bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Основные проблемы, возникающие при реализации договора оказания услуг
Authors: Ковалевич Е.В.
Published: April 2024

В данной статье обращается внимание на рост рынка услуг на территории Российской Федерации в условиях развивающего и растущего общества и его недостаточной законодательной регламентации. В работе расписаны основные проблемы, с которыми сталкиваются стороны правоотношений, возникающих при оказании услуг по договору, и приводятся примеры реализации некоторых положений Федерального закона от 07.02.1992 № 2300-1 «О защите прав потребителей». Автор делает вывод о возможных изменениях в законодательстве, способных разрешить указанные в работе правоприменительные сложности.
Осуществление международных торговых расчетов с помощью криптовалюты
Authors: Ковалевич Е.В. , Казаченок О.П.
Published: April 2024

В данной статье анализируется текущее состояние внешнеэкономических отношений в условиях санкций, дается оценка их значимости для бюджета государства и прогнозируются риски при расторжении таких отношений. Анализируется текущие возможности по совершению международных расчѐтов, дается оценка международным нормам, регулирующим такие расчеты и национальному праву ряда государств являющихся активными пользователями криптовалюты.
Актуальные проблемы обеспечения радиационной безопасности граждан
Authors: Кузнецова Н.В. , Шумова В.Д.
Published: April 2024

Статья посвящена актуальным проблемам обеспечения радиационной безопасности. Были выявлены принципы защиты. Изложены основные направления реализации государственной политики в сфере радиационной безопасности.
Категоризация преступлений в России: становление и развитие
Authors: Савин А.А.
Published: April 2024

Борьба с преступностью велась во все периоды образования государства, что являлось одним из ключевых вопросов для придания населению уверенности в его относительной безопасности и защищенности. Преступники привлекались к ответственности, однако преступления, совершаемые ими, разнились по способам совершения, а также тяжести, что говорило о недопустимости применения ко всем одних и тех же мер воздействия. Возникла необходимость разделения преступлений по видам, т.е. их классификация.
Понятие и сущность юридического лица: проблемы теории и практики
Authors: Сеткина А.А.
Published: April 2024

Данная статья призвана отразить вопросы понятия и сущности юридического лица, а также исследовать проблемы, возникающие в теории и практике его функционирования, рассмотреть конкретные примеры, которые наглядно иллюстрируют указанные проблемы.
Недостойные наследники: понятие и категории
Authors: Чунихина Т.Н. , Тверитина А.М.
Published: April 2024

В статье рассматриваются основания признания наследников недостойными. Приводятся понятия и определяются категории недостойных наследников. Проанализировано законодательство касательно недостойных наследников. Исследованы правовые последствия признания наследников недостойными. Рассматриваются аспекты восстановления в правах недостойных наследников.
Роль цифровых технологий в системе государственного управления
Authors: Путенихина Е.В. , Миленкович С.С.
Published: April 2024

Статья посвящена изучению влияния научных технологий на государственную систему и службу. От новых технологий в области государственного управления зависит благополучность развития всего государства и общества нашей страны. Сегодня, практически во всех сферах жизни, применяются цифровые технологии. Они позволяют снизить трудоемкость работ, дают возможность снизить издержки, ускоряют процесс работы всех структур государственного управления и взаимодействия государства с населением. Однако, процесс внедрения новых технологий и цифровизации сферы государственного управления и службы имеет ряд проблем: низкая квалификация государственных служащих в области работы с цифровыми технологиями, высокая стоимость данных технологий и др., которые требуют решения.
CONDIÇÕES SOCIOECONÔMICAS DAS PESSOAS ACOMETIDAS POR PARASITOSES NO BRASIL: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA
Authors: Santos Coelho Lidhane , Guimarães Souza Lohana , Maia Michele Cristina , Martins Linhares Yuri , Garcia de Carvalho Laguna Gabriela , Faccin Borges Grasiely
Published: April 2024

A prevalência das doenças parasitárias no Brasil, de acordo com recente revisão sistemática, é de 46%.  As manifestações clínicas envolvem fatores relativos ao ambiente, ao parasita e ao hospedeiro. Este estudo objetiva analisar o perfil social das pessoas acometidas por doenças parasitárias no Brasil entre os anos de 2017 e 2022, por intermédio da análise da relação entre a incidência desses agravos e dos fatores socioeconômicos determinantes. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa em que foi realizada pesquisa utilizando termos de pesquisa do MeSH nas bases de dados Lilacs, Medline e Pubmed, a partir dos descritores “parasitic diseases”, “socioeconomic conditions”, “Brazil”. Dos 173 estudos encontrados, 12 foram selecionados para compor o estudo. Os resultados incluíram primordialmente crianças, catadores de lixo, pescadores, caseiros entre outros. Evidenciou-se maior frequência de parasitoses intestinais em pessoas do sexo masculino, de menor renda, baixa escolaridade e menores de idade.
Palavras-chave: Doenças parasitárias. Condições socioeconômicas. Brasil.
QUALIFICAÇÃO DO(A) ENFERMEIRO(A) QUE PARTICIPA DO PROCESSO DE DOAÇÃO DE ÓRGÃOS NA MORTE ENCEFÁLICA
Authors: Aparecida Caetano Carvalho Vanessa , Rodrigues Paiva Lays
Published: April 2024

