bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alleviating Neurodegenerative Diseases Associated with Mitochondrial
Defects by Therapeutic Biomolecules
Authors: Roy Tanmoy , Padhi Swarupanjali , Mazumder Rupa , Majee Chandana , Das Saumya , Monika  , Mishra Rashmi , Kapoor Bhupinder
Published: April 2024

Neurodegenerative diseases are emerging as a global health concern in the current scenario,
and their association with mitochondrial defects has been a potential area of research. Mitochondria,
one of the essential organelles of the cell, serve as the cell's powerhouse, producing
energy and ensuring cellular health. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's,
Huntington's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease have been found to
be primarily triggered by mitochondrial malfunction. One of the key byproducts of mitochondrial
respiration, reactive oxygen species, also contributes significantly to mitochondrial DNA mutations
that eventually cause mitochondrial breakdown.

:

This review paper comprehensively examines the potential of therapeutic biomolecules, specifically
mitochondria-specific antioxidants, in mitigating the impact of mitochondrial defects on
neurodegenerative diseases. It provides a detailed analysis of the mechanisms involved in mitochondrial
dysfunction, the potential therapeutic targets of these biomolecules, and their structureactivity
relationship information are also discussed in this review.

:

Various research articles and publications were used extensively in compiling the data, and the
structures of biomolecules were prepared using software such as ChemDraw and ChemSketch.

:

Crucial elements triggering mitochondrial abnormalities were identified and a tabular compilation
of bioactive antioxidant compounds along with their therapeutic targets, was presented.

:

Mitochondria-specific antioxidant therapy is an innovative and promising strategy for the management
of neurodegenerative diseases associated with mitochondrial defects. This review provides
a thorough summary of the current state of research and promising avenues of research and
development in this field, emphasizing the importance of further investigations and clinical trials
to elucidate their therapeutic benefits.
Quinolone Derivatives as Anticancer Agents: Importance in Medicinal Chemistry
Authors: Azzman Nursyuhada , Anwar Sirajudheen , Syazani Mohamed Wan Ahmad , Ahemad Nafees
Published: April 2024

Quinolone is a heterocyclic compound containing carbonyl at the C-2 or C-4 positions with nitrogen at the C-1 position. The scaffold was first identified for its antibacterial properties, and the derivatives were known to possess many pharmacological activities, including anticancer. In this review, the quinolin-2(H)-one and quinolin-4(H)-one derivatives were identified to inhibit several various proteins and enzymes involved in cancer cell growth, such as topoisomerase, mi-crotubules, protein kinases, phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) and histone deacetylase (HDAC). Hybrids of quinolone with curcumin or chalcone, 2-phenylpyrroloquinolin-4-one and 4-quinolone derivatives have demonstrated strong potency against cancer cell lines. Additionally, quinolones have been explored as inhibitors of protein kinases, including EGFR and VEGFR. Therefore, this review aims to consolidate the medicinal chemistry of quinolone derivatives in the pipeline and discuss their similarities in terms of their pharmacokinetic profiles and potential target sites to provide an understanding of the structural requirements of anticancer quinolones.
A Case Report of an Endobronchial Tuberculosis-Challenges in Diagnosis and the Role of High-resolution CT Scans and Bronchoscopic Biopsy
Authors: Hanh Doan Le Minh
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Endobronchial tuberculosis is a challenging disease to diagnose, characterized
by infection of the tracheobronchial tree caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The clinical
presentation of endobronchial tuberculosis is nonspecific and variable, making it difficult to
identify.

Case Report:

This report explores the challenges faced during the diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis
by a 63-year-old female patient presented with a chronic cough lasting over two
months. Her chest X-ray revealed an inhomogeneous opacity in the left middle zone, accompanied
by an air-bronchogram. Conventional sputum samples and other tests returned negative results.
A high-resolution chest CT scan was almost complete consolidation in the lingular subsegment.
A comprehensive re-evaluation was recommended in this case due to slow re-solving or
non-resolving pneumonia. The histopathological examination of the biopsy sample revealed granulomatous
inflammation with necrosis and lymphocytic infiltration, strongly indicating bronchial
tuberculosis. The Hain test and MGIT culture confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Conclusion:

Diagnosing endobronchial tuberculosis can be challenging due to its nonspecific and
variable clinical presentation. High-resolution CT scans provide valuable insights, but the absence
of typical findings can complicate the diagnosis. Bronchoscopic biopsy proved to be the most reliable
method for diagnosing endobronchial tuberculosis in this case. Early and accurate diagnosis
is crucial for initiating appropriate treatment and preventing complications.
Design and Implementation of Long Range Wide Area Networks for
Future Industrial IoT Applications
Authors: Mariappan Ramasamy
Published: April 2024

Background:

The evolution of Long Range Wide Area Networks (LoRaWAN) is a potential
candidate for next generation networks for managing the massive number of devices in the
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). LoRaWAN is more suitable for transmitting smaller intermittent
data but using smaller bandwidth over a long distance.

