bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Characterization of Haemonchus contortus in sheep from Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu, India, based on the genes encoding COI and Cysteine Proteinase
Authors: Nagarajan Govindasamy , Pachaiyappan K. , Thirumaran S.M.K. , Thirumurugan P. , Kanakarajadurai K. , Vannish M. Ram
Published: November 2023

The present study is carried out with the objective to find out the helminthic parasite inhabitating the abomasums of sheep being maintained at SRRC (ICAR-CSWRI), Mannavanur, Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu, India using the morphological examination and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cysteine proteinase (CP) genes based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). During the first week of December 2021, an Avikalin sheep at SRRC, Mannavanur, died due to severe anaemia. Upon the post mortem examination, the abomasum of the dead sheep was having plenty of round worms. Upon the traditional morphological examination, the worms were identified as Haemonchus contortus, based on the characteristic spicules in the posterior end of male worm and vulvar flap in the female worms. For further molecular analysis, the worms preserved in 70% alcohol and Trizol™ reagent were thoroughly ground to make a fine powder using liquid Nitrogen for the isolation of the worm’s total genomic DNA and cellular RNA respectively using the commercially available kits. By conventional PCR, COI and cysteine proteinase (hmcp6) genes of H.contortus were amplified by using the worms DNA and cDNA, respectively. After gel purification, the PCR amplified DNA fragments representing COI and cysteine proteinase gene of H.contortus were cloned into pGEM®-T and pTZ57R/T vectors, respectively. The positive recombinant plasmids were eventually subjected to Sanger sequencing method. Both the nucleotide sequences encoding COI and cysteine proteinase of H.contortus in Sheep from Palani hills, Tamil Nadu, India, were analysed using the standard Bioinformatics tools. Based on the morphological examination, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, it was concluded that the nematode infecting the abomasums of sheep in the present study is H.contortus.
Challenging Steroid Shift in Neuronavigation - a clinical study proposal
Authors: Roy Amrit , Maschke Svenja , Warade Abhijit , Misra Basant Kumar
Published: November 2023

The intraoperative orientation for neurosurgeons is routinely aided by tools such as neuronavigation. For this purpose, imaging data of the head are referenced to the patient's fixed head with the aid of electromagnetically or optically recorded surface points. However, a certain susceptibility for inaccuracy remains.
Steroids such as dexamethasone are routinely given to reduce perifocal edema. Clinical improvement as well as reduction of edema can be observed radiologically just hours after steroid application – also making it a preoperative potential source of metric inaccuracy.
The effect of steroids on tissue and tumoral shift on neuronavigation has not been quantified to date. While there are several reasons for navigation inacurracy, this type of shift is often forgotten and not accounted for, but could be easily corrected. We propose the need to perform an additional preoperative cranial MRI (cMRI) shortly before the biopsy/resection in patients who have received steroids due to perifocal cerebral edema to (1) quantify and (2) compensate for steroid induced tumor shift and thereby improve inaccuracies of neuronavigation.
Proof-of-Principle for implementation of ground larviciding in the Nkam- Wouri river basin in Cameroon: Simulium larval susceptibility to temephos and effect of ten weeks treatment of the Mbende tributary on larval density and simulium biting rate
Authors: Abong Raphael Awah , Ekanya Relindis , Fombad Fanny Fri , Amambo Glory , Innocentia Ngong , Nji Theobald Mue , Nietcho Franck Noel , Deribe Kebede , Benjamin Biholong , Flobert Njiokou , Ekobo Same , Wondji Charles , Wanji Samuel
Published: November 2023

Background
Onchocerciasis transmission in some endemic foci has been persistent despite over 18 years of annual ivermectin mass drug administration (Ivm-MDA). Several reasons including poor adherence to ivermectin intake due to fear of severe adverse events (SAEs) in areas of co-infection with loiasis and the presence of numerous breeding sites enhancing abundant vector population contribute to this persistent transmission. The change in paradigm from onchocerciasis control to elimination may not be achieved if alternative control measures are not used. There is therefore a need to complement Ivm-MDA with other strategies like vector control. In this study, we experimented the effect of ten weeks ground larviciding with temephos on the larval density and vector population.
Method
Black flies breeding sites along the course of rivers within the study area were identified. Susceptibility test was done on freshly collected larvae by exposing them to different concentrations of temephos and assessing mortality rates. Flies were collected at two points (Mbende and Dimbong) to determine the biting density. Fishing was used to assess vertebrate aquatic fauna at river Mbende while invertebrate fauna was assessed during collection of larvae as they are usually found on same substrate as the larvae. Ground larviciding was done using the spraying method at two dosing points.
Results
Six breeding sites were identified with larvae of Simulium species. As the concentration of temephos was decreasing (0.1 to 0.001Mg/L), the mortality of larvae also decreased with a 100% mortality observed at concentrations between 0.1 to 0.025 Mg/L. The non-target fauna included various fish species, crabs, crayfish, and invertebrate fauna. Simulium larvae were totally cleared from their breeding sites and there was a steady reduction in the biting density at the collection point from week 1 through week 10 with biting rate as high as 900 flies/man/day at the beginning to 180 flies/man/day at the end of ground larviciding.
Conclusion
Simulium larvae in the study area are susceptible to temephos. Total clearance of larvae and visible reduction (82.8%) in the Simulium biting density were observed during the study.
Development of an acid-resistant solid-base catalyst for polycarbonate phenolysis
Authors: Naito Ken , Kakuta Yusuke , Kamesako Iku , Suzuki Keitaro , Hirata Momoko , Kurihara Kiyofumi
Published: November 2023