INTRODUÇÃO: O processo de doação de órgãos e tecidos é complexo e se define como um conjunto de ações e procedimentos que visam a transformar um potencial doador de órgãos em um doador efetivo. Observa-se que o(a) enfermeiro(a) é presente em todas as etapas do processo de doação de órgãos. OBJETIVO: Conhecer a qualificação do(a) enfermeiro(a) no processo de doação de órgãos relatando como os artigos científicos abordam o tema. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo tipo revisão integrativa de literatura. Incluindo artigos disponíveis integralmente, no idioma português, publicados de 2017 a 2021. RESULTADOS: A amostra foi composta por 11 artigos que após leitura, foi definido duas categorias para a discussão do tema em questão. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Baseado nos estudos dos artigos previamente citados conclui-se que há um déficit na formação acadêmica do profissional enfermeiro(a) relacionado ao processo de doação de órgãos em pacientes diagnosticados com morte encefálica.
 
DESCRITORES: Doação de órgãos; Morte encefálica; Qualificação; Enfermagem.
PAPAÍNA COM CREME DE UREIA EM LESÕES POR PRESSÃO: ESTUDO DE SÉRIE DE CASOS
Authors: Ola dos Santos Taynara , Lima da Silva João Victor , Gonçalves Rocha Ronilson , Guimarães Assad Luciana , Cabral Pereira da Costa Carolina , Maiara Ferreira Barreto Pires Bruna
Published: April 2024

Objetivo: avaliar a ação da papaína associada ao creme de ureia 10% no reparo tecidual em pacientes com lesão por pressão. Método: Estudo de série de casos de nove pacientes selecionados. Resultados: da totalidade de participantes identificou-se a presença de nove lesões, cujas características variaram entre os estágios 2, 3 e 4. O uso da papaína melhorou exsudato, reduziu o tamanho das lesões, melhorou o tecido no leito, evoluindo para granulação, reduzindo a necrose. Conclusão: A papaína é um tratamento promissor como cobertura de lesões por pressão. Contribuições para a prática: a utilização da papaína associada ao creme de ureia torna-se vantajosa devido a sua efetividade.
Fortification of Cookies with Pomegranate Peel and Grape Must Powder
Authors: Kavitha C. , Moganapathi B. , Anchana K. , Kumar K. Naveen , Shanmugasundaram K.A. , Muthuvel I.
Published: April 2024

Background: Cookies is one of the popular snacks preferred by all age group of people. Generally, cookies are made with refined wheat flour, sugar and fat which contain more of high calories and low dietary fibre leading to increased obesity rate. The consumers’ demand towards the nutritional needs in the desired food form can be satisfied with the cookies fortified with fruit or vegetable powders. Methods: The study was conducted to analyse the nutritional value and consumer acceptability of cookies fortified with pomegranate peel and grape must powder. The cookies prepared from maida served as control. The pomegranate peel and grape must were dehydrated, powdered and blended with wheat and pearl millet flour. Result: The results revealed that wheat flour cookies fortified with 5% grape must powder were highly acceptable with considerable increase in nutritional attributes. It can be concluded that use of fruit peel powder as one of the ingredients in cookies can be an alternate way to check food security and also provide an effective way for using fruit residues.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF KEPOK BANANA BUD (Musa paradisiaca Linn.) FLAKES WITH VARIATIONS OF MOCAF FLOUR
Authors: Rahmadhia Safinta Nurindra , Toni Denna Rianda , Fitriani Aprilia
Published: April 2024

Yellow Kepok banana buds (KBB) are well-known for their high dietary fiber content and prospective use as functional food additives. High fiber consumption has been linked to diabetes prevention. The production of flakes derived from KBB has the potential to facilitate individuals in incorporating high-fiber food items into their daily diets. Nevertheless, the utilization of just Yellow KBB flour yields flakes that are deemed undesirable by consumers due to their firm consistency and deep hue. The substitution of Yellow KBB flour with a combination of wheat flour and mocaf has the potential to enhance the physical characteristics of the resulting flakes. The objective of this study is to assess the physical attributes of flakes derived from KBB. This particular flake was produced using a series of five distinct formulations. The present study employed a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The formulas consist the proportions of wheat flour (WF), mocaf flour (MF), and Yellow Kepok banana bud (KBB). The following are the five ratios: (100%:0%:0%), (50%:50%:0%), (50%:37.5%:12.5%), (50%:25%:25%), and (50%:37.5%:12.5%). The water absorption, swelling ability, texture, and color of flakes produced from wheat, mocaf, and KBB flour were examined. The F2 sample, consisting of a composition of 50% wheat flour, 37.5% mocaf flour, and 12.5% yellow KBB flour, exhibited the highest water absorption value (63.19%) among all the samples. In addition to this, F2 can be characterized as a specimen exhibiting a relatively low level of hardness (1.63 N) and a correspondingly low fracture value (2.08 N). The F2 flakes had a much higher brightness value (37.06) in comparison to the other samples used yellow KBB flour.
Penyimpangan Iklim ENSO dan IOD di Kalimantan Tengah Serta Kaitannya dengan Produksi Kelapa Sawit
Authors: Hermantoro Hermantoro , Fadhil Dary As’ad , Wirianata Herry
Published: April 2024