Objective:

This research paper proposes to design a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) to
provide long-range data transfer for Industrial IoT applications, especially for industrial sensor data.

Methods:

This research work deploys the experimental setup of LoRaWAN devices using LoRa
gateways and Internet of Things network server to evaluate its performance for IIOT applications.

Results:

The deployment of this LoRaWAN has demonstrated its long range, low power, stability
and low deployment cost through extensive performance evaluation carried out. LoRaWAN has
been analyzed for its coverage and throughput performance.

Conclusion:

Through performance analysis, potential enhancements have been identified to overcome
its shortcomings. This paper concludes the feasibility of deploying LoRaWAN technology for
the future generation IIOT applications.
Prediction of LncRNA-protein Interactions Using Auto-Encoder,
SE-ResNet Models and Transfer Learning
Authors: Huiwen Jiang , Kai Song
Published: April 2024

Background:

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a crucial role in various biolog-ical processes, and mutations or imbalances of lncRNAs can lead to several diseases, including cancer, Prader-Willi syndrome, autism, Alzheimer's disease, cartilage-hair hypoplasia, and hear-ing loss. Understanding lncRNA-protein interactions (LPIs) is vital for elucidating basic cellular processes, human diseases, viral replication, transcription, and plant pathogen resistance. Despite the development of several LPI calculation methods, predicting LPI remains challenging, with the selection of variables and deep learning structure being the focus of LPI research.

Methods:

We propose a deep learning framework called AR-LPI, which extracts sequence and secondary structure features of proteins and lncRNAs. The framework utilizes an auto-encoder for feature extraction and employs SE-ResNet for prediction. Additionally, we apply transfer learning to the deep neural network SE-ResNet for predicting small-sample datasets.

Results:

Through comprehensive experimental comparison, we demonstrate that the AR-LPI ar-chitecture performs better in LPI prediction. Specifically, the accuracy of AR-LPI increases by 2.86% to 94.52%, while the F-value of AR-LPI increases by 2.71% to 94.73%.

Conclusion:

Our experimental results show that the overall performance of AR-LPI is better than that of other LPI prediction tools.
Environmentally Compatible Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Banana Peel Nano Crystals/Bentonite Clay-based Composites Films: Influence of Nano Filler on Biodegradation Behavior
Authors: Kohli Deepak , Panwar D.S. , Tudu Balraj , Mehta Jigesh , Shah Vishal , Patel Jigna , Patel Bital , Oza Ankit D. , Gupta Ravi , Singh Laxman
Published: April 2024

Objective:

The present work shows the effect of Bentonite Clay (BC) on the biodegradation
behavior of Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA)/Banana Peel Nano Crystals (BPNC) composite films.

Method:

Biodegradation studies were conducted using soil burial and bacterial degradation method.
The prepared composite films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy.

Results:

Biodegradation studies reported that the composite films were more degradable in bacterial
environment as compared to natural soil burial. The addition of Bentonite Clay (BC) had negative
effect on degradation rate of composite films.

Conclusion:

PVA/BPNC/BC composite film showed less weight loss (%) as compared to
PVA/BPNC composite films because BC had stabilizing effect against the microbial attack which
prevents biodegradation.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine)
Authors: Krishnan Jayalakshmi
Published: April 2024

3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic drug very similar to hallucinogens and stimulants. This drug is also called ecstasy or molly. It produces feelings of pleasure, warmth, distorted sensory time and perception. MDMA increases the activity of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It causes various health effects such as nausea, sweating, chills, muscle cramping, etc. The effect of this drug can be seen in 3 to 5 hours in the body. A spike in body temperature can be seen in MDMA users that can be fatal as it affects the liver, kidney, and heart leading to death. Addiction to MDMA is not yet proven, however, withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue and depression are noted. MDMA is usually taken via the mouth or snorting in the form of tablets or capsules. This drug is also taken or abused along with other drugs such as LSD, alcohol, and marijuana. MDMA is a scheduled drug with no proven medical use. MDMA causes a surge of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain to regulate mood, learning, memory, stress, anxiety, etc. This chapter discusses the effects of MDMA on the human brain.
An Engineering Alternative to Lockdown During COVID-19 and Other Airborne Infectious Disease Pandemics: Feasibility Study
Authors: Fujii Yusaku
Published: April 2024

Background

Now and in the future, airborne diseases such as COVID-19 could become uncontrollable and lead the world into lockdowns. Finding alternatives to lockdowns, which limit individual freedoms and cause enormous economic losses, is critical.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of achieving a society or a nation that does not require lockdown during a pandemic due to airborne infectious diseases through the mass production and distribution of high-performance, low-cost, and comfortable powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs).