The phenolysis of polycarbonate using solid-base catalysts results in the depolymerization of polycarbonate into its precursors, i.e., bisphenol A and diphenyl carbonate, giving it potential applications in chemical recycling. Owing to the high acidity of phenol, solid-base catalysts must exhibit acid resistance. We evaluated the catalytic activity and leaching resistance of solid-base catalysts in the phenolysis of polycarbonate. The results indicated a tendency for increased leaching with larger metal ion radii among the synthesized solid-base catalysts. Nonetheless, MgO, which had a small metal ion radius, exhibited excellent leaching resistance. However, owing to the acidic nature of phenol, MgO was deactivated by the adsorption of phenol on its basic sites. Immobilizing MgO on an acidic support reduced its basic strength, inhibiting phenol adsorption and mitigating deactivation. Notably, MgO/Al2O3 was identified as a catalyst with an optimal basic strength for both catalytic activity and deactivation suppression.
Identification of molecular subtypes based on tumor-specific genes in melanoma and development of a nomogram for prognostic prediction in patients with melanoma
Authors: Hong Ye , Mao Lei , Li Nan , Mu Dan
Published: November 2023

Purpose
We aim to investigate the molecular characteristics of melanoma by analyzing tumor-specific genomic signatures and construct a nomogram for prognostic prediction in patients with melanoma.
Methods
The datasets of melanoma and normal skin tissue from the Genotype-Tissue Expression and the Cancer Genome Atlas databases were merged to conduct differential gene expression (DEGs) analysis. Cox regression and LASSO regression analysis were used to identify tumor-specific genes associated with prognosis and construct a risk score model. Melanoma patients in the training and validation cohorts were grouped into high-risk and low- risk groups according to the median value of risk score. K-M analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were conducted to further analyze the differences of the survival, the enriched pathways, the tumor microenvironment, the hypoxia score, the tumor mutation burden and the gene mutation between high and low risk groups. A nomogram based on risk score and tumor stage was constructed for prognostic prediction in patients with melanoma.
Results
Seven DEGs including BCAN, CFAP61, CXCL13, KIT, KRT17, PLA1A, and PPP1R3C were identified to construct the risk score model. Patients in the high-risk group showed inferior survival compared with the low-risk group. The oxidative phosphorylation, the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, the tyrosine metabolism, the fructose and mannose metabolism, the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and the melanogenesis pathways were significantly enriched in high-risk group patients. The high-risk and low-risk groups differed in terms of angiogenesis, anti-tumor and pro-tumor cytokines, B cells, T cells, M1 signature, myeloid cells traffic NK cells, Th1 and Th2 signature, Treg, tumor associated macrophage, coactivation, check point molecules, effector cells. The AUC values for the nomogram predicting the survival of melanoma patients at 12, 24, 36, and 60 months were 0.726, 0.791, 0.712, and 0.714, respectively.
Conclusion
This study provides a personalized assessment of molecular subtypes in melanoma. The nomogram based on the seven tumor-specific genes and tumor stage had favorable predictive value in melanoma.
Use of Ultraviolet Spectrometer to Determine the Absorbance, Refractive Index, Electric Conductivity Permittivity beside Magnetic Permeability
Authors: Mahmoud HassabAlla M. A. , Abdalgadir LM
Published: November 2023

Solar cells are nowadays one of the most important issues that facing scientists. This is because they represent the best alternative that can replace petrol fuel. This encourages scientists to do intensive work to increase the efficiency of solar cells. Motivated by this urgent need for high-efficiency solar cells this work was done by preparing 5 samples of carbon doped with Aluminum oxide with different molar concentrations (0.1,0.3,0.5,0.7,0.9). The aim of this work is to characterize these samples to see how they can used as solar cells. The crystal and nanostructure have been characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The optical and electrical properties were characterized using an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer. The performance of a solar cell was tested using a simple electric circuit. The results of NixAL2(1-x)O4 samples indicate that the decreasing of Ni concentration (X) decreases the energy gap while the nanocrystal size, d-spacing, mass density, absorption coefficient, and solar cell efficiency increase. All the solar cell samples of this specimen exhibited a voltage of 1.184mV, an open-circuit voltage of 1.440mV, a fill factor of 0.73, and an efficiency range from 1.8642% up to 2.2460% according to the different concentrations.
Structural analysis of Green Human Resource Management and Green Transformational Leadership on Environmental Behaviors and Green Innovation Performance with the Mediating Role of Environmental Knowledge
Authors: Balouch Salim , Yekan Tayyebeh Vakili , Tamandani Salimeh Kordi
Published: November 2023

