bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of proximate composition and mineral contents of Sorghum Blended with Peanut
Authors: Ateye Mahamed Dol , Ali Abdulkarim Mohammed , Hassen Shamsedin Mahdi , Jama Hodo Mohamed
Published: October 2024

Improving the nutritional status of infants requires the optimal use of available food resources. This study aimed to develop a product and evaluate its proximate composition and mineral content by blending sorghum with peanuts (SBP) to enhance the nutritional quality of sorghum-based foods. Seven formulations of composite flours were created, consisting of 100% sorghum flour with 0% peanut flour, 92.5% sorghum flour with 7.5% peanut flour, 85% sorghum flour with 15% peanut flour, 77.5% sorghum flour with 22.5% peanut flour, and 70% sorghum flour with 30% peanut flour. The technological properties and nutritional characteristics of these composite flours were determined using AOAC methods. The moisture content of the SBP sample flours ranged from 5.34–6.35%, with the mixture containing 70 grams of sorghum and 30 grams of peanut having the highest moisture content. This finding suggests that increasing the peanut proportion raises the moisture content of the flour. The crude protein content of the SBP samples ranged from 12.53–17.38%, with the highest protein concentration (17.38%) observed in the 70:30 sorghum-to-peanut mixture, indicating its potential as a valuable source of plant-based protein. The crude fat content in the sorghum and peanut flours varied between 4.40% and 15.61%. The total carbohydrate content ranged from 54.08–75.33%, with the highest carbohydrate content observed in the 100% sorghum flour and the lowest in the 70:30 sorghum-to-peanut mixture. The total energy content of the SBP sample flours varied between 388.86 kcal/100g and 423.80 kcal/100g. Based on the results, this study suggests that SBP composite flours can be used as complementary foods, meeting the daily energy requirements for infants aged 6–12 months.
Do Large Language Models Truly Grasp Mathematics? An Empirical Exploration
Authors: Xie Wei , Ma Shuoyoucheng , Wang Zhenhua , Wang Enze , Wang Baosheng , Su Jinshu
Published: October 2024

Despite their proficiency in math tasks, the mechanisms underlying LLMs' mathematical reasoning abilities remain a subject of debate. Recent studies suggest that chain-of-thought (CoT) prompts can bolster mathematical reasoning by encouraging LLMs to employ human-like logical reasoning (System 2), enabling them to excel on the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT). To assess whether LLMs genuinely possess System 2-like logical reasoning, we introduced targeted modifications to CRT problems. Our findings reveal that, despite the use of CoT prompts, mainstream LLMs, including the latest o1-preview model, continue to exhibit a significant error rate. Further analysis indicates that they predominantly rely on System 1-like intuitive reasoning and pattern matching derived from training data, rather than demonstrating mastery of mathematical thinking. This discovery challenges the prevailing notion that LLMs possess genuine logical reasoning abilities and that CoT can enhance them. Consequently, this work may temper overly optimistic projections regarding LLMs' advancement toward artificial general intelligence.
Scaling Down Transformers: Investigating Emergent Phenomena in Tiny Models
Authors: Sinha Abhas Kumar
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we investigate the emergent learning capabilities of autoregressive models, particularly Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs), with a focus on how these models learn and generalize from sparse datasets. Our findings show that increasing the number of training epochs enhances emergent abilities, where different loss reductions correlate with distinct task distributions in the pretraining dataset. We demonstrate how GPT models decompose sparse data into latent patterns, allowing them to learn new distribution information and extrapolate these patterns to improve cross-task predictions. For instance, the model achieves nearly 65% accuracy with just 50 samples (out of 1680 possible samples) when encoding two synthetic languages, and reaches accuracies of 93.5%, 99.75%, and 99.25% with 100, 200, and 300 samples (out of 11880 possible samples), respectively, from a larger dataset. Additionally, we highlight the influence of prompt design, dataset characteristics, and latent variables on pattern recognition and task performance. These results advance the understanding of large language models' emergent learning abilities, offering insights into their generalization power across diverse tasks.
Die Auswirkung der digitalen Transformation auf die Rolle des Notars im Recht der GmbH
Authors: Slabsche Hendrik
Published: October 2024

Das Notariat ist ein wesentlicher Bestandteil des deutschen Systems der vorsorgenden Rechtspflege, welches wiederum essenziell für Rechtssicherheit ist. Es unterliegt einem zunehmenden Einsatz digitaler Mittel, wodurch sich die Frage stellt, ob auf notarielle Mitwirkung dank technologischer Entwicklungen in Zukunft verzichtet werden kann. In diesem Beitrag wird sich mit dieser Fragestellung speziell für das Recht der GmbH auseinandergesetzt und aufgezeigt, warum Notare auch in einem digitalisierten Rechtsumfeld nicht hinwegzudenken sind.
Der Wirtschaftlichkeitsgrundsatz des öffentlichen Vergaberechts : der rote Faden des Vergabeverfahrens
Authors: Umhey Maëliss
Published: October 2024

