bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do personality traits affect investors' decision on crypto market including cryptocurrencies and NFTs?
Authors: Luo Ji , Cao Qingning , Zhang Shuguang
Published: December 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the research paper is to investigate the relationship between personality traits and investment decisions in the crypto market, including cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The study aims to explore the effect of dark personalities and the big five personalities on investment decisions in the crypto market.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was conducted through two online questionnaire studies. In Study 1, data were collected from the general public, while in Study 2, data were collected from crypto investors. The researchers analyzed the effect of dark personalities and the big five personalities on investment decisions in the crypto market.

Findings

The present research found that Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopath, sadism and extraversion have positive effects on having crypto investments. In addition, focusing on actual crypto investors, the present paper showed that personalities including Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopath, consciousness and extraversion have statistically significant effect on investment decisions such as making investments in Bitcoin.

Originality/value

The study is original in exploring the relationship between personality traits and investment decisions in the newly emerging crypto market, including cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The research provides insights into how different personality traits affect investment decisions in the crypto market, which can be valuable for investors in making informed decisions.
Toward the development of a framework for literacy support and promotion by public libraries in financially and infrastructurally low-resourced territories
Authors: Salubi Oghenere , Majavu Uyanda
Published: December 2023

Purpose

This paper delves into the pivotal role of public libraries in supporting and promoting literacy, with a particular focus on their relevance in financially and infrastructurally low-resourced territories (FILTs). Literacy, being a fundamental skill, empowers individuals, enriches education and contributes to social and economic development. Nonetheless, numerous FILTs encounter substantial obstacles in granting access to quality education and fostering literacy skills among their people. As an opinion piece rooted in empirical literature, this paper serves as an introductory exploration, acknowledging that it only skims the surface of raising awareness.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper expands upon the existing body of literature concerning public libraries and the imperative for literacy programs. It purposefully addresses a range of issues that may appear contradictory in FILTs, primarily due to economic constraints. However, from the authors’ perspective, these issues actually highlight the vast potential for intervention and progress.

Findings

Numerous evident strategies can be identified to attain the goal of an enlightened and educated nation, fostering empowered individuals. One such approach involves prioritizing the promotion and support of literacy programs in public libraries. Nonetheless, there is a pressing need for heightened awareness regarding the significance of adopting a holistic perspective when addressing various interconnected issues. This includes the long-term advantages associated with an educated and literate society, particularly in FILTs.

Originality/value

The literature within the field of library and information science offers scarce publications regarding literacy support programs in libraries, despite the fact that fostering informed and literate citizens is a prominent goal in the mission and vision plans of numerous FILTs. This paper presents an exploratory perspective, aiming to raise awareness about the significance of considering diverse approaches to support and promote literacy in public libraries within FILTs. It also proposes the development of a framework as a means to facilitate this endeavor. While the context of the paper is framed for FILTs, aspects of the framework may also be useful and applicable in other well-resourced regions and libraries.
Combining immune‐checkpoint inhibitors with tocilizumab to treat a lung adenocarcinoma patient with pre‐existing polymyalgia rheumatica: A case report
Authors: Du Yang , Liu Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Li
Published: December 2023

Immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have changed the management of advanced cancers. However, patients with pre‐existing autoimmune diseases (ADs) have usually been excluded from clinical trials of ICIs due to concerns about exacerbation of AD. Here, we combined ICIs with selective immunosuppressant treatment in a metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patient with active pre‐existing polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Remarkably, the strategy led to durable response and no exacerbation of PMR. Thus, we provide the first clinical evidence of treating metastatic cancer with ICIs and concomitant use of tocilizumab and hydroxychloroquine for active pre‐existing PMR.
Single‐worm quantitative proteomics reveals aging heterogeneity in isogenic Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Zhu Tian‐Yi , Li Shang‐Tong , Liu Dan‐Dan , Zhang Xiajun , Zhou Lianqi , Zhou Rong , Yang Bing
Published: December 2023

The heterogeneity of aging has been investigated at cellular and organic levels in the mouse model and human, but the exploration of aging heterogeneity at whole‐organism level is lacking. C. elegans is an ideal model organism for studying this question as they are self‐fertilized and cultured in the same chamber. Despite the tremendous progress made in single‐cell proteomic analysis, there is few single‐worm proteomics studies about aging. Here, we apply single‐worm quantitative mass spectrometry to quantify the heterogenous proteomic changes during aging across individuals, a total of 3524 proteins from 157 C. eleagns individuals were quantified. A reconstructed C. elegans aging trajectory and proteomic landscape of fast‐aging individuals were used to analyze the heterogeneity of C. elegans aging. We characterized inter‐individual proteomic variation during aging and revealed contributing factors that distinguish fast‐aging individuals from their siblings.
Housing Movements and Care: Rethinking the Political Imaginaries of Housing
Authors: Fields Desiree , Power Emma R. , Card Kenton
Published: December 2023

