bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel single kernel parallel image encryption scheme based on a chaotic map
Authors: Bezerra Joao Inacio Moreira , Camargo Vinícius Valduga de Almeida , Soares Rafael Iankowski , Molter Alexandre , Machado Gustavo
Published: April 2024

The development of communication technologies has increased concerns about data security, increasing the prominence of cryptography. Images are one of the most widely shared data, and chaotic ciphers arouse significant interest from researchers, as traditional ciphers are optimized for text encryption. Chaotic encryption schemes perform well for low-quality images, however, they are not fast enough for real-time encryption of Full Ultra HD images. Hence, a novel cipher to be executed in GPU architectures is proposed, where the encryption procedure consists of a single kernel, making it different from previous chaotic works and also from the AES. This enables our work to achieve a throughput of 130.8 GB/s on a GeForce RTX3070 and 251.6 GB/s on a Tesla V100 GPU, an increase of 37\% compared to the AES, and 43 times higher than the previously high for chaotic ciphers. The cipher's security is also verified regarding multiple forms of attacks.
A Neuro-Fuzzy Risk Prediction Methodology in the Automotive Part Industry
Authors: Chakhrit Ammar , Djelamda Imene , Bougofa Mohammed , Guetarni Islam H.M. , Bouafia Abderraouf , Chennoufi Mohammed
Published: April 2024

Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is a systematic and structured method employed across diverse industries to proactively identify and evaluate potential failure modes. In a traditional FMEA, for all failure modes, three criticality parameters: severity, detection, and frequency, are assessed to evaluate criticality. Nevertheless, it frequently has certain flaws. Therefore, in this work, a fuzzy risk proposed model is used to improve the use of the FMEA methodology. The new model uses a fuzzy inference technique in place of the conventional criticality calculation. Fuzzy logic technique is used where the various factors are given as members of a fuzzy set fuzzified by employing adequate membership functions to evaluate the risk and then ranking failure modes and preferring measures to control the risks of undesired events. The Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) is suggested as a dynamic, intelligently proposed model to improve and validate the results acquired by the fuzzy inference system and effectively predict the criticality evaluation of failure modes. Finally, an automotive parts industry case is presented to show the potential of the suggested model. This analysis offers a different ranking of failure modes and improves the decision-making by providing a “preventive –corrective plan. A comparison with existing approaches is presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the suggested approach.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the physical activity and nutritional behavior questionnaire based on social cognitive theory (PANBQ-SCT) in the middle aged at risk of coronary artery disease
Authors: rad Roghayeh Ezati , Hosseini Zahra , Mohseni Shokrollah , Aghamolaei Teamur , Nikparvar Marzieh , Mohammadi Mohammad
Published: April 2024

Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common cardiovascular disease and the main cause of mortality in developed and developing countries. Physical activity and nutrition behaviors are modifiable factors in people at risk of CAD and the related risk factors. There is evidence to suggest that socio-cognitive factors play a crucial role in adopting physical activity and nutritional behaviors. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the physical activity and nutritional behavior Questionnaire based on the social cognitive theory (PANBQ-SCT).
Methods
A questionnaire was developed based on the constructs of Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, knowledge, self-efficacy, collective efficiency, outcome expectations, observational learning, normative beliefs, social support, barriers and opportunities, reinforcement and punishment, behavioral skills, behavioral intention and nutritional behaviors. The questionnaire was administered as a two-week test-retest among the middle aged at risk of CAD. Confirmatory factor analysis was run to test the model fit of each scale using multiple indices including chi-square test, comparative-fit index (CFI), goodness-of-fit index (GFI), and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA). Reliability indices were also tested (ICC and Cronbach’s alpha).
Results
The reliability and factorial validity of each subscale were substantiated. Fit indices suggested that each model was an adequate-to-exact fit to data (CFI = .928, IFI = .894, GFI = .943, TLI = .969, RMSEA = .046). The internal consistency of the test was good, as Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire scale was 0.913, and for the subscales ranged between 0.768 and 0.899. Also, the ICC ranged between 0.643 and 0.918.
Conclusions
The results substantiated the reliability and factorial validity of the socio-cognitive constructs related to physical activity and nutrition behaviors among the middle aged at risk of CAD. Thus, the suggested scale can be used to identify potential socio-cognitive correlates of middle age physical activity and nutrition behaviors, the mediators and validation of theoretical models based on SCT.
Clinical, laboratory, and hospital factors associated with preoperative complications in Peruvian older adults with hip fracture.
Authors: Aguirre-Milachay Edwin , León-Figueroa Darwin A. , Valladares-Garrido Mario J.
Published: April 2024