Der Wirtschaftlichkeitsgrundsatz stellt ein fundamentales Prinzip bei der Vergabe öffentlicher Aufträge und damit des öffentlichen Vergaberechts dar. Ausgangspunkt des Grundsatzes ist das öffentliche Haushaltsrecht, indem es als Leitlinie für einen effizienten Einsatz öffentlicher Ressourcen, die überwiegend aus Steuergeldern bestehen, fungiert. Mit der Einbeziehung des EU-Vergaberechts erlangt der Wirtschaftlichkeitsgrundsatz zusätzlich die Rolle der Marktstabilisierung, -stärkung und Integration. Der Beitrag widmet sich der Herleitung des Wirtschaftlichkeitsgrundsatzes sowie seiner Relevanz innerhalb des Vergabeverfahrens bis hin zur Aufhebung von Vergabeverfahren.
Evaluation of Yield, Fruit Chemistry, and Firmness of Seven Strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) Cultivars in an Eastern North Carolina Greenhouse
Authors: Johnson Joy , Hoffmann Mark
Published: October 2024

The combination of increasing costs, climate change, and disease- and pest-related issues present large challenges for the strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa) industry in the United States. This is especially true for the Southeast, where rain, frost, and a range of foliar, fruit, and soil-borne diseases are prevalent, leading to significant losses every year. Simultaneously, niche winter markets open the opportunity to extend the harvest season, leading to an industry push to use protected culture strawberry production. Tabletop soilless strawberry greenhouse production has the advantage of avoiding soilborne issues while at the same time mitigating weather-related impacts on strawberry yield and quality. The use of long-day cultivars, originally bred for the Central Coast region of California, is currently the industry standard because of desired winter yields. However, short-day cultivars bred for Florida production might also have the potential to produce in winter. In this study, we evaluated the growth, yield, fruit chemistry, and fruit firmness of seven strawberry cultivars that are commonly grown in protected culture in North Carolina: Albion, Brilliance, Camino Real, Fronteras, Monterey, Florida Sensation, and Sweet Charlie. Experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design in a commercial tabletop greenhouse in eastern North Carolina over two growing seasons (2022–23 and 2023–24). Our results showed that Florida cultivars Brilliance and Florida Sensation produced more consistently yields in winter compared with long-day cultivars Albion and Monterey and produced similar yields over the entire season. ‘Brilliance’ especially showed high fruit firmness across both years, and high sweetness in one of the two years. Additionally, the short-day cultivar Fronteras showed high yields in early spring and could serve as a late-season crop for direct-to-consumer producers. Our study showed that ‘Brilliance’ and ‘Florida Sensation’ could be alternatives to ‘Albion’, and that ‘Monterey’ can be used to produce a winter crop in a soilless tabletop production system in the Southeast.
Herbicide Formulation Affects Weed Control and Crop Tolerance in Greenhouse Ornamentals
Authors: Hill Ryan J. , Moretti Marcelo L.
Published: October 2024

Weed control in container-grown ornamentals can be improved by careful herbicide selection. Four studies were conducted in greenhouses at Oregon State University to improve the understanding of how differences in the mode of action and formulation of herbicides can affect bryophyte control efficacy and crop safety. Granular (G) formulations of pendimethalin and indaziflam were compared with sprayable liquid (L) formulations of pendimethalin, indaziflam, and dimethenamid-p as well as with a nontreated control on four perennial container-grown ornamentals. Indaziflam in the L formulation performed better than that in the G formulations for controlling hairy bittercress up to 20 weeks after the initial treatment. Dimethenamid-p was more effective than indaziflam for liverwort and moss control. Pendimethalin in the G formulation less effectively controlled hairy bittercress than the L formulation did, but it performed better against moss during a second study. The L formulation of indaziflam injured Japanese pachysandra and boxwood and reduced root and shoot growth by 10% to 29%. Dimethenamid-p provided excellent control of the weed species tested and was safe for the crops, indicating its potential use as an alternative to hand-weeding in greenhouses.
Summer Weed Management Strategies for Saffron Crocus in the Northeastern United States
Authors: Gheshm Rahmatallah , Brown Rebecca Nelson
Published: October 2024

Saffron is an extremely high-value spice made from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). The saffron crocus flowers in the fall, grows vegetatively during the winter and spring, and is dormant during the summer. It is native to the Mediterranean region and most of the global saffron crop is produced in the Mediterranean and western Asia. Summer rainfall is rare in these regions. However, saffron crocus is becoming increasingly popular as a niche crop in the northeastern United States and other areas where summer rainfall is common. This study evaluated four methods of weed control during summer dormancy to determine the relative costs and the effects on saffron yield. Hand cultivation (HC) was the most expensive method and resulted in significantly decreased saffron yields. Covering the saffron crocus field with a light-proof plastic tarp (occultation) was the least expensive and had no effect on saffron yield. Annual planting of saffron crocus also had no effect on saffron yield but required more labor than occultation. Intercropping basil (Ocimum basilicum) resulted in the highest revenue per unit area and did not negatively affect yields of either saffron or basil. Based on this study intercropping is recommended for summer weed management for producers seeking to maximize revenue per unit area, while occultation is recommended for producers seeking to minimize production costs.
Uterine Artery Doppler as Predictive Measure for Fetal Growth Restriction in Chronic Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Sana Hafeez  , Aasia Batool  , Fareeha Usman  , Wajeeha Anwar  , Joveria Sadaf
Published: October 2024