Kelapa sawit merupakan tanaman perkebunan yang membutuhkan curah hujan yang merata sepanjang tahun. Curah hujan diIndonesia memiliki 3 pola yaitu pola monsoonal, equatorial dan lokal. PT. Harapan Hibrida Kalbar Sungai Bila Estate merupakan wilayah kajian penelitian ini memiliki pola curah hujan equatorial. Curah hujan dapat menyimpang dari pola kondisi iklim pada umumnya karena adanya variabilitas iklim El Nino Southern Oscillation dan Indian Ocean Dipole. Hasil koefisien korelasi pearson antara curah hujan musim Juni Juli Agustus dan September Oktober November dengan indeks El Nino Southern Oscillation sebesar -0,78** dan -0,64*. El Nino Southern Oscillation Memiliki hubungan yang kuat dan terbalik dengan curah hujan diwilayah kajian saat musim kemarau dengan nilai signifikan pada selang kepercayaan 0,01 ( Juni, Juli, Agustus) dan 0,05 (September, Oktober, November) Hasil koefisien korelasi pearson antara curah hujan musim Juni Juli Agustus dan September Oktober November dengan indeks Indian Ocean Dipole sebesar -0,4 dan -0,5. Pengaruh El Nino Southern Oscillation lebih kuat dibandingkan dengan Indian Ocean Dipole di wilayah kajian. Fase El Nino (lanina) menyebabkan curah hujan diwilayah kajian menjadi lebih rendah (tinggi) dari kondisi normal, sehingga terjadi kemarau Panjang (Kemarau basah). Produksi kelapa sawit pada jenis tanah Sandy Loam lebih fluktuatif dan lebih rentan saat terjadi kemarau panjang dibandingkan jenis tanah clay. Produksi kelapa sawit lebih dipengaruhi oleh jumlah hari hujan dibandingkan jumlah akumulasi curah hujan dalam setahun.
Exploring Career Capital of International Qualified Nurses Following an Adaptation Program in Malta
Authors: Schembri Neville
Published: April 2024

Aim: The aim of the research was to explore the individual human, social and motivational capital of international qualified nurses seeking work opportunities as qualified nurses in Malta. Design: Qualitative research using a phenomenological approach. Methods: This study conducted adopting a qualitative methodology using semi structured focus group interviews with sixteen participants following a pre-registration nurse adaptation program delivered at Institute of Applied Sciences within Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology. Data analysis was conducted using Thematic Analysis. Results: From analysis of the data four main themes emerged, these were: importance of past experiences; training and education; decisions to leave home country and support from community or colleagues. Conclusion: The findings show that these nurses already possess a considerable degree of career capital. This need be taken into consideration when it comes to deployment and work opportunities to preserve skills and enhance job satisfaction and retention.
Inner Speech Recognition for Mutism and Speech Disorder Using Brain-Computer Interface
Authors: Abdulghani Mokhles M. , Walters Wilbur L. , Abed Khalid H.
Published: April 2024

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems can assist physically challenged people to interact with their surroundings and improve the quality of their lives. Decoding human thoughts is a powerful technique that can assist paralyzed people who have lost their speech production ability. Speaking is a combined process involving synchronizing the brain and the oral articulators. This paper proposed a high-accuracy brain wave pattern recognition based on inner speech using a novel feature extraction method. Only eight EEG electrodes were used in this study, and they were set on selected spots on the scalp. Support Vector Machine (SVM) was employed to decode the recorded EEG dataset into four internally spoken words which are: Up, Down, Left, and Right. The proposed approach achieved overall classification accuracy that ranges between 96.20% to 97.5%. In addition, more performance evaluation metrics were estimated to test the reliability of classifying the EEG-based inner speech data, and we obtained 97.61%, 97.50%, and 97.73% for F1-score, recall, and precision respectively. Furthermore, the Area Under Curve of the Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUC-ROC) proved the strength of the proposed approach for classifying the specified inner speech commands by achieving a macro-average amount of 99.32%. The inner speech classification method using electroencephalography proposed in this work can clinically help improve communication for patients with problems including speech disorder, mutism, cognitive development, executive function, and psychopathology.
Leveraging Sentiment Lexicon in Sentiment Detection
Authors: Johnson Alex , Davis Emily , Nasir Wyne , Brown Michael
Published: April 2024

In the rapidly evolving field of sentiment analysis, the introduction of Transformer-based architectures, particularly the BERT model, has markedly improved accuracy levels, setting new standards in the analysis of textual sentiment. These advancements have been instrumental in enhancing the model's ability to grasp the nuances and complexities inherent in human language, thereby providing deeper insights into the sentiment expressed in various texts. However, the impressive performance of such deep learning models comes at the cost of increased computational demands and a lack of transparency in their decision-making processes. These challenges have reignited interest in rule-based sentiment analysis methods, which utilize sentiment lexicons for a more straightforward and computationally economical approach to determining text sentiment. Despite being overshadowed by the rise of machine learning models in recent years, these lexicon-based methods possess distinct advantages, including ease of interpretation and lower resource requirements, making them particularly appealing for certain applications. This paper seeks to re-evaluate the relevance and effectiveness of two prominent lexicon-based sentiment analysis methods, SO-CAL and SentiStrength, which have been specifically adapted for the language, in light of the advancements represented by Transformer-based models like SentBERT. Through a comprehensive comparative analysis, we examine the performance of these methodologies in contrast to SentBERT across an extensive collection of 16 text corpora, spanning a variety of genres and contexts. Our findings reveal a nuanced landscape of performance, where SentBERT's advanced capabilities typically afford it a significant advantage in accurately capturing sentiment. Nevertheless, in a surprising turn, the SO-CAL method exhibits exceptional performance on a substantial portion of the datasets, underscoring the continuing value and potential of lexicon-based approaches in sentiment analysis. This study not only highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both deep learning and lexicon-based methods but also opens the door for future hybrid approaches that could leverage the best of both worlds to achieve even greater accuracy and efficiency in sentiment analysis tasks.
Multivariate Hydrologycal Modelling based on Long Short Term Memory Networks for Water Level Forecasting.
Authors: Renteria - Mena Jackson B. , Plaza Douglas , Giraldo Eduardo
Published: April 2024