Methods

The feasibility of a social system using PAPR as an alternative to lockdown was examined from the following perspectives: first, what PAPRs can do as an alternative to lockdown; second, how to operate a social system utilizing PAPR; third, directions of improvement of PAPR as an alternative to lockdown; and finally, balancing between efficiency of infection control and personal freedom through the use of Internet of Things (IoT).

Results

PAPR was shown to be a possible alternative to lockdown through the reduction of airborne and droplet transmissions and through a temporary reduction of infection probability per contact. A social system in which individual constraints imposed by lockdown are replaced by PAPRs was proposed, and an example of its operation is presented in this paper. For example, the government determines the type and intensity of the lockdown and activates it. At that time, the government will also indicate how PAPR can be substituted for the different activity and movement restrictions imposed during a lockdown, for example, a curfew order may be replaced with the permission to go outside if wearing a PAPR. The following 7 points were raised as directions for improvement of PAPR as an alternative method to lockdown: flow optimization, precise differential pressure control, design improvement, maintenance method, variation development such as booth type, information terminal function, and performance evaluation method. In order to achieve the effectiveness and efficiency in controlling the spread of infection and the individual freedom at a high level in a social system that uses PAPRs as an alternative to lockdown, it was considered effective to develop a PAPR wearing rate network management system utilizing IoT.

Conclusions

This study shows that using PAPR with infection control ability and with less economic and social damage as an alternative to nationwide lockdown is possible during a pandemic due to airborne infectious diseases. Further, the efficiency of the government’s infection control and each citizen’s freedom can be balanced by using the PAPR wearing rate network management system utilizing an IoT system.
Smart Contracts and Shared Platforms in Sustainable Health Care: Systematic Review (Preprint)
Authors: Marino Carlos Antonio , Diaz Paz Claudia
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

The benefits of smart contracts (SCs) for sustainable health care are a relatively recent topic that has gathered attention given its relationship with trust and the advantages of decentralization, immutability, and traceability introduced in health care. Nevertheless, more studies need to explore the role of SCs in this sector based on the frameworks propounded in the literature that reflect business logic that has been customized, automatized, and prioritized, as well as system trust. This study addressed this lacuna.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of SCs in health care based on reviewing the frameworks propounded in the literature.

METHODS

A structured literature review was performed based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) principles. One database—Web of Science (WoS)—was selected to avoid bias generated by database differences and data wrangling. A quantitative assessment of the studies based on machine learning and data reduction methodologies was complemented with a qualitative, in-depth, detailed review of the frameworks propounded in the literature.

RESULTS

A total of 70 studies, which constituted 18.7% (70/374) of the studies on this subject, met the selection criteria and were analyzed. A multiple correspondence analysis—with 74.44% of the inertia—produced 3 factors describing the advances in the topic. Two of them referred to the leading roles of SCs: (1) health care process enhancement and (2) assurance of patients’ privacy protection. The first role included 6 themes, and the second one included 3 themes. The third factor encompassed the technical features that improve system efficiency. The in-depth review of these 3 factors and the identification of stakeholders allowed us to characterize the system trust in health care SCs. We assessed the risk of coverage bias, and good percentages of overlap were obtained—66% (49/74) of PubMed articles were also in WoS, and 88.3% (181/205) of WoS articles also appeared in Scopus.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive review allows us to understand the relevance of SCs and the potentiality of their use in patient-centric health care that considers more than technical aspects. It also provides insights for further research based on specific stakeholders, locations, and behaviors.
Figure correction (Preprint)
Authors: Zhang Chunyu , Hu Ning , Li Rui , Zhu Aiping , Yu Zhongguang
Published: April 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

Between “introduction” and “methods”, figure 4 should be deleted.
The Application of Preventive Medicine in the Future Digital Health Era (Preprint)
Authors: De la Torre Katherine , Min Sukhong , Lee Hyobin , Kang Daehee
Published: April 2024

UNSTRUCTURED

A number of seismic shifts are expected to reshape the future of medicine. The global population is rapidly aging, significantly impacting the global disease burden. Medicine is undergoing a paradigm shift, defining and diagnosing diseases at earlier stages and shifting the health care focus from treating diseases to preventing them. The application and purview of digital medicine are expected to broaden significantly. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the shift toward predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory (P4) medicine, and has identified health care accessibility, affordability, and patient empowerment as core values in the future digital health era. This “left shift” toward preventive care is anticipated to redefine health care, emphasizing health promotion over disease treatment. In the future, the traditional triad of preventive medicine—primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention—will be realized with technologies such as genomics, artificial intelligence, bioengineering and wearable devices, and telemedicine. Breast cancer and diabetes serve as case studies to demonstrate how these technologies such as personalized risk assessment, artificial intelligence–assisted and app-based technologies, have been developed and commercialized to provide personalized preventive care, identifying those at a higher risk and providing instructions and interventions for healthier lifestyles and improved quality of life. Overall, preventive medicine and the use of advanced technology will hold great potential for improving health care outcomes in the future.
How to embed a choice experiment in an online decision aid or tool: a scoping review (Preprint)
Authors: Wickramasekera Nyantara , Shackley Phil , Rowen Donna
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

