bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factor Structure and Reliability of the Persian Version of Body Esteem Scale Among Iranian Adults: Exploratory Graph Analysis Approach
Authors: Sharif-Nia Hamid , She Long , Farhadi Bahar , Mollaei Fereshteh , Mazhari Seyed Amirhossein , Mosazadeh Hasan , Goudarzian Amir Hossein , Hasan Nejad Ghaem
Published: June 2024

Background and Purpose:The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Mendelson and White Body Esteem Scale in Iranian adults.Methods:This cross-sectional study design was used and carried out in 2023. Following the inclusion criteria, 500 adults were gathered from Tehran (Tehran, Iran) with an accessible sampling method. After translation of Body Esteem Scale to Persian language, construct validity (with factor analysis and exploratory graph analysis) and reliability were assessed.Results:The mean age of the participants was 30.66 (standard deviation = 7.40) years. The results of Maximum Likelihood Exploratory Factor Analysis (MLEFA) with Promax with Kaiser normalization rotation extracted three factors accounting for 43.4% of the variance comprising 21 items. Also, after necessary modifications during confirmatory factor analysis, the final model was approved. As for construct reliability, the Cronbach’s alpha, Composite Reliability, and Maximal Reliability for all constructs were greater than 0.7, demonstrating good internal consistency and construct reliability.Conclusions:According to results, the Persian version of Body Esteem Scale has a valid structure and acceptable reliability. This scale can be used by health professionals in many ways.
ÜÇ BOYUTLU ANİMASYONLARIN GELECEĞİ: HAREKET YAKALAMA TEKNOLOJİSİ
Authors: Gürbüz Ali Aycan
Published: June 2024

Günümüz teknolojileri eğitim, ulaşım, alışveriş, eğlence gibi hayatımızın birçok alanında doğrudan ya da dolaylı olarak karşımıza çıkmakta ve gündelik işlerimizi kolaylaştırabilmektedir. Hızla gelişen dijital teknolojilerin sunduğu kolaylıklar birçok alanda yenilikçi yaklaşımlar sağlarken aynı zamanda kullanıma bağlı olarak sürekli güncellenip geliştirilmektedir. 20. yüzyılın ortalarında temelleri atılan dijital teknolojiler, animasyon alanında da hızlı bir gelişim göstermiş ve bu gelişimin getirdiği popülarite sayesinde geleneksel animasyon yöntemleri ile oluşturulan animasyon filmler, teknik anlamda yerini üç boyutlu dijital animasyon yöntemleri ile üretilen filmlere bırakmaya başlamıştır.
Bu çalışma, üç boyutlu animasyon üretim tekniği ile doğrudan bağlantılı olan hareket yakalama teknolojisinin tarihsel gelişimini, kullanım alanlarını ve üç boyutlu animasyonlara etkilerini örnekler üzerinden inceleyip alana veri sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Nitel araştırma yöntemi ile oluşturulan çalışmada ilgili alanyazın taranıp güncel bakış açıları değerlendirilmiş ve üç boyutlu animasyon üretimi için hareket yakalama teknolojisi sistemlerinin karmaşık fiziksel donanımları yerine, yakın gelecekte gelişmiş yapay zekâ destekli yazılımların ve ekipmanların kullanımı ile aynı sonuçlara ulaşılabileceği anlaşılmıştır. Ayrıca çalışmada, hareket yakalama teknolojisinde kullanılan sistemler, teknik yeterlikleri, çalışma prensipleri, avantajları, dezavantajları ve gelecekteki potansiyeli üzerinde durulmaktadır.
Netnografinin Medyanın Ekonomi Politiği Bağlamında Kullanımı
Authors: Özkoçak Levent
Published: June 2024

Birey ve/veya toplulukların medyanın ekonomi politiği bağlamında ortaya koydukları söylemleri, netnografi yöntemi ile araştıran akademisyenlerin konu içerikleri çalışmanın özünü oluşturmaktadır. Diğer bir değişle çalışmanın amacı netnografi araştırma yönteminin toplumsal bağlamda ekonomi politiğinde yer alan araştırma konularını ortaya koymaktır. EBSCOhost (1064), Science Direct (645), Web of Science (1372) ve Dergi Park (55) (ulusal akademik veri tabanı olması nedeniyle araştırmaya alınmıştır) veri tabanlarında netnografi metodolojisinin kullanıldığı 3133 akademik makale incelenmiştir. Birey ve/veya sanal toplulukların medyanın ekonomi politiği bağlamındaki konu başlıklarının araştırıldığı akademik makale sayısı 141 olmuştur. Çalışmanın kapsamında ortaya konan bilgiler ve öneriler öznel bir görüşten farklı olarak ampirik nitelik taşımaktadır.
Quel avenir pour l'élevage au Sahel ?
Authors: Peyre De Fabrègues Bernard
Published: June 2024