In this work, a novel approach is presented for the multivariate prediction of hydrological variables, employing a specialized type of recurrent neural network (RNN) known as the long-term memory network (LSTM).The central objective is to develop a flood prediction model using data collected from two hydrological stations situated along the Atrato River in the Choc´o Department, Colombia. The interconnected variables of water level, water flow, and water precipitation are analyzed in this model to enhance flood prediction accuracy. The LSTM model, integrated into an RNN structure, is designed to capture the complex dynamics and cross-correlations inherent in these hydrological variables. Validation involves a comparison with linear and nonlinear Nonlinear AutoRegressive with eXogenous input (NARX) models, considering factors such as estimation error and computational time. Additionally, the study conducts further analysis for water level prediction under two scenarios: utilizing only outflow and inflow measurements or predicting outflow alongside measuring inflow, with the objective of utilizing the proposed approach as a flood early warning system. † This article is a revised and expanded version of a paper entitled Multivariable NARX based Neural Networks Models for Short-term Water Level Forecasting, which was presented at International Conference on Time Series and Forecasting (ITISE-2023), Gran Canaria, Spain, 12th-14th July, 2023.
Tumor-Intrinsic Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Controls Immune Cell Infiltration, Tumor Growth and Lung Metastasis in a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Model
Authors: Monterroza Lenore , Parrilla Maria M. , Samaranayake Sarah G. , Rivera-Rodriguez Dormarie E. , Yoon Sung Bo , Bommireddy Ramireddy , Hosten Justin , Barragan Luisa Cervantes , Marcus Adam , Dobosh Brian S. , Selvaraj Periasamy , Tirouvanziam Rabindra
Published: April 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and highly metastatic type of tumor. TNBC is often enriched in tumor-infiltrating neutrophils (TINs), which support cancer growth in part by counteracting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Prior studies identified the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) as a pro-tumor methyltransferase in primary and metastatic TNBC. We hypothesized that EZH2 inhibition in TNBC cells per se would exert anti-tumor activity by altering the tumor immune microenvironment. To test this hypothesis, we used CRISPR to generate EZH2-knockout (KO) and overexpressing lines from parent (wild-type -WT) 4T1 cells, an established murine TNBC model. In vitro, EZH2 KO and OE cells showed little change in replicative capacity and invasiveness, but marked changes in surface marker profile and cytokine/chemokine secretion compared to WT cells. On in vivo injection, EZH2 KO cells showed significantly reduced primary tumor growth and a 10-fold decrease in lung metastasis compared to WT cells, while EZH2 OE cells were unchanged. Compared to WT tumors, TIN:TIL ratios were greatly reduced in EZH2 KO tumors but unchanged in EZH2 OE tumors. Our findings show a tumor-intrinsic role of EZH2 in the 4T1 TNBC model in regulating TIN/TIL poise, primary tumor progression and lung metastasis in vivo.
Characterization of Porous β-type Tricalcium Phosphate Ceramics Formed by Physical Foaming with Freeze-Drying
Authors: Hashimoto Kazuaki , Oikawa Hiroto , Shibata Hirobumi
Published: April 2024

Porous β-tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2; β-TCP) was prepared by freeze-drying and the effects of this process on pore shapes and sizes were investigated. Various samples were prepared by freezing β-TCP slurries above a liquid nitrogen surface at −180 °C with subsequent immersion in liquid nitrogen at −196 °C. These materials were then dried under reduced pressure in a freeze-dryer after which they were sintered by heating. Compared with conventional heat-based drying, the resulting pores were more spherical, which increased both the mechanical strength and porosity of the β-TCP. These materials had a wide range of pore sizes from 50 to 200 µm, with the mean and median values both approximately 100 µm regardless of the freeze-drying conditions. Mercury porosimetry data showed that the samples contained small, interconnected pores with sizes of up to 1.24 µm and macroscopic, interconnected pores up to 25.8 µm in size. The effects of non-ionic surfactants having different hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) values on foaming and pore size were also investigated. Materials made with surfactants having lower HLB values exhibited smaller pores and lower porosity whereas higher HLB surfactants gave higher porosity and slightly larger macropores. Even so, the pore diameter could not be readily controlled solely by adjusting the HLB value. The findings of this work indicated that high porosity (75%) and good compressive strength (>2 MPa) can both be obtained in the same porous material and that foaming agents with HLB values between 12.0 and 13.5 were optimal.
Research on Driving Scenario Knowledge Graphs
Authors: Zhang Ce , Hong Liang , Wang Dan , Liu Xinchao , Yang Jinzhe , Lin Yier
Published: April 2024

