bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telomere-to-telomere gap-free genome assembly and chromosome segment substitution lines facilitated gene identification in wild rice
Authors: Huang Jingfen , Zhang Yilin , Li Yapeng , Xing Meng , Wang Shizhuang , Lei Cailin , Nie Yamin , Wang Yanyan , Zhao Mingchao , Han Zhenyun , Sun Xianjun , Han Zhou , Zheng Xiaoming , Xiao Xiaorong , Fan Weiya , Liu Ziran , Guo Wenlong , Zhang Lifang , Cheng Yunlian , Qian Qian , He Hang , yang qingwen , Qiao Weihua
Published: February 2023

The abounding variations hidden in wild rice (Oryza rufipogon) provided potential reservoirs of useful genes for rice breeding. However, the genome of wild rice has not yet been comprehensively assessed. In this study, we constructed the telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assembly and annotation of wild rice Y476 with a total length of 421.1 Mb and 38,055 predicted protein-coding genes, which features evident improvements in the continuity and quality of sequence compared with the existing wild rice genomes. Of Y476 genome assembly, 128 Mb and 5,984 novel genes were not found in ‘Nipponbare’ reference, leading to 690 gene families expanded and 247 gene families contracted, including disease resistance and grain regulation gene family. Two sets of chromosome segments substitution lines (CSSLs) were constructed, using Y476 as the donor parent and cultivated rice as the recurrent parents, covering the whole genome of Y476, providing materials for introducing novel genes and identification of their function. Combining the T2T reference genome and CSSL population, 254 QTLs associated with agronomic traits, biotic and abiotic stresses were identified. A receptor-like kinase gene associated with rice blast resistance was identified, a 7.8-kb insertion was found in the intron of this gene which increased its expression level. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and transcriptomic data, we confirmed that this wild rice allele improves rice blast resistance via regulating OsMADS26 expression. Collectively, our findings provided not only a T2T gap-free reference genome but also a highly efficient platform for novel gene identification of O. rufipogon, and therefore, have important implications for wild rice utilization.
In vitro efficacy testing of Cymbopogon nardus oil against Tritrichomonas foetus trophozoites
Authors: Ramirez María Rosana , Bruno Estefanía Sereno , Yori Juan Carlos , Oyhenart Jorge
Published: February 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Assessing association of dental caries with child oral impact on daily performance using directed acyclic graphs; a cross-sectional study of adolescents in Copperbelt province, Zambia
Authors: Anthony Severine N , Kahabuka Febronia K , Birungi Nancy , Åstrøm Anne N , Siziya Seter , Mbawalla Hawa S
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To assess the association between dental caries and Child Oral Impact on Daily Performance (C-OIDP). Secondarily, the study evaluated psychometric properties, prevalence, and factors associated with C-OIDP.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents in Copperbelt province, Zambia. Socio-demographics, oral health behaviors, self-reported oral health, and C-OIDP were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Dental caries was assessed according to Caries Assessment & Treatment Spectrum (CAST). A directed acyclic graph (DAG) was used to determine a minimum set of covariates for the adjusted analysis. Data analysis was done using Stata/SE (version 17).

Results

Among 1,794 participants, 54.0% were females, while 56.0% were aged 11–14 years. Prevalence of self-reported poor teeth health, clinically assessed dental caries and, C-OIDP were 18.3%, 46.2% and 31.5%, respectively. The highest prevalence of oral impacts were with eating (26.5%), cleaning teeth (16.4%), and sleeping (12.5%). Child -OIDP Spearman's correlations of the items ranged from 0.399 to 0.641. The participants with dental caries were 2.6 times (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 2.1, 3.2) more likely to report oral impacts than those without caries. Consuming a sugary diet five times or more per day increased the odds of C-OIDP by 1.5 times (AOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2, 1.9) while, dental visits in the past year decreased the odds of C-OIDP by 30% (AOR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6, 0.9).

Conclusions

The English version of C-OIDP is a reliable index for assessing OHRQoL among Zambian adolescents. Prevalence of C-OIDP was high, and problems with eating, cleaning teeth, and sleeping were the most frequently reported items. Dental caries was associated with increased C-OIDP. Covariates selected based on DAGs showed consuming a sugary diet more than five times per day increased the odds of C-OIDP, while dental visits at least once per year decreased the likelihood of reporting C-OIDP.
WITHDRAWN: Coffee and Caffeine Consumption and Risk of Periodontitis: NHANES 2009 to 2014
Authors: Guo Xu-Guang , Liao Wan-Zhe , Zhou Zhi-Yi , Zhu Xiao-Feng , Xie Shuo-Jia , Lin Zi-Kai , Wu Xian-Nan , Li Song-An , Chen Hao-Kai , Chen Zhi-Feng , Xu Zhe , Li Ya-Han , Zhang Zhi-Yuan
Published: February 2023