Decision aids empower patients to understand how treatment options match their preferences. Choice experiments, a valuable method to clarify values used within decision aids, present patients with hypothetical scenarios to reveal their preferences for treatment characteristics. Given the rise in research embedding choice experiments in decision tools and the emergence of novel developments in embedding methodology, a scoping review is warranted.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review examines how choice experiments are embedded into decision tools and how these tools are evaluated, to identify best practices.

METHODS

This scoping review was conducted following best practices in line with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. The searchers were conducted on MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Web of Science databases using key search terms. Data were extracted using data charting tables created in Excel. A narrative synthesis was used to summarize the data and illustrations were used to visualise the results using tables and figures.

RESULTS

Overall, 22 tools were included in the scoping review. The methodology, development and evaluation details of tools were extracted from 33 papers. These tools were developed for a variety of health conditions including musculoskeletal conditions, oncological conditions, and chronic conditions. Most tools (78%) originated in the USA. The primary purpose (91%) of these tools was to assist patients in comparing or choosing treatments. The most commonly included attributes in the choice tasks were efficacy and side effects. Adaptive conjoint analysis was the most frequent (10 tools) design approach. Conjoint analysis designs used a higher number of tasks (16 -20) while DCEs and adaptive conjoint analysis designs used low (6) to moderate (12) number of tasks. Sawtooth software was commonly used to embed choice tasks in the tools. After completing the choice tasks patients received tailored information in the form of attribute importance scores, highlighting which treatment characteristics mattered most to the patient based on their choices (16 tools), and/or a "best match" treatment recommendation aligned with the patient's preferences (5 tools). A high degree of heterogeneity was observed in the evaluation methodologies and outcome measures used to assess the decision tools. The decisional conflict scale emerged as the most frequently employed outcome measure.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights several methodological challenges that require further investigation. Future research should focus on determining the most effective methods for embedding choice tasks in decision tools, presenting balanced information, and selecting suitable outcome measures to evaluate these tools.
What We Didn’t Know a Recipe Could Be: Political Commentary, Machine Learning Models, and the Fluidity of Form in Nineteenth-Century Newspaper Recipes
Authors: Blankenship Avery
Published: April 2024

In this article, I use document embedding models and a training set of nineteenth-century American recipes to build a pipeline classifier for identifying recipes in the broader nineteenth-century newspaper press. The model reveals a much more expansive understanding of the recipe form, which primarily centers around measurement words and prescriptive language rather than a heavily reliance upon the culinary. This fluidity of form allows nineteenth-century writers to harness the recipe form as a tool for political commentary all while no appearing to disrupt the careful divides between the public and domestic spheres. These recipe-adjacent texts, which are both recipe and not, offer a broader picture of short-form political commentary in the nineteenth century which can include genres and forms once thought unable to gestured beyond the confines of the kitchen.
An Evolutionary Game Analysis of the Main Body Collaboration of Public-Private Cooperation Projects in Rural Environment
Authors: Guan Lijie
Published: April 2024