Despite the partial disclosure of driving scenario knowledge graphs, they still fail to meet the comprehensive needs of intelligent connected vehicles for driving knowledge. Current issues include the high complexity of pattern layer construction, insufficient accuracy of information extraction and fusion, and limited performance of knowledge reasoning models. To address these challenges, a hybrid knowledge graph method was adopted in the construction of the Driving Scenario Knowledge Graph (DSKG). Firstly, core concepts in the field were systematically sorted and classified, laying the foundation for the construction of a multi-level classified knowledge graph top-level ontology. Subsequently, by deeply exploring and analyzing the Traffic Genome data, 34 entities and 51 relations were extracted and integrated with the ontology layer, achieving the expansion and updating of the knowledge graph. Then, in terms of knowledge reasoning models, an analysis of the training results of the TransE, Complex, Distmult, and Rotate models in the entity linking prediction task of DSKG revealed that the Distmult model performed the best in metrics such as hit rate, making it more suitable for inference in DSKG. Finally, a standardized and widely applicable Driving Scenario Knowledge Graph was proposed. The DSKG and related materials have been publicly released for use by industry and academia.
Plant Biostimulants Enhance Bud Break in Vitis vinifera Crimson Seedless
Authors: Venter Nicole C , Avenant Eunice , Kotze Theunis Nicolaas , Hills Paul Norman , Moore John Paul
Published: April 2024

The rest-breaking agent, hydrogen cyanamide (HC), can substitute insufficient chill unit accumulation in Vitis vinifera and induce uniform bud-break; however, due to its toxicity it is being banned. In South Africa, red seedless grapes, including V. vinifera Crimson Seedless (CS), are the largest table grape export group; therefore, replacing HC in V. vinifera CS is crucial. This study aimed to confirm the molecular triggers induced by HC and assess the bud-break-enhancing abilities of commercial plant biostimulants. Forced bud-break assay experiments using V. vinifera CS single-node cuttings and a small-scale field trial were performed. Results demonstrated that increased chill unit accumulation (CUA), reduced HC efficacy. Bud-break started between 10 and 20 days after treatment, irrespective of final CUA. The small-scale field trial found that HC3 % resulted in a slightly delayed bud-break rate, whilst biostimulants were similar to the negative control. The treatment of dormant grapevine compound buds with nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hypoxia trigger dormancy-release to a certain extent, supporting the molecular models proposed for HC action. NO, H2O2, and hypoxia, in combination with PBs, may potentially replace HC; however, this needs to be confirmed in future experiments.
In Vitro Human Liver Model for Toxicity Assessment with Clinical and Preclinical Instrumentation
Authors: Madorran Eneko , Kocbek Šaherl Lidija , Rakuša Mateja , Munda Miha
Published: April 2024

Analysing the human body by direct observation can lead to misinterpretation of underlying trends, whereas in vitro organ models facilitate their understanding. Likewise, in vitro organ models serve as valuable tools for assessing the toxicity of compounds. However, none of the existing models had the features we considered critical for toxicity assessment, so we developed an in vitro liver model for toxicity assessment. We used four different types of primary liver cells: Hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. We cultured them in different combinations of composition and volume of cell medium, hepatocyte proportion of total cells, and addition of extracellular matrix. We added rifampicin, ibuprofen and 5-fluorouracil to this model and observed the microanatomy and physiology changes for a week with preclinical and clinical instruments. Among the different model configurations, we selected the feature combination of the in vitro model that had similar biomarker values to those measured by the clinical instruments used in clinical diagnostics. When we exposed the selected model configuration to rifampicin, ibuprofen and 5-fluorouracil, the viability of Kupffer cells and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells was significantly lower than in the untreated samples. In contrast, we observed negligible viability of hepatocytes compared to the untreated samples. We have built an in vitro liver model that resembles the liver microenvironment and we have analysed it with clinical instrumentation to facilitate the data translation. In this sense, we have established that Kupffer and LSEC cells are suitable candidates for the search for clinical diagnostic markers of liver function.
Vitamin D: A Bridge between Kidney and Heart
Authors: Secondulfo Carmine , Visco Valeria , Virtuoso Nicola , Fortunato Martino , Migliarino Serena , Rispoli Antonella , La Mura Lucia , Stellato Adolfo , Caliendo Giuseppe , Settembre Emanuela , Galluccio Fabiana , Hamzeh Sarah , Bilancio Giancarlo
Published: April 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are highly prevalent conditions, each significantly contributing to the global burden of morbidity and mortality. CVD and CKD share a great number of common risk factor, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and smoking among others. Their relationship extends beyond these factors, encompassing intricate interplay between the two systems. Within this complex network of pathophysiological processes, vitamin D has emerged as a potential linchpin, exerting influence over diverse physiological pathways implicated in both CKD and CVD. In recent years, scientific exploration has unveiled a close connection between these two prevalent conditions and vitamin D, a crucial hormone traditionally recognized for its role in bone health. This article aims to provide an extensive review of vitamin D's multifaceted and expanding actions concerning its involvement in CKD and CVD.
Effect of Nanohydroxyapatite on Silk Fibroin-Chitosan Interactions. Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Przybyłek Maciej , Tuwalska Anna , Ledziński Damian , Śmigiel Sandra , Sionkowska Alina , Białas Iwona , Bełdowski Piotr
Published: April 2024