Objectives
In this study, assessing whether coffee consumption and caffeine intake were associated with periodontitis infection separately was set as the objective.
Materials and Methods
Divided into binary and continuous categories, coffee consumption was set as the exposure variable along with caffeine intake and periodontitis infection as the outcome variables. Other covariables were regarded as potential confounders. The cross-sectional study was conducted based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with multivariate regression models, subgroup analyses, smooth fitting curves, and threshold effect examinations conducted to pursue a definite correlation between exposures and the outcome.
Results
Negative associations were discovered between binary coffee consumption and caffeine intake and periodontitis infection, with all confounders adjusted. In subgroup analyses stratified by sex, diabetes mellitus status, and hypertension status, interaction and threshold effects were observed, which were revealed intuitively by smooth-fitting curves.
Conclusions
Significant negative associations between binary consumption and caffeine intake and periodontitis infection separately were indicated, with no evidence suggesting a credible correlation between continuous coffee consumption and periodontitis infection risk. The benefits of the behavior of consuming coffee and consuming caffeine were more obvious among males and individuals who do not suffer from diabetes or hypertension.
Secondary gains of strategies to prevent COVID 19 infection in neonatal intensive care unit: has the frequency of healthcare-associated infections decreased?
Authors: Bülbül Ali , Avşar Hasan , Baş Evrim Kıray , Atar Gülsün
Published: February 2023

Purpose
We aimed to compare the frequency and distribution of healthcare associated infections (HAI) in the neonatal intensive care unit at two different times (during pre-COVID-19 period and during COVID-19 period). Our hypothesis as infection control measures taken due to COVID-19 infection have a positive effect on reducing the frequency of HAIs in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Method
Our study was conducted between March - September 2019 (pre-COVID-19 period) and March - September 2020 (during COVID-19 period). All cases with HAIs were included. Demographic characteristics, interventional procedures, feeding style, morbidity and mortality and infection foci were recorded in the case follow-up form. The data obtained in the two periods were compared.
Results
During the determined study period, 427 babies in the pre-COVID-19 period and 530 babies in the COVID-19 period were evaluated. HAIs were determined in 47 patients (60 attack) and 39 patients (44 attack) in the pre-COVID-19 period and during the COVID-19 period, respectively. HAIs incidence density were found 5.43 in pre-COVID-19 period and 4.87 in COVID-19 period. During the COVID-19 period, there was a significant decrease in the healthcare-associated infection incidence density, hospital-associated infection rate and bloodstream infection (p:0.009). No statistical difference was found in catheter-related infection rate (p:0.35) and ventilator associated pneomonia rate (p:0.19).
Conclusions
It has been determined that COVID-19 infection prevention strategies reduce the frequency of healthcare associated infection especially in bloodstream infection in neonatal intensive care units.
Emerging Trends and Research Foci of Deep Learning in Spine: Bibliometric and Visualization Study
Authors: Chen Kai , Zhai Xiao , Wang Sheng , Li Xiaoyu , Lu Zhikai , Xia Demeng , Li Ming
Published: February 2023

As the cognition of spine develops, deep learning (DL) presents a tremendous potential and function as an advantageous tool in this field. In this study, bibliometrics and visual methods were adopted with a retrieval of Web of Science to provide a comprehensive overview of DL-spine research. VOSviewer and Citespace were primarily used for literature measurement and knowledge graph analysis. A total of 273 studies was retrieved focusing on DL in spine with a sum of 2407 citations, and the global total number of articles published showed a continuous increasing trend. China was the country with the largest number of publications, while USA was the country with the most citation. The top 2 journals were “European spine journal” and “Medical image analysis”, and the most involved research area was Radiology Nuclear Medicine Medical Imaging. VOSviewer visually presented three clusters into “segmentation”, “area”, and “neural network”. And CiteSpace indicated the keywords with the longest use were “magnetic resonance image” and “lumbar”, while “agreement” and “automated detection” were the most popular keywords. The stage of DL-spine research is still in its infancy and its future is bright. Intercontinental cooperation, extensive application and more interpretable algorithms will exert more vitality in this field.
Can digital economy be a “new engine” for urban green economy development? An empirical analysis of Chinese cities
Authors: Zhao Junfeng , Yan Jinling
Published: February 2023

Digitization and greening are the vital driving force of China’s economic transformation. Whether they can drive collaboratively China’s economy is the key to realizing sustainable development. In this study, a super efficiency EBM model is applied to calculate the urban green economy development (UGED) level of 266 Chinese cities between 2011 and 2020, and then the dynamic SDM and intermediary effect models are employed to explore the impact and transmission mechanism of digital economy on UGED. Furthermore, it is also investigated whether digital economy and UGED have a nonlinear relationship. In the findings, digital economy is capable of significantly boosting UGED in the local city and its neighborhood, but significant differences exist in different regions and economic development stages. As a result of the transmission mechanism test, it may be found that digital economy could indirectly boost UGED through technology, structure, and allocation effects. The impact of digital economy on UGED has a double threshold due to the significant difference in the urban economic development level. The digital economy is increasingly contributing to UGED as the local economy develops. Therefore, local governments should develop digital economy in line with the local conditions so that its engine role in driving UGED can be given full play.
The impact of gut bacteria producing long chain homologs of vitamin K₂ on colorectal carcinogenesis
Authors: Smajdor Joanna , Jedlińska Katarzyna , Porada Radosław , Górska Anna , Policht Aleksandra , Śróttek Małgorzata , Więcek Grażyna , Baś Bogusław , Strus Magdalena
Published: February 2023

