.
Bodos Quest for Socio-Political Identity: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Brahma Varshali , Shekhawat Vibhuti Singh
Published: June 2024

In India, there are diverse groups of races- the Mongoloid, the Austric, the Aryans, and the Dravidian. North-eastern India has had different ethnic communities for a very long time. It is recognized as a diverse place of multiethnic states. Each social group has its own definite culture, languages, and customs. As such, in North-eastern States, since Independence, Indian politics has faced ethnic -conflict and inter-ethnic mobility. Most ethnic societies have experienced political articulation in the line of ethnicity. The Bodos of Assam had struggled to attain autonomy. So keeping in view such a scenario of a sociopolitical situation, this work will focus on the causes of identity assertion and analyze the phases of the Bodo ethnic movement for self-determination.
Microsprinkler irrigation in combination with nutrient management influences crop and water productivity and water-nutrient dynamics in large cardamom-growing soils in the hilly sub-Himalayan region of India
Authors: Lepcha Rodrick , Patra Sanmay Kumar , Poddar Ratneswar , Sarkar Arindam , Ray Ratneswar , Alharbi Sulaiman Ali , Ansari Mohammad Javed , Hossain Akbar
Published: June 2024

A field experiment designed with three tiers of irrigation viz., I0: rainfed, I1: 100% crop evapotranspiration (1.0 ETc) and I2: 0.75 ETc and four tiers of soil nutrition viz., N0: control (no farmyard manure and fertilizer), N1: 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) as FYM, N2: 50% RDF as FYM +50% RDF as chemical fertilizers and N3: 100% RDF as chemical fertilizers was conducted for four consecutive years (2015–2018) on large cardamom at the hilly terrain of Gitdubling lower beyong busty in Kalimpong Block II in Darjeeling district of WB India. The results showed that I1N3 treatment combination providing microsprinkler irrigation at 1.0 ETc and full RDF (20:40:40::N:P2O5:K2O kg ha−1) recorded highest growth, yield attributes, fresh yield (665.2 kg ha−1) and dry yield (282.0 kg ha−1) of capsules, greatest water productivity (1.8 × 100 kg m−3) and largest soil availability and leaf accumulation of N, P and K. The soil water distribution along the phenological stages was inconsistent and followed the trend according to the rainfall amounts; however, the contents increased with an increase in soil depth and irrigation regime. The predictive regressive models showed the linear relationships between the dry capsule yield and irrigation water and total water use by the plant.
Comparison of dissolved air flotation and sedimentation for the treatment of two waters with low turbidity in Colombia
Authors: González-Galvis Juan Pablo , Jaramillo Londoño Angela María , Sepúlveda Amaya Ruben Dario
Published: June 2024

The main objective of this research was to conduct a comparative study between dissolved air flotation (DAF) and conventional sedimentation (SED) for the treatment of a reservoir water (REW) and small stream water (STW) with low turbidity and low alkalinity in Colombia at the bench-scale level. The experiments were conducted at the bench-scale using a jar test apparatus. Aluminum sulfate was used as the coagulant. The experimental results showed that with an optimum coagulant dose of 30 mg/L as alum to treat REW and 10 mg/L as alum to treat STW; the percentage turbidity removal by DAF and SED were 88–85% and 84–86%; apparent color removal were 65–62% and 87%; and UV-254 nm removal as a surrogate measurement for the concentration of NOM were 74–73% and 64–69%, respectively.
Bullita cave system, Judbarra / Gregory Karst, tropical Australia
Authors: Grimes K.G. , Martini J.E.J.
Published: June 2024