Care is a practice and form of labour making human survival and flourishing possible. This Symposium explores the place and work of care within housing movements, asking how care operates as a politics, an ethics, and a set of practices through which tenants survive—and ultimately seek to transform—the structural violence of capitalist housing systems. Situated in US cities with abiding associations with Blackness and indigeneity, papers in the Symposium examine housing movements that take care as the starting point. As we discuss in this introduction to the Symposium, in such movements, care operates as connective tissue across households and modes of difference; challenges relations of racial capitalism and settler colonialism that underlie dominant understandings of who deserves and can demand care; and drives calls for public care and experiments with non‐propertised forms of ownership. Housing systems are care infrastructures, making housing movements a vital place for care work.
Role and function of plakophilin 3 in cancer progression and skin disease
Authors: Zhang Yefei , Chen Jiahui , Tian Jia , Zhou Yehui , Liu Yan
Published: December 2023

Plakophilin 3 (PKP3), a component of desmosome, is aberrantly expressed in many kinds of human diseases, especially in cancers. Through direct interaction, PKP3 binds with a series of desmosomal proteins, such as desmoglein, desmocollin, plakoglobin, and desmoplakin, to initiate desmosome aggregation, then promotes its stability. As PKP3 is mostly expressed in the skin, loss of PKP3 promotes the development of several skin diseases, such as paraneoplastic pemphigus, pemphigus vulgaris, and hypertrophic scar. Moreover, accumulated clinical data indicate that PKP3 dysregulates in diverse cancers, including breast, ovarian, colon, and lung cancers. Numerous lines of evidence have shown that PKP3 plays important roles in multiple cellular processes during cancer progression, including metastasis, invasion, tumor formation, autophagy, and proliferation. This review examines the diverse functions of PKP3 in regulating tumor formation and development in various types of cancers and summarizes its detailed mechanisms in the occurrence of skin diseases.
Self‐Assembled nanoparticles of natural bioactive molecules enhance the delivery and efficacy of paclitaxel in glioblastoma
Authors: Li Yong , Zhao Qingyu , Zhu Xinyi , Zhou Long , Song Ping , Liu Baohui , Tian Daofeng , Chen Qianxue , Zhou Jiangbing , Deng Gang
Published: December 2023

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant tumor in the central nervous system. Paclitaxel (PTX) is a well‐established and highly effective anti‐cancer drug for peripheral solid tumors. However, the application of PTX in GBM is hindered by several limitations, including poor water solubility, restricted entry across the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and enhanced excretion by efflux transporters. P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) is a crucial efflux transporter that is abundantly present in cerebral vascular endothelial cells and GBM cells. It plays a significant role in the exocytosis of PTX within tumor tissues.

Methods

Recently, we have developed a novel technique for creating self‐assembled nanoparticles utilizing a range of natural bioactive molecules. These nanoparticles can encapsulate insoluble drugs and effectively cross the BBB. In additional, we revealed that certain nanoparticles have the potential to act as P‐gp inhibitors, thereby reducing the excretion of PTX. In this study, we conducted a screening of bioactive molecular nanoparticles to identify those that effectively inhibit the function of P‐gp transporters.

Results

Among the candidates, we identified ursolic acid nanoparticles (UA NPs) as the P‐gp inhibitors. Furthermore, we prepared co‐assembled UA NPs embedded with paclitaxel, referred to as UA‐PTX NPs. Our results demonstrate that UA‐PTX NPs can enhance the blood concentration of PTX, facilitate its entry into the BBB, and inhibit the function of P‐gp, resulting in a decrease in the excretion of PTX. This discovery effectively addressed the above three issues associated with the use of PTX in glioma treatment.

Conclusions

UA‐PTX NPs demonstrate strong anti‐tumor effects and show great potential for treating GBM.
Characteristics of high‐ and low‐risk drinkers who use online alcohol home delivery in Western Australia
Authors: Coomber Kerri , Baldwin Ryan , Taylor Nicholas , Callinan Sarah , Wilkinson Claire , Toumbourou John W. , Chikritzhs Tanya , Miller Peter G.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Variation in alcohol availability is an important driver of levels of consumption and harm, with recent increases in online alcohol home delivery use expanding availability. There is limited research on the impacts of these changes and the characteristics of consumers who use alcohol home delivery.

Methods

This study presents findings from an online survey (n = 465) of Western Australian adults who had purchased alcohol for home delivery within the past 6 months. Analyses compared high‐risk and low‐risk drinkers on use of, and exposure to, alcohol home delivery.

Results

Compared to low‐risk drinkers, high‐risk drinkers were significantly more likely to make more frequent online purchases (odds ratio 5.42), utilise same day delivery (odds ratio 2.91) and purchase through specialised online‐only retailers (odds ratio 2.69). High‐risk drinkers also reported receiving deliveries while intoxicated more often (odds ratio 11.62), and ordering alcohol for delivery to continue a current drinking session (odds ratio 7.47). High‐risk drinkers also received advertising for alcohol home delivery more frequently (odds ratio 1.60) than low‐risk drinkers. High‐risk drinkers also ordered larger quantities of alcohol than low‐risk drinkers (M = 49 vs. 32 standard drinks).