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the foremost causes of cancer-related deaths. Lately, a close connection between the course of CRC and the intestinal microbiota has been revealed. Vitamin K₂ (VK₂) is a bacterially derived compound that plays a crucial role in the human body. Its significant anti-cancer properties may result, inter alia, from a quinone ring possessing a specific chemical structure found in many chemotherapeutics. VK₂ can be supplied to our body exogenously, i.e., through dietary supplements or fermented food (e.g., yellow cheese, fermented soybeans -Natto), and endogenously, i.e., through the production of bacteria that constantly colonize the human microbiome of the large intestine. This paper focuses on endogenous K₂ synthesized by the most active members of the human gut microbiome. This analysis tested 86 intestinally derived bacterial strains, among which the largest VK₂ producers (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus) were selected. Moreover, based on the chosen VK₂-MK4 homolog, the potential of VK₂ penetration into Caco-2 cells in an aqueous environment without the coexistence of fats, pancreatic enzymes, or bile salts has been displayed. Moreover, the unique role of long-chain homologs (VK2-MK9 and VK2-MK7) in inhibiting the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 (for Caco-2 tissue) and IL-6 and TNFα (for RAW 264.7) has been documented.
Motivational interviewing from the pediatricians' perspective: assessments after a 2-day training for physicians caring for adolescents with chronic medical conditions (CMCs)
Authors: Kammering Hannah , Cruz Jennifer Antony , Platzbecker Anna Lena , Reinauer Christina , Viermann Rabea , Domhardt Matthias , Baumeister Harald , Förtsch Katharina , Krassuki Lisa , Staab Doris , Minden Kirsten , Mueller-Stierlin Annabel Sandra , Holl Reinhard W. , Warschburger Petra , Meissner Thomas
Published: February 2023

Background: Counseling adolescents with chronic medical conditions (CMCs) can be challenging regarding suitable interviewing skills and clinicians' attitudes toward the patient. Successful communication can be a key element of treatment. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is broadly applicable in managing behavioural problems and diseases by increasing patient motivation for lifestyle changes. However, data concerning the applicability, feasibility, and implementation of MI sessions in everyday practice are missing from the physicians' point of view.
Purpose: Our aim was to explore clinicians' experiences of MI training and subsequent use of MI in the routine care of adolescents with CMCs. Therefore, we wanted to find out if and how MI can be integrated into clinical practice and how training in MI should be designed.
Method:The present study has a descriptive and qualitative design. Twenty pediatricians were randomized to a 2-day MI course followed by MI consultations in a cluster-randomized controlled trial (COACH-MI). Data were collected one year after MI training using a questionnaire. Factors for effective training and possible barriers to successful use of MI were examined.
Results: Completed questionnaires were returned by 19 of 20 pediatricians. The pediatricians' experiences with MI demonstrate that MI is regarded as a valuable tool when working with adolescents with CMCs. 95 % of all respondents reported that they found MI education necessary for their clinical work and were using it also outside the COACH-MI study context. 73.7 % percent saw potential to strengthen the connection to their patients by using MI. The doctors were already using more MI conversation techniques after a 2-day MI course. Obstacles were seen in the short training, the lack of time, and missing undisturbed environment (interruptions by telephone, staff, etc.) during clinical flow.
Conclusions: MI techniques are not yet a regular part of medical training. However, a 2-day MI course was rated effective and providing a lasting impact by physicians caring for children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions (CMCs), although booster sessions should be offered regularly.
On the possibility of measuring solar flattening from photometry measurements taken during solar eclipses seen from the Earth’s Surface or Earth Orbit
Authors: Wang Yunbo , Yan Jianguo , Barriot Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2023

Solar oblateness is a key parameter that provides a strong constraint for understanding the variations in total solar irradiance as well as the differential rotation of the Sun. Furthermore, it takes part in the evaluation of General Relativity theory. In this paper, we propose a procedure to measure solar flattening based on modeling the light curve during a solar eclipse observed from the ground or from the Earth orbit. We apply this procedure to the solar eclipse observed from Lakeland (Queensland, North Australia) on November 13, 2012. The results show that accurate measurements of the solar equator-to-polar radius difference can reach 1 km when based on the current DE430 ephemeris and the LRO DEM data (equivalent to 1.4 10− 6 in solar oblateness).
Holographic entanglement entropy for Kerr-Neuman black hole in asymptotically flat space-time
Authors: taibi hamza
Published: February 2023

We compute the Holographic Entanglement entropy for Kerr-Neuman
black hole in asymptotically flat space-time. We consider a boundary
placed either far away from the horizon or very close to the event horizon.
In the first case, we find that angular momentum contribution
does not appear until the second order in the perturbative expansion
which is negligibly small. A version of the first law of entanglement
entropy is verified in this case. For the boundary near the horizon, we
found that entropy increases with increasing angular momentum and
it reaches it ’s maximum value in the extremal limit.
Operator frame for HomA*(X)
Authors: Eljazzar Roumaissae , Rossafi Mohamed , Paokanta Siriluk , Park Choonkil
Published: February 2023