Continuous and sustainable growth has become a daily norm, putting increasing pressure on organizations to adopt green practices to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the structural relationship between GHRM and GTL on EBs and GIP with the mediating role of EK. The research method was developmental-applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of research design, using a structural equation modeling approach. The statistical population consisted of all primary school teachers in Urmia city, Iran (Urmia city districts one and two) during the academic year 2022–2023. A one-stage cluster sampling method was used, and the sample size was determined to be 338 individuals using Morgan's table. Standard questionnaires were used to collect the required data, including the questionnaire by Zid et al. (2018) for GHRM, Zhang & Wang (2020) for GTL, Roberson, and Carleton (2018) for EBs, Chen et al. (2013) for GIP, and Me et al. (2012) for EK. Content validity of the research was ensured through the opinions of educational science professors, and the reliability of the questionnaires was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which yielded values of 0.90, 0.77, 0.79, 0.82, and 0.70, respectively. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, structural equation modeling, and confirmatory factor analysis with SPSS 28 and Smart PLS 3 software. The results of the research indicated a significant positive direct relationship between GHRM and GIP. There was a positive direct relationship between GTL and GIP. A positive direct relationship was found between GTL and EBs. However, there was no significant relationship between GHRM and EBs. There was an indirect non-significant relationship between GHRM and EBs with the mediating role of EK. There was no indirect relationship between GTL and GIP with the mediating role of EK. There was no indirect relationship between GTL and EBs with the mediating role of EK.
OsJAZ5 promotes salt tolerance in rice and physical interactions with OsMYL1 and OsMYL2 stimulate jasmonic acid signaling
Authors: Ma Guangming , zhang Yong , Liu Jing , Zhao Kunhong , Zhang Chun , Chen Moxian , Kandegama Wishwajith , Sun Yao , Li Xiangyang
Published: November 2023

Salt stress is one of the main abiotic stresses that affect plants. The jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway is an important pathway that converts the normal growth state into the stress state when plant cells encounter abiotic stress. OsJAZ5 is a JAZ protein family gene, but how the JA signaling pathway promotes rice responses to salt stress is unclear. In this study, after screening for the OsJAZ5 gene, a yeast function analysis using the yeast mutant Axt3k was performed to determine its salt resistance sensitivity. The phenotype analysis showed that it was overexpressed in rice and promoted growth under salt stress. An analysis of the superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonolyase, and catalase activities showed that the OE-3 and OE-5 lines promoted OsJAZ5 activity to maintain the reactive oxygen species dynamic balance under salt stress. In addition, the protein-protein interaction analysis and protein-protein docking confirmed that OsJAZ5 interacts with OsMYL1 and OsMYL2, demonstrated that OsJAZ5 promotes reactions by OsMYL1, OsMYL2, and OsMYC2 and that their expressions were further enhanced by OsJAZ5 through JA signaling of OsMYC2. Thus, expression of the JA signaling response gene was activated by salt stress and its effect on OsJAZ5 promoted salt tolerance in rice.
Solution of Gaussian and Advection Diffusion Equation in Linear k-profile
Authors: Essa Khaled , Mosallem Ahmed M.
Published: November 2023

In this research, we solved the advection-diffusion equation in three dimensions taking the vertical turbulent as a function in linear of vertical and downwind distance. comparing between the Gaussian, predicted models and observed concentrations of Iodine-131 (I131) which measuring through Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA) in neutral case.
Long-Term Quality of Life after Hybrid Robot-assisted and Open Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer in a Single Center: a Comparative Analysis
Authors: Neuschütz Kerstin J. , Fourie Lana , Germann Nicolas , Pieters Anouk , Däster Silvio , Angehrn Fiorenzo V. , Klasen Jennifer M. , Müller-Stich Beat P. , Steinemann Daniel C. , Bolli Martin
Published: November 2023

Purpose
Due to improved survival of esophageal cancer patients, long-term quality of life (QoL) is increasingly gaining importance. We analyzed QoL of patients treated with open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (Open-E) or a hybrid operation including laparotomy and a robot-assisted thoracic phase (hRob-E), as well as a standard group of healthy individuals.
Methods
With a median follow-up of 36 months after hRob-E (n = 28) and 40 months after Open-E (n = 43), patients´ QoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QoL Questionnaire Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the EORTC Esophagus specific QoL questionnaire 18 (QLQ-OES18).
Results
Patients showed similar clinical-pathological characteristics, but hRob-E patients had significantly higher ASA scores at surgery (p < 0.001). Patients and healthy controls reported similar global health status, emotional and cognitive functions. However, physical functioning of Open-E patients was significantly reduced compared to healthy controls (p = 0.019). Operated patients reported reduced role and social functioning, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dyspnea and diarrhea. A trend towards a better pain score after hRob-E compared to Open-E emerged (p = 0.063). Regarding QLQ-OES18, hRob-E and Open-E treated patients similarly reported eating problems, reflux, and troubles swallowing saliva.
Conclusions
The general health status is not impaired after esophagectomy. Despite higher ASA scores, QoL of hRob-E patients is similar to that of patients operated with Open-E. Moreover, patients after hRob-E appear to have a better score regarding physical functioning and a better pain profile than patients after Open-E, indicating a benefit of minimally invasive surgery.
Deep Reinforcement Learning solution for Scheduling critical notifications in a Digital Twin cluster
Authors: Vrbaski Mira , Bolic Miodrag , Majumdar Shikharesh
Published: November 2023

A Scheduling approach for a Critical Monitoring System in a Digital Twin (DT) cluster based on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) is presented. Recent advances in the DRL field inspired us to research how to build a solution that learns to manage the cloud container’s resources directly from experience. The paper presents a multi-objective Scheduling approach for containerized microservice Critical Notification system applications based on DRL (SCN-DRL), where Neural Networks (NN) are used RL Agents. This paper implements, compares and evaluates three Neural Networks (NN) that: a) provide scheduling of the DT cluster’s notification jobs, b) outperform state-of-art heuristics, and c) keep steady performance when notification workload increases from 10 to 90%. Furthermore, resilience to resource container failures is a critical component of the distributed system; our proposed research shows that SCN-DRL is resilient to sudden resource drops by 10%.
Classification and Phylogenetic Relationship Identification of Weigela Plants Using DNA Barcoding Technology
Authors: Wang J X , Shi B S , Zhou X H , Liu Y L , Li J Q , Zhang J , Zhang X Y
Published: November 2023