Fibroin-chitosan composites, especially those containing nanohydroxyapatite, show potential for bone tissue regeneration. The physicochemical properties of these biocomposites depend on the compatibility between their components. In this study, the intermolecular interactions of fibroin and chitosan were analyzed using a molecular dynamics approach. Two types of systems were investigated: one containing acetic acid and the other containing calcium (Ca²⁺) and hydrogen phosphate (HPO₄²⁻) ions mimicking hydroxyapatite conditions. After obtaining the optimal equilibrium structures, the distributions of several types of interactions including hydrogen bonds, ionic contacts, and hydrophobic contacts along with the structural and energetical features were examined. The calculated binding energy values for the fibroin-chitosan complexes confirm their remarkable stability. The high affinity of fibroin for chitosan can be explained by the formation of a dense network of interactions between considered biopolymers. These interactions were found to be primarily hydrogen bonds and ionic contacts involving ALA, ARG, ASN, ASP, GLN, GLU, GLY, LEU, PRO, SER, THR, TYR, and VAL residues. As it was established, the complexation of fibroin with chitosan maintains the β-sheet conformation of the peptide. β-Sheet fragments in fibroin are involved in the formation of significant amount of hydrogen bonds and ionic contacts with chitosan.
Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Crohn's Disease Activity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Social Support, Stress, and Flare-Up Incidence
Authors: de Dios-Duarte María José , Arias Andrés , Barrón Ana
Published: April 2024

. Background/Objectives: Crohn's disease is a chronic and debilitating intestinal disorder that alternates between remission and active flare-ups, often leading to hospitalization. Social support is known to enhance adaptation to the disease and modulate stress perception in patients, while stress may exacerbate symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the roles of perceived stress and social support in Crohn's disease and their impact on the frequency of flare-ups. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, assessing stress and social support in a cohort of 91 patients with Crohn's disease during flare-up and remission phases. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) and a Social Support Questionnaire were utilized for evaluation. We examined the relationship between stress and social support in Crohn's disease. The interaction between the variables studied was also studied, considering the stage of the disease. Finally, we realized analysis of the influence of these two variables on the development of flares in Crohn's disease. Results: The study revealed that patients experience higher stress levels during flare-ups and that these levels are amplified by a lack of social support. A significant relationship was identified between the levels of social support and the occurrence of flare-ups, indicating that better social support is associated with fewer flare-ups.. Conclusions: Patients with Crohn's disease in the flare-up phase are subject to considerable stress. Deficit in social support is linked to an increase in stress levels. The interplay of social support and stress plays a critical role in the development of flare-ups.
Sequential Evaluation of Hematology Markers as a Prognostic Factor in Glioblastoma Patients
Authors: Gonçalves João Meira , Carvalho Bruno , Tuna Rui , Polónia Patricia , Linhares Paulo
Published: April 2024

In our study, we investigated the prognostic significance of hematological markers—NLR (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio), PLR (Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio), and RDW-CV (Red Blood Cell Distribution Width - Coefficient of Variation)—in 117 glioblastoma patients. Data collected from January 2016 to December 2018 included demographics, clinical scores, and treatment regimens. Unlike previous research, which often examined these markers solely before surgery, our unique approach analyzed them at multiple stages: preoperative, postoperative, and before adjuvant therapies. We correlated these markers with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using statistical tools, including ANOVA, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses, employing SPSS version 29.0. Our findings revealed notable variations in NLR, PLR, and RDW-CV across different treatment stages. NLR and PLR decreased after surgery, with some stabilization post-STUPP phase (NLR: p=0.007, η2p=0.06; PLR: p=0.001, η2p=0.23), while RDW-CV increased post-surgery and during subsequent treatments (RDW-CV: p < 0.001, η2p=0.67). Importantly, we observed significant differences between the preoperative phase and other treatment phases. Additionally, higher NLR and RDW-CV at the second-line treatment and disease progression were associated with an increased risk of death (NLR at 2nd line: HR=1.03, p=0.029; RDW-CV at progression: HR=1.14, p=0.004). We proposed specific marker cutoffs that demonstrated significant associations with survival outcomes when applied to Kaplan-Meier survival curves (NLR at 2nd line < 5: p<0.017; RDW-CV at progression < 15: p=0.007). Elevated NLR and RDW-CV at later treatment stages correlated with poorer OS and PFS. No significant preoperative differences were detected. These biomarkers may serve as non-invasive tools for glioblastoma management.
Analisis Kinerja Keuangan Klub Sepak Bola Bali United FC
Authors: Kumalasari Rizky
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk mengetahui kinerja keuangan klub sepakbola Bali United FC. Teknik analisis deskriptif kuantitatif diterapkan dalam penelitian ini dengan menggunakan 10 indikator rasio keuangan secara umum dan khusus. Tipe data yang diaplikasikan adalah data sekunder yang berbentuk data laporan keuangan selama lima tahun dimulai dari 2018 sampai 2022 yang bersumber dari website resmi perusahaan. Penelitian memberikan hasil bahwa kinerja keuangan klub sepakbola Bali United FC secara umum memiliki tingkat likuiditas dan solvabilitas yang baik, namun untuk tingkat profitabilitas masih kurang baik. Hasil perhitungan dengan rasio khusus menunjukkan Bali United FC mampu mengelola aset dan beban operasi dengan baik, serta dapat menghasilkan penjualan dan arus kas operasi yang cukup baik.
Pengukuran Kinerja Keuangan Pada PT. Bank Muamalat Indonesia (BMI) Periode 2019-2021
Authors: Umiyati Umiyati , Hosen M. Nadratuzzaman , Qizam Ibnu
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kinerja keuangan pada Bank Muamalat Indonesia pada peride 2019-2021 dengan menggunakan Metode CAMEL, RGEC dan analasis Altma Z Score. Sampel penelitian adalah Bank Muamalat Indonesia dengan menggunakan kriteria yang telah dipertimbangkan dan diinginkan peniliti sesuai dengan tujuan penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa selama periode 2019-2021 mengalami kinerja kurang baik dari sisi Profoibiltias, Ekuitas. Namun hal berbeda terjadi pada rasio modal dan kecukupan modal dimana memiliki yang kinerja yang lebih optimal dibandingkan rasio lainnya. Berdasarkan hasil tingkat kesehatan tersebut langkah untuk memperbaiki kondisi Bank Muamalat yakni dengan penguatan modal, diikuti perbaikan kualitas aset dengan menyelesaikan NPF.
AOA Critical Issues Symposium: Promoting Health Equity
Authors: Kenter Keith , Bovid Karen , Baker E. Brooke , Carson Eric , Mercer Deana
Published: April 2024

