bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serotonin receptors - a potential target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Eremin D. V , Kondaurova E. M , Rodny A. Ya , Molobekova K. A , Kudlay D. A , Naumenko V. S
Published: April 2024

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, having an increasing impact on aging societies. It is known that the serotonin (5-HT) system of the brain, in addition to its critical role in the control of various physiological functions and behaviors, is involved in the regulation of migration, proliferation, differentiation, maturation and programmed death of neurons. At the same time, increasing evidence indicates the involvement of 5-HT neurotransmission in the mechanisms underlying the formation of insoluble aggregates of β-amyloid and tau protein, which are the main histopathological signs of AD. In this review, we focused our attention on the available data on the participation of various 5-HT receptors and the intracellular signaling cascades induced by them in pathological processes leading to the development of AD. First of all, this concerns information about the involvement of 5-HT receptors in the mechanisms of protein aggregation in AD, which indicate that specific changes in the function of certain 5-HT receptors or associated intracellular signal transduction mediators prevent the accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tau protein tangles. Based on the accumulated experimental data, it can be assumed that the use of 5-HT receptors as new drug targets may not only be useful for improving cognitive performance in AD, but will also play an important role in treating the causes of AD-related dementia.
Dicarbonyl-modified low-density lipoproteins are key inducers of LOX-1 and NOX1 gene expression in cultured human umbilical vein endotheliocytes
Authors: Lankin V. Z , Sharapov M. G , Tihaze A. K , Goncharov R. G , Antonova O. A , Konovalova G. G , Novoselov V. I
Published: April 2024

The expression of LOX-1 and NOX1 genes in human umbilical vein endotheliocytes (HUVECs) when cultured in the presence of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) modified with various natural dicarbonyls was investigated for the first time. It was found that of the investigated dicarbonyl-modified LDLs (malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified LDLs, glyoxal-modified LDLs, and methylglyoxal-modified LDLs), namely MDA-modified LDLs caused the greatest induction of LOX-1 and NOX1 genes, as well as genes of antioxidant enzymes and genes of signaling molecules in HUVECs. MDA-modified LDLs also induce the highest peroxiredoxins expression of the studied antioxidant enzyme genes. The key role of dicarbonyl-modified LDLs in the molecular mechanisms of vascular wall damage and endothelial dysfunction is discussed.
Express-Diagnostics of the Water Sources of a Small Arctic River by the Results of Short-Time Hydrological Survey, Chaunskaya Lowland, Chukotka
Authors: Gubareva T. S. , Boldeskul A. G. , Tregubov O. D. , Tarbeeva A. M. , Shamov V. V. , Lebedeva L. S. , Lutsenko T. N.
Published: April 2024

The article gives the results of generalization of a short-time expedition hydrological–hydrochemical survey in an arctic river basin in the northeastern part of Chaunskaya Lowland in the northern Chukotka, carried out in July 2020. At a scale of a small Yanranaivaam River basin, the structure of water masses was analyzed, and the catchments of individual tributaries with intense development of cryogenic processes were identified; these processes have an effect on water chemistry, in particular, in a higher concentration of hydrocarbonate ions, dissolved ferrum, and dissolved organic carbon. Two-tracer mixing model was used to identify and evaluate the contributions of water sources and their spatial relationships at the moment of survey. The main river water sources are atmospheric waters (mostly snowmelt water), slope soil water of the seasonally thawed layer (STL), and melt water of bald-mountain ice. The dominating water source in the catchments of the middle and upper parts of the basin is atmospheric water (67–78%), and that in the catchments of the lower part of the basin is STL soil water (59–64%). River recharge by meltwater of bald-mountain ice is typical of the entire basin, and at the moment of survey it accounted for 10–14% of the total.
Simulating the Dynamics of the Characteristics of Snow Cover Formation Regime in the Russian Federation Territory. 2. Forest Areas of ER in the Historical Period
Authors: Gusev E. M. , Nasonova O. N. , Kovalev E. E. , Shurkhno E. A.
Published: April 2024

A procedure for calculating various characteristics of snow cover formation, based on the use of the land surface model SWAP was tested on forest areas of the European Russia for a historical period (1967−2019). The comparison of simulation results with appropriate observation data showed the good quality of reproduction of snow formation processes at these objects. Changes of the climatic values of snow cover formation characteristics in the historical period were analyzed to reveal tendencies in these changes in forest areas in the region. Thus, it was found that, despite the decrease in the duration of snow cover, there is increase in snowpack, in particular, in the maximal snow water equivalent. The difference between the characteristics of snow cover formation in the field and forest areas of European Russia was assessed. The mean values of the snow accumulation coefficient over the forest area relative to the field was found to be greater than 1.0. At the same time, the climatic changes in the historical period lead to a decrease of this characteristic in time.
The evolution of research evaluation in China
Authors: Lakizo I. G. , Gus’kov A. E.
Published: April 2024