Background: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is when the fetal weight is less than tenth centile for the given gestational age. Chronic hypertension is one of the risk factors of FGR. Growth restricted fetuses are at risk of intrauterine death and many comorbidities later in life. Detection of those fetuses at risk of developing FGR can help in timely intervention and better outcome.Objective: To evaluate uterine artery Doppler for prediction of FGR in patients with chronic hypertension.Methods: One hundred and sixty four women having chronic hypertension at 24 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Women with multiple pregnancy and comorbidities other than hypertension were excluded. Doppler USG of uterine arteries was done at 24 weeks of gestation by radiologist and absence or presence of diastolic uterine artery notch was observed. Patients were divided into 2 groups A and B depending upon the presence or absence of notch respectively. These women were followed till they delivered and by taking birth weight as an outcome measure, frequency of fetal growth restriction (FGR) was found in both groups by the researchers themselves.Results: The mean age of women in group A was 26.76± 3.89 and in group B was 26.21 ± 3.57 years. Major portion of women was multipara 58% (96 women). Forty (24.39%) patients developed fetal growth restriction while 124 patients (75.61%) fetuses were of normal weight. Among the patients who had growth retarded foetuses 35.37% patients were in group A and 13.41% were in group B with p-value of 0.001.Conclusion: Uterine artery doppler diastolic notch at 24 weeks of gestation has significant association with development of FGR in patients with chronic hypertension.
Uric Acid: A Biomarker and Pathogenic Factor of Affective Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Chu Teng , Liu Ge , Liu Jing , Wu Yue , Fang Weirong
Published: October 2024

Uric acid (UA), the end-product of purine metabolism, has a complicated physiological role in the
body, showing the combination of regulating inflammatory response, promoting oxidation/anti-oxidation, and
modifying autophagy activity in vivo. Meanwhile, various research and theories support that inflammation,
oxidative stress, and other risk factors promote the onset and progression of affective disorders and neurodegenerative
diseases. Existing studies suggest that UA may be involved in the pathophysiological processes of
affective disorders in various ways, and there has been a gradual advance in the understanding of the interplay
between UA levels and affective disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarized the role
of UA in the process of inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy. On this basis, we discussed the correlation
between UA and affective disorders and several neurodegenerative diseases, and simultaneously analyzed
the possible mechanism of its influence on affective disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, to provide a theoretical
basis for UA as a biomarker or therapeutic target for the diagnosis of these diseases.
An In-Silico Approach to Study the Effect of Phosphorylation (Ps129) on the Conformational Dynamics of Membrane Bound Α-Synuclein
Authors: Das Dorothy , Mattaparthi Venkata Satish Kumar
Published: October 2024

Background:

Phosphorylated α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is present in relatively small levels in
normal human brains, but nearly all of the α-Syn in the Lewy bodies (LBs) that collect in the nigrostriatal
region in the brain of Parkinson's disease patients is phosphorylated on serine 129 (pS129).
Earlier studies suggested that mimicking phosphorylation at S129 may have an inhibitory effect on
α-Syn aggregation and thus control α-Syn neuropathology. Although phosphorylation at S129 is associated
with α-Syn inclusion in synucleinopathies, the mechanisms by which this post-translational
modification (PTM) influences aggregation and contributes to LB illness in the brain are yet to be
understood.

Objective:

This research aims to study the effect of phosphorylation (pS129) on the conformational
dynamics of membrane-bound α-Syn using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations.

Method:

Using MD simulations, this computational study has demonstrated the effect of PTM on
the conformational dynamics of pS129 α-Syn and its lipid membrane association. To better understand
the impact of pS129 on the aggregation of the α-Syn structure monomer with recent atomic
details, we have examined the MD trajectories, conducted a salt-bridge interaction study, Principal
Component Analysis (PCA), and intra and inter-molecular hydrogen bond analysis.

Results:

The conformational structure of pS129 α-Syn was observed from the MD trajectory analysis
to be stable throughout the simulation, with higher compactness and reduced flexibility. The stability
of the structure of pS129 α-Syn was also evaluated by 2-D and 3-D principal component
analysis followed by a free energy landscape plot showing the global minima. The conformational
snapshots and Ramachandran plot showed the absence of α-strands in the α-Syn's Non-Amyloid
Component Region (NAC) (71–82), which is necessary for aggregate formation.