A travers une brève description des traits essentiels des facteurs pastoraux, animaux et humains, l'auteur examine la nouvelle situation de l'élevage dans le contexte de la sécheresse actuelle au Sahel. A partir de ce constat, particulièrement dramatique à cause de l'extrême rigueur du déficit pluviométrique et alimentaire de 1984, des éléments de stratégie de redressement de la situation sont énoncés. Ces propositions tiennent principalement compte de la nécessité de trouver un moyen d'adapter les effectifs et les modes d'élevage à la production fourragère si on veut éviter la disparition de la production animale sahélienne et, avec elle, l'élimination des pasteurs de la zone.
Konstruksi Stunting Masyarakat Perkotaan: Proses Eksternalisasi, Objektivasi, Dan Internalisasi
Authors: Ma'krufi Jamiatul , Nurbayani Siti , Wahyuni Sri
Published: June 2024

Quality human resources are one of the factors that influence a nation's ability to develop physically and mentally. Because many children under five who experience stunting are caused by the environment or parenting. The incidence of stunting in Kebonwaru RW 03 Village with a total of 22 stunted toddlers aged 0-24 months. This study aims to examine how the social construction of the Kebonwaru community in efforts to prevent stunting in toddlers. The approach used in this research is qualitative with descriptive method research. The results of this study indicate that stunting generally occurs in children under five, especially those aged between 6 months and 5 years. Newborn children and toddlers aged 6 months and above need a lot of nutrients to support better growth. If one of the nutrients provided is less than needed, the child will suffer from stunting.
«Mujeres descasadas», «Travoltas» y «colonialismo cultural yanqui»
Authors: Cruz Chamizo Laura C.
Published: June 2024

Una vez legalizado, el Partido Comunista de España (PCE) incrementó sus esfuerzos en utilizar la cultura como un instrumento más de la revolución social, instando a su militancia a que transformara la sociedad desde sus propias actitudes y comportamientos. En este sentido, los comunistas consideraron aquellos productos y referentes culturales provenientes de Estados Unidos como parte de la crisis cultural y del sistema de valores de los países capitalistas desarrollados, contrarios a los valores que buscaban promover. Entre estos valores caducos que criticaban se encontraba la reivindicación de unos roles de género reaccionarios. Teniendo en cuenta la importancia de las transmisiones culturales transnacionales para los partidos comunistas, el objetivo de este artículo es analizar las críticas culturales del PCE a los modelos de masculinidad y feminidad del cine de Hollywood durante los últimos años de la década de 1970 a partir de documentación interna, fuentes hemerográficas y orales.
Inferiority Complex in Adolescent Users of The Tiktok Application
Authors: Mayangsari Marina Dwi , Lala Frits Hendrik , Rosif Eef Saifullah , Haliza Nur , Rambe Fara Noor Aqilla , Vitasari Risky Nuer , Lutfi Muhamad
Published: June 2024

In today's digital era, the role of social media such as TikTok can influence the formation of adolescent self concepts. If it is not accompanied by a positive attitude, the various content seen can create a stimulus that forms a negative self-concept for adolescents. Inferiority complex is a condition in which individuals cannot compensate for feelings of inferiority so they tend to view their self-concepts negatively and feel powerless to face the environment. This study aims to determine the description of inferiority complex behavior in adolescent users of the TikTok application. This research is a mix method with purposive sampling technique. Quantitative data collection using an inferiority feeling scale. Qualitative data collection using interviews to 6 respondents with low, medium, and high inferiority complex categories. The results of the study describe that the inferiority complex behavior of adolescent users of the TikTok application is related to aspects of social confidence, school abilities, self-regard, physical appearance, and physical abilities. The survey results also found that 8.82% of teenagers using the TikTok application had a low level of inferiority complex; 85.30% at moderate level; and 5.88% at high levels.
Comparison of Wolbachia Knowledge between High School Students in Suburban and Urban of Yogyakarta
Authors: Ammar Naufal Abdan , Kesetyaningsih Tri Wulandari
Published: June 2024

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a health problem throughout the world. The problems mainly originate from the control that still need to be improved. The Indonesian government’s latest control is the Wolbachia program which was initiated in Yogyakarta Province, especially in Sleman Regency and Yogyakarta City. This research aims to determine the knowledge about Wolbachia program among the students in Sleman Regency (sub-urban) and Yogyakarta City (urban). This is an observational study with a cross-sectional design. Research sampling was carried out using the purposive sampling method. The study involved 181 High School students in Sleman Regency and 200 students in Yogyakarta City. Data collection conducted using questionnaire. The average score for Sleman Regency students is 46.85 and Yogyakarta City students 47.77, means low. Mann-Whitney analysis proved that there is no difference in the knowledge about Wolbachia program between sub-urban and urban students (p = 0.273). Male students' scores were lower in urban and female students' scores were lower in sub-urban. Socialization about the Wolbachia program needs to be carried out targeting students.
The Importance of Vitamin K and the Vitamins K and D Combined for the Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health: A Review
Authors: Aaseth Jan O. , Finnes Trine Elisabeth , Askim Merete , Alexander Jan
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The aim of the present review is to discuss the roles of vitamin K and vitamin K-dependent proteins, and the combined action of the vitamins K and D, for maintenance of bone health. The most relevant vitamin K-dependent proteins in this respect are osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein (MGP). When carboxylated these proteins appear to have the ability to chelate and import calcium from the blood to the bone, thereby reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Carboxylated osteocalcin appears to contribute directly to bone quality and strength. Adequate vitamin K status is required for carboxylation of MGP and osteocalcin. In addition, vitamin K acts on bone metabolism by other mechanism, such as a ligand for the nuclear steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR). In this narrative review, we examine the evidence for increased bone mineralization through dietary adequacy of vitamin K (phylloquinone or menaquinone). Summarizing the evidence for a synergistic effect of vitamin K and vitamin D3 we find that an adequate supply of vitamin K on top of an optimal vitamin D status seems to add to the benefit for maintaining bone health. More research related to synergism and possible mechanisms of vitamins D3 and K interaction in bone health is needed.
Propionic Acidemia, Methylmalonic Acidemia, and cblC Defect: Comparison of Untargeted Metabolomic Profiles
Authors: Sidorina Anna , Catesini Giulio , Sacchetti Elisa , Rizzo Cristiano , Dionisi-Vici Carlo
Published: June 2024