Objectives
To determine the clinical, laboratory, and hospital factors associated with preoperative complications in older adults with hip fractures.
Methodology:
Analytical observational retrospective cohort study, whose population was older adults with a diagnosis of hip fracture treated in a hospital in northern Peru, during 2017–2019.
Results
432 patients with a median age of 83 years (RIC: 77–88) were evaluated, with the female gender being the most prevalent (60.9%). The most common comorbidities included cardiovascular disease (68%) and diabetes (17.6%), and multimorbidity was observed in 47.2% of cases. The median number of geriatric syndromes was 2 (RIC: 1–5). The overall mortality rate was 3.2% (1.7–5.3). Analysis with Poisson regression model found a significant association with mental red cross > = 3 points RR = 4.29 (1.44–12.78), glucose on admission RR = 1.01 (1.001–1.014) and minimally significantly female sex RR = 2.36 (0.99–5.62)
Conclusions
The most commonly observed complications were infectious in nature, including pneumonia, sepsis, and urinary tract infections. Both mental red cross > = 3 pt, glucose on admission, and minimally female sex were found to increase the risk of developing pre-surgical complications in older adults with hip fracture. The assessment of preoperative and perioperative complications is of great importance in predicting adverse health outcomes in older adults with hip fractures.
Optimizing Subgraph Retrieval and Matching with an Efficient Indexing Scheme
Authors: He Jiezhong , Chen Yixin , Liu Zhouyang , Li Dongsheng
Published: April 2024

Graph index as an effective data structure is widely applied in subgraph retrieval and matching. It records and compares the frequencies of a set of specific features to detect subgraph containment on the fly, which is the foundation of the filtering techniques for subgraph retrieval and matching. However, due to the NP-hardness of the subgraph counting, current graph indices struggle to be built on large graphs. Even counting the simple path and cycle graphs is NP-hard. We observe that the monotone property of the counting process is crucial for the correctness and precision of the index. Therefore, we introduce an efficient graph indexing scheme by counting the path and cycle features monotonically in relaxed semantics. In addition to the filtering techniques, we propose to reorder the search candidates via our index. Experimental results reveal that our index can be constructed significantly faster than existing methods, by 1-3 orders of magnitude, and can handle graphs that are larger than previous work by 1-3 orders of magnitude. Our index-boosted filtering and ordering techniques are proven to be effective in optimizing the subgraph retrieval and matching process.
Construction of a Risk Prediction Model for Pre-eclampsia in Northern China: A Study of 798 Hospitalized Pregnant Women
Authors: Chen Ying , Li Jiaying , Ma Lingyu , Wu Shuyao , Lin Xichen , Yao Yujing , Fan Yiou
Published: April 2024

Objective
To screen the risk factors for pre-eclampsia in Northern China and construct a risk prediction model.
Methods
Clinical data of 798 hospitalized pregnant women from March 2023 to August 2023 at the First Hospital of Jilin University were collected and analyzed. The patients were divided into a pre-eclampsia group (N = 176, case group) and a non-pre-eclampsia group (622 cases, control group) based on clinical diagnosis. Patient medical history, family history, early pregnancy diagnostic data from prenatal care handbooks, and lifestyle information during pregnancy were collected, resulting in a total of 106 parameters for analysis. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors associated with pre-eclampsia. Subsequently, ROC curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the predictive performance of the model, and a disease prediction model was constructed.
Results
(1) Independent risk factors for pre-eclampsia during early pregnancy included a history of pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, family history of hypertension, systolic blood pressure ≥ 120mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80mmHg, education level, daily intake of dairy products > 100mL, education level of college or above, and white blood cell count > 1.3×109/L. (2) The probability (P) of prediction was calculated based on these factors using the formula P = 1/[1 + EXP(-1.670 + 3.326×history of pre-eclampsia + 3.151×history of chronic hypertension + 1.276×family history of hypertension + 0.786×systolic blood pressure ≥ 120mmHg + 3.205×diastolic blood pressure ≥ 80mmHg + 0.625×daily intake of dairy products > 100mL-0.792×education level of college or above + 1.000×white blood cell count > 1.3×109/L)]. (3) The area under the ROC curve based on this data was 0.804 [95% CI (0.756, 0.852)], P<0.05. (4) Validation of the model among 107 pregnant women, yielded an accuracy rate of 82.24%.
Conclusion
The risk prediction model, developed using identified risk factors, effectively predicts pre-eclampsia risk in high-risk individuals, offering valuable guidance for clinicians' decision-making.
Association between serum vitamin C and depression in adults: A cross-sectional study of NHANES from 2017 to 2018
Authors: Zhao Dehua , Long Xiaoqing , Wang Jisheng
Published: April 2024