Conclusion:

Further, the intermolecular hydrogen bonds analysis indicates that the NAC region is
not embedded into the lipid bilayer and has limited association with the other regions of the protein.
Our findings reveal salient features of pS129 modifications that inhibit α-Syn aggregation.
CNN-based Integrated Framework for Enhanced Diabetic Retinopathy Detection
Authors: R Chitra , A M Anusha Bamini , S Punitha , Stephan Thompson , Martha Sheshikala
Published: October 2024

Background:

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), a significant cause of vision loss globally,
is characterized by retinal damage caused by diabetes. Early detection is vital to prevent irreversible
blindness, yet challenges remain in accurately identifying DR stages and enhancing
blood vessel visibility in fundus images. This paper aims to develop an early detection methodology
for DR, addressing the need for early diagnosis and the difficulties in distinguishing
DR severity through fundus imaging. The challenges in the early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy
(DR) and enhancing blood vessel visibility in fundus images are multifaceted, including
issues such as data imbalance, image noise, and complex patterns. By addressing these
challenges through advanced ML techniques and image processing methodologies, the proposed
methodology in the paper aims to overcome the limitations in early detection and severity
assessment of DR, contributing to improved patient outcomes and vision preservation.

Methods:

This study utilizes Machine Learning (ML) to analyze complex patterns in fundus
color images of DR, employing spatial domain filtering to reduce image noise and address data
imbalances across DR severity levels through data augmentation. A Convolutional Neural
Network (CNN), enhanced with a Gabor filter, is applied for stage-specific DR detection and
to pinpoint infected areas. The dataset includes 1000 color fundus images, with a 70:30 split
for training and testing, respectively. The adoption of a Gabor filtering technique aims to refine
the model’s performance further.

Results:

The incorporation of a CNN with a Gabor filter has shown outstanding efficacy in detecting
DR from fundus color images, achieving a training accuracy of 97.5%, validation accuracy
of 96.5%, Cohen kappa score of 89.76%, and testing accuracy of 95.87%. This method
effectively illustrates the disease-affected areas in the fundus images provided.

Conclusion:

Through a comparative analysis of image processing techniques, this research
highlights the advantages of using advanced DR analysis for image preprocessing. The proposed
CNN-Gabor filter approach demonstrates significant success in identifying diabetic retinopathy
in fundus color photographs and accurately delineating the affected regions, contributing
valuable insights to the field of medical image processing.
ANALISIS PENGARUH VARIABEL FUNDAMENTAL TERHADAP HARGA SAHAM SEKTOR INFRASTRUKTUR DAN SEKTOR ENERGI
Authors: Salsabil Yafie Irsyad , Vietha Devia
Published: October 2024

The aim of this research is to provide evidence regarding the influence of fundamental factors, namely: Return on Equity, Debt to Equity Ratio, Current Ratio, Total Assets Turn Over, and Earning Per Share on stock prices both partially and simultaneously. This research was conducted on 6 infrastructure sector and energy sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2019-2023. The sampling technique is through the purposive sampling method. The statistical test tool used is a panel data regression model with partial t test output and simultaneous f test. The results of this research partially show that Debt to Equity Ratio and Earning Per Share have a significant effect on stock prices, while Return on Equity, Current Ratio and Total Assets Turn Over do not have a significant effect on stock prices. In simultaneous testing, all variables studied including Return on Equity, Debt to Equity Ratio, Current Ratio, Total Assets Turn Over, Earning Per Share have a significant effect on stock prices.
Effectiveness of Social Skills Training to Improve Social Functioning Scores in Schizophrenia Patients at X Lawang Mental Hospital
Authors: Ratna Dwi , Supriyanto Irwan , Pratiti Budi
Published: October 2024

Disability can cause social dysfunctions that affect daily activities, social interaction, and work, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of schizophrenics so that they depend on other people. The use of pharmacotherapy alone is not enough; psychosocial interventions such as social skills training (SST) is needed to improve social functioning in schizophrenic patients. Incorporating social skills training (SST) into a multifaceted treatment and rehabilitation program is deemed significant. The study aimed to determine the effect of social skills training to improve social functions in schizophrenia patients in X Lawang Mental Health. This study used a pre-experimental design with one group pre-test and post-test. Of 40 patients with schizophrenia who were admitted to X Lawang Mental Health fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion requirements. Social function scores were measured using the Personal and Social Performance (PSP) instrument before and after the social skills training intervention. The level of significance of statistical tests is stated at p<0.05. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon test and linear regression. There was significant difference in social functioning scores between before and after social skills training with a value of p=0.000 (p<0.05). The results of the multivariate linear regression test showed that social skills training had a statistically significant effect to improve social function scores with a value of p=0.000. Social skills training has a significant effect to improve social functioning scores in schizophrenics at X Lawang Mental Health.
Thromboelastography Profile of Covid-19 Patients Before and After Convalescent Plasma Therapy Administration
Authors: Fatonah Siti , Xaveria  , Hartanti Khoirunisah Dwi , Purnamasari Putri , Ningtyas Denina Setya , Ramadhani Saskia
Published: October 2024