An evolutionary game model was established to study the evolutionary stability strategy of government and social capital in the public-private cooperation model of rural environmental governance and its influencing factors, and to explore the evolution process of cooperative behavior of the main body. The research shows that income distribution, risk distribution, supervision intensity and reward and punishment amount are important factors that affect the choice of cooperative strategy of the main body in the public-private cooperation project of rural environmental governance, and determine the evolution direction of the coordination of the main body behavior. Reducing the cooperative cost, appropriately increasing the risk bearing, and improving the supervision and reward and punishment intensity are conducive to the establishment of the collaborative behavior of the main body in the public-private cooperation model of rural environmental governance.
Relation between resting spleen volume and apnea-induced increases in hemoglobin mass
Authors:   H.H. Morris Human Performance Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, Keeler, PhD Jason M. , Hess, PhD Hayden W ,   H.H. Morris Human Performance Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, Tourula, MS Erica ,   H.H. Morris Human Performance Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, Chapman, PhD Robert F. ,   H.H. Morris Human Performance Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, Johnson, PhD; Blair D. ,   H.H. Morris Human Performance Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA, Schlader, PhD Zachary J. ,   H.H. Morris Human Performance Laboratories, Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Indigenous populations renowned for apneic diving have comparatively large spleen volumes. It has been proposed that a larger spleen translates to heightened apnea-induced splenic contraction and elevations in circulating hemoglobin mass (Hbmass), which, in theory, improves O2 carrying and/or CO2 /pH buffering capacities. However, the relation between resting spleen volume and apneainduced increases in Hbmass is unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that resting spleen volume is positively related to apnea-induced increases in total Hbmass. Methods: Fourteen healthy adults (six women; 29 ± 5 years) completed a two-minute carbon monoxide rebreathe procedure to measure pre-apneas Hbmass and blood volume. Spleen length, width, and thickness were measured pre-and post-five maximal apneas via ultrasound. Spleen volume was calculated via the Pilström equation (test-retest CV:2 ± 2%). Hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]; g/dl) and hematocrit (%) were measured pre- and post-apneas via capillary blood samples. Post-apneas Hbmass was estimated as post-apnea [Hb] x pre-apnea blood volume. Data are presented as mean ± SD. Results: Spleen volume decreased from pre- (247 ± 95 mL) to post- (200 ± 82 mL, p<0.01) apneas. [Hb] (14.6 ± 1.2 vs. 14.9 ± 1.2 g/dL, p<0.01), hematocrit (44 ± 3 vs. 45 ± 3%, p=0.04), and Hbmass (1025 ± 322 vs. 1046 ± 339 g, p=0.03) increased from pre- to post-apneas. Pre-apneas spleen volume was unrelated to post-apneas increases in Hbmass (r=-0.02, p=0.47). O2 (+28 ± 31 mL, p<0.01) and CO2 (+31 ± 35 mL, p<0.01) carrying capacities increased post-apneas. Conclusion: Larger spleen volume is not associated with a greater rise in apneas-induced increases in Hbmass in non-apnea-trained healthy adults.
Arterial Gas Embolism in Breath-Hold Diver
Authors:   Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, 350 South Crag Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, Gall, MD Ryan A , Rahimi, DO Rahman R ,   Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, 350 South Crag Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Published: April 2024

An arterial gas embolism (AGE) is a potentially fatal complication of scuba diving that is related to insufficient exhalation during ascent. During breath-hold diving, an arterial gas embolism is unlikely because the volume of gas in the lungs generally cannot exceed the volume at the beginning of the dive. However, if a diver breathes from a gas source at any time during the dive, they are at risk for an AGE or other pulmonary overinflation syndromes (POIS). In this case report, a breath-hold diver suffered a suspected AGE due to ra
Outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without preoperative hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Authors:   Digestive Health Institute, Tampa, FL, Jacoby, MD Harel , Camporesi, MD Enrico M ,   TeamHealth Anesthesia, Tampa General Hospital, FL, Ross, MD Sharona B ,   Digestive Health Institute, Tampa, FL, Sucandy, MD, FACS Iswanto ,   Digestive Health Institute, Tampa, FL, Bosco, MD, PhD Gerardo ,   Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy, Syblis Cameron ,   Digestive Health Institute, Tampa, FL, Crespo Kaitlyn ,   Digestive Health Institute, Tampa, FL, Rosemurgy, MD, FACS Alexander ,   Digestive Health Institute, Tampa, FL
Published: April 2024

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2 ) therapy is an alternative method against the deleterious effects of ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury and its inflammatory response. This study assessed the effect of preoperative HBO2 on patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Study design: Patients were randomized via a computer-generated algorithm. Patients in the HBO2 cohort received two sessions of HBO2 the evening before and the morning of surgery. Measurements of inflammatory mediators and self-assessed pain scales were determined pre-and postoperatively. In addition, perioperative variables and long-term survival were collected and analyzed. Data are presented as median (mean ± SD). Results: 33 patients were included; 17 received preoperative HBO2 , and 16 did not. There were no intraoperative or postoperative statistical differences between patients with or without preoperative HBO2 . Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IL-6, and IL-10 increased slightly before returning to normal, while TGF-alpha decreased before increasing. However, there were no differences with or without HBO2 . At postoperative day 30, the pain level measured with VAS score (Visual Analog Score) was lower after HBO2 (1 ± 1.3 vs. 3 ± 3.0, p=0.05). Eleven (76%) patients in the HBO2 cohort and 12 (75%) patients in the non-HBO2 had malignant pathology. The percentage of positive lymph nodes in the HBO2 was 7% compared to 14% in the non-HBO2 (p<0.001). Overall survival was inferior after HBO2 compared to the non-HBO2 (p=0.03). Conclusion: Preoperative HBO2 did not affect perioperative outcomes or significantly change the inflammatory mediators for patients undergoing robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Long-term survival was inferior after preoperative HBO2 . Further randomized controlled studies are required to assess the full impact of this treatment on patients’ prognosis.
Pyrolysis of corn stalks: The potential of using bio-oil as a fuel
Authors: Isailovic Jelena , Vukicevic Еmilija , Antic Malisa , Schwarzbauer Jan , Ignjatovic Ljubisa , Gajica Gordana , Antic Vesna
Published: April 2024