Reforming the research evaluation system is essentially a struggle between the academic aristocracy, which professes expert approaches to evaluation, and the scientific bureaucracy, which seeks to ensure the dictate of numerical indicators. A representative example is the evolution of this confrontation in China, where a long-term commitment to international scientometric databases made it possible to achieve world leadership in terms of the number of publications. However, these achievements were accompanied by negative effects caused by deterioration in the personnel policy of universities, the reduction of academic freedoms, changes in the publication behavior of researchers, and violations of scientific ethics. This led to a reform of the national evaluation system, namely, the strengthening of the role of expertise, the priority dissemination of scientific information at the national level, and the restriction of open access publications. This considers the history of the formation of and changes in the research evaluation system in China, its positive and negative effects, as well as new scientific practices, their likely consequences, and the possibility to apply them in other countries.
OPTOGENETICS: FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS
Authors: Kirpichnikov M. P. , Ostrovsky M. A.
Published: April 2024

The paper is devoted to optogenetics as a method that allows the cells of an organism to acquire light sensitivity. The history of the origin and development of optogenetics is briefly reviewed. The role of optogenetics in studying both the fundamental mechanisms of brain functions and in understanding the mechanisms of a number of neurological and psychiatric diseases, including those associated with memory loss, is discussed.
The real field of clinical application of optogenetics methods to date, namely in ophthalmology, is discussed in detail. Clinical trials have shown the principal possibility of optogenetic prosthetics of “blind” retina and partial restoration of visual functions. Data on one of the four ongoing clinical trials, its success and limitations are presented. The conditions and prospects for further development of optogenetic prosthetic technologies for blind retina in the last stages of the neurodegenerative process are discussed in detail. The question of the type of nerve cells in the degenerating retina most promising for optogenetic prosthetics is discussed. The authors believe that genes of visual, G-protein-binding rhodopsins (most likely cones), which trigger the enzymatic cascade of light signal amplification, are the most promising for optogenetic prosthetics. The use of genes of genetically modified channel rhodopsins as “tools” for optogenetic prosthetics of degenerative retina is undoubtedly possible and, as clinical trials show, quite realistic.
The Influence of Ultralow Content of Graphene on Wear-Resistant Properties of Composites Based on Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene
Authors: Zabolotnov A. S. , Gostev S. S. , Gudkov M. V. , Novokshonova L. A. , Chelmodeev R. I.
Published: April 2024

The composite samples with the graphene filler content of 0.014 to 0.05 wt % have been prepared via the in situ polymerization. The effect of the ultralow content of graphene on the set of wear-resistant and tribological properties of the synthesized composited based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has been studied. Weas resistance of the synthesized materials under conditions of high-speed impact of a water-sand suspension, wear during microcutting and friction wear resistance have been investigated. Furthermore, the friction coefficient on steel has been determined. The introduction of graphene into the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has improved the resistance to abrasion during microcutting and has increased the wear resistance under the action of the water-sand suspension (the free abrasive wear).
Molecular Properties of Protonated Diallylammonium Polymers Synthesized via Reversible Addition−Fragmentation Chain-Transfer Polymerization
Authors: Yevlampieva N. P. , Vezo O. S. , Slyusarenko M. A. , Gubarev A. S. , Simonova Yu. A. , Eremenko I. V. , Topchiy M. A. , Timofeeva L. M.
Published: April 2024

Protonated diallylammonium polymers are special among cationic polyelectrolytes, due to a series of properties including high antimicrobial activity, for example, towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The polymers samples should be characterized properly for their practical application. In this study, protonated secondary polydiallylamines based on diallylammonium trifluoroacetate have been synthesized via radical reversible addition−fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization in the presence of 2-[(ethoxycarbonothioyl)sulfanyl]acetic acid. The NMR spectroscopy data have shown that the macromolecules contain the dithiocarbonyl terminal groups enhancing the polymer solubility in nonaqueous media, for instance, in methanol. The obtained polymers have been investigated by means of hydrodynamics and dynamic light scattering methods; molecular mass and hydrodynamic parameters of the macromolecules have been determined. Comparison of the polymers with similar ones synthesized via conventional radical polymerization and bearing terminal vinyl groups has revealed the independence of their hydrodynamic properties in 1.0 mol/L NaCl on the synthesis method and the terminal groups structure at М 8 × 103, thus allowing the application of the scaling relationships for the diallylammonium polymers to determine the molecular mass, irrespectively on the preparation methods.
РОЛЬ ДЕРЖАВИ У ФОРМУВАННІ ТА ПІДТРИМЦІ АГРАРНИХ КЛАСТЕРІВ: ПОЛІТИКА, СТИМУЛИ, ОБМЕЖЕННЯ
Authors: НІКОЛЮК Олена , САВЧЕНКО Тетяна , БАСЮРКІНА Наталія
Published: April 2024