DNA barcoding technology is widely used in the classification and identification of plant germplasm. In this study, the chloroplast gene intergenic spacer trnC-petN and the nuclear gene intergenic spacer ITS2 were selected as DNA barcodes to identify 31 germplasm resources of the Weigela. The amplification and sequencing success rates for both primers were 100%. Based on the individual use of trnC-petN and ITS2, the accuracy was 66.76% and 75.56%, respectively. Both primers could accurately classify and identify most germplasm, but the accuracy for individual materials was relatively low. The combined analysis of trnC-petN and ITS2 divided the experimental materials of the Weigela into four groups: W. florida 'Red Prince' group, Weigela florida group, Weigela praecox group, and W. florida 'Linglong' group, with a high accuracy of 83.68%. The combined method, incorporating clustering results from individual markers, demonstrated higher accuracy than individual molecular markers, providing a better classification and identification of germplasm resources and their genetic relationships within the Weigela.
Lights, Camera, Mirror, Action! Toolbox for Motion Capture of Rapid Maneuvers using a Single High Speed Camera and a Planar Mirror
Authors: Hussain Wajahat , Naveed Mahum , Khan Asad , Khan Taimoor Hasan , Anjum Muhammad Latif , Rasool Shahzad , Maqsood Adnan
Published: November 2023

Motion capture options at a high rate, e.g., kinematics of flying organisms, are limited. Inertial sensors or marker based tracking is infeasible due to the mounting requirement. The advent of high-speed cameras being made available for commercial use has facilitated the discovery of intriguing high rate behaviors. However, analyzing rapid kinematics in three dimensions necessitates using two or more high-speed cameras, which are specialized equipment and come at a significant expense. In this study, we utilize a conventional methodology of capturing synchronized multiple views using a solitary camera and a planar mirror. We introduce a user-friendly software package that facilitates the calibration of this economical setup, enables the three-dimensional (3D) analysis of high-rate maneuvers and automatic tracking over long video sequences. Within ~15 minutes, a single high-speed camera is calibrated and can be used to acquire 3D data. We accompany the toolbox with a detailed user guide and video tutorial (https://tinyurl.com/yckm9y6b) for ease of use. We accurately reconstruct dense tracks for multiple high rate maneuvers including flying insect species (dragonfly, butterfly and housefly), spinning coin and rotating fan blades.
Efficient Green Spin Light-Emitting Diodes Enabled by Ultrafast Energy- and Spin-Funneling in Chiral Perovskites
Authors: Lu Haipeng , Yao Jingwen , Wang Zhiyu , Huang Yuling , Xue Jie , Zhang Dengliang , Chen Jiangshan , Chen Xihan , Dong Shou-Cheng
Published: November 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Soil degradation and herbicide pollution by repeated cassava monoculture within Thailand’s conservation region
Authors: Popradit Ananya , Nakhokwik Yutthana , Robischon Marcel , Saiki Shin-Taro , Yoshimura Jin , Wanasiri Arichai , Ishida Atsushi
Published: November 2023

In a national park in Northeast Thailand, agricultural land has been converted from natural forest by small-scale farmers. To investigate the impact of repeated cassava monoculture on soil, we conducted a five-year (2016–2020) study on the physical and chemical properties of soil in cassava farmland and examined the properties of forest soil as a control. Soil nitrogen, available phosphate and potassium, and bulk density were significantly higher in the farmland than in the forest, whereas organic matter and cation exchange capacity were the opposite. In the farmland, soil nitrogen, electrical conductivity, and bulk density increased significantly, whereas pH and organic matter decreased significantly, indicating that soil degradation progressed during the five years. The use of glyphosate and paraquat herbicides is prohibited within national parks. However, in 2020, glyphosate was detected in farmland soil at levels of up to 5.0 mg kg-1 during both the rainy and dry seasons, and glyphosate (2.5 mg l-1) was detected in stream water from the farmland during the dry season. The use of glyphosate in the farmland was suspected at least in 2020. Soil degradation and herbicide pollution may carry a high risk of causing irreversible changes to the terrestrial ecosystems.
Elucidating the Role of let-7d-5p and OLR1 in Progression and Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma via FAK/P53 Signaling axis
Authors: Lin Che-Hsuan , Chiang Chih-chiu , Shih Ya-Chi , Tung Shiao-Lin , Huang Wei-Chieh
Published: November 2023