Due to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels, there is a growing demand for renewable energy resources. At the same time, a significant amount of agricultural waste accumulates, including corn residues, and the efficient management of this waste is a challenge. In this work, the waste biomass, which consisted of the stalks of two types of corn, was characterized and subjected to the pyrolysis process at 400?. The physicochemical characterization of the obtained liquid fraction (bio-oil) was performed, and the obtained data were compared with the literature data for liquid biofuel. The calorific value of bio- -oil was above 22 MJ kg-1, which indicates the good potential of waste corn biomass as an energy source. With appropriate further changes in the composition of waste, by adding materials with a higher carbon and hydrogen content, corn stalks can represent a significant energy source, with better regulation of disposal and storage of agricultural waste.
Associations of Dietary Cholesterol Consumption With Incident Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: The Role of Genetic Variability in Cholesterol Absorption and Disease Predisposition
Authors: Shi Shuxiao , Dong Ying , Wang Sujing , Du Xihao , Feng Nannan , Xu Lan , Zhong Victor W.
Published: April 2024

OBJECTIVE

Whether genetic susceptibility to disease and dietary cholesterol (DC) absorption contribute to inconsistent associations of DC consumption with diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

DC consumption was assessed by repeated 24-h dietary recalls in the UK Biobank. A polygenetic risk score (PRS) for DC absorption was constructed using genetic variants in the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 and ATP Binding Cassettes G5 and G8 genes. PRSs for diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke were also created. The associations of DC consumption with incident diabetes (n = 96,826) and CVD (n = 94,536) in the overall sample and by PRS subgroups were evaluated using adjusted Cox models.

RESULTS

Each additional 300 mg/day of DC consumption was associated with incident diabetes (hazard ratio [HR], 1.17 [95% CI, 1.07–1.27]) and CVD (HR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.03–1.17]), but further adjusting for BMI nullified these associations (HR for diabetes, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.90–1.09]; HR for CVD, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.98–1.12]). Genetic susceptibility to the diseases did not modify these associations (P for interaction ≥0.06). The DC-CVD association appeared to be stronger in people with greater genetic susceptibility to cholesterol absorption assessed by the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-related PRS (P for interaction = 0.04), but the stratum-level association estimates were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

DC consumption was not associated with incident diabetes and CVD, after adjusting for BMI, in the overall sample and in subgroups stratified by genetic predisposition to cholesterol absorption and the diseases. Nevertheless, whether genetic predisposition to cholesterol absorption modifies the DC-CVD association requires further investigation.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lymphoma incidence and short-term survival – a Swedish Lymphoma Register Study
Authors: Ekberg Sara , Molin Daniel , Pahnke Simon , Bergström Fanny , Brånvall Elsa , Smedby Karin E. , Wästerlid Tove
Published: April 2024

Background & purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic posed a large challenge for healthcare systems across the world. Comprehensive data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence and mortality in lymphoma are lacking.
Patients/methods: Using data from the Swedish lymphoma register, we compare incidence and 1-year survival of lymphoma patients in Sweden before (2017–2019) and during the pandemic (2020 and 2021).
Results: Fewer patients were diagnosed with lymphomas during March–June 2020, but the annual incidence rates for 2020 and 2021 were similar to those of 2017–2019. A larger proportion of patients presented with stage IV disease during 2021. There were no differences in other base-line characteristics nor application of active treatment in pre-pandemic and pandemic years. One-year overall survival was not inferior among lymphoma patients during the pandemic years compared to pre-pandemic years i.e., 2017–2019.
Interpretation: The COVID-19 pandemic had limited impact on the incidence and mortality of lymphoma in Sweden.
The Role of Air Transport Infrastructure Towards Breaking Seasonality in Emerging Tourism Destinations: A Qualitative Study of Akureyri, North Iceland
Authors: Pastor Chan Santana Carlos , Madsen Julie , Bertolucci Saverio Francesco
Published: April 2024