In the monsoon tropics of northern Australia, Bullita Cave is the largest (123 km) of a group of extensive, horizontal, joint-controlled, dense network maze caves which are epikarst systems lying at shallow depth beneath a well-developed karrenfield. The Judbarra / Gregory Karst and its caves are restricted to the outcrop belt of the thin, sub-horizontal, Proterozoic Supplejack Dolostone. Karst is further restricted to those parts of the Supplejack that have escaped a secondary dolomitisation event. The karrenfield and underlying cave system are intimately related and have developed in step as the Supplejack surface was exposed by slope retreat. Both show a lateral zonation of development grading from youth to old age. Small cave passages originate under the recently exposed surface, and the older passages at the trailing edge become unroofed or destroyed as the, by then deeply-incised, karrenfield breaks up into isolated ruiniform blocks and pinnacles. Vertical development of the cave has been generally restricted to the epikarst zone by a 3m bed of impermeable and incompetent shale beneath the Supplejack which first perched the water-table, forming incipient phreatic passages above it, and later was eroded by vadose flow to form an extensive horizontal system of passages 10-20m below the karren surface. Some lower cave levels in underlying dolostone occur adjacent to recently incised surface gorges. Speleogenesis is also influenced by the rapid, diffuse, vertical inflow of storm water through the karrenfield, and by ponding of the still-aggressive water within the cave during the wet season – dammed up by “levees” of sediment that accumulate beneath the degraded trailing edge of the karrenfield. The soil, and much biological activity, is not at the bare karren surface, but down on the cave floors, which aids epikarstic solution at depth rather than on the surface.
Karst in Slovenia
Authors: Mihevc A. , Gabrovšek F. , Knez M. , Kozel P. , Mulec J. , Otoničar B. , Petrič M. , Pipan T. , Prelovšek M. , Slabe T. , Šebela S. , Zupan Hajna N.
Published: June 2024

Karst is a type of landscape with special surface, underground and hydrological features and phenomena. Its main characteristic is dissolution of the carbonate rocks by water enriched with CO2 as the dominant morphological process, removal of the rock in the form of solution and prevalent underground drainage that forms caves. In Slovene language, kras means a rocky, barren surface developed on limestone or dolomite and is also used as a toponym, so the word karst was developed from the name of the Kras plateau, which is a classical, reference site for the karst type of landscape.
The Mammoth Cave system, Kentucky, USA
Authors: Palmer A. N.
Published: June 2024

Mammoth Cave is the main attraction of Mammoth Cave National Park. For several decades it has been the longest known cave in the world and currently contains 652 km in 2016 of surveyed passages. It is located in the heart of an extensive karst plateau, in which the stratal dip averages only one degree. The cave is part of a drainage basin of more than 200 km². The cave has been known to local inhabitants for several millennia and contains a rich trove of archaeological and historical artifacts. It contains many speleo biota including several rare and endangered species and has been designated a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO). Its many passage levels and sediments contain a record of the fluvial history of most of southeastern North America.
The discovery and exploration of Hang Son Doong
Authors: Limbert H. , Limbert D. , Hieu N. , Phái V. V. , Kinh Bac D. , Phuong T. H. , Granger D.
Published: June 2024

Hang Son Doong is located in the Phong Nha Ke Bang Limestone Massif in Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam. Cave exploration by British cavers has been continuous in this area since 1990. Hang Son Doong is part of the Phong Nha Cave system which runs from the southern end of the National Park near the Lao border to the final resurgence at Phong Nha Cave.
Sistema Faro, Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico: speleogenesis of the world’s largest flank margin cave
Authors: Lace M. J. , Kambesis P. N. , Mylroie J. E.
Published: June 2024

Isla de Mona, a small, uplifted carbonate plateau jutting out of the waters of the Mona Passage, is an incredibly fragile and densely karstic environment. Expedition work was conducted by the Isla de Mona Project in cooperation with the Departamento Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico (DRNA), including contributions from many researchers and cavers volunteering from across the U.S and Puerto Rico in the course of 12 separate expeditions, spanning a 14-year period (1998 to 2013). Over 200 caves have been documented on the island to date, the majority of this inventory is composed of flank margin caves but also includes sea caves, pit caves and talus caves. The most extensive example of cave development on the island is Sistema Faro – a sprawling maze-like series of chambers formed within the eastern point of the island with over 40 cliffside entrances overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Detailed cartography and analysis of the geomorphology and development of the Sistema Faro has helped form a complex model of carbonate island cave development as a function of tectonic uplift, lithology, sea level changes, karst hydrogeology and cliff retreat. This communication examines the roles these controls have played in the genesis of the world’s largest flank margin cave.
Efficient Synthesis of Mannopyranoside-based Fatty Acyl Esters: Effects of Acyl Groups on Antimicrobial Potential
Authors: Rahaman Md. Lutfor , Rahman Md. Atiqur , Hasnain Md. Mohin , Amran Mohammad , Bin Emran Talha , Khan Md Ashikur Rahaman , Patwary Md. Abdul Majed , Kazi Mohsin , Matin Mohammed Mahbubul
Published: June 2024

Background:

The approval of Sucrose Fatty Acid Esters (SFAEs) as food additives/
preservatives with antimicrobial potential has triggered enormous interest in discovering new
biological applications. Accordingly, many researchers reported that SFAEs consist of various
sugar moieties, and hydrophobic side chains are highly active against certain fungal species.