The concept of operator frame can be considered as a generalization of frame. Firstly, we introduce the notion of operator frame for the set of all adjointable operators Hom∗A(X ) on a Hilbert pro-C∗ -module X . The analysis operator, the synthesis operator and the frame operator are presented. Secondly, we study the stability of operator frame under small perturbations. We also study the tensor product of operator frame for Hilbert pro-C∗ -modules. Finally, we establish its dual and some properties.
AMS Subject Classification: Primary 42C15; 46L05
Investigating the impact of eugenol on the suppression of gallic acid oxidation by employing cyclic voltammetry
Authors: Roy Aindrila , Das Chirantan , Chowdhury Basudev Nag , Bhattacharya Debopam , Karmakar Anupam , Chattopadhyay Sanatan
Published: February 2023

Gallic Acid (GA), naturally resourced in fruits, spices and several leafy vegetables including tea leaves, is a promising antioxidant, dietary supplement and therapeutic agent. However, it gets oxidized spontaneously in ambient condition causing oxidative damages to DNA and proteins. The current work sought to investigate the effect of Eugenol (Eug) on suppressing such oxidation of GA by employing Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) technique. Voltammetric analysis indicates a significant suppression of such oxidation process with increasing a small amount of Eug concentration (~ 0.1–0.4 v/v %). In the present study, platinum (Pt) working electrode has been considered instead of conventional glassy carbon electrode (GCE) due to its superior sensitivity towards GA solution. Such voltammetric results have been further investigated by absorption spectroscopy and FTIR measurements. The absorption spectrum exhibits a prominent peak due to GA at 265 nm, which is observed to diminish continuously with the addition of Eug. Further, the FT-IR spectroscopic measurements show the appearance of a characteristic ‘C-O stretching’ peak at 1021 cm− 1on addition of Eug suggesting the possible formation of phenolic ether. The method has been extended to quantify the amount of GA content in a solution and examined by applying on an aqueous solution of arbitrary amount of GA, green tea and black tea, which are observed to agree satisfactorily with reported values. The entire study also suggests the controlled utilization of Eug in solutions containing GA to suppress its oxidation process thereby improving the health benefits of tea and other such bioconsumables.
Some new integral inequalities for s-convex functions of exponential type
Authors:   1-Attazar Bakht, Anwar Matloob
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we propose and analyze the concept of s-convex function ofexponential type, as well as some of its algebraic properties are discussed. Inaddition, for the newly suggested class of functions, we demonstrate several newintegral inequalities of the Hermite-Hadamard (H-H) type. Furthermore, weexplore various variants of the H-H type inequalities for a function whose firstabsolute derivative at a certain power is s-convex function of exponential type. Inaccordance with this newly proposed concept, we studied various applications ofspecial means. We hope that the technique studied in this work will further sparkthe interest of interested scholars.
AMS Subject Classification: Primary 26D15; secondary 26A51
Associations between R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score and survival outcomes in renal tumors
Authors: Zhang Xue , Lin Jinglai , Qi Yangyang , Xiong Ying , Qi Yu , Xi Wei , Li Xiaoxia , Miao Chongchang , Quan Xiaolin , Sun Qi
Published: February 2023

Objective
R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score could be used to predict surgical outcomes and renal tumor aggressiveness. We aimed to analyze its associations with survival outcomes.
Materials and methods
We included 1368 patients with sporadic, unilateral and non-metastatic renal tumors who received curative nephrectomy in Zhongshan Hospital from January 2009 to September 2019. R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores (RNS) were assigned by three urologists based on preoperative CT/MRI scans. Correlations between parameters or sum of RNS, overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analyses and multivariate cox regression model. We further compared survival outcomes between patients who received partial nephrectomy and patients who received radical nephrectomy.
Results
We observed statistically significant associations between all components of RNS and oncologic outcomes, including R (Radius) (OS, p < 0.001; RFS, p < 0.001), E (Exophytic/endophytic) (OS, p = 0.003; RFS, p < 0.001), N (Nearness) (OS, p = 0.063; RFS, p < 0.001), A (Anterior/posterior) (OS, p < 0.001; RFS, p = 0.005), L (Location) (OS, P = 0.008; RFS, p < 0.001) and suffix “h” (OS, p = 0.237; RFS, p = 0.034). Kaplan-Meier curves of OS and RFS rates were significantly different when stratified by RNS complexity group (OS, p < 0.001; RFS, p < 0.001). After adjusting for tumor stage and grade, RNS as continuous variables was an adverse independent risk factor for survival outcomes [p = 0.027, HR (95%CI) = 1.151 (1.016–1.303)] and RFS [p < 0.001, HR(95%CI) = 1.299 (1.125–1.501)]. For tumors with RNS score of 4 and 5, partial nephrectomy showed a survival benefit than radical nephrectomy.
Conclusion
Both components and complexity groups of R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score associated with survival outcomes in renal tumor patients.
Fast and reliable voltammetric determination of menaquinone (vitamin K2) produced in-vitro by Bacillus subtilis cultures
Authors: Smajdor Joanna , Porada Radosław , Lipińska Justyna , Więcek Grażyna , Jedlińska Katarzyna , Baś Bogusław , Strus Magdalena
Published: February 2023