Promoting equitable health care is to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality medical services and appropriate treatment options. The definition of health equity often can be misinterpreted, and there are challenges in fully understanding the disparities and costs of health care and when measuring the outcomes of treatment. However, these topics play an important role in promoting health equity. The COVID-19 pandemic has made us more aware of profound health-care disparities and systemic racism, which, in turn, has prompted many academic medical centers and health-care systems to increase their efforts surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Therefore, it is important to understand the problems that some patients have in accessing care, promote health care that is culturally competent, create policies and standard operating procedures (at the federal, state, regional, or institutional level), and be innovative to provide cost-effective care for the underserved population. All of these efforts can assist in promoting equitable care and thus result in a more just and healthier society.
Risk Factors and Characteristics of In-Hospital Falls After Spine Surgery
Authors: Shin Jae-Won , Park Heon Jung , Park Yung , Ha Joong-Won , Hong Jung Hwa , Kim Hak-Sun , Suk Kyung-Soo , Moon Seong-Hwan , Park Si-Young , Lee Byung-Ho , Kwon Ji-Won
Published: April 2024

Background:

Falls after orthopaedic surgery can cause serious injuries, which lengthen hospital stays and increase medical expenses. This has prompted hospitals to implement various fall-prevention protocols. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of in-hospital falls after spine surgery, to analyze the overall risk factors, to discern factors that have a major influence on falls, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the fall-prevention protocol that we implemented.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, single-center study including patients who underwent spine surgery from January 2011 to November 2021 at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital (NHISIH) in Goyang, Republic of Korea. Reported falls among these patients were examined. Patient demographics; surgery type, date, and diagnosis; and fall date and time were evaluated.

Results:

Overall, 5,317 spine surgeries were performed, and 128 in-hospital falls were reported (overall incidence: 2.31%). From the multivariable analyses, older age and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score were identified as independent risk factors for in-hospital patient falls (multivariable adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] for age 70 to 79 years, 1.021 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.031]; for age ≥80 years, 1.035 [1.01 to 1.06]; and for ASA score of 3, 1.02 [1.01 to 1.031]). Similar results were seen in the subgroup who underwent primary surgery. Within 2 weeks following surgery, the highest frequency of falls occurred at 3 to 7 days postoperatively. The lowest fall rate was observed in the evening (6 to 10 p.m.). Morbidities, including rib, spine, and extremity fractures, were recorded for 14 patients, but none of these patients underwent operative treatment related to the fall. The NHISIH implemented a comprehensive nursing care service in May 2015 and a fall protocol in May 2017, but the annual incidence rate did not improve. The fall rate was higher after thoracolumbar surgeries (2.47%) than after cervical surgeries (1.20%). Moreover, a higher fall rate was observed in thoracolumbar cases with a greater number of fusion levels and revision spine surgeries.

Conclusions:

Patients with advanced age, more comorbidities, a greater number of fusion levels, and revision surgeries and who are female are more vulnerable to in-hospital falls after spine surgery. Novel strategies that target these risk factors are warranted.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Comparison of Graft Type and Fixation Method in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Beyer Julia , Jones Ryan , Igo Isabell , Furyes Angelina Rose , Liu Jiayong , Sohn David H.
Published: April 2024

Background:

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee. ACL reconstruction (ACLR) proves the standard for treating this injury. However, graft choice and method of fixation remain a heavily debated topic. This study investigates the following: bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) vs. hamstring tendon (HT) autograft, single-bundle vs. double-bundle hamstring graft, and metal vs. bioabsorbable screws in ACLR.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Data were collected on patient demographics, complications, and functionality scores including International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted with Review Manager. Outcome measurements were determined using forest plots with significant differences considered p < 0.05.