Objective:

This study aimed to conduct aregioselective synthesis of SAFE and check the effect of
chain length and site of acylation (i.e., C-6 vs. C-2, C-3, C-4, and long-chain vs. short-chain) on
antimicrobial potency.

Methods:

A direct acylation method maintaining several conditions was used for esterification. In
vitro tests, molecular docking, and in silico studies were conducted using standard procedures.

Results:

In vitro tests revealed that the fatty acid chain length in mannopyranoside esters significantly
affects the antifungal activity, where C12 chains are more potent against Aspergillus species.
In terms of acylation site, mannopyranoside esters with a C8 chain substituted at the C-6 position
are more active in antifungal inhibition. Molecular docking also revealed that these mannopyranoside
esters had comparatively better stable binding energy and hence better inhibition, with the
fungal enzymes lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (3LD6), urate oxidase (1R51), and glucoamylase
(1KUL) than the standard antifungal drug fluconazole. Additionally, the thermodynamic, orbital,
drug-likeness, and safety profiles of these mannopyranoside esters were calculated and discussed,
along with the Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR).

Conclusion:

This study thus highlights the importance of the acylation site and lipid-like fatty acid
chain length that govern the antimicrobial activity of mannopyranoside-based SFAE.
Current Treatment Approaches for Alzheimer’s Disease and Possible Drug Targets
Authors: Ranjan Ashutosh , Shukla Shashikesh , Singh Shamsher
Published: June 2024

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological condition that is becoming increasingly common and
is typified by dementia. Drug development for AD is a major issue with a startlingly high failure rate
despite a marked increase in the frequency of the disease linked to genetic factors. As AD is the most
common neurological illness and contributes to both the high patient burden and the cost of
healthcare, this issue must be addressed.
The current manuscript aims to focus on the current treatment approaches of newer drugs under clinical
trials of Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the various pathological pathways that are involved in
AD.
Data provided in this review are from literature surveys and ongoing clinical trials from reputed
search engines like PubMed, ResearchGate, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, as well as from
various respected authors and—registered websites such as memory.ucsf.edu/genetics/familial-Alzheimer’s-
disease and https://www.clinicaltrials.gov.
There are diverse forms of drugs and multiple pathways on which many advancements and clinical
trials have been conductedand are undergoing. Various investigations and studies are going on.
There are different pathogenesis of AD, such as Tau, vascular, Amyloid β, estrogen deficiency, and
the role of gut microbiota in AD. Donepezil, Rivastigmine, etc., are currently used for treatment, and
certain drugs are in different stages of clinical trials, such as ANI792, ACC-001, CAD106 &ABvac40,
and it is concluded that after successful trials of the new drugs, they can be used for the treatment
of AD with maximum benefits and less side effect.
A Comparative Review and Analysis of Computational Predictors for
Identification of Enhancer and their Strength
Authors: Gill Mehwish , Kabir Muhammad , Ahmed Saeed , Subhani Muhammad Asif , Hayat Maqsood
Published: June 2024