Purpose: This study investigates the role of let-7d-5p microRNA (miRNA) and its target gene OLR1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), focusing on their implications in tumor progression, metastasis and potential as therapeutic targets. Despite advances in OSCC diagnosis and treatment, the five-year survival rate remains low, underscoring the need for improved biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. We aim to elucidate the regulatory functions of let-7d-5p and OLR1 in OSCC pathogenesis.
Methods: Employing next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic tools, we profiled differentially expressed miRNAs in metastatic OSCC cell lines, identifying let-7d-5p as a key downregulated miRNA and OLR1 as a novel target of let-7d-5p. We validated this interaction using luciferase reporter assays and studied the biological effects of modulating let-7d-5p and OLR1 expression on OSCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and stemness. Additionally, we analyzed clinical data to establish the relevance of OLR1 expression in OSCC prognosis.
Results: Our findings reveal let-7d-5p as a potent suppressor of OSCC metastasis, primarily by targeting and downregulating OLR1. OLR1-silencing reduced OSCC cell invasiveness, migration, and stemness, implicating its prominent role in tumor progression. Mechanistically, let-7d-5p modulates a signaling cascade involving FAK, SRC, PAXILLIN, and P53, influencing cellular apoptosis and chemoresistance. Clinically, elevated OLR1 expression significantly correlates with advanced OSCC stages and poorer survival rates, highlighting its potential as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target.
Conclusion: Our study uncovers the significance of the let-7d-5p-OLR1 axis in OSCC pathogenesis, offering novel insights for future therapeutic interventions.
Psychomotor Vigilance Task indices are correlated with and can predict the Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Fan Xiwang , Zhong Yiwen , Li Zheyin , Zheng Yi , Wang Xuesong , He Jibo , Zhao Xudong , Chen Fazhan
Published: November 2023

Background:
Accurate assessment of major depressive disorder (MDD) has been a common topic with regard to assessment tools and psychopathology. Currently, popular tools such as the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and other self-report assessments are insufficient, as patients might be incapable of recalling or evaluating themselves. The psychomotor vigilance task (PVT), which can be used for the evaluation of MDD, does not require patients to evaluate themselves, and thus might be a good assessment tool.
Method:
We selected 93 patients diagnosed with MDD to participate in this study. Each of them was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores and PVT indices. One-way analysis of variance ( ) of the depression level and five PVT indices was conducted to examine the association. Linear regression analysis was then conducted between the HAMD scores and PVT indices.
Result:
We found that certain PVT indices showed a statistically significant relationship with the HAMD and other factor scores. On linear regression analyses, the optimum reaction time (RT) median ( = 0.007) showed a positive relationship with the HAMD scores, whereas the median RT reciprocal ( = 0.039) showed a negative relationship with HAMD. Simultaneously, these two indices showed a significant relationship with some other factor scores.
Conclusion:
The results of this study demonstrate the usefulness of PVT indices in predicting depression severity. This evidence suggests that PVT could serve as a potential screening tool because it is quick, non-intrusive, and universally adaptable in different clinical scenarios.
A Digital speckle stereo matching algorithm based on epipolar line correction
Authors: Liu Liping , Niu Boya , Xu Zhuo , Zhang Songyang , Shao Zhaoyu , Wang Xinyu
Published: November 2023

When the digital speckle correlation method takes images in some working conditions, the left and right images appear weak correlation due to the extreme inclination of the camera, which leads to the difficulty of matching. In order to solve the above problem, a digital speckle stereo matching algorithm based on epipolar correction is proposed in this paper, and an estimation method of deformational iterative initial values of the first-order shape function in the stereo matching process is given through theoretical derivation. The Newton-Raphson (NR) method can be directly used for fine matching in the original left and right images through the estimated deformational iterative initial value. The digital speckle matching experiment under different camera inclination angles of 24.2°, 34.2°, 41.15°, 47.3° and 52.4° is carried out to verify the effectiveness of the digital speckle stereo matching algorithm based on epipolar correction. The experimental results show that this method can complete the matching well under different inclined field of view, and the matching success rate is close to 100%, which can at least meet the requirement of digital speckle matching and deformation strain measurement under the inclination angle less than 52.4° field of view.
Colorectal adenoma is positively associated with insulin resistance and polyp’s VCAM-1 expression in humans
Authors: Wang Hao , Wang Haipeng , Jin Yuqin , Wang Dongyang , Chen Ming , Zhang Hao , Dong Guangfeng , Li Zengjun
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND
Accumulating evidence suggests that insulin resistance (IR) is closely linked to colorectal cancer (CRC). Some studies have revealed that IR may be associated with metabolites in colonocytes and may play a proto-oncogenic role.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to investigate the relationship between colorectal adenoma and insulin resistance and its associated VCAM-1.
METHOD
49 patients diagnosed with intestinal polyps between June 2019 and September 2021 at the Shandong Cancer Hospital were recruited in this study. Fasting insulin (Fins), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HOMA-IR, and polyp’s VCAM-1 mRNA levels were determined in these patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of the aggressive clinical behavior of polyps.
RESULTS
Patients with adenomatous polyps had significant higher levels of fasting insulin (Fins), fasting blood glucose (FBG), HOMA-IR, and polyp’s VCAM-1 mRNA than those with inflammatory polyps. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis indicated that HOMA-IR was an independent predictive factor for adenomatous polyps. Cross-tabulation and Pearson’s chi-square tests identified that adenomatous polyps had higher levels of VCAM-1 than inflammatory polyps.
CONCLUSION
Colorectal adenoma is positively associated with insulin resistance and polyp’s VCAM-1 expression, suggesting an important role of insulin resistance in the formation and progression of intestinal tumor.
Fibroblast Growth factor 23 for prediction of outcome in community- acquired acute kidney injury: a prospective observational study
Authors: Elkot Mahmoud Naguib , Nassar Mohammed Kamal , Sayed-Ahmed Nagy , Atwa Mohamed Ali , Eldeeb Ahmed
Published: November 2023