Vitamin K2 (VK2) is one of two natural forms of vitamin K, necessary for the proper functioning of organisms. Currently, it is sourced from chemical synthesis, nonetheless, it is worth reaching out to its natural sources.
The aim of the study was to devise a voltammetric procedure for the determination of vitamin K2 (VK2) produced by bacteria in order to find the strain that exhibits the highest efficiency of VK2 production. Bacillus subtilis, isolated from traditional Japanese food (Nattō), was chosen as a model strain. Employment of the Controlled Growth Mercury Drop Electrode (CGMDE) was crucial, as it is the only electrode that allows performing the measurement on the surface specifically renewed directly before, thus minimizing the influence of interferents.
This new method was successfully applied for VK2 determination in supernatant samples. Developed procedure is robust and easily adjustable for the variety of biological matrixes. Strong differences in VK2 production depending on cultivation time were observed, but no direct correlation between the VK2 concentration in the breeding medium and the cultivation time was found.
The devised protocol will be used in further measurements with different bacteria species, that have the ability to produce VK2 and settle in the human intestine.
Analysis of sex disparities in under-five mortality rates in Ghana: Insights from vector autoregressive modeling
Authors: Essel  , Appiah Simon Kojo , Mensah Isaac Adjei
Published: February 2023

International monitoring organizations call for child mortality indicators to be disaggregated by gender. However, there remains a paucity of studies, especially, from the sub-Saharan region aimed at producing accurate forecasts of child mortality indicators with their sex variations. This study aims at investigating disparities in indicators of childhood mortality rates by sex in Ghana by employing vector autoregressive (VAR) model to analyze jointly annual recorded data on total, male and female under-five mortality rates (TU5MR, MU5MR, FU5MR, respectively). The results show gradual declining under-five mortality trends among sexes in both the historical and forecasted rates. The trivariate traditional and instantaneous Granger causality analyses found that any of the mortality indicators Granger causes the other two combinations, except TU5MR to MU5MR and FU5MR. The forecast error variance decomposition analyses revealed that FU5MR was the most exogenous variable while long-term impulse response function analyses indicated that unit shocks in FU5MR significantly increased TU5MR. The VAR(2) model forecast constructed revealed that contrary to recent predictions based on wider interval data derived from demographic health surveys, Ghana may meet the SDG 3.2.2 if ongoing efforts are sustained and that focusing policies and interventions on reducing FU5MR would largely contribute to reducing TU5MR in Ghana.
First-in-Human Automated Endovascular Aortic Repair With the Novel Endovascular Surgical Robot
Authors: Lu Qingsheng
Published: February 2023

Background Endovascular interventional robots have influenced the practice of vascular surgery. However, most of them remain at a low level of automation and cannot complete the whole process of endovascular surgeries automatically. Materials and Methods Two patients with thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm respectively confirmed by computed tomography angiography were enrolled in this study. Both patients were performed automated endovascular aortic repair with the novel endovascular surgical robot. We use the image processing software to generate preoperative planning pathways and lists of surgical steps and the endovascular surgical robot is programmed to execute the list automatically. The operation time, blood loss, total contrast volume, fluoroscopy time, and radiation exposure were measured during the operations. Technical success was defined as completion of surgeries without extra manual measures. The patients were followed up to six months after procedures. Results A 100% technical success rate was achieved in two operations. No adverse clinical effects associated with the endovascular robotic system were reported. Both patients had no documented in-hospital and six-month major adverse cardiac events. After surgeries, all patients were discharged within 72 hours. The surgeon radiation exposure was 96.5% lower than that at the procedure table and the other indices were in line with those reported in published literature. Conclusions The novel endovascular surgical robot can perform automated TEVAR and EVAR surgeries with acceptable accuracy and safety to provide standardized therapies, reduce empirical interference of surgeons and reduce workload of surgeons.
Nachhaltig – inklusiv – digital
Authors: Carell Leonie , Dannecker Wiebke
Published: February 2023

Angesichts globaler ökologischer Krisen kann Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung Werte, Wissen und Kompetenzen vermitteln, die der und die Einzelne benötigt, um das eigene Umfeld nachhaltig und verantwortungsvoll zu gestalten. Die Verbindung von Literaturdidaktik mit Prinzipien einer Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung muss dabei vor dem Hintergrund der Transformationsprozesse Digitalisierung und Inklusion geschehen, um auch den kulturellen Aspekten einer sich ständig verändernden Gesellschaft Rechnung zu tragen. Inwiefern literarischen Texten das Potenzial zugesprochen werden kann, Reflexionsprozesse anzuregen, soll am Beispiel des Jugendromans «2084 – Noras Welt» von Jostein Gaarder untersucht werden. Aus der Perspektive der Literaturdidaktik werden nachhaltige und inklusive Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten entsprechend den Anforderungen einer Kultur der Digitalität zusammengeführt. Um die Dimensionen Nachhaltigkeit, Inklusion und Digitalität in literaturdidaktischer Absicht zu modellieren, wird das didaktische Modell des Lerndorfs vorgestellt, ein kooperativ angelegtes und flexibles Lehr-Lernarrangement, das auf die Aneignung von Agency zielt. Dazu wird die Auseinandersetzung mit einem literarischen Gegenstand innerhalb des Lerndorfs als kulturelle Praxis des Commoning analysiert. Der Artikel gibt Einblicke in den Entwicklungsprozess und die didaktischen Möglichkeiten des Lerndorfs, das sich als digital-kulturelles Lernangebot für inklusive Settings verstehen lässt.
Stratified Substrates Can Reduce Peat Use and Improve Root Productivity in Container Crop Production
Authors: Fields Jeb S. , Criscione Kristopher S.
Published: February 2023