This paper examines the impact of air infrastructure development on emerging insular destinations by focusing on Akureyri, located in North Iceland. It examines the intricate relationship between airport infrastructure capacity expansion, the building of human capacity, hospitality infrastructure growth, and seasonality challenges. Through extensive qualitative interviews and literature reviews from stakeholders, policymakers, and academics, the research synthesises how an airport expansion offers democratisation of tourism mobilities and connectedness with the outside world for remotely located communities in the region. The analysis found that despite the stakeholders’ increased awareness of the complexities in accommodating year-round tourism, there is a readiness to increase the tourism enterprise flows. Nevertheless, the study shows a high deficit in hospitality infrastructure along with regional investment imbalances, revealing the lack of a comprehensive capacity building strategy. Ultimately, the authors advocate for an ‘extended capacity’ approach to tackle the challenges presented in the process of overcoming seasonality issues. The paper stresses the need for developed human skill capacity and diversified services and products alongside infrastructure capacity upgrades. The gained insights are gathered in two figures. The first identifies and maps the contextual landscape encompassing North Iceland’s tourism industry and its stakeholders, while the other showcases the complexity of the process the destination undergoes for breaking seasonality, while exposing the interconnections of potential outcomes, stakeholders’ needs, and the existing and in process capacities.
A Macroeconomic Model of Central Bank Digital Currency
Authors:   Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Paul Pascal , Ulate Mauricio ,   Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
Published: April 2024

We develop a quantitative New Keynesian DSGE model to study the introduction of a central bank digital currency (CBDC): government-backed digital money available to retail consumers. At the heart of our model are monopolistic banks with market power in deposit and loan markets. When a CBDC is introduced, households benefit from an expansion of liquidity services and higher deposit rates as bank deposit market power is curtailed. However, deposits also flow out of the banking system and bank lending contracts. We assess this welfare trade-off for a wide range of economies that differ in their level of interest rates. We find substantial welfare gains from introducing a CBDC with an optimal interest rate that can be approximated by a simple rule of thumb: the maximum between 0% and the policy rate minus 1%.
CONNECTING THE DOTS THROUGH INTERDISCIPLINARY LITERARY STUDIES: PSYCHOANALYSIS, COSMOPOLITANS, MENTAL HEALTH, POVERTY, AND URBANISM. BOOK REVIEW: ANKHI MUKHERJEE’S UNSEEN CITY: THE PSYCHIC LIVES OF THE URBAN POOR, 2021, OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS. 263 PAGES.
Authors: Tong Chong Seng , Abd Rahman Ahmad Zufrie , Abu Bakar Roslina
Published: April 2024

This paper reviews the conceptual and theoretical framework propounded by Ankhi Mukherjee. Her framework is developed through rigorous analyses of literary texts from diverse genres. It is philosophically underpinned in psychoanalysis and postcolonial studies. The interdisciplinary framework is eclectic in nature and it can be used in trauma studies, ageing population, mental health, health communication, and urban studies. This paper delineates the development of the framework and its application.
 
Keywords: Psychoanalysis, postcolonialism, interdisciplinary analysis, population studies, urbanism.
 
Cite as: Chong, S. T., Abd Rahman, A. Z., & Abu Bakar, R. (2024). Connecting the dots through interdisciplinary literary studies: Psychoanalysis, cosmopolitans, mental health, poverty, and urbanism. (Book review). Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(1), 139-142. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp139-142
THE RISE OF VIRTUAL BANKS: FACTORS INFLUENCING ITS ADOPTION USING TRUTAUT FRAMEWORK
Authors: Mohamad Yusof Nurul Afidah , Anthonysamy Lilian
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose: In 2022, the Malaysian central bank granted five licenses to run virtual banks. Despite the high online banking usage in Malaysia, virtual banking is still considered a new experience to potential users and may present challenges as individuals may exhibit resistance and hesitance to adopt. Hence, understanding the factors influencing the intention to adopt virtual banking is crucial for its successful implementation and widespread acceptance. The objective of this study is twofold: 1) to examine the current technology readiness of customers, and 2) to examine the factors influencing customers’ intention to adopt virtual banking in Malaysia.
 
Methodology: This study adopts a quantitative method where questionnaires were distributed to bank customers as the target population. Data gathered from 157 respondents was analysed using variance-based partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method.
 
Findings: The findings of this study revealed that optimism and innovativeness are significant motivators to shape an individual’s positive perception of the use of technology. Meanwhile, bank reputation, performance expectancy, and facilitating conditions have a significant influence on the intention to adopt virtual banking.
 
Contributions: In light of the inaugural award of digital banking licenses by Bank Negara Malaysia, this study offers valuable insights to the virtual banks to effectively promote the adoption of virtual banking in Malaysia. By combining Technology Readiness (TR) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) into one research framework, this study employs an integrated model (TRUTAUT) which will provide a more in-depth understanding of the factors influencing customers to adopt the new virtual banking phenomenon in Malaysia. This integrated model posits that both personality dimensions and system-specific dimensions, as represented by TR and UTAUT respectively, have a significant bearing on the customers’ propensity to adopt new technology. In addition, this study also introduces bank reputation construct, which is believed to be important in influencing customer intention to adopt virtual banking.
 
Keywords: Virtual bank, digital transformation, Technology Readiness (TR), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).
 