Enhancers are the short functional regions (50–1500bp) in the genome, which play an
effective character in activating gene-transcription in the presence of transcription-factors (TFs).
Many human diseases, such as cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, are correlated with the enhancers’
genetic variations. The precise recognition of the enhancers provides useful insights for
understanding the pathogenesis of human diseases and their treatments. High-throughput experiments
are considered essential tools for characterizing enhancers; however, these methods are laborious,
costly and time-consuming. Computational methods are considered alternative solutions for
accurate and rapid identification of the enhancers. Over the past years, numerous computational
predictors have been devised for predicting enhancers and their strength. A comprehensive review
and thorough assessment are indispensable to systematically compare sequence-based enhancer’s
bioinformatics tools on their performance. Giving the increasing interest in this domain, we conducted
a large-scale analysis and assessment of the state-of-the-art enhancer predictors to evaluate
their scalability and generalization power. Additionally, we classified the existing approaches into
three main groups: conventional machine-learning, ensemble and deep learning-based approaches.
Furthermore, the study has focused on exploring the important factors that are crucial for developing
precise and reliable predictors such as designing trusted benchmark/independent datasets, feature
representation schemes, feature selection methods, classification strategies, evaluation metrics
and webservers. Finally, the insights from this review are expected to provide important guidelines
to the research community and pharmaceutical companies in general and high-throughput tools for
the detection and characterization of enhancers in particular.
Characteristics of Maxillofacial Trauma in Motorcycle Accidents at a Regional General Hospital in Indonesia: A Five-year Retrospective Study using the Facial Injury Severity Scale (FISS) and Maxillofacial Injury Severity Score (MFISS)
Authors: Ariawan Dwi , Dharmawan Dwi Kasta , Gondosudiro Retnowati , Julia Vera , Sulistyani Lilies Dwi , Ruslin Muhammad , Nakamura Norifumi
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to observe the correlations between factors that influence motorcycle accidents (such as accident time and helmet use) and the Facial Injury Severity Scale (FISS) and Maxillofacial Injury Severity Score (MFISS) scores in patients with maxillofacial trauma.

Methods

Data from maxillofacial trauma patients at the Tangerang Regency General Hospital in Banten, Indonesia, were retrospectively reviewed from June 2017 and May 2022 using the FISS and MFISS scores.

Results

A total of 257 patients were included in the study. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in FISS and MFISS based on accident time and helmet use were observed. Multivariate analysis revealed significant correlations (p < 0.05) between the factors and the maxillofacial trauma severity based on the FISS and MFISS.

Conclusion

The severity of maxillofacial trauma based on the MFISS was influenced by the accident time and helmet use. Similarly, the severity of maxillofacial trauma based on the FISS was directly related to the accident time; however, it was inversely related to the use of a helmet.
Characteristics of Dry Eye Syndrome in Patients with Mild Graves’ Ophthalmopathy
Authors: Bui Giang Thi Huong , Pham Dong Ngoc , Mai Tung Quoc , Pham Van Trong
Published: June 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to assess dry eye in patients with mild Graves’ Ophthalmopathy (GO) at Vietnam National Eye Hospital.

Materials and Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive study evaluated dry eye syndrome in 40 eyes from 20 mild Graves’ ophthalmopathy patients from January 2021 to December 2021 at the Vietnam National Eye Hospital. As an age-matched control group, 44 eyes of 22 adults without thyroid disease were selected. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Tear Break-up Time (TBUT), Schirmer I tear test, and Corneal Fluorescein Staining (CFS) were assessed.

Results

The results showed that dry eye in patients with mild GO disease was significantly higher (65%), i.e., 3.98 times compared to the control group (65% and 30%, p<0.001, OR=3.98). The mean Schirmer I tear test score, TBUT score, CFS score, and OSDI score had a significant difference between GO and controls. Dry eye indices (TBUT, Schirmer I test, CFS) in mild GO patients were linearly correlated with proptosis, Margin-to-reflex Distance 1 (MRD1), and Clinical Activity Score (CAS). In the group of patients with active GO, the results of TBUT, Schirmer I test, CFS, and OSDI were statistically significantly higher than the inactive group (p < 0.05). Dry eye in the inflammatory group was 5.14 times higher than the non-inflammatory group (85.7% vs. 53.8%, p< 0.001, OR = 5.14).

Conclusion

Dry eye syndrome was frequently found in patients with mild GO, 3.98 times higher than the control group. Dry eye findings and the ocular surface damage in GO were severe in the group with active mild GO and 5.14 times higher than the inactive group.
Examining the Clinical and Laboratory Findings of Patients with COVID-19 Hospitalized in the ICU (A Cross-sectional Study)
Authors: Sardu Ehsan Goroei , Salari Saeideh , Raesi Rasoul , Hushmandi Kiavash , Daneshi Salman , Alian Samakkhah Shohreh , Shima Shadkam Farrokhi
Published: June 2024

Background

The clinical care for patients suffering from COVID-19 requires knowledge of clinical and laboratory findings.

Aim

This study aims to investigate the clinical and laboratory findings related to patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted on 529 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in the ICU department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft. The information is based on the researcher's checklist and was collected from the patient files by referring to the hospital archives. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 statistical software.