Background
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to explore the association between serum vitamin C and depression in adults.
Methods
Data from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle were utilized. Multivariable logistic regressions were applied to assess the association between serum vitamin C and depression. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression was conducted to explore the dose-response relationship between serum vitamin C and depression. In addition, we performed stratified and sensitivity analyses to evaluate the stability of the results.
Results
A total of 4517 participants were included in this study. Among of them, 410 (9.08%) participants suffered depression. In fully adjusted models, serum vitamin C, as a continuous variable, was negatively associated with depression (OR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.54–0.88, P = 0.003). Similar results were observed when serum vitamin C was analyzed as a categorical variable. The ORs (95% CI) for Q2, Q3, and Q4, with Q1 as the reference, were 1.00 (0.76–1.33), 0.73 (0.54–0.99), and 0.59 (0.42–0.81), respectively. The RCS analysis found a linear negative relationship between serum vitamin C and depression (P for non-linearity = 0.579). Additionally, the inverse associations between serum vitamin C and depression remained robust in stratified and sensitivity analyses.
Conclusion
Our findings suggested that there was a linear negative relationship between serum vitamin C and the risk of depression, indicating that maintaining sufficient serum vitamin C are recommended due to its potential benefits for protecting against depression.
Detection of human enteric viral genes in a non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis (Diptera) in the sewage treatment facilities in Antarctic stations
Authors: Lee Sook-Young , Kim Ji Hee , Kang Seunghyun , Park Kye Chung , Cho Sung Mi , Salinas Carla Ximena , Rebolledo Lorena , Benítez Hugo A. , Mejías Tamara Contador , Soutullo Alvaro , Juri Eduardo , Kim Sanghee
Published: April 2024

Background
The Antarctic environment is susceptible to the introduction of non-native species due to its unique ecosystem, which has evolved under geographical isolation and extreme climatic conditions over an extended period. The non-native winter crane fly, Trichocera maculipennis, which was recently introduced to maritime Antarctica, is likely to pose a serious threat to the Antarctic ecosystem. In this study, the possibility of the mechanical transmission of viruses was evaluated.
Methods
The possibility of the mechanical transmission of viruses was evaluated using next-generation sequencing (NGS), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and virus isolation methods from T. maculipennis (Tm)-related samples (Tm body-wash fluid and Tm homogenate) collected from habitats and sewage treatment facilities located at three research stations in Antarctica.
Results
Our findings revealed the presence of human adenovirus (AdV) and human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) in Tm-related samples through virome analysis. Notably, these viruses are commonly detected in human feces. In addition, we identified pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) and cucumber green motortle mosaic virus (CGMMV), which are known indicators of enteric viruses, in all Tm-related samples. It is postulated that these viruses originated from wastewater, as evidenced by their detection in the wastewater samples. However, the minute quantities of AdV and HERV genomes detected in Tm-related samples through qPCR, coupled with the observed non-viability of AdV, indicate that T. maculipennis has limited potential for mechanical transmission.
Conclusions
Our study represents the first evaluation of the potential risk of non-native species serving as vectors for pathogens in Antarctica despite the relatively low quantities of detected viruses. This study provides valuable insights for further risk assessments of non-native species that are newly introduced or are likely to be introduced to Antarctica due to climate change or increased human activity.
PTK2 promotes lung cancer progression via cross-talk regulation between EGFR- and TLR-mediated signaling
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Shin Ji Hye , Kim Mi-Jeong , Choi Bongkum , Kang Yeeun , Choi Jimin , Kim Seo Hyun , Kwan Dohee , Kim Duk-Hwan , Chun Eunyoung , Lee Ki-Young
Published: April 2024

Introduction
Protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2) plays a pivotal role in various cancers via cross-talk with growth factor signaling pathways. PTK2 is amplified in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the functional role of PTK2 has not been elucidated yet. Here, we report that PTK2 is functionally implicated in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)- and toll-like receptors (TLRs)-mediated signaling for progression of lung cancer.
Methods
Microarray data of NSCLC tumor tissues and matched normal tissues of 42 NSCLC patients were used to gain insights into associations of PTK2 and EGFR expression with patient’s prognosis and cancer progression. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing method and cancer progression assay were utilized for functional validation of PTK2 in human A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells. In vitro and in vivo tumorigenic assays were performed using a three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroid formation and a xenografted NOD scid gamma mouse (NSG, NOD/SCID/IL-2Rγnull) model, respectively.
Results
Patients with up-regulated PTK2 exhibited a poor prognosis after clinical treatments. Gene set enrichment assay (GSEA) revealed that patients with up-regulated PTK2 exhibited high enrichments of gene sets related to lung cancer progression and EGFR- or TLRs-mediated signaling. The functional association between PTK2 and EGFR or TLRs was verified. PTK2-knockout (KO) lung cancer cells exhibited marked attenuations of cancer progression, and in vivo tumorigenic and metastatic activity in xenografted NSG mice. In response to TLR agonists, EGF, or TLR agonists plus EGF, the severe decreases of 3D-tumor spheroid formation could be observed in PTK2-KO lung cancer cells. We further elucidated the molecular mechanism by which PTK2 regulated the cross-talk between EGFR- and TLRs-mediated signaling. PTK2 specifically regulated their downstream molecules for the activation of NF-κB.
Conclusions
Up-regulated PTK2 might be a reliable marker for EGFR- or TLRs-induced lung cancer progression in NSCLC patients. It could be potentially considered as a therapeutic target in the field of precision or personalized cancer medicine aiming for NSCLC intervention.
Tertiary lymphoid structures correlate with better prognosis in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma: A retrospective study
Authors: Kijima Toshiki , Takada-Owada Atsuko , Kokubun Hidetoshi , Uematsu Toshitaka , Takei Kohei , Betsunoh Hironori , Yashi Masahiro , Ishida Kazuyuki , Kamai Takao
Published: April 2024