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), propionic acidemia (PA), and cobalamin C deficiency (cblC) share a defect in propionic acid metabolism. In addition, cblC is also involved in the process of homocysteine remethylation. These three diseases produce various phenotypes and complex downstream metabolic effects. In this study we used an untargeted metabolomics approach to investigate the biochemical differences and the possible connections with the pathophysiology of each disease. Untargeted urine metabolomic profiles of 21 patients (7 MMA, 7 PA, 7 cblC) were identified through statistical analysis (p<0.05; log2FC >|1|) and then used for the annotation. Annotated features were associated with different metabolic pathways potentially involved in the diseases development. Comparative statistic showed markedly different metabolomic profiles between MMA, PA and cblC, highlighting characteristic species for each disease. The most affected pathways were related to the metabolism of organic acids (MMA, PA, cblC), amino acids (MMA, PA, cblC), glycine and its conjugates (PA), transsulfuration pathway (cblC), oxidative processes (cblC) and neurosteroid hormones (cblC). The untargeted metabolomics study highlighted the presence of significant differences between the three diseases, pointing to the most relevant contrast of cblC profile compared to MMA and PA. Some new biomarkers are proposed for PA, while novel data regarding the alterations of steroid hormone profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress were obtained for cblC disease. The elevation of neurosteroids in cblC may indicate a potential connection with the development of ocular and neuronal deterioration.
Smart Composite Materials with Self-Healing Properties: A Review on Design and Applications
Authors: Kontiza Artemis , Kartsonakis Ioannis A.
Published: June 2024

Self-healing materials research spans many academic disciplines and employs a wide range of methodologies. Some of the developed concepts are driven by the direct application of the materials. However, a deeper understanding of the basic mechanisms and principles of self-healing materials is still a challenging aim. Nature has mostly served as an inspiration for the development of new self-healing materials, and it will undoubtedly continue to be a significant source of inspiration for the creation of novel ideas. This review encompasses the principles of self-healing mechanisms based on the concepts of autonomous and non-autonomous procedures. Studies based on smart composite materials with autonomous self-healing properties are also included and discussed from two aspects of intrinsic or extrinsic abilities, taking into consideration their components and structures as well as the design of these composites. Finally, special attention is given to the application of the materials in several fields such as aerospace, automotive, marine, energy, medical and healthcare, military, and construction.
Review of Multimodal Data Acquisition Approaches for Brain-Computer Interfaces
Authors: Ghosh Sayantan , Máthé Domokos , Bhuvana Harishita Purushothaman , Sankarapillai Pramod , Mohan Anand , Bhuvanakantham Raghavan , Gulyás Balázs , Padmanabhan Parasuraman
Published: June 2024

There have been multiple technological advancements that promise to gradually enable devices to measure and record signals with high resolution and accuracy in the domain of Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI). This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of fNIRS, EEG, and fMRI, including their principles, advantages, limitations, and integration with other modalities for advanced BCIs. The paper highlights the advantages of integrating multiple modalities, such as increased accuracy and reliability, and discusses the challenges and limitations of multimodal integration. Applications of advanced BCIs in clinical, assistive, gaming, and entertainment domains are also discussed. Furthermore, we explain the data acquisition approaches for each of these modalities. We also demonstrate various software programs that help in extracting, cleaning, and refining the data. We conclude this paper with discussion on the available literature on data acquisition approaches and a comparison of the ease of use for each of the modalities.
Combined metabolomic and NIRS analyses reveal biochemical and metabolite changes in goat milk kefir under different fermentation times
Authors: Sánchez-Rodríguez Rubén , Terriente Carlos , García-Olmo Juan , Osorio Sonia , Rodríguez-Ortega Manuel J.
Published: June 2024