In Covid-19 patients, coagulopathy disorder is commonly characterized as hypercoagulable, although hemorrhagic complications can arise. However, thromboelastography (TEG) is an examination tool with the ability to assess the complete hemostasis process, including primary, secondary, and fibrinolysis stages, closely resembling the in vivo coagulation process. Therefore, this study provides a descriptive analysis of the hemostatic state of Covid-19 patients before and after administration of convalescent plasma therapy using TEG. In this study, the blood sample was collected from 21 Covid-19 patients at RSSA Malang from June to November 2020, followed by a TEG examination, which was performed on the first day of admission and after convalescent plasma therapy administration. The results were analyzed descriptively. Before convalescent plasma therapy, coagulation index (CI) analysis of TEG results in 21 patients showed that 62% exhibited normocoagulability, 23.8% were hypercoagulable, and 14.2% used hypercoagulability. While TEG results after convalescent plasma therapy showed that 71.4% were normocoagulable, 4.7% hypocoagulable, and 23.9% hypercoagulable. Based on TEG parameters, R, K, and MA, before administration of convalescent plasma therapy showed decreased platelet function by 38%, primary fibrinolysis by 5%, secondary fibrinolysis by 10%, platelet hypercoagulability 5%, and 43% was normal. Coagulopathy profile after convalescent plasma therapy showed decreased platelet function by 24%, secondary fibrinolysis by 10%, platelet hypercoagulability by 10%, enzymatic hypercoagulability by 5%, enzymatic and platelet hypercoagulability by 5%, and 48% was normal. TEG in Covid-19 patients showed a hypercoagulable state before and after administration of convalescent plasma therapy
Congenital Orbital Teratoma of the Newborn: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Wetarini Krisnhaliani , Yuliawati Putu , Sutyawan I Wayan Eka , Surasmiati Ni Made Ayu , Utari Ni Made Laksmi , Sunariasih Ni Nyoman
Published: October 2024

Congenital orbital teratoma is a rare and complex congenital anomaly due to abnormal tissue growth within the orbit. This case report aims to highlight the significance of early prenatal screening in identifying congenital orbital teratoma and its potential complications. A 6-day-old male newborn presented with macrocephaly and a unilateral massive protrusion of the left eye. Prenatal ultrasonography performed at 36 weeks gestation showed a suspicion of fetal craniofacial mass. Further brain CT scan revealed an orbital heterogeneous mass, with calcified components dominantly in the anterior and middle cranial fossa into the left orbit, which was subsequently diagnosed as congenital orbital teratoma associated with non-communicating hydrocephalus. This finding prompted an urgent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. Unfortunately, despite prompt intervention, the patient passed away after the procedure. Pathological examination was compatible with an immature teratoma. Multidisciplinary management is warranted to improve diagnostic screening and refine management strategies for better outcomes in such cases.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Value and Platelet Counts in Pediatric Dengue Patients at RSUP Dr. Hasan Sadikin Bandung
Authors: Irawati Indri , Tristina Nina , Andriyoko Basti
Published: October 2024

Plasma leakage, thrombocytopenia, and cytokines play roles in pathogenesis of dengue infection. Thrombocytopenia correlates with severity of the disease. Dengue virus infection produces cytokines that stimulate C-Reactive Protein (CRP). This study aims to describe the results of CRP and platelet counts with severity of dengue infection in paediatric inpatient at Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung. This is a descriptive observational study with retrospective, cross-sectional data collection in January 1-December 31, 2021 at Hasan Sadikin Hospital. From 32 total subjects, there were 24(75%) non-severe dengue infections compared to severe dengue 8(25%). Non-severe dengue 19(79.2%), had the most platelet counts of 50,000-150,000/L, while platelets count 20,000-50,000/µL was mostly in severe dengue 4/8(50%). CRP value was mostly normal (<0.3mg/dl) as many as 18/24(75%) in mild dengue, whereas in severe dengue CRP was mostly high as many as 6/8(75%). CRP examination is mostly done in critical phase, both in severe and non-severe dengue. Severe dengue infection was found mostly in platelet counts of 50,000-150,000/µL and normal CRP level as many as 14(58.3%). In severe dengue infection, platelet counts was found mostly in 20,000-50,000/µL and high CRP (≥0.3mg/dl) as many as 3(37.5%). Most cases of dengue fever infections in children at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital in 2021 were of mild severity, with platelet counts ranging from 50,000 to 150,000/µL and normal CRP levels. Examinations were typically carried out during the critical phase.
Case Series: Two Cases of Critical Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Focusing on the Timing of Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Koentartiwi Dyahris , Ramadhanti Ardhanis , Damayani Susilo Monica
Published: October 2024

Critical stenosis of the pulmonary valve in neonates is related to ductus-dependent pulmonary circulation. Percutaneous transcatheter balloon valvuloplasty (PTBV) is the treatment of choice for critical pulmonary stenosis. Unfortunately, many children in developing countries are usually diagnosed late and seldom get immediate care, which leads to delayed growth and development and, ultimately, higher morbidity and mortality. We present two cases of critical pulmonary artery stenosis in a 17-year-old boy and a 4-day-old girl who received PTBV procedures, but had different outcomes. We underline the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in critical pulmonary stenosis for the patient’s prognosis.
Resistance of two sugarcane genotypes towards Sporisorium scitamineum Scoring Using Novel Method on Sugarcane buds tissue and Phenol Plant dynamics
Authors:   National Research and Innovation Agency Indonesia, Supriyono Supriyono ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Abadi Abdul Latief ,   University of Brawijaya, Syib’li Muhammad Akhid ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Hidayah Nurul ,   National Research and Innovation Agency Indonesia
Published: October 2024