B cells are recognized as components of the tumor immune microenvironment in various cancer types, including soft-tissue sarcomas. Recent studies on sarcomas have suggested that tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are associated with B cell expression and immunotherapy efficacy. We evaluated the relationship between the presence of a TLS at the primary site and the prognosis of patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma. TLSs were observed in 17 of 29 patients (59 %). TLSs were observed in 2 of 3 patients (67 %) with well-differentiated liposarcoma, 14 of 16 patients (88 %) with dedifferentiated liposarcoma, and 1 of 2 patients (50 %) with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. The number of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells was higher in the TLS-positive group than in the TLS-negative group (p = 0.01). Disease-specific survival was significantly longer in patients with TLS-positive tumors than in those with TLS-negative tumors. When patients were divided into groups according to the density of TLSs, the disease-specific curve showed the highest survival in the TLS ≥10 (/100 mm2) group and the lowest survival in the TLS-negative group. When the analysis focused on patients with dedifferentiated liposarcoma, survival was classified according to the density, as in the overall analysis. Negative TLS, positive resection margins, and a lack of systemic therapy at recurrence were independent prognostic predictors. One patients with TLS-positive undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma had a microsatellite-unstable tumor and long-term survival with complete disappearance of all metastatic lesions with pembrolizumab, suggesting a prognostic role of TLSs and their predictive role in immunotherapy efficacy.
Guillain-Barré syndrome with overlap between the finger drop variant and acute bulbar palsy: a case report
Authors: Ito Shota , Yokoi Satoshi , Fukami Yuki , Uchibori Ayumi , Katsuno Masahisa
Published: April 2024

Background
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) encompasses diverse variants, and the overlap between these variants often makes the diagnosis of GBS difficult. We report a case of GBS overlapping with both the finger drop variant and acute bulbar palsy.
Case presentation:
An 81-year-old man presented with dysarthria, dysphagia, and upper limb weakness. The patient exhibited impaired tongue protrusion and the finger drop sign, whereas other cranial nerve functions, leg strength, touch sensation, and proprioception were normal. Brachioradialis and triceps reflexes were diminished. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed elevated protein levels with normal cell counts. Nerve conduction studies showed reduced amplitudes and decreased velocities in the median and ulnar nerves. As GBS was suspected, we initiated intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, resulting in gradual improvement within 3 weeks. Serum IgG antibodies to gangliosides tested positive for GM1, asialo-GM1, GT1a, GD1b, and GQ1b. On the basis of the monophasic disease course and anti-ganglioside antibodies, we confirmed the diagnosis of GBS.
Conclusion
This case is the first reported instance of an overlap between the finger drop variant and acute bulbar palsy in GBS, highlighting the importance of considering GBS when patients present with a combination of atypical symptoms. Anti-ganglioside antibodies may assist in distinguishing these complex symptoms.
An active-subspace-enhanced support vector regression model for high-dimensional uncertainty quantification
Authors: Zhou Yicheng , Gong Xiangrui , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: April 2024

The computational costs of surrogate model-assisted uncertainty quantification methods become intractable for high dimensional problems. However, many high-dimensional problems are intrinsically low dimensional, if the output response exhibits some special structure that can be exploited within a low-dimensional subspace, known as the active subspace in the literature. Active subspace extracts linear combinations of all the original inputs, which may obscure the fact that only several inputs are active in the low-dimensional space. Motivated by this fact, this paper proposes a new surrogate modeling method which imposes sparsity in the active subspace to achieve a better performance for dimension reduction. Information given by sparse active subspace is integrated in the kernel structure of the support vector regression model to ensure superior performance for high dimensional problems. We demonstrate the proposed method on several benchmark applications, comprising an analytical function and two engineering applications of increasing dimensionality and complexity.
Culturally Informed Parenting Assessment: The Adaptation of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire with Input from Ugandan Experts and Parents
Authors: Asiimwe Ronald , Mugumya Firminus , Birungi Macklean , Tumuhairwe John Bosco
Published: April 2024