Discussion and Conclusions

Findings from this study indicate that these services are popular with high‐risk drinkers and potentially undermine other policy efforts to reduce drinking. Within Australia, stronger legislation (such as mandatory delay between order and delivery) and monitoring (e.g., test purchasing for compliance) are recommended.
Intimate partner violence screening for separating or divorcing parents: An introduction to the Mediator's Assessment of Safety Issues and Concerns‐Short (MASIC‐S)
Authors: Rossi Fernanda S. , Applegate Amy G. , Tomlinson Claire , Holtzworth‐Munroe Amy
Published: December 2023

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading cause of separation and/or divorce. IPV may not stop after separation, as parents who use IPV can continue intruding in the lives of parents who experience IPV due to unsafe parenting arrangements that allow continued frequent contact and thus risk further abuse. Therefore, it is critical that separating/divorcing parents be assessed for IPV and ongoing safety concerns. Parenting arrangements (e.g., physical and legal custody, parenting time) may not include the appropriate protections if IPV has not been uncovered and/or considered. Unfortunately, many existing IPV screens for family court processes have limitations. The Mediator's Assessment of Safety Issues and Concerns‐Short (MASIC‐S) was designed to address these limitations. Results from the MASIC‐S may be used to inform and create parenting arrangements in the best interest of the child. We provide recommendations on how MASIC‐S results can guide family court practitioners in parenting arrangement disputes. These recommendations are based on the existing literature and guidelines regarding the relationship between parenting arrangements and child‐wellbeing following separation/divorce in the context of IPV. We also discuss areas in which additional research is needed to help determine parenting arrangements most suitable for separating/divorcing parents with a history of IPV.
Trans‐aortic mitral isthmus ablation after surgical patch closure for an atrial septal defect
Authors: Arai Tomoyuki , Kujiraoka Hirofumi , Yamaoka Koichiro , Takahashi Masao , Hojo Rintaro , Fukamizu Seiji
Published: December 2023

Introduction

In patients with prior atrial septal defect (ASD) closure and atrial tachyarrhythmias, transseptal puncture can be challenging.

Methods and Results

This case report discusses a 65‐year‐old man who had previously undergone pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and cavo‐tricuspid isthmus ablation for atrial fibrillation before ASD closure, respectively. He developed atrial tachycardia (AT) and underwent catheter ablation. AT was diagnosed as peri‐mitral flutter and the mitral isthmus (MI) linear ablation via a trans‐aortic approach successfully terminated it.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of transaortic MI linear ablation in patients with ASD closure devices or anatomical challenges when transseptal puncture is difficult.
Decision curve analysis based on summary data
Authors: Hozo Iztok , Guyatt Gordon , Djulbegovic Benjamin
Published: December 2023

Background

To realize the potential of precision medicine, predictive models should be integrated within the framework of decision analysis, such as the decision curve analysis (DCA). To date, its application has required individual patient data (IPD) that are often unavailable. Performing DCA using aggregate data without requiring IPD may advance the goals of precision medicine.

Methods

We present a statistical framework demonstrating that DCA can be conducted by using only the mean and standard deviation (SD) from the raw probabilities of the predictive model. We tested our theoretical framework by performing extensive simulations and comparing the aggregate‐based DCA with IPD DCA. The latter was conducted using IPD from four predictive models that employed logistic regression, Cox or competing risk time‐to‐event modeling including (a) statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (n = 4859), (b) hospice referral for terminally ill patients (n = 9104), (c) use of thromboprophylaxis for preventing venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer (n = 425) and (d) prevention of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplantation (SCT) (n = 80).

Results

Simulations assuming perfect calibration showed that regardless of which probability distributions informed the predictive models, the differences in DCA were negligible. Similarly, for the adequately powered models, the results of DCA based on the summary data were similar to IPD‐derived DCA. The inherent instability of the predictive models, based on the smaller sample sizes, resulted in a somewhat larger discrepancy between aggregate and IPD‐based DCA.

Conclusions

DCA informed by adequately powered and well‐calibrated models using only summary statistical estimates (mean and SD) approximates well models using IPD. Use of aggregate data will facilitate broader integration of predictive with decision modeling toward the goals of individualized decision‐making.
Foam‐mat‐dried açaí pulp (Euterpe oleracea Mart)
Authors: Ferreira Diene de Barros , Gandin Yuri Eduardo Mendes , de Morais Ana Flavia Carla , Pinto Vania Zanella , Quast Leda Battestin
Published: December 2023

Drying, as alternative process, enhances stability, eases transport, and prolongs storage for fruits and fruit pulps. This study focused on producing açaí foam with 2% emulsifier and comparing it to a control (0% emulsifier), following by drying (60 °C) in a forced air circulation oven. Açaí powder with 2% emulsifier exhibited a higher effective diffusion coefficient (5.35  ×  10−4 cm2 s−1) than the without emulsifier counter part (1.41  ×  10−4 cm2 s−1). The pores formed after pulp aeration with the emulsifying agent led to a higher diffusion coefficient and a shorter drying time. Sorption isotherms at 25 °C and 35 °C displayed favorable fits for both powders (R2>0.9). Açaí powder with emulsifier demonstrated superior solubility (47.93%) and faster rehydration (168 s) compared to the control (19.72%; 324 s). The use of a 2% emulsifying agent resulted in a porous, dried açaí powder with improved flowability and solubility, indicating higher quality.