Smut disease caused by a basidiomycete fungus, Sporisorium scitamineum, is one of major diseases on sugarcane worldwide. The disease could cause considerable yield losses up to 60% on susceptible varieties. Understanding of resistance characteristics of sugarcane clones is essential to support development of resistant sugarcane varieties to smut fungus infection. This study aimed to determine characteristics of sugarcane genotypes J19R17-325/15/3-9 and ASA Agribun toward S. scitamineum infection and the role of phenolic compound on defense mechanism of sugarcane to smut infection. The research consisted of four treatments and was arranged according to the randomized block design with five replicates. The results revealed that J19R17-325/15/3-9 produced higher phenolic compound (0,192 mg/gr) rather than ASA Agribun (0,182 mg/gr). In addition, the distribution of fungal mycelia within sugarcane tissues on J19R17-325/15/3-9 was also lower than those on ASA Agribun. These results indicated that J19R17-325/15/3-9 might have resistance properties to S. scitamineum infection.
Antifungal activity of clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) extract against Fusarium oxysporum cutinase enzyme in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) from in vitro study
Authors:   Universitas Brawijaya, Khairunnisa Amalia , Syib’li Muhammad Akhid ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Abadi Abdul Latief ,   Universitas Brawijaya
Published: October 2024

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici presents a notable threat to tomato plants due to the hydrolytic activity of its cutinase enzyme, which facilitates the penetration of plant root tissues. Thus, reducing cutinase activity through the application of cloves as inhibitors offers an environmentally friendly alternative to hazardous chemical fungicides, showing great promise in controlling Fusarium wilt disease, particularly by targeting the cutinase enzyme of Fusarium oxysporum. This study involved GC-MS analysis of clove extract, fungal growth and cutinase activity assay using rhodamine-b olive oil media. Hence, this study aims to reveal the potential and mechanism of clove extracts as inhibitors of cutinase enzymes to reduce the penetration of the Fusarium oxysporum pathogen in tomato plants. The result shows that clove extract, containing approximately 20% antifungal compounds primarily eugenol (11% of total peak area), inhibits Fusarium oxysporum growth. It also reduces the hydrolytic activity of cutinase crucial for fungal penetration, evidenced by decreased fluorescence halos in tests with rhodamine-B and olive oil media under UV light after adding 1%, 2%, and 3% clove extract. Further in vivo studies are needed to explore its direct effects as a plant inhibitor.
In Vitro Exploration of Endophytes Bacteria from Platycerium Elephantotis Plants as Nitrogen Fixers and Phosphate Solubilizers
Authors:   Universitas Brawijaya, Pamungkas Bayu Aji , Aini Luqman Qurata ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Abadi Abdul Latief ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Trianti Irisa ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Syib`li Muhammad Akhid ,   Universitas Brawijaya, Setiawan Adi ,   Universitas Brawijaya
Published: October 2024

Platycerium elephantotis, an African epiphytic fern thriving in Indonesia, is prized for its ornamental value and medicinal potential. It aids in fern succession without harming its host, obtaining nutrients from leaf litter and roots. Special water-storing tissues and CAM photosynthesis enhance its resilience. Endophytic bacteria in its roots likely contribute to nutrient absorption, including phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation, similar to other fern species. Studies on these bacteria are crucial for enhancing agricultural practices by reducing chemical inputs and promoting plant growth as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), particularly in nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization. The research was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024. Plant samples were collected from Arjuna Park Conservation Garden, Malang, and endophytic bacteria were isolated using serial dilution and nutrient agar media. Hypersensitivity, phosphate solubilization, and nitrogen fixation tests were conducted to assess bacterial traits. The study obtained six bacterial isolates (PE 5, PE 7, PE 24, PE 25, PE 30, and PE 49) from P. elephantotis with potential as biofertilizers due to their nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing abilities. The diverse colony morphologies indicate different bacterial species. All isolates are rod-shaped (bacilli). Gram staining shows that PE 25 and PE 49 are gram-negative, while PE 5, PE 7, PE 24, and PE 30 are gram-positive.
Exploring success factors in cultural landscape conservation: Quantitative insights from the Ancient City of Lijiang, China
Authors:   School of Housing, Building, and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town, Malaysia, Xinyi Chen , Maliki Nor Zarifah ,   School of Housing, Building, and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town, Malaysia
Published: October 2024

This study explored the factors affecting the success of preserving the heritage landscape in Shuhe Ancient Town, Lijiang. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), the research examined the influence of policies and regulations (PR), community involvement (CE), economic strategies (ES), and traditional knowledge (TK) on the success of historic landscape conservation (HLCS). The findings show that PR has a small but positive effect on HLCS. CE and TK were identified as key contributors, both strongly linked to better conservation outcomes. However, ES was negatively associated with HLCS, suggesting that better strategies are needed to balance heritage preservation with environmental sustainability. Unlike previous studies, this research highlights the negative impact of economic strategies on conservation, a factor often overlooked. The study’s strength lies in its comprehensive approach, combining various influencing factors with SEM to offer a detailed understanding of their interaction. These findings provide useful insights for both policymakers and practitioners, helping to improve decision-making in heritage conservation worldwide. Future studies should expand this research to other heritage sites to generalize the results beyond Shuhe Ancient Town.
Structuring of public administration entities in the sphere of security
Authors: Pozdnyakova E. V.
Published: October 2024