Dairy products are an important source of protein and other nutrients in the Mediterranean diet. In these countries the most common source of milk for producing dairies are cow, goat, sheep and buffalo. Andalusia is traditionally the largest producer of goat milk in Spain. Kefir is a fermented product made from bacteria and yeasts which has health benefits beyond its nutritional properties. There is a lack of knowledge about the molecular mechanisms and metabolites that bring about these benefits. In this work, the combination of analytical techniques (GC-FID, UHPLC-MS-QToF, GC-QqQ-MS, and GC-ToF-MS) resulted in the detection of 105 metabolites in kefir produced with goat milk from two different thermal treatments (raw and pasteurized) fermented at four times (12, 24, 36, and 48 h, using 0 h as control). Of these, 27 metabolites differed between kefir produced with raw and pasteurized milk. These changes could be possibly caused by the effect of pasteurization on the microbial population in the starting milk. Some interesting molecules were identified, as shikimic acid, dehydroabietic acid, GABA and tyramine that could be related to antibacterial properties, enhance of immune system and arterial pressure. Moreover, a viability assay of the NIRS technique was performed to evaluate its use on monitoring the fermentation and classification of samples, which had resulted in a 90 % of correct classified samples according to their fermentation time. This study represents the most comprehensive metabolomic analysis of goat milk kefir so far, revealing the intricate changes in metabolites during fermentation and the impact of milk treatment.
One-Dimensional Relativistic Self-Gravitating Systems
Authors: Mann Robert B.
Published: June 2024

One of the oldest problems in physics is that of calculating the motion of N particles under a specified mutual force: the N-body problem. Much is known about this problem if the specified force is non-relativistic gravity, and considerable progress has been made by considering the problem in one spatial dimension. Here I review what is known about the relativistic gravitational N-body problem. Reduction to one spatial dimension has the feature that gravitational radiation is absent, thereby allowing for a clear comparison between the physics of one-dimensional relativistic and non-relativistic self-gravitating systems. After describing how to obtain a relativistic theory of gravity coupled to N point particles, I discuss in turn the 2-body, 3-body, 4-body, and N-body problems. Quite general exact solutions can be obtained for the 2-body problem, unlike the situation in general relativity in 3 spatial dimensions for which only highly specified solutions exist. The 3-body problem exhibits mild forms of chaos, and provides one of the first theoretical settings in which relativistic chaos can be studied. For N4 other interesting features emerge. Relativistic self-gravitating systems have a number of interesting problems awaiting further investigation, providing us with a new frontier for exploring relativistic many-body systems.
Latent Class Analysis: A Data Discovery Approach for Exploring Dietary Intake Patterns among Sudanese Children Aged 0 to 2
Authors: Khamis Gamal Saad Mohamed , Mohammed Zakaryia M. S. , Salih Mohyaldein , Sati Ali , Hassaballa Abaker A. , Mahmoud Asharaf F. A. , Hamed Omer M.A. , Abdalla Faroug A. , Gumma Elzain A. , Adam Ahmad M. A.
Published: June 2024

Objective: To employ Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to investigate dietary intake patterns among Sudanese children aged 0 to 2 years and to examine the association of these patterns with sociodemographic factors.
Methods: This study leveraged the Sudan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2014 data to uncover dietary intake patterns among 7,362 children using latent class analysis (LCA). We investigated class memberships concerning demographic and socioeconomic factors. The model's adequacy was determined using several fit indices, including BIC, AIC, entropy, CAIC, and SABIC, providing a holistic evaluation of the model's accuracy in capturing dietary behaviors.
Results: Three latent classes were identified: Class 1 (55%) with an average nutrition composition, Class 2 (28%) with limited nutrition composition, and Class 3 (17%) with good nutrition composition. Significant associations were found between latent class membership and sociodemographic factors, particularly mother's education level and household wealth. The three-class solution provided the best balance between model fit and class distinction.
Conclusions: The LCA revealed distinct dietary intake patterns and underscored the influence of sociodemographic factors on child nutrition. The findings suggest that targeted nutritional interventions should be developed according to the specific needs of different latent classes. The study also highlights the utility of LCA as a robust statistical and machine learning tool in public health research, capable of informing tailored interventions and policies for improving child nutrition.
Implications: The study emphasizes the importance of maternal education and socio-economic status in shaping dietary behaviors of children in Sudan. It implies the need for policies that address educational disparities, food security, and economic development as part of comprehensive nutritional interventions.
AI-Driven Decision-Making in Healthcare Information Systems: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Bagheri Maryam , Bagheritaba Mohsen , Alizadeh Sohila , Parizi Mohammad Salemizadeh , Matoufinia Parisa , Luo Yang
Published: June 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing decision-making procedures in healthcare information systems (HIS), increasing the efficacy, accuracy, and personalization of healthcare. Notwithstanding remarkable progresses, yet there remain gaps in the holistic comprehension and implication of AI-driven technologies across various HIS scenarios. These gaps, consisting limited integration of AI across a variety of HIS parts and inadequate emphasize on interpretability and privacy, motivate our study to conduct a structured evaluation of recent AI applications in this domain. In this study, we present a novel taxonomy for the AI implication in medical decision-making. We analyzed 30 articles and categorized them into six groups including: Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS), Predictive Analytics, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer-Aided Diagnostics (CAD), Robotic-Assisted Surgery, and Virtual Health Assistants (VHAs/chatbots). Our study aims to propose a holistic perspective of the fast evolving perspective of AI in HIS. The majority of the investigated studies were published from 2023 and 2022, with Springer as the leading publisher (33%). Python and MATLAB were the most well-known simulation languages, applied in 48% and 20% of the papers, respectively, reflecting the technical trends in the area. By emphasizing on pivotal criteria like interpretability, accuracy, and privacy, this research aims to elucidate the crucial issues and development driving AI-driven decision-making in HIS.
Planting Seeds of Change in Foodstyles: Growing Brand Strategies to Foster Plant-Based Meat Alternatives in the Food Market
Authors: Bonetti Gino Gabriel , van Hooven Chelsea , Onorati Maria Giovanna
Published: June 2024