Ця стаття досліджує роль держави у формуванні та підтримці аграрних кластерів в Україні, висвітлюючи різні аспекти економічної політики, включаючи законодавче регулювання, податкову політику, підтримку інновацій, розвиток інфраструктури, навчання та розвиток навичок, міжнародне співробітництво, та залучення приватного сектору. Аналізуючи сучасний стан та ініціативи у цих сферах, стаття надає уявлення про поточні виклики та можливості, з якими стикається Україна в контексті економічного розвитку та інтеграції у світову економіку. Особливу увагу приділено впливу цих політик на аграрний сектор, який є ключовим для економіки країни. Висновки та рекомендації, наведені у статті, можуть бути корисними для політиків, експертів у галузі аграрної економіки та дослідників, зацікавлених у розвитку аграрних кластерів та економічному зростанні України. Також у статті розглядається проблематика адаптації України до змінюваних умов глобалізованого світу, зокрема через впровадження інноваційних технологій та практик в аграрному секторі. Аналізується, як розвиток технологій та зміцнення міжнародних зв'язків може сприяти підвищенню якості продукції та ефективності аграрного виробництва. Окрему увагу стаття приділяє важливості освіти та професійного розвитку у сфері агробізнесу, що є вирішальним фактором у підвищенні конкурентоспроможності та інноваційної активності аграрного сектору. Розглядаються можливості та перспективи впровадження нових освітніх програм та курсів, спрямованих на розвиток навичок та компетенцій, необхідних у сучасному аграрному виробництві. Завершується стаття висновками та рекомендаціями для подальших досліджень, які б могли сприяти розвитку аграрного сектору України, зокрема через інтеграцію з міжнародними ринками, вдосконалення законодавчої бази та залучення інвестицій. Наголошується на потребі подальшого аналізу та вивчення глобальних тенденцій та їх впливу на аграрний сектор України, що відкриває шляхи для інноваційного розвитку та сталого економічного зростання.
Optimal deep transfer learning enabled object detector for anomaly recognition in pedestrian ways
Authors: Shaik Allabaksh , Basha Shaik Mahaboob
Published: April 2024

Anomaly detection is a branch of behavior understanding in surveillance scenes, where anomalies represent a deviation in the behavior of scene entities (viz.,humans, vehicles, and environment) from regular patterns. In pedestrian walkways, this plays a vital role in enhancing safety. With the widespread use of video surveillance systems and the escalating video volume, manual examination of abnormal events becomes time-intensive.Hence, the need for an automated surveillance system adept at anomaly detection is crucial, especially within the realm of computer vision (CV) research. The surge in interest towards deep learning (DL) algorithms has significantly impacted CV techniques, including object detection and classification. Unlike traditional reliance on supervised learning requiring labeled datasets, DL offers advancements in these applications. Thus, this study presents an Optimal Deep Transfer Learning Enabled Object Detector for Anomaly Recognition in Pedestrian Ways (ODTLOD-ARPW) technique. The purpose of the ODTLOD-ARPW method is to recognize the occurrence of anomalies in pedestrian walkways using a DL-based object detector. In the ODTLOD-ARPW technique, the image pre-processing initially takes place using two sub-processes namely Wiener filtering (WF) based pre-processing and dynamic histogram equalization-based contrast enhancement. For anomaly detection, the ODTLOD-ARPW technique employs the YOLOV8s model which offers enhanced accuracy and performance. The hyperparameter tuning process takes place using a root mean square propagation (RMSProp) optimizer. The performance analysis of the ODTLOD-ARPW method is tested under the UCSD anomaly detection dataset. An extensive comparative study reported that the ODTLOD-ARPW technique reaches an effective performance with other models with maximum accuracy of 98.67%.
The useful lean tissue and appendicular skeletal muscle mass indices related to physical performance in patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Song Yan , Zhang Xuanrui , Lu Jianxia
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Low muscle quantity commonly seen in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) is the key contributor of declined physical performance and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. However, how to normalize muscle mass for operational criteria in this population remains unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify the clinically useful whole body lean tissue mass (LTM) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) indices pertinent to physical performance in patients undertaking HD.

METHODS:

Whole body LTM in 38 and ASM in 22 patients undergoing HD were measured by body composition monitor (BCM) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), respectively. Physical performance was assessed by handgrip strength, the incremental shuttle walk test, sit-to-stand tests, gait speed, Short Physical Performance Battery and Duke Activity Status Index. Besides crude LTM and ASM, the other muscle indices were utilized normalizing for height, height squared, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass and body fat%.