Cite as: Mohamad Yusof, N. A., & Anthonysamy, L. (2024). The rise of virtual banks: Factors influencing its adoption using TRUTAUT framework. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(1), 148-173. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp148-173
FACTORS INFLUENCING ONLINE SHOPPING BEHAVIOUR OF YOUTH CUSTOMERS IN MALAYSIA AFTER COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Binti Rahlin Nor Azma , Jas Ozzy , Mohamad Fauzi Siti Nadhirah , @ Siti Aisyah Bahkia Ayu Suriawaty
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose: The Movement Control Order (MCO) requires a higher demand for online services. In light of recent events in the business environment, it is becoming challenging to ignore online channels, including online shopping platforms. The current study investigates the impact of customer satisfaction, convenience, social media influence, and website on online shopping behaviour.
 
Methodology: Two hundred respondents were selected based on the convenience sample. Online questionnaires were distributed to young Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia customers. This case study was conducted after the Covid-19 pandemic in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Harman's Single Factor Test, Validity test, and Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model were used to validate the model of this study and the relationship between constructs.
 
Findings: The results reveal that customer satisfaction, convenience, and social media influence are significantly related to the online shopping behaviour of youth in Malaysia after Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the relationship between customer satisfaction and online shopping behaviour is higher than that between other factors in this study model.
Contributions: In theory, this study contributes to understanding Malaysian youth customers' online shopping behaviour. Businesses must take full advantage of e-commerce platforms to ensure customer satisfaction and build customer trust through online shopping services.
 
Keywords: Convenience, customer satisfaction, online shopping behaviour, youth customers, social media influence.
 
Cite as: Rahlin, N. A., Jas, O., Fauzi, S. N. M., & Bahkia, A. S. S. A. (2024). Factors influencing online shopping behaviour of youth customers in Malaysia after Covid-19 pandemic.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(1), 193-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp193-223
EXAMINING EXEMPLAR ELEMENTS OF SELECTED MALAYSIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS’ ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY: DOCUMENT ANALYSIS BASED EVIDENCE
Authors: Mehar Singh Manjet Kaur , Phan Kar Jun Jonathan
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose: This study examined the comprehensiveness and sufficiency of academic integrity (AI) policies of selected Malaysian higher education institutions.  The investigation of eight public and private universities’ AI policies were guided by the five core elements of exemplar AI policy framework developed by Bretag, Mahmud, Wallace, Walker, James, Green, East, McGowan and Partridge (2011).
 
Methodology: This qualitative method research focused on document analysis of purposively selected eight AI policies. The five core elements that guided the document analysis are access, approach, responsibility, detail and support.  The data collected from document analysis was analysed via NVivo 11 software.
 
Findings: Public universities are educative based and private universities practice punitive approach. All universities provide access of the AI documents to the university community and public, implement ad hoc basis education, awareness campaigns and modules to support the AI agenda and encourage responsibility among the staff and students to curb academic dishonesty.  As for detail, universities differ in terms of amount and type of information provided in the documents.
 
Contributions: The findings will provide universities evidence to make their existing AI policies more robust and comprehensive.
 
Keywords: Academic integrity policy, core elements of exemplar, document analysis, Malaysian higher education institutions.
 
Cite as: Manjet, K., & Phan, J. K. J. (2024). Examining exemplar elements of selected Malaysian higher education institutions’ academic integrity policy: Document analysis based evidence. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(1), 269-293. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp269-293
TECHNOPHOBIA, MOTIVATION, AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN DISTANCE LEARNING FOR GRADE 6 STUDENTS IN ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Authors: Arabi Nura , Ismail Wail Muin , Hutagalung Fonny Dameaty
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose: Limited research has explored the perceptions of technology use in distance learning education among grade six students and its potential influence on academic achievement. Addressing this gap, this study aims to investigate the relationship between technophobia, motivation and academic achievement in the context of distance learning for sixth-grade students in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
                                                  Methodology: Data were collected through a questionnaire distributed among grade six students in Abu Dhabi resulting in 399 responses. The respondent pool comprised 173 female students and 269 male students. The collected data underwent analysis using both SPSS and Structural Equation Model through SMART-PLS.
 
Findings: The study found that technophobia negatively impacts students’ academic achievement in distance learning, while motivation positively affects technophobia and academic achievement in distance learning.
 
Contributions: The findings provide insights for educational stakeholders, teachers, and leaders in the Ministry of Education to develop policies and support students in their distance education experience.
Keywords: Technophobia, motivation, distance learning, educational technologies, academic achievement.
 
Cite as: Arabi, N., Ismail, W. M., & Hutagalung, F. D. (2024). Technophobia, motivation and academic achievement in distance learning for grade 6 students in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(1), 345-367. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp345-367