Results:

Twenty-five studies were included, accounting for 2,170 patients. No statistically significant difference was appreciated when comparing BPTB to hamstring autografts. Patients who received a double bundle HT autograft exhibited significantly superior outcomes in terms of revision (p = 0.05), failure (p = 0.002), normal pivot shift tests (p = 0.04), and normal IKDC (p = 0.008). When comparing screw types, bioabsorbable screws had a greater Lysholm score (p = 0.01) and lower failure rates for copolymer screws (p = 0.03).

Conclusion:

Overall, the data collected suggested that BPTB and HT autografts display similar postoperative results. However, if an HT autograft is used, the data suggest a double-bundle graft improves both functionality and decreases the possible complications. Finally, bioabsorbable screws prove superior to metal screws when looking at both functionality and failure rates. Further research into the superior graft type is still needed.

Level of Evidence:

Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Towards practical learning using air quality monitors
Authors: Calvert Carol , Warren James
Published: April 2024

In this study, we explore the use of a low-cost air quality monitor as an experiment within a first year undergraduate statistics setting. The aim is to enhance student engagement and to provide a basis for both individual and group assessments. A pilot, during the summer months of June-September 2023, involved 52 volunteer students who collected indoor and outdoor air quality data. The students shared their data and analytical insights. “Fun/enjoyment” was frequently mentioned in student feedback, suggesting this practical approach may improve student engagement.
Formation Conditions of Ignimbrites of the Khangar Volcano (Kamchatka)
Authors: Simonov V.A. , Kotlyarov A.V. , Kotov A.A. , Perepelov A.B. , Karmanov N.S. , Borovikov A.A.
Published: April 2024

—The study of minerals, melt inclusions, as well as natural glasses showed that two different melts contributed to the formation of ignimbrites of the Khangar Volcano. The first, providing the information on melt inclusions in plagioclase and quartz phenocrysts, represents the state of magma in a deep source. The other type of melt is responsible for the formation of glasses and microcrystals of feldspars in fiamme. Experimental and analytical studies of melt inclusions showed that crystallization of most plagioclase and quartz phenocrysts from ignimbrites of the Khangar Volcano occurred at temperatures of 840–960 °C and pressures up to 1.1 kbar, from the melt with water contents up to 3.23 wt.%, under the conditions of magma chamber. The presence of syngenetic primary melt and fluid inclusions in plagioclase and quartz phenocrysts from ignimbrites of the Khangar Volcano indicates phase separation (“boiling”) of the melt with mass formation of СО2 microbubbles in magma. The other type of melt is secondary relative to magmatic systems of the Khangar Volcano and is formed by sintering and melting of tuffogenic volcanoclastic material. This melt contributed to the formation of fiamme in the examined ignimbrites. Based on the study of glasses and microcrystals of feldspars in fiamme, it was found that crystallization of oligoclase occurred at temperatures of 770–840 °C in the melt between the spherules (with water content up to 2.91 wt.%). Sanidine crystals grew over spherules at lower temperatures, 680–760 °C.
Thermal Fracture Simulation in Depleted Gas Field Carbon Capture and Storage: Implications for Injectivity and Flow Assurance
Authors: Park Jason , Berentsen Cas , de Pater C. J. (Hans)
Published: April 2024

CO2 injection into depleted gas fields causes long-term cooling of the reservoir. Therefore, even if injection pressure stays below the fracture initiation pressure, the cooled volume still creates an extensive stress disturbance that can induce the propagation of large fractures over time. The enhanced injectivity after the onset of this thermal fracturing might jeopardize injection operations due to the risk of hydrate plugging in the injection well caused by the combination of low pressure and low temperature, and large fractures may also increase the risk of loss of containment. Modeling the fracture evolution provides an estimate of the magnitude and timing of these effects.

In this study, commercial compositional reservoir simulation software capable of modeling the physical phenomena associated with CO2 injection into depleted natural gas reservoirs has been used. These encompass CO2 mixing with natural gas, water vaporization, thermal effects, and geomechanics. The finite-element geomechanics module used “two-way” coupling, which computes pressure and temperature in the flow simulation module, transmits this information to the geomechanics module to update stress and strain parameters, and uses these parameters to adjust porosity and permeability, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the overall simulation results. The thermal fracture opening is simulated as increased permeability in the fracture domain by using a fracturing criterion based on the effective stress.

The fracture simulations were developed in close relation with flow assurance modeling to determine the operational windows that avoid hydrate formation while maintaining the required injection target. Unlike matrix injection, thermal fracturing shows a substantial reduction in injection bottomhole pressure (BHP), reaching 26 000 kPa (260 bar) in a specific scenario. These findings underscore the crucial consideration of cooling effects and thermal fracturing in carbon capture and storage (CCS) operations, particularly in flow assurance studies where well injectivity significantly influences overall outcomes. Due to the intense cooling-induced stress reduction, thermal fractures may propagate uncontrollably, potentially reaching faults within the reservoir. Temperature distributions along boundary faults may differ markedly from matrix flow conditions, highlighting the need to incorporate these effects into geomechanical studies to mitigate risks associated with fault stability during cooling processes.