Practical applications

Traditionally, açai pulp is commercialized as a frozen product, which entails high energy costs and logistical constraints. Foam‐mat drying allows the dehydration of viscous, heat‐sensitive, and high‐sugar foods that cannot be effectively dried through spray drying. It offers a practical application in the food industry, particularly as an ingredient. Powdered fruit pulps, including açai pulp, are widely utilized in ice creams, yogurts, and instant juices. To meet industrial requirements, these powders need to exhibit good solubility, quick rehydration, and stability at room temperature. Through foam‐mat drying, high‐quality powdered açai pulp can be produced with a short drying time. This technology enables the production of stable powders that can be easily rehydrated, opening opportunities for new ingredient development and diverse applications.
Stability of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and functional properties of pectin‐based film incorporated with Thymus capitatus and Cinnamomum verum essential oils
Authors: Khachani Raoya , El Galiou Ouiam , Aitboulahsen Mohammed , Bakrim Hanane , Arakrak Abdelhay , Laglaoui Amin , Hassani Zerrouk Mounir
Published: December 2023

Biopolymer‐based films present numerous environmental advantages. The current study aims to investigate the impact of storage time on the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and functional properties of pectin‐based films containing Thymus capitatus (TEO) and Cinnamomum verum (CEO) essential oils (EOs). Films were prepared using the solution casting method; their different properties were evaluated over 1 month at room temperature. Both types of films displayed strong antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Pectin‐based film incorporated with CEO displayed greater antioxidant activity than film incorporated with TEO. The two EOS increased the films' elongation at break and tensile strength. However, their moisture content and thickness decreased. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the CEO‐ and TEO‐based films decreased after 4 weeks of storage, while moisture content increased. However, the films' mechanical parameters remained stable during the entire storage period.
Unlocking the potential of the bioeconomy for climate change reduction: The optimal use of lignocellulosic biomass in Germany
Authors: Lubjuhn Sebastian , Venghaus Sandra
Published: December 2023

The concept of a circular bioeconomy has become a new economic leitmotif for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Its central narrative rests on the idea of replacing fossil resources with biobased ones for a broad spectrum of products including, for example, heat, electricity, fuels, plastics, or chemicals. Yet, the amount of available bio‐resources is limited, rendering some technologies successful while leaving behind others. Lignocellulosic biomass (LBM) is a key resource already used on a large scale for heating purposes or electricity production and increasingly for the production of chemicals and biofuels. Because market mechanisms do not necessarily drive a cost‐optimal use with respect to their GHG‐reduction potential, a new bi‐objective linear optimization model under long‐term scenarios was developed for Germany accounting for competition with non‐biobased technologies. In the biofuels and biochemicals sectors, multi‐output processes that address industrial symbiosis and fossil references are used to compute profits and GHG emission savings of biobased products. However, in the absence of a reference for heat, a detailed representation of the heat sector is used in which heat demand for 19 subsectors is met, thus deriving costs and emission savings endogenously. When explicitly accounting for GHG emission reduction targets, biomass is optimally used in high‐temperature industries whereas heat pumps dominate in building heat. Because of the optimal use of biomass in industrial usage, subsidies for biomass heating are found to be inefficient in the building sector. Catalytic hydropyrolysis to produce biogasoline and biodiesel using LBM dominates the production of biofuels while biochemicals—strongly depending on oil price developments—will become competitive on a large scale after 2030.
Factors associated with the oral health status of patients with schizophrenia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Matsubara Chiaki , Yamaguchi Kohei , Imada Ryoko , Yoshizawa Akira , Bando Yasuko , Kusaka Teruo , Furuya Junichi , Tohara Haruka
Published: December 2023

Background

Oral function deterioration attributed to ageing and medications is one of the main contributory factors of dysphagia. Therefore, oral health management is essential in older patients with schizophrenia. However, no previous studies have evaluated the oral function in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective

We surveyed patients with schizophrenia to identify factors associated with ageing‐related variations in oral function.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 34 male patients diagnosed with schizophrenia who were hospitalised at a psychiatric hospital between July and September 2021 and underwent a screening examination during dental care. The survey items included basic information, oral hygiene information, oral (oral diadochokinesis [ODK] and tongue pressure), physical function, and nutritional status. Thirty‐six male community‐dwelling older individuals were included as controls, and their outcomes were compared with those of patients with schizophrenia.