Relevance. Any subject of management has specific functions, rights, obligations and has certain resources. Analysis of subjects of management and synthesis of connections between such subjects presupposes search, legal analysis of the entire system, which consists in allocation of elements, subsystems. For this purpose, the system of subjects of management, as well as their powers, is structured. The structure of the apparatus of management as a whole, as well as in the sphere of security in particular, as well as the mechanism of its functioning must fully correspond to the economic, social, political and cultural interests of citizens, state and non-state organizations.

Purpose. Establishing a mechanism for structuring public administration entities in the field of security.

Objectives: determine the legal status of the subject of governance in the sphere of security; highlight the grounds for structuring the subjects of state governance in the sphere of ensuring security.

Methodology. The study used a combination of methods, such as: a general scientific method for studying legal phenomena and processes, formal legal and formal logical methods.

Results. The study provides a description of the legal status of the subject of governance in the field of security, and also provides various grounds for structuring the subjects of public administration in the field of security.

Conclusion. Each body vested with rights and obligations in the sphere of ensuring security is considered as a subject of management in this sphere. A unified system of subjects of management is an internal consistency between its elements. This is a determining quality for structuring subjects of management in the sphere of ensuring the security of citizens. For this, various grounds are used that form different types of subjects and their powers. It is important to ensure the optimal choice, clear interaction in order to exclude poor-quality work, parallelism and duplication in management, to ensure the professionalism and competence of personnel.
"Recipes" for original socio-cultural construction in pre-Revolutionary Old Believer journals
Authors: Apanasenok A. V.
Published: October 2024

The relevance of the research topic is related to the importance of scientific understanding of the influential socio-cultural discourse presented by Orthodox traditionalists in the context of the socio-political and cultural transformation of Russia in the early XX century.

The purpose of the study: to analyze the public rhetoric of the thick Old Believer journals published in Russia in 1906-1916.

Objectives: to characterize the reasons that determine the value of Old Believers' journals for the history of public thought; to identify the range of socially significant problems that were raised on the pages of Old Believers' periodicals in 1906-1916; to assess the level of practical significance of studying the "recipes" of socio-cultural construction of Russia proposed by Old Believers.

Methods. In the course of working with publications traditional methods of textual analysis were used, including elements of content analysis, which involves a qualitative and quantitative study of the content of certain publications in order to identify their central ideas. To process and interpret obtained data the author used methods of description and historical induction as well as historical-statistical and historical-genetic methods.

Results. The paper analyzes the peculiarities of the Old Believer authors' understanding of the negative consequences of mechanical copying of Western socio-cultural norms, examines the specifics of strategies for effective nationally oriented construction proposed by traditionalists in the conditions of the social crisis of the early 20th century. the expediency of using the ideas of "soil" socio-cultural construction in modern conditions is considered.

Conclusions. On the pages of the "thick" Old Believer journals there is a significant number of "recipes" aimed at strengthening national consciousness, education, countering radicalism in politics and vulgar consumerism in everyday life, maintaining family values, combating drunkenness and smoking. Their analysis will enrich the scientific understanding of the social and intellectual realities of the late Empire, some of the strategies of Russia presented by Old Believer publicists at the beginning of the 20th century can be adapted to modern realities.
Remote interaction of participants in civil transactions and methods of their individualization, used in pre-revolutionary Russia
Authors: Trofimov A. A.
Published: October 2024

Relevance. In pre-revolutionary Russia, participants in civil transactions used methods of remote interaction aimed at the emergence, change and termination of private law relations. Remote interaction between participants in civil transactions necessitated their individualization. Nowadays, Russia is undergoing a transition to a digital economy based on the use of the digital environment. Remote interaction of participants in digital civil circulation initiates a solution to the problem of their individualization in the digital environment, which is carried out through the communicative process of identification. The results of scientific research concerning the methods of individualization of participants in remote interaction in pre-revolutionary Russia may be in demand in civil law at the present time. Their application is possible for the development of theoretical provisions concerning the identification of private law entities implementing remote interaction using digital tools.

The purpose of the study is to consider the issue of types of remote interaction between participants in civil transactions and methods of their individualization, used in pre-revolutionary Russia.

Objectives: research of types of remote interaction of participants in civil transactions; identifying ways to individualize participants in civil transactions who carried out remote interaction.

Methodology. In the process of working on the article, methods of synthesis, analysis, induction, deduction, historical-legal, comparative-legal, logical.

Results. In the course of the study, the types of remote interaction between participants in civil transactions and their inherent methods of individualization, used in pre-revolutionary Russia, were identified.