The article delves into the landscape of the plant-based food industry, exploring innovative market entry strategies and their interplay with the evolving food market and shifting consumer preferences and lifestyles. Adopting a multidimensional approach, the study reflects diverse perspectives at play.
Through a comparative analysis of strategic promotion and growth strategies employed by both innovative startups and established industry giants in the plant-based meat alternatives sector in Germany, the study aims to capture the challenges faced by the 'newer' wave of plant-based alternatives. This examination is particularly relevant for navigating the complexities of entering a competitive market. Striving to penetrate evolving consumer lifestyles, the study draws insightful comparisons with their "older" counterparts. In addition, through in-depth interviews with selected companies, the study investigates the entry methods of startups venturing into the German market, aiming to identify parallels and contrasts in market strategies with established brands. This provides valuable insights into innovation within the alternative food market.
Furthermore, the study explores the process of brand "platformization" by scrutinizing the websites of the selected companies and analyzing customers' online reviews of their brand experience. This comprehensive analysis unveils distinctive patterns in communication strategies, brand positioning, and consumer engagement, offering insights into plant-based innovation shaping new, caring lifestyles.
Forecasts of Extreme Meteorological Events Based on Remote Sensed Data Using Machine Learning and Their Effects on Agricultural Productivity
Authors: Schließer Jörg , Kirschenbaum Amit , Zinke-Wehlmann Christian
Published: June 2024

Climate change poses new challenges for agricultural production as an increase in temperature also brings an increase in frequency and intensity of droughts. We study the occurrences of droughts in recent years as well as their effect on agricultural yields in combination with other factors such as winter frost. Furthermore we run experiments that aim to predict future drought events in order to provide insights whether current agricultural products will remain viable long-term and to indicate short-term drought risks. Our study area consists of the South-Moravian region in the Czech Republic and Saxony in Germany with the timeframe ranging from 1990 − 2022. For the effect on agricultural yields we use statistical methods such as regression and correlation. We train a Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) neural net on data for the Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in order to predict future events. Our results indicate that the increased severity of droughts in recent years didn’t yet cause yield losses in our researched area. Our predictions with the LSTM look promising, but will need more data for future use-cases in order to increase accuracy and robustness.
Managing Nigerian Education System: A Blueprint for Economic Diversification and Emancipation
Authors: Hazzan Moses Kayode
Published: June 2024

It is axiomatic to underscore that a well-managed education system is deemed globally as one of the crucial prerequisites for not only the growth and development of every society or geopolitical space but also one of the veritable hallmarks of a diversified and functional economy that will, in the long run, culminate in economic emancipation of the people. The education industry faces enormous challenges in several countries in Africa, and Nigeria is not an exception. Even though education remains the bedrock or superstructure on which other societal structures such as politics, culture, religion, economics, etc. are laid; it is quite disheartening that education in Nigeria is not effectively and efficiently managed for economic diversification and emancipation of the recipients of such education. Indeed, the industry faces innumerable challenges, especially in contemporary times than in the pre-colonial era when the education system was essentially functional. The hydra-headed nature of the challenges with Nigeria’s educational system has inevitably resulted in different dimensions of economic quagmires entangling the country and making most of its citizens find it extremely difficult to eke out and or survive. The level of dysfunctionalities in various sections of the education system has made it seemingly intractable to palliate the economic predicaments that have been confronting the country let alone emancipate it from the monoculture of its overdependence on oil. The author of this treatise is diagnostic in his approach to understanding the intricacies of the challenges that frontally battle the Nigerian education system and deprive it of being a veritable tool for a functional economy as well catalyst for the economic emancipation of its people. The paper, through the analyses of relevant literature, amplifies the conceptual and operational dimensions of the identified challenges, offers probable suggestions on the ways by which the challenges can be tackled and finally draws a conclusion.
Green Supply Chain: The Path to Decarbonizing the Supply Chain
Authors: Santos Carlos Cesar Ribeiro , Donato Vitorio , Vianna Júlia Maria Araujo , Gomes Lucas de Freitas
Published: June 2024