Results

Compared with healthy older adults, patients with schizophrenia demonstrated significantly lower teeth numbers, ODK, and calf circumference (CC) (p < .05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that ODK was associated with age and schizophrenia (p < .05). Conversely, tongue pressure was associated with CC (p < .05), suggesting different factors' association with the parameters indicating decreased oral function.

Conclusions

Our study findings suggest that older patients with schizophrenia have decreased tongue pressure and generalised muscle mass, highlighting the need to manage oral function. Interventions for tongue pressure were more strongly associated with muscle mass and could be easier to manage than those with disease‐dependent changes in ODK.

Trial Registration

Retrospectively registered.
A spatiotemporal control method at isolated intersections under mixed‐autonomy traffic conditions
Authors: Dai Rongjian , Ding Chuan , Yu Bin , Hu Jia
Published: December 2023

With the introduction of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), the integrated control of traffic signals, lane assignments, and vehicle trajectories becomes feasible, offering notable benefits for enhancing intersection operations. However, during the prolonged transition to an entirely CAV environment, how to fully leverage the advantage of CAVs while considering the characteristics of human‐driven vehicles remains a huge challenge. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a joint optimization method for spatiotemporal resources at isolated intersections under mixed‐autonomy traffic conditions. Initially, the lane assignment optimization problem is modeled as a mixed integer linear program model to maximize the reserve capacity. Subsequently, the signal‐vehicle coupled control is formulated as a dynamic programming model with the objective of reducing vehicle travel time. Additionally, criteria are established to assess the need for re‐optimizing lane assignments. Simulations validate the superiority of the proposed control method over adaptive control in terms of traffic efficiency and intersection capacity amid substantial traffic demand fluctuations. Sensitivity analyses reveal that the proposed control method can yield higher benefits under medium traffic demand levels. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm exhibits no significant sensitivity to the CAV market adoption rate, suggesting its applicability throughout the CAV adoption process.
Ferroptosis induced by plasma‐activated Ringer's lactate solution prevents oral cancer progression
Authors: Sato Kotaro , Yang Ming , Nakamura Kae , Tanaka Hiromasa , Hori Masaru , Nishio Miki , Suzuki Akira , Hibi Hideharu , Toyokuni Shinya
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effect of plasma‐activated Ringer's lactate solution (PAL) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and carcinogenic processes with a particular focus on iron and collagenous matrix formation.

Materials and Methods

We used three OSCC cell lines, one keratinocyte cell line, and two fibroblast lines, and cell viability assays, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to evaluate the effect and type of cell death. The effect of PAL treatment on lysyl oxidase (LOX) expression was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Tamoxifen‐inducible Mob1a/b double‐knockout mice were used for the in vivo experiment.

Results

PAL killed OSCC cells more effectively than the control nontumorous cells and suppressed cell migration and invasion. Ferroptosis occurred and the protein level of LOX was downregulated in cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, PAL improved the survival rate of mice and suppressed collagenous matrix formation.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that PAL specifically kills OSCC cells and that ferroptosis occurs in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, PAL can prevent carcinogenesis and improve the survival rate of oral cancer, especially tongue cancer, by changing collagenous matrix formation via LOX suppression.
Ozonized gels vs chlorhexidine in non‐surgical periodontal treatment: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Scribante Andrea , Gallo Simone , Pascadopoli Maurizio , Frani Monica , Butera Andrea
Published: December 2023

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of newly introduced ozonated gels compared with conventional chlorhexidine gel in the home management of periodontal patients.

Materials and Methods

30 patients with bilateral periodontal disease (severity I, complexity II) were enrolled (split‐mouth study design). After nonsurgical mechanical periodontal debridement, the teeth were randomly divided into two groups: teeth in the Control group were treated with a chlorhexidine‐based gel to aid oral hygiene maneuvers for 2 weeks after the first visit, while teeth in the Test group were treated in the same way with ozone‐based gels. After the baseline assessment, the follow‐up included assessments at 1, 2, and 6 months. The variables evaluated were clinical attachment loss (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BoP), plaque control record (PCR), recession (R), and tooth mobility (TM).

Results

For CAL, PPD, BoP, and PCR, significant intragroup differences were found for both groups (p < 0.05), in contrast to intergroup differences (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found for R and TM.

Conclusion

Nonsurgical mechanical periodontal debridement with adjunctive use of ozone and chlorhexidine was found to be effective in periodontal treatment. Ozone could be suggested as an alternative to chlorhexidine.
Development and Validation of a Risk‐Prediction Nomogram for Preoperative Blood Type and Antibody Testing in Spinal Fusion Surgery
Authors: Wu Linghong , Peng Xiaozhong , Zhuo Xianglong , Zhu Guangwei , Xie Xiangtao
Published: December 2023

Objective

With advancements in minimally invasive techniques, the use of spinal fusion surgery is rapidly increasing and transfusion rates are decreasing. Routine preoperative ABO/Rh blood type and antibody screening (T&S) laboratory tests may not be appropriate for all spinal fusion patients. Herein, we constructed a nomogram to assess patient transfusion risk based on various risk factors in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery, so that preoperative T&S testing can be selectively scheduled in appropriate patients to reduce healthcare and patient costs.