Background
Serum Fibroblast Growth factor 23 (FGF23) level has been found to be elevated in AKI through multiple previous studies. Moreover, higher FGF23 level was associated with mortality and adverse outcomes in critically ill patients and patients undergoing cardiac surgery who developed acute kidney injury (AKI) suggesting that FGF23 can have a prognostic value in AKI. The current study aims to investigate the association of serum FGF23 levels with morbidity and mortality in patients with community-acquired AKI.
Methods
A longitudinal prospective study was carried out that included 64 patients who presented with community-acquired AKI to Mansoura Nephrology and Dialysis Unit (MNDU) at Mansoura University Hospital. Serum intact FGF23 level was measured after admission. patients were followed up during hospital stay and then at 90-day after admission. The primary outcomes were hospital and 90-day mortality and renal recovery.
Results
In this study, nine of the studied 64 AKI patients (14.1%) died during hospital admission and 18 out of 62 AKI patients (29%) died during the 90-day follow up period including those who died during hospital admission. Hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with shock, sepsis, hypoalbuminemia, or high FGF23 in univariate analysis (p < 0.05). However, when binary logistic regression was carried out, shock was the only significant independent predictor for mortality [p value = 0.015; adjusted odds ratio = 12.465], while serum FGF23 did not independently predict in-hospital [p value = 0.589; adjusted odds ratio = 1.001] or 90-day mortality [p value = 0.055; adjusted odds ratio = 1.003] when entered in the regression equation together with the other confounders. Serum FGF23 in this study was not also associated with renal recovery, need for renal replacement, or the duration from peak serum creatinine to renal recovery (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
This research showed that serum iFGF23 could not predict mortality, renal recovery, or need for renal replacement therapy in patients with community-acquired AKI.
EchoSense: A framework for Analyzing the Echo Chambers phenomenon: A Case Study on Qatar Events
Authors: Kavargyris Dimitrios Christos , Georgiou Konstantinos , Angelis Lefteris
Published: November 2023

The impact of social media on information exchange is profound, providing valuable access to public information, but it can also intensify negative effects like cognitive bias, opinion extremism, and misinformation through the creation of echo chambers. These echo chambers, characterized by repeated information within closed systems, result from preferential exposure, homophily, and social impact. In this study, we present EchoSense, a framework that can conduct a comprehensive analysis of echo chambers on specific topics using both content and social network analysis and develop effective strategies to address the impact of echo chambers on public discourse and democratic processes. The objective of our developed framework is to serve as a comprehensive guide for detecting echo chambers, with a particular focus on the issue of racial discrimination and worker conditions in the Qatar World cup of 2022, For this purpose, over one million tweets were collected and stored, spanning from January 2022 to the beginning of the World Cup in Qatar. Through this comprehensive analysis, we aspire to contribute to a better understanding of echo chambers while addressing polarization concerns within online communities.
Democratising Complex System Modelling
Authors: Pardi Anabele-Linda , Burina Elizaveta
Published: November 2023

In the contemporary context of an acute need for sustainability and swift response to imminent crises such as global warming, pandemics and economic system disruptions, the focus on responsible decision making, ethical risk assessment and mitigation at all organizational levels is an overarching goal. Our aim is to introduce a deterministic method for investigating the stability of complex systems, in order to find the most important elements of such systems and their impact on different scenarios. The novelty of the current approach lies in its compact format and intuitive nature, designed to accommodate a limited amount of computational resources. The proposed modelling method involves the mapping of complex systems from a diversity of disciplines (economic markets and the resource management domain) onto a sequence of chemical reactions and involving a subsequent mathematical analysis. Mapping the results back onto the use cases shows that one can retrieve a considerable amount of detail, making the modeling strategy general enough to be adaptable and scalable while also detailed enough to provide valuable insights for practical scenarios.
Nationale Standards und Schnittstellen zur Übertragung von Forschungsinformationen
Authors: Harbich Madeleine , Bacher Arntraud , Hicker Ulrike , Rohr Laura , Springer-Briem Susanne
Published: November 2023

RIS Synergy schafft offene Zugangs- bzw. Austauschmöglichkeiten für Systeme von Fördergebern, Forschungsstätten und der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Ziel ist die Vereinfachung der Zusammenarbeit sowie die Schaffung von einheitlichen und reibungslosen Arbeitsabläufe für alle Beteiligten. Mittel sind die Datenerfassung nach dem Once-Only-Prinzip sowie der auf Standards basierende Austausch von Forschungsinformationen. In den Bereichen Projektabrechnung (Finanzdaten) und Programminformationen konnten während der bisherigen Projektlaufzeit bereits Schnittstellen aufgebaut und erfolgreich in den Echtbetrieb genommen werden. Der vorliegende Artikel beleuchtet diese Ergebnisse und die Herausforderungen im Rahmen der Projektarbeit.
Assembly and Analysis of the First Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Ficus carica Linn.
Authors: Wei Lingzhu , Zheng Ting , Xiang Jiang , Cheng Jianhui , Wu Jiang
Published: November 2023