The global movement of inputs, raw materials, products, and the marketing of products requires the use of supply chains. Green logistics refers to the set of policies and measures aimed at reducing the environmental impacts generated by logistics activities. The traditional supply chain has a certain inability to adapt to the rules agreed in Coop 15. The Green Supply Chain deals with the distribution flows of goods with a view to generating low environmental impact. The Green Supply Chain (GSC) involves aspects of reducing negative impacts throughout the logistics chain, from raw material suppliers, production to the distribution of the product to the customer. In this way, this article seeks to identify the factors that generate negative impacts in the traditional Supply Chain, thus helping to decarbonize it, and create a path for the development of the GSC and thus avoid interruptions in the distribution flow due to not meeting environmental targets. The main problem in decarbonizing the Supply Chain is its difficulty in complying with the rules agreed by the nations in COOP 15. To this end, a systematic literature review was carried out based on the available literature. Based on various articles and books, the parameters that define a Green Supply Chain and the factors that generate environmental impacts in conventional chains were identified. As a result, it was possible to verify a positive relationship between the carbon emission reduction factors that are linked to the supply chain performance factors found in the literature. Of the factors relating to the decarbonization of supply chains, some were more clearly related, such as reducing carbon emissions, reducing environmental risks and the ability to operate using new technologies. Future research could build on the limitations of this study.
Manuka Honey Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Progression in Preclinical Models
Authors: Márquez-Garbán Diana , Yanes Cristian D , Llarena Gabriela , Elashoff David , Hamilton Nalo , Hardy Mary , Wadehra Madhuri , McCloskey Susan A. , Pietras Richard J
Published: June 2024

Manuka honey (MH) exhibits potential antitumor activity in preclinical models of a number of human cancers. Treatment in vitro with MH at concentrations ranging from 0.3-5.0% (w/v) led to significant dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, but anti-proliferative effects of MH were less pronounced in triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Effects of MH were also tested on non-malignant human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) at 2.5% w/v, and it was found that MH reduced proliferation of MCF-7 cells but not that of HMEC. Notably, the antitumor activity of MH was in the range of that exerted by treatment of MCF-7 cells with the antiestrogen tamoxifen. Further, MH treatment stimulated apoptosis of MCF-7 cells in vitro, with most cells exhibiting acute and significant levels of apoptosis that correlated with PARP activation. Additionally, effects of MH induced activation of AMPK and inhibition of AKT/mTOR downstream signaling. Treatment of MCF7 cells with increased concentrations of MH induced AMPK phosphorylation in a dose dependent manner that was accompanied by inhibition of phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR downstream effector protein S6. In addition, MH reduced phosphorylated STAT3 levels in vitro which may correlate with MH and AMPK-mediated anti-inflammatory properties. Further, in vivo, MH administered alone significantly inhibited the growth of established MCF-7 tumors in nude mice by 84%, resulting in an observable reduction in tumor volume. Our findings highlight the need for further research into the use of natural compounds, such as MH, for antitumor efficacy and potential chemoprevention and investigation of molecular pathways underlying these actions.
Anion and Cation Co-doping of NiO for Transparent Photovoltaics and Smart Window Applications
Authors: Aivalioti Chrysa , Manidakis Emmanouil G. , Pelekanos Nikolaos T. , Androulidaki Maria , Tsagaraki Katerina , Aperathitis Elias
Published: June 2024

Materials engineering based on metal oxides for manipulating the solar spectrum and producing solar energy have been under intense investigation over the last years. In this work, we present NiO thin films double-doped with niobium (Nb) and nitrogen (N) as cation and anion dopants (NiO:(Nb,N)) to be used as p-type layers in all oxide transparent solar cells. The films were grown by sputtering a composite Ni-Nb target on room-temperature substrates in plasma containing 50% Ar, 25% O2 and 25% N2 gases. The existence of Nb and N dopants in the NiO structure was confirmed by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy techniques. The nominally undoped NiO film, which was deposited by sputtering a Ni target and used as the reference film, was oxygen-rich, single-phase cubic NiO, having a visible transmittance of less than 20%. Upon double doping with Nb and N the visible transmittance of NiO:(Nb,N) film increased to 60%, which was further improved after thermal treatment to around 85%. The respective values of the direct band gap in the undoped and double-doped films were 3.28 eV and 3.73 eV just after deposition and 3.67 eV and 3.76 eV after thermal treatment. The changes in the properties of the films such as structural disorder, direct and indirect energy band gaps, Urbach tail states and resistivity were correlated with the incorporation of Nb and N in their structure. The thermally treated NiO:(Nb,N) film was used to form a diode with a spin-coated two-layer, mesoporous on top of a compact, TiO2 film. The NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 heterojunction exhibited visible transparency of around 80%, showed rectifying characteristics and the diode’s parameters were deduced using the I-V method. The diode revealed photovoltaic behavior upon illumination with UV light exhibiting a short circuit current density of 0.2 mA/cm2 and open-circuit voltage of 500 mV. Improvements of the output characteristics of the NiO:(Nb,N)/TiO2 UV-photovoltaic by proper engineering of the individual layers and device processing procedures are addressed. Transparent NiO:(Nb,N) films can be potential candidates in all-oxide ultraviolet photovoltaics for tandem solar cells, smart windows and other optoelectronic devices.
Higher Expression of PgRMC1 Correlates with Chemoresistance of Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Tada Manami , Chiba Tomohiro , Ishizaka Yoshiharu , Miyamoto Kaisuke , Isaka Hirotsugu , Sakurai Chie , Kitaoka Tomoko , Ueno Takayuki , Kamma Hiroshi , Imoto Shigeru
Published: June 2024