RESULTS:

Regardless of BCM or DXA being used, the relationships between different muscle mass indices and physical function were not consistent. While the most useful LTM index which was strongly associated with physical function involved adjustment for height, the strongest (and most useful) ASM index was normalization for BMI.

CONCLUSION:

The superiority of adjustment for BMI or height (height2) recommended by international sarcopenia consensus is also suitable for patients undergoing HD. Patients’ BMI or fat mass should be considered in estimating prevalence of sarcopenia and evaluating relationship between muscle mass and physical performance.
Sparse Asymmetry in Locus Coeruleus Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Beckers Elise , Riphagen Joost M. , Van Egroo Maxime , Bennett David A. , Jacobs Heidi I.L.
Published: April 2024

Tau accumulation in and neurodegeneration of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons is observed in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We investigated whether tangle and neuronal density in the rostral and caudal LC is characterized by an asymmetric pattern in 77 autopsy cases of the Rush Memory and Aging Project. We found left-right equivalence for tangle density across individuals with and without AD pathology. However, neuronal density, particularly in the caudal-rostral axis of the LC, is asymmetric among individuals with AD pathology. Asymmetry in LC neuronal density may signal advanced disease progression and should be considered in AD neuroimaging studies of LC neurodegeneration.
TiTDet: A tiny text detector with scale-sensitive loss and effective fusion factor
Authors: Wei Guangcun , Fu Jihua , Pan Zhifei , Fang Qingge , Zhang Zhi
Published: April 2024

The text in natural scenes is often smaller compared to artificially designed text. Due to the small proportion of pixels, low resolution, less semantic information, and susceptibility to complex scenes, tiny text detection often results in many missed detections. To address this issue, this paper draws inspiration from small object detection methods and proposes TiTDet, a detection algorithm more suitable for tiny text. Due to the small proportion of pixels, low resolution, less semantic information, and susceptibility to complex scenes, tiny text detection often results in many missed detections. To address this issue, this paper draws inspiration from small object detection methods and proposes TiTDet, a detection algorithm more suitable for tiny text. Firstly, this paper incorporates a context extraction module and an attention-guided module. These modules guide contextual information learning through a self attention mechanism, while eliminating the possible negative impact caused by redundant information. Regarding multi-scale feature fusion, this paper proposes a fine-grained effective fusion factor, making the fusion process emphasize small object learning more and highlight the feature expression of tiny texts. In terms of post-processing, this paper proposes a differentiable binarization module, incorporating the binarization process into model training. Leveraging the implicit information in the data to drive model improvement can enhance the post-processing effect. Lastly, this paper proposes a scale-sensitive loss, which can handle tiny texts more fairly, fully considering the positional relationship between the predicted and real regions, and better guiding the model training. This paper proves that TiTDet exhibits high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting tiny texts, achieving an 86.0% F1-score on ICDAR2015. The paper also compares the superiority of the method on CTW1500 and Total-Text.
Analysis of natural language processing in engineering documentations based on Schweizer-Sklar prioritized aggregation operators for bipolar complex hesitant fuzzy uncertainty
Authors: Ali Zeeshan , Yin Shi , Yang Miin-Shen
Published: April 2024

In the context of fuzzy relations, symmetry refers to a property where the relationship between two elements remains the same regardless of the order in which they are considered. Natural language processing (NLP) in engineering documentation discusses the application of computational methods or techniques to robotically investigate, analyze, and produce natural language information for manufacturing contents. The NLP plays an essential role in dealing with large amounts of textual data normally recovered in engineering documents. In this paper, we expose the idea of a bipolar complex hesitant fuzzy (BCHF) set by combining the bipolar fuzzy set (BFS) and the complex hesitant fuzzy set (CHFS). Further, we evaluate some algebraic and Schweizer-Sklar operational laws under the presence of BCHF numbers (BCHFNs). Additionally, using the above information as well as the idea of prioritized (PR) operators, we derive the idea of BCHF Schweizer-Sklar PR weighted averaging (BCHFSSPRWA) operator, BCHF Schweizer-Sklar PR ordered weighted averaging (BCHFSSPROWA) operator, BCHF Schweizer-Sklar PR weighted geometric (BCHFSSPRWG) operator, and BCHF Schweizer-Sklar PR ordered weighted geometric (BCHFSSPROWG) operator. Basic properties for the above operators are also discussed in detail, such as idempotency, monotonicity, and boundedness. Moreover, we evaluate the best way in which NLP can be applied to engineering documentations with the help of the proposed operators. Therefore, we illustrate the major technique of multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) problems based on these derived operators. Finally, we use some existing operators and try to compare their ranking results with our proposed ranking results to show the supremacy and validity of the investigated theory.
RETRACTED: Advanced intelligent optimization for electric vehicle charging stations integrated with photovoltaic system and battery storage in commercial buildings
Authors: Li Hongjun , Zhang Jinlong
Published: April 2024