While parenting practices significantly influence children's developmental outcomes on a global scale, there has been limited comprehensive assessment of the cultural appropriateness of global parenting questionnaires in diverse cultural contexts by researchers. This study examined the cultural relevance of items on a global measure of parenting, the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ) within a Ugandan context. Transcultural adaptations followed a seven-step methodology, integrating validated models for cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Semi-structured interviews with 14 local experts and cognitive interviews with 16 parents provided crucial feedback for revising the 42-item APQ scale. This transcultural adaptation process resulted into a 32-item adapted APQ tailored for the Ugandan context. Feedback from experts and parents led to the incorporation of five additional items reflecting important parenting practices in the target Uganda setting. This research is notable for its contribution to the decolonization of parenting assessment instruments, centered on the perspectives of participants in a culturally diverse context. The availability of a culturally adapted parenting measure holds significance for clinicians and researchers as it enables a more efficient and culturally sensitive evaluation of parenting practices. Furthermore, utilizing such a measure facilitates a deeper understanding of the components of parenting warranting attention in the development of interventions for parents in the target setting.
Graves' Disease: In Silico Design of Hybrid Molecule Targeting the Thyroid-stimulating Hormone Receptor
Authors: Andrade Luís Jesuino de Oliveira , de Oliveira Luís Matos , Silva Catharina Peixoto , de Oliveira Luísa Correia Matos , David Túlio Matos , Bittencourt Alcina Maria Vinhaes , de Oliveira Gabriela Correia Matos
Published: April 2024

IntroductionGraves' disease (GD), an autoimmune disorder characterized by hyperthyroidism and the production of autoantibodies targeting the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), poses a considerable challenge in clinical management. Antithyroid medications block thyroid hormone synthesis and are usually the first-line treatment. In recent years, the advent of computational molecule design has offered a promising avenue for the development of novel therapeutic strategies tailored to specific molecular targets. Despite the substantial progress made in silico molecule design for targeting the TSHR in GD, several critical gaps persist in the current literature.ObjectiveTo provide anin silicodesign of hybrid molecule targeting the TSHR.MethodIn silicohybridization of rituximab (RTX) and methimazole (MMZ) was performed through a comprehensive workflow: structural bioinformatics analysis, virtual screening and hybrid molecule design, molecular dynamics simulations, machine learning-based analysis, pharmacokinetic modeling and safety assessment, free energy calculations,in silicomutation analysis, data analysis and visualization.ResultIn silicoapproach identified a novel hybrid molecule candidate with promising potential for the treatment of GD. The designed molecule exhibited favorable characteristics in terms of binding affinity, selectivity, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity profiles, and potential safety.ConclusionThe designed molecule, derived from MMZ and RTX, exhibited promising characteristicsin silico. The hybrid molecule demonstrated favorable binding affinity and selectivity towards the TSHR through virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations.
Efficacy of bioinsecticides, synthetic insecticides, macro and micronutrients for the management of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci in onion: A field trial
Authors: Hassan El-Said M. , El-Sheikh Mohamed F. , Hegazy Fatma H. , Ali Fathi A. , Mesbah Ibrahim I.
Published: April 2024

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lind. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major pest of onion worldwide. It damages onion, Allium cepa L., both directly and indirectly, which leads to significant output losses. In 2022, research was conducted in a private onion field in the Delta region, Egypt, to evaluate the efficacy of bioinsecticides and synthetic insecticides and to evaluate the efficacy of macro- and micronutrients in determining treatment effects on onion thrips populations. The greatest decrease in infestation was achieved by the application of the chemical insecticide Pleo 50% EC and the bioinsecticide Tracer 24% SC. The greatest decrease in infestation was achieved by the application of the micro plant element boron. Injury caused by onion thrips is often not severe enough to warrant the application of numerous pesticides to crops in the Delta region of Egypt. Spinosad and spinetoram are used as bioinsecticides, and pleo is used as a synthetic insecticide for managing onion thrips populations. Additionally, the use of boron as a macroelement is suggested for managing onion thrips populations.
Understanding Complex Systems through DifferentialCausal Networks
Authors: Defilippo Annamaria , Giorgi Federico Manuel , Veltri Pierangelo , Guzzi Pietro Hiram
Published: April 2024