Ficus carica Linn. is an important economic tree species with high developmental prospects and scientific research for edible and medicinal value. The F. carica chloroplast genome has recently been reported; however, the mitochondrial genome is still unexplored. We assembled the complete mitogenome of F. carica using reads from PacBio Biosciences sequencing platforms. The circular mitogenome F. carica has a length of 480,902 base pairs (bp), which contain 46 genes, including 27 protein-coding genes, 16 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and three ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The base composition, codon usage, sequence repeats, RNA editing, and selective pressure were examined. We also conducted the phylogenetic analysis based on the mitogenomes of F. carica and 21 other taxa to know the evolutionary and taxonomic status of F. carica. Our analyses provided comprehensive information on the F. carica mitochondrial genome, which would facilitate evolutionary research in other fruit trees in the future.
Technologies for reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
Authors:   Irkutsk National Research Technical University, MOLOKOVA Elena I.
Published: November 2023

The article provides a brief overview of existing and developing methods for capturing, depositing and using carbon dioxide. These technologies are of interest due to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on greenhouse emission reduction in the environmental legislation of Russia. The article classifies technologies that reduce CO2 in the atmosphere; the classification includes technologies aimed at capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air. Pilot technologies and potential directions for storing captured carbon dioxide are considered. The article shows that there are technological processes and devices that have been used for years to capture carbon dioxide, but new approaches to the purification of gas mixtures from CO2 are being developed. New methods of carbon dioxide capture and deposition are being tested and developed to provide additional opportunities for enterprises and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Effects of agricultural practices and fungicides on the management postharvest anthracnose and stem-end rot of mango
Authors: Batista Diógenes da Cruz , Júnior Miguel Alves- , Peruch Luiz Augusto Martins , Barbosa Maria Angélica Guimarães
Published: November 2023

Anthracnose and stem-end rot are the main postharvest mango diseases in the Brazilian Northeast. In order to determine the incidence and prevalence of these diseases, near ripe (stage 3) Tommy Atkins fruits were collected from thirty orchards, aged 10 to 12 years old. Inspections and records regarding agricultural practices were undertaken in order to characterize the orchards and evaluate the risk of diseases. Additionally, three experiments were conducted to evaluate different fungicides. Fruits were harvested in Tommy Atkins orchards sprayed with different fungicides and disease incidences were evaluated for two weeks. General averages of incidence and prevalence of stem-end rot were 14.44% and 86.67% respectively, while those of anthracnose were 5.55% and 36.67%. Pearson’s chi-squared test identified a significant association between management practices and the occurrence of diseases. The risk of producing diseased fruits is larger in orchards that do not remove residues beneath or above the canopy or diseased panicles and do not adopt good agricultural practices. For orchards that do not adopt good agricultural practices, the relative risk was a 3.82 times higher chance of producing diseased fruits compared to those that adopt good agricultural practices. The fungicides that exhibited efficiency in disease control were pyraclostrobin (0.10 g/L), copper oxychloride (1.60 g/L) and tetraconazole (0.10 g/L). According to the results, in order to control anthracnose and stem-end rot in mangos, producers should spray the orchards with pyraclostrobin, copper oxychloride and tetraconazole fungicides, remove malformed panicles and diseased residues above and beneath the canopy
7269 SAYILI UMUMİ HAYATA MÜESSİR AFETLER DOLAYISİYLE ALINACAK TEDBİRLERLE YAPILACAK YARDIMLARA DAİR KANUN’UN VE BU KANUN KAPSAMINDAKİ HAK SAHİPLİĞİ KURUMUNUN TÜRK İDARE HUKUKU BAKIMINDAN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ
Authors: ERSÖZ Kürşat
Published: November 2023

Türkiye bulunduğu konumu itibariyle bir afet ülkesidir. Ülkemizde son yüzyılda yaklaşık 120 civarında tahrip edici deprem meydana gelmiştir. Son olarak, 6 Şubat 2023’te Kahramanmaraş ilimize bağlı Pazarcık ve Elbistan ilçelerinde yaşanan ardışık ve büyük depremler, sadece ülke tarihinde değil, dünya tarihinde de ender görülen afet örneklerinden birisidir. Yaşanan yıkım, “afet” in bu toprakların değişmez gerçeği olduğunu maalesef bir kere daha bizlere tecrübe ettirmiştir. 7269 Sayılı Umumi Hayata Müessir Afetler Dolayısiyle Alınacak Tedbirlerle Yapılacak Yardımlara Dair Kanun, afetler esnasında hatırlanan bir kanundur. Ancak bu Kanun esasında özgün nitelikte birçok hükmü ihtiva eden, teknik bir koddur. Nitekim başta afetin tanımlanmasından başlayarak, ülkemizdeki afet örgütlenmesini, afetin nasıl yönetileceğini, afet sonrasında afetin yarattığı travmaların nasıl onarılacağını düzenler. Ayrıca, idarelere önemli yetkiler veren, zarar gören yurttaşa ise özellikli haklar veren bir normlar silsilesidir. Özelliği itibariyle de Türk pozitif hukukunun afet konusundaki genel kanunu niteliğindedir. Bu nedenle de uygulamadaki adı “Afet Kanunu” ya da “Afetler Kanunu” dur. Bu çerçevede, çalışma kapsamında Afet/ Afetler Kanunu olarak bilinen 7269 sayılı Kanunu inceleyerek, kanunla sınırlı olarak ve Cumhurbaşkanlığı Kararnamelerini (CBK) de ele alarak Türk İdare Hukuku disiplini içerisinde görüş ve önerilerimizi sunmaya çalışacağız.
A moderated mediation analysis on fintech adoption, social influence, competitiveness and financial performance of commercial banks in Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Aamir , Shahin Mia Md , Ahmed Ferdoushi , Prommee Paratta
Published: November 2023