Methods

Patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery between 01/2020 and 03/2023 were retrospectively examined and classified into the training (n = 3533, 70%) and validation (n = 1515, 30%) datasets. LASSO and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze risk factors for blood transfusion. Nomogram predictive model was built according to the independent predictors and mode predictive power was validated using consistency index (C‐index), Hosmer–Lemeshow (HL) test, calibration curve analysis and area under the curve (AUC) for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Bootstrap resampling was used for internal validation. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was applied to evaluate the model's performance in the clinic.

Results

Being female, age, BMI, admission route, critical patient, operative time, heart failure, end‐stage renal disease or chronic kidney disease (ESRD or CKD), anemia, and coagulation defect were predictors of blood transfusion for spinal fusion. A prediction nomogram was developed according to a multivariate model with good discriminatory power (C‐index = 0.887); Bootstrap resampling internal validation C‐index was 0.883. Calibration curves showed strong matching between the predicted and actual probabilities of the training and validation sets. HL tests for the training and validation sets had p‐values of 0.327 and 0.179, respectively, indicating good calibration. When applied to the training set, the following parameters were found: AUC: 0.895, 95% CI: 0.871–0.919, sensitivity 78.2%, specificity 86.7%, positive predictive value 29.4% and negative predictive value 98.2%. If the model were applied in the training set, 2911 T&S tests (82.4%) would be eliminated, equaling a RMB349,320 cost reduction. The AUC in the internal validation was: 0.879, 95% CI: 0.839–0.927, sensitivity 75.2%, specificity 88.8%, positive predictive value 34.3%, negative predictive value 97.9%, would eliminate 1276 T&S tests (84.2%), saving RMB 153,120. The DCA curve indicated good clinical application value.

Conclusion

The nomogram based on 10 independent factors can help healthcare professionals predict the risk of transfusion for patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery to target preoperative T&S testing to appropriate patients and reduce healthcare costs.
Comparative omics analysis for novel target discovery in plant pathogens: A case study for Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Luthfi Muhammad , Piapukiew Jittra , Pandey Ras B. , Sompornpisut Pornthep
Published: December 2023

The central concern surrounding chemical pesticide application is its potential adverse effects on non‐target organisms. For fungal pathogens, the search for specific targets has been complicated by the similarities in pathways shared between these pathogens and humans. We present a comprehensive strategy, integrating comparative omics and bioinformatics, to pinpoint precise targets for fungicides effective against the fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, responsible for rice blast disease. Our approach involves subtractive metabolic pathways, homology screening and target prioritization. Through subtractive metabolic analysis, we identified three unique M. oryzae pathways, distinct from human and rice. Nonredundant protein sequences were subsequently subjected to BLASTP screening against human and rice, as well as other databases from diverse organisms. Target subcellular localization was predicted using eight tools, including artificial intelligence and a deep‐learning method. A comprehensive examination of biological processes was conducted, including gene expression, protein–protein interactions, network enrichment, broad‐spectrum activity and physicochemical analysis. Glutamate 5‐kinase emerged as the prime candidate for targeted fungicide development, promising progress in precision‐oriented solutions.
Complexity for complexity—How advanced modeling may limit its applicability for decision‐makers
Authors: Ale Ben J. M. , Slater David H.
Published: December 2023

As today's engineering systems have become increasingly sophisticated, assessing the efficacy of their safety‐critical systems has become much more challenging. The more classical methods of “failure” analysis by decomposition into components related by logic trees, such as fault and event trees, root cause analysis, and failure mode and effects analysis lead to models that do not necessarily behave like the real systems they are meant to represent. These models need to display similar emergent and unpredictable behaviors to sociotechnical systems in the real world. The question then arises as to whether a return to a simpler whole system model is necessary to understand better the behavior of real systems and to build confidence in the results. This question is more prescient when one considers that the causal chain in many serious accidents is not as deep‐rooted as is sometimes claimed. If these more obvious causes are not taken away, why would the more intricate scenarios that emanate from more sophisticated models be acted upon. The paper highlights the advantages of modeling and analyzing these “normal” deviations from ideality, so called weak signals, versus just system failures and near misses as well as catastrophes. In this paper we explore this question.
Putin’s Holy War of the Fatherland: Sacred Memory and the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Authors: Griffin Sean
Published: December 2023