In the evolving landscape of data science and computational biology,Causal Networks (CNs) have emerged as a robust framework for modelling causal relationships among elements of complex systems derived from experimental data. CNs can efficiently model causal relationships emerging in a single system while comparing multiple systems, allowing to understand rewiring in different cells, tissues, and physiological states with a deeper perspective. Despite the existence of network models, namely differential networks, that have been used to compare coexpression and correlation structures, causality needs to be introduced in differential analysis to robustly provide direction to the edges of such networks, in order to better understand the flows of information, and also to better intervene in their functioning, for example for agricultural or pharmacological purposes. Resolved to reach this ambitious goal, we introduce Differential Causal Networks (DCNs), a novel framework that represents differences between two existing CNs. A DCN is obtained from experimental data by comparing two CNs, and it is a power tool for highlighting differences in causal relations. After a careful definition and design of DCNs, we test our algorithm to model possible differential causal relationships between genesresponsible for the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus-related pathologies considering patients' sex at the tissue level. DCNs allowed us to shed light on causal differences between sexes across nine tissues. We also compare differences among three possible definitions of DCNs to highlight similarities and differences of biological importance. Code, Data and Supplementary Information are available at https://github.com/hguzzi/DifferentialCausalNetworks.
The Mediating Effect of Customer Loyalty in the Relationship Between Supply Chain Performance, Inventory Management and Quality Management
Authors: Nadason Segar , Vasudevan Hemaloshinee , Mui Yee Cheok
Published: April 2024

Supply chain management is the systematic, strategic coordination of business tasks engaged in a supply chain to enhance a company’s and a supplier chain’s overall long-term performance. It is also a set of approaches used effectively to integrate suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, or customers to improve the long-term performance of the companies involved and the supply chain itself as a whole. A lack of financial resources is the main obstacle to supply chain management development. This study intends to investigate the mediating effect of customer loyalty on the relationships among supply chain performance, inventory management, and quality management. An electronic manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia, served as the site of this investigation. Consequently, 700 individuals were working at this industrial company. This industrial company’s employees were given the questionnaire, which was created. An analysis of the relationship and effects of quality management, inventory management, supply chain management, and customer loyalty on the performance of the product market was performed via nonprobability sampling on a population of 700 employees to generate a sample of 65 respondents based on the PLS-SEM. Several statistical methods were employed in this study, and SMART PLS3 was utilised to analyse the data. The effectiveness of a product in the market was found to be significantly influenced by variables such as customer loyalty, inventory management, supply chain management, and product market performance. The results showed that seven hypotheses had significant connections for all variables. Business owners and other relevant stakeholders are suggested to improve the supply chain, inventory management, and quality management systems in their organisation’s business operations to promote customer loyalty and product market performance for long-term viability. The effort continued during the RMK-9 period by implementing comprehensive policy because more intense competition had to be faced by the industry, including SMEs, due to the existence of globalisation and trade liberalisation
Methods of processing recycled manure solids bedding on Midwest dairy farms I: Associations with bedding bacteria counts, milk quality, udder health and milk production
Authors: Godden Sandra , Royster Erin , Crooker Brian , Timmerman Jenny , Peña Mosca Felipe
Published: April 2024

This observational study investigated the relationships between method of processing recycled manure solids (RMS) bedding and 1) bacteria counts in RMS bedding, 2) bacteria counts in bulk tank milk, and 3) udder health and milk production. A convenience sample of 29 farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin were recruited to represent 4 RMS processing systems; green (GRN, n = 7), anaerobic digestion (DIG, n = 6), composting (COM, n = 4), and hot air drying (DRY, n = 12). Premises were visited twice (summer/winter) to collect fresh bedding and bulk tank milk (BTM) samples for culture, test day records, and a herd management questionnaire.

Coliform and Klebsiella spp. counts were lower, or tended to be lower in DRY, COM or DIG versus GRN RMS samples. Counts of Streptococci and Strep-like organisms (SSLO) were statistically or numerically lower in COM or DRY as compared to GRN or DIG RMS samples. Coliform and SSLO counts in BTM were lower, or tended to be lower, in DIG, COM or DRY as compared to GRN RMS samples. Test-day average linear score, proportion of cows with infection, and proportion of cows with chronic infection was lower, or tended to be lower, in herds using DRY or COM versus GRN RMS bedding. Average 305ME was higher, or tended to be higher, for herds using DRY versus GRN or DIG RMS. Adoption of COM or DRY processing could allow producers to mitigate the negative impacts of high bacteria levels in GRN RMS bedding, though more research is needed.
A Case Study of Family Therapy for an Adult Child with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors:   Korean Association of Family Therapy, Cui Chun Hua , Moon Hye Rin , Park Tai-Young
Published: April 2024

Objectives: This family therapy case study aims to explore the factors that contributed to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), intervention approaches used by the family therapist and the effectiveness of treatment. Method: This study employed a case study method and used thematic analysis and a matrix approach in data analysis. Results: Contributors to the development of OCD were triggering, individual, familial, and environmental factors. The therapist's interventions included analyzing the familial factors, promoting the awareness of the parents' dysfunctional communication patterns transmitted from the family of origin, helping the client express the repressed emotions, resolving misunderstandings among family members, and practicing effective communication strategies. Conclusion: This study identified the factors related to OCD from a family systems perspective and explored specific family therapy interventions used by the therapist.
The abundance and distributional (in)equalities of forageable street tree resources in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Opeyemi , Shackleton Charlie M.
Published: April 2024