This article has been retracted. A retraction notice can be found at https://doi.org/10.3233/JIFS-219433.
A simulation study of sampling in difficult settings: Statistical superiority of a little-used method
Authors: Shannon Harry S. , Emond Patrick D. , Bolker Benjamin M. , Viveros-Aguilera Román
Published: April 2024

Taking a representative sample to determine prevalence of variables such as disease or vaccination in a population presents challenges, especially when little is known about the population. Several methods have been proposed for second stage cluster sampling. They include random sampling in small areas (the approach used in several international surveys), random walks within a specified geographic area, and using a grid superimposed on a map. We constructed 50 virtual populations with varying characteristics, such as overall prevalence of disease and variability of population density across towns. Each population comprised about a million people spread over 300 towns. We applied ten sampling methods to each. In 1,000 simulations, with different sample sizes per cluster, we estimated the prevalence of disease and the relative risk of disease given an exposure and calculated the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of these estimates. We compared the sampling methods using the RMSEs. In our simulations a grid method was the best statistically in the great majority of circumstances. It showed less susceptibility to clustering effects, likely because it sampled over a much wider area than the other methods. We discuss the findings in relation to practical sampling issues.
Pleiotropic effects of acetylsalicylic acid
Authors:   Acad. E.I. Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Moscow, Russian Federation, Smirnova M.D.
Published: April 2024

Currently, researchers are investigating new mechanisms of action and potential applications of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). This article summarizes recent studies on the use of ASA for primary prevention of cardiovascular complications (CVC), cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). The article discusses the efficacy and safety of ASA in patients with diabetes, COPD, CKD, and subclinical atherosclerosis of brachiocephalic arteries. ASA is a promising tool for primary prevention of CVC and progression of COPD and its complications, as well as malignant diseases. The safety profile of ASA is also addressed. The optimal dosage form of ASA that is both effective and safe is an important factor that should be considered when prescribing ASA for long-term use. Enteric-coated ASA is now widely used due to its diminished negative effect on gastrointestinal mucosa and improved safety. KEYWORDS: primary prevention, acetylsalicylic acid, antiplatelet therapy, cardiovascular complications, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes FOR CITATION: Smirnova M.D. Pleiotropic effects of acetylsalicylic acid. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2024;8(1):31–36 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2024-8-1-5.
A New Record of Henckelia Infundibuliformis for India From Arunachal Pradesh
Authors: Taram Momang , Borah Dipankar
Published: April 2024

_Henckelia infundibuliformis _(W. T. Wang) D. J. Middleton & Mich. Möller is recorded as new record for the Flora of India from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Extended taxonomic description is provided for the species accompanied by photographs and ecology.
The Relative Importance of the SDG Pillars
Authors: Carlsen Lars
Published: April 2024

The seventeen United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability, and as such they can be grouped into five so-called pillars, i.e., People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace, and Partnership. The present study elucidates the relative importance of these pillars for 193 countries and 12 regions in their attempts to comply with the SDGs as well as the trends towards compliance based on partial order analyses. It is unambiguously demonstrated that the pillar Planet, comprising SDGs 6, 12, 13, 14, and 15, in all cases turns out as the far most important pillar both about the present degree of compliance as well as concerning the development trend. Not surprisingly the OECD region appears as the region with the highest degree of compliance whereas Africa has the least. However, when it comes to the trends the OECD and the high-income countries (HIC) apparently come staggering up when it comes to the pilar planet due to rather low pillar planet values. For the individual countries Finland and Denmark were found on the top ranks. The reason for the importance of the pillar Planet as well as the difference between sustainability goals and sustainability is discussed.
Empiric Systems Theory – An Experimental Approach
Authors: Fröhlich Thomas
Published: April 2024

Based on an overarching science- and humanities approach to biopsychosocial interaction, such as that desired in care, healthcare, and social care, an appropriate systems theory has been introduced. Taking interactions, not single processes, as its smallest element, it allows one to focus on the meaningful content of structured interactions, as related to their present context. The latter contains its constituting quantitative and qualitative, locally, and situationally meaning-generating aspects, in the form of the interaction partners’ role-specific aspectual qualities. Engaged in specifying systematised interaction, contributing partners are seen as providing, recruiting, and implementing information, acting as individual agencies in their relational matrix to possibly converge to systematically combined co-acting units, as systems made of systems. The systematised approach gives a more empiric view of mandatorily interacting systems and their content-as-meaning-generating potency.