In mid‐2020, Patriarch Kirill (Gundiaev) consecrated a new church known as the Main Cathedral of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The cathedral was dedicated to the Soviet Union’s “Great Victory” over Nazi Germany, and its interior was covered with grandiose mosaics depicting Soviet glory on the battlefields of World War II. In this version of the past, however, Soviet soldiers were shown to have supernatural help from Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. This merging of Orthodoxy and Communism shocked many observers, who viewed the two ideologies as bitter enemies, dating back the Russian Civil War. Yet on the walls of the new military shrine, the lions and the lambs had laid down together. Angels shielded Orthodox Whites and atheist Reds alike, and the Virgin gazed down on both tsars and commissars. Two implacable foes, on different sides of the greatest rupture in Russian history, had been sutured together into a single and uncontradictory version of the past. But where had this sacred synthesis come from? Who was responsible for the politics of memory preached on the walls of the Main Cathedral? And what role did these sacred memory politics later play in the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
What shapes tax morality in younger generations? A comparative analysis between Gen Y and Gen Z
Authors: Ciziceno Marco
Published: December 2023

This study examines tax morality in two youth cohorts, Gen Y and Gen Z, using World Values Survey data from 64 countries (7th wave 2017–2022). Despite numerous studies investigating ethical values around the world, the intricate dynamics shaping tax morality across younger generations remain less clear. Significant differences in factors influencing tax morality are observed between the two generations, including gender, educational level, and religiosity. Results also indicate that traditional forms of trust, such as that in public institutions, predict tax morality, but only in individuals belonging to Gen Y. The research adds further knowledge to existing studies on tax morality among individuals, focusing on a specific subgroup composed of contemporary youth. Policymakers can leverage these insights to promote ethical values among future generations of taxpayers.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐B*51:01:01:109 allele by next generation sequencing in a Greek individual
Authors: Kouniaki Diamanto , Fotopoulos Konstantinos , Tsirogianni Alexandra
Published: December 2023

HLA‐B*51:01:01:109 differs from HLA‐B*51:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in intron 5.
CsPM5.2, a phosphate transporter protein‐like gene, promotes powdery mildew resistance in cucumber
Authors: Sun Jingxian , Nie Jingtao , Xiao Tingting , Guo Chunli , Lv Duo , Zhang Keyan , He Huan‐Le , Pan Junsong , Cai Run , Wang Gang
Published: December 2023

Powdery mildew (PM) is one of the most serious fungal diseases affecting cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.). The mechanism of PM resistance in cucumber is intricate and remains fragmentary as it is controlled by several genes. In this study, we detected the major‐effect Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL), PM5.2, involved in PM resistance by QTL mapping. Through fine mapping, the dominant PM resistance gene, CsPM5.2, was cloned and its function was confirmed by transgenic complementation and natural variation identification. In cultivar 9930, a dysfunctional CsPM5.2 mutant resulted from a single nucleotide polymorphism in the coding region and endowed susceptibility to PM. CsPM5.2 encodes a phosphate transporter‐like protein PHO1; H3. The expression of CsPM5.2 is ubiquitous and induced by the PM pathogen. In cucumber, both CsPM5.2 and Cspm5.1 (Csmlo1) are required for PM resistance. Transcriptome analysis suggested that the salicylic acid (SA) pathway may play an important role in CsPM5.2‐mediated PM resistance. Our findings help parse the mechanisms of PM resistance and provide strategies for breeding PM‐resistant cucumber cultivars.
International Students’ Vocabulary Mastery and Language Confidence in Foreign Language Learning through Student-Centered Method
Authors: Mohamad Amirul Mukminin
Published: December 2023

Among the major problems faced by international students learning Malay language are the limitation of Malay language vocabulary mastery and the lack of confidence in Malay-language question and answer process. This research explores the effectiveness of the Two-Way Question-Answer method as an alternative method in building student’s vocabulary and confidence in Malay question-answer. The research involved 30 international post-graduate students of Malay Language Course 1 at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The research was conducted by action research where the data obtained through observation during intervention methods, comparison between conventional and intervention methods’ post test score as well as the linkages between variables in the questionnaire form. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Sign Rank test for score comparison and Simple Linear Regression tests for the analysis of the association between variables. Results of the research shows that the participants build their vocabulary and self-confidence through a question-and-answer exercises during the intervention session. Comparison analysis between conventional and intervention cycle for both skills recorded a significant difference, with p value of 0.000 recorded by both. Regression analysis showed a significant association between intervention method for both targeted skills, with R Square/ R₂ values for vocabulary (0.751) and verbal answer method (0.711). This finding proves that the use of the Two-Way Question-Answer method has the potential to help second and foreign language learners increase vocabulary and confidence in foreign language
A Case Study on the Use of Humorous Code-Switching in Harith Iskander’ Stand-Up Comedy Shows
Authors: Palani Hagiladeswari , Bakar Farhana
Published: December 2023