Foraging for wild resources links urban citizens to nature and biodiversity while providing resources important for local livelihoods and culture. However, the abundance and distributional (in)equity of forageable urban tree resources have rarely been examined. Consequently, this study assessed the abundance of forageable street trees and their distribution in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. During a survey of 32 randomly selected wards across 16 local government areas (LGAs) in the metropolis, 4,017 street trees from 46 species were enumerated.
Еffectiveness of immunocorrective therapy for frequently ill children
Authors: Zakirova A. M. , Krasnozhen V. N. , Shayapova D. T. , Kadriev A. G. , Rashitova E. L. , Lbragimov T. M. , Kadriev A. A.
Published: April 2024

Introduction. All acute respiratory infections are characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, a decrease in local immune defense and a weakening of nonspecific protective factors.

Aim. To characterize the clinical effectiveness of the use of the immunocorrective drug in frequently ill children.

Materials and methods. The article assessed the microbiological spectrum of the rhinopharyngeal landscape in 65 children: 33 children took an immunocorrective drug in addition to conventional therapy – the main group; 32 children received conventional therapy (the comparison group), and also investigated the possibility of regulating their polypathogenic microbiota using topical bacterial lysates.

Results and discussion. The result of the therapy was a clinical improvement characterized by the relief of pharyngoscopic signs of chronic tonsillitis in children while taking topical bacterial lysates in form of lozenges. Analysis of the microbiota of the oropharyngeal mucosa in the studied patients of both groups before the start of therapy revealed the species diversity of opportunistic flora, among which Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, the family Enterobacteriaceae and Candida albicans were identified in all patients in diagnostic significant titers of 105–1010. After treatment in the main group, the ratio of the microbiota of the nasopharynx significantly changed, stimulation of the production of local immunity components was noted, which was confirmed by a decrease in the intensity of contamination of microbiota with polypathogenic functions to diagnostically insignificant titers. When comparing the species composition of the microbiota in the studied groups after treatment with topical bacterial lysates, a statistically significant positive effect was found without additional use of antibacterial drugs.

Conclusions. It has been shown that the immunocorrective drug eliminates pharyngoscopic signs of rhinopharyngeal dysbiosis in children who are often and long-term ill.
Seasonal determination of proximate composition and essential elements in commercial fishes from Pakistan and human health risk assessment
Authors: Gull Amna , Zafar Fatima Hayat Shaheen , Panhwar Sher Khan , Bat Levent , Zahid Mohammad
Published: April 2024

The seasonal variability in proximate composition and essential elements demonstrates that the habitat and feeding habits of fish species play a vital role in energy transfer.

We aimed to ascertain seasonal variability in the biochemical composition (protein, lipids, carbohydrates, ash, and moisture) and the amounts of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn in the species Nemipterus japonicus, Epinephelus erythrurus, Nematalosa nasus, and Ilisha striatula inhabiting pelagic and demersal zones. We compared the nutritional profile of these fish species and their seasonal importance. The essential elements were detected by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and found in the following order: K > Na > Ca > Mg > Mn > Zn. To determine the proximate composition, we employed a number of methods: the Lowry method for protein analysis, the acid hydrolysis method for fat/lipid analysis, a formula for carbohydrates and moisture, and the incineration method for ash content.

The spring inter-monsoon season showed the highest values for the essential elements in both pelagic and demersal species. However, the pelagic species had the highest biochemical composition levels during the southwest monsoon. The autumn intermonsoon had the lowest bio-profile for the fishes of both regimes.

The summer season, which is not thought to be good for fish consumption, showed the highest biochemical composition levels in the pelagic fish. The nutritional profile of fish flesh can be affected by feeding habits, seasonal variation, and habitat.
The Trial of the Former Dean of Leningrad State University Nikolai Kornatovsky
Authors:   Chelyabinsk State University, Badikov Roman A.
Published: April 2024

The article examines a series of events related to the criminal prosecution of Nikolai Kornatovsky, a prominent party historian, professor, and the former dean of the Faculty of History at Leningrad State University. Amidst the political purges of the 1940s and 1950s, echoing the “Leningrad Affair”, Kornatovsky was expelled from the party, dismissed from high administrative positions, and arrested in 1951 on false charges of anti-Soviet activities. The trial over Kornatovsky has been reconstructed on the basis of the documents of supervision proceedings revealed by the author and previously not used by the researchers. The study particularly focuses on the interconnectedness between Kornatovsky’s personal case within the Bolshevik Party and the initiation of criminal proceedings against him by the Ministry of State Security of the USSR; on the mechanisms of forming the evidentiary base during the preliminary investigation. The article also explores the role of expert commissions in the case and the significance of the examination of the historian’s scholarly works as a key procedural action. The article reveals the principles of compilation of witnesses’ testimonies and other statements during the historian’s trial. Furthermore, details of the efforts by Kornatovsky and his spouse, Maria Kornatovskaya, to appeal a guilty verdict are revealed Additionally, the article presents the outcome of the appeal in 1954, the role of the Prosecutor’s Office of the USSR,and administrative-party structures of the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Party during the relevant stage, as well as the rationale behind the termination of criminal prosecution against Kornatovsky.
Agrarian Business of Merchant Women of the Central Chernozem Region in Post-reform Period
Authors:   Belgorod National Research University, Menshikova Evgenia N.
Published: April 2024