Empiric systems theory can be applied wherever primordially embedded agencies’ processing occurs and extended decontextualization fails or is inappropriate. Its advantage is its consideration of relational structure and corresponding perspectivity right from the beginning, which enables one to conceptualise and understand systems as containers and producers of perspectival meaning. Accordingly, the theory is a semantic systems theory as well.
Uso de pesticidas agrícolas na agricultura familiar em Angola. Estudo de caso da comuna da Funda, Luanda e Dombe Grande, Benguela
Authors:   Universidade José Eduardo dos Santos, Quibula Nsilulu , Nogueira João Constantino ,   Universidade José Eduardo dos Santos
Published: April 2024

The market orientation of family farming based on maximizing the use of inputs, with an emphasis on agricultural pesticides, has been the key to increasing production/productivity and generating income for families in Angola. However, the use of agricultural pesticides has not been accompanied by technical assistance, which contributes to the destruction of native ecosystems, environmental pollution and the production of food with low biological value, as well as increasing the vulnerability of peasant families. The research was carried out between December 2022 and May 2023 in the communes of Funda, in the municipality of Cacuaco in the province of Luanda, and in the commune of Dombe Grande, in the municipality of Baia-Farta in the province of Benguela. From the bibliographies consulted and the interviews conducted, it was clear that the use of agricultural pesticides in the areas under study is widespread, motivated on the one hand by the rapid emergence of pests and diseases, and on the other by the productive dynamics of Angola's emerging agribusiness. This scenario has had irreversible consequences in the study areas, ranging from river pollution to biodiversity degradation.
Study of the Effect of Thin Layer Thickness on the Structural Properties of Copper Phthalocyanine (CuPc) Films Prepared by Vacuum Thermal Evaporation Method
Authors: Alhiti Laith S. , Jawad Rafal A. , Abd Alwaahed Rafaa A. , Sobhi Hala M.
Published: April 2024

The structural properties of thin films prepared with different thicknesses before and after the annealing process and at different temperatures were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to study the structural properties. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the thin films prepared with different thicknesses, as well as those annealed at temperatures of 300 and 373 K, were composed of the β-phase, which is widely known as the most stable phase. The analysis also showed that the material has a polycrystalline structure characterized by a monoclinic crystal system. The density shows a constant increase in all thin films, with the dominant trend being (312) for all films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurement results indicated that there was an increase in roughness with a change in the thickness of the thin films. In addition, there was an increase in the crystalline size of the thin films that underwent annealing at 300 and 373 K. However, there was a decrease in crystallite size at the annealing temperature of 473 K due to the phase change of the thin film material.
Pengaruh Likuiditas dan Profitabilitas terhadap Kebijakan Dividen pada PT Mayora Indah Tbk Periode 2015-2021
Authors: Devy Choirul Puspita
Published: April 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh likuiditas menggunakan current ratio dan profitabilitas menggunakan return on asset terhadap kebijakan dividen pada PT Mayora Indah Tbk tahun 2015-2021. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode kuantitatif. Sample yang digunakan adalah berupa laporan keuangan PT Mayora Indah Tbk selama 7 tahun.  Metode analisis menggunakan uji asumsi klasik, analisis regresi, koefisien korelasi, koefisien determinasi dan uji hipotesis dengan bantuan software SPSS 25. Hasil Penelitian ini menunjukkan return on asset berpengaruh signifikan terhadap dividen payout ratio dengan nilai thitung sebesar -15.994 > nilai ttabel yaitu 2,776 dan  nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,000 < 0,05. Sementara itu current ratio tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap dividen payout ratio  dengan nilai thitung sebesar 0,071 < nilai t tabel 2.776 dan  nilai signifikansi sebesar 0,172 > 0,05. Sedangkan secara simultan bahwa variabel independen Current Ratio sebagai X1 dan Return On Asset sebagai X2 dalam penelitian ini berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap variabel dependen Dividend Payout Ratio dengan nilai Fhitung sebesar 0,001 < 0,05 dan nilai Fhitung adalah 63,154 > Ftabel yaitu 5,79.
Pengaruh Citra Merek dan Daya Tarik terhadap Loyalitas Produk Nivea di Piayu Kota Batam
Authors: Siagian Gebby Mirayu , Realize Realize
Published: April 2024