Commercial banks in Pakistan have a great potential to improve competitiveness and financial performance through fintech adoption. Therefore, this study aims to assess the impact of fintech adoption on financial performance of commercial banks while emphasizing the moderating role of social influence and mediating role of competitiveness in the banks in Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with five largest and most reputed commercial banks in Pakistan. Bank employees, particularly bank managers, were chosen as the respondents. The sample size for the study was 367 bank managers selected randomly from the chosen commercial banks. A standardized and structured questionnaire was used to interview the selected respondents to collect primary data. The partial least square structural equation modelling was employed to analyze the data and process the findings of the study. The analysis revealed that 62% of the respondents were male, and nearly 47% were in the age of 40 years and above. The study found a positive and significant impact of fintech adoption on the financial performance of banks. It was also found that social influence had a significant impact on banks’ competitiveness. Moreover, the findings revealed that competitiveness had a significant mediation impact on the increase in fintech adoption and consequently on the financial performance of banks.
AcknowledgmentThe authors are thankful to the respondents (i.e., the employees of the selected banks) to participate in the survey without any financial benefit.
Mısırözü Yağı ve Zeytinyağında Hekzanal Tayini
Authors: ÇELİK Nur , YÜCEL Tahir , CAVİDOĞLU İsa
Published: November 2023

Bu çalışmada, mısırözü yağı ve zeytinyağında oksidasyon göstergesi olarak kullanılan hekzanalın Katı Faz Mikroekstraksiyon (SPME) yöntemiyle tespiti araştırılmıştır. Hekzanal ile internal standart (IS) olarak kullanılan 5-metil 2-hekzanon arasındaki doğrusal ilişkinin düzeyini belirlemek üzere, matriks olarak kullanılan mısırözü yağı ve zeytinyağına farklı oranlarda hekzanal ve IS eklenerek SPME yöntemi uygulanmış ve daha sonra değişkenler arasındaki ilişki, regresyon denklemi ve korelasyon katsayılarının (R2) belirlenmesi ile değerlendirilmiştir. Mısırözü yağı ve zeytinyağı için uygulanan koşullarda en uygun sıcaklık ve süre koşulunun belirlenmesi için R2 değerlerine bakılmıştır. R2 değerleri dikkate alındığında, 40°C ve 50°C sıcaklıklarda mısırözü yağı ve zeytinyağında en yüksek hekzanal ekstraksiyon etkinliğine 20 dk’da ulaştığı saptanmıştır. 60°C’deki ekstraksiyon sıcaklığında ise en yüksek SPME etkinliği mısırözü yağı ve zeytinyağı için sırasıyla 40 dk ve 30 dk’da saptanmıştır. Tüm sonuçlar topluca değerlendirildiğinde mısırözü yağı ve zeytinyağında hekzanal analizi için 40°C’de 20 dk ekstraksiyon süresinin en uygun koşul olduğu saptanmıştır. Çalışmada hekzanal analizinde IS olarak 5-metil 2-hekzanonun kullanılabileceği tespit edilmiştir. Mısırözü yağı ve zeytinyağında gaz kromatorgrafisi (GC)-SPME yöntemi ile hekzanalın belirleme limitinin 5 ppb’ye kadar düşürülebileceği saptanmıştır.
Geohücre ile Donatılandırılan Zeminlerde Temel Geometrisi ve Boyutlarının Taşıma Gücü Üzerine Etkilerinin Araştırılması
Authors: PORTAKAL Gökçe Gizem , YEŞİLTEPE Ömer , ÖRNEK Murat
Published: November 2023

Üst yapıdan gelen yükleri kabul edilebilir sınırlar içerisinde deplasman yaparak güvenli bir şekilde taşımak, temel zemininde olması gereken bir özelliktir. Bu şartları taşımayan zeminlerin geoteknik açıdan uygun bir hale getirilmesi için çeşitli zemin iyileştirme yöntemlerine başvurulabilmektedir. Zeminlerin iyileştirilmesinde kullanılan malzemelerden birisi de geohücrelerdir. Geohücreler içine yerleştirilen zemin dolgusu ile sürtünmesinden meydana gelen kenetlenme ile üzerindeki yükleri yayarak, zeminde meydana gelebilecek oturmaları azaltmakta ve taşıma gücünü arttırmaktadırlar. Bu amaçla bu çalışmada geohücre ile donatılandırılmış olan zeminlerde, geohücrenin zemin yüzeyi ile düşey mesafesinin ve üzerine yerleştirilen temel geometri ve boyutlarının taşıma gücü üzerindeki etkileri araştırılmıştır. Bu kapsamda 28x34x10 cm hücre boyutlarına sahip geohücre kullanılmıştır. İlk olarak geohücrenin zemin yüzeyi ile düşey mesafesini belirlemek için üç farklı mesafede arazi deneyleri yapılmıştır. Sonrasında optimum düşey mesafe belirlenerek farklı ebatlarda kare ve daire temeller kullanılarak taşıma gücü ve oturma değerleri araştırılmıştır. Deney sonuçlarına göre temel boyutlarının artmasıyla birlikte taşıma gücünün arttığı ve oturma değerlerinin azaldığı tespit edilirken, kare kesite sahip temellerin daire kesitli temellere göre yaklaşık olarak % 14,6 daha az oturma gerçekleştirdiği tespit edilmiştir.