The article analyses the forms of the presence of merchant women in the agricultural business of the Central Chernozem region. After the emancipation reform of 1861 in Russia, land became a commodity for all classes. At the time, merchant women showed increased entrepreneurial interest in the land market of the region. Merchant women invested in a variety of types of land: arable land, vegetable gardens, forests, meadows, pastures, swamps, gardens, as well as land in the city that belonged to private individuals or the municipality. On the land outside the city merchants placed their industrial enterprises (brick, iron foundries, salt-melting plants), which carried an unfavorable environmental burden to the city. Many merchant women owned large landed property. This allowed them to be large landowners of the Central Chernozem provinces. Land was an asset whose value was increasing every year. Merchant women performed numerous operations with the land: they bought (mainly from nobles and peasants), sold, took, leased and subleased, carried out numerous collateral operations. Representatives of all estate groups of provincial society became business partners for merchants in the agricultural business. It was a common phenomenon for merchants to build business relations in the agricultural business between members of the same merchant family (often between a wife and husband). Merchant women operated in the agricultural sector of the region, relying on their own and borrowed funds of individuals and banking institutions (Moscow land banks, Kharkov land banks, Oryol land banks, Yelets City Public Bank, Oryol branch of the State Bank).
Emancipation Reform in Pavlovskoe Estate of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaevich
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Kashchenko Sergey G. , Kashchenko Elena S. ,   St. Petersburg State University
Published: April 2024

The article examines the process of emancipation of peasants and redemption operation in the estate of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich, located between Tsarskoe Selo and Pavlovsk. The article reveals economic situation in Finnish villages and Fedorovskii Posad that were part of the estate. The authors consider the content and peculiarities of the charters and redemption documents for these settlements, which are kept in the Russian State Historical Archive (RGSH). The views of Konstantin Nikolaevich, who headed the Main Committee on Peasant Affairs and the Organization of the Rural Estate, on the rules of emancipation of peasants in the royal estates are analysed. The article studies the arguments of the ministers M. N. Murav’ev and V. F. Adlerberg, who disagreed with the proposal of Konstantin Nikolaevich to liberate peasants from the Pavlovskoje estates on the basis of the Provisions of February 19, 1861. The authors conclude that the conditions of emancipation of the peasants in Pavlovskoje estate, as well as the pre-reform condition of the peasant economy, were markedly more favorable than those of the peasants in other estates of the Tsarskoselskii district. The peasants signed the charter deeds offered to them, but were in no hurry to switch over to the buyout. The delay in carrying out the redemption operation in the estate was caused by the peasants’ unwillingness to immediately switch to redemption on the terms less favorable to them offered by the owner. It was not until the early 1880s, after the reduction of redemption payments, that mandatory redemption operations were concluded.
Heraldic Tracts in the Tudor and Stuart England
Authors:   St. Petersburg State University, Palamarchuk Anastasia A.
Published: April 2024

In the late 16th–17th centuries both heraldic and chivalric practices and heraldic literature were flourishing in England. The article reconstructs the repertoire of the heraldic tracts written under the Tudors and the Early Stuarts. These sources represent an especially significant complex for the study of the rise of the social as an autonomous sphere. Heraldic and paraheraldic tracts can be divided into three categories in accordance with the structural organization of the texts: displays of heraldry, tracts about nobility, and catalogues of nobility. Each category is characterized by its peculiar themes within a broad heraldic spectrum. The tracts concerning nobility revealed the substance of the phenomenon, defined and structured its analytical parameters; therefore, the boundaries of the nobility were determined and specified. Heraldic displays, in addition to their practical and didactic functions, visualized the abstract notion of “nobility” and impressed this concept upon the minds due to a wide range of associations, which were revived in the process of interpretation of the heraldic symbols. Finally, the catalogues of the nobility concretized nobilitas in its visible boundaries and/or historical dynamics. Taken as an intertext owing to the compilations and mutual citations, these three types of the heraldic narratives created the space where the autonomization of the social was developing. The crucial factor in this process was the multi-dimensional nature of the definition of the concept of nobility. The evolution of the heraldic tracts illustrated important and large-scale processes: 1) the evolution of the perception of the English constitution not as the corpus of practices, but as the complex of practices and texts, which not only fixed the custom but also made its interpretation possible; 2) the rise of the social in the Early Modern intellectual discourse.