Peat use in horticulture continues to be scrutinized as consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental sustainability concerns associated with peat. Thus, the horticultural industry is driven to search for peat alternatives. Substrate stratification (i.e., vertical layering of unique media atop another in a singular container) has been studied in nursery substrates and has demonstrated improved resource efficiency with regard to water and fertilizer inputs. However, minimal research has evaluated using the concept of stratified substrates as an attempt to reduce peat inputs in greenhouse production. Hence, the objective of this study was to identify if stratifying costly floriculture media atop of low-cost pine bark can reduce peat use, reliance, and cost within the floriculture industry. A floriculture crop, Petunia hybrid ‘Supertunia Honey’, was grown in two distinct substrate treatments: 1) nonstratified (commercial peat-based floriculture substrate) and 2) stratified peat-based substrate layered atop aged pine bark (1:1 by volume) under two different irrigation schedules. Crop growth was evaluated, including growth indices, shoot physiological responses, and root growth measurements. Substrate hydraulic properties such as matric potential and volumetric water content were monitored over time. The results demonstrated that a petunia crop can be produced in stratified substrate systems and yield similarly sized and quality crops as traditionally grown plants. Furthermore, the stratified substrate-produced crop had improved root productivity, yet less bloom, when compared with nonstratified-grown crops.
Physiological and Chitinase Gene Expression Responses of Male Zizania latifolia to Ustilago esculenta Infection
Authors: Xu Wenjuan , Zhou NianNian , Guo Pengfei , Zhou Huimin , Xu Shuangshuang , He Xiaomei , Gan Defang
Published: February 2023

This study explored the effects of Ustilago esculenta inoculation on physiological responses (activities of defense and antioxidant enzymes) and chitinase gene expression in male Zizania latifolia “jiaobai” (without U. esculenta infection, with no galls, but normal flowering). Male jiaobai seedlings were injected at the five-leaf stage with U. esculenta suspension, and the impact on transcription of several genes encoding enzymes was examined. Compared with controls, expression of most enzymes was significantly different at 3 or 12 hours postinjection, and most ZlChi genes were involved in the response to U. esculenta inoculation. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that U. esculenta was present in the roots of male jiaobai inoculated with U. esculenta at the shoot tips. Paraffin sections revealed many fungal hyphae in the roots at 15 d after inoculation, but few in controls. The results provide a basis for further study of the responses of male Z. latifolia to U. esculenta infection.
Slow steaming application for short-sea shipping to comply with the CII regulation
Authors:   Maritime Faculty, Istanbul Technical University, Zincir Burak
Published: February 2023

Slow steaming is an effective operational measure that reduces fuel consumption and thus emissions on board. With the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulation coming into force in 2023 from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ships will have to reduce their CO2 emissions even more. The practice of slow steaming is an important measure to comply with this regulation. In this study, real voyage data of a general cargo ship was used. The changes in fuel consumption, CO2, CH4, N2O, and BC emissions, 20-year global warming potential (GWP20), and 100-year global warming potential (GWP100) of the ship were analysed under different scenarios (75%, 38%, 27%, and 19% main engine load), and the voyage expenses and cost-benefit ratio were calculated. At 38% main engine load, 31.5% less emissions were released than at 75% main engine load. At 27% and 19% main engine load, the emission reduction was 40.6% and 50.1%, respectively. The CO2 reduction target of 40% by 2030 and 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels in the IMO Initial GHG Strategy was achieved with slow steaming. As CO2 emissions decreased due to the application of slow steaming, this had a positive impact on the ship's CII rating and it remained at the A rating without further action. Nevertheless, it remains at the A rating with slow steaming, the amount of emissions varies depending on the rate of application of slow steaming in three different scenarios, and this shows that the environmental impact of each A rating is not the same. The results of the economic analysis show that operating costs increase and fuel costs decrease when the travel time is extended with slow steaming. As a result, the total voyage expenses decreased by up to 23.3%.
Structural Change Analysis of Active Cryptocurrency Market
Authors: Tan Chia Yen , Koh You Beng , Ng Kok Haur , Ng Kooi Huat
Published: February 2023

Motivated by the large frequent price fluctuation and excessive volatility observed in the cryptocurrency market, this study adopts Bai and Perron’s structural change model by incorporating the trading volume and autoregressive variables to examine the number and location of change points in daily closing price, return and volatility proxied by the squared return of Cryptocurrency Index, Cryptocurrency Index 30, and the top 10 cryptocurrencies ranked according to market capitalisation. Results show that the structural changes occur very frequently for the price series, followed by squared return and return series which were consistently observed between December 2017 to April 2018. In addition, the results also reveal that the two cryptocurrency indices may not be beneficial as an indicator to reflect the whole cryptocurrency market for the entire studied period as these two indices do not display consistent structural change in contrast to the top 10 cryptocurrencies that might have significant implications for modelling the cryptocurrency data.
Voluntary Private Pension Funds and Capital Market Development
Authors: Eğrican Aslı Togan , Kayhan Fatih
Published: February 2023