Conclusions. Remote interaction of participants in civil circulation in pre-revolutionary Russia was associated with their individualization, carried out in order to ensure the stability of civil circulation.
MULTI-AGENT INDEPENDENT NON-COOPERATIVE REINFORCEMENT LEARNING FOR LOAD BALANCING IN CLOUD HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS
Authors:   IK Gujral-Punjab Technical University, India, Kaistha Tanu , Ahuja Kiran ,   DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology, India
Published: October 2024

Cloud services are now seeing significant advancements and have witnessed a growing demand. Hence, implementing Load Balancing is necessary to enhance resource usage by effectively distributing workload among numerous Virtual Machines (VMs). The present research aims to address task scheduling challenges and achieve efficient load balancing for all VMs by implementing a novel non-cooperative load balancing algorithm called Multi-agent Independent Deep Q Networks (MAIDQN-LB) in cloud computing heterogeneous networks. The list of tasks is passed to MAIDQN-LB, which will search for a list of VM to be allocated, maintaining the load of all VMs. This procedure facilitates the identification of optimized VMs, the allocation of workloads based on the optimal solution derived from the analysis and optimize the performance parameters. The performance analysis considers essential parameters, including makespan time, average turnaround time, average response time, degree of imbalance (DI), task rejection rate (TRR), and convergence loss. The findings indicate that MAIDQN-LB demonstrates superior performance compared to the current system, exhibiting enhancements of 1.82% and 0.05% regarding DI and TRR.
Population-Level Distribution, Risk Factors, and Burden of Mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years Attributable to Major Noncommunicable Diseases in Western Europe (1990-2021): Ecological Analysis
Authors: Mubarik Sumaira , Naeem Shafaq , Shen Hui , Mubarak Rabia , Luo Lisha , Hussain Syeda Rija , Hak Eelko , Yu Chuanhua , Liu Xiaoxue
Published: October 2024

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and neoplasms are leading causes of mortality worldwide.

Objective

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the mortality burden and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to CVDs and neoplasms in Western Europe, investigate associated risk factors, and identify regional disparities. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in promoting healthier lives in the region.

Methods

The study collected data on mortality and DALYs due to CVDs and cancers from 24 Western European countries using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The analysis explored age, sex, and country-specific patterns, as well as risk factors contributing to these deaths. Additionally, the study examined time trends by calculating the annual percent change in mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 by region and cause.

Results

In 2021, CVDs and neoplasms accounted for 27.8% and 27.1% of total deaths in Western Europe, with age-standardized death rates of 106.8 and 125.8 per 100,000, respectively. The top two CVDs in this region were ischemic heart disease and stroke, with age-standardized death rates of 47.27 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 50.42-41.45) and 27.06 (95% UI 29.17-23.00), respectively. Similarly, the top two neoplasms were lung cancer and colorectal cancer, with age-standardized death rates of 26.4 (95% UI 27.69-24.47) and 15.1 (95% UI 16.25-13.53), respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, CVD mortality rates decreased by 61.9%, while cancer rates decreased by 28.27%. Finland had the highest CVD burden (39.5%), and Monaco had the highest rate of cancer-related deaths (34.8%). Gender differences were observed, with males experiencing a higher burden of both CVDs and cancer. Older individuals were also more at risk. Smoking had a stronger impact on CVD mortality and DALYs in males, while a higher Human Development Index was associated with increased cancer deaths and DALYs in females.

Conclusions

The study findings highlight the substantial burden of NCDs, particularly CVDs and cancer, in Western Europe. This underscores the critical need for targeted interventions and effective implementation of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs to achieve the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all.
Design, Implementation, and Analysis of an Assessment and Accreditation Model to Evaluate a Digital Competence Framework for Health Professionals: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)
Authors: Saigí-Rubió Francesc , Romeu Teresa , Hernández Encuentra Eulàlia , Guitert Montse , Andrés Erik , Reixach Elisenda
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Although digital health is essential for improving health care, its adoption remains slow due to the lack of literacy in this area. Therefore, it is crucial for health professionals to acquire digital skills and for a digital competence assessment and accreditation model to be implemented to make advances in this field.

OBJECTIVE

This study had two objectives: (1) to create a specific map of digital competences for health professionals and (2) to define and test a digital competence assessment and accreditation model for health professionals.

METHODS

We took an iterative mixed methods approach, which included a review of the gray literature and consultation with local experts. We used the arithmetic mean and SD in descriptive statistics, P values in hypothesis testing and subgroup comparisons, the greatest lower bound in test diagnosis, and the discrimination index in study instrument analysis.

RESULTS

The assessment model designed in accordance with the competence content defined in the map of digital competences and based on scenarios had excellent internal consistency overall (greatest lower bound=0.91). Although most study participants (110/122, 90.2%) reported an intermediate self-perceived digital competence level, we found that the vast majority would not attain a level-2 Accreditation of Competence in Information and Communication Technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowing the digital competence level of health professionals based on a defined competence framework should enable such professionals to be trained and updated to meet real needs in their specific professional contexts and, consequently, take full advantage of the potential of digital technologies. These results have informed the Health Plan for Catalonia 2021-2025, thus laying the foundations for creating and offering specific training to assess and certify the digital competence of such professionals.