Apabila perusahaan ingin memperoleh loyalitas yang tinggi dari konsumen, maka perusahaan harus mampu bersaing di dunia bisnis. Perusahaan harus mempunyai karakteristik tersendiri agar bisa menciptakan loyalitas pada konsumen terhadap produk yang ditawarkan hingga bisa menciptakan rasa nyaman sehingga konsumen melakukan proses pembelian yang berulang.  Loyalitas konsumen mempunyai beberapa faktor yang bisa mempengaruhinya, diantaranya citra merek dan daya tarik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh citra merek dan daya tarik terhadap loyalitas Produk Nivea Di Piayu Kota Batam. Perancangan penelitian ini menggunakan desain penelitian dan metode penelitian kuantitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan menyebarkan kuesioner kepada 386 responden yakni konsumen yang menggunakan produk Nivea yang berdomisili di keluarahan Tanjung Piayu kecamatan Sei Beduk. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa citra merek dan daya tarik secara parsial dan secara simultan terhadap loyalitas Produk Nivea Di Piayu Kota Batam. Hasil uji koefisien determinasi menunjukkan bahwa pengaruh citra merek dan daya tarik terhadap loyalitas sebesar 8,9 persen, sedangkan sisanya dipengaruhi oleh variabel lain yang tidak diteliti dalam penelitian ini.
A blind color watermarking technique based on quaternion complex structure-preserving Qr decomposition
Authors: Guo Zhenwei
Published: April 2024

The color image blind watermarking technique is widely used in the field of digital image processing and security and can maintain the copyright of images and guarantee their authenticity. In order to maintain the intrinsic connection between the three color channels of color images, using quaternion algebra to solve the color image problems often achieves better results. This paper proposes a complex structure-preserving algorithm for solving the QR decomposition of quaternion matrices, which has better computational efficiency compared with previous methods. This paper also applies the proposed algorithm to the color image blind watermarking technique, and experiments prove that the method has better invisibility and better robustness to salt and pepper noise, etc. The technique will have potential applications in the field of color image watermarking.
Numerical homogenization of the gas filtration problem
Authors:   Department of Information Technologies, Institute of Mathematics and Informatics, North-Eastern Federal University, Kachalin N , Spiridonov D
Published: April 2024

The non-stationary gas flow equation in homogeneous and heterogeneous media is considered. Areas of this type are often encountered when considering gas production processes from a gas-bearing reservoir. The heterogeneous structure of the reservoir can strongly affect the extraction processes. For the numerical solution of the problem under consideration, we construct an approximation of the equations on a coarse grid using the numerical averaging method. The method allows us to solve the problem using less computational power and in a shorter time. A numerical comparison of the results of solving the model problem is carried out in a two-dimensional domain for the cases of linear and nonlinear variants of the equations, as well as in a homogeneous and heterogeneous medium. The finite element solution on a fine mesh was taken as a reference solution. The computational realization was performed using the FEniCS library. The construction of the geometric computational domain was performed in the program Gmsh. Paraview and the Matplotlib library in Python were used for data visualization.
Recovery of the non-stationary component of the right-hand side of the subdiffusion equation
Authors:   North-Eastern Federal University, Kardashevsky A , Kardashevsky V , Guo Z
Published: April 2024

The paper proposes a non-iteration method for numerically solving the inverse problem of identifying the coefficient of the right-hand side of the time-dependent fractional diffusion equation. The redefinition condition for each t ∈ (0,T] is given: the value of the function at some internal point of the domain or the integral of the desired function in the domain. The results of the numerical implementation of the proposed method on test problems with exact solutions are presented.
New stability number of the Timo- shenko system with only microtemperature effects and without thermal conductivity1
Authors:   Laboratory of Mathematics, Dynamics and Modelization, Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University, Selma Meradji , Marwa Boudeliou , Abdelhak Djebabla ,   Numerical Analysis, Optimization and Statistics Laboratory, Badji Mokhtar-Annaba University
Published: April 2024

In this work, we study the asymptotic behavior of a thermoelastic Timoshenko system with dissipation due only to microtemperature effects and no thermal diffusivity. Under an appropriate new assumption about the coefficients of the system and by using the energy method, we prove that the unique dissipation due to microtemperatures is strong enough to stabilize the system exponentially.
Biology and ecology of arboreal hemipterans (Hemiptera, Heteroptera) in South-Eastern Kazakhstan
Authors:   Kostanay Regional University named after A. Baitursynov, Korganbek Kh.G. , Esenbekova P.A. ,   RSE “Institute of zoology” CS of the MSHE of the RK
Published: April 2024

As a result of the study of arboreal hemipterans of South-Eastern Kazakhstan, 35 species belonging to 8 genera were identified. Among them are the Miridae family (9 species), the Pentatomidae family (8 species), the Anthocoridae family (7 species), and 1-3 species are known from the remaining 5 families. According to the habitat, arboreal hemipterans are divided into dendrobionts (22 species), dendro-tamnobionts (2 species), dendro-tamno-hortobionts (4 species), dendro-hortobionts (6 species). Arboreal hemipterans are divided by trophic relationship into zoophages (14 species), zoophytophages (6 species), phytophages (12 species) and mycetophages (3 species). Arboreal hemipterans of South-East Kazakhstan are divided into 4 groups according to the number of generations they give per year: monovoltine (27 species), bivoltine (1 species), polyvoltine (4 species), acyclic (3 species). The species in the study area are ecologically mesophilic. In many species of Hemiptera, the wintering period takes place in the adult stage (20 species), the egg stage (10 species), the adult and larval stage (4 species), and the larval stage (1 species).
Regulation of Assisted Reproduction in Hungary
Authors: Zádori János , Szoboszlai-Kiss Katalin
Published: April 2024