We examine voluntary private pension funds and their relationship to capital market development. Using data from Turkey, we analyse depth, efficiency and liquidity indicators of capital markets after the introduction of voluntary private pension funds in 2003. Overall, our findings indicate that the introduction of voluntary private pension plans are positively associated with indicators of capital market development, focusing on market depth (such as market capitalisation and trading volume) in both debt and equity markets. We also observe that indicators for other more recently established markets are also positively associated with the introduction of voluntary pension plans. In contrast, equity market turnover shows a negative association. These findings, along with the positive association with the corporate governance index, suggest that pension funds are important for capital market development and for corporate governance of firms as they are long-term investors. However, the introduction of state contributions in 2013 is not robust to alternative specifications.
Switching intention and switching behavior of adults in the non-life insurance sector: Mediating role of brand love
Authors: Kumar N. Arun , S. Girish , B. Suresha , E. Mahesh
Published: February 2023

In this digital era, customers in the insurance sector always look for better insurance products and services at an affordable price. When customers are unsure about service, they switch over to a better service provider. This behavior is more relevant to non-life insurance. However, the switching behavior of customers is hampered by certain switchover barriers such as “brand consciousness”, “brand pride”, “brand loyalty”, etc. This study focuses on exploring switching intentions and switching behaviors of adults in India keeping “brand love” as a mediator. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect the primary data from adults having non-life insurance products to analyze switching intentions and switching behaviors. The collected data were analyzed employing SPSS software and Hayes Process Model and appropriate statistical tools. The study results show that the switching intentions of adults vary based on their age, annual income, and education. Mean scores reveal that the lesser the age, the higher the intention to switch over. Further, based on annual income, adults who earn up to Rs 2 lakhs annually have more switching-over intentions (Mean score: 3.9719) followed by adults who earn Rs more than 2 lakhs to 5 lakhs annually (Mean score: 3.7590). Mean scores of education levels regarding switching intentions are higher among more educated adults and less among those who are qualified up to the school level.
A Balada de Adam Henry: A transfusão de sangue em testemunhas de jeová menores de idade sob a ótica dos direitos fundamentais
Authors: Azeredo Orselli Helena Maria Zanetti de , Schneider Bruna
Published: February 2023

O presente artigo objetiva analisar a transfusão de sangue em Testemunhas de Jeová sem discernimento completo, especificamente em Adam Henry, personagem do romance de Ian McEwan (2014). Utiliza-se o método indutivo, bem como as técnicas de investigação bibliográfica, análise de legislação e fichamento para a realização desta pesquisa. A obra retrata o dia a dia da juíza Fiona Maye do Tribunal Superior de Londres e os conflitos que ela vive na vida pessoal e profissional. Fiona tem de decidir o caso de Adam Henry, um adolescente que sofre de leucemia e, por conta da gravidade da doença, os médicos pretendem realizar tratamento que envolve transfusão de sangue. Como Adam e seus pais são Testemunhas de Jeová, não permitem o procedimento. Apesar da maturidade apresentada pelo rapaz, baseando-se nos direitos fundamentais à vida, à saúde e à integridade física de Adam, Fiona decide que o hospital deve realizar o procedimento. Conclui-se que a decisão da juíza prioriza o bem-estar de Adam e a possibilidade de viver sua vida, destacando, assim, a necessidade de o Estado protegê-lo por ser ainda menor de idade.
Institutional arrangements for water reuse: assessing challenges for the transition to water circularity
Authors: Riazi Fayaz , Fidélis Teresa , Matos Manuel Victor , Sousa Maria Carolina , Teles Filipe , Roebeling Peter
Published: February 2023

Water scarcity and security drive attention to water reuse in policy and business. However, water reuse may generate new water loops and challenge water governance with new and different types of water, risks, involved actors, and responsibilities. These challenges demand robust institutional arrangements related to water governance. This article assesses the institutional arrangements associated with four case studies in Spain, Italy, Croatia, and Israel. The findings reveal that the more diverse the water uses and users, the more challenges and risks, particularly those associated with institutional arrangements such as quality standards, sanctions, and conflict prevention, are likely to emerge. The weaknesses of governance models and regulations to deal with changes, uncertainties, and public resistance call for special attention to the design of the institutional arrangements before the adoption. Independent of the type of technology adopted, governance may be improved by ensuring internal and external water monitoring; integrating water management with spatial concerns; improving training, expert engagement, and civil society awareness; and reducing water reuse costs. In addition, alternative models that guarantee the efficiency of governance in attaining objectives and assuring the participation of new water users in the management of water reuse loops may also improve governance.
EFEITOS NO DIREITO INTERNO DA AMPLIAÇÃO DO CONCEITO DE PESSOA COM DEFICIÊNCIA PELA CONVENÇÃO DE NOVA IORQUE
Authors: Taís Mariana Lima Pereira  , Thays Baniski Teixeira  , Vladmir Oliveira da Silveira
Published: February 2023