Code-switching is a phenomenon where bilingual and multilingual speakers use two or more languages. Code-switching is a common situation in Malaysia due to the diversified cultural communities. However, little that we know how code-switching influences stand-up comedy shows. Hence, this paper explores the use of code-switching in stand-up comedy shows. Specifically, this paper explores the humorous code-switching that a comedian uses, the different linguistic types of code-switching used, and the conversational functions of code-switching. Data from this case study was collected by observing the stand-up comedy show from YouTube videos by one of the best Malaysian comedians, Harith Iskander. A total of ten YouTube videos were chosen where Harith used humorous code-switching to make the audience laugh. The data were analysed according to the objectives of this study The analysis revealed three types of humour that aligned with superiority theory: self-deprecating humour, disparaging others, and sarcasm. We found that ad-lib humour and funny comments aligned with the theory of incongruity. The analysis also revealed one humour that aligns with the relief theory. This study used Poplack’s (2008) three types of code-switching, namely tag-switching, inter-sentential switching, and intra-sentential switching. Based on Gumperz's (1982), six conversational functions, four of which have been identified in Harith Iskander's stand-up comedy shows: quotation, reiteration, message qualification, and personification versus objectification. This also suggests that humorous code-switching is invaluable for stand-up comedians and the audience, particularly those who are bilingual or multilingual.
Constructing an Evaluation System for the Core Competencies of ESP Teachers in China
Authors: Bian Yz , Ibrahim NM
Published: December 2023

In recent years, there has been a great initiative to promote the concept of “New Liberal Arts“ in China, which emphasizes integrating different disciplines into the traditional liberal arts. Against this background, the core competencies of ESP (English for Specific Purposes) teachers in colleges and universities must integrate subject intelligence, interdisciplinary coordination, and humanistic accomplishment to gear to the fast progress of social development. This study constructs an evaluation system for the core competencies of ESP teachers, including a first-level index to evaluate teachers' core competencies from five dimensions: discipline, innovation, information, morale, and collaboration. Then a survey to test the validity and credibility of the system was conducted with a questionnaire as a tool, consisting of 119 ESP teachers and other teaching practitioners relevant to the ESP area as participants. The survey results show that the index body can reliably reflect the situation of each observation point and has strong validity. Accordingly, the study proposes the implementation strategy of an evaluation index system combining process evaluation and phased evaluation, internal evaluation, external evaluation, quantitative evaluation, and qualitative evaluation from the multi-faceted, multi-layer, and multi-dimensional perspective.
Solving Complexity Dataset in e-Ticketing using Machine Learning to Determine Optimum Feature
Authors: Mohd Jamaludin Siti Zulaikha , Majahar Ali Majid Khan , Vun Eric Shiung Wong , Ismail Mohd Tahir , Ibrahim Noor Farizah
Published: December 2023

e-ticketing is one of the common applications used in technical support in Information Technology (IT) and has been used worldwide in any field of company. The benefits of e-ticketing can reduce the human efforts, increase the sufficiency of system and provides the benefits and efficiency to the customers. Also, e-ticketing ticketing system can enhance worker safety, improving productivity, increasing project efficiency and cause the good impact on the performance of the business in terms of profitability. The main objective of this study is defining the model performance in each important feature by analysing the complex dataset by using logistic regression as a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm. In evaluation the performance of classifier, the dataset is injected to Python programming and split into 90% as training set and 10% for the testing set. From the analysis, the study found that only 3 out of 11 independent features in dataset that are relevant chosen to proceed the ML analysis. From the result, the accuracy for sct_short_description, sct_cmdb_ci, and sct_assignment_group is 41.65%, 48.77% and 96.49%, respectively. It showed that the accuracy’s result for the sct_assignment_group resulted that the model is very good accuracy and indicate that the model is well performing. Meanwhile, the value of F1-score is 96.11% in each feature. This result indicates that the model has a good balance of precision and recall in its binary classification predictions. Hence, the study considers the sct_assignment_group as a best features to proceed the analysis. The future study will consider dealing the combination of complexity features by implementing more analysis on ML such as Support Vector Machines and Naïve Bayes.
Fuzzy Intuitionistic Alpha-cut Interpolation Rational Bézier Curve Modeling for Shoreline Island Data
Authors: Jaman Siti Nasyitah , Zakaria Rozaimi , Ismail Isfarita
Published: December 2023

The problem of uncertain data cannot be solved by conventional methods, which results in inaccurate data analysis and prediction. During the data collecting phase, ambiguous data are often collected, but they cannot be used immediately to generate geometric models. In this case, the new approaches to intuitionistic fuzzy sets will be used to determine the alpha cut value for uncertainty data sets. To solve the uncertainty data and build the mathematical model, this study applied fuzzy set theory, intuitionistic fuzzy sets, and rational Bézier curve geometric modelling. There are three main methods in this study. The triangular fuzzy number is used to define the uncertainty data in the first place. The alpha value can then be found using a centre of mass alpha-cut. The intuitionistic alpha-cut can then be applied to both membership and non-membership data. This procedure, also called fuzzification, is defined as fuzzy intuitionistic into alpha-cut values. The data set will then undergo the defuzzification procedure to get single value data. For the purpose of analysis and conclusion-making, the modeling data for each process will be visualised using an interpolation rational Bézier curve. The findings demonstrate that using the intuitionistic fuzzy set for the alpha-cut value was more effective than the previous method without considering both membership and non-membership values.