PgRMC1 (progesterone receptor membrane component 1) is a progesterone-binding protein highly expressed in various cancer cells. Its expression has been associated with cancer development, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis in breast cancer through the regulation of drug and sterol metabolism, cell cycle, and apoptosis. However, the precise functions of PgRMC1 remain unclear. We examined PgRMC1 expression in breast cancer tissues and analyzed its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics and treatment response (n=112). PgRMC1 expression was detected in breast cancer tissue, while no immunoreactivity for PgRMC1 was observed in normal breast tissue. Notably, PgRMC1 expression levels were high in the HER2 subtype. Among patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, those with a poor pathological response had significantly higher PgRMC1 expression than those with a good response. PgRMC1 overexpression in breast cancer cell lines reduced chemosensitivity. Real-time qPCR analyses revealed that PgRMC1 induced the expression of differentiation markers, including CDH1 and KRT19, indicating that PgRMC1 is involved in the suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and mammary luminal epithelial differentiation. Our findings suggest that PgRMC1 may contribute to chemoresistance and serve as a putative biomarker for assessing neoadjuvant chemotherapy sensitivity.
Coprological Survey of Helminths in Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) in 50 Selected Zoos and Menageries in Russia
Authors: Loginova Olga A. , Akulova Svetlana V. , Egorov Dmitry N. , Egorova Natalia S. , Spiridonov Sergei E. , Plotnikova Iuliia K. , Belova Larisa M. , Kuznetsov Yuriy E. , Chuprak Daria I. , Krutikova Anna A. , Vasilkova Iuliia V. , Gelashvili Diana A. , Shchepanovsky Yuri A. , Mizin Ivan A. , Panchenko Danila V. , Bondar Mikhail G. , Sipko Taras P.
Published: June 2024

Zoo conditions are unique for reindeer, since even domestic reindeer are not kept in captive facilities like cattle. In the zoo, reindeer are usually surrounded by many different animals they would never encounter naturally. Thus they might pick up some new helminths. Numerous petting zoos raise an issue of safety of tactile communications for human visitors. Out study is the first large-scale one. Qualitative and quantitative fecal analysis was carried out for 233 reindeer distributed over 50 Russian zoos according to National Standard of the Russian Federation (GOST R 54627-2011) Ruminant animals—Methods of Laboratory Helminthological Diagnostics. Where possible, DNA analyses of helminths were performed targeting internal transcribed spacer region. In result, F. hepatica, Paramphistomum sp., Moniezia sp. (including M. expansa), gastrointestinal strongylids (including Nematodirus spp.), Dictyocaulus sp., E. rangiferi, Trichuris sp., and Capillaria sp. were found in 106 (45%) zoo reindeer. All these helminths were previously reported for reindeer and pose no direct danger for humans. Intensity of invasions was mostly low. Fecal examination might be considered as an indirect method for mange diagnostics, as Chorioptes and Demodex mites were found in reindeer fecal samples. The latter may represent a novel species of mite specific for reindeer.
Genome Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Scale Drop Disease Virus Isolated From Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer)
Authors: Chokmangmeepisarn Putita , Azmai Mohammad Noor Amal , Domingos Jose A. , van Aerle Ronny , Bass David , Prukbenjakul Pochara , Senapin Saengchan , Rodkhum Channarong
Published: June 2024

Scale drop disease virus (SDDV), a double-stranded DNA virus in the family Iridoviridae, has been reported widely in southeast Asian countries as a causative agent of scale drop syndrome (SDS) in Asian seabass. SDS have resulted in high mortality and significant economic losses to the aquaculture industry. This study demonstrated the use of metagenomic methods to investigate bacterial and viral communities present in infected fish tissues and recovering a complete genome of the causative agent named SDDV TH7_2019. Characterization of the TH7_2019 genome revealed a genome size of 131 kb with 134 putative ORFs encoding viral proteins potentially associated with host apoptosis manipulation. A comparative genome analysis showed a high degree of amino acid identity across SDDV strains, with variations in number of repeat sequences and mutations within core genes. Phylogenetic analyses indicate a close relationship among SDDV genomes. This research enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationship of SDDV, contributing valuable insights for further development of effective control strategies of SDDV.
Performance Optimization of Voice-Assisted File Management Systems
Authors: Needhi Jeyadev , G Ram Prasath , G Vishnu , KK Deepesh Vikram
Published: June 2024