Results

The average age of the patients was 68.7 ± 27.9 years, and the average total hospitalization time was 7.8 days. The rate of hospitalization was higher in men than in women. The most common clinical symptoms of the patients on arrival were cough, fever, and chest pain. Cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, and diabetes were among the factors related to the hospitalization of patients with COVID-19. The mortality rate in the present study was 30.6%. An increase beyond the normal range was observed in the mean white blood cell count, red blood cell sedimentation time, and blood creatinine.

Conclusion

The results of this research showed that elderly men with at least one underlying disease are among the factors related to the hospitalization of patients in the ICU, which requires special attention in how to treat and follow them because of the increase in hospitalization time in this group and consequently its financial burden is imposed on the health system.
Association between Serum Electrolyte Levels and Consciousness in ICU Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Sardu Ehsan Goroohi , Anaeigoudari Akbar , Domari Asma Amiri , Raesi Rasoul , Hushmandi Kiavash , Farsei Saeed , Daneshi Salman
Published: June 2024

Background

A change in fluid and electrolyte balance is a dynamic process that can cause a wide range of clinical disorders.

Aim

The present study was conducted to determine the serum level of electrolytes and their relationship with the level of consciousness.

Methods

This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted using a census method on 110 medical records of patients admitted to the ICU department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft in 2021. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist from the patient’s medical records and analyzed using SPSS-20 statistical software and descriptive and inferential tests at a significance level of p<0.05.

Results

The average age of the patients was 31.8 ± 18.8 years. Eighty-two patients (74.5%) were men who were hospitalized due to a motorcycle accident. No significant relationship was found between serum phosphorus levels, hospital stay duration, and mortality rate. There was a significant relationship between magnesium serum level and mortality rate, but there was no relationship between serum potassium and magnesium, the duration of hospitalization, and the average days of hospitalization.

Conclusion

The results showed that there is no significant relationship between the average serum level of electrolytes and the level of consciousness. It is possible that factors other than electrolytes, such as the status of arterial gases, the need for advanced airway care, medicinal agents, and other therapeutic interventions, may influence the level of consciousness.
Investigating the Anxiety Caused by COVID-19 and its Relationship with the Self-efficacy and General Health in Iranian Nurses
Authors: Amiri Mohammad , Jamalzadeh Abolfazl , Khosravi Ahmad
Published: June 2024

Background

Since its outbreak, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the public, particularly among healthcare workers, causing excessive mortality and health problems. The present study seeks to determine the anxiety caused by COVID-19 and its impact on nurses' self-efficacy as well as their general health in Shahroud University of Medical Sciences affiliated hospitals.

Methods and Materials

This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2023. Our sample consists of 133 nurses working in hospitals affiliated with Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. A questionnaire was used to measure the anxiety caused by Covid-19 as well as its impact on nurses' self-efficacy and general health. The collected data were then analyzed using Chi-square tests, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and logistic regression at a 5 percent significance level.

Results

In this study, 106 nurses (79.7%) were female. The mean score of anxiety caused by COVID-19 was 12.0±7.7 while the mean self-efficacy score and the mean health score were 47.4±12.3 and 20.6±8.0, respectively. Also, 88 (66.2%) nurses had normal general health status, while 45 (33.8%) had mild general health problems. In addition, 91 people (68.4%) suffered from low self-efficacy, whereas 42 people (31.6%) were high in self-efficacy. Pearson's correlation coefficient stressed a positive and significant linear relationship between anxiety score and self-efficacy score (r=0.33, p<0.001). As expected, there was a positive and significant linear relationship between anxiety score and general health (r=0.39, p<0.001). The results from the multivariate regression analysis emphasize that gender, anxiety, general health, and marital status have a significant impact on the sense of self-efficacy.

Conclusion

Given the low sense of self-efficacy among nurses and its implications for public health, it is suggested that the top managers of the university should adopt new approaches to collaborative management in order to improve the self-efficacy among nurses. The relevant officials are also advised to apply methods to appreciate nurses' positive performance and to provide appropriate feedback on their skills and capabilities. Further, to realize better public health and enhanced self-efficacy, policymakers should take steps to ensure social and emotional support for nurses and to upgrade their knowledge and skills.