O presente trabalho aborda o tema da ampliação do conceito de pessoa com deficiência em decorrência da Convenção de Nova Iorque (ou Convenção Internacional sobre os Direitos das Pessoas Deficiência). O problema enfrentado pela pesquisa é se tal ampliação inserida por um tratado internacional de direitos humanos foi devidamente apreendida no direito interno brasileiro. Para tal investigação, objetivou-se primeiramente discorrer sobre o contexto social brasileiro das pessoas com deficiência e os desafios para a efetivação da sua cidadania. Na sequência, procurou-se expor no que consiste a ampliação do conceito de pessoa com deficiência nos moldes trazidos pela Convenção. Na análise dos efeitos dessa ampliação conceitual no direito doméstico, buscou-se focalizar a investigação a partir de dois campos específicos e com efeitos práticos na vida das pessoas com deficiência: acesso ao mercado de trabalho e a benefícios assistenciais e previdenciários. O método científico adotado é o hipotético-dedutivo, a partir de uma pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, pautada pelo paradigma pós-positivista e com o enfoque sociocrítico do Direito.
Análise bibliométrica da produção científica de uma instituição educacional militar brasileira
Authors: Rezende Angerlânia , Carvalho Wellington Marçal de
Published: February 2023

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar uma análise bibliométrica da produção científica da Revista Pedagógica da Escola de Aperfeiçoamento de Sargentos das Armas (EASA), O Adjunto, no período compreendido entre os anos de 2013 a 2019. Como recursos metodológicos, foi feita uma pesquisa exploratória e bibliográfica, analisando-se todas as edições da revista no período definido. Como universo de pesquisa, foram considerados para a análise 128 artigos científicos registrados no portal da publicação, utilizando-se informações do periódico. A bibliometria foi usada para a identificação da forma de produção da Revista O Adjunto, considerando o gênero que mais publica, a quantidade anual de trabalhos e os temas mais frequentes. Quanto às análises, foram traçadas as características gerais da produção por meio da descrição da distribuição das publicações por ano, dados dos autores, a exemplo da característica gênero e análise das temáticas a partir da ocorrência das palavras mais citadas. Como resultado, foi possível perceber que a produção da revista é bem relevante e assídua, identificando-se nos artigos uma ampla discussão de temáticas como educação, formação, liderança, ordem, tecnologia, entre outras. Percebeu-se também que a comunicação científica nesse campo é relevante em termos de divulgação do conhecimento e de temas importantes para a área. Vale ressaltar que para os alunos em formação o periódico oferta a oportunidade para o desenvolvimento de trabalhos e sua posterior publicação na revista.
Current Trends in the Development of EGFR Inhibitors as Promising Anticancer
Agents: Sar and Synthetic Studies from (2010-2020)
Authors: Mondal Sitanshu , S. Vishakha , Kajal Kumari Das , Wahan Simranpreet K. , Kurmi Balak Das , Patel Preeti
Published: February 2023

The EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) regulates cell proliferation, survival,
and differentiation. The EGFR is a cell surface receptor that belongs to the ErbB tyrosine
kinase family. One of the most important targets for cancer therapy is EGFR inhibition. Because
EGFR over-activation is seen in a wide range of malignancies, targeting EGFR and its
downstream signaling cascades is a sensible and beneficial strategy in cancer therapy. This
review highlighted the most potent EGFR inhibitors with SAR studies and their synthetic
chemical pathways discovered between 2010-2020, employed for treating Liver, Breast, Lung,
Pancreatic, and Colorectal cancers. We also include the clinical trials and the registered patents
in our review.
A New Risk Model based on the Machine Learning Approach for
Prediction of Mortality in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Yan Peng , Huang Siwan , Li Ye , Chen Tiange , Li Xiang , Zhang Yuan , Wu Huan , Xu Jianqiao , Xie Guotong , Xie Lixin , Mo Guoxin
Published: February 2023

Background:

Intensive care unit (ICU) resources are inadequate for the large population
in China, so it is essential for physicians to evaluate the condition of patients at admission. In
this study, our objective was to construct a machine-learning risk prediction model for mortality in
respiratory intensive care units (RICUs).

Methods:

This study involved 817 patients who made 1,063 visits and who were admitted to the
RICU from 2012 to 2017. Potential predictors such as demographic information, laboratory results,
vital signs and clinical characteristics were considered. We constructed eXtreme Gradient
Boosting (XGBoost) models and compared performances with random forest models, logistic
regression models and clinical scores such as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II
(APACHE II) and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) system. The model was externally
validated using data from Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-III) database.
A web-based calculator was developed for practical use.

Results:

Among the 1,063 visits, the RICU mortality rate was 13.5%. The XGBoost model
achieved the best performance with the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve
(AUROC) of 0.860 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.808 - 0.909) in the test set, which was significantly
greater than APACHE II (0.749, 95% CI: 0.674 - 0.820; P = 0.015) and SOFA (0.751,
95% CI: 0.669 - 0.818; P = 0.018). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated a good calibration of our
predictive model in the test set with a P-value of 0.176. In the external validation dataset, the
AUROC of XGBoost model was 0.779 (95% CI: 0.714 - 0.813). The final model contained variables
that were previously known to be associated with mortality, but it also included some features
absent from the clinical scores. The mean N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP)
of survivors was significantly lower than that of the non-survival group (2066.43 pg/mL
vs. 8232.81 pg/mL; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our results showed that the XGBoost model could be a suitable model for predicting
RICU mortality with easy-to-collect variables at admission and help intensivists improve clinical
decision-making for RICU patients. We found that higher NT-proBNP can be a good indicator of
poor prognosis.