In this paper, we present a novel approach for managing the file system in Linux using a voice assistant. Our system allows users to perform file system operations such as creating directories, renaming files, and deleting files by issuing voice commands. We develop a voice assistant using Python libraries and integrate it with the file system in Linux. The voice assistant is capable of understanding natural language and executing commands based on the user's voice inputs. We conduct experiments to evaluate the performance of the system and demonstrate that our approach is effective and efficient in managing the file system using voice commands. Our system can enhance the accessibility and usability of the file system in Linux for individuals with disabilities or those who prefer a hands-free approach to file management.
Enhancing the Photoelectric Properties of Flexible Carbon Nanotube Paper by Plasma Gradient Modification and Gradient Illumination
Authors: Yang Chen-Chen , Shen Pi-Yu , Miao Hsin-Yuan , Huang Chia-Yi , Lin Shih-Hung , Weng Jun-Hong , Saravanan Lakshmanan , Liu Jih-Hsin
Published: June 2024

This study investigates the impact of plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination on the optoelectronic properties of buckypaper (BP), a flexible and large-scale material composed of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The BP samples were subjected to argon ion plasma treatment at varying power levels and durations, thereby creating different carrier concentration gradients on the surface. The photovoltage and photocurrent responses of the samples were then measured under uniform full illumination and gradient illumination conditions. The findings revealed that both plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination significantly enhanced the optoelectronic performance of BP. Notably, the combined application of these two methods yielded superior results compared to the application of either method alone. Specifically, the optimal plasma power for improving BP was found to be 20W. Under conditions of plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination, a photovoltage of 267.76 μV was generated, which represents a 21.44 times increase, and a photocurrent of 15.69 μA, reflecting a 32.69 times enhancement. The mechanism underlying this optoelectronic effect can be attributed to the presence of π-bonds in the carbon atoms. These π-bonds are excited by photons, resulting in the generation of small voltages and currents. This study underscores the potential of BP as an optoelectronic material and introduces a novel approach to enhance its optoelectronic properties through plasma gradient modification and gradient illumination.
Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Family Physicians about Testicular Cancer and Testicular Self-Examination
Authors: Ayaş Halil İbrahim , Yıldırım Duygu İlke
Published: June 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of family physicians regarding testicular cancer and testicular self-examination. This study was conducted with 307 physicians, including family physician specialists, family physician residents, contracted family physician specialist assistants (SAHU), and general practitioners, who agreed to participate in the study. All participants were administered a 33-item questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions and questions about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination, developed through literature review. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software. 307 family physician specialists, family physician residents, SAHU residents and general practitioners participated in the study. 10.4% of the participants were working as family medicine specialists, 67.4% as family physician assistants, 13.7% as SAHU residents and 8.5% as general practitioners. The mean time spent in the profession was found to be 5.93±5.89. 65.8% of the participants thought that they had partially sufficient knowledge about testicular cancers. 57.7% of the participants stated that they did not know how testicular self-examination was performed. 49.7% of male participants stated that they had never done testicular self-exam before. While 95.8% of the participants thought that regular testicular self-examination was beneficial, 71.0% stated that they did not recommend testicular self-examination to their male patients. 53.4% of the participants thought that testicular self-examination was important; It was determined that 79.2% of them thought it was as important as breast self-examination. The rate of stating that all of the risk factors presented for testicular cancer are risks was found to be statistically significantly higher in specialist family physicians than in general practitioners and resident family physicians. The study revealed that family physicians lacked sufficient knowledge about testicular cancer and testicular self-examination, leading them not to recommend self-testicular examination to patients due to inadequate knowledge. In light of these findings, although self-testicular examination may not be recommended as a screening method, increasing awareness and knowledge among both family physicians and the public is crucial.
Metatranscriptomic Analysis of Argentinian Kefirs Varying in Apparent Viscosity
Authors: Lisboa Rios Diego , Bengoa Ana Agustina , Costa Lima da Silva Patrícia , Moura Cesar , Garrote Graciela L , Abraham Analía Graciela , da Rocha Fernandes Gabriel , Nicoli Jacques R , Neumann Elisabeth , Cantini Nunes Álvaro
Published: June 2024

Comparative metatranscriptomics of bacterial and yeast communities of two milk kefir beverages (MKAA1 and MKAA2) obtained by fermentation with two different frozen stocks of the kefir grain CIDCA AGK1, and differing in rheological features and organic acid amounts production was carried out to figure out the relation between differences in physicochemical and rheological properties of kefir and the microbial active profile associated with each product. The dominance of lactic acid bacteria and yeast and a marginal amount of acetic acid bacteria marked the microbiome. The bacterial families Lactobacillaceae and Streptococcaceae account for almost all bacterial gene transcripts, with Lactobacillus helveticus, L. kefiranofaciens, L. gallinarum and Lactococcus lactis being most frequent in the microbiome of MKAA1 beverage, and L. kefiranofaciens, Lc. lactis and Leuconostoc mesenteroides being most prevalent in the MKAA2. Dipodascaceae and Saccharomycetaceae were the leading yeast families represented by Yarrowia lipolytica, Saccharomyces unisporus, and Kluyveromyces marxianus. The MKAA1 and MKAA2 shared >75% KEGG Ortologs (KO) in bacteria and yeast libraries. Considerable decreases in total expressed genes (KEGG Ortolog) assigned to Lactobacillus helveticus and L. gallinarum might be related to the variations in rheological features of the beverages, probably by compromising the interrelations with L. kefiranofaciens which might explain the variations in rheological features of the beverages.