Following the implementation of state oversight of human reproductive procedures in 2020, several regulations have been introduced to mitigate potential issues. To enhance patient care and alleviate the workload of IVF centers, a network of specialized infertility outpatient clinics will be established alongside existing centers of assisted reproduction. These changes aim to address the challenges faced by infertility centers and improve the chances of patients having children. The policy currently allows for up to five insurance-funded treatment cycles, while cryopreserved embryo transfers are not subject to a specific limit. Furthermore, the previous threemonth waiting period between treatment cycles has been eliminated, and restrictions on the number of embryos that can be implanted have been implemented. Limiting the number of embryos transferred during IVF procedures is a common practice aimed at reducing the risks associated with multiple pregnancies. By allowing only one embryo for the first transfer up to the age of 36, especially when transferred on day five of embryonic development, this initiative prioritizes the health and safety of both the mother and potential offspring. It helps to minimize the chances of complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight, which are more common with multiple pregnancies. Additionally, it can improve the overall success rates of IVF by focusing on the quality of the transferred embryo rather than the quantity. The Hungarian government anticipates that these measures will enhance the success rates of IVF treatments, consequently leading to a rise in future childbirths and a decrease in the number of frozen embryos. This study aims to delineate the effectiveness of the introduced changes in 2023 and provide recommendations accordingly.
Early graft in patients with burn wounds: A two-year retrospective study of 582 patients at a referral burn center in northern Iran
Authors:   Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, Mobayen Mohammadreza , Tolouei Mohammad ,   Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, Dehnadi Moghadam Anoush ,   Anesthesiology Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, Feizkhah Alireza ,   Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran,   Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, Bagheri Toolaroud Parissa ,   Health Information Management Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran, Ghazanfari Mohammad Javad ,   Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran,   Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Ghorbani Vajargah Pooyan ,   Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, Karkhah Samad ,   Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran,   Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Published: April 2024

Skin graft is the main treatment for burn wounds, which provides a favorable functional and aesthetic scar outcome. This study aimed to assess early graft in patients with burn wounds admitted to a referral burn center in northern Iran. This retrospective research was conducted on 582 patients with burn wounds with an early graft between May 2019 to 2021 at a referral burn center in northern Iran. Data gathering was conducted from May 2019 to 2021. A total of 582 patients with burn wounds with early graft were enrolled in this research. Of the patients, 91.41% were treated with one graft and 60.14% were treated with grafts less than 10% in size. The average graft/burn ratio in patients with burn wounds was 0.75 (SD=0.52). Also, 55.15% of patients with burn wounds had Graft/burn ratio less than 0.75 (P=0.03). The mean length of stay in hospital in patients with burn wounds was 7.20 (SD=6.10). 61.34% of patients with burn wounds had stayed less than seven days in the hospital after early grafting. 4.12% of patients with burn wounds died due to early grafts (P<0.001). Although in the past decades, progress had been made in skin grafts for burns in Iran, however, prevention of complications and negative outcomes of burns and timely treatment of patients is still weak in Iran. Overall, the present study showed that patients with burn wounds with early grafts in Iran have had better clinical outcomes compared with low- and middle-income countries.
Effect of telenursing on self-efficacy of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: A systematic review
Authors:   Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, Alizadeh Tara , Takasi Poorya ,   Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
Published: April 2024

This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of telenursing on the self-efficacy of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. International electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science were systematically searched from their inception to November 1, 2023. The search utilized keywords derived from Medical Subject Headings including "Telenursing", "Self-Efficacy", and "Coronary artery bypass grafting". Furthermore, Iranian databases like Iranmedex were consulted. The quality of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical assessment checklist. The review included a total of four studies encompassing 311 enrolled patients. Among the patient population, 69.17% were male, and 53.05% belonged to the intervention group. The average age of participants was 69.17 (SD=8.33) years. Additionally, the mean duration of study follow-up was 3.75 weeks. Also, the average duration of the intervention was 30.00 minutes. It was shown that nurses can use telenursing to increase the level of self-efficacy. It is recommended that managers and health policymakers create a platform where, in addition to using telenursing through phone calls, other methods can be used, such as video calls. In such a way that the costs of using methods other than telephone calls are balanced so that everyone can use these methods. As a result, in addition to telephone calls and DVDs, other telenursing methods can be used to increase self-efficacy.